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Refreshing your bedding is one of the easiest and quickest ways to revamp your bedroom. Trading basic sheets and comforters for lighter, brighter layers can bring new life to your space and give it a fresh, updated look. And when you want to capture the fresh, organic feel of nature in your bedroom, you can’t go wrong with a floral comforter set.

For high-quality floral bedding that won’t break the bank, look no further than Macy’s. The retailer is now offering up to 65% off several of its most popular floral comforter sets ahead of Labor Day. These stunning options come in a versatile range of colors and prints that are sure to elevate any home. Plus, they’re all lightweight enough to prevent overheating on warmer nights. Shop our top four picks below, starting at just $40.

Macy’s Wysteria Floral 8-Piece Comforter Set, $40 (was $100) at Macy’s

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Featuring a pretty floral vine print inspired by the beauty of a blooming garden, this set would make any bedroom feel bright, airy, and ready for spring. It comes with everything you need to revamp your sleep space, including a comforter, two shams, a bed skirt, a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, and two pillowcases. Made from 100% polyester with a plush polyester fill, the lightweight comforter can be used on its own during warmer months and layered with a blanket or quilt in the winter. 

Macy’s Kathryn Botanical 8-Piece Comforter Set, $40 (was $100) at Macy’s

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Bring a touch of nature to your room with this stunning eight-piece bedding set, which features an inviting botanical print in soft tones of green and white. Made of 100% polyester with a polyester fill, the comforter is durable, fade-resistant, and smooth to the touch. The entire set, which shoppers described as “super soft and airy,” is also machine washable for easy care.  

South Shore Fine Linens Sweet Floral 3-Piece Comforter Set, $42 (was $120) at Macy’s

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Printed with a dainty floral pattern, this bedding will bring whimsical cottagecore vibes to any space. The comforter is made of premium microfiber for optimal softness and comes in two versatile hues: soft blue and gray. It’s reversible, with the pattern emblazoned on both sides, and has a microdown fiber alternative filling that’s ideal for those with allergies or sensitive skin. 

Macy’s Cottage Floral 8-Piece Comforter Set, $40 (was $100) at Macy’s

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This top-rated comforter set is equal parts chic and cozy, thanks to its stylish reversible design. One side features a beige, brown, and green floral and leaf print that’s full of cottagecore and farmhouse charm, while the other has a sleek green-and-white striped pattern that works for more contemporary decor. It comes with a comforter, two shams, a bed skirt, a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and two pillowcases, which are machine washable for easy maintenance. Shoppers praised the “lightweight” construction, which makes it ideal for the warmer months.

Related: Macy’s 3-Piece Reversible Patchwork Comforter Set Is Rustic Farmhouse Perfection, Now 75% Off

New bedding can easily turn into a pricey investment, but these Macy’s deals are making it much more affordable to take the leap. Shop these sets for up to 65% off before the event ends!

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.

When Nirvana took the stage at the Reading Festival on Aug. 30, 1992, no one was sure the band would actually show up. Rumors about Kurt Cobain‘s health and his and wife Courtney Love‘s struggles with heroin had spread widely — details that became public knowledge at around the same time when Vanity Fair published its now-famous profile on Love. Cobain had reportedly overdosed that January and spent time in a detox facility shortly before Frances Bean Cobain was born on Aug. 18.

Cobain’s Wheelchair Entrance

Despite the doubts, Nirvana played — and Cobain made an entrance built entirely around the speculation. He was wheeled onstage in a wheelchair, dressed in a blond wig and a hospital gown, before the band launched into their set. Publicist Anton Brookes later explained to Mojo that the stunt was Cobain’s way of mocking the “Kurt’s dead” narrative that had been circulating, suggesting the singer was well aware of the gossip and “was taking the p–s.” Cobain briefly performed a snippet of Bette Midler‘s “The Rose” before collapsing to the floor — then sprang back up to tear into “Breed,” kicking off what’s remembered as one of the most electric performances of the band’s career, and their last show in England.

Grohl on the Tension Backstage

Drummer Dave Grohl has described the period before Reading as tense. “Kurt had been in and out of rehab, communication in the band was beginning to be strained,” he told the Scotsman. “Kurt was living in LA, Krist [Novoselic] and I were in Seattle.”

Even so, he was taken aback by how many people assumed the band wouldn’t perform at all. He recalled arriving backstage and being met with disbelief from friends in other bands, several of whom seemed shocked that Nirvana intended to headline as planned, he told Kerrang! in 2018.

As Grohl put it, “the show was a really reassuring, genuinely magical moment of everything coming together at the right time.” He’d known there was uncertainty about whether they could pull off the show — but never any real doubt that they’d try.

You might hesitate to solve today’s NYT Strands puzzle, but it’ll come to you eventually.

Move over, Wordle, Connections, Connections Sports Edition, and Mini Crossword—there’s a new NYT word game in town! The New York Times‘ recent game, “Strands,” is becoming increasingly popular as another daily activity fans can find on the NYT website and app.

With daily themes and “spangrams” to discover, this is the latest addictive game to cross off your to-do list before a new one pops up 24 hours later.

We’ll cover exactly how to play Strands, hints for today’s Spangram, and all of the answers for Strands #910 on Sunday, August 30.

How to Play Strands

The New York Times

According to the New York Times, here’s exactly how to play Strands:

Find theme words to fill the board.

• Theme words stay highlighted in blue when found.
• Drag or tap letters to create words. If tapping, double-tap the last letter to submit.
• Theme words fill the board entirely. No theme words overlap.

Find the “spangram.”

• The spangram describes the puzzle’s theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. It may be two words.
• The spangram highlights in yellow when found.
• An example spangram with corresponding theme words: PEAR, FRUIT, BANANA, APPLE, etc.

Need a hint?

• Find non-theme words to get hints.
• For every three non-theme words you find, you earn a hint.
• Hints show the letters of a theme word. If there is already an active hint on the board, a hint will show that word’s letter order.

What Is Today’s Strands Hint for the Theme: “Hardly eager”

If that doesn’t help, here’s a hint for today’s Strands game: Unmoved.

What Are Today’s NYT Strands Hints?

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

In today’s puzzle, there are six theme words to find (including the spangram). Here are the first two letters for each word:

• LO
• RE
• HE
• UN
• AV
• ID (SPANGRAM)

NYT Strands Spangram Hint: Is It Vertical or Horizontal?

Today’s Spangram is mostly horizontal.

NYT Strands Spangram Answer for August 30

Today’s Spangram answer on Today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram and Answers for Sunday, August 30, 2026, is IDRATHERNOT.

What Are Today’s NYT Strands Answers, Word List for Sunday, August 30?

• LOATH
• RELUCTANT
• HESITANT
• UNWILLING
• AVERSE
• SPANGRAM: IDRATHERNOT

Related: I Recreated the Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars Every ’90s Kid Loved

After a whole lot of hype, Harry Styles‘ Madison Square Garden residency is officially underway.

If the famed venue sounds familiar of late, that’s because it’s home to the reigning-champion New York Knicks — and also where Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce tied the knot earlier this summer.

And in Styles’ latest New York concert, the 32-year-old Grammy winner addressed both pop-culture landmarks in what fans are calling a “cheeky” moment — given that he and Swift, 36, formerly dated.

“We’re at Madison Square Garden, home of the world champion New York Knicks!” Styles announced on stage, which received thunderous applause. “And they also do weddings.”

The celebrity gossip published DeuxMoi posted the concert footage from Saturday, August 29 on Instagram. Check it out below.

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Fans have since commented on the post to share their unfiltered reactions to Styles’ unexpected shoutout. “What a cheeky little minx. I’m here early 🙊,” wrote one Instagram user, while another person commented, “Oh, he loves that swiftie attention! Good luck dude!”

Styles reportedly served as the inspiration behind Swift’s chart-topping song “Style” after they dated from November 2012 until January 2013.

Regarding the epic Swift-Kelce wedding on July 3, Variety reports that Styles “received an invitation” to the event but couldn’t attend because he was “currently on tour and will not make it to MSG.” Styles’ fiancé Zoe Kravitz, meanwhile, was in attendance at the star-studded affair.

Styles Paid Tribute to a Late Icon During His Residency’s Kickoff

Earlier this week, the “Golden” singer made headlines when he honored the late Dolly Parton during his first show at Madison Square Garden.

In the wake of Parton’s recent death, Styles took a moment to share with attendees how much Parton meant to him. “I wanna say a proper ‘thank you’ to all the musicians over the years that’ve inspired me,” he said, per footage captured by Variety. Find out more here.

To solve today’s New York Times Connections puzzle, you’ll need to know things about common vino additions, places to get gainz, well-known hares, and early warning signs from the West.

There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as the feeling of completing the daily New York Times Wordle, Strands, Mini Crossword and Connections Sports Edition word games in one fell swoop. But sometimes that can be easier said than done. If you need help with today’s Connections puzzle, keep reading.

Spoilers ahead! We’ve warned you. We mean it. Read no further until you really want some clues or you’ve completely given up and want the answers ASAP. Get ready for all of today’s NYT ‘Connections’ hints and answers for #1176 on Sunday, August 30, 2026.

Today’s NYT Connections Puzzle for Sunday, August 30, 2026 / New York Times

The New York Times

If you’ve been having trouble with any of the connections or words in Sunday’s puzzle, you’re not alone, and these hints should definitely help you out. Plus, I’ll reveal the answers further down.

