A good lip treatment is a crucial part of a skin care routine, especially as you age. Lips are often one of the first things people notice. More importantly, when they feel uncomfortable, you notice them more. This is especially so if you deal with dry lips or notice that yours are a little more textured than you’re used to due to natural aging. In the spirit of improving our lip TLC, we spotted a hyaluronic acid plumping gloss that reviewers swear addresses signs of aging lips and delivers “spa-like” results at a steal of a price. It’s 26% off if you clip the on-page coupon, a solid deal for what reviewers call “a spa treatment for my lips” and even a Botox replacer.

You may be familiar with the $45 2025 HuffPicks beauty winner, Youthfull Lip Replenisher, for aging lips. Today, let us raise you the Suquato peptide lip treatment, also designed to fill out wrinkles and restore bounce — on sale for just $10 right now!

It boasts a 3-in-1 formula that can be used as an overnight mask, a single-layer plumping gloss or a lip gloss topper for lipstick — and per the reviews, this baby is highly effective.

“This stuff took 10 years off my lips in one night,” another reviewer raved. “[I] put it on one night and in the morning I was shocked to see my lips were actually plump and juicy!”

“After one night my wrinkles were noticeably diminished,” reviewer L Quinn gushed about the plumping gloss. “After a few nights, my upper lip was smooth. No more Botox needed in my lips!!”

Talk about product efficacy?!

Made with hyaluronic acid and a strong peptide complex, the versatile lip treatment hydrates and boosts collagen to lock in moisture and reduce fine lines. The added shea butter and vitamin E keep your mouth nourished and protect it from the elements.

“The texture is extremely smooth and velvety, feels so luxurious to apply and wear,” one review shared. “It creates a mild, pleasant kind of tingling sensation, which is nice for a little mental confirmation that it’s working but without being overbearing or uncomfortable at all.”

Some say it’s scentless, while others compliment the subtle smell, yet everyone seems to agree the formula is long-lasting and feels great. ” It’s sort of sticky without actually being sticky and it stays on for a long time instead of disappearing after 20 minutes like regular lip balm often does,” one wrote.

“Sticky enough that it lasts but not sticky enough to get my hair caught in it,” another said.

Last but not least, the other ingenious part about this lip plumping treatment is the design of the applicator tip.

Considering the 4.3-star rated Suquato peptide lip treatment but need to know a little more? Check more reviews below from people loving the formula.

“Best lip treatment ever. I am 68 years old with thinning lips resulting in feathering. I’ve tried pretty much EVERY lip treatment – plumper on the market with varying results from “ok” to none. I was therefore pretty skeptical when I ordered this product – but boy was I ever wrong! Results were instantaneous and lasting. Feathering diminished to nearly gone! I LOVE THIS PRODUCT and it has become a daily part of my self-care and make-up routine. I HIGHLY recommend you try it!” — Eileen M Johnson

“I’m happy with this lip mask and how it plumps my lips.I’m 64 years old and have noticed thinning especially of my upper lip along with vertical lines and wrinkles on both upper and lower lips. I didn’t think to take a before pic but the picture I have provided was taken approx. 1 hour after application of the lip mask.” — SLG

“This is a 5 star plus review.
I’ve tested this with
DHC
DRMTLGY
CWB
VASALINE
I’m 63 and try all skin products. This is the best lip mask that stays on and moisturize.” — Sunshine62

“I’m 65 and HAD small lines all across my top lip. A few years ago I resorted to getting two injections of Botox on my upper lip to smooth out the wrinkles. The Botox was wearing off when I decided to try this product. After one night my wrinkles were noticeably diminished. After a few nights my upper lip was smooth. No more Botox needed in my lips!!
Now I’m waiting for them to come out with a whole face serum!!” — L.Quinn

The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)

I experienced a startling moment when I was working on marketing copy for my most recent novel, “The Snowbirds.” The story follows empty nesters who head to sunny Palm Springs, California, to escape the harsh Midwestern winter and figure out the rest of their lives.

I described my characters as “middle aged” because they are my age, 56 (now 57), and that’s how I thought of myself — and them — the whole time I was writing the book. But my longtime editor suggested a slight modification to my text, one she never would have guessed would hit me sideways: She inserted the word “late” in front of those words.

Late middle age?

I stared at that phrase for a good long time and thought, what exactly is that? I thought I’d written a novel about the travails of midlife. Was it possible my characters had already rounded that bend … and so, too, had I?

Even though my editor is always right, my first instinct was denial, because most of the time I feel like my young self. I still act like a dumb teenager, saying and doing all the wrong things. I take yoga and lift weights. I wear barrel jeans. I attend concerts and try to stay hip. (True confession: I had to ask my grown kids which word to use instead of “hip.” They suggested “aura,” “rizz,” “skibidi,” “steeze” and “Ohio.” I wasn’t sure if this was actual slang or if they were making fun of me).

