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40 Products That, Happily Enough, Work Even Better Than You Think They Would

40 Products That, Happily Enough, Work Even Better Than You Think They Would

Buzz Feed9 hours ago

Retinol body lotion to enhance your already beautiful skin. It's overflowing with powerful ingredients like vitamins A and E, ferulic acid, shea butter, and green tea to help diminish the look of deep wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, crepey skin, and even sun damage — all while giving your collagen production a *major* boost to help with firming.
A gentle LilyAna Naturals retinol cream that this reviewer (an esthetician of over 13 years) has deemed "The BEST hidden gem!!" This magical cream supports natural collagen production, combats uneven skin tone, and smooths rough texture. How, may you ask? It comes jam-packed with all the goods, including botanical hyaluronic acid, shea butter, organic green tea, organic jojoba oil, and vitamins A and E.
A bottle of TikTok-famous Cosrx Snail Mucin Power Essence, which works so effectively it's got some reviewers wondering what kind of witchcraft is in it. This mystical essence will soothe and rejuvenate your skin so quickly that it'll make you think the exact opposite of "ew" when you think of snail mucin. It can also give your skin a natural "I woke up like this" glow that has earned it over 57,000 5-star ratings!
A set of antimicrobial toothbrushes that have thin "floss" bristles, which help naturally eliminate the buildup and debris that tend to linger on other toothbrushes. The tip of each flossing bristle is as thick as a single human hair and is formulated with nano-silver, which may help kill off microbes left on the bristles. And if you have sensitive teeth, no worries — reviewers say these bristles are super soft.
A set of teeth-whitening pens — you'll see the difference almost immediately. It's painless, minty fresh, and helps whiten your teeth after years of drinking coffee, tea, wine, and basically anything that isn't water. 🙃
A pet hair remover, which picks up all your dog's (and your!) hair — zero struggle! It's a fan fave and requires no adhesives, sticky tape, or batteries to clean up after your furry family member. Seriously, this deserves ALL the rounds of appaws.
A fragrance-free CeraVe eye cream because don't you just love it when everyone points out how tired you look? This hydrates and repairs your undereye's delicate skin barrier with three essential ceramides so that you can say "see ya" to those dark circles.
An under-eye brightener to help balance out the bluish tones of under-eye shadows and dark circles. And bonus! It's infused with hyaluronic acid and shea butter to nourish your skin and give you a radiant glow. Wear it by itself or under your concealer for a more full-coverage look!
A The Saem hydrating eye stick that has a cooling formula to help de-puff the area around your eyes and reduce the appearance of dark circles so no one at the office starts asking you why you look like a Tim Burton character.
A foaming garbage disposal cleaner to effortlessly deep clean and deodorize your garbage disposal and pipes that have probably gone a little too long without your attention. 😬 It removes hidden bacteria, leaves a lemon-fresh scent, and can even help extend the life of your disposal!
A popular exfoliant foot peel — you apply the two bootie-shaped masks on your feet for an hour, wash your feet, and then, over the next five to seven days, enjoy the disgustingly satisfying experience of watching all of your dead skin fall away to reveal baby-soft feet. Reviewers swear by this for calluses and rough, cracked skin!
An Angry Orange pet odor eliminator because although your love for your pup is permanent, the odors left on your carpet *shouldn't* be. This miraculous spray has enzymes that lift that stink right off, leaving a lovely citrus scent. No wonder it's earned over 80,000 5-star ratings, with some reviewers claiming it even helped them remove the stain itself!
Essence's Lash Princess mascara because it'll effortlessly lengthen your lashes up to the skies. It gives you allll the volume WITHOUT the clumps and globs and has shocked reviewers with how full it leaves their lashes looking compared to other, more expensive brands. It's a fan fave for a reason!
An antioxidant-rich Hanalei overnight lip treatment — a magical mix with Hawaiian kukui nut oil, which is rich in essential fatty acids *and* vitamins A, C, and E to relieve dryness and restore the hydration your parched lippies deserve. It's also got agave and grapeseed oils to help keep your lips soothed and protected!
A wildly popular curl-defining foaming mousse enriched with coconut and shea oils to create soft wraps, tame frizz, and treat your hair to some intense hydration — leaving hair feeling ultra soft and nourished.
The Pink Stuff, a tub of magical cleaning paste that is bound to earn its own labeled space in your bathroom cabinet. Seriously. The way it effortlessly removes stains, grease, and grime and leaves just about any surface shiny and scratch free should be considered witchcraft.
A Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream because it has such a SCRUMPTIOUS scent, it might just make you ditch your perfume altogether. Enriched with caffeine, guarana extract, and coconut oil, this miraculous little jar of cream will help tighten *and* smooth your skin like nobody's business.
A miraculous veggie chopper with four interchangeable blades that slice and chop your fruits and veggies for you. It cuts down your food prep time by a LOT, making it a huge relief for when you have guests coming over and you didn't know making stir fry could take that long.
A cleansing oil to magically eliminate makeup residue, blackheads, and sebum while preventing pore congestion — perfect to incorporate into a double cleansing routine! It's also hypoallergenic and works wonders for sensitive, acne-prone skin.
