An all-over-the-place assortment of stood-behind products culled from this very website that appears in the most recent April issue of New York Magazine.
Best in Class
Teapile’s Travel-Bottle Set looks exactly like the dozens of other options that pop up when you type toiletry bottles into Amazon. But the frequent fliers whom writer Katherine Gillespie interviewed say this 17-piece collection is in a class of its own. It comes with a mix of secure containers, tiny funnels for easy transfers, and a clear carrying case. Writer Rachael Griffiths uses the three-ounce silicone bottles for shampoo and conditioner and the two-ouncers for facial cleanser and moisturizer. The plastic tubs are handy for eye cream, and the 20-ml. pump-top bottles hold her setting spray. And most important, no matter the container, the caps screw on tight: Griffiths has taken the set on 11 flights and has never had a spill.
Celebrity Shopping
“It comes in just a few shades, and it’s really good for everyday wear. I have the red and the pink; they’re subtle and moisturize your lips. I’m not a strong-lip-color- in-the-light-of-day kind of girl.”
“I love finding off-the-beaten-path sneakers. I first got introduced to Axel Arigato through my stylist; these are an easy pair that’s versatile and fun. I was really taken by the design and the lines and just the vibe of the shoes. They can go into a street look or something that’s a little more refined.”
“I can’t not stop if someone needs help, so I’m studying to be an EMT. I learned that every person should have a trauma kit to stop bleeding if you’re in a car accident or if someone needs help before first responders get there. This one has a triangle bandage, which is the best and easiest thing to wrap around wounds.”
This Thing’s Incredible
I recently became aware that, for the most part, I am my own boss. And my employee (me) was showing up to work wearing a depressing combination of whatever was around. I needed something I could wear as a Pavlovian signal it was time to work. Then it arrived in my mailbox: the Cardigan from Cou Cou Intimates. I’ve worn it every day since I got it and have bought two more. It’s lightweight and roomy enough to put a shirt under but tight enough to wear by itself. It’s serious without being boring. On its own, there’s the sheerest hint of nipple (very important). I’ll wear it with a tank and a small black skirt or alone, no shirt, with jeans. It’s flung over the edge of my bed when I sleep and on my body when I wake. I’m wearing the Cardigan as I write this, and I’m sure I’ll be wearing it when you read it. —Nicolaia Rips
Best of Brand
Quince carries everything from activewear to jewelry to luggage, and at the Strategist, we’ve tested quite a lot of it. Here, just a few of the products our writers and editors recommend.
Quince earned our “Best in Class” crown for its cooling percale sheets. Writer Lauren Ro says the sheets are “the crispest and most lightweight of all the bedding I have tried over the years.”
This crewneck is our favorite accessible cashmere sweater for both men and women. Writer Arielle Avila describes it as “supersoft with a slight slickness to it.”
Quince’s silk pillowcase recently won “best overall” in its category. “It’s less than half the price of the Slip,” says writer Tembe Denton-Hurst, “but just as luxurious and gave me near-identical results.”
Writer Liza Corsillo says these separates are temperature regulating; they kept her warm on chilly nights and cool on hot ones. She likens their texture to “blueberries or grapes early in the morning that have a little frostiness to their skin.”
Writer Ambar Pardilla likes this sleep jumpsuit because it is “supersoft, worn-in, and doesn’t pill in the wash.” It’s also great for summer: “Without sleeves and with a low V-neck and keyhole in the back, the style is pretty airy.”
Please Advise
in his most recent column, former glasses wearer (now LASIK evangelist) Chris Black pointed one reader toward four frames.
“I love these understated frames made of high-grade titanium. They are light and have some engraved details on the bridge and temples. A true everyday pair of glasses.”
“This style harkens back to movie stars of the 1950s. The glasses are handmade in Italy from a dark tortoise, which works well. Black would feel heavy.”
“Oliver Peoples is one of the most classic eyewear brands on earth, so it’s hard to choose just one style, but the Finley will look good on anyone.”
“I have had several pairs from Moscot in my time and can attest to their quality. This style is a slightly funky shape if you’re feeling playful.”
Testing, Testing
When I started the process of finding the best egg poacher, I landed on eight models worth testing. I sent most of them out to colleagues and kept two options to test myself. When the results came in, the feedback was disappointing. The eggs either stuck to the contraptions or ended up soft-boiled, not poached. It wasn’t until I tested the final poacher that I found a beacon of hope. This bright-yellow OXO model is affordable and compact and, crucially, it works. It creates actual poached eggs with a fully liquid yolk that streams out beautifully upon contact with your fork. My set now has a permanent spot in my kitchen cabinet. —Emma Wartzman
Our Shopping Cart
If I don’t immediately shower after hitting the gym, I wind up with a lot of pimples on my forehead. But then I heard that spritzing an antibacterial hypochlorous-acid mist post-workout — like Tower 28’s SOS spray ($28) — can help prevent clogged pores and breakouts. Intrigued, I found a $12 version from E11ement that has the same ingredients as the SOS spray and smells, pleasantly, like a chlorinated pool. The nozzle is powerful enough to put product on your face without it feeling like you just shot yourself in the eye with a water gun. After a few weeks of use, I’ve noticed that fewer whiteheads have cropped up. I’m excited to put it to the test this summer when I’m out and about and feeling sweaty. —Sam Daly
Compulsive Shopping
I have a serious aversion to overhead lighting; it feels wrong and makes me twitch. Wall sconces are the ideal antidote, but installation can be expensive. This is why I love plug-in sconces. They’re perfect for renters and for homeowners who want atmospheric lighting without hiring a professional. These are the wall sconces I’ve used in my own home — and a couple I’m eyeing, too. —Fiona Byrne
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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.
