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New York Times
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
How a Broadway Veteran Tackles Stains, Snaps, and Rips Backstage at Boop!
Evans's supplies, including safety pins and her neck light, are scattered on the vanity backstage at Boop! The Musical. Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter Evans stores thread, needles, scissors, pins, and other seamstress accessories in a hanging shoe rack. Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter A bottle of Bioderma micellar water, bandages, false eyelashes, and nail clippers are just a few of the tools in Evans's kit. Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter Evans examines a white satin dress that is prone to getting smudged with lipstick during costume changes. Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter Evans's supplies, including safety pins and her neck light, are scattered on the vanity backstage at Boop! The Musical. Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter The quirks of caring for individual costumes can vary wildly across shows, Evans told me. A stain on Marty McFly's puffy vest is going to call for a much different cleaning strategy than a mark on Gypsy Rose Lee's sequined bodice. 'In some shows, costumes are custom-dyed, and the priority is preserving the color,' Evans told me. Other times, she explained, the most important aspect is delicately handling fragile costumes that cannot be laundered. 'Weeks can go by between professional cleanings,' she said, 'but we still need a way to maintain a costume's fresh look.' Wardrobe supervisors and dressers like Evans rely on spot-cleaning to keep costumes looking fresh — at least from a distance. 'Onstage, we have the benefit of five feet and moving,' Evans said, explaining that stain removal for the stage does not need to be perfect. Evans leans on a number of stain removers and stain-removal techniques backstage. But for makeup stains on the Boop! costumes, she uses an unusual solvent: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water. 'Unlike some other stain removers, Bioderma dries clear — there's no discolored ring left on the costume, which makes it perfect for spot-cleaning,' she said. To remove stains using Bioderma, Evans squirts some onto a washcloth, and then she uses it to delicately rub and blot the stain. Sometimes it takes a few tries. Evans reminded me that even though this method makes a garment acceptable from a distance, it still needs to be fully cleaned eventually. Jasmine Amy Rogers (Betty Boop) and Ainsley Melham (Dwayne) in Boop! The Musical, a new production directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell and composed by David Foster, with lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, and book by Bob Martin. Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman Jasmine Amy Rogers (Betty Boop) and ensemble in Boop! The Musical, a new production directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, composed by David Foster, with lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, and book by Bob Martin. Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman Jasmine Amy Rogers (Betty Boop) and Ainsley Melham (Dwayne) in Boop! The Musical, a new production directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell and composed by David Foster, with lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, and book by Bob Martin. Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman Last summer, I tested the Bioderma method by cleaning purse liners. And I agree that it works, especially in a pinch. Bioderma isn't the only stain-removing weapon Evans wields. When working backstage at the musical Gypsy , she spot-cleaned stains using a combination of Stingray Instant Spot Remover (a fragrance-free stain remover) and — if you can believe it — cloth diapers. (It turns out that cloth diapers are actually great at mopping up excess cleaning solutions.) To clean with Stingray, Evans recommends saturating the stain with a few spritzes and then blotting excess liquid with a cloth diaper. Like the Bioderma makeup remover, Stingray also dries clear. I tested Stingray at Wirecutter, and it's quickly become a favorite. But be warned — it does contain a very small amount of ammonia, though the scent is faint and barely detectable. Stingray and other cleaners that contain a tiny bit of ammonia (less than 2%) are safe to use and nonhazardous, a representative from the American Cleaning Institute, a nonprofit trade group, told me. (Do not mix Stingray or other products containing ammonia with other cleaning products, since this could create hazardous fumes.) Stingray is not the only spray bottle you'll find in Evans's backstage lair. To manage odors lingering on costumes backstage, Evans employs a well-known industry hack: spraying them with cheap vodka. She keeps a spray bottle filled with vodka (labeled, of course) to use on any malodorous fabrics she encounters. 'There's a debate within the industry about whether or not to use vodka, but I avoid using anything with potentially irritating perfumes backstage,' Evans told us. Though the vodka initially smells, it dries scent-free and leaves no discoloration on costumes. At Wirecutter, I often use vodka as a deodorizer. It does the job and dries quickly, and it's inexpensive. For some fine fabrics — especially those that are custom-dyed and not colorfast — contact with even a small amount of fluid risks their destruction. When she's handling oil stains on such fabrics, Evans swears by the Janie Dry Stick On-the-Spot Garment Cleaner. The Janie Dry Stick is a chalky stain stick that can safely absorb oils from a range of delicate textiles, without the help of soap and water. In my informal testing at Wirecutter, I was impressed by the Janie stick's ability to handle moderate oil and grease marks on silk and satin. Writer Lesley Stockton, who is also a fan of the Janie stick, said she successfully used it to get oil stains out of a suede bag. Many actors use heavy-duty antiperspirants onstage because of the hot spotlights. Deodorant stains can be a chore to manage. But Evans has an ingenious hack for tackling deodorant residue on the costumes that Jasmine Amy Rogers wears: She uses Braza Wipe Out Deodorant Erasers. Removing deodorant with a Braza Wipe Out sponge is easy: You simply use it to brush off deodorant residue. Yet be sure to manage your expectations. Evans said this trick is helpful as a quick fix, but it doesn't always work.
