38 Useful Things To Help You Get Through Your To-Do List In A Flash
Veet sensitive hair removal gel kindly providing a soothing, gentle alternative to razors or waxing. The aloe-infused formula works in under 10 minutes (!!!) by dissolving hair on your legs, arms, back, and bikini area. It's designed to be more efficient and reduce the risk of in-grown hairs — imagine a world without those annoying bumps!
Soft spiral curlers ready to help people with medium to long hair achieve bouncy curls without a lick of heat damage. Reviewers say they're (relatively) comfortable to sleep in, can control frizz, and keep hair curled for several days straight, so you can skip putting "plug in the curler" on your to-do list.
A jalapeño corer so you can get rid of unwanted seeds in seconds and minimize the risk of you slicing your hand open. Best to get this step done ASAP so you can enjoy some jalapeño poppers in record time.
Promising review: "Not sure why I didn't know about this nifty gadget before! I'm obsessed!! I make jalapeño poppers AT LEAST once a week, and it has always been a little time-consuming! This gadget has cut my prep time by more than half!!! Such great quality and love that it's dishwasher safe! You don't have to work hard to get stems and seeds out. Only takes about 10-15 seconds per pepper, and it's completely cleaned out! Would definitely recommend to everyone!!!" —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $7.99.
A mint-flavored teeth-whitening pen that's way faster and more convenient than a painful trip to the dentist or an annoying attempt at the strips. Just brush your teeth with the bristled pen whenever you have a minute to work through stains and discoloration (without sensitivity, according to reviewers).
A pair of elastic shoelaces so you can turn any shoes into slip-ons — even if you're wearing boots or high-top Converse. You have places to be and not a lot of time to get there!
A pack of washing machine cleaning tablets designed to attack built-up detergent scum, dirt, and general grossness so your clothes can get as clean as possible. Throw in a tablet, run a normal wash cycle, and congratulate yourself on a chore well done.
And a dishwasher cleaner and disinfectant to help make the thing that cleans your dishes...also clean. Its citrusy formula helps remove limescale, rust, grease, and other nasty buildup so your machine can run more efficiently, and you don't have to pick up the slack.
Dawn Powerwash, an impressive spray-on dish soap capable of giving you those clean swipes through nightmarish messes previously only seen in commercials. Spray this on dishes, but you can also use it to tackle dirty range hoods, backsplashes, bathtubs, grills, or anywhere else with caked-on food or dirt.
Jergen's Weightless Wet Skin Moisturizer you can apply *right* out of the shower, no toweling-off period needed. The shea butter and hyaluronic acid body cream absorbs quickly, locking in all that moisture before it has time to evaporate — or you have time to forget this crucial post-bathing step!
A nonscratch dish wand with a hollow handle you can fill with dish soap and vinegar so you can tackle your dishes or surfaces without wasting even a millisecond to re-soap your sponge. Let's get this DONE!
A Wet Brush Speed Dry Hair Brush that, possibly with the help of some arcane powers, glides through all hair types like knots are nothing at all. The vented back helps dry your hair as you brush and can even be used in tandem with a hair dryer.
A Vitamix FoodCycler for intimidated beginners or seasoned pros who just hate the usual composting process. It turns your food scraps into fertilizer with just the touch of a button, and uses a carbon filter lid to prevent the compost from stinking up your kitchen. Reducing food waste is suddenly quick and easy.
The Pink Stuff, an all-purpose paste that you can use to clean basically any surface — it works on everything from marble and wood to rubber boots and car steering wheels. Wasting time scrubbing will be a thing of the past. And the future? Sparkly clean items as far as the eye can see.
A Roomba robot vacuum because if robots are going to take our jobs, it might as well be the worst ones. It'll clean your floors *and* it even works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use voice control! You might as well call this device Rosey because this is Jetsons-level tech.
A no-rinse soap that removes an entire step from hand-washing your clothes, making the whole process easier and faster. Just soak, squeeze, and dry flat!
A standing weeder with three steel prongs that grip unwanted lawn invaders by the roots so your least favorite backyard chore will feel more like a claw game. Your yard can still be dandelion free even if you don't put your back into it.
A game-changing veggie chopper that will make quick work of your prep work. Just add your veggies, slam down the lid, enjoy freshly chopped produce, and then throw the device in the dishwasher when you're done. Now you'll be crying tears of joy instead of tears from onion cutting.
