Parade

The music world is preparing to say goodbye to one of its most influential figures as stars gather in New York City this morning for his funeral.

Clive Davis, who died on June 22 at 94, will be remembered on Monday, June 29, as family, friends, and music's biggest stars gather in New York City to celebrate his remarkable life and legacy. Over a career spanning more than six decades, Davis helped launch and guide generations of artists whose songs became some of the biggest hits in music history.

According to Billboard, Davis' funeral is a private, invitation-only event. A source confirmed to the publication that celebrity attendees include Kenny G, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow, Bruce Springsteenand Dionne Warwick, among others.

On Instagram, a post shared further details. "The private, invite-only funeral service for five-time Grammy Award-winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, legendary music icon Clive Davis, will be made available to the public via livestream due to widespread demand. " 

Parade Daily🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

View this post on Instagram

"The service will be held on Monday, June 29 promptly at 10:00am ET. Those who wish to view the livestream can find the link in bio. The service will feature illustrious guest speakers and performers who will celebrate the life of the 'Man with the Golden Ears.'”

David earned that nickname by spearheading the careers of Janis Joplin, Aerosmith, Kelly Clarkson, Santana, The Grateful Dead, Kenny G, Alicia Keys, Dionne Warwick, Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera, and Billy Joel. In a statement on Davis' official website, the music mogul's family shared the following remarks about his legacy.

“To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives. He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations."

The statement continued, "To his family, Clive was Dad and Granddaddy, the steady presence at the center of our lives, the source of wisdom, strength, encouragement, and unconditional love. No matter how extraordinary his professional accomplishments, he never lost sight of what mattered most: the people he loved.”

Clive Davis' service will be livestreamed beginning at 10 a.m. ET, allowing fans around the world to pay their respects. Viewers can watch the funeral here.

Related: 'Queen of Psychedelic Soul' Named One of Rock’s Greatest Frontwomen of All Time

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

If you’re hosting this Fourth of July, you still have some time to figure out where everyone is actually going to sit once all of the food is ready. The Hoteel Hexagon Pop-Up Gazebo is an easy way to give your backyard, patio, or lawn more shade before guests arrive, and right now, the brown colorway is available at Walmart for just $150, down from $280. It also comes in gray and silver, though the brown shade is currently the best deal.

The gazebo measures 16 by 16 feet and has a hexagon shape with 256 square feet of shade coverage. It has a six-leg frame, a soft-top roof, full-surround mosquito netting, and three adjustable height levels, with the center height reaching up to 9 feet. The canopy is made with durable fabric and has a silver coating that blocks 99% of harmful UV rays. It also has a double-vented roof to help with airflow, and the frame is made with rust-resistant, powder-coated steel.

Hoteel Hexagon Pop-Up Gazebo, $150 (was $280) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Instead of having everyone crowd under a single umbrella or constantly move chairs around to chase the shade, a gazebo offers a convenient covered area where people can eat, talk, and hang out longer. The mosquito netting is also a huge perk for summer nights, especially if your yard gets buggy once the sun starts going down, so you get a more comfortable place to sit without making the setup feel closed off.

One reviewer described the gazebo as being “easy to set up and take down” and said it’s “very well made.” Another agreed, noting that it “sets up super fast” and helped keep them covered during a rainstorm while they sat inside. They also said it was “perfect to get the bugs away,” which is especially important if you’re hosting and don’t want to get bitten all night.

Related: Walmart's Bestselling Pop-Up Gazebo Is Now $105, and It's Perfect for Outdoor Gatherings

This $150 deal offers a lot of the same features you’d see from more expensive gazebos for much less. It has netting, adjustable height, UV protection, and a vented roof, so it’s definitely more functional than a basic canopy. It’s also a great option if you host often but don’t want to commit to a permanent gazebo, or if you don’t have the space to keep one up all season.

Shop More Deals

• Sanopy Outdoor Pop-Up Gazebo, $104 (was $210) at Walmart
• Cobizi Pop-Up Gazebo, $100 (was $300) at Walmart
• Sunmthink Hardtop Gazebo, $379 (was $700) at Walmart

A little extra shade can go a long way when you’re hosting outside this summer If your backyard could use more coverage before July 4th, the Hoteel Hexagon Pop-Up Gazebo is worth adding to your cart while the sale is still live. Be sure to grab it while it’s $150 during Walmart’s Summer Deals event.

In 2000, Madonna walked onto the MTV Europe Music Awards stage wearing a rhinestone-studded tank top with one name emblazoned across the chest: Kylie Minogue. It looked like the ultimate gesture of pop sisterhood, a high-profile endorsement from the reigning queen of pop to her Australian counterpart.

Twenty-six years later, fans finally have the real story behind that shirt.

The iconic singer has revealed that underneath the display of solidarity lay a classic case of insecurity. Madonna admitted to Minogue that she was once deeply jealous of her, convinced that her partner was harboring a massive crush on the "Can’t Get You Out of My Head" singer.

"I was actually a little bit jealous of you," Madonna told the star.

The admission shatters the myth of Madonna’s legendary confidence. When pressed on why she felt threatened by the Australian pop star, Madonna’s response was surprisingly vulnerable, stripped of her usual witty one-liners.

"Because she was so cute," Madonna said. "I think my ex-husband at the time had a crush on her. I was like, 'I'll never be as beautiful as Kylie.'"

Madonna, wearing the famous Kylie Minogue shirt. (Photo: Getty)

Photo by Dave Hogan on Getty Images

Madonna has two high-profile ex-husbands: Sean Penn, whom she married in the mid-1980s, and British director Guy Ritchie. While she didn't explicitly name the man in question, the timeline leaves a glaring trail of breadcrumbs. Madonna tied the knot with Ritchie in December 2000, the same year she wore that infamous Kylie T-shirt to the awards show.

For fans who track the shifting alliances of pop star friendships, the revelation reframes a historic era. The turn of the millennium was a competitive sandbox for female pop stars: Minogue was mounting a massive career resurgence with "Spinning Around," commanding the British tabloids with her gold hotpants and disco-pop while Madonna was launching her “Music” country-esque era.

To hear Madonna, a woman who built an empire on dominance and unmatched self-assurance, confess to feeling awkward about another woman’s beauty is a rare peek behind the curtain of celebrity ego. The difference is, Madonna didn't fight the feeling; she put the woman's name on her chest and walked into the spotlight.

If you've ever found yourself standing at the edge of a massive life transition, staring down a sudden detour you didn't plan for, travel writer and entrepreneur Jen Ruiz has a piece of advice: go buy a plane ticket.

Ruiz—the bestselling author and digital creator behind the massive platform Jen on a Jet Plane—initially walked away from a career as a full-time trial attorney to navigate the unpredictable world of digital entrepreneurship. But her new memoir, All You Need Is Flights (on sale June 30, 2026 via Blackstone Publishing), explores an entirely different kind of pivot. The travelogue chronicles how she transformed a sharp, out-of-the-blue breakup on her birthday cruise through the Mediterranean into a year of radical solo exploration across Egypt, Kenya and Japan.

For women in their 40s and 50s navigating their own chapters of reinvention, Ruiz’s journey offers far more than a collection of beautiful stamps in a passport. It provides a practical guide for reclaiming your timeline, running your life like a business and finding beauty in the unexpected cracks. Here are the four major takeaways from her journey on how to leverage travel as the ultimate catalyst for your next act.

Related: We Asked 3 Travel Experts for the Top Vacation for Solo Female Travelers—They All Said the Same Thing

View this post on Instagram 1. Solo Travel is the Ultimate "Hack" for Mindful Presence

When navigating a major life shift, the instinct is often to ruminate on the past or over-analyze the future from the comfort of your own couch. But staying home frequently traps you on autopilot. True internal work requires breaking the monotony, and high-contrast, bucket-list destinations force a level of presence that daily routines simply cannot replicate.

"I love advocating for solo travel as a hack for presence," Ruiz notes. "When you’re home, you’re constantly in your head, worried about the future or ruminating over the past. It’s easy to get on autopilot as we go through the routine of daily life. Traveling forces you to be present in the moment as every sense is bombarded with something new—new sights, new smells, new sounds. Travel snaps you out of the haze of monotony and helps you feel alive again."

Choosing destinations that challenge your comfort zone—whether that means exploring deep under the tombs of the Great Pyramids in Egypt or visiting Giraffe Manor in Kenya—serves as a tangible reminder of your own capability. "These destinations are singular, one-of-a-kind places," Ruiz says. "As a result, it’s a massive accomplishment just to make it there. You’re already living out the wildest dreams of so many people. When you make visiting a place like this a reality for yourself, you come back feeling like you can conquer anything. That sense of accomplishment is lasting and changes you. It makes you believe any goal you have is possible."

