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High on Fire, the heavy metal band, is expanding its 2026 tour with more shows in the U.S.

As the band continues its September and October Latin American tour, the trio composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Pike, bassist Jeff Matz and drummer Ben Koller has announced additional performances in major cities as part of its latest run of live dates.

In an update shared on its official Instagram, High on Fire announced that it will kick off the additional run in Pennsylvania for a two-day show, followed by stops in Rhode Island and New York, all in late October.

In addition, the band will have a one-night show in Oregon and will be starting the new year with a show in Washington on Jan. 1.

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High on Fire began its Latin America tour in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Sept. 25, followed by performances in Monterrey, Mexico City and San José later in the month.

The band will wrap up the scheduled seven-day run with three shows in October, covering Santiago, Buenos Aires and São Paulo, before jumping into the upcoming fall and winter runs in the U.S.

Jeff Matz and Matt Pike of High On Fire band perform during a concert at Foro Corona on September 26, 2026.

Medios y Media/Getty Images

Beyond the ongoing tour, High on Fire has released its first full-length album since winning the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.

Their ninth studio album, Cometh the Storm, debuted in 2024 and also received praise for its musical diversity.

Consequence described it as “even better than Electric Messiah and the strongest and most varied High on Fire record since Snakes for the Divine.”

Asked whether there was any added pressure or urgency to deliver following the band’s Grammy win, Pike discussed the creative process behind the album.

According to the frontman, their latest album sounds more musically diverse than their previous records.

“We have this riff vault and it’s like a hundred different sessions of us just writing strange riffs, and then sometimes we’ll go back to that and take a good idea that really didn’t come to fruition and rewrite it so that it’s more playable,” he told the outlet, adding, “Some of those have other people drumming on them; Des and Chris … worked well for us for some of this stuff on this album for sure.”

During their 2026 tour, High on Fire has consistently performed songs from Cometh the Storm.

High on Fire Tour Schedule

Oct. 2: Santiago

Oct. 3: Buenos Aires

Oct. 4: São Paulo

Oct. 9: Berkeley, CA

Oct. 10: Santa Cruz, CA

Oct. 11: Pioneertown, CA

Oct. 28: Philadelphia, PA, at Underground Arts

Oct. 29: Millersville, PA, at Phantom Power

Oct. 30: Providence, RI, at Fête Music Hall

Oct. 31: Brooklyn, NY, at Saint Vitus Bar (Halloween Night)

Dec. 3: Antwerp, Belgium, at Trix

Dec. 4: Frankfurt, Germany, at Batschkapp

Dec. 5: Munich, Germany, at Backstage

Dec. 7: Wien, Austria, at Wien Arena

Dec. 8: Leipzig, Germany, at Der Anker

Dec. 10: Hamburg, Germany, at Große Freiheit 36

Dec. 11: Berlin, Germany, at Astra Kulturhaus

Dec. 12: Cologne, Germany, at Carlswerk Victoria

Dec. 13: Tilburg, Netherlands, at Poppodium O3

Dec. 16: London, UK, at Roundhouse

Dec. 17: Bristol, UK, at Electric Bristol

Dec. 18: Manchester, UK, at Manchester Academy

Dec. 19: Dublin, Ireland, at The Academy

Dec. 30: Portland, OR, at Roseland Theater

Jan. 1: Seattle, WA, at Showbox SoDo (New Year’s Day)

Related: 1977 Soft Rock Song, With Singer Nicknamed ‘The Delta Lady,’ Is Still an Iconic Hit 49 Years Later

Two and a Half Men creator Chuck Lorre used his acceptance speech during a Project Angel Food fundraiser as a public takedown of President Donald Trump.

Lorre, 73, received a founders award on Saturday, September 26, and claimed that the “burden” of his profession demanded he address the current state of affairs and the “bloated orange piece of s–t in the White House.”

“In writing and producing comedy, there’s an unspoken expectation that any speech I give will be funny, or at least try to be funny,” he said. “As you can imagine, that puts a lot of pressure on me. Your laughter or lack thereof becomes inextricably tied up with my self-esteem.”

He added, “I’d love to express my gratitude to all the people who’ve devoted their lives to making Project Angel Food an oasis for those in need. That would be my preference. But because I’m a comedy writer, I have no choice but to explain how I wake up every morning to turn on CNN to see if the president of the United States had a heart attack while straining to take a dump.”

Lorre — who also created Big Bang Theory and Mom, among others — then turned his attention to First Lady Melania Trump, calling her “cold-hearted” and claiming she “clearly hates her husband.”

“I’d love to encourage you to pull out your wallets and contribute to this amazing organization,” he said. “But my need to cause laughter forces me to question how a country can embrace a smart, educated, warm, funny first lady like Michelle Obama and somehow be OK with [Melania].”

@kaivanshroff

Amazing #culture #media

♬ original sound – Kaivan Shroff

The “King of Sitcoms” ended his speech with a slightly-tweaked version of the Serenity Prayer.

“God, grant me the serenity to no longer give a s–t about all the stupid people in this country,” he said, calling Trump a “Russian asset.”

Lorre has been a long, vocal opponent of the president.

In 2018, ahead of the midterm elections during Trump’s first term, Lorre used his signature vanity card at the end of an episode of The Big Bang Theory to encourage voter turnout.

In his lengthy prayer, he referred to Trump as “a fascist, hate-filled, fear-mongering, demagogic, truth-shattering, autocratic golf cheater,” per Deadline.

Santana is still going strong.

The legendary rock band has announced a new set of shows for 2027, extending its long-running House of Blues residency at Mandalay Bay into May. The residency, which kicked off in 2012, is stretching into its 15th year in 2027, making it Las Vegas’ longest active rock residency, according to Ultimate Classic Rock.

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Dates for the 2027 lineup begin Jan. 20 and run through May 23, with eight shows scheduled in January and eight more in May. Several shows remain this year, with eight dates in November. Tickets are on sale now for the November shows, while tickets for the 2027 dates go on sale Friday, Oct. 2, at 10 a.m. PT.

“This is joy,” Santana once told Dan Rather about performing his music. “Joy is not labor or anything like that or a job. It’s more like an offering. And the more you get into it from your heart, the less you feel gravity and time and mischief or grief or anything like that. Those things disappear.”

Santana began making music professionally in the 1960s. The band emerged from the San Francisco Bay Area music scene in 1966, developing its signature fusion of rock, jazz, blues, and Latin rhythms. In 1969, Santana broke through at the Woodstock Festival, delivering a now-famous performance that included “Soul Sacrifice,” before the band’s self-titled debut album was even released.