A pack of disposable shower hair catchers for people who often forget to clean the drain after a shower and too squeamish to maintain a device like the TubShroom. You can just close your eyes and throw these away when they're too hair-infested.
A batter dispenser you can use to make perfect pancakes and cupcakes every 👏 single 👏 time. 👏 Gone are the days of using a measuring cup and dripping batter all over your stove top. Now you can focus on the fun part: decorating! Who wants a lopsided Mickey Mouse?
A dog paw-cleaning device to quickly get your pup's paws squeaky clean so they can get back to lounging on your furniture instead of the expensive pet bed you got them. Fill the tube up with soapy water and let the soft bristles scrub away the day's walk.
A WD-40 pen that provides all the same benefits as the spray can (quieting squeaks, lubricating hinges, preventing rust, etc.) but now with an easy-to-maneuver, precise pen tip. You could just walk around your home, touching up every hinge you see! Not only are you knocking off to-do items, you're preventing future ones from cropping up.
A grater with a built-in container so you don't have to worry about having to balance it over a plate or cleaning up stray shavings. It comes with three grating surfaces you can swap out to meet all your grating needs. Imagine this: taco night in the blink of an eye.
A SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher that works with rocker switches and one-way buttons, meaning almost anything can be turned into a smart device. Once you set it up, you'll be able to use Google, Alexa, or an app on your phone to turn things on and off, meaning you'll be living in an IRL version of Smart House. A smart house that makes hanging out fun and doesn't imprison you, of course.
A Revlon hot air brush for when you wanna look camera-ready but don't have time for a full hair routine. It'll detangle and blow out all types of hair (including type 4 curls and coils) in what feels like the blink of an eye. Glossy, effortless waves are just a few brushes away!
Slow cook liners, so you don't have to yank the heavy pot out of the cooker to clean it. You can also use the heat-resistant liners to make two hearty stews at once. Bags! Gotta love 'em.
Garbage disposal cleaner that's not only easy to use, but also very entertaining. Run some hot water, pop one of the packets in your disposer, let it foam, then wait for the foam to fully disappear, and bam! You can admire your lemony fresh drain that was basically cleaned for you.
A magnetic meal planning pad with a detachable shopping list for when you want to really commit to cooking at home. Will having everything organized help you finally use the entire bag of lettuce? Only time will tell.
An organizer happy to store all your increasingly complicated passwords. At least 12 characters, including a symbol, number, capital letter, ancient rune, and the fleeting details of a half-remembered dream? COME ON! Now you can log in immediately and finish your internet-based chores.
Or an electric scrubber with a nice handle so you can clean your kitchen sans wrist pain. The handy device will make quick work of your dirty pans, stove top, tile floors, or whatever else you'd prefer not to scrub by hand.
Juno & Co.'s Clean 10 Cleansing Balm made with a blend of pearl barley and vitamin E to completely obliterate every speck of makeup on your face. Seriously, you'll feel so fresh and baby-faced, you'll wonder if that eyeliner was really as smudge-proof as you previously thought.
A self-cleaning litter box you can even control from your smartphone — sitting on the couch has never been so productive. It scoops the unmentionables into a separate compartment that you can throw away at your leisure.
A garlic rocker that's faster and easier to use than a traditional garlic press. It's also waayy easier to clean — best not dwell on the trauma of trying to fit a sponge into one of those things. 😬
A wireless scanning pen perfect for the pro notetaker. This futuristic device scans 3,000 characters per minute — basically a line of text in a second — so you can transfer text straight from your books to your computer faster than you can say, "Will there be extra credit?" It can also translate 40 languages and even read text back to you as it scans. What an A+ shopper you are!
A breakfast sandwich maker that cooks every part of the sandwich at once and then neatly stacks them together so you can skip the line at your local deli. Saving money AND time — win!
An undetectable mouse jiggler for anyone with a micromanager who's a little too invested in your online status. This will make it seem like you're active while you tackle some chores.
A tote organizer that has two vital functions: 1. brings order to your chaotic bag that weirdly has no pockets and 2. lets you transport all your stuff with one fluid motion.
A beloved Click & Carry grocery bag carrier made with special padding to help you comfortably lift up to 50 pounds worth of bags on each shoulder, so now you really can do it all in one trip.
