❌

Reading view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.

I've worked at Costco for 19 years. Here are 10 of the best things I'm seeing on the shelves right now.

A large plastic tray with a meatball sub sandwich with halved meatballs, cheese, and bread
This month, my Costco is carrying a couple of new food items.

Veronica Thatcher

  • This December, Costco is carrying fun and festive food and home goods.
  • The Shark FlexStyle air-styling and drying system would make a great gift.
  • If you're heading to a party, I recommend picking up Costco's holiday-cookie tray.

I've worked at Costco, a leading retailer in customer satisfaction, for 19 years. Throughout my career, I've loved exploring the retailer's rotating stock and bringing home new items for my family.

This December, the store is carrying lots of merchandise that would make great gifts for the holidays, as well as a few cool home goods.

Here are 10 things I recommend checking out at Costco this month.

Prices may vary by location.

Celebrate baking season with the Pillsbury holiday-shape sugar-cookie dough.
A hand holds a box of holiday cookies with an image of the Pillsbury Doughboy and a plate of cookies
The Pillsbury holiday-shape sugar-cookie dough comes with three festive designs.

Veronica Thatcher

I was looking everywhere for the Pillsbury holiday sugar-cookie dough, so I was happy to see this item stocked at my Costco.

Each 60-count box comes with precut, ready-to-bake cookies with Christmas-tree, reindeer, and snowman designs.

At my store, the Pillsbury holiday cookies can be found in the refrigerated section for $8.

My Costco has a new beef-and-pork meatball sandwichΒ with marinara in the deli section.
A large plastic tray with a meatball sub sandwich with halved meatballs, cheese, and bread
The beef-and-pork meatball sandwich with marinara could feed a few people.

Veronica Thatcher

This month, my Costco has a new premade item: the beef-and-pork meatball sandwich with marinara.

The sandwich, made with artisanal bread, provolone and Parmesan cheese, and ground beef and pork, is large enough to serve a few people. I recommend heating it in the oven or an air fryer to get a nice, cheesy melt.

This meatball sandwich costs $6 per pound, which comes out to about $13 to $15 total.Β 

Heat your home with the Bayside Furnishings infrared electric fireplace stove heater.
A small electric fireplace display next to cardboard boxes at Costco
The Bayside Furnishings infrared electric fireplace stove heater is relatively compact.

Veronica Thatcher

The Bayside Furnishings heater could be a great winter addition to your home.

The device has a metal frame, an infrared-heating element, a sleep timer, and three flame colors. At 24 inches wide and just over 23 inches tall, it's also compact enough to fit into small spaces.

This electric heater is $125 at my Costco.

The Shark FlexStyle air-styling and drying system could be a great gift for the holidays.
White cardboard boxes with images of Shark FlexStyle tools, including a blow dryer and round brushes
The Shark FlexStyle air-styling and drying system comes with lots of attachments.

Veronica Thatcher

The Shark FlexStyle air-styling and drying system, which allows users to curl, straighten, smooth, or add volume to their hair with less heat damage, could make the perfect gift.

This set includes two multi-style curlers, a diffuser, a concentrator, paddle and oval brushes, a FrizzFighter finishing tool, and a storage bag to keep everything secure.

The Shark FlexStyle system is regularly $300, but at my location, the set is on sale for $230 until December 24.

The holiday GrinchΒ has been a hot-selling item at my location.
Two tall green boxes with an image of the Grinch statue in a living room with a Christmas tree on the packaging
The holiday Grinch statue stands about 20 inches tall.

Veronica Thatcher

This month, you can take home your own statue of the Grinch and his dog, Max, designed by artist Jim Shore.

The hand-painted Grinch collectible stands about 20 inches tall and weighs just over 8 pounds. At my Costco, it costs $50.

This month, you can bring Costco's holiday-cookie trayΒ to gatherings.
A bright-red tray of an assortment of holiday cookies on a white-wire shelf at Costco
Costco's holiday-cookie tray comes with five different dessert flavors.

Veronica Thatcher

Costco's holiday-cookie tray is the perfect dish to bring to parties. Each tray contains 60 cookies in chocolate-chunk, brown-butter-sugar, double-chocolate-chip, double-nut, and candy-gem-chip flavors.

Customers can find the holiday cookies in the bakery section for $25.

