logo
Calling All Lazy Perfectionists — Here Are 27 Products You'll Want To Have With You This Year

Calling All Lazy Perfectionists — Here Are 27 Products You'll Want To Have With You This Year

Buzz Feed30-04-2025

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.
Shopping
·
Say it with me — this is the year where cleaning, looking our best, and whipping up a top-tier meal come easily to us.
1. A popular long-lasting eyeliner stamp so that the nemesis of your makeup routine is no longer such a hard step. Say goodbye to wasting all your cotton balls (and all those extra minutes you could've used making your coffee) on failed attempts at a flawless eyeliner flick. This stamp will do it for you!
One side is the curved wing stamp, and the other is a regular fine tip liner for defining the rest of the eye. It comes in a pack of two, one for each eye.
The Flick Stick comes from New Zealand-based brand and small biz Lovoir Beauty.
Promising review:"Got this before a trip I took a few days ago. I have never been able to do wing eyeliner properly so I was excited to try this. It's very pigmented and goes on beautifully! I've tried other liquid eyeliners before and they were so watery and not close to a dark black I wanted at all but this product was great. I did my makeup and put this eyeliner on at 9 a.m., traveled two hours, walked around a city for about three hours and it was warm so I was sweating, and then went to an NBA game. After all that time (about 16 hours!), the eyeliner was just as perfect as I had put it on! I love this product and can't wait to use it more often!" — Elizabeth
Get a set of two from Amazon for $14.98 (available in three sizes and a combo pack).
2. A Revlon hot air brush that'll save you more than double the time it takes you to style your hair with a traditional blowdryer and round brush. This magical tool will give you soft, smooth waves with just a few passes!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I am a licensed cosmetologist of 30+ years and I couldn't be more pleased! Salon-perfect, shiny, bouncy blow outs! Dries and styles in one or two easy passes ( on damp hair) and provides maximum lift if I style it that way. Easily dries and styles large sections of hair making this THE BEST hairstyling tool! Highly recommend! I use the low setting and cool blast. Surprised and very happy that I don't need med/high settings. Only caveat I have come across so far: the temp/speed setting is in an awkward place to be able to change it while using. Learning curve, I suppose. Otherwise, another GREAT styling tool from Revlon! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️" — ERJ
Get it from Amazon for $32.92+ (available in five styles).
3. A rapid egg cooker because it might just become the thing that gets you out of bed in the morning. It can make omelets, poached eggs, eggs Benedict, scrambled, soft-, and hard-boiled eggs. (Six at the same time, might I add!) No need to worry about skipping out on breakfast when you've got your own personal little chef right here to whip you up the *perfect* meal.
www.amazon.com
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Emma Lord says,"I've owned one of these babies and have faithfully used it every week for upward of two years, and especially love it while working from home — it simplifies breakfast because I know no matter what assortment of groceries I'm working with, there are precooked eggs to add some protein to it. (I like mine medium-boiled. 🍳) If my dinner is boring or seems like it needs a little extra oomph to it, I'll throw in an egg from this too. Some reviews note that the alarm on it is a little loud, but the new models have significantly decreased the volume and sing a little song instead!"
Promising review: "I saw someone on TikTok with this and gasped! Ordered it right away. I had no idea these things existed. Super easy and convenient and the hard-boiled eggs came out perfectly. I'm testing a batch now without punching a hole in the eggs to see how they come out. Because why not make an easy process even easier?!?! LOL." — Gina
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in seven colors and two sizes).
4. Painless, mint-flavored teeth-whitening pens — you'll see the difference almost immediately. They're minty fresh and help whiten your teeth after years of drinking coffee, tea, wine, and basically anything that isn't water. 🙃
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Exceptionally easy to use even for lazy people like me. I saw good gradual results despite only using once daily — very happy as I cannot tolerate trays and hate strips!" — belle rouge
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $18.95 (also available in two other pack sizes).
5. Eyeshadow color removal sponges because it is now the Monday after a weekend of going out, and you wanna create a lighter, more subtle shadow look to wear to the office, but that shimmery charcoal color is stuck on your brush, and you only have so much time to get ready. Fear not — this'll let you use your go-to eye brush for your whole routine by instantly cleaning off even your darkest shades.
Here's what BuzzFeed editor Jenae Sitzes has to say about it:"I picked up this color removal sponge from Amazon after hearing about this hack on TikTok and can testify that it actually works SO well. I'm *so* bad about cleaning my brushes (I know...shameful) and this makes it super easy to clean a brush in a matter of seconds. So even if I'm trying to do a *slightly* more elaborate eyeshadow look for the day, this makes the process of switching colors as quick and painless as possible. Also, it's *super* lightweight, and I've already tossed it in my bag and brought it on vacation with me. This is one of those products I won't be traveling without in the future if I plan on doing eyeshadow at any point — and it means you only need to pack one or two eyeshadow brushes!"
Promising review: "This product makes it even easier for me to be lazy when it comes to cleaning my brushes. It also allows me to use the same brush for a makeup look since I can swish away a previous shadow and move on to the next. Great buy. Super easy to wash. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, but when I do finally travel again, I'm sure this will be excellent to travel with and make it so that I only need to bring one or two brushes." — Azaleah Bumpus-Barnett
Get it from Amazon for $5.99 (also available as a pack of four).
