I’ve got a wedding-heavy summer ahead, so much so that I now consider myself an expert bridesmaid. However, as many of us know, bridesmaid duties come with hefty costs. While I’d do almost anything for my friends, going into debt isn’t one of them. That’s why I’ve been savvy about cutting costs, especially when it comes to my wedding shoes.

I’m wearing the same pair to all three weddings on my calendar, namely the Dream Pairs Open Toe Pump Chunky Heel Sandals ($36). I virtually stumbled upon them while working on a story about the best summer shoes on Amazon, and I was immediately intrigued since they hold the number one spot among all women’s heeled sandals. Given their popularity, and the fact that the brand Dream Pairs happens to also make some of the most comfortable Western boots I’ve ever owned (these ones!), I decided they’d be a safe bet for my weddings. I scooped them up in my usual size 9.5 in a light beige color I knew would match all of my bridesmaid dresses — and that was one of the smartest decisions I’ve made this summer.

Ahead, I break down everything you need to know about them if you’re considering buying them for a special event, too.

At the time of writing, I’ve already worn the Dream Pairs Open Toe Pump Chunky Heel Sandals to two of my three summer weddings. I’ll admit, when everyone was showing off their designer shoes before the ceremony at the first wedding, I stayed quiet since I spent practically nothing on mine. But then I couldn’t help but smile when I was the only bridesmaid who kept my shoes on for the entire reception. They were comfortable enough and stable. Even though the unhemmed dress I wore gave me some trouble walking down the aisle (totally my fault), my shoes kept me upright. Their chunky, stable block heel held up perfectly, even on the wet grass from a rainstorm earlier that day.

Beyond their comfort, they looked the part, too, which I’d like to think is evidenced in this mirror selfie I snapped at the second wedding while the bride lounged behind me. (I’m wearing the Azazie Barbie Pleated Chiffon A-Line Dress in Champagne, BTW, and felt like a princess.) I chose the light beige color (one of 31 total styles and colors to choose from) because I knew they’d go with everything. Plus, I figured that if they survived all three weddings, the versatile shade would make them perfect for future special events. Despite wearing them through two ceremonies, two receptions, and hours of questionable moves on the dance floor, they’re still in pristine shape for my final summer wedding in a few weeks.

These sandals are not the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn, which, to be honest, I kind of expected given their price tag. The buckle at the ankle dug into my skin a bit at the first wedding, but in retrospect, I’m confident that was a user error from securing them as tight as possible to prevent a walk-down-the-aisle stumble. I was still able to wear them all night, which is more than I can say for some of the pricier heels I own. At the second wedding I didn’t secure the strap as tightly and found they were comfortable from the time I slipped them on at 3 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. post-ceremony. No blisters, no blood, no regret.

Another thing worth noting is that shoppers seem a bit conflicted over the fit. I hover between sizes 9.5 and 10, and since multiple shoppers noted that they run big, I went for the 9.5 and found they were a perfect fit. Many reviewers suggest ordering a half size down, which made sense for me, but a handful of others found that sizing down made them too small. So, if you’re ordering them on Amazon without much time to spare, it might be worth ordering two sizes to find your ideal fit and returning the pair that doesn’t work.

The Dream Pairs Open Toe Pump Chunky Heel Sandals are perfect for those looking for a reasonably priced, comfortable, and versatile pair of heels for a special event. While they might not be the most comfortable shoes in the world, they’re the number one bestseller on Amazon in women’s heeled sandals for plenty of other reasons. They’ve checked a big box off my summer wedding wardrobe checklist and will suit you well for any event where you need a timeless heel.

I purchased the Dream Pairs Open Toe Pump Chunky Heel Sandals on Amazon, which was ideal because they arrived very quickly with Amazon Prime shipping, but they’re also available on the brand’s website.

Rating:
★★★★

Marisa Petrarca is a contributing editor for PS Shopping and has more than five years of experience writing and editing beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Allure, and InStyle, among others.

