We write about hundreds of products each 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 through the vast online-shopping universe — including a Sol de Janeiro dupe that’s half the price, the Zara candle Sydney Sweeney can’t live without, and an anti-snoring wedge pillow for back sleepers.
Gingham cargo pants so nice one writer bought them thrice
As a self-proclaimed “cool-pants collector,” writer Yaminah Mayo was drawn to these Urban Outfitters gingham pants, which she knew would be the perfect addition to her collection. Mayo says they pair well with virtually any shirt, perfectly fit her five-foot-three frame, and, unlike other wide-leg pants, they’re appropriate for everyday wear. “Since then, they’ve become a cornerstone of my wardrobe, with my frequency of wear being at least twice a week,” Mayo writes in her ode.
Sydney Sweeney’s very calming candle
After smelling this Zara candle burning at a friend’s place, Sydney Sweeney immediately bought her own that very same day. The candle has a “vanilla aspect to it,” according to the actress, who also describes the scent as calming and cozy. “Whenever I walk in and the candle is burning, it just relaxes me,” she says.
Rio’s secret to slick-back-bun touch-ups
By nature, the slicked-back-bun hairstyle can cause a lot of tension, especially along your hairline, which is why Strategist beauty columnist Rio Viera-Newton rounded up the products she uses to create excellent buns without breakage. Garnier’s Pure Clean gel helps keep her coarse, thick hair in place, but this Taming Wand from Dae is ideal for fixing stubborn flyaways. Viera-Newton says that the formula “works absolutely wonders for slicking little bits and pieces here and there that have come loose from your bun throughout the day.”
Two-in-one wine chiller and pitcher
If you’re entertaining during the last days of summer, wine buckets and chillers are a must. In our buying quide, event producer Tini Cochran recommends the Togosa, which is her “secret weapon for keeping the wine ice-cold before serving in glasses at my park dinners or beach visits instead of a bulky cooler.” It’s triple-insulated, so it acts like a thermos to retain temperatures for up to 48 hours (as long as you pre-chill your bottle ahead of time).
A breathable T-shirt that’s made of milk
Our senior editor, Kiki Aranita, has long reported on sustainable foods, and when it comes to fashion, she’s always looking for sustainable clothing and accessories. According to Aranita, the most exciting development is fabrics that repurpose waste from industrial food processing. In her closet, you’ll find pieces made of seaweed, banana skins, spent soy husks, and even milk, like this white T-shirt. It’s made of 59 percent micro-modal (a sustainable version of cellulose fabrics), 39 percent milk fiber, and 2 percent elastane (for structural integrity and stretch). “The milk fiber is derived from the casein protein of soured-milk waste collected from industrial farms,” Aranita writes. “While that sounds like cutting-edge tech, it came out of Word War I.”
Our writer’s Brazilian Bum Bum Cream dupe
Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Bum Bum Cream has been a buzzy product for years, but in last week’s edition of The Strategist Beauty Brief, Strategist writer Arielle Avila tried a dupe from MCoBeauty. After applying the MCoBeauty as her sole body moisturizer for a week, Avila says the formula is a little thinner and the scent is lighter than the Sol de Janeiro. The MCoBeauty cream has become her daily staple. “It’s exactly what I was looking for: a microdose of my favorite sweet scent that keeps me moisturized all day long,” she says.
A wedge-shaped pillow to help snorers (and their roommates)
If you’re a snorer (or someone you know is), let us share our anti-snoring pillows shopping guide. We spoke to sleep doctors and other experts in the field to get their recommendations, which included this best-selling wedge pillow that elevates the head and torso to open the airways and reduce snoring. Sleep coach Cali Bahrenfuss is a fan and says patients can even add their favorite pillow on top for extra familiarity and comfort. It’s also available in multiple height and width options.
An anti-aging serum for sensitive skin types …
Have you heard of “nature’s retinol” or noticed the ingredient bakuchiol popping up on skin-care labels? Well, we spoke to skin-care experts to find out if bakuchiol is really a retinol alternative and learned that the two both promote cell turnover; however, they do so by targeting different skin receptors. That’s why bakuchiol is considered more tolerable and isn’t as harsh on the skin as retinol. Named our best anti-aging serum for sensitive skin, Herbivore Botanicals’ Moon Fruit contains bakuchiol and is packed with peptides and glycerin to strengthen skin elasticity.
… and an ultramoisturizing barrier-repair face mask
Another necessary addition to your bathroom counter: This First Aid Beauty face mask that Avila named our best-in-class pick in her new roundup. It checks all the boxes because it’s hydrating, soothing, and non-irritating, so it’s safe for those with sensitive skin. Dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi says the colloidal oatmeal and bisabolol calm irritation, while the shea butter hydrates the skin; it’s also packed with antioxidants to reduce signs of aging. “I left it on for ten minutes, and after I rinsed it off, my skin felt smooth and plump without looking greasy,” Avila says.
Spooky yet soft “Gus the Ghost” throw pillow
Those whose favorite holiday is Halloween know that the best shopping happens right now, so it’s fitting that Pottery Barn released some cute throw pillows earlier this week. We couldn’t resist featuring this ghost holding a pumpkin in this week’s installment of Don’t DillyDally.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