6. And these glamorous reusable magnetic lashes that'll have you turning heads one blink at a time. Say goodbye to struggling with glue and wasted lashes — each set of these sticks right to the included eyeliner, so you can finally toss that goopy glue out.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:" The easiest lashes to apply!! With traditional lashes I really struggled because my hand wasn't as steady and my eye would flutter while trying to put them on, but with the magnetic liner the lashes just latch on to the liner with no problem once the liner is semi dry. Definitely will buy a second set to have on deck. I recommend for those who struggle with regular lashes!" — Tamara
Get an five-piece set from Amazon for $18.99.
7. 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.
Promising review:"When I bought my house in 2017, the upstairs bathroom had a shower that was nasty. I thought 'no problem' because I'll just use elbow grease and clean it up. I scrubbed and scrubbed and scraped and used everything under the sun. NOTHING worked!!! UNTIL...The Pink Stuff. This stuff has done what no other cleaning product, no amount of elbow grease, no amount of cursing, no amount of anything of anything else has ever done. I'm relatively convinced it's made with tears of the gods or just some magic that I wish I discovered years ago. My tub looks brand-new!!!" — MNee
Get it from Amazon for $5.97 (also available in a two-pack).
8. A nonstick microwave pasta cooker so that you don't have to subject yourself to the patience it takes to wait around for water to boil. This cooker will satisfy your spaghetti craving in just 12–13 minutes! You'll be slurpin' up those yummy noodles like you're in Lady and the Tramp in no time.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I don't want to get all gushy over a pasta maker, but man...I really love this gizmo! I like spaghetti — either with normal Prego-type sauce or sometimes just with butter and Romano cheese sprinkled on. But I'm lazy and impatient, and don't like things that take a long time to make, with a bunch of steps, and a big clean up afterwards. The Fasta Pasta is perfect for me. I get the exact amount of correctly-measured spaghetti; it's faster than boiling water in a big pot then having to watch and stir the pasta; the pasta comes out perfectly cooked every time; and the cleanup is a snap." — Smilin Sam
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
9. A waterless 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.
Amazon
Promising review:"I have very, very fine and fragile hair. It's wavy (2b–2c with some 3a curls mixed in). My ends are dry, and my scalp gets very oily quickly. When the product arrived, I was on second-day hair. I worked the foam through my roots and the sides of my head. The most oily places for me. It was easy to work through, and it smelled fresh and clean. My results were amazing! My roots looked clean, no residue or buildup like powder dry shampoos. My scalp does not itch, and it gives my fine, flat hair a ton of volume. Also, my hair looks thicker when I use it. I usually can't go more than a day or two without washing my hair. With this product, I was able to go four days without washing my hair." — Amelia Tilton
Get it from Amazon for $7.67.
10. A pack of self-adhesive eyeshadow shields, aka your little helper when it comes to eyeshadow fallout or accidental smears. The best part? It also acts as a guide for the perfect winged liner or smoky eyeshadow look — so you can quite literally do it with your eyes closed!
Amazon
Promising review:"I've been a certified makeup artist for 12 years. Used for my cousin's wedding makeup, and they worked really well as far as catching fallout and shaping goes, but taking them off, they really stick, so just be gentle. Still great." — Andrea
Get a box of 120 pieces from Amazon for $5.99.
11. A blowout spray that cuts your hair-drying time by as much as HALF, all while acting as a heat protectant and helping to detangle, smooth, and soften your hair.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "You need this! Super soft hair and cuts drying time! This stuff is seriously magic. I have thick hair and I hate drying it because it just takes so long. I separate it, pin it up and spray the bottom half and dry and then do the top. It's perfect! Agree with some of the other folks that said you need to find the perfect amount...too much you could be greasy. But you'll only do that once. Regardless it smells amazing and your hair will be so soft! Get this!" — Jessica W
Get it from Amazon for $16+ (available in three sizes and in two-packs).
12. Or a reviewer-beloved, aloe vera-based curl refresher spray if you want to showcase your bouncy curls without having to revamp your entire wash 'n' go. This'll help rehydrate your locks *without* the frizz in seconds!
The Fro Experts/Etsy
The Fro Experts is a Georgia-based, Black woman–owned natural haircare brand on Etsy formulated for type 3 and 4 hair textures.
Psst — this is meant to be used in place of water as a refresher, but per the brand, can be used right after conditioning as the 'liquid' portion of the LOC method in your wash 'n' go or as a detangler.
Promising review:"OMG and AMEN ... Seriously, I have TRUE 4c hair and I have never in my 36 years experienced a true 100% natural/organic hair product, and for this to be my first time I'm beyond impressed. So pleased with my 2-year-old daughter's hair as well :-) Product does EVERYTHING its described to do :-)." — Rosanna Quinones
Get it from The Fro Experts on Etsy for $19.
13. A weekly Wet & Forget shower cleaner that'll rid your shower of soap scum, grime, and body oils while skipping out on 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!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"We cannot BEGIN to tell you what a lifesaver this is! We have two old fiberglass tubs with vinyl shower enclosures that no matter what amount of scrubbing we have done with everything from bleach to cleanser to vinegar and baking soda would NOT come clean. After I took my shower last night, I sprayed down the tub and walls. Within minutes, all the built-up water deposits and dirt and grime began to melt away in front of my eyes. I left it on overnight, and when I got up this morning, it did not look like the same tub and shower. This product is a godsend, especially for old folks like us who have difficulty getting down on our hands and knees and scrubbing anything. More importantly, it performs as advertised. We plan on using it as part of our weekly cleanup routine, in addition to purchasing the Wet and Forget Mold and Mildew Remover for use on the vinyl siding of our house. This is truly an overnight sensation!" — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $19.98+ (available in two scents and three sizes).