New York Times
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Is There a New Baby in Your Life? We Have the Perfect Presents
Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter This beloved teether has been around since the 1960s. It's made from soft-yet-strong rubber, so you don't have to worry about a baby puncturing it when they get their first few teeth. In the early 2000s, Sophie the Giraffe was like the Murakami Louis Vuitton collection — a Parisian must-have among celebrities. Halle Berry, Kate Hudson, and Elton John (and their babies) were all spotted with the smiling, speckled rubber mammal. The animal's natural features — long limbs and a neck that can reach a baby's itchy gums — create the perfect teether. My son was given Sophie by a family friend, and he gnawed on it as soon as he began teething. It later became a casual figurine that he shared with his sister, long after all of his teeth had come in. Brooklyn White/NYT Wirecutter These round, sturdy shades come in a variety of colors and offer reliable UV protection. The included cloth carrying case can also be used to clean the lenses. Sometimes Mr. Golden Sun can be a little on the harsh side. Thankfully, shades like the Babiators Classic Tortoise Keyhole can make kids feel super-cool while also protecting them from the sun's intense rays. Younger kids are likely to snatch off shades, so it may take time for little ones to get used to wearing them. But a baby who loves seeing themselves on a camera or in the mirror (like mine does) may revel in how stylish they look and agree to keep them on. Babiators are a longtime pick in our guide to kids' beachwear, and they have a winning one-year warranty that covers loss as well as damage. Folkmanis This soft puppet looks just like the real thing. Your fingers control the mouth and hands, so it is even more believable for little ones. If the baby in your life is anything like mine, they'll be absolutely giddy over a soft plushie that can 'speak' and clap, and that they can snuggle up with. (You'll get to sharpen your ventriloquism skills, too.) Puppets like the Folkmanis Dutch Rabbit puppet can provide some enriching, imaginative playtime for a baby. And this is a toy that's likely to stay in rotation for many years to come: Older children may be interested in putting on a puppet show of their own. This company has hundreds of hand puppets, all of them thoughtfully made and incredibly durable. Brooklyn White/NYT Wirecutter This piano comes with pre-set songs, a recording feature, and stickers with the names of the keys. It also has a volume dial so an adult can control just how loud the music time gets. My daughter is learning to walk, but in the meantime, she's crawling all over the FAO Schwarz Giant Dance-On Piano Mat, and laughing and clapping at the notes. The keys respond to a gentle amount of pressure, so she doesn't have to work too hard to get the mat to produce sound. I'll admit it — I've been playing 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' on this mat, too. Babies have a ball with interactive toys, and this piano is one that can teach cause and effect, as well as introduce them to music (it plays five songs, including 'Chopsticks,' 'Beethoven's 5th Symphony,' and 'Für Elise'). Studio Roof This mobile is part adult arts-and-crafts project, part decoration for a child's room. It takes about 45 minutes to construct the recyclable Studio Roof Butterfly Dance Mobile. And it doesn't involve any tape or glue — just cardboard that fits tightly together and string. You'll also need a small metal hook, to screw the mobile into the ceiling over a child's crib or play area. The result is a dangling set of colorful creatures that gently sway in the breeze. And when a child has outgrown the mobile, it can be recycled or used as compost, since it's colored with vegetable ink. Sweet dreams are practically guaranteed. Brooklyn White/NYT Wirecutter This cotton towel has floppy bunny ears on its hood. It's gentle on a baby's skin and can be personalized with a child's name. $49 from Pottery Barn Kids Nothing says 'I got this with you in mind ' like a present with a baby's name on it. When my mother got to bathe my daughter for the first time, she thought the Pottery Barn Kids Bunny Critter Baby Hooded Towel was the most darling thing, and it was part of an incredible bonding experience that neither of us will forget. You can personalize the towel, for an additional $16 (regardless of the length of the child's name). Since the towel is only 31 by 23 inches, my baby will only be able to use it until a few months after her first birthday, but it's a sweet keepsake that I know she'll cherish. There are also other animals to choose from, such as a crocodile, a puppy, and an elephant. Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter These wooden cubes make the most of each side, with debossed illustrations of animals, Chinese characters, and the English translation. The earlier children are exposed to a second language, the easier it is for them to pick it up. These Uncle Goose Chinese Blocks are printed with simplified Chinese characters for animals and numbers, so a baby can get exposure to new words in two languages as soon as they begin babbling. The blocks include some basic characters, like those for dog and cat , but we found some others were a bit less accessible for little ones just learning words (like emu and hedgehog ). And if a baby is teething, they may also try to gnaw on the blocks, but they won't splinter. Uncle Goose also makes versions in Hebrew and Japanese. Gund This peek-a-boo honeypot contains three tiny friends from the Hundred Acre Wood. Winnie-the-Pooh books are classic tales of friendship and adventure, and many kids love them from babyhood up through grade school and beyond. Gund makes a cuddly 12.5-inch Pooh, Eeyore, and Tigger. But for infants, we love the more-unusual Winnie the Pooh Plush Playset. The 8-inch cloth honeypot opens up to reveal three little noise-making stuffies: a rattling Pooh, a crinkling Piglet, and a squeaking Tigger — all perfectly sized for a baby's grip. We recommend pairing this set with The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh , an unabridged and beautifully illustrated version of A.A. Milne's classic stories. Petit Collage This wooden elephant toy is great for introducing kids to a variety of musical instruments. My youngest daughter is a pro at transforming anything into an instrument. She taps on boxes, clangs toy cars together, and even shakes her bottles and cups to hear the liquid slosh. As much as she likes to have impromptu jam sessions, I knew she'd have a blast with the Petit Collage Wooden 5-in-1 Elephant Music Toy. Using the small stick, she can play the drum and cymbal, tap at the xylophone, and run along the three distinct-sounding güiros. The elephant's ears also produce a nice clack. Kids can find the music in anything, and I find joy in helping them along. Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter With five colored rings and a rocking base, this multifaceted toy is both educational and fun as children learn to hold and shake things. The engaging Fisher-Price Rock-a-Stack Ring is exciting for a baby, even if they aren't quite sure how to stack the rings in the proper order. (Some guidance and a little trial and error will do the trick.) The red top ring doubles as a rattle, adding another element of play. The rings also have purpose beyond the first year: They can be used to teach colors, the shape of a circle, and size differences. I use the rings as bath toys, too, since they're so lightweight that they float. Kiddobloom This three-piece set comes plain or with kid-friendly characters. As babies start to eat solid food, you can make mealtime more enticing by giving them special tableware. The Kiddobloom Stainless Steel set includes a plate with three compartments, a 13-ounce bowl with handles (easy to pick up to drink cereal or soup), and a 6-ounce cup. (We recommend the plate in our guide to the best plastic-free feeding tools for babies and kids.) Missing the pop culture characters often found on plastic options? Opt for a set etched with pictures of a fire truck, princess, or frog. The pieces are made from 18/8 stainless steel, so they should last until long after a child has moved on to adult dinnerware. Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter Getting kids to drink from a cup without a lid takes time and practice. But the festive Baby's First Mini Sipper Training Cup, from Nuby, does a good job of helping ease the process. Another pick in our guide to the best feeding tools, this cup has grippy silicone walls that are simple to grasp, and the weighted base helps reduce spills. At just 2 ounces, the cup fits a tiny amount of liquid, so you may have to refill it frequently. If a child does manage to tip it over, though, there's less to clean up. PlanToys Babies will enjoy the multicolored toy alligator that plays follow the leader. Once a baby learns to walk, the next step is zooming a little faster, many times with something in hand. Plan Toys' cheery Rainbow Alligator gives a little one something to hold onto, and it provides added fun of being 'chased' around. Babies who are not yet walking can push this little gator, as they would a toy train or a truck. With its vibrant colors and gentle clacking sounds, this toy pleases the senses and results in endless fun. Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter These soft, snap-on booties keep a baby's feet warm — and they stay on. One of the great puzzles of early parenthood is figuring out how to keep a baby's socks on. If an infant isn't pulling socks off with their hands, then they're flinging them off with their vigorous kicking. (Who knew those little legs were strong enough to send socks flying?) But the Zutano Cozie Fleece Gripper Baby Bootie stays put, since each one has a snap securing a band that goes around the baby's ankle. These fleece booties are thicker than socks — they won't fit under shoes — and they're best for babies in the pre-walking stage or for little ones to wear indoors like slippers. While the 3- and 6-month sizes have soft soles, in larger sizes (they go up to 24 months) the booties have nonslip gripper soles. The fleece version comes in about 10 colors and some two-toned options; they are also available in organic cotton and faux fur versions. Rachel Hurn/NYT Wirecutter Little ones can bounce around with glee while staying securely in place. This jumper can generally work for tots from about 5 months old, since neck control is required. Wirecutter has longstanding guides to baby swings, bouncers, and rockers that you set on the floor. But for eliciting joy in babies, it's hard to beat a hanging seat on a massive spring. We've long recommended the Graco Doorway Bumper Jumper as an alternative choice in our bouncers guide. And several Wirecutter babies have had a ball bouncing themselves to giggle land in the suspended seat. Of course, you do need to ensure your doorway provides a safe and secure fit for the jumper's clamp. Once you do that, the fun begins. Doug Mahoney/NYT Wirecutter This high-quality, easy-gliding sled will last through multiple kids (or even generations). wooden Kids' Pull Sled and Cushion Set is our sled pick for the littlest snow lovers. It's expensive, but writer Doug Mahoney's four kids have used it over about 10 years — and it's still in great shape. Under the wooden runners there are metal bars, which add durability, and the side rails prevent tots from tipping out. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter Of all the infant sleepers we considered for our guide to the best pajamas for kids, Kyte Baby's Ribbed Zipper Footie PJs stood out. The soft ribbed fabric is derived from bamboo, and it feels notably plush and supple. That stretchiness makes this sleeper easy to put on and take off wiggly babies, and the two-way zipper simplifies middle-of-the-night diaper changes. It comes in about a dozen muted colors, as well as in the non-ribbed original version (this one isn't quite as plush, but is available in more fun prints). Brooklyn White/NYT Wirecutter This stuffed toy sparks curiosity and encourages interactive play. This sweet, soft stuffy comes with its own little wraparound bee blanket. The Douglas Baby Bee Hug is a trusted friend for a little one to cuddle up with before bedtime — and as a baby grows, they'll look forward to getting their friend all ready for a night's rest. Plus, as the child learns to make the 'B' and 'Z' sounds, they'll have fun naming the insect and mimicking its beloved buzzing noise. Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter These thoughtfully designed boxes are for kids from birth to age 4. They come with ample guidance and educational materials for parents. If you like the idea of giving a new baby a whole box of age-appropriate toys — or a toy subscription that keeps arriving as they grow — Lovevery's high-quality offerings are aesthetically appealing, in a minimalist sort of way. Each box comes with half a dozen or so Montessori-inspired toys, along with written instructions on age-appropriate play. These boxes are definitely a splurge (and they're far from necessary). However, the included toys, mostly crafted from wood, are well made and presented, and they're beloved by many new parents looking to make the most out of playtime. This article was edited by Amy Miller Kravetz and Kalee Thompson.
