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Welcome to How I Pick My Picks — a kind-of-regular series where we check in with the Strategist staff on the stuff they’re using day to day, the products they’re testing for stories, and the things their friends and family won’t stop asking them about. Consider it a peek into the always-whirring brain of a Strategist writer. Today, we talk to writer Kitty Guo.
Most of the time being a shopping writer is just sitting in front of your laptop. I can browse with the best of them, but my favorite part of the job is being “out in the field” — going out in the city and observing and talking with people — and I’ve got form. In journalism school they made us conduct a lot of “vox pop” interviews, in which you basically accost people walking down the street for their opinion. I’m no Billy Eichner, but all that practice means I’m pretty comfortable going up to strangers to ask them for outfit details. You’d be surprised at how quickly a pattern emerges. With so many GRWM and OOTD TikTok videos, tons of people get the memo about a certain Shein heart top or Big Bud Press jumpsuit (both of which I spotted in multiples while Swiftie-watching).
Whether I’m hanging out in Penn Station ahead of a Taylor Swift concert or chatting up people in line at the DSM Market Market sale, I bring the same kit. I have a Moleskine to jot down notes and the Voice Memos app queued up on my phone to record what people say. I make sure to pack my Hydroflask and slather myself in sunscreen — at the DSM sale, for example, I was running around under the hot sun for over two hours. I also like to wear an outfit to match the “vibe,” if you will; I wore a pink skirt and cowboy boots to Penn Station and head-to-toe black to Market Market. It may or may not be true that people will be more inclined to talk to you if they think you’re part of their community, but to tell the truth, I just enjoy dressing up.
What’s the product that friends and family always ask for your advice on?
I recently worked on some stories about the best one-piece and two-piece swimsuits and have been fielding several requests for swimsuit recs. Target is always a dependable spot, as are Aerie and J.Crew, but if you’re looking to invest, one source told me that she owns an Eres swimsuit that her mom wore in the ’90s!
Do you have any strongly held opinions that have changed after testing?
I was skeptical of the Laneige lip sleeping mask for a long time — “Isn’t this pretty much just flavored Vaseline?” — but after seeing how many readers flocked to buy it during Prime Day, I finally gave it a shot. Unfortunately, it does live up to the hype. I woke up after a full 8 hours and was astonished to discover I could still feel the product coating my lips, leaving them soft and moisturized.
What’s the least amount of money you should spend on, for example, a mascara?
My top mascara pick is the Essence Lash Princess, and it’s only $5! Of course, your mileage may vary, particularly when it comes to beauty products, but I’ve found that drugstore mascaras perform just as well as, if not better than, high-end options.
What are you currently testing and researching?
I’m always trying out new mascaras and makeup removers, and I’m currently testing a bunch of eyeliners — pencil, liquid, and gel — for a best eyeliners roundup.
What’s the last thing you bought?
The purple Lasko box fan, since I don’t want to go through all the trouble of installing an AC unit in my room.
What’s the most expensive product that you own?
Five years ago, when my sense of self and style weren’t quite as developed, I succumbed to the hype and bought Tabis. Now I know myself better, and I would never drop that much cash on shoes that are white and heeled. A costly lesson learned!
If you had to spend $1,000 at Target what would you buy?
Oh, I’d absolutely be going ham in the beauty aisle. I’ve been using Covergirl’s Perfect Point Plus eyeliner since middle school, and I’ll probably still be using it when I’m 80. I’d also stock up on NYX eyebrow pencils (a very good dupe for the Anastasia Beverly Hill pencil); Essie nail polishes; several bottles of Cetaphil lotion, because I’m a scaly lizard person; and some classic Lip Smackers for the nostalgia.
What are some open tabs on your computer right now? What’s on your list, but you can’t bring yourself to buy it just yet?
I’ve been looking to overhaul my bedding for a while now, and I feel like this pink-and-yellow duvet from Korean brand GATA would go perfectly with my rug. But they don’t sell fitted sheets, so I’ve refrained from checking out until I’ve found something that would match.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