Related: Emma Straub on 'American Fantasy' and Midlife Reinvention

2. Embrace the "Kintsugi" Philosophy of Midlife Transitions

One of the hardest hurdles of starting over in your 30s, 40s or 50s is confronting the feeling that you have somehow fallen off track or failed to meet societal milestones. During her travels, Ruiz took a class in Japan focusing on Kintsugi—the traditional art of mending broken ceramics with gold lacquer. The experience completely transformed how she views personal setbacks and how she tells her own stories.

"That Kintsugi class was one of the most meaningful lessons of my life," Ruiz shares. "I keep the dish behind me in my office to remind me that my path is unique, and what might be perceived as a setback initially is just part of my greater story. We are meant to embrace our flaws, not try to hide them. As a memoir writer, this holds doubly true. As someone who curates a social media presence online, my instinct is to sanitize and pre-edit myself to be more palatable to others."

For Ruiz, writing about a difficult "restart moment" like leaving her home in Puerto Rico at age 35 required leaning directly into that vulnerability rather than trying to present a hyper-curated version of her life online. "In writing about my travels now, I haven’t been as afraid to include scenes I might have omitted beforehand," she says. "It’s in the cracks where our gold shines through, and my hope is that my flaws attract readers who appreciate and can relate to the honesty."

Standing at the back of the Monopoly board at 35 or 45 can feel terrifying, but it's often a necessary redirection. "We’re at the stage of life where things have stopped being rosy. This is the hard one—the really hard stage—and there’s that bell curve of human satisfaction where the 30s and 40s are at the very bottom," Ruiz explains. "We put the most pressure on ourselves to meet those goals we set. Sometimes you have to surrender and realize that an outcome wasn't meant for you—it was meant to be a lesson or a temporary step. Just realize that maybe you’re not off track. Your path winds in ways you can't see fully yet."

Related: This Recent College Graduate Makes Up to $200 Per TikTok Video—Plus How Other Regular People Make Money on the App

3. Treat Your Nomad Life—and Your Freelance Career—Like a Business

Transitioning from a structured corporate career to the unpredictable world of digital entrepreneurship and freelance writing is notoriously daunting. However, the professional habits developed in your previous career chapters are often your greatest assets. For Ruiz, her background as a trial attorney allowed her to approach the modern gig economy with a rare, business-first mindset.

"Navigating the unknown has been a really big asset for me, and preparing for all possibilities," Ruiz explains. "I loved the excitement of a trial, but a trial is unpredictable. Because of that, you over-prepare. As an entrepreneur, that’s helped me a lot because you really never know. All I can do is navigate these unknowns, which has helped me stay steady and flexible."

That legal background also taught her the importance of contract negotiation and income diversification as a form of personal job security. "A lot of content creators look at the work they do as something where 'I should be so lucky just to be traveling,' and they'll accept anything they're given. That’s how people end up in a trap of free work," Ruiz warns. "I use different ways to phrase what it is that I’m doing in legal and business terms, to show what the actual return on investment will be. It makes it a business rather than a hobby or a favor." This exact transparency is why she launched a successful Substack that actively pulls back the curtain on the travel industry, sharing well-paid leads and remote opportunities to help other independent writers find their footing.

4. Lean into Over-Planning to Conquer the Safety Myth

The single biggest misconception holding women back from booking their first solo trip is an overarching anxiety regarding personal safety. While safety is a valid priority, it shouldn't be a barrier to entry. The antidote to fear isn't staying home—it is meticulous preparation.

"Most places can be visited safely if you do your research ahead of time and take the proper precautions," Ruiz advises. "To that end, my biggest piece of advice is to err on the side of over-planning if you’re nervous. When I was first getting started, I would research everything. I’d have my desired train time, and the five train times before and after just in case. I’d Google Street View the walk from the train station to the hotel. The more you know, the more prepared you feel—and the more you travel, the less you’ll feel you need to prepare to this extent."

That practical, protective mindset extends right down to her carry-on luggage. When asked for her one non-negotiable travel item that isn't a passport or a tech gadget, Ruiz points straight to a simple pack of alcohol cleaning wipes. "I don’t want to sound a little bit neurotic, but cleaning wipes," she laughs. "There are just so many germs everywhere. I’ve found that because I was traveling so much, being exposed to all those people in an airport when you're not sleeping as well can lower your immune system. The combination of wiping everything down and wearing masks on the plane has helped me just limit my exposure and travel a little bit safer."

What's Next on the Horizon: Following the June launch of All You Need Is Flights, Ruiz is already scouting new landscapes for creative inspiration. Up next is a cross-country road trip along the historic Lincoln Highway to explore American landmarks, followed by two major milestone birthday trips: a journey to the salt flats of Bolivia, and an exploration of Vietnam's legendary fashion hubs to have a wardrobe of custom-tailored pieces created. It is yet another reminder that no matter how many times life forces a rewrite, there is always another beautiful destination waiting to be written.

All You Need Is Flights officially releases on June 30, 2026, via Blackstone Publishing. You can pre-order or purchase your copy directly on Amazon here.

Related: The Greek Islands, Hotels and ‘Secret’ Beaches Chef Suzy Karadsheh Is Loving Right Now

Some people are happiest when they know they can count on themselves. They don't wait around for someone else to solve their problems, and they rarely need much encouragement to keep moving forward. According to Dr. Steve Taylor, a psychologist via Psychology Today, such self-sufficiency is defined as "the quality of feeling secure and content with oneself, (carrying) a deep-rooted sense of inner completeness and stability."

Looking at astrology, the cosmos may play a role in how self-sufficient you are. While every birth month has its own strengths, the following four birth months are known for producing people who are especially independent and comfortable standing on their own two feet. Read on to discover if your birth month is listed by a pro astrologer.

Which Birth Months Are Most Self-Sufficient?

Being self-sufficient isn't limited to just these four birth months. Every birth month has capable, determined, independent people. Still, January, April, August, and November stand out for their ability to handle life's ups and downs with confidence, resilience, and very little need for anyone else to carry the load.

January

People born in January seem to develop resilience early in life. When something needs to get done, they usually don't waste time hoping someone else will handle it. They figure things out, make a plan, and keep going. They take pride in being dependable and enjoy proving that they can overcome challenges without asking for much help. Whether they're fixing something around the house, building a career, or working toward a personal goal, January people trust themselves first. Whether you're a determined Capricorn or a forward-thinking Aquarius, independence usually comes naturally to you.

RELATE?: These 4 Birth Months Make the Best Grandparents

April

April-borns have an adventurous streak that pushes them to take chances others might avoid. They don't mind learning through experience, even if it means making a few mistakes along the way. Their confidence allows them to tackle unfamiliar situations without waiting for permission or approval. If they don't know how to do something today, they'll learn by tomorrow. That willingness to rely on themselves is one of their greatest strengths. Whether you're a bold Aries or a steady Taurus, people born in April tend to believe that action is almost always better than standing still.

FUN!: This Is Your Perfect Cruise Escape, Based on Your Birth Month

August

People born in August are very self-assured. They know their limits, and they don't spend time trying to impress others. When something goes wrong, they're more likely to deal with it rather than panic. They're the kind of people others often turn to when things get stressful because they stay level-headed and find practical solutions. Whether you're a confident Leo or a thoughtful Virgo, you like the fact that you can rely on yourself when it matters most.

READ: The 4 Birth Months Radiate a Nurturing Aura

November

November-borns are incredibly resourceful. If one door closes, they'll start looking for another before most people have finished complaining. They're strong, adaptable, and work hard. They trust their judgment, and they have an inner confidence that helps them overcome obstacles and keep progressing, no matter what life brings. Whether you're an intense Scorpio or an adventurous Sagittarius, you're someone who believes the best safety net is the one you've built for yourself.

UP NEXT:

In 1974, Ian Thomas charted his only U.S. hit with the song “Painted Ladies.”

Written by the Canadian singer for his self-titled 1973 album, the acoustic guitar-driven soft rock song featured a clavinet intro and lyrics about loneliness.

“Painted Ladies” peaked at No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1974 and was an even bigger hit in Canada. Fifty-two years later, it remains Thomas’s signature song.

Sealing with NMC Amplify, Thomas recalled the songwriting process for his sole Top 40 hit.

“‘Painted Ladies’ was one of two songs out of the first album that I wrote during the day,” he shared. “I had the idea for it at night and scribbled notes down, and then when I picked it up in the morning and I looked at what I’d scribbled down the night before, I went, ‘Whoa.’ It was a great springboard and then it was almost like automatic writing. I couldn’t keep up with the incoming.”

Thomas also explained how the instruments, most notably the clavinet, came into play.

“I had written the song in my basement,” he told Boom 97.3’s Behind the Vinyl. “It was a sound-on-sound Sony tape recorder, so I could stack up harmonies and guitar parts. So I had the whole song together, with the exception of bass and drums. And the clavinet was an idea of John Lambardo, who was the producer for me on that.”

