Patrick Varone
- Vice President, Audience Development and BestProducts.com, Hearst
- Founder, Chief Trends Editor, Trendsicle
New York
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My favorite son, (he's the only one I have) is the chief, cook and bottle washer of www.ImBringingBloggingBack.com. Also check out his new site, www.Brostrick.com
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Articles by Patrick Varone
HigherDOSE Pro Laser Renewal Wand: What We Know So Far
Skip to our early read Or jump toWhat it isWhat we couldn't confirmHow it comparesFinal verdictQuestions Early verdictPromising idea, missing details. Wait. The short version HigherDOSE's Pro Laser Renewal Wand is a $299 handheld that combines a cold laser, red, near-infrared and blue LEDs, and a cooling head in one tool. It's new this fall, it's sold at HigherDOSE and Sephora, and nobody has published a long-term test of it yet. So this is what we know so far.
Is the Braun Nevo Worth $600? How It Compares to the Series 9 Pro+
Skip to the verdict Or jump toWhat's newThe shaveAgainst the Series 9 Pro+Upkeep and travelQuestions The short version The Braun Nevo is a $600 electric shaver, and it's the most comfortable foil shaver Braun has made. It glides more easily, runs cooler and takes fewer passes, which matters most on the neck and jawline where foil shavers tend to irritate. What it doesn't do is shave meaningfully closer than the Series 9 Pro+, which uses the same motor and costs about $230 less.
The Monster Jam Chomping Megalodon Is the RC Truck That Bites Back
Price$49.97 Ages4+ Run timeAbout 20 min VerdictYes, for Megalodon fans The short version The Chomping Megalodon is a $49.97 RC monster truck with a working shark jaw and a chain you hook to a chair leg. Hit Beast Mode and it "breaks free" and chomps its way into a wheelie, a spin or a getaway. For a 4- to 8-year-old Monster Jam fan, it's a fun, personality-packed RC that's worth the money. It's an indoor and driveway truck, though, not a backyard bruiser, and you only get about 20 minutes a charge.
Is Every Man Jack’s New 2-in-1 Shave Cream Worth It?
Skip to the verdict Or jump toWhat it actually isThe three scentsThe mathQuestions The short version Every Man Jack's new 8-Hour Moisture Shave Cream isn't really selling you a fall fragrance, even if the Vanilla Cedar tube is the one you'll see. It's selling you one less step: a shave cream that's supposed to keep moisturizing for up to 8 hours after you rinse, so the post-shave balm can stay in the drawer.
Ooni Halo Core Review: A $599 Pizza Dough Hero With a Cake Problem
Price$599 Bowl4.8 quarts Weight23.2 lbs VerdictYes, if you make dough The short version If you make pizza or bread dough every week, yes.
LEGO Donkey Kong Arcade Review: It Really Plays, but It’s Built for the Shelf
Price$199.95 Pieces1,367 Ages18+ VerdictYes, for retro fans The short version LEGO's Donkey Kong Arcade is a $200, 1,367-piece cabinet with a game you can actually play: pull a lever to roll barrels down the girders and steer Jumpman over them with a joystick. For anyone who grew up feeding quarters into the real thing, it's a fantastic display piece with a working toy inside. It's not a value set, and the game is simple, so buy it for the shelf, not for hours of play.
What Changed in the 2026 Rubik’s Cube, and Is It Worth Buying?
Price$9.49 Ages8+ StickersNone, tiles VerdictYes, for beginners The short version The official Rubik's Cube got a quiet makeover for 2026: a redesigned mechanism for smoother turning, a matte finish and thinner grid lines, still with tiles instead of stickers, and still $9.49. For a kid or adult who wants to learn to solve one, it's worth it, no question. If they already solve and want to get faster, a magnetic speed cube is the better $10 to $15.
Are the $140 Harris Tweed Vans Worth It? Depends How You Feel About Studs
Skip to the verdict Or jump toWhat Harris Tweed isThe price ladderThe rest of the packQuestions The short version The Harris Tweed Vans look like a simple premium upgrade from a distance: Scottish wool on a classic Old Skool. Up close, they're something else. The $140 Old Skool 36 comes covered in jewels, pins and studs, with a greased, lived-in finish, cheetah-print insoles and distressed soles. It's a punk shoe wearing a tweed jacket. So are they worth the premium?