New York Times
08-05-2025
- New York Times
The Best Blender
Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter This high-performance machine is worth the investment if you use a blender regularly to make things like thick smoothies, pureed soups, or motor-taxing nut butters. The Vitamix 5200 offers the best performance you can get in a home blender. This model has been one of our favorite blenders since 2014, and it's the classic Vitamix that has remained the standard for pro chefs and blender enthusiasts. It produced the most consistently good results across all of the tests, and this blender was the most delightful to use. The Vitamix 5200 consistently blended more gracefully than any other blender. The combination of the jar's shape and the motor strength created a vortex that pulled ingredients down into the blades with ease. It also made some of the smoothest smoothies in our tests. Though the prize for the absolute smoothest drinks went to the Cleanblend Blender, the difference between drinks made in the Cleanblend and the Vitamix was marginal. The smoothie made in the Vitamix had just a few more whole raspberry seeds. The Vitamix 5200 excelled at nut butters and mayo. This blender was the only model we tested that smoothly blended peanuts and almonds into butter. Other picks spit bits of mayo up the sides of the jar and out the lid's center hole. But the Vitamix kept the mixture moving smoothly and evenly around the base of the blade. It had the best range of speeds. The Vitamix 5200's low is really low, and this blender produces a noticeable shift as you advance through each number. This range of speeds made the Vitamix the best blender we tested for hot liquids: You can start at a lazy swirl and gradually increase the speed so that hot liquid is less likely to shoot up toward the lid. By comparison, on its lowest setting, the Cleanblend has a forceful start, which increases the chances of a painful eruption of hot soup. We pitted a Blendtec blender against a Vitamix model in a series of head-to-head tests, and the winner was clear: Vitamix beat Blendtec every time. The Vitamix 5200's tamper helps it blend really fast. A tamper is essential for breaking up air pockets and pushing ingredients down toward the blade while the machine is running. By keeping the ingredients moving with the tamper, we were able to whip up a smoothie in less than 60 seconds. When we used models that didn't have a tamper, we often needed to stop the blender to burst air pockets or scrape ingredients down the sides of the jar with a spatula. In some cases, we also had to add more water to the smoothie to get all of the ingredients to move around the blades. So it took longer to blend a smoothie in those machines—often with more-watery results. The Vitamix 5200 lacks preset speeds, but its variable speed control was the smoothest and most pleasant to use among all the blenders we tried. Photo: Michael Murtaugh Its Tritan-plastic jar is sturdy and comfortable to hold. And in the five years we used ours in Wirecutter's test kitchen, it also remained clear and free of cracks. It's easy to clean. Just blend 8 ounces of hot tap water with a couple drops of dish soap for about 30 seconds, and then rinse out the jar. And it's quieter than others we tested. No high-powered blender could be described as quiet, but we found the Vitamix's noise to be quieter than other models we tested. The Vitamix 5200 is equipped with an automatic-shutoff feature. Should its motor overheat, this keeps it from burning out. In our experience, this blender should be able to handle a lot before it gets to that point. But if yours does shut off, it's best to let the machine rest for an hour before you try to use it again. It's backed by a seven-year warranty. This softens the blow of spending $400 on a blender. According to Vitamix's customer service, the approximate time between filing a claim and receiving your blender back in working order (or a certified refurb) is six to 10 days. For an additional fee, you can buy a three-year extended warranty for the 5200. Attachments for the Vitamix 5200 Pictured with the Vitamix 5200 base, from left to right: stainless steel blending pitcher, personal blender attachment with cup, personal blending cup with to-go lid. Photo: Michael Murtaugh In 2022, we tested some attachments that are available (as separate purchases) for the Vitamix 5200: the Vitamix Personal Cup Adapter and a 48-ounce stainless steel blending pitcher. We tested the Personal Cup Adapter package (which includes two 20-ounce double-walled blending cups with lids and an adapter fitted with blades) against our personal blender picks. The Vitamix Personal Cup Adapter works just as well as the personal blenders we recommend. In our tests, it performed on a par with both models at pureeing vibrant kale pesto, silky date shakes, and thick smoothies. The trade-off is that the tapered cup is small, with a capacity that's 12 ounces less than the Nutribullet's. And the bottom is quite narrow, so if you want to maximize the Personal Cup Adapter's blending capacity, you need to be strategic about filling the cup (tiny fruit first, chunkier fruit later). By comparison, the Nutribullet has wide cylindrical blending containers that can accommodate large chunks of fruit and ice, no matter how you load them. If you already own a 5200, it's convenient to get the adapter instead of another standalone personal blender. But you have to weigh that convenience against the cost: Compared with our recommendations in our standalone personal blender guide, the Vitamix adapter is more expensive than our top pick. If you're looking for an alternative to a plastic jar, consider the Vitamix 48-ounce stainless steel blending pitcher. The advantages to stainless steel are that it doesn't stain or retain smells. But the 48-ounce stainless steel blending pitcher has less capacity than the full-size, 64-ounce plastic container that comes with the 5200. And like other low-profile blending containers, the stainless steel jar also works best when it's at least one-quarter full. That said, in our tests it easily blended a thick, 24-ounce berry-kale smoothie, with few seeds left whole. How the Vitamix 5200 has held up This Vitamix 5200 continues to work (and look) great after being in regular use since 2019. Photo: Marguerite Preston Editorial director Marguerite Preston has used her Vitamix 5200 on a weekly basis since 2019, and she says it's held up great. Her family uses it mainly to make smoothies, herb-based sauces, and the occasional batch of oatmeal-banana pancakes. We also used a Vitamix 5200 in our test kitchen for five years and had nothing but excellent results. It finally did burn out, but only after we put it through strenuous use over the course of many tests for this guide and others. Still, it easily outlasted other blenders, and it made many more (and better) batches of nut butter and extra-thick smoothies before we pushed it to its limit. Since our Vitamix was still under warranty when it burned out, we contacted customer service, and the representatives promptly replaced it. Christine Cyr Clisset, deputy editor and author of a previous version of this guide, said she finally bought herself a refurbished Vitamix 5200 after years of long-term testing various Wirecutter blender picks. Christine said the first five (or so) times she used her 5200, she noticed a slight burning smell while making her morning smoothies. During a call with customer service, she learned that when you're blending a thick smoothie, Vitamix recommends that you start the blender at the lowest variable speed setting, and then immediately turn the dial to 10—while vigorously tamping at the same time. Christine had been starting on low and then very gradually increasing the speed, likely stressing the motor. She reports that the burning smell has subsided since she's followed the advice from Vitamix. Flaws but not dealbreakers For many people, the biggest issue with the Vitamix 5200 is its steep price. This blender is normally at least twice the price of our runner-up, the Oster Versa. But after years of testing and using the Vitamix 5200, we find that it's more durable and overall more effective than any other blender we've tried. You can save some money on a Vitamix if you opt for a certified-refurbished model. A certified reconditioned Vitamix comes with a five-year warranty (with an option to extend coverage three more years, for an additional $75). At more than 20 inches tall, the Vitamix 5200 is a big appliance. It's too tall to fit under some kitchen cabinets. If size is an issue, and you're willing to give up some of the functionality you get from a tall, tapered jar, Vitamix makes other blenders (as mentioned below) that have a shorter profile. The Vitamix 5200 doesn't come with any presets, just a variable-speed dial. However, even though it's nice to be able to press a button and have your blender run through a smoothie-making program, this is not really essential. You'll probably stick close to your blender anyway, in order to use the tamper to get things moving, and it's not hard to adjust the dial if you feel the need to. With this blender, it's also easy to get good results without any presets.
