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Lunges : The Perfect Guide to Perform Like a Pro

A lunge is a one-legged or one-sided workout that mainly focuses on building your physical strength and increasing your muscle mass. This exercise mainly works your hamstrings, quadriceps, calves, abs, glutes, and back muscles.

They help to a great extent in toning your body, mainly your core, legs, and buttocks. They also help maintain body stability, posture and freedom of movement. Lunge steps are also a great exercise now for reducing your body fat, burning calories, and increasing your resting body's metabolism. Additionally, performing lunges will help increase your core strength and reduce the risk of injury during daily and athletic activities.

Below is the perfect guide on how to perform lunges efficiently and efficiently.

How to do lunges like a pro:

Directions:

1. First, always stand straight with your feet hip-width apart and your core locked into place. This is your starting position.

2. Then step forward with your right leg and try to bring all of your body weight forward so that your heel touches the floor first and your leg is perpendicular to the floor.

3. Now lower your body further until your right shin is vertical and your right thigh is parallel to the floor.

4. Then lift your right leg to return to the starting position.

Repeat with your left leg.

Common mistakes when making lunges:

1. You always have a tendency to align your front leg with your back leg, which ultimately reduces stability and you can fall.

2. You often bend your chest forward as you bend your knees, causing a loss of body balance.

3. You often have a tendency to take a very shallow step, which can put strain on your knee.

Variations of lunges:

Once you've become more familiar with the classic lunges, there are always some of the following variations that you can try:

1. Walking lunges

This variation of lunges is great when you are ready to encourage more balance and coordination in your body. It works primarily on your hips, core and glutes and is very useful for increasing your range of motion and making it easier for you to carry out daily activities. In addition, they are really great for increasing your hip flexibility and body functionality.

2. Knicks lunges

This version of the lunges is known to be the best of all because it helps promote total body strength. It works primarily on your glutes, hamstrings, calves and quads, as well as your inner thigh muscles, and is great at improving the stability and balance of your body. Curtsy Lunges attack your gluteal muscles, back muscles and calves efficiently and contribute to a large extent to reducing your body weight. This workout is also beneficial in reducing the risk of injury and stabilizing your ankles.

3. Reverse lunges

This version of Lunges targets the crucial muscle groups in your lower body – glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calves. They are an excellent exercise for burning your calories and thereby reducing body weight. Since this workout trains both legs individually, it helps your body achieve the right balance and stability. Reverse lunges also tend to strengthen your body core, which automatically reduces the risk of injury.

Frequently asked Questions:

1. Do lunges help burn body fat?

Yes, regular lunges really help in burning your body fat along with many other functions.

2. What are lunges for?

Lunge steps are perfect for maintaining body balance and improving body stability and posture. They are great for increasing your muscle mass, which will help increase your physical strength. They're also great for increasing your range of motion so that you can get on with your daily activities quickly.

3. How many repetitions of lunges should I do?

You should do at least 3-4 sets of 15-20 repetitions per leg, while beginners should start off with 2-3 repetitions of 10-12 repetitions per leg.

4. Do lunges make your butt bigger?

Yes, lunges are known to be one of the most beneficial exercises when looking to build your butt.

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Asus Zenfone Flip Review: The Selfie Master Returns

Asus Zenfone 8 Flip review

Asus Zenfone 8 Flip Review: The Selfie Master Returns

"The Zenfone 8 Flip's unique motorized camera module makes it the best selfie camera you can buy, but the rest of the phone goes unnoticed because of its sturdy body and recycled design."

  • Motorized camera means amazing selfies

  • Excellent audio

  • Ideal for playing

  • Fast, reliable software

  • No water resistance

  • No wireless charging

  • Big and heavy

If you expect the Zenfone 8 Flip to be a radical departure from the Zenfone 7 Pro, you will be disappointed as the phone is almost identical to the 2020 flagship on the outside. It's also not exactly Asus' big release for 2021, evidenced by the lack of a "Pro" suffix. This honor actually goes to the “compact flagship” Zenfone 8.

So should you even care? Yes, as some important changes have been made internally and the technically very clever motorized camera module means it's still one of the best smartphones you can buy if you really love selfies. Just don't expect the rest of the phone to delight you in the same way.

design

Give or take a few tenths of a millimeter, the Zenfone 8 Flip is exactly the same size and shape as the Zenfone 7 Pro. Asus may have kept the Zenfone 8's body less than 70mm wide to make it easy to use with one hand, but the Zenfone 8 Pro doesn't. It is 77 mm wide, 9.8 mm thick and weighs 230 grams. The back is made of glass, the body is made of metal, and the flip camera module is made of liquid metal for strength and lightness.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The flip camera is the reason you buy the Zenfone 8 Flip because it allows you to use the rear cameras for selfie tasks too. The motor – a wonderful piece of technology on a small scale – quickly flips the camera out and over the top of the phone so that the three cameras are pointed at you. It's a very mechanical experience as you can hear and feel the motors and gears working at the same time, a very unusual tactile feeling on a modern smartphone. It's fast and smooth, and Asus has upgraded the components to improve durability. Now it promises to last at least 300,000 flips compared to 200,000 on the Zenfone 7 Pro.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I like the flip camera. It's unique, works very well, and has features not available on any other smartphone. However, the entire Zenfone 8 Pro package is dated as the design hasn't changed at all from last year's phone, and it arguably isn't much different from the Zenfone 6 Flip either. The Zenfone 8 Flip is big, heavy, thick, and just not nifty or pretty enough compared to phones like the OnePlus 9 Pro, iPhone 12, and Samsung Galaxy S21. This makes the Zenfone 8 Pro more difficult to sell, despite the pull of the flip camera.

screen

The 6.67-inch AMOLED screen on the front of the Zenfone 8 Flip, made by Samsung, is not interrupted by a punch or notch, as the flip camera makes something like that irrelevant. It has a refresh rate of 90 Hz, a touch sampling rate of 200 Hz, a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits and special features such as a DCI-P3 color gamut. Asus claims the bezels are smaller than the Zenfone 7 Pro, but I don't see much of a difference.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It's the popular 20: 9 aspect ratio that's shared by phones like the Galaxy S21 and OnePlus 9. As you'd expect, it's great for watching videos and games. It's an FHD + resolution, but I didn't miss the higher resolution that phones like the OnePlus 9 Pro offer under normal circumstances, and it also extends the battery life. It doesn't have an extreme curve on either side, so it's mostly flat, which can be attractive too.

For lengthy viewing sessions, the size and weight made the Zenfone 8 Flip more tiring than lighter and more compact devices, and while the screen is bright and colorful, the lack of a front-facing selfie camera cutout isn't enough to excite me about having it over one of the other really impressive phone screens like the iPhone 12 Pro, OnePlus 9 Pro, and Galaxy S21 +.

camera

The Zenfone 8 Flip has a total of three cameras, all of which are in the same module. The main model is a 64-megapixel Sony IMX686 with an aperture of f / 1.8, phase-detection autofocus and 8K video recording with electronic image stabilization. The second is a 12MP Sony IMX363 wide angle camera with f / 2.2 aperture and auto focus, and the third is an 8MP camera with 3x optical zoom.

