All posts tagged: fashion & beauty

7 Best Shower Filters (2026), WIRED Tested and Approved

7 Best Shower Filters (2026), WIRED Tested and Approved

Published by skeptic

Compare Our Top Shower Filter Systems Honorable Mention Shower Filters Photograph: Matthew Korfhage HigherDose Red Light Shower Filter for $599: This shower filter is in some ways the most intriguing shower filter idea I’ve encountered in the past year—a shower filter that also incorporates a ring of lights delivering dual red and near-infrared wavelengths (650 nm and 850nm) at purported therapeutic intensity. Aside from turning your shower into a discotheque, this amounts to a time-saving measure for those who would otherwise avail themselves of red light therapy on mats or with scary-looking masks. In this case, the red light therapy happens while you shower. The 10-stage filter, in my at-home testing, was able to remove 90 percent of the total chlorine from my chloramine-treated water. We’re still testing and looking into both the filter and the red light therapy over longer-term testing, but the device is already well worth mention. Photograph: Matthew Korfhage Afina A-01 Filtered Showerhead for $129: Afina’s two-stage chlorine filter is as effective as any of the filtered showerheads we tested out …

6 Best Beard Trimmers (2026): Full Beards, Hair, Stubble

6 Best Beard Trimmers (2026): Full Beards, Hair, Stubble

Published by skeptic

Compare the Top 6 Beard Trimmers Frequently Asked Questions How We Test and Evaluate Beard Trimmers AccordionItemContainerButton A beard grows about a millimeter every two or three days—an eighth of an inch a week, on average. So testing beard trimmers can take a long time. In general, we test each beard trimmer once a beard has grown out enough for a good trim—using at least two cutting lengths. Weight and balance matters, and so does the blade’s ability to get to the awkward areas around the neck. We check the trimmer’s ability to function as a shaver, whether for balding or on the neck. Our testers check how well-made and easy to use any attachments are, and we verify manufacturer claims about battery life and power. We also check in with professional haircutters, especially to verify claims of durability and reliability among brands and models. Tester Matthew Korfhage has coarse and angry hairs, with a seeming mind of their own. Tester Andrew Williams has a relatively full beard, with straight-growing stubble. We’ve tried to reflect …

NAD+ Supplement 101: Possible Benefits and Precautions Explained (2026)

NAD+ Supplement 101: Possible Benefits and Precautions Explained (2026)

Published by skeptic

“Even patients in their twenties have symptoms of brain fog, fatigue, chronic inflammation, and chronic infection post-Covid,” Khan says. In her clinical experience, some report improvements in energy, mental clarity, migraines, and circadian disruption after using NAD-related therapies, especially during periods of high physical or cognitive stress. “I have a lot of fitness enthusiasts [as patients], who recover better after an injury or an intense exercise routine,” Khan adds. “They feel like they can get more reps in, swim more laps, and their tissues aren’t as easily tired.” Early research is also exploring NAD+’s role in neurodegenerative disease, inflammatory pain pathways, and addiction, though much of this work remains preliminary. In people with existing degenerative conditions—such as Parkinson’s disease, sarcopenia, or Alzheimer’s disease—NAD precursors may help slow decline. What remains unclear is whether starting supplementation can prevent disease or significantly alter the aging trajectory. Safety, Side Effects, and Considerations Among NAD+ boosters, NR supplements have the most robust safety data. They have been studied in doses ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 milligrams per day in …

HigherDose Red Light Hat Review: Scalp Savior (2026)

HigherDose Red Light Hat Review: Scalp Savior (2026)

Published by skeptic

It’s similar to how red-light face masks work. These masks are usually worn for about 10 minutes and always have a light wavelength level in the 600-nm range (usually 630 to 660), like the HigherDose hat does, but you’ll also see masks with higher infrared-light levels that promise healing and reduced inflammation. The hat delivers only the main red-light therapy level and features 120 medical-grade LED bulbs arranged in a half circle for easy wear around your head. The technology is FDA-cleared, meaning the FDA has determined that this device is substantially equivalent to an existing legally marketed device. HigherDose specifically states that the hat uses “FDA-cleared technology known to stimulate hair growth and improve scalp health,” but this is not the same as FDA-approved, which goes under much more rigorous testing. FDA-cleared is the only status we’ve really seen with red-light devices, though, and it’s the same status you’ll see on our red-light mask recommendations. Photograph: Nena Farrell It’s fun that the HigherDose hat really does look like an actual hat. There are other …

What’s the Best Red Light Therapy Mask for Your Skin in 2026?

