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<ul class="summary-list"><li>This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.</li></ul>Happy Saturday! If you're heading out this weekend, here are 11 things a bartender <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/things-you-should-never-do-at-a-bar-bartender">wishes people would stop doing</a> — including asking them to play your favorite song.On the agenda today:<ul><li>Soak in the mountain views at the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taj-cape-town-five-star-hotel-review-worth-it-2024">Taj Cape Town</a>.</li><li>A man's hair transplant pulled him <a target="_blank" href="https://businessinsider.com/hair-transplant-istanbul-turkey-personal-experience-business-2024-5">out of a dark place</a>.</li><li>Chris Pine didn't even <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chris-pine-best-movie-roles-wonder-woman-star-trek-princess-diaries-2024-5">want to be an actor</a>.</li><li>A Wall Street finance bro's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-wall-street-finance-bros-should-wear-this-summer-fashion-2024-5">guide to summer outfits</a>.</li></ul>But first: Where did Mother's Day brunch come from?If this was forwarded to you, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter/insider-today-sunday-edition">sign up here</a>. Download Insider's app <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/app">here.</a><div type="image" title="A brunch spread including mimosas, waffles, and fruit." height="3648" width="5472" msid="110036181" hostid="261" sizebytes="533738"></div><h2 id="ddd48b05-8445-4458-a83d-a722e724a4c9">This week's dispatch</h2>Mother's Day brunchIt's Mother's Day tomorrow — a holiday that can be joyful for many, but also difficult and emotional for others.For those celebrating the holiday, I have a feeling you might be doing something that just feels synonymous with Mother's Day: brunching. I asked Business Insider lifestyle correspondent Anneta Konstantinides for her thoughts — and whether she has any brunch tips.Anneta, how did brunch become synonymous with Mother's Day?My very first memory of Mother's Day was my dad informing me it was time to make mom breakfast in bed. It's a holiday I associate with the simple pleasures of morning — fresh coffee, a stack of pancakes, and fluffy eggs.I think it's just a perfect way to celebrate Mother's Day. There's no need for a massive feast à la Thanksgiving or Christmas — the point, after all, is to make sure mom doesn't have to do anything.If you want to celebrate mom but don't want to leave the house, are there recipes to ensure she has a good meal at home?<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ina-garten-greek-orzo-salad-review-photos-2023-5">Ina Garten's Greek orzo salad</a> will help you transition from breakfast to lunch, and her <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ina-garten-blueberry-ricotta-breakfast-cake-recipe-2023-5">blueberry-ricotta breakfast cake</a> is a must. I made it for my own mom last Mother's Day, and she gave it a 10/10.And every mom deserves a great cocktail, so why not celebrate the day with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ina-garten-cosmopolitan-recipe-review-2023-7">Garten's famous cosmopolitan</a> — with a summer-ready watermelon twist?<div type="image" title="Taj Cape Town lobby." height="750" width="1000" msid="110036182" hostid="261" sizebytes="87476"></div><h2 id="203fc37d-6980-4df8-a251-3c608182c49f">Mountain views and masala chai</h2>A writer spent $317 a night to stay at the Taj Cape Town in South Africa. She could see Table Mountain from her room, one of the city's major landmarks.The hotel's food was also a highlight of the author's trip — from fresh masala chai at the breakfast buffet, to afternoon tea, to hand-delivered slices of cake.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taj-cape-town-five-star-hotel-review-worth-it-2024">See inside the Taj Cape Town</a>.<h2 id="98b93cb5-cb14-46a3-bf36-54336b3a2b7b">A quick trip to "Hairstanbul"</h2>In the United States, hair transplants range from $10,000 to $20,000. But in Istanbul, one doctor charges about $3,500 — a fee that includes a consultation, the operation, some aftercare, three nights in a four-star hotel, and transport from the airport, the hotel, and the clinic.After seeing one of his friends successfully regain his hair after a trip to "Hairstanbul," the author decided to make the journey himself.<a target="_blank" href="https://businessinsider.com/hair-transplant-istanbul-turkey-personal-experience-business-2024-5">Here's what the process is like</a>.<div type="image" title="Chris Pine" height="975" width="1300" msid="110036183" hostid="261" sizebytes="129742"></div><h2 id="010da69f-f918-41f2-a9d4-0519c365bfd8">Chris Pine's rise through the ranks</h2>In an interview with BI, Pine said he never wanted to be a movie star. A third-generation actor, he first avoided going into the family business, hoping to become a professional baseball player instead.That's not how it shook out. With leading roles in rom-coms and IP-fueled blockbusters, Pine has risen through Hollywood's ranks. He described his ascent to BI — including what he learned from Denzel Washington.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chris-pine-best-movie-roles-wonder-woman-star-trek-princess-diaries-2024-5">Get inside Chris Pine's mind</a>.Also read:<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/john-leguizamo-movie-tv-roles-encanto-ice-age-carlitos-way-2024-5">John Leguizamo turned himself into a leading man</a></li></ul><div type="image" title="A button down shirt and a watch" height="750" width="1000" msid="110036184" hostid="261" sizebytes="61732"></div><h2 id="451325ac-1b45-4a61-947b-c68981f14268">What not to wear: Finance bro edition</h2>The weather is heating up, which can only mean one thing: It's time to put the Patagonia vest in storage and slip into something a little cooler, literally and metaphorically.Reginald Ferguson, a men's fashion consultant, told BI he wanted his clients to remain "modern, yet classic" this summer. That means skipping the athleisure and grabbing upscale items from brands like Zegna and Kiton.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-wall-street-finance-bros-should-wear-this-summer-fashion-2024-5">A finance bro's guide to summer fashion</a>.<div type="image" title="A television with an interference screen" height="1500" width="2000" msid="110036186" hostid="261" sizebytes="193524"></div><h2 id="87cb1119-d7eb-4af5-97a6-980fab272363">What we're watching this weekend</h2><ul><li>"Interview with the Vampire": The second season of the AMC drama, based on Anne Rice's novels, returns on Sunday.</li><li>"Mother of the Bride": Netflix's latest rom-com stars Brooke Shields as a woman who learns her daughter is spontaneously marrying the son of the man who broke her heart years ago.</li><li>"The Iron Claw": The acclaimed 2023 film about the tragic Von Erich wrestling dynasty is now available to stream.</li></ul><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-tv-shows-movies-streaming-netflix-apple-max-may-10-24">See the full list</a><h2 id="425d8c55-3b60-434f-a06d-eecc06bd4d66">More of this week's top reads:</h2><ul><li>I moved to Montana after <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/montana-transplant-priced-out-of-california-housing-yellowstone-2024-5">getting priced out of California</a>.</li><li>"Baby Reindeer" viewers <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/baby-reindeer-real-stalker-martha-scott-true-crime-psychologist-2024-5">tracked down "the real Martha Scott."</a></li><li>These four types of ultra-processed foods were <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ultra-processed-foods-linked-early-death-study-2024-5">linked to death in a study</a>.</li><li>A reporter followed Snap Inc. CEO Evan Spiegel's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/evan-spiegel-snap-ceo-morning-routine-review-2024-5">morning routine for a week</a>.</li><li>I took a 20-minute <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/took-ferry-from-europe-to-asia-one-dollar-istanbul-2024-5">ferry ride from Europe to Asia for $1</a>.</li><li>Miss USA and Miss Teen USA stepped down. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/miss-usa-pageant-controversy-timeline-2023-9">Here's a timeline of the drama</a>.</li><li>Ten fat-loss lessons from a woman <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fat-loss-lessons-learned-woman-lost-55-pounds-walking-tips-2024-5">who lost 55 pounds</a>.</li><li>Five Caribbean islands to visit and two to skip, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/caribbean-islands-to-visit-places-to-skip-from-frequent-traveler">according to a frequent traveler</a>.</li><li>Emily Oster says parents should focus on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/emily-oster-explains-what-parents-really-should-worry-about-2024-5">raising independent kids.</a></li><li>The benefits of an AmEx card — despite <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-express-platinum-card-perks-annual-fee-worth-it-2024-5">its hefty annual fees</a>.</li><li>How to live a long, healthy life <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/equinox-40000-membership-optimize-longevity-health-years-2024-5">without Equinox's new $40,000 membership</a>.The Insider Today team: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/joi-marie-mckenzie">Joi-Marie McKenzie</a>, editor-in-chief, in New York. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/jordan-parker-erb">Jordan Parker Erb</a>, editor, in New York. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/dan-defrancesco">Dan DeFrancesco</a>, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/lisa-ryan">Lisa Ryan</a>, executive editor, in New York.</li></ul>

