Charcoal Teeth Whitening and 24 More Wellness Products to Keep You Feeling Refreshed All Year Long

For many of us, 2017 was a doozy, but we here at Brit + Co are ready to hit refresh in 2018! Follow our Hit Refresh series through January for new ideas, hacks, and skills that will help you achieve (and maintain!) those New Year’s resolutions.

So, you’ve set your resolutions, and there’s a big section dedicated to self-care and wellness. Now what? Do you have what you need to keep up with the tooth-whitening you’d like to achieve this year? Do you have a place at home to do those 20-minute workouts you’ve promised yourself? Finding the tools you need to achieve wellness and self-care often results in hours of asking for recommendations, reading expert-approved articles, and endlessly rabbit-holing around the internet. Before you know it, it’s already February, and you haven’t even started on your goals. We’ve done the heavy-lifting for you (but you still need to lift those dumbbells). Here are 25, user-approved wellness goods to support your goals this year. Plus Amazon Prime‘s two-day shipping means you can start crushing it ASAP.

1. Blackhead Remover Mask, Purifying Peel Off Mask ($15): If you follow the instructions for this oddly satisfying peel-off mask, you will dominate your blackheads this year. Some phrases that Amazon reviewers used to describe Vassoul’s mask include “this marks works miracles,” “skin feels soft,” and “wonderfully effective.”

2. FitBit Charge 2 Heart Rate & Fitness Wristband ($150): Whether you plan to run, hike, bike, swim, or just take more afternoon walks, it’s redeeming to track the progress of your fitness goals. This FitBit has almost 9,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, so it’s worth considering. One Amazon user left a long-winded, five-star review that you might want to skim before buying.

3. The Whole30 Fast & Easy Cookbook ($30): The Whole30 is a short-term nutrition reset created by Melissa Hartwig to help you resist craving unhealthy foods. If you plan to commit to the 30-day diet, you might want to have its creator’s book on hand to help you through the Whole30 recipes.

4. Philips Sonicare Essence Electric Toothbrush ($50): How many times has your dentist recommended an electric toothbrush? Grab one once and for all. This Sonicare model has been featured at the top of the electric toothbrush best-seller list.

5. Active Wow Teeth Whitening Charcoal Powder ($30): Are whiter teeth on your 2018 wishlist? More than 10,000 Amazon users swear by this stuff and many reviewers claim to see improvements after the first use.

6. ArtNaturals Humidifier and Essential Oils ($44): Taking skincare more seriously this year? Humidifiers are recommended for the cold months when your skin gets dry and flakey. This small but powerful diffuser on Amazon comes with eight essential oils like lavender, tea tree, lemongrass, and more.

7. Reehut Yoga Block ($12 for two): Take your yoga poses and strength training to the next level with these highlym rated, dense foam blocks. Choose from colors like pink, purple, blue, black, and gray. Amazon prices fluctuate, but many reviewers claim you can snag two blocks for the price of one, so keep an eye on this listing.

8. RUNNING GIRL Ombre Yoga Pants ($10+): Here’s our favorite snippet from a review written by a woman named Gail, “Many yoga pants show panty lines, these do not (that I can tell)… I never get a straight answer from my husband.” Colorful, high-waisted leggings that don’t show panty lines? Yes, please. You can even buy these leggings in a pack of two.

9. Merino Wool Hiking & Trekking Socks ($27 for three): Hiking may be the exercise with the least amount of physical strain, but it’s proven to make you happier. But don’t forget — happy feet make a happy hiker. These wool socks have been proven in cold and wet climates, so you can wear them with hiking boots, or just as another layer under your slippers.

10. Simply Fit Board ($40): Created by a mother-daughter duo and pitched on Shark Tank, this balance board is a simple tool to help slim your waist, improve balance, and strengthen your core. It’s easy to do for all ages, even just for five minutes. Many reviewers recommend balancing while watching TV. That’s an easy commitment, especially with a new season of The Bachelor coming up.

11. Sweet Sweat Waist Trimmer ($20+): This contraption wraps around your waist, increases sweating in your belly region as you’re working out, and apparently helps you lose weight in the tummy area. We were skeptical, but after scrolling the reviews and reading about so many women achieving their health goals, it was enough to make us wonder, is this worth the hype? New moms are all about it, so it must be worth considering. One reviewer even says, “If you don’t own one of these, you are not sweating to your maximum potential!”

12. Gaiam Premium Print Yoga Mat ($30): If physical wellness is one of your focuses this year, think about what motivated you to actually participate in those healthy habits. Get a yoga mat that’s not only proved to perform but also one you’re excited about using. Gaiam yoga mats are rated five and a half stars on Amazon and come in 23 meditative patterns like serene mountains and pink cherry blossoms. Amazon reviewer R. Curry says, “I’m pretty pleased with this mat. It’s functional, cushy, and beautiful. I got the Marrakesh design and the color is a little more brighter and saturated in person than in the picture but I’m totally cool with that.”

13. Simple Modern Wave Water Bottle ($10+): It doesn’t matter what time of year it is; we are always pushing ourselves to drink more water. One way to support this goal is to have water available wherever you are — in your bag, on your desk, next to your bed, or in the kitchen. For you, that might mean placing water bottles everywhere or just bringing one with you that you love so much you’re eager to constantly refill it. We love this five-star water bottle in the amethyst hue, comparable to Pantone’s color of the year, ultraviolet.

