• On an iPhone, the acronym HDR stands for "High dynamic range," and refers to the way an image is processed.
• With HDR on, every photo you take on your iPhone will be optimized with the best exposure settings.
• You can turn on HDR manually through the iPhone's Settings menu, and make sure you only use it when you want to.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the iPhone is its powerful camera. That's more true than ever with the recently announced iPhone 11 Pro, which features not just two, but three camera lenses.

But for those of us still living with our older iPhones, there are camera settings that can help us take great shots, too.

One of the most useful is "HDR," or "High dynamic range." Enabling this setting can elevate an average photo to an extraordinary shot.

Here's what the setting means, and how to make sure you're taking advantage of it.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone 11 Pro (From $999 at Best Buy)

What HDR means on an iPhone

Here's a common scenario: You want a shot of someone in front of a gorgeous outdoor backdrop, but doing so means they'll be blasted with overly-bright backlighting. 

Rather than having to choose between focusing on your subject and losing the background, or vice-versa, HDR makes it so you can experience both in one photograph. 

How? By taking three photos consecutively at different exposures — one normal, and one each adjusted for the brightest and darkest details. 

The end result: a final photo with the best of everything. 

On older iPhones, you can set HDR manually by tapping its icon when you're taking a picture (as depicted below in step five). Newer models of iPhone, however, are automatically set to use HDR when deemed necessary, with a setting called "Smart HDR."

But you can still manually control the feature. Here's how.

How to manually control HDR on iPhone X and 11 models

1. Open your iPhone's Settings app. 

2. Search or select "Camera."

3. Disable the slider for Smart HDR so it turns white.

4. Close Settings and open your Camera.

5. HDR will now appear as a setting in the top-left corner.

This lets you turn HDR on and off whenever you like. Just tap it when using your camera.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to fix red eye in any photo using an iPhone's built-in editing tool

• How to make GIFs on an iPhone using live photos, through the Photos app or Giphy

• How to rotate a picture on your iPhone using the Photos app, by 90 degrees or a custom angle

• How to crop a photo on your iPhone in two simple ways, and revert a cropped photo back to its original version

SEE ALSO: The best iPhone for every type of person and budget

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: This company turns shredded plastic and clothing into new bottles for Pepsi, Evian, and Coca-Cola

• You can reduce a PDF's file size on a Mac computer in just a few steps. 
• It's a good idea to reduce the file size of a PDF if you need to save storage space on your Mac or in the process of sending the file, but it may also reduce the quality of your PDF. 
• Here's what you need to know to reduce the file size of a PDF on your Mac, using the Preview app.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

When it comes to saving space on your Mac computer, there are many things you can do— empty the trash, delete app installers, get rid of duplicate files, and more. 

You can also reduce the file size of PDF documents in order to make them more compact, and take up less space on your Mac.

However, it's important to note that doing so may also decrease the quality of the original PDF.

If you need a high-quality PDF, for a presentation or work assignment, you may be better off using another space-saving method, like saving it to cloud-based backup system or an external hard drive.

But if you decide it's the right way to go, here's what you'll need to do in order to reduce the file size of a PDF on your Mac, via the Preview app.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

MacBook Pro (From $1,299 at Best Buy)

How to reduce PDF file size on a Mac computer

As long as you know which file you want to reduce, this should be a quick and easy process:

1. Open the PDF — if Preview isn't your default app, right click the PDF, then select "Open with" followed by "Preview."

2. Once the file is open, go up to the top toolbar and select "File" and then "Export."

3. You'll see a pop-up window appear over the top-middle section of the PDF — click the drop-down menu next to "Quartz Filter" and select "Reduce File Size."

4. Click "Save."

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech: 

• How to clear the cache on your Mac computer to make it run more efficiently

• How to free up space on a Mac computer that's running out of storage

• How to change your Mac computer's password, or reset it if you've forgotten it

• How to allow pop-ups on a Mac computer while using a Safari browser

SEE ALSO: The best Macbooks you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: This company turns shredded plastic and clothing into new bottles for Pepsi, Evian, and Coca-Cola

• Even with the variety of speedy shipping options available these days, sometimes you want to go into a store and pick up a product yourself. Whether it's to check out the product in person or because you need it right away, buying a product in a store has a lot of perks — though you may not always have time for a shopping adventure. 
• Luckily, for those situations when you need a gift, or a product for yourself, as soon as possible, there's the "Buy Online, Pick Up in Store" option. 
• This handy service provided by some of your favorite department stores and retailers lets you browse and purchase products online, then pick them up in the physical store as early as the same day.

Other than decreasing your stress over whether you'll get what you need in time for when you need it, the "Buy Online, Pick Up in Store" option is also useful for:

• When you don't want to deal with other shoppers or long checkout lines
• When you'd like to get a gift for someone but keep it discrete
• When you live close to a local store, and it's more convenient to just pick it up

While the basic premise of "Buy Online, Pick Up in Store" is similar across stores, there are some subtle differences that are important to note, especially regarding return, hold, and charge policies.

For each store below, we've broken down the different pickup options, what to do after you place your order, what you need at the store, what to do if you'd like someone else to pick up the order, and how long your order will be held at the store.

Keep reading for all you need to know about in-store pickup at 15 popular stores:

Target

Pickup options: Look for "Free Order Pickup" when adding an item to your cart on Target's website. You can also shop from a list of free-order-pickup eligible items by browsing any category and selecting "Free order pickup" from the availability dropdown.

What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the Guest Services counter at the store to pick up your item.

What you need at the store: A photo ID.

If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: You can add or change an alternate pickup person on the order details page by editing the "Delivery" section. This person needs to bring their own photo ID. 

How long your order will be held at the store: Seven days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled and you won't be charged. You can extend your pickup window by one day by signing into your online account or visiting your order details page.

Shop online and pick up in store at Target

Nordstrom

Pickup options: When you're looking at a category or search results, go to "Shop your store" and enter your zip code to filter the results accordingly. Then select the store at checkout. 

The order is usually available for pickup within two hours, though it can take longer during busier times like the holidays. 

What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email (usually within four hours of order) before you go to the store to pick up your item, or in some locations, have an employee bring your order directly to your car. 

What you need at the store: A photo ID and the credit card used at checkout.

If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: Contact the store directly to update the pickup information for the new person. 

How long your order will be held at the store: Seven days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled and you'll be refunded your payment.

Shop online and pick up in store at Nordstrom

Macy's

Pickup options: Select the "Free pickup today" box in the search results page, then choose the pickup option at checkout. If you order by 12 p.m. local time, the items should be ready for pickup later that day. 

What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the designated location at the store to pick up your item.

What you need at the store: A photo ID and a copy of the notification email. 

If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: Forward the notification email to them to take to the store along with their photo ID.

How long your order will be held at the store: Seven days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled and you'll be refunded your payment.

Shop online and pick up in store at Macy's

Walmart

Pickup options: Look for the "Free pickup today" filter as you shop online. Most items are available for pickup within four hours if they are in stock at a local store. Orders placed after 4 p.m. local time will be available for pickup the next day.

When you search by "Free pickup + discount," you can even get a discount on select items if you choose to pick up in store. This discount will be automatically applied when you complete your order. 

What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the pickup desk at the store to pick up your item.

What you need at the store: A copy of your Ready for Pickup email. Orders over $200 require a photo ID.

If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: You can designate a pickup person during checkout or edit it later in "Order details." It may take up to four hours for the new pickup person to update. This new person needs to bring a copy of your Ready for Pickup email.

How long your order will be held at the store: Seven days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled and you'll be refunded your payment.

Shop online and pick up in store at Walmart

Best Buy

Pickup options: During checkout, choose Store Pickup and select your store. Best Buy will show you an estimated pickup date. Depending on the item, it can be ready for pick up as early as an hour.  

What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the Store Pickup counter at the store.

What you need at the store: A photo ID, the credit card used at checkout, and the order number.

If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: You can designate an alternate pickup person during checkout. This person needs to bring their ID and order number. 

How long your order will be held at the store: Five days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled and you'll be refunded your payment. You can extend your pickup window by calling your local store or contacting customer service. 

Shop online and pick up in store at Best Buy

The Home Depot

Pickup options: Choose the "Pick Up In-Store" option on the product page or in your cart. The filter is also the first one you'll see as you browse search results on the website. Most items will be ready for in-store pickup within two hours of the time you place your order.

What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the Customer Service desk at the store to pick up your item.

What you need at the store: A photo ID and the order number or copy of the notification email.

If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: You can designate an alternate pickup person during checkout. This person needs to bring their ID, order number, and notification email. 

How long your order will be held at the store: Seven days. Orders not claimed after that will be available based on the product type and store location. If, after 30 days, you have not canceled or picked up your order, it will be automatically refunded.

Shop online and pick up in store at The Home Depot

Kohl's

Pickup options: On the product page, click the "Free store pickup" tab next to "Ship." You can also choose this option in your shopping bag and during checkout.

Orders are typically ready within two hours after they are placed online. However, if you place an order after 7 p.m. local time, it may not be ready until the next day. 

What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the Customer Service desk at the store to pick up your item.

What you need at the store: A photo ID and a copy of the notification email. 

If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: Add an alternate pickup person to the Pickup Option section during checkout. This new person will need to bring a photo ID and a copy of the notification email. 

How long your order will be held at the store: Seven days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled and you'll be refunded your payment. If you need more time, contact the store to request an extension. 

Shop online and pick up in store at Kohl's

Apple

Pickup options: Each product page will display "Pickup: See availability in other stores." Click this link, enter the zip code or the city where you'd like to pick up the item, then select "Pick up" at checkout. 

Some items, marked "Available Today," will usually be ready for pickup within an hour.

You may also be able to select a window of time to pick up your order. This check-in window will ensure that your order is available shortly after you arrive. All you have to do is check in with a specialist when you get to the store. If you're unable to come in during this time window, you can still pick up your order, but wait times may vary.

What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the store to pick up your item.

What you need at the store: A photo ID and order number. 

If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: Select "Someone else will pick up these items" at checkout. This new person will need to bring a photo ID and the order number.

How long your order will be held at the store: 21 days. You will get reminder emails every week until the 21st day, at which point Apple will cancel your order and refund your purchase. 

Shop online and pick up in store at Apple

Shop the best iPhones for every type of person and budget

REI

Pickup options: Select "Pick up in store" in step one of checkout. When you place your order, you will be given an estimated arrival date. You will not be charged for your order until you pick it up in store. Note: Many bike brands can be shipped to select REI stores only. They cannot be shipped to your home or other addresses. 

What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the store to pick up your item.

What you need at the store: A photo ID and copy of the notification email. 

If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: Forward the notification email to them to take to the store along with their photo ID. REI also suggests contacting the store directly to let them know someone else will be picking up your package.

How long your order will be held at the store: 14 days. If you need more time, contact the store to request an extension. 

Shop online and pick up in store at REI

The Container Store

Pickup options: Enter your zip code at checkout or on any product page to view that product's availability at your local store. Then select the Pickup option at checkout. You can choose a date and time that's convenient for you to pick up your order. 

What to do after you place your order: Wait to receive an order confirmation email with detailed directions for either picking up your order in the store or, in most locations, having an employee bring your order directly to your car. 

What you need at the store: The order confirmation number. 

If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: All they need to do is bring the order confirmation number to the store. 

How long your order will be held at the store: 30 days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled and you'll be refunded your payment.

Shop online and pick up in store at The Container Store

JCPenney

Pickup options: Select "Check store availability" as you shop online, then select "Same day pickup" at checkout. You can also filter items by "Free same day pickup" in every category. 

Orders are typically ready within four hours. For same-day pickup, orders must be placed by 3 p.m. local time. Otherwise, they might not be available until the next day. 

What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the designated location at the store to pick up your item.

What you need at the store: A photo ID, the credit card used at checkout, and the order number. 

If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: You can designate the alternate pickup person when ordering, and they will receive the notification email. The new person needs to bring a photo ID and the order number. 

How long your order will be held at the store: 10 days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, it will be canceled and you'll be refunded your payment. If you need more time, contact the store to request an extension. 

Shop online and pick up in store at JCPenney

Bed Bath & Beyond

Pickup options: At Bed Bath & Beyond, you don't purchase the item online. Instead, you select "Reserve now" on the product page. An authorization for $1 will appear on your card, but this will disappear in 24 to 48 hours. You only pay for your order once you've picked it up in store. Orders are typically ready within two hours. 

What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the designated location at the store to pick up your item.

What you need at the store: A copy of the notification email. 

If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: Anyone can pick up your order as long as they have a copy of the notification email and a valid form of payment. 

How long your order will be held at the store: Two days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled. If you need more time, contact the store to request an extension. 

Shop online and pick up in store at Bed Bath & Beyond

Williams-Sonoma

Pickup options: Choose "Free in-store pick up" when placing your order online, then select your store. Orders are typically ready within two hours. 

What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email before you go to the store to pick up your item.

What you need at the store: A photo ID and the order number.

If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: Call the store to let them know the name of the alternate pickup person. The new person will need to bring a photo ID and copy of the notification email. 

How long your order will be held at the store: Five days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled and you'll be refunded your payment. If you need more time, contact the store to request an extension. 

