We write about hundreds of products every week. Here, in our version of the Sunday circular, we’ve plucked some of our recent favorites: expert-recommended essentials, life-changing stuff you didn’t know you needed, newly launched gizmos, and very good deals we uncovered while trawling the vast online-shopping universe — including the $28 shirtdress one writer owns in multiple colors, the pigmented sheets that inspired one editor to swap out her white bedding, and an easy-to-assemble gas grill just in time for outdoor-dinner-party season.
The $50 stripper heels everyone wore to the Met Gala
While scrolling through photos from the Met Gala, we couldn’t help but notice multiple celebs — including Kim Kardashian, Doja Cat, and Janelle Monáe — wearing the same sky-high, see-through plastic footwear. Pleasers, a line of stripper heels that retail for about $50 to $100, were the shoes, and writer Erin Schwartz says it’s no surprise to them in a fashion context: Pleasers add approximately six inches to the wearer’s height, and “they’re almost a neutral,” Schwartz wrote.
Tinted mineral sunscreen for a (white-cast-free) glow …
Mineral-based sunscreens had always been a no-go for Strategist contributor Mbiye Kasonga because of how “ghostly white” they made her look — until last year when RMS Beauty sent her a bottle of its new tinted formula. The darkest shade, Rich Aura, has a caramel hue that, after being rubbed in thoroughly, deepens into a brown color with a slight shimmer, leaving skin dewy and radiant. “All in all, this is the first mineral sunscreen I’ve found that I can wear with confidence,” Kasonga said.
… and the glittery setting spray that will make skin sparkle
In last week’s edition of The Strategist Beauty Brief, our writer Rachael Griffiths tested the One/Size beauty collaboration with the Broadway show Wicked, which includes a glittery version of the brand’s best-selling setting spray. After thoroughly coating her finished makeup with it, Griffiths said, the fast-drying formula created a completely matte finish and the flecks of cool-toned glitter instantly caught the sunlight. “I’m 100 percent going to pack it in my makeup bag for Glastonbury,” she wrote.
Editor’s note: The spray is currently sold out, but you can sign up here for updates on a restock.
The protein powder Juliette Lewis “lives and breathes” by
“I am one of these people with a hummingbird metabolism where I have to eat every couple hours to sustain energy,” Juliette Lewis told us this week. That’s why she turns to this whey protein — which she says is easy to digest and even tastes good — to stay satiated. Lewis uses it to make protein shakes and has a simple recipe: “This protein powder, almond milk, blueberries, and a banana in a Nutribullet, and you’re set.”
The $28 Target shirtdress one writer owns in multiple colors
Strategist contributor Diksha Basu uncovered this no-fuss, delightfully soft shirtdress for less than $35 at Target. Basu, who owns the dress in dark navy and blue stripes (and is considering buying a third color), says the material is easy to machine wash and doesn’t wrinkle easily, making it great for travel. “The Target pictures don’t show it, but the dresses can be quite sexy,” Basu wrote. “They have slits up both sides so you can show a little leg when the breeze blows, and you can unbutton according to how sexy you’re feeling.” Another bonus: They have pockets.
Nick Viall’s weighted jump rope
Another item to add to your travel packing list: the super-portable jump rope Nick Viall always brings with him on the road. “Not every hotel I stay in has a gym or a gym that I want to use, so it’s just a great easy way to get cardio in when I’m on the go,” Viall told us. Plus, the weighted handles add a little extra resistance.
A magnetic knife block that will keep blades sharper for longer
If your kitchen knives are taking up premium drawer space, consider a magnetic knife block, which can be wall mounted or sit upright on your counter. In our roundup of the best magnetic knife blocks, chef Ana Castro recommended this Material Kitchen stand for its simplicity. The white-ash wood has a particularly sleek look, and despite its slim silhouette, the block can hold eight to ten knives.
The moss-color sheets that inspired one editor to swap out her white bedding
We put a lot of work into tracking down everything you need to get a good night’s sleep — from testing mattresses to studying the difference between percale and sateen sheets. When it comes to our own beds, we’re a bit obsessive, too. In our guide to making a bed, senior editor Simone Kitchens said she has moved away from white bedding because “it’s not easy to keep looking good” and instead loves these earthy olive-green sheets from Studio Sutram (which was featured in our Secret Strategist newsletter). The brand has “beautiful pigmented sheets and duvets in solids, and you can build a tonal mono-color look with them,” Kitchens said.
A no-assembly-tools-required gas grill for summer dinner parties
As seen in our guide to the best gas grills, the TYTUS is our top-rated choice for an affordable at-home model. Strategist contributor and grill expert Jonathan Deutsch, who tested the TYTUS for himself, said, “Even for me, the least handy person you could imagine, I had the grill assembled in the promised five minutes without tools.” The TYTUS also delivers where it counts most: It provides reliable, even, intense heat that’s ideal for achieving a high-quality sear.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