14. Vitagoods Scalp Massaging Shampoo Brush ($20): Instead of trying to explain what this is, we’ll share with you Malika S.’s Amazon review, which more than 250 fellow users found helpful: “I have used this for about three weeks now and my scalp looks healthier than ever. This product massages and lifts dead skin and build up from your scalp. I recommend this for people who have psoriasis and other scalp problems. Plus massaging the scalp promotes hair growth and who doesn’t want that. This will need batteries and yes it really is waterproof! Hope this review helps!” This $20 device is also rumored to help shampoo the scalp of people with really thick and curly hair.

15. AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Kit ($55): Want whiter teeth without the mess of charcoal? This whitening kit includes everything you need for 20 self-serve treatments. It looks like something from an old-school infomercial, but there are hundreds of raving reviews from all kinds of people with sensitive teeth and skeptics. Many claim they saw results after two applications. Some one-star reviews claim the LED light stopped working, but it sounds like the AuraGlow company responds quickly for replacements. So there’s that to consider.

16. PIXNOR P2017 Waterproof Facial Cleansing Brush and Massager ($16): This device is intended to cleanse, remove blackheads, exfoliate, and massage your face. It’s small enough to travel with, but some reviewers were disappointed that it doesn’t come with a carrying case. Then again, this gadget costs less than $20, so not coming with a carrying case is forgivable. Otherwise, most people love that it comes with seven different brush heads and instructions on the purpose of each attachment. Plus it’s water-resistant, so you can bring it in the shower with you.

17. Conair Facial Sauna With Timer ($25): Treat yourself to an at-home facial. If this is your first venture to at-home facials, this affordable Conair setup is a good option. Basically, this gadget steams air to open your pores and comes with a cleansing brush to clean dirt and soften your skin. If you’re new to giving yourself facials, make sure to read the reviews where some users take you step-by-step through their routine and which products they like to use.

18. Levoit Elora Himalayan Salt Lamp ($80): For someone seeking serenity, be careful shopping for a Himalayan salt lamp on Amazon. It’s insane how many options there are. We recommend whittling your options down to the best-sellers, then sort according to size preference and your budget. Levoit’s version is about seven pounds in weight, 10 inches high, and prides itself on using premium crystals. One reviewer claims to have three salt lamps in her home, and this model is her favorite due to its dimmable touch switch.

19. Squatty Potty The Original Bathroom Toilet Stool ($25): Can we please talk about colon health? We won’t go into too deep of detail, but this seemingly silly contraption actually offers a lot of health benefits. With the Squatty Potty, your Puborectalis muscle is less strained and your colon will hold less toxic buildup. Read the reviews if you want to learn more; however, we must share this amazing poem composed by a happy customer: “Oh Squatty Potty, / You fill me with endless joy, / Yet leave me empty.” Priceless.

20. FITTIN Racerback Sports Bras ($10+): This is likely the best-selling sports bra on Amazon in recent months. The first pro: It comes in wide range of sizes from A Cup to DD Cup. This bra is wireless, clasp-free, comes in a racerback style, and has removable padding. Many large-breasted women submitted raving reviews on Amazon and offer detailed tips for sizing. Do keep in mind that this bra is intended for medium-impact, so if you’re a large-breasted woman shopping for a bra to run in, this might not be your best bet. However, if your daily workout includes weight-lifting, yoga, or any other medium-impact activities, this is your pick.

21. Dr. Pedicure Foot Exfoliation Peeling Mask ($13): Perhaps you’ve made ambitious travel plans this year, and you may forget how much traveling requires you to be on your feet. After spending a week hiking the islands of Hawaii, your feet will need some love. This pedicure kit has hundreds of five-star reviews, and there are many photos uploaded of users’ skin peeling from their feet, which apparently proves that this kit works. Gross, yet intriguing.

22. Tend Skin Solution For Unsightly Razor Bumps ($22): Planning on spending more time in a swimsuit this year? This Amazon best-seller is your new best friend. Reviewers say it is the solution to unwanted ingrown hairs after shaving or waxing.

23. Saucony Women’s Cohesion 10 Running Shoe ($60): Looking for new walking shoes? Survey says to size up half a size and you’ll be a happy camper with this sweet pair of Saucony shoes for extended walks, hikes, or if you’re looking for extra support in your everyday strides.

24. ProSource Puzzle Exercise Mat ($21): Six-pack abs don’t grow overnight, but they are a lot more obtainable if you have the means of doing your ab workouts at home. This set of exercise mats makes push-ups, planks, squats, and doing the Chaturanga a lot easier on your knees and wrists.

25. Resistance Bands Set Exercise Bands ($10): For only 10 buckaroos, you get a stretchy gadget that will become your new workout BFF. Your resistance band is like the girl in your workout class telling you to push, push, push. The band makes every exercise harder, which basically counts for double. This four-star resistance band is best suited for beginners. Experienced fitness gurus should proceed with caution; many reviewers claim that the material is too thin. So if you’ve got super strength, consider investing in a high-performance resistance band.

