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1. A fungal nail renewal treatment because there is a solution to that funky toenail that's been bothering you for all of 2024. It helps treat fungal nail damage and may reduce the discoloration, thickness, and brittleness associated with it. Promising review: "I’ve been dealing with a bad fungus nail for about three years. I’ve been trying to use products off the shelf and bought one here, you know the ones with the brush. It never worked ’til I bought this one. Let me tell you, it only took just under a week to see GREAT results. It’s pretty much gone and it’s been less than two months. Buy it and don’t think about it! You won’t regret it!" — itslilac Get it from Amazon for $17.97 . 2. Cosrx Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence — believe it or not, snails have the healing touch. Reviewers love how well it helps heal acne scars, fade dark spots, and smooth fine lines. Bonus: This refreshing formula can be used on all skin types! This highly concentrated formula contains 96.3% snail secretion filtrate, which helps repair damage while moisturizing your skin. Promising review : " Skincare game changer. I started using this two years ago, and this product has transformed my skin completely! I have dull, dry skin and this helps hydrate and makes my complexion look healthy and hydrated. I use this under my moisturizer day and night." — Nhi Luu Get it from Amazon for $20 . 3. A bottle of signature Fur Oil that'll help relieve the painful redness and irritation that inevitably occurs after shaving. It'll soften and cleanse your pubic hair and skin while helping to prevent annoying ingrowns and razor burns. Promising reviews: "I am prone to ingrown hairs. I have VERY coarse pubic hair and every time I shave, I get razor bumps and ingrown hairs as the hair starts to grow back. Very embarrassing. This has led me to lean more toward trimming than shaving. I decided to try to shave one more time — well, I used Nair and removed my pubic hair from my genital area. I used Fur Oil every day morning and night after the removal, and even as the hair grows back and beyond. I would also exfoliate the area about two to three times a week with a coffee scrub that I got on here. The hair has started to grow back with zero bumps or ingrown hairs. It has actually been over a month and still no issues. This has never happened to me before. I have never not removed hair down there and not had ingrown hairs and hair bumps. This is a new experience for me, and I am loving it. I have even removed hair again since then and still no problems. My only complaint is the size of the bottle, and the smell is so-so. It is a very small bottle for the price. I will continue to use this combination of products, though, because I know it works. I am satisfied." — In the know "Recommended to me by my waxer. I was a little hesitant at first because it's pretty expensive, but I haven't had a single ingrown hair since using this oil. I am diligent on application of the oil, and it's been great. It lasts — I've been using it for about two months, and there's still a ton in the bottle." — Megan Harmeyer Get it from Amazon for $26+ (available in two sizes). 4. SweatBlock antiperspirant wipes if sweaty pits are ruining your day, or worse, your whole year . Give your armpits a swipe before bed, wash them in the morning, and you could potentially enjoy up to seven days of bliss with less sweat. Each box lasts two months! Promising review: "For anyone who might be a skeptic, please allow me to put you at ease. If you have hyperhidrosis, meaning it can be 9 degrees outside and you're still sweating under your arms, this product has the potential to change your life. I would sweat THROUGH a sport coat before noon. Enter the Sweat Block product. I've had it for three weeks, and it is life-changing. I DO NOT sweat under my arms anymore. I'm still on the original box that I bought three weeks ago. I had to write a review after I was cleaning the garage today in 85-degree heat...I was sweating through my shirt on my back...BUT NOT MY UNDERARMS. It is amazing!" — Frosty McGee Get a 10-count box from Amazon for $19.99+ (also available in packs of two or three boxes). 5. Or some aluminum-free deodorant wipes so you don't spend the warmer months holing up inside to avoid stinky pits. These will help keep odors at bay and leave you with a fresh coconut scent! Promising review: "I have always suffered from bad odor on my underarms since I have very delicate skin, so I can't use strongly scented deodorants. I'm always trying out cream deodorant or gels, but it either irritates my skin, or it doesn't stop my bad odor. THIS IS THE BEST INVENTION EVER. I LOVE IT! I can't believe that something finally works! My armpits don't smell bad. I can finally move my arms freely. The scent is wonderful; I love the smell, and it's not harsh on my skin. Even after a long day, my underarms are still smelling like coconut." — Vicky Reyes Get a pack of 30 wipes from Amazon for $9 (also available in multipacks). 6. Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener to liven up your tired eyes with the help of a lightweight formula that delivers excellent coverage in just a few swipes. If you wanna minimize the appearance of dark circles and puffiness in 2025, look no further! 👀 The color adaptive formula is designed so one of two shades will work on any skin tone. Promising review: "Took years off my eyes! This product is so reasonably priced. I came across a TikTok promoting this and decided to take a chance since the price was super reasonable. My eyes looked brighter in a good way, and the concealer worked so well that I felt I looked younger. I got compliments from friends asking what I did differently with my makeup. I recommend it." — Placeholder Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in two shades). 7. I Dew Care dry shampoo powder — it'll help revive limp, greasy hair and add some much-needed volume. It's a hypoallergenic powder that absorbs oil, sweat, and dirt so locks stay fresh longer! BTW, this is cruelty-free! It's suitable for all hair types, too. Get a look at how it's used on TikTok . Promising review: "I can finally skip a day or two between washes!! I’ve tried so many dry shampoos, from drug store to salon and none of them really worked for me. I can apply this product very sparingly along my part and easily skip a shampoo without being self-conscious or having an itchy scalp. Must have for oily hair ." — Dino Get it from Amazon for $18 (available in six shades and in multipacks). 8. A ~wonder~ful balm for resolving just about any persistent skin condition you've been plagued with. Whether it's ringworm, athlete's foot, jock itch, or plain old dry skin, this may be the solution you've been searching for since *last* year. Read more about tea tree oil: how it can help with athlete's foot from Mayo Clinic and jock itch from Cleveland Clinic . Promising review: "I cannot believe the difference this product has made. I’ve seen a dermatologist for a rash on my armpits for over a year now with no answers, no solutions, nothing. They’ve prescribed me topical creams, steroids, and antibiotics. I’ve even had two biopsies with no relief. I finally came across this stuff. The first day I used this I had relief. My symptoms were a red, EXTREMELY itchy rash in both armpits. I’m talking itchy like to the point where I could not sleep at night. It was awful. The next day I could feel and see that it helped. I was still unsure if it would actually do anything to resolve the problem entirely, but I decided I’d do an experiment and continue to use it on one armpit only so I could test the difference. The relief was unbelievable. It has been awful to not put it on my other armpit as well but I wanted to hold out until I got the stitches out so I could show the doctor the difference. If you have a weird rash that you can’t seem to find relief from, I would recommend giving this a shot. I’m so glad I did." — Jackie Get it from Amazon for $36.32 . 9. A bottle of professional-grade callus-removing gel if you desire downright mesmerizing results in a matter of minutes . The best part? You won't have to pay for a very unpleasant visit to the nail salon. Just presoak feet, apply the gel, let sit for 5–10 minutes, and rinse! It's recommended you go back in afterward with a foot file just to make sure no residue or dead skin is left behind. Promising review: "Best product I've ever got from Amazon. This thing is really what everyone said it is: MAGIC. I cannot believe after one use the results of my callouses, just years and years of pain, shaved down without any surgical treatment! WOW! I seriously have no words. If I could give this product 1Mil stars, I would. If you’re someone who’s had horrible calloused feet for years, PLEASE BUY THIS!" — Jess Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three styles and in packs of two). 10. And a foot file so you can finish the job and swap crusty feet for baby-soft ones. All you have to do is rub this file back and forth on your feet and watch the dead skin fall right off! Promising review: "BEST THING EVER! It's a MUST-HAVE! I have the WORST dry heels. It doesn’t matter if I wear socks all the time I always get dry heals. Bought this thinking it would work pretty average or similar to others I had used. I was sooo wrong. It is literally the most amazing product ever. It works SO WELL! Usually, it takes me a good 15–20 minutes at least to achieve somewhat of a soft heal . Enter this, it took me five minutes tops. I’ve never had softer feet! It honestly works even better than going to get a pedicure professionally. Seriously so happy I found this." — Mickenzie Get it from Amazon for $9.99 . 11. A "why didn't I try this sooner?" teeth-whitening pen to help you leave stubborn wine, coffee, and tea stains in 2024, where they belong. It's painless, effective, *and* mint-flavored! Promising review: "I have extremely sensitive teeth from over-whitening in high school but this product has been such a lifesaver! I am a daily black coffee and red wine [drinker] so my teeth have taken a toll as far as staining goes. Seriously, I was very hesitant on getting this because of how sensitive my teeth are but I wish I got it sooner! This is such a great product! " — Mimi Doherty Get a two-pack from Amazon for $18.95 . 