14. A foaming garbage disposal cleaner to 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!
Amazon
Promising review:"Saw on TikTok (don't judge) and automatically added to cart. So easy to use, takes probably a minute to fully bubble up and clean, and you're left with a clean sink! I use with other drain cleaning products, but would 100% recommend for weekly maintenance." — Jessica House
Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $7.56 (available in three quantities).
15. A fully adjustable chunky sailor knot headband for those days when all you wanna do is throw your hair into a messy bun, but you also want a way to add some instant ~chic~ to it.
Mia Marie's/Etsy
Mia Marie's is a Colorado-based, woman-owned Etsy shop established in 2016 that specializes in hand-sewn headbands for kids and adults.
Promising review: "I'm very happy with this headband. It's very soft and light. I like that it keeps my hair back without squeezing my head or breaking it. The knot looks super cute, too! Totally worth the money!" — elena18101996
Get it from Mia Marie's on Etsy for $10+ (available in 20 colors and in six sizes ranging from newborn to adult — including custom sizing!).
16. 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.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the veggie chopper in action.
Promising review:"Makes life so much easier. I can't imagine chopping onions or bell peppers by hand anymore, and it does so much more. We used to have a Prepworks chopper which was a similar idea, but you had to press so hard to chop, and it broke after not too long. This one requires very little effort to cut through the food and it has a generous container." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in five styles and four colors).
17. A jar of Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp, which is just what you need for those nights when you get home from work and you're in the mood for a flavorful meal, but you are not in the mood to cook it. No need — just add this tasty condiment to your instant Cup O' Noodles and it'll give it just the right amount of spice, making your quick dinner go from basic to elaborate just like that.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Fly By Jing is an Asian woman-owned small business that makes sauces, seasonings, and dumplings featuring flavors from Sichuan.
Here's what BuzzFeed contributor Brittany Ross says about it:"Ever since my sister introduced me to this life-changing condiment, I've slathered it on pretty much everything I could think of — from roasted vegetables and noodles to seafood and popcorn. It's got a kick, yes, and while I'm a big fan of spicy food, the thing I love most about this chili crisp is that it also has great flavor that doesn't get overpowered by the heat, which happens with so many other spicy sauces. That deep savory flavor comes from ingredients like fermented black bean, shallots, mushroom powder, ginger, and seaweed, so it's no wonder it's become my go-to pantry staple when I want to zhuzh up my dinner in a matter of seconds. PS: Some people even swear by it as an ice cream topping!"
Get it from Amazon for $9.98 (available in four sizes, two flavors, and a combo pack).
18. A hair thinner and cutter for all those times you've put off stopping by the salon for a trim (same 🙃). This little helper is great not only for cutting dead ends but *also* for trimming your bangs, maintaining a cut, giving yourself some natural-looking layers, or trimming and styling wigs.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The razor has two edges, a fine tooth one for thin hair textures, and a wider one for thicker hair textures. (FWIW, people also use this on their pets as a quick grooming solution!)
Promising review:"I recently got a pixie haircut, I was hesitant to get one based on the fact that I'd have to get frequent haircuts, the cost of which would add up quickly. I did some research on YouTube and found some videos using the tinkle hair cutter to trim hair in between salon visits. I LOVE this thing! It is easy to give a little trim or a drastic cut, both of which I have done since getting the tinkle cutter. I was very nervous to try it, fearing that I might mess up my hair so I just did a little bit first, but it was easy and only takes off small amounts of hair at a time, remember, I have a pixie cut — if you have long hair it will cut that off! Basically all you have to do is comb your hair in the direction it grows until you're satisfied with the cut. Seven months post pixie haircut and I have only been to the salon once to have a re-shaping done of my hair. I will say that when the cutter feels like it's 'pulling' your hair, it's time to get new razors. I still prefer my pixie cut to be pretty short and assuming I would have to go to the salon once a month for upkeep I have saved $210 since having my hair cut. TOTALLY WORTH IT!" — brandi in louisiana
Get it from Amazon for $5.99 (also available as a two-pack).
19. A pack of dishwasher cleaning tablets you'll appreciate because they power away the limescale and mineral buildup that 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?)
www.amazon.com
It suits all dishwasher machine makes and models. Just pop them into the tray where you'd normally put detergent (or on the bottom of your dishwasher if you're washing dishes at the same time), and run as usual!
Promising review: "This really works great for cleaning dishwashers. Don't tell anyone, but I haven't previously cleaned my dishwasher since we bought it about four years ago. It had a decent amount of funk on it and it started to smell funny. That's why I bought these tablets. I used one — put it in the detergent compartment and turned on the dishwasher on normal setting. After the cycle was done, all the sediment from a few years of use was gone and any unpleasant odor was nonexistent. Zero effort required, easy to use, and worth trying!" — Agy
Get a pack of six tablets from Amazon for $8.99 (also available as a 12-pack).
20. A super-affordable rust stain remover to banish the most impossible stains from any smooth surface in your home. The best part? All you gotta do is spray it, let it sit for a few seconds, and effortlessly wipe it away with a damp sponge or cloth.
