Latest news with #LeslieKnope
News.com.au
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
12 Best Waffle Makers for a Better Breakfast in 2025
There's a reason why breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day, and as Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation says, 'Why would anyone ever eat anything besides breakfast food?' Sure, you could opt for something nutritious to start your day, but for a morning treat, a stack of waffles just can't be beaten. Unlike making a crepe or pancake, to whip up irresistibly fluffy and golden waffles you really do need a waffle maker. So if you want to surprise mum on Mother's Day with breakfast in bed (or need to give a few hints to the kids), now is the time to buy one. There are multiple waffle makers on the market, but our favourite is the Smart Waffle by Breville. This is the ultimate high tech appliance with all the bells and whistles you could imagine, and it makes delicious waffles for everyone in the family, with 12 browning presets and six waffle settings. We also love the Duraprès Fill N' Flip, which works as a classic waffle maker, or you can make mouth-watering stuffed waffles. The Breville Crisp Control is another great option to cater for all tastebuds, including those who like them soft and fluffy and others who want a crunch. To help you pick the perfect waffle maker, we've tested some of the best on the market and curated our favourites. Read on to find one to suit you and your kitchen. OUR TOP PICKS Best waffle makers What You Need To Know Topping our list is one of the most advanced appliances you can have in your kitchen: the Smart Waffle by Breville. Using Waffle iQ technology, it automatically determines how long it needs to cook based on the waffle type and browning settings you choose, and it will give you a countdown on the LCD screen. You can set your waffle machine to 12 browning levels and choose to make a classic, Belgian, chocolate or buttermilk waffle, or customise your own recipe. This gives you 60 waffle combinations. It is surrounded by a No Mess Moat so if any batter spills over it won't cover your countertop. Plus, the thermal pro heating evenly heats the plates so the sides of your waffles won't be overcooked and the middle won't be raw. Like most Breville appliances, it is also built with an 'A Bit More' button, so you can brown it that extra bit longer without having to restart the machine. Boasting an average 4.8-star rating on Amazon, plenty of shoppers think this Breville waffle maker is more than worth the price. 'So in love with this machine. Makes really great waffles and clean up is super easy,' raves one shopper. They went on to say, 'I was hesitant at first to buy because of the price tag but I feel like it was worth the investment. You can also use it for other things – not just waffles – in order to get the most use of the appliance.' 'Heats up quickly, releases the waffles without a single spot of sticking.' Duraprès Fill N' Flip Waffle Maker. Picture: Rosalyn Fannin/checkout shop now at the good guys Tried and Tested by Rosalyn Fannin, checkout Shopping Writer I'm normally a pancake person – they're simple, quick, filling and you don't need a special machine to make one. But after trying the Duraprès Fill N' Flip, I don't think I'll be going back. This compact waffle maker does double duty, cooking both a regular waffle and stuffed waffle. Making the traditional waffle was easy enough – just fill the well, close the lid, flip, serve when finished and it's job done. But I was surprised how easy it is to make stuffed waffles. It's pretty much the same process, except for placing the 'waffle ring' on top of the bottom plate. I filled the bottom well with the usual amount, dolloped some Nutella and then covered it with more batter. The end result was AMAZING! I also tried a savoury ham and cheese stuffed waffle as a lunchtime treat, and it delivered. The waffle was cooked to perfection, and the cheese was ooey, gooey and delicious. I'm all set for my next batch of waffles, as the maker comes with a recipe for original waffles, red velvet waffles and pizza waffles! It did take a little bit of trial and error. I found that flipping the maker straight away rather than letting it cook initially on the first side resulted in them being a bit lopsided. Greasing the top plate with butter was also a bit tricky at first. But once you get the hang of it and you follow your recipe, you'll make your new favourite meal in no time. My only real criticism is the lack of a timer. There is a light indicator on both sides, but there's no indication when it's time to flip or when it's finished cooking. The manual recommends using a separate kitchen timer, so having one on the machine would have made life a bit easier. Nevertheless, this waffle maker served up some amazingly delicious plain and stuffed waffles. And while it can easily fit in my kitchen cabinets, I think the Fill N' Flip will take up permanent residency on the countertop. 21% OFF What You Need To Know Producing five traditional heart-shaped Scandinavian waffles, the Crisp Control by Breville is the perfect appliance to suit everyone's tastebuds. The variable temperature controls let you choose from multiple darkness settings – there are 25 levels. So if you prefer your waffles crispy but someone else likes them fluffy and another is somewhere in the middle, everyone is catered for. It also gives you some leeway to experiment with different waffle recipes and textures to find which setting satisfies your sweet tooth and what works best for savoury meals. Tried and Tested by Kara Byers, eCommerce Content Lead We're a family of waffle lovers, but because we all like them cooked differently - and have limited space in our kitchen - buying a waffle maker always felt just a bit too hard. Until this nifty little number caught my eye - lovely looking, compact, PFOA-free and with a variety of cook settings - ideal for our needs. As with all appliances, there's a knack to it. You definitely need to preheat it before use (trust me, don't wing it), make sure you pour the batter right in the middle so it spreads evenly and, don't believe what you read on cook time - I found 3.5 minutes on dark cooked a medium crisp waffle (not the 21/2 to 3 as stated in the instruction manual). It heats up fast, never sticks, makes super cute heart-shaped waffles and is so easy to clean. When the box arrived from Amazon, my three year old daughter and my partner were both equally excited to see it, their reactions made me excited to use it and it's not waned once since then. I have never eaten so many - perfect - waffles in my life. I love using this low-tox appliance and my family absolutely love eating the waffles it makes too. Yum. Best vertical waffle makers What You Need To Know Sunbeam has earned their reputation in the kitchen appliance world as reliable, easy to use and selling at a decent price point. The Shade Select Vertical Waffle Maker ticks all these boxes. It sits upright on your bench, where you pour the batter into its funnel-like spout. Prior to cooking, you can choose from five browning or 'shade' options. Once full, the auto-detection feature will start counting down the timer and display on the LCD screen how long is left until the waffle is fully cooked and ready to eat. Tried and Tested by Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito, checkout Senior Shopping Writer I've always been a little hesitant to purchase a waffle maker since they tend to look messy, bulky and a batter explosion waiting to happen, but this Sunbeam waffle maker has changed my mind. I absolutely love how the funnel makes it so much easier to pour compared to making pancakes in a pan, especially when you can adjust the fluffiness and crispiness with a simple twist of the knob. The timer is also a nice, convenient touch. Plus, it just looks fantastic on the kitchen bench and doesn't take up much space. What You Need To Know This Cuisinart smart waffle maker is a fan favourite appliance, with 4.5-star ratings at both The Good Guys and Myer. This is thanks to its no-spill spout for easy clean-up, audible alerts after cooking and its three year manufacturer's warranty. Included with the machine is a measuring scoop to get the perfect amount of waffle batter each time and a recipe book, so you can make a wide range of waffles to suit everyone. These include recipes for those who are gluten free, or options for those wanting to try something a little different, like polenta and chive waffles and buckwheat waffles. Tried and Tested by Julia Tanevski, Social and Content Producer This waffle maker makes it so much easier to fill the machine with the perfect amount of batter every time, minus the mess! If you're like us and have family members with different waffle-cooking preferences (we're on team ultra-crispy here), the five different browning settings allow you to choose exactly how well done you would like your waffles to be cooked. And it sits vertically, meaning it's awesome for easy storage in our appliance-cluttered kitchen. What You Need To Know Big enough to feed the whole family, this Cuisinart Waffle Maker can make four thick Belgian waffles in one go. It's super simple to use thanks to the light indicator. It turns green when preheated and ready to cook, then red when it's cooking and then back to green when it's time to serve. You can also choose from five browning settings via the control knob under the light. While cooking, the locking system keeps the lid closed and in position to prevent any leaks and spills. When you've finished, it's easy to store as the power cord wraps around the maker and it can stand upright. Averaging a 4.9-star rating at Kitchen Warehouse, many cooking aficionados can't get enough. One Amazon shopper said 'I'm so impressed that I've jumped online, two days after purchase, just to tell everyone that this Cuisinart 4 capacity waffle maker is perfect,' adding 'every single waffle has turned out great.' Another called it a 'Brilliant waffle maker. 