
Kids and pets making a mess? Snag this chic, washable rug for under $50 on Amazon
Yes, washable rugs exist — and no, they're not all prickly eyesores.
Say hello to the OLANLY Machine Washable Large Area Rug. Stylish, shaggy, and shockingly low-maintenance, these cozy rugs are also mega-marked down on Amazon today.
The materials are second to none; soft, fluffy polyester and thick sponge padding make the perfect play space (or napping spot) for kiddos and pets. Better yet, they're wrinkle-resistant, machine washable, and clean up in no time with a quick vacuum. Thousands of Amazon shoppers rave about them, mentioning how well they hold up over time.
'It's machine washable, and it actually holds up well after washing,' one happy reviewer shared. 'I was worried it might flatten out or lose softness, but it bounced back just fine. It also doesn't shed, which has been a problem for me with other fluffy rugs in the past.'
Picky about your aesthetic? That's not a problem either. This OLANLY design comes in a range of sizes and shapes to suit just about any room in your home, and most of them are on sale.
Amazon
Your footstomping toddlers, furry friends, and Friday night wine spills have finally met their match. The OLANLY washable rug is an Amazon favorite that features a fabulously soft feel and machine-washable material to make your living space a little more welcoming, and a bit less crummy. It anchors to the floor like a pro, featuring high-density, small, and sturdy anti-slip dots. Available in several shades and shapes, it plays nicely with a variety of styles — minimalistic, boho, or even coastal grandma chic. It's the rug that will save stains, and maybe some sanity, too.
Looking for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping Post Wanted.
This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Journalist. As a Gen Z first-time mother of one, Miska tests baby, maternity and postpartum products ranging from stylish new kids clothes to long-trusted diaper brands with her daughter. She evaluates baby- and mom-approved products for practicality and quality, and consults medical and parenting experts to weigh in on safe ingredients, usage and more. Before arriving at the Post, she covered the lifestyle and consumer verticals for the U.S. Sun.

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NBC News
an hour ago
- NBC News
The hottest fashion accessory right now will make you super cool: mini portable fans
Culture & Trends Long popular in Asian countries, personal fans are everywhere lately and point to a rise in both temps and fast fashion. Aug. 7, 2025, 3:09 PM EDT By Claire Wang From city subways to Southern cookouts to Midwestern music festivals, mini portable fans have rapidly become summer mainstays to mitigate the sweltering heat. While the gadget (and the weather) may be hot, experts say the reasons for the popularity are not: climate change and fast fashion. Long popular in humid climates like Asian countries, the mini blasters have proliferated in the West thanks to TikTok and platforms like Amazon, Shein and Temu. As fast fashion has grown, so too have fast accessories, experts say. Typically under $10 — the price of a faux leather belt, plastic sunglasses or synthetic jewelry — the battery- or USB-powered personal fan comes in a variety of styles: Users can wear it around their necks, install it in their car and even clip it on their handbag to accompany their prized Labubu. The rapid growth of affordable accessories at online retailers like Temu and Shein, where fans cost as little as $4, is a selling point particularly for cash-strapped Gen Z buyers, said Sheng Lu, an assistant professor of fashion and apparel studies at the University of Delaware. 'The bigger picture behind the portable fan boom is how the popularity of fast fashion is spreading to accessories today,' Lu said. 'It's this kind of affordability and accessibility that facilitates expansion in the market.' The price could increase at the end of the month with the end of a tariff exemption for lower-cost goods coming into the U.S. The global personal fan market is set to surpass $1 billion by 2033, nearly doubling its current value, according to market research firms. In the U.K., consumers bought 7 million portable mini fans in the past year. Google searches for portable fans have increased steadily over the past decade, peaking in June as intense heat waves blanketed the central and eastern U.S. The states with the highest search interest in the last three months are all in the sweltering South: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina, among others. On TikTok, 'portable fans' is the third most used hashtag for videos in the 'Tech & Electronics' category, most popular in Malaysia, then in the U.S. On social media overall, images and videos of the product seem inescapable. And the rise of mini fans is demonstrating how climate might be influencing fast-fashion trends, said Tracie Tung, associate professor of fashion design and merchandising at California State University, Northridge. 