This edition of the Venice Biennale includes 65 national pavilions, 11 collateral events, and over 750 participants in the international exhibition curated by Italian architect and engineer Carlo Ratti. Entitled Intelligens: Natural Artificial Collective, its stated aim is to make Venice a ‘living laboratory’. But Ratti’s exhibition in the Arsenale has been hit by mixed reviews. The AJ’s Rob Wilson described it as ‘a bit of a confusing mess’, while other media outlets have called the robot-heavy exhibit of future-facing building-focused solutions to the climate crisis a ‘tech-bro fever dream’ and a ‘mind-boggling rollercoaster’ to mention a few. It is a distinct shift away from the biennale of two years ago twhen Ghanaian-Scottish architect Lesley Lokko curated the main exhibitions, including 89 participants – of which more than half were from Africa or the African diaspora – in a convincing reset of the architectural conversation.Advertisement This year’s National Pavilions and collateral exhibits, by contrast, have tackled the largest themes in architecture and the world right now in a less constrained way than the main exhibitions. The exhibits are radical and work as a useful gauge for understanding what’s important in each country: decarbonisation, climate resilience, the reconstruction of Gaza, and an issue more prevalent in politics closer to home: gender wars. What's not to miss in the Giardini? British Pavilion (photography: Chris Lane) UK Pavilion The British Pavilion this year, which won a special mention from the Venetian jury, is housing a show by a British-Kenyan collab titled GBR – Geology of Britannic Repair. In it, the curators explore the links between colonialism, the built environment and geological extraction. Focusing on the Rift Valley, which runs from east Africa to the Middle East, including Palestine, the exhibition was curated by the Nairobi-based studio cave_bureau, UK-based curator, writer and Farrell Centre director Owen Hopkins and Queen Mary University professor Kathryn Yusoff. The pavilion’s façade is cloaked by a beaded veil of agricultural waste briquettes and clay and glass beads, produced in Kenya and India, echoing both Maasai practices and beads once made on Venice’s Murano, as currency for the exchange of metals, minerals and slaves. The pavilion’s six gallery spaces include multisensory installations such as the Earth Compass, a series of celestial maps connecting London and Nairobi; the Rift Room, tracing one of humans’ earliest migration routes; and the Shimoni Slave Cave, featuring a large-scale bronze cast of a valley cave historically used as a holding pen for enslaved people.Advertisement The show also includes Objects of Repair, a project by design-led research group Palestine Regeneration Team (PART), looking at how salvaged materials could help rebuild war-torn Gaza, the only exhibit anywhere in the Biennale that tackled the reconstruction of Gaza face-on – doing so impressively, both politically and sensitively. Read more here. Danish Pavilion (photography: Hampus Berndtson) Demark Pavilion A firm favourite by most this year, the Danish exhibition Build of Site, curated by Søren Pihlmann of Pihlmann Architects, transforms the pavilion, which requires renovation anyway, into both a renovation site and archive of materials. Clever, simple and very methodical, the building is being both renewed while at the same time showcasing innovative methods to reuse surplus materials uncovered during the construction process – as an alternative to using new resources to build a temporary exhibition. The renovation of the 1950s Peter Koch-designed section of the pavilion began in December 2024 and will be completed following the biennale, having been suspended for its duration. On display are archetypal elements including podiums, ramps, benches and tables – all constructed from the surplus materials unearthed during the renovation, such as wood, limestone, concrete, stone, sand, silt and clay. Belgian Pavilion (photography: Michiel De Cleene) Belgium Pavilion If you need a relaxing break from the intensity of the biennale, then the oldest national pavilion in the Giardini is the one for you. Belgium’s Building Biospheres: A New Alliance between Nature and Architecture brings ‘plant intelligence’ to the fore. Commissioned by the Flanders Architecture Institute and curated by landscape architect Bas Smets and neurobiologist Stefano Mancuso, the exhibit investigates how the natural ‘intelligence’ of plants can be used to produce an indoor climate – elevating the role of landscape design and calling for it to no longer serve as a backdrop for architecture. Inside, more than 200 plants occupy the central area beneath the skylight, becoming the pavilion’s centrepiece, with the rear space visualising ‘real-time’ data on the prototype’s climate control performance. Spanish Pavilion (photography: Luca Capuano) Spain Pavilion One for the pure architecture lovers out there, models (32!), installations, photographs and timber structures fill the Spanish Pavilion in abundance. Neatly curated by architects Roi Salgueiro Barrio and Manuel Bouzas Barcala, Internalities shows a series of existing and research projects that have contributed to decarbonising construction in Spain. The outcome? An extensive collection of work exploring the use of very local and very specific regenerative and low-carbon construction and materials – including stone, wood and soil. The joy of this pavilion comes from the 16 beautiful timber frames constructed from wood from communal forests in Galicia. Polish Pavilion (photography: Luca Capuano) Poland Pavilion Poland’s pavilion was like Marmite this year. Some loved its playful approach while others found it silly. Lares and Penates, taking its name from ancient Roman deities of protection, has been curated by Aleksandra Kędziorek and looks at what it means and takes to have a sense of security in architecture. Speaking to many different anxieties, it refers to the unspoken assumption of treating architecture as a safe haven against the elements, catastrophes and wars – showcasing and elevating the mundane solutions and signage derived from building, fire and health regulations. The highlight? An ornate niche decorated with tiles and stones just for … a fire extinguisher. Dutch Pavilion (photography: Cristiano Corte) Netherlands Pavilion Punchy and straight to the point, SIDELINED: A Space to Rethink Togetherness takes sports as a lens for looking at how spatial design can both reveal and disrupt the often-exclusionary dynamics of everyday environments. Within the pavilion, the exhibit looks beyond the large-scale arena of the stadium and gymnasium to investigate the more localised and intimate context of the sports bar, as well as three alternative sports – a site of both social production and identity formation – as a metaphor for uniting diverse communities. The pavilion-turned-sports bar, designed by Koos Breen and Jeannette Slütter and inspired by Asger Jorn’s three-sided sports field, is a space for fluidity and experimentation where binary oppositions, social hierarchies and cultural values are contested and reshaped – complete with jerseys and football scarfs (currently a must-have fashion item) worn by players in the alternative Anonymous Allyship aligning the walls. Read Derin Fadina’s review for the AJ here. Performance inside the Nordic Countries Pavilion (photography: Venla Helenius) Nordic Countries Pavilion Probably the most impactful national pavilion this year (and with the best tote bag by far), the Nordic Countries have presented an installation with performance work. Curated by Kaisa Karvinen, Industry Muscle: Five Scores for Architecture continues Finnish artist Teo Ala-Ruona’s work on trans embodiment and ecology by considering the trans body as a lens through which to examine modern architecture and the built environment. The three-day exhibition opening featured a two-hour performance each day with Ala-Ruona and his troupe crawling, climbing and writhing around the space, creating a bodily dialogue with the installations and pavilion building itself, which was designed by celebrated Modernist architect Sverre Fehn. The American pavilion next door, loudly (country music!) turns its back on what’s going on in its own country by just celebrating the apathetical porch, making the Nordic Countries seem even more relevant in this crucial time. Read Derin Fadina’s review for the AJ here. German Pavilion (photography: Luca Capuano) Germany Pavilion An exhibit certainly grabbing the issue of climate change by its neck is the German contribution, Stresstest. Curated by Nicola Borgmann, Elisabeth Endres, Gabriele G Kiefer and Daniele Santucci, the pavilion has turned climate change into a literal physical and psychological experience for visitors by creating contrasting ‘stress’ and ‘de-stress’ rooms. In the dark stress room, a large metal sculpture creates a cramped and hot space using heating mats hung from the ceiling and powered by PVs. Opposite is a calmer space demonstrating strategies that could be used to reduce the heat of cities, and between the two spaces is a film focusing on the impacts of cities becoming hotter. If this doesn’t highlight the urgency of the situation, I’m not sure what will. Best bits of the Arsenale outside the main exhibitions Bahrain Pavilion (photography: Andrea Avezzù) Bahrain Pavilion Overall winner of this year’s Golden Lion for best national participation, Bahrain’s pavilion in the historic Artiglierie of the Arsenale is a proposal for living and working through heat conditions. Heatwave, curated by architect Andrea Faraguna, reimagines public space design by exploring passive cooling strategies rooted in the Arab country’s climate, as well as cultural context. A geothermal well and solar chimney are connected through a thermo-hygrometric axis that links underground conditions with the air outside. The inhabitable space that hosts visitors is thus compressed and defined by its earth-covered floor and suspended ceiling, and is surrounded by memorable sandbags, highlighting its scalability for particularly hot construction sites in the Gulf where a huge amount of construction is taking place. In the Arsenale’s exhibition space, where excavation wasn’t feasible, this system has been adapted into mechanical