We write about hundreds of products a week. Here, in our version of the Sunday circular, we’ve plucked out some of our favorites — expert-recommended essentials, life-changing stuff you didn’t know you needed, newly launched gizmos, and the very good deals we uncovered while trolling through the vast online-shopping universe this past week, including Debi Mazar’s hair rollers she’s used since the ’80s, SPF-packed moisturizer (that’s on sale), and a gift for the gluten-free foodie dad.
An unassuming and actually stylish diaper bag
Strategist contributor Yelena Shuster describes her baby-registry research as “pathological: I cross-referenced friends’ registries while [my husband] scoured expert and customer reviews.” One of the more stylish yet functional items included was this Kibou fanny pack that doubles as a diaper bag. It features a waterproof slot for wipes and a sleek back pocket, which rolls out into a changing pad. While it’s not as roomy as a traditional diaper bag, Shuster reports that the “clever bag still holds all the essentials, including a handful of diapers, wipes, and pacifiers, in addition to your iPhone and wallet. It’s perfect for a quick park stroll or doctor appointment if, like me, you’re a wannabe minimalist but in reality a hoarder.”
‘Flattering’ high-cut briefs for trans women who don’t want to tuck
Strategist contributor Devan Diaz has “spent years searching for underwear both sexy and basic that feels good and provides enough coverage for me not to tuck (or, on the occasions I do, wear a gaff).” Diaz shared seven pairs of underwear she’s found on her own and through friends’ recommendations, including this pair of Los Angeles Apparel high-cut briefs, which “work well for transsexuals because the front is usually pretty wide.” She writes, “I buy them in bulk; they’re great for everyday wear under jeans, with enough space to hold me in. If your shoulder-to-hip ratio makes you dysphoric, these will help give your body a flattering pear shape.”
The product that got rid of one writer’s maskne
Anyone who’s worn a mask knows that it doesn’t take a lot of wear to result in a pimple. To get rid of dreaded maskne, Strategist writer Chloe Anello looked for a more immediate solution than pimple patches and clay masks for her combination skin. She found Peace Out’s cleanser, which is formulated with “ingredients dermatologists say are good for those looking to treat skin with dry and oily spots.” After just six days of using it nightly, Anello reports, “there was no trace of my maskne.” And now that she’s used it for more than a month, her skin “looks as good as it ever has — clear, even, bright, and smooth.”
Cult collectible tiled cube tables …
If you’ve been on Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen tiled cubed tables “popping up in the backgrounds of every Danish influencer’s perfectly curated home, at design studios and concept shops like Friends of Form, and even in the bathrooms of stylish seaside hotels.” Strategist contributor Sydney Gore did a deep dive into the trend to find out where they came from and what their appeal is. Gore found that the “cult collector’s item” traces back “to 1966 with Superstudio’s Quaderna table for Zanotta, which was designed by the Italian architects Cristiano Toraldo di Francia and Adolfo Natalini.” She also spoke to Amalie and Sarah Thorgaard, founders of Scandinavian brand Ikon København, which has had a stake in the space since 2016. They explain to Gore that the versatility appeals to customers most. As Amalie puts it, “They stand out and draw your attention, but at the same time blend in and synergize with any style.”
… and a collectible Cruella de Vil figure
In our most recent installment of Don’t Dillydally, we write about this collectible Funko Pop of the Disney character Cruella de Vil. The collaboration comes after the release of the live-action film Cruella, which tells the origin story of the fashion aspirant long before she became a dognapping style icon. We write that it “captures the essence of Cruella and would look nice on desks big and small.”
A shirt that ‘embodies sprezzatura’
In a new series called Steal My Vacation, we apply our signature obsessive approach to service journalism to the tangled world of trip planning. We had Daniel Soares, a fourth-generation New York grocer and owner of Essex Market produce stand Alimentari Flâneur, walk us through his trip through Puglia and the things he’d bring. Along with particular loafers and pens, Soares recommends this button-down shirt, which he says “embodies sprezzatura.” The Turkish ivory cotton is woven and spun by generational craftsmen in Italy, and has “effortless elegance with a touch of versatility … It’s the shirt you throw on in a pinch, when the plane is boarding and your lover is waiting with a smile and freshly baked black-garlic sourdough is in the oven.”
Debi Mazar’s hair rollers she’s used since the ’80s
While we speak to plenty of celebrities who are particular about their stuff, we sometimes encounter one who is very, very particular. Debi Mazar falls into that category, and recommended dozens and dozens of products — many of which she’s been using for a decade or longer. One such item are these hair rollers she’s used since the ‘80s. “I have the kit, and when the rollers get worn out, I order two extra packages of the medium size — not the small, not the large, just the medium,” she explains. “I prefer steam rollers because they don’t damage my hair like a curling iron can. Plus, the curls will last till the next day, and they look really soft.”
SPF-packed moisturizer (that’s on sale)
Since summer’s practically here, it’s a great time to stock up on sunscreen you’ll actually use. You may want to consider SPF-packed moisturizers since they combine sun protection and face cream in one. While rummaging through the sales this week, we found that this Supergoop! moisturizer with SPF 40 is 20 percent off through June 8. Beauty writer Rio Viera-Newton is a fan of this and says it leaves her skin “bright, radiant, and gleamy without looking greasy.”
And a gift for the gluten-free foodie dad
This toaster was one of the things that curator Larry Ossei-Mensah told us he can’t live without, but we also think it’d make an excellent gift “for the foodie dad whose favorite breakfast is buttered toast.” Plus, we found that it even has a gluten-free setting. “Gluten-free breads and other baked goods notoriously burn, but must be toasted to be edible,” we explain. “If your foodie dad is gluten-free, having a toaster built to handle that balance could prove priceless.”
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.
