
31 Things That'll Haunt Your Thoughts (In A Good Way) Until You Buy 'Em
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
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Don't forsake yourself...or the Calma Llama.
1. A hydrating hydrogel mask you wear overnight so its collagen-rich formula can work its magic. And by "magic," I mean that it can help minimize the look of pores, improve elasticity, hydrate skin, and strengthen your skin's barrier. This hypoallergenic mask also contains helpful probiotics!
Promising reviews:"I woke up to literal glass skin, and the hydration lasted all day. First time I forwent putting on moisturizer in the morning in my entire adult life!!" — Fair Reviewer
"Pores? Where? Dry patch? Where? Fine wrinkles? Whheeereeeeee???" — Kichi
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $19+ (available in three styles and in pack of 16).
2. A darling lil' llama-shaped stress ball for those days when your boss asks you to convert a doc into a PDF even though you've shown them how to do it a million and one times. Just squish and squeeze the llama to feel a little relief...then convert the doc.
Amazon
Promising review:"I tend to get rather stressed and have been known to accidentally obliterate stress balls. Thankfully, this llama is quite sturdy and hasn't shown any signs of wear and tear yet despite frequent and intense use over the past few weeks. Based on that, I fully expect him to endure for a long time to come." — Rachel L
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
3. A Yonanas soft serve maker to turn any frozen fruit into a delicious dessert in a matter of minutes! And every part of this gadget is dishwasher-safe, so cleanup will be a breeze.
Promising review:"I saw one of these in action at a friend's house like five years ago and thought it was just a made up memory, because making ice cream out of solely frozen fruit seems wild. But when I saw a TikTok about it I immediately went to Amazon and bought it. Literally this was the BEST decision of my life. I cannot believe still how amazing this thing is! I t makes the creamiest, best-tasting fruit ice cream ever. It's easy to take apart and clean, and super easy to use." — DMCKAY
Get it from Amazon for $36.99+ (available in five colors).
4. A coconut oil-rich leave-in cream you let air dry for perfectly smooth and hydrated curls!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I'm so grateful that I found this product. My hair is wavy and frizzy. Every once in a great while, my waves resemble curls, but the frizz is always there. I've only used this product one time so far and I never want to be without it. I put some on after towel drying (no brushing) my hair, and my waves actually resembled curls! It wasn't instant, so I was skeptical, but after about 15 minutes, I caught a glimpse of my hair in the mirror, and I was amazed. It looked styled. I slept on it, and it still looked great in the morning!!!" — mich0610
Get it from Amazon for $9.54.
5. A vegan and paraben-free self-tanner if you simply don't have the time to lay in the sun to get the glow you deserve. Get the tan of your dreams in just an hour!
Promising review:"If you use St. Tropez tan products or any fake tanner, do yourself a favor and try this. This stuff is AWESOME. It dries quickly, lasts longer, does NOT make your skin stinky, applies even, and you get a fair amount of product!! Other tanners I've used become VERY noticeable when they start fading. Gross hand lines, patchy white spots, etc., but not this stuff. The best one-hour tan I have ever used!" — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $8.50+ (available in 10 shades).
6. A portable Canon Bluetooth photo printer so you can print your memories as you make them!
amazon.com
Promising review:"I needed some way to print smaller photos for scrapbooking and was so excited when I found this! It prints nice wallet-sized photos with a sticky back! It's very easy to use!" — Jordan Marvin
Get it from Amazon for $99+ (available in two colors and with sheets of 20, 50 and 100).
7. A huggable banana duck plush toy...that's it. That's the tweet. I mean, look at how adorable this little (but kinda big) guy is!
Amazon
Promising review:"Once you get this duck, your life will be changed. It is soft and plush and perfect for snuggling! Banana duck is life." — Sarah Kenton
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in four sizes and six styles).
8. A luxurious kimono satin robe designed to make you feel like a cozy piece of art. It has removable waist-tie closures *and* inner ties so you can feel secure in this lightweight beauty.
