Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• Straightening brushes offer a fast, easy, and effective way to get sleek, shiny hair every day.
• They cut styling time in half and reduce the risk of damaging your hair.
• Our top pick, the Amika iRed Polished Perfection Straightening Brush 2.0, gives you smooth, shiny hair with professional-looking results in minutes — no matter what hair type you have.

I love that feeling of stepping out of a salon with sleek, freshly blown-out hair, but it's almost impossible to recreate, especially if you're in a rush in the morning. However, there's a new type of styling tool in town — the straightening brush. These handy styling tools provide a quick, easy, and effective way to get smooth, shiny hair with professional-looking results.

When you're in a rush or having a bad hair day, these time-saving hybrid paddle brush flat irons should be your go-to styling tool. They have many advantages over flat irons, which are notoriously bad for your hair. Straightening brushes cut your styling time in half and are a gentler way of straightening your hair. They also operate at slightly lower temperatures and only heat one side of your hair, which means less damage, and they don't tug or snag your hair.

Straightening brushes are safer to use, too, thanks to the hard bristles that don't get hot, so you don't need to worry about burning your scalp or your fingers. Unlike straightening irons that tend to flatten your hair, they keep your natural volume.

You still need to dry your hair and comb out the tangles before using them. You should also use a heat protecting spray. For best results, take individual sections and brush through each one slowly for maximum effect.

Although straightening brushes can be used on all hair types, lower temperatures are better for fine or damaged hair, while higher temperatures are best for thick or coarse hair. Here is a guide to help you work out the right temperature for you:

• 300° Fahrenheit: Fine, thin, or damaged hair
• 360° Fahrenheit: Curly or thick hair
• 430° Fahrenheit(+): For coarse, hard-to-style hair

When shopping for a straightening brush, you'll also want to look for automatic shutoff features for safety, LCD screens that show the temperature of the tool, and a variety of heat settings so you don't damage your hair.

We have researched hundreds of shopper and expert reviews, and tested the best straightening brushes on the market to come up the best of the best.

Here are the best straightening brushes you can buy:

• Best straightening brush overall: Amika iRed Polished Perfection Straightening Brush 2.0
• Best straightening brush for fine or damaged hair: Glamfields Straightening Brush 2.0
• Best straightening brush for thick or curly hair: Drybar Brush Crush
• Best straightening brush on a budget: Remington Pro 2-in-1 Heated Straightening Brush
• Best straightening brush for travel: Buture Mini Straightening Brush 3.0

Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.

SEE ALSO: The best hair straighteners you can buy

The best straightening brush overall

Why you'll love it: For smooth, shiny hair with salon-worthy results in an instant, Amika iRed Polished Perfection Straightening Brush 2.0 is our winner.

The Amika iRed Polished Perfection Straightening Brush 2.0 combines the effect of a straightener with the ease of a hairbrush, smoothing hair quickly and effortlessly, making styling a breeze.

In testing, I found the Amika iRed Polished Perfection Straightening Brush 2.0 lived up to its reputation. It heated up super quickly and went through my hair incredibly easily, straightening it in one stroke and leaving it very smooth and shiny.

It heats up rapidly and the temperature ranges from 170° Fahrenheit to 450° Fahrenheit, making it the straightening brush with the biggest range of the ones we tested. It also has a digital temperature control panel, so you can easily set it according to your hair type.

The Amika Straightening Brush launched in March 2019, so it is a new and improved version of the brand's award-winning original styling tool. It gets glowing reviews from beauty editors, experts, and shoppers alike.

The brush has a ceramic base and cool-tip bristles so you won't accidentally burn yourself. It has a double ion generator at the base of the brush that delivers millions of negative ions into your hair, sealing in the cuticle for shiny, frizz-free results.

It also benefits from iRed Beam technology and has far-infrared strips along the base to speed up delivery of heat into your hair for faster styling and to retain moisture for healthy-looking hair. This makes it an excellent choice if you have fine or damaged hair. It also comes with a 60-minute automatic shut-off.

As well as getting the thumbs up from Rank and Style and Stylecaster, it gets great reviews on Sephora with one reviewer calling it a "game changer."

Pros: Great for all hair types, temperature ranges from 170° Fahrenheit to 450° Fahrenheit, 60-minute automatic shut-off

Cons: Pricey

Buy the Amika iRed Polished Perfection Straightening Brush 2.0 from Sephora for $120

The best straightening brush for fine or damaged hair

Why you'll love it: The Glamfields Straightening Brush 2.0 is ideal if you love a sleek, smooth look but your hair is fine or damaged.

This little gem does a great job of straightening and smoothing your hair and comes with features that are ideal for people with fine or damaged hair. The Glamfields Straightening Brush 2.0 heats up in lightening speed, taking only 30 seconds to reach maximum heat.

In testing, this glam-looking straightening brush went through my hair easily. I was surprised how little time it took, even though I used it on the lowest setting, as I have fine hair. It left my hair looking smooth and shiny.

It has four temperature settings from 330° Fahrenheit to 450° Fahrenheit for simplified styling and features a double negative ion spray designed to seal cuticles and lock in natural moisture. This will reduce frizz, protect against split-ends, and give you smooth, sleek results quickly and easily.

The straightening brush looks stylish thanks to its rose gold body. It has wider and denser teeth compared to many other brushes. This will reduce styling time and get through your hair more easily. It has 59 anti-scald bristles that provide seven times more contact than a flat iron in each stroke.

Other features include an automatic temperature lock feature and a 360-degree swiveling handle, which makes it easy to use even at the back of your head. It also comes with a glove to protect you, two plastic clips, and a cleaning brush.

The Glamfields Straightening Brush 2.0 is great when you are on the go or on vacation as it is light, has dual voltage for use abroad, and it comes with a handy travel pouch.

The Glamfields Straightening Brush 2.0 is one of Amazon's most popular straightening brushes and gets 4.3 out 5 with more than 300 reviews.

Pros: Suitable for all hair types including fine or damaged hair, 30-minute automatic shut-off, universal voltage, comes with a storage/travel pouch, affordable

Cons: Not as effective as some of the more expensive products on this list

Buy the Glamfields Straightening Brush 2.0 on Amazon for $40.99

The best straightening brush for thick or curly hair

Why you'll love it: If you're looking for a straightening brush that gives you sleek and shiny hair with professional-looking results, even on thick or curly hair, the Drybar Brush Crush is a winner.

This gorgeous canary yellow 2-in-1 straightening brush is designed to effortlessly and quickly straighten your hair regardless of your hair type. As well as taming your tresses, the paddle brush design is ideal if you want to give it some body.

When I put this brightly colored straightening brush to the test, I was impressed by how quickly it heated up to maximum temperature. The brush went through my hair with ease to give me beautifully smooth and frizz-free results. The Drybar Brush Crush also added a bit of volume to my fine hair.

The professional-grade brush heats from 200° Fahrenheit up to 450° Fahrenheit in less than 40 seconds. It has a digital temperature control and heats up in 10-degree increments, so you can customize your styling according to your hair type.

It is equipped with ionic technology that seals the hair cuticles for less frizz and more shine. Another feature is the 60-minute automatic safety shut off and it has a 9-foot cord for easy maneuverability.

This straightening brush is highly rated by Rank and Style and Elle and gets 4.6 out of 5 on Ulta. We feel this straightening brush is an expensive but a worthwhile investment.

Pros: Heats up quickly, suited to all hair type, 60-minute automatic shut off

Cons: Expensive

Buy the Drybar Brush Crush from Ulta for $145

• Wegmans store employees know all about the popular regional grocery chain.
• The company operates stores in six states and employs 48,000 people.
• Here are some insider facts, tips, and hacks that Wegmans employees have shared online and with Business Insider.

Wegmans stores have acquired a bit of a cult-like following.

It's easy to see why. The company, which is headquartered in Rochester, New York, has been labeled the "best grocery chain" in the US. America's favorite grocery chain is also frequently lauded as a top employer.

But you can't find a Wegmans just anywhere. The chain's 98 stores are spread out between New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. According to the company's website, the brand employs 48,000 people.

Business Insider spoke with a few current and former Wegmans employees to get a sense of how the company operates. We also found a number of insights from employees on the web.

Here are a few things all Wegmans employees know, but customers may not:

SEE ALSO: Trader Joe's is one of the best places to work in the US — employees share the 7 best parts of the job

DON'T MISS: McDonald's employees share their 8 best tips for customers

Check out the chain's digital coupons...

Don't leave money on the table when you shop.

"Take an extra two minutes out of your day to sign up for or check the digital coupons the store offers," an employee from New Jersey told Business Insider. "They're always on commonly-used products."

... and look out for items with yellow tags.

"Yes, your Wegmans card does help you get discounts, though, at times, it seems like it's hit or miss," a person who said they were a Wegmans employee wrote in a 2014 Reddit AMA. "Just look for the items with the yellow tags. They're the ones on sale."

Wegmans employees appreciate it when you weigh your produce...

Want to make a good impression at Wegmans?