ventilation, bringing in air from the canal side and channelling it through ductwork to create a microclimate. Slovenian Pavilion (photography: Andrea Avezzù) Slovenia Pavilion The AJ’s Rob Wilson’s top pavilion tip this year provides an enjoyable take on the theme of the main exhibition, highlighting how the tacit knowledge and on-site techniques and skills of construction workers and craftspeople are still the key constituent in architectural production despite all the heat and light about robotics, prefabrication, artificial intelligence and 3D printing. Master Builders, curated by Ana Kosi and Ognen Arsov and organised by the Museum of Architecture and Design (MAO) in Ljubljana, presents a series of ‘totems’ –accumulative sculpture-like structures that are formed of conglomerations of differently worked materials, finishes and building elements. These are stacked up into crazy tower forms, which showcase various on-site construction skills and techniques, their construction documented in accompanying films. Uzbekistan Pavilion (photography: Luca Capuano) Uzbekistan Pavilion Uzbekistan’s contribution explores the Soviet era solar furnace and Modernist legacy. Architecture studio GRACE, led by curators Ekaterina Golovatyuk and Giacomo Cantoni have curated A Matter of Radiance. The focus is the Sun Institute of Material Science – originally known as the Sun Heliocomplex – an incredible large-scale scientific structure built in 1987 on a natural, seismic-free foundation near Tashkent and one of only two that study material behaviour under extreme temperatures. The exhibition examines the solar oven’s site’s historical and contemporary significance while reflecting on its scientific legacy and influence moving beyond just national borders. Applied Arts Pavilion (photography: Andrea Avezzù) V&A Applied Arts Pavilion Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R) is having a moment. The US-based practice, in collaboration with V&A chief curator Brendan Cormier, has curated On Storage, which aptly explores global storage architectures in a pavilion that strongly links to the V&A’s recent opening of Storehouse, its new (and free) collections archive in east London. Featured is a six-channel (and screen) film entitled Boxed: The Mild Boredom of Order, directed by the practice itself and following a toothbrush, as a metaphor for an everyday consumer product, on its journey through different forms of storage across the globe – from warehouse to distribution centre to baggage handlers down to the compact space of a suitcase. Also on display are large-format photographs of V&A East Storehouse, DS+R’s original architectural model and sketchbook and behind-the-scenes photography of Storehouse at work, taken by emerging east London-based photographers. Canal Café (photography: Marco Zorzanello) Canal café Golden Lion for the best participation in the actual exhibition went to Canal Café, an intervention designed by V&A East Storehouse’s architect DS+R with Natural Systems Utilities, SODAI, Aaron Betsky and Davide Oldani. Serving up canal-water espresso, the installation is a demonstration of how Venice itself can be a laboratory to understand how to live on the water in a time of water scarcity. The structure, located on the edge of the Arsenale’s building complex, draws water from its lagoon before filtering it onsite via a hybrid of natural and artificial methods, including a mini wetland with grasses. The project was recognised for its persistence, having started almost 20 years ago, just showing how water scarcity, contamination and flooding are still major concerns both globally and, more locally, in the tourist-heavy city of Venice. And what else? Holy See Pavilion (photography: Andrea Avezzù) The Holy See Much like the Danish Pavilion, the Pavilion of the Holy See is also taking on an approach of renewal this year. Over the next six months, Opera Aperta will breathe new life into the Santa Maria Ausiliatrice Complex in the Castello district of Venice. Founded as a hospice for pilgrims in 1171, the building later became the oldest hospital and was converted into school in the 18th century. In 2001, the City of Venice allocated it for cultural use and for the next four years it will be managed by the Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Holy See to oversee its restoration. Curated by architect, curator and researcher Marina Otero Verzier and artistic director of Fondaco Italia, Giovanna Zabotti, the complex has been turned into a constant ‘living laboratory’ of collective repair – and received a special mention in the biennale awards. The restoration works, open from Tuesday to Friday, are being carried out by local artisans and specialised restorers with expertise in recovering stone, marble, terracotta, mural and canvas painting, stucco, wood and metal artworks. The beauty, however, lies in the photogenic fabrics, lit by a warm yellow glow, hanging from the walls within, gently wrapping the building’s surfaces, leaving openings that allow movement and offer glimpses of the ongoing restoration. Mobile scaffolding, used to support the works, also doubles up as furniture, providing space for equipment and subdividing the interior. Togo Pavilion (photography: Andrea Avezzù) Togo Pavilion The Republic of Togo has presented its first pavilion ever at the biennale this year with the project Considering Togo’s Architectural Heritage, which sits intriguingly at the back of a second-hand furniture shop. The inaugural pavilion is curated by Lomé and Berlin-based Studio NEiDA and is in Venice’s Squero Castello. Exploring Togo’s architectural narratives from the early 20th century, and key ongoing restoration efforts, it documents key examples of the west African country’s heritage, highlighting both traditional and more modern building techniques – from Nôk cave dwellings to Afro-Brazilian architecture developed by freed slaves to post-independence Modernist buildings. Some buildings showcased are in disrepair, despite most of the modern structures remaining in use today, including Hotel de la Paix and the Bourse du Travail, suggestive of a future of repair and celebration. Estonian Pavilion (photography: Joosep Kivimäe) Estonia Pavilion Another firm favourite this year is the Estonian exhibition on Riva dei Sette Martiri on the waterfront between Corso Garibaldi and the Giardini.  The Guardian’s Olly Wainwright said that outside the Giardini, it packed ‘the most powerful punch of all.’ Simple and effective, Let Me Warm You, curated by trio of architects Keiti Lige, Elina Liiva and Helena Männa, asks whether current insulation-driven renovations are merely a ‘checkbox’ to meet European energy targets or ‘a real chance’ to enhance the spatial and social quality of mass housing. The façade of the historic Venetian palazzetto in which it is housed is clad with fibre-cement insulation panels in the same process used in Estonia itself for its mass housing – a powerful visual statement showcasing a problematic disregard for the character and potential of typical habitable spaces. Inside, the ground floor is wrapped in plastic and exhibits how the dynamics between different stakeholders influence spatial solutions, including named stickers to encourage discussion among your peers. Venice Procuratie (photography: Mike Merkenschlager) SMAC (San Marco Art Centre) Timed to open to the public at the same time as the biennale, SMAC is a new permanent arts institution in Piazza San Marco, on the second floor of the Procuratie, which is owned by Generali. The exhibition space, open to the public for the first time in 500 years, comprises 16 galleries arranged along a continuous corridor stretching over 80m, recently restored by David Chipperfield Architects. Visitors can expect access through a private courtyard leading on to a monumental staircase and experience a typically sensitive Chipperfield restoration, which has revived the building’s original details: walls covered in a light grey Venetian marmorino made from crushed marble and floors of white terrazzo. During the summer, its inaugural programme features two solo exhibitions dedicated to Australian modern architect Harry Seidler and Korean landscape designer Jung Youngsun. Holcim's installation (photography: Celestia Studio) Holcim x Elemental Concrete manufacturer Holcim makes an appearance for a third time at Venice, this time partnering with Chilean Pritzker Prize-winning Alejandro Aravena’s practice Elemental – curator of the 2016 biennale – to launch a resilient housing prototype that follows on from the Norman Foster-designed Essential Homes Project. The ‘carbon-neutral’ structure incorporates Holcim’s range of low-carbon concrete ECOPact and is on display as part of the Time Space Existence exhibition organised by the European Cultural Centre in their gardens. It also applies Holcim’s ‘biochar’ technology for the first time, a concrete mix with 100 per cent recycled aggregates, in a full-scale Basic Services Unit. This follows an incremental design approach, which could entail fast and efficient construction via the provision of only essential housing components, and via self-build. The Next Earth at Palazzo Diedo (photography: Joan Porcel) The Next Earth At Palazzo Diedo’s incredible dedicated Berggruen Arts and Culture space, MIT’s department of architecture and think tank Antikythera (apparently taking its name from the first-known computer) have come together to create the exhibition The Next Earth: Computation, Crisis, Cosmology, which questions how philosophy and architecture must and can respond to various planet-wide crises. Antikythera’s The Noocene: Computation and Cosmology from Antikythera to AI looks at the evolution of ‘planetary computation’ as an ‘accidental’ megastructure through which systems, from the molecular to atmospheric scales, become both comprehensible and composable. What is actually on display is an architectural scale video monolith and short films on AI, astronomy and artificial life, as well as selected artefacts. MIT’s Climate Work: Un/Worlding the Planet features 37 works-in-progress, each looking at material supply chains, energy expenditure, modes of practice and deep-time perspectives. Take from it what you will. The 19th International Venice Architecture Biennale remains open until Sunday, 23 November 2025.