The album introduced Santana’s first Top 10 hit, “Evil Ways,” and was followed by masterpieces including Abraxas in 1970 and Santana III in 1971, both of which reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200. “Black Magic Woman” and “Evil Ways” became two of the band’s signature songs.

In 1998, Santana was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The milestone was followed by one of music’s biggest comebacks. Santana signed with Arista Records chairman Clive Davis and released Supernatural in 1999, teaming up with younger artists including Rob Thomas and Lauryn Hill.

The album became a massive success, selling more than 15 million copies and winning eight Grammy Awards. It also produced massive hits including “Smooth” and “Maria Maria.”

Nearly six decades after Santana first emerged, the band isn’t done yet.

Related: 1993 Val Kilmer Classic Named the ‘Very Best Film Ever Made’

When Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell and Dan Peek decided to start a band in the ’60s, they were just a trio of teens from the U.S.A. living in England, where their fathers were stationed at the United States Air Force Base near London. Appropriately, they named their band America…and took inspiration from the U.S. soldiers who shared their stories with them for one of their most successful songs, “Sandman.”

As Bunnell explained in the booklet for the Highway: 30 Years of America box set, he based the lyrics for “Sandman” on his conversations with airmen at the base returning from Vietnam.

“They’d buy us a beer at the commissary and tell us stories about the war,” Bunnell recalled. “We weren’t very political or very military. But ‘Sandman’ came out of our eyes being opened to the fact that these guys weren’t much older than us.”

“One of the things that I vividly remember hearing one guy say is that he hardly ever slept in Vietnam — he was afraid to go to sleep,” he continued. “So there’s the line, ‘You’ve been running from the man who goes by the name of the Sandman’ — you don’t want to go to sleep because you might be killed. I thought, What a lousy way to live.“

The lyrics paint a harrowing picture of what those soldiers went through:

‘Cause I understand, you’ve been running from the man
That goes by the name of the Sandman
He flies the sky like an eagle in the eye
Of a hurricane that’s abandoned

Ain’t the years gone by fast
I suppose you have missed them
Oh, I almost forgot to ask
Did you hear of my enlistment?

Funny, I’ve been there
And you’ve been here
We ain’t had no time to drink that beer

His time in England as a young man deeply affected Bunnell, as well as his bandmates, as he explained in a 2021 interview with Glide.

“As you can imagine us, being American teenagers thrust into a whole new cultural change, and in my case, it was an extension of my family because my father was American and my mother was British,” Bunnell said. “We were over in England because our families’ fathers were in the US Air Force stationed in London. We were then in an American school for US citizens and military kids — literally a melting pot of us from around the U.S.”

Related: 1982 Soft Rock Song, Released 10 Years After ‘Horse With No Name,’ Became a Surprise Comeback Hit

“We all bonded in a very unique way, as none of us had normal support groups like we would have had in the U.S.,” he continued. “So certainly, if there’s anything that one finds in common with each other, you really grab on to it. We were guitar strummers and very excited to meet each other, find out which songs each guy knew, and so forth. Basically, Gerry had a band called the Corporation and I was kind of an interloper, listening and introducing myself to them. So, anyways, one thing led to another. The long and the short of it was when we all began writing our own songs and music, that really changed the formula, and that was a bit later when we graduated in 1969.”

After graduation, they “realized we all had a little stash of songs we’d written,” Bunnell added. In 1972, America released their self-titled debut album, which included “Sandman.”

“Sandman” wasn’t released as a single; “Horse With No Name” and “I Need You” were the big chart-toppers from that first record, which ended up going platinum. But “Sandman” ended up getting tons of radio airplay anyway, bringing the band’s signature harmonies — and one soldier’s memories — to an ever-widening audience of listeners.

Related: 1974 Soft Rock Hit, Written by a Pair of Newlyweds, Was Inspired by One of the Beatles’ Saddest Songs

One month after the death of Hayden Panettiere, her ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko is taking legal action to protect their daughter, Kaya.

According to TMZ, Klitschko filed a petition to be appointed as temporary guardian of Panettiere’s estate on behalf of their 11-year-old daughter.

According to Klitschko, “Kaya is entitled to the entirety of the assets subject to Hayden’s probate administration in California.”

However, he added that he was “informed” about Panettiere’s personal items and jewelry having “disappeared [and] remains unaccounted for.”

The September 24 filing reveals concerns of “a high probability that property belonging to Hayden’s Estate may be lost, damaged or dissipated before a duly appointed personal representative can be in place to protect it.”

He went on to say that, before her death, Panettiere expressed a “documented concern that an individual had gained unauthorized access to Hayden’s property.”

“It is expected that the individual will continue to try and misappropriate property belonging to Hayden’s estate,” Klitschko added. “Given the high publicity of Hayden’s estate, a personal representative needs to be appointed immediately to safeguard and protect Hayden’s home and contents.”

Panettiere died on August 16 at the age of 36.

She was found unresponsive inside an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina. Despite efforts to resuscitate her, the Ice Princess star was pronounced dead at the scene.

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If you find it difficult to relax and unwind with your home’s harsh overhead lighting beating down on you, it may be a good idea to invest in a lamp. It’ll fill your space with a softer glow, transforming your room into a cozy retreat where you’ll want to spend all your downtime. If that sounds like something you need ASAP, this Dewenwils Farmhouse Floor Lamp at Walmart is a fantastic option. Plus, it comes with a built-in end table to give you some extra storage space!

Right now is the best time to snag this floor lamp because it’s currently on sale for over 40% off! Normally retailing for $115, this lamp is now marked down to just $63. This is a deal you won’t want to miss considering that you’re essentially getting two products in one. 

Dewenwils Farmhouse Floor Lamp, $63 (was $115) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Fixed with a beige linen lampshade, the lamp emits a soft light rather than harsh beams, designed to minimize the glare on your eyes. Reviewers noted that it provides just the right amount of light. It’s a great alternative to your overhead light, creating a cozy and relaxing atmosphere whether you’re reading, watching a movie, or just lounging around. The lamp is compatible with a standard medium E26 light bulb, which isn’t included. However, Walmart has plenty of affordable lightbulbs available!

