Posts

Now that ’90s beauty and fashion trends have returned, searches for “the Rachel haircut” have increased by a whopping 174% since Friends: The Reunion, according to beauty retailer Justmylook. Even celebs like Bella Hadid, Mariah Carey, and Selena Gomez have sported the iconic “Rachel” haircut. With the resurgence, TikTokers are going to extreme lengths to replicate the style, steaming their hair with curling irons and pinning strands back with rollers....

Whether you use them daily or occasionally, the best recliners should offer support that fits your body and style that fits your home. If the word “recliner” conjures images of overstuffed chairs demanding a big presence in living rooms and dens, you might be surprised to see the many features and looks of today’s recliners. To better understand what factors go into buying the best recliner for you, we researched various recliners on the market and sought advice from Paula Hoyas, vice president of product merchandising for La-Z-Boy, and Anne Kellett, the designer behind A Kinder Space....

To find the best night creams, we researched numerous brands and formulas, picking options for various skin concerns and purposes. We also spoke with Jessica Wu, M.D., Los Angeles dermatologist and author of Feed Your Face, for her expert insight into selecting the best night creams. “Night cream is typically a heavier product that is meant to nourish your skin while you’re sleeping,” explains Dr. Wu. “At night, you can apply the cream and leave it on for the entire time you’re sleeping, without worrying about how makeup will sit on top of it....

To come up with this list of the best platform beds, we spent hours researching the market and considering factors like design, material, assembly, and under-bed clearance. We also received expert tips from Amy Vroom, interior designer of The Residency Bureau, who’s well-versed in curating cozy, inviting bedrooms. She recommends pairing a platform bed with a headboard for both visual and practical reasons. “It finishes off the room and gives you more support for reading or binge scrolling before you go to sleep,” says Vroom....

We spent hours researching moisturizers for dry skin, looking for products that contain effective ingredients and evaluating their formulation and size. We also spoke to Thomas Griffin Jr., MD, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in cosmetic dermatology, about what works best to tackle dry skin. He and Vanessa Thomas, a cosmetic chemist and founder of Freelance Formulations, weighed in on what ingredients to look for in a moisturizer—and what to avoid....

To find out what all these terms mean and what users might need in a light bulb, as well as some of the factors to consider when choosing the best light bulb for every part of the home, we reached out to several lighting experts. Dan Mock, vice president of operations at Mister Sparky, recommends opting for LED bulbs. “Not only do they last much longer than incandescent bulbs, but they also use more than 80% less electricity,” he says....

We all know that flour is the one ingredient found in almost every baked good. But whether you’re a from-the-box baker or have been making Mary Berry-worthy desserts for years, you have quite a few flour options to choose from these days. Not that there’s anything wrong with white all-purpose flour, of course—aside from its limited nutritional value. (And the fact that those with gluten issues can’t eat it.) That said, Gena Hamshaw, a registered dietitian with The Full Helping, is all for using an alternative flour, since it can boost the nutritional value of your favorite baked goods....

Though most common in garages and basements, excess humidity can also be a problem in main living areas of a home, including living rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Ranald Stewart, sales manager at Dehum, says that in addition to preventing mold, mildew, and musty odors, a good dehumidifier can reduce pests like dust mites and protect your household items from mold-related damage. We created a list of the best dehumidifiers on the market to reduce moisture inside all rooms of your house....

To sort through the overwhelming number of eucalyptus sheets on the market, we tested 19 eucalyptus sheets in our Lab and evaluated them based on quality, texture, breathability, durability, and value. We also spoke to Jeffrey Kambak, CEO of U.S. operations at The Trident Group (a textiles manufacturer) and vice president of the Home Fashion Products Association. “Eucalyptus sheets actually are made from the wood of a eucalyptus tree,” says Kambak....

We spent hours rigorously researching hall tree styles and solutions to select the best options for a variety of budget, storage, and home decor needs. We considered storage space and type, functionality, and size when selecting the final products. We also consulted Shira Gill, organizing expert and author of Minimalista, to get her tips on what to look for in a hall tree and how to best select the one for your needs: “A hall tree is a great alternative to costly custom built-ins and an easy way to add an attractive and multifunctional piece of furniture to your home,” says Gill....