Related: The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You’ll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle

Hints About Today’s NYT Connections Categories on Sunday, August 30

1. Break a sweat.
2. Beloved by somms.
3. They’ve got hops.
4. Like Bonnie and Clyde.

Related: 300 Trivia Questions and Answers to Jumpstart Your Fun Game Night

Ready for the answers? Scroll below this image (the image that represents your very appreciated patience!).

iStock

Today’s Connections Game Answers for Sunday, August 30:

1. EXERCISE FACILITIES: GYMNASIUM, HEALTH CLUB, REC CENTER, YMCA
2. WINE ACCESSORIES: AERATOR, CORKSCREW, DECANTER, STOPPER
3. BRANDS WITH BUNNY RABBIT MASCOTS: CADBURY, ENERGIZER, PLAYBOY, TRIX
4. WORDS ON AN OLD WEST WANTED POSTER: ALIAS, OUTLAW, REWARD, WANTED

How’d you do?

Up Next:

– 15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day
– Hints, Clues and Answers to the NYT’s ‘Mini Crossword’ Puzzle

Did You Miss a Few Days? Let’s Catch You Up With Recent Connections Answers

Related: I Recreated the Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars Every ’90s Kid Loved

Stanley Tucci has a knack for making the most basic dishes look irresistible. Give him a few eggs, a handful of Parmigiano-Reggiano, and some wild garlic, and an everyday omelet suddenly becomes the perfect centerpiece for a lazy weekend brunch.

His minimalist, unfussy approach is what stopped me mid-scroll when his reel popped up in my Instagram feed. There was no elaborate food photo, just him in front of the stove pouring eggs into a pan as he talked casually about what to make for brunch. True to form, Tucci made the whole thing feel less like a polished cooking demonstration and more like being invited into his kitchen.

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What he was making was essentially a thin frittata, cooked in his signature Marino Blue crêpe pan. He cooked the eggs slow, gently moving them around the pan before turning them out onto a plate. His flipping technique left a little to be desired, and the result was, as Tucci himself admitted, “sloppy.” But that only made me want to try it more. It was rustic, relaxed and exactly the kind of food I’d want to serve to friends at my own brunch table.

Theresa Greco

For something so basic, the finished dish was mesmerizing. The herb-flecked eggs turned lightly golden around the edges while the center stayed soft and tender, creating a contrast that made me want to reach through the screen with a fork. Recipes that promise big flavor with little effort tend to grab my attention, so I headed to the kitchen to see whether Tucci’s simple egg dish was as good as it looked.

Related: 9 Parmigiano Reggiano Recipes Inspired by Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy

The Core Formula: Eggs, Olive Oil and Good Cheese

Theresa Greco

Standing in front of my own stove, I quickly realized that while the ingredient list is short – eggs, olive oil, Parmigiano-Reggiano and wild garlic or chives – the flavors are remarkably deep. With so few components, mediocre ingredients have nowhere to hide. It is exactly the kind of minimalist cooking my grandmother always championed, where quality ingredients dictate the final plate.

The eggs are the obvious star. I reached for the freshest ones I could find, whisking them just until the yolks and whites combined. Tucci opts to cook his eggs in olive oil rather than butter. It’s an easy but brilliant swap, and one I decided to try. The result was a frittata with a clean, fresh flavor.

Since wild garlic can be hard to find, chives can make a flawless substitute. They bring a mild onion note that complements the eggs without overpowering them. And as tempting as it may be to reach for the pre-grated container of parmesan in the fridge, this is one time when the real deal is worth it. So don’t hesitate to grab a block and grate it yourself.

The true beauty of this pairing is that nothing tries to steal the show. The formula is blissfully simple: good eggs, quality olive oil, real cheese, and a handful of fresh herbs.

Related: Stanley Tucci Just Dropped the Most Incredible Nonstick Pan, But It’s the Colors That are Stealing the Show

Theresa Greco

The “No-Effort” Secret: What Makes Tucci’s Frittata Different?

Stanley Tucci’s frittata relies on one brilliant swap: a crêpe pan instead of a traditional skillet. I tried it myself, and spreading the whipped eggs into a thin layer completely redefines the texture. Say goodbye to a dense, heavy frittata; this version is delicate, with softly set edges and a light but satisfying bite.

Best of all, it requires almost zero prep. Crack the eggs, chop the herbs and grate the cheese. While I love a project brunch as much as anyone, there is something deeply satisfying about a genuinely effortless technique that yields such fantastic results.

Related: 7 Best Proseccos Under $20 That Taste Like Premium Champagne

How to Make Tucci’s Frittata

To bring it all together, start by coating the bottom of your crêpe pan with a generous drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. While the oil warms, whisk the eggs just until combined, then gently stir in the freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and chopped chives.

Theresa Greco

Once the oil is hot and shimmering, pour in the egg mixture. Let it sit for a few seconds, then use a rubber spatula to gently coax the eggs from the edges toward the center. This allows the uncooked mixture to flow into the empty spaces. Keep the heat moderate and resist the temptation to overwork the eggs.

Theresa Greco

Tucci notes that the frittata can be finished in the oven, but I stuck with the stove top method he demonstrates in his Instagram reel. I removed the pan from the burner while the center was still slightly loose, then flipped the frittata onto a plate and back into the pan to finish cooking.

Theresa Greco

Would I Make This Frittata Again?

I can already see this becoming one of those recipes I reach for when I want something a little more elevated than scrambled eggs for brunch. It’s quick enough to make when you’re hungry, yet upgraded enough to put on the table when friends come over. That combination is hard to beat. The finished dish had personality and more importantly, it tasted even better than it looked. A few good ingredients, a different pan and a little confidence are enough to turn a handful of eggs into something you’ll actually want to make again.

Up Next: The Sicilian Way To Make Eggplant Parmesan 10x Better

The clue for today’s NYT Wordle answer is on a need-to-know basis.

But the day just isn’t complete until I’ve solved all of the free word games from the New York Times, including Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Strands, and Mini Crossword. If you’re stuck on today’s Wordle answer, we’re here to help—but beware of spoilers for Wordle #1898 ahead.

Let’s start with a few hints.

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How many vowels are in today’s Wordle?

There are two vowels in today’s five-letter word.

What kind of letter does today’s Wordle start with?

Today’s Wordle begins with a vowel.

Are there any double letters?

There are no double letters in today’s Wordle.

Can you give another hint about today’s Wordle?

A hint for today’s Wordle is: It’s classified.

OK, that’s it for hints—I don’t want to totally give it away before revealing the answer!

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

We’ll have the answer below this friendly reminder of how to play the game.

SPOILERS BELOW—do not scroll any further if you don’t want the answer revealed.

The New York Times

Today’s Wordle Answer for #1898 on Sunday, August 30, 2026.

Today’s Wordle answer on Sunday, August 30, 2026, is INTEL.

-If you missed it, catch up with the answer to yesterday’s Wordle.

Related: Every 5 Letter Word Wordle Hasn’t Used Yet (Updated Daily)

John Surman turns 82 today, and if you’ve never heard of him, that’s sort of the point: he’s spent six decades being one of jazz’s most quietly influential figures rather than one of its famous names.

Surman grew up in Tavistock, a small town in Devon, and was already playing in bandleader Mike Westbrook’s group as a teenager before the two of them relocated to London together in 1962. He studied at the London College of Music through the mid-’60s while building a reputation on baritone and soprano saxophone, eventually adding bass clarinet and synthesizers to his arsenal, an unusual combination that would come to define his sound.

The turning point came in 1972 with “Westering Home,” an album where Surman played every instrument himself, layering saxophones, clarinets and early synthesizers through overdubbing rather than assembling a band. It set the template for a run of solo records that followed after he signed with ECM in 1978, starting with “Upon Reflection” the next year.

Along the way, he founded The Trio with American musicians Barre Phillips and Stu Martin, later started one of the first all-saxophone jazz groups with Mike Osborne and Alan Skidmore, and collaborated with figures like Gil Evans and John McLaughlin.

That Gil Evans connection eventually put him somewhere unexpected: Surman spent several years touring as part of the Gil Evans Orchestra, and in July 1987, that gig landed him on a stadium stage in Perugia, Italy, backing Sting during a break the singer took from recording “…Nothing Like the Sun.” The show was broadcast live across Italian television, an unlikely spotlight for a musician better known for filling small rooms with saxophone overdubs than headlining outdoor stadiums.

He’s still going, too. In 2024, Surman marked his 80th birthday with a new album, “Words Unspoken,” recorded with vibraphonist Rob Waring and guitarist Rob Luft.

While there was certainly no shortage of fantastic girl groups in the ’60s, from The Shirelles to The Ronettes and so many others, The Shangri-Las were, perhaps, the edgiest of the bunch.

For one thing, the group was made up of two sets of streetwise teen sisters from Queens, NYC: Mary Weiss and Elizabeth “Betty” Weiss, and twin sisters Marguerite “Marge” Ganser and Mary Ann Ganser. For another, they sang about bad boys and doomed romances…and their biggest hit featured the sound of a motorcycle engine and squealing tires.

Released in 1964, “Leader of the Pack” was written by Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry and producer Shadow Morton as a follow-up to the first Shangri-Las hit, “Remember (Walking in the Sand).” The tells the story of a teenage girl named Betty who falls in love with Jimmy, the leader of a motorcycle gang from the wrong side of the tracks. (Alas, Betty’s parents disapprove and tragedy ensues.)

“I don’t think I would be able to put feeling into the song unless I had really thought about the lyrics,” lead vocalist Mary told Telegraph magazine in 2007. “I put a lot of my own pain into that song.”