Yet there’s no denying the old is starting to push through. The warranty on our new mattress expires after I probably will. I make 5:30 p.m. dinner reservations. I use Hotmail. My lower back is a mess, and I get a kink in my neck unless I sleep on the exact perfect pillow.

When I was young, I liked to think my body was filled with stuffing. Now my internal organs call attention to themselves one at a time. After a few startling bouts of arrhythmia, I’ve even begun to fear my own heart.

Like most edits, this correction, once brought to my attention, seemed as obvious as the face that stares back at me when I accidentally have my phone camera on selfie mode. Honestly, how could I think I was still in straight-up midlife? Did I really expect to live to 114?

This isn’t the first time I’ve been startled off a mental set point age. For years — or even decades — I’ll see myself stuck on a certain notch on the life cycle dial until a jolt of recognition sends me reeling into a new era, like the first time a stranger called me ma’am, or when a Christmas card arrived from our kids’ former babysitter who now has her own children. I’ll never forget my late father-in-law returning from his high school reunion when he was in his 80s, dumbfounded. He couldn’t believe how old everyone else was.

When I was a kid, I loved to flip through the pages of family albums. I remember photos of my beautiful grandmother as a young woman. She’s young — flip — young — flip — young — flip — and just like that, she was the Nana I knew. There was no middle or late-middle age.

I thought aging was a flipped switch, and it sure seems that way when I look twice at a celebrity or someone I haven’t seen in a while because they’ve turned that corner.

I guess I figured I’d linger in midlife until that happened to me, or when a grandchild or retirement pushed me into senior territory. Then again, there are places in Palm Springs where 55 is the minimum age for the senior discount. My friends are getting grandchildren. My husband talks about retirement when he wants to scare me.

Nobody I know thinks of themselves as “late middle age” because the phrase signals the end of an era, like late antiquity or late modernism. The term sounds over-ripe, but also charitable. It says you aren’t old old, but you’re in the vicinity.

While some of our friends have already put deposits on assisted living places they don’t plan to move into for a decade, my husband and I decided to shake things up once this reality set in. We recently moved from Madison, Wisconsin, the beloved city where we raised our children, to Chicago. After cleaning out our parents’ homes, it felt good to get rid of our accumulated junk — skateboards, preschool construction paper art, my graduate school notebooks and papers, musty towels, and the Crock-Pot we never use — so our kids won’t have to when the time comes. We gave up extra rooms and a backyard to live on the third floor of a building with no elevator because we think the steps will keep us fit. Now we’re surrounded by people, traffic, concrete and activity (and Bears fans). When I search for parking or miss a bus on a subzero day, I console myself by thinking, this is good for my neural networks.

Sometimes I wonder if, after feeling constrained by jobs and kids for so long, we put our lives in a blender and hit “puree” simply because we can. It’s scary and invigorating and maybe stupid, but I find myself wondering: If we don’t do this now, when will we?

Honestly, I’m enjoying this ambiguous in-between time defined by what I no longer am and haven’t yet become: post-young, pre-elderly. Sure, I have one eye on death, and my earlobes are longer, but I’m still young enough to adopt a puppy.

Despite the occasional Mohs surgery for skin cancer, there’s a lot to love about this age. I’m still healthy enough to travel and engage in most of the same activities I’ve always enjoyed. It’s a lot more fun for me to drink beers and have conversations about Plato’s cave with our kids than it was to change diapers and worry about missed curfews. I find it such a relief to stop talking with my friends about menopause — the thing everyone says nobody talks about.

I’m also not as fearful of old age because it isn’t what it used to be. The seniors I know lead incredibly active, vigorous lives. I care a lot less about how I look and what other people think of me. Maybe I’ve grown a thicker skin (publishing three books will do that), but what used to send me into a tailspin hardly merits a shrug now.

That’s why I wish there were a phrase to describe this phase in life that’s less doleful than “late middle age.” I’ve heard it referred to as “a second adolescence,” “the third chapter,” a “free period,” and “the queenteens.” A friend jokingly defines it as “20s with money.” Another friend likes to think she’s in “the freshman year of old age.”

The closest word I can think of sounds poetic, if a bit grim: “the gloaming” — the Scottish word for the mystical end of day when light fades but darkness hasn’t descended, a twilight filled with shadows made more dramatic by the golden, glimmering light.

I have a feeling I’ll linger here longer than I should, or until something jolts me out of it, like a stranger offering me their seat on the city bus.

Christina Clancy is the late-middle-aged, USA Today bestselling author of “The Snowbirds,” “Shoulder Season,” and “The Second Home,” (All from St. Martin’s Press).

Do you have a compelling personal story you’d like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what we’re looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@huffpost.com.