Shop online and pick up in store at Williams-Sonoma

Bloomingdale's

Pickup options: Choose "Pick up in store today" when placing your order online and check availability at stores near you. Orders are ready the same day when ordered by 3 p.m. in your local time zone. 

What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification email or text before you go to the store to pick up your item.

What you need at the store: A government-issued photo ID and the order confirmation number.

If you'd like someone else to pick up the order: Identify the alternate pickup person at checkout. They will need to bring a photo ID and copy of the notification email. 

How long your order will be held at the store: Seven days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, your order will be canceled and you will be issued a refund. 

Shop online and pick up in store at Bloomingdale's

L.L.Bean

Pickup options: Choose "In-store availability" when placing your order online and check availability at stores near you. If available, reserve the item with your name, email, and phone number. 

What to do after you place your order: Wait until you receive a pickup notification call before you go to the store to pick up your item.

What you need at the store: A photo ID that matches the credit card used to make the purchase and a confirmation of your order.  

How long your order will be held at the store: Seven days. If your order isn't picked up after this time period, you will be contacted about getting a credit. 

Shop online and pick up in store at L.L. Bean

• Sneakers are integral to casual style, but whether you realize it or not, how you lace your sneakers can hurt or enhance the overall look of your outfit.
• By paying close attention to how they're laced, you can add a unique flair to your personal style or simply make your sneakers look sleeker. For a shoe like the super popular Comme Des Garçons PLAY x Converse Chuck 70s, unique lacing helps them stand out from the rest.
• Below, I've outlined how to lace your sneakers in different patterns including classic over or under, loop-back, and straight. 

I own an insane amount of sneakers (I've seriously lost count) with pairs ranging from vintage Air Jordans from the '90s to the latest releases from startups and big brand names. Even though I have such a wide spectrum of styles, one thing that I can say about each and every pair that I've worn — and I try to wear all of my sneakers — is that I always re-lace them before putting them on for the first time.

Maybe it's just my extremely close attention to detail, but I find that redoing the laces is a quick and easy way to improve the aesthetic of the sneakers or to add a unique flair to one's style.

While most sneakers come out of the box laced up and ready to wear, you'll regularly find laces that are uneven, twisted, in the wrong pattern, or simply pulled way too tight. You have to consider that the factory worker who laced up your sneakers is tasked with lacing hundreds of shoes in a row, so some degree of sloppiness is bound to happen.

There are an endless amount of ways to lace your shoes, but I'll walk you through a few of my favorite patterns that anyone should be able to do with ease.

Here's everything you'll need:

•  A cool pair of sneakers, of course. Check out our buying guides for the best stylish sneakers and best white sneakers to find a pair. Each pair of shoes I used below can be found between these two guides.
• Extra laces are optional but a great way to add personality to your sneakers. Shop all shoelaces on Amazon or buy this 20-count variety pack for $9.99.

Keep scrolling to learn a few different ways to lace your sneakers.

First, make sure both ends of the lace are even

The first step to lacing your sneakers neatly is to make sure the lace tips are even. Put each lace tip in the first set of eyelets from the top and pull the lace tight, while making sure it stays even.

This is super important regardless of what lace style you choose because unevenness will become more noticeable when you reach to final eyelets. If they're too uneven, you won't be able to tie your shoes.

Note: The shoe pictured above is the Nike Air Force 1 Low with removable Swooshes. The removable Swooshes come in dark wash denim, medium wash denim, and tan leather, so you'll be able to come up with a variety of looks.

The classic under pattern: Re-lace your shoes for a much cleaner look than out of the box

Most shoes come with a standard diagonal-and-under lace pattern, and for a classic shoe like the Air Force 1, I think it's fitting. However, they come out of the box laced super tight, usually very messy, and uneven. To make it look much neater, simply redo it.

Once you've made sure the laces are even, you can start the diagonal pattern going to the second set of eyelets. Start lacing them criss-cross style, with the first lace going over and down into each eyelet, rather than coming up through the eyelets. Be sure to follow the same pattern exactly, so that the lace going to the right side is always under and the lace going to the left is always over (or vice versa). 

When you move on to the second shoe, you should follow the same pattern so that both shoes have the laces going in the same direction. If you lace your shoes up and something just doesn't look right, but you can't quite pinpoint it, you probably messed up the pattern somewhere. Consistency is the key to making your sneakers look neat and clean.

The classic under pattern: final results

The shoe toward the back is still factory-laced, while the shoe in the front is redone. Although it's the same pattern, the shoe in the front is slightly looser and much neater.

The diagonal-and-over pattern: another easy style

I ultimately went with the diagonal-and-over pattern for my new Air Force 1s, and it's just as easy to do as the diagonal-and-under pattern. Instead of going through the eyelets from the bottom, simply go through the top and remember to follow the same consistent pattern on both shoes. This is a super clean look — far better than any stock brand photo, if I do say so myself.

And if you're wondering about my jeans, they're Mott & Bow's Skinny Warren in Medium Blue.

The loop-back pattern: How to create the loop

If the standard diagonal-and-under or diagonal-and-over patterns are too basic for you, the loop-back is a cool style you probably won't see others sporting. Instead of going across the tongue of the shoe, the pattern consists of intertwined loops going up both sides of the shoe. 

I decided to do this pattern on a pair of Comme Des Garçons PLAY x Converse Chuck 70s I got for my girlfriend. Aside from the solid color Chuck 70s, the CDG collaboration is probably the most popular Chuck 70, so I wanted to do something unique.

In the picture above, you'll see the loop-back pattern completed on the first two sets of eyelets and the next loop ready to continue the pattern.

The loop-back pattern: Put the other end of the lace through the loop

Once you create a loop on one side of the shoe, simply put the other lace through the loop and bring it back to the next eyelet on the same side. After you loop them together, pull them evenly so the point at which they cross is in the middle of the tongue — not too far to the left or right of the shoe.

The loop-back pattern: The end result is a unique weave-like pattern

Compared to the normal diagonal-and-over pattern (seen on the sneaker in the background), the loop-back pattern is cool and unique — definitely not something you'll see every day. 

In my opinion, Converse are some of the best sneakers for showing off your personality, so any lace style is fair game. The loop-back is one of my favorites though.

The straight pattern: This can be tricky, so pay attention

The straight pattern can be a little bit tricky since much of the lacework is hidden underneath the eyelet panels. First, follow the blue arrows in the picture above, which indicate the hidden lacing. Then follow the yellow arrows, which indicate lacing across the tongue. 

Note: The shoes pictured above are the Nothing New low tops. They are sustainably made from 100% recycled plastic. Read my full review to learn more about the brand. 

The straight pattern: Continue the pattern — you're almost there

Simply continue the pattern until you reach the top of the eyelets. Since a good portion of the lacework is hidden along the sides of the eyelet panels instead of going across the shoes, you won't be able to tighten the shoes very well by pulling on the laces.

With that said, the straight pattern is good for shoes that you'll only wear casually. If you plan on tightening your shoes for secure lockdown while playing sports or working out, you'll want to lace your sneakers normally.

The straight pattern completed: It's great for casual looks

The lacing might be intricate, but the final look is simple and very fitting for a casual shoe.

Where to buy extra laces

Swapping in different color laces is another great way to add an original look to your sneakers. Shoes sometimes come with extra laces, but more often, they don't. All three sneakers I used in this review didn't come with extra laces.

Whether you're looking for a different color that didn't come included or you're replacing a beat-up pair, Amazon is a solid place to shop. 

You'll find a variety of lace styles, colors, and lengths, but one of the best deals is this 20-count variety pack for $9.99.

Typically, 40-inch and 45-inch laces are good for low-tops, while 54-inch laces are good for high-tops and boots. If you're unsure of which length you need, measuring the laces you currently have in your shoes is a fail-safe way to get the right length.

• When there are a lot of products in your beauty and makeup routine, it's easy to lose track of the one that you need. They might also be difficult to pack when you travel. 
• Alleyoop, a new beauty and personal-care brand that specializes in multi-functional products, makes a four-in-one makeup pen that solves these problems. 
• The Pen Pal ($25) is a cleverly designed pen that contains eyeliner, highlighter, lip liner, and eyebrow pencil. I love carrying it when I travel because it combines my most commonly used products in one portable, space-saving tool.

I live for efficient, cleverly designed products. If I can use a single product more than one way, then I can divert the saved time, money, and space to other things in my life. 

Beauty is a prime area where I could do with more efficiency and clever design. I hate pawing through my makeup bag in order to find the product I need, and I hate repeating that process for the entirety of my routine. Whenever I'm on the go or I travel, I inevitably forget an important product because there are so many to keep track of and pack. 

That's why a tool from a new beauty and personal-care brand called Alleyoop has been the most useful product in my bag as of late. 

The beauty tool, explained 

The Pen Pal ($25) puts four common makeup products in one compact, portable pen. The design idea it borrows isn't new — it looks and operates exactly like the retractable ballpoint multi-pens you might've used in school or the office. There are multiple spring-loaded cartridges housed in one pen, and when you want to use a particular color, you click down on that button. Click down on any of the other buttons in order to retract the current color. 

The only difference is that instead of various pen colors, the Pen Pal holds various makeup pencils: 

1. Eyeliner in black 
2. Highlighter in a shimmery cool tone
3. Lip liner in mauve nude 
4. Eyebrow Pencil in dark brown 

Each of these highly pigmented formulas are paraben-free, vegan, and cruelty-free. 

Why the Pen Pal is useful 

While the Pen Pal is great for everyday use if you have limited bag or cabinet space, it's especially useful for travel and other situations where you're on the go. Since it holds four products in one, you have fewer products to mentally account for, pack, and make room for. 

I usually go to the gym after work, and after the gym I often have dinner or drink plans. Every morning, I think ahead to all the clothing changes, skin-care products, and makeup products I'll need. Whether I'm in a rush or just have many other things on mind, I almost always forget a product I need. Sometimes it's a pair of socks, other times it's my eyebrow pencil. With the Pen Pal, I don't have to think about where my eyeliner, highlighter, lip liner, and eyebrow pencil are. One product is easier to remember to pack than four. 

The Pen Pal also takes up less space (or, depending on what products you currently use, no more space) than four individual pencils. When you travel, you likely don't have a lot of space to work with, and you need to take advantage of opportunities for saved space whenever possible. I like that I can travel a little lighter with the Pen Pal and free up precious space in my purse or suitcase. 

Again, this depends on what products you currently use, but the Pen Pal may also be more affordable than the total cost of the four makeup pencils bought individually. If you're trying to save money on beauty, the Pen Pal is cost-efficient in addition to being space-efficient. 

Factors to consider about the Pen Pal 

The Pen Pal isn't perfect. At the time of this review, it only comes with the four shades above. Alleyoop says these are "universal shades that work with all skin tones" but they may not be ideal for your particular needs or preferences. As one example: I happen to have dark brown hair, so the eyebrow pencil was perfect for my brows, but it could be too dark for other hair types. 

The Pen Pal also isn't refillable. Alleyoop does say that it's working on making refills so you only have to reload the pen instead of buying an entirely new pen. 

Ideally, you would be able to choose from and mix and match pencil shades to create your perfect Pen Pal, then refill them with these shades whenever you run out of product. 

Despite these limitations, I still found the Pen Pal convenient and useful enough to warrant carrying it around. Alleyoop makes other multi-functional products, such as a four-in-one makeup brush and all-in-one razor, but the Pen Pal has the most potential for both everyday and travel use. 

Buy the Pen Pal for $25 at Alleyoop

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• Elite nannies, what is it really like to work in the homes of the rich and powerful?
• Business Insider wants to explore the world of the ultra-wealthy — and those who run their homes.
• Fill out the form below to tell us the best and worst part of your job, what your typical day is like, and your wildest parent requests.
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Calling all elite nannies: What is your job really like?

Business Insider would like to hear your stories of what your days are like and how you are treated. For an upcoming piece, tell us about the good, the bad, and the bizarre. What does society get wrong — and right — about your job?

And what does society not even know about your jobs?

So tell us — what is life really like in the homes of the ultra-wealthy?

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SEE ALSO: Forget teaching 2nd languages — wealthy New Yorkers now want their kids' nannies to do their hair, drive Zambonis, and give them massage

DON'T MISS: I spent 5 years nannying for wealthy families in New York and Los Angeles, and it did wonders for my career

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The most expensive racing pigeon sold for $1.4 million in China. Here's why people drop millions on these prized birds.

• While we've discovered and raved about many products this year, there are few more satisfying to recommend than the very affordable ones.
• Quality and utility don't have to be expensive, and our favorite $10-and-under products prove it. 
• From kitchen gadgets to skincare essentials, keep reading for 24 budget-friendly, practical, smart products that Business Insider staff use in their daily lives.

In New York City, a crisp Alexander Hamilton isn't even enough to get you lunch at one of the many trendy salad chains on every block. However, it is enough to buy any of these useful kitchen, bath, skincare, and tech products that Business Insider staff use all the time. 

While we've discovered and raved about many products this year, there are few more satisfying to recommend than the very affordable ones. Quality and utility don't have to be expensive, and our favorite $10-and-under products prove it. 

For $10 or less, you can be efficient in the kitchen, keep your bathroom clean and hygienic, stay organized on the go, and more. 

