Abuja poor internet spotlights digital divide

Residents of Abuja and northern Nigeria are grappling with persistent poor internet services, marked by slow speeds, frequent outages, and unreliable connectivity.

Amid Nigeria’s ambition to achieve a 70 percent broadband penetration rate by the end of 2025, the current rate stagnates at approximately 48.81 percent as of August 2025, hurting cities like Abuja.

The northern region, where poverty rates exceed 60 percent, faces heightened digital exclusion, with millions unable to access essential online services.

Experts warn that without urgent infrastructure upgrades, the region risks further marginalisation in Nigeria’s digital economy. The challenges stem from undersea cable damages, vandalism and insufficient fiber optic infrastructure.

A September 2025 report by the GSMA, the global industry body for telcos,

found that around 130 million people in Nigeria remain offline, despite living in areas with mobile broadband coverage, a gap widened by the slow rollout of the National Broadband Plan (2020-2025).

In Abuja, the nation’s capital, mobile network crises have become commonplace, with dropped calls and failed data connections disrupting daily life.

Complaints have flooded social media platform X, where Nigerians detail their ordeals. In Abuja’s Kado area, user @RightSideWitGod lamented, ‘Very poor internet service in Abuja, Kado, particularly. The decline has worsened over time.’

Similarly, @amare_of expressed extreme frustration with network service in Naf Valley Estate and Asokoro: ‘The connection has been consistently unreliable and slow. This experience is unacceptable.’

Another post from @Aiwanscales added, ‘The whole of Asokoro extension in Abuja is having issues with a service providers’ network and you guys cannot sort it out.’

Further north and in Abuja suburbs, users report data draining rapidly despite high costs. @Badmosgraphics in Ushafa, Abuja, complained: ‘It is now a constant thing for both call and data network to disappear for hours everyday without any reasonable explanation.’

Hostile actions

Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), has repeatedly highlighted the threats to service quality.

Adebayo noted; ‘Ongoing investments in network optimisation, fibre expansion, and site upgrades are transforming the sector, but hostile actions by some states, including excessive right-of-way fees and vandalism, risk digital exclusion, particularly in underserved northern regions where infrastructure deployment is already challenged.’

He urged state governments to foster a supportive environment, warning that vandalism alone led to multiple incidents from May to July 2025, potentially disrupting services nationwide.

Adebayo also pointed to diesel blockades by oil workers threatening over 16,000 telecom sites, including in northern states like Kaduna, emphasising the need for protective measures to sustain connectivity.

Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), addressed the investment angle, stating that the telecom sector has attracted over $1 billion in new investments in 2025, spurred by policy shifts, including tariff adjustments.

These funds from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) will be channeled toward infrastructure upgrades, prioritising underserved areas starting with the northern part of Nigeria to bridge the digital divide.

This includes fiber deployment, site enhancements, and region-specific rapid response teams for protection, ensuring resilient networks for economic recovery.

‘The $1bn investment will start from the North, with expansion of fibre backbones beginning in the North Central region,’ Maida stated.

He stressed collaboration with governors to reduce right-of-way fees, aiming for an additional 90,000km of fiber by Q4 2025, with a focus on northern states to meet national broadband goals.

Inside Nigeria’s N14trn skincare market

Wuraola Ibitoye browses Instagram for imported serums, while Vivian Adeolu opts for Nigerian-made face washes and moisturizers – a contrast that captures the two sides of Nigeria’s beauty industry.

Nigeria’s skincare market is huge, estimated at N14 trillion, according to BusinessDay’s recent research report entitled, ‘Insight Survey Report: Consumer Trends in Nigeria’s Skincare and Beauty Industry.’

The report shows that imports still lead, but local brands are gaining ground in skincare, fragrances, makeup, and natural oils, offering affordability and a sense of cultural pride.

From Lagos to Ibadan, store shelves reflect this diversity, as consumers strike a balance between global prestige and home-grown credibility. Young Nigerians, in particular, are propelling the industry, investing in skincare, hair care, cosmetics, and fragrances. For some, beauty shopping signals status and experimentation. For others, it represents identity and accessibility. Together, these choices are reshaping what aspiration looks like in a fast-changing market.