Asus Zenfone 8 Flip Review Mirrored CameraAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Asus Zenfone 8 Flip Review Flip Cam BackAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Asus Zenfone 8 Flip review cam angleAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

For a rear camera, the Zenfone 8 Flip's setup is decent but not outstanding, but for a front camera setup, it's about the best you can get. All of the above features, as well as various video modes, are ready for selfies too. That means wide-angle selfies, 3x zoom selfies, and even 8K video selfies if that's what you really want, and absolutely no other phone offers the same functionality in its front-facing camera.

Even the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, with its tiny rear screen, isn't as easy to use as the Zenfone 8 Flip for high-quality selfies, as you're staring at the full 6.67-inch screen as you shoot. The Asus camera app is great too and offers plenty of speed to suit its functionality. The flip module can be set to different angles via a context menu that allows you to take photos from unusual angles. The motorized flip camera has an automatic panorama mode where it moves for you instead of moving the phone and a tracking mode.

All of this is very good, but does the camera take good photos? It's technically very similar to the Zenfone 8's camera, which means the photos are very easy to share due to the strong HDR effect and bright, eye-catching colors. I think they look great, and I prefer this to an underexposed shot that I have to edit before I want to share it. It's not very consistent, however, and the wide-angle camera struggles with difficult lighting. I stuck to using the main camera and 3x optical zoom, which adds to the versatility of the Zenfone 8 Flip's camera.

You can choose different angles for the flip module with the push of a button, but I'm having trouble finding a scenario where this makes a lot of sense. The auto panorama mode is effective and improves sewing because there is no camera shake when panning. The motion tracking also uses the motorized module and keeps up very well, provided the subject isn't moving too fast. While all of these fun little features work well, they are a little tricky and probably won't get used very often.

The Zenfone 8 Flip has a good rear camera that takes photos that you love to share without messing around with a lot of editing and an amazing front camera that takes better selfies than any other phone. It's a strange statement when you know the back and the selfie camera are one and the same. Compared to other phones like this one, the Zenfone 8 Flip's unique camera feature ensures that it stands out from the selfie crowd.

Performance and software

Asus' ZenUI interface is based on Android 11 and roughly corresponds to the experience you get with a Google Pixel phone. It is therefore relatively free of unnecessary apps, functions and functions. It's clean, easy-to-use software with a lot of Android features that I like, including a great dark theme, simple settings menu, standard notifications without changing the notification shade, and an easy turn-off screen when you hold down the power button. It may sound silly, but these make the phone logical and pleasant to live with on a daily basis. It was completely reliable too.

asus zenfone 8 flip review appsAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Asus Zenfone 8 Flip Review AngleAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Asus Zenfone 8 Flip Review Refresh RateAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Asus Zenfone 8 Flip Review Screen HandheldAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

I really enjoyed playing on the Zenfone 8 Flip thanks to a combination of the monster performance of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, the 20: 9 aspect ratio screen, and the superb audio I'm used to from Asus. It's not quite on par with the ROG Phone 5, but it's pretty close with a deep, melodic, and distortion-free sound at almost any volume. I've played Asphalt 9: Legends for more than an hour in one session (shhh, don't tell my editor) on the Zenfone 8 Flip, and this is where the weight and size can give the phone an edge as the weight makes it easy to grip.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The 5,000 mAh battery is much better than the cell in the Zenfone 8. It took up to two days with moderate use with Wi-Fi, and is slightly longer than a day even with some lengthy gaming sessions and WhatsApp video calls. The phone supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 4.0 and Asus' 30 W HyperCharge with the included network block. Wireless charging is not possible.

Price and availability

The Asus Zenfone 8 Flip has 8 GB of RAM and either 128 GB or 256 GB of storage space and costs $ 972 from 799 euros. US price and availability have not been confirmed at the time of writing. The Asus Zenfone 7 Pro sold for around $ 800 in the US. So if the Zenfone 8 Flip makes it too, we're assuming it will be somewhere near that cost.

Our opinion

Living with the Zenfone 8 Flip was like going back to early 2020. The design wasn't really a winner before, it's just too heavy, and seeing it again in 2021 is unhappy and makes the phone look and dated feel. The size and weight will put some people off, but I found it works in favor of the phone when gaming, especially when combined with the excellent sound. However, you definitely know you have a 230 gram phone in your pocket.

The Zenfone 8 Flip lives and dies from how badly you want the flip camera. If you take a lot of selfies, the features and specs on paper are second to none, and you'll get great results compared to any phone with a single front camera. However, if you are serious about mobile photography in general, better phone cameras are not available for much more money.

It might be an impressive piece of technology, but the flip module means the Zenfone 8 Flip is not water-resistant, nor can the phone be charged wirelessly. Asus makes a good case for not including wireless charging. It helps control the battery life with wired charging and special modes. Sometimes it helps, and both it and an IP68 rating are generally considered a basic data sheet these days.

Where's the Zenfone 8 Flip? It's typical of Asus: a well-made, well-designed and well-equipped device that serves a niche with a unique function. It's the same offering as the ROG Phone 5 for gamers and the Zenfone 8 with its compact flagship design. You'll know right away if you are going to love the versatility of the Zenfone 8 Flip's flip camera, but if the selfie skills don't excite you, there are better phones for you.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. Based on the Zenfone 8 Flip for around $ 900 (we don't yet know the official US price), the OnePlus 9 Pro for $ 969 or the Apple iPhone 12 Pro for $ 1,000 are our top recommendations. Both have a lot of power to play with, beautiful screens, and very powerful cameras. They're generally better all-rounders than the Zenfone 8 Flip, with helpful everyday features like very fast wired charging, wireless charging, and more attractive, lighter designs.

When you shop for everything to do with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, sometimes it still can be found for around $ 1,000and it's an amazing value for that. Usually it wouldn't be an alternative to a phone that costs less than $ 1,000. If you're looking to spend less than $ 980, both the $ 699 Google Pixel 5 and the $ 830 Apple iPhone 12 are great.

How long it will take?

Asus includes a special case for the Zenfone 8 Flip, which can be used to lock the flip module so that it is not activated unexpectedly. The company says the mechanism is stronger than before and capable of at least 300,000 flips. It is also automatically retracted if a fall is detected. The module makes any kind of water resistance impossible. So you need to be careful if you want the phone to last a long time.

Asus promises two Android system updates as well as 5G on board if you use the fast network now or plan in the future. There are several battery charging modes, including a scheduler, to keep the battery performing for years to come. The only thing preventing the hardware of the Zenfone 8 Flip from feeling fresh in two years is the design, which is already a year old.

Should you buy it?

No. Unless you're really into selfies and can envision a scenario where you might want an 8K video selfie, the Zenfone 8 Flip doesn't have the general appeal of many of its competitors.

