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.

• Banning books can be a means of censorship. 
• The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom compiles a list of the top books that are most frequently challenged or banned each year.
• Below, you'll find 10 of the most challenged books of 2018, along with the reasons they've been criticized.

Whether banning books calls to mind historical, homegrown controversies surrounding classics like "The Catcher in the Rye" (Salinger) and "Naked Lunch" (Boroughs) or the infamous Nazi book burnings of the '30s, it's easy to believe that such censorship has been retired by democratic countries. 

But, believing it doesn't really make it true.

Every year, the American Library Association tracks the challenges to library, school, and university materials and the books banned or burned as a result. Without collective hindsight, contemporary censorship simply slips into obscurity.

In 2018, the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom documented 483 books challenged or banned in 2018. However, since the ALA's database is built by media coverage and individual reports, it's not exhaustive; there could be many more challenges that go unreported.

The reasons for banning books don't really change. Typically with the best intentions (ie of protecting others), censorship can feel sticky and circumstantial. But the ALA seems to agree with what John Stuart Mill wrote in "On Liberty" that censorship is a means for "...robbing the human race. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error." Regardless, every citizen has their own opinion on intellectual freedom — and these book lists help foster the vital conversation.

From September 22-28, 2019, the ALA also host its annual Banned Books Week in libraries and bookstores across the nation. Founded in the 1980s alongside increased organized protests and momentous Supreme Court cases (Island Trees School District v. Pico), it seeks to bring together the entire book community, from teachers to publishers, to raise awareness of censorship. 

Below are 10 of  2018's most challenged and banned books, according to the ALA:

Book descriptions provided by Amazon and edited lightly for length. 

"The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas

Read more

What it's about: Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil's name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: What really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.

But what Starr does — or does not — say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.

Reasons, per ALA: The book was banned and challenged because it was deemed "anti-cop," and for profanity, drug use, and sexual references.

"George" by Alex Gino

Read more

What it's about: When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl.

George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be "Charlotte's Web". George really, really, really wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part ... because she's a "boy."

Reasons, per ALA: The book was challenged due to the belief that it would encourage children to change their bodies using hormones, and for mentioning "dirty magazines," describing male anatomy, "creating confusion," and including a transgender character. Also challenged for teaching kids how to clear their browser histories, as when George did so to hide her research on transgender identities.

"A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo" by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller

Read more

What it's about: HBO's Emmy-winning Last Week Tonight with John Oliver presents a children's picture book about a Very Special boy bunny who falls in love with another boy bunny.

Meet Marlon Bundo, a lonely bunny who lives with his Grampa, Mike Pence — the Vice President of the United States. On this Very Special Day, Marlon's life is about to change forever ...

This book for kids explores issues of same-sex marriage and democracy. Sweet, funny, and beautifully illustrated, this better Bundo book is dedicated to every bunny who has ever felt different.

Reasons, per ALA: The book was banned and challenged for including LGBTQIA+ content, and for political and religious viewpoints.

"Captain Underpants" series written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey

Read more

What it's about: Meet George and Harold, two fourth graders with big imaginations. The only thing they enjoy more than playing practical jokes is creating their own comic books about a superhero named Captain Underpants. But nothing can prepare them for what happens when their comic-book character comes to life.

Reasons, per ALA: The series was challenged because it was perceived as encouraging disruptive behavior, while "Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot" was challenged for including a same-sex couple.

"Drama" written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier

Read more

What it's about: Callie loves theater. And while she would totally try out for her middle school's production of Moon over Mississippi, she can't really sing. Instead, she's the set designer for the drama department's stage crew, and this year she's determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a middle-school budget. But how can she, when she doesn't know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage and offstage drama that occurs once the actors are chosen. And when two cute brothers enter the picture, things get even crazier.

Reasons, per ALA: The book was banned and challenged for including LGBTQIA+ characters and themes.

"Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher

Read more

What it's about: Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker — his classmate and crush — who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why.

Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah's pain, and as he follows Hannah's recorded words throughout his town, what he discovers changes his life forever.

Reasons, per ALA: The book was banned, challenged, and restricted for addressing teen suicide.

If you are having thoughts of suicide and need to talk to someone confidentially, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) free anytime if you are in the United States.

"This One Summer" by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki

Read more

What it's about: Every summer, Rose goes with her mom and dad to a lake house in Awago Beach. It's their getaway, their refuge. Rosie's friend Windy is always there, too, like the little sister she never had. But this summer is different. Rose's mom and dad won't stop fighting, and when Rose and Windy seek a distraction from the drama, they find themselves with a whole new set of problems. One of the local teens — just a couple of years older than Rose and Windy — is caught up in something bad ... Something life-threatening.

It's a summer of secrets, and sorrow, and growing up, and it's a good thing Rose and Windy have each other. 

Reasons, per ALA: The book was banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and certain illustrations.

"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie

Read more

What it's about: Bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school to attend an all-white, farm-town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot.

Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian", which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by Ellen Forney that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.

Reasons, per ALA: The book was banned and challenged for sexual references, profanity, violence, gambling, and underage drinking, and for its religious viewpoint.

"This Day in June" by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten

Read more

What it's about: In a wildly whimsical, validating, and exuberant reflection of the LGBTQ community, "This Day In June" welcomes readers to experience a pride celebration and share in a day when we are all united. Also included is a Reading Guide full of facts about LGBTQ history and culture, as well as a Note to Parents and Caregivers with information on how to talk to children about sexual orientation and gender identity in age-appropriate ways. This Day In June is an excellent tool for teaching respect, acceptance, and understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

Reasons, per ALA: The book was challenged and burned for including LGBTQIA+ content.

"Two Boys Kissing" by David Levithan

Read more

What it's about: Based on true events — and narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS — "Two Boys Kissing" follows Harry and Craig, two 17-year-olds who are about to take part in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a new Guinness World Record. While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teens dealing with universal questions of love, identity, and belonging.

Reasons, per ALA: The book was challenged and burned for including LGBTQIA+ content.

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.

• Father's Day is next Sunday, June 16, which means time is running out to get Dad a gift.
• We've rounded up 21 Amazon Prime-eligible gift ideas that any dad would love. With free two-day shipping, your gift will be taken care of in no time so you can get back to your scheduled programming. 
• If you don't find the perfect gift for Dad on this list, take a look at more Father's Day 2019 gift ideas here.

Don't let the craziness of summer make you forget one seriously  important holiday sandwiched between your trips to the beach.

Father's Day is coming up fast on June 16, so don't get caught scrambling to get a gift for one of the most important men in your life. To help, we've rounded up 22 Amazon Prime-eligible gift ideas — all under $100 — so you can add to cart and continue with planning that beach getaway. Just remember that the sooner you order, the better your chances of a timely arrival.

Here are 21 affordable and Amazon Prime-eligible Father's Day gifts under $100:

A pair of noise-cancelling headphones with built-in radio

3M WorkTunes Hearing Protector with AM/FM Radio, available on Amazon for $44.99

These are the perfect dad headphones. They not only reduce the amount of noise he hears when he's mowing the lawn or blowing the leaves, but he can also listen to AM/FM radio since he has quite figured out how to use anything more modern. (Maybe.) The 3M headphones are also voice-activated so he can easily find the smooth jazz he likes. 

A powerful waterproof speaker

JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth Speaker with Protective Travel Case, available on Amazon for $84.95

When one of your siblings inevitably kicks your bag into the pool on your next family trip along with every one of your devices inside, there'll be no hard feelings because this portable speaker is completely waterproof. When charged, it can provide up to 12 hours of continuous music play so the party never ends. 

Check out our full review here and see why it's our favorite under-$100 speaker here.

A sweet and spicy gardening kit

Plant Theatre Hot Chili & Sweet Pepper Kit Gift Box, available on Amazon for $16.99

Perfect for the dad who's just starting out in gardening, this beginners kit provides everything that he'll need to grow red and green peppers that he can then incorporate into dinner. The kit includes six biodegradable grow pots, six peat discs that expand to seven times their size when watered, six plant markers, and six seed sachets, plus instructions and helpful tips.

A handmade messenger bag

A master griller tool set

Cuisinart 13-Piece Wooden Handle BBQ Tool Set, available on Amazon for $23.67

For the dad who can't step away from his grill, make sure he has everything he needs for the start of BBQ season. The 13-piece BBQ kit includes a spatula, cleaning brush, four skewers, and four corn-cob holders, all designed with stainless steel and finished with wooden handles. 

A Bluetooth meat thermometer

GrillEye GE0001 Smart Bluetooth Grilling Thermometer, available on Amazon for $69.99

With this Bluetooth thermometer, your dad can walk away from the grill (or at least as far away as 300 feet) without overcooking his prized T-bone. The professional-grade thermometer uses probes with flame-proof grips to measure internal temperature and it can send the reading to your phone, or can be read right off the LED display. 

A smart light kit

Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting Single Pole/3-way Dimmer Switch Starter Kit available on Amazon for $79.95

Give your dad peace of mind with a smart light switch and dimmer set. It's compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, and your dad can schedule and automate when the lights turn on, off, and dim so he can finally stop doing it manually when people leave the living room. Installation doesn't require rewiring, so it's easy to set up. 

A portable label maker

Brother P-Touch Cube Plus Label Maker, available on Amazon for $99.99

For the organized dad, this Bluetooth label maker won't confine him to a desktop computer — he'll be able to make labels straight from his smartphone. Choose from three Brother software and app options to help design labels easily.

A bird feeder

Perky-Pet 325C 2-Tier Copper Panorama Bird Feeder, available on Amazon for $30.79

The bird-watching dad will love this 360-degree bird feeder that has two perches to give birds more space to eat and chill. The locking cap insures that the seeds are for the birds and not for pesky squirrels.

A smart light strip

Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance Outdoor LightStrip, available on Amazon for $82.77

These light strips can go pretty much anywhere outside the house — under the stairs, around the door frame, along the driveway, and more. Dad can control the light strip and its color scheme and intensity anywhere on his mobile device or by pairing it with a voice-activated home assistant like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. 

Check out our full review here.

A cornhole set

AmazonBasics Wood Cornhole Set, available on Amazon for $69.99

Get summer started with this classic lawn game set. The set includes two plywood targets and a total of eight weighted bags (four red and four blue). Bring the fun anywhere by packing up the game in its compact carrying bag. 

A fresh cologne

Tommy Bahama Maritime Men Cologne, available on Amazon for $78

Cologne might not be a conventional gift, but that's the beauty of it — it's a thoughtful and unexpected gift that will take your dad by surprise. This one has both warm and fresh notes of bergamot, waterlily, cedarwood, musk, and more.  

A tennis ball basket so you can hit the courts together

Wilson 75 Tennis Ball Pick Up Hopper, available on Amazon from $21.96

This portable tennis ball basket can hold up to 75 tennis balls and keep them contained with its no-spill lid. The convertible handles make it easy to transport from the car to the court and double-duty as legs to prop up the basket. 

A hand-held Bluetooth device for portraits and not selfies

Adonit PhotoGrip Qi, available on Amazon for $59.99

This handy little device is perfect for capturing moments whether candid or forced while on family vacation.

Hold it in your hand for selfies or prop it on its tripod and use the Bluetooth remote to take group photos from up to 32 feet away. The PhotoGrip Qi also charges your phone while you use it, so you'll never miss a photo opp again. 

A nearly indestructible fishing rod for all the salmon your dad can catch

Ugly Stik Elite Fishing Rod, available on Amazon for $49.95

If dad's the kind of guy who breaks things (aren't all dads?), this is the fishing rod for him. Have a look at our full fishing rod and reel guide to toss in a reel, or consider other options.

A bocce ball set to play at family gatherings

AmazonBasics Bocce Ball Set with Soft Carry Case, available on Amazon for $36.76

Upgrade your lawn games with this bocce ball set. The black carrying case comes fully stocked with four green balls, four red balls, one white pallino, and one measuring device. 

A hands-free flashlight

Cobiz Brightest Headlamp, available on Amazon for $29.49

Whether your dad is out camping, working in the attic, or just needs a hands-free light source, he'll need a rechargeable headlamp. It has four light settings that control the three LED light bulbs, and is waterproof too.