A bottle of sulfate-free biotin shampoo infused with tea tree, jojoba, and argan oils to help with hair loss and prevent dandruff.
A hard-working toilet pumice stone that's here to save the day when it comes to deep cleaning those *extra* stubborn toilet rings, which are the bane of your existence. Just wet the stone, gently scrub, and watch as those tough stains disappear!
A set of acne patches to evict those pesky pimples that have no business invading your face. These are coated with hydrocolloid to protect and heal the blemish more effectively — you officially have no excuses for popping those pimples anymore! No picking or pinching needed. Oh, and they have over 111,000 5-star reviews!
A Tree of Life face serum set — this triple threat of retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid serum will help brighten, firm, *and* hydrate your skin for maximum radiance. Plus, it smells like green tea!
A highly rated portable car vacuum because the last road trip your group spent eating in the car wasn't the first, and it certainly won't be the last. This easily sucks away all those crumbs and makes it look like nothing ever happened. It's also compact enough to keep it in your car at all times (you know, just in case)!
A waterless Batiste dry shampoo *foam* if you just DON'T have time (or energy) for an "everything" shower. This lets you cancel out the grease and add some volume back to your locks without worrying about having to shake out the residue of your usual powder or spray dry shampoos.
A K-beauty Elizabeth Mott eye primer because it'll make the eyeshadow look you created 10 hours ago look like it's only been 10 minutes. It helps keep your eyeshadow from wearing off, smudging, or creasing, and enhances your eyeshadow's color and vibrance!
A Seoul Ceuticals Snail Repair Cream with organic green tea and vitamins that brighten dull skin and help fade discoloration. And, thanks to its high concentration of snail mucin extract, your complexion will look plumped and ✨glowy✨.
A super handy luggage scale — once you have it, you'll never travel without it. Especially if you're going on a longer trip, and you know your luggage will be much heavier on the way back! This lets you know how much it weighs so that you don't have to worry about awkwardly stopping in the middle of a busy airport to re-distribute weight. Plus, reviewers rave about how accurate it is!
Easy-to-use retainer cleaner tablets that help dissipate your night guard's...uh...~unpleasant~ smell/taste. Just pop one of these in a glass of water to give your retainers, Invisalign, etc., a refreshing soak. Your mouth will thank you!
A pack of clinical-strength SweatBlock wipes to help stop hyperhidrosis, nervous sweating, and hormonal sweating from ruining a good day. Give your pits a swipe of this before bed, wash in the morning, and enjoy going about your activities free of sweat (and sweat stains!).
A pack of dishwasher cleaning tablets you'll appreciate because they power away the limescale and mineral buildup you can't see in your dishwasher, so you can restore it to its squeaky-clean state and have one less thing on your plate. (Get it?)
A TikTok-famous Bissell multipurpose carpet and upholstery cleaner, which is likely to become your BFF when it comes to tackling the toughest stains in your home. This little machine's strong spray and suction can easily remove spots, stains, and odors. Use it in your car too — it's compact and portable!
A weekly Wet & Forget shower cleaner to rid your shower of soap scum, grime, and body oils without all the laborious scrubbing. It also removes stains from non-porous surfaces and leaves behind a soft, delightful vanilla scent. Just spray it on, let it sit overnight, rinse, and you're all set!
A beloved nourishing cream to assist fragile nails and help them avoid splitting, chipping, peeling, and cracking. They'll be stronger in no time — and they'll smell like coconuts.
A bottle of Fanola "No Yellow" purple shampoo — you already spent major money to acquire that beautiful blonde look, so why would you let unwanted yellow tones get in the way? This'll cancel out the brassiness and help you keep it looking as good as the hair inspo on your Pinterest board before your next touch-up appointment.
A descaling solution for an effective way to finally remove the mineral buildup and limescale from your coffee machine or espresso maker. It'll help extend the life of your machine and improve the taste of your coffee.
A skin spatula that'll really and truly give you that feeling of ~clean skin~. This uses high-frequency vibrations to gently remove gunk and impurities from pores — not only will you feel refreshed, but it'll create the perfect canvas for your expensive skincare products to *actually* absorb.
A paraben-free self-tanner with a dreamy mousse formula that glides over your skin smoothly, ensuring an even application without those pesky streaks. In just one hour, you'll be glowing like you just got back from an exotic, tropical getaway — and you didn't even have to step a foot outside.
A stainless-steel tongue scraper because, trust me, your tongue has more gunk on it than you think. This useful tool lets you scrape it allll off and instantly freshens up your breath. It works so well, one reviewer even says they can now taste specific flavors they've never detected before!
A stainless-steel water bottle that does its job so well, I dare say it'll be the first one *not* to be popular just because it's trendy! It actually keeps your drink cold for 24 hours and features a carry loop for easy transport. But what's so unique about it? Well, it comes with a double-spout built-in straw (a smaller opening for sipping and a large one for swigging), AND it allows you to cover the straw when you're not drinking thanks to the leak-proof push button opening!