Editor's recommendations




Asus Zenfone 8 Review: Small Size Isn’t Everything

Asus Zenfone 8 review

Asus Zenfone 8 Review: Size isn't everything, and this tiny phone proves it

"The Asus Zenfone 8 is a well-designed, carefully thought-out compact flagship, but it competes against the competition due to issues with screen sensitivity and battery life."

  • Small and light

  • Great, but pretty simple camera

  • Bad battery life

  • Screen responsiveness issues

  • No wireless charging

toAsus does not want to compete with the Galaxy S21 Ultra or another massive smartphone with the new Zenfone 8. Instead, it targets phones like the iPhone 12, Google Pixel 4a 5G, and Pixel 5 by creating a powerful mobile phone that fits well in your hand and pocket. The Zenfone 8 is a compact flagship and a really well designed one, but the bigger question is, does anyone really want something like this anymore?

The Zenfone 8 has been my main phone for a while now, and if I'm being completely honest, I missed a bigger phone despite its capabilities. However, if you're tired of stretching screen sizes with your thumbs, you will likely feel completely different. However, Asus doesn't have the right basics with the Zenfone 8 and there is a risk of it getting lost in the crowd. Let's go into that in more detail.

design

Asus has set itself some difficult goals with the Zenfone 8. They wanted a phone less than 70mm wide and less than 150mm high because the phone is convenient for one-handed use. It works because the Zenfone 8 is 68mm wide and 148mm high and I can reach most areas of the screen with my average sized hand without stretching or juggling the phone.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Samsung Galaxy S21 is a bit longer and wider, but the Pixel 5 and iPhone 12 Pro are much closer to the Zenfone 8 and both are equally manageable with one hand. The iPhone 12 Mini is considerably smaller than any other. The Zenfone 8 may be compact, but it doesn't really fill a niche in the market as Asus seems to believe.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Asus used Gorilla Glass Victus above the screen and 3D frosted glass on the back of the phone to give it a sleek look. The Zenfone 8 is elegant, but also slippery, which makes one-handed operation awkward as it constantly asks for freedom. The 3D curve on the sides makes it comfortable to hold, but the smoothness means you'll end up gripping it pretty tight. However, it comes with a plastic sleeve that has a more grippy texture which will alleviate the problem – provided you don't mind using it.

Google Pixel 5 from left, Asus Zenfone 8 and Apple iPhone 12 Pro Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

There is another problem with the Zenfone 8. It's a bit boring to look at. The back is plain, the camera module is modest and very ordinary, and the black color of my test device doesn't give it much life either. The only flash of color comes from the electric blue on / off button, but it's not enough to improve the look of the phone beyond the mundane. The Google Pixel 5 is no longer the dullest phone on the table when the Zenfone 8 is around.

screen

The compact size extends to the screen. The Zenfone 8 has a 5.9-inch AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, making it smaller than the 6-inch Pixel 5 and 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro. It looks excellent, with 1100 nits of maximum brightness and all of the nice contrasts, colors, and blacks we expect from an AMOLED screen, but Asus has yet to refine it. My review phone is running the final version of the software before it is released. More updates may be released soon after launch to address the following issues.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The first problem concerns touch sensitivity and edge detection. The Zenfone 8 may have small bezels and no dramatic curvature, but it really suffers from phantom touches. I accidentally open endless apps, swipe down the notification shadow or switch between features without wanting to, and find myself handling the phone carefully to avoid these things. Very frustrating.

While not a big phone, Asus added a one-handed mode to the Zenfone 8 that minimizes the display in the lower part of the screen – the exact amount it covers can be adjusted in the settings – to make it easier with use with one hand. It seems like overkill after making a tiny phone, but what's worse is how it activates. You'll need to swipe down on the screen at the bottom. Due to the oversensitivity of the screen, this is likely to be a real problem. Usually the notification shadow or the app taskbar is displayed. When one-handed mode is activated, the slightest breeze will hide it from the screen.

Asus Zenfone 8, from left, Google Pixel 5 and Apple iPhone 12 Pro Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I also haven't finished yet as the fingerprint sensor in the display is slow and unreliable. After annoying yourself about the Galaxy S20's built-in fingerprint sensor, which was fixed on the S21 series, and the lightning-fast fingerprint of the OnePlus 9 Pro, going back to a sensor that doesn't work very well seems unnecessary these days . There is also a face unlock feature, but it doesn't match the speed of other phones. The security of the Zenfone 8 is a cumbersome proposition.

camera

For an Android flagship, it's a surprise that the Zenfone 8 isn't filled with camera lenses. There are only two on the back – a 64-megapixel Sony IMX686 with optical image stabilization and a 12-megapixel Sony IMX363 wide-angle camera – and a single 12-megapixel selfie camera in a hole in the screen. All three have autofocus, which is a nice change, but no optical zoom function. It's all shockingly reluctant to Asus when some others may have added a useless macro camera to get a "better" spec sheet.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The results are generally very good, although it is clear that the HDR effect is strong even when set to Auto. Personally, I don't mind the look, but others will find it very stubborn and prefer to turn it off. Adding a "bracketing" series, where three photos are taken with different exposure values, can also be responsible for this look.

There is a tendency that the camera is sometimes underexposed in difficult lighting conditions. You will find that these photos need editing to improve their appearance. The wide-angle camera is particularly sensitive to this and there isn't always much consistency between cameras. The photos taken with the main camera are vivid and vivid, and the scenes have a lot of depth and emotion, which encourages creativity.

It's a shame there isn't an optical zoom, but Asus adds a "lossless" 2x crop to the main camera. This function is somewhat hidden on the busy viewfinder screen as it is not located next to the main / wide-angle switch, but is controlled via a separate button in the corner. Otherwise, the app is very similar to other systems in terms of usage, but is sometimes a little slow with the trigger.

Instead of seeing what Samsung is doing with multiple lenses, Asus took inspiration from Google and gave the Zenfone 8 a pair of powerful cameras that take good photos. However, avid photographers will miss the versatility of an optical zoom.

Performance and software

Asus used the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor for the Zenfone 8, which is definitely a flagship processor. It has up to 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage space. I didn't notice any difference in performance compared to the Galaxy S21 +, OnePlus 9 Pro or Xiaomi Mi 11, which all run on the same chip. It's fast and powerful enough to play Genshin Impact smoothly and complete all of your daily chores with no hassle.

The software is Android 11 with Asus' ZenUI, which looks and works very similar to Android on Google Pixel. Unlike Asus' glitzy, optional sci-fi-style Android user interface on the ROG Phone 5, it's clean and uncluttered here, but still has tons of features. Some of the more useful Inones include the same Game Genie mode as the ROG Phone 5, which improves the phone's performance and operation while gaming, as well as special modes for scheduling battery charging.

Aside from the on-screen frustrations, the Zenfone 8 offers a true flagship phone experience in terms of performance and software in a compact package. The Snapdragon 888 has enormous reserves of energy and ensures that the phone will last for years, even if you play many of the latest games.

