This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Over the years I’ve been to a lot of Christmas parties and participated in a lot of gift exchanges. It seems like their often the same (unless they’re using one of these creative gift exchange ideas. So every year I try to create at least one or two new gift exchange games to mix things up....

As of 2020, Sephora wants to change that. The company announced a series of parameters around CBD in order to establish the retailer as a trusted resource in the beauty and CBD landscape. In other words, if a skincare brand wants to tout CBD on a label, it needs to have hard proof to back it up. According to Sephora, there will be four standards that must be met in order for a product to qualify: 1....

But don’t just take it from me—dermatologists, estheticians, and hairstylists tout shea butter’s benefits for both skin and hair. Below, we’ve asked the experts for their take on why to use shea butter, how to apply it, the best products with shea butter (if you don’t want to use it raw), and much more. Benefits of Shea Butter on Skin Shea butter is an excellent emollient that hydrates and creates a barrier that locks moisture in....

For ASH NYC, the renowned design group behind Hotel Peter & Paul in New Orleans, The Siren in Detroit, and The Dean in Providence, there’s only one brand fit for the job. “An Italian linen company called Bellino makes all of our linen and terry for our hotels,” says Will Cooper, ASH NYC’s chief creative officer. Bellino Fine Linens, which has been operating out of North America since 1991, uses 100 percent long staple cotton fibers to produce its luxurious sateen and percale bed sheets....

The idea behind the rack, which is on sale for $18, stems from creating the ability to “file” your pots and pans away either vertically or horizontally. This means there is space in between each pot or pan. As a result, you can simply pull out the piece you need to use rather than unloading all of your pots and pans from your cabinet in order to reach one of them....

The Limitless Lash Mascara is made with 100 percent natural dyes and 99 percent naturally-derived ingredients, and it’s cruelty-free. The formula contains moisturizing ingredients like organic bee and carnauba waxes and shea butter, so it won’t dry out your lashes, either. Plus, it’s been tested by ophthalmologists to ensure it’s gentle enough for sensitive eyes. And it’s just $28—more than drugstore brands, but still on the affordable side of things—meaning you don’t have to spend a ton to achieve your best lashes ever....

For the third installment of our “Taxes in Ten” series, we talked with Kendall (not her real name), who settled a debt (from $9,000 to $3,000) without understanding the tax implications. The following year, she got a notice from the IRS telling her that they were going to take 70 percent of her tax refund due to under-reporting her income for the previous year. “That’s the thing about taxes—sometimes, you don’t know what you don’t know,” Money Confidential host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez says....

Sure, cutting back on work can feel like an impossible ask in today’s economy (and hustle culture). What’s one way to get there? Minimalism. In the words of minimalist expert Courtney Carver, “instead of working so hard to make ends meet, work on having fewer ends.” This quote is inspirational for many of us who are searching for financial freedom, but struggling to find it via traditional methods. What is it that we’re striving so hard to achieve?...

Not to be confused with a soft boiled egg, a soft scramble is nearly identical to a plate of traditional scrambled eggs, except that a soft scrambled egg is creamier in texture. Since soft scrambled eggs are cooked in less time on a stovetop over medium-low heat, the result is a fluffy, yet melty barely-set breakfast that never fails to please. High heat can quickly scorch eggs, so the secret to perfectly executed cloud-like curds relies heavily on a stovetop’s heat setting....

No gift is safe until after the last dice are rolled and even then, you just never know! This will become a family favorite replacing the traditional white elephant game year after year! Switch Steal Unwrap Gift Exchange Game I’ll be the first to admit it, this is basically a Christmas gift exchange rendition of my super popular left, right, eat game I shared in this birthday party games post....

To buy: $13 (was $15); amazon.com. “I have a super greasy scalp and very dry ends,” one shopper wrote. “I found out about this shampoo at my hair stylist’s salon, and it blew my mind. I went from shampooing my hair every two days to only twice a week. My scalp feels refreshed, and I no longer have buildup or scabs of dandruff.” Some credited the shampoo with treating seasonal dryness, while another shopper said it’s “the best shampoo that I’ve ever used in my life....

