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To find out what you should be looking for when shopping for the best earplugs, we spoke to Lee Fletcher, RHAD, BSHAA, principal audiologist at Regain Hearing in London. “Custom-made earplugs will provide the best protection and be more comfortable for extended periods,” says Fletcher. “However, if you want to purchase earplugs online or from a pharmacy, you need to check they are made for hearing protection.” Fletcher also suggests checking that the earplugs have a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 20 decibels or more....

The best outdoor movie screens “use the highest quality of projection screen surfaces to provide an indoor home theater quality with outdoor durability,” says Jaime Abrego, product manager at the projection screen manufacturing company Elite Screens. In other words, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice picture quality to enjoy your entertainment outdoors. To help you choose the best outdoor movie screen for your home, we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind each model’s dimensions, screen size, and aspect ratio....

To help determine the best teeth whitening strips, we consulted Diane Klein, DDS, co-owner of Dynamic Dental P.L.L.C. in Staten Island, NY, for advice on what to look for when choosing from the many teeth whitening strips and kits on the market. She recommends looking for products with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal. She also advises carefully following the instructions on how to apply the strips and how long to leave them on to reduce sensitivity and avoid irritation....

It’s no wonder, then, that vinyl plank flooring is such a hit with homeowners. Vinyl plank flooring, or VPF for short, is a much more durable and affordable option to create beautiful interior spaces for the home. Depending on your needs, you’ll need to choose between regular vinyl flooring or luxury vinyl, says Stacy Lewis, owner and interior designer at Eternity Modern. Luxury vinyl is the heftier choice, and you usually have many options for color and style....

Technically air fryers are mini convection ovens, though they work in a fraction of the time it would take your conventional oven and without heating up the whole house. Whether you found your new fryer under the Christmas tree or bit the bullet and bought one to kick your healthy cooking up a notch in 2020, you’re in luck. With the turn of a dial, this trendy tool can fry up everything from bite-sized appetizers to weeknight mains in minutes—with all of the flavor and none of the guilt....

Editor-Loved Prime Day Deals I usually think of Prime Day as a time to stock up on products I use all the time, like my favorite mascara, my go-to tinted moisturizer, and the gentle hair scrunchies I use almost every day. I typically give my beauty bag and skincare assortment a quick review to see what I need, and grab anything that’s marked down. And I do the same for my closet....

What if you didn’t have to choose between chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies, and peanut butter cookies? What if you could just have them all? These monster cookies are the all in one cookie and so yummy! Monster cookies in my mind are pretty much just a soft and chewy cookie full of all sorts of different things. The two common mix-ins I always see with them are M&Ms and chocolate chips....

Actually, the right way of saying this is that not all “breakfast syrups” are created equally. This is because “maple syrup” is a narrow category. Not all of the dark, sticky elixirs meant for drizzling on the likes of French toast and waffles are maple syrups. Some are called “pancake syrups.” Though pancake syrups look like maple syrups, they aren’t derived from the sap of maple trees. Rather, the sugar and thick, sticky body come from other sweeteners (often corn syrup) and added colorings (rather than development through the cooking process)....

The difference between water-resistant and waterproof makeup Unlike waterproof makeup, which is meant to withstand water and not break down or move, water-resistant makeup can resist the penetration of water up to a point, but will eventually break down. “When wearing waterproof makeup, you could be slapped in the face by ocean waves without worrying about your makeup moving,” explains Natalia Thomas, a celebrity makeup artist based in New York City....

To buy: $8 (was $16); amazon.com. “​​Flattering and comfortable,” declared one of the nearly 1,500 five-star reviewers, who mentioned they were looking for a wireless bra that still offered support. Another shopper echoed the same views, saying they also find the fit and style of the bra to be comfortable, plus adding, “I completely forget I have it on.” The bra’s cups are made from 84 percent nylon and 16 percent spandex, and the band’s lace features 79 percent nylon and 21 percent spandex for maximum comfort and stretch....