A microfiber cloth and a gentle cleanser are the only tools you need to clean stainless steel, says Alicia Sokolowski, President and Co-CEO at AspenClean. “Avoid abrasive cleaners, ammonia, bleach, and abrasive tools like steel wool pads,” she says, as these can dull, discolor, or scratch the surface. Our top choice for the best stainless steel cleaner is the Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish. Its two-in-one formula makes it easy to clean and shine with one swipe, plus it also comes in wipe form—which makes cleaning your stainless steel appliances even easier....

To find the best beach chairs, our 11 testers headed to the beach and evaluated their given styles based on five categories: portability, ease of use, comfort, durability, and value. Over the course of three weeks, 26 different styles were tested. Overall, the best beach chair is the Homevative Folding Backpack Beach Chair. Testers found that it was easy to carry, durable in build, and packed with extra touches to make your life better, like a headrest, drink pocket, and covered cell phone pocket....

It’s important to note that the products on this list aren’t meant to repel mosquitoes and other flying insects, they are meant to kill them. This process usually works by drawing them to the device and zapping them, so you’ll want to set up whichever device you choose a ways away from where you and your friends and family will be sitting to prevent yourselves from being in the insect’s path as they flock towards the light....

“If you get a good humidifier and apply a healing ointment, chapped lips can heal nicely within a week or two,” says Doyle. “I also recommend that my patients avoid salty foods since exposure to these items can delay healing.” Doyle notes that if your lips aren’t healed within a couple of weeks, you should visit your dermatologist’s office. She also recommends a product with SPF for extra protection. Our top choice for the best chapped lip treatment is the Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm, which is effective, budget-friendly, and contains moisturizing ingredients, as well as SPF....

Who it isn’t for: People who prefer their desks to have drawers to store items out of sight when they’re not at their desk.If you have the space set aside for a permanent workspace in your home, this simple desk has plenty of features to help you stay productive at a very reasonable price. While many budget-friendly desks come with only one flat surface for you to fit your monitor, laptop, and desk accessories, this one has multiple and surface area for monitors, keyboards, notebooks—even a compact printer, if you need one....

Whether you’re thinking about a traditional ironing board, a tabletop board, or another option, the best ironing board or ironing surface provides a smooth spot to lay your clothes flat to achieve the best wrinkle and crease-free results. It should feel sturdy, not wobbly, and most importantly, it shouldn’t be difficult to fold up and put away. “A wobbly ironing board just isn’t safe, especially if you have small children around, because you don’t want a hot and heavy iron to fall on anyone,” notes Helen Sattler, owner of The Sassi Seamstress and head designer for True Earth Clothing....

“Most healthy adults may benefit from using a massage gun,” says Anthony Maritato, a licensed physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist. “The best places on your body to use a massage gun include all muscle or fatty tissue areas,” he adds. To find the best massage guns, we researched a range of options while considering intensity, weight, attachments, and battery life. We also spoke to Kelsey Decker, an NSCA Certified Personal Trainer and Education Coordinator for StretchLab....

“At-home water filters can remove as little as simply chlorine or sediment, or up to hundreds of different contaminants. They can even remove beneficial minerals such as calcium and magnesium,” says Craig Hoffman, chief technologist and founder of Atla Water System and a former nuclear engineer managing water chemistry for the U.S. Navy. To find the best water filters for your home, we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind each pick’s size, flow rate, filter type, and water type....

I’ll be the first one to tell you that I’m kind of a Chex Mix addict, really a snack food addict altogether, but Chex Mix is my weakness. It’s easily my favorite snack, especially when it’s homemade. And it’s not just the original stuff. I like the cheddar, the peanut version, and even the sweet version. I have since high school when Chex Mix was always my snack of choice....

“Eczema presents differently depending on the type of eczema," says Tiffany Libby, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist. “However, for atopic dermatitis– the most common type of eczema—it commonly presents in lighter-skinned patients as pink-red scaly rashes on body folds (like the neck, elbow, and inner knee creases and ankles), though it can show up anywhere on your skin. On darker skin, eczema tends to appear as purple, brown, gray itchy, scaly rashes....