Amazon
KIM+ONO is an Asian-owned small business run by two sisters who started out in San Fran's Chinatown. They pair contemporary aesthetics with more traditional shapes and materials to create timeless pieces.
Promising review:"This robe comes all the way down to the top of my feet and clears the ground by 1–2 centimeters. The cut is perfect; it is flowy and comfortable, and the design is beautiful. And it has pockets! This is a very cost-effective 100% silk robe alternative." — Amy
Get it from KIM+ONO on Amazon for $47.99 (available in one size, and plus size, and 24 patterns).
9. A Star Wars lightsaber chopsticks set so you'll feel like a Jedi master during your next sushi meal. You can easily turn the lights on or off with the push of a button.
The chopsticks come with new batteries, but if the batteries go out, you can replace them with 3 x LR41 batteries.
Promising review:"Both my grandkids know how to eat with chopsticks, and they loved the bigger size. All kinds of games could be played after eating, and even the adults were into a laser fight." — Lynell
Get a set of four from Amazon for $22.97+ (available in two styles).
10. A screaming goat figurine because every now and then, you need to scream but feel a little too self-conscious to let out your roar. That's where this lil' guy comes in. It'll do the screaming for you! It even comes with a book full of fun facts and trivia about the ever-majestic goat.
Promising review:"This is a hilarious way to scream at the universe without hurting your throat. I often gift this to people who are struggling. It generates a smile and lets them know it's OK to feel like screaming." — meggysmallz
Get it from Amazon for $7.96.
11. An eyeliner stamp so you don't have to trial and error your way to the perfect cat-eye. This smudge-proof and waterproof formula will keep you looking fierce all day long.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"It's so easy to use and fast! I wore this eyeliner in the dead heat of a humid Georgia summer, and even though the rest of me was wilted, my eyes looked fantastic! I bought two sets — one for home and one for travel. I wear glasses, so I have to get really close to the mirror to make sure I don't mis-stamp, but it's really hard to mess up. I will be buying again definitely!" — Chloe H.
Get it from Amazon for $14.98 (available in three sizes).
12. A one-step carbonated clay mask for exfoliating your pores and stimulating your skin to get a healthy glow. And watch as your face gets covered in foam!
amazon.com
Promising review:"I decided to try this mask based on the high customer rating and affordable price just to see if it would live up to the hype. I just finished washing it off my face, and I have to say I do see a difference, albeit not a dramatic one. I have enlarged pores in my T-zone and issues with blackheads around my chin. After one use, my pores appear smaller and tighter, and most of the smallest blackheads and bumps are gone from around my chin. I am impressed, but I think with regular use, it might make an even bigger difference — maybe a couple of times a week. Oh yeah, it's also really fun to watch and feel the bubbles foaming up on your face!" — Elisabeth
Check out our full Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask review.
13. A set of four super cute dinosaur ice pop molds you can use to make your own ice pops out of fruit purée, yogurt, or juice! Because they're made from silicone, they're easy to use and clean.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"These molds worked perfectly! I filled them with puréed berries and they took the shape of the mold excellently. It was very easy to peel off the silicone mold, so the ice pop did not lose any shape or detail. I rinsed the mold with hot water and tossed it in the top rack of the dishwasher to wash." — Finest018
Get it from Amazon for $9.38+ (available in six other shapes).
14. A pair of satin pillowcases that can help keep your hair and skin safe from the abrasiveness of cotton pillowcases. Its luxe silkiness will also make you feel like the royalty you are. 👑
amazon.com
Check out BuzzFeed editor Elizabeth Lilly 's thoughts on hers:
"I own these in the dark gray and LOVE them. I even pack one to go on vacations so my hair and skin stay looking moisturized and refreshed. You *may* think that this is a product you don't need to own and that your cotton pillowcases are perfectly fine... that is, until you try one of these. Seriously, I cannot recommend them enough."
Get them from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in five sizes and lots of colors).
15. A collapsible silicone popcorn popper so you can have this delicious treat whenever your heart desires. Its multifunctional lid can measure kernels and melt butter. And no matter what anyone says, you don't have to share if you don't wanna.