Twinning With Your Dog : Are Comfrt’s $19 Paw Hoodies Worth It?
Price$19 (most styles) SizesXXS to 7X Fits1 to 175 lbs VerdictYes, at $19 The short version Comfrt's Paw Hoodies are the dog version of the brand's heavyweight fleece hoodie, and at $19 they're an easy yes, especially if you want to match your dog or you've got a big dog that nothing fits. The size chart goes all the way to 175 pounds.[2] Ignore the "$50 value" sticker and the calming talk.
Are the A.P.C. x Clarks Desert Boots Worth $50 More Than the Originals?
Skip to the verdict Or jump toWhat it actually isThe $50 questionThe originalQuestions The short version The A.P.C. x Clarks Originals Desert Boot costs $190, and a regular Clarks Desert Boot costs $140. Same shape, same crepe sole, same lace-up. So the question is pretty simple: what does the extra $50 get you, and is it enough? It gets you materials you can't buy on the standard boot, a glossy dark brown leather or a ribbed caramel suede, plus a small, removable A.P.C. charm.
Clixo Airplanes Pack: Build a Plane, Then Watch the Propeller Spin
Price$19.99 Pieces15 Ages4+ VerdictYes, as a starter or add-on The short version The Clixo Airplanes Pack is a $19.99 set of 15 flexible magnetic pieces with a wind-powered propeller, so kids can build a plane and then run around the house flying it. It's a great small gift and an easy add-on for a kid who already has Clixo. On its own, 15 pieces runs out of possibilities fast, so for a first big Clixo set, start bigger.
Razer Prio Review: The $100 Phone Controller You’ll Actually Carry
Price$99.99 Folded4.2 x 2.6 x 0.9 in Weight3.6 oz VerdictYes, if you'll carry it The short version The Prio isn't the best phone controller. It's the one you'll actually have on you. It folds down to roughly the footprint of a credit card, weighs about as much as a bar of soap, and never needs charging.[4][2] The trade: smaller controls that tire your hands after about an hour, no passthrough charging and no rumble.[3][4] Commuters, yes. Couch marathoners, get a full-size controller. $99.99 at both.
HEX BOTS Explodapede: The Prank Toy That Rolls Up, Then Pops Open
Price$29.97 Ages4+ ChargingUSB-C VerdictYes, for prank-loving kids The short version The HEX BOTS Explodapede is a $30 remote control centipede that rolls up into a ball, waits for a timer to run out, then bursts open and slithers away. It's a fun, creepy prank toy, and the surprise is what kids will love about it. It's a floor crawler with a simple trick, so it's best as a birthday or stocking gift, not a toy that'll hold their attention for months.
Caraway Coffee Maker Review: You’re Paying $495 for What’s Not in It
Price$495 Makes2 to 10 cups ShipsEst. Dec 15 VerdictOnly if plastic-free matters The short version The Caraway is a good-looking, quiet, easy-to-clean drip machine with a brew path made of glass and stainless steel instead of plastic.[1][4] If that's your top priority, it's one of the few machines that delivers it.
Is the Soundcore Space 2 Pro Worth It? Great for Calls, Less So for Music
Skip to the verdict Or jump toWhat it actually isAgainst Sony and BoseWhat testers foundQuestions The short version The Soundcore Space 2 Pro is a $199.99 pair of noise canceling headphones that's excellent at the thing most headphone reviews ignore: calls. Its AI-powered microphones and adaptive noise canceling hold their own against flagships that cost more than twice as much. The catch is music. Out of the box it sounds dark and bass-heavy, and the EQ can't fully fix it.
Is the $300 LEGO Pokémon Poké Ball Worth It? Yes for Collectors, No for Kids
Price$299.99 Pieces2,386 Ages18+ VerdictYes, for collectors The short version It's a display piece first: a 9-inch brick-built Poké Ball that springs open to Professor Oak's lab and a battle arena, and it comes with the first minifigure-scale Pikachu and Eevee LEGO has made.[1][5] For adult Pokémon fans who want it on a shelf, it's worth it. For parents shopping for a kid who'll want to play with it, it isn't, and there's a $70 Pikachu set that fits that job better. $299.99 at both.