What healthy habit are you eager to adopt in 2018? Let us know @BritandCo.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

HBO Max renewedEuphoria for a third season back in 2022, but we sadly haven't seen any progress on the show in the way of filming. Though details surrounding the plot for Euphoria season 3 haven't been revealed, we are awaiting the TV show with excitement!

Euphoria has inspired our coolest makeup looks and on-point Halloween costumes, so we can’t wait to see what the next season of this neon-lighted, drama-filled story holds. Here’s what we know about season 3, thus far. Stay tuned for more updates!

Keep reading for everything we know about Euphoria season 3, filming in 2025.

  • Euphoria season 3 is officially moving forward, and will start filming in 2025.
  • Cast members like Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, and Hunter Schafer are returning.
  • Despite the fact creator Sam Levinson suggest Zendaya's schedule caused Euphoria production delays, the actress said she's "just waiting" to return to the show.

Is Euphoria season 3 coming out soon?

Eddy Chen / HBO

Euphoria Season 3 Release Date

Variety confirmed that we should be seeing Euphoria season 3 in 2026...but after an almost-three year wait...does anyone actually care anymore? I'm excited to see Zendaya return to the role that won her an Emmy (as well as the rest of the cast, obvi), but it's hard to be thrilled about something after such a long time. Luckily, fans are familiar with waiting a long time for new releases (remember that 2 ½-year wait for Euphoria season 2?), and hopefully the pent-up hype will be worth it when the show finally comes to streaming.

What's going to happen in Euphoria season 3?

Eddy Chen / HBO

Euphoria Season 3 Plot

Season 2 of Euphoria left us with a lot to unpack: Rue’s (potential) sobriety, Lexi’s chaotic play, Fez and Ash’s shootings, Cal’s insane sexual spiral, and of course, the glorious girl fight between Maddy and Cassie. The third season has some loose ends to tie up, and we can’t wait to see how it’s done.

Sam Levinson tells EllethatEuphoria season 3 is more of a “film noir,” and that Rue's plot line will “explore what it means to be an individual with principles in a corrupt world.”

Originally, Sam showed multiple story ideas to both Zendaya and HBO (and although Z doesn't have total creative control, as an executive producer, she does get a say in where her story goes). The show will feature a time jump, bringing the characters closer to the actors' ages. According to Variety, the first draft of the script gave the "meaty" storyline to Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi, and featured Zendaya's Rue as a private detective in more of a background role. More recent rewrites incorporated Z's idea of making Rue, who would now be sober, a pregnancy surrogate. Unfortunately, "the new scripts simply didn’t feel like the show tonally."

HBO chairman & CEO Casey Bloys told Variety that Sam Levinson is furiously working on the scripts. "One of the issues I think that Sam is thinking about is that he doesn’t want to have it in high school anymore. That’s where it was set and what made sense then," he says. "So when you take it out of that, there’s a lot of back and forth about where to set it and how far in the future to set it and all that stuff. But I think he’s got a take that he’s excited about, and he’s busy writing."

Is Storm Reid going to be in Euphoria season 3?

Eddy Chen/HBO

Euphoria Season 3 Cast

No, Storm Reid won't be in Euphoria season 3. On November 20, she revealed she wouldn't return as Zendaya's onscreen sister Gia. “I’m very excited for Season 3,” she said in a Rotten Tomatoes interview at the Governors Awards. “Unfortunately, Gia’s not returning to the third season, but I am so so indebted to the cast and the crew of that show, to HBO. Euphoria’s a really special thing and I’m so glad that that’s a part of my legacy and that I was a part of such a cultural phenomenon.”

However, we also know that Barbie Ferreira (Kat) won’t be returning for season 3, due to butting heads one too many times with the show’s creator, Sam Levinson.

Okay, so who's actually in Euphoria season 3?

Eddy Chen / HBO

At the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, Dominic Fike (who played Elliot in Euphoria season 2) told Variety it “would be dope” to come back for Euphoria season 3, but that “I don’t really talk to them anymore.” And after Angus Cloud's (Fez) tragic passing, some fans were calling for HBO Max to cancel the series.

But when we finally do see the series again, we’ll see more of the main cast: Zendaya (Rue), Sydney Sweeney (Cassie), Hunter Schafer (Jules), Alexa Demie (Maddy), Jacob Elordi (Nate), Maude Apatow (Lexi), and more – but who knows? The production team may surprise us with new additions, like they did with Dominic Fike’s Elliot.

And the cast is even more excited for the show to return than we are! While Sydney Sweeney says she "honestly" doesn't “know anything about it,” (although she's hoping for "Crazy Cassie": "The crazier, the better for me."), Sweeney can't wait to reunite with Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Alexa Demie, and everyone else from the show.

“They were the crew and the cast that were there at the beginning of my career,” she tells The Hollywood Reporter. “We all came up from different places but came together and were navigating so much at the same time, so it’s really nice having that core group. They’re experiencing a similarity to what I’m going through. It’s nice to have that community.”

Why is Euphoria season 3 delayed?