Promising review:"I didn't think I'd be happy with any method other than stove popping, but this is far better! Also much better than my air popper. Pops every kernel. I love being able to also put the butter on the lid to flavor the popcorn while it pops. It comes out flavorful and fluffy/crispy, and is so convenient." — jae.t
Get it from our Goodful shop on Amazon for $12.58+ (available in three colors).
16. And a carton of popcorn seasoning salt to make your at-home movie night snack rival that of your local movie theater.
BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord only has good things to say about this:
" Our family recently unearthed this because beloved To All The Boys I've Loved Before author Jenny Han mentioned that it was her secret to delicious popcorn, and it may have just wrecked me for other at-home popcorn for the rest of my life. It genuinely tastes just as salty and buttery and savory as fresh movie theater popcorn. I inhaled it so fast that every single one of my organs lit up in mild alarm."
Promising review: 'This is what you want. You came here for movie theater salt. This is the real deal. Get it. Your life will be better.' — Clete R. Blackwell
Get it from Amazon for $9.75.
17. A gorgeous reed diffuser set because it uses fragrance oils to freshen the air in your home! Fill your space with beautiful, long-lasting scents.
Sweet Water Decor is a small business!
Promising review:"Love this reed diffuser! This is a good alternative for people trying to avoid candles but still want their house to smell good. I am very sensitive to smells, so it's nice that I can add or take away a reed, and it changes the strength of the smell that gets released." — Brittany
18. A deck of Disney villains tarot cards — let Ursula and Cruella de Vil help you divine your future! This deck comes with a handy guidebook so you'll know what it means when you pull the King of Swords (which in this deck is depicted by Scar).
Promising review:"I've been wanting to dive into tarot for some time now. I wanted to find a deck that I could relate to. I've always related to the 'bad guys' in Disney. If you think about it, they're not really bad, just misunderstood. Anyway, when I saw this deck, I knew I had to have it. The pictures are absolutely beautiful. The sturdiness of the cards is amazing. I don't feel like I'm going to crush them as I shuffle. The guidebook is very informative, with actual examples of interpretations. I'm very pleased with my first tarot deck." — kinni
Get it from Amazon for $22.49.
19. A pair of colorful retro sunglasses sure to brighten up any gray day!
amazon.com, amazon.com
Promising review:"I love these glasses so much and for so many different reasons that I now own them in four different colors. I first looked into them when I saw 'color therapy' glasses that were all simply hideous. The first one I got was yellow and it's still my favorite to this day, but it's so fun having a choice. Sometimes, I carry two with me, and people always want to know about them. Working under fluorescent lights and living in the PNW, where it's gray a lot of the time, can be straining and depressing. These seriously help me in my day-to-day, and because they don't have rims, I often forget I'm even wearing them. They come with a fabric carrying case to keep them from getting scratched, and I've straight up sat on mine multiple times and haven't had a single problem. They are solid. I love them and am gonna keep buying them. Would 100% recommend them." — Megan Olson
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in three colors).
20. A soda maker — easily turn *any* beverage into a carbonated one! Just fill up the bottle, attach it, and press a button. Wine spritzer? I think yes.
Promising review:"EXCELLENT! I always drank Diet Coke at home, and understanding that soda is not the best for you, I wanted something carbonated. After reading plenty of reviews for the different brands, I decided to go with this one since you can carbonate any liquid. I have been using it for a few weeks now without any issues. I am still using the original tank I purchased and have been drinking plenty of carbonated water. I have found myself NOT drinking as much Diet Coke. In fact, all I drink now at home is carbonated water. Overall, it's an excellent item. I have carbonated Gatorade and red wine as well." — Eav K Lim
Get it from Amazon for $99.99.
21. Baggy linen overalls that are so roomy, you might just spend the entire season in them! And you don't even have to ask — *of course* they have pockets.