Battery and sound

A 4,000 mAh battery and the support of an included 30-watt Asus HyperCharge quick charger and Qualcomm Quick Charge 4.0 should clearly set the Zenfone 8 apart from the competition in terms of battery life – but this is not the case. In my use, the Zenfone 8 disappointed with a shorter than expected life, especially when used moderately hard.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Although most of my day is connected to Wi-Fi and the phone is used for general calls, emails, social media, and some photos, the day usually ends around 40%. With phones like the Galaxy S21 Ultra, this type of usage usually leaves at least 60%. It gets a lot worse the more you use the phone a little more.

On a day with an hour of play, 30 minutes of video, multiple calls, and an hour-long WhatsApp video call, the battery hit 5% at 9 p.m., which is not good at all when phones like the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G get two days off a similarly sized battery . Go outside to the real world, where the phone was forced to connect to a regular cellular network and the battery drains faster than expected, even with minimal use.

The Zenfone 8 is not a phone that works hard when you want the battery to last a long time. Here, too, there may be updates that change the performance of the battery in the future, although, according to Asus, I am using the final version of the software. Quick Charge 4 took 90 minutes to charge, and the 30W HyperCharge block added 60% in 25 minutes. There's no such thing as wireless charging, a technology Asus prefers not to use to better manage cell life, but it's still a given on a flagship phone today.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

As with the ROG Phone 5, Asus worked with audio experts at Dirac on the Zenfone 8, and its two stereo speakers – powered by a Cirrus Logic CS35L45 amplifier – sound excellent. There's also Hi Res support and Qualcomm's Aqstic codec. There's even a 3.5mm headphone jack, a real rarity these days. All of this together makes the Zenfone 8 one of the best sounding phones you can get.

Price and availability

The Zenfone 8 is launching in the US, but at the time of writing the exact date and price has not been confirmed. In Europe, the Zenfone 8 starts at 539 euros for the 6 GB / 128 GB model, then rises to 599 euros for the 8 GB / 128 GB version and 699 euros for the top 16 GB – / 128 GB phone. Which region gets which model is also unknown, but it is possible that the Zenfone 8 with 8GB / 128GB is the cheapest available in your area.

Our opinion

Do you regret getting a "small" phone today? It really depends on what you want to do with it. The convenience of the Zenfone 8 disappearing into your pocket is great and can be used with one hand provided it's in the case. However, I missed out on a bigger screen, even the slightly larger 6.1-inch screen on the iPhone 12 Pro, while watching videos for an extended period of time.

Many have been complaining about the relative scarcity of compact, high-performance phones for some time, but there is indeed a healthy selection out there and it is an open question whether many people will actually buy them. If you're a firm believer in the compact phone, the Zenfone 8 should be at the top of your shopping list because the shape and size of the phone are mature. Plus, it has the same power and capability as massive phones like the Galaxy S21 Ultra.

However, the Zenfone 8 has major battery life issues, security options are slow, and the camera does not appeal to those who are serious about mobile photography. I like the Zenfone 8 and Asus' dedication to not following the crowd, but the downsides of the Zenfone 8 make it a tough sell over the competition.

Is there a better alternative?

The Zenfone 8 faces serious competition from Google and Samsung, as well as a challenge from Apple when you're ready to spend a little more. The Google Pixel 4a 5G is slightly larger than the Zenfone 8, but at $ 499 and a strong camera, it's a good buy. The Google Pixel 5 is just as compact as the Zenfone. It also has that fantastic camera and guaranteed software updates, but it costs $ 699. The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G has far better battery life, a great screen, and a decent camera for $ 499.

The Apple iPhone 12 Mini is $ 699 and is a true compact phone, while the slightly larger iPhone 12 is $ 799. The iPhone 12 Pro is the model we really recommend, but at $ 999, it's significantly more expensive than the Zenfone 8.

How long it will take?

Asus will be rolling out two major Android software updates for the Zenfone 8, but the timing may not be as immediate as it is with phones like the Google Pixel. The housing is both waterproof and dustproof according to IP56 and IP68. The Gorilla Glass Victus should provide adequate scratch and splinter protection for the screen. In addition, a basic cover is included in the scope of delivery, so that the Zenfone 8 should be very durable. With 5G and the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, it easily lasts two to three years before a replacement needs to be considered.

Should you buy it?

No. If a software update doesn't improve battery life, screen responsiveness, and fingerprint sensor performance, it can't quite keep up with the competition.

Editor's recommendations




TCL 85R745 4K HDR TV Review: A Huge Value

TCL 85R745 85-inch 4K HDR TV

"The R745 from TCL beats it."

  • Very high brightness

  • Great black levels

  • Impressive HDR performance

  • Good movement handling

  • Solid gaming performance

  • Wash out of the corner

  • Very broad stance

  • Doesn't clean up noisy videos

TCL has decided to make it big and has now launched its XL collection. You may have heard the news because they did a pretty big deal with it. Let me tell you, however, that "big deal" feels a bit of an understatement.

Welcome to my review of the Roku TCL 85R745 85 inch 4K HDR TV. TCL's XL collection includes three models, so I'll explain where this TV fits in the range. Then we'll go through everything from user experience to performance metrics to see if it's worth spending a few extra bucks to create a seriously big screen in your home.

Video review

Jump to: TCL XL list | Out of the box | Setup | First impression | Image quality | Sound quality | Play | Our opinion

TCL XL list explained

First, let's talk about the new TCL XL collection in general as I think the different models available can be a bit confusing for anyone familiar with TCL's model naming convention.

You may know that TCL has an entry-level 4-series, a slightly improved 5-series, and I think a lot of people are familiar with the 6-series as it has been very popular for a number of years. The XL collection moves a little away from that 4-5-6 range, but it's easy enough to understand the differences between the three models.

The base model of the XL collection has neither local dimming backlighting with full array nor Dolby Vision. The R745 tested here has local dimming with full array and supports Dolby Vision HDR. It also has THX Certified Game Mode. The step-up model of this TV will feature OD Zero technology with mini LED backlighting and will be an 8K model that rounds off the line with something very premium. As the name XL suggests, they are all 85-inch TVs.

Out of the box

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

As big as the 85R745 TV is, the TV box is even bigger. If the retailer you are buying this TV from offers a white glove delivery service with setup, consider adding this option. Not only is it difficult to navigate through the box, but some rooms are not large enough to allow the unboxing process.

This process starts by opening the main box like a giant book, revealing a box in a box surrounded by a large amount of padding – at least the TV is very well protected. Inside the inner box is the TV and its accessories, including two legs, screws, batteries, a Roku TV voice remote, and some product literature.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The inner box is designed so that it can be disassembled into parts with the TV standing upright on a cardboard floor. The legs provided can be installed while the TV is in this position. Then the television can be placed in a very wide media cabinet or sideboard.

The 85R745 also weighs a little over 100 pounds, so wall mounting needs to be handled with care. Again, this is likely a job best left for a professional. I encourage those who choose to do a DIY wall installation to anchor a wall mount that is rated for 100 pounds or more in studs. This is no time to trust drywall anchors.