The lamphead is adjustable, so you can direct the light wherever it’s needed. You can tilt it sideways up to 270 degrees and angle it upwards up to 120 degrees. This lamp is powered by a standard 8.2-foot power cord, providing enough length to reach an outlet without requiring an extension cord. The cord is also equipped with a floor switch so you can easily turn the lamp on and off with your feet without having to bend down. 

For added convenience, this floor lamp boasts a two-tier end table. Each tier has a 13.2-inch diameter, offering plenty of storage space. You can use the top tier to set down drinks or display decor pieces, and use the bottom tier to store and organize those small items that currently don’t have a proper home. 

Oozing with farmhouse charm, this lamp will make your space feel cozy and inviting. The round tabletops feature an exposed wood grain finish, which gives the piece a rustic touch. Made from linen, which is a key element of the farmhouse aesthetic, the lampshade has a natural feel. 

The frame is made of metal, and shoppers mentioned that it feels very sturdy. As a bonus, several customers raved about how easy it is to assemble. Some even said that it took them just 15 minutes to put everything together. 

This floor lamp is ideal for small and large spaces alike. Measuring 62 inches tall with an end table that builds up, it takes advantage of vertical space. It offers additional storage without taking up much floor space.

One shopper attested to the space-saving design, noting that it’s “great for small spaces.” In agreement, another reviewer called this lamp a “very functional space saver.” They also said that the table is “beautiful” and “makes the lamp look way more expensive than it is.” 

Related: Walmart Sells a ‘Cute’ $21 Wicker Basket Trio That Brings Cottagecore Whimsy to Home Organization

Practical, functional, and stylish, the Dewenwils Farmhouse Floor Lamp can do it all. Don’t hesitate to head to Walmart and snag it while it’s still on sale for just $63! 

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Chattanooga native Dennis Haskins was best known for playing Principal Richard Belding on Saved by the Bell, teaching Millennials right from wrong for years. The world mourns as he has died at the age of 75.

The news of his death was confirmed by his friend and caretaker. It turns out that he was quietly battling Parkinson’s disease.

Dennis Haskins Cause of Death

Little is known about Haskins’ cause of death at the time of publication. In an Instagram post, Dimples Karaoke shared that the 75-year-old was a regular there, with many people believing that he owned the place because of how often they saw him. It had become his “second home,” according to the post.

It was in this post that the fight against Parkinson’s, among other health problems, was mentioned. Haskins didn’t openly share his health problems, not wanting the attention, and those who knew him well kept it quiet, as it was his news to share.

The cause of death is potentially linked to Parkinson’s Disease.

The Legacy of Dennis Haskins

Most people remember Haskins as the beloved high school principal, Richard Belding, on Saved by the Bell. He put up with Zack Morris’ antics, supported Jessie Spano’s education, and just wanted the best for the students under his care. Everything he did was through wanting them all to succeed. What many people won’t remember is that Saved by the Bell started out as Good Morning, Miss Bliss until NBC renamed it when it was saved from Disney Channel’s cancellation.

Before he landed the role, he studied at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Notre Dame High School, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He put his best foot forward throughout his UTC studies, being part of the student paper, acting in the Drama Club, and serving as entertainment chairman of the Student Government Association.

Since the series ended, he continued on to the 1993 spinoff, Saved by the Bell: The New Class, and voiced his character on Robot Chicken. He has also appeared in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and A Million Ways to Die in the West.

We’ll update when the official cause of death has been confirmed.

Jane Fonda, 88, is known for her enduring beauty and seemingly endless energy, but the famed actress can add another title to her resume: supermodel. Fonda stole the show while strutting down the runway for L’Oréal Paris, reminding fans that some Hollywood icons only become more inspiring with time.

At a Paris runway show for L’Oréal Paris this week, Fonda walked the runway in a floor-length red sequin gown that showcased her famously fit physique (okay, Thighmaster!) and boundless energy. Fonda has walked in a few other high-fashion runway shows, but this latest appearance had fans leveling up their admiration for the 9 to 5 star, with many calling her an “inspiration.”

@voguegermany

At 88, #janefonda walks the @L’Oréal Paris Défilé in Paris. #voguegermany #parisfashionweek #pfw

♬ AKON’S BEAUTIFUL DAY – Akon

“Where are her wrinkles?” one inspired fan asked on social media. Another gushed, “There goes a wonderful lady in red.”

Others called her an “icon,” “queen” and “beautiful.”

Jane Fonda Has Been Breaking Barriers for Decades @cbssundaymorning

A Yale study showed that older people with more positive beliefs about aging lived an average of 7.5 longer than people who equated aging with disease and decline. Actress and activist Jane Fonda and anti-ageism advocate Ashton Applewhite share a key to living a longer life. #aging #older #better #healthy

♬ original sound – CBS Sunday Morning

Fonda’s runway appearance for L’Oréal Paris is certainly an impressive fashion moment, but it also feels like a natural extension of the trailblazing work she has done throughout her career.

Long before she became a Hollywood legend, Fonda was helping redefine ideas about women, fitness and beauty. Her iconic workout videos made her synonymous with fitness, while her career as an actress continued to evolve decade after decade.

And she never seemed particularly interested in following the rules about what women were supposed to do at a certain age.

Fonda has also been an outspoken advocate for women throughout her career and continues to work as an actress and activist. At 88, she shows no signs of slowing down.

Related: ‘Mad About You’ Star, 63, Praised by Fans for Aging Naturally: ‘Refreshing to See an Actress Without a Fake Face’

From Klute to On Golden Pond

Fonda was initially viewed through the lens of her famous Hollywood family. As the daughter of legendary actor Henry Fonda, she was born into Hollywood royalty, but she ultimately carved out a career that stood entirely on its own.

From Klute to On Golden Pond, Fonda repeatedly allowed her work to speak for itself. She won Academy Awards for both Klute and Coming Home, and earned another nomination for On Golden Pond.

Her career has stretched across generations, from some of the most celebrated films of the 1970s and 1980s to more recent work in television and film.

Jane Fonda Is Still Writing Her Own Rules

That may be what makes Fonda’s latest runway appearance feel like more than just another celebrity fashion moment.

At 88, she is still working, still showing up and still deciding for herself what comes next. Whether she is acting, advocating for causes she believes in, promoting fitness or walking a runway in a red sequin gown, Fonda continues to challenge the idea that there is a certain age when women are supposed to step out of the spotlight.

For generations of women who grew up watching Fonda redefine what it meant to be a Hollywood star, seeing her walk the runway in Paris is another reminder that there is no expiration date on reinvention.