4 super thick, Belgian style waffles in minutes! Even baking, crisp control scale, stores upright to reduce cupboard space. Simply perfect!' Best mini waffle maker JJYP Mini Waffle Maker JJYP Mini Waffle Maker. Picture: Cindy Du/checkout Tried and Tested by Cindy Du, checkout eCommerce Producer If you have the urge to indulge in a waffle but don't want to spend a fortune on a waffle maker, then this is the one for you. It's super easy to set up, made from non-stick material, and foolproof to use – I'm no chef, and while my waffles didn't exactly come out café-worthy, they still tasted amazing. I loved that I could make healthier versions too, from sugar-free to blueberry, and really customise them to my taste. Just keep in mind, it only makes one waffle at a time, so it's not the best option for bigger families or those who host often. And for me, I sometimes had to cycle the waffle through twice (2-5mins) to get that crispy, golden finish I was after. That said, I still managed to whip up a cute little stack of waffles. Plus, it barely takes up any benchspace, a huge bonus. Because it's basically just a hotplate, I even cooked an omelette shaped like a waffle, which of course is just a fun shape to eat. To be completely honest, this isn't the most top-quality waffle maker on the market, but for around $25, it's a great little buy if you don't want to spend big and you're just after something to satisfy the occasional (or daily) waffle craving. Best waffle maker for families What You Need To Know The Cuisinart Waffle Dippers machine is a great option for making breakfast, brunch, dessert, birthday party treats or a sweet snack. It makes six crispy waffle sticks that you and your kids can dip into your favourite sauces and toppings for the ultimate sugar rush. There are five browning settings to suit everyone's preferred taste and texture, along with red and green indicator lights so you know when it's ready to cook and serve. Topping it off is its two year warranty, which is just the icing on the cake. 'I love this product,' raves one Myer shopper. 'All you need to do is pour in the batter, close the lid and wait for the green light to flash, and you've made some delicious waffles!' Another customer called it a 'cute little waffle maker is easy to use and clean. And it's great for making snacks!' Best easy-to-clean waffle maker Breville the No-mess Waffle, $169 (down from $259) at Amazon Australia SAVE $90 Breville the No-mess Waffle Breville the No-mess Waffle. Picture: Amazon Australia $169 AT AMAZON AU Other ways to buy: $199 AT BING LEE $207.20 AT MYER $209 at breville What You Need To Know This no mess waffle maker by Breville is surrounded by a moat to prevent your batter from overflowing onto your kitchen counters. It also cooks the batter that's split over so you can nibble on these little bits of waffle. There are seven browning settings to customise the crispiness of your waffles, including 'light and fluffy' or 'golden and crispy.' The light indicator lets you know when it's ready to cook, and it will cook waffles evenly every time using the thermal pro heated plates. This machine has received plenty of rave reviews online. One Amazon reviewer enjoyed its functionality, saying, 'We LOVE the little drip tray (moat) that runs around the outside of the cook surface … no messy batter dribbling down the outside of the machine. Used the batter recipe in the owner's manual and it made 8 LARGE waffles.' Another said they experimented with the different browning settings and made their perfect waffle, saying 'this waffle iron is the best we've ever used by a mile. 'Heats up and cooks quickly and evenly, and the spill over rim is really useful. Have had no issues with sticking, and though the plates are not removable, it is easy to clean. It's a bit pricey, but if you're into waffles, it's worth it.' Best multipurpose waffle maker Healthy Choice 3-in-1 Sandwich, Panini and Waffle Maker, $59.95 (down from $79.95) at Amazon Australia 25% OFF Healthy Choice 3-in-1 Durable Sandwich, Panini and Waffle Maker Healthy Choice 3-in-1 Sandwich, Panini and Waffle Maker. Picture: Amazon Australia $59.95 AT AMAZON AU Other ways to buy: $79.15 AT WOOLWORTHS $79.95 AT MYER What You Need To Know You can pretty much make all your meals for the day using the versatile Healthy Choice waffle maker. It is one of the most useful kitchen appliances available, with the ability to cook waffles, sandwiches and paninis when switching between the removable plates. The light indicator lets you know when it's ready for your batter and when it's finished cooking, plus the cool to touch handles lock the lid in place for more even cooking. It's flat design also makes storage easy. Tried and Tested by Marina Karris, Senior Content and Social Video Producer for This clever space-saving appliance has three interchangeable plates, so you can swap between the sandwich, waffle and grilling functions, then clean with ease. Not only can it whip up jumbo jaffles and crispy waffles, but it can also grill a juicy steak! Simply switch between the three large removable plates depending on what you're cooking. Once you're done, detach the non-stick cooking plates and wash in warm, soapy water. Gone are the days of awkwardly angling the sponge into the waffle/jaffle maker's nooks and crannies to fish out those year-old breadcrumbs. Best novelty waffle maker KITment Heart Mini Waffle Maker, $20.39 at Amazon Australia KITment Heart Mini Waffle Maker KITment Heart Mini Waffle Maker. Picture: Amazon Australia $20.39 at amazon au What You Need To Know This little machine loves you just as much as you love waffles, by cooking one heart-shaped waffle for you to enjoy. It is extremely compact and lightweight, so it's super easy to store. Or you can pack it to take along on your next caravan trip or when you're staying at an Airbnb during a holiday and want to share the waffle love. Most of the five-star reviewers on Amazon love it's smaller size and think it's the best feature. 'Certainly IS a small waffle maker! About the size of an adult woman's palm, but that is fine and all you need if single with not much storage space,' says one shopper. Another added it 'Makes great waffles and is tiny (which is what I wanted) it's about the size of a Big Mac. Highly recommend.' Best waffle iron Nordic Ware Cast Aluminium Stovetop Belgian Waffler, $115.83 on Amazon Australia Nordic Ware Cast Aluminium Stovetop Belgian Waffler Nordic Ware Cast Aluminium Stovetop Belgian Waffler. Picture: Amazon Australia $115.83 AT AMAZON AU What You Need To Know Designed to cook directly on the stovetop, the Nordic Ware cast aluminium waffle iron is the ideal waffle maker if you're looking to go old school. Instead of fiddling with cords and settings, you just pour in your batter, hold it above the stove, occasionally turn it to cook both sides and it's ready to eat. One Amazon shopper says it 'Works like a charm,' and loves that fact that it 'Doesn't need a cable. Easy to clean and can take it camping!' A second says, 'I bought this couple of weeks ago and I haven't stopped making waffles ever since. 