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“You can be embarrassed if you have too little, or embarrassed if you have too much,” says Diana Machado, cofounder and CEO of the Canada-based company, Lady Loans. “There’s no easy outlet to reach out and say, ‘I need to talk about finances.’” Conversations about how to earn money and manage it are important in a world that still undervalues women’s labor and financial education. Yet among friends, many women are uncomfortable bringing up topics like salary or earnings (not to mention financial hardships or discrimination), especially if they were taught never to ask someone how much they make....

We did the hard work so that you don’t have to, researching dozens of drugstore shampoos and evaluating their key ingredients, scents, sizes, and the hair types they’re ideal for. For a step-by-step breakdown of how to use shampoo and conditioner effectively, we spoke to Kira Byrd, founder of the natural hair care website Curl Centric. We also consulted Bridgette Hill, a World Trichology Society-certified trichologist, and Cody Renegar, a licensed cosmetologist with 25 years of experience in women’s hair care, for insight on how often you need to wash your hair (and what happens if you don’t wash it often enough)....

To determine the best black leggings, we spent hours researching the most popular options on the market. We considered factors like price, material, and size range to narrow down our list to only the best styles. We also spoke with Vivian Lee, the director of styling at Dailylook, and Paige Perez, lead designer of activewear at Adore Me, for expert advice on choosing the best black leggings for you. “Black leggings are popular for their comfort, versatility, and clean silhouette,” says Lee....

What goes into a newborn’s diaper bag? If you’re considering removing “diaper bag” from your baby registry, you might want to think again because diapers are not the only thing you’ll need one for. Consider all the other baby products you’ll be hauling around every single time you leave the house with a baby: baby wipes, changing mat, change of clothes, milk bottles, formula, teething toys, other toys, first-aid kit, diaper cream, and pacifier....

In order to start living the organized kitchen dream, it’s crucial that you organize your kitchen first, according to Laura Cattano, professional organizer and interior stylist. This will give you time to figure out what setup is most efficient for you. “Once you have things in the most convenient spot, you can decide what organizers you actually need,” she says. Important things to consider when choosing kitchen cabinet organizers are size, material, and functionality, You’ll want to look for items that will fit in your space and make your life easier....

That being said, both the amount and type of fat you consume are key in determining whether or not the foods you eat on a daily basis have a positive or negative effect on your overall health. “Some types of fat, like saturated and trans fat, can raise blood cholesterol levels. Other types of fat, like mono- and polyunsaturated fat, can actually help lower blood cholesterol levels,” explains Raikhlin. “And keeping blood cholesterol under control is a key factor in reducing your risk of heart disease and stroke....

We looked closely at dozens of deodorant products and evaluated them on formula, strength, and application method to determine the best deodorants for women. Our top choice is the Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant Deodorant, which does an excellent job at keeping odor and sweat at bay and contains ingredients that moisturize and allow for easy application. Read on for all of our top deodorant picks for women. Who it isn’t for: People looking for a fragrance-free deodorant....

According to Allison Vallin Kostovick, an organic gardening expert with more than 25 years of experience and owner of gardening education website Finch + Folly, “the two biggest things to look for when selecting a great garden shoe is comfort and that it’s waterproof. You want to look for a shoe that is sturdy enough to provide support and lasting comfort, but because gardening involves a lot of bending and kneeling, you’ll also want a shoe that offers a bit of flexibility in the sole....

To find the best steam mops, we tested 27 popular models in our Lab and evaluated each on its ease of use, effectiveness, portability, ease of cleaning, maneuverability, and value. We also considered factors such as cord length, weight, and steam output. For expert insight, we tapped Gary McCoy, Lowe’s store manager serving the Charlotte, North Carolina market. McCoy says steam mops can both clean and sanitize floors using water alone: “These handy appliances don’t rely on typical cleaning solutions to kill germs, but instead, use water to steam-sanitize your floors and sealed surfaces,” says McCoy....

“Gently cleaning the metal around your stones is a general rule that goes for everything from something like a diamond, which will be your hardest stone, all the way down to anything porous,” says Bailey. “For softer stones like pearls, you should use a soft dry cloth rather than a soft bristle toothbrush in soapy water.” Our top pick is the Simple Shine Gentle Jewelry Cleaner Solution Kit for its quick-acting formula, non-toxic base, and easy-to-use set-up....

