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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.
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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

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  • New York Post

Chinese Labubu doll sparks global shopping frenzy fueling billions of dollars

They're scary, but cute – and taking the internet by storm as customers race to get their hands on Labubus. Distributed exclusively by Chinese-based retailer Pop Mart, it's become near impossible to buy one of the plush pendant toy collectibles as they sell out online almost nightly, and people wait in hours-long lines to purchase them in-person. Advertisement But what is a Labubu? And why do people care so much about it? Labubu was founded by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, who became inspired by Nordic supernatural folklore and children's imaginative abilities to create Labubu and the larger 'Monsters' figurine series. Despite the first Labubu hitting the market in 2015, demand still outpaces supply in 2025. They quickly gained popularity after being sported on the designer bags of celebrities like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, BLACKPINK's Lisa, David Beckham, Emma Roberts, Hillary Duff, Kim Kardashian and countless others. Advertisement Labubus cost anywhere between $21.99 and $39.99, and its most popular form comes as a fluffy, plush pendant with an attachable clip. They're sold in 'blind boxes,' which means customers won't know what variety of Labubu they got until it's opened. However, Labubu products are regularly out of stock in Pop Mart's online store and app. In-person restockings happen at their stores once a week at 10 a.m. every Friday, and social media users have posted long lines that tend to be hundreds of people deep. 3 Shoppers have been waiting in hours-long lines to purchase a Labubu. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement 3 Labubu gained popularity when celebrities featured the toy on their designer bags. AP In the United Kingdom, Pop Mart announced it would stop selling Labubu products in their stores for safety reasons following reported brawls that had broken out among customers. To make the supply-demand imbalance worse, so-called reseller 'bots' allegedly sweep Pop Mart's website and app for new drops, and buy Labubus in mass quantities. On resale platforms like StockX, rare editions have asking prices of up to $450. Advertisement Labubu has even sparked counterfeit admiration, with some customers opting for a knock-off version dubbed 'Lafufu,' often with a much cheaper price tag and manufacturing differences. 3 Labubu is distributed exclusively by Chinese-based retailer Pop Mart. AFP via Getty Images Pop Mart did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment, or clarification on whether US-China trade tensions could bump up Labubu's regular retail prices even higher. Some social media users have started sharing what they call 'Labubu-nomics,' or buying methods that seem to be effective in beating out bots. There's a supposed URL-editing trick, a rapid thumb-clicking method and regularly checking Pop Mart's third-party stores via Amazon and TikTok shop livestreams. Last month, Pop Mart CEO and Chairman Wang Ning became $1.6 billion richer in a single day due to American buyers lining up for their own Labubu, Forbes reported.

Mass. issued a record $23 million tax credit to ‘Dexter' TV series. Insiders say it masks industry's downtown in state.
Mass. issued a record $23 million tax credit to ‘Dexter' TV series. Insiders say it masks industry's downtown in state.

Boston Globe

timean hour ago

  • Boston Globe

Mass. issued a record $23 million tax credit to ‘Dexter' TV series. Insiders say it masks industry's downtown in state.

The state late last month quietly That total stands as the highest amount in film tax credits the state's issued in a single year since the COVID-19 pandemic and the most ever outside of 2019, when projects collected nearly Advertisement But there's often a lag, both when productions apply for the subsidies and when the state updates its data. There are often pending applications when the state releases its annual tax credit transparency report, meaning the totals for 2023 total could climb even higher. The state, for example, also reported last month that it issued $46.8 million in credits in 2022 — millions of dollars more than it Advertisement The film and television projects themselves also often reap their tax credits years after they've decamped from Massachusetts. ' The $23 million credit it received topped the previous record of $16.1 million the state issued for a scripted series, which went to the second season of ' The largest film tax incentive the state issued in 2023 went to the widely panned superhero movie ' Those subsidies follow the $46.4 million tax credit the state issued in 2021 to the film ' Despite those substantial handouts, the industry struggled mightily in 2023 and last year. The Advertisement New England Studios in Devens was 'essentially dead' both those years, in part due to the strikes and contract negotiations between multiple unions, said Gary Crossen, the studio's general manager. That's since shifted, to a degree. A new television series is currently in production at New England Studios, though Crossen, citing a confidentiality agreement, declined to say what it is. 'For New England Studios, it has come back to life,' he said. That's not the case for everyone. Ryan Cook, a Massachusetts-based location manager who worked on the Dexter series, is now part of the production of a new season, dubbed ' Cook said he once led a team of 25 people, eight of whom have since left the industry, and while more productions are on the horizon in Massachusetts, the state is losing projects to overseas and other states, where the incentives are more lucrative, he said. 'The landscape is different,' said Cook, who was among those who successfully advocated for lawmakers in 2021 to make the state's film tax credit program permanent, arguing it would inject stability into the industry in the state. 'That was the drum we were beating for 10 years. We got that win, and then we got hit with a left hook that we didn't see coming' in the form of COVID-19 and the dual strikes. Launched in 2006, the state's film tax program includes a 25 percent payroll credit for any project that spends more than $50,000 within Massachusetts. Under changes legislators Advertisement There's no annual cap on the credit, and it's transferable, allowing a production company to sell it to insurance companies, corporations, or even individuals. Cook argued Massachusetts should revisit the contours of its package, noting 'I bet the incentive [data for productions in] 2023 and 2024 is going to be atrocious,' he said of Massachusetts' tax credit. 'Because there was little to no work.' Matt Stout can be reached at

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