Size of Nigeria’s beauty market

Nigeria’s beauty and personal care sector has quickly emerged as one of Africa’s fastest-growing markets. According to Statista, this sector – cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrances – earned an estimated $8.36 billion (N7.3 trillion) in 2023. Out of this, cosmetics alone accounted for $1.64 billion, highlighting the strong demand for beauty products among Nigeria’s increasingly style-conscious urban population.

Between 2018 and 2023, the industry’s value nearly doubled, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of seven percent – eight percent, despite economic disruptions during the pandemic in 2020 and ongoing inflationary pressures. The purchasing power of young city dwellers, the influence of social media celebrities, cultural trends that promote self-expression, and the rapid growth of e-commerce platforms have all contributed to accelerating expansion and transforming consumer behaviour.

Market projection

Looking ahead, the market is projected to grow at a significantly faster CAGR of 14.97 percent from 2024 to 2028, potentially reaching a total revenue of over $14 billion by 2030. This remarkable growth trend positions Nigeria not only as Africa’s largest consumer market but also as an emerging beauty hub on the continent, blending global ambitions with local innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Who is buying?

Nigeria’s beauty and skincare market is primarily led by young adults, with those aged 25-34 making up nearly 60 percent of buyers. This group, who are tech-savvy and career-focused, influences product choices, purchase methods, and brand expectations. Women remain the primary consumers at 78 percent, but men are increasingly entering the market, particularly in grooming, skincare, and fragrances, a sign of shifting cultural views on male beauty, according to the BusinessDay survey.

Spending patterns reveal strong middle-class participation. More than half of respondents spend N10,000-N50,000 monthly, showing a demand for ‘affordable luxury.’ This balance of aspiration and cost-sensitivity highlights a clear sweet spot for brands. Most consumers are hybrid buyers, with 65 percent mixing local and imported products. While international brands still hold trust, Nigerian labels are being adopted where quality and credibility are proven.

The survey findings confirm that skincare component is the leading product category, with 69 percent of respondents prioritising creams, serums, and treatments. Fragrances rank next, reflecting Nigeria’s cultural emphasis on scent and presentation, while haircare and men’s grooming lag behind but remain significant.

Social media is the key driver of product discovery. Seventy-two percent of respondents learn about products via Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok. As one respondent explained: ‘I follow reviews online, and if a product trends, I’m more likely to try it.’ For younger buyers, validation from digital communities outweighs traditional advertising.

Male grooming continues to evolve. Beard care, in particular, has become a visible marker of identity. Most men groom weekly, often guided by barbers as trusted advisors. While grooming is acknowledged as ‘important’ or ‘very important,’ product usage is modest. The majority spend N5,000-N10,000 monthly, with only a small premium group exceeding N20,000. One respondent shared: ‘I spend about ?20,000 a month on beard oils and conditioners because grooming is part of my identity. For me, it’s not just about looking neat, it’s part of my daily style and look.’ The preference for natural and organic ingredients shows wellness-driven consumption is influencing men as much as women.

Dark side of beauty

Despite enthusiasm, challenges persist. Counterfeits were flagged by 67 percent of respondents as the biggest concern. Beyond undermining trust, fake products expose users to health risks and discourage them from trying new brands. One consumer explained: ‘Sometimes, when in the open market, you can’t tell if what you’re buying is original or fake, and that makes me hesitant to spend too much.’

Affordability is another major barrier. Nearly half of respondents cited rising prices, driven by foreign exchange (FX) volatility that inflates the cost of imported products. As one noted: ‘Prices keep going up, and creams I used to buy are now almost double.’ Loyalty remains fragile. A striking 89 percent of consumers say they will immediately switch brands if dissatisfied. In such a competitive landscape, consistency, authenticity, and safety matter as much as visibility and marketing.

Nigeria’s skin care, beauty stores

For many retailers in Lagos and Ibadan, the beauty business is more than commerce; it’s a calling shaped by passion and persistence. ‘I started little, telling people what to use to look good and selling to them. Many years later, it has become a family business,’ said the owner of a 41-year-old skin care business in Ibadan. Another explained, ‘It’s what my mother did, so I grew up in it. My vision is to make my skin care business a household name across Nigeria.’

