Adieux America 🗽
Bringing back my weekly stack! Some beauty news I’m excited about, plus extremely practical wisdom from a Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Hi! I’d ask how everyone’s doing, but in this corner of the internet, I think we all know the answer—largely concerned. This is a safe space.
I’m currently in Canada for a Sephora conference, and let’s just say I’m seeing a whole lot of red, white, and absolutely no blue. Even Quebecers are leaning into patriotism. For those unfamiliar with Quebec’s dynamic within Canada, let’s just say a common enemy has done the hitherto impossible… united them with the rest of the country.
As I brace for back-to-back conference meetings (and try to avoid the news that France would like their Statue of Liberty back… America really needs to pick just one to bully, Quebec or France, not both… ideally neither), let’s take a moment to disassociate.
Here’s what I found most interesting this past week. As always, puncture my algorithmic bubble and drop what you loved in the comments.
Beauty news
Ultra Violette has landed in the states and it might just be the most transparent (values wise, I can’t speak to white cast as I’m the same Pantone as Casper), highest protection SPF. I’m obsessed with Supreme Screen. I will do a full review of all the products and why this brand stands out—but in the interim, any brand that tests to Australian AND U.S. standards? The bar is finally being raised. I stan.
Benzoyl Peroxide is totally fine, media isn’t. You can watch my rant, but you want to read the FDA’s findings. I howled when I saw media’s coverage (as shown below) vs. the FDA’s. TLDR; your products are safe, benzene isn’t a concern in your acne products, but in order for new organizations to survive and make money they will scare you about products because, well, it’s very engaging.
Everyone’s favorite beauty queens launched an education hub for aspiring product developers. Very tempted to take the course. You can learn more about it here.
Skincare savior of the week
I’m microneedling at home because I’m becoming increasingly reckless (don’t try this at home until I gather my full thoughts, though, to be fair, I do have my esthetician’s license). As a result, my skin is shedding.
For those unfamiliar, microneedling stimulates cell turnover, which means some flaking—a sign it’s working. While I love reapplying Instant Angel with a makeup brush, I don’t always have the setup. Boum Boum Milk with its fine atomizer spray? Oui, madame.This is an affiliate link — you can use code CHARLOTTE-BBM20 for 20% off.
Things I Read & Liked
I’m someone who instantly gets buyers remorse, none more-so than my apartment. Despite the fact that it’s beautiful, and I love living there, I wonder whether getting an apartment was a good idea about 12 times a day. This article weirdly helped, is everything just harder now? Would I just be pining for ownership if I was still renting (why I even bought in the first place).
Jessica Valenti is one of my favorite reporters. She made a very important disclaimer as we read more about the Texas midwife who was arrested on charges of providing abortions.
This felt profoundly useful
I think now is the time to confess that my only celebrity crush at the moment is Jon Stewart, and his conversation with Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa only deepened it. You can listen on your local podcasting app… but the episode is also on YouTube. Ressa is brilliant. Her book is on my must-read list, but it’s her dedication to facts, truth, and the reality that without a shared agreement on both, we’re essentially living in an asylum that really struck me. And somehow, she makes it funny. Refreshing (delightful?), to say the least. We have to start living in a shared reality, that means fighting for truth and catching ourselves when we fall for misinformation. Please watch. Then, let’s start a book club.
Let me know what you were seeing these last few days that *excited* perhaps even *inspired you.*
Excited about and inspired by the spring blooms beginning to pop up!
Jon Stewart is really a National Treasure. I’m very eager to get your thoughts on home microneedling.