A pair of cool cufflinks

Men's Silver & 18K Gold Plated Round Whale Back Closure Cufflinks, available on Amazon for $68.99

Designed for the most special occasions, these cufflinks are plated with 18k gold and platinum for an elegant finish. He'll be dressed to the nines with its intricate handmade design.

A security camera

Blink Indoor Home Security Camera System, available on Amazon for $63.99

This wire-free, battery-powered indoor camera can help your dad monitor the home from anywhere. He can get instant motion-detection alerts to his smart device, access live video footage, or view past recordings on the free cloud storage. Maybe now he'll stop patrolling the windows.

A shaving kit that's just the right size for business trips

The Art of Shaving Midsize Kit, available on Amazon for $40.80

This kit is all your dad will need when he's traveling on a business trip. All four items are TSA approved, so no matter where he's headed, he'll always be able to maintain his look. 

A heart-rate monitor made for swimmers

Garmin Chest Strap HRM-Swim, available on Amazon for $86.94

Made specifically for the pool, this heart-rate monitor is designed with a non-slip, compact material that won't move or interfere with swimming performance. Get real time data on a Garmin-compatible watch (sold separately; we like the Garmin Vivo) or store up to 20 hours worth of data on the band, which can be downloaded onto a computer.

• Apple's software update for the iPad coming later this year will bring a handful of useful new features, such as improvements to the way the iPad multitasks and handles file management.
• The company is calling the update iPadOS, making it the first time it's separating its tablet software from the iPhone's iOS software.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Although the iPad isn't meant to be a complete replacement for your laptop, Apple's tablet has slowly become a more viable productivity tool in recent years. That's truer than ever with iPadOS, the new software update Apple will be launching for the iPad later this year.

It marks the first time Apple has separated its iPad software from its iPhone operating system, a move that further  distinguishes the two products from one another. It's a sensible move — now that smartphones generally have much larger screens today than they did when the original iPad launched in 2010, people are using their phones for some of the tasks they may have turned to a tablet for in the past.

As such, companies like Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, and others have been positioning their tablets as productivity-oriented devices that offer larger screens than smartphones and better portability than laptops. The iPadOS update will provide new features that are critical in boosting the iPad's performance in this role as a work device.

Apple didn't say precisely when iPadOS will be released, but the company typically debuts new software updates across its products in the fall time frame.

From new copy and paste gestures to improved multitasking, here are our favorite new features coming to the iPad later this year.  

SEE ALSO: Apple Maps is getting a huge update in iOS 13 — and it could finally help it catch up to Google Maps

You'll be able to pin widgets to the home screen.

Widgets in iOS are usually just a swipe away from the home screen. But when iPadOS launches, you'll be able to pin certain widgets to the device's home screen, making it easy to see information like upcoming calendar appointments at just a glance. 

You'll also be able to choose favorite widgets that will always appear on the home screen. It's a useful addition that can help you make the most out of the extra screen real estate the iPad has to offer. 

Your iPad will be capable of functioning as a second display for your Mac.

Third-party apps like Duet Display have made it possible to use your iPad as a secondary display for years, but now this functionality is finally coming to iOS natively. Apple's next big Mac update, called Catalina, and iPadOS will bring a new feature called Sidecar that turns your Apple tablet into a second Mac display.

That means you'll be able to extend your desktop so that it stretches across your Mac and your iPad, making it possible to drag content between both. You can also use the iPad to mirror your Mac's display, and to edit content on the iPad using the Apple Pencil while seeing the changes occur live on your Mac. 

You'll be able to cycle through multiple apps that are open in Slide Over mode.

Apple's Slide Over feature, which allows you to pin an app to the side of your iPad's screen in a column view alongside another app, is getting a noteworthy update in iPadOS. When the update launches, you'll be able to open multiple apps in Slide Over simultaneously and cycle between them with a swipe. 

The iPad is finally going to be compatible with thumb drives.

The iPad's inability to support external drives has always hampered its ability to serve as a work computer, but that's finally changing this year. The iPad will soon be compatible with external devices such as a USB drive, hard drive, and a microSD card, making it much easier to get content that isn't saved in the cloud onto your iPad. It's a feature that competing Windows tablets like Microsoft's Surface Pro have had for years.  

The Files app is getting new views that make it easier to manage content.

Apple launched the Files app for the iPad back in 2017, an addition that was necessary in order for the tablet to be taken seriously as a productivity machine. Now, with iPadOS, Apple is making the Files app even more robust and comprehensive with a new column view and other helpful features.

Based on Apple's presentation, it seems like the column view will make it much easier to find documents quickly without having to dig through your folders. You'll be able to view sub-folders in a column alongside your main folders, and a new preview pane lets you see images and other content without having to open it.

The Files app is also getting a new downloads folder for keeping your downloads from the Mail app and Safari all in one place.

You'll be able to view the progress of files downloaded in Safari.

Apple's web browser will finally offer a means of easily managing downloads.

When iPadOS launches later this year, Safari will have a download manager that enables you to view download progress and quickly access recently downloaded files. That's a huge win for those who often use their iPad for work-oriented tasks and frequently download material from the web. 

Safari will now show the desktop versions of a website on the iPad.

If you're going to use your iPad like a desktop computer, it should be better at behaving like one. That's presumably why Apple is adding the ability for Safari to automatically show the desktop version of websites on the iPad, making better use of its larger screen. Apple also says that despite being designed for the desktop, these websites will still be optimized for touch. 

You'll be able to view the same app in different windows.

Apple's Split View feature for the iPad is limited in the sense that it's not possible to run the same app in multiple windows.

For example, if you want to open two documents in the Notes app side-by-side, or two tabs in Safari alongside one another, you're out of luck with Apple's current software.

But that's going to change soon enough, as iPadOS brings the ability to run multiple windows showing the same app. That should make it much easier to work on projects that require multitasking across several documents or websites.  

You'll be able to navigate webpages and documents more precisely with a scroll bar.

To make it easier to navigate through long documents, Apple is adding support for scroll bar scrubbing on the iPad. When iPadOS launches, you'll be able to drag the scroll bar to a designated area on a webpage or document, allowing for more precise scrolling just like on the desktop. 

The iPad is getting new gestures for copy, paste, and other actions.

While mouse and touchpad is probably still the most natural form of input for work-related tasks, Apple is improving the way touch works on the iPad. 

Consider the new copy and paste gestures in iPadOS, for example. You'll be able to copy text by pinching up from the screen with three fingers, while pinching outward with three fingers will paste the content in the location of your choosing. The gestures are meant to mimic the motion of picking something up and putting it back down, making it easy to remember.

Similarly, Apple is launching new gestures  that make it possible to undo an action by swiping to the left with three fingers and redo by swiping to the right with three fingers. 

The Apple Pencil is becoming more useful.

One advantage that Samsung's S Pen stylus has always had over the Apple Pencil is its ability to tie into Samsung's software to enable certain shortcuts and features.

With iPadOS, it looks like Apple Pencil owners will get a small taste of this type of functionality, too. You'll be able to take a screenshot in iPadOS by dragging the Apple Pencil from either bottom corner of the screen. While the Apple Pencil is still largely intended to be a tool for drawing, sketching, writing, and annotating rather than user interface shortcuts, it's refreshing to see another use case for Apple's stylus.

Other than the new screenshotting feature, the Apple Pencil will be capable of working at a lower latency thanks to Apple's improved prediction algorithms. 

• There's nothing worse than a baby who doesn't sleep. Having an easy-to-use swaddle that feels like mama's arms will help the whole family get some much-needed sleep.
  
• After much research, we found the Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle Baby Blanket to be the best for most parents, thanks to the super-soft and stretchy fabric that creates the perfect baby burrito.

While swaddling does come with some controversy, it's hands-down the best way to get a fussy baby to sleep. I should know: My son, when he was an infant, preferred to only sleep in my arms as I stood and rocked him. The minute I attempted to put him down, his crocodile eye opened, and the wailing began. I was desperate for some relief, and I then discovered Dr. Harvey Karp's book, "The Happiest Baby on the Block," and the five S's (swaddle, side, shush, swing, and suck).

While all five S's play a role in a baby's ability to self-soothe, swaddle is the key to a good night's sleep. Swaddling is wrapping your baby snugly in breathable material to mimic a womb-like sensation. Your baby, when wrapped, relaxes and falls asleep. Or at least, that's the theory. When unwrapped, the Moro reflex or startle reflex is your baby's natural response to an unfamiliar sound or movement. Think of it like the reflex you have when you experience the sensation of falling. Your baby has the same sensation when unwrapped, and when this happens, the movement "startles" them awake.

In the past, pediatricians recommended that babies sleep on their bellies, but with new research into sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that babies sleep on their backs. Back sleeping is safer, yet not the preferred sleeping position for babies (they usually prefer the stomach or side), and it increases the Moro effect. However, swaddles make back sleeping more comfortable and minimize startling.

Like all baby products, swaddles come in all shapes and sizes. As a mom of two kids born 15 months apart, I've tried pretty much every swaddle made. You can find swaddles with Velcro arms, ones with zippers, some promising to fit any-size baby, and others that act as a swaddle, lovey, and burp cloth. Swaddles can cost as little as $5 or as much as $70, in materials ranging from organic muslin to super-stretchy polyester. Thickness levels vary from swaddle to swaddle too.

The swaddle you choose will depend on the following: material, ease of use, effectiveness, safety, size, and cost. We used these factors when reviewing baby swaddles. We looked at hundreds of reviews, consulted other moms, and used personal experience to narrow down the list to the best baby swaddles you can buy.

If you aren't sure if a swaddle is right for your baby, consult your pediatrician.

Here are the best baby swaddles you can buy in 2019:

• Best swaddle overall: Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle Baby Blanket
• Best budget swaddle: Swaddle Me Original
• Best arms-up swaddle: Love to Dream Swaddle UP
• Best swaddle for transitioning: Halo SleepSack Swaddle
• Best basic swaddle: Sleepea Swaddle by Happiest Baby
• Best premium swaddle: The Ollie Swaddle

Keep scrolling to check out our top picks.

SEE ALSO: How to swaddle a baby like a pro — and things you need to do it

The best overall

The Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle Baby Blanket is, without a doubt, the best baby swaddle on the market. It's versatile, super-stretchy, breathable, and soft. You can use it as a swaddle, a baby blanket, and a burp cloth, making it a must-have for any baby registry.

While there might be a learning curve when it comes to Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle Baby Blanket, it can't be matched in its calming effectiveness, regardless of infant size or strength. The traditional swaddle comes in 100% muslin (a super-soft, breathable, and stretchy fabric) ideal for wrapping infants and toddlers.

I initially put off buying the Aden + Anais swaddle because other swaddles seemed easier to handle, but after a few uses, I would now recommend this swaddle to anyone. The Aden + Anais swaddle sheathed and relaxed my little bull of a son without overheating him.

While other swaddles might be easier to wrap, babies can easily break out of them, making the swaddle ineffective. With the Aden + Anais wrap, you can snugly secure your baby without worrying about breakouts, and since the fabric is highly breathable, you don't have to worry about your child feeling too hot. You can also keep the legs unwrapped for easy diaper changes, and the silky material is so soft on delicate skin.

The super-cute designs come in versatile styles. You can even use the swaddle as a stroller baby blanket or tummy time blanket. When my babies grew too old to swaddle, I used the wraps as burp cloths. I found them easy to clean and durable.

One thing to keep in mind is sizing: Some of the Aden + Anais swaddles come in 44 inches and others come in 47 inches. I would invest in the larger size to account for longer babies and swaddle use as they grow.

Aden + Anais swaddles are available for purchase from every major baby retailer, from Amazon to Target. Even if a store only carries two types of swaddles, Aden + Anais will be one of them. On Amazon, more than 1,400 customers gave the swaddles an average of 4.5 stars; Target customers rate them 4.8 stars. The Bump rates Aden + Anais swaddles its top choice for classic baby swaddles.