“And then that song I just watched it sail up the charts,” Thomas continued. “I often wondered why the song didn't go farther [on] Billboard. And then I read the book Hit Men, and I realized 250,000 dollars had to change hands to break the Top 20. And then that was just such a revelation to me. I just thought, ‘Oh man, what a rotten business this is.’ Because we were Top 10 in so many major cities, and I couldn't understand how we could be Top 10 in all those cities and [not go higher] on Billboard. It made no sense.”

Thomas once described “Painted Ladies” as “strangely autobiographical.” The song came from a defining moment in his life when he was a young musician.

“Here I was the song of a former Baptist minister, now a University philosophy professor,” he told Behind the Vinyl in 2016. “So I had lived a pretty sheltered life in the world of academe, and all of a sudden I was in a band playing just the hell holes of Ontario, sharing dressing rooms with strippers. … It was culture shock.”

“And when you're stuck in some dumpy hotel in the middle of nowhere, playing really questionable social experience, you miss home like the dickens,” he added. “So lyrically, the song sort of came out of that. You know, I wake up one morning, you know, one of the strippers would be coming out of her room, you’re heading down to breakfast together. It was a real culture shock for me.”

Thomas told Amplify that the song was really about “longing for home” while on the road.

“There was a melancholy to the song about a strange city, the night lights, etc. and all you really longed for was being home,” he said. “So it was all very true to my life experience of the shadier sides of nightlife. And so, that ended up as the lyric.”

Related: 1974 Classic Rock Hit, Inspired by Run-In With Truckers, Remains a Road-Trip Anthem 52 Years Later

Reality TV has brought us some of the most beloved boy bands in music history, and while everything may have looked like it was smooth sailing, there has been plenty of behind-the-scenes drama plaguing our favorite manufactured groups.

From fights between members to rivalries with other made-for-television bands, not everything is as it seems on the surface. These made-for-TV groups became household names, but life behind the scenes was often marked by rivalries, disagreements and personal conflicts.

The Monkees

(Bettmann/Getty Images)

The Monkees are considered to be the blueprint for manufactured boy bands, forming in 1966 simply to star in a slapstick comedy that would air for two seasons on NBC. The majority of the tension came between Michael Nesmith and Davy Jones, who reportedly clashed over the band's musical direction and lifestyle. Nesmith and Peter Tork also had a rift due to their differences in personalities.

Members departed one-by-one, with Tork being the first to wave goodbye to the group in 1968. Nesmith followed suite a year later in 1969. However, the band reunited several times over the years — including in 2001, when tensions exploded and Tork left the reunion tour early.

In a 2011 interview withRolling Stone, Tork accepted full responsibility for the problems that arose. "We were getting along pretty well until I had a meltdown," he told the outlet. "I ticked the other guys off good and proper and it was a serious mistake on my part. I was not in charge of myself to the best of my ability — the way I hope I have become since. I really just behaved inappropriately, honestly. I apologized to them."

One Direction

(Photo by JM Enternational/Redferns)

One Direction were put together bySimon CowellandNicole Scherzingerduring the 2010 season of The X Factor U.K. after each member auditioned separately but the judges thought they would work best as a group.

Despite their huge global success, One Direction faced well-documented tensions behind closed doors. The biggest turning point for the group came in 2015, when Zayn Malik announced he was leaving the band during their On the Road Again tour, stating that he wanted to live a more private life away from the spotlight. The "What Makes You Beautiful" hitmakers continued as a four-piece before going on an indefinate hiatus the following year.

In the years that followed, Liam Payne acknowledged that he and Harry Styles had their differences during the band's time together, describing moments of friction while insisting there was still mutual respect. Most recently, Louis Tomlinson said that disagreements were inevitable given the band's whirlwind rise to fame, though the singer suggested many reports of feuds were overstated.

Day26

(Photo by Nykieria Chaney/Getty Images)

R&B group Day26 formed bySean "Diddy" Combsin 2007 during the fourth season of MTV's Making the Band. The group enjoyed early success, with two Top 20 albums on the Billboard 200 chart, but tensions soon emerged behind the scenes. Qwanell "Que" Mosley was dismissed from the group in 2009 following disagreements with his bandmates and management, with the other members citing ongoing conflict within the group. Although Day26 later reunited in various lineups over the years, the fallout surrounding Que's departure remained one of the defining chapters in the band's history.

Related: Iconic Rock Duo Announces First-of-a-Kind Tour Update

Every year, approximately 3.3 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer. Here’s the good news: there are easy ways to reduce your risk, which can prevent many forms of skin cancer. More good news? The five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma (a common form of skin cancer) is detected and treated before it spreads is 99 percent. (After it spreads to the lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate drops down to 68 percent.) This is exactly why knowing the early signs of skin cancer is essential.

Not sure what the early signs are? Keep reading to find out and to get tips on how to lower your risk.

Related: Here's the Latest on Skin Cancer Treatment

The Best Ways To Protect Yourself From Skin Cancer

Dr. Michael I. Jacobs, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, associate professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, and the medical technology director at Cortina, explains that the number one cause of skin cancer is UV rays from sunlight. Because of this, he says that the number one way to minimize your risk is to limit unprotected exposure to the sun (and tanning beds—using UV tanning beds increases the risk of skin cancer too).

“I recommend always using SPF 50+ anytime you will be in the sun and wearing sun-protective clothing as well,” Dr. Jacobs says. He also says that UV rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., so if you’re outside during that time frame, you should be extra mindful about sun protection. “Harmful sun rays are stronger at the beach in a boat with reflection of sunlight from the water and sails, and at a high altitude,” he adds.

Dr. Daniel Glass, MD, a skin disease specialist and consultant dermatologist at Dermatology Clinic London, says that having a family history of skin cancer or having fair skin increases the risk of skin cancer. So if either applies to you, it’s even more important to be diligent about protecting your skin from UV rays.

Related: The Top Three Types of Skin Cancer—And How You Can Avoid Them 

The Most Commonly Missed Early Skin Cancer Sign, According to Dermatologists

As with other forms of cancer, when it comes to skin cancer, early detection is key. That’s where being able to identify the early signs comes in. There’s one early sign in particular that Dr. Jacobs says people often miss. “A new pigment spot that appears to be a mole or freckle is the most commonly missed early sign of skin cancer,” he says.

Dr. Jacobs explains that many people are told to look for changes in existing moles, like color, shape or size, but they may not pay as much attention to new pigmented lesions that form which can lead to them being overlooked. 

So, if you have what looks like a new freckle or mole that didn’t exist on your body before, it’s absolutely worth it to book an appointment with a dermatologist so they can get a closer look.

Related: Your Top Skin Cancer Questions Answered

Of course, if you do notice a change in existing moles or spots on your body, Dr. Glass says that that’s worth getting checked out too. “Skin cancer will often present as a changing or enlarged lesion on the skin,” he says, adding that this may be a change in shape or color. He says that, sometimes, a lesion can bleed or become sore and itchy.

Dr. Glass says that many people believe that a lesion has to be raised or darkly pigmented to be concerning. This isn’t true. “In fact, skin cancers can be flat and can be red in color—not only dark brown or black,” he says.

With all of this in mind, any changes in spots on your body should be checked out by a dermatologist. That includes spots that are new, have changed color, changed shape or changed texture.

Dermatologists are trained in finding early signs of skin cancer, which is why it’s important to see a dermatologist once a year (and even more frequently if you are at high risk for skin cancer). There could be a lesion on part of your body you can’t see but a dermatologist will be able to.

By protecting your skin from the sun, getting any changes on your skin checked out, and seeing a dermatologist once a year, you will be taking three majorly important steps to minimize your risk for skin cancer—dermatologist-approved! 

Next up, find out what skin cancer apps doctors recommend and tips for how to use them.

Sources

• Dr. Michael I. Jacobs, MD, board-certified dermatologist, associate professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, and the medical technology director at Cortina
• Dr. Daniel Glass, MD, skin disease specialist and consultant dermatologist at Dermatology Clinic London

One of country music's biggest hits from the early 1990s was the emotional send-off of to a farewell concert that few fans will ever forget.

The end of an era deserved a fitting soundtrack, and one chart-topping country hit proved to be the perfect choice. For Alan Jackson, that milestone moment occurred during his farewell concert at Nashville's Nissan Stadium, when he performed his 1993 hit, "Chattahoochee."

The event, which marked Jackson’s retirement from touring, was announced in 2025. Titled “One More for the Road – The Finale,” Jackson wanted the chance to say a proper goodbye to live performances after a diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease made it increasingly difficult for him to continue touring.

The entertainer first revealed his diagnosis on the Today Show in 2021. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a rare, progressive, and genetic neurological condition that damages the nerves in the arms, legs, and feet.