New York Times
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
We're in a New Age of Quick-Dry Nail Polish. But They're Not All Created Equal.
The handy map shows which polish went where in both the professional and nonprofessional manicure sessions. Annemarie Conte/NYT Wirecutter A member of our testing panel did a multi-mani in our office. Kit Iyer/NYT Wirecutter The handy map shows which polish went where in both the professional and nonprofessional manicure sessions. Annemarie Conte/NYT Wirecutter We broke the five polishes we tested into two groups. Three longstanding, well-known drugstore brands — OPI, Essie, and Sally Hansen — have quick-dry formulations that dry in about a minute and only need one or two coats. And two relative newcomers — Dazzle Dry and Olive & June — require more steps and aren't quite as quick-drying as their competition. My professionally manicured nails on day one. Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter I tested a red cream polish from each brand, applied by a professional manicurist, and then did a self-manicure with a silvery shimmer polish, ensuring that each polish landed on a different finger over time. I kept the polishes on for over a week and took photos of my nails every day, documenting how well the color applied and stayed saturated, any chipping at the tips or elsewhere, and any dulling of the shine. Nail polish wear-time test applied by a professional manicurist, from left to right: Olive & June Quick Dry (thumb), Sally Hansen Insta-Dri, Essie Expressie, OPI RapiDry, Dazzle Dry; Olive & June Quick Dry (pinkie), Essie Expressie, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri, OPI RapiDry, Dazzle Dry. The large chip on the middle finger of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri is due to an unfortunate cheese grater accident on day four and not the polish itself. Annemarie Conte/NYT Wirecutter Our panel testers did their own manicures with the drugstore brands and filled out a survey with their results, which I took into account when crowning my polish queens. It's a good question, one that is shrouded in mystery (to me, anyway). I reached out to more than 15 cosmetic chemists who work in nail polish development independent of the brands I tested. Most of them either didn't see my messages or ignored them. I got ghosted twice. I left voicemails at private-label manufacturers without a response. So, I turned to the brands, and I found that most of their answers were a mix of sales jargon and actual information. Sally Hansen was the only brand that did not respond. But it turns out that regular formulas and quick-dry formulas use the same types of ingredients, just in different ratios. A spokesperson for OPI told me in an email, 'Nail lacquer use[s] solvents, resins, and pigments. Quick dry formulas prioritize using more solvent to enable faster drying. Long wear formulas prioritize more resins to create a durable lasting film.' That means that most quick-dry polishes are not going to wear as long as traditional polish. 'I always joke that these polishes dry as fast as they chip,' said Simcha Whitehill, an editorial manicurist who goes by Miss Pop and who I've known within the industry for years. She often uses this type of polish at photo shoots because the model can go straight to set once the manicure is finished. In some cases, quick-dry polish is thinner to enable that faster dry time. You need to ensure the bottles are tightly capped, as the polish evaporates faster than traditional formulations because of the higher concentration of solvents, said a representative of Olive & June. Essie Expressie, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri, and OPI RapiDry all promised an extremely fast manicure — one to two coats that dry in about a minute. But what you gain in speed, you sacrifice in coverage and quality. Essie Expressie was often streaky or uneven in coverage, whether it was applied by pros (the result looked mottled) or by me. The two-coat formula is mostly available in cream shades, as well as an FX Expressie line that are called top coats but can also be used as base shades. One tester who applied Now or Never, a deep black, reported that it chipped the same day and was unwearable by day two. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri chipped nearly instantaneously for many of our testers, and they struggled with the single-coat application, especially with the darker colors like On the Download, a cobalt-blue, and C-hill Out, a forest green. The line has a nice selection of shades, including dark cream colors, light shimmers, and everything in between, but it is very pink-heavy. While it's the cheapest of the testing pool at about $7 a bottle, you can do better for just a few dollars more. My day six nails of the self-manicure showed recession and loss of sheen, especially with the drugstore brands. Left to right: Olive & June Quick Dry, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri, Essie Expressie, OPI RapiDry, Dazzle Dry. Annemarie Conte/NYT Wirecutter During my pro-manicure test, all three drugstore polishes began to recede at the tip within the first day or two. By day three, they'd lost their sheen, and by day five, they were still mostly wearable, but definitely not fully intact. I experienced some slight staining on my nails with all three brands' red polishes, though OPI was the lightest. OPI RapiDry stood out among the speed demons. The cherry-red color Secs Appeal held up the longest of our three drugstore brands in the professional-manicure test (you can see it the most clearly in the image above, with only minor fading and recession from the nail tip by day six). My self-manicure, a grapefruit-color sparkly shade called Cheers to No Smears, was similarly long-lasting. Color selection is, of course, subjective, but the majority of testers were into OPI's broad color range; one called the shades 'a bit offbeat, which I like.' But another tester found it underwhelming, saying, 'I go for deep reds and purples in the winter, or a nude, and bright pinks/corals in the summer. There aren't many colors I'd look to buy.' This low-cost polish stood out for its color selection, even coverage, 60-second dry time, and five to six days of wear time. Number of coats Approximate dry time Longevity based on testing Approximate cost Sally Hansen Insta-Dri one one minute one to two days $7 per bottle Essie Expressie two one minute two to three days $10 per bottle OPI RapiDry one to two one minute five to six days $10 per bottle Olive & June Quick Dry two, plus a top coat one minute between coats seven-plus days $7.50 per