Tatcha’s plumping Dewy Skin moisturizer has become a cult favorite thanks to its gorgeous, silky-smooth formula that helps return bounce and luminosity to the face and neck. Designed to save skin from moisture-sucking air and oxidative pollution, reviewers say the cream makes their skin look “younger and more radiant,” and feels “incredibly luxurious and hydrating.” So much so, one writes the cream made her cancel her Botox plans, as with the cream, “my skin plumped up and glowed in a way like NEVER before.” If you’re looking to try the magic for yourself, you can snag the mini for just $25 at Amazon and Sephora.

Deemed a “A HERO 🦸♀️ product forever!!!!🏆🥇” and “truly magic in a pot,” the Dewy Cream is a serious fan fav. Made with hyaluronic acid, squalane and the brand’s proprietary superfood concentrate, this nourishing cream is designed to keep your skin hydrated and soft.

Blended with antioxidants and ceramides, the cream helps replenish compromised skin barriers while plumping and reducing fine lines. It’s ideal for folks with mature, dry skin, anyone who lives in a high-pollution area or who otherwise craves a richer hydrator. A little goes a long way, too: One pearl-sized scoop is enough to cover your face and neck. It’s *so* moisturizing; one fan calls it “electrolytes for skin dehydration.”

A reviewer with fair, rosacea-prone skin who first tried the cream in a Sephora writes, “I literally watched my parched, dull, reddened skin turn happy, dewy yet not greasy, and less irritated. My skin just drank it up!”

Nancy, another Sephora shopper, deems the cream a “must-have for dry & mature skin,” calling it a staple in their daily routine. “My skin just soaks it up,” they wrote. “Leaves my skin looking refreshed and plump. Wears great under my makeup.”

Reviewers say the botanical blend makes their skin feel “younger and vibrant” — fast.

Of course, this beloved cream doesn’t just leave skin hydrated; in fact, reviewers credit the unique ingredients for wrinkle control and keeping skin feeling radiant and looking younger — thanks to potent ingredients like Japanese purple rice and peptide-heavy red algae.

According to the brand, these ingredients are intended to help boost the skin barrier, keep fine lines at bay and give skin an instant supple look. “I loved how it plumped up my old skin,” 69-year-old Wandawoo wrote. “I’ve already had compliments on how great my skin looks.”

“I have been using this for about 3 weeks and my 55 year old skin is looking more and more like 25 year old skin,” another shopper said, calling the cream an “age eraser.” “It looks hydrated and I couldn’t be happier!”

A 54-year-old reviewer writes that she tried the cream as “the crepy skin is starting to creep in,” noting “my old products were no longer doing their job.” While she was initially skeptical, she found the cream lived up to the hype. “Within the first use, I could tell that it was really moisturizing,” she wrote. “My skin also started to fill in as well as tighten. My skin is already improving. Though it’s pricey, it does its job and is worth paying for…” “…After the first use I noticed my wrinkles were beginning to vanish,” another wrote. “Do not hesitate to try this product, you won’t be sorry.”

You know a cream is good when it’s saving you money from professional skin treatments. “I was almost on my way to getting Botox and possibly filler because my skin was just looking and feeling…old,” shopper Crissy writes. “…But the second I started using this stuff my skin plumped up and glowed in a way like NEVER before.” Crissy continued calling the cream “the best skin care item that I own,” that’s “a lottt less than Botox.”

A 68-year-old reviewer with a collection of high-luxury skin care tried the cream after her 42-year-old daughter recommended it, calling the cream “a lot cheaper” than cosmetic procedures. “I must report this is as good, if not better than the products from Paris, I’ve been using which can cost upwards of $600 for a smaller amount,” she wrote. “I will now be buying this product line instead of the high-end products I’ve used in the past.”

Others say the cream has helped their skin so much, they “truly don’t even like wearing makeup anymore,” as, “my skin looks better without it I think!” “After putting the cream on at 6 am, working a 9 hour shift and then going to dinner..still was glowing,” one wrote. “I don’t need to wear foundation my skin looks exactly like I want it to,” another said.

Whether you’re stocking up on your holy grail or you’re curious to see what everyone’s talking about — grab Tatcha’s Dewy Skin Cream for 20% off in all sizes at Sephora. Here are more love notes from adoring Sephora shoppers.

“OMG!!! I’m a 68 year old grandmother and my face has years of aging but Ive tried to keep it in good shape. I’ve been using products from Paris for years. It’s expensive but I did not mind paying the price because it has really helped my skin stay moisturized and keep wrinkles at bay. My 42-year-old daughter who has beautiful skin informed me she has been using this brand for years. Well due to how well her skin looks I decided to try it out. It was under $100 and heck at 68 it’s a lot cheaper than cosmetic procedures and the large size I purchased will last me months. I must report this is as good, if not better then the products from Paris, Ive been using which can cost upwards of $600. for a smaller amount. This cream is absolutely wonderful as a moisturizer and softening wrinkles and after the first use I noticed my wrinkles were beginning to vanish. I will now be buying this product line instead of the high end products I’ve used in the past. Do not hesitate to try this product, you won’t be sorry.” — Suzie-Q