Is The Ordinary’s $9.50 Eye Cream Worth It for Men?
Skip to the verdict Or jump toWhat it actually isEye cream or moisturizerWhat testers foundQuestions The short version The Ordinary's first eye cream costs $9.50, which is less than most men spend on a sandwich, and it's built around PDRN, the ingredient behind the salmon DNA skincare trend. The question isn't really whether it's good for the money. At $9.50 almost anything is. It's whether a separate eye product earns a spot in a routine that probably only has two or three steps.
emotoBOT Review: The Robot Friend That Never Goes Online
Price$49.97 Ages6+ InternetNone needed VerdictYes, for offline play The short version emotoBOT COR-A is a $50 robot buddy with an animated LED face that reacts to touch and music and has more than 100 games, dances and jokes. The big selling point for parents is what it doesn't have: no Wi-Fi, no AI and no Bluetooth. It's also a 2026 NAPPA Awards winner. It's a sweet, self-contained interactive toy for a 6- to 9-year-old. It's not a smart robot, and it won't hold a real conversation.
The 15 Best Body Sprays and Mists for Men in 2026
Walk down the aisle and three completely different products are wearing the same word. A $7 can that exists to stop you smelling bad. A $26 mist with a little fragrance oil in it that you spray on and reapply at lunch. And a $100 can with a designer name on it that holds the same scent as a $300 bottle at a fraction of the strength. They aren't competing with each other, and that's the part nobody explains.
ChompSaw Review: Can a $249 Cardboard Cutter Really Be Kid-Safe ?
Price$249 Ages3+ with an adult CutsUp to 3mm VerdictYes, for serious builders The short version The ChompSaw is a $249 kid-safe power tool that cuts cardboard without a blade. It nibbles through boxes like a high-speed hole punch, so kids can cut out their own fort windows, costumes and models. It won Creative Toy of the Year in 2026. It's a great, long-lasting tool for a family that builds a lot, but $249 is a big ask if cardboard crafts are a once-a-month thing.
Snap Circuits Soccer Shot: The STEM Kit Kids Build , Then Play
Price$71.19 Ages7+ Players2 VerdictYes, at this price The short version Snap Circuits Soccer Shot is a tabletop penalty-kick game that kids build themselves from real electronic parts: a motorized kicker, a movable goalie, infrared goal sensors and a digital scoreboard. It's a smart mix of a STEM kit and a game, and the building leads to something kids will actually want to play. At about $71, it's a good buy. At its $119 list price, it's a harder sell.
Stickerbox Turns Kids’ Words Into Stickers. Is It Worth $130?
Price$129.99 Ages5+ NeedsWi-Fi and an outlet VerdictYes, for a sticker-obsessed kid The short version Stickerbox is a $129.99 sticker printer that turns a kid's spoken idea into a black-and-white sticker in a few seconds, ready to color. It's a delightful idea, refills are cheap, and the AI stays in the background, with nothing for a kid to scroll or watch. The catches are the price, which has gone up $30 since launch, and the fact that it needs Wi-Fi and a wall outlet to work.
13 Giant Halloween Animatronics That Will Stop Traffic in 2026
Something happened to Halloween yards in the last few years. A six foot animatronic used to be the thing on the block. Now it's the warm-up act, and the real question every October is who's going to put up the 10 footer. I've been watching the Spirit Halloween catalog and the big Amazon brands all season, and this is the list of the giants that are actually worth the money, the yard space and the very real conversation with your HOA.
12 Best Field Jackets for Men in 2026 (and Why They’re Everywhere Again!)
Skip to the twelve jackets Or start hereWhat a field jacket isWhat you will do in itThe six detailsScored against the M-65Compare all twelveQuestions The short version Every field jacket on sale today is descended from one garment. The M-65 was issued to the US Army from 1965, and it solved a specific problem: one cotton and nylon shell that a soldier could wear in October and in January, carry things in, and pull tight when the wind came up.