'Weekly waffle making has turned into 3-4 times … ever since this arrived. Makes crispy waffles so easy to cook and remove, easy to clean and store. Best money ever spent.' How we choose our products Multiple cookware and kitchen appliance brands make their own waffle makers. To curate our roundup, our team of experienced writers tried and tested a wide selection of them and gave our honest reviews. We also spent hours reading reviews, ratings and articles from everyday Aussies to see what they thought of their appliances, and weighed up if they are worth the investment based on their size, capacity, settings, functions, how many waffles they can make at a time and price point. What to consider before buying a waffle maker Size: Most waffle makers can take up a decent amount of space on your kitchen counter or inside your cabinets. They can also be heavy and bulky. Always check the dimensions and weight of the waffle maker before you buy to make sure it is suitable for your kitchen. Waffle type: You can cook waffles in several ways with many different recipes and types to choose from, including Belgian waffles, stuffed waffles, thick waffles or thin waffles. However, the type of waffle you make will also come down to the capabilities of the machine. See what types of waffles your maker can cook up and its settings. Plates: Some more versatile waffle makers have the ability to remove the waffle wells and add other plates to cook different meals. These removable plates also make for easy cleaning. Check if the plates can be removed or if your maker can only be used for waffles. Number of waffles: If you are feeding the family, you'll need a lot of batter and a maker that's up to the challenge. Look for waffle makers that can cook multiple waffles at once to increase efficiency. If you're just cooking for yourself or a couple of people, a mini waffle maker should be sufficient. Settings and features: While a regular waffle maker will have some basic power settings and perhaps a light indicator, more advanced models will come with a multitude of settings and features. Check to see what features are included, like darkness and temperature settings to make crispy waffles, a steam vent for fluffy waffles and sound alerts to prevent overcooking and leave you with evenly cooked waffles. Power: When making multiple waffles at a time (and why wouldn't you?), you need a maker with enough power to cook them fast and thoroughly. Look for waffle makers that have a higher wattage of around 1000 to 1500 watts to get the job done faster. Clean-up: Making waffles can get messy, and it's worse when they stick to the plates and bits of waffle are left to burn. Make sure it has a non-stick coating to help lift your waffles from the plates. It's also a great idea to buy a maker that has a moat-like feature to prevent the batter overflowing onto your kitchen counter. Price: A basic waffle maker can cost around the $50 mark, but if you're after all the high tech features and settings, you'll need to spend a few hundred dollars. Weigh up whether all the additional features are worth the added cost or if you're willing to spend less to get a slightly lower quality maker. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AMERICAN STYLE WAFFLES AND BELGIAN WAFFLES? American style waffles and Belgian waffles are two of the most common waffle types, and while they have subtle differences between recipes, they typically have different textures, shapes and thicknesses. Traditional waffles are thin and crispy. Similar to pancakes, they are made with baking powder and taste sweet even before you add your toppings and condiments. Their pockets are not particularly deep, which means your syrup will likely pool in and around the waffle. You'll normally find them on a breakfast menu served with maple syrup. On the other hand, Belgian waffles share the same crispy exterior, but are thick and fluffy on the inside. This is created by using yeast in the recipe rather than baking powder. If you want to make them extra fluffy, you can add some whipped egg whites as well. The pockets are deeper to fit more toppings like fruit and whipped cream, and are often eaten as a dessert rather than at breakfast time. HOW DO YOU MAKE WAFFLE BATTER? A basic waffle batter contains all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, a pinch of salt and some vanilla extract. Whisk your wet and dry ingredients into separate bowls and then stir them together until combined. Leave the batter to sit and thicken for about five minutes. Pour the batter into the waffle maker, close the lid and cook according to the manufacturer's instructions. When ready, serve with your favourite condiments, like syrup, butter, fruit or chocolate sauce. If you want to make Belgian waffles, just replace the flour with active dry yeast, use warm milk instead of chilled and let it rise in the fridge overnight rather than resting for a few minutes. IS IT BETTER TO MAKE YOUR OWN WAFFLE BATTER OR USE A STORE BOUGHT MIX? There is no right or wrong answer to this and it all comes down to personal preference. You're in complete control of everything that goes into your own batter. You can choose your ideal flavours and textures and use fresh ingredients to avoid preservatives and additives. You'll also be able to tailor it to your diet, using gluten-free or dairy-free products. The downside is the time it takes to whip up, needing to stock up on all of the ingredients beforehand and there's often more to clean up. Store bought waffle mix is super simple and quick. Most just need some water added and a bit of a mix or stir and it's ready to go. And each time you use it, you'll get the same delicious result. However, many of these mixes use preservatives and additives rather than fresh and natural ingredients. They are also harder to tweak to suit your preferred taste and texture. WHICH TYPE OF WAFFLE MAKER IS BEST? There are a few different types of waffle machines on the market to choose from, each with their own pros and cons that can make them more or less suitable to your kitchen and cooking needs. Classic waffle makers: Produces thin, American style waffles The waffles are usually round or square Are usually smaller and more compact Belgian waffle makers: Makes larger and thicker waffles with an airy texture Are bigger and take up more space in your kitchen Can take longer to cook due to the thickness Vertical waffle makers: Are less likely to leak or overflow Thinner design allows for easy storage Usually only produces Belgian style waffles Interchangeable and removable plate waffle makers: A versatile kitchen appliance to cook multiple types of food Often easier to clean Not specifically designed for waffles, so may not produce the most consistent results CAN YOU BUY A ROTATING WAFFLE MAKER? While rotating or flip waffle makers are still very popular overseas, it is harder to get your hands on one in Australia. This is mainly because most manufacturers internationally make 110 volt waffle machines, whereas Australian appliances use 240V. There has been a recent resurgence in rotating waffle makers after Meghan Markle used a Cuisinart WAF-F30 Round Flip Belgian Waffle Maker on her lifestyle and cooking show With Love, Meghan. It is available on Amazon US, but you will need to pay for shipping and buy an adaptor to use it. The Duraprès Fill N' Flip is one of the best quality flippable waffle maker you can buy in Australia, and is a great alternative, as we found in our tests. CAN YOU COOK WAFFLES ON A STOVE? The short answer is no. Unless your frying pan has waffles plates or wells, you'll be making pancakes instead. Stovetop waffles makers do exist in the form of a waffle iron. They are not as popular as regular waffle makers and requires a lot more effort. You need to hold the iron over the stove and manually flip it over so it cooks evenly on both sides. WHAT ARE THE BEST CONDIMENTS TO EAT WITH WAFFLES? There are no rules to what you can put on your waffles and what tastes the best – it all comes down to what you enjoy most. If you're looking for some inspiration, here are some of the most popular sweet toppings and condiments to use: Maple syrup Butter Whipped cream Ice cream Honey Lemon juice and sugar Fresh fruit, including banana, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries Fruit compote or jam Chocolate sauce or Nutella If you're less of a sweet tooth and are after something more savoury, you can try some of these: Bacon and eggs Avocado Fried chicken Cheese Cream cheese Smoke salmon Sautéed mushrooms Grilled tomatoes More Coverage 'Excellent' coffee machine that's a bargain buy Sellout drink bottle that's 'worth every cent' More kitchen content: Best pancake makers Best rice cookers Best stick blenders Looking for more amazing kitchen appliances to improve your cooking process and make a delicious breakfast? Sign up to our free checkout newsletter to get the latest on all the newest best products as well as the biggest deals and sales events. Rosalyn Fannin Shopping Writer Rosalyn has been working as a shopping writer and producer since 2022, and joined the team in November 2024. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Communications and Media from The University of Notre Dame in 2020. She is an expert in helping buyers get the best bang for their buck and make quality investments, covering a wide range of products - from appliances and tech to fashion and beauty. Her previous media experience includes over three years writing for 9Product Reviews and at Nine Entertainment as well as interning at 2GB and Seven Network. In her downtime, Rosalyn plays The Sims, watches netball and spends time with her nephews, niece and cats.