12. A two-pack of "flossing toothbrushes" when you wanna remove those annoying food particles stuck between your teeth. These not-so-ordinary brushes have multilayer bristles that act as strong pieces of floss to get in there REAL good. Mouthwatchers is a small business established by Ronald Plotka, DDS, that specializes in antimicrobial toothbrushes designed to get deeper cleans that even patients with "great" dental hygiene might miss with traditional brush and floss routines. Here's what my colleague Emma Lord has to say: "I love it just after the first few days of use! I use an electric toothbrush usually, but I feel like I'm getting a much more satisfying clean from these?? Especially because I tend to get yellow stains between my teeth no matter *how* much I floss, and these bristles seem to actually target that a lot more effectively." Promising review: "I'm amazed at how well this toothbrush cleans my teeth — it definitely gets between the teeth and also more importantly for me, gets in the small, deep crevices in my molars where I always have food stuck and regular toothbrushes couldn't get stuff out. I brush more often (after meals/snacks) because of how effective it is. As stated, definitely go easy around the gums. The bristles feel soft, but will cause your gums to bleed if you use regular pressure. Nice and easy does the trick, SO WELL!" — Jason A. Get a pair from Amazon for $9.90 (also available as a four-pack ). 13. A facial hair trimmer for anyone who is done enduring the slow agony of tweezers. Now you can remove unwanted hair in one fell swoop! If you're someone who prefers no facial hair, this electric trimmer will get the job done quickly and painlessly. Promising review: "I am beside myself with this purchase!! I bought it hoping it would at least somewhat work, as so many don't. This is absolutely perfection! It works well, it's quiet, small, easy to take with you if you so desire, and most importantly...IT WORKS!!! I'm a soon-to-be-65-year-old woman who has hair where I never did before, most annoying. This gets rid of it. I used it again a couple of days later and what I am finding is that I need to use it less and less . Really cool!" — Sandy E'Bell Get it from Amazon for $17+ (available in five colors). 14. Or these tiny dermaplaning razors that'll help eliminate stray hairs or peach fuzz *and* reduce the chances of missing a spot. They leave your skin feeling silky-smooth, which allows for smooth, seamless makeup application! Promising review: "Amazing!! So easy to use. My skin is soooooo smooth after. I love the cap you can place on it when doing your eyebrows so you protect your eyelashes. I mainly use it for eyebrows and upper lip. I wish I would have bought these sooner!!! " — Colleen Get a three-pack from Amazon for $5.20 (also available in packs of nine). 15. Medicated, waterproof bandages you can use to address the maddening warts you've been struggling with for most of the year. Apply the medicated pads like bandages and they'll help shrink it. Replace every 48 hours until the growth goes POOF! More than 38,000 reviewers agree this is 5-star quality stuff. Promising review: "More than six years with a large, sometimes painful plantar wart on the bottom of my foot. The doctor tried freezing. I tried apple cider vinegar, aspirin, freezing at home, over and over again...nothing worked. Never showing the bottom of my feet, refusing to get a pedicure with the girls, and so, so embarrassed. It felt as if I was doomed to have it for forever; it was resistant to everything. Literally six years of fighting it, and on a whim I tried these because of the good reviews. ONE APPLICATION. I wore the bandage overnight. I didn’t think it did anything, but a few days later, the wart just came off. I know it’s silly to be so emotional over a stupid wart, but I’m telling you, I nearly cried. I’ve never been so happy with a product in my life. Highly, highly recommend giving these a try if you’ve got stubborn plantar warts." — Liz Dube Get a 14-pack from Amazon for $7.49 (available in three styles). 16. An anti-bacterial butt acne-clearing lotion because your bum needs some lovin' too! This formula is rich in tea tree oil to help soothe and prevent future breakouts. Trust me, your cheeks will thank you. Read more about tea tree oil and acne at Cleveland Clinic . Apply this gentle treatment 3–4 times a day or 4–6 times if the situation is more serious. Promising review: "I’ve used this product for about two months now. I try to remember to apply at least twice a day. Not only is the skin clearer, but the overall texture is much smoother and softer. I highly recommend giving this lotion a try." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (also available as a two-pack). 17. Mighty Patches , which are ~tiny but mighty~ and can help draw the gunk out of annoying zits. Stick one on at bedtime and behold the amazing results upon waking. Reviewers also love that you can hardly tell you're wearing one! BuzzFeed Shopping editor Amanda Davis tried these and says: "I've tried various (countless 😅) pimple patches in the past and The Mighty Patch definitely takes the cake. I stick it on and honestly forget that it's even there. The adhesive is strong, so it stays on during my tossing and turning at night , but I often wear it during the day, too! I work from home, and it's not noticeable during my video calls which I truly, truly appreciate. I begin seeing the gunk from my zits after 2–3 hours of having it covered, but I leave it on for at least the full six . When it's removed, it's like the healing time was sped up and what would've taken a couple of days took just HOURS." Be sure to read the full Mighty Pimple Patch review for more deets! Promising review: "These little patches are a miracle worker. When I feel a pimple coming on, I slap one of these on and leave it on overnight and the next day it's gone before it's even started. Also have used them on full-blown breakouts and it shortens the healing time. A must-have ." — Chris C. Get a 36-pack from Amazon for $12.99 . 18. And some overnight hydrocolloid nose patches so you can win the battle against excess oil, irritating pimples, and enlarged pores. You'll get immense satisfaction from peeling off the patch to reveal all the stuff that was clinging to your skin. Promising review: "I use these nose patches on my actual nose, my forehead, and my chin because I have very oily skin, and WHEW do they draw out the gross gunk in my pores. My skin feels AMAZING after I use them!!" — Lillie Blanton Get a seven-pack from Amazon for $9.98 . 19. Mielle's (TikTok-famous) Rosemary Mint strengthening oil — this biotin-infused formula can help strengthen, smooth split ends, and hydrate dry scalps if healthier hair is on your 2025 Bingo card. It promotes growth at the root and is perf for 3A–4C hair types. Reviewers swear by it for eyebrows, too! According to the Cleveland Clinic , some researchers have found rosemary oil to be as effective at encouraging hair growth as Rogaine! And read more about how biotin could help with the fullness of hair at Cleveland Clinic . Promising reviews: "Legit magic in a bottle. Wish I could order this stuff by the gallon. Took a chance on this because I was desperate, having already spent so much money on luxury and drugstore products with little results. I use this as a pre-treatment on scalp and ends before I wash hair. Scalp has improved dramatically. I feel like there’s not as much breakage/fallout, and my ends are fuller. (This is after like six months, but my scalp was better immediately.)" — Claire Blanchard I hardly write reviews.. but this one deserves to be written about!! My hair was falling out a LOT, and somehow just with the FIRST application onwards, I started seeing less fall. And now, after four months, I can see hair growth as well, and my hair is already looking thicker!! And I’ve been using it only once a week.. just a few drops and massaging in. Omg, how can anything be so simple and yet so effective!!! Amazing! Amazing!!! Whoever invented this.. hats off!!" — Dee Get it from Amazon for $9.68 20. Or a sulfate-free Biotin shampoo , which uses botanical extracts to help thicken and hydrate your hair if that's your preference. It also clarifies and removes product buildup! If you're not a fan of taking supplements and hoping it'll fix thinning hair, try this! Talk to your doctor before using this product if you're experiencing hair loss. Read more about how biotin shampoo could help with the fullness of hair at Cleveland Clinic . Maple Holistics is a small business that specializes in beauty products with all-natural ingredients. Promising review: "I love this shampoo! I had gastric sleeve surgery and my hair was very, very thin. I started taking biotin and switched to biotin shampoo as recommended by my doctor. It doesn’t make your hair grow by washing it but it makes your hair and roots stronger. And it worked. After using the whole bottle, my hair was stronger. I had a lot of new growth that was sticking around (the previous new growth fell out early on) and my hair was getting thicker. Eight months later, my hair is back to normal. It's longer and thicker than ever. I still use it twice a week and love it! I’m not in love with the way it smells but others love it when they smell my hair." — Diane J. Huff Get the value size bottle from Amazon for $32.95 (also available in smaller sizes and as a two-pack). 21. Kojic Acid Dark Spot Remover Soap with truly magical results that'll leave your jaw on the floor. It uses hyaluronic acid, shea butter, vitamin E, and Castile olive oil to hydrate and soothe skin while minimizing dark spots, sun damage, and blemishes. Promising review: "I got this in hopes of lightening my dark inner thighs. It’s been a month of using the bar every time I shower and I see drastic results already. I was a bit suspicious if this would actually work, but if you are on the fence please take this as a sign to get it and try it out. I’m so excited to see how I look in a few months from now because this thing works and it works fast!" — puppbear Get a two-pack from Amazon for $14.99 (also available in larger multipacks). 22. Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil for results you can *actually* see. This stuff removes all traces of makeup and sucks sebum from your pores so that your skin is visibly clearer and smoother. If squashing clogged pores is your top priority for the year ahead, this stuff is for you! BTW, a lot of reviewers say they use this as part of their double cleansing routine. As the name implies, double cleansing is a method of cleansing your face twice: first with an oil-based cleanser, and again with a water-based cleanser to help get all the yucky stuff out of your pores. Promising review: "This product is incredible. After one use, I noticed a difference. I am so impressed with it. I don’t know what kind of sorcery this is, but I am happy it exists. If you’ve been buying products to get rid of blackheads and nothing is working, this will make you very happy." — A Promising review: "I can't live without this cleansing oil; it's magic in a bottle. This is the only thing that's been able to clear the sebaceous filaments on my nose after consistent use daily!! It also helps the milia/filaments under my eyes! LOVE ITTTTT WHO LET ME LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT DOUBLE CLEANSING AT NIGHT" — Sarah Coleman Get it from Amazon for $17.69 . 23. Demora's foot exfoliation mask when you're ready to treat your feet to the gift of super smooth skin — no more rough calluses causing you grief. Put 'em on, get comfy for an hour, then get ready for the big reveal. Check it out in action on TikTok ! With these foot mask "socks," you just slide them onto your feet, leave them on for an hour to let the gel soak into your feet, and you should start to see the dead skin peel away within 6–11 days (with remarkably softer feet in two weeks!). Promising review: "I placed this order after seeing it everywhere on TikTok... and boy am I glad I tried it! I was initially skeptical of trying anything on my feet.. and let’s be honest, the peeling feet pictures are not for the weak :) .. but oddly extremely satisfying. I soaked my feet in the bag for an hour as instructed (super easy to use) ... two weeks later, BOOM baby soft feet...10/10 would recommend!! " — Alma Elias Get two pairs from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two scents and as a single pair). 24. Seamless bra liners because even though it's a perfectly normal bodily function, there's nothing fun about boob sweat. These are made from a soft cotton and bamboo blend to help absorb moisture and prevent discomfort from painful underwire. Promising review: "This is one of those things that I wish I'd found years earlier. I've suffered from mortifying stress-induced under-boob sweat for most of my adult life. Also, I'm a lifelong Seattle girl who gets upset when it's warmer than 65 degrees outside. So when I stumbled upon this product, I was curious enough to buy a small pack. And yes, I've come back for MORE! For real, I won't put on a bra without one of these liners now. It absorbs all the moisture from heat and stress. And because it's a really soft bamboo/cotton mix, my skin is finally not feeling tortured under there! To the makers of this ingenious life-changing product: thank you, thank you, thank you! Sincerely, all the grateful ta-tas you've helped to care for" — Niko Get a three-pack from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in women's sizes M–XXL and two color combos). 25. Or some “bust dust” anti-boob-sweat powder so you can leave unwanted wetness in the ~dust~ just in time for 2025. This talc-fee powder contains lavender and chamomile for a soothing, sprayable solution that reduces boob sweat. Megababe is a woman-owned small business! Promising review: “Lifesaver! I wear a very full D cup and this saves me during the summer months. Needless to say, the Florida heat is unrelenting and I cannot live without this Bust Dust. It definitely does the trick to keep my bra dry!” — wenb Get it from Ulta or Megababe for $16, or from Amazon for $15.97 . 26. A stainless-steel blackhead spatula if you wish you could experience that post-facial glow a lil' more often without actually paying for a pricey facial — problem solved! This tool can help unclog pores via high-frequency vibrations. Each cycle lasts for five minutes before it automatically turns off. Bonus: Your skincare products will be better absorbed after using it! See it in action on TikTok ! My colleague Negesti Kaudo uses this : "I got a facial a couple of years ago and I could tell something was different about my extractions, so I asked the aesthetician to write down the name of the product. I went home and immediately bought this! I LOVE IT. I love it more than any other skincare tool that I own. This thing gets gunk out like nothing I've ever tried before, and the first time I used it, I was absolutely disgusted. But I kept on using it. I don't have much acne, but I do have oily combination skin and visibly clogged pores, so this has been a lifesaver when I don't have time to visit an aesthetician. You have to use it while your face is still wet, so after washing your face or even using toner, and you just start scraping. Make sure you have a paper towel near (and maybe a camera) because you will be amazed and disgusted all at once, but you will literally never stop using. I use mine every other day to once a week if I'm having skincare issues, but it also does a great job with monthly use (it's just much grosser)! I follow mine up with Clinique's Clarifying Lotion 3 and Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel !" Promising review: "Don't doubt it, a staple in skincare. I got this little device from a TikTok and decided to give it a try. I never knew I needed it until the first time I tried it. The vibrations magically bring up all the stubborn blackheads you can’t reach with just your fingers, especially if you have acrylics like me. " — Paige Chaney Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in three colors). 27. Bio-Oil — it has such a long list of benefits, you'll never run out of uses for it! It can help even your skin tone, fade stretch marks, and reduce the appearance of acne scars. It absorbs super quickly so it won't feel heavy or greasy, either. Promising review: "What kind of sorcery is this? I used this for the first time last night on some recent acne scars, and I'm in utter shock. They look like they've been healing for weeks.... this stuff must be made of pixie dust or something. It's way too good to be true. From now on, I will be putting this all over my skin before bed every night! I don't even care if it means washing my sheets more often — SO WORTH IT!" — Julia Richardson Get it from Amazon for $11.04+ (available in two sizes). 28. Veet's sensitive hair removal gel because removing excess hair doesn't have to be the most tedious task in the world. This hydrating cream gently removes hair and helps reduce the chance of painful ingrowns. Apply evenly, wait 5 to 10 minutes, remove it with the spatula, then rinse. It comes with a spatula for removing the cream! Promising review: "I have been looking for a good hair removal for my sensitive skin & this one is perfect. It has a great odor and leaves my skin feeling smooth and silky. It does not burn my skin at all even when I leave it on for 15 minutes or more. This is definitely my new hair removal cream. I will recommend this one to everyone." — Crystal Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (also available as a two-pack). 29. A blackhead scrub stick that can help get rid of sebum and other impurities so you can start the year off with squeaky-clean pores. After cleansing, rub it on your face to exfoliate *and* eliminate stubborn blackheads and whiteheads! Psst! TikTokers love this thing! Promising review: " Years of stubborn whiteheads and blackheads gone after a few uses! I wish I had bought this sooner! I’ve been struggling with deep whiteheads and blackheads on my chin and nose for years. I get monthly facials with microdermabrasion and it barely helps. After about a week's worth of use out of this, they are finally coming to the surface and can be extracted!" — Allie Get it from Amazon for $12.50 . 30. An exfoliating scrub mitt for ~super smooth~ skin without harsh chemicals or rough dry brushes. Regular exfoliation is great for reducing other infuriating probs, like bumps and ingrown hairs — consider these issues officially squashed! Promising review: "I have always used body scrubs, so many different kinds and brands. When using this mitt I didn't see much dead skin but I wasn't expecting to since I consistently use body scrub. After using this mitt my skin has never felt softer or smoother. I wish I found this sooner, I would have saved a lot of money not buying scrubs. This is a wonderful price for a wonderful product. If it is in your cart buy it now!!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (also available in packs of two). 31. Stila's One-Step Color-Correcting Facial Serum , which may help even your skin tone and brighten your complexion by combining a heavenly blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants with color theory. (Peach negates purple dark circles, green negates splotchy redness, etc.) Bye-bye, redness and dark spots!! The reviewer above used this facial serum to cover up a bad sunburn! Promising review: "I think this is a wonderful product and I highly recommend it to anyone who fights facial redness. I sometimes wear it alone, but under cream foundation and light powder it works even better. I was totally amazed at how much it evened out my skin tone! And honestly I didn't think it could be done." — Chris Get it from Amazon for $30.60 (available in four shades). 32. Lumify Eye Drops because redness and irritation are sooo 2024. Reviewers praise this TikTok-famous product for its ability to *instantly* reduce redness and provide dry eye relief. (No seriously, it's the #1 dry eye relief product on Amazon for a reason!) Learn more about different kinds of eye drops and what they can do at Cleveland Clinic . Note that eye drops can potentially mask symptoms of eye conditions, so you should talk to your eye doctor about what's right for you. And according to Mayo Clinic , you should avoid redness-reducing drops if you're looking for dry eye relief. Check out a TikTok of the eye drops in action. Promising review: "I have a big spot of blood vessels in the inner corner of my left eye. I use the expensive lubricant eye drops for moisture — I've used Visine, Clear Eyes, you name it . No eye drop has made my eyes look this great. Only Lumify! I was soo happy when I looked in the mirror and saw some beauty in my eyes instead of darkness and redness." — Angela Leonard Get it from Amazon for $11.37 33. A reviewer-beloved anti-dandruff shampoo to help keep your hair free of those bothersome flakes you want to be free of. Apply it to wet hair, lather it up real good, then rinse thoroughly. This shampoo was designed to work for sensitive scalps, color-dyed, and chemically processed hair, as well as for all hair types and textures, with reviewers with 3b – 4c curls mentioning it worked for them. Promising review : "I saw this product from a TikTok video . I was hesitant. I have been dealing with dandruff for almost 10 years, fortunately not that heavy but enough where it was embarrassing. I tried everything. Leave in conditioner, tea tree oil, Head and Shoulders, etc. One brand did work for a couple of days but that's it. But this product has worked EFFECTIVELY. Dandruff-free for two months so far. Can leave your hair feeling a little dry so just use conditioner and it will balance out. If other products aren't working for you with dandruff I can confidently recommend this one." — Martin C. Get it from Amazon for $15.88 . 