The internet has opened up so many different avenues for us to communicate. You can log on and talk with anyone you want in any part of the world, and visit any website that you choose. What’s more, the introduction of smaller devices, like the smartphone and tablet, make it possible for us to access these websites from any location that we want.

While this level of access has opened up a lot of possibilities, there are some issues that need to be addressed. For example, is it still a smart idea to pay for things online when you are out in the open? A lack of internet security is always an issue when surfing the web, and making purchases in an unfamiliar location. Let’s take a look at some of the safe methods that you can use to pay for items online.

What Are The Issues With Paying For Items Online?

You may find yourself thinking, ‘I pay for my items online all of the time and I have never had any issues with security’. This statement is probably true of most of you reading this, especially if you make most of your online purchases from your home. Your personal computer or laptop will likely come with a firewall that prevents any unfriendly hackers from getting into your data files. But what about your smartphone or tablet?

There is no reason for your smartphone to have any security issues themselves; however, some problems can occur when browsing the web when out you are and about. A person needs to disconnect and re-connect to lots of different internet ports while surfing the web on the move. Do you know whether these connections are safe?

It isn’t a huge issue if you are careful, but you may need to make an online purchase when connected to one of these servers. What happens when you forget your wallet, or need to snatch up a quick present? How on Earth can you keep yourself safe making payment transfers to an unfamiliar network? Let’s look at some of the possibilities.

Why Not Just Pay With Debit Card

Most people have a personal bank account that allows them to swipe their connected debit card to make purchases. Unfortunately, you cannot do this when buying objects online. Instead, you are required to type in some of the details on your debit card to allow the site to transfer money straight from your account. These details will often include your account number, sort code and CVC. This process is quick but it can produce some security issues when you make purchases on your smartphone. After all, the details above can be used to gain access to your personal bank account.

Putting your details on an unknown site can give unfriendly eyes access to your money. This is especially dangerous if you aren’t familiar with the connection that you are using. If you need to buy a train ticket home and are in an unknown location, you could be in a spot of bother. So how do you keep prying hands away from your bank details when buying items online? Well, one option is that you could use an alternative payment method like the ones detailed below.

Credit Cards

Anyone that owns their own bank account is likely to be familiar with the idea of a credit card. A credit card allows you to make purchases without having to send payments straight from your bank account. Instead, the amount you use to pay for any purchases is accrued and paid off at the end of the month, or at a time agreed upon by the dispenser of the loan. This means that only the credit company needs to have your bank account details at any one time.

Therefore, you can see how paying with a credit card can circumvent some of the security risks that come from using a debit card to make online purchases. However, please be advised that credit card companies do place interest charges on their customers, which means that you will pay more for the items that you buy using this method. What’s more, while credit cards may be very popular in parts of the USA and Canada, they aren’t used as often in other parts of the world. In fact, the UK has banned the use of credit cards on most online stores. This is because there have been instances of customers buying items they have no intention of paying for, or running up bills that are impossible to pay off. Therefore, both the credit company, the store and the customer lose out.

So, what are the other alternatives?

Digital Wallets

A digital wallet is an online service that acts like a middle man between a customer and the store. A customer that is signed up to a digital wallet service, like PayPal or NetEller, can transfer their money from their bank and into the digital wallet. From there, the payment is processed and then passed on to the retailer.

These digital wallets remove the need for the customer to add their bank details to the site, which is a solid plus. Also, these types of services use higher security protocols to remove the risk of someone gaining access to their customer’s bank accounts. As such, you can see how these digital wallets can help keep us safe when making purchases online.

Unfortunately, a digital wallet service can come with a waiting period. This means that it could take an extra few days for your payment to clear. Also, you may need to pay a fee every time you use the service, which can make online shopping a lot more costly. What’s more, this payment method requires that both parties have access to the service. This means that the stores will also incur charges, a position they are not likely to want to be in. 

Is there an alternative payment method that does not come with additional charges for purchases? Our answer may lie in an unlikely source.

Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrency is a relatively new concept to most, its prevalence only arriving at a similar time the smartphone became a household object. These types of currencies are a digital alternative to the normal means of payment, and come at the cost of real money.

Each bit of the currency is marked with a unique digital strip of data that can be tracked and traced across anywhere on the web. Therefore, no one can make purchases with your cryptocurrency expect you. Now that is security.

Try to think about the benefits of cryptocurrency in the way you view the digital wallets listed above, only now you require a bitcoin wallet. Luckily, Wealth Simple can point you in the direction of one of these wallets if ever you are lost. You can then invest in the currency as a means to make safer transactions.

These currencies remove the need for you to input your bank details in the online space, and do not come with additional charges. However, the worth of your cryptocurrency can rise and fall with the company’s worth on the stock market. This means that ten dollars’ worth of cryptocurrency may be worth twelve dollars one day and then zero the next. Cryptocurrency can be extremely rewarding or devastating. 

Other Types Of Mobile Payments

Buying items online is not the only way that the general public can make purchases with their smartphone. The new tap and go apps are all the rage for the younger generations, and these allow you to make payments by tapping your phone on a machine. The app can transfer money from your bank account to make payments, instead of using your debit card. 

While this method is extremely fast and convenient, it still links your phone to your bank account. Therefore, anyone else that gets a hold of your device may be able to make purchases, particularly if they know your passwords. These apps do come with a payment limit, but losing any amount of money to fraud can sting. Try using one of the alternatives above to offset any concerns you have about mobile payments.

Only Make Online Purchases From Home

Every alternative payment method discussed in this article has come with a series of both positives and negatives. None of these negatives are life-destroying, but they can still put you off from using them. In this case it may be wise to only make online purchases when you are at home on your personal PC.

As long as you trust your home internet connection, you can always wait until you are home to make a purchase. This method won’t help you when in need of an Uber ride or a train ticket, but it is helpful when you find a deal on that item of clothing you have always wanted.

Summary

There is no perfect cure for your concerns about online security. Whether its additional payments or waiting times, you are going to have to pay some form of price for online security. Things are improving, and so there will be plenty of other online payment options. Until then, look at the options laid out in this article and decide which alternative payment method may be right for you.

If asked to guess the most popular plastic surgery procedures, most people would probably (correctly) list rhinoplasty and breast augmentation. Women want augmented breasts for many reasons, but you’ll pay out of pocket as with all cosmetic surgeries, so the cost remains an important factor. 

What Kind of Cost Can I Expect?

Unlike in-office procedures, breast augmentation usually requires an operating room and general anesthetic. This means that in addition to the actual cost of the procedure, your final price will also include some hospital fees, medications, and other assorted items. 

On average, the total cost can come to somewhere between $5000 and $9000. This will vary quite a bit depending on your location, your surgeon’s experience, and other factors, including your choice of implant and surgical method. 

What Are My Breast Augmentation Options?

Breast implants come in two general types: saline and silicone. Also popular are the newer silicone “gummy bear” implants that have an especially natural feel and appearance. Implants offer a wide range of options for the shape of the breasts. The right implant can add upper breast fullness, projection, perkiness, or roundness. 

Surgeons place implants through an incision along the edge of the areola, under the breast, or in the armpit. Surgeons can also use the TUBA (trans-umbilical breast augmentation) method, which inserts an empty saline implant through an incision in the belly button, then fills it with saline to reach the desired size. 

If you have sagging breasts, an augmentation alone may not fix your problem. If you put implants into sagging breasts, you just achieve sagging implants. However, surgeons can perform a breast lift at the same time as an augmentation. This will remove loose skin, lift the breast, relocate the areola to its proper location, and then place the implant in its new, more lifted position. 

What Makes Breast Augmentation Worth the Cost?

Not everyone looking for breast augmentation wants larger breasts. From birth or because of an accident or surgery, some women have unevenly sized or shaped breasts. Surgeons can often place implants in both breasts to achieve symmetry. 