Buzz Feed
17-04-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
35 Products That Are Total Perfectionists And Yield Amazing Results
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 · Call these products Leslie Knope because they're getting the job done and doing it right. 1. A fast-acting lawn repair formula designed to revitalize your patchy yard after your dog has done a number on it. It helps with regrowth and has a special salt neutralizer that can minimize the effects of salts from dog urine. Now Fido can do his thing, and you can still have a pristine backyard to relax in. Promising review:"I used this in the spring to fill out our lawn more, and it worked great! I was worried because I feel like you always hear grass seed horror stories, but I just raked our lawn good, spread seeds all over, and watered it once (sometimes twice) per day and it filled the lawn in beautifully!" — Mariah Get it from Amazon for $16.44. 2. A bottle of Howard Products Feed-N-Wax wood polish and conditioner to give your furniture an impossibly lustrous shine previously never seen in your home. The carnauba wax and beeswax enhance and protect your wood from drying out, so you can keep your great-grandmother's rocking chair in tip-top shape with just a few swipes. Many reviewers started by using Restor-A-Finsh to blend out minor scratches before finishing with the Feed-N-Wax. It's as simple as wiping on and off! Promising review:"I got this product a few hours ago from Amazon and now have shiny floors! It gave the really dull hardwood floors of my prewar NYC apartment an impressive shine. Really impressive. A little goes a long way: I used only about two ounces to shine about 500 square feet of clean floors. Before using it on the floors, I tested the polish on an old wooden side table that is scarred and needs sanding. It looked a lot better afterwards." — KindleCustomer2 Get it from Amazon for $10.47+ (available in three sizes). 3. A clothes folding board because everyone knows the last leg of doing laundry is the very worst part. This retail worker tool can tear through a whole pile of tees in just minutes, transforming clothing piles into drawer-ready squares. Promising review:"Let me start off with this: I hate folding laundry. I absolutely hate it. I've seen this thing all over social media. I decided to try it out, and OH. MY. GOSH. I freaking love it! It's super easy to use, and my clothes are perfectly folded every time. As weird as it sounds, I actually look forward to folding my laundry now. I wish I had purchased this sooner! I like the design it has, and I love how compact it is. After I'm finished folding my laundry, I just fold up the folding board and tuck it away! It's lightweight and seems durable. I recommend this to everyone, even those who hate folding clothes. I was skeptical at first, but after trying it out, I am 100% satisfied with my purchase and this product! It's worth every penny!" — Kayli Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in five colors). 4. A powerful callus remover in case your heels are looking a little too much like a desert. Just marinate your feet in the gel for 5–10 minutes, then follow up with a foot rasp. The smooth result will make even babies jealous. Promising reviews:"I don't remember the last time I wrote a positive review on a product! This gel was amazing. My feet are baby smooth, and I'm very satisfied with this product; I would recommend this to anybody! True results with just ONE application. Buy it, seriously you will not regret it." – april "I cannot believe how well this product works. My husband has, by far, the worst calluses I've ever seen. After some persuading, he le me give him a pedicure using this product. The results are unreal. I would give this product 10 stars if I could." — Amanda Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three scents; also available as a two-pack or with a file). 5. An Elizavecca collagen coating hair protein treatment that takes your dry, tired hair and turns it into the silky-soft locks you've always wanted. Just apply it to wet hair after shampooing, wait five minutes, rinse, and wonder why all hair treatments don't work this well. Promising review:"My hair used to be really soft, and then I discovered hot tools and hair dye. While my hair looks good I really missed the soft texture. This works so well. There are no instructions on the box but I washed my hair with my usual shampoo, towel-dried it, worked about two quarter-sized dollops through my hair, let it sit for 20 minutes and then rinsed out. I went to bed with wet hair, which usually results in my hair being kind of tangled and rough looking, but I woke up and my hair was as soft and silky as it was before I started coloring it. I'm totally in love with this product, I have long, fine hair but this doesn't leave it greasy or weigh it down. I'll definitely buy again." — Ellie Get it from Amazon for $12.50. 6. The Pink Stuff, an all-purpose paste that you can use to clean basically any surface — it works on everything from marble and wood to rubber boots and car steering wheels. Wasting time scrubbing will be a thing of the past. And the future? Sparkly clean items as far as the eye can see. Promising review:"Oh my gosh — this stuff is a life changer! Used it to get my fiberglass shower totally clean. Nothing else would get it done, and this stuff brought my shower back to near new in one use. We've since cleaned a weird, chalky film off our garage door, removed wall markings, and cleaned my storm door. We'll never be without a jar (or three) of this stuff. Worth every penny." — Nancy F. Get it from Amazon for $5.97. 7. A Kerasal fungal nail renewal formula to revitalize your tootsies by thickening nails and reducing discoloration. Feel free to plan to wear open-toed shoes next week — reviewers started noticing a visible difference within days. To use, you just apply a thin layer twice a day (morning and night) to the affected area and under the edge of the nail for a week — after that, switch to applying once per day at night. Promising review: 'I tried EVERYTHING! I tried tree tea oil for years and various different products. Nothing worked. The reviews were so great on this that I decided to try to cure it one more time. But when you have had a condition for 35 years, you aren't too hopeful! I followed the suggestions of some of the reviewers and cut my toenails (I only had it on my big toes) everywhere that the fungus was present. Even below the quick. I started applying this gel, which is super easy to use. I swear to you that I noticed a difference after one application. ' — WIAPilot Get it from Amazon for $13.33 (also available with a file). 8. A blessedly effective, pet-safe carpet cleaner capable of turning your brown carpet into whatever color it was when you bought it without having to invest several hours into a scrub session. It works with all cleaning machines, even the rental ones from the hardware store. Promising reviews:"This is a wonderful product. I have an older dog who can't always wait until I get home from work, so accidents occasionally happen. I have a Hoover Rug Scrubber, and this product is very easy to use with my machine. Carpet Miracle works amazingly well on stains and odors, even those that have set for a while. I did the carpet in the 'room of shame' twice just to be sure, although for normal soil and odors, once should be more than enough. It leaves behind a wonderfully clean, fresh scent, and the carpet feels and looks wonderful. I plan on continuing to use this product to keep my carpets clean and my home smelling fresh." — Vicky Faurot "I wish I could give it 100 stars. I have never really did a review on here but I had to today. This is the best carpet cleaner I have ever used hands down, love it." — cliffcharles Get it from Amazon for $19.99. 9. A nail and cuticle oil to bring life back to your damaged nails, even if you did something really bad like — gasp! — peel off a gel manicure. Bonus: Reviewers say the oil smells amazing, so be prepared for people to compliment your "perfume." This oil has jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and vitamin E to help promote strong nails and soften cuticles. Promising review:"I had peeling, weak nails for years. Tried everything. I bought this in February. This size bottle lasted a bit more than a month, religiously applying it two to three times a day. I was really seeing great improvement so I bought another bottle in late March. By May, all the peeling had grown out, and my nails were getting stronger every day. I then bought the big four-ounce refill bottle because I never want to run out of it again! Cannot recommend this stuff enough!" — Diana Get it from Amazon for $9.90+ (available in three sizes). 10. A bottle of Bio-Clean, a hard water stain remover that obviously works, because it looks like they haven't considered their marketing or packaging since the '80s; the results do all the talking! Made with biodegradable ingredients, this solution cuts through stains, rust, and weird spots caused by mineral buildup. Picture this: opaque shower doors, soap-scummy bathtubs, stained tiles, and cloudy-looking pool floors, all suddenly glistening and shining like new. Reviewers say you still need to scrub, so arm yourself with a rigid sponge or the drill brush to speed things up. Promising reviews: "LOVE THIS! I hate cleaning my bathroom and using so many chemicals that never seem to work. I saw this product and decided to try it, and WOW it was so easy to use and worked like magic on my glass shower, shower tiles and sink/faucet. Picture 1: Before cleaning Picture 2: After cleaning glass before cleaning tile floor Picture 3: After Cleaning glass and tile floor. This is definitely a must-buy product!!!!" — Laura "Wow. Don't waste your time with any other formulation that you found online. I've literally tried EVERYTHING! The soap/vinegar/baking soda, the expensive store-bought 'hard water cleaners.' I've scrubbed for HOURS! But this…. This product is like magic. It's kind of like a paste that you can rub on with a microfiber towel, and the hard water stains literally just RUB OFF. Like butter! Seriously the easiest option I have tried yet. I stopped within the first five minutes of cleaning to do this review because I'm in shock, lol. Coming from someone who never writes reviews! Take that as a sign to buy this immediately. What a game changer; I'm mad I'm just now finding this stuff." — _kayla_carter Get it from Amazon for $17.99. 