To find the best shower cleaners, we spent hours researching various options and top-rated products while considering factors like type, ingredients, and use on recommended surfaces. We also asked Vera Peterson, President of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company, for tips on what to look for when buying the right cleaner for your shower. “It’s always great to choose a shower cleaner that is safe for most surfaces to get the most bang for your buck,” says Peterson....

“Just as dinner parties have moved from formal and fancy to more relaxed and uninhibited, so have trends in dinnerware,” says Forrest. “We’re seeing a growing trend towards more patterned and maximalist styles, which signifies a move toward more freedom over our own dinner tables, and more freedom to entertain however we’d like.” That said, Forrest mentions that fine china is just as popular now as it has always been—but the patterns have gotten more colorful and fun....

“Consider unique and well-crafted items that match his interests,” she says. “Some options I love include a climbing-inspired mug for the outdoorsy guy, a dopp kit for those who travel often, or a custom guitar wall mount for the musician. And when in doubt, opt for a custom or personalized gift made just for him.” With these guidelines in mind, we rounded up the best gifts for men for all occasions....

Generally speaking, robot mops are best suited for everyday maintenance (versus deep cleaning sessions). Still, many models fuse sleek designs with functionality for an end product that’s as useful for your everyday life as it is display-worthy. Keep reading to learn more about our seven favorites, along with how we tested, what to look for when shopping, and how to clean your robot mop. The 7 Best Robot Mops in 2021 Best Overall: iRobot Braava Jet m6Featuring both wet mop and dry sweep modes, this robot mop efficiently maps out large spaces and multiple rooms and has a spot-clean function for everyday spills....

Another one of the bakers we spoke to, Erin McDowell, recipe developer and cookbook author, advises consumers to research the capabilities of a stand mixer before buying. “Some mixers are developed more for bread baking, for example, while others can’t handle the motor use of long mixing times for something like, say, brioche,” she says. Anna Gordon, founder of New York City-based The Good Batch bakery, recommends choosing a stand mixer based on your long-term baking needs....

“Sometimes you lie on a mattress and think it’s not for you, when the real problem is that you haven’t found the perfect pillow pairing,” says Mary Helen Rogers, vice president of marketing and communications at The Better Sleep Council. If you’re in the market for a new pillow and looking for one that’s comfy and soft you may want to add down pillows to your list. “Down pillows are soft, puffy and supple, and known for ultimate luxury,” Rogers says....

A top-loading washer eliminates the need to bend over when loading and unloading the machine and gives you clearer visibility into the drum so that no sock gets left behind. Many of the top models also come with advanced technology, like smart features and an array of cycles, to make doing the laundry easier than ever. While front-load washing machines are typically more energy efficient than top loaders, Stuart Eason, founder of professional appliance servicing company, Appliance Expert, suggests that anyone on the hunt for a new washing machine would do well to opt for a high-efficiency model to greatly bring costs and energy consumption down....

To find the best bath towels, we spent two days testing 31 towels in our Lab and assessed them based on their quality, texture, absorbency, durability, and overall value. For expert tips on buying and using bath towels, we turned to Whitney Thornburg, design director at Coyuchi, and Sarah Smith, product education and customer experience manager at Serena & Lily. We also received insights from Elana Frosk, account executive at Hohenstein Institute, the U....

And no matter what your recipient is into—whether it’s a glass of wine, a classic set of sweets, or a bit of pop-culture fun, there’s a luxe advent calendar out there for them. Whether you opt for a 12-day or full 24-day version, order right now—many of the most popular ones sell out long before December! (And don’t forget to splurge on an adult advent calendar for yourself, too!) This generously sized wooden advent calendar gives off that cozy hygge/Scandi vibe....