There’s also nothing wrong with wanting larger breasts. Many clothes only fit a certain “ideal” figure, and women with either larger or smaller breasts can struggle to find stylish or functional clothes. Many women feel more comfortable when clothes fit as they should and look good. Many women benefit from the self-confidence boost they feel from their breast augmentation, feeling better about themselves and their appearance.

It can be hard for the many women who wish their breasts were larger to understand why someone would want to make their breasts smaller. Those of us with large breasts know that you can have too much of a good thing, and we each have our own reasons for wanting to get a breast reduction. 

Why Do Women Get Breast Reductions?

Women all have their own reasons for reducing their breasts. In addition, women all have their own idea of what feels too small or large for their own bodies. 

1. When women have large breasts, they often struggle to find comfortable and stylish clothes that accommodate their breasts. Clothes shopping can become expensive and frustrating when nothing seems to fit. 
2. A person’s posture can improve dramatically when you remove a large amount of weight that has been hanging from that person’s chest. Sitting up straight and keeping your back healthy becomes easier with smaller breasts. 
3. Some women experience a tremendous boost in self-esteem as a result of breast reduction. Some of us become accustomed to feeling like people only notice our breasts, and having them reduced can provide a great lift in self-confidence. 
4. Exercising becomes easier. If you’ve ever tried to do yoga poses with large breasts, you may find that they get in your way at every turn. Jogging or other high-impact exercises can cause a lot of discomfort, and finding appropriately fitting exercise gear can cause problems as well. 
5. Women want to get rid of their pain. Large breasts cause pain in the back, neck, shoulders, and other parts of the body. Many women with large breasts experience constant pain as a result. 

What is a Breast Reduction Like?

You’ll be asleep for this surgery. The surgeon will remove extra skin, fat, and breast tissue. During your consultation, your surgeon will talk to you about where your incisions will go and what they will look like when they heal. Incisions for breast reductions are usually larger than those for implants because the surgeon needs to remove loose skin and lift the breasts. 

You’ll need to take at least a week off work, and some people may need a few weeks. You should wait to resume any exercise until your surgeon gives you their approval and follow all instructions for any surgical bra or compression garment they give you. You can expect to feel a lot of soreness after surgery that will decrease over the course of a week or two. 

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, H.I.M.-istry Naturals announced today that it has partnered with Nordstrom to launch its complete line of premier natural men’s grooming products in retail locations across the United States and online at Nordstrom.com. The partnership is a major win and expansion opportunity for the resilient, Black-owned business in the midst of a global pandemic that has hit small businesses the hardest.

H.I.M.-istry, an acronym for “Healthy Image Men,” was founded by Darnell Henderson on the notion that for many men, daily shaving and skincare regimens are one and the same. With that in mind, he set out to develop a line of healthy and powerful men’s grooming products that would go beyond simply prepping skin for shaving, to also address common skin concerns like acne, dryness, premature aging, ingrown hairs, razor irritation and more – all in one simple, easy-to-follow daily regimen.

Henderson entered the men’s grooming industry as a result of his own frustration with finding quality products for the skin issues he developed while serving in the U.S. Navy. As a result of daily shaving and the rigorous physical and mental demands of military life, his skin was frequently irritated and inflamed. None of the unisex products he found at drugstores or mass retailers worked for him. Plus, they were full of unnatural chemicals and not designed around the unique skincare and lifestyle needs of men.

Upon returning to civilian life, Henderson started doing research into the growing field of men’s skincare and began getting regular facials and treatments that finally made a difference in the health of his skin. Driven by a passion to find better daily skincare product options for men like himself, he went back to school and became a licensed skincare specialist and registered nutritionist.

Next, Henderson spent several years working with a highly skilled team of chemists who understood his vision and helped him develop what is now the H.I.M.-istry product line. The company currently offers more than 30 spa-quality products focused on men’s unique needs for skincare, shave care, beard care and body care, all made with natural and certified organic ingredients.