11. E.l.f Lash XTNDR Tubing Mascara, which creates tubing around your lashes to make them appear longer, thicker, and darker. The lightweight "extensions" won't smudge or weigh down your actual lashes and — best of all — they fall right off when you wash your face. No one likes having to scrub their eyes raw trying to get off waterproof makeup. :( Check out a TikTok of the E.l.f. tubing mascara in action. BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord loves this mascara and says: " I am not a new human to the tubing mascara game, and in fact readily spent $26 on the famous OG blend from Blinc every time it needed replacing. I didn't even love it for the length half as much as the fact that tubing mascara like this genuinely never smudges, but can I just say — regardless of price, the E.l.f. tubing mascara formula blows all the others I've tried out of the water. It gives me way more length and volume than other brands, slides on so much more easily, stays put ALL day, and never, ever smudges. My favorite part, though, is how gently and easily it comes off with soap and water. In the past, other mascara removals have felt rough on my lashes, but this comes off so fast that I'm like ??? was I even wearing mascara a minute ago?? Anyway, I hesitate even writing this review because I want to gatekeep the hell out of this before it sells out, but the world needed to know. I'm a big fan of the brown shade (which is what I'm wearing above!), but it also comes in black and soft black." Get it from Amazon for $7 (available in three shades). 12. A game-changing veggie chopper that will make quick work of your prepwork. Just add your veggies, slam down the lid, enjoy perfectly chopped produce, and then throw the device in the dishwasher when you're done. Now you'll be crying tears of joy instead of tears from onion cutting. Check out a TikTok of the veggie chopper in action. Promising review:"This is one of my absolute favorite kitchen tools! This is right up there with my stand mixer. I save hours a week using this for dinner prep. I HATE cutting up veggies for dinner, and this makes it fast and fun! I can't believe I didn't buy one years ago. This is worth every penny. Easy to use, and I can just throw it in my dishwasher for clean up. I'm obsessed. I will be buying these as gifts. This is an absolute must-have for everyone." — Reviewer Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in four sizes, three colors, and in additional styles). 13. A pack of washing machine cleaning tablets designed to attack built-up detergent scum, dirt, and general grossness so your clothes can get as clean as possible. Throw in a tablet, run a normal wash cycle, and congratulate yourself on a chore well done. Promising review: "I didn't think I would ever be so excited about such a thing as washing machine cleaning tablets. I also never realized how dirty my washing machine was. It now sparkles, doesn't smell musty, and has removed so much gunk from around the drum/gasket. You should get these." — AVDW Get a pack of six from Amazon for $11.98 (also available in packs of three and five). 14. And a dishwasher cleaner and disinfectant to help make the thing that cleans your clean. Its citrusy formula helps remove limescale, rust, grease, and other nasty buildup so your machine can run more efficiently, and you don't have to pick up the slack. Read our review of Affresh cleaning tablets! Promising reviews:"I'm so glad I discovered this cleanser. The plumbing backed up…the smell lingered after several cycles with bleach, baking soda, vinegar, and dishwasher detergent. I almost gave in to purchasing a new dishwasher before discovering Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner. It worked after the first use. I now use it monthly." — lejay Get a pack of six tablets from Amazon for $8.98. 15. A mint-flavored teeth-whitening pen that's way more convenient than a painful trip to the dentist or an annoying attempt at the strips. Just brush your teeth with the bristled pen whenever you have a minute to work through stains and discoloration (without sensitivity, according to reviewers). Promising review:"This product actually works! Very affordable, too. There are a lot of expensive teeth whitening products out there, but why spend extra money when you don't have to? Definitely worth trying!" — Mona L Cureton Get a two-pack from Amazon for $18.95. 16. Silver cleaning wipes because the last thing you need is a set of dirty silverware ~tarnishing~ your reputation. These ammonia-free wipes offer long-lasting shine, protect items from scratching, and are soooo much easier to use than polishing pastes. I've used these and can confirm they work super fast! Promising review:"It is very uncommon for me to write a review but this product is amazing. My family's silverware had not been polished in the 15 years since I married my husband. The only time I ever polished anything before it was messy and smelly and took forever. Therefore I didn't have any interest in polishing something that we weren't using. I decided to try these wipes because the price was reasonable. They are easy to use and do a wonderful job! The silverware looks silver! I used four wipes to polish a service of eight, and it took me about 20 minutes. I highly recommend this product!" — Kehrli Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $9.88. 17. Hope's Perfect Sink solution that cleans and then basically creates a water-repellant force field over your sink to protect it from stains and damage. It works on everything from stainless steel to porcelain (along with cast iron, corian, composite, acrylic, etc.), ensuring that your sink rinses clean and shines like new, no matter how many cups of coffee you pour on it. Sue Storm would approve! BuzzFeed editor Maitland Quitmeyer loves this stain-removing polish: "I bought this for my white porcelain kitchen sink, and I've since texted five people about it, which is really a lot for such a boring grown-up product. It cleans beautifully, but the *best* thing about it is its ability to repel stains after cleaning. You know that thing when you rinse out your coffee cup and the coffee water just lingers in your sink and you have to purposefully rinse it out for two minutes? You don't have to do that — the coffee can't stick to the sink and just goes RIGHT down the drain. Time saved, sink clean — this is really a Virgo dream product right here." Promising review:"Holy banana peppers! This stuff ROCKS! I hate cleaning. You clean, stuff looks okay and smells nice for like an hour, and then it's as if you've never cleaned. We have a deep stainless steel sink that I love, except for the cleaning. It never looks clean, so cleaning it isn't exactly rewarding. I mean, I clean it because germs, pandemic, etc, but I don't like anything about it. I saw this on some BuzzFeed "things you should buy on Amazon" and ordered it. And ignored it. Now, as there's a quarantine, even as an essential worker, I really have no excuse to not clean. Sigh. I splooshed some in the sink, like I did with Barkeeper's Friend liquid, and scrubbed away as usual. However, when I went to rinse, it was all sparkly and shiny and the water beaded up! I seriously made my husband and daughter come into the kitchen to look at my sparkly sink! This is the cleanest this sink has ever been, and I seriously LOVE this product! Off to order more before you all read my review and discover its true awesomeness. I didn't take any pictures before because why the hell would I do that, but believe me, the difference is amazing!!" — Amazon Customer Get the value size from Amazon for $29.95 or the smaller size for $9.95. 18. A Revlon hot air brush for when you wanna look like you have an in-home stylist at your beck and call. Glossy, effortless waves are just a few brushes away! Promising reviews:"I am a licensed cosmetologist of 30+ years, and I couldn't be more pleased! Salon-perfect, shiny, bouncy blowouts! 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 "This review is for all the Black women looking for a good blow dryer for their hair. I have 4C (mainly) natural hair and got tired of using the regular dryers because they made my arms tired. I have thick, long hair, so blowdrying takes forever for me. This blow dryer was wonderful. I didn't even have to detangle before using it, and it dried my hair very nicely. I love it so much. My only complaint is it is bigger than I expected it to be. A little bulky, but I will get used to it. Overall, I am loving this hair dryer so far and am glad I made the investment." — Johniece Elbert Get it from Amazon for $32.43+ (available in three styles and five colors). 19. A rapid egg cooker that makes *perfect* eggs every single time, whether they're hardboiled, omelets, poached, or scrambled. Chef-level breakfast is a button press away. Promising review:"I was skeptical when I ordered it but use it constantly. I live in barracks and do not have a stove. I bought it for boiled eggs but use it much more for breakfast burritos. Super easy. Butter tray, put in egg and water, press the button, and walk away. By time I'm dressed for work it's ready. Throw it in a tortilla and walk out with it. More nutritious than Pop-Tarts. It does hard-boiled eggs well but don't assume thats all its good for. Great for college kids, military people, traveling workers, or anyone without access to a full kitchen." — a.l.s Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes and four colors). Check out our Dash Rapid Egg Cooker review for more deets! 20. Anua heartleaf pore-clearing cleansing oil, an over-achieving first step in your double cleansing routine. It dissolves makeup, attacks blackheads, and works to remove excess sebum without stripping away natural oils or drying out your skin. Gross but intriguing: Reviewers say that they could actually see the gunk leaving their skin. The heartleaf extract soothes sensitive and acne-prone skin. The brand recommends you follow this up with a foaming cleanser! Promising review:"This is my first time ordering an oil-based cleanser and I'm so glad I purchased this one. I originally saw this product on TikTok and wanted to see what the hype was all about. After using the cleanser on my dry face for two to three minutes, I could visibly see my white- and blackheads on my fingers. I was a little hesitant to try oil cleansing because I have acne-prone skin, however, my face has never looked better. After each use, my face is as soft as a baby's bottom and my scarring doesn't look as deep! The cleanser has a light clean scent. Not super strong! I am currently pairing this cleanser with the Anua Heartleaf soothing toner to achieve glass skin. #glassskinera" — Myshel Cagle Get it from Amazon for $17.69. 