“I don’t think teenage years are all that rosy for a lot of people — they certainly weren’t for me,” Mary continued. “They are the most confusing time of people’s lives and there is a tremendous dark side to the record, which I think teenagers related to. The studio was a great place to let the pain out.”

The song definitely resonated with teens; in fact, the powers-that-be in the U.K. worried that “Leader of the Pack” was so relevant it might stir up conflict between the mods and the rockers (two distinct and conflicting youth subcultures of the time).

“I thought it was amusing when they [British radio and TV stations] banned ‘Leader’ because of the mod and rocker stuff. When I got off the plane in my leather jacket everyone knew which side I was on,” Mary recalled.

Indeed, The Shangri-Las had a reputation for being tough.

“They were kind of crude, with their gestures and language and chewing gum and the stockings ripped up their leg,” Greenwich said, according to The Guardian.

“Leader of the Pack” and its iconic intro (“Is she really going out with him?”) took The Shangri-Las all the way to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the only time the group would ever make it to the top of the charts, but the song’s legacy has lasted for generations.

Related: 1964 No. 2 Single, Sung by 17-Year-Old Lesley Gore, Is Still an Empowering Hit Over 60 Years Later

The classic tune made a memorable appearance in Martin Scorsese‘s iconic 1990 film Goodfellas; in 2004, Rolling Stone ranked it at #447 on a list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” Over a decade later, in 2017, Billboard placed “Leader of the Pack” at #9 on their list of the “100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.”

“Teenage tragedy songs were a pre-British Invasion fad in American pop, and most are impossible to listen to without smiling at the soap opera-levels of histrionics,” wrote Billboard‘s Joe Lynch.

“A prime example is 1964 Hot 100-topper ‘Leader of the Pack,’ where a teen girl explains to her classmates that she watched her crying boyfriend die in a motorcycle crash after her parents forced her to dump him,” Lynch continued. “Compounding the melodrama are sound effects, dead-serious spoken word segments and backup vocals that echo the lead. Somehow, what should come across as profoundly silly ends up cutting straight into your soul — if you’re smirking at the 17-second mark, you’re genuinely devastated at 2:09 when lead singer Mary Weiss intones, ‘At school they all stop and stare / I can’t hide my tears but I don’t care / I’m sorry I hurt you, the leader of the pack.'”

Related: 1963 Classic Hit Ranked #1 ‘Greatest Girl-Group Song of All Time’ Was the ‘Beginning of Pop Music’

Whether they’re recommended by a holistic doctor, TikTok, a celebrity without medical credentionals or your wellness-obsessed cousin, supplements are everywhere. While some people find them helpful (and they certainly can be if you’re deficient in some vitamins, minerals and nutrients), they aren’t for everyone—and for some individuals can actually be really dangerous when combined with certain medications. This is especially true for people who take antidepressants.

Antidepressants come in different forms, the most common of which are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs). These work by not just correcting a chemical imbalance in the brain, but also by promoting cell growth in the hippocampus, which some research suggests may actually shrink in people with major depressive disorder or who experienced trauma or extreme stress.

Other common types of antidepressant include serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which are similar to SSRIs, as well as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).

Find out which supplement do psychiatrists urge patients on antidepressants to avoid and why it’s so potentially dangerous.

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The Supplement To Avoid if You’re Taking Antidepressants

Psychiatrists urge patients on antidepressants to avoid taking St. John’s Wort (hypericum).

“St. John’s Wort, when taken with prescribed antidepressants, should be avoided unless directed by a physician,” double board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Allen Masry, MD, DFAPA, FASM, DAAP, tells Parade. “The reason St. John’s Wort should be used cautiously is that it has serotonergic properties similar to those found in many antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, TCAs) and will increase the risk of developing a dangerous condition known as serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition caused by excessive levels of serotonin in the body; common symptoms include agitation, sweating, tremors, diarrhea, fever, stiff muscles and confusion.”

“The biggest thing to know is that ‘natural’ does not necessarily equal harmless, especially when it comes to taking an antidepressant,” Dr. Jasmine Sawhne, MD, board-certified psychiatrist, agrees. “St. John’s Wort is one that I am most cautious about because it can actually increase serotonin when it is combined with antidepressants such as SSRIs, SNRIs or other serotonin medications.”

St. John’s Wort (hypericum)

Photo by Ronin on Unsplash

Dr. Sawhne makes an important point: Just because something is found or sourced from nature doesn’t mean it’s safe or good for you. (Think of how heroin comes from poppies, and how heroin is really bad for you.)

Serotonin syndrome isn’t the only risk associated with combining St. John’s Wort with prescription antidepressants—and a lot of other prescription drugs as well.

“St. John’s wort contains enzymes that can increase the metabolism of other drugs,” Dr. Omotola Ajibade, MD, MPH, board-certified forensic and adult psychiatrist, explains. “This could reduce the effectiveness of things like blood thinners, birth control and many other medications.”

Related: High-Functioning Depression Isn’t Always Easy to Identify, So Here Are the Top Signs to Watch Out For (and What to Do)

What Other Supplements Should People on Antidepressants Avoid?

“With any supplement, it’s a risk-benefit analysis,” Dr. Ajibade advises. “I generally wouldn’t recommend starting or stopping a supplement without talking to your doctor first. Supplements are less tightly regulated than prescription drugs, and in some cases, their manufacturing processes aren’t standardized. This poses a real risk that you could be getting a lower dose than you think you’re taking. Conversely, you may unknowingly end up with a dangerously high dose.”

Dr. Lauren Grawert, MD, FASAM, double board-certified psychiatrist, tells us that St. John’s Wort is near the top of her “to-disclose” list, meaning you must tell your doctors if you’re taking it in order to stay safe. There are several other supplements she also strongly warns against combining with antidepressants.

“I would caution against the use of 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), tryptophan and any other supplement that is being marketed as a ‘serotonin booster,’ especially when a person is currently using an antidepressant,” Dr. Grawert says. “People tend to view supplements as risk-free since they are available over-the-counter. However, even though supplements come from natural sources, pharmacologically active agents do not automatically transform into risk-free agents just because they come from a health food store.” (

They aren’t alone in advising against 5-HTP and tryptophan.

Psychiatrist Dr. Hans Watson, DO, also urges patients to avoid those supplements, as well as S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), a synthetic version of which is sold over the counter as a supplement. SAMe can influence serotonin pathways similarly to 5-HTP and tryptophan—but with an additional possible complication.

“SAMe additionally deserves caution in patients with bipolar-spectrum illness because of concern for activation or mania,” Dr. Watson warns. “My rule is simple: if a supplement is powerful enough to change your mood, it is powerful enough to interact with a psychiatric medication.”

Related: Here’s What Major Depressive Disorder Actually Is—and How It Differs from ‘Regular’ Depression

Are Any Supplements Safe or Recommended for Use in People on Antidepressants?

There is maybe one supplement that psychiatrists agree is usually safe for people taking antidepressants—but even then, you’ll want to talk to your doctor before popping it.

“When my patients ask me which supplements work best with antidepressants, I usually mention that there’s no supplement I would universally recommend,” Dr. Sam Zand, DO, adult psychiatrist, tells us. “Omega-3 supplements have been studied as a complement for antidepressants, but the evidence is still mixed. The most important thing is that patients are honest about any supplements they take to reduce the risk of interactions.”

“One thing I think is particularly important for people to understand is that dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA in the same way prescription medications are,” double board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Peyman Tashkandi, MD, advises. “There is less oversight when it comes to purity, potency, consistency, and effectiveness. The amount of an ingredient can vary from one product to another and even between batches. That makes it difficult to know exactly what someone is taking and also makes it harder to predict how a particular supplement may interact with a medication.”

Dr. Tashkandi continues, “I always recommend discussing supplements with your physician, particularly if you are already taking prescription medications. Something being labeled “natural” does not mean it is benign or without risk. Supplements can have real biological effects, side effects, and medication interactions. They need to be taken seriously.”

Up Next:

Related: Neurologists Are Begging People To Stop Pairing This Supplement With Migraine Medication

Sources

• Dr. Omotola Ajibade, MD, MPH, board-certified forensic and adult psychiatrist
• Dr. Lauren Grawert, MD, FASAM, double board-certified psychiatrist
• Dr. Allen Masry, MD, DFAPA, FASM, DAAP, double board-certified psychiatrist and medical director of All In Solutions
• Dr. Jasmine Sawhne, MD, board-certified psychiatrist
• Dr. Peyman Tashkandi, MD, double board-certified psychiatrist
• Dr. Hans Watson, DO, psychiatrist
• Dr. Sam Zand, DO, psychiatrist

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword puzzle covers everything from popular pop brands and the language of love to common outdoor pests.

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 Sunday, August 30, 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 Sunday, August 30, 2026

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

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: Classical instrument in the Guinness logo — HINT: Ends with the letter “P”

5 Across: Covered in vines — HINT: Ends with the letter “D”

7 Across: 8-Across competitor, in the soda aisle — HINT: Starts with the letter “P”

8 Across: 7-Across competitor, in the soda aisle — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”

9 Across: Owner of The Athletic, for short — HINT: Starts with the letter “N”

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

NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: Cool and in the know — HINT: Starts with the letter “H”

2 Down: French for “with” — HINT: Ends with the letter “C”

3 Down: Ruthlessly make fun of — HINT: Ends with the letter “N”

4 Down: Annoying, like mosquitoes — HINT: Starts with the letter “P”

6 Down: Plan born from many a New Year’s resolution — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Sunday, August 30, 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: Classical instrument in the Guinness logo — HARP

5 Across: Covered in vines — IVIED

7 Across: 8-Across competitor, in the soda aisle — PEPSI

8 Across: 7-Across competitor, in the soda aisle — COKE

9 Across: Owner of The Athletic, for short — NYT

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: Cool and in the know — HIP

2 Down: French for “with” — AVEC

3 Down: Ruthlessly make fun of — RIPON

4 Down: Annoying, like mosquitoes — PESKY

6 Down: Plan born from many a New Year’s resolution — DIET

Related: I Recreated the Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars Every ’90s Kid Loved

Despite being over 40 years old, the Rob Reiner-directed 1984 mockumentary, This Is Spinal Tap, is still receiving recognition for its ability to delight audiences.