Pros: High-quality, breathable, soft material, versatile uses, keeps hands in place, grows with baby, affordable

Cons: Learning curve

Buy the Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle Baby Blanket on Amazon for $44.96

Buy the Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle Baby Blanket at Target for $34.99

The best budget swaddle

The SwaddleMe Original is easy to use, cozy, and great for the budget. It's the best swaddle for those who don't want a traditional wrap, at an affordable price.

SwaddleMe Original should be called the "cheater swaddle" for how easy it is to use. The Velcro hook and loop closures make securing the baby really fast and secure. You slide the baby in and close the front over their arms. It allows babies to have their arms across their chests or down by their sides. 

The 100% natural cotton fabric is gentle on skin, and you don't have to worry about extra fabric covering the baby's face. It's also easy to open the pouch around the legs for quick diaper changes. The swaddle comes in different sizes; a small is suitable for 0-3 months (7-14 pounds), but keep in mind that shrinkage happens and babies grow up fast.

Some reviewers said that the Velcro stuck to other items of clothing in the wash. One trick is to fold the Velcro over before you wash the swaddle. Also, the Velcro can be a little loud for some babies.

SwaddleMe Original comes in packs of three, making it easy to have a spare swaddle on hand. When you have big blowouts in the middle of the night or milk spit up, you'll want an extra swaddle. I always had at least three fresh swaddles ready — it's a cost that's worth every penny. Another trick I learned was to breastfeed or bottle feed with the baby still in the swaddle; I didn't have to unwrap my little guy and risk waking him up.

If you're looking for a high-quality and comfortable swaddle at an affordable price, then SwaddleMe Original is definitely for you. The swaddle is widely available and sold at Target, BuyBuy Baby, Walmart, and Amazon. Almost all of the customer reviews are positive, raving about how well it works.

Pros: Affordable, cute designs, super easy to use, durable, different sizes

Cons: Velcro is noisy and sticks to things in the wash

Buy the SwaddleMe Original at Walmart for $21.45 (3-pack)

Buy the SwaddleMe Original at Target for $29.99 (3-pack)

The best arms-up swaddle

Love to Dream Swaddle Up is perfect for babies who want their hands free to self-soothe and for moms who want a quick and easy diaper change.

When it comes to swaddles, the Swaddle Up takes into account that the most natural position for back sleeping is hands up and legs open. Infants love to suck hands and fingers, and when snugged in a traditional swaddle, it can make self-soothing harder. I've found that some babies need to have their hands free, while others sleep better completely wrapped.

The Swaddle Up comes in a single layer of breathable cotton with double zippers and stitching on the outside. With this design, nothing irritating touches your baby's skin. The double zippers make it easy for the middle-of-the-night diaper changes.

The bottom of the swaddle allows for legs in an open position, which allows babies to freely move their legs and hips. This healthy hip position makes this swaddle an International Hip Dysplasia Institute-approved product. Even though the swaddle allows the legs to move, the stretchy fabric is still tight, and you don't have to worry about loose material blocking your baby's face. 

Which Swaddle Up you choose will depend on your baby's age and season. For hot summer months, try the Swaddle Up Lite. In the winter, the Swaddle Up Warm has a built-in bamboo quilt for extra warmth. If you want a transitional swaddle (when the baby begins to roll over), try the Swaddle Up Transition 50/50 bag.

Many parents love this simple-to-use and stylish swaddle. It's the number-one best-seller in nursery swaddling blankets on Amazon, with more than 2,300 customer reviews; 71% of Amazon buyers gave the Swaddle Up 5 stars.

Pros: Hands-up for self-soothing, ergonomic, stretchy fabric, variety of styles, quick diaper changes

Cons: Might not fit all babies, runs small

Buy the Love to Dream Swaddle Up on Amazon for $29.95

The best for transitioning

The Halo SleepSack Swaddle ensures your baby's best sleep and provides a smooth transition when it's time to stop swaddling. It comes in a variety of styles and weights while keeping your baby warm and safe.

Halo SleepSack is a popular swaddle. The three-way design allows baby's arms to be down, up, or partially out when you start to transition — when your baby begins to roll over. Since "back is best," you'll always place babies on their backs to sleep, but when they can roll over, you'll want their arms free to keep their nose from being covered.

Babies grow fast, so you're going to need Halo SleepSack Swaddles in different material weights or TOG, the unit of measure used in the textile trade. The higher the TOG, the thicker the material. When it comes to material choice and thickness, Halo has you covered. If the nights are cold, try the Halo SleepSack Easy Transition or the Halo SleepSack Microfleece. Halo also now offers a hands-up swaddle for self-soothers. Another excellent option for those wanting to adjust the leg pouch, try the SwaddleSure Adjustable Swaddle Pouch.

My absolute favorite Halo swaddle material is made with plush dots. Both my children wore this swaddle and is one baby item I can't bear to give away.

The swaddle is extremely easy to use and adjust. You slide your baby in, zip up, and fold the Velcro over the arms for a snug fit. The Velcro fasteners are adjustable and keep active babies from breaking free. The reversible zippers are a smart design that allows for easy diaper changes.

Many parents love the Halo SleepSack Swaddle. Amazon, Target, BuyBuyBaby, and Walmart carry Halo swaddles, and their customer reviews are incredibly positive, with an average of 4.5-5 stars. One Amazon reviewer, who proclaims to be a nurse in a neonatal intensive care unit, said: "The baby has a safe blanket that won't accidentally cover their little face while sleeping."

The product is one of Baby List's top products for 2019, saying, "You no longer need a master's degree in swaddling to help your baby feel safe, serene and ready to sleep."

Pros: Adjustable, great for transitioning, high quality, seasonal choices, easy diaper changes, soft and breathable materials

Cons: Stronger babies can break out, need to buy more than one for different types of weather

Buy the Halo SleepSack Swaddle on Amazon for $21.99

Buy the Halo SleepSack Swaddle from Target for $19.99

The best baby swaddle for simplicity

The Sleepea Swaddle by Happiest Baby is safe, snug, and super-simple. It's the only swaddle designed by Dr. Harvey Karp.

The Sleepea Swaddle comes in 100% organic cotton with mesh material, to help prevent overheating. The solid colors are simple yet stylish. Marketed as the five-second swaddle, this actually might be true. You place the baby in the pouch, Velcro to secure arms, and zip up. Then, gently place in a crib and sneak out.  

The smaller inner Velcro band keeps your baby Houdini from breaking out. I'm generally not a big fan of Velcro or any similar fastener because it sticks to other clothing in the wash and has a loud sound when being undone (just loud enough to wake your baby), but if you fold over the Velcro before you wash the sack, you won't have a problem. And, the Sleepea Swaddle's fastener is whisper-quiet.

Even though the legs are free when the baby is in the pouch, the swaddle is quite snug, giving the baby the sensation of a mother's hug. My daughter loved this swaddle, but during the cold winter months, I needed one with thicker material. Although you can dress your baby in thicker pajamas before swaddling, I always preferred just a diaper or a light onesie to prevent overheating.

The Sleepea Swaddler is highly recommended and featured on The Wirecutter and Baby List. The Strategist called it "swaddle magic." My daughter thought so too.

Pros: Super-easy, snug, safe, cute, easy diaper changes, quiet fastener, breathable material

Cons: Not warm enough for winter months, active babies can break out

Buy the Sleepea Swaddle at Happiest Baby for $23.95

The best baby swaddle for splurging

The Ollie Swaddle is high-quality, adjustable, and promotes self-soothing. It's designed by a foster mom who wanted a high-end swaddle that was safe and breathable.

For those who want to splurge, then the Ollie Swaddle fits the indulgence. The material feels luxurious and has just the right amount of stretch. Also, the moisture-wicking material (polyester and spandex) helps keep your baby warm and dry. Securing your little one in the swaddle is fast, too, with adjustable Velcro closures.

The bottom of the swaddle is open and you tie it with a stretchy piece of fabric, making it adjustable for your growing baby. You can use the swaddle from day one to the moment they start to roll over.

The one-size Ollie can also act as a transitional swaddle by allowing hands out when your baby is ready; you only need to buy one swaddle, instead of investing in multiple sizes. Another great feature is the pouch bottom makes diaper changes fast, without the need to unwrap.

The Ollie has been featured by Popsugar, Baby List, and The Bump— all highly recommend the swaddle for its value, great for long babies, and easy to use. While it is expensive compared to other swaddles, if it helps your baby sleep longer and deeper, then it's worth the splurge.

Pros: High quality, one size fits all, soft and breathable material, transitional swaddle, designed by a mom

Cons: Expensive, noisy fastener

Buy The Ollie Swaddle on Ollie World for $59

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.

• The hormonal fluctuations of your period varies between each person and each month, but it's not an exaggeration to say that they can have unpleasant effects on your skin, causing irritation and angry red pimples.
• Knours. is a new skin-care brand designed to work with your menstrual cycle to combat hormonal breakouts and keep your complexion happy — even when your uterus is not.
• It's a complete, customizable routine full of products that can be mixed and matched according to every whim of your complexion. Plus, the entire range is EWG Verified to be formulated without irritating chemicals.
• Products are available for purchase at Bloomingdale's and Amazon.

It's like clockwork.

Every month, right at the start of my period, I get at least one gigantic, painful breakout around my mouth and chin region. It's usually accompanied by a smattering of smaller, less painful yet still annoying bumps in the middle of my forehead.

So when I heard about Knours., a new skin-care brand designed to help alleviate the changes your skin goes through during your menstrual cycle, I was immediately intrigued. "Everyone's cycle is different and each person has personal skin needs, but we all have one thing in common — our skin conditions fluctuate as our hormones fluctuate," a Knours. representative tells Insider Picks.

The brand offers a streamlined range of products, each designed to work with your skin to help prevent breakouts and irritation not just during your period, but all month long. Each product is also carefully formulated using EWG Verified ingredients so there aren't any irritating or harmful chemicals that might make your skin even angrier.

The brand sent me The Starter Kit ($28) for review. The set includes deluxe samples of its core products — Your Only Cleanser ($25), Double Duty Mist ($8), Skin Meditation Gel Cream ($36), and One Perfect Cream ($48), plus a couple of In-Bed Cleansing Wipes ($12) and a Be Kind to Your Skin sheet mask ($15 for pack of five).

After a month of regular use (and one painful period), I can officially call myself a fan.

The products

Let's start at the beginning with what the products claim to do.

Your Only Cleanser is a 2-in-1 oil-to-foam makeup cleanser and face wash, sort of like a double cleanse in one bottle. It has a blend of jojoba and olive oils to moisturize and chamomile extract to soothe an irritated complexion.

It's effective at removing a moderate amount of makeup in no time, though a smokey eye requires some extra elbow grease. One thing to note — as someone with very sensitive eyes, I have to be careful not to get this in them while removing mascara, otherwise it burns for about a minute.

The true hero of the range, in my opinion, is the Double-Duty Mist. This bi-phase toner contains a top layer rich in oils such as jojoba, and a soothing, clarifying bottom layer with aloe vera and a blend of botanicals. When your skin is extra dry, the instructions recommend to shake the bottle so you get the benefits of all the ingredients. If your skin is irritated or you feel a breakout coming on, don't shake it so you'll only get the clarifying benefits from the botanicals and aloe. I've never used another toner that feels like it does so much for my face in such a streamlined way.

The two moisturizers in the range complement the dual nature of the toner mist. One Perfect Cream is a thick, hydrating cream formulated to help minimize the visible signs of aging and keep your skin hydrated thanks to ingredients like sweet almond oil, shea butter, and niacinamide, which is a redness- and breakout-fighting ingredient. Skin Meditation Hydrating Gel Cream is a lightweight gel that helps relieves the skin's most passionate temper tantrums with hydrating ceramides, glycerin, and sodium hyaluronate.

I used them interchangeably throughout the month according to my skin's moods. Both formulas kept my skin soft and moisturized, though Skin Meditation felt less hydrating due to the thinner gel texture.

Extras like the In-Bed Cleansing Wipes and Be Kind to Your Skin sheet mask round out the collection. Both are nice touches and made me feel like I was pampering my skin as opposed to handling it because of my cycle. The wipes did a good enough job of removing my makeup when I had no energy to get out of bed for a proper wash, and the mask was a soothing treat for my PMS-ing skin. 