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40 Products That, Happily Enough, Work Even Better Than You Think They Would
40 Products That, Happily Enough, Work Even Better Than You Think They Would

Buzz Feed

time9 hours ago

  • Buzz Feed

40 Products That, Happily Enough, Work Even Better Than You Think They Would

Retinol body lotion to enhance your already beautiful skin. It's overflowing with powerful ingredients like vitamins A and E, ferulic acid, shea butter, and green tea to help diminish the look of deep wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, crepey skin, and even sun damage — all while giving your collagen production a *major* boost to help with firming. A gentle LilyAna Naturals retinol cream that this reviewer (an esthetician of over 13 years) has deemed "The BEST hidden gem!!" This magical cream supports natural collagen production, combats uneven skin tone, and smooths rough texture. How, may you ask? It comes jam-packed with all the goods, including botanical hyaluronic acid, shea butter, organic green tea, organic jojoba oil, and vitamins A and E. A bottle of TikTok-famous Cosrx Snail Mucin Power Essence, which works so effectively it's got some reviewers wondering what kind of witchcraft is in it. This mystical essence will soothe and rejuvenate your skin so quickly that it'll make you think the exact opposite of "ew" when you think of snail mucin. It can also give your skin a natural "I woke up like this" glow that has earned it over 57,000 5-star ratings! A set of antimicrobial toothbrushes that have thin "floss" bristles, which help naturally eliminate the buildup and debris that tend to linger on other toothbrushes. The tip of each flossing bristle is as thick as a single human hair and is formulated with nano-silver, which may help kill off microbes left on the bristles. And if you have sensitive teeth, no worries — reviewers say these bristles are super soft. A set of teeth-whitening pens — you'll see the difference almost immediately. It's painless, minty fresh, and helps whiten your teeth after years of drinking coffee, tea, wine, and basically anything that isn't water. 🙃 A pet hair remover, which picks up all your dog's (and your!) hair — zero struggle! It's a fan fave and requires no adhesives, sticky tape, or batteries to clean up after your furry family member. Seriously, this deserves ALL the rounds of appaws. A fragrance-free CeraVe eye cream because don't you just love it when everyone points out how tired you look? This hydrates and repairs your undereye's delicate skin barrier with three essential ceramides so that you can say "see ya" to those dark circles. An under-eye brightener to help balance out the bluish tones of under-eye shadows and dark circles. And bonus! It's infused with hyaluronic acid and shea butter to nourish your skin and give you a radiant glow. Wear it by itself or under your concealer for a more full-coverage look! A The Saem hydrating eye stick that has a cooling formula to help de-puff the area around your eyes and reduce the appearance of dark circles so no one at the office starts asking you why you look like a Tim Burton character. A foaming garbage disposal cleaner to effortlessly deep clean and deodorize your garbage disposal and pipes that have probably gone a little too long without your attention. 😬 It removes hidden bacteria, leaves a lemon-fresh scent, and can even help extend the life of your disposal! A popular exfoliant foot peel — you apply the two bootie-shaped masks on your feet for an hour, wash your feet, and then, over the next five to seven days, enjoy the disgustingly satisfying experience of watching all of your dead skin fall away to reveal baby-soft feet. Reviewers swear by this for calluses and rough, cracked skin! An Angry Orange pet odor eliminator because although your love for your pup is permanent, the odors left on your carpet *shouldn't* be. This miraculous spray has enzymes that lift that stink right off, leaving a lovely citrus scent. No wonder it's earned over 80,000 5-star ratings, with some reviewers claiming it even helped them remove the stain itself! Essence's Lash Princess mascara because it'll effortlessly lengthen your lashes up to the skies. It gives you allll the volume WITHOUT the clumps and globs and has shocked reviewers with how full it leaves their lashes looking compared to other, more expensive brands. It's a fan fave for a reason! An antioxidant-rich Hanalei overnight lip treatment — a magical mix with Hawaiian kukui nut oil, which is rich in essential fatty acids *and* vitamins A, C, and E to relieve dryness and restore the hydration your parched lippies deserve. It's also got agave and grapeseed oils to help keep your lips soothed and protected! A wildly popular curl-defining foaming mousse enriched with coconut and shea oils to create soft wraps, tame frizz, and treat your hair to some intense hydration — leaving hair feeling ultra soft and nourished. The Pink Stuff, a tub of magical cleaning paste that is bound to earn its own labeled space in your bathroom cabinet. Seriously. The way it effortlessly removes stains, grease, and grime and leaves just about any surface shiny and scratch free should be considered witchcraft. A Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream because it has such a SCRUMPTIOUS scent, it might just make you ditch your perfume altogether. Enriched with caffeine, guarana extract, and coconut oil, this miraculous little jar of cream will help tighten *and* smooth your skin like nobody's business. A miraculous veggie chopper with four interchangeable blades that slice and chop your fruits and veggies for you. It cuts down your food prep time by a LOT, making it a huge relief for when you have guests coming over and you didn't know making stir fry could take that long. A cleansing oil to magically eliminate makeup residue, blackheads, and sebum while preventing pore congestion — perfect