If you’ve spent any amount of time on TikTok lately, you’re probably familiar with the fact that tinned fish are having a moment. (Seriously, I want whoever is running the PR for tinned fish to run my entire life.) People on the app can’t get enough of anchovies, smoked oysters, and the girly-pop-crowned “most popular tinned fish out there”: sardines.

For the unfamiliar, sardines are small fish that live in the ocean. They are often grilled or eaten straight out of a can, where they are typically packed in oil, water, or other various liquids like tomato juice. When eaten, the heads are typically removed, but the bones and the skin are generally ingested. They have a mild-to-strong salty, fishy taste that differs depending on what they’re cooked with. A simple Google search will tell you that sardines are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, including magnesium, iron, calcium, vitamin D, zinc, and potassium, just to name a few. It’s also easy to learn that they are considered part of a healthy diet. But if you eat enough of them, will they actually make your skin glow? Many people on TikTok believe the answer to be yes.

Users have been sharing their “skin-care routines,” and by that, we mean their diets, which consist heavily of sardines. We’re a little wary when it comes to trusting TikTok trends, so we decided to tap our experts and have them do a little myth-busting for us.

Ahead, two experts break down everything to know about how sardines can affect your skin. Keep scrolling to learn more.

Experts Featured in This Article

Katya Khayutin is a master aesthetician and owner of BelVer Studio.
Brianna Diorio has her PhD in integrative medicine and MS as a clinical nutritionist as well as the director of product education at Nutrafol.

Can Eating Sardines Improve Your Skin’s Appearance?

The short answer? It might. Sardines have a high content of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, which are all things that help support glowing skin. “Omega-3 fatty acids are known for their role in modulating and supporting healthy inflammatory responses, which can play a role in acne and can help maintain the integrity of the skin barrier, which helps to retain moisture,” Dr. Diorio tells PS. “These fatty acids can also play a role in supporting the production of ceramides, and free fatty acids in the skin, which are important for a healthy stratum corneum—the outermost layer of the skin.”

What Are the Other Skin-Care Benefits of Eating Sardines?

So, what skin-related concerns can eating sardines help with? As previously mentioned, sardines are a nutrient-dense food, and eating them provides several different vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. “Eating sardines can help address skin-related issues such as acne, aging, and inflammation from conditions like eczema and psoriasis,” Khayutin says. “The omega-3 fatty acids in sardines reduce acne severity and skin inflammation, while the protein and nutrients support collagen production, diminishing wrinkles and fine lines.”

Want to dig even deeper? “Omega-3s are found in the phospholipid bilayer of skin cells, which means they can influence membrane fluidity and function, which is important for maintaining cell structure and promoting healthy skin,” Dr. Diorio says. “The antioxidants and vitamins found in in sardines, like selenium, B12 and even zinc, can also protect skin against oxidative damage and support skin repair, while vitamins vitamin D play a multifaceted role in skin health by regulating cellular processes, supporting the skin barrier, modulating immune responses, and promoting overall skin health.”

A typical serving size of sardines is roughly three to four ounces, and if you’re looking to add them to your diet to support skin health, try eating one serving two to three times a week. One thing to note, however, is that both Dr. Diorio and Khayutin caution against adding anything to your diet without first consulting with a physician. “I frequently advise my clients to consult with a nutritionist to ensure their diet supplies essential nutrients that can significantly enhance their skin’s health,” Khayutin says. “However, it’s crucial to adopt a holistic approach: integrate a balanced diet with a comprehensive skin-care regimen, effective sun protection, and other healthy lifestyle practices for optimal results.”

Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.

Growing up, many of us might have believed that an itchy, flaky scalp meant we weren’t clean. Now that we’re older, we’ve realized that this notion isn’t true, and we’re also not alone in our struggle. Dandruff is super common and affects tons of people. In fact, the International Journal of Trichology reports that many studies have found roughly 50 percent of the world’s general populatio deal with unwanted flakes.