Set up

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

As a Roku TV, the 85R745 goes through a typical Roku setup process that can take up to 10 minutes. Those who don't already have a Roku account will want to create one and have a mobile device or laptop handy to navigate to multiple questions along the way. When all questions are answered, the TV will download any necessary updates and install any requested apps as well as a number of unsolicited apps. From there, I suggest users move their favorite streaming apps to the top of the home screen for easy access. For example, YouTube installed seven lines down after my setup completed

After unpacking, you have a wide range of image settings options. Make sure to turn off power saving mode as it will reduce the brightness of the TV. For the most accurate picture in SDR, you should then select the "Movie" mode. For HDR, I chose "dark HDR". I choose these presets because they offer the most accurate color temperature. However, don't let the "dark" nomenclature fool you. The HDR image is not dark, as I'll explain in a moment. There are actually five settings for the backlight: Darker, Darker, Normal, Lighter, and Lighter – you can adjust the brightness level according to your preference or needs.

First impressions

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Let's go straight to the brutally obvious: this television is huge. And yes, I know it's an 85-inch TV. So it stands to reason that he would be big. For reasons I can't be precise, the TCL 85R745 seems to be kind of bigger than other 85-inch TVs we tested. For example, we just had the Vizio P-Series Quantum X for review – an 85-inch TV too – and somehow the R745 seems bigger. Maybe it's the stand, which is slightly wider than the television and takes up more space in our media cabinet. It's also quite tall due to the height that the legs give. I think that's why it just seems so big in my test room.

But the point is big, right? The idea is to occupy more of your field of view so that you feel like you're in a small theater while watching TV. And this television definitely delivers that thought. Since it's 4K resolution, you can sit pretty close without seeing individual pixels, and when you look at it from the right distance the picture definitely feels cinematic. Now that debut films hit streaming services the same day as theaters, I think the really big screen argument makes more sense than ever.

Image quality and metrics

When it comes to brightness, the 85R745 is extremely powerful. Using the Calman software and a SpectraCal C6 colorimeter On a profile for an X-Rite i1 Pro, I measured 514 nits at the darkest settings in film mode, and that went over 800 when I went to the brightest setting for the backlight. In Dark HDR, the darkest setting for the backlight resulted in almost 900 nits and ran at the highest setting for the backlight up to 2,100 nits. This corresponds to the Hisense U8G and the Samsung QN90A, which I find very impressive.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Fortunately, this brightness doesn't come at the expense of the black levels, which are very good on this TV. You see a bit of halo and bloom around bright objects on a black background, but the backlight system manages to minimize that – that is, when you are sitting in the middle of the TV and looking directly at it. Stand up, move around, or turn the TV down when it's against the wall and the backlight will be much more noticeable. This is a given for most LCD-based televisions. Save the most advanced devices like the Samsung QN90A, which uses a slew of panel tricks to get better out-of-angle viewing.

One problem I noticed with the backlight, however, is that if you have a large, bright picture like this one with a moving object, there may be just a little flicker in the areas immediately next to the moving object. An example that I noted was a windmill centered on a bright blue sky. As the windmill turned, I noticed a small flicker in the sky to the left. The effect isn't particularly obvious – in fact, I think most people would miss it – but something I wanted to mention in order to be as comprehensive as possible.

If this TV has a weakness, it's in the processing department.

The color is immediately pretty accurate in Movie and Dark HDR modes as well as Dolby Vision. You'll need to use one of the higher backlight settings to get the highest color volume in HDR, but the TV is perfectly capable of delivering stunning HDR colors. This is what I expected from TCL: quality color performance instantly.

The movement is also very good even with the movement smoothing measures turned off. I've seen less stuttering with this TV than some of the OLED and other QLED TVs I've tested so far this year, although it has decent response time and high brightness (a recipe for picture stuttering). Jerking is not a problem here at all – film cadences with 24 frames per second look, as I had hoped, very similar to a cinema. All around the movement of the 85R745 is very good. However, I wouldn't use the black frame insert feature – it's called LED Motion Clarity – to try to reduce motion blur as it creates significant flicker.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

If this TV has a weakness, it's in the processing department. I have a feeling the 85R745 is having trouble cleaning up images with shallow bit depth. And that's more important with a large TV like this because when you get a noisy picture it becomes more obvious due to the size of the screen. A fairly loud, compressed video that I use on YouTube to measure how well a TV is at removing noise and preventing color streaks turned out to be a little too much for this TV's processor. As the beach scene darkened from day to night in time-lapse, the night sky turned cobalt blue and I saw a few jumbled black and blue boxes as the TV tried to head or tail what the picture should look like.

Even so, most of the premium streaming apps like Netflix, Disney +, HBO Max, etc. look very clean. It's the more compressed content on YouTube and content in free streaming apps like Pluto that sometimes look a bit noisy. The other thing I noticed was the occasional moiré, but only in tight symmetrical patterns like the grilles in the buildings of a New York flyover shot, which I often use to rate how well televisions handle such patterns. Other areas rich in detail, such as the fine details in bird feathers, remained super clean.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The uniformity of the panel on the 85R745 TCL that was sent to me was… OK. Due to the large screen size of the TV, you are more likely to see a dirty screen effect (spots on the screen) if it is there and I observed some on the sample that I received. However, I haven't seen major vertical bands like the ones I've seen on many televisions over the years. So that's encouraging.

I think it's important to point out that screen uniformity will be a matter of what is known as the "panel lottery". So, there is not much you can do to predict what the TV you have bought will look like. All you have to do is take the TV home and out of the box to see with your own eyes. Hopefully TCL keeps quality control strict and the XL collection looks clean overall.

Sound quality

The sound quality on this TV is good – actually better than expected. I'm not particularly keen on the fidelity, but I'll say that the subwoofer on the back of the TV case delivers an excellent amount of bass so the sound is as big as the screen itself. However, if you have such a large screen, I recommend that you go for a soundbar. Even an inexpensive soundbar offers better clarity. And it just happens that way, and TCL does it too.

Play

The TCL 85R745 doesn't support HDMI 2.1, but it's still a great gaming TV. The input delay is low in the device's THX game mode and supports a variable refresh rate (VRR) and 4K resolution at 60 Hertz. However, to get 120Hz, the TV needs to drop down to a resolution of 1440p or 1080p. In addition, the solid movement handling and the powerful brightness of the television set deliver very satisfactory HDR images.

Our opinion

Overall, I think the TCL 85R745 offers excellent value for those looking for a big screen TV. Due to its impressive brightness and solid black levels, this model is, in my opinion, an increase in performance over the 6-series TVs that TCL praises. In this case, it is already impossible for me not to recommend this TV. I think the real bonus will be price as TCL offers pretty significant value given the performance of its televisions. To take the bow, this is the same high quality, high quality experience TCL is known for, only … bigger.

Is there a better alternative?