The verdict

I'm happy to report that Knours. lived up to the claims for me. My usual hormonal breakout was a mere shadow of itself after several weeks of using mostly products from the range. A cystic pimple cropped up as usual, but faded over the course of one day without fully blooming. 

The two biggest stand-outs from the collection, in my opinion, are the Double-Duty Mist and the One Perfect Cream. Both are unique when stacked against other facial mists and creams on the market, and based on their ingredients, I suspect they did the most to combat breakouts and soothe my skin.

Now if only Knours. would come out with a Skin Meditation for my cramps. 

Purchase The Starter Kit for $28 on Amazon

Purchase Your Only Cleanser for $25 on Amazon

Purchase the Double Duty Mist for $8 on Amazon

Purchase The Skin Meditation Gel Cream for $36 on Amazon

Purchase the One Perfect Cream for $48 on Amazon

Purchase the In-Bed Cleansing Wipes for $12 on Amazon

Purchase the Be Kind to Your Skin Sheet Mask (5-count) for $15 on Amazon

Join the conversation about this story »

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.

• Weekend trips are a fun way to see friends and family, visit new cities, and take advantage of great summer weather. 
• If you need a good bag for your next weekend getaway, you can't go wrong with a weekender— it's the perfect size to hold everything you need for a short trip.
• The Insider Picks team has tried plenty of weekender bags and below you'll find the 12 we love and travel with the most.

While cold winter weekends are best-spent relaxing at home, summer weekends are best-spent visiting friends and family, doing plenty of outdoor activities, and seeing new places — all while enjoying the great weather. And if  you plan on taking one or a few trips out of town, you're going to need a good bag to bring with you. 

Packing for a weekend trip can be a little trickier than your average vacation. A suitcase is way too big to lug around for just a few days, but a backpack can barely hold one night's worth. Luckily there are plenty of great weekender bags that are just roomy enough for a few days worth of clothing and toiletries. As a team of product reviewers, we've tried plenty of travel bags, but there are some that we use time and time again.

Keep reading for the 12 weekender bags we love to travel with.

Lo & Sons O.G. Overnight Bag

Lo & Sons O.G. Overnight Bag, $295

I've had this bag since 2013 and it looks just like it did when it was new. The black nylon exterior is durable and easy to clean, and the interior is roomy with pockets for just about anything you can think of. The only compartment I don't use is the hidden shoe pocket. If I'm not wiping down the outside of the bag, I'm definitely not wiping this secret compartment — that's what reusable bags are for.

The bag can hold a weekend's worth of clothes, shoes, toiletries, and such, but I'm an over-packer, so I still have to be thoughtful about it. Even if the bag is overstuffed, though, it doesn't feel extremely heavy on my shoulders because of the wide double straps. — Jada Wong, Insider Picks editor 

When it comes to finding the perfect weekender bag, I want something that can hold a lot, but won't weigh me down as I push through the crowds in Grand Central to catch a train on time. The Lo & Sons O.G. bag ticks off all the boxes, and it looks nice to boot.

I've already sung the praises of the clever design and myriad smart features, and now that it's summer, I know I'll be using this bag even more. If you're traveling for longer than just a weekend (or are a serious over-packer), it makes a great companion to your carry-on suitcase — the travel sleeve lets you slip the bag right on top of your luggage for easy movement. — Remi Rosmarin, Insider Picks reporter

Dagne Dover Landon Carryall

Dagne Dover Large Landon Carryall, $185

Dagne Dover Extra-Large Landon Carryall, $215

I also use and love the Lo & Sons O.G. Overnight Bag for short, overnight trips, but the Dagne Dover Landon Carryall is the one I always turn to for long weekends. I got it two years ago, and it's not showing much wear and tear yet, despite using it regularly. It's the perfect size to hold three to four days' worth of stuff, and just like the rest of Dagne Dover's bags, it comes with a bunch of thoughtful compartments, like a laptop sleeve, shoe duster, and stretchy key leash.

I have the extra-large size in a muted pink color called "Dune" ($215), and I don't find it too cumbersome to carry when fully stuffed. If you're a lighter packer, you might prefer the large ($185), which is a bit more compact. You can also choose from 13 colors. — Ellen Hoffman, Insider Picks director of content strategy 

Everlane Mover Pack

Everlane Mover Pack, $78

If you tend to get tired carrying a bag by the handles, or your back gets sweaty from supporting a backpack, you have the power of choice with Everlane's Mover Pack. You open, pack, and carry it as a duffel, but you have the additional option to carry it as a backpack or just by the top handle. It has a bunch of pockets, including a dedicated shoe compartment to keep my less-than-squeaky-clean treads away from the rest of my clothes, and more often than not, I actually have extra space after packing for three days' worth of things — so might as well fill that space with souvenirs and treats, right? — Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter

Paravel Main Line Duffel

Paravel Main Line Duffel, $285

On the opposite end of the spectrum from Everlane in both price and design is this simple and stylish duffel. It only has two interior zip pockets, leaving the very spacious body yours for the taking. When my parents forced a giant box of fruit on me, the forgiving bag expanded to accommodate it, surprising everyone involved, including the TSA agent. I also love the feel of this bag: The fabric is a slick and substantial cotton canvas that's also water- and spill-resistant, and the trim and handles are made from soft, luxurious leather. Even if my reality is that I'm squeezing into a Basic Economy seat right by the bathroom, this bag makes me feel worthy of a private jet. — Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter

Tortuga Setout Duffle

Tortuga Setout Duffle Bag, $149

I have been using the Setout Duffel as a weekend bag for a little over six months. It has a spacious interior (35 liters), and the large opening makes packing easy. I really like Tortuga's bags for their quality construction, which is important for travel. The Setout Duffel is made of a soft yet tough 900D polyester that's also water repellant, and the hardware (D-rings and zippers) is durable. What I also love are the compartments for shoes (so they don't dirty your clothes) and a laptop or tablet.

I've used the bag on several short trips and it has not endured any major or minor damage. In fact, it still looks new. I also appreciate the padded handle wrap that makes it comfortable to carry (a shoulder strap is also included). — Les Shu, Insider Picks editor

Tortuga Setout Backpack

Tortuga Setout Divide Backpack, $179

If you don't like carrying a duffel bag, Tortuga also makes various travel backpacks. For short trips, I like the Setout Divide, which is made with the same quality as the Setout Duffel. My colleague David Slotnick reviewed the larger version and it has become one of his favorite carry-on bags. (For a travel backpack, I am using Tortuga's outgoing Homebase right now, which I like, but the Setout uses a tougher fabric and feels more robust than the Homebase.)

You can't go wrong with Tortuga's bags. They are well-engineered products, and while a bit pricey, they're worth the investment. — Les Shu, Insider Picks editor

Peak Design Travel Backpack

Peak Design Travel Backpack, $299.95

Peak's travel backpack is designed with photographers in mind, but is really ideal for anyone. The bag uses an innovative modular packing cube system, with cubes for various purposes available in small, medium, and large. For a long weekend, I'll use a medium packing cube for clothes, and a small camera cube. Then, I use room around the sides and in the other pockets for toiletries, shoes, and so on. The best part is that the bag can shrink down to a passable day-pack, so you can really make it a one-bag trip. The bag is comfortable to carry and has a few well thought-out features, like stowable straps. It's a bit pricey, but it's really worth it. — David Slotnick, Personal Finance Insider reporter

Caraa Sport Studio Bag

Caraa Sport Studio Bag Large, $450

You've seen the price tag, now hear me out! I'm not going to sit here and tell you to spend $450 on a weekender just because. In fact, I'll start by saying that there are plenty of other great options on this list that will cost you far, far less and do just as great a job at toting your stuff around. But if it's in your budget to spend that much on a really nice weekend bag where every detail has been thought through perfectly, this is the one I'd recommend.

All of Caraa's bags are exceptionally well-designed, but this one has a bunch of clever features — the best of which is that the bag converts from a duffel to a backpack just by attaching straps. There are two compartments: the main one, which opens up like a backpack, and the one top, which opens like a duffel. Each one allows you to pack clean and dirty items separately. There's also a laptop sleeve in the main compartment along with internal organizing pockets, and there's a zipper on the side of the bag that lets you get to your flat-packed items without opening up the main compartment. 

Honestly, I could go on about the features, but suffice it to say that I absolutely love this bag and recommend it to anyone who has the funds to buy it. — Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor

Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe

Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe Canvas Weekender, $128

The Catalina is Lo & Son's souped-up weekender. It has a lower compartment to keep shoes upright and separate, enough pockets to keep all the small essentials organized, a sleeve for your suitcase handle to pop through, and a padded messenger strap. Plus, the interior is definitely roomy enough for a long weekend's worth of clothes, accessories, and a few books or an iPad.

The canvas is also so chic in person, though I wish I would have gone with a darker color (mine is dove grey) to disguise wear better, and to make it less likely that the color of my jeans transfers while I'm walking with it. All in all though, a great deal for $128. — Mara Leighton, Insider Picks reporter

Paravel Fold-Up Bag

Paravel Fold-Up Bag, $65

I originally got Paravel's fold-up bag to bring on trips in case I wound up needing another bag for souvenirs on the way home, but it's so easy to use that I've also loved it as a weekender. It's feather-light, silky but tough, and doesn't have any unnecessary bulk. If you're just heading somewhere for the weekend after work, this is one bag you won't hate carting into the office. — Mara Leighton, Insider Picks reporter

Stuart & Lau The Monaco Weekender

Stuart & Lau The Monaco Weekender, $385

I never thought I'd be able to own a real grown-up weekend getaway bag. Actually, I never thought I'd ever be going on grown-up weekend getaways, period. But, alas, here I am, in my fourth decade, and here I am taking the commuter train to and fro on the weekends. Tangling with irate bankers on the peak rush hour train, and jostling for a seat on said train, requires a dogged, tooth-and-nail approach. No mercy.

But this course of action can take its tolls on one's baggage. This lightweight and weather-proof DuraLite nylon and leather bag is up to the task. I've scrapped with the best (and worst) of Metro North passengers to gain my space with this bag for nearly a year now, and by looking at it, you wouldn't know it. Other bags, rest their gentle souls, weren't so lucky, and I'm starting to think this one might just outlast me, too. — Owen Burke, reporter

Gonex Lightweight Daypack

Gonex 35L Lightweight Daypack, $15.99

This backpack may as well be my right hand because I take it on nearly every trip. With a 35-liter capacity, the Gonex backpack carries a surprising amount of things, yet folds up into a bundle small enough to fit into the palm of my hand. It's lightweight, which is perfect for running through the airport or standing in a crowded train, but I still find that it's extremely durable. I purchased it on Amazon thanks to its high ratings — and the $17 price tag means that I don't have to worry about it getting dirty during unavoidable travel tribulations. When I go on shorter trips, I can fit a couple days' worth of clothing and travel necessities while still having extra room to fit the inevitable souvenir on the way back home. — Megan Foster, Insider Picks intern

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.

• Hers, the sister company of Hims, lets women buy certain prescriptions online without having to see a doctor in person. Instead, medical consultations with doctors occur online. 
• For those too busy or inconvenienced by traditional healthcare, it makes the process for of getting sexual wellness (birth control and the "female Viagra") and prescription acne treatments markedly more streamlined.
• I tried the a.m./p.m. Acne Treatment ($44), and I was impressed by the ease of ordering, fast delivery, and overall efficacy.
• There are some cons to consider, but I had a good experience with the process and products, and think it's a convenient service that can make it a little easier to access healthcare.

For many, finding a trusted dermatologist — and more realistically, one that's in-network — can be nearly impossible. For others, the time commitment, waitlists, and taking a half day for a visit just to get a prescription are enough of a reason to simply "make do" living with acne. When I moved cross-country still using my parents' now-irrelevant insurance, I was very much left to the former group.

In other words, clumsy imperfections of the healthcare system can prevent people from accessing care. But in the 21st-century, new "telemedicine" providers are popping up, looking to make clinical health care more streamlined and accessible by bringing it to where people are: online. Hers is one of them.