Rhode Pocket Pearl Blush: Shades, Price, Restock and Where to Buy It
ReleasedSept 15, 2026 Status2 of 3 Shades Left Price$16 On eBay$50 to $100 The Short Version Pocket Pearl is Rhode's $16 mini blush, a less-than-half-size Pocket Blush with a shimmery finish and a loop on the cap so it clips to a bag. It launched September 15 in three shades, and Gemini, the candy pink, sold out within a day, along with the carabiner, the butterfly charm and the Sweet Apple lip tint. Monet (apricot) and Monaco (terracotta) are still in stock at Rhode for $16.
Dr. Squatch Feral Fox: Price, Release Date and How to Buy It
ReleasedSept 14, 2026 StatusDrawing Open Price$21.50 Made5,000 The Short Version Feral Fox is a limited-edition bar soap and deodorant that Megan Fox made with Dr. Squatch, and you can't just add it to a cart. Dr. Squatch is selling the $21.50 duo through a purchase drawing on its own site, and entries close Friday, September 18 at 9 a.m. Pacific. Only 5,000 products exist, 1,500 of them as these online bundles. Entering is free, one entry per person, and you're only charged if you're picked.
Flamingo Estate Tomato Hand Soap: Is the $70 Glass Bottle Worth It ? We Did the Math
Glass bottle$70 / 11 oz Refill (aluminum)$50 / 12 oz On subscription$45 Per wash, glass33 to 44¢ The Short Version The $70 Flamingo Estate Heirloom Tomato Glass Hand Soap is the same soap the brand sells for $50 in an aluminum bottle, with one ounce less of it, in a green fluted glass bottle you're meant to keep and refill. So the real price of the glass is about $20, once. Whether that's worth it depends entirely on whether you'll refill it.
Ninja CrushBOSS Review: Is the 4-in-1 Blender Really Worth $320?
Price$169.99 to $319.99 Motor1850 peak watts, same on every model Top model4-in-1 with auto dicing VerdictBuy a rung down The short version The CrushBOSS is four appliances stacked on one motor base, and the motor is the same 1850 peak watts whether you spend $169.99 or $319.99.[1] Everything above that first price is plastic attachments.
YETI vs. Stanley vs. Owala vs. Hydro Flask: Which Water Bottle Is Actually Best in 2026?
Here's the thing about tumbler reviews: they all sound extremely confident, and they all say different things. The same Stanley 40 oz has been reported as running out of ice in under 6 hours. It's also been reported as holding ice for 36. Same cup, same size. Nobody's lying, exactly. But somebody is definitely not measuring the same thing. So we read 38 of these tests, checked the math on every one that showed its work, and found four that are flat out impossible. Not sloppy. Impossible.
YETI LoadOut Phone Case 2026: Every Color, In Stock Status + Is It Worth $70
ReleasedSept 2026 StatusIn Stock Price$70.00 Warranty5 Years The Short Version YETI made a phone case. It's $70, it's only sold on YETI's own site, and one day after launch it's already selling out by color and size. Eight of the eleven colors are in stock for the iPhone 17 Pro and 18 Pro, seven for the Pro Max, and Black is already gone in the smaller size. Below is every color with live stock, and then the real question: whether $70 buys you anything the $50 cases don't.
New LEGO Sets For October 2026: Every Release & Pre-Order Schedule
October17 new sets Marked 18+5 of them NovemberBiggest set ever Range$12.99 to $799.99 The short version October brings 17 sets, five of them stamped 18+, headlined by a $799.99 Star Destroyer and the first LEGO PlayStation. Then November lands the largest LEGO set ever made. That's not LEGO drifting away from kids, it's LEGO noticing that grown-ups became a real chunk of the toy aisle and building for them on purpose.
Cotopaxi Promo Codes and Coupons for September 2026: Verified and Updated
✓ Verified todaySeptember 202614 active deals 14Active Deals$99Free Ship Min60%Top Sale Cut4Reader Codes Last Verified: 8.8.26 - Deals and Links Checked By Trendsicle's Editorial Team. 🏆 Best deal right now Sign up for Cotopaxi email and SMS to unlock 20% off one full-price item, then stack free shipping once your cart passes $99. It's the closest thing Cotopaxi has to a sitewide code.