“I’m a 54 year old Asian woman, and I’ve always taken care of my skin and told I look 20 years younger. This year has been a struggle though as I’ve now reached the age where I really have to work hard to moisturize and maintain moisture. The crepy skin is starting to creep in, and the skin on my face is starting to look loose. My old products were no longer doing their job. I bought the smallest size of the purple jar to try, not expecting much. Within the first use, I could tell that it was really moisturizing. My skin also started to fill in as well as tighten. My skin is already improving. Though it’s pricey, it does its job and is worth paying for – at least for me.” — S. Severini

“i got compliments on my skin within a week of using this. not oily and does exactly what it says it will. very dewy and reduced my wrinkles. this will be my moisturizer for lifeee omg joy grail i put everyone on to tatcha !! on everyone” — babydolly7

“This product has been a go-to moisturizer for me for several years. It is expensive, but I’ve looked for less expensive alternatives and keep returning to this. A little goes a long way. It is probably best for dry, mature skin. I find I must let it absorb a bit before applying make up or else my face is super shiny, but it is one of the few moisturizers that does not settle into lines and wrinkles. It smells heavenly and is not animal tested, which I love.” — Cle013

Looking to give your body some TLC too? Check out this list of lightweight, summer-ready, super-moisturizing “body milks” from previous HuffPost Shopping reporting.

The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)

It’s summertime, baby, and that means longer times and lots of outdoor fun. Yes, if it’s tricky to navigate long periods of walking or standing — you may wonder how to make the outdoors more accessible. Boy, do we have good news. From the Taiwanese company Step2Gold, the aptly named Ta-Da chair is a versatile, genius tool that conveniently functions as a lightweight walking stick and then folds out into a chair whenever you need it. Even better? It’s currently 33% off, making it under $100 — but act fast, this is a ⚡️lightning deal ⚡️with limited stock.

The chair has garnered heaps of glowing reviews thanks to its versatility, ease of use, portability and functionality. Made with lightweight, durable materials, it’s easy to tote around, according to multiple shoppers — who also say that despite its light, slim silhouette, it doesn’t sacrifice stability in either configuration.

When used as a cane, it has an ergonomic handle that’s designed to fit comfortably in your hand. When it’s snapped into a chair position, you can enjoy a large seat that is comfortable and evenly distributes weight (up to 300 pounds), with large anti-slip rubber feet for extra safety. Additionally, it features a safety buckle, seat lock and is constructed with a reinforced stainless steel seat rim for enhanced strength.

“It is really easy to open and close; it takes just seconds,” a reviewer wrote. ”…It takes just seconds and can even be done while you’re on the move again.” “With a couple of clicks, it unfolds to a stable little stool to take the weight off of painful hips or knees,” another wrote.

Reviewers particularly love it for travel, maintaining that it’s convenient to use through airports and on planes or anytime you have to stand in long lines.

In fact, many consider it an absolute must for vacations spent trekking on uneven cobblestones and wandering through museums. It’s also great for outdoor activities like festivals, picnics and children’s sporting events.

“This seat was a lifesaver on our trip to Europe,” one wrote, calling the chair “light enough to carry around all day.” ”…I used this seat for waiting in line at the airports, waiting in line for buses, crowding around listening to tour guides, etc. etc.”

“I don’t have to use the seat often, but knowing I have the option to sit *immediately* if I need to makes me more willing to go out,” another wrote. With many joking that when they used it in public, many jealous onlookers asked where to get one.

While it’s pricier than your average camp or outdoor chair, reviewers (and their PTs!) say it’s worth every penny for the peace of mind, freedom and comfort it brings.

″…If anyone else is uncertain about spending the money… I have to say, go for it. I have no regrets,” shopper Mary wrote. “I’ve already attended 1 event that I would not have even tried without it and I’m sure there’ll be others. It’s given me back a little more freedom, so well worth it.”

″…I just walked a considerable distance down a Gulf shore beach. I could pause wherever I liked, then click open this little stool to rest and enjoy the view,” an 80-year-old reviewer said. “It allows me to go places I might otherwise not risk. It’s completely changed what I’m able to do in my life!!! If you’re using a cane, you absolutely need this one!”

Shopper Phillip says the chair comes recommended by their doctor, calling the tool “Independence!” “This is a very durable product that gives me the freedom to walk and the freedom to sit when I’m shopping,” they said. “I use it several times a week and answer questions to others wondering where I got this handy device.”

Another writes, “My physical therapist is as impressed with this product as I am,” adding, “it is so easy to open & close & remains stable when I do need to sit & rest.”

Reviewers love this portable chair for giving them stability when walking or sitting on the go. Read more 5-star reviews and grab one for yourself on sale.

“I seem to have come down with a case of COG (Chronic Old Guy), however, I still enjoying walking my dogs in the park. This wonderful cane–chair (1) helps me keep my feet on uneven ground and (2) lets me stop to rest no matter where I happen to be. The seat also comes in handy when the sun blares down on a park bench. I simply set up in the shade, to the envy of all other park visitors. Whoever came up with naming it Ta–Da deserves a raise. Indeed, it’s hard not to yell out “ta–da” each time I unfold the seat.” — Steve Cuno

“I’m 73. My wife is 71 with mobility issues. This is a great leg and back saver. The three legs make it stable where ever you set it up. It opens and collapses easily. I can’t count the number of times people have asked what it is, where did we get it and want one for themselves. As an added bonus, when people see us carrying them, they are a little nicer and more courteous.” — R. Darrington

“Works great. It’s stable while walking as well as when you sit on the stool. My dad has a back injury so balance is not his friend. This cane is going to be so helpful when he travels and does walking tours. He’s quite happy with it.” — Grant Williams

“What a difference this cane/chair made for my husband on a recent trip to Paris. While he is able to walk without a cane, his respiratory condition and edema in his legs does not allow him to walk very far. The foldable chair worked great whenever he needed to take a break. He said the seat was fairly comfortable for these short periods. It was light enough to carry around as we walked through neighborhoods and yet sturdy enough to sit on…he weighs 224. The weight limit is 300+. We were able to tour Notre Dame Cathedral and other iconic Paris tourist spots, museums, et.al. without him tiring from walking. Excellent quality.” — Josie Riojas

The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)

On a hot summer day, the last thing you need is to make multiple trips carrying heavy things on foot. Whether you’re a camper, gardener, beach bum, apartment dweller or just someone who grocery shops, adding a rolling cart to your routine may take a load off — literally. Weighing just over 10 pounds, reviewers call this collapsible, easy-to-assemble wagona true godsend for hauling the heavy stuff. To lighten the load on your wallet, you can currently snag the black option for 20% off, though the other colors (blue, pink and red) are all under $40, even at full price.

Reviewers say this lightweight wagon is “easy to put together and works perfectly” for towing everything from “Costco hauls and small furniture,” to cleaning supplies around the house.

With an accordion-style carbon steel frame and tire-like wheels designed for all terrains, this small-but-mighty wagon is ready to tackle all sorts of hauls. When extended, it measures 26.8 inches by 17.7 inches and can hold 120 liters or up to 380 pounds. As it comes partially assembled, you just need to pop in the wheels and adjustable handle and attach the tear-resistant and waterproof fabric liner with Velcro, and you’re ready to roll. The fabric lining can be easily removed and thrown in the washing machine to keep it clean.

Reviewer Romero especially appreciates the high weight capacity, which is “not flimsy like other carts I’ve tried,” making it perfect for loading “groceries, camping gear, and even heavy gardening supplies.”

Shopper Jeff initially bought the wagon to haul firewood, hoping with 360-degree wheels, it would move over “concrete, brick, gravel and grass” better than a wheelbarrow or dolly. (Spoiler alert: it did.) “This cart does it all, and it can handle a lot of weight,” Jeff said. “It’s also convenient for hauling the associated coolers, Bluetooth speakers, chairs, and everything else that comes with setting up an impromptu bonfire party!”

Others swear by it for moving stuff within their homes, with Oneher calling it a “great little helper 🥰” that offers much-welcome assistance when needed. “[It’s] able to move around easily inside my apartment,” one wrote. “ I can also load all our groceries up and wheel it into the house,” another said.

Deemed “perfect for apartment living” and approved by grandparents, this wagon folds down small for easy storage. When full collapsed, the wagon measures 10.6 inches by 17.7 inches, with the brand comparing it to the size of a briefcase. Because it’s so seamless to keep in a trunk or closet, reviewers say they use it a lot, especially to make consistent, weekly chores easier, like yardwork and house cleaning.

“As a 90 year old tasks such as unloading groceries can be daunting. My cart makes it easy,” Maggie wrote.

“…A chore that once took multiple trips now done in one or two,” they continued. “Cart rolls easily and holds more than I expected it to. May be my new favorite thing.

“I can easily now carry stuff like bags of donations of decluttered items to our vehicle in one trip and it lessens the tripping risk,” another said.

This baby is also loved for making special occasions easier, like setting up parties or traveling with little ones. One reviewer used the wagon when visiting friends who lived on the fourth floor of a condo building. “…It was the most effortless unpacking experience when we visited them,” they wrote. “We just put all of our bags and stuff in one trip in their cart and took the elevator and our arms weren’t hurting.”

Reviewers love this rolling wagon for taking the heavy lifting out of, well, everything! Read more 5-star reviews and grab one on sale — your back will thank you.

