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Parvovirus Cases Are on the Rise, CDC Says—8 Symptoms to Know
The agency notes that symptoms generally appear in two phases.
Abby Reinhard is a writer, editor, and native Jersey Girl. Before Best Life, she was working in medical writing, covering neurological news for healthcare professionals. She also published her nonfiction history book, The Marine Society of the City of New York 1770-2020, with Fort Schuyler press in 2020.
Truly passionate about writing, she’s always up for a new research project or to deep dive into a new topic—whether it be the latest medical studies or a wellness trend she can try out herself. She began her career at a local newspaper in New Jersey, where she was able to work in her hometown writing for and about the people she knows best. She took a hiatus to complete her book before continuing her work in journalism at NeurologyLive and later at Best Life.
It feels like 2024 simply won’t let up with health scares, with the onset of bird flu, rising COVID cases, and foodborne illness. Unfortunately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sounding the alarm on yet another troubling trend: an increase in human parvovirus cases. While people who contract the seasonal respiratory virus are often asymptomatic, there are certain signs and symptoms you should keep an eye out for.
In an Aug. 13 Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory, the CDC noted the increase in parvovirus B19 (also known as fifth disease) in the U.S. There was an earlier uptick in reported cases in 14 European countries.
Roughly 50 percent of adults have detectable parvovirus B19 antibodies (signaling a past infection and presumed protection against reinfection) by the time they’re 20, and more than 70 percent have them by 40. However, new data from the CDC revealed that the proportion of people of all ages with IgM antibodies—which indicate a recent infection—increased between 2022 and 2024. The greatest increase was observed in children between the ages of 5 and 9.
The virus is “highly transmissible in respiratory droplets,” and people working in schools with children are at a higher risk of infection. Some students and staff are infected during school outbreaks, while others are infected after “household exposure.” The illness can also be transmitted from a mother to a fetus during pregnancy or through certain kinds of blood and plasma transfusions. However, the CDC notes that “transfusion-associated parvovirus B19 infection is extremely rare.”
Those infected with parvovirus B19 might not show any symptoms, but when they do appear, they’re typically mild and appear in two phases. During the first phase, people may experience a fever, myalgia (muscle pain), and general malaise roughly a week after being infected. On its page outlining parvovirus B19, the CDC notes that headache, cough, sore throat, rashes, and joint pain can also occur. People are most contagious during this phase, which typically lasts five days.
During the second phase, adults may have a rash on the trunk of the body and joint pain, while kids often develop a “characteristic facial rash,” also known as a “slapped cheek” appearance. This may also be followed by a net-like rash and joint pain. When the rash shows up, children are no longer contagious.
The CDC notes that people generally only require care during the acute phase and then recover completely. Complications like myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), hepatitis, and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) are rare. However, those without preexisting immunity to parvovirus B19 who are pregnant, those who have weakened immune systems, and those with a specific form of anemia can have “adverse health outcomes.”
The CDC recommends familiarizing yourself with the symptoms and its respiratory virus guidance, especially if you are at higher risk of severe disease. You should also seek medical care if you are pregnant and have been exposed to parvovirus B19 or show symptoms, as well as if you have an underlying condition and symptoms of the virus.
We offer the most up-to-date information from top experts, new research, and health agencies, but our content is not meant to be a substitute for professional guidance. When it comes to the medication you're taking or any other health questions you have, always consult your healthcare provider directly.
Inflation fell just below 3% (2.9%) for the first time since 2021, which makes it the perfect time to look at your financial matters with a fresh perspective. But how can you take advantage of the current economic climate? “The top ways to grow your wealth are really simple, almost deceptively so,” self-made millionaire and author of “I Will Teach You to Be Rich” Ramit Sethi tells CNBC. “And they seem boring, but they are the ones that actually work.” So what should you do? Here’s how to save money and grow wealth, according to financial experts.
Consider investing even a small amount of money to grow wealth. “Invest a percentage of your income every year automatically and increase that percentage 1%,” Sethi says. “We often believe that rich people have access to secret investments, and that’s how they make a ton of money. Listen, I have access to those investments, and I can tell you right now, they typically do not perform better than a simple S&P index fund. The ordinary truth is that you can get great returns with a simple low-cost long-term index fund.”