Eddy Chen / HBO

We've been waiting for Euphoria season 3 for over two years, but there's a very good reason for the delay. After a source told THR Zendaya was to blame, the actress reportedly laughed at the idea. “I will say, I have been off for a couple years, so not delayed because of my [schedule]…I’ve been open, just waiting,” the actress told Vanity Fair. "I haven’t read anything yet, but I’m excited to see what everyone has been working on, and what the future looks like for Euphoria...My most important thing is to do justice by the people who love and care about Rue, and make sure that she’s looked after as a character. I think that’s my number one duty."

Actor Colman Domingo has another explanation for the delay: “[Sam Levinson is] a person who writes and rewrites and writes and rewrites again, because I think he's wrestling with what's important,” he tells GQ. “He's responding immediately to what the ills of the world are. I know that the one thing I can tell you is that he's very much interested in the existential question of who we are right now. Our souls. That's what he wants to figure out with season three.”

“HBO and Sam Levinson remain committed to making an exceptional third season,” HBO says in a statement to Deadlineabout the show's official, if temporary, pause. “In the interim, we are allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities.”

So much has happened in the real world since the end of Euphoria season 2 that could have an impact on the new installment, and I can't wait to see what that looks like!

When will Euphoria season 3 start filming?

Eddy Chen / HBO

Euphoria season 3 will begin filming in January 2025. “We are shooting Euphoria,” HBO's Casey Bloys said at an HBO/Max press event on November 12. "I think we have a start date, mid to late January. Nothing’s changed...We are shooting the season. I have read the scripts. We’re happy. We’re moving ahead. All of the actors are in the show.”

The Euphoria season 3 delay comes down to significant script rewrites (not to mention how busy the cast is!). According to Variety, the original plan was for the Euphoria cast to work on other projects throughout 2024, and that filming the new season could take at least 25 weeks. However, it looks like that plan could change at any time.

In a March 2024 interview with Who What Wear, Sydney Sweeney shared her excitement to return. "It’s going to be very, very wild,” she says. And regarding the time gap between seasons 2 and 3, Sydney “actually [likes] it because there’s so much room for growth for both me as a person and also Cassie as a character."

Storm Reid, who plays Rue's (Zendaya) little sister Gia in the series, expressed her hope (and a bit of hesitance) in for Euphoria season 3 in talks with E! News at the Challengerspremiere in April 2024. "We're on pause right now, but we're anxious to get back," she said. "If it's meant to be, we'll be back soon and we'll give the audience what they want and deserve. Hopefully, we will be back."

On the other hand, according to an article published by Vanity Fair, another cast member (who wished to remain anonymous) said at the time, “I just don’t think it will happen.”

The anonymous actor also shed some light on the show's delay. “Since January of 2022, we have had a start date of March that turned into June, that turned into January,” they say. “And then they kept pushing every month from then on. It was two full years of HBO telling all the actors we were going back soon, so we couldn’t take some jobs.”

Now that Euphoria season 3 is officially on hiatus, the cast members aren't barred from taking further jobs, they say: “Before last week I couldn’t take any TV jobs. Since they have put it on hiatus, I can now take any job. But what sucks is that we all had more momentum right when the show came out but now it’s been 2 years of waiting.”

Eddy Chen / HBO

Hunter Schafer, who plays Jules in the series, joined the Call Her Daddy podcast podcast in August 2024, discussing everything from relationships to fame. The topic of whether or not Euphoria season 3 is going to happen came up – as it's pretty hard to ignore at this point – and Schafer immediately got emotional.

Alex Cooper, the host of the podcast asked, "Is season 3 happening? What are we doing?"

"I think everyone feels a certain sense of anticipation for, like, if we are supposed to do a season 3," Schafer said between tears. "Obviously, I'm still coming to qualms with what's happened, and losing people that we really loved and were a part of this family and everything," she said, referring to the passings of co-star Angus Cloud and screenwriter Kevin Turen.

"If we do go back, that's going to be tough," Schafer said. "I think there's a world in which we can channel that into making it a beautiful season 3."

Will there be a time jump in Euphoria season 3?

Eddy Chen / HBO

Multiple stakeholders in the Euphoria-verse expressed their interest in seeing the characters out of high school. When asked about season 3 in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Zendaya expressed her eagerness to see what post-East Highland will look like for the cast:

“I think it’ll be exciting to explore the characters out of high school,” said Zendaya. “I want to see what Rue looks like in her sobriety journey, how chaotic that might look. But also with all the characters, in the sense where they’re trying to figure out what to do with their lives when high school is over and what kind of people they want to be.”

Heidi Bivens, the HBO show’s costume designer, hinted further at a time jump between seasons 2 and 3 when talking with Vogue: “There is talk of [season 3] being approximately five years in the future, and that they’re not in high school anymore. Dorothy’s not in Kansas anymore.”

How many Euphoria seasons are there?

Eddy Chen / HBO

There are currently two seasons of Euphoria — both of which you can stream on HBO Max now. And it sounds like Euphoria season 3 will be the final installment. The Euphoria cast is contracted for the junior season, and according to a Variety source, they're all committed to seeing the story "through to the end with a third season."

Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on all things Euphoria season 3 — plus all the new TV shows coming your way, like Stranger Things 5 and The Last of Us season 2!

This post has been updated.

I’ve triedtons of different food trends in my day. From dumping chili oil on ice cream to concocting my very own Sleepy Girl Mocktail, nothing I’ve eaten measures up to the sheer weirdness we saw go viral on social media this year (major side eye to Dua Lipa’s pickle Diet Coke).