One Wegmans cashier had some tips for impressing employees in a 2014 Reddit AMA. They said that employees always appreciate it when customers take the time to weigh their produce.

"It's a huge help and a time saver," the cashier wrote.

• Prince Harry, 34, will be a millennial dad. He's reportedly looking to take two weeks of paternity leave after his child is born.
• Experts say millennials are raising kids differently than any other generation before them.
• For example, they get parenting advice online and aren't committed to marrying before they have kids.
• We listed the defining features of millennials' parenting style below.

Prince Harry is reportedly looking to take two weeks of paternity leave when his wife, Meghan Markle, gives birth to their child.

A friend of the Prince is reported to have said, "He doesn't need to take paternity leave because he doesn't work in the way most people do, but he thinks it's a very modern dad thing to do."

According to the Pew Research Center, 82% of babies born in 2016 are the children of millennial parents like Prince Harry.

And those parents are doing things differently from any other generation before them. Below, Business Insider has collected some of the defining traits of millennials' parenting style, according to researchers and other experts.

Read on to find out how 20- and 30-something parents are shaking things up.

Millennials turn to the internet — not just family and friends — for parenting advice

An article in The New York Times suggests that millennial parents ("parennials," if you will) are turning to Google, chat rooms, and apps for all kinds of parenting advice. As one expert told The Times, "Google is the new grandparent, the new neighbor, the new nanny."

That expert also said, "The good news is that parents know more about child development than ever before." The bad news is it can be overwhelming — and sometimes disempowering.

Millennials are documenting their kids' lives on social media

That same New York Times article mentions that many millennial parents are giving their kids personal hashtags and YouTube channels.

And a poll conducted by TIME and Survey Monkey found that just 19% of millennial parents have never shared a photo of their kids on social media, compared to 30% of Gen X parents and 53% of Baby Boomer parents.

Still, some parents approach their kids' social media presence with a different attitude: They're terrified. One parent in the New York Times article only posts pictures of her child walking away. She's both worried for her child's safety and worried that her child will "become a meme."

Millennials are relatively confident in their parenting skills

A Pew Research Center survey found that 57% of millennial moms say they are doing a very good job as a parent, compared to 48% of Gen X moms and 41% of Baby Boomer moms. (Interestingly, fathers in all age groups gave themselves lower marks.)

Millennial parents are more likely to struggle financially

A report by Young Invincibles explains why millennial parents are having a harder time financially than previous generations.

For one thing, childcare and education costs have increased to 18% of the total cost of raising a kid, from just 2% in 1960.

What's more, as the Washington Post points out, the average 18- to 34-year-old today makes about $2,000 less than they would have in 1980. And many millennial parents are still paying off their own student loans, making it difficult to put money away for their kids' college education.

Millennials are waiting longer to have kids

A mother's age at the birth of her first child has been steadily increasing for decades. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, in 1980, it was 22.7. In 2013, it was 26.

As Business Insider previously reported, as more women get an education and enter the workforce, they generally marry and have kids later. That's possibly because the US workplace doesn't afford the kind of support that would enable women to have kids and develop their career at the same time.

Millennials are less likely to form 'traditional' families — though that trend may be reversing

In 2009, the oldest millennials were in their 20s. And as The Wall Street Journal reports, of those older millennials who did have kids, most were unmarried. Meanwhile, a Pew report finds that just 46% of kids in 2016 were living in a household with two married parents in their first marriage, compared to 61% in 1980.

Yet the Journal highlights a report from research firm Demographic Intelligence that predicts about 60% of the children of millennials will be born to married parents.

Millennials are getting creative with their kids' names

So long, Plain Janes.

The New York Post reported on a study of 1,000 millennial parents, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of GoDaddy, that found as many as 20% of millennial parents said they changed or considered changing their baby's name based on available domain names.

Meanwhile, Refinery29 reported that some millennial parents are naming their kids after IKEA furniture.

Another recent trend involves millennial women who, after taking their husband's name, give their child their maiden name as a first name, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Millennial men are more likely to take on housework and child care than in the past — even though women still do most of it

Gender roles are changing, if ever so slightly: A 2015 survey by the Working Mother Research Institute, highlighted on CNBC, found that millennial dads are more likely to help out around the house than previous generations of fathers were.

Still, 79% of working mothers say they are responsible for doing the laundry, and mothers are twice as likely as fathers to take care of cooking. Plus, working mothers are largely responsible for child care.

Millennial parents think they dole out too much praise

A 2015 survey from the Pew Research Institute found that 40% of millennials say they praise their kids too much, compared to 31% of Gen X parents and 24% of Baby Boomer parents. This was true even when researchers controlled for kids' ages.

Millennials don't place as high a value on playtime

A survey from The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association, highlighted on Parents.com, found that millennial parents value outdoor playtime less than parents from previous generations. For example, 65% of millennial parents say playtime is important for children to develop emotional skills, compared to 75% of Gen X parents and 85% of Boomer parents. 

Millennials spend more time hanging out with their kids

A 2016 study, published in the Journal of Marriage and Family and cited on Quartz, found that mothers from 11 wealthy Western countries spend about an hour more taking care of their kids than mothers did back in 1965. Meanwhile, dads are spending almost an hour, up from about 16 minutes in 1965.

Millennials are more likely to talk to their kids about money

The children of modern parents are putting those piggy banks to use.

A 2018 study by Capital Group found that millennials and Gen X parents started talking to their kids about money sooner than Boomer parents did. In fact, 39% of millennial parents in the study said they would start telling children at age 12 or younger to start saving early.

Millennial men are resisting stereotypes about dads' incompetence

The World Economic Forum reports that stereotypes of fumbling dads aren't just insulting; they also don't reflect reality. In response to millennial men's frustration, many brands are trying to change the depictions of dads in media. For example, Disney has pledged to drop "bad dads" and other gender stereotypes, WEF reports.

Millennials are sometimes embracing gender-neutral parenting

Romper reports that, while some millennial parents are still attached to traditions like gender-reveal parties, other millennial parents are using terms like "theybies," to describe babies who grow up to decide their gender for themselves. The idea is that gender is a social construct and that it's important not to impose gendered stereotypes on kids from birth.

"I am intentional about following my child’s lead around identity and expression," one parent told Romper.

Millennial parents want to know that the brands they buy reflect their values

According to a National Retail Federation report, as many as 44% of millennial parents say they only shop at brands that reflect their social or political values, compared to just 23% of parents from other generations.

Milllennial parents also appreciate speed and convenience, the report found: 86% have used same-day shipping, compared to 67% of parents from other generation.

Millennial-led families are traveling more often

In 2017, Forbes reported that 64% of millennial families had taken at least one international vacation in the past year — which was more than millennial couples or singles had traveled. California, Texas, and Florida are the top destinations for millennial families in the US, according to a report from the TMS Family Travel Summit.

Millennials' parents aren't always so hands-on with their grandkids

A 2016 New York Times article described a group of younger Baby Boomers and older Gen X-ers who are caught between living their own lives and helping out with their grandkids. In fact, a 2013 survey by Grandparents.com found that 65% of respondents agreed with the statement: "I love being part of my grandchild’s life, but it's not the center of my life."

That said, grandparents aren't necessarily holding back financially. USA Today reported on a TD Ameritrade survey that found millennial parents said they received an average of $11,000 in the past year in the past year in financial support and unpaid labor from their parents.

Millennial moms are more concerned with their kids' nutrition

A survey by Influenster, cited in AdWeek, found that millennial moms say nutrition is more important than price or convenience when it comes to packing their kids' lunch.

In fact, 60% of moms surveyed said they pack lunch boxes differently than the way their own mothers did, largely because the food is more nutritious.

Millennial moms are more likely to breastfeed

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that breastfeeding rates have increased over the last decade: from 35% in 2000 to 49% in 2010. That's partly because, according to the CDC, more hospitals are implementing practices that keep moms and babies together right after birth.

Millennials are raising less religious children

Romper reports that millennials are more likely to say they're unaffiliated with any religion than older generations are. And a survey by the Center for Open Science found that 18% of millennials' kids said they never attend religious services with their families, compared to 14% of Gen X-ers' kids.

SEE ALSO: Science says parents of successful kids have 17 things in common

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's how North Korea's Kim Jong Un became one of the world's scariest dictators

• A handful of activities can be truly detrimental to your health.
• In some cases, new studies have even found a link between those habits and an early death.
• Here are the most damaging habits you should try to avoid, especially as you get older.

Bad habits are tough to break.

Even when they're truly detrimental to your health, certain activities can be difficult to give up. Whether it's smoking, regularly indulging in sugary beverages, or binge drinking, there are a handful of practices that experts have linked to an early death.

Before suggesting that these activities were harmful, researchers studied big groups of people over long periods of time.

In one of those studies, published this week in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, scientists found troubling links between high intakes of soda and an early death. And in a large review of two studies published in the same journal last year, researchers pinpointed five habits that appeared to be tied with a significantly shorter lifespan.