Demand is also shifting, shaping how these entrepreneurs operate. In both cities, skincare is overtaking makeup as the primary driver of growth, with an increasing number of customers, including men, purchasing creams, serums, and grooming products. ‘Skincare is now a daily use, while makeup is occasional. That’s where we see sales moving,’ a Lagos store owner observed. Yet brand preference remains a hurdle. ‘Customers want foreign products because of trust, even when Nigerian brands are improving,’ an Ibadan retailer explained.

It is this same demand for trusted, science-backed skincare that has created space for medical aesthetics clinics.

According to Omolade Olatawura, chief operating officer of Laserdem Clinics, a leading skincare and aesthetics company with branches in Nigeria and Ghana, the clinic’s nearly 15-year journey was built on filling that very gap. ‘For years, Nigerians travelled overseas for safe, advanced skincare, exposing a clear need in the local market. Our response was to build a team of globally trained doctors, nurses, and aestheticians, and to use clinically tested products that meet international standards,’ she explained. Today, skin clinics like Laserdem reflect the same forces driving retail growth: a youthful, image-conscious population, lifestyle shifts, and rising incomes that drive greater investment in skin health and beauty.

Outlook: Industry at a crossroads

Nigeria’s beauty and skincare industry is growing rapidly, driven by young, digital-first consumers who view grooming as a means of expressing their identity. Yet, counterfeits, affordability pressures, and trust gaps pose a threat to stability. Opportunities lie in building trust through QR codes and education, targeting the ‘affordable luxury’ band, and scaling organic brands with indigenous ingredients. Digital discovery and influencer marketing are essential, while male grooming remains under-tapped. Local brands like Zaron, ORÍKÌ, Arami Essentials, and Dang must compete on both quality and visibility. As one respondent put it: ‘We all want to look good, but it has to be safe and worth the money.”

Viriyah makes AI a priority within its long-term strategy

Viriyah Insurance, Thailand’s largest non-life insurer, is charting a course into the digital era by placing artificial intelligence (AI) at the centre of its long-term strategy in order to retain its leading market position.

The company expects to record 42.6 billion baht in direct premiums this year, growth of 3.7% year-on-year. As of August, the company earned 28.1 billion baht in premiums, up 5.53% year-on-year.

With a market share of 14.5%, Viriyah has maintained its leading position in the non-life insurance segment, said managing director Amorn Thongthew.

Thailand’s non-life insurance industry continues to show resilience amid an economic slowdown, volatile politics and rising natural disaster risk, he said. In the first half of 2025, the sector recorded direct premiums of 146 billion baht, up 3.4% year-on-year, supported mainly by growth in accident, health and fire insurance.

“Viriyah has consistently outpaced the industry thanks to customer trust in our comprehensive services,” said Mr Amorn.

During the first eight months of 2025, motor insurance contributed 24.7 billion baht in premiums, up 4.5% year-on-year, for a 23.3% market share, while non-motor insurance surged 13% to 3.4 billion, accounting for a 3.74% share.

For the remainder of the year, the industry could face slower growth without government stimulus, he said. However, Mr Amorn said Viriyah remains confident of achieving its 2025 target of 42.6 billion baht in premiums, comprising 37.6 billion from motor insurance, up 3.3% year-on-year, with non-motor insurance soaring 11% to 4.98 billion.

“Our focus this year is to build a stronger balance between motor and non-motor products,” he said. “We remain committed to delivering ‘more than protection, true value’ for customers through every service touchpoint.”

THREE STRATEGIC PILLARS

Viriyah’s growth strategy is anchored on three core goals. The first is elevating service quality across omnichannel touchpoints to ensure seamless, convenient experiences for both online and offline operations.

Second, the company is expanding business ecosystem by increasing partnerships in electric vehicle (EV) claim services nationwide, specialised repair networks, and exclusive privilege programmes from 65 to 80 partner brands. The final focus is on human capital with efforts such as building leadership pipelines and equipping its 7,000 employees with skills in AI, EV-related technologies, and digital services under a lifelong learning framework.

Viriyah is accelerating its digital transformation through insurtech initiatives by leveraging over 78 years of experience and a database of more than 8 million policies to enhance product design, claims management, and risk mapping, he noted.

The company is also launching behaviour-based products, including PayLite, a usage-based motor policy for light drivers, and 2+ Good Drive, which refunds 30% of premiums to safe drivers who don’t make any claims.