34. Truremedy Naturals Remedy Tea Tree Oil Body Wash made with aloe, mint, and tea tree soap for lessening those common skin irritations that won't quit like rashes, acne, and dry or cracked skin. It also smells absolutely wonderful on account of the coconut, olive, and jojoba oils! Read more about tea tree oil and how it can help with acne at Mayo Clinic . Promising reviews: "I have been struggling with tinea versicolor for over a year now and have not found anything to soothe the itching/pain that comes with it other than this. I have only been using the body wash for about a week and it’s made an enormous difference! I have tried prescription creams, medicated lotions, etc. but I have never had results like this! Such good stuff. 10/10 recommend" — Blackburn's "I wanted to wait to review after two weeks of use. I’ve noticed that my usual BO at the end of the day is now nonexistent. My back and chest acne have cleared up. I haven’t gotten any ingrown hairs or experienced any re-growth itching on my bikini line. This thing is magic in a bottle and I wished I had found it sooner! " — xXSUXx Get it from Amazon for $14.99 . 35. A nail strengthening cream so you can repair short, brittle nails that chipped and broke on you *countless* times throughout the year. This cream is rich in calcium, jojoba oil, and vitamins to help strengthen nails, condition cuticles, and promote growth. Promising review: "My natural nails are thin and brittle, and have a tendency to split, peel, and break. Consequently, I wore acrylic nails for several years until I got tired of leaving so much money at the nail salon. When I soaked off the acrylics, my nails were, of course, worse than ever, and nothing I tried seemed to restore them to even their original condition until I found Hard as Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream. I rub this into my cuticles and nail beds several times a day and after two months my nails are hard and much thicker with no breaking or splitting. For the first time since I took off the acrylics, my nails are growing past my fingertips. This cream is a keeper, just ordered my second jar and I'll never again be without it." — M. Hill Get it from Amazon for $8.88 . 36. A nose hair wax kit that'll quickly remove rogue nostril hairs *without* it leading to a face full of tears. It has everything you need to remove the hair and keep it gone for up to four weeks. Take that, infuriating nose hairs! Note : The hairs in your nose play an important role in filtering out harmful debris. But of course, it's your body and if you want to wax your nose hairs you're more than welcome to — just be careful as removing nose hairs can lead to infection and ingrown hairs. Read more about it at the Cleveland Clinic . You'll get 100 grams of nose wax beads, 30 wax applicators, 10 mustache protectors, a measuring cup, and 10 paper cups at your disposal. Promising review: "I highly recommend this product. The instructions were super easy to follow, and it worked perfectly! I was a little nervous to pull the sticks out once the two minutes were up; however, it didn't even hurt. I expected it to hurt momentarily and my eyes to water, but neither was true! If you wanna get rid of them pesky nose hairs...snag this product!!!" — Julie J. Get it from Amazon for $15.99 . 37. A set of silicone Kegel weights if 2025 is the year you take charge of your health down there . It's great for Kegel newbies and can help with incontinence, especially if you've given birth recently. It's also ideal for anyone who wants more enjoyable *and* less painful sex. Intimate Rose is a small biz creating wellness products, like dilators, weights, supplements, and more that help treat issues and pain related to the pelvic floor. Promising review: "Since starting, my bladder control has significantly improved. I am now able to sneeze or cough without peeing myself. Yes, that's right. I am able to hold my pee longer, which means I can actually make it to the bathroom without dribbling on myself. The best part is that just a few short weeks into the program you will have results you can feel. I think every woman who has ever had kids should try this, out. The overall quality of my life has improved. Ditch your panty liners, stop the embarrassing dribbles, no more dashes to the restroom because of a weak bladder. Even my sex life has improved; I have control of those pelvic muscles now. Just remember to wash the weights before and after each use with an antibacterial spray, and allow time to air dry before putting them away. I say air dry because if you wipe them dry with a cloth you run the risk of giving yourself a bladder infection or urinary tract infection, and those are no laughing matter. Easy to use, easy to clean, stores away quickly." — Julie Tauber Get a set of six weights from Amazon for $49.98 . 38. A stainless-steel tongue scraper to help conquer stale breath and leave your mouth with a fresh, clean feeling. No one will be offering you an unsolicited stick of gum anytime soon! Promising review: "Embarrassingly Gross. Never had any idea what I’d pull off my tongue each morning... I’ll save you the details – but surprised it took me into my mid-40s to discover [this]. Every human who brushes their teeth needs one... [it] has already helped my breath." — L. Utton Get a two-pack from Amazon for $8.99 . 39. And for good measure, an alcohol-free oral rinse , which can assist in the fight against bad breath for 24 hours and doesn't have a super strong taste that lingers. Put down the mints and pick up the rinse! Just swish a capful for a minute and gargle for 30 seconds after you're done brushing your teeth in the morning and night. Promising review: "I'm actually a dentist who often has bad breath, which is not a good combination. My oral hygiene is great (tongue scraping, brushing, flossing, etc.), but I have allergies and constantly have a bit of post-nasal drip, which contributes to the bad breath. While this stuff isn't perfect, and my breath doesn't stay fresh all day, it is definitely the longest-lasting product I have tried so far. It is the first thing I have tried that still gives me that minty feeling when I breathe deep 4–6 hours after using it. Will definitely be buying again." — Alex Get a two-pack from Amazon for $15.34 (also available in mild mint ). And if you need more convincing, check out our in-depth review of TheraBreath oral rinse ! 40. An easy-to-use ear washer bottle — a safe *and* effective cleaning method for anyone who struggles with ear wax buildup, blockages, and impaction. Now you can manage this persistent problem at home instead of avoiding it for another 12 months! The kit includes the washer bottle and three disposable tips. Using it is simple: Fill the bottle with your preferred ear cleaning solution, attach the disposable tip, and then spray the cleaner into your ear. This will loosen up wax and cause it to basically just fall right out of your ear! Doctor Easy started 20 years ago with the invention of the Elephant Ear Washer by a doctor who saw the need for a better method of treating patients’ earwax impactions. Promising review: "Gross photos. My husband has had a lot of earwax impaction problems in his life and up until this point we have paid to have a professional take care of it. But recently, he suddenly lost about 80% of his hearing and just couldn't wait for an appointment so we bought this item. From the reviews I have read it was a particularly easy solution for my husband. Nasty huge chunks start falling out after just a couple of squirts. Cleared everything out, no problem. Highly recommend." — Tea Get it from Amazon for $29.50 . 41. Or an earwax removal kit made with carbamide peroxide so you can draw out stubborn wax. The results may make ya queasy, but you'll think twice about sticking cotton swabs in your ear again! Promising review: "Folks. Buy it. This is like head lice treatment. If you are looking at it and thinking about it, YOU NEED IT. And this stuff. Is. Awesome. Literally chunks of ear wax came out of my ear holes the SIZE OF CORN KERNELS. Where was this coming from? Why is my body making so much wax? Where was it being stored, because I did NOT think ear canals were that spacious, but apparently there are some storage closets in there or something because HOLY MARY MOTHER OF GOD the ear nuggets are real. My ears feel so squeaky clean! And get this, my hair makes sounds. Like I put it up in a hair tie afterward, and I could HEAR MY HAIR MOVING ON MY HEAD. What is that?! Seriously?! If you also did not know that moving hair creates a sound, you need to buy this product ASAP." — Samantha Get it from Amazon for $6.48 (also available as a two-pack). 42. O'Keeffe's Lip Repair that'll help repair the dry, cracked, and/or chapped lips you've been dealing with. If you're already familiar with the brand's famous Working Hands cream, you know it's the real deal. Why not give your pout the same royal treatment while you sleep? Promising review: "When I travel, my lips get so chapped! It's painful. I found this product when I searched for something for extremely chapped lips. I've used other O'Keeffe's products so I trusted the brand. I used this as directed in the morning and before bed, and my lips healed up faster than ever. Also, on the next trip I went on, I took it with me and used it daily. My lips stayed healthy and didn't get chapped at all. This stuff is magic, and I won't go anywhere without it now." — Anna C. Adams Get it from Amazon for $10.84 (also available as a two-pack). 