21. An easy-to-apply, one-hour self-tanner that's cheaper yet more effective than most competitors. The vegan formula is easy to blend without streaks or uneven patches, which makes it a hit with beginners. While the tan may be instant, the fade is nice and gradual. Promising reviews: 'If you use St. Tropez tan products or any fake tanner, do yourself a favor and try this. This stuff is AWESOME. Dries quickly, lasts longer, does NOT make your skin stinky, applies evenly, and you get a fair amount of product!! Other tanners I've used become VERY noticeable when they start fading. Gross hand lines, patchy white spots, etc., but not this stuff. The best one-hour tan I have ever used!' — Amazon Customer "I wish I had taken a photo of my results but I was so excited that I forgot. Anyone who says it doesn't work just isn't doing it right. Super even color. Not orange. I LOVE IT. 10/5 stars!" — Meg Get it from Amazon for $8.50+ (available in 10 styles). 22. A dog paw-cleaning device to keep Spot's feet squeaky clean, because you can't exactly put hand sanitizer on a dog. (Seriously, do not do that.) Fill the tube up with soapy water and let the soft bristles thoroughly clean your pup's muddy paws. Promising review:"Best. Thing. Ever. This product works like a charm. It gets the sand from between their pads and is gentle enough that even my most stubborn pup tolerates it! I have a terrier/schnauzer who likes to dig, a mini golden doodle who is prissy about her paws, and a standard Labradoodle puppy who is still very fuzzy. We have a farm where it is extremely sandy and we stay in a travel trailer. The amount of sand they were tracking into the camper was ridiculous. It takes me three minutes to clean and dry off all of their paws. Seriously, the best purchase I have made!" — Rachel Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three sizes and eight colors). 23. Ohora semi-cured nail strips offering a professional-looking manicure, even if your past at-home attempts yielded less-than-stellar results. Apply them like stickers, seal them under a UV lamp, and you're done! These waterproof strips will look and feel like a gel manicure and last up to two weeks. And grab an easy peel remover for when it's time to retire the look. Promising review: "Love these nails! The picture is them after a week (still going strong)! I put them on for my honeymoon. I've been in the ocean for hours, and they are not showing any wear. They took maybe 15 minutes to apply — I did use a gel top coat and I think that helped keep them from chipping this long. Will be buying more!" — Amazon Customer Get them from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 38 colors). 24. A pack of carborundum sponges — YES, the stuff they make bulletproof vest plates out of — because tough jobs require tough solutions. Just dip one of these in water and start scouring — the nano-particles will get to work scraping off ancient stains in your kitchen, garage, or outdoors. The high density sponges are squishy on the inside with an emery layer on the outside. They can be cut into smaller chunks for cleaning nooks and crannies. Promising review: "Nice and thin. You'll find so many more uses for these around the house than just getting stuff off the underside of cookware! I had hard, scaly water deposits on the glass surrounding our powder room faucet (one of those fancy, highfalutin modern-looking things). I've tried everything for four years to get this stuff off. One day I thought, maybe I'll try my sponges. Took it all off super easily!!!! Faucet looks like new. My only rec is to spot-test your item first before using it because it will scratch certain surfaces if you scrub too aggressively (for example, it gets the burned-on, weird stuff off of the bottom of my fave Our Place pan, but I rubbed too hard in one spot and it took the color right off lol)." — Hoarder Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in two sponge thicknesses). 25. A Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener to expertly conceal and brighten dark circles under your eyes. The lightweight, color-adapting formula blends so seamlessly under makeup that your old concealer will throw itself out. Bonus: They just released two new shades, so people with darker complexions can finally try it! Promising review: "Took years off my eyes! This product is so reasonably priced. I came across a TikTok promoting this and decided to take a chance since the price was super reasonable. My eyes looked brighter in a good way, and the concealer worked so well that I felt I looked younger. I got compliments from friends asking what I did differently with my makeup. I recommend it." — Monica T. Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in four shades). 26. Dawn Powerwash, an impressive spray-on dish soap capable of giving you those clean swipes through nightmarish messes previously only seen in commercials. Spray this on dishes, but you can also use it to tackle dirty range hoods, backsplashes, bathtubs, grills, or anywhere else with caked-on food or dirt. Just spray on (don't add water until you rinse!) and wipe. Promising reviews: "What doesn't it do? I absolutely love this product. It works great on dishes and pretty much anything you want to clean! Soap scum; gone! Laundry stains; bye! Baseboards/woodwork sparkle! Sneakers, yup! I hate cleaning, so anything that makes it easier. ❤️" — Kimba " The only dish soap allowed in my household. 😅 JK, I have used other different types, and this is the only one that has worked amazingly in all my cleaning. Not only do I use it on my dishes but to clean my bathroom, husband's grill, and everything else that needs a good cleaning." — Lizbeth LF Get the starter kit (with one reusable spray bottle and one refill) from Amazon for $8.44 (also available in other pack styles and two other scents). 27. A piercing bump solution made with oils, including jojoba, grapeseed, and rose, to help gradually reduce the appearance of bumps and scars. Now that keloids can be managed, it might be time for that cartilage piercing you've always wanted. This product does not promise to work overnight. Apply this daily two to three times a day as long as needed. Be sure to be patient as the healing process takes time! Talk to your doctor before attempting to treat your keloid on your own, and learn more about keloids from Cleveland Clinic. Promising review: "This product is amazing!! Truly a miracle product. I had an AWFUL keloid bump forming near my nose piercing about six weeks after getting it done, and it was just getting bigger and more irritated by the day; nothing was helping. I bought this stuff and started using it, and in less than two weeks, my huge keloid was completely gone! I was definitely skeptical and a little nervous when it didn't seem to be getting noticeably smaller after a week, but then the second week, it started totally disappearing, so make sure to give it some time to work if your bump is on the larger side. If you remain patient and apply it twice a day, it should do the trick! Also smells pretty good, definitely no bothersome or overwhelming scent, which is appreciated in a product that I'm applying on the nose area." — Jordan Caprigno Get it from Amazon for $12.85 (also available in multipacks). 28. White caulk tape if you've noticed (and proceeded to ignore) some cracks in your previous caulk job. Use the waterproof sealing tape to fill in gaps before they get any worse and unwanted guests see the bug equivalent of a vacancy sign. Reviewers say this is easier and cleaner looking than liquid caulk, so there's no excuse to keep putting this off! Promising review: "I recently used this toilet sealing tape to give my bathroom a cleaner, more polished look, and I couldn't be happier with the results! The tape adheres perfectly to the base of the toilet, creating a seamless and professional finish. It's durable, water-resistant, and keeps dirt and moisture from accumulating in hard-to-clean areas. Installation was simple and hassle free, with no mess or fuss. The bright white color complements the flooring beautifully, enhancing the overall aesthetic of my bathroom. This tape is a game changer for anyone looking to add a neat and protective barrier around their toilet. Highly recommended!" — Hayden Scott Get a roll from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two colors and three lengths). 29. Juno & Co.'s Clean 10 Cleansing Balm made with a blend of pearl barley and vitamin E to completely obliterate every speck of makeup on your face. Seriously, you'll feel so fresh and baby-faced, you'll wonder if that eyeliner was really as smudge-proof as you previously thought. Amazon, Juno & Co. is a small business specializing in personal care and skincare products. Promising review:"I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!!!! I found it on TikTok, and OMG!! It works so well. I don't have to sit there and rub the crap out of my eyelashes to get the waterproof mascara off. I will admit it doesn't take 100% of the makeup off, but about 95% of my makeup comes off. It is not water-resistant, as emulsifying it with water helps take the makeup off. I have not found a better makeup remover, and yes, that includes Micellar Water (which also works well but leaves my skin feeling oily). With this cleansing balm, my face feels hydrated and smooth. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!!!! 1000/10 would recommend!!!" — Deetje Frederick Get it from Amazon for $14.99. 30. A magnetic necklace detangling clasp because those #neckmess pictures look soooo cute on Instagram, but never seem to work for you IRL. This contraption will keep everyone in line instead of tangling into a ball and becoming a true mess. Amanda Davis / BuzzFeed Promising review: "This is my second one! Love it so much since it can keep my necklaces safe and untangled with its strong magnet. Safe me so much time layering all the necklaces I have. Literally takes one second to put on!" — Nichole Li Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in gold, rose gold, and silver, and with two or three clasps). 