An electric makeup brush cleaner that spins your brush and creates a mini vortex in your soapy water. The spinning helps clean and dry the bristles in a jiffy. Will you finally actually clean your brushes now? For your skin's sake, I hope so!
How you'll feel as you tear through your to-do list:
Reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
The Book Nearly Died With Him in the Amazon. But the Story Endured.
In 2018, the British journalist Dom Phillips joined a 17-day expedition into the Javari Valley, a vast, nearly inaccessible Indigenous land on the western edge of the Brazilian Amazon, tracking signs of an isolated group increasingly threatened by illegal activity. It was a grueling journey: 650 miles by boat and foot, crossing treacherous log bridges, dodging snakes and pushing through suffocating forest. The river, when it reappeared, offered both relief and what Phillips later called moments of 'exquisite loveliness.' He was struck by the Indigenous guides' command of the 'forest's secrets,' but even more so by Bruno Pereira, the expedition leader and a seasoned official at Funai, Brazil's Indigenous protection agency. Phillips saw him as a public servant deeply committed to protecting Indigenous peoples (though he was not himself Indigenous), and able to navigate the Javari with unmatched ease. When he returned to the region to work on a book, he set out to document how an Indigenous patrol was protecting the largely ungoverned territory — an effort then led by Pereira. The two men ran afoul of an illegal fishing gang and were killed in June 2022. But the story did not die with them. Journalist friends and family have brought Dom Phillips's work to life with the release of 'How to Save the Amazon: A Journalist's Fatal Quest for Answers.' Over three years, they completed the half-finished manuscript thanks to crowdfunding, grants and, finally, a willing publisher. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Buzz Feed
14 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
These Drugstore Products Are Better Than Luxury Ones
As a beauty reporter, it's not just my personal obsession but also my job to research and test my way through skincare and makeup products at every price point. What I've found is that, in many cases, you do get what you pay for. But other times, I learned that drugstore formulas outperform their luxury competition for a fraction of the price. Always the advocate for a good bargain, I've curated the upcoming list of beauty products that I've not just tried, but use regularly, for their capacity to enhance my beauty routine at drugstore prices. It's an affordable collection that includes lush body oils, high-powered eye liners, wrinkle-fighting facial lotions and tons more. A makeup artist-endorsed definition mascara This was the tube of mascara that, for me, solidified the potential of drugstore formulas. The L'Oreal Voluminous mascara line was previously recommended to us by professional makeup artists as a good budget option for anyone looking to experiment with mascara shades that go beyond just black or brown. There's something about the product consistency of this mascara and the fluffy barrel brush that makes my lashes look longer and noticeably volumized, without looking weighed down or spidery. It also never flakes or smudges, even when the tube is a little older. I've even opted to try a few other colors, including the deep violet shade that I like so much, I find myself grabbing for it more than my go-to black. You'll want to opt for this if you're after a set of lashes that look fanned, wispy and not overly unnatural. Though I haven't tried it out for myself, some online discourse suggests that this formula is very comparable to the Lancôme High Definition mascara, which is also known for weightlessly lengthening it from Amazon for $8.24+ (available in nine shades). A magical loose powder with an old school formula This silky soft Airspun loose powder by Coty, a product that hails all the way back from 1935, is the only facial powder I will ever use. The talc-free formula, which can be purchased in three shades, including translucent, never feels cakey on my skin, nor does it settle into fine lines. Instead, it helps to smooth and blur texture, absorb excess oil and set my makeup — all without leaving an overly matte finish or a weird cast like other setting powders I've tried. It's also super affordable and lasts though I consider this vintage icon in a league of its own, I have heard this formula compared to the likes of Laura Mercier's well-known loose setting powder, which contains botanicals and skin conditioners to blur and soften the skin, but costs $43 for just one ounce of product (the Airspun is 1.2 ounces). Get it from Amazon for $6.74 (available in three shades). A "glass skin" highlighter stick that doesn't feel drugstore I'll admit it, I was influenced by TikTok to try out these new highlighter sticks from L'Oréal that promise to offer a more elevated kind of glow (unlike those chalky strobe highlighters of 2012). The finish is very unique and, like the brand claims, makes skin look glass-like, reflective, and very healthy. It comes in three "glassy formula" shades, though I have both the pearl and pink, and they