An all-over-the-place assortment of stood-behind products culled from this very website that appears in the most recent March issue of New York Magazine.
Best Bets
Strategist writer Erin Schwartz set out to find the best shower curtain — something that would make even the bleakest of bathrooms look pleasant — and landed on Quiet Town’s Sun Shower. It’s the rare vinyl shower curtain that looks good enough to use on its own, which, Schwartz explains, “makes it a great fits-everyone option, from those with tiny showers trying to avoid the visual weight of a fabric curtain to people with large sunny bathrooms who want to take advantage of natural light.” The curtain is also considerably stronger and thicker than other vinyl options they liked; this helps keep it in place so water stays in the tub (not on your bathroom floor). Schwartz has been using the amber-hued one for over a year: “It’s odd to say about a shower curtain, but it’s kind of sexy. The color reads as a neutral, like mahogany or tortoiseshell, and adds texture and depth to the room without making it feel smaller.” Senior editor Crystal Martin owns it in bright orange and says that “looking out through it feels like wearing OJ-colored glasses.”
Celebrity Shopping
“We have a gray sectional in our living room, and visually it’s just a big block of gray, so I like to have punchy throw pillows to make it look better. Recently, I saw the Molly Mahon ones and really loved the patterns and colors. I like to buy them through Etsy because the pillows are already made.”
“Everyone wears those Bottega rubber mules; these are the clog version but for $78. They’re built with a removable cork insole. When the shoe gets dirty, you take out the insole and rinse it down and the clog looks brand new. I do everything in these clogs, from gardening to traveling to walking around the city. The shape is great
for dressing up as well. I have four pairs.”
“We bring this on tour to feed the crew. The idea came from growing up going to lumberyards and hardware stores. It’d be Customer-Appreciation Day, and they’d have a hot-dog roller out for everyone. It’s ridiculous, but it’s so fun watching local crews light up when you’re like, ‘They’re for everybody!’”
Strategist Hunt
I’ve been shopping for a perfectly deep sofa for over 20 years. I couldn’t afford one right out of college, so when my recent book garnered a modest TV-development deal, I knew a couch exactly 40 inches deep would be my reward. I tested sofas from Sundays, Burrow, and the Restoration Hardware outlet, but nothing was quite right. Then I went to my sister’s new house in Connecticut. As soon as I saw her sophisticated yet hardy couches, I gasped. They were from the Pierson collection at Room & Board and — bless — 40 inches deep. I got mine covered with a velvety teal fabric called Vance Bali. The whole thing, plus tax and delivery, cost a sobering $3,900. However, the woman I dreamed I’d be would own this couch, so I purchased it with decisiveness and glee. —Alyssa Shelasky
Our Shopping Cart
After years of working remotely and in hybrid environments, my boyfriend just started a full-time, in-person position. Finding the ideal way to transport and warm up his lunch at work has been a big topic of conversation. I wanted to get him something thoughtful yet practical for Valentine’s Day and landed on this adorable electric lunch box. While it takes longer to heat his food with the lunch box than a microwave, he says the final result feels — and tastes — more natural. It’s particularly effective when warming up stews and soups. We’ve been on a creole kick over the past few weeks, and it’s worked great with leftover jambalaya and gumbo. —Bella Druckman
Strategist Explains
Once you open a bottle, the clock starts ticking.
After the first use, the shelf life of lotion immediately shortens from two to three years to between six months and one year max, says Dr. Hope Mitchell of Mitchell Dermatology. Lotions that are “natural” or “organic” and don’t contain stabilizers or preservatives have an even shorter life span, as do formulas that include active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or vitamin C. To avoid using expired lotion — usually indicated by a change in color or texture — dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick advises her patients to write the date they opened a product on its packaging. If you accidentally use lotion that has expired, it’s unlikely to harm your skin. Just don’t expect the same soothing, hydrating, or brightening benefits you’d get with a fresh bottle. —Kitty Guo
Please Advise
In his most recent column, Chris Black noted that a lot of guys are still wearing Rag & Bone denim, but “we can do better.” His top selections for the season:
“I like jeans to be simple and easy, and this pair from Copenhagen-based Sunflower is precisely that. The wash is understated; the fit is straight, so not too loose or too skinny; and the price is right.”
“A pair of A.P.C. jeans was a wardrobe staple in 2001, and luckily nothing has changed in 20 years. The break-in period on Japanese raw-selvedge denim can be challenging, but nothing looks better than a worn-in pair of New Standards.”
“If you want something a bit looser, maybe in a washed black, this pair of Italian-made mid-rise, straight-leg jeans from one of the ‘Antwerp Six,’ Dries Van Noten, will hit the spot.”
“These feel a little dressier than the other options, which is good news if you want to wear jeans to the office.
The stone wash is an excellent middle ground, and the slanted pockets are a nice detail.”
Strategist Beauty Brief
In a recent edition of The Strategist Beauty Brief, writer Dominique Pariso set out to determine which delivered longer-lasting waves: the Dyson Airwrap or the GHD Curve Classic curling iron. Here, how the heated competition turned out.
I’ve been using the Dyson Airwrap since 2021 to blow-dry my hair straight, and it’s great at that. It is also supposed to be able to curl my hair — and the curls look bouncy and soft.
But despite months of trying, I’ve never been able to get them to last beyond a few hours. I tried all the tips but stopped short of using rollers to set the curls. Resorting to a $10 beauty technique to get a $600 hair tool to perform as advertised was one step too far.”
“When I tested the Curve Classic, I quickly noticed it was lighter than the Airwrap and blessedly quiet — no loud motor blasting my ears. It took me 30 minutes to curl my full head with the Airwrap and ten minutes with the curling iron. I didn’t have to waste time waiting for my hair to ‘catch’ on the Airwrap or holding each curl for 30 seconds. Curling with an iron is familiar and easy: clamp, roll, and release. You don’t have to think about it. I had lovely, full curls that lasted all day.”
This Thing’s Incredible
I realized my error as soon as we arrived in Malta. It was sunny and
75 degrees, and I had packed for 40-degree weather. Thankfully, squished between a down vest and an insulated jacket, I had one Smartwool tank top, which I wound up wearing on every hike during our trip. The shirt got wet, but it wicked moisture so effectively that I never felt swampy. The fabric provided such good moisture management and odor resistance that I felt fine wearing it the next day after airing it out on our hotel balcony at night. I’m a thru-hiker, so I have a high tolerance for rewearing the same workout clothes, but I maintain that this shirt is so stinkproof that anyone could wear it for a week straight and not want to crawl out of their skin. —Maggie Slepian
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.
