Welcome to Your Shopping Cart, wherein we break out the top-ten products that you, devoted Strategist UK readers, bought in droves. Think of this as the TL;DR of the Strategist UK: If your like-minded brethren are buying these items, maybe you’d like to as well.
This month features three new items in our top ten, including a word-association board game and an expert-approved liquid eyeliner. As for the rest? You might recognise them — our readers’ favourite moisturiser is back at number one, and the spray bottle, paring knife, and hair mask that have been best sellers have all held strong from last month, while other entries have been bolstered by our recent Skin Week project.
Now in its seventh month on our most-bought list (and the fifth at number one), Neutrogena’s affordable, cooling gel moisturiser remains one of the most popular products on the Strategist. You likely know why we love it so much, but staff writer Chris Mandle penned an ode to it for Skin Week. “I really love the gel texture, which is light and soaks into my skin instantly,” he wrote. “During the heat wave, I actually kept it in the fridge, and the cooling sensation felt like dunking my head in Tooting Bec Lido.”
At number two this month is this hair-repairing mask from Olaplex, which has gone up four places from last month, where it was number six (making this the highest it has ever placed). We first featured it in our story on the best hair masks, according to experts. Stylist Ash Fritzler said she’s seen the transformation this formula can bring to her clients with once-a-week use. “It’s so versatile, I would definitely recommend it to anyone who feels like their hair is compromised in any way,” she said.
Meanwhile, this moisturiser from La Roche-Posay has gone down one place from last month, where it was number two. It was first brought to our attention by Hadley King, a clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. King says it uses “sebulyse technology” to target excess oil, “the brand’s proprietary new anti-sebum ingredient” (sebum being the substance secreted by your body’s oil-producing glands).
Another regular on our most-bought list, this spray bottle has been a non-mover since last month, though its been on the list for seven months now. Lisa Muñoz, interior plant designer and founder of Leaf and June, says this bottle is “typically something you’d see in salons,” but it’s her favourite mister for plants. “It’s small and lightweight, even when full of water, and it creates a gentle, steady mist.”
This small knife from Victorinox debuted in our most-bought last month, and it’s gone up five places since then (staff writer Chris Mandle even picked one up after reading about it). When we spoke to chefs about the best chef’s knives, five of our experts chose it as a home-kitchen essential, including Arbinder Dugal, Masterchef semifinalist and founder of Dalston’s Attawa. “It’s great for day-to-day use,” he says. “But it’s especially good when you need to get down to the nitty-gritty, such as the fine chopping of garlic and green chile.”
Down three places from last month, CeraVe’s foaming cleanser is still popular – it’s been in our most-bought since March. It first featured in our roundup of the best face washes for oily skin, where it was deemed the best overall by a number of our experts. Dr. Michelle Park, of Washington Square Dermatology, says it’s a gentle product that’s suitable for all skin types.
The grippy glasses tips that staff writer Chris Mandle bought to keep his glasses and his face mask on his face are a non-mover from last month. He bought these after someone on Twitter suggested them, and they’re now so comfy he keeps them on his frames 24/7 (even if they look a bit dorky).
Our first new entry this month is this word-association board game. Similar to the basic elements of charades, players divide into two teams with one designated spymaster providing clues. By guessing the words correctly, players unveil the other teams’ agents. The first team to unmask all of their opponents’ spies wins.
These wireless earphones by Anker are another new entry. We first featured them in our look at the best-rated earphones on Amazon, where their noise-cancelling ability was mentioned by 109 reviewers. The battery life was also frequently written about, too – one person using them for an hour a day said they didn’t have to charge them for two weeks.
Our third new entry and final most-bought item this month is this liquid eyeliner from Maybelline, which came recommended to us by experts. These include makeup artist Glenn Brownell, whose clients include Eva Chen and Audrey Gelman. “This one is ideal because of its superfine tip, and its fluid consistency doesn’t skip so you can get the perfect wing every time.” Makeup artist and groomer Amber Amos agrees, and adds that “the slightly stiff felt applicator gives the control and precision you need.” Both Amos and New York City–based celebrity makeup artist David Maderich also mentioned that the tube has a nifty rubber grip that helps you keep control over the line as you go.
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.