Hydrating face toner from a cult-favorite brand

Thayers Witch Hazel Cucumber Face Toner, $10.95, available at Amazon

Thayers makes popular toners that won't dry out or irritate your face. They're alcohol-free and contain witch hazel extract to remove excess oil, reduce redness, and minimize the appearance of pores. I love the cucumber formulation because it smells great and hydrates my naturally dry skin. —Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter

A bottle cleaner that can fit through narrow openings

ALINK 16" Long Bottle Brush Cleaner, $6.99, available at Amazon

If you've ever wasted hot water or your time trying to fit your hand into a thermos like a ship into a bottle, then you will appreciate these cheap, long bottle brush cleaners. It's a small daily inconvenience, but I've been surprised by how much I appreciate the ease, especially if I add post-workout to my water bottle after the gym and don't want to run the dishwasher every time. —Mara Leighton, Insider Picks reporter

A pair of blue light blocking computer glasses

ZENNI UV+ Blue Blockers, $9.95, available at ZENNI

I've never worked — let alone been — in an office before, and about a week in, I began to notice a strain within and behind my eyes that was not only unfamiliar but downright unbearable. I don't wear prescription glasses or contacts, but a less-than-$10 pair of blue light blocking lenses straightened me out in short order, and I don't think I'll ever look at another computer with less than four eyes again. —Owen Burke, Insider Picks senior reporter

A portable fan to keep you cool wherever you go

HAPTIME Portable Personal Cooling Fan, $9.99, available on Amazon

I carry this fan with me everywhere — especially on the subway in New York. It's particularly useful when it's burning hot in the summer, but it also comes in handy in the winter when I'm all bundled and sweating on the platform or inside the train. It's essentially the size of two lipstick tubes, so it can be carried around in a pocket or purse. —Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor

A stylish reusable nylon bag

Standard Baggu, $8, available at Baggu

I carry one of Baggu's signature ripstop nylon totes with me at all times. It's very light and folds down to a compact square, yet roomy and durable enough to carry up to 50 pounds of stuff, whether that's groceries, clothes, or anything else you need to transport during your day. Most of its fun and quirky prints don't stick around for long, so if you see one you like, don't hesitate to buy it — and since it's only $10, the decision shouldn't be too difficult. I'm personally a fan of all the fruit prints. —Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter

An adhesive phone sleeve to carry cash and essential cards

oPesea Phone Card Holder (5-Pack), $5.99, available at Amazon

I never leave the house without my phone, but I often forget to bring my wallet out with me. If you're in this camp, you could benefit from these adhesive card holders that stick to the back of your phone. Just press them on the back of your phone (I recommend putting it on a phone case because the adhesive does leave some residue if you take it off) for easy access to your most important cards.

They're not particularly durable, so don't stuff five cards inside or they eventually will rip, but for three cards and a bill or two they do the trick and you really can't beat the convenience or price. —Remi Rosmarin, Insider Picks reporter

Soft, dual-sided cotton pads

up and up Cotton Ovals (50 count), $2.59, available at Target

These cotton ovals are perfect for removing nail polish, applying toner across the skin on my face and neck, and myriad other grooming-related tasks. —Ellen Hoffman, director of content strategy for Insider Picks

A sharp apple slicer

OXO Good Grips Apple Slicer, Corer and Divider, $9.99, available at Amazon

Because kitchen space in New York City apartments is premium real estate, I try to avoid single-use kitchen tools in favor of those that can pull double or triple duty. One of my exceptions is OXO's Apple Slicer. With a little force, this tool cleanly slices and cores an apple faster and better than I could with a knife. Whether I'm making apple crisp, or want a quick, healthy snack, this is the first thing I grab. —Brandt Ranj, Insider Picks associate editor

An eco-friendly shower curtain liner

LiBa Mildew Resistant Anti-Bacterial PEVA Shower Curtain Liner, $8.99, available at Amazon

Especially when living with roommates, cutting corners on gratuitous style in favor of utility is a smart strategy — it keeps your place looking nice without effort from one member more than others. This admittedly sterile-looking liner is only viewable by someone taking a shower since it's layered behind our shower curtain, and it's anti-bacterial to inhibit gross mildew or mold growth — it also comes with a 12-month warranty against exactly that.

It's easy to rinse off, and the PEVA is a relatively more eco-friendly alternative to PVC. For $10, this has saved us money on future shower curtain liners and the embarrassment of a dingy, don't-let-that-touch-me bottom of other liners — which also helps cut down on waste. —Mara Leighton, Insider Picks reporter

A citrus press that doesn't let any juice go to waste

Cucisina Handheld Citrus Press, $7.68, available at Amazon

If your cooking calls for a lot of juiced lemons or limes, or you just make a lot of guacamole, you need this $8 tool in your life. It's a serious game changer. Lemon seeds falling into your food will be a thing of the past. —Ellen Hoffman, director of content strategy for Insider Picks

Clips that keep all your charging cords organized

Shintop Cable Clips (6-Pack), $5.99, available at Amazon

These little cable clips are a great for two reasons: one is that they keep my phone, tablet and other random chargers organized on my nightstand, and the other is that they keep my cords out of the way when my robot vacuum runs its course every morning. And it might just be my own clumsiness, but now I no longer smack my head on my nightstand bending down to find my charger anymore. —Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor

A knife sharpener that even beginners will feel comfortable with

Accusharp Knife Sharpener, $9.99, available at Bed Bath & Beyond

I've never really gotten good with a whetstone stone or a honing rod, and despite the abounding confidence of others who use these tools, I am of the mind that it takes nothing short of a year's apprenticeship to really do a blade justice with one of these devices.

The Accusharp, however, holds the novelist of novices' hand for an almost fool-proof journey to make your knives' blades great again. The tutorial is simple, and about 10 quick swipes between chores tend to keep me filleting, which can be pretty hard on a knife. I keep one in my car, on my skiff, and of course, in the kitchen. —Owen Burke, Insider Picks senior reporter

Textured dental floss

Cocofloss, $9, available at Sephora

I know what you're thinking, $9 for a pack of floss? It's a little ridiculous. But as someone who doesn't like flossing, discovering Cocofloss was a game changer. The rough texture makes it incredibly effective and it's thicker than your regular floss so it doesn't break. For whatever reason, using this stuff made me a much more consistent flosser. —Breton Fischetti, VP of Insider Picks

A French micellar water

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water, Cleansing and Make-Up Removing Solution, $5.90, available at Amazon

I originally came across Bioderma's Sensibio H20 Micellar Water when I was living in Paris. It's one of the cult-favorite French Pharmacy products that tourists line suitcases with before heading to the airport. It's a gentle but effective micellar water that acts a cleanser, moisturizer, and makeup remover that works effectively without irritating or stripping the skin, leaving your skin's natural barrier intact for more sustainable skin care health.

It's basically soft water with micelles in it, which are tiny balls of oil that love dirt and debris and naturally pulls it out of your pores. I use this every morning and night whether I wear makeup that day or not, and it's helped my skin both retain moisture and reliably removes the grime of NYC. Plus, you don't technically have to wash it off after — making it perfect for when you're in a rush. This is a tiny size for $6, but it's more convenient for travel. —Mara Leighton, Insider Picks reporter

A long, fast-charging lightning cable

Anker Powerline 6-Foot Lightning Cable, $8.49, available at Amazon

I never knew I needed these, but after I lost my original iPhone charger, I ended up buying a few six-foot charging cables from Anker, and they're absolutely amazing. They reach all the way to my bed with ease. When my friends visit my apartment and see my charging cables they're like, "Whoa — I need one of these!" —Ellen Hoffman, director of content strategy for Insider Picks

A mini silicone spatula

GIR Premium Silicone Spatula, from $7.95, available at The Grommet

The humble spatula: a versatile kitchen tool that's used often but usually poorly designed. GIR actually gets it right by making it a single, strong piece of super heat-resistant silicone. There are no corners and edges for food to get stuck in, and it's flexible, but not too floppy. The mini size is perfect for bakers and cooks who need to get in to small jars of sauce and icing. —Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter

Congestion-clearing essential oil

NOW Eucalyptus Essential Oil, $8.79, available at Thrive Market

I often find myself really congested, especially in the colder months. While I have plenty of over-the-counter medicine and products meant to help these issues, one of the best remedies I've found for colds and congestion is eucalyptus oil. All you have to do is shake out some drops while taking a hot shower to feel its soothing properties. It clears my congestion, plus the smells make me feel like I'm at a spa, which i think anyone will enjoy — cold or not. —Remi Rosmarin, Insider Picks reporter

A simple bib apron

MHF Aprons Bib Apron, $5.45, available at Amazon

If you value your clothes, one of the most important kitchen tools is an apron. Yes, you can get one that has a fun design on it, but Bib's Apron keeps things simple. For $5 you're getting a full-sized apron with two pockets, which can hold (non-sharp) tools, your phone, or a dish towel. Whether you're making a sauce, cutting up meat, or working with super ripe fruits or vegetables, a good apron is an investment that will pay off the second something splatters. —Brandt Ranj, Insider Picks associate editor

A shower curtain liner with a weighted hem

mDesign Clear Shower Curtain Liner with Weighted Hem (2-Pack), $9.99, available at Amazon

We switch out our shower liner every couple of months. We like these $5 liners from Amazon since they have a weighted hem to keep them in place and reduce billowing — plus you can't beat their price. —Ellen Hoffman, director of content strategy for Insider Picks

Stainless steel barbecue skewers

Norpro Stainless Steel 14-Inch Skewers (6-Pack), $7.90, available at Amazon

Barbecue skewers are a kitchen tool I thought a lot about before buying, but I'm glad I finally made the commitment. These skewers make it incredibly easy to evenly grill meat, whether it's on a grill or in an oven. They even help with serving, since you and your guests can each take one or two instead of sitting at the table debating how much food it's polite to take.

You can buy a hundred bamboo skewers for the same price as this 6-pack of metal ones, but these are more environmentally friendly, which is why they're a better choice. —Brandt Ranj, Insider Picks associate editor

An odor-preventing onion holder

Hutzler Onion Saver, $4.99, available at Amazon

You probably don't think you need an onion holder, you may not even want one, but at just $5, this is a game-changer for your fridge. Onions are delicious, but leave them cut open in the fridge and they stink the whole thing up. This cute little onion-shaped gadget keeps your cut onions fresh for longer and keeps any smells contained. Plus, it's dishwasher safe so it's a breeze to clean. —Remi Rosmarin, Insider Picks reporter

A precise garlic chopper

Vibe by Chef'n Garlic Chopper, $9.70, available at Amazon

I always found that mincing garlic was a particularly monotonous and meticulous cooking task. Mincing garlic meant getting sticky garlic juice all over my hands, little garlic pieces flying everywhere, "wasting time" getting the garlic small enough, and having the garlic smell cling to my hands. If I didn't endure those side effects of mincing garlic, it meant buying pre-minced garlic or frozen garlic cubes, neither of which taste as good as fresh garlic.

When my roommate introduced me to this rolling garlic mincer, it changed everything. I just had to peel the garlic, pop it into the chamber, and roll it on my counter. No more mess, no more monotony, no more smelly hands! And, best yet, I didn't have to compromise on the freshness of the garlic. Highly recommend this product. —Rachel Furst, Business Insider associate product manager 

Blemish-banishing patches

COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch (24-patches), $4.88, available at Amazon

As someone who has a hard time not poking and picking at blemishes, I love these stickers because they help my zits disappear way faster than if left alone, and they help me actually leave them alone by protecting them from the elements and, mostly importantly, me. It is deeply satisfying to see the gunk that the stickers pull out of a pimple, especially if you wear them overnight and see the visible difference in the morning. —Starr Chen, Business Insider software engineer

A soap-dispensing dish brush

OXO Good Grips Soap Dispensing Dish Brush, $8.99, available at Amazon

I love this little dishwashing brush because it reduces the clutter around my kitchen sink, and it helps me keep the brush soapy during long washes without the need for a separate container of dish soap. My mom used it last time she visited NYC, fell in love, and now she uses one, too! —Zachary Hendrickson, Business Insider Intelligence research associate 

• Tumblr's ban on content featuring nudity went into effect starting December 17, 2018.
• The decision was met with lots of backlash from users who view the site as a safe space to explore their identity and sexuality through "not safe for work" (NSFW) content.
• Many Tumblr users said they planned to abandon the platform for alternative blogging websites that allow explicit content, some which can be found below.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Tumblr said last year it was banning "adult content" from its platform in order to make "a better, more positive" place. But the policy change caused some users to abandon the site.

The new policy went into effect December of 2018, and resulted in the deletion of any content portraying "real-life human genitals or female-presenting nipples." Some hoped that the sale of Tumblr to a new company in August would result in the ban's reversal, but the new owners have said they're keeping the ban on NSFW (not safe for work) content in place.

Reaction to Tumblr's announcement was swift and critical across social media. More than 665,000 people have signed a Change.org petition to "make Tumblr rescind their adult content ban."

For many, Tumblr was seen as a safe space used for exploration and self-expression. 

"I frequently got messages from folks who saw my work and said it helped them understand part of themselves better," an anonymous Tumblr user told The Washington Post. "That's primarily what I saw on Tumblr, in my curated bubble: women and LGBT creators exploring sexual concepts that they didn't feel comfortable sharing anywhere else."