'This is not a new invention,' she said. 'Now they're just designed as a fashion piece.' Some influencers have leveraged the trend to launch their own brands. Remi Bader, who has more than 2 million followers on TikTok, released a stylish new fan last year that clips onto a phone and comes equipped with selfie lights. Kisha Peart, a creator based in New York City, posted a TikTok about the mini blasters in March that took off once it got hot. From that one viral video, Peart said people bought between 200 and 400 units of the featured fan from TikTok Shop; she earned commission on each purchase. Peart said the mini fan has become an indispensable companion on her commute to work, as the air conditioning on the bus isn't always functional. 'I just needed a way to stay cool, and paper fans just blow hot air,' she said. 'The portable fan with five speeds has really been a game changer.' The Asia-Pacific region, where summers are known to be extremely humid, accounted for 55% of the growth of the global portable fans market and has been its largest revenue contributor, generating nearly $140 million in 2021, according to the market research firm Allied Market Research. That the trend has spread from Asia to Europe and America didn't shock Tung, as much of the world, from South Korea and Japan to the Nordic countries, has experienced deadly, unprecedented temperatures this summer. The Shenzhen-based company JisuLife, which has emerged as a leader in the personal fan market, has sold 30 million units of the product globally since 2018. JisuLife's mini fans fall at the higher end of the cost spectrum, with some models priced at more than $80. JisuLife has said it has different marketing strategies for Southeast Asia and North America, its two biggest markets. The company said North American buyers tend to prioritize functionality, while in Southeast Asia, style and aesthetics are paramount, so the strategy is to collaborate with local influencers and ambassadors to boost brand appeal. At the same time, the handheld fan boom also raises serious environmental concerns. Overconsumption of cheap products, especially those made of hard-to-recycle materials like batteries and plastic, creates waste. The U.K.-based nonprofit Material Focus estimated that roughly 3.5 million fans have been discarded or forgotten over the past year. 'How do we deal with these fans after summer ends?' Lu said. 'What happens to these hundreds of thousands of items that people might see as 'disposable'?' Claire Wang NBC News freelance reporter and writer Jocelyn Shek contributed.


Elle
an hour ago
- Elle
It Only Took Five Minutes for This Hair Waver to Give Me the Volume of My Dreams
While I'm not a huge fan of Aquamarine (sorry, Emma Roberts), there's one thing from the staple tween film that's stuck with me all these years later. And no, I'm not talking about the DIY teal mini dress or the starfish earrings that instantly field compliments from strangers. Rather, it's Sara Paxton's effortless beach waves. Her character's flowing tresses fall somewhere in between a polished loose curl and the crimped styles of the '80s. While it may have taken me over a decade, I've finally figured out exactly how to replicate the voluminous surfer-chic 'do, and all I needed was a hair waver. Designed to deliver soft, lived-in texture without the high-maintenance styling time of traditional curlers, hair wavers offer an easy shortcut to that perfectly tousled look. They utilize the barrel design of your favorite curling irons and wands to deliver deep S-waves in record time. 'Unlike curling irons that create curls or flat irons that smooth the hair, a waver presses the hair between ridged barrels to create consistent, ripple-like waves from root to end,' explains Carrie Prowant, a certified trichologist and hair extension specialist. She adds that the innovative tool boosts volume and generally lasts longer than traditional curls, too. My favorite part? It seriously takes seconds and works on all hair types and textures. Whether you want to amplify your natural curls, add volume to fine, straight strands, or zhuzh up your go-to wavy style, a hair waver can live up to the task. To find the best options out there, I've tested top sellers, tapped Prowant, and scanned through dozens of customer reviews. Ahead, shop the best hair wavers of 2025. The Amika High Tide Deep Waver is Prowant's favorite on the market. 