Related: ‘A Different World’ Star, 63, Responds to Criticism That She Looks Older 35 Years Later: ‘The Internet Can Be Brutal’

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Dennis Haskins, who is best known for playing Principal Richard Belding on “Saved by the Bell,” has died at the age of 75, TMZ reports.

“It’s a tragic loss. Everyone loved Mr. Belding and those of us who got to know Dennis, loved him even more. He was a great person, and he loved, I mean absolutely LOVED his fans,” his agent told the outlet.

“He always had time for them, no matter what. He was my client and dear friend for over 20 years, and I will miss him terribly,” he added.

No cause of death has been revealed at the time of publication.

Along with starring as the principal on the late 1980s and 1990s show, he reprised the role in several spinoffs, including “Saved by the Bell: The College Years” and “Saved by the Bell: The New Class.”

He also appeared in  Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, Malibu, CA, The Practice, The West Wing, The Rerun Show, The Stoneman, 7th Heaven, Going Down, Red Water, Tangy Guacamole, An Ordinary Killer, JAG, Dead End Road, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Men of a Certain Age, The Bold and the Beautiful, Victorious, Mad Men, Emerald Acres, How I Met Your Mother, Destroy the Alpha Gammas, New Girl, Hot In Cleveland, This Isn’t Working, Bill Nye Saves the World, Abstruse, Enigma, A Bennett Song Holiday. His on-screen debut came in 1979 during an episode of CBS’ The Dukes of Hazzard.

Following the news, many fans paid tribute.

“Bayside High will never be the same. RIP Mr. Belding,” one person posted.

“RIP Mr Belding 🙏 Don’t be too hard on Screech up there,” another person shared.

“dude had that perfect principal energy. Belding was the heart of that show,” a fan commented.

“Ohhh, nooo! RIP Mr Belding! Such a huge part of my childhood,” another fan said.

“Another part of my childhood taken 🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️ RIP Mr Belding,” one fan stated.

Given his numerous accomplishments within the larger music industry, it’s safe to say that Keith Richards’ opinion on all things musical holds some serious merit.

Among the original founders of the iconic rock band the Rolling Stones, Richards has seldom shied away from voicing his opinion on various figures within the world of rock and beyond.

Though the rock legend has occasionally disparaged some surprisingly influential figures within the music medium, Richards has also shared his support for comparatively lesser known figures in the industry.

For example, back in 2013, Richards once went so far as to call the celebrated ’60s and ’70s country music artist George Jones as one of the greatest singers of all time, complimenting Jones for his emotional songs and even more emotional singing voice.

“George was as country as it can get, but he was beyond any bag you want to put him in,” Richards said of the singer not long after Jones’ death at 81-years-old. “He was pure American music without ever waving a flag. He possessed the most touching voice, the most expressive ways of projecting that beautiful instrument of anyone I can call to mind.

“You heard his heart in every note he sang,” Richards continued. “Sinatra called him the second best singer ever. I would contest that.”

Entering the mainstream music industry in the late 1950s, Jones quickly managed to win over a steadfast audience of country fans with early hits like “White Lightning,” “Tender Years” and “She Thinks I Still Care.”

Handing in a variety of number one country hits from the late ’50s into the mid ’80s, Jones’ accomplishments in the country genre eventually led to him developing the monikers “the greatest living country singer,” “the Rolls-Royce of Country Music” and “the King of Country Music.”

After a six decade-long career, Jones died in 2013 at the age of 81 from respiratory failure.

Big Bang Theory star Kunal Nayyar revealed that the show’s co-creator, Chuck Lorre, demanded a scene to be changed.

During an appearance on The Big Bang Theory Podcast, Nayyar revealed that Season 3, Episode 8 (“The Adhesive Duck Deficiency”) was supposed to show his character, Raj, and Leonard (Johnny Galecki) shirtless while they were camping with Howard (Simon Helberg). However, Lorre decided that both Nayyar and Galecki were too in shape to be playing their nerdy, unathletic characters.

“So, basically what happens is in the end of the episode, we’re around the fire, and we’re just gobbling all the brisket that Howard’s mom had made. And originally when we shot that, our shirts were off. Like, our shirts were off. And we were around the fire, and Chuck yells, ‘Cut,'” recalled the actor, who played Raj throughout the CBS sitcom’s 12-season run.

He went on to say that both he and Galecki were “ripped” at the time of filming the season 3 episode, which aired in 2009.

“[Lorre was] like, ‘Guys, put your shirts back on because these guys don’t have gym bodies. Like these characters don’t have gym bodies.’ So I was like, ‘Okay.’ I put my shirt back on,” said Nayyar during the podcast interview.

He then joked that he “must have been really ripped” during the Big Bang Theory episode, because he was allowed to take his shirt off as Raj during the show’s subsequent seasons.

“I’ve taken off my shirt at least 10 times in the show. Never happened again,” quipped Nayyar with a laugh. “So I was like, ‘Wow. Wow.’ I guess season 3 Raj was hot.”

Nayyar also noted that Helberg’s Howard was shirtless in the final cut of the episode.

“Simon’s just not much of a gym guy. He’s just naturally skinny, you know what I mean?” said Nayyar in the Big Bang Theory Podcast episode.

For anyone who still thinks of 2004 as about 10 years ago, The Used has some unfortunate news.

The rock band celebrated the 22nd anniversary of their second album, In Love and Death, on Monday, September 28, sharing an animated version of its iconic album cover on Instagram. In the clip, the elongated red heart hanging from the tree gently swings back and forth.

“Today marks 22 years since the release of In Love and Death. Thank you to everyone who’s been listening since then ♥️,” the band wrote, before asking fans to share their favorite song from the album and why.

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Plenty of listeners were less focused on choosing a favorite and more concerned with the realization that the album they grew up listening to is now 22 years old.

“22 [EXPLETIVE] years!! I feel old as hell, and you’re still at the top,” one fan exclaimed in the comments.

“Are we sure it’s been 22 years? 😭” another asked.

A third replied, “Wow… I was in my second year of high school 22 years ago, feels like yesterday 🥲.”

Released on September 28, 2004, In Love and Death arrived two years after The Used’s self-titled breakthrough and became the band’s most commercially successful album.

READ MORE: Beloved Rock Band Sparks New Album Rumors 16 Years After Last Release

The record gave fans some of The Used’s most popular songs, including “Take It Away,” “I Caught Fire,” “All That I’ve Got,” “Let It Bleed,” and “I’m a Fake.”