Today, like most days, I made a trip to the post office to ship out my Poshmark sales. But what I'm shipping out looks a little different than it might have a few months ago. Of the seven packages I'm handing off, only one contains an item I'd consider "nice." Alongside that Fendi top are six pieces from fast-fashion brands—ultra cheap stuff I ordered from Chinese retailers like Shein and Temu that, until recently, I never expected to actually sell, given that someone could buy the same item new at, well, Shein and Temu prices. But since the United States' new tariff structure went into effect (primarily the elimination of the de minimus exemption), consumers have been forced to adjust to a reality in which they can't easily source everything from toothbrush holders to micro-trendy outfits from an low price Chinese retail giant, to say nothing of concerns over how much more they could be paying for pricier items like autos and appliances made with foreign parts or manufactured overseas. In this period of uncertainty, resale apps may be filling the void. My own Poshmark sales are up compared to the month before the tariffs went into effect, with a notable rise in sales of basic, cheap stuff. Curious, I talked to a few experts to see if my experiences were indicative of a broader trend—one that could mean good things (well, relatively speaking) for resale buyers and sellers alike.The vibe on the resale apps in the wake of tariffsThe rollout of the tariffs has been confusing and disjointed. It was (and still is) hard to predict when consumers will see price increases on foreign-made electronics, cars, and other goods, or on products assembled in the U.S. but made with imported parts. But from the start, it has been obvious that goods from China in particular were about to cost a whole lot more—including the volumes of stuff shipped directly to consumers from the likes of Temu and Shein, the latter of which is famous for uploading 10,000 new styles to its site every day (and for charging unbelievably low prices for all of them). Months ago, when the tariffs were first announced, people started wondering if they should start stocking up (and on what), whether they were importing cheap clothes from Shein or bracing for higher prices on more substantial goods like smartphones. I've bought more than my share of junk from Shein, though I know it is not exactly a sustainable or environmentally friendly choice. To make myself feel better about that, I've always listed the clothes on resale apps once I'm done with them. To be clear, these are cheaply made garments—you don't buy your capsule wardrobe on Shein; Shein is where you shop for micro-trends (styles that are currently all over your Instagram and Pinterest feed, but which won't be in two months) or basics like tank tops that you can use and abuse. Prior to the tariffs rolling out, it was inconceivable that anyone would pay me $9 (plus shipping) for a pre-worn, cheaply-made dress or workout set that I had only paid $15 for in the first place—but that's what started happening. In the past month, I've still sold clothing and accessories made by Adidas, Gucci, Skims, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Reebok, and Givenchy, but those tend to be one-off sales. My Shein resales for the last four weeks absolutely dwarf them. I also sold a few electronics items—an Apple Watch and facial micro-current device—I had listed in my Poshmark shop months earlier. Could I chalk up all of these sales to tariffs, and to anxiety about impending price increases on electronics? My Shein sales this month vs. everything else Credit: Lindsey Ellefson Certainly I'm not alone in noticing it this trend. A Poshmark spokesperson tells me, "We’ve seen an increase in sales of internationally-made items, especially from brands that have announced price hikes due to high tariffs. Despite rising prices, demand for fast fashion remains strong as consumers seek trendy, affordable styles. Buying those pieces secondhand lets them stay on-trend while keeping clothing in circulation."In addition to Shein and Temu, higher-priced brands that publicly announced tariff-related price increases have also seen resale spikes, with sales of Columbia button-down shirts surging by 61% month over month, and sales of Hermès sandals up 27%. Buying used Hermès sandals is one thing—not all of us have $840 laying around to spend on designer slides to ring in the summer. But a Columbia button-down? That's the kind of item I'm used to finding at Marshall's for maybe $30—but people now seem to be flocking to buy them used, worried that even cheap shirts will become relatively priceier due to tariffs. Meanwhile, Poshmark reports sales on consumer electronics have increased as well: The week of April 27, resales of Sony products were up 22% month over month, and Apple products were up 21%. The times seem to be changing, and they're doing it in a hurry.What tariffs means for resale shoppersI am not only a resale seller, but a resale shopper, and the uncertainty around tariffs has made me a lot more discerning with what I'm buying new. Part of this is just that I'm now paying more attention. I love the leisure and athletic wear made by SET Active. I own a lot of it, and I have never before considered selling any of it because it lasts so long and maintains its shape so well. Until recently, I have also never paid much attention to where it is made: While SET Active designs its products in California, its active fabrics are all made in China. Prices haven't gone up on the official website yet, but in preparation for a time when they might, I've already started shopping the brand on Poshmark and Depop. It's not the worst thing in the world; buying used is both cheaper and more sustainable. I've always been an avid purchaser of resale goods—I've just never had to do it so strategically before. (I've found it easier to give up Shein altogether—I can manage fine without the $4 tank tops I've been putting through absolute hell the past few summers—but my Poshmark customers have proven more reluctant to resist the allure of fast fashion, even used.)I'm not alone in being more strategic with my resale purchases. Financial experts are noticing the same thing. "In the wake of the announcement and implementation of the tariffs, people have been looking for cheaper alternatives to the more expensive imported goods," says Aaron Razon, a personal finance expert at Couponsnake, "especially as many domestic products not only fall short in meeting the demand for certain products, but lack the variety and style that imported goods offer. [Domestic products] are also not exactly the cost-effective option consumers are looking for, and this is one of the major reasons interest in resale platforms [has] been on the increase."Bill London, an international business attorney, points out that in addition to causing prices to rise, tariffs have resulted in potential shipping delays, a fact that has also contributed to, "a surge in second-hand fast fashion interest." Six months ago, if you needed a certain kind of dress for, say, a themed bachelorette party, you could order it from Shein for $20, safe in the knowledge that you'd probably never wear it again. Today, its price could be closer to $30 or $40, and you might face delays in receiving it. The appeal of fast fashion was always in the low cost and convenience, provided you had 10 to 14 days to wait for the thing to arrive from China. Now, it just makes more sense to buy that dress from someone in the U.S. who likewise didn't see themselves rewearing it, —and now, they're selling it for roughly the same $20 they originally paid. For the buyer, it's still a relative deal, and it'll even arrive sooner. It's not just fast fashionBrands beyond Shein and Temu are seeing a lift. As the Poshmark rep pointed out, resales on select high-end brands are up, too. Buying used luxury goods has always been a smart financial decision (certainly it's a practice I've been dedicated to for a long time), but with manufacturing and importation costs an ever-murkier question, it's more sensible than ever. A spokesperson for Vestiaire Collective, a designer resale platform, tells me that U.S. buyers are increasingly able to see the duties applied to their purchases from Europe and Asia at checkout, and that the company has been working to beef up its American foothold for years. That effort is now paying off in a big way thanks to tariffs: In 2022, VC acquired Tradesey to increase its selection of pre-owned fashion offering for U.S. buyers, and it ramped up associated brand marketing the following year. VC also curates a list of goods that are ready to ship from New York City, making it easier for American buyers to identify items that can easily come to them domestically, no tariffs or duties required. Consequently, the brand rep says VC has, "seen a shift of more U.S. buyers buying from U.S. sellers" lately. Personally, I've noticed people buying from me lately, in particular, is workout attire. With the cost of everything going up, it might seem more of a stretch to pop into Lululemon to buy a new pair of leggings for over $100. Meanwhile, the trusty Shein alternative is now more money than its worth. It's this class of in-between necessities—things you don't need to survive, but may be a nice-to-have for your particular interests or lifestyle—that is a source of personal economic woe, and where resale can fill the gap. Whether you need new workout gear, a one-time wear outfit, a few basic pieces, or even a designer handbag, the reality of the post-tariff world is that you're almost certainly better off looking on resale apps before even considering buying new. (You certainly have options—I've assembled a rundown of my own favorite resale apps, including the goods you're most likely to find on each.)What this trend means for resellersI remain shocked that people who presumably would have once ordered their workout sets and summer shorts off Shein are filling the fast-fashion void by purchasing mine, but take it from me: If you have ever considered selling your old clothes or housewares, but figured what you have to offer is too basic, cheap, or plentiful to make the effort worth it, this is your moment. I used to have cheap goods and fast fashion listed on my resale accounts only