Insider Today: Hair transplants in Istanbul

<ul class="summary-list"><li>An uptick in personal care spending could be a sign US consumers are feeling more confident.</li><li>Better-than-expected retail sales last month point to a coming "treat yourself economy."</li></ul>Long, flowing locks and perfectly pampered skin are signs the economy is on the up and up — or at least, US consumers are acting like it.An uptick in retail sales and personal care spending in recent months suggests people are increasingly treating themselves to some of the luxuries they may have been forgoing amid <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/weird-indicators-a-recession-could-be-coming-finance-experts-2024-9">recent recession concerns</a> and inflation troubles.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/stock-market-retail-sales-tsmc-earnings-labor-market-fed-2024-10?_gl=1*1qicc5r*_ga*NzMwNzE5NTcwLjE2ODQ4ODM1NDg.*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTcyOTgxNDc3NS4xNDM1LjEuMTcyOTgxNTA0MC4yMC4wLjA.">Retail sales rose</a> in August, according to federal data — clocking in a 1.4% gain from the same period last year. That was a better read than economists had expected.Those rising numbers point to a trend that Washington Post reporter Heather Long dubbed the "treat yourself economy" in a conversation with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace/visa-seekers-in-china-weigh-in-on-the-u-s-election/">Marketplace</a> last week."This feels like the year of the mini splurge," Long told the outlet. "That's a really healthy sign for the economy."Buyers often reward themselves for enduring tough economic times by upgrading their personal goods and services selections, Peter C. Earle, senior economist at the American Institute for Economic Research, told Business Insider.Long pointed to one example of such a "reward" — the "Utah hair trend," which has exploded on TikTok and other social media platforms in recent weeks after being popularized by the stars of Hulu's hit reality series "<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taylor-frankie-paul-mayci-neeley-mormon-wives-interview-business-influencing-2024-9">The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives</a>."Some women are spending up to $2,000 for human hair extensions and styling services to achieve the perfect waist-length waves, a hairstylist recently told The Wall Street Journal.It's an expensive trend that may have been less achievable a year or two ago when personal care spending was down nationwide.During <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-recession-risk-soft-landing-labor-unemployment-rate-consumer-confidence-2024-10">recessions</a> or economic downturns, consumer behavior in personal care shifts toward an essentials-only posture, with people prioritizing necessities such as soap and shampoo over more specialized items, Earle said.The "lipstick effect" is an economic theory that posits sales of affordable luxuries, such as lipstick, rise during recessions as people seek an "emotional lift without breaking the bank," Earle said.As the economy begins to recover, consumers generally regain confidence and increase their <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/retailers-showing-squeezed-us-shoppers-have-two-very-different-realities-2024-8">discretionary spending patterns,</a> happily adding more than just lipstick to their shopping carts, Earle said.In the second quarter of 2024, US consumers spent more than $200 billion on <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cost-beauty-products-upflation-strategies-procter-gamble-inflation-rising-prices-2024-7">personal care products</a>, up from $199 billion in the first quarter and $193 billion in the second quarter of 2023, according to September data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis adjusted at annual rates."There is a notable shift from basic or low-priced necessities toward the more indulgent products and services," Earle said. "Consumers are more willing to spend on the luxury or higher-quality personal care items they avoided during the downturn, such as high-end hair care or designer skincare goods."

Welcome to the 'treat yourself' economy — where skincare and long hair rule  

<ul class="summary-list"><li>It's taken me decades to figure out my hair routine.</li><li>I've found a new go-to product, and the Bounce Curl brush has changed how I style my hair.</li></ul>I may be 36, but it's only within the last few months that I feel like I've finally gotten my routine dialed in for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/beauty/curly-girl-hair-routines">my curly hair</a>. I spent years wrestling it into submission and would wake up extra early before high school to flat-iron it, resulting in brittle split ends so bad they branched off into more split ends.Now, it's been about a month since I've used any heat at all, aside from a diffuser once my hair is about halfway dry. My hair has never looked better, and it's mostly due to three things: my new favorite product, <a target="_blank" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=1f6c80b3e8e83b8635bbb018ad819f4763bacf212a9952a83b3c358c57be5a50&amp;postID=66e325f678044123bec3d8b5&amp;postSlug=bounce-curl-brush-changed-curly-hair-routine-2024-9&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FCurls-Mineral-Infused-Slime-Jelly%2Fdp%2FB0BKNLX2QW">Sea Slip Mineral Infused Curl Slime</a> from Curls; a microfiber towel; and the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bouncecurl.com/products/define-styling-brush">Bounce Curl</a> Define EdgeLift Brush.<h2 id="d3109c45-3ac8-439a-acf9-48f756b28e2d">I actually look forward to washing my hair now</h2>I wash my hair every few days. In between washes, I refresh my curls by wetting sections that look a little fuzzy, adding product to those sections, and letting them air dry.On days I wash my hair, I usually use <a target="_blank" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=17afc4da486891e13873276c17d15c8ce3d015baba89712b678c442386c67e10&amp;postID=66e325f678044123bec3d8b5&amp;postSlug=bounce-curl-brush-changed-curly-hair-routine-2024-9&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FNexxus-Therappe-Humectress-Shampoo-Conditioner%2Fdp%2FB00C5AHTVQ%2Fref%3Dasc_df_B00C5AHTVQ%2F">Nexus Humectress Shampoo and Conditioner</a>, though I also use a clarifying shampoo every two weeks to get any built-up product out. I use a wide-tooth comb in the shower to distribute conditioner.Straight out of the shower, when my hair is still pretty wet, I separate it into two sections to distribute the Curl Slime, which spreads really well throughout the hair. I have <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/how-to-get-thicker-hair">a lot of thick hair</a> and often feel like I need a lot of product, but this has enough slip that it feels like it's evenly spread through my hair without needing to use too much.<div type="image" title="The Bounce Curl brush on top of a microfiber towel with the Sea Moss Curl Slime." height="2268" width="3024" msid="113368904" hostid="261" sizebytes="544104"></div><h2 id="ed57f4af-ee5d-48ad-b7d4-e3a515ed2b66">The Bounce Curl brush has changed how I style my hair</h2>Then, I section my hair and use the Bounce Curl brush to "brush style" it. It takes a few minutes but is worth the time I save by not having to use heat to fix my curls in the long run. I brush through a small section of hair at a time, lifting at the root and letting the edge of the brush create clumps that will turn into <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/beauty/best-hair-dryers-for-curly-hair">defined curls</a> as it dries.After finishing this step, I flip my head over, wrap it in a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/beauty/turbie-twist-hair-towel-review">microfiber towel</a>, and forget about it for a while while I watch an episode of something or chase my dog around the house, trying to teach him how to play with his toys.Once it's at least halfway dry, I'll finish it off with my blow dryer with the diffuser attachment, which lets me dry my hair without blowing it around and disrupting the curls. If I'm in a rush, instead of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-heatless-curls-method-2022-9">letting it air dry</a> for a bit, I'll gently scrunch some water out with the towel after brush styling and then go straight to diffusing it.Then I'm good to go! Once it's fully dry, if there are any curls that are too big and defined or "clumped" together, I might pick them apart for some more volume, but that's all I need to do; I don't need to mess with any of my curls with a curling iron anymore to fix them because they're not cooperating, and it's made things so much easier.