Parade Daily🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

Jackson's final show hosted some of country music's best and most beloved performers, who banded together to honor Jackson as he ended his run as a live performer. According to The Tennessean, these artists included Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Jake Owen, Jon Pardi, Thomas Rhett, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Lainey Wilson, Lee Ann Womack, Adam Wright, Big City Brian Wright, and Carlisle Wright.

RELATED: The ‘King of Country Music’ Holds the Record for the Most No. 1 Hits in History

Jackson's setlist featured many of the biggest hits that defined his decades-long career. But one of the night's most emotional moments came when he performed his 1993 smash "Chattahoochee," the final song before returning for a two-song encore of "Mercury Blues" and "Where I Come From."

"Chattahoochee" was the third single released from Jackson's 1993 album A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'bout Love). It would reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in July 1993 and remain there for a remarkable 20 weeks.

“It’s a song about having fun, growing up and coming of age in a small town—which really applies to anyone across the country, not just by the Chattahoochee,” Jackson wrote in the LP's liner notes, according to American Songwriter. “We never thought it would be as big as it’s become.”

“Jim McBride and I were trying to write an up-tempo song, and Jim came in with the line ‘Way down yonder on the Chattahoochee,’” he continued. “It kind of went from there.”

The song's music video was equally unforgettable. It featured Jackson water-skiing on the river, wearing a bright orange life jacket and ripped jeans.

Alan Jackson: The Last Show will air as an NBC special later this year. The primetime event will feature highlights from his three-decade career in the country music industry, as well as his final concert at Nissan Stadium.

Related: 1990 Beloved Garth Brooks Classic, Written on a Napkin, Is Ranked His Greatest Song Ever

There are a handful of pantry staples that quietly do more work than they ever get credit for, and soy sauce is definitely one of them. It's the ingredient that seems to find its way into almost everything from stir-fries, marinades, dipping sauces, salad dressings, noodle dishes and even the occasional unexpected recipe that just needs a little extra something. A splash can make vegetables taste more savory, deepen the flavor of soups and stews and bring balance to everything from rice bowls to roasted meats. But what's the very best soy sauce?

At its core, soy sauce is all about umami, that rich, savory flavor often described as the fifth taste. Made through a fermentation process involving soybeans, wheat, salt and water, soy sauce develops layers of complexity that go far beyond simple saltiness. Some varieties are deeply savory and almost meaty, while others lean sweeter, fruitier or even slightly smoky. And while many of us reach for the same bottle year after year without thinking twice, the differences between brands can be surprisingly dramatic.

As someone who spends a lot of time testing foods and ingredients, I was curious to see whether one soy sauce truly stood above the rest. Could a premium bottle justify a higher price tag? Would a grocery store favorite hold its own against imported brands? To find out, I gathered 15 widely available options and put them head-to-head in a blind soy sauce taste test. Some were household names that have been sitting in American pantries for decades, while others were newer discoveries I spotted on grocery store shelves. The results were eye-opening and in a few cases, completely unexpected.

Related: Wait, What’s the Difference Between Tamari and Soy Sauce?

How I Chose the Soy Sauces

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

For this soy sauce taste test, I focused on a combination of longtime favorites and the brands most commonly available at my local grocery stores. I wanted the lineup to reflect what the average shopper would actually encounter while browsing the condiment aisle, while also including a few highly regarded soy sauces that food lovers frequently recommend. The result was a mix of classic household staples, imported options and newer brands that have developed devoted followings.

Related: 50 of the Best Asian Food Brands To Support Right Now

How I Tested and Ranked These Soy Sauces

Before tasting a single drop, I started by smelling each soy sauce, almost like a wine tasting. It was incredible how different they were from one another. Some had fruity, almost floral aromas, while others smelled deeply savory and fermented. A few immediately announced their saltiness, while others seemed surprisingly mild and understated.

After evaluating the aroma, I tasted each soy sauce on its own before comparing them side-by-side. I paid close attention to saltiness, sweetness, depth of flavor, complexity, balance and overall umami. I then tried them over some plain white rice to see how the flavor felt on something bland. The highest-ranking soy sauces delivered much more than just sodium; they offered layers of flavor that made me want to keep tasting. The lowest-ranked bottles tended to be one-dimensional, overly salty or lacking the richness I look for in a great soy sauce.

Related: We Tried 8 Store-Bought Mayos and the Winner Was Abundantly Clear

Parade

15 Soy Sauces, Ranked From Worst to Best

Let's see how they stacked up...

15. Kikkoman Umami Joy Sauce - The Soy Sauce Alternative To Avoid, $9.49

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Who doesn't love a little joy with their soy? Unfortunately, this one just didn't do it for me. Made with tomato extract as a soy sauce alternative, it has a noticeably fruitier, almost tomato-forward flavor that never quite captured the deep umami richness I was looking for. It's an interesting concept, but it felt more like a specialty condiment than something I'd reach for in everyday cooking.

Related: Out of Worcestershire Sauce? Here’s What To Use Instead, According to Chefs

14. La Choy All Purpose Soy Sauce - Too Salty Overall, $2.99

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

This is about as basic as soy sauce gets. It's salty, one-dimensional and lacks the complexity or fermented depth that makes a really good soy sauce shine. It certainly gets the job done in a pinch, but compared to the rest of the lineup, it didn't leave much of an impression.

13. Burman's All Purpose Soy Sauce (Aldi) - Not Very Memorable, $1.65

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Burman's is exactly what you'd expect from an everyday soy sauce. It has a savory aroma and a familiar, salt-forward flavor that's perfectly serviceable without being particularly memorable. If I'm already at Aldi and need soy sauce, I'd happily grab a bottle, especially for under $2, but I wouldn't make a special trip for it.

12. Bragg Liquid Aminos - An OK Soy Sauce Alternative, $5.79

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Despite often sitting next to soy sauce on store shelves, Bragg Liquid Aminos is actually made from soybeans rather than traditionally fermented soy sauce. It has a lighter body with a subtle savory flavor that's less complex and slightly sweeter than classic soy sauce. It's a solid gluten-free alternative, but it doesn't quite deliver the deep umami punch as some of the others on this list.

11. Lee Kum Kee Gluten-Free Soy Sauce - Great Gluten-free Option, $6.99

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

For a gluten-free soy sauce, this one does a really nice job of preserving that familiar savory flavor. It leans a bit cleaner and lighter than traditional soy sauce with a slightly softer finish, but it never feels watered down. If you're avoiding gluten, this is a solid bottle to keep stocked.

10. Trader Joe's Soy Sauce - Good Value Overall, $3.99

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Trader Joe's soy sauce landed squarely in the middle of the pack. It delivers a pleasant balance of salt and umami without leaning too heavily in either direction. Even if it isn't especially memorable, it's a great value for two full cups of soy sauce.

9. Kikkoman Soy Sauce - Great Choice for Marinades, $3.99

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Sometimes the classics are classics for a reason. Kikkoman delivers the familiar savory, salty, slightly roasted flavor that most people immediately associate with soy sauce. It's bold, dependable and incredibly versatile, making it an easy choice for marinades, stir-fries and dipping sauces alike.

Related: The Genius Soy Sauce Trick We Wish We’d Known About Sooner

8. 365 Organic Shoyu - Extremely Versatile Option, $6.00

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Shoyu is the Japanese style of soy sauce and is traditionally brewed with both soybeans and wheat, often resulting in a slightly milder, more balanced flavor than some Chinese-style soy sauces. This one happens to be the bottle I always keep in my own pantry, so it tasted wonderfully familiar. It has a rich savory aroma, a balanced blend of salt and umami and an easygoing flavor that works with just about everything. A great product.

7. Wegmans Reduced Sodium Sushi Soy Sauce - Solid Choice for Dipping, $3.49

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

This soy sauce feels like it's dressed up specifically for sushi night. With ingredients like sake, sugar and rice vinegar, it offers a sweeter, rounder flavor than a traditional soy sauce while still delivering plenty of umami. It's incredibly enjoyable, though I see it as more of a finishing or dipping sauce than an all-purpose pantry staple.

6. Thrive Market Organic Coconut Aminos - Great Alternative for Cooking, $6.99

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

While coconut aminos isn't technically soy sauce, it's often grouped alongside soy sauces because it serves a similar purpose in cooking. Made from fermented coconut blossom sap rather than soybeans, it's naturally soy-free and gluten-free. It has a noticeably sweeter, almost floral flavor with less salt and a gentler umami finish. If you have a soy allergy or simply prefer a milder alternative, it's an excellent option, though it doesn't fully replace the richness of traditional soy sauce.

Related: What to Know About Coconut Aminos, The Soy Sauce Alternative Registered Dietitians Love

5. Kikkoman Traditionally Brewed Organic Soy Sauce - Excellent Rich Flavor, $4.49

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

There was a noticeable difference between this and the original Kikkoman. The aroma is deeper and more robust, while the flavor has richer roasted notes and a fuller fermented character that lingers on the palate. It still has that classic Kikkoman identity, just with a little more complexity.

