Editor confessions: 22 slightly embarrassing things we use on the sly

"This isn't a stink cover-up, it's a stink neutralizer! Spray the water in the bowl before you do your dirty work and enjoy a blissful bathroom experience knowing you won't be leaving behind an olfactory surprise for the next lucky person who enters. According to the brand, Poo-Pourri traps bathroom odor under the water's surface, so it never enters the air. Go ahead, take the plunge! The Fresh Air scent in particular smells clean but natural enough that it’s not too obvious or overwhelming. And all of the brand's formulas are made of all-natural essential oils, so I don't have to worry about coughing or what I'm breathing in. Sometimes, if I know it's going to be a long day or night out, I even throw in some to-go TP for full potty-proofing!" — Kristin G., Home Writer

This simple, affordable bidet features a no-plumber install. It attaches to your water supply with a brass adapter and braided metal hose. It's also the most popular Bio Bidet option, with over 22,000 five-star ratings. 

"Not sure if I just have great water pressure or if this thing was built to remove paint, but the first position I find to be very adequate," wrote one satisfied reviewer. "The highest position would only be used for a forced enema, or possibly to pressure wash vehicles? Either way, the install was fairly straightforward and easy. It works wonderfully; the only downfall is I'm going to have to buy more to put on the other toilets in the house, so the kids will quit using mine. We have cut our TP usage by at least 75%, which I'm sure our septic system is thankful for."

"Yes, my thighs touch, and it can get incredibly uncomfortable in the summer when I'm wearing dresses or shorts. I've tried all kinds of anti-chafing sticks, including ones made for runners, and none have worked as well as Megababe. One swipe on each leg and my thighs positively glide against one another — no redness, no irritation. And I rarely need to reapply it. Truly, it's a miracle in a stick." — Jessica Dodell-Feder, Senior Home Editor

Have unwanted facial hair? This No. 1 bestselling dermaplaning tool set quickly and gently touches up fine-hair-filled areas, with microguards to help prevent nicks and cuts. Perfect for using at home or on the road.

"I'm guilty of being a major teeth-grinder, so before I go to sleep, I put this very attractive night guard in my mouth. It's much cheaper than the one my dentist offered to have made for me (by a LOT), and it's customizable in a few steps. Just boil it for less than a minute, let it cool slightly and place it over your teeth so it can mold to their shape. My husband might make fun of my hockey goalie-like appearance, but I'll take that over worn-down chompers any day." — Britt Ross, Senior Deals Writer

"In between pedicures, my heels are absolutely gross — the skin is dry, cracked, painful and just disgusting to look at. I've tried so many different creams but nothing worked until I got this. The formula is made from beeswax, shea butter and coconut oil and it quickly heals my irritated skin. (I use the Onyx foot file and callus remover with it when things get really bad!) The heel stick smells good too — I prefer the coconut scent. Plus, the travel-friendly packaging makes it easy to bring with me when I'm on the go." — Rory Halperin, Branded Editor

"Hop aboard the TMI train! We all do it, but we don't talk about it. So let me put this delicately — if you sometimes need a little assist on your bathroom journey, your new BFF is absolutely going to be the Squatty Potty. Here's the deal: This little stool is specially designed to make going No. 2 as easy as 1, 2, 3. How? Well, us humans evolved to more efficiently, erm, go in a squatting position, which toilets are not conducive to. Squatty Potty is the solution. Let the Squatty Scientists explain it for themselves: 'Our comfortable toilet stool shifts your body from 90° to 35° to naturally loosen your puborectalis muscle for a more efficient elimination (which is a fancy way to say it helps you poop better).' Simple enough! And thanks to this version's sleeker profile, you'll barely notice it below your toilet." — Carrie McCabe, Senior Deals Writer

"These are a carryover from my younger, wilder days as a singleton! Few things are more embarrassing than realizing halfway through dinner that you still have remnants of your poppy seed bagel from breakfast between your two front teeth — and that garlic bread you thought would be an excellent appetizer is coming back to haunt you. These discreet brushes come armed with a dollop of toothpaste to get your breath minty fresh. The toothpick is on the flip side, and it's pointy enough to reach into those itty-bitty gaps. This saved countless dates for me and I still carry a pack in my purse, years later." — Izabella Zaydenberg, Deputy Editor

I scooped up a few of these Bali wireless bras a few Prime Days ago and now I don't know what I'd do without them. 

They're comfy enough for everyday, yet supportive enough for the gym and even office wear (meaning you don't have to constantly switch up your style). 

The stretchy back doesn't cut in and adjusts for a custom fit. And at only $20 — nearly 60% off — I consider this among the most coveted deals in Amazon's sale.