At 36, I've finally figured out my curly hair routine. The Bounce Curl brush has changed the way I style my hair.

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<ul class="summary-list"><li>Wendy Altschuler left her home state of Montana in her early 20s after finding love.</li><li>She has rarely returned — a few times when her mom was dying and later for her dad's second wedding.</li></ul>At 19, I fell in love with a long-haired musician wearing a white linen shirt dotted with wooden buttons. He caught my eye while strumming an acoustic guitar and singing his heart out at an open-mic-night dive bar in Montana.It only took two years before I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/left-hometown-seeking-job-opportunities-au-pair-travel-europe-backpacking-2024-2">packed up everything I owned and moved</a> across the country to build a life with him in Chicago, leaving the weathered mountains, coniferous forests, and wildflower-filled meadows of my childhood forever in the rearview mirror.Later, I'd marry that music man. Together, we weathered the vicissitudes of life through the challenges of working and paying for college, moving multiple times, and going through career changes. And, just as I was <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/parental-stress-is-a-public-health-crisis-2024-9">becoming a mother</a>, I'd lose my own through a lengthy and painful struggle with breast cancer.Even though we could barely afford it at the time — with three little boys to take care of — we made the journey back to my home state to spend time with my parents and to give my children a chance to feel their grandparents' love.After <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/only-child-dealing-alone-mom-illness-2024-4">my mom died</a>, the worry about my father's health and welfare grew. How would he endure, all alone without my mom? What was my responsibility in all of this, living several states away and raising my own family?<div type="image" title="Grandpa with three grand sons seated on a wooden bench" height="2330" width="3262" msid="114231912" hostid="261" sizebytes="560444"></div><h2 id="c663ac73-ff61-40ea-9e0a-f566d53edd99">My dad had no interest in leaving Montana</h2>But my father had created his own life, surrounded by horses and wide-open spaces. The fact that the only time he had ever visited me was for my wedding — something I told him he was obligated to do — was incredibly telling for where he'd want to spend his remaining years.When my dad found love again and chose to get <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mom-remarried-accept-relationship-wedding-letting-go-2024-6">remarried</a> a few years later, it was a great relief. I was proud of him for fighting for his existence and for deciding that he deserved happiness — even at his mature age. I knew it was challenging to be vulnerable and put yourself out there again after so many decades of marriage.When we arrived in Montana for his wedding, I popped in a local coffee shop before the big day, while my husband and boys waited outside. As soon as I spotted the bold brush strokes, I knew it was hers, my mother's painting hanging on the wall.Unbeknownst to me, the owners had bought it from an antique store, where my mom sold some of her outsider art before she died. Gutted, all of it came rushing back — the pain of watching my <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/quit-goldman-sachs-to-take-care-of-mother-no-regrets-2024-5">mother get sick </a>and lose her hair, her vibrancy, as she withered and suffered and eventually didn't know who or where she was anymore. The sting of seeing the faraway look in my dad's tired eyes when he told the young men setting up the hospital bed in his living room, "you'll be back to pick this up, she'll be dead soon."I ran out of that coffee shop, sobbing into my hands as I struggled to explain to my husband what I had seen, trying like mad to pull myself together because my three little boys were looking up at me, and we had a wedding to get to.Two of my sons stood next to my dad, properly dressed in cowboy hats and boots, with the Bridger <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mom-left-family-celebrate-40th-birthday-alone-switzerland-travel-solo-2024-8">Mountains in view</a>, while my youngest walked down the aisle with the real rings stacked on his thumbs, pointing up to Montana's big sky.<div type="image" title="Man in cowboy hat dancing with woman with a band in the background" height="5197" width="3469" msid="114231913" hostid="261" sizebytes="635810"></div>My father and I would slide our boots in tandem on the dance floor while my husband played with the band on the stage behind us. That day, I experienced a kaleidoscope of emotions, ultimately landing on gratitude for a full life, where love was the golden thread weaved throughout.A handful of months later, at Christmas, I opened the best present I'd ever received: my husband had bought me my mother's painting from the coffee shop.As the years go by, flowers sprout, bloom, and return to the soil. Ponderosa pines still smell like kettle corn and vanilla. My <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mom-left-kids-home-took-middle-son-travel-alone-greece-2024-9">sons continue to grow</a> and mature and find their own passions and footing. Eventually, they will also flee the nest.<h2 id="6a592a0b-2c85-4c72-a8f9-88cb2be5c300">It had been 3 years since they'd seen Grandpaw</h2>This past summer, just before my three teenagers would start high school together, we took one more <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/took-teenagers-on-roadtrip-everyone-enjoyed-it-2024-10">family trip</a> back to Montana. This time, it would be a surprise — nobody would know we were coming. It wasn't a holiday, birthday, or special occasion. It was just because we love my dad.Laying the groundwork, I made sure to call him more than normal for several months prior, gently teasing out information to be sure he'd be home during our visit. Nearly every day, he visits a country coffee shop near his house, the same one we would ride horses to when I was a kid. My plan was to show up there and send my boys in to casually sit down next to him. Would he recognize them after three long years? Would this timeworn cowboy cry?When he wasn't there, however, we had to amend our plans and show up at his house. We drove back and forth before pulling into his long driveway, parking out of view. The five of us shuffled past dozens of chickens to reach his door, unobtrusive and quiet to avoid being spotted.I was a bit nervous when I knocked, heavy with the hopes of pulling off something I had been planning for so long. My old man opened the door, and we all screeched, "Surprise!"He stumbled back a step and then reached for my kids, delight stretching across his face. He said nothing and everything at the exact same moment.Got a personal essay about reconnecting with family that you want to share? Get in touch with the editor: <a target="_blank" href="mailto:akarplus@businessinsider.com">akarplus@businessinsider.com</a>.