Enhance your bedroom or bathroom with the Conair LED double-sided vanity mirror.
White boxes of the Conair Halo light-up mirror with an image of the vanity mirror on the packaging
The Conair LED double-sided vanity mirror has three touch-control light settings.

Veronica Thatcher

This month, you can get ready and illuminate your bathroom or bedroom with the Conair LED double-sided vanity mirror β€” an item that seems to be selling fairly quickly at my Costco.

The model includes a square mirror, an accessory tray, and three touch-control light settings.

At my store, the Conair vanity mirror β€” regularly $30 β€” is on sale for $24 until December 24.

I'd definitely look into the Phantom A10 smart electric scooter.
A large black box with an image of an electric scooter and "Phantom A10" text on it
The Phantom A10 smart electric scooter can reach a top speed of 15.5 miles per hour.

Veronica Thatcher

If you ask me, the Phantom A10, an electric scooter with a 400-watt motor, is one coolest things at Costco right now.

It has puncture-proof tires, cruise control, a top speed of 15.5 miles per hour, and a Gogo Connect companion app. The scooter is also foldable, so it's easy to store.

The Phantom A10 smart electric scooter is $400 at my location.

I think Costco has a great deal on the Dr. Squatch natural bar soap.
Green and tan boxes of Dr. Squatch bar soap six-packs at Costco
A six-pack of the Dr. Squatch natural bar soap comes with three different scents.

Veronica Thatcher

This month, my Costco is carrying a variety pack of the Dr. Squatch all-natural bar soap. Each pack contains six bars of soap with two of each scent: wood-barrel bourbon, fresh falls, and pine tar.

I was excited to see this soap at Costco because it's a great deal compared to the prices I've seen at other retailers. At my store, a pack of Dr. Squatch natural bar soap costs about $20.

Upgrade your closet with the Adidas men's hoodie.
Gray and green fleece hoodies folded on a stack of gray clothing at Costco
My Costco has the Adidas men's hoodies in a few different colors.

Veronica Thatcher

Costco gets lots of name-brand clothing throughout the year, and this month, my location is carrying the Adidas men's hoodie.

The Adidas hoodies come in blue, gray, and green colors and range from small to 2XL sizes. My Costco even carries matching joggers to complete the outfit.

At my location, each Adidas fleece hoodie is $16.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I've worked at Costco for 19 years. Here are the 10 best holiday gifts I'm seeing on shelves right now.

Two Ghirardelli gift baskets sit side-by-side in a Costco display. One gift basket has a silver tin, and the other has a bronze tin
Costco has plenty of great options for the holiday season.

Veronica Thatcher

  • As a Costco employee, I know there are plenty of great items to grab as gifts this holiday season.
  • The Ghirardelli gift baskets come with chocolates and other tasty sweets.
  • I already bought the MyCharge three-in-one folding wireless charging pad for my husband.

As a Costco employee, I love shopping at the store no matter the time of year. However, each holiday season, I'm reminded that the retailer is a great place to stock up on gifts for friends and family.

From comfy slippers to adorable toys, here are the 10 best gifts I saw at Costco this holiday season.

The Swissgear weekender tote would make a great gift for travel and gym enthusiasts.
A white cardboard box holding black and white Swiss Gear bags
The Swissgear weekender tote has sturdy straps and lots of storage space.

Veronica Thatcher

The Swissgear weekender tote would be the perfect gift for someone who loves traveling or going to the gym.

The versatile tote features sturdy handles, a removable shoulder strap, and a padded bottom compartment for extra storage. The bags come in black, cream, and pink colors.Β 

The Hello Kitty pillow-and-blanket bundle is a perfect gift for fans of the iconic character.
A red cardboard box containing Hello Kitty pillows at Costco
I already bought the Hello Kitty cloud-pillow-and-blanket bundle for my daughter.

Veronica Thatcher

Hello Kitty has been pretty popular this year, so I didn't want to miss my chance to get this pillow-and-blanket set as a Christmas gift for my daughter.

Each bundle comes with a Hello Kitty plush cloud pillow and a reversible, 60-by-70-inch polyester throw. This set would make the perfect addition to a kid's or collector's room.

The Bellevue candle set can be split up and given as individual gifts.
Two boxes with images of candles stacked on top of each other with a green, blue, orange, and red candle on top
The Bellevue luxury candle set comes with four scents.