www.amazon.com
Check out BuzzFeed's full write-up on this spray.
Promising review:"It WORKS!! Since my husband and I moved into our home two years ago, the hard water stains in our shower drove me wild! I tried everything from bleach to all-natural remedies. Nothing worked. Stumbled upon some before and after photos for this product and had to try. Especially for the price! The photos I posted were with minimal scrubbing. The product does all the hard work!!" — Julie Dufour
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $19.99 (also available as a six-pack).
21. A standing weeder that'll make you sing, "I think I like this little life," while you do your yard work. This takes all the bending and backbreaking out of the equation when getting all your weeds out. Instead, you can stay standing and let the three steel claws grip the weeds for you as you pull them out!
www.amazon.com
This is made with a bamboo handle and powder-coated steel. The simple lever system is what makes pulling weeds with this so easy!
Grampa's Weeder is a family-owned small biz that sells tools to make weeding easier!
Promising review:"Oh my god, I friggin' love this tool. I bought this on a whim given we bought our first house and know nothing about caring for a yard. Boy has it come in handy. Our new house had a ton of weeds in the front yard and this tool helped me get most of them out in no time. In fact, the process of yanking out the weeds was strangely satisfying! I don't think anyone can say that weeding is fun but this tool made it as close to fun as you can get, especially when you see a long root along with the weed you pulled." — JG
Get it from Amazon for $39.97.
22. A mini microwave steamer to make steaming frozen veggies as easy as popping them in the microwave. This is especially ideal if you've been putting off making your next meal and suddenly realize "...I haven't eaten." 😬 Microwave steamer to the rescue!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It's BPA-free and dishwasher-safe!
Promising review:"For years, I would buy those metal fan-like steamers that adjusted to the size of the pot; a good concept, but the fins would always fall off in short order, and they really were kind of a pain to clean (plus you had to clean the pot too!). This steamer, on the other hand, is ideal for me. It is the perfect size for a single serving and best of all, it's made for the microwave and not a pot on the stovetop. Cleaning is a breeze, and I usually hand-clean it so it's ready for another meal right away. It does take a few tries to figure out the timing for each type of vegetable, but that's okay — they come out crisp and fresh tasting. I'll never buy another metal steamer again. :-)" — dvd
Get it from Amazon for $15.49.
23. A sous vide cooker that'll *literally* help you make restaurant-worthy meals in your sleep. No, really — you don't even have to be in the kitchen while your food is cooking. Thank goodness, now I can go back to doing...nothing.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
The temperature range is 32–197 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooker can be controlled right from your phone, so you don't even have to stay in the kitchen while cooking. It also provides cooking notifications, and stays connected through Bluetooth from up to 30 feet away. Plus, you get access to over 1,000 recipes, so you'll have inspiration for yummy meals! Get the Anova app here.
Promising reviews:" For us lazy cookers! I use this at least three times a week. Great so you don't have to stand in the kitchen waiting for your food." — Craig R Payne III
"Since I started cooking sous vide, my family says my cooking has gone to a new level. I started with the original Anova, and just recently picked up this Nano. The Nano is awesome because it's much smaller compared to the first Anova, making it easier to store in a drawer. It sounds trivial but by making it easier to grab I'm more likely to use it compared to the Anova, which I kept in a special case in the pantry. Setup is so much quicker, and I can cook a beef roast for 30 hours without adding ANY water. If you're just starting out in sous vide, I recommend this cooker." — Jeff Nichols
Get it from Amazon for $78.84.
24. A vacuum hose attachment — *many* reviewers say it's helped them pull out whole socks from their lint traps!!! Listen, clogged vents lead to longer drying times, which lead to less time for you to be able to get all your laundry over with so that you can watch your new Netflix obsession in peace.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This thing is seriously amazing. I figured out how to use it very quickly and it worked like a charm. I had a sock stuck wayy down in my vent and would've had no idea! I still can't believe how much lent and dust came out of my dryer. My husband is already talking about other uses for this unique tool, like getting into tight spaces in our cars." — J. Johnson
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four colors).
25. A microwave rice cooker, because laziness never stopped anyone from being a die-hard rice lover. This'll help you whip up this classic dish staple in no time so that you can use it as a base for a variety of meals!
Amazon, www.amazon.com
This is dishwasher-safe!
Get it from Amazon for $18.63+ (available in two styles).
26. A genius microwave- and dishwasher-safe bowl, which comes with a handle, lid, anddd a removable phone stand so that you can enjoy your fave re-watch as you indulge in some ramen, pasta, soup, or cereal. Ahhh yes, peak laziness at its finest.
Amazon
Promising review: "It's very light, with a huge capacity for soups, salads, mac 'n' cheese, spaghetti, stews, etc. If I didn't have any dishes, this actually would be the only thing I need other than a plate. Love the lid, as you can put it in the microwave, and the top does not blow off. It WILL stain with tomato based sauces. Who cares, as long as I've got my bowl I'm happy! Great for camping as it is virtually weightless. :) It's pretty much indestructible." — Sheryl L. Ketchum
Get it from Amazon for $13.57+ (available in three colors).
27. A genius butter dish and grip set, because actually having to slice and spread a pat of butter is simply preposterous. Instead, just pop a butter stick straight onto this grip and spread away for hassle-free pan greasing.
TheMagnetack/Etsy

