Entertainment
What Was Your Worst Hair Day?
We all need some comic relief right now, so let’s talk bad hair days. Here’s mine.
One of my best friends is getting married in New York — black tie! — and I want to treat myself to a blowout. I’m staying at my aunt’s apartment, and the nearest Drybar is one block over. I note the low stars on Google but book an appointment anyway. “Don’t worry, it’s like McDonald’s!” I reassure my friends. “You pick what you want from a menu, and it’s always the same.”
I am a sorceress of self-delusion.
So what if the bathroom is dirty and the entire staff seems deeply unhappy to be there? From the smudged menu, I pick the “Cosmo-Tai” — a tousled wavy ‘do that makes you look like an extra in a teen drama (perfect) — and take off my glasses.
The Cosmo-Tai model photos from Drybar
The stylist washes my hair, and the water is ice cold. “They’re saving money on energy costs! That’s so great!” I tell myself. She torches my hair at the roots with the dryer, blasting my scalp with the fires of hell. “Cozy!” I think.
The curling iron comes out, and I relax and close my eyes. Then I feel my stylist sigh at every curl. Soul-searching sighs. Sighs of grief, exhaustion, malaise. I know that doing my hair isn’t going to bring her any happiness today, and frankly, it shouldn’t. A colleague passes by and asks, “When you get off?” and they exchange a brief conversation on the theme of: I want this to be over.
We all know this feeling.
“You have such fine hair,” she sighs. “I did it extra curly so it’ll stay for the wedding.” She twirls the chair around so I can see. Glasses go on.
In the mirror, a museum-worthy piece of abstract art. Asymmetrical curls, so tightly wound that if you pull them they spring back with a cartoon boing! Others a little cramped, like they got caught in a car door. Frizz exploding from a wonky center part that suggests I may have stuck my fingers in the socket to take the edge off. I ask, meekly, “Maybe we tease it out… a bit?”
I tip 20% and rush outta there, taking a quick selfie in the elevator up to my aunt’s apartment. “So, that’s a blowout?” she inquires from behind an iPad game of Rummikub. “Are you… gonna cry?” my life partner asks, worried.
No! I actually feel giddy. A hairdo so bad it’s hilarious. I wet my hands at the sink and try to tame the beast. Boing! The curls spring back. I consider a shower and then reconsider because of not caring that much. When it’s time to leave for the wedding, I pull my hair into a ponytail, a few curls sticking out like live wires, and make my way uptown.
Famously bad haircuts from Seinfeld, The Mindy Project, Fleabag and PEN15.
I told you mine, now you tell me yours.
Alex Beggs is a writer and copywriter who lives with her partner in Michigan. Her articles have appeared in Bon Appetit, Elle Decor, and The New York Times. She has also written for Cup of Jo about meatloaf and cold cake.
P.S. Three CoJ readers get hair makeovers, and Jannelle gets the haircut she’s always wanted.
Entertainment
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
Mother figures are the backbone of the world. Yours may be your biological mother, or maybe she’s your mother-in-law, your best friend’s mom, or simply someone whose motherly instinct has helped you through hard times.
Moms teach you the adulting necessities, give advice even if the problem is your fault, and above all, they put up with your shit and (almost) never complain.
The game plan here isn’t just to snag the last bouquet at CVS just so you’re not the kid who forgot Mother’s Day (but definitely also get flowers). And you don’t even need to spend a lot of money. (Peep our list of Mother’s Day gifts that cost less than $50. Want even more cheap gift ideas?
Skip the generic mugs and show your appreciation with a gift picked just for her: Whether it’s something to make a part of her life easier, something she’s mentioned wanting in passing, or simply something to make her feel like a damn queen, you can’t put a price on everything she’s done for you, but heartfelt gifts certainly help.
After all, they say “No matter how hard you try, you always end up like your mother.” But is that even a bad thing?
Entertainment
Ban subscriptions and get Microsoft Office 2024 for life for just £121
TL;DR: Grab Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business for PC or Mac for just £120.54 through June 1.
You wouldn’t keep paying for Netflix if you could own your favorite shows, right? So why are you still subscribing to Office apps you use every day? Microsoft 365’s price keeps going up, but there’s finally a way to break free — and it’ll cost you way less in the long run.
Microsoft Office 2024 is the answer you’ve been looking for. Instead of monthly payments, simply pay £120.54 once and be set for life (reg. £188.37). It’s that simple. And, yes, this lifetime download works for PC or Mac.
What’s included?
This license comes with:
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Word
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Excel
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PowerPoint
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Outlook
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OneNote
The newest version of Microsoft Office is a little different from Microsoft 365. But just because you’re switching to a lifetime license doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on some of the most recent updates. Word and Excel both still have AI integrations for text suggestions and smart data analysis, and PowerPoint still has improved tools for recorded presentations.
Once you’ve redeemed your purchase, you can install your apps on one computer. After that, they’re yours to use however you want. No more subscription fees or sudden price hikes to worry about.
Why rent when you can own?
Mashable Deals
Get a Microsoft Office lifetime license on sale for £120.54 with no coupon needed.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 9, 2025
Oh hey there! If you’re here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we’re serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today’s answer.
If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
Where did Wordle come from?
Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What’s the best Wordle starting word?
The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?
The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?
It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.
Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:
Gibberish.
Mashable Top Stories
Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?
There are no recurring letters.
Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today’s Wordle starts with the letter T.
The Wordle answer today is…
Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today’s Wordle is…
TRIPE.
Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle.
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