To build its AI-driven future, Viriyah has engaged global consultancy Roland Berger to design its information and data architecture as part of a long-term digital roadmap.

In 2026, Viriyah targets growth in line with the overall industry, similar to this year’s growth andthe company has vowed to further speed up health insurance claims processing, expand EV repair networks nationwide, and roll out new products to address emerging risks, such as cyber insurance and property coverage for solar panel usage.

“Viriyah Insurance is about more than just car insurance. Our mission is to provide comprehensive protection for every aspect of our customers’ lives, combining human service excellence with AI-powered innovation,” said Mr Amorn.

In the medium to long term, the company sees AI as the most transformative force shaping the Thai insurance industry, one that will redefine customer, partner, and insurer experiences across the board while keeping people at the heart of service delivery.

Economy will pop with AI bubble

The old truism that the stock market is not the economy risks underplaying how much today’s powerful investment trends could impact the prosperity and lives of the whole country.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is obviously the megatrend of the moment. Scale is everything, and the US tech giants are driving the spending, while investors are scrambling to get on board an already overcrowded train.

The so-called Magnificent Seven — US tech companies that now make up a record 36% of the S and P 500’s market value — have seen their stock prices more than double over the past two years, after rebounding a whopping 60% from the troughs of this year.

Whether this is a bubble is perhaps the biggest question facing the stock market and the US economy at large.

While the extraordinary capital expenditure on AI over the past year may only represent about 1% of US GDP, its impact on growth has been massive.

Some reckon as much as one-third of the economy’s near 4% annualised expansion over the past two quarters may be accounted for by this digital gold rush. Tariff-related trade distortions have played havoc with GDP calculations this year, but last week’s revisions showed that business spending on intellectual property products grew 15% compared with a 12.8% previous estimate, while firms’ investment in equipment grew at an 8.5% clip instead of the previously reported 7.4%.

That growth may have slowed a bit this quarter, but not much.

What’s more, spending on data centres and infrastructure investment — up fourfold since 2020 — is fuelling construction and wider industrial sector activity to boot.

Growth in consumption, the lion’s share of GDP, is the other main driver of the economy — but that’s also heavily linked to the wealth effects from outsize gains in stock market indexes — clearly amplified by megacaps and two years of AI excitement.

The fundamental organic business growth of the rest of the S and P 500 has essentially just chugged along for the past five years and underperformed other blue-chip companies around the world in the process, as the investment manager GMO recently pointed out.

In short, AI better work — or else.

THE MUSIC’S STILL PLAYING

The AI arms race is unlikely to grind to a halt any time soon.

Echoing former Citi boss Chuck Prince, who famously said, on the eve of the global banking crash in 2007, you have to keep on dancing as long as the music is still playing, Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg was quoted last month as saying he would prefer to end up “misspending a couple of hundred billion dollars” than being late to the AI expansion.

Many questions about AI remain unanswered.

Although some studies have questioned the extent to which end usage of generative AI has really done anything for business returns so far, that says little about the technology’s potential to reshape hiring and job roles going forward. And scaling up computing and cloud capabilities will also position many big firms for much wider and potentially more profound changes to come — not least in quantum computing.

If you believe this is the future, with all the seismic impact on labour demand and productivity that adherents forecast, then it’s hard to see disappointment or reversal being a narrow investment event.

If AI is a bubble and it bursts, it will likely reverberate through the real economy — both independently of and through the equity market.

One retort is to look back at the dotcom bubble that burst in 2000. That tech stock mania reversed without the entire economy collapsing — and some of the companies that survived eventually became today’s behemoths.

Interest rate cuts and a housing rebound partly saved the day back then. And it’s conceivable that we could see a repeat this time around in the event of a sudden AI market implosion.

But sceptics certainly see the froth as well as the future in recent events.

Carlyle chief investment strategist Jason Thomas homed in on the eye-popping 36% one-day Oracle stock price surge on Sept 10 as a classic example of a crowded market desperate for any AI opportunity, regardless of the underlying numbers.

Mr Thomas described the Oracle move, which was prompted by news of AI-related cloud contracts with OpenAI and others, as “the rarest of rare events”, with a single-day change in value equal to 85 times the stock’s average daily trading volume.