On August 29, Collider released a ranking titled “the 10 Funniest Movies in Film History,” which included humorous films like 1988’s The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, Blazing Saddles, released in 1974, and 1998’s The Big Lebowski. The publication crowned This Is Spinal Tap, which happened to be the first feature film Reiner directed, as the “funniest movie in film history.”

The movie, which focuses on fictional British rockers, has a score of 98 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

Rob Reiner Discussed Making ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ in a 2004 Interview

Reiner, who died in December 2025 at the age of 78, discussed making This Is Spinal Tap in a 2004 interview with the Television Academy Foundation. He explained that making the rock mockumentary “wasn’t a typical first-time director experience,” due to the cast, which included Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer, improvising their dialogue.

“There was no script and so, you know, it was all improvised. And it was all shot like a documentary, so it wasn’t, you know, like having to set up shots in a traditional way that a director would, you know, design a movie. I mean, we were kind of flying by the seat of our pants and, you know, improvising as we went along,” said Reiner.

Reiner, who noted that the movie did have a loose plot outline before it was filmed, also said that This Is Spinal Tap “took [him] 9 months to cut” in the editing room.

“So basically the writing for the film was done in the cutting room,” explained the Princess Bride director in the 2004 interview.

In addition, the filmmaker said that This Is Spinal Tap was initially misunderstood by audiences.

“When it first came out, people thought it was a real band. And then people didn’t understand why would I make a movie about a band that nobody had ever heard of, and that was so bad,” said Reiner.

According to Reiner, he had to explain that it was satire.

“It took a while for people to catch up to it and realize that it was a spoof,” said Reiner.

In 1982, Steve Miller Band pulled off a peculiar bit of rock history with a song its own record label reportedly hadn’t even wanted to release.

“Abracadabra” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time on Sept. 4, 1982, giving Steve Miller Band its third chart-topper after “The Joker” and “Rock’n Me.” It was the biggest hit of Steve Miller’s career and would ultimately spend two nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1.

But who Miller knocked out of the top spot was almost as interesting as the hit itself.

“Abracadabra” dethroned Chicago’s “Hard to Say I’m Sorry.” Six years earlier, Miller had done essentially the exact same thing: “Rock’n Me” replaced Chicago’s “If You Leave Me Now” at No. 1 in 1976.

Two Steve Miller Band No. 1 hits. Two Chicago songs knocked from the top. Six years apart. And “Abracadabra” almost didn’t get its chance to perform that particular magic trick.

Capitol Records Didn’t Believe in ‘Abracadabra’

By the late 1970s, Miller had already assembled an enviable run of hits.

Fly Like an Eagle produced “Take the Money and Run,” “Fly Like an Eagle” and the No. 1 “Rock’n Me.” Book of Dreams followed with “Jet Airliner,” “Jungle Love” and “Swingtown.”

According to music historian Fred Bronson’s “Billboard Book of Number One Hits,” Miller was also enjoying the kind of financial success that came with that run. A Capitol Records employee once caught a glimpse of one of Miller’s royalty checks and recalled that it was for more than $2 million. At the time, Miller didn’t even have a manager to pay, handling his business himself.

But after four years away, Miller returned with 1981’s Circle of Love, an album Bronson describes as unsuccessful. Its reception raised questions about whether Miller’s commercial heyday had passed.

Miller, then 38, had another answer.

With Abracadabra, his 12th Capitol album, he returned to the crisp, melodic rock that had made him a star. The album’s title track debuted at No. 75 on May 29, 1982, and arrived at No. 1 14 weeks later.

Related: 1980 Hit, Named Greatest Soft Rock Song of All Time by VH1, Hit No. 1 on the Charts 46 Years Ago Today

Getting the song released in America apparently wasn’t so simple. Years later, Miller recalled that Capitol initially failed to hear a hit in “Abracadabra.”

“Capitol didn’t believe in it and didn’t want to release it,” Miller said during a 2016 appearance on The Howard Stern Show.

Miller had a different record deal in Europe, however, and “Abracadabra” began taking off there. He recalled canceling an American tour because the song was reaching No. 1 around the world while remaining unreleased in the United States.

After its overseas success became impossible to ignore, Capitol released “Abracadabra” stateside. The label’s reluctant single eventually became Miller’s biggest American hit.

‘Abracadabra’ Put Steve Miller Back on Top

The success was an emphatic answer to anyone who thought Miller’s biggest years were behind him.

“The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll” traces Miller’s commercial transformation back to 1973’s The Joker, which introduced a slicker, more buoyant sound and produced his first No. 1 single. Fly Like an Eagle followed three years later and cemented that success, while Book of Dreams produced another trio of hits.

After the comparatively disappointing Circle of Love, however, Abracadabra gave Miller his third No. 1 and put him squarely back at the top of the pop world.

Bronson also notes that Miller wasn’t particularly interested in simply recycling his old successes.

“The reason I continue to make music is the challenge,” Miller said. “The challenge is to stay ahead of playing the old material too much.”

He understood that audiences wanted to hear their favorites, but he also wanted to “still delight them with something new.”

Abracadabra certainly did that.

The song spent an impressive 14 weeks inside the Top 10 and became a worldwide success, reaching No. 1 in multiple countries. It even crossed over to the R&B chart, while its magic-filled music video found airtime on both MTV and BET.

Miller described the album itself as “basically a creative explosion,” according to Bronson, crediting drummer Gary Mallaber and new guitarists Kenny Lee Lewis and John Massaro with bringing additional creative ideas into the band.

“As the band grows,” Miller said in 1982, “it’s adding a lot of new creative ideas, and I’m enjoying the explosion.”

‘Abracadabra’ Found a New Life More Than 40 Years Later

More than four decades after Miller worked his way back to No. 1, “Abracadabra” performed another disappearing-and-reappearing act.

In 2024, Eminem interpolated the song for “Houdini,” which debuted at No. 2 on the Hot 100.

Miller welcomed the unexpected new chapter.

In a message following the release of “Houdini,” he praised Eminem for acknowledging the musical influences that helped shape his work. Miller pointed to his own influences, including Les Paul and Chuck Berry, while describing music as a chain of ideas stretching across cultures and generations.

“There aren’t many artists who take the time or make the effort to stand up for themselves and credit and respect their influencers at the same time,” Miller wrote. “Marshall Mathers you are an exception and on my short list of people who respect the art.”

For Miller, hearing a song he’d written more than 40 years earlier become part of a major new hit was something to celebrate.

“To be included in your process feels good while I’m still singing and playing the music I love,” he added. “I’m honored.”

“Abracadabra” had already survived a skeptical record label, conquered the world and returned Steve Miller Band to No. 1. More than four decades later, the song was still finding new ways to make itself reappear.

Related: The Greatest Guitar Solo You Can’t Hear Is Hidden in a 1980 Classic

Plenty of classic bands have inspired popular cover versions of their songs over the years, but Fleetwood Mac has to be one of the most covered groups of all time. From Elton John‘s take on “Don’t Stop” to Hole’s version of “Gold Dust Woman,” Fleetwood Mac’s catalog has been reimagined in just about every genre of music…and one countrified cover of “Landslide” went on to become a bigger commercial hit than the original.

“Landslide” originally appeared on the 1975 album Fleetwood Mac, but wasn’t released as a single until 1998, when a live version from the reunion album The Dance went #51 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and #10 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Of course, the poignant track, about love and loss and aging, was a fan-favorite for decades, despite its lack of chart presence.

“I wrote ‘Landslide’ in 1973, when I was 27, and I did already feel old in a lot of ways. I’d been working as a waitress and a cleaning lady for years. I was tired,” Stevie Nicks told the New York Times in 2014.

Decades later, when Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks (now known as just the Chicks) was about the same age as Nicks when she wrote “Landslide,” the country trio had a massive success with their cover of the song.

Released as the second single from their 2002 album, Home, the Dixie Chicks’ version peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, going all the way to #1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart (where it stayed for seven weeks in 2003). Nearly twenty years later, in 2022, Billboard ranked the Dixie Chicks’ “Landslide” as #1 on a list of the “20 Best Fleetwood Mac Covers.”

The same year the Dixie Chicks released their take on “Landslide,” Nicks performed the song with the group at VH1 Divas Las Vegas.

“I can remember [writing] it and seeing it through my eyes when I was, gosh, in my early 20s and then through my eyes all the way up until now — and through you guys’ eyes,” Nicks said at the time, per Far Out. “It’s really quite an amazing metamorphosis for this song from generation to generation to generation, and I’m so proud to be a part of it.”

In a 2008 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Nicks called Maines her “favorite person to sing with, ever,” adding, “I could happily be a part of the Dixie Chicks. Even though they’re billed as country artists, they’re very rock ‘n’ roll.”

For Lindsey Buckingham, however, the Dixie Chicks (and their “Landslide”) weren’t rock ‘n’ roll enough.