Veronica Thatcher

Costco gets great seasonal homeware items, and this year, I'd recommend picking up the Bellevue luxury candle set.

Each pack has four 12-ounce candles with removable labels and metal lids. The candles, which are formulated with essential oils, come in mistletoe-frost, sapphire-cashmere, heirloom-apple-grove, and cinnamon-pumpkin-chai scents.

I like to split these candles up and give them by themselves or with a gift card in a clear bag with a bow.

I pick up the Ghirardelli gift baskets every year.Β 
Two Ghirardelli gift baskets sit side-by-side in a Costco display. One gift basket has a silver tin, and the other has a bronze tin
The Ghirardelli gift baskets make a super easy holiday gift.

Veronica Thatcher

Buying Christmas presents can be difficult, especially if you come from a big family like mine. Luckily, these Ghirardelli baskets make gift-giving easy.

The gift baskets contain a selection of the brand's popular items, like chocolate-covered pretzels and signature candies. Each set also comes with a resealable tin that can be used for storage.

This year, my location is carrying two basket sets with different combinations of caramel- and chocolate-flavored treats.

The Skullcandy Kilo Bluetooth speakers have lots of great features.
A black cardboard box containing a Skullcandy pouch and two speakers
The Skullcandy Kilo Bluetooth speakers have a durable design and a 24-hour battery life.

Veronica Thatcher

This Skullcandy Kilo speaker-and-case bundle can be split into two gifts for the price of one.

The Bluetooth speakers have aluminum carabiners, a durable design, and a 24-hour battery life.

I love the Rabbit five-piece wine set with an electric corkscrew and aerator.
A hand holds a burgundy box with an image of a wine bottle with an electric dispenser pouring wine into a glass
The Rabbit five-piece wine set with an electric corkscrew and aerator makes opening and storing bottles easy.

Veronica Thatcher

This electric-tool set could be a great gift for a white-elephant exchange or for someone who loves wine.

The five-piece set has two USB-C charging cables, two bottle stoppers, a foil cutter, an electric corkscrew, and a wine dispenser.

I like this set because the tools make it easy to open a bottle of wine and keep it tasting fresh.

The Stanley Jr. workbench tool set would be fun for young children.
Large yellow boxes containing Stanley Jr. workbenches with an image of a child on the front
The Stanley Jr. workbench comes with wooden kits to make a birdhouse and a forklift.

Veronica Thatcher

This Stanley workbench tool set would likely make any kid happy. The cute set comes with a workbench, different tools, and wooden-birdhouse and forklift kits.

I like this set, meant for ages 8 and older, because it's a great way to make kids feel included when they want to help with adult-level projects.

During the winter, I feel like we can all use a pair of Dearfoams slippers.
Cardboard boxes with blue detailing hold men's and women's Dearfoams slippers
My Costco has Dearfoams slippers in a few different sizes.

Veronica Thatcher

Slippers are one of my favorite gifts to give, and lately, my Costco has been carrying lots of men's and women's Dearfoams.

The machine-washable slippers can be worn both inside and out, and come in a few different sizes and colors.

I'm buying myself the KitchenAid six-quart bowl-lift stand mixer.
White boxes with red detailing holding silver and red mixing-bowl sets at Costco
The KitchenAid six-quart bowl-lift stand mixer comes in silver and red colors.

Veronica Thatcher

This year, I'm getting a KitchenAid stand mixer as a gift to myself.

The bundle includes five attachments: a flat beater, a dough hook, a six-wire whip, a pouring shield, and a flex-edge beater. The stand mixers themselves are available in red and silver hues.

The MyCharge three-in-one wireless charging pad could be a useful gift for people with lots of electronics.
A blue box holding wireless charging pads for Apple products
The MyCharge three-in-one folding wireless charging pad is compatible with Apple products.

Veronica Thatcher

As soon as I saw this charging pad, I knew I had to get it for my husband. It will help him keep everything in one place while charging his must-have electronics.

This charging pad, compatible with only Apple products, can charge an iPhone, AirPods, and an Apple Watch. Its foldable design makes it compact so you can take it almost anywhere.Β 

Click to keep reading Costco diaries like this one.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I worked at Sephora for 11 years. Here are my absolute favorite beauty products of all time.