to incorporate into a double cleansing routine! It's also hypoallergenic and works wonders for sensitive, acne-prone skin. A bottle of sulfate-free biotin shampoo infused with tea tree, jojoba, and argan oils to help with hair loss and prevent dandruff. A hard-working toilet pumice stone that's here to save the day when it comes to deep cleaning those *extra* stubborn toilet rings, which are the bane of your existence. Just wet the stone, gently scrub, and watch as those tough stains disappear! A set of acne patches to evict those pesky pimples that have no business invading your face. These are coated with hydrocolloid to protect and heal the blemish more effectively — you officially have no excuses for popping those pimples anymore! No picking or pinching needed. Oh, and they have over 111,000 5-star reviews! A Tree of Life face serum set — this triple threat of retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid serum will help brighten, firm, *and* hydrate your skin for maximum radiance. Plus, it smells like green tea! A highly rated portable car vacuum because the last road trip your group spent eating in the car wasn't the first, and it certainly won't be the last. This easily sucks away all those crumbs and makes it look like nothing ever happened. It's also compact enough to keep it in your car at all times (you know, just in case)! A waterless Batiste dry shampoo *foam* if you just DON'T have time (or energy) for an "everything" shower. This lets you cancel out the grease and add some volume back to your locks without worrying about having to shake out the residue of your usual powder or spray dry shampoos. A K-beauty Elizabeth Mott eye primer because it'll make the eyeshadow look you created 10 hours ago look like it's only been 10 minutes. It helps keep your eyeshadow from wearing off, smudging, or creasing, and enhances your eyeshadow's color and vibrance! A Seoul Ceuticals Snail Repair Cream with organic green tea and vitamins that brighten dull skin and help fade discoloration. And, thanks to its high concentration of snail mucin extract, your complexion will look plumped and ✨glowy✨. A super handy luggage scale — once you have it, you'll never travel without it. Especially if you're going on a longer trip, and you know your luggage will be much heavier on the way back! This lets you know how much it weighs so that you don't have to worry about awkwardly stopping in the middle of a busy airport to re-distribute weight. Plus, reviewers rave about how accurate it is! Easy-to-use retainer cleaner tablets that help dissipate your night guard' smell/taste. Just pop one of these in a glass of water to give your retainers, Invisalign, etc., a refreshing soak. Your mouth will thank you! A pack of clinical-strength SweatBlock wipes to help stop hyperhidrosis, nervous sweating, and hormonal sweating from ruining a good day. Give your pits a swipe of this before bed, wash in the morning, and enjoy going about your activities free of sweat (and sweat stains!). A pack of dishwasher cleaning tablets you'll appreciate because they power away the limescale and mineral buildup you can't see in your dishwasher, so you can restore it to its squeaky-clean state and have one less thing on your plate. (Get it?) A TikTok-famous Bissell multipurpose carpet and upholstery cleaner, which is likely to become your BFF when it comes to tackling the toughest stains in your home. This little machine's strong spray and suction can easily remove spots, stains, and odors. Use it in your car too — it's compact and portable! A weekly Wet & Forget shower cleaner to rid your shower of soap scum, grime, and body oils without all the laborious scrubbing. It also removes stains from non-porous surfaces and leaves behind a soft, delightful vanilla scent. Just spray it on, let it sit overnight, rinse, and you're all set! A beloved nourishing cream to assist fragile nails and help them avoid splitting, chipping, peeling, and cracking. They'll be stronger in no time — and they'll smell like coconuts. A bottle of Fanola "No Yellow" purple shampoo — you already spent major money to acquire that beautiful blonde look, so why would you let unwanted yellow tones get in the way? This'll cancel out the brassiness and help you keep it looking as good as the hair inspo on your Pinterest board before your next touch-up appointment. A descaling solution for an effective way to finally remove the mineral buildup and limescale from your coffee machine or espresso maker. It'll help extend the life of your machine and improve the taste of your coffee. A skin spatula that'll really and truly give you that feeling of ~clean skin~. This uses high-frequency vibrations to gently remove gunk and impurities from pores — not only will you feel refreshed, but it'll create the perfect canvas for your expensive skincare products to *actually* absorb. A paraben-free self-tanner with a dreamy mousse formula that glides over your skin smoothly, ensuring an even application without those pesky streaks. In just one hour, you'll be glowing like you just got back from an exotic, tropical getaway — and you didn't even have to step a foot outside. A stainless-steel tongue scraper because, trust me, your tongue has more gunk on it than you think. This useful tool lets you scrape it allll off and instantly freshens up your breath. It works so well, one reviewer even says they can now taste specific flavors they've never detected before! A stainless-steel water bottle that does its job so well, I dare say it'll be the first one *not* to be popular just because it's trendy! It actually keeps your drink cold for 24 hours and features a carry loop for easy transport. But what's so unique about it? Well, it comes with a double-spout built-in straw (a smaller opening for sipping and a large one for swigging), AND it allows you to cover the straw when you're not drinking thanks to the leak-proof push button opening!

