Latest news with #HilaryHagerman
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The 8 best products Yahoo Canada's shopping team tried in May — seriously, we're obsessed
It's safe to say May kept us on our toes — one day it was T-shirt temperature, the next we were reaching for our umbrellas and raincoats again. While the weather couldn't quite make up its mind, our shopping editors had no trouble picking out their favourite products of the month. From practical everyday items to the impulsive splurge that turned out to be totally worth it, this month's best picks strike a healthy balance between functional and fun. And while we do love testing products (because who wouldn't?), we're really here to answer one question: is it worth the money? If you're interested in what made the cut, here are the things we reached for again and again in May, and we think you might, too. Keep reading to see what stood out, as well as a sneak peek at what we're eyeing as we head into summer. I've written about this sunscreen stick before, but recently replenished my supply ahead of the Victoria Day long weekend. While summer may seem like it's never coming, Canadians, I promise it'll be here soon — and you don't want to get caught without sunscreen. I love this clear Shiseido suncreen stick which glides on easily, doesn't have a scent and can easily fit in your bag or backpack. While it's quite pricey, a little goes a long way — and I'm willing to splurge for the best sunscreen stick I've found. — Hilary Hagerman, Lifestyle & Shopping Managing Editor One of my recent hyperfixations has been researching the gut-brain connection. I love reading (and writing!) about health, mental health and longevity (this is an excellent book if you care about the latter), and thus, I have spent a lot of my spare time learning about the gut-brain axis. What is the gut-brain axis? Research suggests that digestive system activity may affect cognition (thinking skills and memory), mood, and even anxiety and depression. To maintain a happy gut, I take a daily probiotic. Recently, this probiotic has been the internet-famous Seed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic. DS-01 is formulated with 24 strains not commonly found in other probiotics or foods and boasts 53.6 Billion AFU. It takes a few days for your body to adjust to Seed (don't stray too far from a bathroom), but once you get used to it, it's great for overall health and wellness. While I really like Seed, my main (and big) gripe is shipping and duties. If you're based in the U.S., shipping is free. However, for those of us up north, you can expect to pay more for the already pricey supplement. I've enjoyed trying it, but after my 60-day supply is depleted, I'll look for a Canadian-made alternative. - Kayla Kuefler, Senior Shopping Editor You've probably come across the bestselling Skylight digital photo frame (which makes a great gift idea, might I add), but have you heard of the digital calendar? When I stumbled upon this nifty gadget, it immediately piqued my interest. If you find yourself constantly overfilling your wall calendar or daily planner — because let's be real, there's never enough space in those little squares — then this product is right up your alley. This smart calendar uses an interactive touchscreen and Wi-Fi connectivity to help you track your day-to-day tasks, events and appointments. I'm thoroughly impressed with its ability to keep everything streamlined, from daily duties and chores to meal planning. My favourite part is the colour coordination of it all; it helps keep my schedule separate from everyone else's in the household. You can prop it up on a counter or hang it on the wall, and it can be positioned in landscape or portrait mode. And the yearly subscription allows it to double as a photo frame (which I highly recommend). There are so many useful features on this calendar that keep things easy and concise, making it worth the splurge in my opinion. My only note is that the touchscreen can feel laggy in comparison to my iPhone 15 Plus. — Melina Brum, Shopping Editor Justin Trudeau may stick with Gazelles, but I'm an Adidas Japan fan through and through. Confession: I actually have these in three (!!!) other colourways, but I couldn't resist the hunter green and cream combination. These low-profile sneakers are stylish, but unlike other cool-looking shoes I've tried, they're actually comfy as heck right out of the box. If you've never bought Adidas shoes before, make sure to check the size guide (or try them on in store) — I typically take a full size down from my usual women's size. — HH I am completely and utterly obsessed with the Venom 2 Back from Hyperice. Dubbed the "most advanced heat and massage wrap on the market," the Venom 2 Back heats up 6x faster than a standard heating pad and provides instant, soothing relief to sore muscles. I walk a lot, often whilst carrying a very heavy backpack, and do a lot of physical activities, so this vibrating heating pad is a staple in my end-of-day routine. It heats up in seconds (literally) and offers three different vibration options. I recently moved to a new apartment, and my mom flew in to help me get settled. At the end of each day, we took turns using the Venom 2 Back to soothe our sore backs from the move. While she was packing her suitcase to return home, I had to double-check that she didn't try to sneak it into her carry-on bag. If you suffer from back pain (especially lower back pain) and