2. Make More Money
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Don’t feel limited by the amount of money you make. "An often-overlooked option to save more money is to make more,” Kevin M. Curley, II, CFP, wealth advisor at Global Wealth Advisors, tells CBS News. “Working to improve or build up a skillset can increase an employee's value and the amount of money someone might be willing to pay them. Market any specialized skills on social media platforms by broadcasting them to anyone who will listen. You don't have to be an influencer to make money on YouTube, for example. It is possible to reach people who are interested in very niche areas and start making money with only 1,000 subscribers.”
2. Plan Ahead
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Plan ahead when doing food shopping or planning to go to a restaurant so you don’t get tempted by something outside your budget. "Be honest with yourself and set expectations with friends and family who might be expecting you to pick up the tab or purchase a gift,” Dr. Kate Mielitz, Accredited Financial Counselor at Beyond Finance, tells CBS News. “Yes, it's hard, and uncomfortable, to say, 'I can't afford it,' but it pays off when you have money in your account at the end of the pay period.”
4. Switch Service Providers
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Consider switching service providers to save money. "As a personal example, I recently switched telecom services and found it was 30% cheaper, and the plan gave me free cell service for the first year," Curley says. “Shopping around for home and auto insurance rates can be a good way to save money,” says Nia Adams, personal finance educator at Perspectives.
5. Is Your Salary Fair?
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Don’t be afraid to ask for a raise to make sure you are getting a fair wage. “Learn the skills of negotiating your salary and getting paid what you’re worth,” Sethi says.
6. Side Hustle
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Consider making more money by exploring side hustles. By using your spare time to work on new projects, you can make more money. “If you really want to increase your earnings, consider starting a business on the side,” Sethi says.
7. Reduce Investment-Related Fees
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Don’t overlook the fees on your investment accounts. "Fees are imperative to consider when choosing an investment because they can diminish your investment returns, and with compound interest, can cost you a substantial amount of money over time," Vincent Grosso, founder at Pascack Capital, tells CBS News. "To save money, investors can look for less expensive fund options. A more expensive fund does not always equate to a superior fund. Evaluating your fund fees can save you money today, and your future self will thank you, as well.”
Netflix fans rejoice—the streaming giant just renewed two major shows. Supacell and The Gentleman will both be returning for season 2 after performing very well in their initial seasons. “The world of The Gentlemen is a little bit of me,” Ritchie previously told Netflix. “We’re looking forward to bringing fans back into that world, introducing new characters and their stories, and I am excited to be doing it with this extremely talented cast.” Here’s what to expect in season 2 of both hit shows.
According to the official description, Supacell is about “a group of five ordinary people who unexpectedly develop superpowers. They have little in common except for one thing: they are all Black South Londoners. It is down to one man, Michael Lasaki, to bring them all together in order to save the woman he loves.”
2. What's Next?
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Creator Rapman says he has a clear idea of what will happen on the show. “I’ve always had it [mapped out] to Season 3. I know how Season 2 ends,” he told Tudum. “I’ve got stuff planned for this story. I’ve had this in my head for years, so I’m ready to go.”
3. Just Getting Started
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Rapman says each of the five Supacell heroes is just getting started. “Supacell Season 1 is my Batman Begins. It’s a prequel of what they’ll be like,” he told Tudum. “Season 2 is when you really see what they become. That future you saw at the end of the pilot in London, that exact future doesn’t exist anymore. They’ve changed everything. It’s going to be interesting when we get into the writers’ room.”
4. What's The Gentlemen About?
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The Gentlemen, based on the Guy Ritchie movie of the same name, is coming back for another 8-episode season. “When aristocratic Eddie inherits the family estate, he discovers that it's home to an enormous weed empire — and its proprietors aren't going anywhere,” says Netflix in their official description.
5. What's Next?
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Even the cast are full of questions and speculations about what’s coming next. “It’d be fun to see the business spread a bit more,” Kaya Scodelario, who plays Susie, tells Tudum. “How do they take it to the next level? They’re very adamant about not getting into the chop game, so how do they then continue to build the empire? Where does that take them? How does the new structure of the business work practically?”
6. What About Susie and Eddie?
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Fans of the relationship between Susie and Eddie should be prepared for anything. “I think they’ve grown to love each other in their own way, but I think they’ll never fully trust each other because they are so different and they’re from such vastly different worlds,” Theo James told Tudum. “There’s a love between them, but ultimately they will never be from the same cloth.”