Promising review:"I'm obsessed with these overalls. They are lightweight, but not see-through. The color is gorgeous. Lots of pockets. I'm quite tall and they don't lay at a weird place on my leg. I wanted to make sure they would be a little baggy so I sized up, but I think they would have fit fine if I hadn't." — Samantha Clason
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in women's sizes S–3XL and in 13 colors/patterns).
22. A compact air fryer because it means you can have fried food without all the fuss — aka no oil needed to make fries. From baked goods to chicken wings, get evenly cooked and perfectly crisp meals every time!
Amazon, amazon.com
Promising review:"This air fryer from Dash is awesome. My wife and I have always wanted to try an air fryer, and since we got this one, we have not looked back. We make oven fries very often, but they are not crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. However, with an air fryer and 20 minutes to spare, you can have restaurant-grade fries that have the crispy outside/juicy inside. Easy to clean up and store the fryer. Five stars all the way!" — David M.
Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in four colors).
23. A huge ravioli spoon rest so your love of pasta never goes unnoticed. Bonus points for not getting sauce stains all over your oven.
amazon.com, amazon.com
Promising review:"I have a new love for raviolis. This is the best little invention for a spatula holder. It's the perfect size for any utensil while cooking. Who would have thought this could make cooking so fun?" — Tmoney1522
Get it from Amazon for $14.53.
24. A set of rainbow flatware if you're in need of a more exciting reason to eat your vegetables other than the fact that they're good for you.
Promising review:"OMG, I'm in love with the color of these!!! They're so beautiful and shiny!! I thought maybe there would be too much cleaning for me because I don't want to have to polish my silverware every time I wash it! I just don't have time for that, but thankfully, that isn't an issue with these; they come out of the dishwasher all bright and pretty, looking brand-new!!! They seem to be a good quality all the way around!!! I definitely recommend getting these!!! I had a dinner party and my guests all had to know where I got my unicorn silverware!! LOL, I think they should be renamed for sure!! Unicorn silverware is a very fitting name for these!!" — Katie Eagle
Get a 20-piece set from Amazon for $19.98+ (also available in a 10-piece and 40-piece set).
25. A Paula's Choice BHA liquid exfoliant to gently unclog your pores as it exfoliates and helps brighten your skin. This leave-on formula may even be gentle enough for daily use, depending on how sensitive your skin is.
amazon.com
Promising review:"I have every skin issue you can think of. I've spent probably thousands on a multitude of different products, trying to find one that would at least make a dent. I've had many procedures and many trips to the dermatologist. Nothing I've ever used, nothing I've ever done, has made such a profound difference in the appearance of my skin. Having rosacea, my face often felt hot, bumpy, and burned. While my complexion is naturally fair and pink, this has seriously covered all my bases in a gentle and effective way. I've been trying to turn my skin around for YEARS! This was the product that did it. If I could give it 100 stars, I would. It has seriously changed my life!" — hc
Get it from Amazon for $14+ (available in three sizes).
26. A shampoo scalp massager for a deep clean that'll double as a relaxing massage.
Emma Lord / BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord has been using this for a while and really likes it:
"I recently started using one of these and WOWZA, it really helps you get extra mileage out of your shampoo. I have a whole lot of hair on my head, so sometimes it's a struggle to feel like I've soaped up my whole scalp thoroughly, but this was a very effective way to spread out the suds and really get them to the roots. I was worried it might tangle in my hair, but it was totally fine on that front, too. I've noticed that my hair has been a little less greasy at the roots since I started using it a few weeks ago. And I'm echoing a ton of reviewers here when I say it just feels reeeeeally, really nice."
Get it from Amazon for $6.98+ (available in three colors).
27. A parrot-shaped wine opener that'll spread its wings to help you get to your favorite pinot.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I love using this wine opener. It's the star of the show! Adorable and completely functional, and the silicone is very durable." — Miranda Burke
Get it from Amazon for $19.96+ (available in two styles).