Dozens of newTwitteraccountspopped up from former Tumblr users who said they were switching social media sites as a result of the new policy. But while Twitter is mainly a platform for short text blurbs and sharing links, Tumblr emphasizes blogging with a mix of images, videos, GIFs, and creative writing.

Other blogging platforms reported seeing an influx of new users since Tumblr announced its policy change.

Here are some alternatives to Tumblr emerging in light of the ban on adult content:

SEE ALSO: 13 things that are worth more than Tumblr's $3 million price tag, from an empty lot in San Francisco to a two-bedroom luxury apartment in New York

Newgrounds

While the design of Newgrounds may be old-school (it's been around since 1999), the site prides itself on being wholly independent where it allows "everything for everyone."

"Some of you might be dismayed at the thought of more lewd content on NG while others are super excited," a post welcoming Tumblr users says. "The good news for everyone is that we're seeing a lot of REALLY TALENTED artists joining up and not everything they post is NSFW."

Pillowfort

Pillowfort.io is a user-friendly space that emerged from people "complaining about the limitations and flaws of these (other) sites, yet lamenting that there was nowhere better to go."

Unfortunately, Pillowfort is in beta and costs a small fee to join, but you can try out the platform as a demo user on Pillowfort's website. You may have issues accessing it though — I got an error message when I tried to set up my trial because of the unusually "high amount of traffic" the site is getting.

Dreamwidth

Dreamwidth is a free platform for "creative folk" who want to share artwork and creative writing. 

"We'd like to take a moment to reassure all y'all that we have your backs," a post welcoming Tumblr users says. "To the newcomers: we're happy to have you join us. Welcome aboard!"

Mastodon

Mastodon is a decentralized social platform, meaning that its thousands individual communities exist on separate servers, but they all exist under one network. In response to Tumblr, Mastodon created a post with reasons to choose its platform as your new social media site.

"It's a completely decentralised social network which combines the best bits of Twitter and Tumblr, but the technology is structured in a way whereby it can never be shut down," a post advocating the switch to Mastodon says.

For more alternatives, a Tumblr user has created a master list of websites that could be potential options.

• I have pretty awful tension built up in my shoulders, but I can't justify the cost of regular professional massages (which cost upwards of $300 for 80 minutes in New York City).  
• About two years ago, I got this shiatsu massager on Amazon for $44.95, and it's been a complete godsend.
• Its heated nodes rotate and knead my sore muscles, helping to melt away tension at the end of the day.  

As a combined result of living and commuting in New York City and also suffering from TMD, I deal with a pretty severe amount of physical tension in my shoulders, jaws, and neck. I get migraines and tension headaches all the time, which probably isn't helped by the fact that I always forget to drink water.

The only thing I've found that gives my back and shoulders immediate relief from the tension is this $45 shiatsu massager I got on Amazon years ago. 

This massager features four rotating, heated nodes that knead away the stress of the day and get deep into the knots in my shoulders and back. The nodes switch directions every few minutes just like they would in a massage chair, which prevents bruising and helps to melt away muscular tension from different angles. The heated element, which can be turned on or off, helps to warm the muscles up and keep them limber through the massage.

It's the closest thing I've experienced to a professional massage at home, minus the $250 price tag, plus the convenience of being able to watch TV while using it. 

The base has two elastic straps that Velcro together in the middle so you can secure it around a chair or head-rest, though I find that it's better to just keep the straps hanging from the side so you can use them to adjust the positioning of the massager when it's in use. Any purchase of the massager comes with a car adapter that allows you to plug it into a cigarette lighter, but I personally don't advise using this in the car — it's not particularly comfortable when placed right behind your head, and the strength of the nodes will force your head to move around in a way that may be unsafe while driving.

It's important to note that one cycle lasts 20 minutes, and 20 minutes really is all you should do at one time.

Because my knots are so deep and intense, I used to just keep the massager going for two or three cycles, hoping that I could release the tension completely all in one sitting. But I would always end up with bruises, leaving me in even more discomfort for the days (and sometimes entire weeks) following. I have since learned my lesson, and even though I'm always tempted to let it go for a second cycle, I only use it for 20 minutes a day. 

You don't have to have severe tension to enjoy using this massager. Regardless of how chronic your discomfort is, you might find that this is the perfect way to just release some stress at the end of the day. 

Zyllion Shiatsu Pillow Massager, available on Amazon, $44.95

SEE ALSO: This posture corrector from 'Shark Tank' might seem gimmicky — but it actually eliminated my back pain at work

Join the conversation about this story »

• Research suggests life works a little better for conventionally attractive people.
• Attractive people get paid more, get considered for more jobs, and have stronger social skills than unattractive people, according to science.
• Here are 11 scientific reasons why attractive people succeed more in life.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

While we like to think that people get ahead because of some magical combination of effort, talent, and knowing the right people, research shows that success is partly skin deep. 

Studies show that you're more likely to get hired if you look well-groomed, that good-looking people make about 12% more money than less appealing folks, and that attractive real-estate brokers bring in more money than their less attractive peers. Indeed, according to a just-published paper on the 2018 congressional midterms, more attractive candidates are more likely to get elected. 

Read more:10 ways to trick your brain into being more productive, according to a neuroscientist

Psychologists call it the "beauty premium." Essentially, the income gap between attractive and unattractive people is comparable to the gap between genders or ethnicities. 

Here are all the ways attractive people can succeed in life:

SEE ALSO: 7 relationship experts reveal the questions you should avoid asking at all costs on a first date

Physically attractive workers are considered more able by employers.

We're inclined to pay people more depending on how they look. In a 2005 experiment modeling the hiring process, would-be employers looking at photographs of would-be employees were ready to give 10.5% higher salaries to attractive people over unattractive people.

Hiring managers carried that premium over to interactions that only happened on the phone. In other words, you only need to sound attractive to benefit from our biases toward beauty.

Physically attractive workers are more confident, and higher confidence increases wages.

We all suffer from the "halo effect" — without realizing it, we take someone's appearance to be telling of their overall character.

Experiments have shown that we consider attractive people "as more sociable, dominant, sexually warm, mentally healthy, intelligent, and socially skilled" than unattractive people. 

By the time cute kids become attractive adults, they've benefited from this bias for years, giving them higher levels of confidence.

It's a "self-fulfilling prophecy," say information scientists Markus Mobius and Tanya Rosenblat.

"Teachers expect better-looking kids to outperform in school and devote more attention to children who are perceived to have greater potential," Mobius and Rosenblat write in their 2005 paper "Why Beauty Matters."  "Preferential treatment in return builds confidence as well as social and communication skills."

That confidence, the literature suggests, translates into academic achievement and professional success.

Physically attractive workers have social skills that raise their wages when they interact with employers.

Attractive people had higher-rated communication skills than unattractive people.

"Physical attractiveness raises social and communication skills, which in return raise an employer's estimate of the worker's productivity," researchers Mobius and Rosenblat write. "We assume that the employer is unaware of these biases and hence does not correct for them."

This has a major impact over the course of a career. Research shows that raising kids' social skills is a better predictor of lifetime earnings than raising their intellectual ability.

Beautiful people are more sociable than everybody else, the science says — or at least we're biased to think so.

Attractive people are more likely to get elected to public office.

Better-looking candidates fared better in the 2016 midterm elections, a 2019 study published in American Politics Research finds. Attractive incumbent candidates vying in male-only districts fared especially better.

"Our study thus lends additional support to the idea of a beauty premium: even when controlling for many relevant covariates, attractiveness still exerts an influence on House candidate's electoral performance," the study states.

Other research from Finland found both male and female political candidates who look better than their competitors are more successful, as voters enjoy watching good looking candidates.

Women who wear makeup appear more competent and trustworthy.

When comparing women who wore makeup versus what they look like bare-faced, participants in a 2011 Harvard study viewed the groomed woman as more attractive, competent, likeable, and trustworthy. 

"When inferring trustworthiness, likeability, or competence from an image, we are influenced significantly not only by the attractiveness of the inherited phenotype but by the effects of the 'extended phenotype,' in this case, makeup," the paper states.

Attractive people get called back for job interviews more often.

A 2013 study sent out 10,000 resumes changing only the name, address, and photo to analyze the call-back rates.

While the average call back rate was 30% of all resumes, attractive women got invited for an interview 54% of the time, while attractive men got called back 47% of the time.

Attractive women have a better advantage when negotiating with men.

Men are more likely to tolerate unfairness — such as a hefty salary negotiation — when dealing with attractive women, one study finds.

Researchers at Zhejiang University's School of Management in China gave 21 male participants 300 photos of women, and were asked to answer if they would accept each subject's offer to split a sum of money.

Results indicated men were more likely to engage in unfair negotiations with attractive women.

Good-looking CEOs bring better stock returns for their companies.

Joseph T. Halford and Hung-Chia Hsu, researchers from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, tested whether the appearance of a company's CEO is related to shareholder value.

They found stock prices rose higher for businesses with attractive CEOs after positive news about the company aired on TV.

Attractive teachers can better teach students, both in grade schools and in college.

One study from the '80s found that when comparing teachers who were better looking to those who were worse looking, about 100 students in the first and sixth grade reported they feel they would learn more from attractive educators.

The study's findings were somewhat replicated in a more recent study from 2016, which found college students retain more information when the lecturer is good looking.

Attractive women get better grades.

A study from 2015 analyzed 77,067 ID pictures of students who attended Metropolitan State University of Denver. The researchers asked volunteers to rate how attractive the student was on a 10-point scale. After rating each student, researchers found women perceived to be better looking had higher grades on average.

The trend did not hold true for male students.

Attractive people are more sought after as romantic partners.

Researchers at Chapman University studied what traits people view are "desirable" or "essential" in a long-term partner. The study found that 92% of male participants reported wanting a potential partner to be good looking, compared to 84% of women.

• Commas don't just signify pauses in a sentence — precise rules govern when to use this punctuation mark.
• Commas are needed before coordinating conjunctions, after dependent clauses (when they precede independent clauses), and to set off appositives.
• The Oxford comma reduces ambiguity in lists.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Contrary to popular belief, commas don't just signify pauses in a sentence.

In fact, precise rules govern when to use this punctuation mark. When followed, they lay the groundwork for clear written communication.

Read more: The 11 most common grammatical mistakes and how to avoid them

We've compiled a list of all the times when you'll need the mighty comma — and we wrote sentences about ducks to show you their proper use:

SEE ALSO: The 11 most common grammatical mistakes

1. Use a comma before any coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet) that links two independent clauses.

You may need to learn a few grammatical terms to understand this one.

An independent clause is a unit of grammatical organization that includes both a subject and verb and can stand on its own as a sentence. In the previous example, "I went running" and "I saw a duck" are both independent clauses, and "and" is the coordinating conjunction that connects them. Consequently, we insert a comma.

If we were to eliminate the second "I" from that example, the second clause would lack a subject, making it not a clause at all. In that case, it would no longer need a comma: "I went running and saw a duck."

2. Use a comma after a dependent clause that starts a sentence.

A dependent clause is a grammatical unit that contains both subject and verb but cannot stand on its own, like "When I went running ..."

Commas always follow these clauses at the start of a sentence. If a dependent clause ends the sentence, however, it no longer requires a comma. Only use a comma to separate a dependent clause at the end of a sentence for added emphasis, usually when negation occurs.

3. Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence.

Appositives act as synonyms for a juxtaposed word or phrase. In the above example — "While running, I saw a mallard, a kind of duck"— "A kind of duck" is the appositive, which gives more information about "a mallard."

If the appositive occurs in the middle of the sentence, both sides of the phrase need a comma. As in: "A mallard, a kind of duck, attacked me."

Don't let the length of an appositive scare you. As long as the phrase somehow gives more information about its predecessor, you usually need a comma.

"A mallard, the kind of duck I saw when I went running, attacked me."

There's one exception to this rule. Don't offset a phrase that gives necessary information to the sentence. Usually, commas surround a non-essential clause or phrase. For example, "The duck that attacked me scared my friend" doesn't require any commas. Even though the phrase "that attacked me" describes "the duck," it provides essential information to the sentence. Otherwise, no one would know why the duck scared your friend. Clauses that begin with "that" are usually essential to the sentence and do not require commas.

4. Use commas to separate items in a series.

That last comma, known as the serial comma, Oxford comma, or Harvard comma, causes serious controversy. Although many consider it unnecessary, others (including Business Insider) insist on its use to reduce ambiguity.

There's an Internet meme that demonstrates its necessity perfectly. The sentence, "We invited the strippers, JFK, and Stalin," means the speaker sent three separate invitations: one to some strippers, one to JFK, and one to Stalin. The version without the Oxford comma, however, takes on an entirely different meaning, potentially suggesting that only one invitation was sent — to two strippers named JFK and Stalin. Witness: "We invited the strippers, JFK and Stalin."

Read more: 12 everyday phrases that you're probably saying incorrectly

5. Use a comma after introductory adverbs.

Another example: "Finally, I went running."

Many adverbs end in "ly" and answer the question "how?" How did someone do something? How did something happen? Adverbs that don't end in "ly," such as "when" or "while," usually introduce a dependent clause, which rule number two in this post already covered.

Also insert a comma when "however" starts a sentence, too. Phrases like "on the other hand" and "furthermore" also fall into this category.