What’s the Best Red Light Therapy Mask for Your Skin in 2026?

Published by skeptic

Best Cooling Shark CryoGlow Red Blue and Infrared iQLED Face Mask and Under Eye Cooling AccordionItemContainerButton WIRED Tri-wick LEDs Cryotherapy under-eye pads Adjustable head straps Quick sessions TIRED Comparatively noisy Heavier and less flexible The Shark CryoGlow is one of the best LED face masks on the market and is a great choice for newcomers, since it holds your hand through the process. There are two main programs to follow—Blemish Repair, which uses a combination of blue light (415 nm), infrared, and red LED (630-830 nm) for eight minutes, and Better Aging, which uses just infrared and red LED for six minutes. It’s recommended to follow one program daily for eight weeks, switching to the four-minute Skin Sustain program afterward to maintain the best results. It comes with a handy controller that counts down your time remaining and also tracks your progress, plus the mask has a party trick of cooling under-eye pads that can be used in combination with the LEDs or on their own, to soothe puffiness. During my eight weeks, I noticed patches of …

16 Best Heat Protectant Sprays for Wet and Dry Hair (2026)

16 Best Heat Protectant Sprays for Wet and Dry Hair (2026)

Published by skeptic

Honorable Mentions Photograph: Kat Merck Sutra Heat Guard Blowout Cream for $24: I love Sutra’s IR2 hair straightener, so I had high hopes. This thick and almost fragrance-free cream is meant to protect up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and reduce drying time, but my hair felt dried out after use. Mane Temp Check for $26: “Smell cute, feel cuter” goes the slogan for this line of hair products and tools from celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin, founder of Ouai. This pink spray immediately cheers up any bathroom counter with its handwritten-style cartoon letters, happy clouds, and lychee/rose/vanilla scent. Though I loved how it worked on my 3a hair, I can see how it may be too drying for some. The Rootist BioBrew Fermented Leave-In Repair Serum for $57: Same as the brand’s dry shampoo, this lightweight spray’s claim to fame is its use of Rootbiotic Ferment, a fermented botanical blend that provides bioavailable nutrients for the scalp and hair. It’s an interesting concept, but I wasn’t blown away by its standard properties like frizz reduction. At …

Solawave Wand Fans: Don’t Miss This Buy One, Get One Free Sale

Solawave Wand Fans: Don’t Miss This Buy One, Get One Free Sale

Published by skeptic

TikTok-famous Solawave is running a Buy One, Get One Free sale across much of its LED lineup, including the viral Solawave wand ($169). It’s a rare deal on a skincare brand we’ve tested extensively and recommended, particularly for targeted treatments and entry-level LED therapy. If you’ve been thinking about treating yourself, the free second device is great for gifting, or for keeping on hand when a loved one starts eyeing your LED mask. All of Solawave’s LED devices are FDA-cleared, and many are FSA/HSA-eligible. Below are the standouts, plus a few additional BOGO deals worth flagging. Best Red Light Therapy Spot Treatment Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Wand The Radiant Renewal Wand ranks as our favorite LED device for spot treatments. It uses a singular 630-nanometer red light wavelength, meant to boost collagen and reduce wrinkles. The rotating head makes it easy to glide around your face, including the jawline and under the eyes. Plus, a built-in 12-minute timer walks you through your face zone by zone, so you don’t overdo it. Beyond red light, the …

The Best Therabody and Theragun Cyber Monday Deals (2025)

The Best Therabody and Theragun Cyber Monday Deals (2025)

Published by skeptic

Wellness brand Therabody’s Theragun Cyber Monday deals started for Black Friday and not only are still going today, but will be live until December 6. The company is mostly known for its percussive massage guns—which are on sale, too—but don’t overlook the rest of Therabody’s inventory. From skincare facial devices and compression boots to sleep aids and hot and cold wearables, there is a gadget for every concern. Most of these products are HSA/FSA eligible, too. We’ve rounded up the best Therabody and Theragun Cyber Monday deals worth your attention (and money). For more intel on sales, check out our Best Cyber Monday Deals roundup or our Cyber Monday liveblog. Updated December 1: We’ve updated pricing and ensured all these deals are still live for Cyber Monday. WIRED Featured Deals The Most Affordable Theragun Courtesy of Therabody The Theragun Relief is the last of Therabody’s 2023 devices, and it remains the cheapest so far—priced even lower than the Mini. For the price tag, you do miss out on some of the premium features, like the …