because it helped keep my number of available listings up, which contributed to my profiles' reputation and lured in buyers for the pricier objects I actually expected to sell. Now, though, it's the cheap stuff that is really moving, and making me money. I've started reevaluating my closet and reconsidering what meets my threshold for "worth it" to list. Post-tariffs, everything is worth it to list. As London puts it, "The tariffs have altered the way in which people do their shopping." It's still pretty early into the great American tariff experiment, but some brands commissioned surveys early on this year to see how people were planning to deal with cost increases and found that a major chunk of consumers indeed expected to rely more on resale. ThredUp, another online resale platform, found that 59% of consumers reported that if apparel got more expensive, they'd look to more affordable options, like secondhand buying, and consumers planned to spend 34% of their apparel budget on secondhand items this year. And those figures are a lot higher for Millennials and Gen Z buyers: They reported planning to spend almost half their clothing budget on resale. Data from Smartly, an online shopping rewards app, also shows that 50% of survey respondents planned to consider resale goods in the face of rising costs. This means that even for casual resellers or those new to the concept entirely, there are a lot of new prospective buyers, which can translate directly to quick sales. At a time when the cost of necessary goods is rising right alongside those in-between necessities, you can make extra cash by selling what you already have. In general, my sales are way up month over month since tariffs went into effect in early May Credit: Lindsey Ellefson Will the resale spike last?I've been buying and selling on resale apps for years and have always had success finding cool stuff to buy as fast as I could get rid of my old clothing, accessories, and electronics. While I've definitely noticed a spike in my sales lately, that's not to say there wasn't demand before the tariffs were announced. If you're new to buying or selling on an app, don't worry that the bubble will burst and you'll have invested a bunch of time in listing your wares for nothing—even if and when the moment passes, reselling can still be a reliable way to make a little extra cash. (In the meantime, if you have a lot to sell and want to maximize your profits, download a cross-lister like Vendoo, which helps you easily list the same product across multiple marketplaces.)Some experts do expect that things could cool down in the nearer term. "Whether the trend persists depends on a number of things, such as how long the tariffs are in effect and how buyers respond to costs," London says. "The resale market for the products is likely to continue expanding if the tariffs are maintained. The demand might plateau or divert towards quality goods or eco-friendly goods when buyers adapt." Razon, meanwhile, thinks resale apps will continue to thrive, but that the interest in procuring cheaply-made things, like fast fashion, may wane. "Resale platforms have been on the good end of the recent tariff increases, especially with consumers looking for cheaper alternatives to imported goods," he says. "The truth is—though it may take consumers time to realize it—they will eventually come to appreciate better-quality goods. There is a great chance that consumers' interest in these lesser-quality goods will wear off as soon as they begin to adjust to the new economic reality."That is to say, list your Shein, Temu, and Aliexpress stuff now while people are still mourning its loss, but also consider those more familiar brands that may also soon see price hikes. Take stock of your closet and do a bit of research to see where all your potential stock is made. Just like I'm worried my beloved SET Active attire is going to go up in price because it's made in China, consumers may soon find themselves wanting to source cheaper stuff from Nike, Adidas, Lululemon, Levi's, and more, as all of those companies manufacture a lot of their clothing overseas. The resale platforms themselves are already anticipating that their digital products are going to get more valuable and stay valuable through (and beyond) the tariff era. Manish Chandra, Poshmark's founder and CEO, says, "As the landscape of tariffs and imports evolves, we believe the secondhand marketplace will become an increasingly valuable and cost-effective resource for American consumers. By shopping from Poshmark closets or starting their own, consumers are supporting sustainability and helping strengthen the American economy." In other words, buying resale is another way of buying American, even if everything you're buying was made in India or China.

Moving is famously one of the most stressful things you can do. Not only is it a ton of work and a major financial expense, but you're dealing with the weight of leaving behind one home and starting fresh in another. It's a burden on your calendar, your wallet, and your emotions. Whether you are relocating for a new job, moving in with a partner (or moving away from one after a breakup), or just need a change of scenery, you should take the opportunity to appreciate (if not relish) the momentous event—and not be filled with dread, stress, and regret throughout the process. If you're looking to pull off the smoothest, least painful move ever, follow these five essential steps, as outlined by experts in the moving business.1. Start planning as early as possibleLong before you put a single possession into a cardboard box, you have to plan out your move. And I really mean it—every aspect. This is more involved than you think, so start early and set aside a chunk of time. Shanaiqua D'Sa, a content marketing lead at Attic Self Storage, notes that planning ahead is, "undoubtedly the first and most important step." It should include budgeting, comparing moving companies, considering if you need a storage unit to temporarily house your stuff, acquiring packing materials, and more. Set a budgetBudgeting should be your main focus. This can include: A truck rental or a moving company, insurance, fuel, labor costs, packing supplies, overlapping rent or mortgage payments, a storage unit, utility transfers, cleaning fees, repairs (on the old or new property), and paying food and/or shelter during the move. Costs for all of these will vary depending on your needs, so spend some time sketching out different scenarios. Once you have a budget in mind, increase it by 10% to 15%, according to Rob Rimeris, owner of EverSafe Moving Co. "Build room for the unpredictable," he says. "We see a lot of people plan for truck and labor, but forget about costs that compound." Be realistic, and you'll avoid surprises. Nick Friedman, co-founder of College HUNKS Hauling Junk and Moving, advises, "The more labor you require, the higher your overall cost will be. For local moves, many companies offer flat rates based on time and labor, but it’s important to make sure those quotes match your actual needs. Opting for too many services can lead to overpaying, while too few may leave you scrambling on moving day." Start by figuring out what, if anything, you will handle yourself, and what you'll outsource. Moving companies can help with everything from packing to furniture disassembly, but each likely comes with additional costs. Define what you want before you start calling companies to avoid getting upsold on something you don't really need help with.Find the right moversThat leads me to your next step, which is researching moving companies. Marshall Aikman, owner of Amazing Moves Moving and Storage, advises prioritizing reliability and reputation as highly as price: "Pay attention to how long the company has been in business because solid experience usually means smoother operations."Call a number of places and be upfront about everything from the scope of your move, to any special considerations like unusually heavy furniture, tight hallways, or lots of stairs. Get multiple estimates, and get everything in writing. Ask for detailed cost breakdowns to find out whether gas, stairs, furniture wrapping, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and more will increase your costs. Once you've narrowed down your list of possibilities, ask for proof of licensing and insurance, advises Friedman. If a company won't be straightforward about answering your questions and providing you with paperwork, cross them off your list. Matt Graber, co-owner of Cool Hand Movers, cautions against being "drawn in by lowball pricing," too. Any quote that seems "too good to be true" almost certainly is. Avoid companies with excessive upfront deposits—usually anything over 25% of the total cost—and read a ton of customer reviews before signing any contracts. 