The writer wears a Sephora uniform and bright-red lipstick and stands in front of a skincare studio station at Sephora
I worked at Sephora for 11 years.

Nora Candreva

  • AfterΒ working at Sephora for 11 years, I have lots of go-to makeup and skincare products.
  • The First Aid Beauty facial radiance pads and pure-skin face cleanser are great products.
  • I love the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech foundation and Urban Decay Vice Lip Bond long-wear lipstick.

I saw a lot of changes in beauty trends during my 11 years at Sephora. But one question clients asked me always remained the same: Which products would you recommend?

Despite the murky outlook of the economy, shoppers are still spending their cash on beauty products and looking to get the best value on the items they buy.

Here are my favorite makeup and skincare products as a freelance makeup artist and former Sephora employee.

The Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech foundation makes my clients' skin look flawless.
Display of circular-shaped bottles of Haus Labs foundation at Sephora. A graphic of Lady Gaga sits next to the foundation
The Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech foundation has an amazing formula.

Nora Candreva

The Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech foundation creates a natural medium-coverage look. This product has an amazing formula with skincare ingredients like fermented arnica, which can help reduce redness.

The brand's concealers are also fabulous and can even be used as foundation.

The Ilia Super Serum skin tint features great skincare ingredients.
A hand holds a white bottle with Ilia logo and a tan dropper in Sephora. Other bottles are on display on a pink shelf in the background
The Ilia Super Serum skin tint SPF 40 provides light-to-medium coverage.

Nora Candreva

Full disclosure, I work as a brand ambassador for Ilia at some Sephora stores β€” but I genuinely love the Ilia Super Serum skin tint because it has great skincare ingredients.

The SPF 40 product contains ingredients like niacinamide, which can treat acne, and squalane, which hydrates the skin. It's a beautifully tinted serum with dewy light-to-medium coverage.

When it comes to the lashes, I have to recommend the Dior Diorshow 24h buildable-volume mascara.
Diorshow lash maximizer and mascara on display. The lash maximizer comes in a white tube, and the mascara comes in a black tube.
The Dior Diorshow Maximizer 3D triple-volume plumping lash primer and 24h buildable-volume mascara are a great combination.

Nora Candreva

I usually point clients who want voluminous lashes to the Dior Diorshow 24h buildable-volume mascara. Personally, I prefer the waterproof formula for building volume.

Take care of your lips with the OleHenriksen Pout Preserve hydrating peptide lip treatments.
Testers for Ole Henriksen lip treatments. The tubes come in red, yellow, pink, and purple colors and sit on a beige tray
The OleHenriksen Pout Preserve peptide lip treatments come in various shades.

Nora Candreva

My lips always feel hydrated and plump when I use the OleHenriksen Pout Preserve hydrating peptide lip treatments.

I love the Strawberry Sorbet shade because it leaves a beautiful hint of pink on the lips.

The Urban Decay Vice Bond glossy long-wear lipstick is truly impressive.
Display of Urban Decay Vice lip bond liquid lipstick. The tubes of lipstick are rectangular shaped and have shiny lids in various shades of pink, red, and brown.
When I want lip colors that last, I go for the Urban Decay Vice Bond glossy long-wear lipsticks.

Nora Candreva

I was wowed when I first tried the Urban Decay Vice Bond glossy long-wear lipstick.

The highly pigmented colors stay on my lips longer than the rest of my makeup. To use it, shake the lipstick, apply it to your lips, and let it dry while you keep your mouth open.

Sephora Collection setting products seal makeup in perfectly.
Self of Sephora beauty items in store. From left to right, a yellow tube of Sephora mattify and refine primer, a black container of translucent setting powder, and a black container of setting spray are on display
I love the Sephora Collection translucent setting powder and setting spray.

Nora Candreva

Because I was encouraged to sell Sephora Collection makeup when I worked in the store, I've tried many of the products.

My favorites were always the setting products because they lock down makeup for a reasonable price.

I'd even say the Sephora Collection translucent loose setting powder is comparable to the pricier Laura Mercier translucent one.

Similarly, the Sephora Collection all-day makeup setting spray is just as good for setting your face as the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless spray.