These are the top 5 most ridiculous TikTok-viral food trends of 2024 that left us questioning whether they really should’ve gone viral in the first place.

@claudiaeatsgood chamoy pickles are so good😋😩❤️ @Bussin Snacks #chamoypickle#chamoy#chamoypicklekit#bussinsnacks#takis#fruitrollup#mukbang#asmr#asmrmukbang#chamoypicklemukbang#juicy#pickle#mexicancandy♬ original sound - Claudia💕

1. Chamoy Pickles

People couldn't quit it with the chamoy pickles (AKA chickles) this year. I never would've guessed that chamoy, a condiment made from dried fruits, chilies, sugar, and lime juice, would be slathered atop the sourest pickles money can buy.

But the food trend didn't stop at just chamoy – many snackers stuffed their pickles with everything from the likes of Hot Cheetos, Takis, and Fruit Roll-Ups. What?!

This insanely sour, tangy treat kickstarted what the internet's coined as the 'Red 40 Diet', which certainly cannot be medically advised.

If you care for your GI tract, this food trend is 100% worth skipping and leaving behind in 2024.

@dualipaofficial

What do we call her?

♬ original sound - Dua Lipa

2. Pickle + Jalapeño-Infused Diet Coke

Diet Coke, pickle juice, and jalapeño juice = all the ingredients needed to concoct Dua Lipa's controversial 2024 drink. She loves it, but I on the other hand, do not.

Now, don't get me wrong: I love a good unexpected flavor combo, but gulping down a simultaneous dose of both pickle juice and jalapeño juice was not tasty to me whatsoever.

This trend even sparked a slew of Sonic diners to start ordering their soft drinks with pickles – but as divisive as this trend can be ("Don’t knock it till you try it," TikToker Mississippi Memaw told Food and Wine), it's just flat out weird.

@logagm

New cucumber recipe 🚨

♬ original sound - Logan

3. Cucumber Salad

If you bought a mandolin slicer recently, you might as well admit you're a victim of the TikTok-viral cucumber salad trend that made its rounds this year.

"Sometimes you need to eat an entire cucumber," TikTok user @logagmsounds off in the intro of every single one of his cucumber salad videos. And thus, the food trend was born.

It felt like I couldn't go a day on TikTok without seeing at least 5 recipes for a damn cucumber salad. When it comes down to it, I can appreciate the novelty (and taste) of this trend, but not the oversaturation. I'm gonna eat an entire cucumber one day, and get so tired of it the next. New innovations in 2025, please!

@kylekruegerr Would you try these?😂 #foodreview#seagrapes#food#review#tastetest#weirdfood♬ original sound - Kyle Krueger

4. Sea Grapes

It was like people wanted to eat the weirdest, grossest things in 2024. I can't blame 'em, especially if it's for clicks and views. But this food trend in particular literally made me want to gag – and I was only watching people eat through a screen (any fellow ASMR fans out there?).

They don't look like they're supposed to be crunchy, but they are. Sea grapes grow from aquatic plants and are filled with essentially what is a "salty liquid." They burst in the mouth when you eat them (one TikToker called them 'edible Orbeez'). Yuck.

@julieta.asmr I figured it out!! Blooper at the end 🥴 #asmr#asmrcommunity#asmrtiktoks#asmrvideo#asmrsounds#asmreating#asmrfood#asmrfyp#asmrmukbang#mukbang#asmreatingsounds♬ original sound - Julieta ASMR 🍒

5. Exploding Candies

The final (and especially weird) food trend I propose we leave behind in 2024 is these dang exploding jelly candies. They also made their rounds on ASMR TikTok, and I truly cannot stand to watch a single video featuring them.

First off, they look so annoying to consume. The fruit-shaped jellies are contained in a thin layer of plastic that's meant to burst open when you sink your teeth into it, prompting you to slurp out the sweetness inside. But what irks me the most is the fact that many people trying them can't even break the seal.

I'd rather watch someone make a simple PB&J than go to town on these microplastic-infused candies.

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Sprinkle the magic of Christmas into every seasonal activity by creating some festive Christmas nail designs! Whether you like to lean towards the traditional reds and greens or prefer to think colorfully outside the box, the polishes and Christmas nail designs below will set your mood and nail look right. Winter nails don't have to be drab – from star-studded nail art to bejeweled nail beds, we've got just the inspo for you.

Christmas Nail Colors

Amazon

essie 'Off Tropic'

You can't get your dream Christmas nail designs done without some stellar nail polishes! If your look involves a deep green, this shiny pick will help you pull it off easily. Use it to coat the entire nail for a sultry seasonal mani.

Amazon

OPI Opaque Light White & Gray Shimmer Nail Polish

With Christmas comes cold, and this nail polish screams icy. Wear it alone or apply it over a traditional Christmas color like red or green!

Amazon

OPI Infinite Shine 'Bubble Bath'

This baby pink will look gorgeous as a solid coat for Christmas-y dates and dinner parties.

Amazon

ILNP 'Ruby'

It's red. It's glittery. It's perfect for the holidays!

Amazon

Essie 'Winter Trend'

Spending Christmas with your besties or roommates? It's time for you to have your first 'Pinkmas' with the sparkly magenta nails to match!