31. A Chom Chom pet hair remover if you'd prefer your furniture to be fur-free. It has a sticky roller (no wasteful adhesive strips) that clings to hair and deposits it into a built-in compartment. You can tell Fido to stay off the couch all you want, but dogs don't speak Human! Instead, use this super effective reusable roller to reclaim your seating. Promising review:"Where has this been all my cat-loving life? Sticky rollers work fine for clothes, but this is the only product that has ever COMPLETELY removed all the cat hair from my bed. I have a long-haired 20-pound tabby, and if you run your hands up his back a few times and fling the hair everywhere, it looks like it's snowing — he never stops shedding no matter what I do. After using the ChomChom, I can put on a black dress and roll around on my bed and not get a single hair on me. It's absolutely amazing. Everyone is getting one for Christmas, even if they don't have a pet. I don't care — it's THAT good." — DH Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in three colors). 32. An eyeliner with a wing-shaped stamp so you can just stamp on your cat-eye liner and feel like you hired Adele's makeup artist. No more erasing and retrying one million times! Lovoir Beauty is a small biz based in New Zealand that sells this genius winged eyeliner stamp known as The Flick Stick. Promising review:"I just want to make my morning routine as easy as possible. I love winged liner, but I don't have the steady hand for it without mistakes. This makes the perfect and consistent wing every time. Love it!" — Julie B Get it from Amazon for $14.97 (available in three sizes or a combo style). 33. A Conair handheld steamer that I personally swear by for turning wrinkly balls of fabric back into the pristine garments they were before you left them in the bottom of your closet. It heats up quickly and removes wrinkles in minutes. And you really can't beat the price for how effective it is. I originally bought this steamer for my wedding three years ago, and it's still going strong! It heats up in about a minute and does a great job working through tough wrinkles. It's super small, so it's perfect for one or two garments. Just be careful not to overfill it — it seriously only needs like a splash of water. Promising review: "This steamer was a lifesaver. It can fix any wrinkled clothes or bent fabric props and make a tough wig a breeze to work with and style. I highly recommend. It does have a small water capacity, but you can work with it for a decent amount of time. Definitely good for the price point." — Alexa Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three colors and also a "travel smart" version). 34. Or if you wanna be really speedy, a bottle of Downy wrinkle release spray you can just spray on and watch the wrinkles magically vamoose. Promising review:"This stuff is the bomb dot com. You just spray it on your clothes, smooth out the clothes with your hands quickly, wait a few minutes and the clothes are wrinkle-free! I hate ironing, so this is magic. Obviously, it won't work on hard creases but wrinkles from the dryer, for example, it will get rid of." — J. Larsen Get two bottles and a mini from Amazon for $16.99 (also available in other multipacks). 35. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum body cream loved by Zoomers for its incredible smell and powerful hydration powers. The formula uses caffeine-packed guarana extract and coconut oil to help firm and moisturize skin, leaving it glowing and smelling like a tropical getaway. @soldejaniero / Via Caffeine has a number of skincare benefits, including brightening and temporarily reducing the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite, if that's something you're looking to do. You can read more about the skincare benefits of caffeine at the Cleveland Clinic. Promising review:"I bought this for the first time a few years ago to replace the body lotion I had previously used for years and years. While more expensive, I was willing to try Bum Bum cream based on the previous reviews. And it has not disappointed! Not too thick. Not sticky. And the smell is amazing. I get told many times a week how good I smell." — Libby Solomon Get it from Amazon for $24+ (available in two sizes). Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What is Galentine's Day and how you can celebrate
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – It's officially Galentine's Day, which is the perfect time for women to appreciate their friendships. Valentine's Day: How to keep your furry friends safe Galentine's Day is celebrated on February 13, when women commemorate their friendships before Valentine's Day, according to Good Housekeeping. Galentine's Day came to be because of Amy Poehler's character, Leslie Knope, in Parks and Recreation. She debuted this holiday in 2010 in an episode to celebrate her female friends on Feb. 13, otherwise known as Valentine's Day Eve. Even Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll will be celebrating Galentine's Day by attending Senate President Spilka's Galentine's Day Celebration at 7:00 p.m. at City Winery in Boston. If you and your friends are looking for things to do on Galentine's Day, Good Housekeeping provides some ideas: Invite your friends to bring unused makeup products to sell or swap so that everyone can have the right beauty essentials to put their best face forward. Take the day to food hop, where you can try popular menu picks at different restaurants or even bars. Coffee dates are casual, inexpensive, and are also a super cute Galentine's Day idea for catching up. Host the date at home or your favorite coffee spot nearby. Encouraging friends to find pieces related to Valentine's Day is a great way to keep people engaged. Bowling is a fun choice to keep conversations going, and it is a challenge that will delight anyone with a competitive streak. Wine and chocolate make a great combination. Include the night with various options and enjoy a night of laughter and fun. Brunch is an excuse for friends to have fun, relax and enjoy delicious food presented to them. Exploring outdoors is a great way to feel refreshed while connecting with your circle of friends, and some parks are even decorated for the holiday. Since Galentine's and Valentine's Day are all about caring for others, connect with local organizations to help those in need. Book a space or gather your own materials and have friends bring their favorite drinks for an at-home art session. Spa days can be essential to your mental and physical well-being, so host an at-home spa party with masks and lotion galore, or even plan a trip to the spa with your girls for the day. During the party, take time out for your friends to write appreciation notes because Galentine's Day is about celebrating your loving friendships. Sharing the qualities you admire most about your friends will bring happiness and tons of 'aww' moments. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
It's Galentine's Day: Here's how Americans are making – and keeping
It's Galentine's Day: Here's how Americans are making – and keeping – friendships Show Caption Hide Caption Valentine's Day date: Choose adorable shelter pets for one night Looking for friendship this Valentine's Day? You can have a sleepover with single cats and dogs from Best Friends Animal Society. Fifteen years ago, Leslie Knope, a character on the hit TV series "Parks and Recreation," introduced a new way of celebrating love: Galentine's Day. "It's only the best day of the year,' the character played by Amy Pohler said in a 2010 episode. "Every February 13, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it breakfast style. Ladies celebrating ladies.' Fast-forward more than a decade and Galentine's Day – along with the gender neutral Palentine's Day – has become a Hallmark-recognized holiday. It's observed across the U.S. to honor the critical role friendship plays in our lives. To some, celebrating platonic love with pink and red paraphernalia and gatherings among friends might seem silly. Irene Irving, a psychologist and author of the book 'Best Friends Forever: Surviving A Breakup with Your Best Friend' told USA TODAY some Americans view non-romantic relationships as more "discretionary' parts of their lives. 'It seemed like the last thing on your agenda after your family and your work. It was almost seen as self-indulgent,' she said. But as self-reported feelings of loneliness have increased in U.S., Irving argued acceptance of the once fictitious holiday points to the importance of non-romantic relationships. Here's what to know about how Americans are making – and keeping – their friendships this Galentine's Day. How many friends do Americans have? A July 2024 report published by The American Friendship Project found that people today have a similar number of friends as they did a half-century ago. Americans, on average, have four or five friends, according to the multi-year survey fielded between 2022 and 2023 among nearly 6,000 adults. More than 92% of participants reported having at least one friend. More: What is Galentine's Day? Ideas for celebrating the Valentine's Day alternative with your besties Natalie Pennington, one of the co-authors of the study, suggested the average number of friends has remained stagnant because of something called Dunbar's number. The theory by British anthropologist Robin Dunbar asserts humans can only handle about 150 relationships at one time and only about 5 close loved ones. 