It will be hard to beat the TCL 85R745's image performance without spending much more. For example, the 85-inch Samsung QN90A is priced at $ 5,000 – that's a $ 2,000 premium over the 85R745's starting price of $ 3,000. The rundown Samsung Q80A is getting closer at $ 3,700 and is likely to offer similar performance, but that's still $ 700 more. Note that the 85R745's price is likely to drop over time as well.

How long it will take?

Given TCL's previous track record of the build quality and feature set of the 85R745, I think this TV should hold up well into the future.

warranty

TCL offers a one-year parts and labor warranty for non-commercial users from the date of purchase.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The TCL 85R745 offers tremendous value in a large screen television with impressive picture quality and a satisfying user experience.

Editor's recommendations




Roku Express 4K+ Review: Easy, Affordable 4K Streamer

Roku Express 4K +

"Roku is doing it again with a tiny streamer that's huge in terms of features and value."

  • Attractively priced

  • Simple, intuitive user interface

  • 4K, HDR and Dolby Atmos passthrough

  • Voice-enabled wireless remote control

  • Apple AirPlay

  • Limited Dolby Atmos support

  • No Dolby Vision

For Roku fans ready to take the plunge into 4K streaming, there's a new kid in town: the $ 40 Roku Express 4K +, a device that like the $ 30 Roku Express looks, but actually has almost the same features as the $ 50 Roku Streaming Stick +.

But does it make sense to save $ 10 on buying the Express 4K + instead of buying the Streaming Stick +? And how does this new Roku device compare to Amazon's Fire TV family of devices?

You can find all the answers in our full review below.

What's in the box?

Roku Express 4K +Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Roku has everything you need to set up. You will receive the Express 4K +, a certified HDMI high-speed cable, a Roku remote control, a pair of AAA batteries, a micro-USB power cable with a power adapter, a quick start guide and an adhesive strip that you can use to mount the Express 4K + on a variety of surfaces, including the bottom or back of your TV.

design

Roku Express 4K +Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

It's hard to fault the design of the Express 4K +. It is a proven combination of the tiny, curved black box of the Roku Express and the voice remote control of the Streaming Stick +.

It's so small and light that you'll likely need the included tape to keep the HDMI cable from pushing the Express 4K + around.

There are only two ports on the back – a micro USB port for power and an HDMI port. It's not likely that this will be an issue in 2021, but it's worth noting that you won't be able to use the Express 4K + if your TV doesn't have an HDMI input. In fact, none of the current Roku player devices support non-HDMI televisions anymore.

Over the years, Roku has continued to develop its set-up process for new devices and it couldn't be easier.

There's no Ethernet port, but the Express 4K + is compatible with a variety of third-party micro USB Ethernet adapters in case you need one.

When you unpack the box, you will see a sticker on the front of the device that tells you where to point the remote control. If you stick to the included Roku voice remote, then you can ignore it. The remote can communicate wirelessly with the Express 4K + and only uses infrared when it needs to send commands to your TV. It also means you can move the streamer out of sight if you wish – something you won't do with the regular Roku Express or the Express 4K, a $ 35 Walmart variant that doesn't come with WiFi can -enabled Roku voice remote control.

Speaking of the remote control, it has a voice button, a built-in microphone, and dedicated buttons on the side to control the volume and mute a TV.

Wondering what the difference between the Express 4K + and the Streaming Stick + is? Two things: The Streaming Stick + has faster WiFi with greater range and is more portable as it doesn't require an HDMI cable. Yes that's it.

Setup and configuration

Roku Express 4K +Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Over the years, Roku has continued to develop its set-up process for new devices and it couldn't be easier.

Once you've connected the Express 4K + to your TV using the supplied HDMI cable (or one of your own), plug it in and slide the batteries into the remote. That's it – you are done with the hardware part.

From there, the Roku interface will smoothly walk you through connecting to your home WiFi and creating or connecting to an existing Roku account.

Pro tip: If you'd like your phone, tablet, or laptop to be ready as part of the setup process, send a confirmation email that you'll need to open and then click the link provided to complete setup.

I didn't have to adjust any audio or video settings. It just worked out borrowing one of Apple's favorite phrases.

I've set up a lot of streaming devices and the Roku process is second most important after Apple in terms of simplicity.

You will be asked to add some highlighted channels (the name Roku continues to use for streaming apps) but you don't have to do so now. Channels can easily be added later through the Roku interface when the Roku app is activated on your phone or even on the web through the Roku website.

My test model immediately recognized that it was connected to a 4K HDR-enabled TV and that I didn't have to manually adjust the audio or video settings. It just worked out borrowing one of Apple's favorite phrases.

Just before you start using the Express 4K +, Roku will play an introductory video that walks you through the main functions of the device and how to use them. This is the perfect way to get started with the Express 4K +, and I think any streaming device manufacturer should follow Roku's lead. It is a device that plays videos. Why not show people a short how-to video?

The interface is very fast with no noticeable lag.

Another tip: The Express 4K + comes with a power adapter. However, you can plug the micro USB cable into an available USB port on your TV and it should work fine.

Even on my test LG TV, which tends to turn off its USB ports when the TV is not in use, the Express 4K + worked just fine and even responded to the remote's power button when everything was shut down.

Ease of use and performance

Roku Express 4K +Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Roku gave the Express 4K + 1GB of RAM, an updated processor, and a very fast MIMO Wi-Fi AC – and the results are impressive.

The interface is very fast with no noticeable lag. For the most part, channels start up quickly (some a little faster than others), and jumping from an open channel back to the home screen and then to another channel is a breeze.

Selecting content within channels was just as responsive, and movies and shows were streamed just as quickly as on an Apple TV 4K or Nvidia Shield – and significantly faster than the built-in apps on my LG C7 OLED 4K TV.

Roku's user interface hasn't changed much over the years, and that's mostly a good thing. The simple, straightforward menu options are a breeze, whether you're looking for a favorite channel, adjusting device settings, or looking for new channels in the Roku Channel Store.

Bucking the trend of adding a content curation layer to its main interface, Roku has instead relied on the free Roku Channel app (channel?) As the main method to help you find something to watch .

This may not feel as modern as Google TV, the recently redesigned Fire TV interface, or the Apple TV home screen, but I have to admit that I prefer to choose whether to display a range of content or whether I am would prefer to dive straight into a specific streaming service.

Recently, Roku added Apple AirPlay to select 4K-enabled player devices, and the Express 4K + gave me my first taste of this feature on a Roku.

I am happy to announce that it is working flawlessly. The Express 4K + appeared in my list of available AirPlay devices and I was able to quickly set up an AirPlay session. After that, it didn't matter whether I was playing music from Apple Music or Tidal or streaming from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Disney + – the content was displayed on my TV without buffering or other connection problems. I haven't tested the available integration with Apple HomeKit, but both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant were able to control the Express 4K + without any problems.

Remote control voice commands were equally nifty and satisfying, and I was able to open channels and search for actors and movie titles.

