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 book written by a trained botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, an LED rainbow costume for cats and dogs, and Nicole Scherzinger’s non-damaging hair-styling tool.
The Birkenstock clogs that are cooler (and easier to find) than Bostons
According to Strategist junior writer Brenley Goertzen, Birkenstock‘s suede Boston clogs were dubbed the official cool-girl shoe of fall, both by retailers like Free People and Urban Outfitters and by style TikTok. But as senior writer Liza Corsillo argues, the true cool-girl shoes are the Tokios — in black specifically — which have been “worn in large part by medical professionals and food-service folks, and they are the kitchen shoe that both Carmy and Sydney wear on FX’s hit The Bear.” Compared to the Bostons, Tokios are also better equipped to handle “puddles and wet subway platforms,” Corsillo says. With a cushy EVA midsole, these are designed for people that are always on their feet, plus, they’re easy to slip on and off — and they’re a “less basic, more status-y choice.”
On-sale bedding from Target’s Deal Days Event
Shampoo for saving greasy hair …
After blowing through cans of her favorite Living Proof dry shampoo to counteract oily hair, Strategist beauty writer Rio Viera-Newton discovered Ouai’s Detox Shampoo and finally kicked her habit. The culprit, as she came to learn, is hard water, which “contains minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sulfates” that can create “unpleasant buildup.” Ouai’s Detox Shampoo binds to these harsh minerals, working to strip the hair of gunk. But be warned: “This shampoo actually works better when it’s employed sparingly,” Viera-Newton says.
… and one that for even the most sensitive scalps
In the hopes of putting an end to allergy-related scalp stinging (yes, it’s possible) and flakiness, Strategist writer Erin Schwartz turned to Vanicream — and after a few months, their hair became healthy enough to bleach blonde. “Since buying the shampoo, my hair routine has gotten easier and cheaper, and reliably produces boy-band-floppy hair days,” says Schwartz, who’s even purchased the brand’s conditioner.
A striped sweater from a highly anticipated Target collab
The newest edition of Target’s Fall Designer Collection has officially dropped, and we’ve rounded up our best picks from all the collaborators, including this creamy sweater from La Ligne. Note the vertical stripes of contrasting whipstitch, a technique favored by sewers for finishing hems and cuffs.
A sweet (and safe) pet costume for Halloween
This light-up rainbow costume, which can be found in our guide to dog Halloween costumes, was recommended by veterinarian Carling Matejka as the safest (and very adorable) option for trick-or-treating so your pet can be visible in the dark.
A fluffier and bouncier desert alternative to American cheesecake
In the latest installment of Strategist Haul, junior writer Kitty Guo purchased this Japanese cheesecake from Keki Modern Cakes in Chinatown. Guo says Japanese cheesecakes are “fluffy and bouncy and light as air” compared to their American counterpart, and are best enjoyed with a “cup of jasmine tea and some fresh berries.”
Almost Muji-esque tube socks
Strategist senior editor Tshepo Mokoena was on the lookout for classic white tube socks when she stumbled across these in a Cos in London. Although they aren’t 100 percent cotton (there are some synthetic fibers mixed in), these socks leave her feet feeling cool and comfortable, plus they feature a design that is “sturdy, not fluffy, and long enough to be scrunchable.” At $22 for three pairs, these are an affordable option “for someone who wants something understated, almost Muji-esque,” Mokoena says.
One of our best books on environmental justice (from an Indigenous author)
If you’re looking for a thoughtful gift, shop our guide to shopping from Indigenous-owned brands, which includes this book that was recommended to Strategist writer Tembe Denton-Hurst when she spoke to experts about the best books on environmental justice. Written by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and a trained botanist, this book blends two unique lenses: Indigenous wisdom and science. “Braiding Sweetgrass does a great job of saying, ‘Hey, they’re not mutually exclusive — it’s just that our ancestral form of science isn’t credited and validated by a Western perspective,” says Diandra Marizet, a co-founder of the platform Intersectional Environmentalist.
Nicole Scherzinger’s non-damaging hair styling tool
When we asked Nicole Scherzinger about what she can’t live without, she named this heat tool her Masked Singer stylist freaked out over because of how healthy Scherzinger’s hair was after using it so much. Because it “uses 30 percent less heat than other styling tools,” it gives hair “extra shine and less frizz,” says Scherzinger, who uses it to straighten and add waves to her lengths.
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.