2. Declutter before you move (or pack)Multiple pros I spoke to made the same point, and it's worth repeating here: Declutter before your move so you don't waste money moving things you don't need or want to keep. (Here's a more detailed breakdown of how and why to declutter before a move) In general, you should start this process a few weeks in advance of your move. Three or so weeks at least ensures that you have enough time to think about what you really need to keep, and to donate or sell what you don't. If something is broken or rarely used, consider leaving it behind as you move into a new phase of your life. A few weeks will give you time to actually list and sell things to make money for your move, but set a deadline for when you'll donate the remainder—you don't want junk lying around when the movers show up. This could come with additional expenses. D'Sa points out that if you're downsizing significantly, you may have to budget for a small dumpster for everything you need to throw away. Still, it's worth it: All of my experts agreed that decluttering is the single most effective way to save money and psychologically prepare for your move. You'll also get a head start on packing simply by getting a clearer picture of everything you own. 3. Pack like a pro, even if you can't pay for itLike planning and decluttering, packing will start weeks before you move. I realize that's not always possible, but do try to start as soon as you can. Waiting until a few days before—or worse, the day the movers show up—can lead to chaos. Movers can help you pack, but that's typically expensive. Evan Hock, co-founder of MakeMyMove, cautions, "Packing always takes longer than expected, so start early, especially with seasonal items or belongings you don't use daily." While you can likely score some free boxes from local businesses, it's a good idea to just buy them (you can usually find the best prices at big box hardware stores). Rimeris suggests purchasing high-quality tape, "markers you can actually read," and strong boxes, all of which are "worth every penny." Mindy Godding, president of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, advises buying all your boxes so they're all similar shapes and sizes and will pack more easily. You can cut down your costs on protective supplies, Godding says, noting packing paper works just as well as bubble wrap or pre-made inserts when it comes to protecting your fragile items. Renting crates can save you some effort, at a costIf you don't want to buy boxes, you can consider renting reusable plastic crates. A number of companies, both local and national, will deliver these crates to you before you move and pick them up when you're done. They're sturdier than cardboard boxes, stackable, uniform, and returnable, so they make packing easy. Uhaul, RentalCrates.com, and Perfect Crates all offer this service, so compare prices for your exact needs. Get creativeGodding suggests placing plastic cups around delicate items like figurines, and clearly labeling any boxes with something breakable inside. Shannon Beller, CEO and co-founder of Wall-Russ, adds that you can use household materials like towels and linens to cushion delicate items as you pack, and Tiam Behdarvandan, founder of Let's Get Moving, suggests packing heavier things, like books, into rolling suitcases, since the wheels make it easier to haul them around. Photos are your friend during this porcess. Take photos of your boxes as you pack so you know what's in each box if you should need something in an emergency. Also take pictures of things like cable configurations behind the TV, so setting everything back up will be easier.Beller and Charles Chica, co-owners of CT Best Movers, recommend keeping your clothes on the hangers and tossing a garbage bag over them. When you get to the new house, cut a hole in the bag, thread the hangers through, slip them on the rod, then cut the bag off. (Here are more tips on how to pack in a way that makes it easier to unpack.)Have a systemPack room by room, and within each room, proceeding in terms of urgency, and designate one box of "essentials" from each. These boxes—which will contain things like toothbrushes, soap, pajamas, and coffee pots, plates and silverware, and anything else you might need in the first days at your new home—should be loaded into the moving van last, unloaded first, and opened on your first night there. Making sure your boxes of must-haves are easily accessible will make settling in a lot easier. (Keep a knife or scissors handy so you can actually open them.)4. Do what you need to do online before you moveIt's eay to get so wrapped up in the physical process of moving your possessions from one place to another that you can forget about what comes next: Living somewhere new. Especially if you're moving to a new town, you will have to check a bunch of boxes to get your new life up and running.A lot of these things can be handled online, so do your research and accomplish as much as you can before your move. Start by making a list of all the different things to deal with at your current address. You may need to make some repairs to get your security deposit back if you're a renter. Take stock of your bills and memberships: cancel your gym membership and any other local recurring charges, like public transit cards that auto-renew. Set up a mail forwarding so you will get any mail that comes to your old place. Cancel your utilities. Reach out to your doctor, dentist, optometrist, and other providers to find out if they can make referrals for you in your new area and provide copies of all your important records and documents. Forward your prescriptions to a new pharmacy. Now, shift focus to your new location. Set up your utilities and the online accounts you'll need to pay them, switch your driver's license information if necessary, research the deadlines for re-registering your car, and contact your insurer (hopefully your new area will have lower rates). You can even start looking for local doctors, dentists, or any other professionals you'll need to avail yourself of in the short term after you move.5. Stay on top of things the day ofThe last step is the big one: It's time to move. Even this part still comes down to planning and budgeting. Jordan Sakala of laborhutt.com suggests moving during the week and mid-month, when demand is lower, and making sure you're ready and packed before the movers arrive. If you're not ready when they pull up, you could get charged an hourly fee while they either wait around for you or jump in to help speed things along. Make sure to tell movers about heavy furniture or tight squeezes in advance so they come with all the necessary tools, as if you don't, you may end up waiting around (and being charged for it) while they run to get them—or, worse, be told they can't move those things at all. On moving day, even if you've hired a full-service moving team and outsourced pretty much everything, it's a good idea to stick around and supervise so you can answer any last-minute questions. There are some things movers won't touch, so it will be your responsibility to coordinate their transport. Get a written list of what your company won't deal with in advance, but in general, expect to take care of your own jewelry, delicate valuables, identifying documents, medical papers and medications, hazardous materials, plants, and pets. Before walking out your door for the last time, check the place over, and make sure you know exactly where the "essentials" boxes you packed are. Once they're all accounted for, get on the road to your new home—hopefully feeling excited, instead of frazzled and exhausted.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.When you're packing to move, you have a lot to keep in mind. You may want to think of how to minimize costs and how to get rid of all your extra junk, but what about packing in a way that makes unpacking easier? Few things are more annoying than getting to your new home and needing a specific object—where the heck is that screwdriver?—only to find that your past self's haphazard packing job made things difficult on your current self. You want your transition into your new space to be smooth and even enjoyable, to the extent it can be. Here are some tips to make sure not just that the packing process is easy—but the unpacking process, too.Start earlier than you thinkHistorically, when I've moved apartments, I've waited until the week of the big move to start gathering my things. This has never worked out for me. Don't do that. You should actually start three or four weeks in advance. I know that sounds annoying, but you need that time buffer."Packing always takes longer than expected, so start early," says Evan Hock, co-founder of MakeMyMove. "Especially with seasonal items or belongings you don't use daily."The time isn't just for packing, mind you: packing also includes decluttering, since you don't want to spend money or energy moving items you don't need or want in the new place. Next, and maybe most importantly, you need that time to make adjustments to your plans. If the boxes you're using aren't strong enough, if you didn't budget enough for packing supplies, or if you find that you're having a hard time categorizing everything, you'll be grateful for an extra few days to get it all sorted.Select the right suppliesA number of pros I spoke to recommended buying new boxes instead of trying to save money by using old ones. That will cost you money, but might also save you some headaches, as older boxes can lose their integrity—that, plus having boxes that are all (or mostly) the same size will making packing and moving much easier.If you don't want to buy boxes, consider reusable plastic crates, which also give you the uniformity in addition to even greater stability. A number of companies at the local and national levels will rent these crates out to you. U-Haul, RentalCrates.com, and Perfect Crates all offer this service, but check locally, too, and compare prices for your exact needs. If you're moving nearby, a local company should do the trick. For long-distance moves, consider one of the bigger ones above just to make the return easier, as they drop off and pick up the supplies. Another thing to keep in mind is high-quality tape. Rob Rimeris, owner of EverSafe Moving Co., says sturdy boxes and strong tape are "worth every penny." Charles Chica, co-owner of CT Best Movers, also advises you never "go cheap" with your tape: "You'll regret it when a box or bag breaks open mid-move." Go room by roomYou need to be strategic while you pack. Again, historically, I've failed at this—likely because I waited too long and just ended up running around, shoving things into boxes wherever they'd fit and praying I'd be able to make sense of the mess when I got to my new place. Instead of panicking like that, approach your packing systematically. Go room by room. "Pack one room at a time so that all the items are grouped together when unpacking," says Stephanie Rees, assistant product manager of mailing and moving accessories for Duck Brand. Matt Graber, co-owner of Cool Hand Movers, says the same: "When you go room by room, filling moving boxes or bins, you ensure that the items to be unpacked will most likely be together in the same room on the other side. You don't want to drag boxes around your new home finding places for scattered objects." Doing it this way is also going to help you stay organized in the new place, since it aligns with the rules of the Organizational Triangle: Everything must have a place and be stored with similar items. Grouping together similar categories makes it easier to organize and store them once you move. Separate the essentialsWhile you're packing room by room, you should also be packing in order of urgency. Charles