4. Kikkoman Less Sodium Tamari - Best Reduced Sodium Option, $3.79

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Tamari differs from traditional soy sauce because it's typically made with little or no wheat, giving it a richer, smoother soy flavor while naturally being gluten-free in many varieties. This reduced-sodium version still delivers plenty of savory depth but finishes lighter thanks to a subtle tang that likely comes from the added vinegar. It's balanced, flavorful and the best reduced-sodium option I tasted.

3. Lee Kum Kee Premium Dark Soy Sauce - Perfect for Braises and Fried Rice, $3.79

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Don't let the lighter aroma fool you, this soy sauce packs serious depth once you taste it. Dark soy sauce is designed more for richness, color and subtle sweetness than everyday dipping, making it perfect for braises, fried rice, lo mein and red-cooked dishes. It's beautifully balanced, deeply savory and tastes like a premium product from the very first bite.

2. Lee Kum Kee Supreme Authentic First Draw Soy Sauce - Great Umami Flavor, $6.99

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

First draw soy sauce refers to the very first pressing after fermentation, which produces the most concentrated, flavorful liquid. This one absolutely lives up to that reputation. It has an intensely savory aroma and a vibrant, lively flavor that almost sparkles across your palate, delivering layers of umami with a remarkably fresh finish.

1. Thrive Market Organic Soy Sauce - The Bottle That Changed My Mind and the Clear Winner, $3.99

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

This Thrive Market find was the biggest surprise of the entire taste test and my clear winner. The flavor is incredibly fresh, clean and crisp, with just the right amount of salt supporting rather than overpowering the natural umami. And, you cannot beat this price for the quality of the product. Every sip and bite tasted balanced, complex and remarkably smooth, making this the bottle I'd happily keep stocked in my pantry year-round.

Related: How to Make Your Tuna Salad Taste Like It Came From Jimmy John's

Final Takeaways

Whether you're looking for an everyday soy sauce to keep on your kitchen counter or a premium bottle to elevate homemade stir-fries and marinades, there's a soy sauce for every type of cook. While a few bottles surprised me with their complexity and balanced umami, others proved that not all soy sauces are created equal. No matter which one you choose, having a quality soy sauce in your pantry is one of the easiest ways to add rich, savory flavor to countless meals, and after this taste test, I know exactly which bottle I'll be reaching for first.

Up Next:

Related: I Tried 12 Kimchi Brands To Find the Best—and the Winner Won by a Landslide

Nigella Lawson remains the antidote to the modern, optimized wellness industrial complex. In an era where internet trends demand frozen faces and pulverized greens, the veteran broadcaster and food writer recently broke down her philosophy on aging.

Speaking to The Mirror, Lawson tackled the all-too-common anxiety surrounding the passage of time with characteristic bluntness, labeling the standard complaints about growing older a failure of perspective.

"It would be immoral if I complained about ageing – so I don't. We shouldn’t complain about being old. Life is precious. I'm not saying we can't all moan about things – I think one has to be allowed to do that."

It is a refreshing, grounded take from a public figure who has spent decades under the harsh glare of scrutiny. Lawson frames aging not as a disaster, but as a privilege. In her world, the standard groans about wrinkles are traded for a reality check.

The domestic goddess extended this confidence straight to the dinner plate. While modern celebrity culture offers restrictive diets and focused meal-prepping, Lawson chooses the pantry.

“I’m a great believer in butter. I just eat what I want. I enjoy life but also, I know myself. I’m not punishing myself trying to look like a model. So that’s good – I just waddle and enjoy myself.”

View this post on Instagram

Fans say this is the core of her appeal: a refusal to perform the ritual self-punishment expected of women in the public eye. She bypasses the industry's sizing constraints and beauty standards, choosing pleasure over performance.

When pressed on her famously radiant complexion, a frequent topic of obsession for beauty editors looking for a peek into her bathroom cabinet, Lawson skipped the product placement and credited luck and logistics instead.

“I think [good] skin is genetic, really. I’m also allergic to the sun so I don’t go into the sun and that makes a difference. It’s been [that way] my whole life but it’s got worse. I just can’t go in it. It’s a bore, actually.”

There are no expensive, twelve-step nightly routines or secret clinic visits here. Just shade and a heavy dose of dairy. Lawson's commentary cuts through the noise of an industry that treats beauty as a moral failure if consumers don't buy the right cream. She offers a simpler blueprint: eat the butter, stay out of the sun, and definitely stop apologizing for growing older.

When planning an international summer getaway, it's incredibly easy to fall into the trap of assuming you need a massive, six-figure stash of frequent flyer miles just to get your passport stamped.

For years, the conventional wisdom has been that unless you’ve been aggressively hoarding points on a premium credit card or traveling constantly for business, an overseas vacation is largely out of reach.

But according to a fascinating new data index released by the real-time award search platform point.me, that assumption is officially a myth.

By analyzing real-time seat availability across the 25 largest airports in the United States, the platform mapping tool has made it easier than ever to see how far you can fly with the absolute fewest number of points—and the results prove that international travel is far more accessible than you think.

Related: The Most Affordable International Getaways for Summer 2026, According to the Numbers

Point.me

"It has definitely gotten harder but it’s not impossible, as deals still exist," explains Jimmy Yoon, Head of Points Intelligence at point.me, an award search and loyalty travel platform for travelers. "As travel rewards credit cards have gone mainstream, more people are competing for the same limited award availability… [but] dynamic pricing also can work in a traveler’s favor when airline programs are more aggressive with their dynamic pricing and set lower floor prices… I believe this is really about having to adjust to a new normal."

The data reveals that travelers departing from major aviation hubs like New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta and Dallas are sitting on a goldmine of under-the-radar value, with dozens of international destinations ringing in at under 10,000 points one-way.

Surprisingly, London stands out as by far the absolute best value bet for an iconic European vacation, with multiple U.S. cities unlocking award seats to the U.K. starting at an astonishingly low 6,000 points.

Meanwhile, if a tropical beach escape is on your radar, the index shows that direct flights down to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean can regularly be scooped up for as little as 4,500 to 9,000 points from a majority of domestic gateways.

Related: The Secret to Choosing the Best Airline Loyalty Program I Wish I Learned Sooner

Leverage Alliance Ecosystems and Airline Alliances

Unlocking these jaw-dropping international point thresholds requires a complete shift in how you shop for airfare. According to point.me, the single biggest mistake travelers make is blindly redeeming their points directly through standard credit card travel portals, which often ties the value of your points directly to the high cash price of a summer ticket. Instead, the real strategy lies in understanding the complex web of airline relationships, global alliances, and partner redemption programs.

"Many international airline programs still use fixed award charts… and this is typically where the best deals are found," notes Yoon. "Some of these programs price their awards more competitively than their North American counterparts… The key strategy is to then book a flight on a partner airline with one of these international airline programs… This is why we always recommend earning flexible currencies (bank points)… as they transfer to many different programs."

Major international hubs likeJFK, LAX, ORD and MIA are exceptional breeding grounds for uncovering hidden point value because they play host to massive airline networks.

For example, if you live near Chicago O'Hare (ORD), you might find incredible award deals on direct routes to Europe because both United Airlines and American Airlines maintain massive hubs there. However, instead of just checking United's standard award calendar, savvy travelers look at their Star Alliance partners.

Because United operates alongside heavy-hitting international carriers like Lufthansa and Air Canada, you can often transfer your flexible credit card points directly into those partner loyalty programs to score the exact same economy seat for a fraction of the mileage price.

Ditch the Hubs and Go Niche

If you are hunting down the absolute best international deals to highly competitive European hot spots like Italy, point.me experts suggest broadening your search constraints and studying your favorite airline's seasonal route map. When everyone is frantically searching for award space into massive, bottlenecked entry points like Rome’s Fiumicino or Milan’s Malpensa, point-economy demand skyrockets, causing dynamic award pricing to spike into the hundreds of thousands of miles.

To bypass the surge, look for niche, seasonal direct routes that fly just under the mainstream travel radar. For instance, United Airlines operates highly specialized seasonal flights straight into Bari, Italy, along the stunning Adriatic coast. Because the average leisure traveler forgets to check secondary regional airports, these routes experience significantly lower point-booking demand, meaning you face far less competition and have a dramatically higher likelihood of uncovering an absolute steal of a deal.

"During peak seasons like summer, airlines strategically deploy aircraft on seasonal routes… Since these aren’t heavily marketed, fewer people think to search and book travel to those destinations, which means availability can be better than more mainstream destinations… A few seasonal routes that United did for this summer is Newark-Bari (Italy), Split (Croatia), and Santiago de Compostela (Spain)."