'The rounded clamp minimizes creasing, has a 30-minute auto shut-off, and uses infrared heat to lock in moisture for less frizziness,' she says. Barrel size: 0.7 inch Temperature: 120°F–390°F Amazon rating: 4.6/5 An Amazon reviewer says: 'I love my Amika waver—it gives me perfect beachy waves and total mermaid hair vibes! Super easy to use and the results last all day.' As a beauty writer living in a tiny NYC apartment, my vanity drawers just can't keep up with the amount of products and tools I use. Fortunately, Drybar created a one-stop-shop curling iron—complete with a curling iron, wand, and of course, a hair waver. Barrel size: 0.75 inch waver, 1 inch wand, 1.25 inch curling iron Temperature: Up to 450°F Ulta rating: 3.8/5 An Ulta reviewer says: 'I am super impressed with this 3-in-1 combo! It's super easy to interchange which tool you're using and it heats up quickly. I really love the results I get with the beach wave attachment.' The Sheglam Beach Babe Hair Waver combines the sleek benefits of a flat iron with the effortless texture of a hair waver. It heats up incredibly fast, leaves no dents, and is so quick and easy to clamp along to each strand. Barrel size: 1 inch Temperature: 270°F —410°F An ELLE editor says: 'The Sheglam Beach Babe Hair Waver really surprised me. I expected the clamp design to leave more dents, but was met with a fully dent-free hairdo. In fact, the clamp made waving my strands even easier to execute than typical barrels, since it really grips each section. Even on a low heat setting, five seconds seemed to be the sweet spot for perfectly tousled beach waves.'—Emma Aerin Becker, associate beauty e-commerce writer. If you desire waves so natural they look like you just woke up—but way more polished, of course—try the BondiBoost Wave Wand 3-Barrel Hair Waver. The 1.25-inch barrels are noticeably larger than those of other brands, and deliver chic, loose curls with minimal effort. Barrel size: 1.25 inches Temperature: 175°F —410°F Sephora rating: 4.4/5 A Sephora reviewer says: 'I am obsessed with this waver. What's nice is that you can alter the temperature unlike other brands, and it comes with a hand mitten to make sure you don't burn yourself and gives you the most beautiful waves. My hair doesn't hold curls at all but with the waver it held all day even through my workout! I give this a 10/10. I'm also a hairstylist and I love using it on my clients to give them beachy waves.' When it comes to hair wavers, the smaller the barrels, the tighter the waves. Mermade Hair's Cutie Pro Waver offers up three barrels under one inch in size, so you can achieve the fresh-out-of-the-ocean curls you've been craving. Barrel size: 0.9 inches Temperature: 180°F —410°F Mermade rating: 4.9/5 A Mermade reviewer says: 'I love the Mermade Hair Cutie Pro Waver! It's the perfect size for achieving beautiful, effortless waves. The smaller 22mm barrels give me a more defined, natural look that lasts all day. The lilac color is super cute and adds a fun pop to my hair tools collection. It heats up quickly and is easy to use, even for someone like me who isn't a hair pro. This waver has become my go-to for creating flawless, beachy waves without the frizz. Highly recommend' The Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold 3 Barrel Hair Waver is perfect for those with extra-thick hair that needs a little more heat. The gold–plated barrels reach up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit—ideal for coarser strands and long-lasting curls. Just don't forget a heat protectant! Amazon rating: 4.4/5 An Amazon reviewer says: 'I love this tool!! It is easy to use and gives my hair the perfect wave look. I have very thick hair and it works great on it. Heats up in just a few seconds.' If you're already comfortable using a wand to curl your hair but are looking for a softer wave, Prowant recommends the GHD Classic Wave Oval Curling Wand. 'It reduces frizz and adds shine, heats up fast, and creates romantic waves' courtesy of the unique oval shape. Barrel size: 1.5inches Temperature: Preset to 365°F Sephora rating: 3.8/5 A Sephora reviewer says: 'This oval shape gives interesting curls that look very textured. I find it looks best when you alternate directions between sections of hair. GHD tools are always top quality, and quick and easy to use. I like it!' First, you want to 'make sure the hair is completely dry and prepped with a heat protectant,' says Prowant. 'My favorite is the Keranique Strengthening Leave-In—it's a great primer and adds shine to the waves.'Next, divide your hair into three sections—top, middle, and bottom—using clips. Once the waver is heated to your desired temperature, 'position the waver near the roots, leaving a small gap if you want softer volume, and clamp it down for five to 10 seconds.'Release and move the waver down the strand, aligning the barrels with the last wave to create a continuous pattern. Continue down the hair shaft to the ends, ensuring even tension. Repeat the process across all your strands—and voilà! Absolutely! 'Hair wavers work well on all hair types, but may yield different results,' explains Prowant. On straight hair, the waver creates visible S-waves that hold well—especially with heat protectant and texture spray. For coarse, thick hair, the tool adds structure and definition, but may require higher heat and smaller sections for even results. For naturally wavy hair, it enhances and defines the waves for a polished yet beachy finish. On curly hair, the tool 'can be used to loosen curls into waves if hair is smoothed first, or to create uniform wave patterns.' Finally, wavers add volume and texture to fine hair, but 'use lower heat to avoid damage.' Carrie Prowant is a hair stylist, certified trichologist, and hair extension specialist. As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Emma Aerin Becker interviewed a hair stylist and tested different variations to find the best hair wavers. The Best Hair Tools for Styling and Growth These Protein Hair Treatments Brought My Bleach-Damaged Locks Back to Life How to Style The Graduated Bob for Summer 2025 The Best Travel Hair Dryers to Take on Your Next Vacation