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bonnaroo music festival co-founder Jonathan Mayers dead at 51
Bonnaroo music festival co-founder Jonathan Mayers dead at 51

New York Post

time41 minutes ago

  • New York Post

Bonnaroo music festival co-founder Jonathan Mayers dead at 51

Jonathan Mayers, an innovative music festival creator known for co-founding Bonnaroo and Superfly Entertainment, died at the age of 51. 'Our hearts are extremely heavy as we mourn the loss of one of our co-founders, Jonathan Mayers,' Bonnaroo wrote in an Instagram story posted on Tuesday. 'For more than a decade, Jonathan was a creative force behind this festival that so many of us have held near and dear to our hearts now for more than twenty years.' A cause of death was not given. 4 Jonathan Mayers died at the age of 51. Getty Images for Relix The live entertainment producer's death was announced days before Bonnaroo kicked off in Manchester, Tenn. as attendees were already on site camping ahead of the annual music event. 'As a very small token of our appreciation for what he contributed to Bonnaroo, we will plant a tree in his honor on The Farm,' Bonnaroo's Instagram post added. The Farm at Bonnaroo is where the festival has occurred since he co-founded it in 2002. 'Our thoughts are with Jonathan's family and friends during this very difficult time,' the festival's account shared. 'This weekend we celebrate Jonathan by doing the two things we know best to do in our favorite place on the planet. Spreading love and radiating positivity. Thank you, Jonathan. This one's for you.' The music festival, which runs from June 12-15, is known for its diverse lineup. 2025 headliners include Luke Combs, Olivia Rodrigo, Avril Lavigne, Nelly, and Vampire Weekend. 4 Bonnaroo is an annual music festival based in Manchester, Tenn. Amy Harris/Invision/AP 4 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is scheduled to begin on Thursday. Getty Images Outside Lands, a San Francisco-based music festival Mayers co-founded under Superfly, paid tribute to him in an Instagram post on Tuesday. 'Jonathan was the creative force behind so much of what makes Outside Lands feel magical,' the post claimed. 'He had a gift for dreaming up the surprise-and-delight moments that turned ordinary spaces into unforgettable experiences. From the Ranger Dave statue and Choco Lands to the whimsical bridge facade on top of the Lands End stage, all Jon.' 'More than anything, we will miss his unwavering dedication to bringing people together, his passion for pushing boundaries, his infectious laugh, and his ability to tap into the inner child in all of us. Thank you for your vision, your heart, and the magic you brought into this world. We will miss you dearly.' 4 The music festival co-founder's cause of death has not been given. Denver Post via Getty Images Mayers left Superfly in 2021 to create Core City Detroit, which sought to raise money and invest in 'culturally rich' neighborhoods, according to an investment deck of the project reviewed by Music Row. The concert producer was also behind creating fan experiences like the 'Friends' pop-up SoHo and 'The Seinfeld Experience' in New York's Gramercy neighborhood.

