Midlife is our glorious second act. And this time around, we know what we like, and understand what we need. We have lots of evidence about what works and what doesn’t, and we’re not afraid to be honest about all of it.
And that knowledge applies to all different parts of our lives — from figuring out the big stuff, to choosing products that really help us sleep better, keep our bodies strong, have more fun, and feel our best, inside and out.
And when we find products that make our midlife better, we want to tell everyone about them. So, for our first annual Adulted Awards, we asked our founder Naomi Watts, our favorite doctors and experts, and Stripes team members to recommend their favorite things for good sleep, great sex, simple yet effective beauty, and feeling good
Consider it a gift guide for your favorite person, you.
Our Experts
Naomi Watts
Naomi Watts is an actress, activist and the founder of Stripes.
Dr. Mary Claire Haver
Dr. Mary Claire Haver is a wife, mom, physician, author, and entrepreneur who has devoted her adult life to women’s health. A board-certified OBGYN, she is the creator of The Galveston Diet, a book and online coaching program focused on anti-inflammatory nutrition for those in perimenopause, menopause, and beyond.
Dr. Kelly Casperson
Dr. Kelly Casperson is a urologist, the author of the book You Are Not Broken: Stop "Should-ing" All Over Your Sex Life, creator of the podcast You Are Not Broken, and an educator who helps women live their best love lives.
Our Picks
Health & Fitness
Favorite way to make home workouts easy
I'm really focused on building muscle and maintaining my bone health — exercises done with wrist weights can be a great tool in helping to stave off sarcopenia and osteoporosis. Wearing these during exercise or running errands provides a little bit of resistance that is good for my muscles and bones — plus, they’re stylish and not too bulky. — Dr. Mary Claire Haver
Get it from Amazon here.
5, 8, and 12 lb Hand weights from Target
At this point in my life, I’ve had to switch up my workouts in order to maintain my muscle. This basic set with three different weights helps me get a lot of variation in — I use the heavier weights for more focused strength training with shorter reps, and the lighter weights for workouts more focused on toning.” — Naomi Watts
Get it from Target here.
This super thick mat just calls for me to get on it. I feel really supported and confident when I exercise on it. Once you go thick for a yoga mat, everything else seems so sub-par — it’s comfortable on my achy bones, grippy, and thick enough for outdoor yoga or yoga on concrete. — Kelly Casperson
Get it from Half Moon here.
Get it from Amazon here.
Favorite way to get healthier
I’ve had my Oura ring for almost 2 years now, and I can’t live without it! The health insights have encouraged me to live a more active lifestyle while balancing with rest days in between. I’m much more active than I used to be, and my sleep quality has improved. I feel much more in tune with my body and more empowered to make better choices for my health. It’s such a stylish accessory, too! I recommend it to everyone I know. — Suree Pattumma, MenoLabs head of Brand
Get it from Oura here.
Favorite very easy way to support your bone health
OsteoBoost Powder by Sparkle Wellness
Osteo Boost™ with FORTIBONE® has been scientifically proven to improve bone mass density, bone turnover and bone healing. I take a scoop of the mixed berry Osteo Boost every day after I break my fast. It not only tastes great, it's been clinically proven to support the skeletal system and prevent weakening of bones. This is part of my aging-well toolbox! Focusing on my bone health today can determine how I can live and move years from now. — Dr. Mary Claire Haver
Get it from Sparkle Wellness here.
Favorite way to eat healthier without a ton of effort
I make a protein shake every AM, and it needs to be fast, reliable and easy. This blender covers all those bases and more — it makes a one-person smoothie in a to-go cup, with no mess, no extra pitchers or clean-up. It’s great for making a single serving shake, but it also has the capability to tackle more complex recipes when I’m cooking. It’s compact and great for shelf space. — Kelly Casperson
Get it from Ninja Kitchen here.
Get it from Amazon here.
I consider myself a goddess of the sea and I'm always trying to add more of the ocean’s glory into my daily life. These seaweed powered bites have polyphenols, fiber, omega-3 acids, and a dose of natural iodine, which has been shown to support thyroid health. — Lindsay Goldwert, content director
Get them from Rootless here.
Fashion & Style
Favorite comfy yet stylish shoe
Arizona Shearling Birkenstocks
They’re a great brand, and not only comfortable, but also super chic. They’re asy to slip on and run out of the house in, and they go with so many different looks. I’ve been wearing them since I was pregnant, and my feet are almost uncomfortable wearing anything else. — Naomi Watts
Get them from Birkenstock here.
Get them from Amazon here.
Favorite functional shoe (that doesn’t look like a functional shoe)
These boots might be popular right now, but they’re much more than trendy. They’re stylish, timeless, supportive, well-made, and versatile — you can pair them with a dress or wear them when you go out hiking. Plus, they’re good in the rain, and comfy for days when you’re running all over town. I think they’re basically indestructible, and I know they’ll last me a lifetime. — Kelly Casperson
Get them from Blundstone here.
