Makeup

Jeanine Lobell

Jeanine is a beauty legend. She started the cosmetics brand Stila in 1994 and recently launched a new line, Neen (her nickname), focused on sustainable makeup.

Face Massager

This vibrating bar (plated in 24-karat gold!) can help soothe and firm your forehead and the area around your eyes. “My skin feels energized, and I get nice little lift from it,” Jeanine says.

To Buy: Gold Bar, $195; http://jilliandempsey.com

Anti-Aging Sunscreen

An effective but light sunscreen is a game changer. “It doesn’t feel sticky or like my pores are getting clogged up,” Jeanine says.

To Buy: Invisible Hero SPF 30 Anti-Aging Sunscreen, $75: http://clarksbotanicals.com

Cheek and Lip Tint

“I’m totally a sucker for multiuse products, and I like this one for my lips and cheeks,” she says. When you run out of tint, keep the compact and order a refill to save packaging.

To Buy: Going Rouge, $25; http://weereneen.com

Houseplants

Plant Subscription

If you’re a nervous plant parent, a subscription set will give you the confidence boost you need. You’ll receive a plant in a six-inch pot, plus care instructions to help that baby thrive.

TO BUY: Month-to-Month Subscription, $28; http://heyhorti.com

Soil Probe

Overwatering is a common killer of houseplants. This handy tool checks the soil’s moisture near the roots, so you’ll know when to stop it already.

TO BUY: Monitor Brass Soil Probe, from $35; http://greeneryunlimited.co

Potting Station

Repotting plants gets messy. To avoid scattering soil, roll out this tiny vinyl may, then shake off the dirt when you’re done.

TO BUY: Classic Plant Tarp, $32; http://welcometothejunglehome.com

Pretty Propagation

Who would have thought stem cuttings could achieve centerpiece status? Christopher helped design these vases to do just that.

TO BUY: Plant Kween Propagation Systems, $29 each; http://westelm.com

Christopher Griffin

Christopher is an expert on plant parenthood. Their Instagram and new book, You Grow, Gurl!, tout the mental health benefits of growing and help others kick-start the habit.

Fashion

Paula Knight

For brilliant, trendy picks, we turn to Paula Knight, the head of brand marketing and creative at Intermix, a luxury clothing retailer.

Sunnies Holder

Instead of digging through your stuff for your sunglasses, try a cute case. “I tie this to my belt or bag to always have mine nearby,” Paula says.

To buy: Alvie Sunglasses Case, $195; http://ullajohnson.com

Clothing Freshener

A fig-scented wax oval is way cooler than a lavender sachet. Hang it in a closet or stash it in a dresser to keep clothes smelling nice.

To buy: Scented Oval, $55; http://diptyqueparis.com

Jewelry Cleaner

Really, who has time to sit down and clean their rings? “I’ll clean in a cab or on a shoot–whever I find a moment,” Paula says.

To buy: Diamond Dazzle Jewelry Cleaner, $9; Target

Fabric Brush

Paula calls this her “cashmere savior.” Swipe it over sweaters, scarves, and coats to minimize pilling.

To buy: Sweater Comb, $21; http://thelaundress.com

Fashion Tape

If you’re looking for a quick solve for dresses with tricky necklines, Paula swears by this tape to hold everything in place.

To buy: Boob Tape, $19; http://nuebootape.com

Clever Items: Expert Edition!

Lots of Little Helpers

Pros in everything from food to fashion share the products they lean on to make life easier. Pick some up and start knocking out your to-do list in double time!

By Leslie Corona and Erica Finamore

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Danielle Guerrero

Danielle is a self-taught power tool pro. She and her husband bought a builder-grade house in 2019, and she’s been posting their projects ever since.

Box Cutter

Opening boxes–fun. Slicing your finger–not fun. “This tool is awesome,” Danielle says. “The ceramic blade prevents anything but the tape from getting cut.”

To Buy: Slice Ceramic Box Cutter, $19; Amazon

Painter’s Tool

This unassuming gadget is actually a chisel, scraper, paint can opener, bottle opener, nail puller, roller cleaner, nut driver, and more!

To Buy: Husky 15-in-1 Painter’s Tool, $7.50; Home Depot

Electric Screwdriver

Danielle says this compact and easy-to-maneuver screwdriver makes assembling Ikea furniture a breeze.

To Buy: Ryobi 4V Lithium Screwdriver, $20; Home Depot

Picture Hanger

This damage-free hanger doesn’t require any tools and hangs art like a champ. “It works like a nail, but you don’t have to make a hole in the wall,” she says.

To Buy: Command Universal Picture Hanger, $5.50; The Container Store

Safety Headphones

These protect Danielle’s ears from loud drilling noises and doubles as Bluetooth headphones. “I can listen to my favorite jams while I’m working,” she says.

To Buy: 3M Work Tunes Connect Hearing Protector, $49; Amazon

Electric Lighter

“I’m never going back to traditional lighters again,” Danielle says. This electric one charges with a USB cable and is both wind- and splashproof. Use it to get the fireplace going to light candles on a birthday cake.

To Buy: Suprus Lighter with USB, $10; Amazon

Lean into Green

This kitchen gets cooking with a bold, tone-on-tone palette in a seriously on-trend shade.