The near tripling of its stock price over two years, to deliver a market cap that briefly topped a trillion dollars last month, is stunning given Oracle’s other underlying numbers.

Mr Thomas points out that to deliver on the OpenAI deal, Oracle will have to lift its own capital spending by almost $100 billion over the next two years, an annualised growth rate of some 47%, even though its free cash flow has already fallen into negative territory for the first time since 1990.

The International Pet Industry Meets in Bangkok This October

The upcoming 2025 edition of Pet Fair South East Asia, marking the event’s fourth edition, will take place from October 29-31 at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC).

With a record show floor bringing together 450 exhibitors from over 40 countries and forecasted trade visitors from more than 80 nations, the event will once again serve as a comprehensive B2B hub for the global pet supply chain.

Featuring an exhibitor mix of 75% international and 25% local companies, the show offers one of the most internationally diverse show floors in the global pet industry’s 2025 event calendar. Featured product categories on the 2025 show floor include:

Food and Nutrition (pet food, pet treats, pet food ingredients)

Health and Care (healthcare, hygiene, grooming)

Play and Lifestyle (accessories, apparel, furniture, toys, carriers)

Technology and Sustainability (processing solutions, packaging solutions, smart tech solutions)

Several international country pavilions, developed in close collaboration with strategic private-sector and government partners, have been confirmed for Pet Fair South East Asia 2025. Confirmed country and regional pavilions include: The United States of America, China, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Spain, Canada, Taiwan, and dedicated Thai and Southeast Asia-based Start-Up Pavilions

As the event continues to grow in scale and significance, Pet Fair South East Asia is set to further solidify Bangkok’s position as a key global meeting point for pet industry professionals in 2025.

International Conference Program

In addition to hosting 450 exhibiting companies, Pet Fair South East Asia 2025 will feature a comprehensive conference program with over 40 sessions across two stages, covering a wide range of industry-relevant topics, including Market Trends and Insights, New Product Innovations, Business Strategies and Growth, Regulatory and Compliance Updates, and various other topic areas.

The in-hall conference program is free of charge for all attendees and designed to deliver valuable knowledge and practical takeaways to industry professionals from around the world.

In addition, Pet Fair South East Asia 2025 will host the return of Petfood Forum Asia 2025 – a special one-day technical seminar addressing the latest ingredient solutions, processing techniques, and packaging innovations. Organised by WATT Global Media, the people behind Petfood Forum in Kansas City, North America’s No. 1 event for pet food professionals, Petfood Forum Asia 2025 will take place on October 29 in a private seminar room setting in co-location with the show. Ticket sales and early-bird rates for this special co-located conference are now available under https://www.petfoodforumevents.com/asia/

Special Networking Events

Pet Fair South East Asia 2025 will once again host two special networking events, designed to foster high-level business connections in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

October 29: Evening Networking Event within the Exhibition Hall

October 30: Skybar Rooftop Networking Night – offering stunning skyline views as the industry connects under the stars

New for 2025: For the first time, tickets for the Day 2 Rooftop Networking Event will also be available to show visitors. Previously, access was exclusive to exhibitors. Ticket sales for visitors will open in September.

Combine Business and Leisure in Bangkok

While Pet Fair South East Asia is a key platform for business growth and networking, it also provides the perfect chance to experience the world-renowned charm of Bangkok – consistently ranked among the world’s leading tourism destinations. Many exhibitors and visitors take the opportunity to extend their stay or plan a weekend escape. With its world-class hospitality, culture, and cuisine, Pet Fair South East Asia is not only a business trip but an inspiring experience in every respect.

ING predicts resilient non-oil sector and gradual GDP recovery for Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is demonstrating significant progress on both economic and geopolitical fronts. This advancement has attracted the attention of major global financial institutions. Among them, the Dutch financial giant ING Group has recently published a detailed report outlining Azerbaijan’s economic outlook, offering valuable insights into the country’s growth prospects and challenges ahead.

The Dutch financial institution ING Group projects a moderate but stable growth trajectory for Azerbaijan over the next two years. While the forecasts point to a slight deceleration in economic momentum compared to 2024, the overall outlook underscores macroeconomic resilience, fiscal discipline, and positive structural trends in key non-oil sectors.