43. First Aid Beauty's KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub Exfoliant to leave you with the smooth, healthy skin you've always dreamed of. No more dry patches or bumps killing your vibe in 2025! Reviewers with keratosis pilaris and other similar skin textures swear by it. Promising review: " I am sorry that I did not discover this years ago! I have ordered two of them by mistake and it’s one of my best mistakes. I have had the ingrown hair issue on my legs for years now, which causes the 'strawberry legs' issue as well. I’ve been using once a week for a month now and my legs have never seen a smoother day before! It is incredible. I apply it on my legs and scrub it with my bare hands a little bit, then I continue doing it with the scrubbing side of my sponge for a couple of minutes. I’m scared to stop using it. I don’t want to go back to my old legs!" — Eylote Get it from Amazon for $9.60+ (available in four sizes and in packs of two). Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.Opposition fighters are at Damascus' gates. Who are they and what now?The NBA got viewers for Christmas, even while going up against NFL games. The NBA's five-game Christmas lineup was the league's most-watched in five years, with the games averaging about 5.25 million viewers per game across ABC, ESPN and its platforms, the league said Thursday based on Nielsen's preliminary numbers. It's an 84% rise over the NBA's Christmas numbers from 2023. The Los Angeles Lakers’ 115-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors — a game pitting Olympic teammates LeBron James and Stephen Curry — averaged 7.76 million viewers and peaked with about 8.32 million viewers toward the end of the contest, the league said. Those numbers represent the most-watched NBA regular season game in five years. “I love the NFL,” James said in his televised postgame interview Wednesday night. “But Christmas is our day.” The NBA said all five Christmas games on its schedule — San Antonio at New York in Victor Wembanyama's holiday debut, Minnesota at Dallas, Philadelphia at Boston, Denver at Phoenix and Lakers-Warriors — saw year-over-year viewership increases. Wednesday's numbers pushed NBA viewership for the season across ESPN platforms to up 4% over last season. The league also saw more than 500 million video views on its social media platforms Wednesday, a new record. For the NBA, those are all good signs amid cries that NBA viewership is hurting. “Ratings are down a bit at beginning of the season. But cable television viewership is down double digits so far this year versus last year," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said earlier this month. “You know, we’re almost at the inflection point where people are watching more programing on streaming than they are on traditional television. And it’s a reason why for our new television deals, which we enter into next year, every game is going to be available on a streaming service.” Part of that new package of television deals that the NBA is entering into next season also increases the number of regular season games broadcast on television from 15 to 75.

Lisa Simpson once said during an episode of “The Simpsons:” What could be more exciting than the savage ballet that is pro football? On Monday night, the entire Simpsons universe gets to experience it in a way not many could have imagined. The prime-time matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys will also take place at Springfield’s Atoms Stadium as part of “The Simpsons Funday Football” alternate broadcast. The altcast will be streamed on ESPN+, Disney+, and NFL+ (on mobile devices). ESPN and ABC have the main broadcast, while ESPN2 will carry the final “ManningCast” of the regular season. The replay will be available on Disney+ for 30 days. Globally, more than 145 countries will have access to either live or on replay. “We’re such huge football fans, and the Simpsons audience and the football audience, I feel, are like the same audience of just American families and football. And the Simpsons are so much a part of the DNA of the American family and culture that for us to, like, mush them together in this crazy video game, it’s so fun,” said Matt Selman, executive producer of “The Simpsons.” While the game is the focal point, the alternate broadcast, in some ways, will resemble a three-hour episode of “The Simpsons.” It starts with Homer eating too many hot dogs and having a dream while watching football. Homer joins the Cowboys in the dream while Bart teams up with the Bengals. Lisa and Marge will be sideline reporters. “That’s the beginning of the story, and the story continues through the entire game until Homer wakes up from his dream at the end of the game. It is like a complete story, and the NFL game will happen in between. It’s just going to be an amazing presentation with tons of surprises,” said Michael “Spike” Szykowny, ESPN’s VP of edit and animation. This is the second year ESPN has done an alternate broadcast for an NFL game. It used the characters from “Toy Story” for last year’s Sunday morning game from London between the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars. “The Simpsons” has featured many sports-themed episodes during its 35 seasons. Even though “Homer at the Bat” remains the consensus favorite sports episode for many Simpsons fans, there have been football ones such as “Bart Star” and “Lisa The Greek.” There also was a Super Bowl-themed one after Fox’s broadcast of Super Bowl 33 between Denver and Atlanta in 1999. Even though “The Simpsons” remains a staple on Fox’s prime-time schedule, it is part of the Disney family after their acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019. All 35 seasons are on Disney+. The show’s creators have worked with ESPN and the NFL to make sure the look and sound is definitely Simpsonsesque. The theme song is a mash-up of “The Simpsons” opening and “Monday Night Football’s” iconic “Heavy Action.” There have also been pre-recorded skits and bits to use during the broadcast featuring Simpson’s legendary voices Hank Azaria, Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, and Yeardley Smith. The telecast will be entirely animated, with the players’ movements in sync with what is happening in real-time on the field. That is done through player-tracking data enabled by the NFL’s Next Gen Stats system and Sony’s Beyond Sports Technology. While Next Gen Stats tracks where players are on the field with a tracking chip in the shoulder pads, there is skeletal data tracking and limb tracking data — which uses 29 points per player — to get closer to the player’s movements. The other data tracking will allow Beyond Sports and Disney to add special characters to the game. For example, there might be a play where Lisa catches the ball and goes 30 yards instead of Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins. “Lisa is much smaller than the rest of the players. So, in real life, the ball would go over her head, but now, with data processing, we can take the ball and make it go exactly into her hands. So for the viewer, it still looks believable, and it all makes sense,” said Beyond Sports co-founder Nicolaas Westerhof. The other major challenge is making “The Simpsons” two-dimensional cartoon characters into 3-D simulations. Szykowny and his team worked to make that a reality over the past couple of months. “That’s a big leap of faith for them to say, hey, we trust you to make our characters 3-D and work with it. Our ESPN creative studio team has done a wonderful job,” Szykowny said. Lisa, Krusty, Nelson, Milhouse and Ralph will be with Bart and the Bengals; while Carl, Barney, Lenny and Moe join up with with Homer and the Cowboys. The broadcast will also feature ESPN personalities Stephen A. Smith, Peyton Manning and Eli Manning. ESPN’s Drew Carter, Mina Kimes and Dan Orlovsky will call the game from Bristol, Connecticut, and also be animated. They will wear Meta Quest Pro headsets to experience the game from Springfield using VR technology. For Kimes, being part of the broadcast and being an animated Simpsons character is a dream come true. She is a massive fan of the show and has a framed photo of Lisa Simpson — who she said is a personal hero and icon — as part of her backdrop when she makes appearances on ESPN NFL shows from her home in Los Angeles. “I didn’t have any input, and I didn’t see anything beforehand, so I wasn’t sure if it would look like me, but it kind of does, which is very funny,” said Kimes, who drew Simpsons characters when she was a kid. “To see the actual staff turn me into one was a dream.” Even though the Bengals (4-8) and Cowboys (5-7) have struggled this season, Selman thinks both teams have personalities that appeal to “The Simpsons” universe. “We were just so lucky also that the Cowboys are sort of like a Homer Simpson-type team, American team, and Mike McCarthy might be a Homer-type guy, one might imagine,” he said. ”And then you have Joe Burrow on the other side who is a cool young, spiky-haired, blonde bad boy -- he’s like Bart. And that fits our character archetypes so perfectly. “If Homer is mad at Bart and has a hot dog dream while watching ’Monday Night Football’, and then it’s basically McCarthy versus Burrow, Homer versus Bart, and that’s the simple father versus son strangling — Homer strangling Bart dynamic that has been part of the show for 35 years. I don’t know if that would have worked as well if it was like Titans versus Jacksonville. We would have found something. We would have made it work.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Beloved McDonald's wraps to return in 2025, company president confirms