Best Gifts for Packers Fans: 21 Ideas Beyond Another Foam Wedge
Thirteen championships, which is more than any other franchise in the NFL has won, and four of them came after the Super Bowl was invented. They are also the only team in the league's history to win three titles in a row, and they are the only team to have done it twice. And then there is the part that makes shopping for a Packers fan genuinely different. Green Bay Packers, Inc. is a non-profit owned by 538,967 people. There is no billionaire.
Birding 101: 25 Best Gifts for Bird Lovers in 2026 (From Beginner to Obsessed)
Birdwatching has quietly become one of the fastest-growing hobbies going, and not among the demographic you'd assume. Participation among 18-to-24-year-olds has surged by more than 1,000 percent since 2018, college Audubon chapters have grown tenfold, and The Atlantic went ahead and declared that all the cool kids are birding. Somewhere along the way the beige-anorak stereotype stopped being true. Which makes gift shopping harder, because most bird gifts are still designed for a grandparent.
Best Gifts for Bruins Fans: 24 Ideas Beyond Another Spoked B
There are twelve numbers hanging in the rafters at TD Garden, which is more than most franchises have players worth remembering. The Bruins have been playing since 1924, they are the oldest American team in the NHL, and that length of history is the thing to buy against. It also creates a specific problem. A Bruins fan has been handed a spoked B on something every Christmas of their life. The logo is not the gift.
Best Gifts for Patriots Fans: 24 Ideas That Aren’t Another Foam Finger
Shopping for a Patriots fan is a strange job right now. The dynasty ended, the man who ran it coaches somewhere else, and the quarterback is on television on Sundays instead of on the field. Meanwhile every gift guide on the internet wants to sell you a foam finger and a car flag. Here is the thing nobody accounts for: this fanbase does not want current merchandise. They want the twenty years.
33 Gifts for Coffee Lovers, From Casual Sippers to Home Baristas (2026)
Coffee lovers are the easiest people to shop for and somehow the hardest. They clearly love the stuff, but what do you get someone who already has a whole morning ritual dialed in? The good news: the world of coffee gear runs deep, from show-stopping espresso machines to the little upgrades that quietly make every cup better.
Puffy Promo Codes and Coupons for August 2026: Verified and Updated
10 Offers Verified August 8, 2026 By the Trendsicle Editorial Team $1,350Sitewide Savings$390Free Gifts365Night Trial4Reader Codes 🏆 Best deal right now Puffy's current deal takes up to $1,350 off, and every mattress comes with two free pillows and two sleep masks, a $390 value, added automatically with no code. Military members can save $1,425 instead.
Nutrafol Promo Codes and Coupons
11 Offers Verified August 8, 2026 By the Trendsicle Editorial Team 20%Subscribe & SaveFREECoaching & Tests6-MoMoney-Back4Reader Codes 🏆 Best deal right now Nutrafol doesn't run typical coupon sales. Instead, subscribing saves you 10% to 20% for the life of your plan, shipping is free, and every subscription includes wellness coaching, testing and a Headspace membership.
Bear Mattress Promo Codes and Coupons for August 2026: Verified and Updated
13 Offers Verified August 8, 2026 By the Trendsicle Editorial Team 35%Sitewide Sale40%Military & More120Night Trial4Reader Codes ð Best deal right now Bear's early Labor Day sale takes 35% off every mattress and accessory, no code needed. If you're military, a first responder, a nurse or a teacher, you can do even better at 40% off through ID.me. Shop the Sale â Bear is a mattress brand built around recovery, with fiberglass-free hybrids and foam beds made in the USA.
Skylight Promo Codes and Coupons for August 2026: Verified and Updated
✓ Verified todayAugust 20266 active deals 6Active Deals$40Refer a Friend4-MoFree Returns3-YrPromise Last Verified: August 8, 2026 - Deals and Links Checked By Trendsicle’s Editorial Team. 🏆 Best deal right now Skylight almost never runs a promo code, so the biggest way to save is a referral link: a friend’s link takes $40 off your Skylight Calendar, and they earn $40 when you buy.
