Hairstylists’ best tips for bedhead
Plus: On-sale sneakers we love ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  
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The Recommendation

August 17, 2026

Our sincere apologies for the glitch that may have caused a blank newsletter to land in your inbox earlier. Here’s all the coverage you should have received, including kid- and stylist-approved hair essentials. Plus …

How hairstylists tackle their toughest clients: Their kids

A collage with different photos of kids getting their hair styled by hairdressers.
Klawe Rzeczy for NYT Wirecutter; source photos by Brenda Rodriguez, Tarah Schott, Najee Wright, iStock

The key to avoiding tears, tantrums, and stubborn tangles on the way out the door? A streamlined hair-care routine and some strategic prep. We spoke with hairstylists whose kiddos have a range of hair types from pin-straight to ultra-coily to learn their hacks for washing, conditioning, smoothing edges, and more.

Plus, they shared some of the tools they swear by during the chaos of back-to-school season — including a sweet-scented detangler and a hydrating shampoo-conditioner duo that revives dry locks.

And a blow-dry-safe hairbrush beloved by pros→

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›

Plus: 34 stylish back-to-school pieces we love

A collage of photos (clockwise from left): a red Fjallraven backpack, a white Reebok sneaker, and a person wearing blue jeans with black sneakers.
NYT Wirecutter

Whether you’re gearing up to head back to school or the office, a wardrobe refresh can help buoy end-of-summer blues. Our favorite staples for a fall transition include some basics, like a classic plain white tee, and a few wild cards, like bright, fashion-forward sneakers.

Clothes worth laying out the night before→

What’s hot at Wirecutter

A light wood door with a silver and black electronic lock opening into a bedroom with a large bed in the background.

How to get that perfect hotel sleep at home

Including where to buy the same bouncy, billowy mattresses found in luxe suites→

A person smiling and holding several printed fabrics on a clothesline across their chest.

Hand towels that only get better with time

These traditional Japanese cotton cloths come in an array of colorful prints and are surprisingly multipurpose→

The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro earbuds pictured with their case.

Our new favorite wireless earbuds

They fit comfortably, have excellent noise cancellation, and feature the best noise-reducing microphones we’ve ever tested→

An image of two laminated sheets of paper inside an illustrative light blue and brown picture frame.

“My parenting secret weapon is a $30 laminator”

Easily protect important documents from stains, creasing, and smudges→

Gift of the week: Very handsome corduroy shorts

A pair of Katin Cord Local Shorts on top of a green background
Katin

These velvety drawstring shorts are an excellent upgrade for anyone looking to retire their everyday cargos. They hit just above the knee, have roomy side and back pockets to store a wallet and phone, and come in an array of lovely mellow shades.

Wear-anywhere shorts→

Your daily deal: Sporty-chic sneakers


Nike LD-1000 sneakers in brown and pink
Nike

A chic pair of sneakers is a sartorial holy grail: cute and versatile, yet comfy enough for 10,000-step days. After researching more than 50 pairs, we loved the charming and retro vibes of these slim-fitting runners. They’re one of the lightest sneakers we recommend, yet the airy foam makes them feel satisfyingly squishy and bouncy.

They’re more than 50% off→

One last thing: “This comb completely eradicated my kids’ head lice”

Two photos of the Nit Free Terminator Comb, displayed within an illustration of two yellow circles in front of a green background.
NYT Wirecutter

The back-to-school item you may be most grateful to snag early: this nifty comb. Its loosely spaced, grooved teeth make it easy to pull lice and eggs from hair, leaving tresses pest-free. “This gizmo is a muscular assassin,” says special projects director Christine Cyr Clisset. “It pulls nits out of my kids’ hair like nothing I’ve tried before.”

The right tool for an unpleasant job→

Independent reviews, expert advice and intensively researched deals from Wirecutter experts.

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For your next everything shower: Our favorite shampoos and conditioners.

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