The 6 Best Purchases Our Editors Made In August

For us, the slow days of summer are all about home refreshes and pampering moments. From a hack to stay cool in the heat to an affordable—and eco-friendlier!—laundry essential to a cute planter, here’s what our team bought and loved this month.

Nellie’s Laundry Soda, $15 

“I haven’t used a powder detergent since the 1990s, but I’m now a convert. As soon as I started using Nellie’s Laundry Soda, my laundry got cleaner and smelled fresher (but not in a fake way). I also love that one pouch can tackle 50 loads. This product—made by a Vancouver-based family business—also uses way less plastic packaging and carbon emissions than traditional liquid detergent.” —Maureen Halushak, editor-in-chief

Sukeen Cooling Towels, $23 for 4

“I had never heard of cooling towels until I booked a trip to Disneyland in the middle of August and started researching hacks to stay cool in the California heat. I bought a pack of four without expecting much, but they turned out to be the best purchase I’ve made in a long time.

“To activate a cooling towel, you wet it, wring it out and snap it a few times. As water evaporates, it takes heat away from the skin. I made sure to soak my towel in cold water every time it started getting a little dry, and it kept me cool all day long in the parks. (It’s also a great makeshift cover when you end up stuck in a long line in the midday sun). They were small enough to throw in my park bag in the morning and came in a handy waterproof pouch for when temperatures cooled down at night. At home, I’ve also used them when gardening and on long walks.” —Andréanne Dion, senior style and beauty editor

Veradek Demi-Raised Long Planters, $100

“These planters are so stunning, I couldn’t resist buying two—what can I say, I’m a sucker for gorgeous design! The fluting and acacia wood stand gives these planters a trendy mid-century vibe. They’re available in eight colours and made from a lightweight stone-plastic composite with a textured finish that’s durable enough for outside use. They fit perfectly with my decor and are versatile enough to handle both my indoor jungle and my outdoor oasis.” —Sun Ngo, creative director

Shiseido Tsubaki Premium Repair Hair Mask, $20

“I was inspired to buy this hair mask after seeing videos about it on TikTok, and the hype is justified—it’s a great product. I have thick, frizzy hair with some heat damage, and I’m always looking for ways to manage it. What I like about this mask is that it boosts shine and smooths my hair without flattening it. It has a fruity-floral scent that isn't overpowering and reminds me of other Japanese haircare products I’ve tried in the past. I use it in place of my usual conditioner once a week (or twice, if I’m feeling fancy) and leave it on for two to five minutes before rinsing it off. I picked this up at a local Asian mall, but it’s also available on Amazon and at T&T grocery stores.” —Aimee Nishitoba, art director

Everlane Linen Relaxed Shirt, $124

“Our EIC Maureen jokes about entering ’our linen years’ and, well, I’m there. Linen is amazing—it’s durable, takes less water to grow than cotton and is amazingly light and breathable. I’ve swapped my old sheets for linen ones, and I’m now gradually working on my coastal grandma wardrobe. I wear this shirt both buttoned up, or unbuttoned over a tank top as a very light jacket.” —Gillian Grace, deputy editor, digital

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, $67

“A few months ago, I received a bottle of this foundation-highlighter hybrid. It can be used as a sparkly tint to even out skin tone, or on the high points of the cheeks, the inner corners of the eyes and the bridge of the nose to highlight and brighten. I liked it so much I bought another bottle of it this month.” —Chantal Braganza, deputy food editor