Behind the music, however, was an incredibly painful period for frontman Bert McCracken. The album was created amid several personal losses, including the death of his pregnant girlfriend, experiences that helped shape a record centered heavily on love and grief.

The band is currently playing shows across the U.S., with upcoming stops including Sacramento’s Aftershock Festival on October 1, followed by dates in Washington, Idaho, Nevada, and California. They’ll also join My Chemical Romance at the Hollywood Bowl on October 30 before appearing at Vans Warped Tour Orlando in November.

Fifty years ago this month, Mickey Thomas got his own record deal. A backup singer with the Elvin Bishop Band, Thomas had signed with MCA Records on Sept. 18, 1976, setting out on his own for the first time. But there’s one song in particular that helped launch the newfound frontman’s career, and that’s Elvin Bishop’s “Fooled Around and Fell in Love.”

Written in just 20 minutes, the song is about a habitual womanizer who unexpectedly falls in love. Simple as that.

“The better a song is, the less story there is to it, as far as I can tell,” Bishop told Songfacts. “The best songs just come rushing out. … That song just damn near wrote itself.”

The singing part, however, didn’t come so easily.

The Song Went Through Several Singers

According to Bishop, he wrote the soulful ballad but felt his own gravelly, blues-styled voice couldn’t do it justice. He also tried getting a few other people in his band to sing it, but they weren’t interested. So, he suggested that Thomas step up to the microphone.

“We cut a track; it was a really nice track,” Bishop said. “I tried singing it, and I said, ‘That’s not buttering my biscuit, my vocal on this. Why don’t we give Mickey a shot at this?’ … And Mickey just tore it up.”

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Though Thomas had joined Bishop’s band in 1974, his most famous contribution was singing lead vocals on Bishop’s massive 1976 hit single. And the move was a good one.

Recorded in 1975 at Criteria Studios in Miami for Bishop’s Struttin’ My Stuff album, the song featured powerful, high-soaring vocals from Thomas and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

But the story beyond the charts is the real kicker.

The Song Made Mickey Thomas a Star

Thomas’ performance became a major calling card for the singer. In 1979, he replaced Marty Balin as the male lead singer of Jefferson Starship and stayed with the group through its 1985 transition to Starship. The band went on to release a string of hits including “Sara,” “We Built This City,” and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.”

“Ironically, ‘Fooled Around’ was almost an afterthought,” Thomas told Review magazine. “It was the last thing we recorded for the album, and Elvin was originally going to sing it; but after a few tries he decided maybe his voice wasn’t particularly well-suited for that song, given the lyrics were structured as more of a tender love ballad.”

He added, “So he asked me to give this song a shot, and we were able to capture some magic in the studio on that one. It was the first time I’d ever heard my voice on the radio, and it was a song that really changed everything for me, opened up all the doors, and ultimately led to me being able to get into Jefferson Starship and also do some solo work.”

The Song Became a Cross-Generational Hit

“Fooled Around and Fell in Love” has become a pop-culture mainstay, appearing in films including Summer of Sam, Boogie Nights, and Guardians of the Galaxy, as well as television series including Friday Night Lights and Entourage.

Fellow musicians have also given it their own flavor, with covers including those by Rod Stewart, Juice Newton, Gary Morris, and Bryan Ferry.

One of the most famous covers came in 2019, though, when country music icon Miranda Lambert gave the hit new life as a collaboration featuring artists from her Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars Tour, including Ashley McBryde, Elle King, Maren Morris, Caylee Hammack, and Tenille Townes.

The recording was nominated for a CMA Award for Musical Event of the Year and won the ACM Award for Music Event of the Year in 2019.

Bishop done fooled around and hit the jackpot with this one.

Related: ’90s Southern Rock Legends Announce Winter Tour Supporting ‘Magnolia Medicine,’ Their First Album in 28 Years

Fall mums, short for chrysanthemums, are one of the prettiest flowers that pop up every autumn. Potted versions of these flowering perennials are commonly for sale in nurseries, garden centers, plant shops and even supermarkets every September.

That said, mums can be pretty high-maintenance plants. The attention they need is nothing complicated—but they do need a lot of attention. In fact, there is one big mistake people often make with their fall mums.

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To learn more about full mums, we spoke with expert gardener John Faerber, who is the Director of Horticulture, Landscaping, and Floral at The Lake House on Canandaigua in Upstate New York.

As Faerber tells Parade, the key to keeping your mums alive for as long as possible lies in taking really good care of them. Keep reading to learn about the mistake that many people make with their fall mums, how to avoid it and how to take care of your mums.

Related: The 5 Perennials You Should Stop Deadheading in Late Summer, According to a Gardener

A Gardener Says This Is the Biggest Mistake People Make With Their Fall Mums

Olga Pankova / Getty Images

According to Faerber: “The biggest mistake people make after buying fall mums is letting them dry out.”

As he explains, fall mums are typically sold in small pots, already in full bloom. This means the mums “can become thirsty fast—especially on sunny porches, in containers or during warm fall days. Once the root ball dries out completely, the flowers can wilt, brown and decline quickly.”

A related mistake is “treating mums like a one-and-done decoration instead of checking them regularly,” according to Faerber. In fact, he says you should be monitoring your mums’ soil every day.

Related: Why Your Hydrangeas Are Wilting Even Though You’re Watering Them, According to Gardeners

How to Make Sure You Don’t Let Your Fall Mums Dry Out, According to a Gardener

“Instead of letting fall mums dry out, people should treat watering as the main part of mum care—not an afterthought,” Faerber advises. Mums need a lot of water, so following Faerber’s below tips for keeping your mums nice and wet will go a long way.

1. Use a pot with drainage holes

“Make sure the pot has drainage, because mums like moisture but not soggy roots,” Faerber says. If you buy a mum in a pot with without drainage holes, you should definitely report it in a new container with holes.

2. Don’t count on the rain

No matter how rainy the weather is, it’s almost never enough to keep your mums moist. “Don’t rely on rain alone, since dense mum foliage can block water from reaching the soil,” Faerber explains.

Related: I Thought I’d Ruined My Tomato Garden—Turns Out This Common Problem Has an Easy Fix

Grace Cary / Getty Images

3. Check the soil daily

Faerber says it’s important to check the soil for moisture “every day, especially if the mums are on a porch, in full sun or in a container.” If the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water your mum.

4. Water deeply

It’s important to keep your mums very moist—so moist that each time you water them, you should do so “until water runs out of the drainage holes,” per Faerber.

