There are certain things we talk about at dinner parties: the weather, the news, our latest true-crime binge. And there are other things we keep to ourselves, like funky feet, itchy scalps and rogue chin hairs. While we're not saying we should scream our thigh-chafing woes from the rooftops, airing our dirty laundry (quite literally!) can help us feel connected — less alone in our strivings to be acceptable to the masses.
In that vein, Yahoo editors have decided to bare it all. We're spilling our guts about our tired tootsies, our poor cracked heels, our huddled masses yearning to breathe non-funky air (enter Poo-Pourri's Before-You-Go toilet spray, which one editor won't leave home without). Why are we being so open? To pay it forward. By letting you in on the secret products that have bettered our lives (and de-stunkified and de-gunkified them), we're giving back to society! You're welcome!
Below, we present 11 slightly embarrassing yet absolutely essential handy helpers we're using on the daily, and all are on sale for Prime Day. Enjoy.
Confession: I bring this stink spray with me to parties
"This isn't a stink cover-up, it's a stink neutralizer! Spray the water in the bowl before you do your dirty work and enjoy a blissful bathroom experience knowing you won't be leaving behind an olfactory surprise for the next lucky person who enters. According to the brand, Poo-Pourri traps bathroom odor under the water's surface, so it never enters the air. Go ahead, take the plunge! The Fresh Air scent in particular smells clean but natural enough that it’s not too obvious or overwhelming. And all of the brand's formulas are made of all-natural essential oils, so I don't have to worry about coughing or what I'm breathing in. Sometimes, if I know it's going to be a long day or night out, I even throw in some to-go TP for full potty-proofing!" — Kristin G., Home Writer
Confession: I'd have dragon breath if it weren't for these
"These taste good and they feel like they fumigate my mouth, so I'm ready for any close-talker or close encounter after I pop one in. They are also more discreet than a breath spray and classier than chomping on a piece of gum." — Janelle Randazza, Commerce Editor
Confession: I unsully my undercarriage with a bidet
"I'm coming clean… and I'm not just singing Hillary Duff’s hit song! I'm talking about the bargain bidet I got at Amazon to, shall we say, unsully my undercarriage. I rent my house, and the Bio Bidet SlimEdge is the low-commitment option I was looking for. No bells or whistles here — it fits underneath the seat and has tubing that attaches to the toilet tank that feeds water to two sprayers in the bowl with a knob on the side. When you're finished doing your business, just turn the dial to the left or the right for a good rinse, no toilet paper needed." — Rachel Roszmann, Weekend Editor
Confession: I wear the ugliest period underwear known to womankind
"Yes, there are much sleeker, sexier pairs of period undies on the market, but when it's that time of the month, c'mon — being sleek and sexy is pretty much the last thing I care about. What I DO care about: having effective backup for heavy-flow days, and these absorbent finds from Hanes get the job done for less. They also mean I no longer have to futz around with pads like a terrified 13-year-old huddled in the school bathroom — major win." — Saundra Latham, Commerce Editor
Confession: I wear granny bras
"It took me a while to get comfortable with the idea of a 'granny bra' (really just a wireless bra; I'm being dramatic) but I finally purchased this shaping number, and 'get comfortable' is exactly what I did. I typically can't get away with wireless bras because I'm a size 34D and they usually leave my boobs squished and droopy. The Bali bra supports my chest without crushing anything and supports every curve for a look that's uplifting! I am not kidding when I say I wear this wireless bra, which is sort of like a cross between a sports bra, lounge bra and a regular bra, for EVERYTHING — from the office to the gym and even evening occasions. Last time I checked, there were nearly 20 shade options!" — Kristin G., Home Writer
Confession: I wear an oh-so-sexy mouth guard nightly
"I'm guilty of being a major teeth-grinder, so before I go to sleep, I put this very attractive night guard in my mouth. It's much cheaper than the one my dentist offered to have made for me (by a LOT), and it's customizable in a few steps. Just boil it for less than a minute, let it cool slightly and place it over your teeth so it can mold to their shape. My husband might make fun of my hockey goalie-like appearance, but I'll take that over worn-down chompers any day." — Britt Ross, Senior Deals Writer
Confession: I use old-man hair gel
"I'm gonna go ahead and blame it on a Proustian memory from childhood barbershop visits, but when I got old enough to care about hair styling, I reflexively found myself in search of the vaguely flowery and yet simultaneously masculine aroma of Clubman styling gel. God knows how long this stuff’s been around (for all I know, 'Clubman' refers to the Cro-Magnon gents who first wore it), but it seems like something George Raft and Dean Martin would've used. Funny thing, though? It is, hands down, the greatest gel I've ever used … and I've tried dozens of them over the years. How old-school is this brand? They also make a mustache wax — you know, if you've got 'tie a distressed damsel to the train tracks' on your bucket list." — Michael Flaherty, Contributing Editor
Confession: I use men's deodorant
"I have to admit that I first picked up this product because of the clever marketing: odor-squatching results from Dr. Squatch! But it's also because I've been looking for an aluminum-free deodorant for a while and never found one that actually worked on my stench until now. This stick is designed for men but that's just fine by me. It goes on smoothly and is an interesting pale gray color that has yet to leave annoying white marks on my shirts. The ingredients are way better than the chemical-laden ones others use, with charcoal and arrowroot powder in the mix. The brand avoids 'fragrances that smell like a middle-school locker room,' which I appreciate. I have and love this Fresh Falls scent, but I'm looking forward to treating my pits to other options, like Summer Citrus and Bay Rum." — Nicole Sforza, Executive Editor
Confession: I shave my moustache
"I love these razors for shearing off excess hair from my face. They're absurdly cheap — $6 right now at Amazon — and come in a three-pack. They're easy to hold, sharp enough to tackle thick whiskers and come with a little plastic cap so you can store them without worrying about accidentally grabbing a bare razor. Did I mention they're so cheap?" — Kate Ellsworth, Commerce Editor
Confession: I have dandruff so bad, it flakes onto my shirts
"I deal with recurring bouts of seborrheic dermatitis, which is the pits for many reasons. Not only does it make my head itch like a mother, but it means my sweaters and shirts are covered in pesky flakes of dry, dead skin. Gross, right? I have some prescription stuff from the derm to use when the breakouts are severe, but for everyday management, I swear by this Selsun Blue medicated shampoo. It soothes my scalp, keeps dandruff at bay and helps make dry patches less irritated. The downside is it can be a bit drying to my strands, but that's nothing a really good, nourishing conditioner can't fix." — Jeanine Edwards, Director, Commerce Initiatives
Confession: I use aftershave on my sensitive skin
"My sensitive skin hates shaving. I've tried everything in the book — razors, exfoliators, oils, creams, you name it — and nothing seems to work. About a year ago, I took the plunge and invested in laser hair removal (an obsession of mine!), and the technician oh-so-kindly pointed out my red, irritated skin. And while it was humbling to say the least, she did me a favor by suggesting this affordable, skin-saving solution, which is essentially an alcohol-based aftershave. It isn't sexy by any means, but it works like magic — just apply it to a cotton ball, gently wipe it over shaved areas and follow up with a quality moisturizer. I've learned the hard way that consistency is key, so I make sure to use it every single time I shave for happier, bump-free skin." — Amanda Garrity, Gifting Editor
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