If you’re like us, you’ve probably wondered what famous people add to their carts. Not the JAR brooch and Louis XV chair but the hairspray and the electric toothbrush. We asked actress Kathryn Hahn — who recently partnered with homecare brand 9 Elements for the launch of a new product line — about the sleep mask, reading glasses, and weighted blanket she can’t live without.
I’m a very light sleeper — once you have children, you’re forever and always a light sleeper. This mask is awesome, like really awesome. I never knew there were specific pillows and masks for side sleepers. A regular eye mask just has an elastic band around your head, but this one is cushioned all the way around, so it’s super-comfortable when I’m lying on my side. It feels like heaven or like I’m in one of those sensory-deprivation tanks. And if I put earplugs in, forget it — it’s like I’m in outer space.
I have these within reach at all times. I have pairs by the toilet, in my bag, by my bed, in the kitchen — all over the house. I like not having to bring a pair from room to room. They look like your stereotypical old-man glasses. I need readers all the time now or I can’t see — it happens to the best of us — and Glasses USA is easy to order from.
I started wearing earplugs in college. I can still hear through these, but I like that because I have a fan on when I sleep, too. I need the white noise to fall asleep, but because I’m such a light sleeper, I won’t stay asleep unless I have earplugs. There’s nothing special about the ones from Rite Aid; they just come in bulk and I can pop in and buy more any time. God, I sound like I’m 1,000 years old.
I didn’t know I needed a weighted blanket until my husband gave me one for my birthday during the pandemic. I once did a show in New York and one of the makeup artists got the other makeup artists weighted blankets as wrap gifts. She schlepped them on the subway then walked a few blocks with them — I thought it was such an awkward, and heavy, gift to give. But once I got my own as a gift, I understood. The Bearaby one is especially nice because it’s aesthetically pleasing. I was very happy my husband took that into consideration. It’s breathable and good for all seasons. I don’t get so hot with it, so I can use it in the summer. I take the greatest naps of my life with this thing.
A friend bought this deck for me and I’ve gotten really into tarot reading now. I’m a newbie — tarot reading is not something I’ve practiced, but I still really enjoy pulling cards for myself and other people. I’ll just pick out a card and then read what it means in the book. It kind of sets my mood for the day; I’ll meditate on whatever the book says about a card. This is a beautiful woman-centered deck, with images that can affect your life in ways you don’t anticipate. There’s something very feminist and thoughtful and meditative about the deck. It is all about bringing out the goddess in yourself.
I don’t know what it is about By Terry lip balm. There’s something in there that penetrates dry lips better than anything I’ve tried before. Sorry, Chapstick. This is the only thing that’s been able to work during long, dry New York winters. It is so expensive, but I think it’s worth it. A makeup artist first told me about it. She used it on me and I was like, “What is this?” It worked so well that I bought it immediately.
I drink this with almond milk every morning. I don’t add water. At first, I didn’t realize it is a concentrate; I thought it was just regular cold brew. When I figured it out, I was like, “Oh, I should have been adding water this whole time.” But the straight concentrate over ice with almond milk is just chef’s kiss. I need to have coffee before I talk to people. I just have one cup, and I only really drink it in the morning, but I need it. I have two bottles of the concentrate in my fridge at all times.
You know how we spend so much time curled over our devices? Well, a foam roller can help with that. Somebody — maybe a yoga teacher — told me this when I was in college. If you just lie on it with your arms up, your spine opens up. You start to widen your shoulders and you counteract all the slouching. It feels like a massage. I still have the same foam roller I got back in college. I don’t remember where it is from. If you go online, search for a foam roller, and pick the first one you see, you’ll probably be satisfied. I paid, like, $20.
Messes freak me out. I’ve had to let it go a little because I have two kids, two rescue dogs, and foster cats, so I get sick of cleaning. But I still like things to be fresh. When I do clean, I want to do it as quickly as possible. I try to clean a little bit every day so I don’t have to clean a lot once a week. That makes me much happier. The smell of bleach makes me sick. That’s one reason I like 9 Elements: It’s vinegar-based, but doesn’t smell like vinegar. It smells like fresh lemon, like spring has sprung. The other day some takeout spilled and left a big mess, but I cleaned it up with this before the dogs got to it. I felt better using this than some bleach-based spray.
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.