The company achieved its first major milestone in 2007, when it partnered with Macy’s, expanding from three stores to nationwide distribution within the very first year. Unfortunately, just as sales were soaring, the company faced a setback with the dramatic economic downturn of 2008. Determined to keep the brand alive and service existing customers directly, the company shifted to online sales.

Since that time, H.I.M.-istry has evolved and grown into both a strong retail and direct-to-consumer brand through its strategic partnerships with major players like Amazon Premium Brands, Urban Outfitters and Nordstrom. The company also has a strong wholesale business and a presence in luxury barbershops, salons and med spas around the company. (See the Store Locator on the company website for current store locations.)

A commitment to giving back to the community remains at the heart of the company, with five percent of all e-commerce sales going to nonprofit organizations serving the needs of LGBTQ+ and African-American communities, veterans, children, men’s health and scholarships for low-income students. During the online checkout process, customers can choose from six charitable partners to support, including The Trevor Project, Scholarship America, Hope for Warriors, Save the Children, 100 Black Men of America or the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – November 17th, 2021 – Kelly Clarkson looked stunning on Monday night’s episode of The Voice wearing Zoe Lev! The singer wore the 14k Gold Bezel Lariat Necklace ($690; www.zoelev.com).Zoe Lev
14k Gold Bezel Diamond Lariat Necklace, $690
Follow Zoe Lev on Instagram!

“A bad day with coffee is better than a good day without it.”

No more bad skincare days with MasqueBAR’s NEW Coffee Collection, launching this month exclusively at Walmart!  The brand is thrilled to introduce this comprehensive new line of cream masks, sheet masks, scrubs, body masks and eye patches, as well as their new retail partnership with Walmart.

The holidays can be exhausting… fortunately, MasqueBAR (Share A Sale/Skimlinks Affiliates) has brewed nine coffee-infused products to add a shot of caffeine to your skincare routine. Espresso yourself with the following NEW products to revive and recharge your complexion:

• Vanilla Bean Latte Cream Mask – formulated with Coffee Extract, Vanilla Fruit Extract and Anise Fruit Extract, this cream-based mask promotes glowing skin while nourishing dry patches and helping to prevent the visible signs of aging (SRP: $2.99)
• Coffee Cream Mask – Coffee Seed Extract, Shea Butter and Vitamin E nourish, soothe and moisturize the skin (SRP: $2.99)
• Espresso Sheet Mask – this toning sheet mask, formulated with Coffee Extract, Hyaluronic Acid and CICA, helps calm and soothe dry skin while gently promoting a more even texture (SRP: $2.99)
• Pumpkin Spice Latte Cream Mask – this delicious cream mask contains Pumpkin Fruit Extract, Cinnamon Bark Extract and Bergamot Leaf Extract to help cleanse the skin while helping to refine the appearance of pores and nourishing dry patches (SRP: $2.99)
• Coffee Wash-Off Body Mask – a refreshing body mask that contains Coffee Extract, Olive Oil and Shea Butter to exfoliate and reveal nourished, moisturized skin (SRP: $2.99)
• Coffee Exfoliating Scrub – Coffee, Coconut and Cocoa Extracts purify, exfoliate and smooth the skin for a calm, moisturized and refreshed complexion (SRP: $2.99)
• Coffee Mug Eye Patches – formulated with Coffee Extract, Peptides and Vitamin E, this unique printed set of eye patches energizes the under-eye area while nourishing and moisturizing the skin (SRP: $2.99)
• Coffee Bean Eye Patches – Coffee Extract, Vitamin E and Castor Seed Oil work together to refresh the under-eye area while soothing and nourishing the skin with these fun printed set of eye patches (SRP: $2.99)
• Coffee Hydro Gel Eye Patches – infused with Caffeine and Coffee Extract to instantly reduce the look of puffiness, brighten and moisturize. Designed to help exfoliate and soothe, they effectively restore skin radiance, softness and elasticity while diminishing dark circles under the eyes (SRP: $3.99)

MasqueBAR’s NEW Coffee Collection is exclusively available at Walmart and Walmart.com.