love some TLC at the end of a long day, the Venom 2 Back is worth every penny. The battery does die relatively quickly, but honestly, considering how much relief it packs into a single use, it's not a big deal. My mom has already asked my dad to buy it for her for Christmas. It's awesome. - KK If you're a fellow hair-wash-day procrastinator, then you're probably no stranger to dry shampoo. Don't worry, I'm with you, but I've long since strayed away from aerosol versions once I discovered how damaging they can be. However, I couldn't steer clear of dry shampoo for long, knowing how much of a staple is in my beauty regimen. I eventually came across powder products, like the Briogeo Dry Shampoo Powder Puff, which has become an absolute godsend. And if you're anything like me, I can assure you you'll love this non-aerosol, talc-free dry shampoo powder puff just as much as I do. I own the tinted one for darker brunette hair, and I love how it helps fill in separated strands that oily hair tends to create. To apply it, I simply dab my scalp with the built-in puff and it works to absorb excess oil, leaving me with a fresh finish. It's incredibly easy to use and a little goes a long way, and since it's powder it will last a good while. So, while $38 is pricey, I know I will continue to get good use out of this game-changing product. — MB I'm a big Canadiana girl (the downfall of The Bay has broken my heart in two), and thus, I'm a sucker for any T-shirt, sweater or pair of sweats that are branded with a little bit of Canadian pride. Roots' entire Canada Collection is adorable, but it's this Fruit Series T-shirt that I find myself wearing on repeat. It's crafted from 100 per cent cotton and is incredibly comfortable. Tip: The shirt follows gender-free sizing, so it fits large if you're looking for a classic women's fit. If you don't want an oversized look, I would recommend sizing down. - KK If you know anything about Korean skincare, you're likely familiar with the term "glass skin." In my attempt to achieve said glass skin, I tried to find products that would deliver effective results within a reasonable price range. The brand BYOMA has been on my radar as of late (and not just because of its super cute packaging), so when I came across this Phyto-Mucin Glow Serum, I had to give it a shot. Why, you ask? Well, it's advertised as a "one-step solution for glass skin." While I don't believe any product is a miracle in a bottle, I can say I've noticed many benefits with this "super-serum." Right off the bat, it's clear, lightweight and absorbs into the skin quickly. Every time I put it on I feel refreshed and my complexion appears a little more glowy than before. It's too early to tell if it can majorly transform my skin, but so far, so good. I will continue to keep up with it (and the price is great!). The only thing I noticed is that the consistency is a little tacky when rubbing it in my hands, but it dries perfectly fine. — MB Article Cigar Queen Storage Bed Briogeo Superfoods Acai + Passionfruit Hair Mask Tineco GO H2O Cordless Hard Floor Wet Cleaner Laneige Lip Glowy Balm (Matcha Bubble Tea) BONA Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
We review 100s of products a year — here are 9 we would actually recommend from April
April showers bring May flowers — and lots of extra time to try new products while waiting out the rain. Our small but mighty team of shopping editors tested dozens of products in April. One beauty-obsessed editor used this under $20-mascara almost every day of the month, while another logged hundreds of kilometres in these plantar fasciitis-friendly sneakers. Because we love testing products — "Is it worth buying?" is one of our favourite questions — we've curated a list of things we've tried and, importantly, actually liked from the past month. The products listed below got our editors through first dates, spring cleaning sessions and weird transitional weather. Scroll ahead to shop the products we reviewed in April that we would wholeheartedly recommend — and get a sneak peek of the items we're testing in May. Not to be hyperbolic, but this is the best basic tee I have ever owned. Don't believe me? I have four of them. This Uniqlo T-shirt is everything you want in a white tee: it's high-quality, the collar doesn't stretch, and it's a thicker material — unless you're wearing a super dark bra, the shirt isn't see-through. I will keep buying these Uniqlo tees for as long as the brand keeps making them. I can't recommend it enough. - Kayla Kuefler, Senior Shopping Editor Elbows — er, feet — up! Socks may not be the most exciting acquisition, but these ones from Canadian shoe brand dr LIZA have me doing a happy dance. They feature arch support, moisture wicking yarns, strategic venting and compression to help boost circulation, which makes them great for travel. They'd also make a great last-minute Mother's Day gift idea. I have the maple leaf pair for a bit of Canadian pride with every step, but they also come in a few other colourways. — Hilary Hagerman, Lifestyle & Commerce managing editor Meet my transitional weather sidekick: the vest. Specifically, the Grandview Cropped Vest from Canada Goose. It's down-filled, very warm and cropped at just the right length — plus (and this is very important), it goes with basically everything in my closet. It's perfect for when you don't know which side of the weather to commit to. It will always have your back, no matter what temperature is thrown