Audio and video

Roku Express 4K + audio optionsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

There's no question that if you own a Dolby Vision-enabled television, it makes sense to purchase a Dolby Vision-enabled streaming device. However, if you're determined to stick with Roku, you'll have to spend $ 100 to buy the Roku Ultra, which is the only Roku player device that works with Dolby's dynamic HDR format.

The Express 4K + offers excellent image quality with razor-sharp details.

As much as I'm a fan of Dolby Vision, it's hard to argue that this one feature is worth spending an additional $ 60 (150% more) over the price of the Express 4K + to get it – especially if 4K with normal HDR10 looks damn good. It's also worth noting that the Express 4K + supports HDR10 + despite the lack of Dolby Vision. As a dynamic HDR format, it can look just as good as Dolby Vision. Note, however, that your TV needs to support this (not all HDR TVs) and that you need to find HDR10 + content. So far, Amazon Prime Video is the best choice for HDR10 +.

The Express 4K + offers excellent image quality with razor-sharp details. Even when streaming HD content from sources like Amazon Prime Video, I was completely satisfied with the results.

Perhaps more impressive is that the Express can stream 4K + Dolby Atmos content over Dolby Digital Plus over HDMI.

For me, this resulted in great Atmos audio through both my TV's internal speakers and my full home theater 5.1.2 system.

There is one restriction here: Dolby Atmos support via passthrough (as opposed to native Atmos decoding) is app for app (channel by channel?). Currently, Netflix is ​​the only streaming app that delivers Dolby Atmos on the Express 4K +. Could this change over time? Absolutely, but for now the best thing to do is to think of the Express 4K + as a Dolby 5.1 device.

If you're curious about all of the pros and cons of making great Dolby Atmos sound, check out this handy explainer.

There is an app for that

Roku Remote App

No review of any Roku product is complete without at least mentioning the company's excellent mobile app. Not only can you use it as a full-fledged alternative to the remote that came with your product, but you can also allow private listening (watching on your TV while listening on your phone's headphones), and it gives you the option to add and Remove Roku Channels even when your Roku device is turned off.

Better still, it acts as your mobile version of the Roku channel, giving you access to whatever content you would get on your TV.

The Roku app is an impressive extra that no other streaming device company has yet been able to offer.

Our opinion

The Roku Express 4K + is incredibly easy to set up and use, and it exceeds our expectations for the performance of a $ 40 streaming media device.

Is there a better alternative?

At this price point, the Express 4K + has two very good direct competitors: the recently updated Amazon Fire TV Stick and the TiVo Stream 4K.

The Fire TV Stick and Stream 4K both have native Dolby Atmos decoding. This means that a lot more streaming apps should work with this feature. The Stream 4K also has Dolby Vision – a huge plus for those who have compatible TVs.

Neither of these devices support Apple AirPlay or HomeKit, however, and we would argue that the Roku interface is still a more engaging way to navigate a streaming device than the Amazon Fire TV or Android TV (especially since the stream lacks 4K Google TV ).

And none of these devices match the excellent Roku mobile app.

If you don't think the Fire TV Stick or Stream 4K has a feature that you can't do without, you'll be very happy with the Roku Express 4K +.

How long it will take?

Roku player devices are guaranteed for one year. I have had the experience with most streaming devices that they will work for years as long as you don't accidentally damage them. The Express 4K + is just as well built as the other Roku players – that is, very well built – and the remote is sturdy despite its light weight.

Roku also has an excellent track record of keeping their older devices updated with new software over time.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. If you want to enjoy 4K HDR streaming at the lowest possible price, the Roku Express + gives you that and much more.

Editor's recommendations




You Need To Know About Double-Masking

What's better than a face mask? Two face masks! We all know masking offers a dash of nutrition and a ton of benefits, but did you know you can double the fun? With the application of one mask after the other – or even one on top of the other – you can pamper your skin with a second serving of good active ingredients. The trick to successful double masking is to pair masks that work well together.

Ready to go? Here are seven pairs of moisturizing masks that work wonderfully together.

Double masking in layers

1. Rose hip and corn peeling mask + lime stimulating mask

The first type of double masking is to apply a mask in layers on top of each other. This technique works wonders if you like both the rose hip and corn peeling mask and the calcifying mask. Our rose hip and corn peeling mask contains large amounts of vitamin C to brighten the appearance of the skin, as well as cornmeal that is gentle exfoliating. This mild scrub removes deposits on the surface of the skin, so you can be excited about improving the appearance of your skin structure. The lime-stimulating mask revitalizes the skin, so you may experience a very mild glow.

To apply this dynamic duo, layer a mask on top of each other before washing off. Start with the rose hip and corn peeling mask and apply a small amount all over your face, followed by the lime-stimulating mask right over it. After waiting 5 to 10 minutes for the masks to dry, scrub them in a circular motion with a lukewarm washcloth, then rinse off any remaining formula.

2. Turmeric energizing treatment + Citrus & Kale Potent C + E Masque

Another outstanding facial care combination is the turmeric energy treatment, which is covered with the Citrus & Kale Potent C + E mask. The turmeric energy treatment consists of turmeric, citrine gemstones and zeolite and offers a warm exfoliation with the aim of revealing silky, radiant skin. Turmeric is an antioxidant known to visibly lighten the appearance of the skin and reduce the appearance of puffiness. The inclusion of citrine gemstones helps energize and recharge the skin, while zeolite invigorates the skin's appearance.

Citrus & Kale Potent C + E Masque brightens the appearance of the skin. In particular, it contains the powerful ingredient vitamin C, which provides a more radiant complexion, evens out skin tone and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Are you ready for a spicy experience that will leave your skin looking radiant? Apply a small ball of the turmeric energy treatment powder to the outer cap and stir in a few drops of water until your mask has a fluffy texture. Apply a thin layer all over the face. Next, apply a small amount of the Citrus & Kale Potent C + E Masque on top. The turmeric energy treatment takes a little longer to use than most of our other masks. So leave both masks on for about 30 minutes. Then you can remove them with a washcloth or rinse them off.

3. Raspberry pore refinement mask + acai mask with firm skin

Don't we all just want a smooth, firm looking complexion? Try applying the Raspberry Pore Refining Masque followed by the Firm Skin Acai Masque to minimize and refine the look of the pores. This combination also fills and hydrates the appearance of the skin with formulas that minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Both masks have similar ingredients and benefits – the Raspberry Pore Refining Masque contains raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, while our Acai Masque with firm skin contains the same blend of berries as well as the exotic acai berry. Raspberry is an antioxidant known to firm the appearance of pores. Blackberry, blueberry, and acai berry contain vitamin C, which evens out skin tone.

To use, emulsify a small amount of both masks in your hand. Add a few drops of water. Apply evenly to the entire face. Let the masks dry for 5-10 minutes, then remove or rinse them off with a washcloth.

(You can find more masks in combination in our Mixology Monday segments on YouTube.)