You're probably familiar with the startup — either by virtue of its many subway ads or its first venture: Hims, which addressed men's health issues like erectile dysfunction and hair loss with over-the-counter products and prescriptions. Hers is the sister brand launched in 2018 to address women's health. Popular products span sexual wellness with birth control pills (10 types) and Addyi, commonly referred to as "female Viagra," to hair loss and skin care.  

Hers still requires a prescription for prescription products, but the process is easy. The company's network of doctors assess your needs and provide you with a prescription after you complete a digital assessment. Over-the-counter products (think The Shampoo, $19) don't require one, so you can order them straight from the site. 

Hers products aren't covered under insurance, but the company has said they're available at 50%-80% off retail cost, which may make them more affordable for some. Otherwise, the lack of appointments, pharmacy lines, and coordinating with insurance may be enough of a convenience to justify paying slightly more for others. Hopefully Hers will be eligible for HSA or FSA money in the future.

To see what the process is like, I tried out the company's a.m./p.m. Acne Treatment ($44). It requires a subscription which may be a turn-off for some, but, on the other hand, consistency is generally seen as the MVP of a good skin-care line. You can also have the formula tweaked to meet your needs as they change, and, you can just snooze future deliveries if you need to get fewer. 

How it works

Unfortunately, this is one of those subscriptions that requires credit card information before you can really get to the meat and potatoes of the process. You'll log your name, address, and credit card info first. Your order will be processed, you'll sign a telehealth consent form, and then you'll build out your profile — filling in your medical history, relevant details, and the symptoms you want to be addressed in about 20 quick questions. Make sure you have a credit card and government issued ID on you — you'll include a photo of the latter so doctors can confirm your identity.

For the skin-care products, you'll also include photos of your skin for doctors to consider, and you'll be prompted to note if they represent a good, bad, or typical day for acne. (These are protected under HIPAA and the company promises they will never be shared). There's also a section to include both the topical and oral medications you've used in the past, how well they worked, how your skin reacted, and when you last used them.

Since you're getting prescription products, you need doctor approval. So after you fill out your profile and a doctor looks it over, you'll have an online consultation (kind of like a support chat conversation) with a physician after checkout to green-light your products. In the beginning, there's a $5 medical fee tacked on to the price of the acne products that goes directly to doctors. 

I completed my profile on February 4, and by 11 p.m. that night I had been contacted by a dermatologist. She asked me a few follow-up questions and prescribed me my products same-day, which she said would automatically refill 11 times. She also encouraged me to let my primary care doctor know about this medicine and any other changes and included a link to where I could find a primary care doctor if I didn't already have one. It took about a week for the products to arrive in the mail.

If you need to tweak the products in the future, use the secure messaging portal (the same that your doctor used to contact you in the beginning) to discuss it. 

My experience

The experience online was easy and pretty much resolved itself in a single day — which was much less stressful than trying to find a new dermatologist, taking off work, and going in without much of an idea if I'd be able to afford whatever was prescribed to me, and, if not, why I went in the first place. 

The packaging is low-key, though it does say "Hers" prominently on the front. I also feel guilty receiving a package of plastic single-use products every month, but I understand the need for monthly doses and keeping costs low.

The formula comes in a.m. and p.m. bottles that are supposed to work together to clear up skin and renew the surface simultaneously. It contains active ingredients (tretinoin, niacinamide, and clindamycin) and non-actives. You won't find parabens and pthalates in it, but it does have a synthetic fragrance. Find out more about its ingredients here. 

When used consistently, I did see my skin's clarity improve. My tone was more even, and my skin clearer and smoother to the touch without losing hydration. However, I've also been regulating my breakouts recently with all-star products it took me years to find, so my skin wasn't nearly as bad at the beginning as it has been in the past. So if you don't find the initial formula effective — meaning if it's not strong enough for your needs — you can ask for a higher concentration of tretinoin. Once approved by a doctor, it'll be upped.

For context, when I asked the company for a breakdown of the ingredients' concentrations, the team sent the following: 1% clindamycin, 4% niacinamide in the a.m. and 1% clindamycin, .0125-0.02% tretinoin, 4% niacinamide at night. Tretinoin is generally prescribed in varying strengths (weakest .005% to the strongest 0.1%), though it's not always as simple as "more equals better." Tretinoin can be harsh on the skin and cause redness and peeling, so the goal is to find the balance between efficacy and what your skin can comfortably sustain.

Speaking with customer service was also more protracted and less seamless than I wished. Support responded relatively quickly to questions over email, and their blog is pretty helpful, but it was tough to know when doctors would respond to new messages. So, if you don't like your prescription and want to tweak it, I'd suggest giving yourself a few days of wiggle room to contact the doctor.

The bottom line

Hers — like most functional telemedicine companies — is an exciting prospect. It's a young company still smoothing out some forgivable kinks. But in person, it was extremely convenient, especially for someone who can't get to a dermatologist office just for prescription acne medicine, or who chooses not to. Everything is conducted quickly online, and prescriptions are mailed to your door. It's not cheap at $44 per month, and messages from doctors took a little longer than I wanted, but Hers is a relatively affordable system that's convenient. It's a subscription, but consistency is good for skin-care routines, and you can pause future shipments if need be. It's also a big perk that, should you need a stronger dose, you can request a higher percentage of Tretinoin without yet another trip back to the doctor's office.

As always — and especially with telemedicine — you need to do some research to make sure the products and services will fit your needs, lifestyle, and budget. And you should still go visit doctors for annual checkups. But, if you're looking for a way to get effective, prescription skin-care products delivered to your door without the in-person appointment, it's an option I'd recommend checking out based on my own experience with the service. 

Try For Hers skin care here

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: New York City is getting even more infested with rats. Here's why cities can't get rid of them.

• While iPhone screens are generally viewed in vertical format, rotating your screen to a landscape view can come in handy when watching videos or viewing certain images.
• You should be able to rotate your iPhone screen seamlessly. If it won't rotate, the app or screen you're on may not support screen rotation, or you may need to troubleshoot your device. 
• You can also keep your iPhone's screen locked to a particular rotation if wanted.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

While most of the time, it makes sense to keep your iPhone's screen formatted vertically, there are occasions in which rotating to landscape formatting is necessary. Whether you're catching up on Netflix, viewing hi-res images, or playing a game, it's not always ideal to use the standard iPhone screen formatting.

Thankfully, rotating your screen is a quick and easy process that should only take a few seconds. Not only that, but you can lock your iPhone's screen in a particular rotation to ensure it doesn't change even if you happen to physically move the phone in your hand. Here's everything you need to know.

How to rotate your iPhone screen

1. First and foremost, ensure that iOS's Screen Rotation Lock isn't active on your iPhone. To do this, look in the upper right-hand corner of your home or lock screen, next to the battery indicator, for a small icon that looks like a lock with an arrow curving around it. If you don't see it, this means Screen Rotation Lock isn't active. If the icon is there, you'll need to disable it.

2. To disable Screen Rotation Lock, unlock your iPhone so that you're on the home screen and swipe up from the bottom to reveal the Control Center.

3. Locate the aforementioned icon featuring a small lock with a line curving around it. If Screen Rotation Lock is active, this will appear highlighted. Tap it to unhighlight it, which will disable Screen Rotation Lock and allow your screen to rotate freely.

4. When finished, press your iPhone's home button to return to your home screen. Now, when physically rotating your phone to landscape mode, your screen should follow suit.

What you should do if your iPhone screen won't rotate

It should be noted that while iOS and certain apps like Netflix and YouTube support screen rotation, not all applications will. If you've ensured that Screen Rotation Lock is disabled on your phone, chances are the app in question may not allow reorientation of your screen.

If you're certain that an app supports screen rotation but it's not working on your iPhone, you have a couple of options to try and fix the issue.

1. Restart your device. Sometimes technology can be finicky and a simple restart gives your phone a chance to get things right. There's no rhyme or reason to why this works, but it often does.

2. If you've restarted your device and disabled Screen Rotation Lock but your screen still won't rotate, it may be time to contact Apple Support to fix the problem. Your phone may have a broken accelerometer or another issue that you'd need a professional to fix. Taking your phone to your local Apple store or authorized Apple repair store is the first step to getting the issue fixed.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 9 simple ways to protect your data that don't take much time, but could have huge security benefits

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.

• After trying to swaddle the traditional way with a blanket, my husband and I were amazed at how easy it was to use the HALO SleepSack swaddle.
• It has a loose fit at the bottom for hip health and a tighter fit at the top to help your baby feel secure. There's also a zipper that unzips from the bottom, making middle-of-the-night diaper changes a breeze.  
• Transitioning out of this swaddle as my baby grew bigger was also easy, and I never worried about any loose fabric being in the crib either since the sack uses secure Velcro fasteners. 
• There are three different sizes and a lot of fun prints and patterns, and prices range from $19.99 and $24.99 on Amazon. 

When I had my daughter Isabelle (Ellie), I had an unplanned C-section with complications that left me essentially bed ridden for the first week after her birth. These unexpected complications led to my husband caring for our newborn almost entirely on his own.

When my husband and I were in the hospital, he unabashedly rang for nurses around the clock. We had the best nurses in the world and they taught him how to change a diaper, soothe the baby, give her a bath, and swaddle, among many other things. I tried to teach him how to swaddle before Ellie was born too, but in typical fashion, he decided to not pay attention. I'm sure he was wishing that he had practiced more when he was calling the nurses in frustration after his fifth failed swaddle attempt in a row.

I could almost see the relief in his face when we were discharged and a nurse handed us a HALO SleepSack to take home instead of a traditional swaddle blanket. 

It's basically a zippered sack with arm holes, flaps, and Velcro fasteners that help create a secure swaddle to dampen the startle reflex. The bottom is loose and roomy to allow the baby to move legs and hips freely without damaging hips, while the top is more fitted. Even if you're a swaddling pro, it's not easy to swaddle a newborn at 2 a.m. and traditional swaddling with a blanket can potentially damage a baby's hips if not done properly.

Read more: How to swaddle a baby like a pro — and things you need to do it

Design

I loved this swaddle for so many reasons, the biggest one being that the design is just so intuitive.

To swaddle, slip your baby's arms through the arm holes, zip the sack from top to bottom, pull the non-Velcro flap across the baby's midsection and tuck it into the opposite side of the sack. Then take the other flap with Velcro and wrap it around the midsection again, securing the two large fasteners. Even though I had practiced traditional swaddling before Ellie was born, I quickly preferred this to a blanket because it was just so simple. 

Another reason I love the HALO SleepSack is because of the zipper. Newborn babies poop and pee a lot. In the first couple weeks after Ellie was born, she pooped almost every time I fed her, which meant that my husband and I did a lot of diaper changes in the middle of the night. With a traditional blanket swaddle, you'd have to unwrap the whole thing to access the dirty diaper, but with the HALO SleepSack, you just unzip from the bottom instead of the top. 

The swaddle sack comes in a variety of fabric weights, sizes, and prints, so you can find the one that works for you and your baby. The hospital sent us home with a white swaddle and we immediately ordered this pink one when we got home to have a second on hand when the first got dirty. We later ordered the Medallion Whisper and Ikat Damask Blue in Small as Ellie got bigger and outgrew the newborn size.

The sizes offered are Preemie, Newborn, and Small, which would fit your baby through six months, 26 inches, or 18 pounds — whichever happens first. Ellie was a big baby, staying above the 90th percentile through six month sand she started rolling early, so we unfortunately had to transition her out of the swaddle earlier rather than later. I say "unfortunately" because using the swaddle was such a breeze. 

Transitioning out of the HALO SleepSack 

It's not always easy when babies and kids outgrow the parents' favorite, trusted products, but discontinuing the use of a swaddle as soon as a baby can roll though is a must because it can quickly become a safety hazard.

When we first starting transitioning Ellie out of the HALO SleepSack, we swaddled her with just one arm out for a week or so, and then we left both arms out until she completely outgrew the sack. She was still secure with the fabric wrapped snugly around her belly and chest, but she was able to safely roll around with both arms out.  

Read more: The best baby swaddles you can buy

What makes it stand out 

Among all the convenient features that make this a great swaddle for a newborn baby and parents alike, the number one thing in my mind is safety.