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LPL Financial LLC (“LPL Financial”), a wholly owned subsidiary of LPL Financial Holdings Inc. ( Nasdaq: LPLA ) (the “Company”), today released its monthly activity report for October 2024. Total advisory and brokerage assets at the end of October were $1.67 trillion, an increase of $81.2 billion, or 5.1%, compared to the end of September 2024. Total net new assets for October were $96.6 billion, which included $88.0 billion of acquired net new assets resulting from the acquisition of Atria Wealth Solutions, Inc. (“Atria”) and $0.3 billion of acquired net new assets resulting from Liquidity & Succession activity. Total organic net new assets for October were $8.3 billion, translating to a 6.2% annualized growth rate. This included $1.0 billion of assets that off-boarded as part of the previously disclosed planned separation from misaligned large OSJs. Excluding these assets, organic net new assets were $9.3 billion, translating to a 7.0% annualized growth rate. Total organic net new advisory assets were $8.8 billion, translating to a 11.9% annualized growth rate. Excluding the off-boarded assets from misaligned large OSJs, total organic net new advisory assets were $9.1 billion, translating to a 12.2% annualized growth rate. Total client cash balances at the end of October were $48.3 billion, an increase of $2.5 billion compared to the end of September 2024. This included $2.3 billion resulting from the acquisition of Atria. Net buying in October was $12.5 billion. Note: Totals may not foot due to rounding. (1) During the first quarter of 2024, the Company updated its definition of client cash account balances to exclude other client payables. Prior period disclosures have been updated to reflect this change as applicable. For additional information regarding these and other LPL Financial business metrics, please refer to the Company’s most recent earnings announcement , which is available in the quarterly results section of investor.lpl.com . Contacts Investor Relations investor.relations@lplfinancial.com Media Relations media.relations@lplfinancial.com About LPL Financial LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LPLA) is among the fastest growing wealth management firms in the U.S. As a leader in the financial advisor-mediated marketplace, LPL supports more than 28,000 financial advisors and the wealth management practices of approximately 1,200 financial institutions, servicing and custodying approximately $1.7 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets on behalf of approximately 6 million Americans. The firm provides a wide range of advisor affiliation models, investment solutions, fintech tools and practice management services, ensuring that advisors and institutions have the flexibility to choose the business model, services, and technology resources they need to run thriving businesses. For further information about LPL, please visit www.lpl.com . Securities and Advisory services offered through LPL Financial LLC (“LPL Financial”), a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. LPL Financial and its affiliated companies provide financial services only from the United States. Throughout this communication, the terms “financial advisors” and “advisors” are used to refer to registered representatives and/or investment advisor representatives affiliated with LPL Financial. We routinely disclose information that may be important to shareholders in the “ Investor Relations ” or “ Press Releases ” section of our website.Roseville ice rink thriving despite recent warm weatherFree tax filing with IRS Direct File: What you need to know

With Girish Mathrubootham stepping down as CEO earlier this year, Freshworks began a critical transformation that was in some ways necessitated by the AI revolution More than any other sector, AI has transformed SaaS like no other inflection point before it — the likes of Freshworks, Zoho and Salesforce risk embracing AI or fading into irrelevance if they fail to do so After laying off hundreds of employees in India, Freshworks is looking at the future through the AI glasses, and in many ways, it’s not the same company that it used to be In August 2024, Freshworks cofounder Girish Mathrubootham popularly known as ‘G’ said, “Five or six years ago, we asked our team a critical question: What could disrupt Freshworks? The answer was AI. That’s when we began investing in Freddy AI. But the ChatGPT demo was a game-changer—it revealed the immense potential of AI. AI is the future, and the world is on the brink of a massive transformation.” It’s hardly a secret that AI is being hailed as the biggest tech revolution since the internet—and rightfully so. It has already transformed industry titans and our daily lives in profound ways. Tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Apple, and Amazon have made AI the cornerstone of their product strategies, while the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic have become the new AI native giants of the world. More than any other sector, AI has transformed SaaS like no other inflection point before it — the likes of Freshworks, Zoho and Salesforce risk embracing AI or fading into irrelevance if they fail to do so, as Mathrubootham hinted at. According to the Inc42 SaaS Report 2024 , AI has significantly permeated the Indian SaaS landscape, with 85% of SaaS startups infusing AI into their products and services in some shape or form. The SaaS and GenAI sectors in India are poised to unlock market opportunities worth $70 Bn and $17 Bn, respectively, by 2030. But Freshworks, the AI revolution represents a paradigm shift — not just from the point of view of product development and operation, but also when it comes to leadership. In fact, Freshworks’ example is just one of the many ways in which AI is transforming software giants and a sign of things to come. It began in May 2024, when Mathrubootham announced his resignation as CEO , just a few weeks before he made that above claim in a podcast. The company’s president Dennis Woodside has been named as his successor as Freshworks steps into the AI era. His departure marked the beginning of significant leadership changes at Freshworks. Since then, the company has seen a complete overhaul of its top management, including the chief technology officer (CTO), chief product officer (CPO) , chief revenue officer (CRO), and even the India head. Simply speaking, by the end of 2024, Freshworks is no longer the same company it was one year ago. Mathrubootham has transitioned into the role of executive chairman at Freshworks, but behind the scenes, everything is changing too. Speaking to Inc42, Shelton Rego, the new VP for sales in India, remarked, “I often compare AI to electricity—it takes time to fully integrate and show its impact across applications. Girish foresaw this as early as 2019, laying the groundwork long before AI became a buzzword. Today, we’re already seeing tangible value for customers across employee experience (EX), customer experience (CX), and AI. These three pillars will continue to shape our strategy for the next two to three years, with substantial innovation happening in both EX and CX.” Beyond leadership changes, AI has resulted in a restructuring of the India business. A senior employee revealed that Freshworks recently laid off 660 employees from its nearly 5,000-strong workforce. This rejig has particularly impacted the India operations, and positions the company to execute much of the AI-led transformation, the employee noted. Before the layoffs, around 4,100 of Freshworks’ employees were based in India (as of December 2023), making it the company’s largest operations hub.“India is our biggest contributor on the supply side, while the US, home to our headquarters, drives demand,” the senior employee added. Indeed, North America accounts for over 55% of Freshworks’ revenue, underscoring the importance of the US market. However, the Indian and US entities are dual engines that Freshworks needs for growth. With AI coming into the picture, the focus for Freshworks is efficiency on the supply side to maximise the outcomes on the demand side. This was the sentiment behind Mathrubootham stepping down in some ways. “If I wanted, I could have held onto the CEO title at Freshworks. But the question is: where can I add the most value? Long-term, true long-term value. Investors often ask about the market perception of Freshworks—whether AI will impact or whether AI will disrupt customer service. That’s been the talk of the town. We’ve been working on this for five years,” he said in the same podcast mentioned above. Citing the Java wave and the SaaS waves of the past, Mathrubootham claimed that the AI wave is truly a monster wave, and that he’s excited about riding this one, just like Freshworks did in the past. Rego, who was appointed as VP in September 2024, expanded on this notion, “For the last 40 years humans needed to learn machine languages such as Java, C and so on, to understand machines. Now, machines understand human languages. Machines can understand our feelings, when we are happy or sad. So, now humans don’t have to change.” But does it mean Freshworks has to change to become an AI-first company? Rego claims that Freshworks does not see itself as an AI company, but one that uses AI in applications to help its customers. “In fact, our mission is to provide AI-first software which is easy to use. So, focus is definitely on AI but we are still a software company,” he told Inc42. The focus is on innovation and development in the SaaS application layer to drive meaningful value for its customers. He added that AI is already being practically implemented at enterprise customers that Freshworks caters to. Here’s an example that he cited: With the help of GenAI, Freshworks’ conversation summarisation function helped clients reduce turnaround time by 57%, thanks to actionable insights and recommendations. Indeed, the application layer has emerged as the most accessible way for consumers to adopt AI effectively, so that’s where Freshworks’ current focus is, and that of its competitors, even though some have looked to get into the infrastructure layer as well. Like Zoho, India’s largest SaaS company, which is developing its own LLMs. Once the LLMs are built and deployed, they will be available to Zoho’s 700K customers across ManageEngine and Zoho.com globally. Is Freshworks also building its own LLMs in order to complete the AI stack? Rego neither confirmed nor denied it, but said that there are numerous large language models (LLMs) available today, and Freshworks does not intend to limit customers to just one or two options. The company’s goal is to offer a wide array of services that enable customers to achieve their objectives seamlessly. While Freshworks has not commented on whether it is developing its own LLM, the organization actively leverages existing LLMs to power Freddy AI, its AI-driven platform. Freddy’s core functionalities—such as the AI agent, co-pilot, and insights—are built on these LLMs, which serve as the foundation for its advanced capabilities. “When it comes to the approach we adopt for different industry segments, we follow a clear, tiered strategy. For smaller businesses and digital-first customers, we offer a seamless onboarding experience through our