Dandruff, aka seborrheic dermatitis, can be caused by a variety of factors, including dry skin, sensitivity to hair products, and even certain skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. It’s important to understand that it’s a condition that can be managed, and there are plenty of effective treatments available, both over-the-counter and through a skin-care provider. Anti-dandruff shampoos, for instance, often contain active ingredients like zinc pyrithione or ketoconazole, which can help reduce flakiness and itching as you wash. Moreover, regular washing and using gentle, hydrating hair-care products can make a significant difference in the overall health of your scalp.

Ahead, we’re coming to you with Dandruff Training 101, with some super effective tips about how to banish those pesky flakes instantly, plus a few of the go-to products that the experts absolutely swear by to help you along the way to a soothed, flake-free scalp.

Experts Featured in This Article

Kari Williams, PhD, is a trichologist, stylist, and director of education at Cécred.

Helen Reavey is a celebrity hairstylist and founder of Act+Acre.

How to Get Rid of Dandruff Instantly

If you’re looking for tips on how to get rid of dandruff in one wash, Kari Williams, PhD, trichologist, stylist, and Director of Education at Cécred, suggests adding some anti-dandruff shampoo to your wash day routine. “Use an anti-dandruff shampoo containing active ingredients like zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole or salicylic acid,” Dr. Williams tells PS. “Medicated shampoos can dry the hair, so it’s important to follow up with a hydrating shampoo, such as Cécred Hydrating Shampoo ($30) to restore moisture and maintain healthy hair.”

Celebrity hairstylist and founder of Act+Acre, Helen Reavey, says the key to fighting dandruff for a (nearly) instant fix is daily and weekly maintenance. “Use a weekly scalp treatment, specifically a chemical exfoliant such as our Salicylic Acid Scalp Exfoliator ($48), as a weekly maintenance for dandruff,” Reavey says. “It’s made with salicylic acid, which exfoliates the scalp to remove flakes and balance oil production. It also has antifungal properties to help treat dandruff.”

How to Get Rid of Dandruff Permanently

There isn’t a one-stop solution to banish dandruff for good, but there are some simple steps to maintain a healthy scalp, such as consistent scalp care, a healthy diet, and stress reduction (according to the Saudi Medical Journal, high cortisol levels can aggravate dandruff, although it’s not a direct cause). However, in more advanced cases, you may require a visit to a dermatologist for specialized seborrheic dermatitis treatments.

Maybe a dermatologist visit isn’t in your budget? No problem. Reavey recommends using Jupiter Balancing Anti-Dandruff Shampoo ($30), which contains zinc pyrithione. “This clinically proven and FDA-approved OTC active ingredient has fungistatic and bacteriostatic properties that help to treat dandruff,” says the hairstylist.

How to Get Rid of Dandruff Naturally

Natural remedies to get rid of dandruff include applying diluted apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, or aloe vera gel to the scalp. however, Reavey warns against using products with heavy, pore-clogging ingredients. “I recommend steering clear of topical products formulated with sulfates and silicones, which are often used to smooth the hair and lock in moisture,” Reavey says. “Over time, they can build up on the scalp, increasing the chance of dandruff.”

If you want to know how to get rid of dandruff without shampoo, Dr. Williams has some suggestions. In addition to using apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, or aloe vera gel, add a splash of omega-3 fatty acids to the mix. “Boost your scalp health from the inside out by incorporating omega-3 fatty acids through your diet or supplements,” says Dr. Williams.

Holistically, Reavey advises that reducing stress through practices like meditation, yoga or therapy can also help alleviate dandruff symptoms.

Stixx Mathews is a New York City-based freelance beauty writer with 11 years of experience who is passionate about telling stories that merge beauty and pop culture. He enjoys sharing his expert insights about the latest trends and must-have products, with a particular focus on lipstick and fragrance.

Whether you’ve had your ears pierced since you were a child or (like some of us) you took a trip to Claire’s in your adolescent years, there’s something about getting your first ear piercing that just feels like a rite of passage. It seems inevitable, then, that the types of piercings available would evolve with time, and now we have the opportunity to get piercings in nontraditional places like eyebrows or belly buttons — there are even “surface anchor” or dermal piercings that we can get in our cheeks, arms, or the back of the neck. Safe to say: times have changed.

But sometimes you want just a bit of variation that’s nothing too extreme, and if you love piercings, we have the perfect solution: helix piercings. There are numerous helix-piercing options on the market, like forward helix piercings and even triple forward helix piercings, so we asked a professional to take it back to the basics and break down what exactly helix piercings are, as well as what everyone needs to know before getting one. Read ahead for all the best tips to have on hand before you make that appointment.

Experts Featured in This Article

Anna Girgan is the director of in-store experience for Banter by Piercing Pagoda.

What Are Helix Piercings?

Before getting ahead to the different types of helix piercings on the market, we wanted to understand what exactly helix piercings are, so we reached out to Anna Girgan, director of in-store experience for Banter by Piercing Pagoda. “A helix piercing is any piercing around the “rim” of the cartilage of the ear,” Girgan says. These types of piercings are also always cartilage piercings as opposed to antihelix — or snug — piercings, which connect from point to point from the middle of your helix to the inside of your conch (the bowl of your ear).

One thing that sets helix piercings apart from other ear piercings is how flexible they are in terms of placement — but this could also make getting additional piercings complicated. “Helix piercings have a larger margin of placement flexibility than some other piercings,” Girgan says. “This is good and bad, as it can make lining up multiple helix piercings more complicated. It can also complicate decisions on where to put the helix piercing if you’re looking to add additional piercings later.”

Different Types of Helix Piercings

There are a few different types of helix piercings:

There are also “faux helix piercings” available if you want the look of the piercing but don’t want to actually commit to the real thing. “There are hoops available that click on and appear to be an actual piercing that you could put on your helix,” Girgan says. Magnetic studs that can act as faux helix piercings are another option.

Helix Piercing Pain

Since everyone has different pain-tolerance levels, experts can’t say for sure what the helix piercing pain will be like, but if you’re generally more sensitive to pain, you can have the area “numbed with Lidocaine to help,” Louisa Schneider, CEO and founder of Rowan, previously told PS.

Helix Piercing Earrings

Finding the best helix piercing earrings depends on the type of helix piercing it is. For a standard or forward helix, Girgan recommends “a flat-back earring.” For an industrial piercing: a 14g straight barbell. For healed helix piercings, she recommends hoops in the wearer’s personal diameter preference. If you want to switch out your jewelry, Girgan says to wait approximately six to eight weeks at minimum before switching. Though the piercing won’t be fully healed yet, “it will be fine to switch to new jewelry [more comfortably] at this time.”

In terms of jewelry material, Girgan says that “14k gold with no nickel or cadmium, and high-grade alloy titanium are best for all piercings,” not just helixes, and if you want to switch up the type of jewelry being worn, “the way to switch it out varies by the original piece of jewelry you chose,” so be sure to consult your piercer if you are having a hard time on your own.

How Long Do Helix Piercings Take to Heal?

Helix piercing healing time can vary, but it typically takes close to four months to heal initially. However, it can take up to an entire year to fully heal.

In terms of rejection, helix piercings actually fare a bit better than other types. “Rejecting helix piercings is rare and generally only happens when the piercing was pierced incorrectly,” Girgan says. But very specific instances like “extreme health changes tend to cause general rejection, and something like a pregnancy can actually cause all piercings to start rejecting, no matter how long they’ve been in,” Girgan says.

To verify whether your helix piercing is being rejected, Girgan says to take note of “whether the piercing started out in one area of the ear and has slowly migrated to another.” If you are unsure whether the piercing is being rejected, always consult a professional piercer, but if you are able to verify rejection at home, “it is best to remove [the piercing] before it fully rejects and causes permanent cartilage and skin damage.”

