At the Strategist, we write about hundreds of products every week. Here, in our version of the Sunday circular, we’ve plucked out some of our favourites — expert-recommended essentials, life-changing stuff you didn’t know you needed, newly launched gizmos, and the very good deals we uncovered while trawling the vast online-shopping universe this past week — including a sumptuous scented candle, a tenacious vacuum cleaner, and some cool-girl-approved denim shorts.
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A makeup artist’s favourite tinted moisturiser
After researching tinted moisturiser formulas, scouring reviews, and chatting to experts, Strategist writer Rachael Griffiths concluded that the Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser is simply the best overall. It was recommended by four of the seven experts that we spoke to, including London-based Emily Wood, who says it offers “a perfect amount of sheer coverage” to achieve a “healthy glow.” As well as containing skin-nourishing glycerin and kukui-seed oils, the tinted moisturiser is available in 30 shades, each with SPF 30.
Some handsome cork cardholders
As we sifted through our directory of 101 Black-owned businesses for some Father’s Day inspiration, these sleek cardholders from Mind the Cork caught our eye. Made from cork-leather, the lightweight cardholders are available in 17 different colours, from turquoise to Bordeaux red. We think they’d make a great gift for a dad who doesn’t quite trust Apple Pay or simply likes to swipe in style.
A luxuriously scented candle
We also compiled a list of the cheapest, nicest gifts from the most expensive brands. For a dad with a discerning nose, we like this candle from Mulberry’s collaboration with Evermore London. Besides making the house smell like a trip to Liberty, the black and deep-plum candle is sure to look striking wherever he decides to perch it.
A kidproof vacuum for the home …
When he researched the very best vacuum cleaners, Chris Mandle discovered this inexpensive option. The powerful vacuum has a 1.5-litre capacity and a cord reach of 12 metres. It’s been specifically designed for pet owners, but Elena Banuta, a product expert at Ideal Cleaning, finds that “it’s perfect even if you don’t have pets, as it has been built to deal with tricky and tough-to-remove dust and hair.” Parenting blogger Tuke Awe is also a fan and uses it to clean up after her two young children. “I can get into the corners and all those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies with its detachable features,” she explains. “It means I can quickly and easily clean up mess on the carpet from the kids after they play with sensory rice or have a particularly messy dinner.”
… And some kidproof luggage for the airport
When Emma Cooke consulted travel experts about the best suitcases for kids, she kept hearing about the Bedbox from Stokke. Similar to the wildly popular Trunki, the suitcase is a ride-along option, but it also converts into a teeny-tiny bed (hence the name). “It comes with stickers, so your little one can customise it,” says Chloe Sowter, who runs That Holiday Mum, “and it folds out to make a plane seat into a space big enough to lie down and sleep.” Shanti Rico, editor of the Kensington Diary, gives the Bedbox two thumbs up, saying her 4-year-old son uses his to get “a great night’s sleep on the plane.” With a fuss-free opening at the top, the Bedbox makes it easy for kids to access their luggage, and it’s already been approved for use onboard over 50 airlines — including EasyJet, Virgin, and Etihad.
Zero bum-skimming summer shorts
As temperatures begin to climb, we chatted to a slew of stylish women about the shorts they’ll be wearing this Summer. Fashion blogger Patricia Batatas favours this pair from Mango; she says they initially appealed to her as “anything high-waisted is an instant win” but adds that “these shorts are great as they’re also a longer length, so no bum-skimming over here.” The light-wash denim shorts are made with 100 percent organic cotton and have an exaggerated hem for a touch of edge. Batatas says that they look terrific styled with almost anything but loves to pair them with crop tops and a “little bit of midriff on show.”
The Strategist UK is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Read about who we are and what we do here. Our editors update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.