Welcome back to Your Shopping Cart, where we break out the top ten products that you, devoted Strategist readers, all bought in droves. Think of this as the tl;dr of the Strategist. If your like-minded brethren are buying these items, maybe you’d like to, too.
Last month our readers proved they are open to new things, since four items made first-time appearances on the list — including some surprisingly flattering men’s dress jeans, a sheer lipstick that our beauty writer said was “instant love,” and Tracee Ellis Ross–approved icy facial globes. But old habits die hard, and taking the No. 1 spot for the second time in a row is a dentist-recommended toothbrush, followed by a highly recommended drugstore moisturizer and a minimalist vibrator that’s appeared on this list five times (not just around Valentine’s Day). Our loyal community of side sleepers strikes again, too, making the Wamsutta pillow an all-time Strategist best seller.
Dental hygiene seems to be one of our readers’ top priorities, since this is the 16th time this Oral-B toothbrush has made it on this list — and half of those times it’s made it into the No. 1 slot. Dentists say what sets this electric toothbrush apart from others is the fact that it both rotates and oscillates, which helps with plaque build up and targets more of the teeth. It’s also top-rated among Amazon reviewers. More than 7,000 give it five stars, including one who says, “This toothbrush leaves my teeth feeling like they’ve been power-washed.”
Uberlube is having a bit of an anniversary, making its 20th appearance on our list. It’s a favorite among experts for a number of reasons: It comes in a sleek bottle, it’s slippery enough for both vaginal and anal play, and it has only all-natural ingredients.
Strategist writer Rio Viera-Newton revealed a cult of stylish women wearing these “ugly $30 men’s pants,” and our readers quickly signed up. Despite how unattractive the pants look online, Rio and her stylish cohort discovered that they are actually “perfectly fitted, extremely flattering pleated black slacks” for women. Strategist writer Tembe Denton-Hurst was convinced, buying a pair the day the story went up. If you’re considering joining them, Rio recommends buying the pants two sizes up from your normal size.
Dozens of dermatologists have recommended this hyaluronic-acid-infused moisturizer for dry skin, mature skin, sunburned skin, Accutane-users, and even for pregnant women. Most recently it appeared on our list of the best drugstore moisturizers. Sapna Palep of Spring Street Dermatology told us it deeply hydrates parched complexions, so it’s no surprise this has been a recurring best seller this winter.
This vibrator has appeared on the best-seller list five times in the last year, but this is the highest it’s ever ranked. Valentine’s Day probably has something to do with that, and not just for people who are already coupled up, since our testers found it’s just as easy to use with a partner as it is without. (Or maybe the popularity among readers is because it was featured in the Strategist email newsletter, with an exclusive discount code for subscribers.)
With 29 appearances, this pillow remains the most-featured item on the best-seller list. When former Strategist editor Jason Chen was testing pillows for side sleepers, he called this one a surprising front-runner. It’s inexpensive, lightweight for a side-sleeper pillow, and even has a polyester fill, but he still found it to have a “firm, satisfying spring” — one he appreciated more than what he got from a fancy Tempur-Pedic.
After our colleagues at the Cut spotted Tracee Ellis Ross using these icy wands, Rio tested them out. She describes them as “essentially frozen pieces of glass” that work wonders for acne, helping her reduce a cystic zit in a matter of hours. “I kept it on my pimple while I watched TV that night, and by the time I went to bed, it looked flatter, less inflamed, and the surrounding irritation was markedly decreased,” she says. If that sounds appealing, don’t dillydally on purchasing your own set: They are starting to sell out.
Another newcomer to the list are these deodorizing sachets made for stinky shoes that writer Eric Margulies used to save his trash can from smelling like “months-old yogurt and pizza.” The packets themselves don’t have a scent, but they do “attack and remove sulfur-containing odors and ammonia.” As the spring-cleaning itch comes around, we imagine these will become a staple on this list.
In just seven months, this book has appeared on this list nine times since its debut. It’s one of our best gifts for 2-year-olds because it’s more of a game than a regular book. It encourages finding patterns, making predictions, learning colors, and remembering sequences. If your child’s in the “Again!” phase, even after reading this book dozens of times, experts say they won’t get bored of it.
This lipstick was introduced to Rio by her friend, who sold it as “the most perfect, subtle, slightly smudged, blurred lip she’d ever seen.” Upon research, she found it’s also a favorite among millions of Reddit reviewers — and it stands up to her standards, too. She describes this specific shade as ’90s brown and says it’s buildable for a day-to-night look: “One swipe in the mornings for a soft, your-lips-but-better, sheer matte look, a couple of additional layers around 5 p.m. for happy hour or a dinner date.”
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.
