Plastic-Free Cookware, a Rubber-Duckie Tub, and Other Recent Strategist Finds

Drying your hair with a standard terry- cloth bath towel might be convenient, but because the fabric can be heavy and rough, it could actually break and damage delicate strands. Strategist writer Dominique Pariso sought out gentler alternatives from six hairstyling professionals and ultimately picked Crown Affair’s the Towel as the ideal option for most, if not all, people. Simply slip the ends of your hair through the elastic band in the back and your locks will stay put while the towel’s microfiber waffle texture soaks up moisture. Strategist deputy editor Simone Kitchens, who keeps a stack of three in her bathroom, says it has “made an instant difference in the way my very fine, curly hair air- dries—softer, less frizz, more defined curls.”

“I have a little toiletry bag that I always have at Barclays Center but also always comes on the road. In there, I keep my hair spray and my brushes and then Supergoop face lotion, my Versace perfume, and this deodorant.
I like the deodorant because of the cucumber … flavor? I don’t know, scent?”

“I haven’t had a teddy bear since I was a kid. Then I recently did this film called Mickey 17 and was given this plushie of a Creeper—the aliens in the film—by the marketing guys. I was like, ‘No, I’m grown. I don’t need one.’ Then I saw how cute it was and took it home. I named him Gerald. It’s just a step before I get a puppy.”

“An organizer recommended these bags to me a long time ago. They fold up to absolutely nothing. It’s almost like having a paper bag. I keep one labeled ‘Tailor’ and another labeled ‘Donate’ open in my closet. These bags have that clear pocket where you can label them.”

As a travel writer and a parent of a baby, this duck tub is one of the few items I never leave town without. It can turn any ceramic-tile hellscape (also known as a hotel-room walk-in shower) into a safe place for an infant to bathe. Its toylike exterior hides a cushioned, comfortable travel tub for bathing little ones, particularly those who are just learning to sit upright.
It also has a few great, unexpected features like a small heart imprint that’ll warn you if the bathwater is too hot. Aside from the chore of blowing it up (I use an exercise ball’s hand pump), it’s a cinch to use and to dry. –Carlye Wisel

These are my main source of backyar dlighting, and they have lasted through three years of beating sun, strong winds, pouring rain, and even some snow. I’ve had to replace one only once, after a squirrel chewed through the wire.

The undisputed restaurant table lamp of choice is fantastically bright and disseminates light far outward. The light itself is pleasantly warm (and dimmable) at every level, the base is super-sturdy, and the charge lasts at least 12 hours.

This hangs on the huge tree in my yard and brings in a helpful amount of light.
Guests gravitate toward it and can see one another well when standing nearby. The rounded shape looks like the moon from far away, and the thick rope the lamp hangs from is incredibly sturdy.

I was convinced these pathway lights would be duds, but they’ve been in my yard for over a month and are still glowing as strongly as the day I got them. These turn off during the day to recharge and turn on again once dusk hits.

My current wardrobe contains mostly understated tones, but I actually used to own and wear a decent amount of sequined and sparkly clothing, and I’d like to start bringing some of that energy back. This ring is a perfect reentry point: It’s shiny but not gaudy, and the irregular, organic shape feels grown-up and elegant. –Martha Tuber

I’ve never been the biggest fan of smearing a glob of sunscreen on my face before meticulously layering concealer, foundation, blush, and powder. It feels too heavy and often causes pilling. My dermatologist has always said the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually wear, so I went in search of an SPF makeup setting spray since it’s easier to reapply than
a traditional SPF throughout the day while wearing a full face. Of all the formulas I tried, Naked Sundays’ Hydrating Glow Mist had the smoothest application—it feels airy and cloudlike when sprayed on my face and gives my skin a glow. I wore it over my makeup on a few long cycling rides and while working from home. When I remembered to reapply during the day, it felt refreshing and moisturizing, likely thanks to the hyaluronic acid. –Brenley Goertzen

While the Aarke purifier isn’t 100 percent plastic free, its pitcher, reservoir, and filter cartridge are completely devoid of plastic. When it comes to making espresso, Strategist senior writer Michael Zhao said its water “produced a visibly thicker and more flavorful shot than I had been pulling using fridge water.”

Strategist writer Dominique Pariso says these microwavable stainless-steel nesting boxes are “the lightest, most airtight, and most leakproof ” of all the options she has tried.

This multicooker has an inner bowl made from kaolin clay that is naturally nonstick. “The inner pot lifts out easily so you can use it as a serving dish,” says Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo.

Strategist senior writer Emma Wartzman credits this pan with convincing her that ceramic nonstick works well. After testing it for nearly a year, she says its nonstick qualities are holding up, and she also loves the shallow divot on the handle (to help with grip) and the rolled edge for transferring food.