My 3 kids spend little time with their grandpa. So, we flew across the country for a surprise visit.

<ul><li>The CDC randomly inspects and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cleanest-cruise-ships-cdc-inspections-2024-10" target="_blank">scores cruise ships</a> to prevent the spread of stomach viruses.</li><li>Vessels inspected so far in 2024 have scored an average of 95.7 out of 100. A score of 85 or less is considered unacceptable.</li><li>The dirtiest ships this year so far scored 89 or less, including one that received 62 points.</li></ul> On most exams, a "B" is considered a passing grade. For cruise ships, scoring an 85 out of 100 on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cruise-ships-best-worst-sanitation-scores-list-cdc-norovirus-2023-7" target="_blank">Vessel Sanitation Program</a> review is considered a failure. The CDC has reported <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vessel-sanitation/cruise-ship-outbreaks/index.html" target="_blank">10 bacterial and viral outbreaks</a> on cruise ships since the start of 2024. Most cases have been norovirus, as these often-packed floating hotels can quickly propagate the highly contagious bug through contaminated water, food, surfaces, and people. If you're one of its unlucky victims, it could quickly ruin your vacation — the four predominant <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/celebrity-cruises-constellation-cruise-ship-norovirus-stomach-flu-outbreak-2024-1" target="_blank">symptoms of norovirus</a>, also known as the stomach flu, are vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. <div type="image" title="Radiance of the Seas, sailing near the South Franklin dock, Juneau, Alaska, in 2016. There are mountains with a blue-gray hue behind the ship." height="3680" width="7360" msid="114171501" hostid="261"></div> To mitigate these outbreaks, the CDC randomly conducts sanitary inspections on cruises without prior notice to the vessel. The public health agency then scores the ship from zero to 100, with outcomes of 85 or lower considered inadequate. The review includes checking common spaces such as kitchens, hot tubs, and children's activity centers. Obvious issues, such as vermin and improperly stored foods, will dock points. So will less-apparent issues, such as buffet handwashing stations with light sources less than 110 lux and the swimming pool's hair and lint strainer not being disinfected frequently enough. <div type="image" title="pool on Carnival Firenze cruise ship with people around the deck" height="1725" width="2300" msid="114171500" hostid="261"></div> The CDC has performed 119 inspections so far in 2024, including repeat inspections on five ships. The average score is about 95.7 — 20 vessels achieved perfect marks. But 10 vessels didn't break into the 90s range, including one that failed to pass, and Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's ultra-luxury <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-ritz-carltons-new-luxury-cruise-ship-sail-this-week-2022-10" target="_blank">Evrima</a>: <ol><li><keyword id="23631205" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Crystal-Serenity" source="keywords">Crystal Serenity</keyword> — Crystal Cruises, scored 89 (inspected February 3)</li><li>Carnival Elation — Carnival Cruise Line, scored 89 (inspected March 14)</li><li>Adventure of the Seas — Royal Caribbean International, scored 89 (inspected January 23)</li><li>National Geographic Sea Bird — Lindblad Expeditions, scored 88 (inspected July 25)</li><li>Carnival Miracle — Carnival Cruise Line, scored 88 (inspected April 21)</li><li>MSC Magnifica — MSC Cruises, scored 86 (inspected May 17)</li><li>Evrima — Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, scored 86 (inspected February 9)</li><li>Carnival Breeze — Carnival Cruise Line, scored 86 (inspected March 21)</li><li>Caribbean Princess — Princess Cruises, scored 86 (inspected March 20)</li><li>Hanseatic Inspiration — Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, scored 62 (inspected September 29)</li></ol>An 11th vessel, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-i-sailed-margairatvilles-new-cruise-ship-wont-again-2022-5" target="_blank">Margaritaville at Sea Paradise</a>, received a failing score of 83 on May 1 but passed a subsequent inspection with a 92 on July 2. The CDC performed 181 cruise inspections in 2023. Only one, MSC Seaside, hit below 85, scoring 67 when it was inspected in April 2023. However, it was reinspected three months later and received a 92. According to the public health agency's <a href="https://wwwn.cdc.gov/InspectionQueryTool/InspectionSearch.aspx" target="_blank">cruise review database</a>, since 1991, 50 ships have received scores below 85, with 75 total failed inspections. Hanseatic Inspiration is tied with Rederij Clipper Stad Amsterdam's Stad Amsterdam for the sixth-lowest score ever, though the latter most recently received 91 in 2019. The CDC's review of <a href="https://wwwn.cdc.gov/InspectionQueryTool/InspectionDetailReport.aspx?ColI=MjM2ODAxNzM%3d-CadqKFLR8PA%3d" target="_blank">Hapag-Lloyd's vessel</a> noted violations such as a maggot-infested decomposing bird under the outdoor grill and dead insects in areas with food. <h2>What the cruise lines have said</h2> <div type="image" title="Hanseatic Inspiration on water" height="2936" width="4674" msid="114171504" hostid="261"></div> A spokesperson for Hapag-Lloyd told Business Insider the score didn't reflect the company's standards. Following the inspection, the cruise line conducted an internal investigation and "intensive training sessions with external and internal trainers," it said. It plans to submit its corrective report to the CDC on time (the Vessel Sanitation Program manual states companies must submit their "corrective-action statements" within two weeks of receiving the CDC's final report). A Crystal Cruises spokesperson told BI most of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/crystal-2026-world-cruise-27-countries-on-luxury-ship-2024-3" target="_blank">Crystal Serenity's</a> violations were "operational items" that had since been addressed and corrected "through harmonization of procedures and additional training with our crew." <div type="image" title="The Crystal Serenity in Stockholm sailing near land." height="1725" width="2300" msid="114171508" hostid="261"></div> Similarly, a spokesperson for MSC Cruises told BI it had implemented an "improvement plan" on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/msc-four-month-world-cruise-photos-2023-12" target="_blank">MSC Magnifica</a> according to the CDC inspector's suggestions. Many of the changes were immediate and only needed "minor" efforts, it said. The cruise line said that it believes Magnifica's score "is not a true reflection of the ship as it is today" and that it would "welcome any future inspection." MSC noted that many of its ships frequently achieve above 90, including the MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seashore, which both received perfect marks in 2024. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Lindblad Expeditions, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ritz-carlton-second-luxury-cruise-ship-ilma-yacht-2023-3" target="_blank">the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection</a>, and Princess Cruises didn't respond to a request for comment. Correction: October 17, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misstated how many cruise ships had failed CDC inspections so far in 2024. Two ships failed, though one later received a passing score. The story was updated to clarify that the ship's second score was not low enough to be included on the list of lowest scores. The story also misrepresented some CDC figures. The numbers 119 in 2024 and 181 in 2023 referred to the number of CDC inspections, not the number of individual ships inspected. Similarly, 50 different ships, not 75, have received failing scores since 1991, with some doing so more than once. The story also misstated how many ships have achieved perfect scores in 2024. Twenty have done so, not 19. The story was updated to clarify that most ships in 2024 have scored at least 95, not 95 exactly.