Ultimately, the latest data proves that even a modest bank of points holds immense power if you deploy the right timing, route flexibility, and partner program routing. By using dedicated award search engines to compare real-time rates across more than 150 airlines, you can stretch your travel rewards up to 90% further than traditional portal bookings—allowing you to save those hard-earned miles, pack your bags, and head overseas without draining your account.

Real Deal Examples

Point.me

To prove just how low these thresholds can drop, Yoon points to several standout economy and premium economy deals found this season:

• Orlando to Edinburgh on Virgin Atlantic Economy for 5,800 points
• Las Vegas to London on Virgin Atlantic Economy for 6,900 points
• New York/JFK to London on Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy for 8,100 points (via a 30% Amex transfer bonus)

You can check your own routes using point.me's real-time flight calculator before hitting the paywall.

Related: How to Book a Quick, Last-Minute 'Points-Cation' Without Getting Burned

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Stopping by your favorite salon to get a fresh coat of nail polish is always a relaxing experience, but manicures and pedicures are about so much more than eye-catching nail colors (although that's honestly our favorite part of the experience). Scheduling routine nail services is a great way to prioritize the health of your nails and pick up a few tips from your savvy nail tech. For instance, celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec has a clever nail cuticle trick we wish we'd known about sooner.

Kandalec, who has worked with Selena Gomez, Pink, Jessica Chastain and Emily Blunt, has extensive experience as a nail artist. The Star Touch Agency co-owner also serves as a beauty mentor and entrepreneurship coach via her Julie K Nail Academy.

While picking Kandalec's brain on cuticle care, we discovered that some of the best tricks are actually the simplest ones. Since caring for cuticles has always been a bit of a mystery for many of us, we asked the manicurist and several of her colleagues at Star Touch Agency to explain the pros and cons of cutting/pushing back your cuticles and picked up a few tips for softening cuticles at home. Here, the pros also share the five most common cuticle mistakes to avoid.

Related: A Celebrity Manicurist Says This Daily Habit Actually Weakens Nails Over Time

This Nail Tech's Cuticle Trick Is Genius

Kandalec has tried her fair share of cuticle sticks throughout her career, but she's become pretty partial to one that makes taking care of your cuticles infinitely easier if you're a DIY diva.

"One of my favorite tools to recommend is the Germanikure Glass Stick," she tells Parade. "It's essentially a glass nail file in the shape of the classic wooden cuticle stick. It can be used wet or dry, and it is a really efficient little tool to both push your cuticles back, clean under the free edge and exfoliate the dry cuticle area."

Amazon

Shop It on Amazon

The tool is also ideal for really resistant cuticles.

"I'll work it in a teeny circular motion on the nail plate to get that perfectly crisp cuticle line," she says. "It's a great alternative to the E-file as a DIY-er. E-files are great—in the hands of a trained pro."

Related: 11 Pedicure Trends That Everyone Will Be Requesting This Summer, According to Nail Techs

Should You Cut or Push Back Your Cuticles?

Kandalec acknowledges that this one's a hotly debated topic. However, she says both methods are acceptable "when done properly." The key? Avoid aggressive techniques and use clean tools.

"Pushing your cuticles back not only helps promote blood circulation and healthy growth, it allows the nail to be 'trained' to produce less growth as time goes by," she explains. "This is why personally I do a dry manicure on 95% of my clients using diamond E-file bits, as done in the Russian manicure. It exfoliates the skin so you don't have to trim as much."

Russian manicure master and educator Isabel Cardenas-Gonzalez says pushing back your cuticles and removing dead skin can be "as effective as cutting dead hair from your head."

As far as cutting cuticles goes, Kandalec says, "I'll trim the skin that's loose if it's too slippery to be exfoliated away by my diamond bits and E-file."

Rachel Arreola-Rodriguez, a freelance nail artist in Philadelphia and New York City, adds that it's best to avoid cutting your cuticles at home.

"When it comes to trimming your cuticles, I would highly recommend leaving that method to the professionals because they have a trained eye to see what is live skin versus dead skin," she warns. "You don’t want to injure yourself. Pushing back your cuticles and trimming them shouldn’t be painful."

Related: 9 Longest-Lasting Nail Polishes, Tested by Top Manicurists

How To Soften Cuticles at Home

Soft cuticles are a hallmark of healthy nails.

"Softening the cuticles helps decrease the risk of tearing or irritating your skin," Arreola-Rodriguez tells Parade, adding that it loosens the dead skin cells from your nails more easily.

If you're looking to soften yours in the comfort of your own home, there are a few easy ways to get the job done.

"To soften cuticles at home, my favorite trick is using a liquid nail softener such as CND’s Cuticle Away. It's gentle and easy to wash away for at-home manicures," Cardenas-Gonzalez says.

The nail pro says soft cuticles are key to a "manicure's longevity" and especially important for "encouraging healthy skin growth after a Russian manicure."

If you're on a tight budget, Arreola-Rodriguez says you can skip a dedicated cuticle softener and simply use your go-to cuticle oil.

Related: Manicurists Swear By These 9 Cuticle Oils for Hydrated, Stronger Nails

How To Care for Your Cuticles Between Appointments

When you're on a budget, extending the life of your manicure or pedicure at home becomes even more important. Luckily, there are a few ways to keep your cuticles in good shape in between appointments. Hydration is at the top of the list.

"For day to day, I always send each client home with a cuticle oil to apply either once or twice a day. Jojoba and vitamin E oil are most effective," Cardenas-Gonzalez says. "For those extra dry days, applying your favorite lotion (my clients and I always go for L’Occitane) and then sealing it with your cuticle oil will trap in more moisture and prevent evaporation of moisture from the skin."

There's one exception to the rule, however.

"If you see a nail professional that does a Russian manicure or uses any E-file bits to exfoliate your cuticles, this is best done dry, so please halt the hydration two to three days before your appointment for the best results," Kandalec says.

Aside from cuticle oil, Cardenas-Gonzalez notes that there's one other easy way to keep your cuticles healthy in between manicures.

"When using harsh chemicals or running your hands under water for a long period, wearing comfortable nitrile gloves can aid in protecting your skin barrier from any damage," she says.

Related: 25 Minimalist Nail Ideas That Are Subtle Yet So Stunning

5 Common Cuticle Mistakes To Avoid

Whether you're new to cuticle care or simply need a refresher, these nail pros outline several common mistakes to avoid.

1. Not pushing your cuticles back at all

Erica de Los Santos, a freelance manicurist based in New Jersey and New York City, says it's a missed opportunity to skip pushing your cuticles back.

"When cuticles are left untouched, they can start to adhere to the nail plate and grow longer as they stick to the nail, making it more difficult to achieve a clean manicure," she tells Parade. "Over time, this can make the nails look more overgrown and create the appearance of a larger gap between the cuticle area and the polish."

2. Pushing back your cuticles every day

When it comes to cuticle care, less is more and you certainly shouldn't push them back every day.

"It’s too much stress on your skin, and you want to preserve the integrity of the living tissue that protects the nail matrix—this is the area where nails generate from," Arreola-Rodriguez says. "Pushing back your cuticles can occur once a week or once every two weeks, depending on how your cuticles look."

Related: 35 Short Nail Designs to Inspire Your Next Manicure

3. Using poor technique to push back your cuticles

Professional nail artists know the ins and outs of the techniques required to successfully push back cuticles, and they've witnessed plenty of cuticle care mistakes firsthand. For instance, Arreola-Rodriguez recommends avoiding "pushing back your cuticles at a flat or too vertical of an angle."

"You want to hold the pusher at about a 30 degree angle to avoid damaging your nails," she explains.

Related: Your Perfect Manicure, According to Birth Month

4. Expecting instant results

Similar to other beauty routines, it can take time to start noticing results with your cuticle care efforts.

"If it’s someone’s first time cleaning up their cuticles, or if someone has sticky and overgrown cuticles on the nail plate, it will take time to train the cuticles," Arreola-Rodriguez says. "Pushing back the cuticles on a weekly basis will help. The most important aspect of training your cuticles is to hydrate them with oil at least two to three times a day. After a few weeks, you will see an improvement."

5. Pushing your cuticles back with your fingernail

This form of DIY nail care is definitely discouraged.

"Not only can you cut yourself doing that, but other bacteria can get in," Kandalec warns.

Instead of using your fingernails to push back your cuticles, the nail pro recommends investing in a tool like the Glass Stick mentioned above, or a good steel pusher like Staleks Pro Manicure Pusher that you can disinfect.

A pack of single-use wooden orange wood sticks from a brand like BTYMS will also work.

"Since they're wood, they are soft and allow gentle pushing, but they are porous and can't be cleaned," she says.