Double masking one after the other

4. Probiotic Clear Skin Mask + Strawberry Rhubarb Mask

Another unique type of double masking is to experience the products one at a time. Apply the first mask, wait, rinse, and then apply the second mask. With this application technique, the dynamic duo of our probiotic mask with clear skin and the rhubarb mask with strawberries combine one of our most effective pairings. Starting with the Probiotic Clear Skin Mask, start your masking routine with beneficial bacteria that are not only good for your gut health, but also helpful for healthy, clear skin. In addition to good bacteria, the Clear Skin Probiotic Masque contains cooling cucumbers that even out your skin tone. It also contains yogurt, a source of lactic acid. As the second product in this problematic skin care duo, the Strawberry Rhubarb Masque offers an additional gentle exfoliant that brightens the appearance of your skin and minimizes the appearance of pores.

How Eminence Organics Product Support Representative Kaitlyn Barnett recommends: "First apply the probiotic mask for clear skin to enjoy the full effect of the cooling sensation, followed by the strawberry-rhubarb mask."

Emulsify a small amount of Clear Skin Probiotic Mask in your hand with a few drops of water. Apply evenly to the entire face. Let the masks dry for 5-10 minutes, then rinse them gently. Next, apply the strawberry and rhubarb mask and follow exactly the same steps.

Black woman doing a facial

5. Eight green phyto mask – arnica mask with hot and calm skin

The missing ingredient in your skin care regimen may just be hot peppers! You can find it in the award-winning Eight Greens Phyto Masque – Hot, a mask that gives your skin a unique tingling sensation and creates a temporary reddening before it turns into a rosy glow. This is why this mask goes so well with the calming feeling of the arnica mask for calm skin.

The arnica mask for calm skin not only minimizes redness. It also includes ours BioComplex Formulation: A booster of Antioxidants, Coenzyme Q10 and Alpha Lipoic Acid to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve the appearance of the skin.

Apply a thin layer of Eight Greens Phyto Masque – Hot to your face first and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before washing off. Please note that your skin will feel warm to the touch after application, so your face may appear red for about an hour.

Then apply a thin layer of Calm Skin Arnica Masque to a clean face and leave it on for 5-10 minutes before washing it off as well. This should reduce the appearance of excessive redness and ensure that your complexion appears toned and balanced.

6. Eight Green Phyto Mask – Hot + Citrus & Kale Potent C + E Mask

Consider using the Eight Greens Phyto Masque – Hot followed immediately by the Citrus & Kale Potent C + E Masque. The Citrus & Kale Potent C + E mask contains an effective vitamin C formula that improves the appearance of the skin's elasticity and moisture. You will also notice an improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Apply a small amount of Eight Greens Phyto Masque – Hot to your face and wait 5-10 before rinsing. Then follow the same steps with the Citrus & Kale Potent C + E mask for the best results.

Double masking in combination

7. Bamboo time corrective mask + strawberry rhubarb mask

The Bamboo Age Corrective Masque and the Strawberry Rhubarb Masque are a pairing that should be applied by mixing. If you want your skin to appear firm and toned, this skincare blend is for you. The Bamboo Age Corrective Masque contains a Natural retinol alternative This tightens the look of your skin as the strawberry and rhubarb mask exfoliates for a more radiant complexion.

Now that you've discovered this type of mask cocktail, are you going to give it a try? Let us know if the comments are below or on social media. Check out our face masks section to find the skin care products that best suit your needs, or visit your nearest Eminence Organics Spa partner to find out more.

This post was originally published in March 2015 and has been updated for accuracy and completeness.

Emotional Intelligence as a Success Marker for Fitness Training

Training people for fitness, nutrition, health and wellness requires emotional intelligence. Successful personal trainers abound in EI.

The pandemic taught us an important lesson: everyone has an opinion, and people in the fitness industry seem to have a lot more than most business people. And it wasn't really much fun to watch because I don't really need a personality dump from a trainer or coach, just training and coaching.

Continue reading

9 Effective Exercises For Stronger Calves

Those strong calves always made you jealous of others, right? Looking at strong calves gives you an idea of ​​excessive exercise, but hey! That's not the case. Getting bumpy calves isn't that difficult, but it's the most ignored muscle in the exercise routine. Built calves add a more perfect look to muscular legs and have other benefits.

Your calf muscles propel you forward with every step, taking the load. Hence, stronger calves would help you run faster and jump higher. In short, it improves overall cardio strength.

All you need is a reliable guide to safer exercise that focuses on the calves.

Here we recommend 9 effective calf exercises. Please include them in your leg tag for faster results.

1. Jumping lunges

  1. Stand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart.
  2. Take a long step forward while simultaneously bending the knee of another leg so that it almost touches the floor.
  3. Jump and swing your legs in the air and switch legs until you land on the ground.

Repetitions: 12-15

Sentences: 2

2. Walking lunges

  1. Hold dumbbells. Stand upright, casually.
  2. Take a long step forward while simultaneously bending the knee of another leg so that it almost touches the floor.
  3. With the pressure on the front leg, come together in front of both legs.

Now follow the same thing with another leg.

Representative: 12-15

Sets: 2

3. Jump S.Quats

  1. Stand up straight with your legs shoulder-width apart.
  2. Take a long step forward while simultaneously bending the knee of another leg so that it almost touches the floor.
  3. Hold for a few seconds.
  4. Jump in the air and raise your arms
  5. Crouch down again. This is a repetition

Representative: 12th

Sets: 3

4. Raised calf R.Aises

  1. Come to the first step on the stairs.
  2. Just put your toes on the platform and lift your heels up.
  3. Lower your heels towards the floor and keep your balance on your footballs.
  4. Press up on your toes, bend your calves, lower your back to the lower position, and repeat the process

Repetitions: 12-15

Sentences: 2

5. Seated calf raises

  1. Sit on a bench or chair.
  2. Hold dumbbells by your thighs.
  3. Lift your heels as high as possible.
  4. Slowly lower to the floor and repeat.

Representative: 12th

Sets: 2

6. Farmer's Walk on Toes

  1. Hold the dumbbells with both hands.
  2. Stand shoulder width apart and the core locked into place.
  3. Lift your heels and walk on your toes until you hit the target reps.

Representative:12-15

Sets:2

7th Downward dog

  1. Place your palms on the floor and do an inverted V stance
  2. Make sure to keep your back straight and the core engaged.
  3. Touch the floor with your heels and feel the stretch in your calves. Raise your hips as high as possible.

Representative: 12-15

Sets: 2

8th. Skipping rope

  1. Stand on your toes
  2. Hold the ends of the rope in your hands
  3. Swing the rope from back to front. Jump and let the rope out from under your feet. Keep doing this until you have completed the repetitions.

Representative:30-40

Sets:3

9. To run

Running, walking, and hiking are excellent calf strengthening exercises. Running helps build strong muscles and build strong bones as it is a stressful exercise. Running also improves cardiovascular fitness and burns many kilojoules.

TIP: Warming up the legs is always recommended. Start slowly and be consistent as you add running to your exercise routine.

Run according to your capacity and increase the distance over time.