These are the 10 dirtiest cruise ships, according to the CDC — including an ultra-luxury vessel

<ul class="summary-list"><li>This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.</li></ul>Welcome back to our Saturday edition! Do your grandparents give you something from their home every time you visit? They may be practicing "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/grandmother-swedish-death-cleaning-declutter-my-house-2024-10">Swedish death cleaning</a>." It can be <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/grandmother-inheritance-lesson-letting-go-2024-10">a lesson in decluttering</a>.On the agenda:<ul><li>Your next home <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hallways-in-houses-disappearing-new-build-floor-plans-cut-costs-2024-10">might not have a hallway</a>.</li><li>The routines Wall Street's rising stars use to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/habits-hacks-that-keep-wall-street-rising-stars-mentally-sharp-2024-10">stay on top of their game</a>.</li><li>How Issa Rae turned <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/issa-rae-business-skills-profitable-red-flags-to-avoid-2024-9">authenticity into wild success</a>.</li><li>Luxury hotels are getting into the wellness game with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rich-people-obsessed-longevity-luxury-hotels-iv-drips-mri-scans-2024-10">IV drips and stem cell therapy</a>.</li></ul>But first: Want an MRI with your mojito?If this was forwarded to you, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter/insider-today-sunday-edition">sign up here</a>. Download Insider's app <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.insider.com/app">here.</a><h3 id="2d2d81c1-e984-4ab1-b11e-26ada0d3da0b">This week's dispatch</h3><div type="image" title="A woman drinks a tropical cocktail on a beach with an MRI scan in the background." height="900" width="1200" msid="114172279" hostid="261" sizebytes="137494"></div><h2 id="6f9c5ac5-ec11-4a68-8ad6-75cb4bde030f">Meet the MedTourists</h2>When Imani Bashir books a dental appointment, she also books a flight to Mexico. The 37-year-old Washington, DC resident, who grew up in the US without health insurance, told Business Insider she finds it easier and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/medical-tourists-health-screenings-tests-exams-on-vacation-mexico-turkey-2024-10">cheaper to book medical appointments</a> there than where she lives."It always feels good when you feel like you can take care of yourself, and financially, it's not going to be a detriment to your life and your health," she said.Bashir isn't the only one mixing travel with healthcare. Millions of Americans — many without health insurance — are trekking abroad to take advantage of cheaper medical care, saving 40% to 90% on the services they receive.The procedures range from dental work to cosmetic enhancements, such as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hair-transplant-istanbul-turkey-personal-experience-business-2024-5">hair transplants</a>. Breast implants and liposuction are the most popular services.Medical tourism isn't a new phenomenon. The costs of prescription drugs, doctor visits, and hospitalization are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/medical-tourism-americans-save-money-healthcare-2018-6">notoriously higher in the US</a> compared to many other countries.If you decide to book a flight to prioritize your health, remember to ensure you're booking appointments at facilities with international accreditation, seek follow-up care back home, and if you're getting anything cosmetic, watch out for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/red-flags-botox-filler-injections-2024-10">these red flags</a>.<h2 id="cc30e20d-acf4-4a4e-ad8f-02c3a04a9dbb">RIP, hallways</h2><div type="image" title="a house being squeezed and pulled at by measuring tape" height="900" width="1200" msid="114172283" hostid="261" sizebytes="229272"></div>American homes are getting squeezed for space. Literally.Newly constructed homes are smaller and more expensive than homes built 13 years ago. As a result, developers have had to get creative to maximize usable space. That's bad news for hallways: They've become the first casualty of new homebuilding.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hallways-in-houses-disappearing-new-build-floor-plans-cut-costs-2024-10">Why your next house might not have one</a>.<h2 id="f3efdf5d-fcfc-4813-9e6c-8e3b9040c25d">Staying sharp on the Street</h2><div type="image" title="Running shoes draped over the Wall St. sign" height="1500" width="2000" msid="114172284" hostid="261" sizebytes="141782"></div>Climbing the ranks on Wall Street isn't easy. The work is demanding and the hours are long. That's why taking time to unwind is essential for staying sharp on the job.But not all finance professionals are indulging in cold plunges or biohacking trends. From spending time with friends and family to taking up hobbies, Wall Street's rising stars shared the habits they follow to stay on top of their game.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/habits-hacks-that-keep-wall-street-rising-stars-mentally-sharp-2024-10">How top talent stays grounded</a>.Also read:<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jpmorgan-kristin-lemkau-wealth-management-sleep-work-life-balance-2024-10">Why this JPMorgan exec says you should sleep more</a>.</li></ul><h2 id="4e812ecf-a060-401e-9848-be206a63cddb">The world according to Issa</h2><div type="image" title="Issa Rae wearing a purple blazer and smiling, not looking at the camera" height="1667" width="2500" msid="114172288" hostid="261" sizebytes="125726"></div>Issa Rae, the creator of the award-winning HBO show "Insecure," is profiting big in Hollywood thanks to one secret weapon: her authenticity.The 39-year-old shared her formula for peak creativity, her hacks for business success, and the red flags she's learned to avoid in the industry. There's also one habit Rae credits her accomplishments to. (Night owls, you may not like it.)<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/issa-rae-business-skills-profitable-red-flags-to-avoid-2024-9">Issa Rae's skills for success</a>.<h2 id="483172dd-9e06-415f-8357-1bdb6f813f7b">An IV drip by the pool</h2><div type="image" title="A photo of a pool with a fountain at the Four Seasons Maui." height="3750" width="5000" msid="114172278" hostid="261" sizebytes="1427568"></div>Who doesn't love a little luxury? Pampering is good for the skin and the soul — and at these swanky hotels, it might even help you live longer.Resorts are cashing in on the wealthy's obsession with longevity by charging guests tens of thousands for "medical wellness" treatments. Some examples: $44,000 stem cell and ozone therapies, and full-body MRIs.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rich-people-obsessed-longevity-luxury-hotels-iv-drips-mri-scans-2024-10">A spa day for the ages</a>.Also read:<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/longevity-investments-ultra-rich-are-making-supplements-devices-2024-10">I went to a longevity conference for billionaires. Here's how they're planning to cheat death</a>.</li></ul><h2 id="5fef756b-4b6b-4037-8f33-9635854b9d8b">What we're watching this weekend</h2><div type="image" title="Cate Blanchett in &quot;Disclaimer&quot;" height="1500" width="2000" msid="114172281" hostid="261" sizebytes="400430"></div><ul><li>"Disclaimer": Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline star in the Apple TV+ drama about a woman whose long-buried secret threatens to derail her life.</li><li>"The Menendez Brothers": On the heels of the controversial Ryan Murphy drama "Monsters" comes the Netflix documentary exploring the 1989 murder of Jose and Kitty Menendez by their sons, Lyle and Erik. It includes exclusive prison interviews with the convicted killers.</li><li>"Abbott Elementary": The hit ABC sitcom returned this week, and its season four premiere is now on Hulu.</li></ul><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-shows-movies-streaming-netflix-hulu-max-october-11-24">See the full list</a><div type="image" title="A red shopping bag surrounded by $100 bills." height="1500" width="2000" msid="114172277" hostid="261" sizebytes="244828"></div><h2 id="a09a70ef-5e7e-4bf4-80b2-3731f70bdc6e">Deals we love</h2><ul><li>Vegan leather that lasts: We tested Freja's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/style/freja-review">viral vegan-leather bags</a>. Not only are they beautifully modern in design, but they also hold up well over time.</li><li>Budget TVs that feel expensive: You don't need to spend thousands to get a display with worthwhile performance. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/best-tv-under-500-dollars">These four TVs</a> offer built-in smart features and advanced picture quality features for under $500.</li><li>A gentle alarm clock: Stop jolting yourself awake to a jarring alarm. Before we turn back the clocks, consider an alternative, like a sunrise alarm clock. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-wake-up-light-alarm-clock">We found the five best ones</a> for a gentle yet effective wake-up call.</li></ul><h2 id="3a2e4b99-8063-4f80-8653-d1ec4a2af89a">More of this week's top reads:</h2><ul><li>A golf course "cart girl" shares <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cart-girl-working-golf-course-mistakes-customers-make-cons-2024-10">the biggest mistakes customers make</a>.</li><li>The Philadelphia Eagles' dietitian shares <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/eagles-dietitian-underrated-protein-sources-his-nfl-players-love-2024-10">two protein sources his players love</a>.</li><li>Behind the scenes of the Trump movie <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-apprentice-trump-movie-gabriel-sherman-dan-snyder-interview-2024-10">Trump doesn't want you to see</a>.</li><li>Two ways a top nutrition scientist <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tim-spector-scientist-stroke-lower-blood-pressure-without-cutting-salt-2024-10">lowered his blood pressure after a stroke</a>.</li><li>Want to talk about finances on a date? <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/leo-love-is-blind-wealthy-dating-tips-2024-10">Don't be like Leo from "Love is Blind."</a></li><li>What it's like to try <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/no-buy-year-experience-saving-money-2024-10">a "no-buy year."</a></li><li>How an unknown actor landed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/joker-2-unknown-actor-met-todd-phillips-scene-opposite-lady-gaga-2024-10">a role in "Joker: Folie à Deux."</a></li><li>Heather Graham explains how <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/heather-graham-movies-tv-shows-boogie-nights-austin-powers-2024-10">she rewrote her own career</a>.</li><li>Where to stay on Lazarus Island, just <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lazarus-island-singapore-tiny-house-vs-glamping-tent-2024-10">20 minutes from Singapore</a>.</li><li>Dine out at Hong Kong's only <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/michelin-star-meal-korean-restaurant-hong-kong-worth-it-2024">Michelin-starred Korean restaurant</a>.</li></ul>The Insider Today team: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/dan-defrancesco">Dan DeFrancesco</a>, deputy editor and anchor, in New York City. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/jordan-parker-erb">Jordan Parker Erb</a>, editor, in New York. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/lisa-ryan">Lisa Ryan</a>, executive editor, in New York. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/amanda-yen">Amanda Yen</a>, fellow, in New York. Grace Lett, editor, in Chicago.