Amazon

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri 'White on Time'

A super solid white nail polish, alongside a thin nail art brush, can be used to paint snowmen, gift wrap, or snowflakes like some of our featured Christmas nail designs depict.

Amazon

RARJSM Holographic Gel Polish

For the lazy gal manicurists, this holographic polish will make any light reflect off your nails which is the point during Christmas!

Amazon

essie 'U Wish'

Embrace the holidays with this fiery red that defies expectations of what a Christmas color should be.

Amazon

Butter London Patent Shine Nail Polish

This one color will work excellently for minimalist Christmas nail designs – use it to dot, stripe, or wear it on its own.

Amazon

Revlon 'Iced Mauve'

Sparkles are a must for Christmas, which is why we're heavily eyeing this potent pink.

Christmas Nails Inspo

Nataszija / July Ninety Six

Nifty-Gifty Gems

Use small nail gems of any color to infuse your Christmas nail designs with festive energy. We're loving red in particular because it just feels luxurious!

Brydie/Instagram

Deep Red Elegance

The bold red French tips, in combination with some art deco-inspired golden stars, can really bring your seasonal mani to the next level.

Charlotte Herberts/Instagram

Colorful Christmas Stars

Use a stencil or freehand these tiny stars in different chrome nail colors for a more jolly vibe this year.

Bryony Howell/Instagram

(Gift) Wrap It Up

A nail art brush can be used to paint on cutie little Christmas bows like this silvery one!

(via )

Oliwia Krauz/Instagram

Classic Colors

Multicolor nails are not dead – take the trend further for the holidays by crafting your look with a mix of whites, golds, greens, and reds.

Melou's Nails/Instagram

Let It Shine

For an understated (yet still spirited) Christmas manicure, glitter will be your go-to. We love the gradient effect that this hand has on!

Peachi Nails/Instagram

Merry & Bright

Tiny star details are sure to turn heads this Christmas! You could use any hue, but a standout gold like this one really makes your nails pop!

Check out our weekly newsletter for more seasonal inspiration!

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This post has been updated

First loves are TOUGH — especially when you start to see all the red flags you missed along the way once it's over. If you've been dissecting your own early love stories by reading Reddit threads or chatting with your girlfriends about their own relationship experiences, just know this: you're not alone! The entire Brit + Co staff even found ourselves discussing the first person we ever fell in love with...and the recounts did not disappoint. From realizing 19 seemed to be a common age for our all-time worst relationships to understanding how our first love was probably not as ideal as we originally thought, it made us wonder why we couldn't pinpoint red flags back then.

Licensed Psychotherapist Prerna Menon, founder of Boundless, LCSW-PLLC and Licensed marriage and family therapist Joseph Cavins, LMFT have a few thoughts that have helped us decode the precarious time in our lives.

Here's why some of us ignored how awful our first love might've been

1. We thought our first love was perfect and would argue with anyone who wanted us to take things slow with them.

Savannah Dematteo

I'll never forget the first time I fell in love at 19. I thought my ex was the "wind beneath my wings" because he had a great sense of humor and was creative like me. I told myself he was the person I was going to marry so I was offended when my parents didn't think he was mature enough to be in a serious relationship. If this sounds familiar, pull up a chair because Menon explains why we tend to idealize our first love.

"Your first love is your first experience with romantic love too, hence you typically see it with rose-colored glasses. The overwhelming emotion is often infatuation, which tends to overshadow the more critical and analytical part of our brain," she says. Sadly, this sounds like something my parents told me before but I couldn't fathom how true it was as a teen.

As the Clinical Director at Southern California Sunrise Recovery Center, Cavins has seen this play out before too. He says, "In your first relationship, there is a tendency to put your partner on a pedestal. The excitement of new love can create a powerful emotional fog that makes it hard to see flaws clearly."

Essentially, this "excitement of having a boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner supersedes" our ability to questions things we normally wouldn't put up with, according to Menon.

2. We tried to ignore the how many times our first loves disagreed with our values or goals.

Keira Burton

While some couples are able to make their relationship work despite having a different outlook on life, sometimes it can be a sign that things aren't going to work long-term. Cavins says, "One major red flag is disregarding differences in values or goals for the future. For instance, you wish to become a parent someday while your spouse swears this will never happen— or vice versa. Early on, you might dismiss these differences, believing love will conquer all. However, these mismatched priorities can lead to resentment and challenges over time."

Honestly, I probably should've ran whenever my ex would mock my belief in God only for us to have to attend his mother and stepfather's church whenever I visited. There was so much confusion there, but I tried to dismiss it as something he needed time to work out.

Menon adds, "If this relationship makes you feel like you'e standing in quick sand - where you are trying to move forward but often feel held back in your individual aspirations, it may not be the right fit for you."

3. We thought it was 'cute' when our first loves made suggestions about which friends to avoid or what clothes to wear.

Luis Zambrano

Cavins says, "Excessively possessive behaviors are another red flag that people often ignore easily when they fall in love for the first time. People tend to justify such behaviors by citing that it's due to love or protective instincts." I'm all for being in a relationship where your partner's able to see different sides of a picture, but controlling behavior shouldn't come with that. What might that look like?

