6 Salon Habits That Are Secretly Annoying Your Hairdresser

I owe my newfound confidence with curls to none other than the SheaMoisture Smoothie Curl Enhancing Cream, which they claim is their “#1 curl defining hair cream product for thick, curly hair.” It’s meant to reduce frizz, smooth your hair, and facilitate soft, bouncy curls.

I honestly tried this product on a whim, not expecting it to any of those things for me. I mean, I definitely don’t have thick, curly hair naturally. But, knowing I’ve spotted a few curls in my hair here and there, I thought there wouldn’t be any harm in at least giving it a try. I thought it’d be nice to be able to style my hair heat-free, especially in summer. The worst that could happen is I invest a few dollars in the curl cream, and if it didn’t work, I could pass it off to one of my friends!

The Results!

My first trial with this curl cream was not successful by any means. I ignored any instructions the packaging had to offer. Call me a rule-breaker!

The first go-around, I had applied a quarter-sized amount to the ends and mid-sections of my hair (post-shower) after it had dried a considerable amount. This was not the move, since it appeared to really weigh down my locks and surprisingly, added a weird texture that felt thick and oily. (Which, side note, shouldn't have come as a surprise since the cream has both coconut and neem oils in it).

The second, third, and fourth trials were really where I started to find my footing with the SheaMoisture Smoothie Curl Enhancing Cream. I slowly found that using a small amount of the product (pea-sized squeeze) worked best for me, especially on mostly-wet hair.

I would part and brush my towel-dried hair straight out of the shower, then “scrunch” the product into my wet locks as evenly as I could. From there, I wouldn’t dare touch a brush again. I would simply scrunch my hair incrementally to guide my curls as they dried, also making sure to push up around my root area for volume. And voila, they stayed in place! I had curly, bouncy, and smooth semi-curly hair.

Meet My Curly Hair Power Duo

I can’t give the curl cream total kudos to my ideal curls, though. After my hair would dry a bit using the SheaMoisture Smoothie, I would use a light layer of the amika Smooth Over Frizz-Fighting Treatment Mask to further eliminate frizzy flyaways (of which I have many), and it helped define my curls even further. Might I say, ‘power duo’?

I actually bought a 3.2-ounce tube of the SheaMoisture Smoothie Curl Enhancing Cream fromTargetfor a little under $4 since I wanted to start small and see if it worked for me, but you can also snag a 12-ounce tub of the same product on Amazon for $11 (originally $13, so buying it from Amazon is a better value).

Tips For Using Curl Cream

If you don’t have naturally curly hair and want to give this curl cream a try, my best advice is to go very light with the amount you apply. I definitely recommend putting it exclusively on wet hair, ideally after you shower or drench your second-day hair with a spray bottle. From there, brushing or running your fingers through your hair is a no-go, as I found it disturbs the formation of the curls.

SheaMoisture Smoothie Curl Enhancing Cream

The SheaMoisture Smoothie Curl Enhancing Cream has earned 4.5/5 stars from shoppers on Amazon and a 12-ounce pot is currently on sale for $11 (was $13).

amika Smooth Over Frizz-Fighting Treatment Mask

The amika Smooth Over Frizz-Fighting Treatment Mask has earned 3.8/5 stars from shoppers on Amazon and a 6.7-ounce bottle currently goes for $32.

1. Not washing your hands before handling food.

Your hands touch all sorts of things throughout the day, all of which carry tons of bacteria and germs you may not even realize are there. If you don’t wash your hands before cooking, you risk transferring dirt, bacteria, and even viruses onto your food, increasing the chances of contamination and foodborne illnesses.

2. Handling raw meat and then immediately touching other ingredients or surfaces.

Raw meat – especially poultry and seafood – carries bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. If you touch the raw meat you're cooking with and then handle various vegetables, seasonings, or kitchen surfaces without washing your hands, you could spread harmful bacteria, leading to dangerous cross-contamination and potential food poisoning.

3. Licking your fingers and continuing to cook.

Licking your fingers while cooking might seem harmless (especially if you’re just cooking for yourself or one other person), but it can introduce bacteria from your mouth onto the food and other kitchen surfaces. This is especially unhygienic if you're cooking for others, as it spreads germs and increases the risk of contamination!

4. Not washing your produce properly.

Nowadays, fruits and vegetables can carry pesticides, dirt, and bacteria from the handling, shipping, and storage processes. If you don’t rinse them thoroughly before eating or cooking ‘em, you risk ingesting harmful chemicals or bacteria like Listeria. Yikes.

5. Using the same knife + cutting board for raw meat and other foods without washing.

When you cut up raw meat and then immediately use the same knife or cutting board for the rest of the ingredients in your meals, you can totally transfer bacteria. This is especially important to avoid for items that may not be cooked further! It’s simply essential to wash your utensils and tools between uses or use separate ones for raw meat and other foods.