Woman Sets Out on 'Mental Health Walk,' But Dog Had Other Plans
Woman Sets Out on 'Mental Health Walk,' But Dog Had Other Plans

Newsweek

time9 hours ago

  • Newsweek

Woman Sets Out on 'Mental Health Walk,' But Dog Had Other Plans

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The internet couldn't stop laughing at a woman's attempt to clear her mind during a refreshing walk outside, being interrupted by her dog. Chamee Barkman, who is known on TikTok as @chameebarkmanx, needed to get outside for some fresh air and a "mental health walk." But as a dog owner, it only made sense to attempt to hit two birds with one stone and take her German shepherd with her. Getting in your daily steps is known to boost your mood, as it increases blood flow to both the brain and body. It helps support an active and healthy lifestyle. Additionally, walking can improve sleep, reduce stress, increase energy and mental alertness, aid in weight loss, lower cholesterol, and enhance heart health, according to WebMD. And while this was the intent for Barkman's walk, as well as to get her canine out of the house, her dog decided he wasn't interested. He needed the walk to release his energy. In her June 9 video, she filmed herself walking and holding the dog's leash. All seemed calm until she flipped the camera around to show what she was dealing with: her dog sprinting around her in circles. He hopped through the tall grass, taking a quick breather and looking at Barkman before running past her for rounds two, three and four. It wasn't what Barkman imagined for a mental health walk. In fact, she wrote on the clip that her dog was "making it worse." Newsweek reached out to @chameebarkmanx via TikTok for comment. Screenshots from a June 9 TikTok video of a woman trying to go on a "mental health walk" but her dog running around and making it a bit worse. Screenshots from a June 9 TikTok video of a woman trying to go on a "mental health walk" but her dog running around and making it a bit worse. @chameebarkmanx/TikTok Viewer Reactions The dog's total disregard for a calm walk left people in stitches, bringing in over 3.3 million views and 438,900 likes on TikTok as of Tuesday. "I'm laughing at how horrible it feels to be in this situation because it's your last straw and they're just vibing," commented a viewer. "And then you can't go on a walk by yourself because you'll feel guilty that your dog should be getting a walk too," a second viewer commented. Another commenter pointed out: "The dog even looked back like, 'You good?' and then carried on." Others defended the dog's behavior: "To be fair, that's his mental health walk too, and he seems to be enjoying it." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.