Starting a sentence with "however," however, is discouraged by many careful writers. A better method would be to use "however" within a sentence after the phrase you want to negate, as in the previous sentence.

6. Use a comma when attributing quotes.

The rule for where the comma goes, however, depends on where attribution comes.

If attribution comes before the quote, place the comma outside the quotations marks:

The runner said, "I saw a duck."

If attribution comes after the quote, put the comma inside the quotation marks:

"I saw a duck," said the runner.

7. Use a comma to separate each element in an address. Also use a comma after a city-state combination within a sentence.

Another example: "Cleveland, Ohio, is a great city."

8. Use a comma to separate the elements in a full date (weekday, month and day, and year). Also separate a combination of those elements from the rest of the sentence with commas.

Even if you add a weekday, keep the comma after "2013":

Friday, March 15, 2013, was the day I saw the duck.

Friday, March 15, was the day I say the duck.

You don't need to add a comma when the sentence mentions only the month and year:

March 2013 was a strange month.

Read more: 11 reasons the English language is impossible to learn

9. Use a comma when the first word of the sentence is a freestanding "yes" or "no."

Another example: "Yes, I saw a duck when I went running."

10. Use a comma when directly addressing someone or something in a sentence.

Another clever meme shows the problem with incorrect placement of this comma. "Stop clubbing baby seals" reads like an order to desist harming infant mammals of the seal variety. The version with a comma, however, instructs them to stop attending hip dance clubs. "Stop clubbing, baby seals." (Or rather, to stay on theme: "Stop clubbing, baby ducks.")

11. Use a comma between two adjectives that modify the same noun.

Only coordinate adjectives require a comma between them. Two adjectives are coordinate if you can answer yes to both of these questions: 1. Does the sentence still make sense if you reverse the order of the words? 2. Does the sentence still make sense if you insert "and" between the words?

Since "I saw the mean, big duck " and "I saw the big and mean duck" both sound fine, you need the comma.

Sentences with non-coordinate adjectives, however, don't require a comma. For example, "I lay under the powerful summer sun." "Powerful" describes "summer sun" as a whole phrase. This often occurs with adjunct nouns, a phrase where a noun acts as an adjective describing another noun — like "chicken soup" or "dance club."

12. Use a comma to offset negation in a sentence.

In this case, you still need the comma if the negation occurs at the end of the sentence:

"I saw a baby seal, not a duck."

Also use commas when any distinct shift occurs in the sentence or thought process:

"The cloud looked like an animal, perhaps a baby seal."

Read more: 9 ways to become a better speller, according to an expert

13. Use commas before every sequence of three numbers when writing a number larger than 999. (Two exceptions are writing years and house numbers.)

14. Beware of the comma splice

As fun as it may be to say, the comma "splice" should be avoided. A comma splice incorrectly joins two independent clauses, like: 

"I went running, I saw a duck."

That sentence contains a comma splice, and therefore it is incorrect. The two independent clauses "I went running" and "I saw a duck" could instead be separated by a period.

Read more: 9 words and phrases people think are wrong, but are actually correct

• I attended this year's Monaco Yacht Show, a glamorous event for yachting industry insiders and wealthy VIPs looking to buy or charter yachts. 
• Monaco is a tiny yet lavishly wealthy city-state on the French Riviera, where there's a zero poverty rate, and an estimated one-third of the population are millionaires.
• I've never felt as out of place as I did during my time at the yacht show and hanging out in Monaco.
• From feeling underdressed at a glitzy kickoff gala where everyone was wearing designer gowns to staying in an Airbnb almost 15 miles away rather than a luxury hotel, I felt keenly aware that I was neither a millionaire nor a VIP guest of the yacht show.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Each year in late September, thousands of people converge on a tiny city-state in the French Riviera to see some of the world's largest, most expensive, and innovative superyachts.

The Monaco Yacht Show is one of the yachting industry's premier events. This year's show displayed more than $4.3 billion worth of yachts with an average price of about $41 million. The show is attended by industry insiders such as shipbuilders, designers, and brokers, as well as affluent individuals from all around the world who are looking to buy or charter a yacht.

This year, I was one of approximately 30,000 people who attended the Monaco Yacht Show.

Read more:Here's what it's like to attend the Monaco Yacht Show — in a country where the poverty rate is 0 — when you are not a millionaire

Monaco is a country smaller than New York City's Central Park, yet it's one of the most lavishly wealthy nations in the world. An estimated one-third of Monaco residents are millionaires, and the GDP per capita is $166,021— the second highest in the world after Lichtenstein. And according to the CIA World Factbook, no portion of Monaco's population lives below the poverty line.

As a journalist with a decidedly non-millionaire salary, I expected to feel out of place in Monaco — but I couldn't know to what extent until I got there.

Lamborghinis, Chanel, and Goyard: The wealth in Monaco is not exactly subtle

In Monte Carlo, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Range Rovers, BMWs, and other high-end cars were everywhere I looked. Seemingly every woman I saw was carrying a designer handbag, whether it's Chanel, Louis Vuitton, or the elusive but even more esteemed Goyard.

Indeed, most of the shopping in the district is catered to millionaires. There's Métropole Shopping Monte-Carlo, an upscale underground shopping center with 80 high-end boutiques, steps from the famous casino. And in the other direction are shops like Cartier, Céline, Prada, and Balenciaga. 

The only non-designer stores I saw in Monte Carlo were a Zara and Nike boutique.

Nightly rates at the trifecta of luxury hotels in Monaco start around $400

My first night in Monaco, I got to stay at the opulent Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, where rooms start at $417 and cost upwards of $8,500 for the most luxurious suites. The hotel sits in the city's glitzy Carré d'Or district that surrounds Monte Carlo's Casino Square, named after the famous Casino de Monte Carlo, where gamblers have won more than $317 million over the past year.

My night at Hotel Metropole, with its five-star amenities and central location, was a luxurious experience made possible only by the media discount the hotel offered my company. At Monaco's other hotels, such as Hotel Hermitage and Hotel de Paris, nightly rates start at almost $400. 

The rest of the week, I stayed in the nearby French city of Nice in an Airbnb that cost less than $100 per night. From there, I commuted about 30 minutes into Monaco, which drastically changed my experience. Every evening, I had to walk to the Monaco train station, ride the train 20 minutes back to Nice, and then take a 10-minute Uber ride (or a 35-minute walk) back to my Airbnb. On a couple of occasions, I had to make that journey twice in one day. 

With the trains stopping well before midnight, this made a night out in Monaco nearly impossible unless I wanted to spend 90 euros — almost $100 — on a taxi to take me the 14 miles back to Nice.

Getting around is exhausting for those without deep pockets

VIP guests of the yacht show — those with provable interest and means to buy or charter a yacht — could hitch rides around Monaco thanks to the yacht show's courtesy cars.

For the rest of us, transportation was trickier. While Monaco is small, it's full of steep hills, cobblestoned streets, and many, many stairs, making walking everywhere exhausting. Uber does not exist in Monaco, and I learned the hard way that the elusive taxis are as expensive as everything else in Monaco.

When I checked out of Hotel Metropole, I asked the hotel to call me a taxi to take me to the train station, so I could check in and drop off my luggage at my Airbnb in Nice. That was when I learned of the 15 euro — or about $16.50 — minimum charge for taking a taxi anywhere within Monaco— even a three-minute drive to the train station. As a reminder, Monaco spans just 0.78 square miles.

And taking a taxi to somewhere outside of Monaco will cost you 90 euros, or almost $100.

Monaco does have city buses, but they never showed up as an option on Google Maps — which I, and many people, rely on to navigate a city these days — and they stop running at 9:30 p.m. On weekends, a night bus runs until 4:00 a.m., but as it wouldn't take me back to Nice, that didn't help me much.

I felt this lack of transportation options acutely throughout my stay, especially after I attended a ritzy kickoff gala the night before the yacht show. After the gala, private cars and yacht show courtesy cars were parked outside the venue to drive VIPs the four or five minutes back to their hotels, such as the Metropole.

But as a non-VIP and a non-millionaire unable to shell out $100 for a taxi back to Nice, I walked uphill and up seemingly endless stairs to the train station, finally making it back to my Airbnb over an hour after leaving the party.

Monaco really is a playground for millionaires

Other parts of Monaco seemed a bit more low-key, but around the Monte Carlo district and Port Hercules, where all the hustle and bustle for the yacht show was taking place, the city was an exhibition of lavish wealth. 

I felt strangely relieved to get back to Nice every night, back to what felt like the "real world" with its regular people not decked in head-to-toe designer duds or driving Ferraris.

While it was fun getting a peek into the glamorous Monaco lifestyle, the outrageously high prices —and the presence of so many people who can actually afford them — made it clear Monaco is not quite meant for someone like me. 

SEE ALSO: Here's what it's like to attend the Monaco Yacht Show — in a country where the poverty rate is 0 — when you are not a millionaire

DON'T MISS: I got into a Monaco Yacht Show gala for VIP superyacht buyers and industry elite. Here's what it was like at the exclusive party, which overlooked $4.3 billion worth of superyachts in the port.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The most expensive racing pigeon sold for $1.4 million in China. Here's why people drop millions on these prized birds.

• Millennials are saving their money — but it could be hurting the US economy, reported Pippa Stevens for CNBC, citing a note a Raymond James analyst wrote to clients.
• The personal savings rate in the US has increased from 5.7% in 1996 to 8.1% in 2019, according to the St. Louis Fed.
• Jason Dorsey, a researcher of millennials, previously told Business Insider that the Great Recession has made millennials more risk-averse and practical when it comes to money.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Contrary to popular perception, millennials actually are saving. But it's not necessarily a good thing — at least for the economy.

That millennials are saving more than their parents did is creating an "economic imbalance," reported Pippa Stevens for CNBC. Data from the St. Louis Federal Reserve indicates the personal savings rate in the US has increased from 5.7% in 1996 to 8.1% in 2019, she wrote.

Stevens cited a note that Raymond James analyst Tavis McCourt sent to clients: The higher savings rate, he said, has driven slow growth and low inflation — the decrease in spending affects businesses, and ultimately, the economy.

You can thank the Great Recession for this behavior.

The Great Recession split millennials into two cohorts — and they have distinctly different money habits

While older millennials, who bore the brunt of the financial crisis, dealt with a tough job market and wage stagnation that made it more difficult to save, younger millennials experienced the recovery period and became risk-averse as they watched the recession unfold, Jason Dorsey, a consultant, researcher of millennials, and president of the Center for Generational Kinetics, previously told Business Insider.

According to Dorsey, younger millennials got the benefit of learning from older millennials without having to go through some of the economic pain the older cohort experienced. This has made younger millennials more aware of the risks of a bad economy and more practical when it comes to money, from saving for emergencies to contributing to a retirement account.

Read more: The Great Recession created a domino effect of financial struggles for millennials — here are 5 ways it shaped the generation

"They are increasingly risk-averse with their money and seeking to get more value from the items or experiences they buy," he said.

The investment-banking company UBS found in 2014 that millennials were the most financially conservative generation since the Great Depression. And, citing a 2015 Capital One study, Rebecca Lake of SmartAsset reported that 93% of millennials were wary of investing.

According to an INSIDER and Morning Consult survey from earlier this year that polled 4,400 Americans — 1,207 of which identified as millennials — 69% of millennials have a savings account, compared to 65% of Gen Xers. But while having a savings account is positive, 58% said they have less than $5,000 in their account, Business Insider's Tanza Loudenback reported.

When given an extra $1,000 in cash, the majority of respondents in the survey said they would pay off debt or save the windfall — only 6% said they would put it toward travel or shopping.

Millennials might not have much money to spend or save — but when they do, it seems they opt for the latter.

Read the full article at CNBC »

SEE ALSO: Meet the average American millennial, who has an $8,000 net worth, is delaying life milestones because of student loan debt, and still relies on their parents for money

DON'T MISS: Millennials have been called the 'brokest' and the 'richest' generation, and experts say both of those are true

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Meet the photographer behind the 'I Spy' books that captured millions of readers' imaginations

• It's time to get lost in a new neighborhood.
• Time Out recently released its list of 50 coolest neighborhoods in the world — and seven of them are in the US.
• From Astoria, New York, to Dogpatch, San Francisco, see which up-and-coming neighborhoods you should be visiting.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

For your next getaway, why not try something off the radar?

Time Out recently ranked 50 of the coolest neighborhoods in the world. As part of its 2019 Time Out Index survey, the publication asked more than 27,000 urbanites around the world about their opinions. Incorporating insights from experts — Time Out editors and contributing writers — it ranked the neighborhoods that are the ultimate "cultural and culinary hotspots right now," James Manning wrote.

Of that list, seven are in the US. They range from coast to coast, and most happen to be in cities near or on the water, whether it's Chicago or San Francisco.

Read more: The 25 best getaways in the US for millennials, where airfare is cheap and the cities are Instagrammable

So forget places like Manhattan and South Beach — neighborhoods like Astoria and Downtown Miami are where it's at.

Here are the seven "coolest" neighborhoods in the US.

SEE ALSO: The 25 best places to live in the US if you're a renter

DON'T MISS: Lisbon is the hottest travel destination for millennials in 2019. We asked 20-somethings for their best travel tips — from fairy-tale castles to buzzing nightlife, here's what they said.