bottle, plus top coat Dazzle Dry two, plus prep, base coat, and top coat five minutes seven to 11 days $39 plus tax and shipping for a starter mini kit and one polish Dazzle Dry and Olive & June require more steps. This would normally annoy me, but based on the middling performance from the other crew, I was willing to give it a shot. The Olive & June Quick Dry professional manicure (in shade Lollipop, a candy-apple red) and self-manicure (in Elevator, a shimmery iridescent pink) I did during the first two rounds of testing held up incredibly well — over a week, when the brand states only five days. I appreciated the underpromise, overdeliver ethos of the wear time. The polish looked clean and neat for 10 days, similar to Dazzle Dry. The trouble started when I decided to do a full manicure on my own. Olive & June Quick Dry requires two coats of polish, plus a top coat, with a dry time of one minute between each coat. The first coat of the gorgeous, shimmery purple called Enchanted went on smoothly. The online instructions in the How to Use section of each polish listing (now corrected by the brand) originally said to wait a full five minutes between coats. The actual instructions are to wait one minute between coats. But in reality, I should have waited even longer, because the polish wasn't fully dry and smudged significantly. Chalking it up to user error, I did a second manicure the next day and the polish still felt tacky when I was finished. If you can't get a good, consistent, quick-drying manicure at home, what is even the point? The color selection (filter down to Quick Dry if you click the link) includes a range of neutrals that look nice on a variety of skin tones, as well as saturated creams and some exciting shimmers. With a solid selection of vibrant cream and shimmery shades, Dazzle Dry gives a long-lasting, salon-quality manicure that dries quickly. But it is expensive and only available in salons or online. So, would Dazzle Dry live up to its name and wow me? Frankly, I found the multi-step process overwhelming at first. I want to just slap on a coat of polish and be done with it! But I timed a full manicure, and it took 22 minutes start to finish, including removal of my existing nail polish. This seemed extremely reasonable to me, because I spent most of my time actively painting, rather than waiting for the polish to dry. The company makes it fairly foolproof, labeling each bottle in the process one through four, starting with a clear liquid nail prep you swipe on with a lint-free pad. Next comes two thin base coats, then two coats of polish, and finally a top coat. Since each of the steps dry quickly, with the formula turning matte once it has dried, the polish was already dry by the time I returned to that nail for the next step. I did have to wait a final five minutes after applying the top coat, but once that was done, I was able to walk away with a solid, no-smudge manicure that didn't transfer onto other surfaces (like a wall or a piece of paper). The pigments are smooth, saturated, and easy to apply, with the top coat adding a salon-quality shine. I got the longest-lasting (over 10 days!), best-looking manicure from Dazzle Dry, and we were impressed with its wide range of shimmer and cream shades. You do have to pay for this greatness: A mini kit costs $39 plus tax and shipping and comes with one mini bottle of polish (additional mini bottles of polish are $12 each and a full size is $22). Full-sized system kits are obviously even more expensive. The Dazzle Dry system includes four numbered bottles that you use in order: Nail Prep, Base Coat, Nail Lacquer, and Top Coat. Dazzle Dry also sells a lightly scented nail polish remover that includes lemongrass and clove oil. Companies began marketing their solvent-based nail polish as 3-free in the early 2000s, removing formaldehyde (a known carcinogen), toluene (an irritant that can be toxic at certain concentrations), and dibutyl phthalate from their formulations due to potential health concerns around the inhalation or absorption of the ingredients through the skin and nails. Most widely available nail polishes, like those from Essie and OPI, are at least 3-free. Although this has since ballooned from three to as many as 21-free ingredients, much of this is marketing-speak. It's important to note that none of these claims are regulated. If you're concerned about potential exposures, you can directly research ingredients at databases like PubChem or EWG, an advocacy organization, and speak with your doctor. Since we completed testing, I've been alternating between doing my own nails with Dazzle Dry and getting a professional mani at a salon that uses Dazzle Dry (which you can find through the Dazzle Dry website). I change out my polish twice a month, with the manicures lasting nearly two weeks. In fact, it's not the polish degradation that causes me to need a redo — it's the fact that my nails get too long and I can feel the feedback on them as I'm typing on a keyboard, which is something I absolutely cannot handle mentally. What I've discovered is that application technique and lifestyle choices definitely affect the wear of a polish, and your pointer finger usually sustains more wear than, say, your pinkie. Your mileage may vary, depending on how well you apply the polish and how careful you are with your hands. Editorial manicurist Miss Pop told me to use a cuticle oil daily to help keep my nails looking good longer. 'It makes your nails more resilient, so they're more able to go with the flow and less likely to chip,' she said. I honestly don't know how much it's helping, but the little, low-impact daily ritual gives me two minutes of self-care thrill. Whether the manicure is pro-given or my own, I repeatedly get compliments on my nails, and I've become more confident in doing them myself. 'It just takes a little bit of practice and muscle memory,' Miss Pop said. 'People get so discouraged that they're not like a top-notch manicurist. But if you do your own nails every week for six months, by the end of it, you will be.' Soon, I might not need to shell out the cash (or take calming breaths) to sit in a salon chair ever again. This article was edited by Hannah Rimm and Maxine Builder. Annemarie Conte Deputy Editor What I Cover I write the Ask Wirecutter advice column, review trending products, and dig into product-focused investigations. Whenever possible, I like to offer free fixes, low-cost solutions, and bigger investments so that readers can decide which option works best for them. I write about what is worth buying, what is overhyped junk, and everything in between.