Insider Today: Hallways are disappearing

<ul><li>The CDC randomly inspects and scores cruise ships to prevent the spread of stomach viruses.</li><li>So far, in 2024, 20 cruise ships have received a <keyword id="20578970" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="perfect-score" source="keywords">perfect score</keyword>. </li><li>Norovirus can spread quickly on packed vessels.</li></ul>Cruise ships don't always have a squeaky-clean reputation for being ultra-clean. After all, there's a reason they've been infamously dubbed "floating Petri dishes." Not all floating resorts are created — or operated — equally. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention randomly conducts sanitary inspections on cruise ships throughout the year. So far in 2024, 20 vessels have received perfect scores. At the same time, the public health agency has reported 10 bacterial and viral outbreaks — mostly norovirus — on ships since the start of the year. Half have been on ships from <keyword id="20102018" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Royal-Caribbean" source="keywords">Royal Caribbean</keyword> Group's main cruise line and its Celebrity Cruises subsidiary. Overall, the number of outbreaks so far is fewer than in 2023, which saw 14 in total. <div type="image" title="img670584923f2165d716df579e" height="3680" width="7360" msid="114117469" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Royal Caribbean&amp;#39;s Radiance of the Seas had two outbreaks in 2024, one from norovirus and the other from salmonella.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The highly contagious norovirus, also known as the stomach flu, is the most common virus to afflict cruises. These often-packed floating hotels create the ideal environment for the highly contagious bug to spread fast, typically through contaminated water, food, surfaces, and people. Just as quickly, it can ruin your vacation — the four predominant symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. To help mitigate these incidents, the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program regularly inspects cruise liners and scores them from zero to 100. <div type="image" title="16 Cruise liner MSC Meraviglia is berthed at a dock in Punta Langosta in Cozumel" height="1333" width="1777" msid="114117473" hostid="261"></div> The review — which includes checking common spaces such as kitchens, pools, and children's activity centers — is random and unannounced. As expected, vermin and improperly stored foods are a big no-no. But inspectors are also closely watching behind the scenes for smaller, more-nuanced details such as how frequently the hair and lint strainer in the swimming pool is disinfected or the water temperature of the dish washer. So far, in 2024, the CDC has performed 119 inspections. The majority scored above 95, and 20 (listed below) have received perfect marks: <ul><li>Carnival Spirit — Carnival Cruise Line (inspected September 3)</li><li>Zuiderdam — Holland America Line (inspected August 24)</li><li>Viking Orion — Viking Ocean Cruises (inspected August 18)</li><li>Seabourn Odyssey — Seabourn Cruise Line (inspected August 16)</li><li>Norwegian Jewel — Norwegian Cruise Line (inspected July 24)</li><li>Oceania Regatta — Oceania Cruises (inspected July 24)</li><li>Radiance of the Seas — Royal Caribbean International (inspected July 21)</li><li>MSC Meraviglia — MSC Cruises (inspected July 9)</li><li>Norwegian Bliss — Norwegian Cruise Line (inspected June 22)</li><li>MSC Seashore — MSC Cruises (inspected May 26)</li><li>Norwegian Sky — Norwegian Cruise Line (inspected May 23)</li><li>Brilliance of the Seas — Royal Caribbean International (inspected May 16)</li><li>Viking Polaris — Viking (inspected April 2)</li><li>Celebrity Equinox — Celebrity Cruises (inspected February 25)</li><li>Norwegian Breakaway — Norwegian Cruise Line (inspected February 25)</li><li>Norwegian Escape — Norwegian Cruise Line (inspected January 27)</li><li>Explora I — MSC Cruises (inspected January 25)</li><li>Disney Fantasy — Disney Cruise Line (inspected January 24)</li><li>Celebrity Ascent — Celebrity Cruises (inspected January 7)</li><li>Norwegian Gem — Norwegian Cruise Line (inspected January 2)</li></ul> This time last year, 29 ships had achieved 100. By the end of 2023, 34 vessels racked a perfect score. Correction — October 17, 2024: An earlier version of this story contained an incorrect photo caption. The causes of outbreaks on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas ship were norovirus and salmonella, the CDC found. Also, an earlier version of this story incorrectly stated there are 18 ships that have received perfect scores so far this year. There are 20. Also, so far in 2024, the CDC has performed 119 inspections, not inspections on 119 individual ships, as some were repeat inspections.