5. Upgrade your pot size

Your local nursery or plant store might be selling their mums in tiny pots—but it’s probably worth upgrading to a larger one.

“Consider repotting if the plant is in a small nursery pot,” Faerber says, “because a larger container helps the roots retain moisture longer.”

Related: 12 Good Luck Plants to Fill Your Home with Good Vibes

6. Monitor the sun

Even though fall brings shorter days, the sun can still be extremely powerful—so make sure your mums are getting some sunlight, but not too much.

“Place them where they get bright light, but avoid extremely hot, harsh sun if they are drying out too quickly,” Faerber advises. (You’ll find more on how to achieve the right balance below.)

7. Remove faded blooms

Faerber says removing faded blooms—a process known as deadheading— can “keep the plant looking fresh.” (Tips for deadheading your faded blooms are below.)

Katrin Ray Shumakov / Getty Images

Related: Don’t Wait Until Spring to Plant These 7 Flowers—Gardeners Say Getting Them in the Ground Now Can Mean Stronger Blooms Next Year

Follow These 3 Gardener-Approved Tips For Fall Mum Care 1. Choose mums with more buds than open flowers.

It can be tempting to buy a pot of mums that are already fully flowering. However, Faerber advises looking for the opposite—this way, the plant will last longer.

“If you’re buying mums for a porch, patio or fall display, look for plants with lots of tight buds instead of ones already in full bloom,” he advises. “They’ll usually last longer because the flowers haven’t peaked yet.”

2. Give them access to sun, but not too much.

Faerber reiterates the importance of making sure your mums get the perfect amount of sun. Basically, “give them bright light, but don’t let them bake,” he says.

“Mums bloom best with plenty of light, but container mums can dry out quickly in hot afternoon sun,” Faerber explains. “A spot with morning sun and some afternoon protection can help them stay fresh longer.”

Related: 45 Most Common Houseplants to Grow in Your Space

3. Deadhead faded blooms

“Pinch or snip off brown, wilted or spent flowers to keep the plant looking tidy and encourage the remaining buds to open,” says Faerber. “This won’t ”restart’ the plant completely, but it helps extend the display.”

To deadhead mums, the first step is to inspect the plant. Look for any blooms that are fading in color, wilting, growing crunchy or showing any other signs of dying. Once you identify those blooms, according to Southern Living, you can either use your fingernails or pruning shears to cut the stem around 2 inches below the flower head.

Up Next:

Related: 8 Flowers You Should Plant Right Now for Gorgeous Fall Color

Sources:

• John Faerber is the Horticulturist at The Lake House on Canandaigua.
• How To Deadhead Mums For Beautiful Blooms Year After Year. Southern Living.

The Blind Auditions continued on Monday night as coaches Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine, Queen Latifah and Riley Green battled it out to get the best singers on their individual teams before the competition begins.

One such fight to the finish was between Kelly, Queen and Riley after all turning their big, red chairs for 15-year-old Allie Ray from Santa Fe, TX, who won them over with her rendition of Alannah Myles’ ‘Black Velvet.”

Just a few notes in, Riley was quick to turn, followed by Kelly and then Queen.

“First of all, I love your voice,” Kelly said, excited to learn that Allie was from Texas like her. “Sometimes I heard a little Dolly in how you do your vibrato, but then I would hear Alison Krauss sometimes. What a great song. It gave you enough space to show us how you can belt and it showed your range. Well done. That was such a good job.”

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Then Adam, who didn’t turn asked Allie who her influences were.

She said, “I take a lot of influence from Chris Stapleton, Aretha Franklin, Koko Taylor, Reba McEntire, all the great country female artists.”

Adam added, “Great song choice. I never heard anyone audition with that song. It’s super cool. Welcome to the show.”

Then Queen weighed in. “Your voice sounded exquisite. You didn’t reach too far, just far enough. You didn’t go too low. You went low enough. It just felt so natural to you and I just had to see who was singing that song. Well done on you.”

Next to pitch was Riley, “The song and everything in it felt real to me. You mentioned Chris Stapleton. What he did with ‘Tennessee Whiskey.’ It takes someone who wants to try to blend a lot of things and to try something different. To take a song like that, which was such a massive hit and make it a completely different song and to make it completely your own that’s what it takes to really stand out, and I have no doubt in my mind you can do that.”

Then back to Kelly, who said, “I’ve got to say it. I think we have a lot of the same influences. I think I would be a really solid choice for you to navigate this show. I have won with a young, female country artist. I’m just saying.”

“You have,” Allie recognized. Was the tide turning toward Kelly as her choice of coach?

But Kelly wasn’t done. She added, “I do dabble personally in pop, in country, in soul, I love everything. I love music. Aren’t we so much alike? Do you feel this? I feel it.”

Adam was just about to ask the question of who she chose as her coach, when Riley pretended to realize, “I just remembered when I turned, it was before y’all.” And so saying, Riley hit his first-in button, assuring that Allie was on Team Riley.

Then he said, “Allie Ray took a song and she made it bluesy and country and Americana. She’s got a style that’s unique and that’s one of my favorite things to hear is someone’s voice who’s different.”

Related: The Voice Sneak Peek: Finance Worker Sparks Heated Four-Chair Battle With Zach Bryan Cover

Earlier in her video package, we met Allie and her family.

“She’s been working toward this,” said Allie’s mom Amy, “and I know how bad she wants it. I am so glad to share this. I know she’s going to kill it.”

“[Sante Fe] is a very small town close to Galveston,” Allie said. “There is really nothing there. My mom is a retired schoolteacher and my dad [Brian] is like Bob the Builder. We call him that all the time. He can do anything. Now we own three RV parks that we built from the ground up. I mow the lawn. I do the coins. I’m like the maintenance crew.”

“The only reason they go get the coins is because they get to keep them,” Brian admits.

“This is a big moment for me,” Allie says. “Our town is like you stay there for the rest of your life. Not many people leave.”

“When they were younger, I always told them don’t turn left. Always turn right, the freeway. Go see the world,” Amy says.

“Being young, mostly I play little bars and dance halls, TV in front of millions is crazy,” Allie says. “It would be incredible working with any of these coaches. I want to do this as a career. Hopefully, I get a chair turn.”

Allie’s wish came true when she joined Team Riley.The Voice airs Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. Streams next day on Peacock.