The Health Benefits of Lentils Lentils are rich in fiber. One of the biggest benefits of legumes and lentils is the high levels of fiber, which most people don’t get enough of in their diets. “Lentils are a complex carbohydrate that are super high in fiber, especially soluble fiber,” explains Jennifer Hanway, a nutritionist and certified personal trainer. “Soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like substance that moves through the GI system and can help remove some substances related to high cholesterol....

The Lasko All-Season Tower Fan and Space Heater is exactly what we needed to make our bedroom more comfortable. Plus, it provides a low white noise that helps me sleep at night. Assembly was easy and straightforward and only took about 10 minutes by myself. Once it’s up and running, choose whether you want cold or warm air, and then pick from four preset settings for fan speed or heat level....

Watermelon Is Packed With Fiber, Antioxidants, and More There are many surprising health benefits of watermelon. “Watermelons are an awesome choice when it comes to summer fruits because the fiber promotes satiety and digestive regularity, while the electrolytes are very hydrating,” says Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN. Watermelons are also high in lycopene–usually associated with tomatoes—a phytochemical known for its antioxidant properties. “There have been several studies linking consumption of lycopene with a decreased risk in prostate cancer,” Feller says....

To buy: $16 (was $20); amazon.com At 5.2 by 8.6 inches, the compact warmer has a big enough surface to fit all kinds of mugs and is thin enough to fit easily into your bag. With 17 watts of power, the compact beverage warmer perfectly heats a single mug, so gone are the days of drinking lukewarm forgotten coffee amidst a hectic schedule. One shopper who has used the mug warmer almost daily for four years titled their review, “My favorite thing I own....

The Novogratz 2-Door Metal Accent Table is 39.37 inches wide, so it has just enough surface to hold my 38-inch flat screen. Its powder-coated metal is so stable, it withstands the TV’s weight without buckling or dipping. Behind its magnetized double doors lie four shelves of storage space, where I stow all the unsightly odds-and-ends often found in one’s living area—think running shoes, a tool kit, and plastic bags full of Command hooks....

As a recent resident of New York City, I’m unused to having such a tiny, cramped apartment, so an exercise mirror sounded appealing for its two-in-one capability: It serves as functional decor and provides me unlimited access to over 10,000 live and recorded workouts. As a bonus, it’s currently $700 off from its original price of $1,495, making it an even more palatable option for those in a similar shoebox....

Sidestep these snafus for your best Thanksgiving dinner yet. Not Defrosting in Time Turkeys can take more than an hour per pound to defrost, so make room in your fridge early. “I’ll put mine in the fridge on Sunday night, and it should be fully defrosted but Wednesday. This gives me sufficient time to brine it overnight before cooking on Thanksgiving Day,” says Polak. Cooking a Wet Turkey Moisture is the enemy of crispy....

To buy: $18 (was $25); amazon.com “I absolutely LOVE this spray nozzle,” wrote a shopper who titled their five-star review “The best nozzle I’ve ever used!” They added that the nozzle is “so easy to use,” and that they also like the different watering options—especially the “concentrated shower spray.” “In recent years I have bought several different styles of hose nozzles, all of which disappointed me—until this one, which I love,” wrote another reviewer who also highlighted the different watering patterns the nozzle offers....

What Is Organic Milk? In order for milk to be certified as organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and carry the “USDA Organic” seal, the milk must come from cows that have not been treated with antibiotics or given hormones for growth or reproduction. Cows producing organic milk eat a mixture of organic grains and grasses, where every step of the food chain must be certified organic—from food the animals eat to the soil the food is grown in—and the milk must come from cows that receive at least 30% of their diet from pasture, which equates to at least 120 days out in the fresh air....

It’s not fancy. It fit in her stocking. And yet, the Zulay Original Milk Frother brought her more joy than I could have imagined. My daughter loves chai lattes. And the idea that she could have a decaffeinated chai latte whenever she wanted was transformational. This milk frother, only $17 right now, gave her agency and a license to play around in the kitchen. To buy: $17; amazon.com. The electric frother is dead simple....