In 'Youth Group' comic, evangelical kids sing silly songs about Jesus, fight demons

timean hour ago

In 'Youth Group' comic, evangelical kids sing silly songs about Jesus, fight demons

(RNS) — When he was a teenager in the 1990s, Jordan Morris was always up for a bit of mischief — as long as it didn't involve sex or drugs, two things he was sure would kill him. So he went to a megachurch youth group, which promised teenage shenanigans without much danger. The 'sanitized mischief,' as he describes it, was perfect for Morris, who grew up as a nerdy, nervous kid. 'Youth group was great for me,' Morris said. 'We can put on a show, we can sing little songs, we can do little skits. We can toilet paper the pastor's house and clean it up later. And I just don't have to worry that someone is going to try and pressure me into something that I'm scared of.' Now a Los Angeles-based comedy writer and podcaster, Morris has fond memories of his time in youth group. Those memories — and his love for horror movies like 'The Exorcist' — inspired him to write 'Youth Group,' a graphic novel about church teens who fight demons while singing silly songs about Jesus. ___ ___ Think 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' — the 1990s hit movie and later television series — goes to church. 'I thought it would be a fun challenge,' Morris, whose previous graphic novel, 'Bubble,' was nominated for an Eisner Award, told Religion News Service in an interview earlier this year. 'Can we do one of those religious horror stories, but make it kind of funny?' Morris also said he'd rarely seen stories set in the kind of youth group he'd grown up in. 'I've just never seen that little world written about in a way that I thought was like, accurate or, like, that got what it was about,' he said. Published last year by New York-based First Second Books, 'Youth Group' tells the story of Kay Radford, a theater kid who winds up joining the Stone Mission megachurch youth group after her parents split up. Her mom is a true believer but lonely. Kay is more skeptical but lonely as well and angry at her dad. 'Church might help with all this,' Kay's mom tells her early on. 'I think we both could use some community.' At the youth group, Kay is met by youth leader Meg Parks, a kind but sometimes over-the-top youth leader in pink; a bearded, hippy pastor who turns the 'Pina Colada song' — the Rupert Holmes hit 'Escape' — into a metaphor for spiritual seeking; and a band that churns out parodies like 'I Saw the Christ' sung to the melody of Ace of Base's 'The Sign.' Though fictional, the songs fit the kind of pop culture reference — sometimes known as a 'Jesus juke' — that youth groups can be known for. 'I always think there's something funny about that move, where you take a secular piece of entertainment, like a song that's in the zeitgeist, or a popular movie and try and give the hidden religious message,' Morris said. Kay eventually discovers the youth pastor and some of the older Stone Mission kids also fight demons. That fight becomes personal after one of the demons goes after her dad, and Kay decides to join the battle. Along the way, the Stone Mission kids team up with youth groups from other faiths — Temple Beth Israel, Immaculate Heart parish and the Polaris Coven — to fight off a demon invasion with the help of some training by an order of nuns. Morris said he and illustrator Bowen McCurdy wanted to tell a story that was more than just satire. And while he no longer embraces the faith of his youth, Morris still sees value in the lessons he learned, like the importance of loving your neighbor. 'We wanted to tell a story of people from a lot of different religions coming together with a common goal,' he said. Matthew Cressler, a religion scholar and creator of the webcomic series 'Bad Catholics, Good Trouble,' said comics with evangelical or denominational settings like 'Youth Group' are uncommon. Religion in comics, he said, is often seen as 'a marker of difference': for example, Kamala Khan, the Muslim-American hero known as Ms. Marvel, or Matt Murdock, better known as Daredevil, who is Irish-Catholic. In the 1960s, when Daredevil was created, Catholics were still seen as outsiders to the American mainstream, and many of the most popular heroes, like Batman, were seen as Mainline Protestants. While there were comics for evangelicals, they were often evangelistic, like the controversial Jack Chick tracts or the Christianized adventures of Archie and his friends, published by Spire Comics starting in the 1970s. And evangelicals have often downplayed the kind of sacramental imagery and architecture found in mainline or Catholic settings and try to avoid the kind of visuals needed for comics, said Cressler. Matthew Brake, founder and editor of online publication Pop Culture and Theology, said non-denominational churches often have a 'let's go to the mall aesthetic' and lack the visual clout of Catholicism. 'Nondenominational churches are sort of a cultural underdog,' he said. That may change, Brake said, as creators like Morris, who grew up in non-denominational settings, come of age. And those settings often contain surprises. Although they are most known for things like worship music and purity culture, megachurches also provide space to talk about things like social justice. Still, he wonders if many nondenominational Christians would be the kinds of fans that would enjoy a book like 'Youth Group' or 'Preacher,' a late-1990s comic about an evangelical pastor who ends up possessed by a supernatural being. David Canham, who reviews comics for the secular pop-culture website AIPT — short for 'Adventures in Poor Taste' — had mixed feelings about 'Youth Group.' 'First off, there's plenty of '90s nostalgia — a good-natured tongue-in-cheek look back at many of the silly and absurd things about '90s culture, with a focus on evangelical Christian culture,' he wrote when the book came out. ''Youth Group' delivers on this point.' But the book's take on pluralism — the idea that all religion is on the same side — turned him off as an evangelical Christian. 'I don't want to recommend a book that promotes a worldview that so strongly disagrees with my own beliefs,' he wrote. At first, Morris said he was worried the book might offend Christians and atheists alike. Some evangelicals might feel the book mocks their faith, while atheists might think the book overlooks the shortcomings of religious groups. Both those criticisms would be fair, he said. Religious groups get a lot of things wrong, and yet churches and other faith groups remain important to their members. Morris said he tried to walk a fine line of gently poking fun at faith while showing why it still has an impact on people's lives, and how the friendships made in youth groups may long endure. 'I didn't want the humor to be like, church is stupid, or say, 'look at this dumb church stuff,'' he said. 'I wanted it to be funny and familiar.' Morris said he wanted to capture the mixed feelings people have about the faiths in which they grew up. While he appreciated Bible teachings like caring for the needy, some of the politics and social messages, especially about LGBTQ+ folks, were a turnoff, he said. Religion, he said, is complicated. 'There are a lot of wonderful memories, and there's a lot of stuff that gives me the ick,' he said. 'I hope that's in the book. I hope you can see how a religious upbringing can be upsetting and wonderful — comforting but also makes you mad.'