Here's an overall look at what scientists have concluded are the most harmful habits for your health:

Drinking sugary beverages and eating processed foods

Drinking soda, juice, and other heavily sweetened beverages appears to take a heavy toll on our bodies.

In fact, a new 34-year study of more than 118,000 people suggested that the more sugar people drank, the more likely they were to die from problems such as heart trouble. However, as with many nutrition studies, this one merely involved observing people over time. That means the research could not definitively conclude that sugary drinks are bad — it could suggest only that they might be.

If you're worried about your drinking and eating habits, there's plenty you can do to counteract the problems tied with sugary drinks. Aside from simply avoiding soda and juice, a growing body of research suggests that a meal plan focusing on vegetables, protein, and healthy fats has key benefits. Those include losing weight, keeping the mind sharp, and protecting the heart and brain as you age.

The best diets (and the ones linked with the longest life) involved high intakes of vegetables, nuts, whole grains, healthy fats (such as those from fish and olive oil), and low intakes of sugary beverages, such as soda and juice, processed sweets and breads, red and processed meats, and trans fats and salt.

Smoking

Smoking kills. No other habit has been so strongly tied to death.

In addition to cancer, smoking causes heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Smokers inhale burned tobacco and tar along with toxic metals, such as cadmium and beryllium, and elements such as nickel and chromium — all of which accumulate naturally in the leaves of the tobacco plant.

So it's no surprise that studies find that abstaining from cigarette smoking for life is linked with living longer. If you've already smoked, the research still has good news: Both quitting and cutting back have also been linked with positive outcomes related to life expectancy.

"Smoking is a strong independent risk factor of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality," researchers wrote in one study. "And smoking cessation has been associated with a reduction of these excess risks."

Sitting for long periods of time

In general, staying sedentary for lengthy periods of time seems to be awful for your health.

But getting up every once in a while to do regular cardio exercise is an all-natural way to lift your mood, improve your memory, and protect your brain against age-related cognitive decline. In other words, it's the closest thing to a miracle drug that we have.

A wealth of recentresearch suggests that cardio — any type of exercise that raises your heart rate and gets you moving and sweating for a sustained period of time — has a significant and beneficial effect on the brain.

"Aerobic exercise is the key for your head, just as it is for your heart," according to a recent article in the Harvard Medical School blog Mind and Mood.

Most research suggests that the best type of aerobic exercise for your mind is anything you can do consistently for 30 to 45 minutes at a time.

Being overweight or underweight

People who weigh above or below average appear to face a slightly higher risk of death from a range of causes, according to a large recent study that assessed peoples' weight using a measure called the body mass index (BMI).

Researchers like to use BMI for quick assessments of large groups of people. Generally speaking, a BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered within the "healthy range" for adults over age 20, according to CDC.

And people who fell within that BMI range tended to outlive their peers who fell outside it, the study found. In other words, people who had BMIs that were either above or below the "healthy range" lived shorter lives than people with BMIs that fell within that range.

That said, BMI is far from a perfect means of gauging your overall health.

The 1830s-era measure does not take into account a number of key health factors, including overall body fat, gender, muscle composition, or the amount of fat you're carrying around your middle.

This measure, also known as abdominal fat, is emerging as a key alternative to BMI because of its strong links with heart health and diabetes.

Drinking heavily

It's been tough to pin down the precise relationship between drinking and overall health. A little bit of alcohol (such as one or two drinks per day) seems to be ok. More than that, however, and the benefits appear to vanish.

The most dangerous types of drinking are heavy drinking and binge drinking.

Defined by the CDC as eight drinks or more per week for women and 15 drinks or more per week for men, heavy drinking has beentiedto a host of negative outcomes, including an overall shorter life expectancy.

Binge drinking, or having four drinks if you're a woman and five drinks if you're a man within two hours, may be equally or even more harmful, studies suggest.

Other problems tied to heavy drinking and binge drinking include cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease, and injury.

SEE ALSO: What your daily routine should look like, according to science

DON'T MISS: The best ways to lose weight and keep it off, according to science

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The world's most valuable parasite, caterpillar fungus, can cost up to $63,000 per pound

• Prince Harry is reportedly looking to take two weeks of paternity leave when his wife, Meghan Markle, gives birth.
• That's one of several ways millennial dads are parenting their kids differently than previous generations did.
• According to a 2016 Cornell University study, dads who take longer paternal leave tend to be more engaged with their kids in the long run.

Prince Harry will take two weeks of paternity leave when his wife, Meghan Markle, gives birth, according to news reports on Monday.

But apart from members of the Royal Family, it's hardly newsworthy these days for a dad to take time off to be with his newborn.

Read more: 20 ways millennials are raising their kids differently than any generation before them

In fact, millennial dads are far more likely than their fathers were to take time off work after the birth of a baby. And according to a 2016 Cornell University study, dads who take longer paternal leave tend to be more engaged and involved with their kids in the long run.

Taking paternity leave isn't the only thing dads these days are doing differently than in the past. Here are six notable ways millennial dads are doing fatherhood differently than previous generations.

SEE ALSO: Prince Harry will reportedly take 2 weeks of paternity leave — and stacks of research suggest paid leave is a no-brainer

DON'T MISS: I'm in my 30s, and I've completely changed my mind about 5 things since I was in my 20s

Dads are leaving work altogether to serve as the primary caregiver

According to a recent Pew Research Center analysis, about 18% of parents in the United States today are stay-at-home parents. That figure has been almost unchanged in the past 30 years.

What has changed, however, is the gender balance. In 1989, only 10% of these stay-at-home parents were dads, whereas today, stay-at-home fathers account for 17% of such caregivers. Women still account for the vast majority of parents in this role, but the numbers are on a course toward more balance.

Millennial dads take on more of the household work

Whether they're working or they're taking time away from a career to raise the kids, millennial dads are much more involved in household matters than dads of previous generations. That goes for childcare, but also for other tasks, such as cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, and so on.

In about half of the two-parent households surveyed in a recent Pew Research Center analysis, parents said they split household chore duties equally. 

Millennial dads are not the household's sole breadwinner

In stark contrast to the family dynamic of the mid-20th century, most homes these days have two working parents. And in many dual-income millennial homes in which both parents work full time (that's 46% of households, according to Pew), the mother is the primary earner.

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• Dry brushing has been touted as a detoxifying, healing beauty treatment that'll leave skin soft, glowing, and cellulite-free.
• While some of the claims are unfounded, dry brushing does a great job of exfoliating and sloughing off dead skin.
• I've been using the Esker Beauty Dry Brush ($18) every night before I shower and my skin has never been so silky smooth.

If Goop queen Gwenyth Paltrow swears by it, it should be enough for me. That — and my perpetually dry winter skin — is what piqued my curiosity about dry brushing, one of the latest and greatest wellness trends.

The hype around dry brushing is pretty major, with sources claiming it can detoxify, help with lymphatic drainage, reduce cellulite, deeply exfoliate, and more. From all of the rave reviews, a dry brush seems like a pretty average beauty tool that yields above-average results. Out of all of the wacky wellness trends out there, dry brushing seemed like a safe bet that I was definitely into trying out, starting with the Esker Beauty Dry Brush ($18).

What is dry brushing?

Dry brushing is pretty much exactly what it sounds like — it's somewhere between a massage and an exfoliating treatment by means of running a soft-bristled brush over dry skin. The bristles slough off dead skin cells and the pressure of the movement is said to stimulate lymphatic drainage, which is supposed to help a slew of ailments, including fatigue, headaches, swelling, and the common cold. 

After plenty of research, it became clear that most of the supposed benefits of dry brushing are not actually scientifically-founded. While you may personally feel that the process has helped you detox or rid the appearance of your cellulite, none of these purported effects are guaranteed, or backed by any significant evidence. Still, that didn't stop me from giving this product a try, because there's one area where dry brushing really delivers: exfoliation. 

How to dry brush

Most people dry brush before the shower or bath, then wash up, and then follow up with a lotion or oil to lock in moisture. Shannon Davenport, founder of Esker Beauty, recommends starting at your arms, legs, or feet and using short strokes, brushing in the direction of your heart to get your lymphatic system stimulated. Make sure your skin isn't wet. Depending on your brush and your skin type, the bristles might feel a little scratchy — so apply as much or as little pressure as is comfortable for you. 

My experience with dry brushing

I've been using the Esker Beauty Dry Brush ($18) and my skin has felt amazingly soft. The brush is made with a grass tree wooden handle, wrapped in hemp twine for an easy grip, and filled with soft, natural bristles. I simply take the brush to my dry skin before showering and brush my skin, almost as if i'm brushing my hair. It sounds weird, but if you can get past the peculiarity of it, you'll reap the silky-soft rewards of well-exfoliated, ultra-soft skin.

I have sensitive skin all year round, but in winter it becomes a flaky, dry nightmare. Lotions are never moisturizing enough and body scrubs are too harsh, so my go-to solution has become lathering my body in coconut oil. While it does wonders for the smoothness of my skin, coconut oil can be a mess to clean up and left me looking pretty greasy when I mindlessly applied it at the wrong time of day (note to self: don't use coconut oil the day of a big event.) 