website, enabling them to quickly adopt our services independently. On the other hand, we dedicate significant efforts to serving larger conglomerates—like the Tata Group, Mahindra Group, and Godrej Group—that require comprehensive, enterprise-grade solutions,” the VP explained. Freshworks’ focus in India will be on large-scale enterprises and conglomerates BFSI, media and traditional manufacturing sectors. Rego believes that these are the sectors that have been integral to Freshworks’ growth in India, which are also seeking the productivity and efficiency boost that AI brings. But is generative AI the solution to all SaaS challenges? Not quite. In fact, in India, the impact of AI on SaaS revenue is yet to be clearly ascertained. These are still early days and even those adopting AI-infused SaaS are doing so cautiously. According to various reports, despite a brief resurgence in industry revenue in 2021, median revenue growth rates for public SaaS companies returned to a decade-long downward trend. In 2023, 42% of SaaS companies reported a decline in ARPU (average revenue per user), while 8.2% saw a drop in ACV (annual contract value). As of October, 2024, B2B SaaS growth fell to 3.1% CAGR, while B2C growth dropped to 3.3% CAGR Even Freshworks, an early adopter of AI, has not been immune to these pressures. Despite promising early results from its latest innovations, 2024 has proven to be a difficult year for the company. Following its Q1 2024 earnings call in May, Freshworks shares dropped by 27%, and while in Q3 2024 losses shrank to $29 Mn on a YoY basis, this was still higher than the previous quarter. The sharp decline was attributed to several major developments, including the announcement of a CEO transition, the acquisition of agentless IT solutions company Device42, and a downward revision of the company’s revenue guidance for the year. However, infusing AI into SaaS products does not come cheap. Gartner estimates that organisations may spend between $5 Mn and $20 Mn on embedding or customising AI models, or building GenAI applications for their products. While Rego didn’t comment on the financials and the timeline pertaining to the path to profitability, the India VP added that currently the Indian market is ripe for SaaS innovation, as a whole lot of new customers will be using AI for the first time. Like the pandemic four years ago, there is another digital transformation wave afoot, but this time, businesses are waking up to how deeply transformative AI is as opposed to just adopting SaaS. As Rego added, “For us, the big challenge would be helping our customers with the transformation and this is not going to be easy.” [Edited by Nikhil Subramaniam]

Quest Partners LLC Boosts Holdings in Xperi Inc. (NASDAQ:XPER)The Photos You're Not Supposed to See

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Canadian men win RAN Sevens tournament, qualify for World Rugby Challenger Series

Video: Panthers' Xavier Legette Hands Out Raccoon for Teammates to Try After PracticeCalifornia will revive its own subsidy programs for electric vehicles if Donald Trump guts federal tax breaks for such cars, the state's governor said Monday. The president-elect has said repeatedly he would scrap what he called the "electric vehicle mandate" -- actually a $7,500 federal rebate for anyone who purchases an EV. Gavin Newsom, who heads the solidly Democratic state and has pitched himself as a leader of the anti-Trump political resistance, said Monday California was not "turning back" towards polluting transport. "We will intervene if the Trump Administration eliminates the federal tax credit, doubling down on our commitment to clean air and green jobs in California," Newsom said. "We're not turning back on a clean transportation future -- we're going to make it more affordable for people to drive vehicles that don't pollute," he added. "Consumers continue to prove the skeptics wrong -– zero-emission vehicles are here to stay." If Trump scraps the tax credit, California could revive its own Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, which ran until November 2023, granting rebates of up to $7,500 for people buying battery-powered cars, a press release said. California leads the nation in electric vehicle adoption, and is the single biggest market in the country, representing around a third of all units sold in the United States. State figures show that more than two million so-called "zero emission vehicles" -- which include fully electric vehicles as well as plug-in hybrids -- have now been sold in the state, with one-in-four new cars in that category. On the campaign trail, Trump was frequently hostile to electric vehicles, which he has linked with what he calls the "hoax" of climate change. He vowed repeatedly that under his watch the United States would become "energy dominant," chiefly through expanded oil and gas extraction. For many in California, such pledges are anathema, with the state frequently battered by the tangible effects of climate change, from huge wildfires to droughts to furious storms. Newsom -- who many believe has White House ambitions of his own -- has positioned himself as a bulwark against the feared excesses of an incoming Trump administration on issues from climate change to immigration, vowing to be a check on its power. With 40 million people, the sheer size of California's market has for a long time helped set the national tone when it comes to pollution standards for automakers. Rather than make two versions of the same vehicles, Detroit giants have willingly adopted California's tougher rules on emissions and efficiency for nationwide sales. That de facto standard-setting power has angered Republicans like Trump, who say -- on this issue -- states should not be allowed to set their own rules.( MENAFN - market Press Release) December 26, 2024 10:04 am - The AVTODOM Group held a corporate event for its partners at the Arthurs Spa Hotel by Mercure on November 28. The AVTODOM Group held a corporate event for its partners at the Arthurs Spa Hotel by Mercure on November 28. The topic of the event was long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of sales and servicing of OMODA and JAECOO brand cars. Elza Sapova, Head of Retail Sales of new OMODA|JAECOO AVTODOM Vnukovo cars and Ivan Maksimov, Product Manager of OMODA|JAECOO, spoke to the audience. Representatives of the financial services, service and corporate sales departments of OMODA|JAECOO AVTODOM Vnukovo took part in the business part of the program. Olga Kompaniets, Head of Corporate Direction of the OMODA|JAECOO brand and Yulia Zakharova, Corporate Sales Manager of OMODA|JAECOO were specially invited guests. The OMODA and JAECOO brands were created by the Chery automobile concern. These provide a premium product at an affordable price. These combine innovative technologies, unique design, comfort and safety. OMODA and JAECOO brand cars are among the TOP-10 cars sold on the Russian market. OMODA C5 was recognized as the Car of the Year in 2023. It won the most prestigious automobile awards in Russia. JAECOO cars set new trends in the SUV market. These combine outstanding off-road performance and comfortable operation in urban conditions. 35 test drives were held during the event. AVTODOM Group partners appreciated the advantages of OMODA and JAECOO cars: C5, J7, J8 crossovers and OMODA S5 and S5 GT C-class sedans during this. The suburban location of the Arthurs Spa Hotel by Mercure allowed us to appreciate the convenience of driving OMODA and JAECOO cars on asphalt and dirt roads. Guests shared their impressions of the test drive during the buffet. A performance by a fashionable DJ accompanied this. Each attendee retained pleasant memories of the meeting and received unique accessories as a gift. These were created specifically for fans of the OMODA and JAECOO brands. 30 clients and 15 partners attended the event. "The OMODA and JAECOO brands have won the love of Russians. These offer cars that can meet the ever-increasing demands of consumers. We introduced our partners to the advantages of these brands. We are glad that no one remained indifferent. I am sure that today's meeting in a country hotel near Moscow will give a new impetus to the promotion of OMODA and JAECOO cars on the Russian market", – Elsa Sapova, Head of Retail Sales of New OMODA|JAECOO Cars, AVTODOM Vnukovo, commented. MENAFN26122024003520003262ID1109033746 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DCS Corporation has been awarded a prime contract under Pool 1 of the Defense Technology Information Center's (DTIC) Information Analysis Center Multiple Award Contract (IAC MAC). The multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, research and development contract has a shared ceiling of $33,164,000,000. The IAC MAC provides Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) and R&D-related analytical services to the Department of Defense and other national security customers. The broad scope covers 22 Technical Focus Areas that fit within three primary domains: Defense Systems, Cyber-Security and Information Systems, and Homeland Defense and Security. "DCS is thrilled to be an IAC MAC prime contractor," commented Jim Benbow, DCS Chairman & CEO. "We are proud of our long history supporting complex DTIC RDT&E task orders and eager to expand our support. We are proud to contribute to this critical work of accelerating research across DoD and delivering critical solutions to the Warfighter." The DoD IAC program operates as a part of DTIC and provides technical data management and research support for DoD and Federal Government users. Established in 1946, the IAC program serves the DoD science & technology and acquisition communities to drive innovation and technological developments by enhancing collaboration through integrated scientific and technical information development and dissemination for the DoD and broader S&T community. About DCS An employee-owned company, DCS offers advanced technology, engineering, and management solutions to Government agencies in the national security sector. The transformative ideas, commitment to quality, and entrepreneurial spirit that characterize our employee-owners allow us to ensure the success of each customer's mission and actively contribute to the well-being of the Nation. For more information, please visit: https://www.dcscorp.com . Contact: DCS Media, dcsmedia@dcscorp.com, 571-227-6000 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dcs-wins-prime-position-on-33b-iac-multiple-award-contract-302321384.html SOURCE DCS CorporationJennison Associates LLC Sells 2,385 Shares of Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (NASDAQ:STRL)Jones scores 22 and Fairleigh Dickinson downs Lehman 98-54