In terms of skincare, there are some great sunscreen options to choose from at Sephora.
A hand holds a white bottle with Ilia logo and "C Beyond Triple Serum SPF 40" text; A bright-yellow tube of Tula Skincare protect + glow SPF on a shelf with blue boxes behind it
I'd usually recommend the Ilia C Beyond triple serum SPF 40 or the Tula Skincare Protect and Glow sunscreen gel.

Nora Candreva

I always tell my clients that sunscreen is like health insurance for the face.

I swear by the Ilia C Beyond triple serum SPF 40 because the tinted formula, which comes in three shades, can cover redness without leaving a white cast. It also layers underneath foundation beautifully.

The Tula Skincare Protect and Glow daily sunscreen gel SPF 30 gives the skin a gorgeous glow while protecting it from sun damage.

The right balm and oil cleansers remove makeup and sunscreen effortlessly.
A white bottle with a gray pump of Dermalogica precleanse in front of white and gray Dermalogica boxes at Sephora
The Dermalogica Precleanse cleansing oil can remove dirt and impurities.

Nora Candreva

Double cleansing, or washing your face with two cleansers, starts with removing makeup and sunscreen with balms or oils.

I recommend the Farmacy Green Clean makeup-removing cleansing balm or the Dermalogica Precleanse cleansing oil. Be gentle when massaging these products on the skin, especially around the eyes, so you don't lose any lashes.

Choose cleansers that complement your skin type.
Blue and white tubes of First Aid Beauty pre skin face cleansers on shelves at Sephora
The First Aid Beauty pure-skin face cleanser is a great cream-based product.

Nora Candreva

I recommend choosing a basic cleanser according to your skin type and concerns.

For example, I have combination skin (oily and dry), so I use the gel-based Shani Darden cleansing serum. The cleanser feels luxurious with how it foams up. I also felt like how it removes dirt and oil without drying out my skin.

If your skin is dry and sensitive, I recommend a cream-based product like the First Aid Beauty pure-skin cleanser. The fragrance-free cream formula even doubles as a makeup remover.

The Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant exfoliant can help smooth textured skin.
White container of Dermalogica daily microexfoliant on a shelf at Sephora. A chart of showing textured skin sits next to the bottle
The Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant exfoliant activates when mixed with water.

Nora Candreva

I usually recommend an enzyme exfoliant for those with dry or flaky skin and a chemical exfoliator with glycolic or lactic acids for clients with textured skin.

The Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant exfoliant is an enzyme powder that's activated when mixed with water.

This gentle yet effective scrub helps even skin tone while cleansing and reducing the appearance of pores. It's a great step before applying foundation.

I have a few go-to chemical exfoliants that nourish the skin.
Dr. Dennus Gross universal daily peek pads in orange boxes on shelf at Sephora; A round blue container of First Aid Beauty facial radiance pads on a a blue shelf at Sephora
Dr. Dennis Gross peel pads and First Aid Beauty facial radiance pads are good chemical exfoliants.

Nora Candreva

When I want a chemical exfoliant that nourishes my skin, I use the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta extra-strength daily peel pads.

I also loved using the First Aid Beauty facial radiance pads when prepping clients' skin at Sephora's Beauty Studio. They're a staple for preparing a good base to apply makeup to, and I've even found they work for people with sensitive skin.

For moisturizers, Skinfix products are my holy grail.
Blue Skinfix products on display at Sephira. Light-blue boxes of the Skinfix barrier+ skin barrier restoring gel cream sit next to containers of the cream
The Skinfix Barrier+ products can help restore skin health.

Nora Candreva

I suggest people with dry skin go for a cream-based moisturizer because it has a thick consistency that will lock in moisture.

I like a few Skinfix products, but the Barrier+ strengthening and moisturizing triple lipid-peptide cream hydrates and helps to restore the skin barrier.

The Biossance squalane-and-marine-algae eye cream is one of my favorite skincare picks.
A dark-green container of Biossance squalane + marine algae eye cream on a shelf in front of cream-colored boxes at Sephora
The Biossance squalane-and-marine-algae eye cream instantly brightens the skin.

Nora Candreva

My all-time favorite eye cream is the Biossance squalane-and-marine-algae product.

It's the ultimate one-and-done eye cream because it can firm and instantly brighten the under eyes. For an extra refreshing application, chill your eye cream in the fridge.

This story was originally published on March 18, 2024, and most recently updated on November 22, 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider

❌