Meet the Designer

Rebecca Gibbs

It’s all about color in the kitchen right now, and this one in Abilene, Texas, is as saturated as they come. Cateringto the homeowner’s funky, cool tastes, Rebecca went all in with a green palette built around emerald tiles. “I didn’t want the space to be overly bright. I wanted it to feel cozy and warm,” she says. She chose a soft sage for the cupboards, which coordinates with the tile’s grout, and wood floors and marble counters to balance out the green.

Get the Look

Just Beaming

Install wooden ceiling beams to add warmth and natural texture. Rebecca chose a super-pale shade of pink paint with brown undertones for the ceiling as a surprising and softening touch.

Color Theory

An all-green room might be a bit much. Mixing in neutral elements, like cream bar stools and wooden shelves, prevents color fatigue.

Set in Stone

The backsplash above the stove, made of the same Carrara marble used for the countertops, breaks up the dark tiling, which otherwise could feel heavy.

To Buy: Aubrey Counter Stool, $411; http://roveconcepts.com

Evergreen Star & Cross Tiles, $42 per sq. ft.; http://fireclaytile.com

Staggered Glass Chandelier, $599; http://westelm.com

Hummingbirds by Janet Hill, from $39; http://artfullywalls.com

Lupe Wall Sconce, $174; http://mitzi.com

Burma Jade; http://sherwin-williams.com for info.

Teak Bowl, $70; http://cb2.com

Use Your Good Stuff Every Day

After losing her husband, Erica Finamore stopped saving her nice things for later and started celebrating the now.

When I was growing up, there were lots of pretty things around our home that were only to be used on “special occasions.” The fine china was brought out strictly for Thanksgiving, and the crystal vase–which my parents received for their wedding in the ’80s– sat on our baker’s rack collecting dust. When I got engaged, I followed the same pattern: I registered for lovely wineglasses and gilded ceramic plates, then hid them away once they arrived. My financee, Jon and I had been together for 8 years, so we had some of our own things–like our mix-and-match (not on purpose) Ikea flatware, which we strangely kept using instead of the Oneida set we received. We would save it all for a “special occasion,” we said.

Then, four months after our wedding, Jon was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an incurable brain cancer. We spent the next two years in and out of hospital rooms and doctor’s offices, and though we were at home for plenty of time during those days, we weren’t throwing the lavish dinner parties we’d imagined. And we would never get to, because he passed away before our third wedding anniversary.

Six months later, when I moved out of our shared apartment and into a new one on my own, I looked at those untouched things and realized we’ve been saving them for a day that never came. Why haven’t we swapped out our hodgepodge flatware or toasted with those delicate glasses? Why didn’t we drag out the fancy coffee machine to fuel us on all those tough days? I realized, too late, that just being together was reason enough to use the good stuff.

Since then, I’ve stopped waiting around for that elusive special occasion, and I use our lovely things just because. I eat leftovers off our wedding china (sometimes) and the grossly expensive vase now holds cheap grocery store flowers. Because…why not? It sounds cheesy, but tomorrow isn’t guaranteed for any of us, so every day we’re here is worth celebrating– and worthy of matching stemware too.

Tiramisu Ice Pops

It’s your favorite Italian dessert! Reimagined as a cold, creamy, grown-up treat.

By Nicole Hopper

  • Active time 15 minutes
  • Total time 6 hours and 45 minutes (including freezing)
  • Serves 10

1 Tbsp. Instant espresso granuals

8 oz. Mascapone Cheese

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 cup heavy cream

1 Tbsp dark rum or 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 oz. 70% cacao bittersweet chocolate

  1. Whisk 1/3 cup boiling water and espresso granules in a large bowl until granules dissolve. Let cool completely, about 20 minutes.
  2. Beat cheese and sugar with an electric mixer on low speed until smooth, about 30 seconds. Add cream, beating until sugar dissolves and soft peaks form, about 1 minute. Transfer 1 1/2 cups of cheese mixture to espresso mixture in bowl; fold in rum using a rubber spatula.
  3. Transfer espresso-cheese mixture to a large zip-top plastic bag. Transfer plain cheese mixture to a separate large zip-top plastic bag. Cut off tip from each bag using scissors.
  4. Pipe espresso-cheese mixture into 10 (3 oz.) Ice pop molds, filling each about 2/3 of the way up. Tap molds on counter a few times to remove any air bubbles. Pipe plain cheese mixture evenly on top of the espresso-cheese mixture. Tap molds on counter to remove any air bubbles. Insert an ice pop stick into center of each mold. Freeze until pops are completely firm and sticks are set, at least 6 hours and up to 48 hours.
  5. Melt chocolate on stove or in microwave, let cool. Remove ice pops from freezer and quickly run bottoms of molds under warm water. Gently remove ice pops from molds and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Using a fork, drizzle with melted chocolate. Freeze until chocolate is hardened, about 10 minutes.

6. Look-Alive Wand

With an 8-month-old who likes to party all night, I have a new appreciation for concealer. This brightens and smooths without creasing, but the kicker is its cooling ceramic-tipped applicator that feels like chilled spoons on my eyes.

To Buy: CoverGirl Simply Ageless Triple Action Conceale, $13; Walmart