“As a 90 year old tasks such as unloading groceries can be daunting. My cart makes it easy. Unload groceries into the cart, wheel it into the kitchen and a chore that once took multiple trips now done in one or two. Cart rolls easily and holds more than I expected it to. May be my new favorite thing.” — Maggie

“Perfect for apartment living! I bought this to be able to haul items from my car to my building and back and forth from my garage and it doesn’t disappoint! Easy to assemble, light weight and compact! It has enough to space to hold and haul everything I need it too and I can use it for my granddaughter as well! It is very stable and sturdy and easy to maneuver in the apartment and outside. Extremely affordable and can carry decently heavy items!” — Heather Logan

“Love it! I use it for yard work to carry around gardening tools, yard waste, tarps, cords, etc. and also to help me carry in my groceries from the car quickly! It’s so easy to collapse and put up and stores so compactly.” — Crohn’s With Kids

“This works well around the house and garden as well as shopping or markets where you buy many things without the hassle of having to run back and forth to the car.” — Jason

“This wagon is a great size and holds a lot more than I expected. The quality feels solid, with a sturdy frame and durable fabric. It folds up easily for storage and doesn’t take up much space in the trunk. The all-terrain wheels roll smoothly on pavement, grass, and uneven surfaces, even when the wagon is loaded. Overall, it’s practical, easy to use, and works well for shopping, beach trips, and outdoor activities. I also uploaded a video to show how it rolls and how much it can carry. Highly satisfied with this purchase.” — Micheal

The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)

I always believed my natural hairiness was due to my Italian heritage. Every drop-dead gorgeous woman in my family spent Saturdays religiously waxing their upper lips. While it is certainly every individual’s choice as to who waxes and why, in my family, it was basically a rite of passage. At 10 years old, I sat at the kitchen table as my mom dripped microwaveable hot wax onto my lip, then ripped it off to searing pain.

When I hit my 20′s, the hair growth was… intense. I realized that it wasn’t my heritage alone making me a little fuzzier than the average woman; it was actually a medical condition: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), which causes hirsutism (the rapid growth of facial hair) in women. Now, after over 20 years of waxing, I am done: The skin damage, the pain— I am determined to find a better way. And I think I may have found it in this little-known $20 device hiding on Amazon.

This particular design is meant to remove facial hair closely without the risk of razor bumps or nicks. It comes with two heads: One for your delicate areas like the upper lip, chin, and neck, and another for your eyebrows and even your nose. As one reviewer put it, the design makes for “great precision and a smooth, gentle trim every time.”

It features a 1,000 RPM motor for “faster hair removal” and even comes with a little LED light to make visibility even easier. And with dual blades and a titanium-plated head, skin irritation should be at a minimum. Several reviewers noted how great it is for being cautious with mature and even sensitive skin.

The razor is also portable and rechargeable, so it is easy to throw in your bag for trips or take on the go to freshen up. Additionally, as a fun aside, it’s available in a multitude of colors.

While I should be above societal beauty standards, I am, alas, just a girl looking to lead a peach-fuzz-free life. This cool find can give people like me the convenience and ease of hair removal on the go. As someone who has spent many a frantic five minutes in the car plucking out rogue chin hairs before an event, something like this could be life-changing.

People are reporting it helping with a few different skin needs. Several reviewers also note that it helps remove dead skin.

Plus, one user shared that it also helped with their blackheads triggered by ingrown hairs.

If you wear makeup, just give this a quick swipe over your face, and your products will lay smoother and more evenly than before.

“As a 52 year old woman, I [have] always struggled with facial hair. I have been using these type of devices since they first came out… late 90… early 00s? Before that it was those awful smelly creams. Let me tell you ladies, this is next level holy effing grail!!!!!! My face has never, ever in my life felt so smooth, looked so nice… not a single stubble to be seen or felt. I was hesitant to buy this one for a while thinking I have tried them all and it can’t be better then the one I was currently using. Wish I had bought it sooner, it’s life changing!” — Anyasings

“As a Senior, this product was easy to assemble and to use. It is gentle to an old face and did a wonderful job on the fine peach fuzz and firmer hairs. I’d recommend this product, I’m very well pleased with it and would buy it again.” — Camille

“This face and eyebrow hair trimmer remover is absolutely the best thing in the whole world I suffered from acne my whole life now I’m 51 years old and I have very deep blackheads and I’ve tried everything to remove them and nothing worked and as a trimming my facial hair it was removing my blackheads I am like beyond happy with this product and it works perfectly to remove my facial hair I am just so happy with this product” — Alana J. Cooley

“Who knew I had so much peach fuzz! And eyebrows are so light that shaving is difficult.” — Wildflowersgal

“Old crone’s delight. Just what is needed to keep looking good. A quick fix for lip/chin hairs, as well as touching up the eyebrow area. Best grooming product ever for the hair-gifted out there.” — Ragnar

The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)

Advancing age and the accompanying decline in mental acuity and physical strength have been discussed a lot lately — especially when the 2024 presidential election featured two of the oldest candidates in history until President Joe Biden withdrew his candidacy in July.

However, many senior citizens are leading active and productive lives. I am 84 years old and in good health, both mentally and physically. I can’t say for certain why I’m in such good shape, but I attribute it to certain routines I have followed over the years.