Cavins says, "Your partner may frequently check in on you, offer opinions on who you should spend time with, or subtly pressure you into making choices that suit them." For example, your partner could start off making suggestions about your style that slowly morph into them controlling everything you wear. Somehow I went from being a self-professed 'girly-girl' to trying to emulate the style of 'sneakerheads' in a short amount of time. Though I love wearing everything from New Balance to Niké sneakers now, it's in a way that feels cohesive with my style.

You may have brushed this kind of behavior off because, again, you thought it meant your first love wanted the best for you. "It is understandable that such behavior hypothetically may come off as pleasant or affirming; however, they often signal an unhealthy dynamic of control rather than mutual respect," says

4. We always gave in when our first loves forced us to be affectionate.

Adely

*Sigh* I'm shaking my head for my younger self because there were many times I didn't advocate for myself in my first romantic relationship. I'd often give in to affectionate or intimate moments despite wanting personal space so I wouldn't be seen as 'boring' or uninterested in my ex. Menon says, "Given the infatuation, your first relationship can feel all-consuming and often is codependent. Hence, this may result in you overlooking that your partner does not respect your boundaries or desire for personal space."

Partly because the excitement of the relationship makes you want to spend all of your time together, until you don't. And then, it is often too late to correct a maladaptive historical pattern.

4. We always made excuses for why our partners would shower us with affection only to ignore us days later.

Pavel Danilyuk

Let's be clear, 'love bombing' feels confusing and awful. No one should make you feel like you're the center of their universe only to ignore your calls or texts days later. But, this probably happened while you were with your first love. Cavins says, "There's a tendency for people to brush off their first love's emotional unavailability. When, for example, a partner is not responsive and not engaging in intimate discussions or does not express their feelings, some may rationalize this as them being 'just not ready.'" If that were the case, this person wouldn't have made you feel like being with you is something they truly wanted.

Of that, Cavins believes "it's important to recognize these behaviors early" because "they can result in a one-side emotional investment that leaves one party feeling unfulfilled in the long run." Sadly, my first love would have days where he was super sweet to me only to feel like I was smothering him with attention. This is also the same person who begged me to remain in our romantic relationship when he went to basic training although I felt it would be better if we chose to be friends. Imagine my surprise (and hurt) when he told me we should have an open relationship months after getting stationed for the first time.

I should've known better because he was never 100% on board with the idea of marriage until after he graduated from basic training. Cavins calls this "emotional disconnectedness." His further explanation is this is "when the initial chemistry between the partners subsides that emotional attachment matters." To avoid this, he feels "identifying and addressing any of these is critical in a case where you are looking to create a strong and healthy bond."

5. We ignored the ways our former partner blamed us whenever they got in trouble with their parents or an authority figure.

Ketut Subiyanto

Did your first love have a hard time taking responsibility for things that went wrong by gaslighting you to absorb the blow of their mistakes? If you've furiously nodding, we should start a support group. Cavins says, "A key sign is a lack of personal or relational growth. Healthy relationships encourage mutual development, but if one partner stays stuck in old patterns while the other grows, it can create frustration and distance."

At no point should you be the reason why your first love got in trouble after answering their parents' house phone late at night after telling you to call at a certain time. It's situations like this that should've alerted us to awful behavior, but I can see how easy it is to dismiss things.

What if I'm in love for the first time and recognize these signs?

Andrea Piacquadio

First, my heart goes out to you for being in a relationship that doesn't feel healthy. It hurts when we realize the person we thought was so great is anything but. The road to letting go of idealization may be long, but you can and will get better. Cavins says, "In the process of self-healing and recovery, the first step that must be taken is self-reflection. Ask yourself all of the necessary questions that arise, such as what this relationship means for you, what your boundaries are, and what this partnership has revealed about you as an individual."

I keep saying this, but relying on journal prompts can help you unpack a lot of things and, thankfully, Cavins agrees. He says, "You could always opt to talk to a specialist or being journaling in order to find some closure and draw meaning from the experience." Also, he wants you to start "making new memories." But, don't be passive about it.

"You will have to engage yourself in activities that will help redirect the focus of your thoughts. This could include joining a new class, engaging in a hobby, or traveling that involves some independence. These experiences can help shift your mindset from loss to growth and reinforce your identity outside of the relationship," says Cavins.

Another important thing you can do is "solicit help from others," according to him. "Calling on people you trust, like friends and family, to talk about these feelings can significantly help in healing," he says. This also helped me navigate life outside of my first real romantic relationship, reminding me that I still had a lot of love in my life that didn't begin or end with my ex.

Here are Menon's tips:

  • Let yourself grieve — Let this loss run its course. If you need to feel angry, sad, distraught, nostalgic. Allow yourself the full breadth of this experience. If I ask you right now "don't think a out a yellow monkey", I can bet you just thought of a yellow monkey. We call this "the imp of the mind". When you reject feelings, or thoughts, they come back 10 times more fiercely. To move the feeling along, we must let ourselves experience it.
  • Rediscover your identity (So important) — Your first love is often intertwined with self-discovery, and identity formation. Reconsider your goals, interests, values, friendships and hobbies and try to build your own sense of identity and individuality.

