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Its microfiber material offers a number of perks that give it the upper hand compared to other common towel fabrics when it comes to taking care of your tresses. Cotton towels absorb too much of the moisture from your wet hair, and the thicker fibers can cause friction when they rub and tug your hair, which leads to frizzy or damaged strands. Microfiber is the goldilocks of towel materials—it absorbs just the right amount of moisture, meaning your hair dries without becoming coarse and brittle....

To buy: $50 (was $75); amazon.com. Sure, these warm slippers are made even more cozy with their shearling lining, but there is so much more to love about them than just that. Made from 100 percent Australian sheepskin, they’re pre-treated to protect against stains and repel water, which makes them the ideal choice for cooking, baking, or washing dishes. The rubber sole ensures a non-skid grip and allows for both indoor and outdoor use....

To buy: $27; amazon.com. The rate of water discharge is approximately 2.5 ounces per day, and as your plant’s soil dries, the ceramic cone will deliver the water slowly but steadily and stop once the soil becomes sufficiently moist. To adjust the flow of water, you can place your bowl farther away from your plant and the cone; the lower your water source is, the slower it will dispense and avoid over-watering....

To buy: $29; amazon.com “I was shocked by the wonderful quality of these ottomans,” wrote one five-star reviewer. “They weather sun, rain, wind, and storms on a regular basis, and we have never had a problem with them,” added another shopper. Even though the outdoor footstool has a lighter weight (just under 2 pounds), it can hold up to 250-pounds should you need to use it as a seat or even a table while entertaining—and it has a handle for quick transport around your backyard, deck, or patio....

To buy: $22; amazon.com. “This is a really nice sweater that looks as though it came from J. Crew at less than half the price,” wrote another reviewer. “Soft and well-made. Would buy it again.” To buy: $22; amazon.com. “This is such a versatile part of my wardrobe… I can wear this turtleneck with jeans or dress pants, layer it with a sweater or jacket, or simply wear it alone,” added another five-star reviewer....

Reviewers say they love this serum because it absorbs quickly into their skin and delivers fast results within a few days. One said the product has made such a difference in their skin’s overall tone that they decided to get rid of all of their prescription-strength creams. To buy: $12 (was $16); amazon.com. “I don’t normally write reviews but I had to take time to write about this product,” the shopper wrote....

I’ll admit it: This is probably extra hard on me because I’m a bit of an overachiever. I guess a nice way to put it is that I’m very goal-oriented. In January 2020, I set a big financial goal: to double my freelance income, save for a beach vacation with my family for my baby sister’s wedding, and for my dream trip to hike Havasu Falls. But of course, when the pandemic hit, those dreams evaporated....

To buy: $40; amazon.com. Shoppers say they get a ton of use out of them for safekeeping their expensive china or holiday dishes throughout the year, and noted they’re much more effective than flimsy cardboard boxes. A second reviewer says that this set took over for their old paper packaging, and how easy it has made storing and organizing their dishes that they’re going to order more.

However, I recently discovered a small gadget that makes my askew reality irrelevant. With these handy tools, it doesn’t really matter what potential causes there are for a sheet to pop off because it won’t happen in the first place. All you have to do is clip your bed sheet in place under your mattress at the corners with the bands. Once you tighten the suspenders, they’ll prevent your sheet from sliding up and popping off whenever you roll over too quickly or breathe too forcefully....

Good news for those who plan to build a home in 2021 (or maybe weren’t planning to, but can be swayed by a stunning house plan!): the Lowcountry Farmhouse, along with all of the house plans from Southern Living, are 10 percent off exclusively for Real Simple readers from now through January 10, 2021 with the discount code RS2020 entered at checkout. Build the house plan as is (we honestly wouldn’t change a thing), or customize it to fit your family....

To buy: $250 (was $350); amazon.com. This Bissell model is power personified in a vacuum. It has a motor that spins up to 420 miles per hour while cleaning at the top end of its three different settings—quiet, every day, or max. The Iconpet vacuum is cordless, so you can move around without being restricted by the length of a power cord, and seamlessly transitions to a handheld vacuum or a high-reach cleaner for different tasks around the house....

The shorts are a part of Walmart’s Free Assembly line, which has really stepped up its staples in the last year. The brand’s latest collection offers on-trend pieces that are easy on the environment and your wallet. Shoppers all over the internet can’t stop raving about the collection’s underrated and under-budget jeans—all made from sustainable materials. And I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw its popular jeans shorts on sale for only $11....

How Cacao Nibs Are Made Cacao nibs are harvested from the cacao plant, which grows pods filled with cacao beans. The beans are shelled, dried, fermented, and ground up into the crunchy, bitter, intensely chocolate-tasting bits known as cacao nibs. Cacao vs. Cocoa When cacao gets heated at high temperatures to reduce its bitter edge, it becomes known as cocoa. Unfortunately, this process causes the bean to lose some of its nutrients....

“There certainly is an argument to be made that no debt is good debt,” Smith says. “But borrowing money and taking on debt is the only way many people can afford to purchase important big-ticket items like a home. While those kinds of loans are usually justifiable and provide value to the person taking on the debt, there is another end of the spectrum that involves debt that’s taken on carelessly....

Here are some basic educational tips and warning signs to consider when deciding if a reverse mortgage is right for you—or for someone you love. What is a reverse mortgage, and who is eligible to get one? Reverse mortgages are also known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs). Homeowners over age 62 (or a married couple in which at least one partner has reached age eligibility) can use this loan product to cash out some of their home equity to cover living expenses and to improve cash flow....

“It’s often said that an empath is not only keenly aware of the emotions [of others] around them, they [also] experience these emotions as if they belonged to them,” explains Adolph Brown, a clinical psychologist, speaker and educator. “Empaths are also known to have exceptional abilities to nurture and heal.” As it turns out, the world is packed with empaths. Research suggests that about 20 percent of the population may be “highly sensitive,” or empaths....

The IPA began its modern transformation with West Coast-style IPA. A decade ago, these bitter bombs were all the rage as the American craft brewing movement became mainstream. Lately, though, IPAs have become more varied, measured, and even refreshing. How different can two IPAs be? (Worlds!) How can you find the IPA for you? (First, you must know the styles!) A quick rundown will prep you for this eye-opening beer style....

In Texas, many devotees of the region’s slow-smoked beef brisket and pork ribs prefer their barbecue in a hot, vinegar-based dressing. For this style, try a rich, refreshing hometown brew like Shiner Bock ($8 for six cans) from Shiner, Texas, to help soothe the burn. Or try any beer with some malty sweetness to balance the heat along with some hoppy, tangy notes to complement the tartness of the vinegar—such as an amber lager....