7. Supacell Rave Reviews
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Supacell scored 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics and viewers alike raving about the show. “Though the excitement of supernatural abilities and the magic of science fiction ripple across the show, the series also explores major themes that disproportionately affect Black people, including human trafficking, extreme surveillance, pervasive global anti-Blackness and predatory medical practices,” writes Aramide Tinubu for Variety.
8. London Superheroes
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Other reviews highlight the unique aspect of having a superhero story take place amongst people of color in London. “This is not your typical superhero origin story, where preserving truth, justice and the American way is the primary concern,” Leila Latif writes for The Guardian. “Instead, the characters are operating in a society where the odds are stacked against them, and they are all struggling to make ends meet and avoid violence. Their priority is to use the unexpected new tools at their disposal to even the playing field.”
9. Cheeky Humor
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Fans of Guy Ritchie will know what to expect from The Gentlemen. “As you’d expect from the prolific and provocative filmmaker behind Snatch, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., the Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes movies, etc., The Gentlemen is filled with cheeky humor, sweeping camera movements, callbacks to previous plot developments and the occasional use of a graphic that spells out definitions and sometimes does some convenient math for us,” Richard Roeper says cia the Chicago Sun-Times.
What is it that makes a movie a timeless classic? “I’ve probably been asked that question more than any other. Everybody says, ‘So what makes a film a classic?’ And the answer to that is, I don’t know. It really depends,” TCM host Ben Mankiewicz tells CNN. “What I do know is that if you’re arguing about it, then I think we’re doing our job. This question is supposed to be argued over, and it’s supposed to be argued over passionately.” One of the hallmarks of an iconic movie is a powerful moment that not only makes the movie a must-watch, but comes to represent the film itself. Here are 20 unforgettable moments from iconic classic films that will make movie night special again.
"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn," says Clarke Gable’s Rhett Butler before leaving Scarlett O’Hara, immortalized by Vivien Leigh, in this classic Civil War-era epic. You can only push a man so far, Scarlett!
2. The Godfather (1972)
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"I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse,” says Marlon Brando’s Vito Corleone in this groundbreaking crime movie which was essentially the Godfather (sorry, I had to) of all the mob movies that followed. Brando’s bone-chilling threat of the line, so casually and quietly delivered, is truly ionic.
3. Casablanca (1942)
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"Here's looking at you, kid," Humphrey Bogart’s Rick Blaine says to Ingrid Bergman’s Ilsa, an improvised line that was not in the original script. Blaine says it in flashback, and when he tells her goodbye at the end of the movie (spoiler alert?). Truly the stuff romance is made of.
4. The Wizard of Oz(1939)
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"There's no place like home," uttered by Judy Garland’s Dorothy Gale, is one of the most beloved and quoted lines from a cherished classic movie. A close second is “only bad witches are ugly.”
5. Citizen Kane (1941)
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"Rosebud" is the last word uttered by Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles) in what’s widely considered one of the best movies ever made. "Here's a man who might have been president. He's been loved and hated and talked about as much as any man in our time - but when he comes to die, he's got something on his mind called Rosebud. What does that mean?" says the newsreel editor in the movie.
6. Psycho (1960)
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"We all go a little mad sometimes," says Norman Bates, famously played by Anthony Perkins in a movie that ruined showers forever (thanks Alfred Hitchcock!). Perkins is delightfully deranged in this classic horror/thriller film.
7. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
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"Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings,"says Henry Travers as the hapless angel Clarence in this classic Christmas movie. This perennial holiday favorite will make you happy at any time of year.
8. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
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"The trick, William Potter, is not minding that it hurts," Peter O’Toole’s T.E. Lawrence says to Potter in this sweeping classic. The line perfectly encapsulates Lawrence’s attitude and eccentricity when Potter tries to follow Lawrences’ example and put out a burning match with his fingers.
9. Chinatown (1974)
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"Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown," is one of the most memorable lines in cinema history, uttered by Lawrence Walsh (Joe Mantell) at the end of the movie. Bleak? Yes. Iconic? Also yes.
10. 12 Angry Men (1957)
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"I’m talking about somebody’s life here!" says Juror #8 in this intense, dialogue-driven courtroom drama. Henry Fonda gives a typically brilliant performance as the one juror who refuses to just casually send a man to his death.
11. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
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"I’m just crazy about Tiffany’s!" says Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly. Hepburn perfectly portrays Golightly’s vulnerability and sadness in this iconic romantic comedy.
12. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
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"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view," says Atticus Finch in this adaptation of Harper Lee’s timeless novel. Gregory Peck’s powerful performance as a lawyer trying to save an innocent man against all odds is heartbreaking and inspiring.
13. Vertigo
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“You shouldn't keep souvenirs of a killing. You shouldn't have been that sentimental,” says John ‘Scottie’ Ferguson, played by James Stewart. It’s moments like that which make Vertigo the perfect Hitchcock classic.
14. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
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"Get busy living, or get busy dying," says Andy Dufresne in a movie packed so packed with incredible lines and moments it’s hard to pick just one. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman give gripping performances in this movie about hope, friendship, and never giving up.
15. Singin' in the Rain (1952)
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"I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain," sings Don Lockwood, memorably played by Gene Kelly, in this iconic, timeless musical. Kelly’s performance was just one of many stunning musical and dance numbers in this beautiful and hilarious classic.
16. The Sound of Music (1965)
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"The hills are alive with the sound of music," sings Maria in one of the most stunning openings in film. The gorgeous Untersberg mountain is as much a character in this beloved musical as Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer are.
17. Rear Window (1954)
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“She's too perfect, she's too talented, she's too beautiful, she's too sophisticated, she's too everything but what I want,” says James Stewart’s L.B. 'Jeff' Jefferies when discussing the luminous Lisa Carol Fremont, played to perfection by Grace Kelly. Another Hitchcock/Stewart classic.
18. Sunset Boulevard (1950)
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"I am big! It's the pictures that got small," says Gloria Swanson in an unforgettable turn as aging star Norma Desmond. This dark satire perfectly skewers the film industry—deservedly so.
19. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
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"I have always depended on the kindness of strangers," says tender, fragile Blanche DuBois in this Southern Gothic drama film adapted from Tennessee Williams's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh are magnificent.
20. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
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The line "the stuff that dreams are made of," is uttered by Humprey Bogart at his weary best. Bogart’s turn as private detective Sam Spade is considered one of his most iconic performances in this noir classic considered the greatest detective movie ever made.
With the high cost of living, everyone is looking for ways to save money these days, and one of the best strategies to have more cash in your wallet is to make the most of your Costco membership. Smartly planned shopping trips and understanding your household needs are just part of maximizing your savings at Costco. Savvy consumers know that buying Kirkland Signature, the retail giant’s private label over name brands, is a way to cut costs, but there’s more. Best Life spoke with financial experts who shared their tips for getting the best deals at Costco and stretching the savings.
Gift cards are great gifts, especially for the person who has everything, and at Costco, you can score mega discounts on them.
Head to Costco's website and check out what they have available for gift cards, Kristin Bjornstad, Financial Coach and Planner, says. “I saw a pack of 2 $50 Uber Eats gift cards for $79.99 and 2 $50 Spafinder gift cards for $79.99.”
2. Decode Price Tags
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Costco’s aisles can feel like a complex maze at times, but one way to help you navigate is to learn what the different prices mean. Decoding the price tags can lead to massive savings.
“Price tags featuring an asterisk represent clearance items that have been marked down to their lowest price and won’t be restocked, while prices ending in 97 suggest a manager markdown that likely won't be offered for any less, meaning it's a good deal,” Andrea Woroch, Money-Saving Expert explains.
3. Fill Up
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Live everything else, gas prices are surging, but at Costco, you can fill up for a lot less.
“As I'm writing this, gas is 20+ cents cheaper per gallon at Costco than other gas stations,” Bjornstad states. “That is a significant difference. If you live close enough to a Costco and drive regularly, the gas savings alone might make the Costco membership fully worth it for you! If you're a multi-vehicle family, it definitely will,” she explains.
4. Get the Executive Membership
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There are different levels of membership at Costco, and some might not think that executive membership is worth the $120 annual fee. However, you’ll get 2% back on purchases and additional Costco service discounts, and Allie Echeverria, MS, RD, LD, and modern home economics expert, is all about it.The executive membership costs double the basic, but Echeverria says, “I always get a minimum of $60 back, so the upgraded membership pays for itself. My basic grocery shopping usually gets me to $120 back annually, covering my whole membership cost.”