28. A pack of tongue scrapers because you've been missing this crucial step in your dental hygiene maintenance. They can help get rid of bad breath-causing gunk and may even enhance your sense of taste in one fell swoop!
amazon.com
Promising review: "More and more research shows that bacteria in the mouth and gums lead to other major health issues. This little tongue scraper is an easy and inexpensive tool to help get rid of bacteria lingering on the tongue. I had a different one before that was uncomfortable to use, and I ended up throwing it away. This one is great!" — Actress Debra Nelson
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $7.99 (also available in packs of 3, 4 and 10).
29. A pack of full-coverage, wedgie-proof cotton underwear if you want to stop having to excuse yourself to the bathroom every five minutes when there's a wad of cotton stuck up your butt.
amazon.com
Promising review:"First pair of underwear that I have ever owned in my 30 years of existing on this planet that are comfortable! I do yoga, jog, and just lounge around a lot, so let me tell you I put comfort before all! Moveable, breathable, does not give you a wedgie after taking five steps, covers my lower stomach without sliding down, AND does not show a panty line. Finally something any shape and size can be comfy in! The only thing at this point to make these underwear better (like all women's clothes need) are pockets!" — Hannah Hernandez
Get a set of five from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in women's sizes S–5XL and in ten color combos).
30. A mini Marshall speaker for park dates in need of a soundtrack. And don't be scared to take it to the beach because this lil' guy is water-resistant.
Maitland Quitmeyer / BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed writer Maitland Quitmeyer is a big fan of this speaker:
"I have this speaker and I *love* it — it lives right on my bookshelves (without taking up basically *any* room) and fills my apartment with high quality sound. The lil' portable size is perfect so I can grab it and take it into the kitchen for baking jams™ or into my bathroom for my latest in-shower karaoke session (sorry neighbors). I also barely *ever* have to charge it. And yes, that *is* a Jane Austen action figure next to it."
Get it from Amazon for $122.54.
31. A bottle of Truff hot sauce because it's about time you own your bougie ~taste~ and upgrade to a hot sauce infused with luxe flavors. It's got red chili peppers, black truffle oil, organic agave nectar, and a hint of cumin. Your mouth will thank you.
amazon.com
Truff is a small biz specializing in kicking your recipes up a notch.
BuzzFeed editor Rebecca O'Connell loves this stuff: "This black truffle oil-infused hot sauce definitely surprised me. At first, I didn't even like it! But then I found myself adding it to more and more foods, and suddenly, it was my most used hot sauce of the week. The truffle flavor is definitely subtle, but it has an interesting taste that pairs nicely with barbecue. Expect a thick consistency and fairly sweet taste, almost like pureed bell peppers. I would definitely recommend marinating shrimp in it or slathering it over grilled veggies. It has no preservatives and comes in a fancy glass bottle so — hello — great gift idea right here!" —
Get it from Truff on Amazon for $13.99+ (available in 11 flavors and two sizes).
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.

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USA Today
33 minutes ago
- USA Today
One dad talked about the 'father's mental load.' Then the backlash hit.