“’Landslide’ is a great song, but I don’t want anyone to get the funny idea about Fleetwood Mac and country,” Buckingham told Guitar World in 2003. “Somebody at our label was talking about how we should broaden our audience, and they started talking about putting us on Country Music Television. I had to say, ‘Whoa! Stop right there.’ There’s a certain kind of profile you want to put out there. And that isn’t it.”

Related: The True Story Behind the Iconic Fleetwood Mac Performance Fans Still Can’t Get Over

If you enjoy tending to your garden every day, then going on vacation may make you feel a bit stressed. Even if you have a friend or a hired gardener who’s going to check on your precious tomatoes while you’re out of town, it’s fair to be worried that you’ll come home to rotting or dying plants.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to prepare your garden before heading out of town, which will help keep all your plants in tip-top shape while you’re gone!

To learn more, we spoke with Angie Kristoff, a Denver-based zone 6a gardener and the founder of the blog Angie’s Recipe Garden, and Corinne Beirne, kitchen garden coach and the founder of www.TheNourishedGarden.com.

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“It’s important to prep your garden before going away to help set it up for the best success while leaving for a trip, otherwise small problems can become big ones while you’re away,” Beirne tells Parade.

Below, Kristoff and Beirne share six things they always do before leaving for vacation—keep reading for their insights.

Related: 9 Perennials to Cut Back in Late August—and 5 You Should Leave Alone

Why Is It Important to Prep Your Garden Before Going Away?

“When we aren’t tending the garden daily (even just a quick check), we miss the signs the plants give us,” such as wilting or bolting, which “can lead to larger issues later,” Kristoff explains.

“Prepping garden beds is done to limit overall plant stress while we are gone,” she adds. “This also helps us enjoy our time away and we can ease back into gardening versus having to get right into the garden as soon as we get home.”

6 Things Gardeners Always Do Before Leaving for Vacation 1. Check the weather

Jose Gonzalez Buenaposada / Getty Images

If the weather is going to be hotter than usual while you’re away, Kristoff recommends applying shade cloth to your garden, ideally by clipping the cloth to plant cages.

“The last thing you want is to leave and then have a heat wave come through and come back to bolted lettuce and wilted tomatoes,” says Kristoff.

“Shade cloth is important for both the soil and the plants themselves,” she explains. “If the soil is in direct sunlight, it dries quicker and can create unneeded stress to the plants. When the soil stays moist longer, this helps keep the roots cooler. Applying a shade cloth is an excellent way to ensure cooler soil & plants.”

2. Mulch the bed

stevanovicigor / Getty Images

“Similar to adding shade cloth, mulching keeps the soil cooler,” Kristoff says. “I’ve found up to a 20-degree difference in bare soil vs mulched soil in my garden.”

She notes that in this case, you should not use wood chips in your mulching; rather, she recommends opting for burlap coffee bags.

“The burlap coffee bags are an easy, often free, way to cover large areas of the garden,” she says. “If using burlap bags, you get the added benefit of retaining water a bit longer! I recommend either cutting the burlap bag and using two layers; this gives more flexibility around the plants in the bed.”

You can also mulch with garden waste such as leaves and grass clippings. If you’re doing this, she says to aim for a 2-inch layer of garden waste.

Related: Target’s ‘Durable’ $52 Raised Metal Garden Bed Is ‘Easy to Assemble’ and Fits ‘Quite a Few Plants’

3. Harvest your crops

picture alliance / Getty Images

Before going on vacation, “harvesting is important because leaving fruit, like tomatoes for example, for too long on the vine stops the plant from producing new fruit,” explains Beirne. “Harvesting as much semi-ripe or ripe fruit before leaving will signal the plant to continue focusing on new areas of growth.”

Kristoff concurs that if you’re going out of town, you should “not leave ripe veggies on the vine, as this “can cause other issues in the garden. Not only can they become overripe, some may burst or fall and rot. Ripe veggies on the vine or on the garden soil can attract pests, rodents, and reseeding.”

That said, what are you going to do with all these freshly harvested ripe veggies if you’re about to go on vacation!?

“If I harvest almost ripe veggies, I’ll consider taking them with me on my trip,” says Kristoff. This would work best if you’re going on a road trip and staying somewhere with a kitchen, of course. “All other harvested veggies either go in the fridge or to a friend. This is one of the easiest things to do before vacation that has the largest impact as far as reducing future issues.”

4. Weeding

HMVart / Getty Images

“Do not let the weeds take nutrients or spread while you are gone,” warns Kristoff. “Weeds in the garden are never good, but they seem to thrive after getting a boost of water and the perfect conditions we are giving our plants. Depending on the weed and how much time I have, sometimes I will cheat and just pull the weed flower,” as this ensures that it won’t bloom and spread its seeds.

“I always make sure I get any grasses out of my bed,” she adds. “Those seem to really thrive in perfect conditions. As you weed, this is a great time to water, and then apply the mulch.”

Related: Why Your Pumpkin Plant Has Flowers but No Pumpkins

5. Secure anything that could be damaged by wind

Joe_Potato / Getty Images

Prior to heading out of town, Kristoff recommends asking yourself the following questions: “Do you have tomato cages that are not staked? Are your top-heavy plants like tomatoes or peppers taller than 1 foot? Do you have things in the beds that can blow around?”

If so, they should be secured, just in case heavy winds come through. This may involve staking down plant cages, securing shade cloths and burlap bags and adding supports to top-heavy plants and flowers.

“Before leaving for any amount of time, this step always gets done in my garden,” she says. “I have found my tomatoes and peppers that weren’t quite tall enough to need a cage three days ago had a growth spurt while I was gone and now are toppling over or wind-blown.”

Beirne agrees that “securing top heavy or climbing plants is critical,” noting that tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, climbing beans and climbing peas in particular can benefit from a trellis.

“Training them up a trellis not only prevents fragile stems from snapping from being too top-heavy, but it will also help prevent pests and disease while your away,” she says.

6. Give the plants a deep water reserve

Bilanol / Getty Images

“Whether you have someone coming to water or sprinklers that will run, this tip is still essential,” explains Kristoff. “Watering deep allows the roots to receive a lot of water. The soil will be very moist, and this, along with the other tips, will ensure the plants have water to draw from for longer than just the surface watering.”

Before Kristoff goes away, she turns her hose to a gentle sprinkle setting and lays it on the ground in between a few plants at a time. After about a minute in one area, she uses her finger to feel the soil. If there’s still any dryness, she lets the hose go for another minute. Then, she repeats this in each section of her garden until everything has been watered.

You can even do this if you’ve applied mulch or burlap, by first running the hose beneath that layer to deep water the soil, and then separately wetting the mulch and burlap afterwards.

“When it comes to watering, think of your plants like little kids,” adds Beirne. “They need a predictable water schedule like a child needs a predictable snack schedule in order to thrive and stay happy.”

In Beirne’s opinion, the best way to keep your plants watered while going away is drip irrigation at the roots. “Set a timer early in the morning (and for hotter climates, automatically water again in the afternoon), so you don’t have to worry about it,” she says. “This gives the roots the deep soak they need to keep growing while your gone.”

Up Next:

Related: The One Mistake That’s Causing Your Basil to Flower Too Early, According to Gardeners

Sources:

• Angie Kristoff, zone 6a gardener and the founder of the blog Angie’s Recipe Garden.
• Corinne Beirne, kitchen garden coach and the founder of www.TheNourishedGarden.com.

We don’t think much about blood flow. It happens naturally without us having to do anything but go about our lives—unless something happens that forces us to think about it. Poor blood flow can contribute to heart attacks and strokes (on the severe end) and issues regulating body temperature (is that why you’re always cold?). Blood flow is vital to our overall health, and fitness experts say it’s worth considering.

“Healthy blood flow delivers oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, skin, nerves, and other tissues of the legs while carrying away metabolic waste products,” explains Jordan Boreman, MS, CES, XPS, ACSM CPT, FMS, an exercise physiologist with the Cleveland Clinic. “Good circulation helps support muscle performance, recovery, temperature regulation and overall vascular health.” 

It’s no wonder we refer to essential parts of our lives and workplaces as “lifeblood.” Unfortunately, we don’t always do everything we can to protect our blood flow. Some factors that can influence blood flow are beyond our control, such as certain medications, medical conditions and aging. But we can feel empowered to step our game up in other areas to support blood flow, like getting enough physical activity. In fact, Boreman says certain exercises can help to improve blood flow.

“As the leg muscles contract, they help push blood back toward the heart,” he explains. “Exercise also increases heart rate and cardiac output, allowing more oxygen-rich blood to reach working muscles.”

What are the best exercises to improve blood flow? Fitness experts share their seven favorites.

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7 Exercises That Can Help Improve Blood Flow in the Legs

If you want to get blood moving in the legs, you need to get moving yourself.

“Without regular movement, blood can pool or stagnate in the lower extremities, causing pressure in the veins,” states Rebecca Stewart, CPT, a certified personal trainer and mobility coach and the CEO and founder of MovementFX.

You don’t need to sweat too hard to improve blood flow in the legs, though. Done consistently, fitness experts say that these quick-and-simple exercises will keep blood and oxygen circulating.

1. Standing marches

Stewart loves that standing marches are a low-impact exercise that improves leg circulation, making them accessible to people of all fitness levels. She says the move activates the thigh muscle pump, forcing deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

Muscles worked: Quadriceps, glutes, hip flexors (iliopsoas) and calves

1. Find a stable surface to hold on to, such as a wall, countertop or table. 
2. Stand tall with your feet about hip width apart. 
3. Engage your core and squeeze your glutes.
4. Slowly lift one knee towards the ceiling as high as comfortable, up to 90 degrees, then hold for 1–2 seconds. 
5. Return your foot to the ground in a slow, controlled manner. 
6. Repeat on the other leg. Alternate between both legs in a slow, continuous marching motion. 
7. You can flex your foot hard at the top of the movement to further engage the calf muscle pump. 
   