Smart Cookie is a young brand based in Miami, Florida, offering new, innovative, and colorful beanies coming with their three interchangeable poms. This is made possible thanks to a powerful and reliable magnetic fastening system integrated into the pom and the beanie. The wearer can easily match the pom to their outfits and mood of the day by easily replacing the pom on top of their beanie, complementing and enhancing their overall look. This way, Smart Cookie sets out to offer customization and more colors into customers’ lives.

Their beanies fit both men and women, are one-size-fits-all and come in a wide variety of colors and styles for any mood – snowflake or mountain motifs for some, while others are more classic. Decorated with a pretty patch, all the super-soft beanies are knitted with animal-free materials and lined for better protection. They are also delivered in 100 percent compostable mailers.  Overall, that means more looks from the same piece of clothing, and less stress on Planet Earth.

Smart Cookie’s beanies are certified free of harmful chemicals and are safe for human use. They carefully selects supplies that respect employees and the Fair Wear Foundation, an organization working to improve the working conditions of employees in clothing companies.

Concern for animal welfare doesn’t stop with cruelty-free production at Smart Cookie. The company donates $1 for every beanie purchased to support Miami Animal Rescue, a non-profit organization devoted to rescuing dogs, cats and other animals from the streets and finding them loving foster- or forever-homes. Smart Cookie plans to increase donations, with a goal of ten percent of their net profits contributing to animal welfare in a near future.

“At Smart Cookie, we believe that fast fashion has already caused enough damage,” says Richard. “Today, the biggest creative trend in the fashion world is definitely customization. Our looks change from day to day, and we all like to adapt our accessories to match outfits in a simple and fun way perfectly. That’s why we decided to create Smart Cookie: a sweet concoction of customization, quality and ecological awareness”

For more information, visit smartcookie.shop and follow Smart Cookie on Instagram.

About Smart Cookie

Smart Cookie’s mission is to join their customers in their daily adventures, while also treating Mother Earth with every kindness. Smart Cookie believes that fast fashion has caused enough damage, and it’s time for a change.

Instead of creating products that are cheap and soon need to be replaced, Smart Cookie produces better, cleaner, and greener. That means more thorough testing, finding and using the best methods of production, and putting quality first. Smart Cookie’s products are made to last, because less replacement means less impact on our planet.

In essence, Smart Cookie is a responsible brand and takes that responsibility seriously. They also donate $1 of every purchase to the Miami Animal Rescue, a subject close to their hearts.

Looking for a fun photo op for your Christmas cards this year? Can’t resist dressing the kids in matching pajama sets?  Fa La La in love with matching pajamas for the whole family–furry ones included–with the high quality and ultra-cozy loungewear from LazyOne. They’re on a mission to make bedtime fun while getting a great night’s sleep with fashionable prints, snuggle-inducing fabrics, and durable designs.

Meet your merry quota this season with:   Matching Family Christmas PJs – From adorable flapjack jammies to classic cabin plaids, say cheese for your IG and unwrap your morning in style.

• Doggie Sweaters  – Let your favorite four-legged friends in on the fun with their extensive collection of matching ensembles.

Start a tradition the whole family can enjoy with LazyOne! For more information visit https://www.lazyone.com/ or their Amazon store.

• Funny Boxers – Stock their stuffings with hilarious men’s boxers featuring ridiculous puns and eye-catching graphics.  Let your favorite four-legged friends in on the fun with their extensive collection of matching ensembles.   Start a tradition the whole family can enjoy with LazyOne! For more information visit https://www.lazyone.com/ or their Amazon store.

• About

LazyOne is home to the largest selection of matching family sleepwear for all the special moments in your life. From quality materials and craftsmanship to environmentally-conscious dyes and production policies, LazyOne makes getting a better night’s sleep fun!