What the Strategist Editors Bought in February

Every six to eight months, I buy a big ol’ tub of Maldon. I decant it into a salt pig, and then stash the big tub in a cupboard. –Ailbhe Malone, senior editor

I’ve been on a mission to stop cleaning with bleach, and I’m no longer adding it to our laundry loads. I found this nontoxic whitener and must say it has remarkable stain-removing power for something formulated with only a few plant-based ingredients. It’s transformed a range of dingy whites — T-shirts, socks, dishcloths, and bedsheets — and leaves them smelling fresh and a little bit sweet thanks to the lemon essential oil. –Brenley Goertzen, junior writer

I re-upped on this hand cream, which I’ve been using for the past 11 years. I first tried it when I spent a semester abroad in Paris during college, and my host mother kept a full suite of Clarins products in her fridge (chic!), including this cream. Yes, it’s a splurge for hand cream — but I find the faintly powdery smell very comforting, and it’s one of the only lightweight hand creams I’ve found that actually works for more than a few hours. –Hilary Reid, senior editor

As class of 2020 high-school graduates, my boyfriend and I have completed most of our internships and work experiences in remote and hybrid environments. But for the first time, my boyfriend’s internship is completely in person, and finding the ideal way to transport and warm up his lunch at work has been a big topic of conversation. I wanted to get him something thoughtful yet practical for Valentine’s Day and landed on this adorable electric lunch box. While it takes longer to warm his food with the lunch box than a microwave, he says the final result feels (and tastes) more natural. –Bella Druckman, junior writer

For someone who writes a lot of gift guides as part of their job, I’m really bad at remembering to buy people presents. But when I stopped in Porta on a recent day off, I saw so many delightful things that reminded me of my friends that I had to get them. These radicchio salt-and-pepper shakers were screaming my friend Rachel’s name. She recently moved to Los Angeles, and I was tardy in sending her a housewarming gift. These were perfect. –Lauren Ro, writer

My mom is very much the mom who says that she doesn’t want anything, so when it comes to gifting, I usually get her a Diptyque candle or a bouquet of flowers. But for her birthday this month, I wanted to get her something a little different (and because there are only so many Diptyque scents that she likes). So I picked up this Chanel hand cream. It’s a splurge for hand cream, but it is one of Tembe’s favorites, and the egg-shaped packaging was a real hit. –Maxine Builder, editor