Chica, co-owner of CT Best Movers, says you should have one box of immediate essentials that should include "stuff like meds, chargers, toiletries, documents, and even just a change of clothes" and you should pack it and bring it along with you yourself, even if you hire movers for everything else. You should also have boxes of essentials for every single room in the house—stuff that might not be so important that you'll put it in your take-with-you box, but stuff you know you'll need soon. From your bathrooms, that might include things like spare toothbrushes, soap, and a towel. From the bedrooms, think pajamas, kids' stuffed animals, and a few changes of clothes. The kitchen essentials might be some cookware and a coffee pot. With a box like this for each room, even if you're too tired to unpack on the first (or second or third) night in the new place, you'll have what you need to be comfortable so you don't have to dig through all your other boxes just to find some toothpaste. Shanaiqua D'Sa, content marketing lead at Attic Self Storage, suggests the same thing, but adds an important caveat: "The single most overlooked thing that makes unpacking easier is ensuring you keep a pair of scissors or penknife on hand," she says, so add that to the things you're keeping accessible, not packing away. "So many people move houses, are all set to unpack, and then can't unpick the packaging tape on the boxes and don't have a pair of scissors or knife on hand to do so. It's just one added frustration that you really don't need."While you're separating out the essentials, "Don’t overlook your healthcare needs," says Evan Hock, co-founder of MakeMyMove. "Before making the move, ensure you have access to your medical records and enough prescription medication to last until you find a new primary care provider. This small step can prevent unnecessary stress down the road."Don't over-complicate the small stuffWe all have so much small stuff—batteries, screws, art supplies, etc. Why not keep some of it where it is? If you have a unit with drawers that contain a bunch of stuff, tape the units closed securely and transport them just like that, says Jordan Sakala of laborhutt.com. Other small items can and should be tossed into Ziploc bags, but you have to label them clearly, says Chica, and you should tape those bags where they belong. Bags of screws should be taped to the furniture they're for, for instance, and bags of chargers should be taped to the container or furniture where they're stored. Clothes might seem like "big stuff," but you can actually think of them like "small stuff" here. Gather your hanging clothes together and slip a garbage bag right over them, keeping them on their hangers and all, says Chica. I always cut a little hole in the top of the bag so the hangers can stick out, then hang them on their new rod when I move in and (carefully) cut the bag right off. Some clothes, though, can be used to protect the "small stuff." Multiple pros mentioned to me that scarves, socks, t-shirts, tablecloths, curtains, and more can and should be wrapped around valuables. This saves you money on packing supplies and keeps your goods safe. Rob Rimeris, owner of EverSafe Moving Co., even claims that "t-shirts cushion dishes better than bubble wrap ever did." Label carefullyAs you pack, don't forget to label your boxes. Multiple pros recommend color-coding your labels to align with the room the contents belong in, but how you do that is up to you. Shannon Beller, CEO and co-founder of Wall-Russ, says colored labels can help pro movers place boxes in the right room, but if you don't have colorful labels, even color-coded stickers can work, according to Marshall Aikman, owner of Amazing Moves Moving and Storage. On top of that, get really detailed. "Don't just write 'misc.' because that's a nightmare when you're tired and trying to find your coffee maker on day one," says Tiam Behdarvandan, CEO and Founder of Let's Get Moving. Write the specific object names on the side of the box so you always know exactly what you're dealing with. Label the urgent boxes, first-day boxes, and every other detail that will be relevant when you get there. Pack (and load the truck) thoughtfullyWhether you're filling your own U-haul or have hired pros to take care of this part, think strategically about the order everything gets loaded. If the kitchen of your new home is all the way in the back of house, put the kitchen boxes in last so they're the first to come out and you can easily get them to the back of the house without tripping on other boxes. Ideally, furniture should be in a separate van or truck so it can come out first, since you're not going to want to be shoving a credenza through a pile of cardboard boxes, either. The same goes for the packing of the boxes themselves: Label them clearly and try to pack them in a way that has some kind of logical sense. A box full of kitchen appliances is more important to unpack first because you want the big stuff in place on your counter before you add in the decor. You want to unpack your sheets before your throw pillows so you can get them on the bed in the right order, so you might want those pillows on the bottom of the bedding box and the sheets on the top. Finally, you'll want to jot down on each box what its contents are. Don't just label them by room. Instead, says Tiam Behdarvandan, CEO and founder of Let's Get Moving, write the specific object names on the side of the box so you always know exactly what you're dealing with. Label the urgent boxes, first-day boxes, and every other detail that will be relevant when you get there.Here's a bonus tip from Marshall Aikman, owner of Amazing Moves Moving and Storage: You probably already know that you should be packing as much as you can into your suitcases to avoid over-spending on boxes, but you should think a little more critically about what should be packed in them. Heavy items, like books, are a great option, since the wheels of a suitcase can help save your back. Items that have to travel a long way through the new home are also a good option, again because of the wheels. So, too, are things that come in many sub-categories, like toiletries, as long as the suitcase has interior pockets. One pocket can be for lotion, another can be for facial skincare, and another can be for perfume, and so on. These are suggestions for an ideal scenario, of course. I know full well how much more stressful packing is in reality; sometimes, you just don't have time to think through all of these little things. That's why it's best to start this process weeks in advance, if you can. You want time to make a plan so that the unpacking and moving-in aren't as stressful as the packing and moving-out. Start your time in your new place off right.

Feno, the “smart electric toothbrush,” promised to take a two-minute toothbrushing routine and bring it down to 30 or even 20 seconds by swabbing each of my teeth at once. The Feno Smartbrush makes brushing faster, but in exchange it requires you to shove an entire mouthpiece in your piehole twice a day just to cut down on a total of three minutes of brushing time. If there is one thing to take away from this review, it’s that even if tech works, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better than what we already have. The “toothbrush” has been at the side of my bathroom sink for more than three weeks. It has technically saved me time. I would even go as far as to say it may do the job of a regular toothbrush with less time to get there. Still, given the choice, I would rather reach for my non-motorized, dentist-recommended toothbrush—if only because I know it works. After consulting with the companies and non-affiliated dentists, I’m more bemused that the Feno exists at all. This is a device that costs $300 for the “Founder’s Edition” bundle. The company recently said it would increase the price to $400, blaming tariffs for the rising cost. As the time of this publishing, that new price hasn’t yet materialized. The box comes with three canisters of brand-specific Feno Foam toothpaste. After you run out, you’ll need to spend $30 to get an extra three canisters. Feno also recommends replacing the mouthpiece every three months, costing another $30. Feno Smartbrush It may brush all your teeth for quicker cleans, but its too much of an unknown to recommend. Pros Cons My dentist gave me my last manual toothbrush for free. A tube of toothpaste was $5. Despite the price, the company behind the smart toothbrush has one compelling pitch. If people were honest with themselves, most folks do not do the recommended amount of brushing. I fit into that camp for most of my life, until the point I went to my dentist and found I needed to have multiple caps on my molars, requiring I spend a hefty chunk of change for the privilege of having my teeth ground down to nubs. Since then, I’ve become very sensitive to the state of my pearly whites. I try to do the full two minutes of brushing and floss every day, but the Feno is supposed to help by shortening the brushing time and helpfully counting you down with an on-screen timer. My dentist was skeptical about the device’s claims, especially whether it was offering proper back-and-forth brushing technique. The American Dental Association has a Seal of Acceptance tested by the organization for products that are recommended by dentists. Neither Feno’s brush nor special toothpaste are on that list of products with the ADA seal. All I have to go on is Feno’s own claim that it’s doing what it needs to do to clean my teeth and remove plaque. For cleaning, the device makes use of pressure sensors alongside the mouthpiece’s 18,000 bristles, which Feno claims can hit 250 strokes per tooth in 20 seconds. It’s using a sweeping motion along the teeth, which dentists recommend when brushing, but there’s no published science to say the Feno is particularly better than other, similar devices. Feno told me the company has scientific research pertaining to how effective the device is, but it’s pending scientific review and won’t be available until some unknown date. © Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo © Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo © Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo © Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo Feno revels in Silicon Valley startups’ worst habits. Every time you turn it on, the smart toothbrush bombards you with a QR code to download an app for all its controls, rather than including those on-device. The Feno toothbrush can incite the same gag reflex you know if you’ve ever played a contact sport requiring a mouth guard. The device is big enough that you have to open wide to fit the whole thing in at once. Brushing with the Feno is not an entirely passive experience, either. Feno’s founder, Dr. Kenny Brown, told me his company recommends moving the brush side to side while the mouthpiece actuates. On its highest settings, the Feno rattled my jaw and made my entire head shake like a marionette piloted by a mad puppeteer. With those speeds, I could feel the mouthpiece rubbing the inner cheek raw. At normal speeds, the Feno was uncomfortable but still usable without any pain. Feno also advises some gums may bleed if you haven’t been doing proper brushing technique for too long, but I didn’t find the bristles were any more abrasive to my gums than a regular toothbrush. The device running on default settings for 30 seconds seems engineered for most mouths. The company claims its device works with regular toothpaste, but when I plastered some gel to the bristles and stuck it in my mouth, it resulted in a sludgy mess at the bottom of the mouthpiece that took far longer to clean than the typical quick rinse. The foam toothpaste doesn’t leave your mouth full of the typical minty taste of fluoride and baking soda you normally associate with the feel of a clean mouth. As a point in favor of the Feno, that minty-fresh taste in your mouth isn’t actually indicative of clean teeth, according to Dr. Edmond Hewlett, a professor at UCLA’s School of Dentistry and a consumer advisor for the American Dental Association. Brown told me the company plans for updated toothpaste that adds a lingering minty taste in the mouth, as apparently I wasn’t the only one who spoke up on that lack of “clean” feeling. © Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo © Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo Knowing my dentist appointments are near for even more fillings, the Feno would not only need to be good, but even better at cleaning my teeth than the typical electric brush. Even if I felt it may be hitting all my teeth, the device didn’t leave me feeling clean, not least because I had no control over it. Even if the Feno full-mouth toothbrush wasn’t uncomfortable, wasn’t expensive, didn’t require an app, and worked well with regular toothpaste, it would still be hard to make any claim it results in better cleaning than your regular $7 toothbrush you buy from any local pharmacist. Using the smart toothbrush, you can’t tell what’s happening to your teeth. You can’t tell if it’s hitting all the nooks and crannies. That’s going to be a concern when everybody’s set of teeth is different. The Feno is supposedly designed so that all its bristles hit all different kinds of teeth at the correct 45-degree angle to the gums, but what really matters is if it adds anything to your brushing routine. “The critical question of any device like this is if it’s better than a toothbrush,” Hewlett told me. “It’s clear that using a toothbrush properly is one of the most effective things a person can do themselves to preserve their teeth.”

“How Zeke Got Religion” In 2019, Deadpool and Terminator: Dark Fate director Tim Miller launched Love, Death & Robots, an animated Netflix anthology series serving as a showcase for Miller’s own Blur Studio, along with other animators. The series has won a Primetime Emmy for each of its three seasons, which feature an eclectic mix of six- to 20-minute shorts spanning horror, science fiction, and fantasy. Miller went on to use the same formula for Prime Video’s Secret Level, where each of the shorts is based on a different video game. But that didn’t stop him from returning to Love, Death & Robots for a new 10-episode season: the series’ longest yet, but also its weakest. An episode of Love, Death & Robots can succeed based on a clever idea or some charming humor. John Scalzi has become a popular writer for the series, penning goofy tales of science and technology gone wrong and he delivers two episodes for volume 4 with varying results. But too much of this season is running on vibes, with episodes that feature cool visuals but not much plot. Others push the very concept too far, ditching any genre ties or even animation. The good thing about an anthology format is that if an individual episode isn’t great it’s over quick and then you can move on to the next one. Unfortunately there are chunks of volume 4 that feature dud after dud.   Love, Death & Robots is at its best when it uses a tight short story to deliver a strange and often disturbing tale. Highlights include Peter F. Hamilton’s brutal spin on Pokémon battles “Sonnie’s Edge” or Neal Asher’s horror at sea tale “Bad Traveling,” which was masterfully directed by David Fincher and featured an icy performance from Troy Baker. Fortunately there is one episode in volume 4 that still fits that mold. Written by J.T. Petty based on a short story by John McNichol, “How Zeke Got Religion” fuses aspects of Masters of the Air and Hellboy. Like last season’s excellent episode “In Vaulted Halls Entombed,” it starts out as a war story and becomes pure horror. In this case, the crew of the B-17 Flying Fortress Liberty Belle is antsy that they’ve been treated to chocolate and a John Wayne movie because “when brass is nice to you, you’re about to get fucked.” The best crew the Allies have is being sent on a solo mission to bomb a church in France at the behest of a mysterious new commander. The episode shows off how they work as a team normally, navigating flack, jammed weapons and a vicious dogfight that would be the nastiest part of most missions. But the church is the site of a bloody Nazi ritual to summon a fallen archangel that pursues their plane, leading to an abrupt genre shift and a gore-soaked battle that forces the jaded Zeke to reconsider what he knows about the world. Director Diego Porral, who served as the lead animator for last season’s hyper-violent episode “Kill Team Kill,” and Titmouse, the animation studio behind Scavengers Reign and Pantheon, do a phenomenal job making the fallen very different from the typical horned and bat-winged demon. It’s more like a biblically accurate angel, a cherubic face on a body with far too many eyes that rips soldiers apart with baby hands. When it literally spits out bullets from newly formed screaming mouths, the crew find that faith is their best weapon. If you watch one episode of Love, Death & Robots volume 4, make it “How Zeke Got Religion.” After that, consult this ranked list of the rest of the season’s entries. 10. “Can’t Stop” This is just a Red Hot Chili Peppers music filmed by David Fincher with marionettes standing in for the band and crowd. There’s no love, death or robots which makes it feel like a pretty pointless entry in the series. 9. “The Screaming of the Tyrannosaur” MrBeast plays the Grand Master-like emcee of spectacle featuring triceratops, a tyrannosaur, naked gladiators, and way too much voiceover. This episode is extremely predictable and self-serious for something based on how dinosaur fights are cool. 8. “Spider Rose” The series returns to Bruce Sterling’s universe portrayed in the season 3 episode “Swarm” for a much less compelling tale. “Swarm” was a deeply unsettling story about human greed and the nature of sentience and this is a bland revenge story with a weird, cute alien pet. Though the way Blur Studio animates people floating in space continues to be beautiful. 7. “Golgotha” Rhys Darby (What We Do in the Shadows, Our Flag Means Death) brings his signature affable neurosis to playing a vicar who saw a beached dolphin seemingly return to life, attracting the attention of a group of aquatic aliens. Unfortunately there’s not much to the story and it’s a very odd choice to have a live-action short in the mix. 6. “The Other Large Thing” The weaker of this season’s two Scalzi stories features a fluffy cat called Sanchez (Chris Parnell) who sees his chance at world domination when his negligent, lazy owners bring home a robot voiced by John Oliver. AGBO’s grotesque animation of the humans makes it feel like they really have it coming, though the story is very basic and the final joke falls flat. 5. “400 Boys” Robert Valley, who directed the Emmy-winning season 2 episode “Ice,” returns to Love, Death & Robots for a beautifully animated tale starring John Boyega as the leader of one of many warring gangs in post-apocalyptic Britain. It’s such a strange rich world filled with psychics and alien giants that I wish it was developed a bit more beyond the stunning action sequences. 4. “Close Encounters of the Mini Kind” Last season, Robert Bisi and Andy Lyon teamed up to use sped-up miniatures to tell a rapid-fire zombie apocalypse story, and they reunited in volume 4 to do the same thing for an alien invasion. It’s a very funny rush through the genre’s tropes with a pretty low opinion of humans, who create a problem and repeatedly make it worse. 3. “Smart Appliances, Stupid Owners” John Scalzi and director Patrick Osborne teamed up for last season’s “Three Robots: Exit Strategies” and they’re back together for a series of confessionals from smart electronics fed up with the way their owners are using or neglecting them. Aaron Sims Creative provides the claymation-style animation for the anthropomorphic waffle iron, toothbrush, showerhead and more being voiced by a stacked cast of comedians including Ronny Chieng, Amy Sedaris and Kevin Hart. 2. “For He Can Creep” The Locked Tomb author Tamsyn Muir wrote this charming episode based on Siobhan Carroll Nebula-nominated novelette of the same name. Daniel Stevens (Legion, Beauty and the Beast) plays a dapper version of Satan tormenting a poet he believes can aid his dark cause. Luckily the poet has a loyal cat who, while tempted by the Prince of Darkness’ offer of treats, unites his surprisingly powerful feline friends to fight for the poet’s soul. 1. “How Zeke Got Religion” If you skimmed the intro, go back and read about this wonderful short. Love, Death & Robots volume 4 is streaming now on Netflix.