By JESSICA DAMIANO Finding the perfect gift can be daunting. The only way to truly ensure you get it right would be to ask the recipient what they want, but that wouldn’t be much fun for either of you. Luckily, there’s another tactic to help you earn a “gift whisperer” reputation: seeking out unique, practical, game-changing gifts that will truly surprise and delight. But that’s about as easy as it sounds, which is to say it’s not easy at all. So, we’ve done the legwork for you. Start making your list with this compilation of some of the most innovative, functional and fun gifts of 2024. There’s something for every budget. Bear with me: The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Available in three colors (Sangria Red, Midnight Black and Soft Cream), the rechargeable-battery unit grinds with a light touch rather than hand-tiring twists. That’s easier for everyone and especially helpful for those experiencing hand or wrist issues such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. And it’s fun to use. The set includes a stackable storage tray and four pods that can be easily swapped as needed: The GT microplane grater for hard spices, nuts and chocolate; the MAX for large spices and dried herbs; the ProPlus for smaller and oily spices; and the Pepper Pod for, well, pepper. $110. Campers and backyard firepit lovers who have experienced the heartbreak of wet wood will appreciate having a three-pack of Pull Start Fire on hand. Made of 89% recycled materials, including sanding dust, wax and flint, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Just loop the attached green string around a log, incorporate it into a wood stack, and pull the attached red string to ignite. Each windproof, rainproof block burns for 30 minutes. $29.99. The No Mess Utensil Set from Souper Cubes , a company known for its portioned, silicone freezer trays, lives up to its name. The utensils — a serving spoon and a ladle — have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot, keeping them upright so they won’t slip in. The design also eliminates the need for a spoon rest or, worse, placing dirty utensils on the kitchen counter or stovetop between stirs. A silicone coating in a choice of Aqua, Charcoal, Cranberry or Blueberry keeps handles cool to the touch. $24.99. The FeatherSnap Wi-Fi smart bird feeder could turn anyone into an avid birdwatcher. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. An optional premium subscription ($59.99 annually or $6.99 monthly) includes unlimited photo and video storage, AI identification with species-specific details, and the opportunity to earn badges for logging new visitors. Turn on notifications to get alerts sent to your phone whenever there’s activity at the feeder. $179.99. Fujifilm’s Instax Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the 4.9-by-3.5-by-1.3-inch printer with Instax Mini instant film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. If you want to get fancy, you can adjust brightness, contrast and saturation, or apply filters, including 3D augmented-reality effects, via the free Instax Mini Link app. It can also make collages of up to six images, or animate photos to share on social media. Available in Rose Pink, Clay White and Sage Green. $99.95. The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Select a pot color, size and plant (or get recommendations based on sunlight requirements, pet friendliness and other attributes) and fill the self-watering container’s built-in reservoir roughly once a month. Moisture will permeate the soil from the bottom as needed, eliminating the often-fatal consequences of over- or under-watering. It’s also a literal lifesaver come vacation time. $49-$259. Related Articles Things To Do | US airports with worst weather delays during holiday season Things To Do | The right book can inspire the young readers in your life, from picture books to YA novels Things To Do | Holiday gift ideas for the movie lover, from bios and books to a status tote Things To Do | ‘Gladiator II’ review: Are you not moderately entertained? Things To Do | Beer pairings for your holiday feasts If you’ve got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. The Nama M1 appliance both blends and strains ingredients, converting nuts, seeds, grains or oats into velvety-smooth milk in just one minute, with zero grit. And for zero waste, the pasty leftover pulp can be used in other recipes for added nutrients. The device also makes infused oils, flavored waters and soups. And, importantly, cleanup is easy. Available in white and black. $400. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses “smart” technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. Unlike traditional wine refrigerators, this device doesn’t take up any floor space. It also doesn’t chill wine to just one or two temperatures based on its color. Instead — paired with the free QelviQ app — the tabletop chiller relies on a database of more than 350,000 wines to bring a bottle to its specific recommended serving temperature in as little as 20 minutes. It also suggests food-wine and wine-food pairings. Plus, the appliance serves as a great icebreaker to inspire dinnertime conversation. Available in Exciting Red, Dashing Black and Dreamy White. $495. Grilling food after dark — and ascertaining its doneness — can prove challenging without outdoor lighting, and it’s nearly impossible to cook while holding a flashlight. But as is often the case, the simplest of solutions can make the biggest of impacts: Uncommon Good’s 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. After use, the lights can be removed and the utensils run through the dishwasher. $40.Kids are often pretty good at being consumers. If you’re a parent with a small business, you have the opportunity to show your kids firsthand what it means to be a producer. Small Business Saturday, which takes place on Nov. 30 this year, may be a great time to do just that. Small Business Saturday was established by American Express in 2010 and encourages consumers to patronize their local stores as a way to keep dollars circulating within their community. Here are three reasons you should consider getting your kids involved in Small Business Saturday, according to two mompreneurs. Ronne Brown is the owner of HERLISTIC, a plant-derived beauty and feminine care brand in Washington, D.C. She’s been participating in Small Business Saturday since she established her business in 2020. The entrepreneur gets her kids (ages 24, 18 and 12), plus her bonus daughter, 10, to help out on Small Business Saturday and beyond. Brown’s kids help with customer service, shipping and fulfillment tasks. That could include counting inventory, quality control or packaging boxes. Other times, help looks like Brown’s 12-year-old daughter keeping her up-to-date with in the beauty field. “I just want them to understand the price and the value of a dollar and what it actually costs to make it,” Brown says. The mompreneur also hopes her kids learn the benefits of commitment and hard work. “What I want to show them is that you have to work hard every day. And there are gonna be moments where you’re gonna be tired, you’re gonna be exhausted, and you’re not gonna want to do things, and you’re going to have to push through,” she says. Hiring your kids to do legitimate work during Small Business Saturday provides a chance for them to learn pillars needed for a strong financial foundation: , and investing. That said, before hiring kids, it’s critical to understand the child labor laws for your state in addition to the IRS’ rules around hiring kids. Brown says she pays all of her children, including her 24-year-old son who is on payroll. Additionally, she teaches them about investing in the stock market. “I want them to understand the importance of making money, but also investing the money that they’re making,” she says. “Because when I pay them, I always ask them, ‘so what are you gonna do to double this money?’” If you hire your minor kids, they could get a headstart on investing by putting some of their income into a , which requires earned income to open. You could also open them a custodial brokerage account. Another perk of your kids earning income by working for you is that they may be exempt from paying federal income taxes if they earn less than the . In 2024, that threshold is $14,600. Having your kids add helping hands, whether it be doing administrative tasks or helping customers, can ensure you keep up with a potential increase in sales. A found that 16% of 2024 holiday shoppers plan to shop on Small Business Saturday this year. Lisset Tresvant, owner of Glow Esthetics Spa in Hollywood, Florida, has been participating in Small Business Saturday since the genesis of her business in 2019. “I do tend to sell more because people are usually more inclined to purchase because of the sales, and it gives them a reason to support us,” she says. To help with the demand, Tresvant’s daughter, 12, and son, 9, fill her skincare products, add labels and help prep items for shipping. Tresvant says she decided to let her kids get involved in her business so they have a better understanding of what she does. Looking beyond Small Business Saturday, hiring your child can also help with , which is about planning for your departure from your business. Tresvant hopes to pass hers down to her kids one day. “They understand that I’m building this legacy just for not myself, but for them as well,” says Tresvant.Jackson State tops Southern 41-13, wins SWAC Championship and berth in Celebration BowlTEANECK, N.J. (AP) — Dylan Jones had 22 points in Fairleigh Dickinson's 98-54 victory over Lehman on Saturday. Jones shot 6 for 10 (6 for 9 from 3-point range) and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line for the Knights (4-7). Terrence Brown added 19 points while shooting 7 for 12 (2 for 5 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line and also had six rebounds, five assists, and six steals. Cameron Tweedy had 11 points and shot 4 of 5 from the field and 3 for 5 from the line. The Lightning were led in scoring by Kai Parris, who finished with 12 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .