With the help of colorful advertising, manufacturers manage to sell us absolutely useless things. We diligently search for these items on the supermarket shelves, spend a lot of money on them, recommend them to our friends and family, and then we are disappointed to find out that they are totally useless. Or that they work quite well, but are very overpriced.
Women’s antiperspirants
Ads that claim that the formulas of men’s and women’s antiperspirants are significantly different are, to put it mildly, misleading. In fact, companies use only different aromas in the manufacture of these products, but the chemical compounds that neutralize the smell of sweat in all antiperspirants are almost the same. It makes no sense to buy an antiperspirant that is designed specifically for women.
Dietary supplements
Many people take dietary supplements to boost their immune system and improve their health. But in fact, if a person has a healthy diet, they don’t need any additional supplements.
According to doctors, these supplements are not harmful, but their benefits are also questionable. These supplements can’t replace a healthy diet anyway.
Ionic air purifiers
© Ben Baligad / Flickr, © CC BY 2.0 DEED
Ionic air purifiers that are not equipped with filters are not only ineffective, but can also be dangerous to your health. These devices are supposed to capture tiny particles with negatively charged ions, but in return they release small amounts of ozone that can be harmful to breathe in. It’s best to just buy an air purifier with replaceable filters.
Drain cleaners
Drain cleaners are designed to clear clogs, but they actually do more harm than good. The hydrochloric acid in these products can dissolve not only grease and dirt, but also the pipes themselves. In addition, it can ruin your enamel and other bathroom finishes.
And if a blockage is caused by a dense material that has accidentally fallen into the sewerage system, these cleaners will be totally useless. It’s best to get a plunger and a snake, which are more effective.
Screen cleaners for electronics
These cleaners work well, but they are also quite costly. According to experts, you can also use plain water to clean monitors and screens. A microfiber cloth soaked in it cleans surfaces as effectively as a special product.
Woven hampers and laundry baskets
© Michael Coghlan / Flickr, © CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED, © Emily May / Flickr, © CC BY 2.0 DEED
These items look cute, but they are not very convenient to use. If you put too much laundry into the basket, it can become misshapen. In addition, laundry often clings to protruding branches and twigs, so a basket can also ruin your clothes. It’s more sensible to buy a hamper made of dense fabric that can be collapsed when it’s not in use.
Large containers of spices and condiments
Buying spices in large jars seems like a great idea if you want to save the family budget. But spices have a limited shelf life, and we rarely use them in large quantities. So, it’s likely they’ll degrade before you finish them. So, it’s best to buy spices in small containers.
Veggie puffs, rice crackers and other «healthy» chip substitutes
© Kate Hopkins / Flickr, © CC BY 2.0 DEED
All these snacks seem to be a great alternative to chips because they are supposed to be healthy. In reality, however, these snacks contain various additives and oils. Plus, they’re usually high in calories and lack nutrients. It’s better to make carrot sticks or freeze grapes. Such snacks are cheaper and healthier.
Heat protective shampoos
According to some experts, buying shampoos and conditioners with heat protection is a waste of money. They won’t harm your hair, but there are few benefits either. It’s better to buy a heat protective spray, which really helps to protect your curls from the effects of high temperatures.
Buying a moisturizing shampoo can also be a pointless waste of money. The substances used in these products weigh down the strands, so that the hair becomes greasy faster. So, you end up having to wash your hair more often.
Sheet masks
Sheet masks have gained unprecedented popularity. Some women note that the skin really looks better after using them. But in fact, the effect of using masks is temporary, while they cost a lot. At the same time, masks have the same effect as moisturizers and lotions, so it’s financially unreasonable to spend a lot of money on them.
Moisturizers
Excessive use of them not only doesn’t help, but in some cases can even harm your skin. Dermatologists claim that too frequent use of moisturizers can make it difficult to exfoliate dead skin cells, change your skin’s natural balance of water, and slow down the natural production of lipids and proteins. If your skin seems dry, you need to consume enough fluids.
In addition, there is no point of paying more for moisturizers that contain vitamins. Usually, the amount of these substances is too small to somehow affect the condition of the skin. But even if there are a lot of them in the composition, this is also not a plus — vitamins tend to quickly disintegrate under the influence of sunlight and oxygen.
Feminine hygiene products
The delicate parts of a woman’s body don’t need special cosmetic products. Moreover, gels with aromatic additives can break the natural barrier that protects the body from bacteria and infections, and can also cause irritation.
It’s optimal to use plain water for hygiene procedures. Or you can use soap for sensitive skin without any additives and fragrances.
And here is the list of useful items that can make your everyday life so much easier.
Sasha Obama’s boyfriend learned something important when their relationship started.
Sasha Obama and Clifton Powell Jr. seem to be getting serious in their relationship. They started dating in 2022 and have kept their romance private and mostly away from the public eye.
In an interview on the “Dear Fathers” podcast, Clifton Powell, the dad of Clifton Powell Jr., talked about his son’s relationship with Sasha Obama, the youngest daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama. He mentioned that they had been dating for a year before their relationship became public, which gave him a chance to teach his son important values.
Clifton Sr. said, “It has helped me talk to my son about how to treat Sasha Obama because we really like the Obamas. I need to make sure my son is responsible, kind, loving, and supportive.” He often reminds his son to be a gentleman and to take care of Sasha. He texts him regularly, saying, “Treat Sasha like you would want someone to treat your daughter.” This advice makes sense, especially since Clifton Jr. is dating someone so well-known.
Is Clifton and Sasha’s romance Obama-approved?
Dating a former first daughter can be tricky, but Clifton Powell Jr. seems to manage it well. It looks like he has the Obamas’ approval. In a 2022 interview with “Good Morning America,” Michelle Obama openly talked about her daughters’ dating lives.
Michelle Obama thinks it’s “wonderful” that Sasha and Malia Obama are exploring different relationships and looking for partners. She said, “I want them to know what they want and who they are in a relationship, and that takes trying out different people.” Barack is “good with it” too. Michelle added, “They’re in their 20s. They went to prom and have lived their lives.” She mentioned that Barack has learned to be a caring dad without being overprotective.
Clifton Powell Jr. also seems to have passed the “sister test.” Malia was seen spending time with him shortly after it became known that he was dating Sasha. The two were spotted walking and talking in a Los Angeles park, appearing relaxed despite the paparazzi nearby.
Is Clifton the one?
Before dating Clifton Powell Jr., Sasha Obama was rumored to be dating Matt Metzler. They sparked dating rumors in 2017 when they were seen kissing at the Lollapalooza Music Festival, but it was unclear if they were officially a couple. After that, Sasha started dating Powell Jr. in 2022, and they have been together ever since.
It looks like Sasha’s parents support her relationship. In a 2022 appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” Michelle Obama talked openly about her daughter’s dating life, saying, “Now they are bringing home grown men. Before, it was just pop bands. Now they have boyfriends and real lives.”
As for whether Clifton Powell Jr. is the right match for Sasha Obama, it’s hard to say what the future will bring. However, it’s nice to see that they are enjoying their time together like any other young couple.
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