The author using the MultiShape at home. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable Photo Composite Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Learn more about how we select deals. Back in 2022, Panasonic released a men’s grooming tool called the MultiShape. It had a simple value proposition: Built with swappable heads, this multi-groomer lets you combine a beard trimmer, body groomer, electric razor, nose hair trimmer, and electric toothbrush into one gadget.Three years later, I’m still using that same MultiShape on a near-daily basis. In that time, Panasonic has also introduced new accessories for this multi-groomer, including hair clipping tools, a facial brush, and an electric foot scrubber. Is it weird to brush your teeth and scrub your feet with the same device? Yup, and that's why I recommend choosing your accessories wisely.We saw this men's multigroomer hit a new record-low price of $147 recently, and at the time of writing, you can get it for $170. Obviously, it's not as steep a price cut, but it's still $40 off full price. You May Also Like Opens in a new window Credit: Panasonic Panasonic MultiShape Ultimate All-In-One Kit $170 at Panasonic $210 Save $40 What makes this grooming gadget unique?After the MultiShape came out, I expected Philips-Norelco, Braun, and other big brands to launch similar multitools. However, it's still the only gadget that can go from electric toothbrush to beard trimmer to electric shaver. The MultiShape is also waterproof, so you can clean it pretty easily. I use the MultiShape for daily shaving. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable It's also one of the only beard trimmers that can trim long hair. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable When this product first came out, GQ called it a “god-tier” grooming tool. Whenever I write about the MultiShape, I reference that line because it pretty much sums up my experience. I’ve tested hundreds of grooming products. So. Many. Grooming. Products. I’m probably one of the few men in the world who has more beauty products than his female partner. A lot more. As I write this, I have a locker next to my desk filled to the brim with beard trimmers, beard oils, face moisturizers, retinol serums, face masks — you name it. The vast majority of these products I never recommend; I'm only looking for the rare exceptions. Related Stories Mashable Deals Want more hand-picked deals from our shopping experts? Sign up for the Mashable Deals newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up! I’ve written about the MultiShape a few times over the years, and it’s the grooming product I use more than any other. As someone with a longer beard, it’s one of the few beard trimmers that can handle longer hair. Popular trimmers from Philips-Norelco just don’t work for long facial hair, unfortunately. It’s also my everyday shaving tool. When I travel, I bring the electric toothbrush head. The other tools I use on more sensitive areas — like my ears — so I'll leave it at that.Right now, you can grab a MultiShape all-in-one kit from Panasonic on sale for $170. You can also buy the MultiShape with a handful of pre-selected accessories at Amazon or build your own kit at Panasonic. Best Panasonic MultiShape Kits All-in-one kit Panasonic MultiShape All-in-One Kit $150 (save $40 ) For Amazon shoppers Panasonic MultiShape Trim and Shave Kit $87.09 (Save $42.90) For guys without beards Panasonic MultiShape Clean Cut Shaver Kit $149.99 For beard trimming Panasonic MultiShape Beard Trimmer Kit $79.99 Build your own kit Panasonic MultiShape and accessories Starting at $85 Topics Beauty Timothy Beck Werth Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl.Tim studied print journalism at the University of Southern California. He currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. He's currently working on his second novel, a science-fiction book.

When a Toronto legal eagle who happens to be a hardcore design hound moved into a new home in the city’s Rosedale neighborhood, she knew exactly what she wanted: something moodier and edgier than her last place. She was done with the white wall living that defined her previous home. “I wanted a feel of age and patina,” she says. “The last thing I wanted was a new-build vibe.”So she enlisted Montana Labelle, the rock star of the city’s design scene, to renovate her 1911 Dutch Colonial–style home. The interior designer, who has long Hitchcock-blonde hair and intricate wrist tattoos (her Canadian parents named her Montana “just because they liked the sound of it”) is a graduate of the Parsons School of Design in New York, and she has a wait list among Toronto’s young professional set. She also has a lifestyle brand featuring objects she creates largely out of her favorite material, marble—everything from richly veined salad spoons to toothbrush holders to toadstool-shaped side tables.Patrick BillerA custom bookcase holds the homeowner’s collection of Montana Labelle Lifestyle and vintage ceramics. The chair is by Adrian Pearsall.“Montana is a bit of an outsider, and as such she has attracted the right kind of people.”—Tommy Smythe Despite her firm’s growth, Labelle is selective about the clients she takes on, and she keeps a relatively low profile. “She has managed to remain a bit of a mystery,” says Tommy Smythe, a Toronto decorator and television personality. “Montana is a bit of an outsider, and as such she has attracted the right kind of people. She’s working with clients who want her to create a world for them. She’s truly an artist.”Patrick BillerThe living room mantel in the 1911 home was covered in volcanic ash–glazed tile by Formafantasma for Dzek. Custom cocktail table; Montana Labelle Lifestyle bowl; Samsung Frame TV.Labelle’s face lights up when she speaks of her passion for craftsmanship and objects with beautiful imperfections. “People are craving authenticity and connection in their spaces more than ever,” she says. “Cookie cutter decor is being swapped out for unique pieces that tell a story and add personality to a home.”Patrick BillerThe dining room’s Cresco table by Acerbis is framed by 1970s Mobil Girgi chairs and a vintage Fritz Hansen settee. Sconces by RBW; Venetian plaster walls in Benjamin Moore’s Natural Cream; artwork by Michael J. Kuczer.For this 4,000-square-foot residence she created a bathroom vanity out of a midcentury brutalist dresser, clad a living room mantel in Formafantasma volcanic tiles, and planted a deep clay soaking tub in the primary bathroom. She also enlisted decorative painter Jeanne Shemilt to sheath the walls in rich Venetian plaster finishes. “I wanted every room to feel warm and curated,” Labelle says.Patrick BillerIn the primary bath the clay soaking tub is by Studio Loho. Vintage Pierre Chapo chair; walls in Benjamin Moore’s Masada. The hands-on approach extended to the client, who appears to be as conversant in French designers from the 1960s and in midcentury Italian lighting fixtures as she is in the law. She and Labelle, together with Shemilt, put their heads together, and within a year (which in design terms is basically the blink of an eye) they had created a richly realized and one-of-a-kind monument to the power of women who know what they want—and what they don’t. “What can I say?” says the homeowner, whose first project with Labelle was eight years ago. “We are very efficient.”Tour this Handcrafted, Patina-filled Toronto HomeThe lawyer had no desire for a house that looked like the neighbors’ homes. “She is moody in a good way,” Labelle says. “She likes rooms that are dark and interesting. We wanted to create something that would reflect her personality.”Walls were knocked down, curios were purchased, and each room became a modern yet eminently livable refuge. There were vintage wall tapestries, a midcentury Italian modular sofa now re-covered in earthy Dedar stripes, and in the family room Labelle designed white shutters and had them customized with polka dot cutouts. The goal was to nail down the cool factor but with nothing cold about it.The goal was to nail down the cool factor but with nothing cold about it.Labelle found many of the home’s vintage pieces on Etsy, as well as at Texas and Massachusetts antiques fairs, from which she livestreamed her favorite finds to the client. “I’d send a picture, and within minutes she’d say yes or no,” the designer says. Labelle pushed her to accept groovy finds. For her part, the owner insisted on a bathtub and a laundry room sink ample enough for her goldendoodle, along with a long harlequin-tiled hall corridor where her dog could frolic on freezing winter days.Though the project wrapped two years ago, Labelle and the client still text daily—about their pets or cool design images they spot on the internet. The homeowner now has a dream home as well as a friend and thought partner—and no regrets. “It’s a very different house,” she says of her place. “Every time somebody comes over, they say it’s unlike anything they’ve ever seen before. And I know if I ever had to move out of this house for whatever reason, it would be okay, because Montana would help me make the next one equally amazing—if not more.” ◾This story originally appeared in the May 2025 issue of Elle Decor. SUBSCRIBE