Helix Piercing Aftercare

When the piercing is healing, “it is normal for it to produce ‘crusties’ daily until healed,” Girgan says. To aid in the healing process, “saturate and clean the piercing with a new Q-tip or paper towel twice a day using Studex Advanced Piercing Aftercare & Cleanser ($15) or H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Spray ($16).”

When the piercing is fully healed, you will notice that “there will be no pain even when slightly bumped into,” Girgan says. If you have been keeping up with general aftercare, it should take approximately three months for a helix piercing to fully heal, a much shorter timeframe than other piercings like industrials, which can take up to six months.

Helix Piercing Cost

Helix piercing cost will depend on the area in which you live as well as the piercer you choose to see. However, you can expect to pay anywhere from $40-$80 for the initial piercing, plus the additional cost of jewelry.

Whether you have already committed or are still on the fence, keep these tips in mind if you decide to make your next piercing a helix.

Ariel Baker was an assistant editor for PS Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends, and product reviews. She has additional bylines with Essence and Forbes Vetted.

Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.

When it comes to blush, I think the more, the better. I can’t help it — I love the stuff. My fair skin just looks better with a bit — OK, a lot — of warmth. I’m constantly drooling over celebrity beauty looks that feature rosy cheeks, like that of Sabrina Carpenter and Tessa Thompson.

One of my go-to blushes (and there are a lot of them) is from Fenty Beauty, specifically the Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush. It has decent staying power but to make it really last, I apply a complementary blush on top. So, when I found out Rihanna was launching a new cream-and-powder-in-one blush formula that’s long-wearing and waterproof, I jumped at the chance to try Fenty Cheeks Suede Powder Blush ($28) before anyone else. Plus, I got the scoop from Fenty Beauty’s new artistry ambassador, Pauly Blanch, to learn what makes it so special. Keep reading ahead for my full review.

About Fenty Cheeks Suede Powder Blush

What I Like About Fenty Cheeks Suede Powder Blush

My biggest complaint about powder blush is that they’re hard to blend and I prefer a swipe and go situation. There’s just not enough time in the morning to fight with patchy pigment. Fortunately, Fenty Cheeks Suede Powder Blush is almost as easy to blend as a cream. The satin formula diffuses on the skin beautifully with the new Blush Brush 155 (as well as an old Real Techniques fluffy brush I grabbed at home).

Another reason I don’t love typical powder blush is they tend to look chalky on my dry skin. They also show every imperfection. Cream products tend to work best on my almost 40-year-old skin because they don’t settle into fine lines. Fenty Cheeks Suede Powder Blush didn’t either, thanks to ingredients including dimethicone, a silicon-based polymer that smooths over bumps and pores, and silica, which provides a super-silky feel. There’s also magnolia bark extract that has the anti-inflammatory properties to reduce redness and irritation, making it a great choice for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin — both of which I also deal with.

But even after being impressed with the silky formula and pretty color payoff, my favorite thing about Fenty Cheeks Suede Powder Blush is the staying power. Blanch agrees. “I’m a big cream user, but sometimes with creams, they sink into the skin and you lose some of that punchiness,” he tells PS. ” So having this powder is really great to amplify the look.”

I first applied Fenty Cheeks Suede Powder Blush in Lolly Polly (a vibrant coral) around 9 a.m., sat under some bright lights, then walked around Los Angeles when the temperature hit around 100, went home, took a nap, and woke up still wearing enough blush to not have to reapply. The brand says the formula is not only sweat-resistant but also waterproof. While I didn’t jump in the pool, I did sweat enough to put it to the test and it got an A.