I have stayed pretty self-sufficient and don’t like people prejudging what I can and cannot do because of my age. A few years ago, when I was in my late 70s, my daughter’s childhood friend visited us with her husband. One day, we needed to take something down from a high shelf. I walked to the garage and brought out a stepladder. The husband immediately reacted as if I had done something wrong.

“Uncle,” he said, “you should not be doing this at your age.” I told him I was perfectly capable, but he proceeded to take the ladder from me and get the item.

Two Decembers ago, a young relative stayed with us for a few days. One morning, I made tea and brought it to her at our breakfast table.

“What is this?” she said. “You sit. I will make breakfast.”

I told her that I make breakfast every day. I have been doing this and other household chores for years. I am not going to stop just because I am getting old.

Here’s my take on living a satisfactory and long, healthy life. I am not, by any means, an expert on anything — these are my thoughts based on how I am living my life and why I think it is helping me.

My wife and I have always made time to vacation in different parts of the world, focus on hobbies and learn new skills.

In just the past 18 months, we witnessed the glory of lavender fields in full bloom in France, ziplined in Costa Rica and cruised along the Chilean Fjords to Argentina. In earlier travels, we visited much of Western Europe, almost all of South America, plus South Africa and Zambia. We have visited the ends of the three continents — Kanyakumari in India, Cape of Good Hope in Africa and Cape Horn in South America. We have seen Niagara Falls, Victoria Falls and recently, Iguazu Falls. Our bucket list has reached rock bottom. If something pops up in the future, we will take the opportunity. But we feel fulfilled.

When I posted some of our travel photos, one of my nephews said, “Uncle, I am impressed by your enthusiasm, curiosity, and energy in traveling to all these wonderful places at your age. You are an octogenarian nomad.”

Our lives have been enriched by all this travel. We met interesting people who are gardeners, artists, book lovers and foodies, just like us. We made long-lasting friendships. I can’t imagine what my life would be if I just stayed put.

In July, my wife Bharati and I celebrated our 54th wedding anniversary. After living so many years together, I have learned how love and appreciation grow because of shared experiences. Having been together for over half a century, through thick and thin, I think about the meaning and significance of our wedding vows.

We are both Hindus. In the Vedic wedding ceremony, there is a ritual of Saptapadi (seven steps around a fire, for the fire god) during which we made vows similar to “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.”

Looking back, I wonder how we survived our initial years after we were married, when we faced long odds. After our wedding, Bharati had to stay back in India when I returned to America. It took her one year to get her visa due to India’s government bureaucracy. After she arrived in the U.S., she had to acclimate to a new country far different from where she had lived.

All newlyweds have challenges when starting a new life together, but ours were exacerbated by the economic climate in the early 1970s. I graduated with a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Oklahoma. At the time, the country was in the grip of a severe recession. Large companies were laying off people. It took me more than two years to gain footing in a good job.

Our earnings were meager during this period, but we still enjoyed our life. In the following years, we suffered the loss of our first child to spina bifida and two difficult pregnancies a few years later. We recovered from all of this and had a reasonably successful middle-class life. I learned that when two people love, trust and support each other, things tend to work out.

Our bodies change as we get older, and we need to adjust. Don’t live in denial. We have to listen to our bodies as well as to doctors. If you have a problem with hearing, get a hearing aid. If you have a problem with balance, get a cane. I have one that converts to a chair so I can sit when I am tired of standing.

After doing chores for over 40 years, I now avoid doing stuff that may cause bodily harm, such as shoveling snow or mowing the lawn. I am extremely careful to avoid falls. After attending a regular yoga class for years, I have switched to chair yoga. I now use a recumbent bike instead of a regular one. And there is one new thing I have started doing that I never did in my younger years: I take an afternoon nap.

During our many travels, we came across many people using canes, walkers and wheelchairs who were able to take part in outdoor excursions. Their aging bodies didn’t stop them from enjoying their vacation.

One of the challenges of retired life is staying occupied. Studies have shown that mentally stimulating work helps stave off dementia. That makes sense to me. There is plenty of time to fill. You can only watch so much TV. You have to find things that challenge your brain.

Just before I retired in my early 70s, I started learning Spanish. It’s my fourth language after Hindi, Marathi and English.

I watch Spanish telenovelas, and every Saturday, I attend a Zoom meetup group to practice speaking (I can make small talk). I come across new words during these meetings, but I soon forget them. It’s like remembering the names of strangers at parties.

“The inability to retrieve names, even those we know well, is a common complaint of aging,” a recent article in The Washington Post noted, adding that forgetfulness by itself is not a sign of cognitive issues.

I spend at least a couple of hours, Monday through Friday, engaged in writing-related activities: a new blog, brainstorming topics for a new piece, researching opportunities to publish. I have published a novel and have finished a second manuscript.