7. Downtown Miami, Florida, is known for its nightlife and restaurants.

Average cost of a hotel in Miami: $114

Notable highlights: Catch a HEAT game at American Airlines Arena or a show at the Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts, as recommended by the Miami Herald. Or, enjoy the outdoors at Bayfront Park.

What the experts say: "More places to drink and new restaurants are expected to come, and Downtown is already the only place in Miami to get its second wind after-after-hours," James Manning wrote for Time Out.

6. Dogpatch, San Francisco, California, is known for its craft breweries and creatives.

Average cost of a hotel in San Francisco: $214

Notable highlights: Aislyn Greene for New York Magazine called Dogpatch "San Francisco's artsiest neighborhood." She suggested exploring the American Industrial Center, which has studio spaces home to artists and the like; Hugomento, a shop of porcelains and ceramics; and Romer Young Gallery, which features artists of all levels.

What the experts say: "The main drag along Third Street – which you can roam on foot or by hopping on the T line of the Muni Metro – is a browser's dream," Manning wrote.

5. Corktown, Detroit, Michigan, is known for its Irish heritage and craft cocktails.

Average cost of a hotel in Detroit: $132

Notable highlights: Visiting Motown Museum, shopping for artisan goods at Pure Detroit, and taking a tour with the Antique Touring Company are among the top 10 things to do in Corktown, according to TripAdvisor.

What the experts say: "Packed full of everything from freshly baked bagels to craft coffee and Thai-inspired cuisine to slow-roasted BBQ, Michigan Avenue is a great place to start your adventures," Manning wrote.

4. Holly, Austin, Texas, is known for its hip culture.

Average cost of a hotel in Austin: $132

Notable highlights: Pick up breakfast tacos from Juan in a Million, Erin Russell recommends for Eater Austin. The area is also home to plenty of parks for picnicking and hiking, like Edward Rendon, Sr. Park and Metz Park.

What the experts say: "Very much a rising cultural hub, Holly attracts artists, musicians and young creatives like metal filings to a magnet," Manning wrote.

3. Pilsen, Chicago, Illinois, is known for its Mexican cuisine.

Average cost of a hotel in Chicago: $189

Notable sights: Pilsen, Chicago, has a large Mexican-American community, Emmi Barrett wrote for The Culture Trip, so head to the National Museum of Mexican Art. Enjoy the neighborhood's music scene with trips to Simone's for Sunday karaoke and The Dojo for some underground music.

What the experts say: "...make time to wander off the beaten path to discover the splashy murals lining streets and alleyways, many of which tell stories of the area's eclectic past," Manning wrote.

2. Astoria, New York, is known for its diversity and art scene.

Average cost of a hotel in Astoria: $206

Notable highlights: According to Shaye Weaver for AM New York, the Socrates Sculpture Park, Welling Court Mural Project, and Museum of the Moving Image are must-sees.

What the experts say: "... you'll find yourself caught up in a bustle of people running errands at decades-old shops, lingering over meals at buzzy new restaurants and rubbing elbows with neighbours from around the globe," Manning wrote.

1. Historic Filipinotown in Los Angeles is known for its street art and food.

Average cost of a hotel in Los Angeles: $237 

Notable highlights: According to Andy Wang for Food and Wine, Historic Filipinotown is LA's "next great dining neighborhood." Try Woon Kitchen or Porridges + Puffs. Head to Gabba Alley features eye-popping wall murals, wrote Aira Pamintuan for LAFOOD.

What the experts say: "As LA's other gentrifying areas ditch any sense of character and culture in favour of the latest generic-chic hotness, Historic Filipinotown is propping up its own," Manning wrote.

We rounded up the eight best sales and deals happening online today, with savings on fleeces and jackets at Backcountry, UGGs at Nordstrom Rack, and beauty products at Target.

Deals in this story are subject to change throughout the day. The prices listed reflect the deal at the time of publication. For even more deals and savings across the web, check out Business Insider Coupons.

The best sales and deals happening today at a glance:

• Save up to 65% on fleeces and insulated jackets at Backcountry
• Save big on UGG boots and accessories at Nordstrom Rack
• Save $10 on the Echo Dot Kids Edition
• Save up to 50% on beauty products at Target
• Save 15% on your first purchases at ASOS

SEE ALSO: The best mattresses you can buy

DON'T MISS: I got my teeth straightened through an online service called Candid for under $2,000 — here’s how it works

1. Save up to 65% on fleeces and insulated jackets at Backcountry

Shop the Backcountry sale now. 

Outdoor retailer Backcountry is having a huge sale on fleeces and insulated jackets for their daily deal. Right now, you can save up to 65% on jackets from brands like The North Face, Helly Hansen, Patagonia, Marmot, and other top outdoor brands. Remember the deals only lasts for 24 hours, so don't wait to shop.

2. Save big on UGG boots and accessories at Nordstrom Rack

Shop the UGG sale at Nordstrom Rack now. 

With everything from cozy sheepskin boots and slippers to rugged hikers, rain boots, and all-weather boots, UGG is one of the best footwear brands for the fall and winter. Right now, you can save up to 50% on select UGG products at Nordstrom Rack. In addition to shoes, the sale includes apparel and accessories.

3. Save $10 on the Echo Dot Kids Edition

Echo Dot Kids Edition, $59.99 (Originally $69.99) [You save $10]

Amazon transformed its immensely popular smart speaker into a kid-friendly device: the Echo Dot Kids Edition. Kids can use voice commands to turn Alexa into a DJ, storyteller, comedian, and more. When you buy one, you'll receive a two-year worry-free guarantee and a year of FreeTime Unlimited, which gives your kids access to hundreds of hours of fun and educational content, audiobooks, ad-free radio stations, and more. For a limited time, you can save $10 on the device.

4. Save up to 50% on beauty products at Target

Shop 14 Days of Beauty Deals at Target now. 

Now through October 12, Target is running some amazing deals on beauty products. Today, you can save 50% on Yes to Grapefruit skin-care products and 30% on the Vanity Planet Glowskin Brush. You can potentially save 10% more on products from Specific Beauty at Target by using the promo code "SPECIFIC10" at checkout. 

5. Save 15% on your first purchases at ASOS

Shop the ASOS sale now.

With over 850 popular brands and a few lines of their own, ASOS is a great place to find a variety of fashionable clothes all in one place and at an affordable price. To help you update your fall wardrobe, ASOS is offering new customers 15% off their first order until October 31. Simply use the promo code "ASOSNEW15" at checkout to save

6. Get $750 worth of travel points when you sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred

Learn more about the Chase Sapphire Preferred from our partner The Points Guy.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a great option if you're new to earning points and miles, as it has a reasonable $95 annual fee. You'll earn 2 points per dollar on all travel and dining purchases and 1 point on everything else, and the card includes some valuable benefits like trip delay coverage and primary car rental insurance.

You can earn 60,000 Chase points with the Chase Sapphire Preferred when you spend $4,000 in the first three months from account opening. That's worth at least $750 toward travel. Read our review to learn more about the card's benefits.

Business Insider may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network if you apply for a credit card, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

7. Save 15% on mattress and bedding at Allswell

Shop the Allswell sale now. 

Mattress and bedding brand Allswell was founded with the firm belief that a good night of sleep shouldn't be expensive to attain — and its affordable prices are a direct reflection of that.  While their prices are generally lower than other bedding companies, we teamed up with the brand to create an exclusive offer for Business Insider readers. You can save 15% sitewide by using the exclusive promo code "INSIDER15" at checkout. 

8. Save 15% on all orders at Framebridge as a new customer

Shop the Framebridge sale now.

In addition to offering customizable framing options for your prints and original paintings, Framebridge will turn your favorite digital images and smartphone pictures into beautifully framed artwork that's suitable for display. Simply pick a frame, upload your image, and Framebridge will ship it to you ready to be hung and shown off. Right now, new customers can save 15% sitewide by using the exclusive promo code "INSIDER15" at checkout. 

• Sheryl Sandberg is the chief operating officer for Facebook, and is worth an estimated $1.7 billion.
• Sandberg has made headlines in her nearly 10 years at Facebook, from pioneering a controversial feminist movement with her book "Lean In," to responding to criticism over the social media giant's handing of the Cambridge Analytica data scandal.
• Here's everything you need to know about Sandberg, who is one of the most powerful people in Silicon Valley.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

With a reported net worth of $1.7 billion, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg is one of the wealthiest women in the world.

In nearly 10 years at Facebook, Sandberg has grown to be one of the most recognizable faces in Silicon Valley. She's been with the company since it was a small startup, and has led it through the 2016 presidential election and Cambridge Analytica scandal.

Meanwhile, she's had a stunningly eventful life of her own, finding the time to write two popular memoirs and deal with the sudden death of her husband in 2015.

Here's everything you need to know about Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, who grew up in Florida and is now an executive at one of the most influential companies in tech:

Madeline Stone contributed to an earlier version of this article.

SEE ALSO: Google cofounder Sergey Brin has secretly been married to a law tech founder since 2018. Here are 14 other power couples who rule the tech world.

Sheryl Sandberg was born Aug. 28, 1969, in Washington, D.C. She has two younger siblings: a brother named David and a sister named Michelle. The family moved to North Miami Beach when Sheryl was 2 years old.

Source: The New Yorker

Sandberg's father was an ophthalmologist, and her mother taught French at a local college. The couple founded the South Florida Conference on Soviet Jewry through their local synagogue, and their home soon became a safe haven for Soviet Jews looking to escape anti-Semitism.

Source: The New Yorker

Sandberg always shone in school, and was in the National Honor Society. "In public schools, for a girl to be smart was not good for your social life," her mother Adele told The New Yorker. She also taught aerobics while in high school.

Source: The New Yorker, Bloomberg

She went on to attend Harvard University, where both of her siblings also went. She majored in economics, and started an organization at college called Women in Economics and Government. She graduated with her undergraduate degree in 1991.

Source: Miami Herald, CNN Money

At college, Sandberg researched with future treasury secretary Larry Summers, who would serve as an important mentor for Sandberg in the beginning phases of her career. Summers served as her thesis advisor in college, then hired her to work for him at the World Bank after she graduated.

Source: The New Yorker, CNN Money

Sandberg stayed at the World Bank for a year, during which she traveled to India to help curb the spread of leprosy. She then returned to Harvard to get an MBA, and worked for a year at the global consulting firm McKinsey & Company.

Source: CNN Money, Guardian

Sandberg said her parents instilled in her that the time to find a man was in college, because "the good ones go young." At age 24, Sandberg married a businessman named Brian Kraff, but they got divorced after only a year. Sandberg told Cosmopolitan she was nervous her divorce would prevent her from ever meeting someone else.

Source: Cosmo, The New Yorker

Not long after Sandberg finished up her MBA in 1995, her mentor Summers joined President Bill Clinton's administration. Sandberg followed Summers to D.C. to work for him, and eventually became his chief of staff when he was named the Treasury Secretary in 1999.

Source: CNN Money

But after the Democrats lost the 2000 election, she decided to move to Silicon Valley to join the booming tech industry. At the time, Google was a small company with less than 300 people that wasn't making a profit. However, she found the company's "higher mission" attractive: "to make the world’s information freely available."

Source: The New Yorker, CNN Money 

When courting her, Eric Schmidt — Google's CEO at the time — reportedly called her every week, and told her, "Don’t be an idiot ... This is a rocket ship. Get on it." Sandberg joined Google as the business-unit general manager in 2001 and took over the company's ad program, which had four people working on it at the time.

Source: The New Yorker

In 2004, Sandberg married her longtime best friend Dave Goldberg, who she had met a decade before and dated for five years. They had a son in 2005, and a daughter born two years later. "The most important career choice you'll make is who you marry," Sandberg said at Business Insider's Ignition conference in 2011. Goldberg became the CEO of SurveyMonkey in 2009.

Source: Guardian, Business Insider

Sandberg and her family have lived in a 9,200-square foot mansion in Menlo Park since 2013. The home has six bedrooms, a wine room, gym, movie theater, basketball court, and a giant waterfall. It's only a 20-minute drive from Facebook's headquarters.

Source: Business Insider

Google grew immensely during Sandberg's time there, and she was instrumental in landing a deal with AOL to make Google its search engine. She was eventually promoted to Google's vice president for global online sales and operations.

Source: The New Yorker

But after nearly seven years at Google, Sandberg was ready for a new challenge. Schmidt, Google's CEO at the time, proposed she become chief financial officer, but she turned it down for more responsibility. She asked about becoming chief operating officer, but Google executives reportedly didn't want to rock the boat and mess with the three men already in charge of decision-making: Schmidt and Google's two cofounders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin.

Source: The New Yorker

Fortunately, someone else was pursuing her: Mark Zuckerberg, the 23-year-old whose company, Facebook, was still relatively new. He introduced himself to Sandberg at a Christmas party in 2007, and started to court her to come work at Facebook.

Source: New Yorker

She began to meet with Zuckerberg for dinner once or twice a week, first at a cafe in Menlo Park and then at Sandberg's home in Atherton. Sandberg returned to that restaurant, Flea Street Cafe, for an interview with Oprah in 2013. After six weeks of dinner meetings, Zuckerberg eventually offered her the position as Facebook's chief operating officer.