New York Times
18-04-2025
- Health
- New York Times
The Best Creamy, Nut-Free Seed Butters
Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter SunButter's sunflower seed butters blew all the other nut-free spreads we tried out of the water. If you're looking for a PB alternative akin to Jif or Skippy, SunButter's Creamy Sunflower Seed Butter is the one. Testers described it as having the best balance of roasty, round, nutty sunflower seed flavor; sweetness; and saltiness, without any of the unpleasant bitter aftertaste that can sometimes come with sunflower seeds. It paired well with strawberry jam in testing, complementing the jam's sweetness and being, in the words of one tester, 'the closest to giving that classic PB&J flavor.' True to its name, its homogenous, thick texture spreads smoothly and easily on bread without threatening to drip off or saturate the slice, and it was the closest thing, texturally, to Skippy or Jif that we tried. Most testers said they'd eat it straight off a spoon. Texture: smooth and thick Ingredients: sunflower seeds, mono- and diglycerides, sugar, salt Protein: 7 grams per 2 tablespoons Allergy information: free from the top eight allergens; made in a peanut-free and tree-nut-free facility Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter Tied for first with SunButter's Creamy Sunflower Butter was SunButter's Original Sunflower Seed Butter, whose texture is similar to natural peanut butter. SunButter Original has a creamy, smooth, loose texture that one tester described as 'luxurious.' Its toasted, sunflower seed flavor delighted our panelists, who described it as deep and well balanced, with lip-smacking sweetness and saltiness, and no bitter aftertaste. It's on the drippier side for making a packable sandwich, but it pairs well with jam, complementing it rather than overpowering it, unlike some other PB-alternatives we tasted. All our testers said they'd eat this off a spoon. For people who prefer some bite, this is also available in a crunchy version. Texture: creamy and loose Ingredients: sunflower seeds, sugar, salt Protein: 7 grams per 2 tablespoons Allergy information: free from the top eight allergens; made in a peanut-free and tree-nut-free facility Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter With less salt than SunButter Original Sunflower Seed Butter, this spread is not quite as balanced, but it tastes almost as good and costs less. $5 from Trader Joe's in-store purchase only In our brand-concealed taste test, panelists found similarities in flavor between Trader Joe's Sunflower Seed Spread and SunButter Original. The Trader Joe's version has a toasted nuttiness and sweetness but noticeably less salt. (It contains 70 mg of sodium per 2 tablespoon serving, versus 99 mg for SunButter Original.) For some people, the lower sodium is a bonus, though we noticed that it made the spread taste a shade sweeter, with a hint of bitterness on the finish. Our panelists found that a small sprinkle of salt on a spoonful of Trader Joe's sunflower spread helped round out the flavor, bringing its taste even closer to SunButter Original and helping its balance when paired with jam. Its loose, creamy texture is similar to a natural peanut butter, but it was less drippy than SunButter Original, so it may hold up in a sandwich for longer. At the time of publication, it costs about 13 cents less per ounce than both our SunButter picks. Texture: creamy and loose Ingredients: sunflower seeds, powdered sugar (sugar, corn starch), salt Protein: 8 grams per 2 tablespoons Allergy information: Made in a facility where none of the top eight allergens are present, according to a Trader Joe's spokesperson, who noted, 'We strongly encourage our customers to read ingredient information every time they buy a Trader Joe's brand product, as manufacturers and ingredients can change.' Our testers were mostly neutral on the SunButter Organic Sunflower Seed Butter, which contains only one ingredient: organic roasted sunflower seeds. It's not a bad option if you want a spread with the most minimal ingredient list. But the lack of salt or sugar made it less balanced than our picks. Some testers noticed a bitter, almost 'fishy' oily aftertaste, even when paired with strawberry jam. Testers were intrigued by the matcha-green 88 Acres Roasted Pumpkin Seed Butter but found it overly bland for a peanut butter replacement, with an almost melon-like note. The texture was also grainier and runnier than they preferred for a sandwich. Wowbutter (Creamy) relies on roasted soybeans, which are emulsified with soy oil and palm oil (plus sugar and salt), for its flavor. That translated to an overpowering savory quality—even when paired with strawberry jam—that was reminiscent of soy sauce. This, combined with a thick, sandy texture, made Wowbutter divisive. If you love roasted soybeans and kinako flavors, you may like this—and it could be a good peanut butter substitute in savory recipes. Voyage Foods Peanut-Free Spread combines a number of roasted seeds, including sunflower seeds and grape seeds, as well as chickpea flour, rice protein, and wild rice. Voyage Foods also has admirable allergy-friendly practices. Unfortunately, our testers disliked the taste of this spread, finding it oily (it contains sunflower seed oil and palm oil), not roasted enough in flavor, and too sweet. The Amazing Chickpea uses chickpeas and sunflower seeds emulsified with canola oil, sugar, corn starch, palm oil, salt, and 'natural flavor.' Though the brand has admirable allergen-friendly practices, this spread didn't live up to its 'peanut butter taste' claim, and it had an off-putting sweet note that testers described as reminiscent of vanilla protein powder, oats, or milk powder. It also contains only 5 grams of protein per 2 tablespoons, versus the 7 or 8 grams in the sunflower seed butters we recommend. We also tested Biscoff Cookie Butter and Oat Haus Original Granola Butter, since both are safe for people with peanut and tree nut allergies. Of course, neither of these dessert spreads perfectly fills the role that peanut butter does (they both have only 1 or 2 grams of protein, respectively, per 2 tablespoons, versus 7 or 8 grams for sunflower butter and peanut butter). To soothe a sweet tooth, testers loved Biscoff spread, praising its speculoos cookie flavor and smooth texture. They were neutral on the flavor of Oat Haus granola butter, which was reminiscent of a crumble topping, and noted its gritty, almost chalky texture. One tester said, 'If I want dessert, I'd rather have Biscoff.' Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter The FDA requires packaged food to state on its ingredient label whether it includes one of the top eight food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. (Packaged food that fails to disclose a top-eight allergen can be fatal and is subject to recall.) Starting in 2023, the FDA also added sesame to this list, but some packaged food may still be on shelves from before the rule. You may see these allergens listed on a separate line from the ingredients, such as 'contains peanuts,' or in parentheses within the ingredient list, such as 'lecithin (soy).' Even with this labeling rule, for those with life-threatening, anaphylactic food allergies, it's not always enough to read the ingredients. Some packaged foods may be made on shared equipment with nuts or packaged in the same facility, which opens up the risk of potentially lethal cross-contamination. Precautionary allergen labels like 'may contain' or 'processed on the same equipment as' or 'manufactured in a facility that handles' are voluntary, and 'allergen-free' or 'peanut-free' labels are not regulated. All of this can get extremely confusing and overwhelming. When in doubt, if the label or product's website does not clearly provide the information you need for peace of mind and to protect your health, reach out to the manufacturer and ask if its production lines or facilities handle nuts or peanuts. For this guide, we only selected products that, at time of publication, state clearly on their ingredient labels and/or product websites that the item is not made in a shared facility or on shared equipment with peanuts or tree nuts. In one case, with Trader Joe's, we did not find sufficient information on the jar or online, so we reached out directly to the company. A representative replied, 'The Sunflower Seed Spread is made in a facility that has none of the top 8 allergens present.' If you're not sure about what level of caution to take, consult your doctor. And even once you've found a product you buy on repeat, always double-check ingredient labels at the store, since manufacturers may change facilities, manufacturing practices, sourcing, and ingredients at any time. Like peanut and nut butters, seed butter textures are subject to some change, and we encountered some variability during testing. Even the most homogeneous ones may separate or have textural impacts depending on storage conditions, like extreme temperatures, and the fat content of source ingredients. Some separation is normal, but to be safe, check expiration dates. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter If you have a peanut or tree nut allergy, more peanut butter alternatives are available to you than ever before. I know, because I have a life-threatening peanut allergy, so I've been meticulously shopping for and sampling peanut-free nut and seed butters for decades. I've written about traveling with food allergies and shopping for allergy-safe chocolate for Wirecutter, and I've covered food allergies for Bon Appétit and Vice. For years, I was a freelance food writer for publications including Eater, Epicurious, and Taste. And at Wirecutter, I specialize in sustainability and environmental health issues, including the ins and outs of regulations, disclosures, and certifications. For this guide, we decided to focus on peanut butter alternatives that would be suitable for people with both peanut and tree nut allergies, so we eliminated almond butters from testing. To keep things manageable, we also eliminated sesame tahini, though it can be delicious in lieu of PB on toast and in recipes; tahini is a category unto itself, and deserves its own guide. From there, I researched peanut-free and tree-nut-free spreads, polled my colleagues who are parents, and compiled a list for testing. I combed through ingredient lists, FAQs, and allergen statements and reached out to Trader Joe's to understand the spreads' suitability for people with peanut and tree nut allergies. All of our picks are free from the top eight allergens (milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans). I then organized a panel for brand-concealed testing. We ate each of the 10 spreads three ways: on their own off a spoon, on untoasted white sandwich bread, and with strawberry jam. We noted aroma, flavor, texture, spreadability on the untoasted bread, drippiness, and homogeneity, as well as how it tasted in a classic combination with jam, and we compared across spreads. Two of our panelists have severe top nine food allergies, four typically eat peanut butter, and one has never tasted peanut butter. We did not judge spreads by how similar they tasted to peanut butter. Instead, we checked for their deliciousness in typical PB applications (like on jam sandwiches), balanced flavor, pleasing texture, and lack of off aftertastes. Since some people turn to spreads for a vegetarian source of protein, I also considered protein per serving. This article was edited by Marguerite Preston and Megan Beauchamp. I scoffed at this peanut butter mixing crank when I discovered it years ago. Now I can't live without it. After testing more than 25 blenders since 2012, we haven't found a better one than the powerful, durable Vitamix 5200 . We tasted 15 smooth-style peanut butters and recommend four that were the cream of the crop.