Up Next:

Related: 7 Nail Mistakes That Make Hands Look Older—and What To Try Instead

Sources:

• Rachel Arreola-Rodriguez, freelance nail artist in Philadelphia and New York City
• Isabel Cardenas-Gonzalez, Russian manicure master and educator
• Erica de Los Santos, freelance manicurist based in New Jersey and New York City
• Julie Kandalec, celebrity manicurist who has worked with Selena Gomez, Pink, Jessica Chastain and Emily Blunt

'Motorpsycho Nitemare,' also known as 'Motorpsycho Nightmare', was released in 1964, at a point when Bob Dylan was leaning away from his politically charged material.

While this song only mentions one film by name, La Dolce Vita, the legendary singer-songwriter prominently spoofs a different movie from the era, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho.

The song opens to a narrator knocking on a farmhouse after a long day at work, only to be accused of being a travelling salesman. After convincing the farmer he’s not a salesman but a doctor, the farmer offers him a bed beneath the stove.

But while the narrator sleeps, the farmer’s daughter Rita sneaks in, "lookin’ just like Tony Perkins", the actor who played the chilling Norman Bates in Psycho.

Rita offers him a shower, but Dylan sings, "Oh, no, no, I’ve been through this movie before", alluding to the famous shower scene from the Hitchcock classic where Marion Crane is stabbed while washing.

Trying to escape the farmer and his daughter, the narrator shouts the most offensive thing he can think of: "I like Fidel Castro and his beard!" This elicits the response he hopes, and the farmer scares him away with a gun.

Then the farmer’s daughter takes a job at a motel, another nod to the setting of Psycho, the Bates Motel, where he hopes to catch the narrator.

Dylan sings that if it weren’t for free speech, "he might be in a swamp". Unlike the protagonist in Psycho, the narrator gets away and doesn't end up in their car in a swamp.

"Ultimately it wouldn’t be a song from the ‘spokesman of a generation’ if it didn’t work in some sort of political statement as Dylan, unlike Marion in Psycho, is saved by the freedom of speech act and its necessary power to antagonise." Far Out Magazine wrote about the track.

As previously mentioned, Dylan mentions that the daughter just stepped out of the “La Dolce Vita” (which translaes as “the sweet life”). The influential Italian director Federico Fellini made a film with that title, which around the time was hugely popular with artsy crowds. Using this analogy hints that Rita is an atractive bombshell, as Fellini's films often include these types of actresses.

 Both Psycho and La Dolce Vita were released in 1960 are considered pivotal moments in cinematic history, inspiring the world of film, music, and fashion.

Thirty-two years ago Princess Diana made a fashion statement that gave the word "revenge" a whole new meaning.

On June 29, 1994, the royal stepped out for a party at the Serpentine Gallery donning a jaw-dropping little black dress by Greek designer Christina Stambolian. And while Diana effortlessly sported the shoulder-baring look — which included an above-the-knee hemline and a pearl and sapphire choker necklace — a television interview where her estranged husband, Prince Charles, now King, was admitting to an affair with his now-wife, and queen, Camilla Parker Bowles was airing.

Photo by Martin Keene - PA Images on Getty Images

The interview, which was part of a larger documentary on the UK's ITV, marking Prince Charles' 25th year as an official royal, included a revealing sit-down where he addressed ongoing rumors of infidelity with Bowles.

"Were you, did you try to be faithful and honorable to your wife when you took on the vow of marriage?" ITV's Jonathan Dimbleby asked, to which Charles replied, "Yes," and added after pausing, "Until it became irretrievably broken down, us both having tried."

"It is a deeply regrettable thing to happen, but it does happen, and unfortunately, in this case, it has happened," he added.

In an effort of damage control, perhaps gone wrong, the future monarch also said of Bowles, who he had known before he married Diana in 1981, that she "is a great friend of mine and will continue to be a friend for a very long time."

Looking back, royal historians, authors, and biographers have pieced together what Diana may have been thinking when deciding to wear what is now known as the revenge dress — a garment that she had actually had in her closet for three years.

"Diana was known for wearing pieces that would wow," Elizabeth Holmes, royal fashion commentator told Town & Country in 2022. "She knew how a show-stopping piece could feel to wear—and watch. The revenge dress was both thrilling for royal fans and all but guaranteed her place in the newspaper, where space was finite. Embracing fashion-forward styles helped her get that spot on the front page time and time again." 

When it came to newspapers the next day, she was right — UK newspaper The Sun referred to her as "The Thrilla He Left to Woo Camilla" in its headline.

Photo by Tim Graham on Getty Images

In a 2022 book, Diana: A Life in Dresses, Stambolian, per InStyle, told author Claudia Josephs that in addition to the dress, she also wore red nail polish — a daring choice at the time.

"She was saying: 'Let's be wicked tonight,'" Stambolian said.

Diana later acknowledged Charles' cheating in a 1995 interview with former BBC journalist Martin Bashir where she famously said, "there were three of us in this marriage."

The dress, which has established itself as an icon in fashion history, was recreated in The Crown and is also immortalized on a wax figure of Diana in a Paris museum.

Three years after she wore the famed look, it sold at auction for $74,000 in 1997, according to Forbes, just two months before she died in a car accident at age 36.

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

When most people think of Elvis Presley, they picture the swiveling hips, the rhinestone jumpsuits and the songs that helped define rock 'n' roll. But nearly two decades after his death, the music icon received one of country music's highest honors.

On June 29, 1998, the Country Music Association announced that Presley would be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame later that year on Sept. 23. It was a recognition that surprised many fans who knew him primarily as the King of Rock 'n' Roll.

Presley was part of a distinguished class that also included country legends Tammy Wynette, George Morgan and former Grand Ole Opry executive E.W. "Bud" Wendell.

While the announcement may have seemed unexpected to some, Presley's connection to country music ran deep long before he became an international superstar.

Growing up in Tupelo, Mississippi, and later Memphis, Tennessee, Presley was influenced by a blend of gospel, blues and country music. Those early sounds became the foundation of his groundbreaking style, helping him blur genre lines in a way that forever changed American music.

His earliest recordings at Sun Records often carried unmistakable country influences, and throughout his career he continued recording songs written by or made famous by country artists. Hits like "Blue Moon of Kentucky," originally recorded by Bill Monroe, and later recordings including "Always on My Mind," "Kentucky Rain" and "Green, Green Grass of Home" showcased his appreciation for the genre.

Presley's impact on country music extended beyond his own catalog. By bringing country influences to mainstream audiences around the world, he introduced countless listeners to sounds they may not have otherwise discovered, paving the way for future artists to freely blend country, rock, pop and gospel.

His 1998 induction cemented that legacy.

Today, Presley remains one of the few artists honored by multiple major music halls of fame, reflecting just how impossible it is to define his career by a single genre.

Related: Nicole Brown Simpson Keepsakes, Lost for Decades, Inspired an Unexpected New Memoir

The Los Angeles hideaway that hosted Marilyn Monroe's final moments on camera just landed a massive global honor. Travel and Tourism World recently released its definitive Top 100 Luxury Hotels for 2026 list and the Hotel Bel-Air claimed the number five spot.

It’s a surprise: modern travel rankings usually favor glass towers in Dubai or hyper-isolated pool villas in the Maldives. But the international judges handed the top-five crown to a quiet 12-acre canyon in California.

It’s a legacy that attracts travelers looking for Old Hollywood glam.

In June 1962, Monroe arrived at the Hotel Bel-Air for what would become known as "The Last Sitting." She spent three days with Vogue photographer Bert Stern. Working mostly out of Bungalow 296, she posed in wispy scarves and a black Christian Dior velour gown. They shot over 2,500 frames of film. Six weeks later, she was gone.

The physical property hasn't lost that mid-century magic. Visitors won't find minimalist architecture here. Guests are surrounded by natural wood ceilings and private garden patios. Upon arrival, visitors have to walk over a wooden footbridge past a lake filled with swans to reach the front desk.

The privacy is absolute. Pink stucco walls hide the 103 rooms from the noise of Sunset Boulevard. The privacy is absolute. Guests have to hand their car over to the valet because street parking does not exist in the canyon enclave. The grounds feature 200 species of plants and flowers. Hummingbirds flit among flowers while diners eat a Mediterranean-influenced lunch on the outdoor terrace.

View this post on Instagram

The en-suite marble bathrooms feature deep soaking bathtubs. Some rooms offer heated floors. The hotel spa avoids trendy tech treatments, opting instead to offer a facial designed to restore the skin after a long flight.

Hollywood royalty demands this level of isolation. Howard Hughes lived on the property for months. Elizabeth Taylor spent six of her honeymoons wandering the garden paths.

The wealthy travelers of 2026 are craving that authenticity. The new global ranking suggests that high-end guests want discretion over flash. They want a bartender at the Bar & Lounge who remembers their drink order without swiping a tablet. They want to sit by a wood-burning fireplace in a bathrobe.

