Chip Bergh, who’s served as president and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co. since 2011, delivered a shocker a few years ago when he announced that the 10-year-old jeans he was wearing had never been washed. So what gives—does your denim really need soap and water? Does the old wives’ tale of freezing jeans actually work? We talked with a few experts to find out and learn how to wash jeans so your favorite pair lasts a long time—because once you finally find the perfect pair, you really do want it to last forever....

And there are plenty of other reasons to wear a helmet—not least of all to model good behavior to younger bikers who may also be resistant to wearing one. Depending on where you live, you may even have a legal obligation: According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute website helmets.org, 22 states and the District of Columbia have state-wide laws mandating bike helmets for young riders, and some states and localities have laws for older riders, too....

To buy: Daniela Stretch Dress, $198; saksfifthavenue.com. To buy: Alessandra Floral Embroidered Blouse (similar), $375; saksfifthavenue.com. To buy: Tie Waist Jumpsuit, $179; anntaylor.com. To buy: Pleated Cuff Blouse, $79; whbm.com. To buy: Pleated Georgette Blouse, $170; saksfifthavenue.com.

At first, I rolled my eyes. Did I really need to spend money on another product or could I continue flossing with my single-use flossers? Thankfully, the folks at Waterpik hooked me up with the new Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0 Professional Flossing Toothbrush ($141, amazon.com) for me to test out, and now I’m never going back. My teeth feel so much cleaner after every use, but they look whiter, too. But don’t take it from me....

What are your top tips for self-care? Jennifer Garner: “Hmm…work out every day—I like Limit Fit or Body By Simone; some sort of cardio with music; I make sure I sweat. I like on-demand workouts because you’ll say you’ll do 15 minutes then add some. On days that I take off [from working out], I treat it as a treat. Same with food. I usually take one meal ‘off’ a day....

Say goodbye to leftover fatigue, because we have a plethora of ideas that allow you to use your leftover holiday ham in flavorful, distinct combinations. That way, you’ll almost certainly devour what remains of your Christmas feast before New Year’s. Curious to know what to do with all that leftover ham? Here are 15 recipes that put that holiday dish to work.

The MenuVermouth SpritzerMushroom PizzetteHerb-Roasted Pork ShoulderCreamy Baked Parmesan PolentaCarrots With Spicy Olive-Lemon OilWinter Greens With Fennel and CroutonsLemon Buttermilk Cake With Pistachio Ice Cream Get the recipe. Get the recipe. Get the recipe. Get the recipe. Get the recipe. Get the recipe.

Merit is widely recognized for its take on exceptionally functional beauty products that are approachable and leave your skin looking and feeling better over time—following the brand’s ethos of enhancing your complexion rather than covering it up. Every product also features a detailed ingredient list, so you know exactly what you get before purchasing. While the editor-loved brand has splurge-worthy goods, that doesn’t mean we don’t love a good discount....

It’s not that my couch is uncomfortable per se, but I definitely bought my black-and-gold studded pick because of its looks, not its comfort factor. Because of that, sitting on it for anything over an hour causes my back to tense up. After about a couple months of back cracking and (sort of) helpful yoga stretches, I decided to finally give ergonomic furniture a whirl. The concept has obviously been around for a while, but since I was almost never at home pre-quarantine, I never really felt the need to opt into customized furniture....

“I absolutely love this steamer,” wrote one five-star reviewer. “I needed one because I have [a lot] of very delicate clothes that would burn if ironed, and irons are too big and bulky. I didn’t want to splurge on a professional or expensive steamer, so I saw this one and bought it. [It’s] one of the best purchases of my life! So easy to assemble and [has] very simple instructions and helpful advice....

There are a number of ingredients, so to speak, that make up every farmhouse kitchen. Still, like interior sliding barn doors, they can be adjusted to suit personal preferences, lifestyles, and budgets. These décor elements are the basic iterations most commonly used in farmhouse kitchens, but swapping a subway tile backsplash for a glass tile one won’t ruin the whole look. In fact, it can give a farmhouse kitchen a playful twist....

Even now, when I go home to visit my parents, I can count on a fresh Bath & Body Works soap sitting on the sink. And it’s easy to see why my mom has pledged allegiance to this particular hand soap for all these years. To buy: $8; bathandbodyworks.com. With their luxurious foam formula, chock-full of hydrating ingredients, and wide array of complex and irresistible scents, Bath & Body Works Foaming Hand Soaps are well worth the purchase....

Even the best meditation apps couldn’t help me get into the habit. I had no motivation to get through a guided meditation, regardless of how many soothing sounds or prompts were included. Then I tried MyLife, an app that tailors a personalized meditation plan to your current physical and mental state. (Disclaimer: MyLife and Real Simple share a parent company, but all views are our own.) Although the customized recommendations make the app stand out from competitors, it wasn’t what sold me on MyLife....