After trying a lot of different exfoliating and moisturizing methods, I can say dry brushing is one of the best (for me, at least). Dry brushing is an easy, affordable way to exfoliate your way to glowy, soft skin. The bristles are gentle on your skin, and give a nice exfoliating effect without much pressure. The $18 upfront cost might seem like a lot for such a simple beauty tool, but the brush lasts pretty much forever, so you won't have to buy another one anytime soon (unlike, for example, makeup brushes). And anyway, topical moisturizers can only do so much when you have a lot of dead skin buildup. 

The cellulite myth

You can't actually make cellulite disappear, but exfoliating does increase circulation below the skin which should cause a temporary plumping effect. That, combined with the fact that the brush is sloughing away dead skin cells, should leave skin looking clearer and fuller, which may reduce the appearance of cellulite. While it's no permanent solution, this brush can help you freshen skin up, giving it a smoother look overall.

Bottom line

Beyond the ease of use and cost-effectiveness of the product, dry brushing has been a welcome addition to my beauty routine. Putting aside a few extra minutes before I hop in the shower helps me slow down and unwind after a long day. Plus, it feels really good — dry brushing is kind of like getting a massage, and who doesn't want to end the day with a massage?

Maybe the Esker Dry Brush can't get rid of your cellulite, and maybe you won't be "detoxed," but dry brushing will leave your skin feeling silky smooth, and that is enough for me to keep using it every day.

Get the Esker Beauty Dry Brush, $18, available at Net-A-Porter

Join the conversation about this story »

• Amazon does not allow you to permanently delete your order history, but you can archive it and obscure it enough to render it effectively cleared.
• Deleting browsing history is another good way to protect your privacy on Amazon, whether hiding gifts from a spouse or separating your personal life from your workplace.
• To keep your Amazon order history private, the best approach is to either archive your orders or open an account that only you will use.

Here's the bad news: you can't actually delete your Amazon order history. In fact, even if you deactivate your account, the company will still have a record of everything you bought from them. So try not to get online at two a.m. after three too many vodka tonics, because everything you order will be a part of your digital record in perpetuity.

The good news is that it's pretty easy to hide past Amazon orders, even if you can't make them go away completely. All you have to do is archive them.

As Amazon's customer service describes it: "You can archive orders that you’re no longer interested in referencing, hide items from immediate view that may be embarrassing, or keep gifts secret if you share an account with your children or significant other."

Here's how to archive your orders. 

How to archive an Amazon order

First, make sure you are signed into your Amazon account, and then go to the home page. (There are a few ways to navigate to the point of archiving an order, but we'll use the most direct approach.)

1. At the top right corner of the Amazon homepage, click the word "Orders."

2. You will be taken to a list of your past orders, each separated by date. Note the bottom of the boxes stacked up on the right side of each order that reads "Archive order."

3. On the order to be hidden, click "Archive order."

4. In the next popup window, click the yellow button reading "Archive order."

Archived orders will no longer display when an order page is visited. To view them, you (or someone snooping after you) must go to the dropdown menu at the top of the "Your Orders" page and click on the box with the default setting "past 6 months." At the bottom of the menu that appears, note the option for "Archived Orders."

How to clear Amazon browsing history

If you really don't want someone to find out about your Amazon searches, consider doing your browsing from a private (or incognito) window and without logging into your account.

If it's too late for that, it's not hard to clear your browsing history. Log into Amazon and let's get started. Head to the homepage.

1. To clear a single item from your recent search history, find the words "Browsing History" near the top right of the screen

2. When you click on "Browsing History," a list of all your recent searches will pop up; just hit "Remove from view" to have Amazon forget about an item.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech: 

• How to cancel your Amazon Prime membership

• How to cancel an order on Amazon

• How to contact Amazon for help when you have a problem with your account

• How to start selling items on Amazon — a step-by-step guide

SEE ALSO: How to delete your Amazon browsing history for shopping, Prime Video

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The US won't let Huawei, China's biggest smartphone maker, enter the US market

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• In a surprise move, Apple has taken the wraps off of two new iPad models: the iPad Air ($499) and iPad Mini ($399).
• Both tablets have high-resolution screens, run on the ultra powerful Apple A12 Bionic processor, start with 64GB of storage, and support the first-generation Apple Pencil stylus.
• These are the tablets that most people should buy: They’re not as powerful or expensive as the top-of-the-line iPad Pro tablets, but they're still more high-end than the standard iPad.

The Apple iPad has long been the go-to tablet for people who want a bigger screen for watching videos, playing games, doing creative artwork, and working on the go. In a surprise announcement on March 18, Apple unveiled two new iPad models, and if you’re in the market for a tablet, these new iPads are absolutely worth buying.

The new iPad Mini and iPad Air are both designed to serve as powerful alternatives to the standard $329 iPad or as a more affordable alternative to the $799+ iPad Pro models — and they have a whole lot to offer.

First up is the iPad Air. It keeps the same overall design as previous-generation iPad Air models, so it has the Home button and larger bezels compared to the new iPad Pro models.

Under the hood, however, there’s a lot of new tech. The new Air runs on Apple's A12 Bionic chip, which should offer more than enough processing power for the vast majority of people. The tablet also supports the first-generation Apple Pencil, which is widely considered the best stylus for drawing on a tablet, and it has a sharp 10.5-inch True Tone screen with a resolution of 2,224 × 1,668 pixels.

There are a number of different variations of the new iPad Air, too. You can choose from two storage options (64GB or 256GB), three color options (Silver, Space Gray, or Gold), and either a Wi-Fi-only connection or a combination of cellular and Wi-Fi connections. Alongside the iPad Air, Apple is also selling a Smart Keyboard, which is great for those of you who want to use your tablet as a laptop in a pinch.

The new iPad Mini is an equally powerful device. The 2019 iPad Mini boasts the ultra-powerful A12 Bionic chip, too, along with support for the first-generation Apple Pencil. That makes it a solid option for digital artists who want a tablet that they can take on the road with them.

It has a True Tone 7.9-inch screen with a 2,048 x 1,536 pixel resolution, and is available with the same storage and connectivity options as the iPad Air. The only big difference here is the screen size.

The main reasons to consider the iPad Mini over the Air are that it’s $100 more affordable and it's relatively small, making it perfect for carrying around on the go. That said, you can't go wrong with either of these iPads.

You can buy the 2019 iPad Air on Apple for $499+

You can buy the 2019 iPad Mini on Apple for $399+

You can buy the first-generation Pencil on Apple for $99

You can buy the Smart Keyboard for 10.5‑inch iPad Air on Apple for $159

Join the conversation about this story »

• "Snowplow parents" are emerging as an even more hyper-intensive version of helicopter parenting, The New York Times reported.
• These parents clear "any obstacles in their child's path to success, so they don't have to encounter failure, frustration or lost opportunities," Claire Cain Miller and Jonah Engel Bromwich wrote in the Times.
• They book their adult children haircuts and doctor's appointments and even call their kids' employers if they're having issues at work.

Move over, helicopter parents. 

"Snowplow parents" are the newest embodiment of a hyper-intensive parenting style that can include parents booking their adult children haircuts, texting their college kids to wake them up so they don't sleep through a test, and even calling their kids' employers.

"Helicopter parenting, the practice of hovering anxiously near one's children, monitoring their every activity, is so 20th century," Claire Cain Miller and Jonah Engel Bromwich wrote in The New York Times. "Some affluent mothers and fathers now are more like snowplows: machines chugging ahead, clearing any obstacles in their child's path to success, so they don't have to encounter failure, frustration or lost opportunities."

Snowplow parents called out in the Times report include a mother who started a charity in her son's name to try to boost his chances of being accepted to the college of his choice. One set of parents spent years helping their daughter avoid foods with sauce, which she didn't like. 

Read more: Wealthy parents are paying up to $1.5 million for consultants to help get their kids into college — and there are ways to do it that are completely legal

Once she got to college, she had problems with the food at her school cafeteria because it was all covered in sauce.

Snowplow parenting doesn't end after college

A recent poll by The New York Times and Morning Consult found that three-quarters of parents of children between the ages of 18 and 28 had made their children appointments for doctor visits or haircuts, and 11% said they would call their kid's boss if their child was having an issue at work, the Times reported.

Taken to the extreme, this type of parenting can be seen in the recent college admission scandal that saw dozens of affluent parents allegedly bribing standardized test score administrators and college coaches to ensure students would be admitted to elite universities, according to federal authorities.

Read more: Actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin among dozens charged with participating in a scheme to get students into elite colleges

This criminal example of snowplow parenting made the headlines, but it usually takes a simpler form. As INSIDER's Jacob Shamsian previously reported, wealthy parents try to get their children into top-tier colleges by making large donations to a school, such as paying for a building.