These are the cleanest cruise ships this year, according to the CDC — including 18 with perfect scores       

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Joshua Huggett is an Australia-based wedding photographer and the founder of Joshua Huggett Media.</li><li>Most couples want candid shots, but Huggett said that they always end up using proper posed photos.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Joshua Huggett, a wedding photographer. It has been edited for length and clarity.I started taking photos in high school because it was a fun and easy subject to pass. After high school, I continued snapping pictures of abandoned buildings, but there wasn't a market. So, I transitioned into event photography — birthday parties and anything where I could make money with my camera.Wedding photography wasn't even on my radar. But then I photographed a friend's wedding for free as a favor, and I was hooked.It's a special experience because you're spending time with people on the best day of their lives when they've spent months trying to look their absolute best with their hair, makeup, and all. Plus, you're often at stunning venues — with free food and beer, which is hard to say no to.Now, I shoot for 120 weddings a year with a team of 28 staff.<h2 id="e32de782-cd32-4531-bfae-389bc1f91e66">Shooting weddings takes you everywhere</h2>I like to say shooting for weddings is the "Olympics of photography" because it pushes every skill a photographer has.It's not just about snapping candid shots of the couple. There's product photography when shooting rings, dresses, and decor. There's nightclub photography when you're on the dance floor, catching the couple and guests in motion. And there's portrait photography when you're doing family shots.Our clients range from everyday Australian weddings to higher-end, self-employed clients. Photographing weddings takes you to all kinds of places. One day, I'm shooting a wedding at a five-star hotel, and the next day, I'm out on a farm where the food is cooked over charcoal in the bucket of a tractor.One of the most interesting locations I've shot at was in the middle of Australia, in a town where the Mad Max movies were filmed. Donkeys wandered through the streets, and a Mad Max Museum was on the main road. It wasn't luxurious, but it was one of my favorites. I've been to places like Peru, where I shot a wedding and visited Machu Picchu<h2 id="d34db625-75e6-4e48-b979-f5203f9ff3e9">Candid shots are overrated</h2>Couples nowadays are obsessed with capturing "candid moments" at their weddings. They imagine it's all about those spontaneous, unscripted moments — laughing with friends, mingling during cocktail hour, or having quiet conversations with loved ones.While we take plenty of those photos, most couples don't realize that after the wedding, when it comes down to picking their favorites, those aren't the ones that get framed or hung on the wall.In the end, couples truly want the big, polished, beautiful shots — the ones where they're posed just right, standing in front of a breathtaking backdrop, looking their absolute best. Those are the images that last.People might ask for candids, but they'll almost always treasure the traditional, well-composed shots they took. The candid shots are great for filling up an album or scrolling through on your phone, but the iconic images that capture the essence of the day almost always involve a little effort in posing and planning.They only use about six key pictures: one for the profile picture, one for the family, a few to send to Grandma, and one to hang on the wall.<h2 id="bba50917-e426-4124-8b2e-9a999c70cb25">How to take the best posed photos</h2>When it comes to posed photos, I like to keep things dynamic, adding movement so it doesn't feel stiff or overly formal. It's all about making people feel comfortable and natural in front of the camera.A good posed portrait isn't just about standing still. It's about creating movement and making people feel comfortable so they don't look stiff or unnatural.That's especially important for older couples, who often skip the extended photo sessions and simply want coverage of the wedding, candid shots during the reception, and family photos. They value a more minimal approach and aren't looking for hours of posed pictures, just enough to capture the essence of the day.Over the years, I've also realized that weddings are one of the last big gatherings where families are together—parents, grandparents, and close friends, all in the same place. I can't tell you how many emails I've received from couples thanking me for the photos after losing loved ones.Those images become meaningful, especially if they were some of the last ones taken. It's easy to get caught up in the details, but the people in the photos make them special at the end of the day.Do you have a story to share working for or with high-net-worth individuals? Email this reporter at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:lwee@insider.com">lwee@insider.com</a>.