Radish
Radish

Buzz Feed

time3 hours ago

  • Buzz Feed

Radish

You Exist! Welcome to BuzzFeed! Have 100 points. That is a lot of points. Earned Jun 7, 2025 First Post You made your first post! Is it glorious? Is it terrible? Who cares, you made one! Great job. Earned 17 minutes ago Homepage Hero Your post got promoted to the homepage of BuzzFeed Dot Com, the website! Our team of writers loved it so much that with a little spit and polish, they put it right up on the fridge. Right where everyone can see it! Not yet earned Challenge Winner Your creativity and hard work shone through and you won a freakin' Community Challenge! Congratulations, pard'ner. Not yet earned List Legend When everyone else zigged, you zagged. When everyone took the low road, you took the high road. When everyone posted nothing but quizzes, you're out here posting lists. Hero. Here's your trophy. Not yet earned Lord of Lists We knew you were a whiz at making lists before, but now you've made THREE lists?! You're truly everything we aspire to be, and one day we hope to be half the genius you are. Not yet earned 100k Views A hundo thow views. Nice. Not yet earned 250k Views A quarter of a million views! You really have the posts with the mosts. Views, that is. Not yet earned 500k Views Five hundred thousand views on your posts. That's incredible! Statistically, you're excelling yourself. We asked a data scientist and he said it's true! Not yet earned 1m Views A cool milzo. These are rare. Like a beautiful statue which isn't covered in bird poo. Not yet earned Could You BE Making Any More Posts? We can't seem to 'PIVOT' away from your incredible posts, and we never want you to 'go on a break' from creating these posts we love so much. Anyway, congrats on getting 5 Friends posts promoted! Not yet earned You Don't Need To Calm Down We promise that we'll never find another like you. Ya know, someone else who has gotten 5 Taylor Swift posts promoted to the homepage. Not yet earned Best of 2022 Thanks to your ingenuity and knowledge of all things internet, you showed everyone up and are in the top 1% of BuzzFeed Community creators in 2022! From quizzes to lists, you can do it all — and now you have a trophy to show off and prove you're one of the best of the year. Not yet earned Fairest Of Them All Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who has had 5 Disney posts promoted to the BuzzFeed homepage? It's you, obviously! We don't have any attractive heroes coming to save you, but here's a trophy, which is just as good — trust us. Not yet earned Golden Genius You ain't no snitch, but you do know everything about the Harry Potter universe. Since you got 5 posts promoted to the homepage, here's a lil' Quidditch gift for ya. Not yet earned Slime Time You soaked up episodes of SpongeBob, got Odd with the Fairies, and mentally spent a lot of time at Good Burger. You were and are a Nick kid through and through, but we don't need to tell you that since you've already Figured It Out, haven't you? (We could go on forever, don't test us.) Not yet earned K-Pop Konnoisseur You know every dance, you know every word, and let's be real, no one can make you budge about your bias. Congrats on getting your K-Pop post promoted to the front page of BuzzFeed — here's a trophy! Not yet earned Totally Stylin' Oh baby, you're ~golden~, and we're gonna give you a (Watermelon Sugar) high by handing you your very own Harry Styles trophy, just for writing a post about him. Not yet earned Animal Lover From reptiles to fluffy felines and tiny rats to giant whales, your love of animals knows no bounds. Your animal-themed post was promoted. Thanks for making the world a more cuddly place. Meow. Not yet earned XOXO Roses are red, / Poems are quoted. / You wrote about love, / and your post was promoted! Not yet earned Sucker For Love You love all things about love, and we can't blame you. We can't give you a little kiss, so here's a trophy for getting 5 posts promoted instead. Not yet earned Snacks on Snacks on Snacks All you do is think about food, obviously, or else you wouldn't have made a post about it. We don't blame you, and actually applaud you. We'd give