It's not just a habit of the wealthy

Rich parents may have more time and money to devote to making sure their child doesn't ever encounter failure, but it's not only affluent parents practicing snowplow parenting.

This super-intensive parenting has become the most popular way to raise children, regardless of income, education, or race, as Business Insider's Tanza Loudenback previously reported.

A recent Cornell survey of 3,642 American parents about parenting style found that most parents said "the most hands-on and expensive choices were best," regardless of the parents' education, income, or race, Cain Miller reported in The New York Times.

Experts say snowplow parenting doesn't adequately prepare kids for adulthood

Madeline Levine, a psychologist and the author of "Teach Your Children Well: Why Values and Coping Skills Matter More Than Grades, Trophies or 'Fat Envelopes,'" told the Times having all of their problems preemptively solved by their parents can be "disabling" for children down the road.

"Here are parents who have spent 18 years grooming their kids with what they perceive as advantages, but they're not," Dr. Levine said.

Julie Lythcott-Haims, the former dean of freshmen at Stanford and the author of "How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success," told the Times that snowplow parenting is a backwards approach.

"The point is to prepare the kid for the road, instead of preparing the road for the kid," she said.

SEE ALSO: American parents might be agonizing over their kids' piano lessons, soccer games, and SAT scores, but it's hiding a deeper anxiety

DON'T MISS: Investigators say parents were editing their kids' heads onto stock photos of athletes to help get them into elite colleges

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How to make a bouquet of bacon roses for Valentine's Day

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• At $190 for a queen, the Zinus platform bed is reasonably priced for a bed frame and headboard that looks clean and classic, and more importantly, won't break after one move.
• It comes in four sizes and two different neutral colors to fit any bedroom's vibe.
• If you're moving, you can also get an additional 10% off with the Amazon movers' discount.
• Read more: This brand I discovered on Amazon is a lifesaver for renters who want inexpensive, but sturdy furniture

When my fiancé and I were moving into a new apartment in New York City, we knew we had to upgrade our furniture, specifically the bed frame from our first-job-out-of-college days. It wasn't broken, but it also wasn't not broken—we just needed something more grown-up. Our next pick had to fit just three small requirements— it couldn't cost a ton (hey, we're already paying NYC rent!), it had to be sturdy enough to last at least one move (there's no such thing as a single-use bed frame), and it had to have a headboard (a clear sign of "adulting"). This Zinus bed frame nailed all three.

It has a 4.7 star rating on Amazon and it's easy to see why— the price is reasonable, the overall look is quite classic, and it's really easy to assemble.

At $190, the bed isn't dirt cheap, but it's also not an investment piece, either. It's a reasonable price for something that doesn't have an immediately recognizable brand name or brick-and-mortar location where you can check out the quality in person.

Since we were moving, we also applied for the Amazon movers' coupon. It's a 10% discount off all items sold by Amazon (as in, Amazon, the seller, and not just Amazon, the site) capped at $200 for 90 days. To apply, you just have to fill out a change of address form with the USPS in person for free or online for $1. Once verified, you can buy everything you need to furnish your next apartment at a pretty sweet discount.

The Zinus bed comes in a twin, full, queen, and king size, and in dark and sage gray. We have the dark gray, but both are neutral colors that can match any room's vibe. The diamond pattern in the headboard is a low-key elevated touch that makes you wonder if it's a West Elm piece, because it definitely doesn't look like it's from IKEA. And speaking of the headboard, it also has a handy zippered compartment behind it that's perfect for holding the instruction booklet and assembly tools, so you won't lose them. We also use the space to store extra (read: old) bed sheets and pillowcases.

Like with most other furniture, the bed came with easy pictorial instructions and all the tools you'd need to put it together — which is basically a teeny-tiny hex key that you'll drop every other turn because it's so small. Thankfully, the instructions are easy enough so using a tool meant for a child's hand is the only frustrating part of putting the bed together.

Read more: 21 helpful products we've bought for our apartments

Another thing we also really liked was the customer service, though not all the reviews will agree with us on this. Our bed arrived in a few days with Prime shipping and a cracked leg, which meant we couldn't use it the night we got it, so we left feedback about the problem on Amazon and it promptly sent over a whole new set of legs. They arrived fine and have held up, so if anyone needs extras, hit me up.

For $190, the queen-sized Zinus bed is a pretty good buy. It's reasonably priced for something a step above your college furniture and will last a few years, or at least a few moves. It also means that we won't regret it too much if we decide to upgrade our bed again in a few years.

Full: Buy the Zinu Shalini Diamond Stitched Bed Frame for $170

Queen: Buy the Zinu Shalini Diamond Stitched Bed Frame for $190

King: Buy the Zinu Shalini Diamond Stitched Bed Frame for $250

Join the conversation about this story »

• Building wealth often takes smart saving strategies, but there are creative ways to achieve millionaire status more quickly, too.
• Some people get there by going viral, while others get there by selling uncommon things in new ways.
• We took a look at 11 different ways people creatively made $1 million.

Getting rich is a long-term game ... for the most part.

While your best bet to accumulate wealth is to curb your spending, start investing, and develop "rich habits," there are some less conventional ways to make millions relatively quickly. 

Consider those who took advantage of social media and launched their own YouTube channel, like PewDiePie, or created a viral meme, such as the founder behind "I can has a cheezburger." Some also got creative when starting their own retail business — one kindergarten teacher sold lesson plans online, one woman sold secondhand clothes on an app, and one college student sold pixels for advertising space online.

Read more: 11 outrageous ideas that made people ridiculously rich

There are plenty of means by which you can grow your bank account if you think outside of the box. No guarantees these strategies will work for you, but here are 11 creative ways people achieved millionaire status.

Alyson Shontell and Kathleen Elkins contributed to a previous version of this article.

SEE ALSO: 10 teenagers who are probably making more money than you

DON'T MISS: Meet the world's richest millennials, who have a collective net worth of more than $235 billion

Scott DeLong launched a personal blog that was generating major income within eight months.

In mid-2013, Scott DeLong launched a one-person blog, ViralNova, and put a few Google ads on each page. Eight months later, he was generating six figures a month and millions of dollars annually, without a full-time staff or raising any money from outside investors.

ViralNova capitalized on social-friendly stories with catchy headlines that would explode on Facebook, and within a year, the site had grown to about 100 million monthly readers.

In 2015, DeLong sold his website to digital-media company Zealot Networks in a cash-and-stock deal that could be worth as much as $100 million if Zealot appreciates in value.

Dong Nguyen created a viral app in three days.

It only took Dong Nguyen three days to create the most popular game of 2014, "Flappy Bird."

Nguyen said he was making as much as $50,000 a day on his free app by running a tiny mobile ad banner at the top of the game, meaning he only needed to keep it in the App Store for 20 days to make $1 million.

That's just what he did. After about a month, Nguyen infamously pulled "Flappy Bird" from the App Store at the height of its popularity because he felt his game was "too addicting."

Amanda Hocking became a best-selling author by publishing books on Amazon Kindle — without a publishing deal.

Amanda Hocking was the best-selling "indie" writer on the Kindle store a few years ago, meaning she didn't have a publishing deal and got to keep 70% of her book sales. She was selling about 100,000 copies a month at $1 to $3 a pop, which set her on track to pocket a few million dollars.

She's not the only one making millions publishing Kindle books. Bob Mayer and Jen Talty built a seven-figure indie publishing house in just two years, which they detail in their book, "How We Made Our First Million on Kindle."

Insider Inc. has a number of editorial openings across both Business Insider and INSIDER. If you're interested in joining a fast-paced, growing newsroom, apply at the links provided below. Unless otherwise stated, positions are located in our New York City headquarters and begin immediately.

Editorial fellowships

• Business Insider finance fellow, UK
• Business Insider editorial fellow, luxury lifestyle
• INSIDER editorial fellow, entertainment
• INSIDER editorial fellow, health and wellness
• Markets Insider editorial fellow
• VIDEO: writing fellow, art and design
• Global content translation fellow, UK

Full-time positions

• Business Insider billionaires reporter
• Business Insider investing reporter
• Business Insider lists and rankings reporter
• Business Insider retail editor
• Business Insider retail reporter
• Business Insider tech cloud reporter, San Francisco
• Business Insider tech business reporter, San Francisco
• Business Insider visual features reporter, retail
• Business Insider transportation editor
• Business Insider travel reporter, visual features
• Business Insider visual features reporter, fast food
• Business Insider reporter, UK
• INSIDER breaking news reporter, Los Angeles
• INSIDER health editor
• INSIDER health reporter
• INSIDER entertainment reporter
• INSIDER military and defense reporter
• INSIDER policy reporter
• INSIDER politics reporter
• INSIDER associate editor for freelance
• Markets Insider reporter
• News analyst
• Opinion editor
• VIDEO: Associate producer, animation

For a constantly updated list of openings, see our careers page.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How to make a bouquet of bacon roses for Valentine's Day

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• If you still haven't adjusted after daylight-saving time, you're not the only one — we're still having a hard time waking up to a pitch black sky.