your way. April has been the perfect month for it! Alternatives: - Canada Goose Freestyle Vest- Aritzia The Super Puff Vest- Lululemon Wunder Puff Cropped Vest — Melina Brum, Shopping Editor I love high-end mascara as much as the next girl, but at the end of the day, it's the under-$20 drugstore mascaras that I buy time and time again. My current favourite — Revlon's ColorStay Xtensionnaire Lengthening Mascara — is one of the best drugstore mascaras I have tried of late. The brush is excellent; it defines and lengthens lashes, and I have yet to see any clumping or fallout. I've been using it almost daily and whenever I swap it up with one of my (many) other mascaras, I find myself missing it. It's the perfect under-$20 mascara for mile-long lashes. - KK After testing five pairs of Amazon sneakers (more on that in the near future), I realized that sneakers aren't something I want to cheap out on. As someone who logs about 500 kilometres of walking or running a month, I was looking for a pair of lightweight and supportive sneakers that could work for everything from the treadmill to daily dog walks. Believe me when I say that these are totally worth the hype. They were comfortable right out of the box and don't bother my plantar fasciitis — which is quite the (no pun intended) feat. If you walk or run, or are simply on your feet all day, these are a worthy investment. The rose gold/black colourway I purchased is nearly sold out, but I'm eyeing this pretty mint pair. — HH I usually reach for my reusable makeup remover cloth to take off my makeup at the end of the day. However, since using this Pro-Collagen Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm, I haven't gone back. There's something so luxurious about this product, and my face feels super clean after using it. Even if I still go in with my cloth, I immediately follow up with this to ensure everything is removed. It's so hydrating, and the best part? It doesn't clog pores. — MB This is hands down one of the best bags that can be purchased on Amazon Canada. Seriously, this is coming from a self-proclaimed handbag aficionado who has an unhealthy amount of purses. If you're a fan of the Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag (which I also own), this is like a more elevated version. You can easily dress it up or down, and it fits so much stuff without being too heavy. And my favourite part is that there's no prominent hardware, so you can wear it with silver or gold accents without anything clashing. — MB Slowly but surely, I am transitioning all of my regular cleaning products to those from Canadian brands. Following the threat of tariffs earlier this year, I found dozens of fantastic made-in-Canada laundry and cleaning brands for those, like me, who wanted to make the switch. One of the brands I discovered was Soja & Co. Soja & Co. products are hand-crafted in Montreal, Quebec. It's an eco-conscious brand that sells fantastic cleaning products and candles. Over the past several weeks, the brand's all-purpose cleaner has become a staple in my daily home maintenance routine. It has a beautiful, light scent, and, importantly, its natural, vegan formula cleans up messes brilliantly. I love it, and I will be refilling my bottle once it's empty. - KK If you (or a loved one) are interested in seeing what critters pop into your yard, this smart bird feeder is a really cool buy. I purchased this for my mom for her birthday earlier this year, and since then, my parents have been texting me photos of all the birds they see in their yard. It's super easy to set up and sends a ping to your phone whenever there's motion detected. Looking for a cheaper alternative? This one from Dzees has great reviews and is on sale for $120. — HH GymProLuxe Band and Bar Set TANG PIN Matcha Set Reformation Balia Linen Dress The Unscented Company Laundry Tabs Watier Solution Confort Melting Cleansing Balm
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
We review 100s of products a month — here are 7 we would actually recommend from March
Spring has sprung! In March, our small-but-mighty team of expert shopping editors were hard at work bringing you the best product recommendations on everything from the best spring dresses and shoes to the incredible pet food and accessories — all from Canadian brands, of course. Plus, we spent a lot of time hunting down the best Amazon deals from the retailer's massive Big Spring Sale. Because we're obsessed with testing products — "Is it worth buying?" is one of our favourite questions — we've curated a list of things we've tried and, importantly, actually liked from the past month. The products listed below got our editors through weekend bike-a-thons, spring cleaning sessions and hours spent on a walking pad. Scroll ahead to shop the products we reviewed in March that we would wholeheartedly recommend — and get a sneak peek of the items we're testing in April. I bike a lot, so I'm constantly on the lookout for lightweight zip-up jackets that I can throw over a sweat-wicking top (this one from Uniqlo is my go-to). I snapped up this QUEENIEKE workout jacket simply because it looks a lot like one I have from a pricey athleisure brand — but it's less than a third of the price. I've worn the jacket on several early season bike rides (as well as at the gym or while running errands) and it's lightweight and airy, plus the thumbholes keep the sleeves from riding up — which is integral while biking! I found that while it fits true to