Sets/reps: Stewart suggests doing 2–3 sets of 10–15 reps, or marching for 30–60-second intervals.

Modifications: You can turn your body to face a wall and use both of your hands for support, pushing into the wall at shoulder level. Alternatively, you can shorten the range of motion by only lifting 2–3 inches off the ground while still tensing your leg muscles. 

Progressions: Hold for 3–5 seconds at the top and add ankle weights or a looped resistance band between your feet. “Over time, work to challenge your balance and stability by moving away from the wall,” Stewart suggests. 

2. Heel raises

You may know these as “calf raises.” When you strengthen your calves, Boreman says you bolster venous circulation (a fancy term for blood flow through your veins, which transports blood and nutrients throughout your body).

Muscles worked: Gastrocnemius (outer calf muscle), soleus (deep calf muscle) and foot stabilizers

1. Stand with feet hip-width apart.
2. Hold onto a sturdy surface if needed.
3. Rise onto your toes.
4. Pause for 1–2 seconds.
5. Slowly lower your heels.

Sets/reps: 2–3 sets of 10–15 reps

3. Air squats

Arguably a more-fun name for “bodyweight squats,” Stewart notes that air squats engage the largest muscle groups in your body (quads, hamstrings and glutes). “It’s a compound, multi-joint movement that essentially acts as a physical pump to aid in blood circulation in addition to engaging the calf muscle pump. The up-and-down motion helps return blood to the heart,” she says.

Muscles worked: Quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes and calves

1. Stand straight and position your feet hip-width or shoulder-width apart. Make sure your weight is evenly distributed across your foot, from your heel to your big toe and pinky toe. 
2. Hold your arms in front of your chest, making one hand into a fist and cupping it with the other. Press both hands together to help engage your upper body muscles.  
3. Engage your core and sit your hips backward as if you were going to sit back in a chair or on a couch. 
4. Lower as far as you comfortably can while maintaining tension in your body and keeping your heels on the ground. 
5. Imagine pressing your feet through the floor and letting your chest rise to return to standing. 

Sets/reps: 2–3 sets of 8-12 reps

Modification: Squat to a chair or bench, then stand back up for more assistance with the movement.

Progression: Hold a weight in your hands, add a pause at the bottom for 1–3 seconds, or add tempo to the movement by lowering for 3 seconds and going back up for 3 seconds. 

4. Point and flex/ankle pumps

Ballerinas were onto something when they started pointing and flexing during their warm-ups. By activating the calf muscle pump, Stewart says this exercise encourages natural circulation. She loves it for preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot in a deep vein, during long travel days, periods of bedrest or recovery. It can also reduce fluid build-up and swelling, without making you bear weight (or even get out of bed).

Muscles worked: Gastrocnemius (outer calf muscle), soleus (deep calf muscle) and tibialis anterior (front of shin)

1. Sit up straight or lie flat on your back with legs extended straight out in front of you.
2. Flex your feet and pull your toes back towards your face until you feel a stretch. Hold for 3 seconds. 
3. Point your feet and push your toes away from you as if depressing a gas pedal. Hold for 3 seconds. 
4. Repeat the flex and point steps back and forth in a smooth, continuous motion until you’ve completed your reps. 

Sets/reps: Aim for 10–30 reps every hour or working up to continuously doing this exercise for 2–3 minutes at a time.

Modification: You can do one leg at a time to reduce discomfort (and boredom). “If you’re dealing with foot or leg swelling, you can also do this exercise with your feet/legs elevated,” Stewart adds.

Progression: Use a therapy band around the ball of your foot to increase resistance to the point/push phase of the move.

Related: Pilates Instructors Share Their 7 Favorite Longevity-Boosting Exercises

5. Leg extensions

You don’t need a gym machine to do a leg extension and reap the blood-flowing benefits. Since leg extensions activate the large quadriceps muscles in the front of your legs, Stewart says you’ll contract and stimulate deep veins, boosting circulation.

Muscles worked: Quadriceps, hip flexors and knee stabilizers.

1. Sit in a sturdy chair with your back straight and feet flat on the floor. 
2. Slowly straighten one leg by lifting your foot until it’s parallel to the floor. 
3. Tighten/squeeze your thigh muscles at the top, and hold for 2–3 seconds. 
4. Return your foot to the floor in a slow, controlled motion. 
5. Complete all reps on one leg.
6. Switch legs and repeat. 

Sets/reps: Stewart suggests starting with 2–3 sets of 10 reps and working toward completing 3 of 15–20 reps.

6. Glute bridge

Boreman notes that glute bridges strengthen your backside’s muscles while promoting blood flow through your lower body.

Muscles worked: Glutes, hamstrings and core

1. Lie on your back with knees bent.
2. Place your feet flat on the floor.
3. Tighten your core.
4. Lift your hips until your body forms a straight line from shoulders to knees.
5. Hold briefly.
6. Lower with control.

Sets/reps: 2–3 sets of 10–15 reps

7. Legs up the wall (Viparita Karani)

It’s the epitome of relaxation, and Stewart says that the classic yoga pose can also improve leg circulation. “Gravity assists your veins in returning blood to your heart because your legs are elevated above your core,” she explains. “This reduces swelling and eases the work that your cardiovascular system is required to do.”

Muscles worked: Hamstrings and calves (stretches), quads and hip flexors (relaxes)

1. Place a folded blanket or a pillow near a wall to support your lower back.
2. Sit sideways next to the wall with your hips as close as possible to it. 
3. Swing your legs up the wall as you lie down flat on your back. 
4. Adjust if needed so your glutes are as close as comfortable to the wall. 
5. Rest your arms in a comfortable position. 

Sets/reps: Stewart suggests starting with this restorative pose for at least 5 minutes, gradually working up to 15–20 minutes if desired. 

Related: What Happens to Your Body When You Do Glute Bridges Every Day, Personal Trainers Reveal

How To Get Started

Starting a new workout routine can feel challenging, especially if you’re coming back from a break. She offered her top three tips for getting started.

1. Start small

You don’t have to sit with your legs up on a wall for 20 minutes right out of the gate.

“It’s really easy to bite off more than you can chew or feel like you need to go all in when starting a new exercise routine,” Stewart says. “However, people often get burnt out because it doesn’t fit their lifestyle or schedule. Don’t feel like you need to overhaul your whole life.”

She notes that even 3 to 5 minutes of exercise can add up.

2. Focus on proper form

Starting slow and gradually working your way up lets you focus on form over the weight you’re using and your speed.

“Mastering the basic form is crucial for maintaining safety and the ability to progress movements as you become more comfortable,” Stewart says. “Exercising with improper form can eventually slow down or set back your progress.”

3. Listen to your body

Exercise can help you increase body awareness, but you have to listen to it in the first place. “Some mild discomfort is necessary to gain strength,” Stewart says. “However, if anything causes sharp pain, it’s a sign to stop.” 

Up Next:

Related: The 3 Best Types of Exercise for Brain Health, According to a Cleveland Clinic Neurologist

Sources:

• Jordan Boreman, MS, CES, XPS, ACSM CPT, FMS, an exercise physiologist with the Cleveland Clinic
• Rebecca Stewart, CPT, a certified personal trainer and mobility coach and the CEO and founder of MovementFX

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There’s a reason loafers keep finding their way back into our wardrobes. They’re comfortable, easy to style, and can instantly pull an outfit together, whether you’re going for a casual or chic look. From classic leather pairs to chunkier, more modern shapes, loafers are having another moment — and Walmart is selling the iconic style. The Ablanczoom Loafers are 48% off right now, and they’re the perfect go-to for the fall season. 

The footwear originally cost $27, but has been reduced to as low as $14 in the rich brown and classic black colorways. The loafers are also available in beige and a different black hue for $20 (this black option offers a contrasting tan bottom and is available in significantly more sizes). The sizes range from 5 to 11.5, and it’s advised that you size down since they run slightly large. According to reviewers, you should only go up half a size for the loafers to fit “perfectly.” 

Ablanczoom Loafers, From $14 (were $27) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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The loafers look like luxurious leather but are actually made of a polyester, which is why they’re generously affordable. The rubber outsole is shock-absorbent, slip-resistant, and offers incredible traction that a lot of loafer styles don’t usually have. The material is extremely “soft” and flexible, so you can move in them freely and easily. The breathable pigskin lining in the insole is designed to provide all-day comfort and prevent overheating, making them a great seasonal transition shoe. 

Ablanczoom Loafers, From $16 (were $27) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

We really love the gold-toned detailing on the sides of the loafers, because it makes them an even better choice for upscale and professional events. The side stitching is immaculate and adds a subtle texture to the loafers that make them look way more expensive. Shoppers agreed that they’re “perfect for any occasion,” adding that they’re “lightweight,” “very comfortable,” and “stylish.” Another added that they have “good foot support.”

Reviewers pointed out that since the loafers aren’t stiff, you don’t have to break them in when they arrive at your door. You can wear them right out of the box to run errands, walk the dog, hang out with friends, or head to a fancy dinner. Due to the fact that they’re not bulky or heavy, they’re a great option for frequent travelers who are focused on packing a stress-free suitcase. 