According to ING’s projections, real GDP growth in Azerbaijan is expected to reach 1.5% in 2025, recovering to 2.8% in 2026, following a robust 4.1% expansion in 2024. While the slowdown may appear pronounced at first glance, ING analysts stress that such a trend was anticipated as a natural correction after a strong rebound year.

‘After 4.1 percent GDP growth in 2024, the slowdown this year was not unexpected,’ the ING report notes, ‘but the magnitude of the slowdown exceeded previous forecasts, with pressures observed in both the oil and non-oil sectors, including transport and construction.’

Despite this temporary cooling, Azerbaijan’s nominal GDP is projected to continue its upward trajectory, increasing from $74.3 billion in 2024 to $79.6 billion in 2025, and further to $81.3 billion in 2026. This reflects sustained economic expansion, especially in a challenging global environment marked by oil price volatility and weakening external demand.

In per capita terms, GDP is expected to rise from $7,284 in 2024 to $7,631 in 2025, and $7,720 in 2026-a positive indicator of improving living standards and economic productivity.

ING’s forecast also emphasizes Azerbaijan’s relatively stable external position, even as global commodity markets remain uncertain. The country’s current account surplus is expected to moderate-from 6.3% of GDP in 2024 to 2% in 2025, eventually shifting to a 3.3% deficit by 2026. This adjustment reflects lower oil export revenues and rising import demand, particularly in the wake of large-scale infrastructure development and consumer spending growth.

A similar trend is forecasted in the trade balance, which is projected to shrink from 11.9% of GDP in 2024 to 6.3% in 2025, and down to 1.2% in 2026. However, the gradual nature of this decline highlights Azerbaijan’s ability to manage external vulnerabilities, especially as it continues to diversify away from oil and gas dependence.

Importantly, external debt levels remain low and stable, forecasted at 19.5% of GDP in 2025 and 19.7% in 2026, down slightly from 20.2% in 2024. This reflects strong debt management policies and enhances Azerbaijan’s creditworthiness on international markets.

Inflation remains within manageable bounds, even as ING predicts a modest increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the forecast horizon. CPI is expected to reach 5.1% by the end of 2025, up slightly from 4.9% in 2024, and rise to 5.8% in 2026. ING attributes this to persisting pressure in food prices, despite a slowdown in broader demand-side inflationary factors.

‘The decline in mainly demand-side inflation factors allowed CPI to slow to 4.9% in August, despite food price pressures continuing after the April-May peak of 6.3%,’ the report explains.

Encouragingly, the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) remains committed to price stability. The CBA expects inflation to remain below 5% in the medium term, in line with its target range of 4±2%. Its decision to cut the key policy rate by 25 basis points to 7% in July 2025 signals confidence in easing inflationary dynamics and a more stable external environment.

Outlook: Stability, diversification, and policy resilience

While external factors such as oil prices and global trade conditions continue to influence Azerbaijan’s economic indicators, ING’s report paints a picture of a resilient, strategically navigating economy.

The non-oil sectors -especially construction, transport, and services-are showing increased adaptability, despite some pressure. These sectors are expected to play a more prominent role in future growth, supported by ongoing public investment, digitalization, and regional connectivity projects like the Middle Corridor initiative.

In summary, Azerbaijan’s economic outlook remains fundamentally positive, with stable macroeconomic indicators, prudent monetary policy, and growing momentum in non-oil industries positioning the country for sustainable growth in the medium to long term.

This Under-Eye Brightener Makes Skin Look Like an Instagram Filter IRL — Yes, Really

No matter the season, tired eyes can appear at any time, despite how much rest you’re getting. If you’ve tried everything with no luck to reduce puffy eyes and dark eye circles, we finally found a solution. This under-eye brightener acts like an IG filter IRL — and it’s just $10 at Amazon!

The Grace & Stella Under-Eye Brightener Roller is the ultimate beauty multitasker, and despite its compact size, it’s mighty. It works hard to reduce puffiness and dark circles thanks to its impressive serum-like formula, which contains caffeine, niacinamide and peptides.

Over time, this formula reveals a well-rested, wide-awake appearance, much like a real-life filter. Even better, the brightener includes retinol and hyaluronic acid, which are known for their anti-aging benefits in reducing lines and wrinkles — a true win!


See it!