I'm a photographer who shoots weddings around the world. Couples want one kind of photo — but they don't actually use them.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>In my 20s, I was a model and started to lose my hair; I blamed my dad's genetics.</li><li>I started taking medication to slow my hair thinning, which had bad side effects. </li></ul>I often think about my father's impact on my life — from cultivating an adventurous mindset and entrepreneurial spirit to influencing how I now parent <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lonely-empty-nester-sons-went-to-college-2023-8">my son</a>.For many men, one of these reflections — as once was mine — is something seemingly trivial yet profoundly impactful: their hairline. When my hair started thinning in my 20s, I feared I was taking after <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/born-after-dads-first-kids-improved-older-father-2024-6">my father</a>, who's mostly bald.It's a common cultural assumption that we inherit our hair fate from our fathers. But as someone who dedicated nearly a decade to understanding <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/androgenic-alopecia-hair-loss-woman-beauty-2024-5">hair health</a>, I now believe we shouldn't blame our dads for our hairlines.<h2 id="dddb1419-73a5-453d-ba60-0a6c883e5c5d">I had to navigate my own hair health challenges</h2>When my hair started to thin, I was modeling to put myself through engineering school. I was juggling a hectic career alongside my own <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/work-friends-are-over-remote-jobs-gen-z-relationships-pandemic-2024-6">personal relationships</a> and commitments. Unsurprisingly, you are acutely aware of your appearance as a model. So when I noticed shedding after running my hands through my hair, I was terrified. I literally started counting the number of hairs I was losing on a daily basis. You're expected to lose around 80, and I was losing double that.I got flashes of my own father's experience and couldn't help but think that I was destined to follow suit. I recall speaking to him around this time — it wasn't a conversation we'd had previously — and learning for the first time how young he was when he started losing his hair.Afraid I would be doomed to the same fate as the men in my family before me, I turned to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dermatologists-using-blood-pressure-drug-oral-minoxidil-treat-hair-loss-2022-8">prescription hair drugs</a>. I ended up taking prescription drugs for nearly eight years. While it provided some benefits at first, the significant side effects — decreased libido and sexual dysfunction — made me seriously question whether the health costs were worth it. My confidence plummeted, and it started affecting my relationships and self-esteem. This experience, while challenging, was the catalyst needed to pursue a drug-free, holistic solution to tackle my own thinning hair.When beginning to navigate the world of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/beauty/thinning-hair">hair thinning</a>, I quickly learned that the assumption of genetic inevitability is only part of the story. Yes, genetics play a role, but they are far from the whole picture. Our hair is a window into our overall health, and it's impacted by many external factors like stress, nutrition, hormones, and more. This was a transformative realization for me, and I believe it can empower many men.<h2 id="a9bf3d20-14d9-4fac-bd9d-0ba6318defde">There are lesser known external factors that impact your hair health</h2>Stress, for example, is one major factor in hair health. If not managed, stress can impact our bodies in various ways, including our hair. It disrupts the hair growth cycle, leading to increased hair shedding and slower growth. When I reflect now, it's obvious that my hair thinning in those stressful early years of building my career was exacerbated by all the demands I was putting on my body and mind. By taking a whole-body approach and supporting my diet, exercise, sleep, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/mental-health/stress-relief">stress managemen</a>t, I improved my hair health and quality significantly.Since becoming a parent to a son of my own in 2022, I have an even greater appreciation for the interconnection of our body systems and the importance of a holistic approach to well-being. Parenthood is a beautiful and life-changing experience, but it also opened my eyes to how many stressors can impact your health. It wasn't until the early days of fatherhood that I could clearly see sleep — or lack thereof — was taking a toll on both my mental and physical health. Consistent <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sleep-loss-deprivation-america-reasons-health-inequality-economic-stress-money-2024-5">lack of sleep</a> felt like one continuous bad hair day, and I had the increased hair shedding to prove it. It became even more critical to prioritize self-care from a whole-body perspective.<h2 id="340e24ba-e2eb-4c28-83af-748f5ed121f0">I hope my son feels empowered to take things into his own hands</h2>Now that I have a son of my own, I think about the lessons I want to instill in him. I aim to lead by example and hope my own prioritization of a health-forward lifestyle provides a positive influence. He's just <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/single-mother-toddlers-graduated-masters-degree-2024-6">a toddler</a> now and has an incredible head of hair, so it's hard to picture otherwise. It is also impossible to predict the future or what technology will be at our fingertips in 20-odd years. But should he one day experience thinning or shedding, I hope he feels empowered to take things into his own hands — and not entirely blame me.So, to all the sons out there starting to scrutinize their widening part lines or depleting crown coverage, my advice is this: Don't just accept your supposed "genetic fate." You have the power to take control of your hair health through <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/live-to-100-centenarian-lifestyle-choices-study-2024-6">lifestyle factors</a> like diet, exercise, quality sleep, and stress management. Your dad may have contributed to some genetic factors, but you dictate just how much those genes get expressed through your lifestyle choices.Make hair health a priority. Follow a hair-healthy regimen, and you may be surprised by your results — no matter what may have been passed down through the generations.Giorgos Tsetis is the co-founder and CEO of Nutrafol, a hair growth and skin health supplement brand.

I'm a hair health expert, and I want men to stop blaming their fathers for thinning hair. Genetics is only half the story.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I took a river cruise because it was on my mom's bucket list.</li><li>We spent a lot of time together, so we did some serious bonding.</li></ul>I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/river-cruise-great-if-you-dont-like-cruises-opinion">took my first river cruise somewhat reluctantly</a>. It was on my mom's bucket list, and I love my mom. So I agreed to a Columbia and Snake River cruise on American Cruise Lines that would take us from Idaho through Washington to Oregon, with stops in sleepy towns ripe with Lewis and Clark history.I'm not a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/high-paying-jobs-for-people-who-love-history-2016-9">history buff</a>, but I wanted to learn about my mom. Living together in cruise quarters, sitting down to three meals a day, spending hours touring local sites, and listening to duos perform the oldies at 8 p.m. so everyone could be in bed by 9:30 p.m. makes for some serious bonding.I'm 58, and my mom is 86. This cruise was an opportunity for her to see a part of the nation she had never experienced; for me, it was a chance to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/caring-for-aging-parent-anticipatory-grief-patience-2023-9">spend quality time with my mom</a> doing something I knew would make her happy.I wanted t<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kids-interview-their-grandparents-to-create-holiday-memories-2022-11">hese memories with my mom</a>, and a small cruise like this one was manageable and easy.<h2 id="839d165a-b6fc-4ec7-b953-73f9566c53e8">The small ship made it easier for her to navigate</h2>American Cruise Lines booked everything for us, including flights and our pre-cruise hotel. The drivers who picked us up at the airport were the same drivers who took us on excursions, providing a level of familiarity and comfort for passengers, who mostly ranged in age from 60 to 90.Navigating through thousands of people, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/which-cruise-lines-should-i-choose-skip-expert-2024">standing in lines for meals</a>, and disembarking for excursions can be tough for older people, especially if they have mobility issues. But a small ship like ours, the American Harmony, has only six decks, a short walking distance from forward to aft, a mere 180 passengers, one central set of elevators, and provisions in place to help passengers on and off the ship.After having taken about 15 previous cruises on large ships, it was a big change for me, but a good one. Seeing my mom handle it all with no stress or struggle put me at ease.<h2 id="574fa840-6da9-4ff1-a1f8-718e6f486e97">The entertainment catered to an older age group</h2>Then there was the entertainment. I suspected that it would cater to an older crowd, and it did. There was a music trivia game featuring songs well before my time, a jazz trio that introduced every song, and a slow-moving bingo game with a smattering of corny jokes. While I good-naturedly rolled my eyes, my mom loved it all.She was the first to jump up and dance (earning her the "dancing girl" title that followed her throughout the week), she be-bopped to the music of her time, and she cursed under her breath when her bingo card repeatedly came up empty.<h2 id="7a19beb7-6064-4110-b67a-60d0820ea498">The adventures were perfect for her</h2>Each day brought a new adventure. Mom loved the air-conditioned motorcoaches that took her to historical sites. She attended every onboard seminar featuring a history expert who spoke about the area. One day, I dragged her to a wine tasting, and she discovered that expanding her horizons beyond Moscato wasn't so bad. Meanwhile, I took long walks in cities like Astoria, Oregon, kayaked on the Wind River, and captured photos amid the wildflowers at the base of Mount St. Helens.We always came together again for cookies in the afternoon, happy hour in the lounge, and dinner in the dining room, where we were often joined by other passengers who became fast friends. Mom loved the all-American menu, and we both devoured every dessert served. We'd bid adieu to the day from the top deck at sunset, wind whipping our hair. Every night, my mom would look at me with a wide smile and utter sincerity and tell me what a good day it had been.While I might not have quite been the target demographic for our river cruise, my mom was, and I got to witness and share in her absolute delight. I wouldn't trade one moment of seeing her in her element.

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