"I'm gonna go ahead and blame it on a Proustian memory from childhood barbershop visits, but when I got old enough to care about hair styling, I reflexively found myself in search of the vaguely flowery and yet simultaneously masculine aroma of Clubman styling gel. God knows how long this stuff’s been around (for all I know, 'Clubman' refers to the Cro-Magnon gents who first wore it), but it seems like something George Raft and Dean Martin would've used. Funny thing, though? It is, hands down, the greatest gel I've ever used … and I've tried dozens of them over the years. How old-school is this brand? They also make a mustache wax — you know, if you've got 'tie a distressed damsel to the train tracks' on your bucket list." — Michael Flaherty, Contributing Editor

"I deal with recurring bouts of seborrheic dermatitis, which is the pits for many reasons. Not only does it make my head itch like a mother, but it means my sweaters and shirts are covered in pesky flakes of dry, dead skin. Gross, right? I have some prescription stuff from the derm to use when the breakouts are severe, but for everyday management, I swear by this Selsun Blue medicated shampoo. It soothes my scalp, keeps dandruff at bay and helps make dry patches less irritated. The downside is it can be a bit drying to my strands, but that's nothing a really good, nourishing conditioner can't fix." — Jeanine Edwards, Director, Commerce Initiatives

"Yes, there are much sleeker, sexier pairs of period undies on the market, but when it's that time of the month, c'mon — being sleek and sexy is pretty much the last thing I care about. What I DO care about: having effective backup for heavy-flow days, and these absorbent finds from Hanes get the job done for less. They also mean I no longer have to futz around with pads like a terrified 13-year-old huddled in the school bathroom — major win." — Saundra Latham, Commerce Editor

"Stanley who? For $40, what?! These are a fraction of the cost and help you work out your biceps while hydrating. Brilliant! At first, I went for them because I refuse to spend more than a few bucks for something whose purpose is simply to hold water. Still, I was a little self-conscious about my cheapskate-dom ... and the apparent cheesiness of the bottles. However, I realized that it's a genius twofer — that you can stay hydrated while pumping iron (fine, H2O), thus warding off even the most determined mugger in your local park." — Michael Flaherty, Contributing Editor

Our beauty editor, Jennifer Romolini, is one of the chicest members of our team, and she admits to wearing none other than orthotic sandals! When I put the call out to Yahoo staffers asking for their product "confessions," she responded: "Do my regular-looking but secret-old-lady-arch-support flip-flops count?" Oh yes they do! 

These look like your classic, run-of-the-mill rubber flops but are packed with goodness: 1 inch of arch-supporting, shock-absorbing foam that molds to your feet. The straps also set them apart — they're snug but flexible, so they adjust to various foot widths and won't tug at your toes. The brand, amazingly called Archies, says its flops work well for plantar fasciitis relief, flat feet, fallen arches and heel pain.

"Look, I've gained and lost more than a few pounds more than a few times. From a wardrobe standpoint, that gets expensive, especially when it comes to bras. Thankfully, these clever, stretchy little extenders give me an extra inch or two when I need it, and they come in plenty of colors and with different numbers of hooks. They’re especially handy with sports bras that have minimal stretch and cost $80-plus to replace!" — Saundra Latham, Commerce Editor

"I'll admit it: It took me far too long to get on the tongue-scraping wagon, but better late than never, right? I picked up this bad boy on a whim a couple years back and I kid you not, my dentist has raved about my oral hygiene at every cleaning since. And if you're anything like me, a compliment from your dentist is about as good as they come. A toothbrush just doesn't do the same job — this archaic-looking metal scraper removes plaque and bacteria with a few swipes, resulting in fresher breath and an overall cleaner mouth. Even food and drinks taste better after I use it!" — Amanda Garrity, Gifting Editor

"I like to sneak mom juice onto the playground for hush-hush happy hours with friends while our kids play. This gorgeous insulated flask resembles a water bottle but quietly holds an entire bottle of wine — and it includes two cups for toasting. I love it so much that I gifted one to another mother. Pack it for picnics, camping, beach trips, tailgating, backyard barbecues, the pool and beyond." — Libby Sentz, Contributing Writer

"I have to admit that I first picked up this product because of the clever marketing: odor-squatching results from Dr. Squatch! But it's also because I've been looking for an aluminum-free deodorant for a while and never found one that actually worked on my stench until now. This stick is designed for men but that's just fine by me. It goes on smoothly and is an interesting pale gray color that has yet to leave annoying white marks on my shirts. The ingredients are way better than the chemical-laden ones others use, with charcoal and arrowroot powder in the mix. The brand avoids 'fragrances that smell like a middle-school locker room,' which I appreciate. I have and love this Fresh Falls scent, but I'm looking forward to treating my pits to other options, like Summer Citrus and Bay Rum." — Nicole Sforza, Executive Editor

"I have a tilted cervix, a heavy flow and … I'm kind of tiny up there. Tampons always felt uncomfortable — but it was a lot of trial and error before I found a cup that fit, was soft enough to be comfortable and had a capacity that could accommodate my 'geyser days.' The Jennie Cup worked like magic. I recommend a little bit of lube for insertion and some unscented wipes, for cleaning it out when you're out and about. This kit has all the essentials." — Janelle Randazza, Commerce Editor

"These taste good and they feel like they fumigate my mouth, so I'm ready for any close-talker or close encounter after I pop one in. They are also more discreet than a breath spray and classier than chomping on a piece of gum." — Janelle Randazza, Commerce Editor

"My sensitive skin hates shaving. I've tried everything in the book — razors, exfoliators, oils, creams, you name it — and nothing seems to work. About a year ago, I took the plunge and invested in laser hair removal (an obsession of mine!), and the technician oh-so-kindly pointed out my red, irritated skin. And while it was humbling to say the least, she did me a favor by suggesting this affordable, skin-saving solution, which is essentially an alcohol-based aftershave. It isn't sexy by any means, but it works like magic — just apply it to a cotton ball, gently wipe it over shaved areas and follow up with a quality moisturizer. I've learned the hard way that consistency is key, so I make sure to use it every single time I shave for happier, bump-free skin." — Amanda Garrity, Gifting Editor