are both virtually translucent, which I actually prefer. The texture is also not creamy at all, but instead feels lightweight and second-skin-like when applied to areas like the high points of my cheeks, inner corners of the eyes and cupid's bow. Even though this conveniently comes in the form of a stick, I like rubbing it on my fingers first before dabbing it onto my skin to avoid any disruption of my liquid and cream products my opinion, this formula seems strikingly similar to Merit's Day Glow highlighting balm, which promises that same dewy sheen without any sparkle. If you want a more robust glow, the L'Oréal Lumi Le Glass comes in three "glowy" formulas that are advertised to have a slightly more opaque it from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in six colors). A ceramide-filled lotion that doubles as the perfect makeup base I have been using the CeraVe daily lotion as my go-to day facial moisturizer (though it can be used for both the face and body) for several years now, and for a few different reasons. In my opinion, it's the ideal mid-weight texture that soaks completely into the skin and layers seamlessly over my other daytime skincare products, without any kind of contradictions. Something about the slight velvet finish that this lotion leaves behind serves as the perfect base for makeup to layer on top of — no pilling or unsightly foundation separating. In fact, it works better as a base than some other expensive primers that I've tried. Plus, the fact that I can procure a value-sized bottle of this for less than $20 keeps me coming back time and time again.I hesitate to make this comparison, since I'm such a huge fan of the slightly pricier version, but this reminds me of the cult-favorite Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré, a magical French facial cream that also doubles as a makeup primer. Get it from Amazon for $13.68+ (available in two sizes). A velvety liner that rivals Charlotte Tilbury's famous "Pillow Talk" Everyone is most likely familiar with the iconic "Pillow Talk" lip liner by Charlotte Tilbury, which I'm also a devotee of, but cringe at the $26 price tag. Milani is the maker behind tons of notable drugstore cosmetics, including this retractable lip liner that comes in nearly identical shades to the luxury version (Cinammon Statement or Nude Entrance). It's creamy, long-lasting and doesn't feather along or above the lip line when I want to accentuate my lips.I'm equally obsessed with the Milani Color Fetish line of matte lipsticks, which are ultra-pigmented and very soft on the lips. Get it from Amazon for $7.97 (available in 12 colors). A flexible and imperceptible concealer The Maybelline Age Rewind concealer has been my exclusive concealer of choice for nearly a decade and I have yet to find a formula that manages to be so imperceptible on the skin, yet so effective at brightening my under eye. The formula blends easily and because it's so thin, it does a really great job of not settling into my fine lines or creasing throughout the day and I don't even need to use powder to set it. It easily disperses from the built-in sponge applicator and comes in 28 shades, including a redness-canceling green shade and a brightening pink tone.I personally can't speak to this comparison, but the Age Rewind is often cited as an affordable alternative to the Nars Radiant Creamy concealer, a medium-coverage product that promises to be good for dark it from Amazon for $8.98. A fine-line liquid eyebrow pen that looks like real brow hairs I have some sparse patches on my left eyebrow from previous scarring, and I adore how NYX's Lift & Snatch eyebrow pen manages to fill in the gap, without making it look like I just have a solid block of color on my skin. The flexible tip is ultra-fine to help mimic the look of brow hairs, while the ink-like formula is instantly drying and completely budge-proof. Available in 10 shades, this product is strikingly similar to my beloved micro-stroke pen by Anastasia Beverly Hills, a brand known for its incredible brow products. Get it from Amazon for $9.99+. Latex-free makeup sponges that perform exactly like the Beauty Blender For the longest time, I only used a Beautyblender to apply my makeup, a $20 tool that is so revered it can even be considered the industry standard for makeup sponges. Then, about three years ago, I discovered these latex-free lookalikes that cost around $5 for a colorful carton of five and have never looked back. Like the Blender, this delightfully squishy sponge makes my foundation look airbrushed and mimics the original's exact shape: a round body and a pointed precision tip. I use this damp for the perfect dispersion of products and bounce it along the skin in a stippling motion to apply my foundation, blend cream products and even a five-piece set from Amazon for $5.38+ (available in five color combos). The most hydrating and cushiony lip oil I've ever used If you're not familiar with lip oils, think of them as a grown-up version of those sticky glosses from the '90s that promise the same coveted shine, but with the feel of a hydrating balm. Colour Pop's Lux lip oils were the first I ever tried and ultimately the reason I fell in love with this type of formulation. Available