Get the Grace & Stella Under-Eye Brightener Roller for $10 at Amazon!

Over 30,000 shoppers have purchased the under-eye brightener, which makes sense since it’s a number one bestseller in the Eye Treatment Serums category.

“Makes my tired eyes feel really good!” a five-star reviewer wrote. “At 71, I have very loose bags under my eyes, and let’s be honest, my eyes will never get that 20-year-old look again, but it DID noticeably firm them up, and I must also say that it made my eyes feel so refreshed, so I sometimes use it on my lids.”

Another reviewer said it’s either a “miracle cream or voodoo.” They also added: “I have had bags under my eyes for as long as I can remember. When I tell you this is magic or voodoo, I do not lie! As soon as I start rolling this on my dark circles lighten up so much. They don’t disappear, but they get lighter, making them easier to cover with makeup.”

If you’re looking to reduce puffiness and dark circles, don’t wait to grab the under-eye brightener while it’s still in stock!


See it!

Get the Grace & Stella Under-Eye Brightener Roller for $10 at Amazon!

Elizabeth Olsen’s Go-To Skincare Product Contains Bee Pollen Extract

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Kathy Griffin Wants to Join ‘Golden Bachelorette’: ‘I’m 64, Single and Sexy’

Kathy Griffin is ready to find love again — specifically if it means she gets to go on The Golden Bachelorette.

In Us Weekly‘s exclusive clip from the Monday, October 6, episode of Fox’s Celebrity Weakest Link, host Jane Lynch asks Griffin, 64, about a “dream” she has for her personal life.

“I am 64, single and sexy,” Griffin told Lynch, 65. “So I would like to be the next Golden Bachelorette.” (ABC launched the senior franchise with Gerry Turner in 2023, with Joan Vassos starring as the first Golden Bachelorette in 2024. Mel Owens’ second season of The Golden Bachelor is currently airing.)

Lynch pointed out that Griffin could search for The One on Fox instead of ABC, saying, “Fox has a show called Farmer Wants a Wife and I could probably talk to people here if you are interested in being on a farm for your golden years.”

‘Golden Bachelor’ Stars, Producers Weigh In on ‘Golden Bachelorette’

Griffin showed support for Lynch’s suggestion. “I would like to be hoed,” she quipped during Monday’s Roastmasters-themed episode.

The special brings together eight celebrities who will compete to win up to one million dollars for the charity of their choosing. After answering general knowledge questions, the contestants bank money as a group and at the end of each round, they vote out who they consider to be the weakest link.

At the end, there will be two people left standing as they determine who wins the money for their chosen charity. In addition to Griffin, the Roastmasters episode includes Cedric the Entertainer, Margaret Cho, Lil Rel Howery, Lisa Lampanelli, Natasha Leggero, Chris Redd and Iliza Schlesinger.

Lynch previously teased what fans can expect from the revamped version of the gameshow.

“I like to make people feel comfortable and also have kind of the demeanor of a strict school marm. I think that kind of works,” she told TV Insider in September 2025. “I think these folks know that my tongue is firmly wedged into my cheek and there hopefully is a twinkle in my eye, unlike [the host of The Weakest Link] Anne Robinson. She was as serious as a heart attack, and that’s why that show was so good. But I didn’t for a minute think I should go that route myself.”

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The best part was Lynch getting the chance cross paths with her former coworkers and friends from the industry, adding, “It’s a small community, this acting community. Even if I haven’t worked with them, I know of them, and there’s an instant familiarity.”

Before competing on Celebrity Weakest Link — and shooting her shot at love — Griffin was married to Matt Moline for five years before their 2006 split. She was briefly linked to Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak but they parted ways in 2008. Griffin married Randy Bick in 2020 but the pair called it quits after five years of marriage.

“The divorce is what’s kicking my ass mentally,” Griffin told Page Six in October 2024. “I thought I was going to be with this guy forever. I’m heartbroken, I admit it. I just didn’t think I’d be alone at this stage of the game, but hey, that’s on me. And I guess, I obviously have [to take] full responsibility.”

She added: “I know it’s cliché. I wish him the best. I hope he meets somebody else. He just wasn’t the right guy for me. But he’ll be good for somebody else.”

Celebrity Weakest Link airs Mondays on Fox at 9 p.m. ET.

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