Source: Fortune, The New Yorker

Zuckerberg told the New Yorker that Sandberg "handles things I don't want to." "There are people who are really good managers, people who can manage a big organization," Zuckerberg said in 2011. "And then there are people who are very analytic or focused on strategy. Those two types don’t usually tend to be in the same person."

Source: The New Yorker

Sandberg is known by many as an advocate for women's rights in the workplace. Sandberg has campaigned against using the word "bossy," arguing that it damages women's confidence and desire to pursue leadership roles. She has also partnered with Getty Images to take stock photos that are meant to change the perception of women in the workforce.

Source: Business Insider

In March 2013, Sandberg published "Lean In," a best-selling book that recounts some of her own personal work experience as well as advice for women to pursue top positions in their field. "A truly equal world would be one where women ran half our countries and companies and men ran half our homes," Sandberg wrote in the book.

But not everyone has been so crazy about Sandberg's advice to lean in. Some critics have said that it's not enough to tell women to have confidence if they're not being given the opportunity to succeed. Others say it's unfair to use Sandberg as a model for all women, as she is able to afford a nanny and a staff at work.

Source: The New Yorker

Sandberg announced in 2014 she and her husband would sign onto the Giving Pledge, a commitment by billionaires to donate at least half of their fortune during their lifetime or upon their death. The Giving Pledge was launched by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates.

Source: Forbes

Tragedy stuck in 2015 when Goldberg, Sandberg's husband, died suddenly after he collapsed while on vacation with his family in Mexico. Reports first indicated he died from head trauma after falling while on the treadmill, but Sandberg later revealed his death was due to a cardiac arrhythmia.

Source: Business Insider

"[Dave] showed me the internet for the first time, planned fun outings, took me to temple for the Jewish holidays, introduced me to much cooler music than I had ever heard," Sandberg wrote on Facebook a day after Goldberg's death. "He gave me the experience of being deeply understood, truly supported and completely and utterly loved — and I will carry that with me always."

Source: Business Insider

Following Goldberg's death, Sandberg penned an essay about dealing with grief and "kick(ing) the s--t" out of option B in life when plan A is no longer available. Two years later, Sandberg turned that lesson into a book in 2017 about her personal experience dealing with death and other stories of adversity.

Source: Business Insider

Sandberg also joined the board of directors of SurveyMonkey — the company her late husband served as CEO for — two months after his death. When SurveyMonkey went public in 2018, the company said Sandberg would donate her 10% stake to the charity she founded in her husband's honor: The Sheryl Sandberg and Dave Goldberg Family Foundation.

Source: Business Insider

While tech companies like Facebook have been adamant about not taking political stances, the same can't be said for Sandberg. The Facebook COO was one of the tech executives to publicly back Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. In return, Sandberg was reportedly on Clinton's shortlist for one of two cabinet positions: treasury secretary and commerce secretary.

Source: Business Insider

Sandberg has also spoken out against President Donald Trump's policies on abortion and immigration. A day after Trump reinstated the global gag rule that banned federally funded groups from discussing abortion, Sandberg donated $1 million to Planned Parenthood.

Source: Business Insider

Sandberg, and Facebook, drew more scrutiny in the wake of the 2016 election. Facebook revealed that Russia paid for thousands of ads on the platform to interfere with and manipulate political sentiment. The New York Times later reported that Sandberg tried to downplay implicating Russia in spreading misinformation on Facebook.

Source: New York Times

Then in March 2018, details about the Cambridge Analytics scandal surfaced. The data analytics company had harvested data from 87 million Facebook users, and used it to target voters during the 2016 election after being hired by the Trump campaign. Sandberg admitted that Facebook knew about the improper data use back in 2015, but didn't make it public.

Source: Business Insider

Zuckerberg reportedly blamed Sandberg for the fallout from the Cambridge Analytica scandal, and told her she should have been more aggressive in dealing with the "troublesome content." After meeting with Zuckerberg, Sandberg had told friends she worried whether she'd keep her job at Facebook.

Source: Wall Street Journal

A bombshell New York Times report later revealed that Facebook directed a PR firm called Definers Public Affairs in summer 2018 to conduct an "aggressive lobbying campaign" to blame billionaire George Soros — a Facebook critic — for spreading anti-Facebook sentiment. Both Zuckerberg and Sandberg denied knowing about Definers' activities, and communications head Elliot Schrage instead took the fall. However, Sandberg later admitted she had received a "small number of emails where Definers was referenced."

Source: Business Insider

The New York Times report put mounting scrutiny on Sandberg's role at Facebook. Although Facebook staffers threw their support behind Sandberg, investors reportedly questioned whether they should be worried Sandberg would leave the company.

Source: Business Insider

Despite the talk, Sandberg has remained at Facebook in 2019. Sandberg is currently worth an estimated $1.7 billion, and is one of the most powerful people in Silicon Valley.

• Thelma's Original Loafer ($388) is a beautiful and functional ode to one of the most classic shoe styles out there. 
• It's made of Italian-crafted suede uppers and solid wood heels, and it comes in 10 colors. 
• The shoe is definitely an investment, but if you're going to splurge on a clothing item, it should be on a closet staple as elegant, versatile, and comfortable as this one. 

When Amanda Greeley isn't leading design and creative for lingerie startup Cuup in New York City, she's in Charleston designing a very different outfit essential: shoes. 

Greeley, a former Coach merchandiser, is the founder and designer of Thelma, a 3-year-old online shoe brand born out of the entrepreneurial, women-driven creative scene in Charleston. 

Thelma sells Italian-crafted women's shoes, most notably loafers. These everyday shoes come in three variations: The Original (suede), The Fringe (suede), and The Spectator (leather). They're made in small batches in Le Marche, Italy, a region known for its shoe-making tradition, with responsibly sourced suede, leather, and wood. 

The kicker is that they're not cheap. Each pair is $388, and there's not skirting around it — that's a lot to pay for a pair of loafers. 

But after trying a pair of Thelma Original loafers myself, I, someone who never spends more than $200 on a pair of shoes, could see why the brand has been so successful at selling this classic shoe staple, and why you would want to invest in them. 

What the Thelma Original Loafer looks and feels like 

The Original is an elegant heeled loafer that curves into a subtle pointed toe, has a saddle (the piece curving over the upper), and comes in 10 beautiful colors, bright and neutral. The 1.5-inch solid wood heels are hand carved and are the perfect size to give you a bit of height without sacrificing comfort. 

I tried The Original in the Powder Blue but I certainly had trouble choosing a color. The Saffron looked excellent for a fall shoe, and I could see the Pebble matching well with everything. Regardless of your personal preference, know that all the options are triple-dyed to give them a saturated, long-lasting hue. 

I immediately fell in love with their simple yet sophisticated look, but the practical side of me rang an alarm — are they also comfortable? 

Greeley told Business Insider, "In terms of construction, shoes and underwear have more or less nothing in common, but I would say I actually bring a similar approach to both. I'm always drawn to striking that balance between aesthetics and functionality. I want to make pieces that feel really wearable and usable." 

The loafers are very comfortable, but not without a little break-in time.

I wore them for more than 12 consecutive hours the first day, which admittedly was an aggressive move, and I had blisters afterward. However, this break-in time seems to have done the trick. Since then, the leather interior has loosened to better accommodate my feet and offer the same glove-like feel that we love in our leather Everlane Day Glove flats. I'm usually not comfortable walking in shoes taller than a few inches, so I liked that the slight heel helped elongate my legs but was still very manageable to walk in, whether I was climbing stairs or navigating the length of a lurching subway car. 

After falling victim many a time to gorgeous shoes that turned out to be impossible to walk in, I was happy and relieved to find this heeled loafer that looked and felt wonderful. 

Why you should consider these loafers as an investment purchase 

Nearly $400 isn't an easy amount of money to spend, particularly on a pair of loafers. If you don't want to spend as much, we also love the Modern Loafer from Everlane ($168) and the Loraine Loafer from Sam Edelman ($120).

But if you are going to splurge on any clothing item, it should be on a basic staple like a loafer, which is versatile, practical, and resistant to the unsustainable, trend-driven whims of the fashion industry. Given the choice between two pairs of less beautiful, lesser quality shoes, and one pair of sleek, high-quality ones, I would surely invest in the latter. Thelma's Original loafer is a shoe that will never go out of style. 

Shop the Original Loafer in 10 colors for $388 at Thelma

Join the conversation about this story »

• "Insatiable" returns on Friday for its second season.
• It's Netflix's worst-reviewed series by critics, but audiences love it.
• We ranked 12 critically panned Netflix original series by their audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

While Netflix has won over critics with many of its original series, the company has had its share of critical flops, too.

But critical reception can often mean next to nothing to everyday viewers, who will flock to shows that critics have condemned. One such show is "Insatiable," which is Netflix's worst-reviewed series but is returning on Friday for its second season.

Critics have called the show "cynical" and "an absolute mess," and it has a 13% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. But audiences seem to love it, as it has an 84% audience score on the site.

We turned to the reviews aggregator Rotten Tomatoes to find shows that had significant discrepancies between their "critic" and "audience" scores. We ranked the shows by their audience scores, and we used the larger discrepancies to break any ties.

Here are 12 Netflix original shows that critics really hated, but audiences loved:

John Lynch contributed to a previous version of this post.

SEE ALSO: All 103 of Netflix's notable original shows, ranked from worst to best

12. "Marvel's Iron Fist"

Critic score: 39%

Audience score: 73%

Difference: 34%

Netflix description: "Danny Rand resurfaces 15 years after being presumed dead. Now, with the power of the Iron Fist, he seeks to reclaim his past and fulfill his destiny."

What critics said: "Iron Fist still feels like a show in search of an urgent reason to exist, beyond the obligation to serve as one part of an intellectual property quintet that periodically intersects for team-up mini-series." — Vulture (Season 2)

11. "Between"

Critic score: 22%

Audience score: 73%

Difference: 51% 

Netflix description: "After a mysterious disease kills every resident over 22 years old, survivors of a town must fend for themselves when the government quarantines them."

What critics said: "Between is all concept — characters, production values, thematic depth, and the other things that flesh out a sci-fi idea beyond its genre trappings are flat, dull and unengaging." — RogerEbert.com (Season 1)

10. "Bloodline"

Critic score: 62%

Audience score: 76%

Difference: 14%

Netflix description: "When the black sheep son of a respected family threatens to expose dark secrets from their past, sibling loyalties are put to the test."

What critics said: "It is so frustrating to come to the end of its three-season run with so many loose ends and unsatisfying conclusions." — Entertainment Weekly (Season 3)

9. "Girlboss"

Critic score: 36%

Audience score: 76%

Difference: 40%

Netflix description: "Rebellious and broke, Sophia stumbles into creating an online business and learns how to be the boss. A comedy inspired by the best-selling memoir."

What critics said: "Watching an ignorant but energetic youngster rebel against adulthood is nothing new, and Girlboss' iteration would be fine if it showed some semblance of self-awareness." — Indiewire (Season 1)

8. "Marvel's The Punisher" — 63%

Critic score: 63%

Audience score: 82%

Difference: 19%

Netflix description: "A former Marine out to punish the criminals responsible for his family's murder finds himself ensnared in a military conspiracy."

What critics said: "Here's the most unforgivable sin of the second season of The Punisher: You have a magnificent performance like this one at your disposal, and this is what you choose to do with it?" — RogerEbert.com (Season 2)

7. "Disjointed"

Critic score: 19%

Audience score: 83%

Difference: 64%

Netflix description: "Pot activist Ruth Whitefeather Feldman runs a medical marijuana dispensary while encouraging her loyal patients to chill out and enjoy the high life."

What critics said: "As viewers it's hard to be as sanguine about a one-note chucklefest that combines the worst of Lorre's conveyor-belt slapstick with an uncomfortable stab at edginess." — Daily Telegraph (Parts 1 and 2)

6. "Insatiable"

Critic score: 13%

Audience score: 84%

Difference: 71%

Netflix description: "A bullied teenager turns to beauty pageants as a way to exact her revenge, with the help of a disgraced coach who soon realizes he's in over his head."

What critics said: "While Insatiable would like you to excuse its considerable meanness as satire or even good-doing, the truth is that it's often tooth-tinglingly saccharine." — NPR (Season 1)

6. "Flaked"

Critic score: 37%

Audience score: 87%

Difference: 50%

Netflix description: "In his funky California beach enclave, Chip's the go-to guy for personal insights. But he isn't quite as enlightened when it comes to his own baggage."

What critics said: "Perhaps the problem is that we've seen this story too many times: upper-middle-class white men behaving like frat bros and overcoming their malaise through the love of a good (young) woman." — Uproxx (Season 1)

5. "Friends From College"

Critic score: 25%

Audience score: 88%

Difference: 63%

Netflix description: "Twenty years after graduation, a tight-knit group of college friends reconnects and discovers that love hasn't gotten easier with age."

What critics said: "It is uneasy about taking itself seriously. The problem is that it can't take itself ridiculously, either." — New Yorker (Season 2)

4. "Damnation" — 58%

Critic score: 64%

Audience score: 91%

Difference: 27%

Netflix description: "During the Great Depression, a stranger with a violent past poses as a preacher and rallies farmers to mount a strike in a rural Iowa community."