One dad talked about the 'father's mental load.' Then the backlash hit. Show Caption Hide Caption The surprising origins of Father's Day The very first Father's Day in America was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in the state of Washington. unbranded - Lifestyle The term "mental load" is commonly used to describe the responsibilities that women and mothers often bear for their families. But what about the mental load that fathers carry? Haven Weits, 33, explored the topic in an episode of her podcast 'Haven!' with her friend, Nick Mulenos, 35. 'Yes, we have things that we carry that the other partner may not carry,' he said on the May 5 episode. 'There's also an expectation among men that we handle our own stuff and we handle our own problems.' The clip, which amassed more than 53,000 views on TikTok, prompted some controversy in the comment section about the father mental load, whether it exists and why men don't feel comfortable expressing it. "Men use the same five chores as some sort of rebuttal to minimize their wives' work in the home while the majority of moms ALSO have a job," one Instagram user commented. "What many women don't get is the constant stress and fear that men are under constantly," another user commented. "There is no room for failure because if I fail, we all fail." There's no question that fathers and men carry their own version of the mental load, said Dr. Mill Brown, chief medical officer at Spring Health, a mental health platform. And today's dads are more engaged and involved with their children than fathers in previous generations, research has shown. However, societal pressure, a lack of male role models and a disregard for men's mental health have made it difficult for them to share their anxieties. 'Dads have been influenced by society to be tough, stoic, strong and hold these feelings in,' he said. 'Just because dads don't show their emotions as much as moms, doesn't mean that their feelings and stress do not exist in their family.' What does the 'father mental load' look like? While Haven's mental load typically consists of daily tasks, her husband tends to think big picture. Aaron Weits, 36, worries about long-term goals like where the family will live in five years, where the children will go to school and how to financially support those goals. 'It can be less tangible and sometimes because of that, it's harder to talk about,' he said. He also bears the burden of how to keep the family safe where they live in Los Angeles. He remembers his dad doing the same thing and automatically assumed that role when he had children. 'Even if I'm hovering at the mall, I'm always keeping an eye on everyone,' Aaron said. 'It's not something I share but it's almost innate. It's just a natural expression as a dad.' On top of household tasks and financial security, Mulenos said part of his mental load is how he can better support his wife and offload some of her mental stress. He also worries that expressing his mental load would inadvertently invalidate his wife's experiences and struggles. 'If they're bringing up, 'hey, I need help with what I'm carrying,' and your response is, 'look at what I'm carrying' – that can be invalidating,' he said. 'Even though that's not the intent, they don't want to push down what their wife is expressing to them.' Recognizing the mental load in both partners A new age of parenting has created various pressures and challenges for both moms and dads, mental health experts said. Both parents tend to worry about income stability, financial issues, job performance and keeping track of a busy family. 'Trying to be a modern parent comes with its own pressures, especially when compared to traditional societal expectations for the role,' Brown said. Couples can share the parenting load by having a shared calendar, setting up regular family meetings to align on tasks and consistently sharing what responsibilities each partner is taking on, he said. Date nights and one-on-one time have helped Haven and Aaron be more receptive to each other's needs when sharing the responsibilities for their family. While he wants more men to be able to effectively communicate their needs, Mulenos hopes both men and women can recognize the importance of understanding each other's mental load. 'What I want is for the conversation around the mental load – in general – to be continued and magnified,' he said. 'It's not that I want fathers to stay silent, I want them to be transparent with their feelings but I just want it to be seen as we're carrying our family forward.' Adrianna Rodriguez can be reached at adrodriguez@
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
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One dad talked about the 'father's mental load.' Then the backlash hit.
The term "mental load" is commonly used to describe the responsibilities that women and mothers often bear for their families. But what about the mental load that fathers carry? Haven Weits, 33, explored the topic in an episode of her podcast 'Haven!' with her friend, Nick Mulenos, 35. 'Yes, we have things that we carry that the other partner may not carry,' he said on the May 5 episode. 'There's also an expectation among men that we handle our own stuff and we handle our own problems.' The clip, which amassed more than 53,000 views on TikTok, prompted some controversy in the comment section about the father mental load, whether it exists and why men don't feel comfortable expressing it. "Men use the same five chores as some sort of rebuttal to minimize their wives' work in the home while the majority of moms ALSO have a job," one Instagram user commented. "What many women don't get is the constant stress and fear that men are under constantly," another user commented. "There is no room for failure because if I fail, we all fail." There's no question that fathers and men carry their own version of the mental load, said Dr. Mill Brown, chief medical officer at Spring Health, a mental health platform. And today's dads are more engaged and involved with their children than fathers in previous generations, research has shown. However, societal pressure, a lack of male role models and a disregard for men's mental health have made it difficult for them to share their anxieties. 