We write about hundreds of products every week. Here, in our version of the Sunday Circular, we’ve plucked 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 voluminous duvet, a comb to take the stress out of detangling, and a serious discount on luxury jumpers.
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Some luxurious cashmere for autumn days …
This colour-block cashmere jumper is a favourite pick of stylist Francesco Risso’s. He told us he likes to shop from Marni for both his professional and personal wardrobes and he appreciates the company’s substance-over-style approach. Made from pure cashmere, the jumper features flowing, drop-shoulder sleeves and a subtle embroidered logo. It’s available at a relative steal — a 65 percent discount — though we have no idea how long stock will last, so don’t dillydally.
… and a luxurious duvet for autumn nights
Jasmin Robertson, home-renovation content creator, says she loves “a big, soft, voluminous duvet that wraps around you like a cosy warm hug but without feeling too heavy.” In her experience, the best way to achieve this level of cosiness is with a down-filled duvet. This one from M&S uses Hungarian goose down to achieve that snuggly, boutique hotel–like feeling and has a tog rating of 13.5 — making it ideal for colder months. Robertson says it’ll stay that way: “We’ve had our M&S duvet for a while, and it’s still a joy to sink into each night.”
A pair of dainty, vintage-looking heels
On a trip to London, Strategist writer Rachael Griffiths lost track of how many kitten-heel shoes she spotted on the feet of Brick Lane cool girls. “I saw secondhand shoppers of all aesthetics meandering about in the same sorts of slingback and mule kitten heels,” she recalls. If, like Griffiths, you’re engrossed by the teeny-tiny heels, we think these from & Other Stories are a perfect entry-level pair. They feature a sleek pointed toe, simple strap, and very reasonable price tag.
An affordable sonic toothbrush
Sonic toothbrushes vibrate “side to side at really high speeds, sometimes up to frequencies of 50,000 movements per minute,” according to dentist and American Dental Association (ADA) spokesperson Dr. Ada Cooper. Because of this, they tend to be eye-wateringly expensive, but Strategist contributor Chris Mandle discovered this inexpensive option from Philips. It is a favorite of dental therapist and hygienist Anna Middleton, who says it has many features commonly seen in more expensive models — including “alerts when you need to replace your brush head; it’s hard to remember to do that every two to three months.” The brush is available in three colours.
A set of surprisingly handy packing cubes
On a trip to Tuscany, Strategist contributor Isabelle Aron was thrilled to discover the true versatility of her unassuming packing cubes. After reaching the airport to find that her bag was overweight, she simply plucked away cubes until her bag reached the limit. “In this scenario, I usually randomly grab clothes from my suitcase, cramming them into my hand luggage,” she says. “But this time, I just took out a few cubes and popped them into my rucksack. Easy.” Once she arrived in Tuscany, Aron discovered yet another use: “Usually, I don’t bother to unpack,” she admits. “But the cubes doubled up as organisers in the wardrobe drawers. For once, I didn’t start every day of the holiday by rummaging around in my bag.”
A no-breakage brush for kinky hair …
When we compiled our list of the very best hairbrushes, we researched which type of hairbrush was the right fit for every and any hair texture. For styling natural, kinky hair, Alyson Oruwariye, stylist at C-Suite Salon, told us, “The wider the teeth of the comb, the better.” That’s why she recommended Ankara’s wooden comb; its teeth are thick and separated to mimic the feel of fingers detangling the hair. Oruwariye recommends using it “after the hair has been washed, to comb products through,” as not only does it prevent snags, “it distributes moisturisers well throughout.” It has antistatic and anti-frizz properties thanks to the smoothing natural bamboo in its bristles.
… and a brush to tame the most unruly of curtain bangs
If you want to create waves, achieve a sexy ’90s blowout, or finally get your curtain bangs to behave, hairstylist Clyde Elezi recommends a big ceramic round brush. “This type of brush can be used to achieve either a slick, straight look or bouncy waves and adds extra volume,” he says.
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.