How to Use Fenty Cheeks Suede Powder Blush

A little goes a long way with this formula, so be careful when going too heavy into the pan. “I like starting with a little patting motions so not picking up too much product,” Blanch says. “[You] can also do a little tap if there’s too much on the end.” Then, for that Rihanna-favorite, snatched blush look, he likes to “start on the outside of the eye from the high point of the cheekbone, not too front-forward.” Then, he blurs it out to give the face a lift. “I start with tiny little sweeping motions just above the contour line,” he says. “I don’t use a lot of product but you get payoff really quickly. And then whatever is left on the brush I just continue to blend it through and really blur out those edges.” He finishes with sweeping motions.

“This is your first application, which you really want to make your base color almost. It’s the one that blends out onto your skin. I also like to bring a little bit above the eyebrow and on the nose — always.”

To add a little more, you can simply build up where you want it. With this layering technique, “it won’t look so specifically put just one spot.” Blanch says. “It makes it easier to blend out.”

Because Fenty Cheeks Suede Powder Blush has serious pigment, it’s easy to apply too much and panic trying to remove it, getting blush all over your face. Blanch has an easy trick for toning down the look without messing up your hard work. “If you use too much, get your foundation brush that you were using prior and press it on the outside rim of the blush,” he says. “That will diffuse the area.”

Where Is Fenty Cheeks Suede Powder Blush Available?

Fenty Cheeks Suede Powder Blush is available at Fenty.com, Sephora, and Ulta Beauty.

A pair of chunky, retro-inspired aviator sunglasses were at the top of my summer shopping list. My requirements were specific: they needed to have a good tortoiseshell pattern, a lighter lens that would show my eyes, and a low enough price tag to keep them from becoming a stress liability — keeping track of my Apple AirPods is hard enough. After trying on a few pairs of cheap-looking plastic versions while also passing up options I loved that were way out of my price range, I found these Aire Whirlpool 53mm Aviator Sunglasses ($39).

What I Love About the Aire Whirlpool 53mm Aviator Sunglasses

When people compliment them, I’m almost giddy to share the price.

The thicker frames, subtle tortoiseshell, and light khaki-tinted lenses capture the vintage vibe I was after. I love that the lenses are light enough that I can wear them inside and still see if I have to run a quick errand, but they also offer full UV protection. They have enough weight to feel substantial but are comfortable enough to wear for hours. I like that the tortoiseshell gives the frames more dimension without creating a high contrast pattern. The frames have a slight square shape to them, which helps them veer more ’70s than early 2000s. I’ve tried on pairs of aviator sunglasses under $20 that definitely looked their price — I blame the high-gloss shine of the plastic, the thin frames, and the all-wrong lens shapes — but these look much more expensive than they are. When people compliment them, I’m almost giddy to share the price. At less than $40, I honestly consider them a steal.

What’s Worth Noting About the Aire Whirlpool 53mm Aviator Sunglasses

These sunglasses come in several colors, including black frames with tan, tinted lenses; vintage tortoiseshell with brown gradient lenses; and tortoiseshell with khaki-tinted lenses, the latter being what I chose. I love my pair so much that I’m considering ordering the other colors to try on too. The frames are also made from recycled polycarbonate, which I appreciate. I purchased them from Nordstrom and they came with a slim, leather case that has an easy-snap opening, so I can throw them in my purse without worrying about them getting scratched.

Who Are the Aire Whirlpool 53mm Aviator Sunglasses Best For?

These sunglasses are perfect for anyone looking for a pair of vintage-inspired aviator shades that only look expensive. They have lighter lenses, so they’re also ideal for anyone who doesn’t mind their eyes showing.

Additional Details About the Aire Whirlpool 53mm Aviator Sunglasses

Where Are the Aire Whirlpool 53mm Aviator Sunglasses Available?

These sunglasses are available at Nordstrom, Revolve, and Amazon.

Rating:
★★★★★

Angela Elias is a contributing editor for PS Shopping. In her former roles at PS, she led the relaunch of its Latine identity and family-focused verticals, directed its Home vertical, and hosted shopping segments. She has nearly 15 years of experience working in the lifestyle space as a writer, editor, content strategist, director, on-camera talent, and publicist.