Today, we’re sharing a few of our favorite things from July. Plus:
You already know this, but July was hot, hot, hot. We felt slightly cooler armed with our favorite vanilla ice cream and the knowledge that we could leave the AC on all day. When we weren’t melting, we set out to find the best skin-care products from Trader Joe’s and raved about all of our favorite cheap(ish) things. And we closed out the month with some ambitious reporting on why it might be the end of the nonstick pan as we know it and what you can use in your kitchen instead. We on the newsletters team took it all in, and naturally, a few standouts ended up in our carts.
This month, I spent more than 300 hours with my phone Bricked. (For those unfamiliar, the Brick is a device that blocks access to your phone’s most addictive apps and forces you to physically tap it to resume scrolling.) Here’s an incomprehensive list of some of the things I did in those 300 Instagram-less hours: I started crocheting again; I watched nearly every World Cup match; I read two books; I got really into chess; I went on leisurely walks. Who knows what I’ll get up to next month! I do whatever Brittney tells me, meaning as soon as she said our expert’s new favorite mascara made her own lashes “perfectly wispy,” I ordered a tube for myself. I’ve yet to swipe it on, but I’m confident it’ll become a staple in my no-makeup-makeup routine for the rest of the summer.
I like to take advantage of sales to stock up on life essentials — one of those items being underwear. So when I saw a great deal on one of our favorite pairs, I didn’t hesitate to buy them. This buttery-soft underwear is very breathable and stretchy. Perhaps best of all, I was shocked to discover that the fabric somehow feels cool, even on a scorching hot day.
On any given day, you’re likely to find two to three boxes of ice cream sandwiches stuffed in my already crowded freezer. Of all the sammies I’ve tried from our guide, it’s this key lime pie-flavored one that I’ve bought more than once. The zippy, slightly tart ice cream balances just perfectly with the richer, honey-flavored cookie. It’s like summer in a sandwich. During my latest Trader Joe’s run, I grabbed this $10 retinol serum, which my colleague Neha Tandon calls “a phenomenal, low-risk product” for retinoid newbies, like me. The serum absorbs quickly after each application, and it leaves my skin hydrated without feeling bogged down. Although I’m early in my retinol journey, I’m hopeful this serum will have no problem living up its promise of minimizing pores and taming my oily skin. We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›
You all got through July’s triple-digit weather with our top-pick ice cream maker, comfortable linen shorts, and very breathable sheets. Oh, and a sleek, sophisticated barrette that helps keep hair off sweaty necks. The 100 most popular Wirecutter picks from July→
This tee has a relaxed, boxy cut that makes it easy to style, and it’s made from a cotton that feels lightweight and luxurious. As one tester put it: “It feels so much more expensive than it actually is.” We found it for 40% off today→
Laundry day can come with a load of questions: Is it too late to get this wine stain out? Is liquid or powder detergent better? Should I wash everything in cold water? On this episode of Wirecutter Recommends, laundry expert Andrea Barnes gets to the bottom of these age-old dilemmas.
Thanks for reading. You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you.
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