• Thankfully, there are products across the internet that promise to alleviate the exhaustion by helping you sleep better and wake up feeling less groggy — from a sunrise alarm clock to a programmable coffee maker.

• I found some of the best ways to combat daybreak drowsiness so you can get your morning started on a positive note.

There are few things worse than waking up early on a Monday morning — even after getting a couple nights of decent sleep over the weekend. Despite years of practice, this weekly routine never seems to get any easier, and thanks to daylight-saving time, that same routine is about ten times more difficult.

We're all facing the wrath of the time change, which recently resulted in the loss of an hour of sleep and an increase in the irritability and drowsiness of millions. As if Mondays weren’t painful enough, we'll now have to work extra hard to complete the everyday task of hopping out of bed.

But not all hope is lost. From the time you open your eyes to when you head out the door, there are tons of products that can help keep you calm and motivated along the way. We discovered everything from an alarm that mimics the sunrise, to an eye serum infused with highly-purified caffeine — all of which will help you get on your feet and off to a good start.

Check out 16 products that will make the daylight-saving time adjustment come and go with ease:

SEE ALSO: Tips to help you wake up earlier

A wake-up light alarm clock

Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock, $137.97 (Originally $197.25), Available at Amazon

Insider Picks writer Christian de Looper named this the best overall pick for wake-up alarm clocks, citing its customization options as one of its best features. The Philips Wake-Up Light alarm clock gradually brightens, mimicking the rising sun and providing a more natural way to start your morning. 

An aromatherapy essential oil diffuser

Urpower Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser, $24.09 (Originally $30.57), Available at Amazon

Essential oils are a great way to start your day on a calm note. A few drops of bright lemon will bring a cheery vibe to your bedroom or bathroom to start you off on the right foot. Insider Picks reporter Mara Leighton gave high marks to Urpower diffusers, which are pretty affordable. This one might seem small, but it has landed in the hands of over 10,000 reviewers and is rated 4.5 stars out of 5 on Amazon. 

A programmable coffee maker

Cuisinart DGB-700BC Grind and Brew Coffee Maker, $127.99, Available on Amazon

This coffee maker has received great reviews and continues to rank as one of the best multi-cup coffee brewers on the market, but its best feature is that it can be programmed the night before to brew you a fresh pot of coffee in the morning (who doesn't want to wake up to the smell of coffee?). 

• The Economist Intelligence Unit recently released their annual report, which lists the most expensive cities in the world.
• This year, the No. 1 spot is occupied by a three-way tie between Singapore, Paris, and Hong Kong.
• Singapore has maintained the top position for the last five years, while Paris and Hong Kong both increased their standings to share the top seat.

This year's most expensive city title is split three ways, divided between Paris, Hong Kong, and five-year-winner Singapore.

The Economist Intelligence Unit announced the updated standings in their annual Worldwide Cost of Living report. The report compares prices of over 160 items across 133 cities around the world to determine its final rankings. 

The only European city in the top seat, Paris moved up just one place from last year, where it was ranked No. 2. The city, known for its art and cuisine, is home to two of Europe’s richest people: Bernard Arnault and François Pinault. Arnault recently made headlines for surpassing Warren Buffett on the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, while Pinault —owner of Christie's auction house— continues to manage high-end brands such as the flourishing Gucci fashion House. The French capital is also home to some of the world's finest shopping and luxury hotels.

Read more: Take a look inside the best hotel in Europe, a boutique hotel in the heart of Paris with personal butlers, a hidden smoking room, and views of the Eiffel Tower

Rising up from its No. 4 position in 2018 is Hong Kong. The city currently has the world's highest concentration of super-rich people, with approximately 93 billionaires. Business Insider's Katie Warren also reported that the southeast China location is among the world's most expensive cities for housingfor the past eight years, with a market known for both its nano apartments and mansions.

Read more: What it's like living in Hong Kong as a billionaire, where the ultra-rich live in high-security mansions and spend $16 billion a year betting on horse racing

Finally, though it now shares the title, Singapore continues to uphold its first-place status — a distinction it has held for the past five years. It also remains the only city from last year's top 10 to keep its position.

Business Insider’s Lina Batarags previously reported that its top placement is due, in part, to the cost of buying and running a car, with government permits costing up to $37,000 a piece. With its five-year streak, Singapore is on track to follow Tokyo's lead, a city that held the No. 1 position for 12 years before Singapore surpassed it in 2014.

SEE ALSO: A new report reveals the 17 most popular housing markets for the world's richest people, and a notoriously expensive city is missing from the list

NOW READ: What it's like living as a billionaire in Singapore, where wealthy residents are worth a combined $1 trillion and limited land makes owning a house the ultimate 'status symbol'

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's how much real estate $1 million will get you in cities around the world

• Darius Foroux is an entrepreneur, blogger, and podcaster who has written about business and productivity.
• He noticed that successful people like Warren Buffett seem to operate on a 80/20 rule of thinking versus doing, but says that a 20/80 ratio works better for him.
• By spending more time executing rather than thinking, you'll become more decisive and will improve the quality of your thinking, which impacts the outcomes you achieve.

How much time should I spend thinking instead of doing? It’s one of the biggest questions I struggle with. One side of me says, “Without doing, you will never achieve anything.”

Another side says, “Without thinking things through, you might end up doing the wrong things.”

Thinking by itself is worthless because if you never do anything, what’s the use? And if you only act without thinking, you’ll probably end up in jail or in a ditch. That’s why this topic is so important. But most of us never even consider living by a thinking/doing ratio.

I live by a 20/80 ratio

Before I explain why that is, and how you can create your own ratio, let’s look at some of the most respected individuals of our time: Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, two investors who are celebrated for their good decisions and thinking processes.

They are not only thinkers, but they are also successful practitioners.


“What are you doing?"

It’s well-known that Warren Buffett spends most of his time reading and thinking. It’s the first thing he does when he comes to his office in Omaha. According to his biographer, Alice Schroeder, Buffett reads at least five hours a day. He reads newspapers, magazines, annual reports, and books.

To many people, reading looks like inactivity. There’s nothing active about reading. And from the outside, it looks like you’re not doing anything.

I think that’s the first problem with the challenge we’re addressing in this article. Our western society is biased towards doing. Just think about how often people ask you this question: “What are you doing?”

You probably heard it at school. And you probably hear it at work or at home all the time. People want to DO something at all times. Activity is the key.

My guess is that the thinking/doing ratio at most organizations is something like 10/90. We spend far more time doing than thinking. If we take a lesson out of Buffett and Munger’s book, we can say that’s not an effective ratio.

According to Peter Bevelin, author of Poor Charlie’s Almanack, Buffett and Munger have a “habit of committing far more time to learning and thinking than to doing.”

That means the ratio these guys have is more like 80/20 — thinking/doing. To be clear, I’m only guessing here, but by the looks of it, that’s the ratio Buffett and Munger have.

What’s your nature?

So should we all spend 80% of our time thinking? It depends on two factors:

1. Your nature
2. Your work

Some people are natural thinkers. They love to spend time in their heads. They love to read. And they love to talk about ideas.

There are also people who hate that. The lesson here is that everyone is different. You’re probably someone who likes to think, otherwise, you would not read this article. A person who only acts and never thinks will not take five minutes to read this.

But the amount of thinking we need also depends on our work. Warren Buffett is a value investor. He makes very few decisions. But when he does, he makes huge decisions and large bets. Outside of investing, there are few professions like that. Most of us need more execution. We need to make calls, write emails, have meetings, and create things.

So even though I’ve found an ideal ratio that works for most people (which I’ll talk about later), remember to always look at your nature and your work. Your ideal ratio depends on those two things. But what about people who don’t like to think and want to do more?

Writing 500 books in 42 years

Isaac Asimov is considered one of the most prolific writers of the 21st century. His first book, Pebble in the Sky, was published in 1950.

By the time he passed away in 1992, he had written about 500 books. Sure, some of his books were very short, but still, it’s an impressive bibliography.

That comes down to about one book per month. That’s a lot of doing. It seems like there was very little inactivity in his life during those years. He cranked out one book after the other.

It almost looks like his ratio was 100% doing. He could probably think and do at the same time. Most of us are not like that. We do either one or the other.

Be decisive

We’ve looked at two extreme cases. Buffett and Munger spend most of their time thinking. Asimov spent most of his time doing. Unfortunately, outliers do not represent reality. However, we can learn from them. What I’ve learned is that we need to be decisive.

Warren Buffett would not be this famous if he didn’t make big bets. And Asimov wouldn’t write 500 books without committing to writing every day. The lives of both men were different, but both were decisive in their actions. And that’s the key to figuring out your ideal thinking/doing ratio.

It’s not the amount of thinking we do, it’s the quality that matters. If you spend 40% of your time thinking while being indecisive and all over the place, you’re wasting your time.

In contrary, if you spend only 1% of your time thinking and if you are very decisive, you’re being effective.