Dorsey Promo Codes and Coupons
9 Offers Verified August 8, 2026 By the Trendsicle Editorial Team 9Active DealsFREE2-Day Shipping45-DayExchanges3Reader Codes 🏆 Best deal right now Dorsey almost never runs a promo code, so the real savings live in its standing perks: free 2-day shipping with no minimum, free 45-day exchanges, and the Final Few last-chance sale. Shop Dorsey → Dorsey does not discount, and it is worth knowing that before you start hunting.
Rag & Bone Promo Codes and Coupons
10 Offers Verified August 8, 2026 By the Trendsicle Editorial Team 10Active Deals15%Email & Text50%Off SaleFREEShipping 🏆 Best deal right now rag & bone rarely posts a sitewide code, but the Sale section runs deep, and periodic extra-30%-off-sale events push some pieces past 60% off. New shoppers can also stack a 15% welcome code on full-price picks. Shop the Sale → rag & bone does not discount in season, so the sale rail is the whole story.
Living Proof Promo Codes and Coupons for July 2026: Verified and Updated
34%Off Sets15%First Order$50Free Ship Over14Active Deals Last Verified: 7.25.26 - Deals and Links Checked By Trendsicle's Editorial Team. π Best deal right now Living Proof's curated routine sets are up to 34% off right now, and new customers get 15% off a first order. Orders over $65 add 3 free travel minis, and shipping is free over $50.
Four Seasons At Home Promo Codes and Coupons for July 2026: Verified and Updated
✓ Verified todayJuly 20268 active deals 8Active DealsFREEShipping30-DayReturns4Reader Codes Last Verified: 7.26.26 - Deals and Links Checked By Trendsicle's Editorial Team. 🏆 The best everyday value Four Seasons At Home rarely discounts, but every order ships free with no minimum and most items are returnable for 30 days. That's the real value here, on hotel-grade bedding, bath and home.
Floof Promo Codes and Coupons for July 2026: Verified and Updated
✓ Verified todayJuly 202613 active deals 20%Best DiscountFREEShip 2+ Pillows45-DayReturns4Reader Codes Last Verified: 7.26.26 - Deals and Links Checked By Trendsicle's Editorial Team. 🏆 Best deal right now Join Floof's VIP list and take 10% off your first order of two or more pillows. It's the most reliable discount here, and it stacks nicely with free shipping on a pair.
Sam’s Club Promo Codes and Coupons for July 2026: Verified and Updated
✓ Verified todayJuly 202612 active deals $65New Member Savings2%Sam's Cash (Plus)$50Free Ship Min3Reader Codes Last Verified: 7.26.26 - Deals and Links Checked By Trendsicle's Editorial Team. 🏆 Best deal right now Join Sam's Club as a new member by July 31 and pay $55 for your first year of Plus, down from $120. Club membership is $25 for the first year, down from $60. Join and Save → Sam's Club works a little differently from a store with a checkout coupon box.
HotelTonight Promo Codes and Coupons for July 2026: Verified and Updated
✓ Verified todayJuly 202610 active deals 10%Airbnb Credit1000sCities & HotelsAPPExclusive Rates4Reader Codes Last Verified: 7.26.26 - Deals and Links Checked By Trendsicle's Editorial Team. 🏆 Best deal right now HotelTonight is owned by Airbnb, so every hotel you book earns a credit worth 10% of the booking to spend on Airbnb. It's good for a year and stacks with the discounted last-minute rates.
Porte + Hall Promo Codes and Coupons for July 2026: Verified and Updated
50%Off Sale Mats15%First Order18%Student & Military14Active Deals Last Verified: 7.25.26 - Deals and Links Checked By Trendsicle's Editorial Team. π Best deal right now Porte + Hall's Final Few clearance takes up to 50% off select designer doormats and runners, with the Everweave line at 50% and Insider runners at 20% off. New customers also get 15% off a first order.
Cloud Water Filters Promo Codes and Coupons for July 2026: Verified and Updated
$50Off the Filter$47Per Month5Year Warranty14Active Deals Last Verified: 7.25.26 - Deals and Links Checked By Trendsicle's Editorial Team. π Best deal right now Cloud's countertop reverse-osmosis filter is $50 off right now, down to $599 from $649, or about $47 a month with financing. It's NSF certified, backed by a 5-year warranty and a money-back satisfaction guarantee.
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