Shop More Deals 

• Cate & Chloe Crace White Gold-Plated Hoop Earrings, $18 (was $42) at Walmart
• UVN Crewneck Pleated Blouse, $11 (was $22) at Walmart 
• Vonmay Unisex Clogs, $16 (were $20) at Walmart

These bestselling loafers will slip on and off your foot easily, so they’re the perfect shoe to throw on when you’re on-the-go. Wear them with jeans, slacks, dresses, skirts, and more. But first — add them to your Walmart cart while they’re on sale for as little as $14! 

Related: Walmart’s ‘Whimsical’ $23 Book-Shaped Crossbody Purse Is Basically a Love Letter to Bibliophiles

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For Paris Jackson, her father’s birthday carries both love and loss.

The singer marked what would have been Michael Jackson’s 68th birthday by releasing two deeply personal songs.

Michael, known around the world as the “King of Pop,” died in June 2009, when Paris was just 11 years old.

Paris, now 28, released “The Breeze” and “Just Me and You” as a double single on Saturday, August 29. “The Breeze” ends with a moving recording of Michael’s voice telling his daughter, “I Love You, Paris.”

The private moment left fans in tears. However, the “Let Down” singer stressed that the songs were not intended as a conventional public memorial.

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“It’s not a tribute. It’s not a commemoration. It’s not a demonstration of any kind,” she wrote on Instagram.

“It is a letter. It is a poem of the sonic variety. It is my honest experience – with love, loss, and para-social relationships vs a personal one.”

What Does Michael Jackson Say in “The Breeze”?

The recording at the end of “The Breeze” appears to capture Michael saying, “I Love You Paris.”

One listener shared on X: “Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris Jackson, released a new single today on her father birthday, called “The Breeze,” which has Michael Jackson’s voice at the end of the song saying “I Love You Paris”. Truly Heartwarming”

Michael died in June 2009 after suffering cardiac arrest, ABC News reported at the time. Paris, the pop icon’s only daughter with Debbie Rowe, was 11 at the time.

“Just Me and You” explores the tension between private grief and the public’s continued fascination with Michael. “Anything that’s real will leave them outraged and appalled,” Paris sings. “Headless words’ll tell me that it’s all my fault / Hey, just for clicks, maybe it is.”

She also addresses her desire to protect what remains personal. “Keeping what I have left close to my heart / They’ll twist it and interpret it as something cold and stark,” she sings.

Later, Paris offers a stark reflection on the continued consumption of her father’s legacy:

“Sucking on your bones is the final act / They ate you alive / Would you look at that? / Even in death, when there’s nothing left.”

Why Are Michael Jackson’s Fans in Tears? Michael Jackson (1958-2006), American singer-songwriter and dancer, during a concert at the Parc des Princes. Paris (16th arrondissement), June 27, 1988.

(Photo by Christian Rose/Roger Viollet via Getty Images)

Listeners flooded social media with emotional reactions after hearing “The Breeze.” The brief recording of Michael’s voice proved especially emotional for listeners. “It was the first thing I heard this morning and it made me cry,” one person shared.

View this post on Instagram

Another wrote: “Happy heavenly birthday MJ forever loved and missed ❤️remembered”

“Regardless of whether they’re biologically his, he raised em and them his kids. Grieving a parent never ends,” one listener wrote.

“She had another song about her daddy,The Breeze. It made me cry 😢” another added.

“The transition with the younger voice and Michael at the end .. I’m sobbing !! This song is genius. Sending you lots of love,” read one YouTube comment.

Another listener reflected on how young Paris was when her father died, writing, “She was just a kid when she lost him. It’s so tragic. I have tears in my eyes listening to this song. Happy birthday Michael ❤”

“I’ve never cried this hard to a single before. It felt like i lost somebody i love,” a third person shared.

Another fan explained why hearing Michael’s voice carried so much emotional weight: “Just a few seconds of Michael’s voice, yet somehow they were enough to make me cry. My heart truly yearns for Michel — a soul that feels far too pure for this world. The love he has for his girl is so deeply evident in the way he speaks about her. And as a daughter, hearing your dad say those words to you is something so precious. It tells you that you were loved, cherished, and truly had the best dad.❤️”

“This song shattered me… I sobbed so hard listening to this and Michael’s voice at the end .. really was the cherry on top 2:38 .. Paris this is the best gift your father could ever ask for! It’s beautiful❤️” another viewer wrote.

Maria Bello, 59, is every bit the blonde icon that she was in Coyote Ugly.

The acclaimed actress became a fan favorite for her role in 2000’s Coyote Ugly. She played Lil, the proprietor of the hotspot where Piper Perabo‘s character, Violet, gets a job dancing on the bar while attempting to pursue a musical career. The tough-talking boss went down in history as an audience favorite, and Bello continued her upward career trajectory with acclaimed films like The Cooler and A History of Violence. A longtime presence on NCIS, Bello has also built a successful producing career for herself in recent years. But she returned to a comedy classic on the set of Grown Ups 3 this weekend in Keansburg, New Jersey. Looking ageless 26 years after Coyote, Bello appears to have barely changed since she ran the bar with an iron fist.

Bobby Bank / Getty Images

For a more formal shot of Bello, check her out at the Don’t Say Good Luck premiere earlier this month in New York City.

Theo Wargo / Getty Images

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Bello Is a Devoted Mom

It’s hard to believe that Bello has a 25-year-old son, but she’s the proud mom of Jackson Blue. In an Instagram post earlier this year, Bello honored her handsome son on his birthday.

“My son (SUN). My moon and stars. My favorite person in the world. My kind and loyal friend. My protective warrior. My life. 25 years ago today we were blessed with your existence. Thank you for choosing me to be your Mama. Happy Birthday Jackson Blue! May you always keep dancing. 😊❤️❤️❤️,” she captioned the sweet photo, which showed her planting a kiss on her son’s cheek.

View this post on Instagram Bello Filed For Divorce Last Year

After just one year of marriage, Bello filed for divorce from her wife, chef Dominique Crenn, last year, TMZ.com reported. The couple made their first public appearance together at the 2020 Academy Awards, sharing that they had gotten engaged in December 2019 while traveling in Paris.

Related: Michelle Pfeiffer, 68, Looks Ageless in New Selfie—and Has a Message for Retirement Rumors

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There’s already a lot to consider when you’re trying to find a haircut that actually works for you. Your hair texture, density, face shape, lifestyle (and even how much time you want to spend styling it) can all change which cuts look and feel best. Then, you add glasses to the equation, and suddenly your haircut has another accessory to play nice with. Frames can often compete with bangs, tuck into layers or make an otherwise perfect style feel a little…off. It’s understandable that many women are left wondering about the best short hairstyles for over 60 with glasses.

And as we age, that styling puzzle can get even trickier. Hair naturally tends to become finer, drier and less dense over time, while the cuts we loved 10 or 20 years ago don’t always have the same effect now. A style that once gave you effortless volume might suddenly fall flat, while certain lengths can make finer hair look thinner or overwhelm your features. Glasses can amplify all of those little details, which is why finding a haircut that works with your frames rather than against them can make such a difference.

That’s where a great short ‘do comes in. Shorter styles can give thinning or fine hair more shape and movement, while creating a cleaner frame around your face and leaving plenty of room for your glasses to be part of the look.

The key is choosing the right version for you, because there’s no universal “best” haircut when your hair, face and frames are all part of the equation. Read on for seven short hairstyles that make a particularly flattering pairing with glasses, according to top stylists.

Related: Does Rice Water Actually Help Hair Growth? I Tried It for 30 Days

Stylist’s Golden Rule: Balancing Your Haircut With Your Frames

If there’s one thing more people should know about the best short haircuts for older women with glasses, it’s that your haircut and frames should be a package deal. “Women often choose a haircut and their glasses as two separate decisions,” says Amerah Underwood, stylist and co-founder of UMI Salon.

But it’s important to keep in mind that frames sit directly on top of your hair’s “frame” (aka your face) and the goal should be for the haircut to create “negative space where the glasses are,” rather than competing with them.

That means a bold, angular pair of glasses can actually be a fun excuse to soften things up with movement around the face, while thin or rimless frames give you more freedom to go structured with sharper lines. And if you are after some serious volume, Underwood recommends keeping the hair “above the brow line or below the cheekbone,” rather than piling it up at the temples, where it can collide with your glasses’ arms and create unnecessary bulk.

Basically, the best short hairstyles for women over 60 with glasses aren’t about choosing between a great haircut and great frames—they’re about making the two look like they were meant to be together.

Related: 12 Hairstyles That ‘Fake Fullness’ on Fine Hair for Women Over 50, from Bold Curls to a Pixie

7 Best Short Hairstyles for Women Over 60 With Glasses

Here are the haircuts that stylists recommend the most.

1. Curtain bangs

Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

If a full haircut overhaul feels like a lot, start with the front. Curtain bangs are an easy way to refresh a short hairstyle without committing to a dramatic chop and Gina Rivera, hairstylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites calls bangs an “instant ticket to a more youthful look.” Better yet, they’re incredibly forgiving with glasses.

A longer, side-swept bang or curtain fringe can be parted, swept away from the frames or worn more forward depending on the day, giving you plenty of styling options without constantly fighting your glasses.

Rivera says the longer shape “allows for versatility when styling,” making this one of the best options for women who want a little change without going full reinvention.

Related: These Bangs Are Flattering at Any Age, According to a Top Stylist

2. Textured pixie

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Ready to go short-short? A textured pixie makes glasses look less like an accessory and more like part of the whole look. Just take it from Rita Moreno. The secret is keeping the cut piece-y and imperfect rather than overly sculpted, then using a texture spray or paste to bring those little layers to life.