The 20/80 rule of effective thinking

I live by what I call “The 20/80 rule of effective thinking.” I think for most professionals in today’s age, that ratio of thinking vs doing is sufficient. Even though I’m a natural thinker, I need to remind myself to execute more than I think.

Again, it’s not the ratio that counts, it’s the quality of your thinking. And ultimately, the quality of your thinking impacts the outcomes you achieve.

Remember that poor outcomes in life are excusable, but poor thinking and decision-making are not

The reason is that you do not have any control over the former — but you do have all the control over the latter. That’s why the 20/80 ratio will probably save you a lot of time, money, and worry.

When you take time to think things through, you’re less likely to make emotional decisions.

When you’re decisive, you make a decision and stick to it — which is ultimately how we achieve our goals.

SEE ALSO: Bill Gates says he's happier at 63 than he was at 25 because he does 4 simple things

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's how North Korea's Kim Jong Un became one of the world's scariest dictators

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• Sensitive skin can be a symptom of a compromised skin barrier. It happens when the top layer of your skin becomes weakened and thin.
• First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair BarriAIR Cream is one of the first skin-care products specifically designed to build up the skin’s barrier and decrease sensitivity. It relies on nourishing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help strengthen it against bacteria, pollution, and irritants.
• The moisturizer features an innovative foam texture that’s not heavy or greasy at all, making it a must-try for those who don’t like to suffocate their skin with thick creams and oils.

My hypersensitive skin is the bane of my beauty-loving existence. It flushes at the suggestion of exfoliating acids; it breaks out after the gentlest of scrubs; it starts peeling if I try anything stronger than a vitamin C serum. I assumed, like most people with sensitive skin, that it was genetic and therefore not something I could change. But it turns out that sensitivity can be a symptom of a compromised skin barrier — and that’s totally fixable, especially with First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair BarriAIR Cream in your skin-care arsenal. I’ve personally been using it for about a month, and my skin is already noticeably stronger (and clearer). Sensitive skin, who?

“The skin barrier, which is at the outermost surface of our skin, contains dead skin cells and lipids which serve to lock in moisture and protect the skin from irritants, toxins, and pro-inflammatory substances,” celebrity dermatologist Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, the medical director of Mudgil Dermatology, tells Business Insider. It’s basically the shield that defends the inner layers of your skin — which are naturally more sensitive — from anything they might come into contact with on the outside.

Unfortunately, a whole host of modern factors can wear down this barrier, leaving the inner layers vulnerable to irritation. Hello, redness, acne, dermatitis, and rosacea!

“Any external factors such as irritants, allergens, bacteria, or pollution can break down this protective layer over time, leaving it more reactive to the trials and tribulations of daily life,” Lilli Gordon, the founder and CEO of First Aid Beauty, explains; while Dr. Mudgil adds that using harsh ingredients, over-exfoliating, and even washing your face too often can also compromise the skin’s barrier. (So yeah, pretty much everyone’s barrier could use a little extra lovin’.)

Considering the fact that pollution levels are at an all-time high, and skin-care products so powerful they used to be considered prescription-strength (like retinol), are more accessible than ever, it’s no wonder that an increasing amount of women are complaining of sensitive skin. “But when your skin barrier is strong and healthy, your skin will be stronger, more hydrated, and less sensitive,” Gordon says.

This is where I might normally scoff, “Easier said than done.” But actually, Ultra Repair BarriAIR Cream makes strengthening the skin as easy as it gets.

With BarriAIR, Gordon and First Aid Beauty managed to create a moisturizer that’s 1) packed with barrier-boosting nutrients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and linoleic acid; 2) unscented and totally safe for even the most sensitive skin; and 3) quick to absorb, without feeling heavy or greasy.

“Ceramides bio-mimic the natural composition of the skin’s barrier,” Gordon explains of the innovative cream’s star ingredient. Made up of fatty acids, this substance naturally occurs in the skin’s outer layers and is essential for thick, plump, healthy-looking skin. When the barrier is compromised, though, ceramide levels drop — so applying them directly to the skin’s barrier automatically adds a layer of protection.

First Aid Beauty’s blend also includes hyaluronic acid (which “boosts skin’s moisture content to help hydrate and plump skin,” according to Gordon) and linoleic acid (to help “fortify and restore the skin barrier.”) Don't be alarmed by the word “acid” — these are the good kind of acids. Rather than stripping the skin of precious protective cells, hyaluronic and linoleic acids both support natural hydration and moisturization.

Finally, BarriAIR relies on colloidal oatmeal, a super calming substance, to help heal any existing damage.

I had Dr. Mudgil take a look at the ingredients (because with sensitive skin, you can never be too careful), and he agrees — First Aid Beauty’s mix has everything you need to repair a broken barrier. “Our barrier essentially contains dead skin cells bound together by lipids like ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol,” he says. “Replenishing our skin barrier with moisturizers containing these ingredients is key.”

Yet, as hardworking as First Aid Beauty’s ingredient list is, it’s not actually what makes this product a stand-out. That honor goes to the unexpectedly foamy texture. Yup, foamy.

Open a jar of this moisturizer and you’ll see it looks more like the top of a fresh cappuccino than a skin-care product. “The texture is key to the actual formulation, which features an innovative oxygen technology that helps actives penetrate more deeply into skin,” the founder explains. “The technology reacts to air, causing the cream to continuously shrink and expand.” As soon as you deposit the foam onto your face, though, it sinks in like a normal moisturizer would, delivering hydration and actives to skin’s surface and beyond.

“Most barrier creams are very thick, which can feel heavy and unpleasant, so we aimed to make this as lightweight as possible to enhance the user experience,” Gordon adds. “The whipped, light-as-air texture is truly unique.” Not to mention, truly effective.

My chronically sensitive and reactive skin drinks this stuff up — honestly, I saw a difference in my overall glow after just one night. After two full weeks, it was clear: My face looked plumper — in a good way — and felt stronger. Today, it’s not nearly as reactive to things like going outside on a windy day (which would normally give me red, dry cheeks) or using a detoxifying clay mask (something that often leaves my skin tight and flaky).

“The formula can be used daily in the morning and at night, and should be applied after cleansing or following your serum,” Gordon instructs. “I love to use the formula mixed with a drop of our new Ultra Repair Cannabis & Oat Dry Oil as the last step in my routine.”

Ultra Repair BarriAIR Cream is recommended for those who identify as reactive or sensitive; but all I can say is, don’t get too attached to that descriptor. After building up your barrier, you’ll barely recognize the strong, hydrated skin in the mirror.

You can buy the Ultra Repair BarriAir Cream at Sephora for $30

Be sure to check out more products from First Aid Beauty here

Join the conversation about this story »

• British Airways is preparing to introduce a new business class seat in July.
• The Club Suite seats will debut on Airbus A350 aircraft in July.
• The enclosed suites will feature their own doors, the ability to convert into beds, increased storage space, and 18.5-inch screens.

British Airways is showing off a brand new business class seat.

The "Club Suite" seats will debut on Airbus A350 in July. The seats will feature their own doors, the ability to convert into beds, increased storage space, and 18.5-inch screens.

"The arrival of our first A350 featuring our new Club Suite is one of the most exciting developments in our $8.6  billion investment program," British Airways CEO Alex Cruz said in a statement. 

"Each new suite has direct aisle access and comes with a personal door - design features which were incorporated as a direct result of the feedback we've had from our customers."

Read more: Check out the new Airbus jet that will rival Boeing's 777 and replace the 747 jumbo jet.

The Club Suite seats will first be available on flights from London to Madrid, before rolling out on long-haul flights beginning in October.

British Airways is expected to have 18 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft in its fleet. Over the next five years, British Airways is expected to take 72 new aircraft including the A350, Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, along with the Airbus A320/A321neo.

Here's a closer look at the new British Airways Club Suite:

SEE ALSO: The 20 biggest airlines in the world, ranked

FOLLOW US: On Facebook for more car and transportation content!

Here's the Club Suite seat!

Each seat will be an enclosed suite.

Passengers will be able to convert the seat into a bed.

• Millennials are spending more than $400 on designer dog clothes, according to Fashionista.
• As millennials delay traditional milestones, like getting married, buying a house, or having children, they're choosing to be pet owners instead.
• In a world where raising kids is a six-figure undertaking, spoiling a pet is less expensive.

Millennials love their dogs — so much that they're willing to spend more than $400 on clothes for them.

That's the price of a high-end dog puffer jacket from a collaboration between luxury brand Moncler Genius and Poldo Dog Couture, reported Maria Bobila for Fashionista.

They're not the only ones to tap into the luxury dog clothing market — Very Important Puppies (V.I.P.) offers streetwear-inspired dogwear for between $160 and $202, and fashion brand Hemsmith launched a line of dogwear that includes a crewneck tee for $48 and hoodie for $60, Bobila reported.

As for who's driving the lucrative petwear industry, "we can look to millennials, who are now in their 20s to late 30s — an age range that, historically, has had to do with marriage and parenthood, but may not be the case these days," wrote Bobila.

