From exploding gin to dating app disasters: our Filter writers’ guide to life

Consumer advice and life lessons: here’s everything our Filter writers have learned in the past year. Plus gifts for Diwali; cordless vacuums on test; and the best hair masks, revealed

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We don’t just test products, offer expert buying advice, seek out hard-to-find, inspiring gifts, and help you become better, more informed consumers here on the Filter. Oh no. We also learn a lot of life lessons.

So, to celebrate our first birthday, we asked our writers, testers and all-round experts for the wisdom they’ve gained – from how to boost their step count to what to avoid on a dating profile – in the past year.