Anastasia Nagibina

I saw my first love again and it feels like we're falling in love all over. Can we have a happy and healthy relationship?

I'm not going to tell you to run even though I told my ex I never wanted to speak or talk to him again. You could easily reconnect with the first person you fell in love with and realize that you're both in a place where you can have something beautiful. However, Cavins and Menon want you to be mindful if you're in this position.

"Reconnection is possible," begins Menon, "if both parties can objectively claim that they have grown emotionally and resolved the issues that held their relationship back." But, "if the reconnection is built on one person growing and the other not, it is likely to fail," she alerts. You'll need to "proceed with caution," she says because "your first love was a nostalgic era in your life that can cloud your judgement." To put it more clearly, she doesn't want you confuse "the fuzzies" with a "true knowing that the two of you can make it work."

Cavins says, "Reconnecting with a first love can trigger a strong wave of emotions, but it is important that such a decision is made with caution and a strong sense of pragmatism. Personal growth is a primary factor. Each party in the relationship must ask themselves how they have grown and evolved as individuals over time. If past patterns of conflict, immaturity, or unhealthy dynamics remain unaddressed, the same issues could resurface."

He wants you to consider these things:

  • Are there any active relationships or past engagements that would make it rather difficult? That's because the feelings that come with reigniting old flames are very strong and can alter a person’s life, making it essential to start thinking from all angles before going ahead with it.
  • Address previous challenges that caused the breakup in the first place. If the reasons behind the breakup have been resolved or do not exist anymore, then yes, meeting again has its prospects. However, keep in mind that, at times, memories can be selective and unfavorably distort the truth by overplaying the good qualities while avoiding the negative ones.
  • Only rekindle things if both individuals are in a healthy emotional state and the decision is grounded in practical, mutual considerations—not just sentimentality or romanticized memories. Clear and honest discussions and an understanding of purpose are vital in ascertaining if rekindling the relationship will be worthwhile for both parties or if it will simply be an act of revisiting unresolved emotions.

Menon's final piece of advice is similar in that she encourages you to be "self-critical, self-aware, and self-nourishing." She doesn't want you to be afraid to be "clear and transparent about your expectations for the relationship" either. Though we weren't a fan of the outcomes of our first real romantic relationships, they've made us wiser. So, shout out to our first loves for being the worst because they've become our best learning lessons.

That's not all! We have even more helpful articles about relationships & family if you're looking for everything from celebrity couples to navigating hard conversations during the holidays.

No matter how many times I rewatch The Vampire Diaries, there's nothing like seeing a cast reunion — and the weekend of December 6, we finally got to see our three favorite Mystic Falls gals together again! Nina Dobrev, Kat Graham, and Candice King were just some of The Vampire Diaries cast members who reunited for Epic Con to chat all things Elena, Bonnie, and Caroline...but things took a turn in the middle of the interview when one of the backdrops almost fell on Nina!

Keep reading to see what happened during The Vampire Diaries cast reunion with Nina Dobrev, Kat Graham, and Candice King.

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Even after all these years, Bonnie and Caroline are still saving Elena #tvd #thevampirediaries #ninadobrev #candiceking #katgraham #elanagilbert #carolineforbes #bonniebennett #epiccons

As someone who's done plenty of interviews myself, I know how fast a situation can spiral — and this interview accident is crazy. While talking on stage about the show, one of the backdrops begins to lean forward, and right before it falls on top of Nina, Candice and Kat quickly move to push it in the opposite direction.

"I don't want to see any 'Bonnie saves the day' memes," Kat jokes, referencing the fandom's love for Bonnie consistently helping the group throughout the show's eight-season run. "I don't want to see it, I don't want to hear it!" You can also see a relieved Nina hug Candice before revealing she thought it was a spider!

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In addition to this "Bonnie saves the day" moment (sorry, Kat, I couldn't help it!), the internet went crazy when Nina posted a video of her, Candice, and Kat recreating a photo they took during season 1 — especially after rumors have circulated for years that Kat Graham was mistreated on The Vampire Diaries set.

While these rumors have never been outright confirmed, fans have paid very special attention to what Kat has said...especially when she confirmedshe was the lowest-paid cast member and cried over her natural hair after revealing she wasn't really allowed to have an afro while filming.

"Love you girls so much!!!!!! 🥹❤️❤️❤️❤️" Kat commented on Nina's post, while a fan added, "And now the rumors can definitely be ended 🫶🏼❤️." These women are so powerful and clearly love each other so much, and I will take any and every cast reunion we can get!

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When Brit + Co caught up with Ian Somerhalder, he also expressed how much he loved filming The Vampire Diaries. "Every single day it was a laugh," he says. "I mean we had to be serious, you're running from ghosts and vampires and stuff, and you know, someone makes a fart joke and a 130 people erupt in laughter, there's only so much you can run for your life."

And thank goodness, Ian confirms just how much fun the cast had! "We laughed, that's how we kept each other sane," he says. "I spent 8 years on the show and now it's [been] 15 years. It's my longest relationship."

"I cannot believe it's been 15 years," he continues. "And so everyone who's seen the show, watched the show, supported us — and me — in any way, shape, and form regarding the show, I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

What would your dream The Vampire Diaries reunion look like? Let us know on Facebook!