Next, The Voice Returns for a Milestone 30th Season with Stunning New Format Twists

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The right rug can completely transform a room, infusing it with character and comfort while tying together your favorite furniture and decor. Joanna Gaines, beloved for her signature approach to cozy yet refined interiors, seems to have mastered the art of creating rugs that instantly add comfort and style to a space. 

A standout piece in her popular home collection is the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi Ryder Area Rug, available now for as low as $48 at Wayfair in the 2-foot-3-inch by 3-foot-9-inch size. There are eight sizes to shop in total at varying discounts, with beige and sage color options available. This checkered beauty has earned plenty of praise for its subtle texture, inviting color palette, and remarkable versatility.

Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi Ryder Area Rug, From $48 (was $89) at Wayfair

Courtesy of Wayfair

Shop at Wayfair

The Ryder rug offers a modern take on timeless style, blending creamy beiges and soft ivories in a pattern that feels both current and classic. Its understated design makes it an easy match for a wide range of aesthetics, from farmhouse and coastal to modern and transitional. Whether you are looking to anchor a living room, bring harmony to a bedroom, or create a welcoming entryway, this rug provides a great look and feel.

Shoppers appreciated that the neutral palette lets them easily switch out accent pillows or throws without clashing. Others mentioned the rug’s ability to brighten up a space, bringing a sense of calm and cohesion to even the most eclectic rooms. One shopper called it “beautiful,” “high-quality,” and “easy to clean.”

Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi Ryder Area Rug, From $48 (was $89) at Wayfair

Courtesy of Wayfair

Shop at Wayfair

Another shopper called it an “absolute dream rug,” adding: “It looks very good in my living room [that has] a modern heritage aesthetic.” Whether you are redecorating a single room or looking for that perfect piece to pull everything together, this rug offers a simple solution that feels both timeless and fresh.

Related: Joanna Gaines’ ‘Beautiful’ $10 Mini Wreath Adds a ‘Perfect Touch of Fall’ to Any Room

For anyone seeking to add a touch of Joanna Gaines’ signature warmth and effortless style to their living space, the Ryder Area Rug is a natural choice. Its blend of durability, elegance, and comfort makes it a standout addition to any home. Snag it while it’s still in stock at up to 46% off.

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales twice a week.

Twenty-five years ago, Sharon Stone nearly lost her life at the height of her Hollywood fame. The Basic Instinct and Casino star suffered a massive brain hemorrhage in September 2001 after a vertebral artery ruptured, beginning a yearslong recovery that would change nearly every part of her life. Now, Stone is marking 25 years since surviving the stroke, looking back on the milestone with a perspective only time can bring.

Sharon Stone Was at the Height of Her Fame When She Suffered a Stroke View this post on Instagram

Stone is celebrating 25 years of “survival,” following the devastating stroke that left her in a coma for nine days. She has said she lost her memory, struggled to walk and talk, and had difficulty seeing and hearing after the hemorrhage. Recovery took years.

In recent interviews and podcast appearances, Stone has been candid about how difficult the years afterward were, including the loss of opportunities in Hollywood. Just like she had to rebuild her ability to speak and hear, Stone had to rebuild her career.

Related: ‘Mad About You’ Star, 63, Praised by Fans for Aging Naturally: ‘Refreshing to See an Actress Without a Fake Face’

How Sharon Stone Rebuilt Her Life and Career After Her Stroke @theladygang

The doctors thought she was faking it. Hear our full Sharon Stone interview 🔗 in biooo ❤️ #sharonstone #theladygang #medicalnightmare #ladygangpodcast #sharonstonetoday #podcaststories #podcastclips #sharonstoneedit

♬ original sound – The LadyGang

Twenty-five years later, Stone is still working and as vibrant, outspoken, and candid as ever. In 2026, she returned to a major television role in Euphoria. She cites her return to the Cannes Film Festival in 2022 as one of the most fulfilling moments in her career, one that reminded her she was still very much relevant and still had a vibrant acting career ahead.

Judging by the comments on her social media post acknowledging the 25th anniversary of surviving her stroke, Sharon Stone’s fans are happy to see her alive and well, with many congratulations filling up the comment section.

Sharon Stone may have survived a horrific stroke, but she’s established herself as one of Hollywood’s most resilient and enduring talents. A stroke almost took her ability to speak, but 25 years later, Sharon Stone is speaking her mind and speaking her truth, starting with celebrating 25 years of surviving a stroke that nearly ended her career.

Related: ‘A Different World’ Star, 63, Responds to Criticism That She Looks Older 35 Years Later: ‘The Internet Can Be Brutal’

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The city that’s home to the Eiffel Tower has welcomed back Céline Dion in multiple ways this month.

The Grammy winner’s Paris residency launched September 12, as fans well know — and more recently, Fashion Week took over the city of lights and made sure to feature Dion, 58.

The Canadian singer surprised the runway event on Monday, September 28 with a special performance to help put a bow on Paris Fashion Week. Per Women’s Wear Daily, Dion belted out her reliably upbeat track “I’m Alive” with a gorgeous Eiffel Tower backdrop.

And the legendary performer look stunning herself, donning a black dress and Boucheron jewelry for the show-stopper, according to Just Jared. Stars from the show joined Dion on the runway for the finale, as seen in the Instagram reel below.

View this post on Instagram

Fans have since commented on WWD’s post to show their love and support for Dion. “The people in front not clapping their hearts out don’t deserve to be that close 😭,” wrote one Instagram user, while another person commented, “She is stunning, so proud of this lady. What an amazing surprise. All my best wishes ❤️💯.”

Celine Dion’s Show ‘Will Go On,’ As Evidenced

Earlier this month, after performing the third show of her Paris residency, the singer had an unexpected encore waiting for her outside her hotel: Dion climbed barefoot onto the hood of a parked BMW, where she sang and danced with a crowd of fans gathered outside.

And yes, there is video. Dion, 58, was captured hopping onto the black car before removing her slippers and settling onto the hood as fans surrounded the vehicle. When her 1995 French-language hit “Pour Que Tu M’aimes Encore” began playing, she immediately joined in.

The crowd sang along as Dion swayed to the music, tapped her feet and conducted her fans from her very unconventional stage. At one point, she even stretched out across the hood of the car before getting back up and continuing to dance.

View this post on Instagram

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword answers cover a range of topics, including something you pack things inside, the animal the main character of The Emperor’s New Groove turns into, small hills, overly fussy people, potent scents and the first name of the basketball player known as “The Answer.”