“It supports the definition of the cut,” Rivera explains, and adding bangs “can take it to a whole new level,” whether they’re jagged, side-swept or blunt.

There’s also plenty of room to have fun with color here, since a professional colorist can add another dimension to the cut. Translation: A pixie cut with glasses doesn’t have to mean one specific look. It can be edgy, soft, playful or sophisticated depending on how it’s personalized.

3. Classic lob

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

The lob has survived approximately a million haircut trends for a reason: It’s just good. Essentially a longer bob, the style gives hair enough length to move while still keeping the overall shape controlled and flattering around glasses. Rivera calls it “extremely natural,” and that effortless quality is a big part of its appeal.

A subtle blowout paired with highlights or lowlights can add dimension without making the color look overly done, while the cut itself balances structure and softness. For women over 60 who want something timeless but not boring, this is one of those hairstyles that can quietly make everything look a little more pulled together.

4. Layered shag

Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage

The shag is basically an invitation to stop fighting your hair. Rather than fussing over every strand, this cut relies on longer, choppy layers and a deliberately undone shape that looks even better when it isn’t too perfect.

The styling is wonderfully low-maintenance. Rivera advises to “stay away from a comb” and use your fingers to guide the hair where you want it to fall. Finish with a lightweight spray and let the layers do the rest.

That finger-styled approach gives the cut a relaxed, youthful energy, while the movement around the face keeps glasses from feeling too heavy or visually overwhelming. Consider it a wash-and-wear haircut for women over 60 with a little more attitude.

Related: 9 Best Shaggy, Choppy Cuts for Medium-Length, Layered Hair, Stylists Reveal

5. Curly crop

Getty

Curly-haired women, this one’s worth bookmarking. A cropped cut with tighter sides and more fullness on top lets the curls create their own soft frame around the face, which is especially pretty with glasses.

Underwood describes the combination as an “opposites attract” situation. The rounded shape of the curls plays against angular frames, creating balance rather than having both compete for attention.

And the styling routine is refreshingly simple, too—just work curl cream through soaking-wet hair, plop with a microfiber towel, then diffuse on low heat. The result is bouncy, touchable and full of personality (aka the exact opposite of a haircut that feels like it’s trying too hard).

6. Side-swept bob

Brad Barket/Getty Images

A side part can do some serious heavy lifting when glasses are involved. This jaw-length bob a la Helen Mirren features “a deep side part and soft pieces that sweep back from the face,” says Underwood, creating a little breathing room around the temples instead of letting hair pile up where the frames sit.

The length also lands right around the jaw, which helps “balance heavier glasses” and gives the entire look a polished shape. For styling, Underwood recommends blow-drying the front away from the face with a round brush and use a light-hold spray to lock in the part. It’s sleek without being stiff, and feminine without feeling overly-styled.

7. Sleek bob

Juan Naharro Gimenez/WireImage

Sometimes the best way to make glasses work with a haircut is to simply get out of their way. A sleek, “chin-length bob with minimal layering” keeps the hair clean around the frames, while a closely cut nape gives the classic shape a surprisingly modern edge, says Underwood.

The simplicity is what makes it work—there’s no bulky volume competing with the glasses, just a crisp silhouette that lets the frames become part of the overall styling. Add a subtle fringe if it suits the face shape, “flat-iron the lengths for shine and tuck the hair behind the ears.” The finished look is chic and full of personality.

The Bangs Debate: Does Fringe Work With Glasses?

Yes, absolutely. If you’ve been wondering whether bangs are off-limits when you wear glasses, Marc Ballance, celebrity hairstylist for Nick Jonas and Neelam Gill, says the opposite can actually be true, adding that bangs “can work beautifully with glasses when they’re tailored to the individual.”

The trick is all in the customization and, most importantly, “getting the length and shape right” so your fringe complements your frames instead of fighting for attention. In fact, Ballance says your frames can almost become part of the styling equation, helping guide “the way the fringe naturally falls” throughout the day.

A well-cut fringe can also draw attention right where you want it (aka your eyes) while adding softness and personality to everything from a pixie cut to a bob hairstyle. The only real rule? Make sure your stylist considers your features, hair texture and how you actually wear your glasses every day before reaching for the scissors.

Related: The 9 Most Flattering Bob Haircuts for Women Over 60 With Thinning Hair

How To Match Your Haircut to Your Glasses Frame Shape Round frames

Round frames already bring plenty of softness to the face, so a haircut with a little structure can create a nice contrast. Underwood recommends pairing them with “some angularity,” whether that’s a blunt bob, a sharp side part or a pixie with defined edges.

The idea is less about following a strict formula and more about adding a line or shape that keeps everything from becoming too rounded. That said, round frames with a soft, curly cut can look incredible too, so consider this a jumping-off point, not a glasses-and-hair rulebook.

Rectangular or square frames

If your frames have strong, straight lines, softer hair can be the perfect counterbalance. Styles such as waves, curls or a layered shag add movement around the face and “to take the edge off the frame’s straight lines,” says Underwood, which is a pretty good styling philosophy in general.

A sleek bob can absolutely work here, too, especially if you love a more sophisticated look. The goal is simply to avoid feeling like every element of the look is competing to be the sharpest thing in the room.

Cat-eye frames

Cat-eye glasses are already doing some of the heavy lifting when it comes to creating lift, so why not play along? A little volume at the crown, a swept-back crop or a bob with some root lift can echo the frames’ naturally upward angle and make the whole look feel pulled together, says Underwood. But there’s no need to go full vintage bombshell unless that’s your vibe. Even a subtle lift can complement the shape without making the haircut feel overly styled.

Oval frames

Oval frames tend to be pretty easygoing, which means there’s room to have fun with the haircut. Underwood suggests a “side-swept or asymmetrical cut” to introduce a diagonal line that the frames don’t naturally provide.

A deep side part, side-swept fringe or slightly longer piece on one side can all create that visual movement. And because oval frames are relatively neutral, they’re also a great excuse to ignore the “rules” entirely and choose the haircut that makes you feel the most like yourself.

Oversized frames

When the glasses are making a statement, the hair doesn’t necessarily need to fight for attention. Underwood recommends keeping the hair “closer to the head around the temples,” when sporting oversized frames, which makes a sleek bob or tucked crop particularly flattering.

That little bit of negative space gives the glasses room to shine without hair piling up around the sides of the face. Of course, if maximalism is the goal, pile on the volume and let the glasses and hair have their main-character moment together. The best hairstyles for women over 60 with glasses are ultimately the ones that feel intentional, not the ones that follow every supposed rule.

5 Essential Styling Products for Short Hair (That Won’t Smudge Your Lenses) 1.Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, $52

Sephora

Shop It at Sephora

Short hair and glasses can be a surprisingly tricky combo when styling products start migrating toward your face, so lightweight texture is the move. Underwood recommends a “lightweight texturizing paste,” but never wax, noting that wax-based formulas can transfer onto lenses if you touch your hair and then your frames.

This texturizing spray gives short styles that grippy, piece-y finish without the heavy, sticky feeling that can make both hair and glasses feel like they’ve been through it. It’s especially useful for creating definition in pixies and bobs while keeping the temples relatively clean.

2. Bumble & bumble Surf Spray, $35

Sephora

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For that slightly undone, I-woke-up-like-this texture, Bumble & bumble Surf Spray is a good one to keep in the rotation. The key is using enough to create movement without turning the hair crunchy or overly coated, especially around the frames.

The lightweight formula gives hair grip without leaving residue, and Ballance notes that short hair generally does best with products that stay light and buildable. A few spritzes can add body and separation without creating the kind of product buildup that ends up all over your glasses.

3. Living Proof Style Lab Flex Hairspray, $34

Sephora

Shop It at Sephora

Hairspray is useful for keeping a short cut in place, but the wrong formula can turn your glasses into an accidental product catcher. Ballance recommends a “lightweight, buildable aerosol hairspray” for short hair, since waxes and powders can transfer more easily onto frames and lenses throughout the day.

This hairspray fits nicely into that less-is-more approach. A light mist can lock in a side part, keep a pixie piece-y or tame flyaways without making the hair feel shellacked. Basically, it holds the hairstyle, not the glasses hostage.

4. OUAI Curl Cream, $32

Sephra

Shop It at Sephora

Curly hair plus glasses is a whole vibe, but keeping those curls soft around your frames requires the right product texture. Underwood recommends curl cream over gel because “gels can flake and drop onto glasses as they dry down,” while a cream keeps curls flexible without leaving little bits of product behind.

This curl cream is a smart option for defining a curly crop or short, bouncy layers while keeping the finish touchable. The trick is applying it primarily through the hair rather than piling product around the temples, where it can quickly become a glasses situation.

Related: The 16 Best Curly Hair Products, According to Celebrity Stylists

5.K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo, $48

Sephora

Shop It at Sephora

Dry shampoo can be a short-hair lifesaver, particularly when you want to revive volume without fully restyling. But with glasses, placement matters a lot. Underwood recommends keeping dry shampoo “at the roots only” so it boosts volume up top, away from the frames, rather than allowing powdery residue to migrate toward the face.

This dry shampoo works best as a targeted root refresh—spray where the hair actually needs lift, massage it in and leave the area around your temples and glasses as product-free as possible.

Up Next:

Related: The 9 Most Flattering Bob Haircuts for Women Over 60 With Thinning Hair

Sources:

• Amerah Underwood, stylist and co-founder of UMI Salon
• Gina Rivera, hairstylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites
• Marc Ballance, hairstylist