Paris Hilton’s Eye Masks, Non-Hideous Snow Boots, and Other Recent Strategist Finds

There’s a fairly simple way to find out which toothpastes are effective enough, according to the dentists whom writer Arielle Avila spoke to on the subject. If it has the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance, they say, it will capably clean and protect against decay. But Colgate’s Total Deep Clean Toothpaste was widely recommended to Avila for its ascendancy above the seal. Unlike an average tube of Crest or even other Colgate formulas, it contains zinc phosphate (which, per Dr. Lana Rozenberg, bonds to weakened tooth enamel, “forming patches, much like patches sewn into worn-out fabric,” to strengthen the tooth) and stannous fluoride, which is antimicrobial (and, per Dr. Golda A. Erdfarb, helps fight bacteria that causes bad breath, cavities, and gum disease). Hearing all this convinced Avila to try it herself—now it’s all she uses. It has a pleasingly strong but not overpoweringly minty flavor, she says, and “leaves my teeth feeling squeaky clean.”

“These remind me of something my grandfather would have brought with him from Ukraine. They have a real homemade, old-world style, and they actually keep my feet warm in the winter. They almost look like they could be made out of the same industrial felted wool Joseph Beuys used to make Felt Suit.”

“A friend of mine recommended this, and I was very surprised not only by the quality but by how affordable it is. It’s a three-in-one. You could use it as a brow pencil, eye shadow, or as an eyeliner, which is what I mainly use it for. Some eye pencils are too dry and stick when you’re drawing on liner, but this is very smooth.”

“I’ve been wearing these since they came out 14 years ago. It’s one of the reasons I’ve stayed natural my whole life. I wear them anytime I’m not in glam or working. They make me feel great, and every time I get my makeup done, if I’ve had them on just before, the makeup goes on so smoothly.”

I used this pack as my only luggage item for a four-day trip to the East Coast last fall, and while I was there, it pulled triple duty as my luggage, a commuter bag, and a hiking pack in the White Mountains. I packed my laptop, notebook, sandals, running shoes, rain jacket, jumpsuit, two pairs of leggings, two pairs of shorts, shirts, toiletries, socks, undergarments, five pairs of headphones, and snacks, then stashed my water bottle in the stretchy side pocket. The pack fits under the seat of every airline I’ve flown (even Spirit!), and the round-top lid unzips to the main compartment, which means I can access everything without dragging the entire bag out from under the seat. Despite having tried dozens of packs in my decade as a gear-tester, I can’t imagine one replacing this. –Maggie Slepian

“Steele makes some of the highest-quality tote bags in the world. The thick canvas will last forever, and the straps are durable and long enough to go over the shoulder. Think of it as a heavy- duty version of the classic L.L.Bean.”

“Leather tote bags are just expensive. That’s how it goes. They feel more upmarket and age a little more gracefully than their canvas brethren. This one from Jil Sander has handles and a cross-body strap, which makes it great for travel or the office.”

“If you want something less understated, Pacific Tote Company has you covered. This open-top canvas tote comes in an electric shade of orange that will have heads turning.”

“Everything from this collaborative collection was quite good, but the tote bag stood out. Done in a great shade of deep blue, it features a co-branded heavy-duty two-way zipper to keep your stuff secure.”

Interior decorator Leah Lane first came across these stockings made from antique Turkish kilims while browsing for vintage rugs. They’re “timeless, classic, and just a bit elegantly knackered,” she says.

This rainbow stocking is made from deadstock yarn, woven through with metallic threads. Caroline Vasquez Huber, the co-founder of Jones, describes it as “MoMA Design Store meets Christmas décor.”

“It can double as year- round décor,” says artist Yu Ling Wu of this fuzzy, silk-and-faux-fur stocking by home-design brand Jiu Jie. She likes that it feels Christmasy but not overly Christmasy.

Dusen Dusen founder Ellen Van Dusen says she has already picked up one of these sturdy canvas stockings. “I love all things Lorien Stern,” she says, “and I like that these don’t have any religious iconography or affiliations. It lets it be more about the gifts.”

“I just bought these boots from Camper, which I think are exactly what you’re looking for: They’re mid-calf and leather with a decent tread that easily stomps through slush but aren’t dorky-looking for a date. You can choose from brown, black, or burgundy. Plus if you sign up for the Camper mailing list before purchasing, you’ll get 10 percent off.”