Working on the daily Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Wordle, and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can’t forget about the NYT’s The Mini Crossword, too!

Although the NYT is known for “The Crossword,” a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan following as well. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.

So, if you’re working on today’s Mini Crossword on Tuesday, September 29, and need some help (I’ve been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by “Across Answers” and “Down Answers,” so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!

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Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: Items on an airport carousel — HINT: Starts with the letter “B”

5 Across: Animal whose name has a doubled letter seen repeatedly in this puzzle — HINT: Ends with the letter “A”

7 Across: Josh ___, 2024 N.F.L. M.V.P. — HINT: Ends with the letter “N”

8 Across: Nabisco wafer brand — HINT: Starts with the letter “N”

9 Across: Small hill — HINT: Ends with the letter “L”

Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours

NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: Versatile Scrabble tile — HINT: Starts with the letter “B”

2 Down: 100% committed — HINT: Starts with the letter “A”

3 Down: Pico de ___ (salsa variety) — HINT: Ends with the letter “O”

4 Down: Aroma — HINT: Starts with the letter “S”

6 Down: Overly fussy about details — HINT: Ends with the letter “L”

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Don’t go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Answers

1 Across: Items on an airport carousel — BAGS

5 Across: Animal whose name has a doubled letter seen repeatedly in this puzzle — LLAMA

7 Across: Josh ___, 2024 N.F.L. M.V.P. — ALLEN

8 Across: Nabisco wafer brand — NILLA

9 Across: Small hill — KNOLL

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: Versatile Scrabble tile — BLANK

2 Down: 100% committed — ALLIN

3 Down: Pico de ___ (salsa variety) — GALLO

4 Down: Aroma — SMELL

6 Down: Overly fussy about details — ANAL

Related: Hobby Lobby’s $5 Glassware Comes From a ‘Duck Dynasty’ Star’s Elegant New Home Collection

There’s a common heartbreaking moment that happens in the glow of the bathroom mirror every morning for millions of women. It’s the moment you pull a brush through your hair, look down at the bristles and see far more strands than you used to. Hair loss and thinning, particularly for women over 50, carries a heavy emotional weight. It is not just about vanity; our hair is intricately tied to our sense of identity and confidence.

When you first notice your part widening or your ponytail shrinking (or more hair accumulating in the shower drain), the immediate reaction is often a frantic search for a cure. We scour the internet, listen to influencers and run to the beauty counter to buy every heavily advertised thickening shampoo, volume-boosting serum and miracle mask on the shelves. We pile on product after product, hoping that by coating our delicate strands in expensive formulas, we can somehow fake the bounce and fullness we once had.

But what if this desperate, well-intentioned routine is actually doing the exact opposite? What if the very products you are using to mask your thinning hair are secretly sabotaging your scalp, suffocating your follicles and making the problem noticeably worse? It is a devastating realization for many women. According to top celebrity hairstylists, there is one wildly popular ingredient hiding in almost all of our favorite smoothing and conditioning products that is incredibly destructive to aging, fragile hair. If you are currently struggling with hair loss, it is time to check your ingredient labels and immediately banish this one silent saboteur from your bathroom cabinet.

Related: Why Your Hair Might Be Thinning on a GLP-1 Drug—and What To Do About It

Why Silicones Are the Silent Enemy of Thinning Hair

When you read the back of a conditioner or styling cream bottle, you will often find words ending in “-cone,” such as dimethicone or cyclomethicone. These are silicones, synthetic polymers widely utilized by the beauty industry because they are cheap to produce and provide an immediate, artificial slip to the hair. Initially, silicones make your hair feel incredibly soft, silky and easy to detangle. They act like a plastic sealant, wrapping around each individual hair shaft to lock out frizz and create a temporary illusion of health.

However, for women experiencing hair thinning, this synthetic coating is less than ideal. Because silicones are heavy and notoriously difficult to wash out, they quickly build up on fine hair. This heavy residue drags delicate strands downward, causing the hair to lie completely flat against the head, which only serves to make your thinning areas and scalp significantly more visible.

In a previous Parade interview detailing what to avoid with thinning hair, Clyde Haygood, a celebrity hairstylist whose star-studded clientele includes Katy Perry, Demi Lovato and the Kardashians, issued a strict warning against this ingredient.

Haygood, who is also a PURA D’OR partner, advised: “Avoid products with silicones—they can clog the hair follicle and make thinning hair look oily and lifeless.” When you are already lacking density, the absolute last thing you want is for your remaining hair to look greasy, weighed down and devoid of natural movement.

Related: The ‘Safe’ Short Haircut That Is Actually Aging You (And What To Ask Your Stylist for Instead)

The Crucial Importance of Scalp Health for Hair Growth

The damage caused by silicones and other heavy synthetic ingredients goes far beyond just a bad, lifeless hair day. The true danger lies in what these products are doing to your scalp. You can think of your scalp as the soil from which your hair grows; if the soil is suffocated and clogged, it is physically impossible for a healthy plant to sprout.

When heavy, impenetrable ingredients like silicones are repeatedly massaged into the head, they inevitably migrate to the scalp, acting like a plug over your hair follicles. This buildup traps sweat, dead skin cells and excess sebum, leading to chronic inflammation. Over time, this hostile environment weakens the hair at the root, stunting new growth and accelerating the shedding process.

Related: Shampooing Often Isn’t Enough, According to Trichologists—Here Are the 7 Best Scalp Exfoliators

Addressing this critical foundation, hairstylist Wes Sharpton echoed the need for extreme caution in the same Parade report. Sharpton explicitly warned against suffocating the root system. “Don’t use heavy products at the scalp that can clog your pores,” Sharpton explained. “You want to make sure that you have a healthy scalp to help keep hair loss under control.”

Ultimately, reclaiming your hair’s health and vitality requires a radical shift in perspective. More product does not equate to more hair. If you want to give your fragile strands a fighting chance, you must prioritize lightweight, breathable and truly nourishing ingredients. Let your scalp breathe, step away from the heavy silicones and give your hair the healthy, unburdened foundation it desperately needs to thrive.

Adapted from Parade’s “12 Things Stylists Are Begging Women Over 50 To Stop Doing if You Have Thinning Hair” by Laura Beck

Up Next:

Related: 2 Hair-Washing Mistakes That Can Make Thinning Hair Look Worse, Trichologist Says

Sources:

• Clyde Haygood, celebrity hairstylist and PURA D’OR partner
• Wes Sharpton, hairstylist and lead educator at Hairstory