The Bel-Air ignores the trends of modern resorts by offering a dose of nostalgia paired with top-tier service. Plus, visitors can still order the Monroe’s Passion cocktail at the bar: the drink features a heavy mix of passion fruit rum and chili syrup.

If your concept of a highway pit stop begins and ends with fluorescent lighting and stale roller-grill rollers, Dolly Parton is here to completely disrupt your next southern road trip.

On June 24, the global icon officially launched Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee, proving that a roadside rest can have just as much star power, curation, and genuine warmth as any luxury hotel lobby.

Located at Exit 22 off I-65—perfectly positioned about an hour south of Nashville and an hour northwest of Huntsville—this flagship destination is the first of several planned travel centers designed to make life on the open road feel significantly more civilized.

Related: Dolly Parton Makes Unexpected Appearance Just Weeks After Canceling Las Vegas Residency

View this post on Instagram

The project is actually a brilliant second act for a beloved local landmark. The original Tennessean Travel Stop had served truckers and road-trippers for fifty years before a devastating kitchen fire destroyed its main restaurant back in 2021.

Rather than letting a piece of highway history fade away, Dolly partnered with her longtime manager Danny Nozell and the property’s owner, Gregory H. Sachs, to rebuild the space into something entirely unprecedented. While the press releases hinted at a major overhaul, the reality on the ground—which has already taken over social media via viral Instagram tours—is a masterclass in high-low hospitality.

At the ribbon-cutting, Dolly herself made a surprise appearance, charming the crowd with her signature sharp wit by addressing the elephant in the roadside market: "I'm sure some of you wonder why I wanted a truck stop," she joked. "Well, I couldn't leave it to the beavers. I had to throw my squirrely little self in there."

dollystravelstops.com

Stepping inside the general store, the design immediately signals that this isn't a standard corporate highway oasis. The visual centerpiece currently driving social media buzz is a massive, meticulously styled chandelier composed entirely of Dolly's actual guitars, casting a warm, theatrical glow over an array of custom merchandise, Tennessee-made goods, and curated home goods.

The amenities are tailored with incredible precision for travelers who appreciate comfort and efficiency. Outside, there is a dedicated "Doggy Parton" dog park for passengers traveling with pets, alongside a replica tour bus modeled after the ones Dolly has lived in for decades, offering a genuinely fun, nostalgic photo opportunity.

For professional drivers logging long hauls, the facility maintains its roots with high-end private lounges, pristine showers, and rapid check-out systems.

The culinary landscape here is what truly elevates the travel center into a destination in its own right. The layout features three distinct dining experiences anchored by DLY BBQ, which serves up low-and-slow smoked beef brisket, pulled pork, and homemade biscuits twenty-four hours a day.

Flanking the barbecue station is a full-service, sit-down Southern restaurant featuring a sophisticated take on the classic meat-and-three buffet, perfect for an unhurried, sit-down meal.

Related: ‘Big Hair, Don’t Care!’ 36 Truly Amazing Young Dolly Parton Throwback Photos

For travelers looking to fuel up and get back on the pavement, the property introduces Cup of Ambition, a specialty coffee concept launched in partnership with Community Coffee. The café serves premium roasts and fresh pastries in a space that balances convenience with an upscale, comforting aesthetic.

True to Dolly’s roots, entertainment is woven into the architecture of the venue. The travel stop features a permanent main stage and a sprawling upstairs patio dedicated to showcasing local acoustic acts, singer-songwriters, and regional bands throughout the week.

To kick off the launch, the stop is running a continuous live music festival through July 2, culminating in a massive community grand finale on Friday, July 3, featuring food trucks, a tournament-style cornhole competition, and an evening fireworks spectacular. For empty nesters, weekend road-trippers, and anyone driving the Nashville-to-Huntsville corridor, it offers a beautifully executed reason to slow down, stretch your legs, and experience the highway with a little more sparkle.

Related: Dolly Parton Launches New Coffee Brand to Fuel Your 9-to-5

In 1948, a future rock icon was born. Ian Anderson Paice, the legendary original drummer for Deep Purple—and only member to appear in every incarnation of the band—was born on June 29, 1948, in Nottingham, England. He turns 78 today.

Rolling Stone once described Paice as "an epic rock legend” and one of "the greatest rock drummers of all time.” The outlet noted, “Without Deep Purple's only continuous member, Ian Paice, there would be no heavy metal drumming.  Paice is an old-school pro who plays fast, furious and full-on…. [He] imbued hits like ‘Hush’ and ‘Smoke on the Water’ with a studied, infectious swing.”

Paice was interested in playing drums at a young age. He once told Drumming magazine he got serious about drumming at age 15.

“Then after I'd done five or six months worth of gigs with my local band I realized that I was doing it ok and people were complimenting me, and it sorta creeps up on you that that's what you're going to be doing for the rest of your life,” he shared.

The music legend was also asked about his favorite performances with Deep Purple, and he pointed to the band’s double live Made in Japan live album, which was released in 1973. The album included an epic version of  “The Mule,” which featured an iconic  marathon drum solo by Paice.

“One of my favorite performances with Purple...is obviously the live recording of 'The Mule' on Made In Japan,” he said. “That was a pretty good performance. It was probably the best drum solo I did that whole year of touring [1972 /3]. It was just sorta lucky that the microphones were there to capture it. “

Classic Rock magazine has called “The Mule,” which originally appeared on the 1971 Deep Purple album Fireball, one of rock’s greatest-ever drum solos.

“I used to pick vehicles for drum solos basically rhythmically,” Paice told the outlet. “If I had a rhythm that gave me a good lead-off point to go into a solo, then that made it much easier. The Mule was almost written with a drum solo in mind. But obviously until you get it on stage you never really know if it’s going to work.”

RELATED: 1975 Rock Classic, Iconic band’s Debut Single, Remains a Timeless Anthem More Than 50 Years Later

Not only was Paice was an original member of Deep Purple when the band formed in 1968 but he has remained the only consistent member amid multiple lineup changes over the band’s nearly 50-year history. He also played with Whitesnake, Gary Moore, and more artists.

In 2016, Paice was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Deep Purple, per Ultimate Classic Rock.

Related: 1972 Road-Trip Anthem, Written by Rock Legends, Was Inspired by an Iconic TV Theme

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

If your bedroom is feeling a bit monotonous and you want to switch things up, you don’t need to give it an expensive overhaul. Something as simple as a new bedding set can effortlessly perk up the aesthetic of your room and make it feel brand new. This Vccoem 7-Piece Seersucker Comforter Set at Walmart is a chic choice, and it’s currently on sale for less than $35 with a limited-time flash deal! 

Normally retailing for $70, the queen-size comforter set is now marked down to just $32 in a gray hue and in white. That means you’re getting each piece for less than $5! It’s also on sale in black and gray for $34. This comforter set comes in twin, full, and king sizes, which all vary slightly by price. 

Vccoem 7-Piece Seersucker Queen Comforter Set, From $32 (was $70) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

This comforter set has everything you need to make your bedroom look cohesive and put-together. Each set includes one comforter, one fitted sheet, and one flat sheet. The full, queen, and king sets come with two pillow shams and two pillow cases, while the twin set comes with one of each. The fitted sheet has 360-degree elasticity with deep pockets that can fit mattresses up to 15 inches thick. 

Made of 100% polyester microfiber, this comforter set is soft and smooth to the touch. The fabric is double brushed, giving it a velvet-like feel that’ll keep you cozy all night long. Packed with light polyester filling, this comforter will drape over you like a cloud without causing you to overheat. Reviewers noted that it’s lightweight, so it’ll keep you cool on those warm summer nights. It’s also breathable and moisture-wicking, allowing air to flow through while keeping your skin dry.

Polyester filling is designed to mimic the fluffy feel of plush down feathers, making it a great affordable alternative. For those with allergies or sensitive skin, polyester is usually preferable over down filling, as it’s a hypoallergenic material. 

Vccoem 7-Piece Seersucker Queen Comforter Set, From $32 (was $70) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

The pillow shams and the top side of the comforter are crafted with seersucker fabric that’s puckered and crinkled, creating texture to give it some depth and dimension. The other pieces and the underside of the comforter even out the seersucker texture with their sleek and smooth finish.  

“The comforter is light and very soft!” one reviewer raved. Another shopper described this set as “beautiful, subtle, and elegant.” A third customer said that it’s “perfect for summer.” 

Thanks to the 100% polyester material, this set is easy to care for. Whenever these pieces need a refresh, you can toss everything into the washing machine in cold water and tumble dry it afterwards on low heat. 

Related: Walmart Has a 'Sturdy and Durable' Outdoor Storage Shed for Just $110 That's Perfect for Small Backyards

Refresh your bedroom and turn your bed into a cozy retreat with the Vccoem 7-Piece Seersucker Comforter Set. Head to Walmart and snag it while it’s still on sale for as low as $32 in the queen size! 

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.