Teen Brushes Off Eye Discomfort—Years Later Comes Life-Changing Diagnosis
Teen Brushes Off Eye Discomfort—Years Later Comes Life-Changing Diagnosis

Newsweek

time10 hours ago

  • Newsweek

Teen Brushes Off Eye Discomfort—Years Later Comes Life-Changing Diagnosis

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. At age 16, Julia Máté noticed something wrong with her vision. But she could never have predicted the diagnosis, and huge decision, that would come decades later. "I noticed that I had a black curtain covering most of my vision in my left eye," Máté, who is from Hungary, told Newsweek. "They did a surgery called Cryotherapy, which is freezing of a bleeding blood vessel. And that was not successful and later the retina detached and they couldn't save it." Doctors at the time believed it was a random event. "The doctors just assumed they had a spontaneous random retinal detachment, which didn't really make sense," she recalled. Despite having no vision in her left eye, Máté moved on, and it wasn't until she was living in the U.K. aged 34 that she began experiencing new symptoms—this time in her right eye. "I noticed that when I looked at the right wall, I could see specks of grey on it," she said. Concerned that her vision was changing in her good eye, she went to the hospital. "That was my only eye," she said. What doctors told her next changed everything. "They said I had a lesion... I didn't even know what lesion meant... Lesion is cancer, you know, that's the worst thing you think of," she said. Then came the diagnosis: Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome, a rare genetic condition that can cause tumors and cysts across the body. "They said we think you have a condition called Von Hippel Lindau syndrome and it can affect your kidneys as well. And I remember leaving the hospital thinking did they just say kidneys? Like it makes no sense... do I have an eye condition that affects my kidneys?" Máté recalled. A genetic test later confirmed the mutation. "They found a mutated VHL gene. Von Hippel Lindau syndrome is a genetic condition where your body has a mutation in a gene that stops tumors from growing," she said. "When that gene is mutated, it allows tumors to grow basically anywhere—in your brain, in your spine, in your kidneys, in your eyes." Pictures from some of Julia's videos where she has been sharing her experience with Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL). Pictures from some of Julia's videos where she has been sharing her experience with Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL). @julia_with_one_i/TikTok The rare genetic disorder occurs in around 1 in 50,000 births and results in a high quantity of malignant and benign tumors and cysts that appear throughout a patient's lifetime. Most commonly, tumors occur in the retina, brain, spinal chord and kidneys. It wasn't until seven years later that the condition led Máté, now 41, to an extraordinary decision: to electively remove her left eye, which had long been blind and had become increasingly painful. "I felt like I didn't have any other way to improve the look of it," she explained. "I had a cosmetic shell but my eye started to not tolerate it was horrendously painful." Without the shell, she resorted to wearing glasses with foil over one lens to try and improve the appearance of the eye, but earlier this month she underwent surgery to remove the eye completely. The huge decision resulted in an enucleation surgery, a medical term for the removal of the entire eyeball from the eye socket. This surgery leaves the surrounding eye muscles and orbital contents intact. After the eyeball is removed, a spherical implant is inserted into the socket to maintain its shape, and later, a prosthetic implant can be fitted restore a natural appearance. Though Máté expected relief, the emotional toll of the surgery caught her off guard. "I just thought I would feel relief, I didn't expect a more complex wave of emotion. I really did cry a lot and that was not something I really thought I would do," she said. "I chose this. So why am I feeling like this? I was confused, kind of conflicted. Do I have a right to feel sad if I made a choice?" As she continues to recover, Máté has made the extraordinary step to share her journey openly online, posting updates on her TikTok page. "I wanted to find someone who went through this [and] I couldn't find an account where someone documented the entire journey from day-to-day. So I wanted to educate people. Also, I want to raise awareness for VHL, because no one knows about it," she explained. The response has been overwhelming as people have shared messages of support and thanks for Máté's videos. "So many people send me messages and are interested in following. They watch every video and cheer me on, people can really be amazingly kind," she said. Máté is now looking ahead to August, when she'll be fitted for a prosthetic. "They basically put some stuff in there that hardens, and then they can create a prosthetic to match the exact shape and size. They paint basically an eyeball on it," she said.

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