Welcome back to “Your Shopping Cart,” where we break out the top products that you, devoted Strategist readers, bought in droves. Think of this as the TL;DR of the Strategist. If your like-minded brethren are buying these items, maybe you’d like to as well.
Back-to-school is in full swing, and August’s best-sellers list reveals that Strategist readers have been catching up on Zs to prepare for busy days ahead. Sleep products dominated this month, with six items from the category securing spots in the top ten — one expert-recommended nighttime dental guard, our best overall silk pillowcase, and four pillows. While we weren’t surprised to see a beloved travel pillow or Beckham’s hotel set, we were interested to see readers scooping up more customizable options for all-night comfort, including a circular pillow for neck pain and one with adjustable fill to cradle your head to your preference. Beyond feeling well-rested and ready to go, readers keen on looking the part picked up a budget-friendly vitamin-C serum, a personal trainer’s go-to protein powder, Mario Lopez’s matte-finish hair cream, and a pair of iconic sneakers one travel guide says you can walk in all day.
What were our top sellers in August?
It seems readers continued their summer jaunts well into August, as our favorite travel pillow led the pack for the second time this season. But even if you didn’t get the chance to unwind by the lake, there was a clear focus on rest and relaxation, as evidenced by the three additional pillows present in this month’s top ten. There’s the enduring, Strategist-favorite Beckham Hotel two-pack, plus two newcomers: our best overall Core Products pillow for alleviating neck pain, and a squishy yet dense Coop Homegoods pillow with adjustable fill that Strategist writer Latifah Miles says can suit just about any sleeping style. Other bedtime essentials, such as Oral-B’s nighttime dental guard and our best overall silk pillowcase from Quince (which managed to unseat the long-reigning Zimasilk) also ranked this month, further indicating that readers are refreshing their sleep setups ahead of fall.
Looking well-rested seemed to be top of mind in August as well, with Maelove’s cult-favorite vitamin-C serum, Cerave’s moisturizing cream, and gel teeth whitening trays from Opalescence rounding out the list. The serum comes recommended by dermatologist Dr. Julie Russak as the best budget-friendly and straightforward formula for nourishing the skin, while the latter two are our top overall options for moisturizing dry skin and whitening teeth at home.
And because no glow-up is seemingly complete without boosting your workout routine, too, NowSports’s unflavored whey protein isolate claimed a spot on our list for the third time, coming in at No. 4 this month. Personal trainer Kern Alexander recommended it to us, saying it’s his top choice after 15 years of trying different protein powders.
What beloved dad shoes are as comfy as they are classic?
With a pair of New Balance’s classic 990v5s, which were singled out by both travel guide Candice Criscione and board-certified podiatrist Nelya Lobkova. Criscione says the shoe offers a perfect balance between support and cushioning, which Lobkova says is thanks to substantial cushioning in the midsole and an Ortholite insert that provides firmer arch support than other insole shoes. “You really can walk all day in these, and your feet will still be happy at the end of the day,” Criscione says. They also have a mesh-and-suede upper that allows your feet to breathe, plus a wide toe box for plenty of wiggle room. “They last for years and are stylish enough to wear in exercise or regular situations,” Criscione says.
Which vitamin-C serum is a cult-favorite dupe for a much pricier one?
Maelove’s Glow Maker has been touted as a budget-friendly C E Ferulic dupe, so it’s no wonder the $33 serum has been praised by the Cut’s Kathleen Hou, skin-care vloggers, and Opening Ceremony employee Bettina Cho alike. Russak says the formula is a straightforward way to nourish the skin, courtesy of vitamin E (which helps with hyperpigmentation) and hyaluronic acid (which provides hydration). The solution is also a bit thinner and less sticky, Hou says, which makes it easier to apply and looks seamless under makeup or other products.
What e-reader lets you easily write in the margins, just like a real book?
After Strategist tech writer Jordan McMahon tested this Kobo Elipsa 2E, he declared it the first e-reader he’s tried that allows him to scribble notes on pages like he would with pen on paper. The Elipsa’s stylus is magnetically attached to the top of the device, which McMahon says is a convenience other stylus-friendly readers don’t offer, and it comes with an eraser at no extra charge (unlike the Kindle Scribe, which requires an upgrade). And thanks to the generously sized 10.3-inch screen, the Elipsa displays more text and provides greater margin space for note-taking than a Kindle. Plus, if you’re an avid user of Pocket, the read-it-later app has integration with the Elipsa, which is a huge pro for McMahon. He says the device’s color-adjustable e-ink screen makes reading articles “feel as pleasurable as reading a newspaper.”
Which hair cream is essential to how Mario Lopez does his ’do?
“Hair is a top priority always,” says the actor and television host, who landed on this Layrite Natural Matte Cream after trying “just about everything” to tame his hair. Lopez says he likes that the matte-finish cream holds his hair and gives it volume without making it look too greasy or shiny. “My son has even gotten into it. Whenever it’s missing, I know it’s in his room,” he says.
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.