"As a generation that puts off having children or opts out of it entirely, they're putting greater focus on pets instead," Emily Anatole, insights director at cultural strategy and trend forecasting company Cassandra, told Bobila. "Many are treating their pets as if they were kids and devoting a growing share of their disposable income to them." 

Over the last year, 14% of millennials bought a luxury item in pet-care category — not far from the 18% of millennials who made luxury purchases on children's items, reported Bobila, citing stats from Anatole.

Read more: Millennials are treating pets like 'their firstborn child,' and it's reportedly causing problems for some of the best-known pet food brands

That disposable income isn't confined to doggie designer duds — millennials are also opting to buy more expensive pet food, reported Business Insider's Mary Hanbury, citing a report by The Wall Street Journal. Nielsen data has shown that annual household spending on pet food among pet owners increased by 36% between 2007 and 2017, which has led to an influx of premium food brands entering the market, according to Hanbury.

Speaking of millennials and their pets, Beverley Petrunich, owner of DoGone Fun, a dog-daycare center in Chicago told The Journal, "They treat them like it was their firstborn child."

Millennials may be paying big bucks when it comes to pampering their pooch, but it's less than the cost of raising kids in America today— an average of $230,000, according to Merrill Lynch's "The Financial Journey of Modern Parenting: Joy, Complexity, and Sacrifice" report.

This high cost has caused more parents to weigh finances into their decision to have a child; in 1970, around 33% of parents said their finances played a role in becoming a parent — today it's 73%, according to the report.

And a recent survey by The New York Times revealed that raising kids is more expensive than it's ever been before — finances are the main reason why people aren't having kids or are having fewer kids than they considered ideal, reported Business Insider's Shana Lebowitz.

It's cheaper to act as if your dog is your firstborn — even if you're paying to dress them in designer wear.

SEE ALSO: The cost of raising a child is at an all-time high, and it's partly because parents feel pressure to buy kids what their friends have

DON'T MISS: 7 ways rich millennials spend and display their money differently than rich baby boomers

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Take a look inside a $28.5 million NYC apartment on Billionaires' Row

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Since you don't have all day to scour the web for noteworthy sales and discounts, we rounded up the best bargains for you to shop in one convenient place. For even more deals and savings across the web, check out our coupons page.

1. Save $25 when you pre-order a new Apple iPad Mini or Air at Best Buy

Apple recently announced the launch of two new iPads — and pre-orders are open now. Whether you prefer the compact iPad Mini or the larger iPad Air, Best Buy is making it easy to save on a new device. My Best Buy members can save $25 when they pre-order either device. Simply sign in to take advantage of the offer and if you're not a member, you can sign up now for free. For more deals and promotions at Best Buy, visit Business Insider Coupons here.

Pre-order the latest Apple iPads at Best Buy now.

2. Save 50% on sale styles at Lacoste

Polo shirts are a spring must-have, and Lacoste is a classic go-to for a variety of fits and styles. While there are plenty of new arrivals to shop, the sale section is where you'll find the best deals. Right now, you can save up to 50% on sale styles. In addition to polos, the sale includes T-shirts, sweaters, jackets, sneakers, and more. 

Shop the Lacoste sale now.

3. Buy an Echo Dot and get six free months of Amazon Music

With 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 23,000 customer reviews, the Echo Dot is one of the most popular and best-selling items on Amazon. The device might be small, but it packs a lot of features. Using the power of Alexa, you can get the news, check the weather, control smart home devices, and play music from streaming services like Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and Pandora. For a limited time, you can get six months of Amazon Music for free when you buy the 3rd generation Echo Dot. 

Echo Dot 3rd Generation, $49.99

4.Save up to 45% on Cuisinart Classic Enameled Cast Iron cookware

With outstanding heat retention and distribution, Cuisinart's cast iron cookware allows home cooks to explore a variety of different cooking techniques. The classic collection uses a porcelain enamel coating to prevent flavor absorption and provide durability. As an Amazon Deal of the Day, you can save up to 46% on the chicken fryer, 7-quart casserole pot, and 5.5-quart casserole pot.

Shop Cuisinart Classic Enameled Cast Iron cookware on Amazon now.

5. Save an extra 30% on thousands of items at Macy's

Macy's is home to a plethora of products from familiar brands, nearly always at discounted prices — and the ongoing VIP sale is bringing even more savings to the table. Right now, you can save an extra 30% on a huge selection of items by using the promo code "VIP" at checkout. Whether you're shopping for clothes, jewelry, home goods, or beauty products, you'll find great savings on brands you love. For more deals and promotions at Macy's, visit Business Insider Coupons here. 

Shop the Macy's VIP sale now. 

6. Save 25% on new spring arrivals at Madewell

Spring is almost here (officially, at least), and Madewell is celebrating the change of seasons with a sale on new arrivals. Now through March 25, you can save an extra 25% on new arrivals by using the promo code "HEYBUDS" at checkout. The sale includes shirts, dresses, shoes, bags, jewelry, denim jackets, and more.  Visit Madewell's Business Insider Coupons page for more deals and savings.

Shop the Madewell sale now.

7. Save up to 75% on designer watches at Jomashop

If you're in the market for a new watch, but don't want to pay inflated retail prices, Jomashop is where you want to shop. The site has a wide variety of watches from top brands like Omega, Breitling, Seiko, Hamilton, Tag Heuer, and more — all at heavily reduced prices. You may have celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a few beers, but Jomashop is celebrating with up to 75% off watches. And if that's not a good enough deal, you can get free one-day shipping with the promo code "FASTSHIP" at checkout.

Shop the Jomashop sale now. 

8. Save up to $200 on Bear Mattresses and get two free pillows

With a 4.75 out of 5-star rating from over 9,000 reviews and a spot on our mattress buying guide, Bear is easily one of the best mattress makers out there.  The mattresses feature Celliant, a material designed to convert heat from the body into far infrared, which has been proven to help rebuild cells. The technology can help you wake up feeling well-rested and free of aches and pains. Right now, you can save $100 on any purchase of $500 or more by using the promo code "SPRING100" or get $200 off any purchase of $1,200 or more by using the promo code "SPRING200" at checkout. Plus, you'll receive two free pillows.

Shop the Bear Mattress sale now.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Why Tesla's Model X was the first SUV to receive a perfect crash-test rating

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• If you ask any of the experts, putting on sunscreen is one of the best things you can do for your skin.
• Not only does daily SPF help prevent more serious forms of sun damage like skin cancer, but it can also prevent wrinkles and fine lines.
• You can easily add more SPF to your skin-care routine without using the regular, heavy-duty sunscreen you might need at the beach during the summer.
• We gathered six great skin-care products that help you add SPF into your daily routine with ease.
• Read more: 23 skin-care products with near-perfect Amazon reviews

When it comes to skin care, there's always a new trend or product promising to solve your woes. But when you ask the experts they all have the same very important tip — wear sunscreen! Protecting your skin with SPF is the ultimate trick in wrinkle prevention, as well as for preventing the more serious side effects from sun damage.

You should be wearing sunscreen every day, not just in the heat of summer. Any time you go outside, you put yourself at risk of damage from sun exposure. And, even though you may not be getting a sunburn in January, your skin still is still left to deal with the effects of those UV rays. Don't worry though — you don't need to lather on Banana Boat in the dead of winter to get your daily dose of SPF. Plenty of skin-care products have SPF built right in, so you can seamlessly incorporate sunscreen into your morning routine. 

Keep reading for six great skin-care products that make everyday skin protection simple:

SEE ALSO: This $11 clay mask that has over 11,000 5-star reviews on Amazon is the only thing that has helped clear up my skin

A dermatologist-recommended tinted sunscreen

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral Primer with SPF 50, available at Amazon, $29.99 (Originally $39.99)

If you only have time to put one thing on your face in the morning, make it this face primer. Not only does this correcting primer blur wrinkles and fine lines, it's also tinted for some light coverage and boasts broad-spectrum SPF 50. Dermatologists love the brand's sunscreens because they're non-comedogenic, so they won't clog your pores — they'll just protect them.

An SPF moisturizer for sensitive skin

Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Moisturizer with SPF 15, available at Jet.com, $9.38 (Originally $10.99)

If you worry that sunscreen will make your sensitive skin break out, try this light moisturizer from Simple. Their products are made without harsh chemicals, artificial perfumes, or dyes, so your risk of having an adverse reaction is greatly lowered. This particular moisturizer has SPF 15 added for extra protection from UVA/UVB rays without the greasy feeling that accompanies many sunscreens  — meaning you can feel good about wearing it every day. 

A refreshing, skin-protecting mist

Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mini, available at Sephora, $12

Once you've already put a face of makeup on, reapplying your sunscreen may seem like a lost cause. This setting spray from Supergoop! offers the protection of SPF 50 in a light, refreshing mist. Spritz it over your makeup or a clean face to refresh your SPF throughout the day — it'll also help keep your makeup in tact. Plus, this mini size is perfect for throwing in your purse and taking with you on the go.