size it is a bit slim, so you could definitely size up if you don't want something so close to the body. The only other thing to keep in mind is that it does have a cropped silhouette. While I don't mind it for daily wear, I did find that it rode up a bit while cycling. — Hilary Hagerman, Lifestyle & Commerce Managing Editor For lack of a better description, prior to using the Angry Mama Microwave Oven Steam Cleaner, my microwave was gnarly. There was splattered, stuck-on food in every nook and cranny you can imagine, and I felt I needed a more powerful cleaning tool other than regular soap and water to tackle the mess. The Angry Mama steam cleaner is an interesting little gadget. You fill it with vinegar and water and microwave it for 5-7 minutes; allegedly, this combination will cut your cleaning time in half. Considering how absolutely disgusting my microwave was before using it, I think that claim is correct. Don't get me wrong, a little bit of elbow grease is still required for tougher splatters, but overall, it made cleaning my microwave so much easier than it would have been with only a cleaning solution or soap and water. It's not a miracle worker, but it helps. - Kayla Kuefler, Senior Shopping Editor What if I told you one of my favourite sweaters is from Amazon? Well, it's true, my friends. To be honest, I wouldn't have believed it myself. However, this PRETTYGARDEN Button-Down Cardigan is the perfect chunky knit ever, and I'll tell you why. It's not too heavy, it has the perfect oversized silhouette and it's not itchy in the slightest. And the gold button details make it look way fancier than it is. As for the sleeve length, they're not too long or too short. At $60, it might be considered pricey for Amazon, but I think it's well worth it. It's super versatile, as I've worn it both casually and dressed up. You can rock it buttoned up or unbuttoned with a tank underneath for more of a cardigan vibe. I find it's the perfect go-to for when you're unsure of what to wear. I have it in grey, but I'm tempted to purchase it in more colours, as it has quickly become a staple in my wardrobe. My only gripe is that the buttons kind of feel like they're hanging on for dear life. I haven't had a problem with them falling off, but I just wish they felt a little more secure. — Melina Brum, Shopping Editor In response to Trump's ongoing tariff threats, I, like many Canadians, am trying to swap out my usual cleaning products for Canadian alternatives (I made a guide explaining how you can do so here). In my research, I came across The Unscented Company, a women-owned, B Corp Certified company dedicated to sustainable practices. I have been using the brand's toilet cleaner tabs for about a month now and so far, so good. The small Mentos-sized tabs dissolve in water and are made from 99.9 per cent naturally derived ingredients. The brand recommends using them 2-3 per week for regular cleaning or daily if you have a very dirty toilet. I will say they're not as powerful as regular toilet bowl cleaners, but they're great for more frequent, lighter jobs. They also have no powerful cleaning smell, and because they're in tab form, they're super easy to use. - KK I am a perfume collector. I love the idea of having a signature scent, but honestly, I will never be that girl, as collecting different fragrances brings me so much joy. My most-used scent of late is Merit Beauty's Retrospect L'Extrait de Parfum. It has keynotes of bergamot, jasmine and musk and smells expensive and elegant. To paint you a picture: Retrospect smells like you have a fresh blow-out, you're wearing your most butt-lifting jeans, and you just made flirty eye contact with someone on the street. If that scene were a scent, it would be Merit's Retrospect L'Extrait de Parfum. - KK I've been eyeing New Balance 530s for a while now, and after wearing them for a couple of months, I don't know why I haven't owned a pair sooner. Not only are they cute (in my opinion), but they're super comfortable, too. I've been wearing them on my walking pad recently, and my feet don't hurt an ounce. I noticed a huge change from my previous choice of workout footwear. They're not narrow, but they aren't bulky, either. I find them incredibly lightweight, and they don't uncomfortably poke or irritate me in any way. And the best part? They felt like they were broken into already — I haven't had one blister from them! One thing I will note is to keep sizing in mind. I ordered my true size, 8.5, but I definitely could've sized down to an 8. — MB This grass-fed bovine collagen powder supports skin, hair, nails, joints and digestion. Can I say definitively that I've seen results? Not really. But, on my quest to eternal youth and glowing skin, I will keep using it. What I like about the Great Lakes Wellness Collagen powder is that it's unflavoured (genuinely unflavoured), dissolves beautifully, and has no aftertaste. I usually add it to my morning smoothies or yogurt for an immediate protein boost (there are nine grams of protein per 1.5 tbsp). Overall, I like it. I'm curious if I will see results with long-term use and will continue adding it to meals for extra protein. - KK Hoka Bondi 9 Women's Shoes NETVUE by Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder with Camera Skylight Calendar: 15-inch Digital Calendar Aritzia The Effortless Pant Cropped - Crepette UNIQLO:U Crew Neck Short-Sleeve Tee Nellie's Laundry Soda - Concentrated Laundry Detergent Powder Cleaner Kit for AirPods