What critics said: "You won't find much hope in Damnation and that's an absence that can only exist unfilled for so long." — Indiewire (Season 1)

2. "Turn Up Charlie"

Critic score: 50%

Audience score: 91%

Difference: 41%

Netflix description: "A down-and-out DJ plots to rebuild his music career while working as a nanny for his famous best friend's wild 11-year-old daughter." 

What critics said: "While the show is breezy and mildly pleasant, in a less profligate streaming-TV environment the logical move would have been to turn down Charlie." — CNN (Season 1)

5. "Gypsy"

Critic score: 39%

Audience score: 93%

Difference: 54%

Netflix description: "Therapist Jean Holloway develops dangerous and intimate relationships with the people in her patients' lives in this simmering psychological thriller."

What critics said: "Gypsy is a show that hints at mystery and intrigue, but it's content with leaving you in the tastefully decorated waiting room." — Thrillist (Season 1)

• A 200-square-foot studio in San Diego, California, was renting for $1,100 a month last week.
• The listing, recently reduced to $1,050 a month, was spotted by Redditors and posted on r/SanDiego, where many users slammed the unreasonably high asking price for the "shed."
• But according to a broker with the listing agency, JD Property Management and Realty, the unit's pricing is "not uncommon" and other units around the area are comparable.
• Indeed, in many areas across the country are facing a housing crisis, forcing many renters to consider renting $1,200 bunk beds, $2,000 single rooms in shared houses, and even illegal "micro-units" with 6-foot ceilings for $600 monthly.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

A 200-square-foot studio hit the top of Reddit's San Diego page last week, and not because the Redditors were charmed by how quaint the minimalist space was.

The apartment, located at 4735 1/2 Oregon Street in San Diego, California, is currently listed by JD Property Management and Realty. The listing describes the unit as an "updated studio with 1 bath and small kitchen" in the University Heights neighborhood. San Diegans on Reddit were outraged to see that the tiny unit, which many of them deemed a "shed," was asking $1,100 per month to rent.

"Someone is really charging people $1,100 to live in a shed! And they want you to have a 650+ credit score too," Reddit user terrificheretic posted, referencing the listing's stated rental requirements (income of 2.5 times the monthly rent, a FICO score at or above 650, no legal evictions on record, and "good rental references").

"I'm all about charging market value but this seems a tad... over-valued, to say at the least," one commenter wrote.

"I was making $8.50 an hour and my first apartment was $190 a month. It was cool 40 years ago. I can't believe how difficult it is for people now. We have f----- up the middle class," another commented.

Realtors say this pricing isn't unusual

But Joshua Dillon, a broker with JD Property Management and Realty, says this pricing is "not uncommon."

"There are several other units around town that are comparable," Dillon told Business Insider via email.

He noted that the "typical/average" one-bedroom in the larger San Diego County rents for between $1,300 and $1,500 per month and that the asking price of the Oregon Street studio (now reduced to $1,050 a month) "is not much more than people are paying to rent rooms within houses ($800-$900)."

Ranking and review site Niche puts the county's median rent at $1,467.

Dillon also clarified that the apartment is not a shed, despite its shed-like appearance: "This unit has its own electric meter, its own address, etc., and has been here since the end of World War II per the owner, due to the housing shortage at that time."

The "shed" on Oregon Street is just one symptom of a nation-wide issue

The housing crisis is on clear display across the US, particularly with the astronomical cost of living in areas like New York City, San Francisco, and Palo Alto.

Read more: San Francisco's housing market is so out of control, 60% of tech workers say they can't afford homes

Business Insider's Libertina Brandt previously reported that the median rent for a Manhattan studio apartment in July and August hit $2,700, while Brooklyn's median face rent hit an all-time high of $3,000 per month in June. Brandt separately reported in September that the tiniest apartment in San Francisco, just 161 square feet, was asking over $2,200 a month in rent. Renters in San Francisco are even dishing out $1,200 a month to rent a single bunk bed in co-living buildings and over $2,000 a month to rent rooms in vacant Victorian homes.

Landlords in New York City were even caught renting out "micro rooms" — illegal sub-units with no windows, sprinklers, or fire-safety systems— with ceilings reported to be a mere 4.5 to 6 feet tall.

Quinisha Jackson-Wright, a freelance journalist for Business Insider, wrote about how her rent more than doubled— from $800 a month to $2,000 — when she moved from the Midwest to Santa Barbara, California.

Recognizing the issues, some states are attempting to tackle the affordable housing crisis: California recently became the third state (after Oregon in March and New York in June) to pass a rent control bill in an effort to curtail the problem. And tech companies are attempting to find solutions as well; Microsoft announced in January that it would pledge $500 million to help alleviate Seattle's growing housing crisis in light of the city's influx of tech companies, Business Insider previously reported.

SEE ALSO: The 25 US cities where rent is increasing the fastest, ranked

DON'T MISS: Here's how much space $1 million will get you in 25 major US cities

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Nxivm leader Keith Raniere has been convicted. Here's what happened inside his sex-slave ring that recruited actresses and two billionaire heiresses.

• These days, the environmental consequences of consumerism are more visible than ever, which can make holiday shopping seem excessive. But you can still spread the joy of gifting and feel good about your purchases when you choose to shop sustainable brands. 
• We've curated a list of environmentally friendly apparel gifts that use innovative materials, ethical processes, and fair practices to make products that are better for the environment and people.
• Check out our list of 17 sustainable clothing gifts made from materials that are better for the environment below. We have selections from Everlane, Patagonia, Girlfriend Collective, and more.

The holiday season can come under fire for encouraging excess and consumerism, but it doesn't have to represent unnecessary waste. 

Often the source of the most waste, the clothing industry is slowly making amends by using more environmentally friendly, sustainable, and ethical processes to make its products. It's not too difficult nowadays to find shoes and jackets made from plastic water bottles that would otherwise end up in a landfill, or from renewable rather than nonrenewable sources. 

These apparel gifts are better for the planet and a more thoughtful option for your environmentally and socially conscious recipient. They tend to be a little more expensive than traditional clothing, but the extra bucks are a small price to pay for longer-lasting sustainable apparel that makes smarter use of the planet's resources. 

Most of these items are available with expedited shipping, and some should arrive within a few days' time, so don't stress too hard about your last-minute shopping — just remember that the sooner you order, the better your chances of a timely arrival.

Be a more sustainable gifter this year with these 17 apparel gifts:

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides here.

Comfortable work flats

The Point in Big Cat, $145, available at Rothy's

Gift Cards, $50-$165, available at Rothy's

Rothy's has repurposed nearly 40 million plastic water bottles to make women's shoes that are both stylish and comfortable. They come in four simple silhouettes and a host of pretty colors and prints, but we love the sleek Point style because it's perfect for work. If you're not sure about their size or shoe preference, you can get a gift card instead. The Sneaker and Flat are $125, The Point is $145, and The Loafer $165. 

A boxy, short parka

The ReNew Short Parka, $165, available at Everlane

Fifty-five plastic bottles received another life in this jacket. It has a roomy fit ideal for layering up underneath, and oversized, fleece-lined multi-entry pockets to warm up their hands. Even the PrimaLoft insulation is recycled, and it's very warm, protecting wearers in subfreezing temperatures. 

A waffle weave robe

Unisex Organic Waffle Robe, $98, available at Coyuchi

Make every day a spa day with this soft robe made from Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified cotton. The company takes careful steps to partner with sustainable mills and ship and package its products with environmentally friendly methods, so your recipient can truly relax and enjoy this comfortable robe. 

A down 'shirt'

Men's Silent Down Shirt, $229, available at Patagonia

This lightweight jacket styled like a shirt is a nice change from the bulk of other winter outerwear. Featuring 700-fill-power 100% recycled down, the interior is very warm, while the 70% recycled polyester shell is soft, water-repellant, and just a little stretchy. 

A cool, silky smooth pajama top

Bamboo Lyocell Short Sleeve PJ Shirt, $55, available at Ettitude

This luxurious pajama shirt is fashioned out of this startup's flagship textile, the world's first organic bamboo lyocell fabric. Though it looks composed and could even be styled with jeans to venture out of the house, its cool and soft construction is undeniably made for lounging. Conveniently, it's also machine-washable. 

A Mongolian cashmere sweater

The Essential $75 Cashmere V-Neck Sweater, $75, available at Naadam

That's not a typo you're seeing — at Naadam, you can really get an incredibly soft and well-made cashmere sweater for under $100. The company uses the longest, thinnest fibers of raw cashmere, resulting in a more durable and pill-resistant sweater. Furthermore, it powers its production facilities with clean energy, employs sustainable grazing practices, and pays local nomadic herders 50% more than traditional traders. 

A soft and light puffy jacket

Women's Silent Down Jacket, $249, available at Patagonia

Puffy and pillowy, but delightfully more quiet than similar jackets, this Silent Down style is one of our winter wardrobe essentials. The zipper and snap buttons provide a little extra protection, and the pockets are lined with soft micro-brushed jersey. Like the Silent Down Shirt, the warm insulation is 700-fill-power 100% recycled down, and the rugged shell is 70% recycled polyester. 

A cozy fleece pullover

The ReNew Fleece Sweatshirt, $55, available at Everlane

This is the warm sweater they'll change into the moment they get home from work, the one they'll stay in through lazy weekends, rainy days, and long study sessions. They might not even guess that this everyday staple is made from recycled polyester and plastic water bottles. It's part of Everlane's ReNew collection, which is an extension of the company's commitment to eliminating new plastic in its supply chain by 2021. 

An alpaca infinity scarf

Undyed Alpaca Infinity Scarf, $198, available at Coyuchi

Whether they're braving the cold of a wintry day or the unnecessary chill of their office, they'll appreciate having this soft and chunky alpaca scarf wrapped around their neck. The fiber of the scarf comes all the way from the small mountain ranches of Peru, where the alpaca are raised sustainably and humanely. 

Eucalyptus tree sneakers

Men's Tree Runners, $95, available at Allbirds

Women's Tree Runners, $95, available at Allbirds

Digital Gift Card, $95, available at Allbirds

The Tree Runners (as well as the Tree Loungers and newest Tree Toppers) get their name from the responsibly grown and sustainably harvested eucalyptus pulp used to make their uppers. Meanwhile, the insoles are merino wool and cushioned with materials made from castor bean oil, and the laces are made from recycled bottles. Take advantage of the limited-edition colors this holiday season before they sell out. 

A thick, short-sleeved jacket

Waste Nothing Jacket, $138, available at ADAY

This jacket's thick, scuba-like fabric feels nothing less than substantial and is made from 41 plastic bottles. The brand encourages wearers to don the short-sleeve kimono style two different ways: with the zipper in front or in back. 

A Mongolian cashmere beanie and matching scarf

Signature Ribbed Cashmere Beanie, $75, available at Naadam

Signature Ribbed Cashmere Scarf, $125, available at Naadam

A beanie and scarf are essential to braving the cold weather. Since Naadam's cashmere is soft, breathable, and not too heavy, they won't have to sacrifice comfort for warmth. 

Thick knit socks

Chunky Knit Socks, $30, available at Boll & Branch

The holidays are associated with all things warm and cozy — cozy pajamas, hot chocolate, and fuzzy socks, to name a few. That's what makes these thick knits from Boll & Branch a great holiday gift for anyone on your list. A thick, supersoft knit will keep their feet toasty all winter long. Matching Boll & Branch's popular sheets, these pants are made from 100% organic cotton that's both fair-trade and GOTS-certified. 

A plant-based turtleneck

Overheard Turtleneck, $98, available at ADAY

ADAY's plant-based collection, Plant Life, is a small set of sustainably produced essentials made from beechwood tree fibers. This stretchy and breathable turtleneck comes in a muted mustard yellow and a deep charcoal, with extra-long sleeves they can pull over their hands for added comfort. 

A slouchy cashmere sweater

Cashmere Boyfriend Sweater, $148, available at Reformation

There's nothing better than the luxuriously soft feel of cashmere. But that comes at a price, both to your wallet and the environment. Cashmere is notoriously expensive and, due to high demand, has led to serious overgrazing in Mongolia. Reformation's solution? Don't produce new cashmere, find a way to revive old cashmere instead. Each sweater in the brand's Conscious Cashmere collection is made of 70% recycled cashmere and relatively affordable at $148 apiece. 

Comfortable, compressive leggings

Compressive High-Rise Legging, $68, available at Girlfriend Collective

The only thing they'll love more than a pair of leggings they can live in is a pair they can feel good about wearing, too. Each pair of Girlfriend Collective leggings is made out of 25 recycled water bottles — and you can recycle them with the brand when they're too worn out to wear anymore. The material is flattering, compressive, and stretchy, making them a favorite among eco-conscious shoppers and athleisure-lovers alike. 

A trendy jumpsuit

Terra Jumpsuit, $158, available at Amour Vert

If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind gift, go for something that's limited edition. At Amour Vert, everything is made in limited quantities to minimize waste, which means there are always new pieces on the site. This cute jumpsuit is made from the brand's supersoft sustainable beechwood blend in the United States. (In fact, 97% of the company's products are made in small factories in California.) The flowy, flattering fit works for all sorts of occasions, from work to special events.