People often say I look younger than I am. I haven’t done anything special to achieve this feat. I am an ordinary man living an ordinary life, but I have created a specific structure to my life.

You might say my days are like those of Bill Murray in the movie “Groundhog Day”: I get up, read the paper, exercise, take an after-lunch nap, write for a couple of hours, and then spend my night reading books (mostly fiction) and magazines like Writer’s Digest, Poets & Writers, and the New Yorker while watching TV. It’s nothing too extraordinary, but I have been consistent.

I’ve never followed any diet. I eat and drink what I want, in moderation. I have been mostly a vegetarian, although we occasionally eat poultry and seafood, but never red meat. I’ve never smoked, despite the temptation.

For a number of years, I did the 15 minutes of daily exercise recommended by the Royal Canadian Air Force. This consisted of sun salutes, push-ups, squats, and in-place jogging. I worked in an office for 40 years and I made a point of taking a walk every day at lunch — even when it was freezing cold outside. My colleagues would ask, “Did you do your daily constitutional walk even today?” After retirement, I joined a gym to continue my exercise routine.

I haven’t played any demanding sports or participated in marathons that resulted in injury or long-term health issues. This is by no means a criticism of those who do these things. I admire them. However, at the end of each day, I am content to have done something useful. Perhaps this discipline has contributed to my being in the good shape that I am. I accept the fact that sometimes illness comes without notice and for no reason. I guess I have been lucky as well.

Last year, Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new surgeon general advisory calling attention to the public health crisis of loneliness, isolation and lack of connection in our country. It doesn’t have to be that way — and it doesn’t take much to combat it. Connection can be small talk with people we meet in a library, in an exercise class, or making a quick call to a friend or relative.

Making new friends and having a social circle has been great for my well-being. I met several nice people when I managed the Northern Virginia Writers Guild in my 70s. And I made friends with people who attend my Spanish-speaking meetup group. We invite them to our house for brunch from time to time.

My wife’s outgoing personality has helped us make friends in our neighborhood, too. We are part of a foodie group that goes out for lunch every month or so. Sometimes we meet our friends for happy hour. Some of our friends have been in our lives for over 40 years. Many of them have become like our extended family; we celebrate with them on joyous occasions and lean on them in times of trouble.

Throughout our lives, we come across many different people, including parents, siblings, friends, neighbors, work colleagues and significant others, and tensions can arise when our views conflict with others. Disagreements can be triggered by just about anything — from what to eat for dinner or what movie to watch to (of course) politics — and it’s often hard to come to a consensus.

So, how do we maintain a good relationship over a long period? As Audrey Hepburn once said, “Happiness is health and a short memory!” What’s the use of keeping a grudge? Just forget it and go on with your life. If you don’t like what someone, including your spouse, says, you can have a cordial discussion instead of getting mad and throwing tantrums. Ultimately, relationships are a two-way street: We can’t control how another person behaves, we can only control our behavior.

Where do I go from here? I will keep living the way I now do. I worry about getting a lengthy illness because I don’t want to be a burden to anyone. If my end has to come, let it come fast.

Sometimes I also worry about the safety of our children and grandchildren because there are so many crazy things happening around the world every day. However, you can’t live in a constant state of fear. If something happens, deal with it then. Enjoy your life as much as you can. That’s not a secret formula — it just helps to say it out loud every once in a while.

Ashok Shenolikar is a novelist, short-story writer, and essayist based in Ellicott City, Maryland. A retired engineer, his writing can be read on his blog, ashokshenolikar.com. His essays have been published in The Academy of Heart and Mind, The Pilcrow & Dagger and India Abroad. He managed the Northern Virginia Writer’s Guild Meetup from 2013 through 2019. His novel “Choices They Made” is available in paperback and Kindle versions.

This piece was previously published on HuffPost and is being shared now as part of HuffPost Personal’s “Best Of” series.

Do you have a compelling personal story you’d like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what we’re looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@huffpost.com.

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In previous reporting, physical therapists told HuffPost that topical creams like Biofreeze offer “immediate relief to sore areas” — allowing for more movement with less pain.

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Reviewers say the gel has “a pleasant minty smell that diminishes quickly,” especially because you don’t need to use your hands to apply it.

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As experts previously told HuffPost, these types of topical creams can also be great during physical therapy or working out as they “allow patients to perform exercises with reduced discomfort and increased effectiveness.”

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“If you never tried Biofreeze, I’m not really sure what to tell you. Especially on a roller. If you have back pain, you roll this on like deodorant and it immediately works. There’s no waiting. It doesn’t last as long as icy hot but it feels a lot better. It goes on a lot easier and it doesn’t leave any grease in your hands, it’s like deodorant for back pain. It really is a remarkable product and I actually saw a chiropractor recently who offered me a bottle and that’s when I knew for sure that I got the right stuff. I strongly recommend it” — Supreme Parties

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Looking for other reviewer-loved products for pain relief? Check out this list from a previous HuffPost Shopping story.

The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)