in four sheer shades, this lip oil has a unique gel-like texture that melts down to a lightweight and cushiony gloss that's incredibly comfortable and smooth to wear. It uses a blend of antioxidant-rich chamomile and calendula oils to help nourish lips and keep them feeling hydrated. In my opinion, the feel and longevity of this gloss even beats the cult-favorite Tower 28 high-shine lip jelly, which costs $6 more. Get it from Amazon for $9.97. A milky skin conditioner that reminds me of Laniege Although this isn't a product that you could grab from your local Target or Walmart, it does have a drugstore price and a list of ingredients that is strikingly similar to the Laneige Cream Skin milky toner, a formula that's also Korean and costs over twice as much. The PDRN pink milky toner is a recent find from buzzy Korean skin care brand, Medicube, and so far, I'm loving it. The hydrating skin conditioner contains both ceramides and peptides (just like Laneige's Cream Skin product) for brightening and plumping power, but it also contains the addition of salmon-derived PDRN, an anti-aging ingredient that's risen in popularity this past year for its potential to improve skin texture and collagen production. Even after just a few months of use, I've already noticed increased softness and better bounce-back to my it from Amazon for $16.16. A nourishing body oil that's not greasy My skin is notoriously dry and I've found that incorporating body oils post-shower and after moisturizer has helped trap in hydration, improved skin texture and stave off my chronic eczema. This was one of the best oils that I ended up trying (including better than the uber-popular Osea Undaria algea body oil), and I don't hear a lot of people talk about how great it is. As a person who is opposed to certain textures, I'm in love with the fact that this formula doesn't sit greasy or stick atop the skin. It actually soaks in quickly and thoroughly to the point that I'm able to throw on my clothes right after and not leave a stain. Deceptively luxurious and available in five mild scents, it's enriched with three different oils that are nourishing and rich in antioxidants like squalane and you want to go a step further, I also use Saltair's SPF-infused version of this body oil because I prefer it significantly more than rubbing on regular SPF lotions that feel suffocating on my it from Amazon for $22.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Author Provides an Intimate Look at the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Adoption of her Native American daughter
Book covers the difficulties that arose from adopting a Native American child and managing the unknown health history, disabling physical conditions, and the reconciliation of all participants LAKEWOOD, Colo., June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In 1970, Colorado Child Welfare labeled author Dianne Haaland's future daughter as "unadoptable" because she was a minority. At the time, few people knew about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders or the Indian Child Welfare Act. At their first meeting, Haaland and her husband were mesmerized by a beautiful, beguiling baby girl and wanted to bring her home immediately. The final adoption occurred six months later. In "Finding Pieces and Peace," Haaland shares the challenges she and her daughter, Tanya, faced, including lies and misleading statements form officials, suicide attempts and drug abuse. They chose to share their stories to help others, including some alternative pathways that they tried and often failed at. "Many times, people don't take the time to learn about the past and have no base or starting point to do something better," said Haaland. "We can't offer advice for your situation, as no two conditions are the same. But we can offer ideas to give you a multitude of choices to evaluate and choose for your situation." Haaland and her ex-husband had one child and were a foster home to thirty-three, mostly Native American, children over three years. Besides her own story, she also includes information about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, the Indian Child Welfare Act, court appointed special advocates and the American Indian Movement, as many are not familiar with these topics, and they play largely into her story. "I hope our book gives a voice to foster children, adoptees, and relinquishing mothers who wanted to share their stories," said Haaland. "Finding Pieces and Peace: My Apache Daughter's Journey for Answers in a White World" By Dianne Haaland ISBN: 9781665764070 (softcover); 9781665764094 (hardcover); 9781665764087 (electronic) Available at Archway Publishing, [Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the author Dianne Haaland is a lifelong learner who earned a bachelors degree at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, S.D. and an MBA from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo. This is her second memoir. Haaland and her ex-husband have one daughter and were a foster home To learn more, please visit Media Contact Ziggy Goldfarb, Archway Publishing, 4803067065, zgoldfarb@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Author Dianne Haaland Sign in to access your portfolio