6. Using the same spoon for stirring and tasting.

Dipping a spoon into food, tasting it (even if it’s quick!), and then putting it back in the pot can potentially transfer bacteria from your mouth to the entire dish. This is wildly unsanitary when you’re cooking for a group, as it introduces germs or bacteria that others may not be immune to. The best practice here is to use a separate spoon for tasting or wash it briefly before using it again.

7. Sneezing or coughing near your food.

When you sneeze or cough, tiny droplets of bacteria or viruses can land on everything around your kitchen: food, utensils, and cooking surfaces. If you don’t cover your mouth properly or sneeze directly over food, you risk contaminating the meal, which is both unsanitary (and unappetizing) for anyone eating it.

8. Using the same towel for drying your hands, wiping surfaces, and drying dishes.

It’s crazy how quickly kitchen towels can become breeding grounds for bacteria when they’re used for multiple tasks. If you use the same towel to dry your hands, clean up spills, and dry dishes, you risk spreading germs from raw food particles or dirty hands onto clean surfaces and dishes, making it an easy way to spread bacteria… unknowingly.

9. Letting your pets near cooking surfaces.

Pets, no matter how clean they seem, carry bacteria, dirt, and even fur with them that can easily contaminate food and kitchen surfaces. Allowing them on countertops or near food prep areas (looking at you, kitties!) increases the risk of spreading germs, especially since pets can’t wash their paws after using the litter box or walking outside.

When did the 2025 World Happiness Report come out?

The 2025 World Happiness Report was aptly released on March 20, the International Day of Happiness!

What does the World Happiness Report measure?

Published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, the report is based on data from the Gallup World Poll, which surveys individuals in over 140 countries. It ranks nations by happiness using the average life evaluations over the past three years, specifically from 2022 to 2024.

Participants in the survey rate their overall life satisfaction, and these self-assessments determine the rankings. To better understand the factors influencing happiness, the report examines six key indicators: GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, social support, generosity, personal freedom, and perceptions of corruption.

What rank is USA in World Happiness Report?

This year, the United States isn't faring so well. This year, our nation dropped to its lowest ranking ever: number 24.

According to Illana Ron-Levey, Gallup's managing director, some of the United States' decline in happiness was "at least partly attributable to Americans younger than age 30 feeling worse about their lives."

Why would some people be less happy in 2025?

"Today's young people report feeling less supported by friends and family, less free to make life choices, and less optimistic about their living standards," she added.

The good news is that the research shows people are generally kinder than we assume, and recognizing this could boost our happiness and transform how we perceive those around us.

Moreover, there are plenty of extremely happy countries that make desirable travel destinations. Here are some that topped the list in satisfaction.

2025's Happiest Countries In The World

It may not come as a shock that Finland has taken first place for the eighth year in a row. The nation boasts many beneficial policies and initiatives, such as universal health care, as well as a strong social support and education infrastructure. It also has a very low crime rate.

Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities, too, from soaking up the northern lights under the Arctic sky to hiking in one of Finland's 41 national parks, seeing breathtaking architecture, experiencing Midsummer, a celebration of the summer solstice, and, of course, trying Finnish food.

The runners-up to Finland include Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden in second, third, and fourth place, respectively. Just like Finland, these three countries held onto their global happiness ranking from 2024.

Those hoping to visit Denmark can explore its capital city, Copenhagen, which is rich in museums and other cultural experiences, learn about the fascinating history of Vikings, and dine at Michelin award-winning restaurants.

Over in Iceland, experience unbelievable 24-hour daylight from mid-May to late July, go whale watching, take a diving tour or guided snorkeling trip at Thingvellir National Park, traverse glaciers, relax in geothermal spas, and walk along beautiful black sand beaches.

Finally, in Sweden, there are various vibrant cities to check out, like Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. Pop fans must visit the ABBA museum, while culinary connoisseurs need to try authentic Swedish meatballs, and nature lovers can take in all the natural beauty that Sweden is renowned for.

Aside from the Nordic countries, which are dominating the globe in terms of happiness, two Latin American countries also made it into the top 10 for the very first time. Costa Rica ranked at number six, and Mexico at number 10.

If you travel to Costa Rica, you can embark on all kinds of adventures, from hiking and zip-lining to surfing and river rafting.

Or, in Mexico, see the archaeological site Chichen Itza, take a delicious food tour, and sit back on the sand of some stunning beaches.

What's the full list of the happiest countries in the world for 2025?

1. Finland
2. Denmark
3. Iceland
4. Sweden
5. Netherlands
6. Costa Rica
7. Norway
8. Israel
9. Luxembourg
10. Mexico
11. Australia
12. New Zealand
13. Switzerland
14. Belgium
15. Ireland
16. Lithuania
17. Austria
18. Canada
19. Slovenia
20. Czechia
21. United Arab Emirates
22. Germany
23. United Kingdom
24. United States
25. Belize