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
KFC and Taco Bell are doubling down on Gen Z
Yum Brands reported its Q2 earnings on Tuesday, narrowly missing analyst expectations. The parent company of Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut is doubling down on attracting Gen Z customers. Expect more specialty drink spinoffs from the Live Más Café and signature dipping sauces from Saucy. Yum Brands is all in on capturing the Gen Z market, its CEO David Gibbs announced during his final call as chief executive on Tuesday. Gibbs, who will be succeeded by CFO Chris Turner in October, told investors during the company's Q2 earnings call that he believes the company is employing the right innovation strategy as its brands double down on trending drink and sauce concepts aimed at younger customers. The parent company of Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Habit Burger & Grill, reported its quarterly earnings before the bell. With $1.44 adjusted earnings per share and $1.93 billion in revenue, it narrowly missed analyst expectations. Taco Bell's Live Más Café model, focused on customizable drinks, will be expanding this year, as will KFC's chicken strip and sauce concept, Saucy, and its Kwench line of drinks, Gibbs said. Both chains' specialty spinoffs, designed to attract Gen Z customers, have been driving increasing sales, according to the earnings call. In March, Taco Bell announced it would launch twice as many new menu items in 2025 as it did in 2024, focusing largely on limited-time offerings to drive consumer excitement. Combined with its December launch of the Live Más Café, the new launches are panning out well for the quick-service conglomerate. "The café was inspired by Gen Z's love for curated, customizable drinks and offers over 30 signature beverages from Churro Chillers and specialty coffees to Refrescas and Dirty Mountain Dew Baja Blast Dream sodas," Gibbs told investors during the call, adding that the test store saw "a significant increase in transactions while more beverage users are visiting the café and choosing to dine in." Data from the location intelligence and foot traffic data software firm found that Taco Bell carried Yum Brands' US foot traffic in Q2. New, value-driven menu offerings drove Taco Bell's visits up 2.6% year over year, with average visits per location growing by 1.5%, the firm found. Yum Brands announced last month it would expand its Live Más Café model within existing Taco Bell restaurants to 30 locations across Southern California and Texas by year-end. "While Taco Bell is sort of leading the way on getting into the new category entry points on beverages for Yum!, we see the same opportunity for KFC," Gibbs said. "And KFC has their own program, Kwench, which is now going into test. I'm very excited about the impact that that can have on the business." KFC's Kwench line of drinks, including refreshers, shakes, and iced coffees, is being tested at select locations, primarily in Australia and the UK. Gibbs did not elaborate on whether or when the new drink offerings would be tested in the US market. Despite soft numbers in the US, KFC's international business in South Africa, Spain, Canada, and Japan strengthened the chain's sales in Q2. Business Insider previously reported that the first week of KFC's "Kentucky Fried Comeback" campaign in the US market saw a record-breaking surge in KFC Rewards sign-ups, unprecedented digital traffic for the chain, and a marked improvement in foot traffic from the week prior, suggesting the turnaround might have some early traction. In an effort to attract younger customers in the States, KFC also plans to continue leveraging its new Saucy restaurant concept, focusing on customizable chicken tenders and a variety of dipping sauces. Gibbs announced plans to open "several additional test units" by year's end near the existing Saucy location in Orlando, which opened in December. "We continue to be encouraged that weekly sales have averaged materially higher than the pre-existing KFC since opening and that we're connecting with a younger demographic as 1/3 of Saucy consumers are under age 30," Gibbs said during the Tuesday call. "We have a lot of learning ahead of us, and we are eager to leverage the invaluable consumer insights relevant for our larger KFC US system." Read the original article on Business Insider Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data