Swaddles can help babies sleep because it makes them feel secure, but swaddling with a traditional blanket is not always safe. If a baby thrashes around a lot and gets a swaddle blanket loose or it somehow works its up around his or her face, it's a major suffocation hazard.

The two large Velcro pieces on this swaddle never even came loose in the middle of the night, let alone undone. Even if the fasteners had come undone, the flaps are still attached to the sleep sack, so there aren't any loose pieces of fabric in the crib.

Cons to consider

I honestly only have good things to say about the HALO SleepSack swaddle, but thinking back now that Ellie's transitioned out of it, there are two things that could potentially be an issue depending on your situation.

While I loved the secure Velcro fasteners, they could be loud if you have to undo them in the middle of the night and could startle your baby, although Ellie never minded. She actually slept through some diaper changes because we didn't need to shift her that compared to a traditional swaddle when we needed to change her diaper.

Since you're zipping up your baby in the sack and then wrapping the two flaps over a baby's midsection, the multiple layers of fabric could also get pretty warm at night, especially if your baby sleeps warm or the bedroom gets hot. Since we keep our bedroom cool, this was never a problem for us. In fact, we'd layer a long-sleeve pajama under the swaddle without a problem.

The bottom line

Every baby is different, and some even resist a swaddle, but if you have a baby who likes to be swaddled, the HALO SleepSack is worth the buy because, in my experience, it's convenient for parents and secure for babies. But since every baby is different and has unique needs, you should still talk to your pediatrician or nurse to double check. 

If you do plan to get this swaddle sack, make sure you take your baby's size and weight into account when choosing the swaddle size; I would err on the side of buying bigger rather than smaller so your baby can grow into it, and you can make sure you're not restricting the legs or hips at all with a too-small sleep sack.  

Some parents go through five or 10 different swaddles until they find the one that works for their baby. If the HALO SleepSack doesn't work for you, a great alternative to try is the Nested Bean Zen Swaddle, which we actually transitioned into the after Ellie outgrew the HALO. We also tried the Love to Dream Swaddle, but found that it didn't give Ellie that same snug and secure feeling she got from the HALO.

Pros: Safe for babies, available sizes from preemie to six months, easy and intuitive to use

Cons: Velcro can be loud, multiple layers can be too hot for warm sleepers

Buy the HALO SleepSack — Newborn on Amazon from $19.99 to $24.99 (various patterns and sizes available)

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Incredible animation shows just how big supermassive black holes can get

• Architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed only three homes in Texas.
• One of them is now for sale in Houston for $2.85 million.
• In 1995, the home underwent renovations that added 6,400 square feet of living space to the property. The dining room, den, and living area are still furnished with Wright originals.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The late American architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed only three homes in Texas  — and one of them just hit the market in Houston, according to R. Clay Joyner from JPAR-The Sears Group.

The six-bedroom property, called the William Thaxton house, is for sale for $2.85 million.

The original home — built in 1955 — was supposed to cost around $5,000, but William Thaxton was eager to bring residents to the countryside and called upon Wright to design a home in the $110,000 to $115,000 range on Bunker Hill (equivalent to around $1.1 million today), Joyner told Business Insider.

Read more: A 13-bedroom mansion in Scotland that used to be a prison is on the market for $3.3 million

Joyner also confirmed to Business Insider that in true Wright fashion, everything in the original house was designed on a 60- or 120-degree angle. He also built all the furniture. Today, every piece of furniture in the dining room, den, and living area is a Wright original. Only a few properties still include Wright's furniture.

In 1995, Kirksey Architecture renovated the Thaxton House by adding a patio, courtyard, and additional living space, according to the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy.

Keep reading to see the multimillion-dollar home.

SEE ALSO: What a $250,000 home looks like in 25 major US cities

SEE ALSO: 2 towns in Italy are selling homes for just $1, but there's a catch

Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian-style home in Houston is for sale for $2.85 million. The house is one of only three Wright-designed homes in Texas.

Source: R. Clay Joyner

The six-bedroom home is called the William Thaxton House.

Source: Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy

Frank Lloyd Wright designed the original 1,800-square-foot home on Bunker Hill in 1955 at the request of William Thaxton.

Source: R. Clay Joyner

What was originally supposed to be a $5,000 home turned into a home in the $110,000 to $115,000 range (equivalent to around $1.1 million today).

Source: R. Clay Joyner

Wright designed everything in the original home on a 60- or 120-degree angle.

Source: R. Clay Joyner

Every piece of furniture in the dining room, den, and living area is a Wright original. According to Joyner, only a few properties still include Wright's furniture.

Source: R. Clay Joyner

In 1995, the current owner decided to renovate the home and added 6,400 square feet to the property.

Source: R. Clay Joyner, Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy

Wright-designed homes on the market across the US range in price from a $175,000 house in Chicago to a $23 million house in Los Angeles.

Source: Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy

Meanwhile, homes on Bunker Hill — where the William Thaxton house is located — range from $1 million to $7 million, according to Joyner.

Source: R. Clay Joyner

• You can remap the Bixby button on a Samsung Galaxy S10 so that Bixby starts with either a single or a double press.
• You can also assign any app to run from the button as well — if Bixby is set to a single-press, you can start an app with a double-press.
• You can also assign a Bixby quick command to either a single or double press as well.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The Samsung Galaxy S10 includes a dedicated button to launch Bixby, the personal assistant that's somewhat similar to Google Assistant. The good news is that you can reconfigure the button to do other things.

By default, the Bixby button launches Bixby with a single press of the button. You can remap the button to launch a different app, or assign a quick command to it with a double-press.

If you prefer, you can make the app of your choice launch via the single press, and relegate Bixby to a double press. Either way, you can't get rid of Bixby entirely.

How to remap the Bixby button on a Samsung Galaxy S10

1. Press the Bixby button to start Bixby.

2. Tap the three dots to open the Bixby menu.

3. Tap "Settings."

4. Tap "Bixby key."

5. Decide how you want to use your Bixby key. Choose "Single press to open Bixby" (which is the default) or "Double press to open Bixby" depending upon how frequently you expect to start Bixby via the button.

6. Whichever you choose, you can assign an app to the button's other mode (single or double press). If you selected "Single press to open Bixby," assign an app to the button by tapping "Use double press."

7. On the Use double press page, turn on the double press by sliding the button to the right.

8. Tap "Open app" to choose the app you want to run when you double press the button.

How to assign a quick command to the Bixby button

You can also choose to assign one of Bixby's quick commands to the button, instead of an app. Quick commands are routines that often include multiple actions in a single step. The "Let's go run" command, for example, starts the running tracker, changes the media volume, and starts playing music from your running playlist.

To assign a quick command, follow the steps above, but when you reach the Use double press page, tap "Run quick command" instead of "Open app." Choose a quick command you've enabled.

If you haven't yet enabled quick commands, tap "Go to Quick commands," choose a command, and save it. After you do that, it'll be available in the list of commands to assign to the button.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to 'soft' reset a Samsung Galaxy S10, or reset it to its factory settings

• How to take a screenshot on a Samsung Galaxy S10 in 5 different ways

• How to set up Google Assistant on your iPhone or Android phone

• How to bypass Google verification on an Android device when you've forgotten your login information

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Facebook's scandals weren't enough for people to stop using it. Here's how the company has held up through data hacks, lawsuits, and massive security threats.

• Instagram compiles a list of topics it thinks you're interested in inside the Instagram app itself, which is used to show you relevant ads. 
• You can check the list for yourself with just a few taps into some of the Instagram app's deeper settings. 
• My own list of supposed interests is very ... surprising. I can't say it's very accurate.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

You can see what Instagram thinks you're interested in by going into the app's deeper settings options.

The list of interests is, of course, related to ads and ad data. Instagram says your ad interests are based on a combination of who you follow, what posts you like or comment on, and other websites and apps you use. If you have a Facebook account, Instagram pulls data from there, too. 

I checked my own list of topics that Instagram thinks I'm interested in, and it's a little confusing. I'm not particularly interested in almost any of the topics in the list that Instagram has built for me. 

For example, I have no interest "Tyrol" (I didn't know what that was, but it turns out its a state in Austria). Nor do I care that much about the "Overwatch" game, or Mallorca, Spain, for that matter.

Regardless, you can check your own list of topics of interest that Instagram has compiled about you to see if it's accurate. 

Here's how:

SEE ALSO: Hackers stole unreleased Radiohead recordings and threatened to release them unless the band paid $150,000, so the band released the recordings instead

From the Instagram home page, tap the profile icon on the bottom right.

Then, tap the three-line stack on the top right.

Next, tap "Settings" toward the bottom ...

... select "Security" ...

... and hit "Access Data."

You'll need to scroll all the way down and tap "View All" under "Ads Interests."

There, you'll be able to see what kinds of topics Instagram thinks you're interested in. There are dozens of interests on the list — just keeping tapping "View More" and the list will fill in.

To me, the list seems completely off. I'm interested in soccer, but not the player Lionel Messi in particular, who shows up in my list. And the rest isn't especially appealing, either — in fact, I wouldn't tap on any ads that showed me anything on this list.

This isn't a call for Instagram to improve its data tracking and collection, but it's still interesting to see what a major company thinks I'm interested in. Apparently, it has no idea, which actually offers some kind of relief. It's also a good thing that Instagram is being transparent and lets users see this kind of data, too. 

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.

We rounded up the eight best sales and deals happening online today, with savings on JBL speakers and headphones, Udemy classes, and Nest Bedding mattresses. For even more deals and savings across the web, check out Business Insider Coupons.

1. Save up to 60% off JBL speakers and headphones for Father's Day

JBL is known for making decently priced speakers — we're partial to the waterproof JBL Link 4, which is great for summertime activities. The company also makes headphones and even clip-on portable speakers that you can take with you anywhere. Right now, you can save up to 60% on the speaker or headphones of your choice during JBL's Father's Day sale.

Shop JBL speakers and headphones.

2. Enroll in most classes at Udemy for just $9.99 (more than 90% off)

Udemy offers over 100,000 online courses ranging from Marketing to Photography and Music to Business Development that normally cost upwards of $200, but for the next two days, you can enroll in courses for as low as $9.99. Whether you're between semesters or learning a new language in retirement, Udemy has a course that can give you new skills and broaden your knowledge base. For more deals and promotions at Udemy, check out our coupons page here.

Sign up for classes through Udemy.

3. Save 25% on the Fire HD 8 tablet (16 GB) from Amazon

The Fire HD 8 tablet allows you to take e-books on the go or stream your favorite sitcom series on your commute to work. With built-in Alexa capabilities, the tablet can play music, check the weather, close apps, and more, all by voice command. If you're in the market for a new multi-use e-reader tablet, the popular Fire HD 8 tablet is currently 25% off. 

Get the Fire HD 8 Tablet (16 GB) from Amazon for $59.99 (originally $79.99) [You save $20]

4. Save an extra 20% off all sale styles from Madewell

Known for its premium denim at not-so-premium prices, Madewell makes casual and comfortable clothes for women and men. Currently, Madewell is offering an additional 20% off sale items including tops, bottoms, shoes, and accessories. Just use the promo code "ENJOY20" at checkout to round out your summer look. For more deals and promotions at Madewell, check out our coupons page here.

Shop sale styles from Madewell for women and men.

5. Save up to 15% on select grills from The Home Depot

Summertime isn't complete without at least a few backyard barbecues. If you're grill needs an upgrade, The Home Depot is having a sale on highly rated charcoal grills, gas grills, smokers, and accessories. With up to 15% off, you can save on a grill that can handle all your entertaining needs. For more deals and promotions at The Home Depot, check out our coupons page here.

Shop grills at The Home Depot.

6. Get an extra 30% off of almost everything and 15% off of beauty from Lord & Taylor

Lord and Taylor is hosting its friends and family sale this week with an extra 30% off of almost everything in the store, as well as an extra 15% off beauty products. Big brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Lancôme, and Steve Madden are on sale in departments like men and women's clothing, jewelry, shoes, handbags, and more. Just use the promo code "FRIENDS" when you go to checkout. For more deals and promotions at Lord and Taylor, check out our coupons page here.

Shop the Lord and Taylor friends and family sale.