5. Save on Prescription Meds
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With so many Americans taking prescription drugs, another way to rack up the savings is to get medications at Costco. According to the Mayo Clinic, more than 70% take at least one, and more than half take two.
“You can save up to 80% on popular medications when you buy them at Costco,” says Bjornstad.
6. Smart Bulk Purchasing
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Costco is known for its competitive prices on bulk shopping, but you don’t need to buy everything just because it’s a good deal. “I always advise clients to purchase non-perishable items and things they use often,” Chris Yang, personal finance consultant and co-founder of Coins Value, says.
He continues, “For example, buying toilet paper, cleaning supplies, or even canned goods in bulk could bring a 20-30% discount off the regular retail price. You do need to have space to store things, and you do need to calculate the per-unit cost to make sure you're saving money.”
7. Cheap Tickets
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Before paying for an overpriced concert ticket, check with Costco to see what deals they’re offering. You can save big on everything from movies to sporting events and more.
“I've personally seen the Doobie Brothers in concert, and apparently, I can see them again at a discount if I buy the tickets through Costco,” Bjornstad says. “They even have discounted festival passes for the GoldenSky Country Music Festival in Sacramento.”
8. Get the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi
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When used responsibly, you can reap the rewards credit cards offer. If you’re a regular Costco shopper, the Anywhere Visa Card by Citi might be worth considering.
“They give you 4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 each year, then 1% after that,” Bjornstad explains. “You'll also get 3% on restaurants and eligible travel, 2% on all other purchases from Costco, and 1% on all other purchases.”
You can use the credit card to fill up and save on gas, then earn money back.
9. Travel Deals
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Vacations are fun but expensive. The costs associated with traveling, like hotels, flights, and rental cars, add up quickly, but you can offset the price by booking through Costco. They offer discounts on travel packages (you can’t book flights only; it has to be a package), cruises, and more.
“Costco has a deal right now that is four nights for the price of three at a resort in Hawaii, plus daily buffet breakfast for 2 ($104 value per day), waived mandatory daily resort fee ($50 value per day), and complimentary self-parking (value of $40 per day),” says Bjornstad. “Plus, you get a 2% annual reward on top of that if you have an Executive membership.”
YouTuber Christie X is a Target expert—she knows which beauty products are actually worth spending money on. With hundreds of items to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which ones live up to the hype. In this vlog, Christie recommends 6 products that she swears by. With almost every item coming in at under $10, your next trip to Target will not only be fun but VERY budget-friendly. Read on to find out what Christie says you can’t leave the store without!
Christie is a big fan of the Makeup Revolution Soap Styler Brow Enhancer ($8). “You don't want to spend $20 on brow wax,” she says. “Try the one from Makeup Revolution. It works just like my Patrick Ta.” The Patrick Ta Brow Wax retails at $24, so that's an amazing makeup dupe!
2. Hero Pimple Patches
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Christie loves the Hero Cosmetics Mighty Acne Pimple Patch Duo ($6.99). “Pimple patches from Hero cosmetics are my favorite. It's the only patch that actually sticks on your face all night and it comes in different sizes,” she says.
3. Versed Body Lotion
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Christie recommends Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Body Lotion Unscented ($17.99). “Versed became my favorite drugstore skincare brand,” she says. “This body lotion has retinol in it, and helps with firming and anti-aging. Skincare should not be just about your face.”
4. Versed Cleansing Balm
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Christie is obsessed with the Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm - Eucalyptus Oil + Vitamin E ($7.99). “Their cleansing balm is what I use almost every day,” she says. “I love to bring around this travel size with me.”
5. Jergens Natural Glow
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Christie loves the Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer, Self Tanner Body Lotion ($9.49). “When it comes to self tanner, Jergens is always my favorite. This is something that I definitely don't think we have to go high end for. So this gives a natural, subtle, bro, depending on how much you want to put,” she says.
6. Crest Whitening Mouthwash
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Christie is a fan of the Crest 3D White Brilliance Alcohol Free Whitening Mouthwash, Clean Mint ($6.99). “I use this every day and it actually whitens my teeth,” she says. “I love this mouthwash! My teeth look whiter after only a few days of using it. The flavor is refreshingly minty, but not too strong. I have sensitive teeth, but this does not bother them so it is a great whitening option for me!” reads a customer review.