Photo Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: retailer
Welcome back to your shopping cart, where we break down the top ten products you, loyal Strategist reader, bought in droves last month. Think of this as the strategist’s TL;DR. If your like-minded brothers are buying these items, you might want to too.
March marked the second anniversary of the start of the pandemic and it seems like shopping habits have returned a little to what they used to be. Strategen readers still buy plenty of masks — they ranked two of the top spots on our best-selling list — but cosmetics and personal care items like blush sticks, anti-wrinkle creams, toners and oral irrigators are growing in popularity. As temperatures rise and COVID-19 recedes, perhaps collectively we will be ready to socialize and work our way out of our stay-at-home routine. Travel essentials like molded earbuds and Bluetooth adapters also made the list, heralding an increase in weekend trips and summer vacations as the weather warms.
CeraVe’s reader-favorite moisturizer makes its 11th appearance on this list, moving up five spots since February to take first place in March. Dermatologists rank it among the best drugstore moisturizers for its rich but non-greasy formula, which is fortified with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help strengthen skin’s moisture barrier. One such derm, Spring Street Dermatology’s Sapna Palep, gives it a seal of approval for the way it provides “around-the-clock hydration.”
The last time we saw this Cosrx toner on Strategist’s bestseller list was in August 2019, but it’s now making a comeback, likely due to its appearance in a recent Deal of the Day. Strategic beauty columnist Rio Viera-Newton calls it a “really solid dupe for the very expensive, iconic SK-II Facial Treatment Essence,” and says its hydrating, brightening formula helped fade dark spots and boosted your complexion to compensate for its hyperpigmentation-fighting Galactomyces.
A new addition to the bestseller list, this AirFly gadget takes its place courtesy of kitchen and dining room strategist Emma Wartzman, who spotted it in food stylist Judy Kim’s Instagram Stories. The device lets you pair your AirPods with the plane’s inflight entertainment system, so you can watch movies without the hassle of cables tangling with your neighbor’s. “I’ve had the AirFly on my last two trips and I love it. It makes for an all-around better user experience,” says Kim. The AirFly also works with other Bluetooth-enabled audio systems you might encounter while traveling.
While it’s no surprise that masks are still on this list, this March Powecom KN95 model has fallen from February’s number one spot to fourth place — in line with changing CDC recommendations, warmer weather, and falling COVID case rates . Nonetheless, dressing up remains a good practice when going indoors in areas of high light transmission, and masks are still required on airplanes and many forms of public transport, and the Powecom offers a snug fit that won’t shift, if you’re talking, so is the fourth-grader teacher Jacob Cohen. It’s also an essential mask for Cohen’s fiancée, Strategist Senior Writer Liza Corsillo, which she wears “on the subway, in the office, in museums, in Metro-North, at the airport, and to countless doctor’s appointments.”
These silicone earbuds from Mack’s make their debut on this list after being recommended twice in the space of a month by two different celebrities: actress Courteney Cox and musician Bryan Adams. Cox wears these earbuds to sleep “every night” and likes that “you don’t have to squeeze them…they hug my ear and block out sound completely.” Meanwhile, Adams keeps them handy when traveling because “the regular ones , marshmallow-like always fall out. I like that you can clip them in your ear, they just cut out everything and stay in place,” he says.
This RoC night cream is an old favorite as it has been in Strategist readers’ shopping carts ten times – the last time we saw it was in October. We recently named it the “Best in Class” wrinkle cream because several dermatologists recommend it as a great over-the-counter option for anyone interested in the anti-aging properties of retinoids but want a slightly milder formulation. If you’re looking to combat eye wrinkles, Morgan Rabach, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine, says it’s gentle enough to use on the fragile, sensitive skin around your eyes.
This mouthguard from Oral-B maintained its position at number 7, just like last month. Late night grinders looking for relief can have peace of mind knowing that three dental experts have recommended this protector for its durability and ease of use. The pediatric dentist Dr. Ambewadikar is a fan of its thin yet sturdy construction and notes that it doesn’t feel bulky or cause discomfort. And as a bonus, it has a pleasant mint flavor to keep your mouth feeling fresh all night long.
Viera-Newton also recently gushed about this Wet n Wild MegaGlo makeup stick, which she spotted on TikTok as it was being marketed as a near-dupe for Charlotte Tilbury’s Pinkgasm blush. According to Viera-Newton, the two products have an “identical” peachy finish; Both blushes bring “warmth, dimension and an insane glow to the skin.” She says MegaGlo “really makes it look like you’ve come back from a picnic on a warm spring day, all fresh and sun-kissed,” and that it has a “perfect pearlescent shine” that’s appropriate for a work trip or lunch with friends.
The Waterpik Water Flosser first appeared in readers’ shopping carts in October and is back for round two. Writer Jenna Milliner-Waddell crowned it “best in class” for its sleek, lightweight design — it weighs less than a pound — and its surprisingly long battery life, which board-certified dentist Greg Grobmyer calls “one of the best out there.” “. It’s especially good for travel because you can easily take it in the shower or put it in a carry-on and not worry about it dying on you.
Our roundup of the best masks to wear on a plane included these BOTN KF94 masks, which are a potentially better option for people struggling to find a good KN95 fit. They open up a bit like an envelope and sit slightly off the face, allowing more room to speak and breathe. When Corsillo tested these, she noticed “how light [they] are – much lighter than a Powecom KN95 or even other KF94s I’ve tried,” and explains that they’re likely to become her “favorite masks for spring and summer.”
The Strategist is designed to find the most useful expert recommendations for things to buy in the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, Pillow for side sleepers, Natural Remedies for Anxietyand bath towels. We update links where possible, but note that offers may expire and all prices are subject to change.
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