7. Save $40 on the Fire TV Recast DVR from Amazon

The Fire TV Recast allows you to digitally record live TV from your Fire TV, Echo Show, or compatible mobile device through an HD antenna (sold separately). The Recast comes without the added monthly DVR fees that cable makes you pay, making its high price a little more justifiable. It's also able to hold up to 75 hours of recorded programming. Currently, the Fire TV Recast is $40 off.

Get the Fire TV Recast DVR from Amazon for $189.99 (originally $229.99) [You save $40]

8. Get $100 to $200 off select mattresses at Nest Bedding

Nest is known for its flippable mattress that has one firm side and one medium-firm side, but that's not the only mattress it makes. Nest also has two foam hybrids, one of which is designed to be cooling for hot sleepers who overheat through the night. Using the promo code "SUMNITEZZZ", you can save $200 on its hybrid and flippable mattresses, or use code "NEST100" to save $100 on its more affordable all-foam Love & Sleep mattress.

Shop the Alexander Signature Hybrid, Alexander Signature Series Flippable, Love & Sleep, and Hybrid Latex from Nest Bedding.

Join the conversation about this story »

• A new study followed 1,100 people for two weeks in the US and the UK, and found that no two people's bodies responded exactly the same way to common foods. 
• Lead researcher Tim Spector said a good general rule is still to eat a variety of plants, including nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables, while incorporating some fermented foods into your diet. 
• The researchers behind this study are developing a personalized nutrition company called Zoe. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

There are many different ways to eat, and plenty of people who will tell you that their plan is the best way to stay fit.

But a new study is calling their bluff.

Scientists had 1,100 adults in the US and UK eat the same common foods (like muffins for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch), and tracked participants' glucose levels before and after meals. The results showed that no two individuals' reactions were the same — more evidence that there's no such thing as a perfect, one-size-fits-all diet.

"Even we were surprised by the results," Tim Spector, an epidemiologist and professor at King's College in London who led the study, told Business Insider. "Just because some diet or recommendation is out there doesn't mean that you fit it."

The findings back up other recent work that undermines the conventional "eat this, not that" wisdom about dieting. 

"On the personal level, we now know there is no diet or dietary intervention that is right for everyone, or even for an individual throughout their lifespan," a different group of nutrition researchers wrote recently in The Lancet.

Study participants ate a lot of muffins  

Spector presented some of his research— which was done in conjunction with researchers at Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital — at the American Society of Nutrition conference this month. For the study, participants were given a "big pack of standard meals" to eat. Sensors called continuous glucose monitors were embedded under their arm skin to track their blood-sugar levels, and they were also given a tool to measure glucose, fats, and insulin, via blood samples collected by pricking their fingers.

The subjects — 60% of whom were identical twins — then tracked their reactions to what they ate for 14 days. They also wore wristbands to monitor their exercise and sleep habits, and took photos of all the food they ate during the study. 

Nearly every morning for the two-week study period, the participants ate a muffin for breakfast.

"I know Americans love muffins for breakfast, but some of the Brits didn't quite find it as good as their English breakfast," Spector said. 

Three kinds of muffins were on the menu: a high-fat, low-sugar muffin; a standard muffin with an average amount of fat and carbohydrates; and a third, so-called "light" muffin that had more sugar but less fat and was "easier to digest," Spector said. The researchers wanted to know: Would all the participants' insulin levels spike after they ate the muffins, or would the glucose monitors register only a tiny blip, reflecting a fairly stable insulin response? Would one of the muffins perform best across the board? 

It turned out that it was hard to generalize. Some participants responded fine to foods like muffins, bread, or bananas, while others did not.

The researchers found that it was easier to predict how a person might react to a certain food based on their own previous glucose monitor readings, rather than any dietary guidelines meant to apply across a population. Fitness level was not a predictor of glucose response, either.

"There wasn't a difference between sporty and non-sporty people that we could see," Spector said. "There were many people who ran every day that had a bad fat response."

It's more evidence that everyone — even identical twins — is different when it comes to nutrition.

"We should be personalizing diets and not just trying to squeeze everyone into the same shoe size," Spector said. "For most people, we can make basic recommendations about how they respond to carbs in general, or fatty foods." 

To follow up on these findings, Specter is launching another nutrition study in the US soon in conjunction with scientists at Stanford, Harvard, and Tufts. (The team is enrolling participants now.)

Spector said he lost 20 pounds in 3 years 

The researchers hope the data they gathered about participants' responses to different meals could help each participant determine which specific foods their body responds best to. It could even give them clues about which times of day to eat and exercise, based on the real-time measurements from their glucose monitors. 

"The glucose monitors were recording every few minutes, automatically throughout the two weeks," Spector said. "You couldn't have done this study five years ago, the technology just wasn't there."

(Continuous glucose monitors have only been on the market for about two-and-a-half years.)

Specter also tried this glucose-monitoring strategy on his own body. He said his own blood-sugar readings seemed to spike every time he ate his go-to lunch of a tuna sandwich with grapes. 

"All these tests showed that I responded really badly to bread and grapes," he said. 

Begrudgingly (Spector said he loves grapes and bread), he started incorporating more apples and nuts into his lunches instead of grapes and bread, since his body appears to respond better to those. Specter said he now only eats grapes about once a week, opts for carbs like rice or pasta in place of bread, and tries to include more nuts, seeds, and fermented foods like cheese and kefir into his meals.

So far, the changes appear to be working: Spector said he lost 20 pounds in three years.

He has also co-founded a personalized nutrition company based on this research called Zoe. The Zoe team has raised $27 million from investors, and wants to eventually use the results of this and future studies to develop an at-home test and app that could help people measure their bodies' reactions to foods and tweak their diet and exercise patterns accordingly. (Zoe funded the new study.)

What you can do for your gut: Eat a wide variety of plants 

For now, Specter's findings suggest it's hard to know how your body's response to certain foods compares to that of others. But he said there are still a few things everyone can do to eat well.

One of the best ways to improve your health is to foster your microbiome— the microorganisms in your gut that help the body absorb nutrients from the food you eat and stave off disease. Scientists like Spector are increasingly finding that eating a variety of plants is important for a healthy microbiome.

"Most people in the US have non-diverse microbes and they could definitely improve their gut health," Spector said. "We think that the more microbes you've got, the better your metabolism is."

To boost your microbiome, it helps to incorporate more fiber into your diet (which is easy to get from fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains) and consume an array of fermented foods. 

"The more junk food you eat, the more [your microbiome] shrinks," Spector said. 

A 2018 study tracked the microbiomes of 10,000 people across the US, UK, and Australia, then compared people who ate 10 or fewer different plants each week (including soup ingredients and grains in bread) to those who ate 30 or more different plants.

Unsurprisingly, the plant-lovers were shown to have far healthier microbiomes. 

SEE ALSO: Processed foods make us fatter, lead to cancer, and are linked with early death. But what exactly is a processed food?

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: I stopped eating breakfast for 2 weeks and I'm never doing it again

• You may need to reset your Google Home to its factory settings if your device is malfunctioning, or if you're looking to sell it or give it away.
• Resetting your Google Home device to factory-default condition is as easy as pressing a button, regardless of which device you own.
• Doing a factory reset on your Google Home device will erase all of your stored preferences and data and cannot be undone.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

While your Google Home device is generally good to go after the initial setup process, there may come a time in which you need to restore the device to its original factory settings, whether because you're giving it to someone else, or perhaps because the device is experiencing serious malfunctions that other methods have been unable to repair.

Google has made it easy to reset those devices to like-new condition, wiping all of your personal data and settings and allowing you to set up the device as if it was brand new.

It should be noted that while many of your Google Home device's features can be controlled via the Google Home app on your phone or tablet, this is not the case for resetting the device to factory settings. You have to reset a Google Home via the buttons on the device itself.

It's a simple process that can be done with the press of a button no matter which Google Home device you use. Here's how to do it.

On Google Home

If you own the original Google Home device, locate the microphone mute button on the back of the device and press and hold it for a duration of 15 seconds.

You'll know your Google Home is being reset to factory settings as the Google Home Assistant will say so before starting the process.

On Google Home Mini

Locate the circle etched into the base of the bottom of your Google Home Mini device. The factory reset button will be located just below the power cord and should be pressed for about 15 seconds.

Again, you will hear the Google Home Assistant confirm that your Home Mini is about to be restored to factory settings before the process starts.

On Google Home Max

The factory reset button is located close to the power cord on the back of the Home Max device.

Locate this button and press it for 15 seconds until you hear the voice of the Google Home Assistant confirming that your device is being reset.

On Google Nest Hub

On the back of the Nest Hub device, locate the two volume buttons. Press and hold both buttons for roughly 15 seconds until Google Assistant confirms that your device is going to be reset. The process will begin immediately after.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to set up any Google Home, Google's versatile smart speaker, in just a few minutes

• 'What is Google Express?': A guide to Google's online shopping service

• 'How does Google Photos work?': Everything you need to know about Google's photo storage app

• 'What is Google Chromecast?': How to use Google's smart device for TVs and monitors

• A pair of twisting luxury towers in New York City is attracting attention from billionaire buyers.
• The XI in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood is a set of two towers that will include 236 luxury residences as well as the first US location of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.
• Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos reportedly eyed one of the XI's penthouses before he dropped $80 million on a spread near Madison Square Park, The Wall Street Journal reported.
• And billionaire Graeme Hart, New Zealand's richest man, recently paid $34 million for a five-bedroom penthouse at the XI, according to Mansion Global.
• The remaining condos in the development range from $2.5 million to $14.5 million.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

A set of luxury twisting towers in New York City is drawing the attention of billionaire buyers, including Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and New Zealand's richest man. 

The XI — "The Eleventh"— is a double-tower development that spans an entire city block in Chelsea, on Manhattan's west side. It will include 236 luxury residences and the first US location of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.

Jeff Bezos reportedly considered a penthouse in the XI before dropping about $80 million on a spread near Madison Square Park, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Read more: Jeff Bezos is spending $80 million on 3 NYC condos, but he already owns 4 apartments in the city. Take a look inside the building where he owns $13 million worth of real estate

And New Zealand's richest person, Graeme Hart, just paid $34 million for one of the XI's five-bedroom penthouses, according to Mansion Global.

The development, which was designed by Bjarke Ingels, is expected to be ready for occupancy in 2020. The remaining condos for sale range from $2.5 million to $14.5 million.

Residents of the XI will have access to an 18,000-square-foot amenities club, including a 75-foot sunlit swimming pool with a hot tub and poolside cabanas, as well as the 45,000 square feet of wellness amenities at Six Senses.

Take a look at the luxury development. 

SEE ALSO: Jeff Bezos is spending $80 million on 3 NYC condos, but he already owns 4 apartments in the city. Take a look inside the building where he owns $13 million worth of real estate

DON'T MISS: I toured the most expensive condo for sale in a Billionaires' Row skyscraper in NYC, a $58.5 million residence that spans the entire 87th floor. Here's what it looks like inside.

The XI — "The Eleventh" — is a set of two twisting towers in New York City that will include 236 luxury condominium residences as well as the first US location of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.

Source: The XI

The development takes up an entire city block between 10th and 11th avenues in Chelsea on Manhattan's west side.

Source: Google Maps

Residents of the XI will have access to the array of amenities at Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, which is opening its first location in the US in the XI's East Tower.

Source: The XI

The development, which is expected to be ready for occupancy in 2020, has already attracted the attention of international billionaire buyers.

Source: The XI,Wall Street Journal, Mansion Global

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos reportedly looked at one of the XI's penthouses before dropping about $80 million on a spread near Madison Square Park instead.

Source: The XI,Wall Street Journal, Mansion Global

And New Zealand's richest man, billionaire Graeme Hart, just spent $34 million on one of the XI's five-bedroom penthouses.

Source: The XI,Wall Street Journal, Mansion Global

No. I, the West Tower, which stands at 400 feet tall, will include 149 condominium residences. The 87 residences in the 300-foot tall East Tower, No. X, start at 100 feet above Six Senses New York.

Source: The XI

Residents of the XI will have access to an 18,000-square-foot amenities club, including a 75-foot swimming pool with a hot tub and poolside cabanas, as well as the 45,000 square feet of wellness amenities at Six Senses.