'Seeing that people have kind of similar network sizes points to that capacity we have for connection,' Pennington said. Though Americans have generally reported similar numbers of friends in recent years, experts say loneliness has worsened. In 2023, the U.S. surgeon general's office released an advisory calling loneliness and isolation an epidemic. So how have Americans maintained a similar number of friends over the last 50 years while also reporting record levels of loneliness? One potential issue: While most Americans – 75% – surveyed by the American Friendship Project said they were satisfied with their number of friends, more than 40% said they didn't feel as close as they'd like. More than half weren't satisfied with the amount of time they spent with friends. That's not surprising. Americans on average are spending less time today with their friends than in the past. Data from the American Time Study, conducted annually by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, shows that between 2003 and 2013 Americans spent an average of 7 hours a week with friends. By 2021, that dwindled to less than three hours a week. Pennington suggested the disconnect in closeness could be a result of people not prioritizing their relationships – whether because of competing obligations, like work, or other cultural factors, such as the rise in social media usage. The COVID-19 pandemic also recently played a role in limiting the amount of time people were able to spend with their friends in person. How do Americans make friends? Typically, people meet their closest lifelong friends through work and school, said Levine, who founded the Friendship Blog. But the COVID-19 pandemic closed those spaces for years. Some workplaces shut down permanently, shrinking the areas people could go to find new face-to-face connections. Finding new friends has become more challenging for many. About half of respondents to the American Friendship Project survey said they found it difficult to make new friends. That doesn't mean kids aren't meeting their best friends on the playground – or that American adults aren't making lasting friends at all. After all, about 75% of adults who say they have multiple close friends told the Pew Research Center in a report published last month that they connect with buddies at least a few times a week, whether online, via text and call or in person. Digital sites like Bumble BFF and Meetup have also sought to close the gap by helping people find each other where they are – online. Experts told USA TODAY the sites have become so-called 'third place' meeting spots, or social locations outside of home and work for people to make initial connections. Danielle Bayard Jackson, author of 'Fighting for our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Relationships,' said those friendship-making apps are 'meeting the moment,' particularly for Generation Z and other young Americans. The apps, Jackson said, help young people forge new relationships that they can quickly transition from the digital sphere to real life. For instance, Meetup, which connects people through shared hobbies, said it saw a 37% uptick in event registrations between January 2021 and 2023. A survey commissioned by Bumble in 2023 found that 66% of Gen Z respondents said they met their friends online, compared to 38% across age groups who said the same. Hunter Hamrick was among those who tested out online apps to make friends in 2023. In January of that year, Hamrick, now 32, created a Dungeons and Dragons group on Meetup for people in the Washington area. A contractor for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Hamrick said he was hoping at the time to fulfill a New Years resolution of making more friends. When it began, Hamrick said the group had 20 to 30 people – some of whom were friends he had asked to join so he 'didn't look like a social pariah.' This year, Hamrick said the group surpassed 2,000 members. The gaming group has allowed him and his partner to expand their social circle and 'strengthen bonds' with people they already knew. They even recently attended the wedding of somebody they met playing Dungeons and Dragons. 'It's been really cool to see groups of people meet at the happy hours, and now, like, they're really good friends,' Hamrick said. 'People are just like, looking for an excuse to socialize.'
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
It's Galentine's Day: Here's how Americans are making – and keeping
Fifteen years ago, Leslie Knope, a character on the hit TV series "Parks and Recreation," introduced a new way of celebrating love: Galentine's Day. "It's only the best day of the year,' the character played by Amy Pohler said in a 2010 episode. "Every February 13, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it breakfast style. Ladies celebrating ladies.' Fast-forward more than a decade and Galentine's Day – along with the gender neutral Palentine's Day – has become a Hallmark-recognized holiday. It's observed across the U.S. to honor the critical role friendship plays in our lives. To some, celebrating platonic love with pink and red paraphernalia and gatherings among friends might seem silly. Irene Irving, a psychologist and author of the book 'Best Friends Forever: Surviving A Breakup with Your Best Friend' told USA TODAY some Americans view non-romantic relationships as more "discretionary' parts of their lives. 'It seemed like the last thing on your agenda after your family and your work. It was almost seen as self-indulgent,' she said. But as self-reported feelings of loneliness have increased in U.S., Irving argued acceptance of the once fictitious holiday points to the importance of non-romantic relationships. Here's what to know about how Americans are making – and keeping – their friendships this Galentine's Day. A July 2024 report published by The American Friendship Project found that people today have a similar number of friends as they did a half-century ago. Americans, on average, have four or five friends, according to the multi-year survey fielded between 2022 and 2023 among nearly 6,000 adults. More than 92% of participants reported having at least one friend. More: What is Galentine's Day? Ideas for celebrating the Valentine's Day alternative with your besties Natalie Pennington, one of the co-authors of the study, suggested the average number of friends has remained stagnant because of something called Dunbar's number. The theory by British anthropologist Robin Dunbar asserts humans can only handle about 150 relationships at one time and only about 5 close loved ones. 'Seeing that people have kind of similar network sizes points to that capacity we have for connection,' Pennington said. Though Americans have generally reported similar numbers of friends in recent years, experts say loneliness has worsened. In 2023, the U.S. surgeon general's office released an advisory calling loneliness and isolation an epidemic. So how have Americans maintained a similar number of friends over the last 50 years while also reporting record levels of loneliness? One potential issue: While most Americans – 75% – surveyed by the American Friendship Project said they were satisfied with their number of friends, more than 40% said they didn't feel as close as they'd like. More than half weren't satisfied with the amount of time they spent with friends. That's not surprising. Americans on average are spending less time today with their friends than in the past. Data from the American Time Study, conducted annually by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, shows that between 2003 and 2013 Americans spent an average of 7 hours a week with friends. By 2021, that dwindled to less than three hours a week. Pennington suggested the disconnect in closeness could be a result of people not prioritizing their relationships – whether because of competing obligations, like work, or other cultural factors, such as the rise in social media usage. The COVID-19 pandemic also recently played a role in limiting the amount of time people were able to spend with their friends in person. Typically, people meet their closest lifelong friends through work and school, said Levine, who founded the Friendship Blog. But the COVID-19 pandemic closed those spaces for years. Some workplaces shut down permanently, shrinking the areas people could go to find new face-to-face connections. Finding new friends has become more challenging for many. About half of respondents to the American Friendship Project survey said they found it difficult to make new friends. That doesn't mean kids aren't meeting their best friends on the playground – or that American adults aren't making lasting friends at all. After all, about 75% of adults who say they have multiple close friends told the Pew Research Center in a report published last month that they connect with buddies at least a few times a week, whether online, via text and call or in person. Digital sites like Bumble BFF and Meetup have also sought to close the gap by helping people find each other where they are – online. Experts told USA TODAY the sites have become so-called 'third place' meeting spots, or social locations outside of home and work for people to make initial connections. Danielle Bayard Jackson, author of 'Fighting for our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Relationships,' said those friendship-making apps are 'meeting the moment,' particularly for Generation Z and other young Americans. The apps, Jackson said, help young people forge new relationships that they can quickly transition from the digital sphere to real life. For instance, Meetup, which connects people through shared hobbies, said it saw a 37% uptick in event registrations between January 2021 and 2023. A survey commissioned by Bumble in 2023 found that 66% of Gen Z respondents said they met their friends online, compared to 38% across age groups who said the same. Hunter Hamrick was among those who tested out online apps to make friends in 2023. In January of that year, Hamrick, now 32, created a Dungeons and Dragons group on Meetup for people in the Washington area. A contractor for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Hamrick said he was hoping at the time to fulfill a New Years resolution of making more friends. When it began, Hamrick said the group had 20 to 30 people – some of whom were friends he had asked to join so he 'didn't look like a social pariah.' This year, Hamrick said the group surpassed 2,000 members. The gaming group has allowed him and his partner to expand their social circle and 'strengthen bonds' with people they already knew. They even recently attended the wedding of somebody they met playing Dungeons and Dragons. 'It's been really cool to see groups of people meet at the happy hours, and now, like, they're really good friends,' Hamrick said. 'People are just like, looking for an excuse to socialize.' This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is Galentine's Day? What to know about friendships in the US