Get them from Amazon here.
Favorite chic reading glasses
Caddis Eyewear, Hopper Reading Glasses
I fell in love with this brand a few years back, and I love that they can do my progressive lenses online as well. All their styles are super chic and reasonably priced. It’s so easy to misplace reading glasses, so I have a few pairs around the house. — Naomi Watts
Get them from Caddis here.
Beauty
Favorite way to get glowy skin
Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick in Petal
People always comment on how good my skin looks when I’m wearing this. It gives you a fantastic glow in all of the right places. And it doesn’t just feel like makeup; it has a great texture and feels like a skincare treatment, too. —Naomi Watts
Get it from Westman Atelier here.
Get it from Amazon here.
Favorite all-in-one skincare product
DRMTLGY Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 46
This tinted moisturizer contains a high concentration of Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, and Vitamin E, which work together to plump, soothe and condition the skin. It provides just enough coverage to even out any discoloration while giving me that well rested look AND sunscreen protection in one easy step! I love the way my skin looks and feels after applying this moisturizer. — Dr. Mary Claire Haver
Get it from DRMTLGY here.
Get it from Amazon here.
Favorite way to keep your hair looking clean (even when it definitely isn't)
Most hair powders make your hair feel stiff after you use them. But this one keeps the natural texture of your hair intact, quickly giving it a lift. Using this, I can go a week without washing my hair, easy. And it’s so long-lasting — a single bottle lasts almost a year. — Kelly Casperson
Get it from Hairstory here.
Get it from Amazon here.
Sleep
Favorite stylish way to beat night sweats
LUSOMÉ Donna pajama shirt and pants
I've always wanted to love sleeping in pajamas. But while I usually I start off feeling cozy, I end up roasting like an empanada and hurling layers onto the floor. Perfect for winter months, these extremely cute pajamas feel extra cool and luxurious without adding heat or causing me to wake up in a pool of sweat. Finally, I can be a pajamas person. — Lindsay Goldwert
*Bonus! Get 30% off cooling sheets and pajamas with SLEEPWELL30 (valid through 12/31).*
Get them them from LUSOMÉ here.
Get them from Amazon here.
Favorite way to relax before bed
Bigelow Cozy Chamomile Herban Tea
I love a cup of chamomile tea before getting ready for bed. It’s just a little something warm and cozy to help me wind down from the day, so I’m more likely to get a good night’s sleep — Naomi Watts
Get it from Bigelow Tea here.
Get it from Amazon here.
Favorite way to sleep without getting a crick in your neck
I have a real Goldilocks experience when it comes to pillows — overstuffed and ultra-soft ones leave me with a stiff neck, and solid memory foam ones tend to wake me up mid-sleep because I just can’t get comfy. I love Coop pillows because they’re fully adjustable, which means you can fill them with as much or as little shredded foam as you need to get your head and neck fully aligned. I haven’t woken up with a stiff neck since I bought them, and my mid-sleep wakings have gone down, too. — Gabrielle Moss, editor
Get it from Coop Sleep Goods here.
Get it from Amazon here.
Sex
Favorite way to stay wet & wild
This product is incredibly moisturizing and lasts all day long, so you don’t have to worry about reapplication. If you’re planning on becoming intimate, you can use it ahead of time, so you don’t have to think about moisturizer in the moment.— Naomi Watts
Get it from Stripes here.
Get it from Amazon here.
Favorite way to cross the finish line
This is not for beginners. It creates intense sensation into the pelvis, leading to intense orgasms. I call it "the finisher.” I don't know who invented the damn thing, but I want to interview them for my podcast! I should own stock.
Plus, it’s compatible with any silicone or oil-based lube — including Oh My Glide. — Kelly Casperson
Get it from We-Vibe here.
Get it from Amazon here.
Life
Favorite book that explains it all
Jancee Dunn has had a long and distinguished career as a nonfiction writer, covering everything from rock music in Rolling Stone to health for the New York Times. So when she was suddenly beset by hot flashes, insomnia, and other difficult perimenopause symptoms, she put on her reporting hat to learn more, jumping in and giving us this fun, accessible, deep-dive into life during and after menopause. Full of science, history, and ultra-practical self-help, Hot & Bothered is like a cross between a wise, funny best friend and one of those What's Happening to My Body? books for grown-ups." — Gabrielle Moss
Bonus: Check out Jancee's Adulted interview.
Get it from Penguin Random House here.
Get it from Amazon here.
Favorite pop cultural menopause moment
Kristin Scott Thomas’s monologue about menopause in Fleabag, Season 2, Episode 3
This amazing monologue about honoring the gifts of menopause helped destigmatize the conversation around all things meno in the process. God knows we need to find whatever dignity we can — and humor is always the best way to diffuse pain. — Naomi Watts