Source: The XI

Owners at the XI also get access to Six Senses' club and spa, preferred reservations at the hotel's two restaurants, and services such as valet parking, room service, housekeeping, and laundry service.

Source: The XI

The remaining condos in the development range from $2.5 million to $14.5 million.

Source: StreetEasy

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.

• Birkenstock's EVA foam line is an affordable, waterproof alternative to its leather sandals.
• The shoes are made in three classic styles; the women's and men's Arizona two-strap slide ($39.95), the women's Madrid single-strap slide ($29.95), and the women's Gizeh toe-post sandal ($34.95).
• I'm a huge fan of Birkenstocks and have been wearing the leather versions forever, but the EVA line is all I buy anymore because they're comfortable, easy to clean, and relatively cheap. 

I identify firmly as a "Birkenstock lover." I've been wearing them since I was a kid, at a time when they were only considered "cool" among my fellow summer camp friends. 

Thankfully, Birkenstock's clout has only grown over time. They're no longer considered just a "brand for hippies" (or summer camp kids), an obvious result of their runway-worthy, designer collaborations and updated designs. Even Eva Chen, the former editor-in-chief of Lucky and current head of fashion partnerships at Instagram swears by their sandals.

This has been good for both Birkenstock's brand and for mine — because I no longer have to explain away why I still love them. And though I've graduated from my signature look of brown suede clogs with tie-dye socks (thankfully), my loyalty has manifested in the form of the several pairs I still wear, my favorite being their relatively new EVA Arizona sandal. 

EVA stands for "ethylene vinyl acetate," which is a super lightweight material that's somewhere between foam and rubber. It's extremely flexible with plenty of cushion, and it's completely waterproof, making the sandals perfect for poolside wear and summer travel. They even come in tons of fun colors.

Birkenstock makes three of their classic styles as part of the EVA line: the women's and men's Arizona two-strap slide ($39.95), the women's Madrid single-strap slide ($29.95), and the women's Gizeh toe-post sandal ($39.95). 

All the EVA styles still contain Birkenstock's signature molded footbed, just like the leather pairs. These sandals all feature a deep heel cup, longitudinal and transverse arch support, and a comfortable toe grip. They still mold perfectly to your feet over time, but not quite as distinctly as the leather footbeds do. 

Though all the styles are equally as comfortable, my personal favorite is the Arizona— mostly for aesthetic reasons. I have the white pair, which I wear with everything from bathing suits and beach clothes to cutoff jeans and T-shirts. I've even worn them for long walks through the city with no chaffing or blistering, and found them super easy to clean with just soap and water (the darker colors don't need to be cleaned as much, but I'm pretty meticulous about keeping dirt and scuff marks at bay with the bright white ones). 

The only con to this material is that it doesn't age quite as well as their leather versions (which can last through years and years of wear, but cost around $100). At such a low price-point, though, the thought of replacing my EVAs every two years or so doesn't really bother me. 

Whether or not you share my deep affinity for Birkenstocks, there's no denying that these shoes are a solid deal. If you're looking for an affordable, lightweight pair of sandals for summer travel or everyday life, I can't recommend these enough.  

Men's EVA Arizona sandals, $39.95, available at Nordstrom in seven colors>

Women's EVA Arizona sandals, $39.95, available at Nordstrom in eight colors>

SEE ALSO: 8 up-and-coming sunglass brands that are both stylish and affordable — all of these pairs are under $150

Join the conversation about this story »

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.

• I've always thought fancy pajama sets were unnecessary, until I tried the Eberjey Sleep Chic Set ($135).
• The super-soft, flattering fabric and fun design make getting ready for bed a little more exciting and a lot more comfortable. 
• If you're looking to treat yourself to some seriously cozy pajamas, these are a worthy indulgence that'll upgrade your nighttime routine. 

I've always thought fancy pajama sets — or really any pajama sets in general — were a waste of money. Years of acquiring oversized T-shirts and sweatpants from miscellaneous school events and birthday parties afforded me a stash of more pajamas than I even knew what to do with. I really couldn't see the point of paying anything, let alone $100 or more, to grow my pajama collection. That is, until I got the Eberjey Sleep Chic pajama set. 

The change of heart all started with a sample sale where these lauded pajamas were highly discounted. I figured, for more than half off, why not just give them a try. The time had come to treat myself to a pair of pajamas that not only felt nice, but looked nice too, and I was ready. 

I'm not going to sit here and tell you that you should spend $135 on a pair of pajamas, but if the price is in your budget, they're worth it — even at full price. I still have a soft spot in my heart for raggedy band tees and bat mitzvah sweatpants riddled with holes, those will still do the trick. But, if the idea of indulging in possibly the softest pair of pajamas you'll ever touch (a pair that even Oprah counts as her favorite) is at all intriguing, you should keep reading. 

The Eberjey pajamas are surprisingly chic, soft, and classic. The lightweight modal jersey fabric feels like a second skin — it's silky smooth and drapes elegantly over your body for a fit that's cozy and flattering. The button-up front, breast pocket, and contrast piping give these pajamas a timeless look that make these just as good for lounging around the house as for sleeping. 

And, you can't beat the variety. I have the Sleep Chic set— a long-sleeve top and pair of shorts in a navy color dotted with little white crescent moons — but you can find combinations of long sleeve and short sleeve tops paired with pants or shorts in a range of over a dozen colors and patterns — just look for the monikers Sleep Chic or Gisele. 

Eberjey totally changed my perspective on fancy pajamas. Sure, ratty sweats are comfortable, but a nice pair of pajamas that look as good as they feel can make bedtime something worth celebrating. Light a candle, grab a book, or just turn on Netflix like you would any other night — chances are you'll feel better doing it in these classy and supremely comfortable pajamas. 

Shop Eberjey pajama sets, from $98, at Amazon and Shopbop

Join the conversation about this story »

• YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki was asked whether she actually meant her apology to the LGBTQ+ community during an interview on Monday at Code Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.
• The question was posed following YouTube's week from hell: The company declined to remove videos by conservative commentator Steven Crowder, which contain homophobic comments about Vox journalist Carlos Maza.

• "I'm curious, are you really sorry for anything to the LGBTQ+ community, or are you just sorry that they were offended?" asked Ina Fried, chief technology correspondent at Axios.

• The question garnered applause from the audience.

• Wojcicki responded saying that while she is "personally very sorry," YouTube as a company doesn't "want to be knee-jerk" when making decisions about removing content, and needs to be consistent.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki was asked during a recent conference interview whether she was actually sorry about how the company's decision to keep a series of videos up from a creator that repeatedly used homophobic slurs to describe a journalist had impacted the LGBTQ+ community.

The question, asking whether Wojcicki was legitimately sorry or "just sorry that they were offended" was posed Monday during Vox Media's Code Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.

It drew a round of applause from the audience.

The question followed a week of conflict for YouTube that saw the platform's relationship with LGBTQ+ creators become increasingly strained. YouTube declined to remove videos containing homophobic epithets by a prominent conservative media personality, choosing instead to demonetize his channel.

"You started off with an apology to the LGBTQ community, but then you also said that you were involved, and that you think YouTube made the right call," Axios chief technology correspondent Ina Fried asked Wojcicki. "A lot of people don't really feel like that's an apology, and are concerned that YouTube flags LGBT positive content just for being LGBT as sometimes sensitive and yet, slurs are allowed."

"I'm curious, are you really sorry for anything to the LGBTQ community, or are you just sorry that they were offended?" Fried asked, to which the audience applauded. 

Wojcicki responded saying that while she is "personally very sorry," as a company, "we don't want to just be knee-jerk" in making decisions about removing content. 

"As a company we really want to support this community, it's just that from a policy standpoint, we need to be consistent," Wojcicki said. "If we took down that content, there would be so much other content that we would need to take down."

"We'll speak to people from the LGBTQ community, make sure that we're incorporating (their feedback) going forward in terms of how we think about harassment, and then make sure that we're implementing that in a fair and consistent way going forward," Wojcicki continued.

YouTube's week from hell

The controversy involving YouTube stemmed from Vox journalist Carlos Maza's denouncement of conservative media star Steven Crowder, who repeatedly mocked Maza's sexual orientation and ethnicity in YouTube videos with slurs including "lispy queer." Five days after Maza took to Twitter to highlight Crowder's attacks, YouTube announced that Crowder was not in violation of any policies.

One day later on June 5, YouTube partially reneged: The platform demonetized Crowder's videos "because of a pattern of egregious actions" that "has harmed the broader community and is against our YouTube Partner Program." YouTube also updated its hate speech policy, "prohibiting videos alleging that a group is superior in order to justify discrimination, segregation or exclusion." 

The content of YouTube's policy update was criticized as weak and its timing suspect. However, at Monday's conference, Wojcicki noted that YouTube has made 30 policy changes in the past year. Furthermore, she said the reforms announced on June 5 about how the platform handles hate speech were underway before the Maza scandal.

Watch Fried's question here:

Benjamin Goggin, Nick Bastone, Rob Price, and Mary Hanbury contributed to this article.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's why it's so hard to switch from Apple to Android

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.

• Blisters are terrible, and they happen more often as the weather warms up.
• We've got five solutions that'll prevent you from getting blisters in the first place, or treat them if you get cursed with any this summer.
• From Hydrocolloid bandages to blister balm, these products have your feet covered (literally).

Blisters are a scourge unto our feet in the most literal sense. 

They are an actualized punishment left behind by our shoes: a reminder that we irresponsibly forsook our own toes and heels. 

Blisters are so common that most of us have just accepted that they're now part of the universal human experience. If you wear shoes, you can't escape them. 

But preventing blisters is actually a relatively easy thing to do if you outfit your shoes and feet properly. 

Below are some of the products, tips, and tricks I've picked up after seven years of living in cities and refusing to compromise on my love of stylish yet often impractical shoes. Trust me, these products will save you a lot of money in future Uber costs.

SEE ALSO: 21 game-changing products we swear by in our everyday lives

A spray-on treatment that prevents blisters and chafing.

PreHeels Blister Prevention Spray, available on Amazon, $14.24

Don't let the packaging or name fool you — this spray-on treatment works for anyone of any gender wearing any type of shoes. PreHeels creates a protective barrier on the skin to prevent chafing and blisters caused by everything from heels to loafers. I use this all the time in the city, and though I find myself needing to reapply it every few hours, it really does work.

Metatarsal pads and and cushions that prevent blistering on the ball of the foot.

Skyfoot Metatarsal Pads and Ball Cushions, available on Amazon, $10.99

I have a pair of heeled sandals that I love wearing in the city, but they have an unfortunate seam that blisters the life out of the ball of my foot. These metatarsal gel cushions were a godsend — the last time I wore the sandals without them, I almost threw my pair into a fire. 

The anti-slip cushions stick to the shoe itself, but this pack comes with a set of two additional slip-on protective pads that are great for wearing with close-toed shoes that have have a similar seam issue. 

Adhesive pads that keep stiff backs from eating up your heels.

Hotop Heel Cushions 6-Pack, available on Amazon, $5.99

Every time I buy a new pair of loafers or flats with stiff backs, I make sure to buy a pair of these adhesive heel pads that I stick along the inside of the shoe to prevent the inevitable sting of breaking them in. Though I usually pick mine up from the drugstore, I plan to order a pack of these on Amazon because they're way cheaper in bulk. 

Alternatively, you can just preventatively wrap your heels in large Band-Aids.

An anti-blister balm for localized protection.

BodyGlide FootGlide Anti-Blister Balm, available on Amazon, $8

I've never personally used this, but there are a ton of positive reviews on Amazon about how well this works (228 out of the 332 reviews have five stars). Similar to the brand's BodyGlide anti-chafing stick, this one can be used all over the feet to prevent friction, and is small enough to pop in your purse or pocket for safekeeping.  

A Hydrocolloid bandage that can both protect blisters and prevent them from happening

Band-Aid Hydro Seal Blister Heels, available on Amazon, $3.97

These Hydrocolloid bandages are designed to soak up blisters and keep the area protected from bacteria, but they're also strong enough to be worn as a preventative measure to avoid blisters altogether.