'Dads have been influenced by society to be tough, stoic, strong and hold these feelings in,' he said. 'Just because dads don't show their emotions as much as moms, doesn't mean that their feelings and stress do not exist in their family.' While Haven's mental load typically consists of daily tasks, her husband tends to think big picture. Aaron Weits, 36, worries about long-term goals like where the family will live in five years, where the children will go to school and how to financially support those goals. 'It can be less tangible and sometimes because of that, it's harder to talk about,' he said. He also bears the burden of how to keep the family safe where they live in Los Angeles. He remembers his dad doing the same thing and automatically assumed that role when he had children. 'Even if I'm hovering at the mall, I'm always keeping an eye on everyone,' Aaron said. 'It's not something I share but it's almost innate. It's just a natural expression as a dad.' On top of household tasks and financial security, Mulenos said part of his mental load is how he can better support his wife and offload some of her mental stress. He also worries that expressing his mental load would inadvertently invalidate his wife's experiences and struggles. 'If they're bringing up, 'hey, I need help with what I'm carrying,' and your response is, 'look at what I'm carrying' – that can be invalidating,' he said. 'Even though that's not the intent, they don't want to push down what their wife is expressing to them.' A new age of parenting has created various pressures and challenges for both moms and dads, mental health experts said. Both parents tend to worry about income stability, financial issues, job performance and keeping track of a busy family. 'Trying to be a modern parent comes with its own pressures, especially when compared to traditional societal expectations for the role,' Brown said. Couples can share the parenting load by having a shared calendar, setting up regular family meetings to align on tasks and consistently sharing what responsibilities each partner is taking on, he said. Date nights and one-on-one time have helped Haven and Aaron be more receptive to each other's needs when sharing the responsibilities for their family. While he wants more men to be able to effectively communicate their needs, Mulenos hopes both men and women can recognize the importance of understanding each other's mental load. 'What I want is for the conversation around the mental load – in general – to be continued and magnified,' he said. 'It's not that I want fathers to stay silent, I want them to be transparent with their feelings but I just want it to be seen as we're carrying our family forward.' Adrianna Rodriguez can be reached at adrodriguez@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Father's Day and what to know about the male 'mental load'


Vogue
an hour ago
- Vogue
A Carrot Salad For Glowing Skin? Inside the Edible Skincare Myth
The saying 'you are what you eat' goes back centuries—possibly all the way back to ancient Greek. After all, what we put into our bodies has the power to impact our health, mood, and overall wellbeing. The latest manifestation of that age-old adage? A certain carrot salad that's been making its way across social media. Featuring thin, wide ribbons of raw carrots seasoned with green onions, garlic, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, and hot chili peppers, the salad has been hailed as an anti-aging recipe for a few summers now. The recipe originally started spreading on TikTok via Cassie Yeung and appears in the chef's cookbook, Bad B*tch in the Kitch—though obviously shredded carrot salads have long been popular from Korea to Morocco to France. TikTok content This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from. The combination of ingredients in Yeung's recipe has followers raving. The fresh, seasonal side dish is said to raise vitamin A levels in the body and stimulate melanocyte and retinol production. People call it the 'skincare salad' and say it helps them fight wrinkles and get a healthy glow. It's easy to understand all the fuss. After all, carrots are not only delicious, they do offer impressive nutritional benefits for the entire body. However, is there any truth to the salad's wrinkle-fighting skincare claims? Here's what to know. The myth of edible skincare It is true that 'we are what we eat.' Proper nutrition significantly affects our overall well-being, protecting against cardiovascular disease, keeping blood cholesterol levels stable, and promoting longevity. The edible skincare approach, however, is a bit misleading. On social media, the amount of recipes that promote better skin, the eradication of acne, and the improvement of gut health are staggering—and definitely compelling. The trend is the result of a growing interest in overall nutrition and likely due to the cosmetic industry promoting a corrective approach with products that are meant to cover, erase, undo, or deflate. Now consumers seem to be seeking information on their own with the desire to personalize their wellness routines. It makes sense. Taking a holistic approach to beauty is a great idea and certainly valid. What we eat can provide nutrients that support skin health and well-being from within—just think about the idea that reducing sugar eliminates glycation, a process that leads to the stiffening of collagen and the development of wrinkles and skin laxity.