To buy: $28 with coupon (was $56); amazon.com. Shoppers say it’s lightweight, yet has a good amount of heft to it that actually lulls them to sleep. It maintains its perfect heft thanks to its box stitch design. The small squares separate the fill to evenly distribute it and prevent massive lumps from forming in the corners. One reviewer said it’s so comfortable, they have been “wrapped up inside of this thing every night” since they got it....

Some pieces are a no-brainer, like a down-filled parka and a thick cashmere scarf, although I’ve also found some under-the-radar cozy pieces that have changed my winter wardrobe for the better. Take the Birkenstock Boston Shearling Clogs, for example, which are winterized take on the brand’s classic slip-on shoes, or a Uniqlo Heattech turtleneck, which looks like your typical pullover sweater, but is actually designed with heat-trapping technology. Keep reading for this shopping writer’s favorite cold weather apparel and accessories....

Lucky for you, we’re on the extreme end of fandom. And while we could rave about the new plant-based products or black garlic seasoning over some three-buck Chuck for hours, we’re here today to digest the latest podcast episode: “11 (or more!) Trader Joe’s Fail-Safe Freezer Finds for Dinner (and More!).” In the 34th episode, Tara Miller, the marketing director for Trader Joe’s, and Matt Sloan, the vice president of product marketing, dissect one of the most sacred spaces inside the store: the frozen food aisle....

These pants actually fulfill the promise from the advertising copy: They look like trousers, but feel like sweatpants. While they are chic enough for the office or a dinner out, the style is also cozy enough to sleep in (I should know—I’ve napped in them many times). The secret is the high-quality elastic waist, which doesn’t stretch out after dozens of wears, and a super-soft, wrinkle-resistant fabric blend of cotton, modal, and elastane....

When it first debuted, Gap Home largely focused on bedding, bath, and kitchen items. All three categories are still part of the line (and highly rated to boot), but Walmart is now carrying a range of Gap Home furniture and rugs. Plus, new bedding has arrived just in time for winter’s cooler temperatures. Although you can definitely browse through the full all-American collection online, we did the hard work for you and culled everything that’s available in order to share the 10 best pieces....

Not only does the lightweight set not take up too much prime real estate space on your countertop, but each piece is super functional too. The durable plastic utensils are heat-resistant up to 329 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can use them to whip up your favorite dishes without worrying about them melting. Plus, they are also machine-washable for easy cleanup. To buy: $28; amazon.com. Another shopper called them a “must-have,” while another wrote, “This is a great deal if you want to minimize space usage in your kitchen....

Remember, if you don’t like the taste of olives, you can reap many of their benefits through olive oil—just be sure to use it at low to medium heat. There are also companies like Olyxir, which makes teas and chocolates from olive leaves, meaning you get all the antioxidants and vitamins with none of the olive taste. If you do like olives, in addition to popping them straight, try making a tapenade, serving them over fish or chicken, or in a salad with radicchio....

You may already know your sleep personality (I’ll take a crisp percale over a silky sateen any day!), but if you’re not sure, the questions below can help guide you. From there, check out our bed sheet recommendations below, arranged by personality type. Do you often wake up hot or sweating in the middle of the night?Close your eyes and think of adjectives that describe your favorite bedding. What words come to mind?...

We’re talking about the Honey-Can-Do Storage Shelves, which have five levels that can each support a whopping 200 pounds. Made of heavy-duty steel material, the storage racks are customizable and can be placed wherever you want them to sit on the frame—so something like your tall stand mixer can fit wherever you want it to. And since they’re NSF-approved, according to the brand, (meaning they’re certified for commercial kitchen use by the National Sanitation Foundation), you know they’re safe, or as one shopper puts it, the “best quality on the market....

How does laser hair removal work? To get to the bottom of this hairy situation, we got the lowdown from Sheel Desai Solomon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist practicing in the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina area. She explains that unlike waxing, which uproots hairs from deep in the follicle, this hair removal process targets the dark pigment in your hair follicles, stunting the potential growth of future hair. While it’s now more readily available to consumers than ever, there are a few questions to ask before going ahead....