you a feast, but we don't feel like it. So here's a trophy. Not yet earned Food Fanatic You're really ~hungry~ for more trophies, aren't you? No? Then why do you make so many food posts?! We're actually not mad, just impressed. Here's another one, and we hope it's as satisfying as your next droolworthy meal. Not yet earned Up, Up, And Away For you, the thought of packing a bag and exploring a new place is unlike any other. Whether you're dreaming of stomping through the rainforest or hitting up the city that's been on your bucket list for years, travel is something you can't deny loving, so we'll do the best we can and give you a trophy since you've expressed your love for it in a post. Not yet earned Super Stan You know the thrilling feeling of staying up 'til a new song release at midnight and everyone trusts you to make the perfect playlist for every occasion and mood. Let's face it, you're just a master of all things music, so here's a trophy since you wrote a post about it! Not yet earned Cinema Savvy You've been to countless midnight showings and have spent half of your life savings on theater popcorn — but hey, baby, that's a small price to pay to be a true film fanatic. You made a movie-themed post, we loved it, here's a trophy! Not yet earned Film Fiend When it comes to movies, you're addicted. From comedy to horror and musicals to documentaries, you've seem 'em all. Since you made three posts about movies, we're giving you a trophy to celebrate your expertise. Not yet earned Know-It-All You love testing everyone on their knowledge of pop culture, school you are a true trivia master, and no one can deny that! Sometimes it's okay to show off, so here's a lil' something for ya. Not yet earned Master of Knowledge You made three trivia quizzes, and we loved them so much that we had to promote them to the front page of BuzzFeed! There's no doubt that during the next trivia night, we call dibs on being your partner. Not yet earned In The Stars Let's be real: Whenever you meet someone, you check your zodiac compatibility. Smart, honestly. Whether you're a total Gemini, fiery Aries, emotional Pisces, or anything in-between, you know the importance of star signs. And that's why you're getting a trophy because we liked your post about it. Not yet earned Nerdy for Nostalgia Nostalgia just hits different, okay? From 'I Love Lucy' to 'Fresh Prince' to 'Lizzie McGuire,' you're all about living in the past — and that's totally rad in our book. Not yet earned Heart On Your comment got 10 hearts. Here's a trophy to commemorate the foundation of your little fan club! Not yet earned Hearty Animal Can you feel the love tonight? You got 50 hearts on one comment. Have another hit of serotonin to celebrate!!! Not yet earned Heartthrob ONE HUNDRED HEARTS!! I almost feel bad for you, because you're going to be chasing this feeling forever. Check out this awesome trophy you just earned! Not yet earned There's No Place Like Home You clicked your heels and visited home — the home PAGE, that is — every day for five straight days. We've loved seeing your shining face, so please enjoy this trophy that expresses our excitement. Not yet earned Habitual Homepager Don't think we haven't noticed you visiting the homepage for the last 10 days in a row! Whether you were finding out which Disney character you are, sifting through TV show recommendations, or catching up on the news, we love you loving us. Not yet earned You Live Here Now You've visited the homepage 15 full days in a row! At this point, we've made up the BuzzFeed guest room for you and even added some touches to make it more personal. After all, with the amount of times you've visited, you pretty much live here now. Not yet earned Pin There, Done That You pinned a quiz result to your profile, and now everyone knows that you are in fact like your favorite TV character or that you've discovered a new personality trait about yourself. Maybe we guessed your age correctly, or we were so off in guessing that you weren't even mad — you were impressed. Either way, now the world knows your result, so here's a trophy!

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store