Photo illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailer
We write about hundreds of products every week. Here, in our version of the Sunday Brochure, we’ve picked out some of our recent favourites: expert-recommended essentials, life-changing things you didn’t know you needed, newly launched tech gadgets and very good deals we discovered while trawling the vast online shopping universe – including a trio’s favourite pair of bed linens, some sturdy martini glasses and a backpack for carrying the laundry.
“Applying sunscreen to a small, fidgety child is Olympic-level difficulty, and I’m no athlete,” wrote Strategist contributor Matthew Schnipper this week. His solution: the Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator. “It’s a simple, ergonomic device with three main components: a container into which you pour the sunscreen of your choice, a rollerball with a filter through which the sunscreen flows, and a small foam sponge with which you rub it in,” he writes. Although he originally used it to apply sunscreen to his daughter, he now also uses it to protect his bald head from the sun.
This week we launched “Strategist Brain,” a new series in which our staffers share what’s on their minds, from the stores they’ve been to and things they’ve discovered to additional anecdotes from stories they’ve worked on. In the first episode, we heard from Strategist writer Lauren Ro, who shared her love for this cooling sun hat that she says is “so lightweight and does a great job of blocking the sun thanks to its foldable brim.” Stay tuned for Jeremy Rellosa’s report next week.
As someone who has logged many miles on foot in both Austin and New York, Strategist contributor Will Porter has learned one thing: “Hot is hot no matter how you twist and turn it.” To keep cool on sweltering days, he has a collection of running gear that combats excess heat and the sweating that comes with it, including this well-designed sun hat for runners. “The removable neck gaiter is large enough to cover my entire neck while clipped into the hat’s sweatband, and doubles as a towel when I need to wipe my face, neck, or arms,” he says.
While Porter’s Ciele hat was designed specifically for runners, these sunglasses from Article One are more versatile. The sunglasses are stylish enough to be worn at the Olympics — as Ryan Gosling did last week — and durable enough to be worn while running — as Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa has been doing since 2018. “What makes them so great are their nose pads, which are wide and soft and don’t pinch,” he writes.
It’s been a big week for new series at The Strategist: In addition to “Strategist Brain,” we also launched “How I Sleep,” a series that looks at how people with very specific sleep situations fall asleep and stay asleep—and the products they use. First up: a couple of three who share a bed. Their setup is a little complicated, but it starts with this affordable bedding set from Costco that balances all three of their preferences. “They tend to have good, high-quality stuff at cheaper prices, so that’s usually where we look first for almost everything,” says Rachael Meir, another member of the threesome.
Make room in your cabinets because we’ve got a new selection of cocktail glasses for you: specifically, the very best martini glasses, brought to you by Strategist contributor Margaret Eby. While Eby has heard of a number of classic, dainty martini glasses, Cocktail Snob’s Camille Wilson recommended a sturdy option that really stood out from the crowd. “I know it’s not the traditional martini glass with a long, thin stem, but that’s exactly why I love it,” she says. “It’s lightweight but doesn’t feel flimsy, and I love the fluted design on the bottom.”
Whether you need extra storage for said martini glasses or just a few unwieldy pots and pans, you might consider getting a Speed Rack. Strategist contributor Jon Kung bought this one when he ran a secret restaurant in his apartment—but those days are long gone, now he uses it for open shelving. “It’s super handy if you’re a visual person like me and need to see your inventory,” he writes. “I need to be able to see what I have to remind myself that I have it. If something is stored in a closed cabinet, I forget about it. That way, I forget to use the jerk seasoning or za’atar.”
It’s August, which means college orientation is just around the corner and packing for college is in full swing. To make things a little easier, Strategist writers Bella Druckman and Rachael Griffiths have created The Strategist Dorm 100. Inside, you’ll find everything a freshman needs to outfit their dorm, from a shower caddy and drying mat to this handy laundry backpack that makes the trip to the dorm laundry room less of a chore.
Griffiths wasn’t lying when she wrote: “Productivity drops to zero when a new Baggu collection is introduced in our Slack chat.” This week a particularly charming Peanuts Cooperation stopped us“Of the dozens of bags, packing cubes and backpacks, I particularly like this pumpkin patch colorway for those with a spooky streak,” Griffiths writes in this week’s issue of Don’t Dillydally.
Musician Beabadoobee, who has been wearing eyeliner since she was 15, says her eyeliner “makes me feel like myself.” Her favorite is this Givenchy eyeliner, which is “easy and smooth to apply.” She adds, “I wear it when I perform, too, because it doesn’t move. For a darker look, I just pull the wing out a little.”
The strategist is designed to provide useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Each product is independently selected by our editorial team, which you can read more about HereWe update links when possible, but please note that offers may expire and all prices are subject to change.
