Whatnot Glossary - 06

Six good masks, the perfect windbreaker, an honest review of that* sports bra & more

Goldie Hawn

Happy Saturday! I was surprised by how many people mentioned that they also have trouble making time for things after last week’s post. I mean, I KNOW that nobody has enough time to do anything, but sometimes it feels like I am uniquely bad at managing my time. Or maybe I’m actually good at it because I know it’s an issue for me. TBD. Next week I will write about some tricks I’ve picked up for getting things done in spite of myself, but I am doing a little research and want to make sure it’s actually a valuable resource before I blast it out into the world.

In the meantime, here is this week’s Whatnot Glossary, which is intended to be a fun round up of things that have surprised and delighted me lately. Some can be bought and some are just good ideas like the 7-minute workout that I’ll stop talking about…never.

SIX GREAT FACE MASKS

I’ve been off Botox for almost a year. You can read a smidge more here, but the last few times I’ve felt like I don’t look like ME in the mirror which is annoying because I loved having no wrinkles. Also, it’s expensive for where I am in life right now which is: saving to buy cars and car insurance for teen drivers and also college. However, I will indulge in a face mask, facials and many other things help me like the way my skin looks. I also had painful, cystic acne in my 20s and 30s, so I am equal parts grateful to wake up in the morning with no breakouts and always a little fearful that the acne will return. For anyone struggling with hormonal / cystic acne a supplement with DIM (I used this one) worked actual miracles for me (but…not a doctor!). Amazon kindly let me know that I’ve repurchased it 44 times. If anyone would like to chat about the emotional side of acne, please send me a message. Boy have I been there.

Ok, masks. 3 to 4 nights a week I do a mask. I’ve been using this cleanser (it takes me back to when I thought that brand was the MOST sophisticated brand in the world) and then I use these which I’ve written about before and can never, ever be without. Again, #notadoctor or any type of skin professional, but I implore anyone to take a ‘less is more’ approach to masks and topical skin products in general. If I overdo it, I will develop a red rashy situation near the corner of my mouth. “Treat your skin like a fine piece of silk” is something I read in an 80s magazine, and it’s stuck with me. I have always regretted overzealousness when it comes to skincare.

Lastly: no affiliate links. These are my un-incentivized and un-affiliated opinions.

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask This is a five star mask. It tingles. It’s gritty. You will definitely feel it. I look noticeably glowy-er and my skin looks less porous the next day. It’s the one that makes my skin look the best without makeup. It’s not soothing or plumping per se, but it exfoliates the top layer of dull skin and makes me look rosy and fresh-faced. Use a serious, cushiony moisturizer like this or this after and wake up looking GOOD. Skip if you have very sensitive skin. Skip reading the rest of this section if you just want the best mask because it’s this one. Smells very pumpkin-y, in a nice way.

Josh Rosebrook Active Enzyme Exfoliator This was a

Sarah James

rec and everything I’ve purchased thanks to her has been a winner. This is less intense than the pumpkin, but still delivers very nicely in terms of next day glow. It is gritty (meaning it will exfoliate physically and chemically). I also find it to be soothing. You can leave it on for a while, up to an hour, the packaging says. I do not like the smell, but others might. It’s a honey/herbal smell. Not a deal breaker, but sometimes I do opt something else because of it.

Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask I am not qualified to weigh in on whether something is “clean” (nor do I totally agree with the use of that word in marketing) but Tata Harper has an excellent reputation in the responsible beauty space. I think if you wanted to give someone a face mask as a fun gift, this is the one. It’s splurgy and luxurious and it smells good. It’s a pretty clear-pink gel formula. Tata says that you can put it on while you workout, “the heat your body produces will help activate the enzymes, and as your pores open to naturally detoxify while sweating.” I have done this, and it feels like something a very fancy person would do. I do not have this mask in my cabinet right now, but every time I’ve bought it, I’ve used it all up very quickly; kind of a pro/kind of a con.

Dermalogica Dark Spot Peel I don’t have a lot of dark spots, but my facialist insisted I use this to support exfoliation. This feels like nothing is going on. No stinging, no scent just kinda— whatever. Sometimes I forget that I even have it on. But it absolutely brings that next day glow and loveliness. The directions say to use 4-5 days in a row and then 2-3 days a week after that. I didn’t do that and I probably will not. Any sort of “peel” or “lightening” process makes me a little nervous because I am not the best at remembering sunblock. But as a once-in-a-while mask I really like this. Cannot attest to the regime that the brand recommends.

Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Mask I think the branding of this is a little off the mark, but I still love it. It’s incredibly soothing and nourishing. Hydrating. It makes irritated or congested skin feel calm. “Lift and firm?” Mhmmmm….I don’t know. Sometimes I still get a constellation of little tiny breakouts across my forehead and this calms all that down. It just feels sooooo nice. A jar lasts forever. Very mild/nonexistent scent. Sometimes you just need to slather your face in soothing, shimmery gold goo and hope that tomorrow is a better day.

Fresh Rose Mask This is another that I don’t use the way you’re supposed to. I use it under (but not too close to) my eyes and on my forehead lines in the morning, when I am puffy and/or exhausted. It’s similar to those under eye patches, but better. If you like a rose scent, it is heavenly. This would also make a nice gift.

NIKE WINDBREAKER

I got a Nike gift card for Christmas. I don’t need sneakers (well, not Nike sneakers…) but I saw this jacket and ordered it because I am really having a thing for windbreakers. Then I heard Lauren Sherman talking about this jacket on Fashion People, in the context of “Nike has had a tough time with sneakers, but they have this really amazing jacket called the Windrunner….” and I really felt like some sort of windbreaker oracle. Also it’s a great jacket. It makes sporty clothing look more elevated and elevated clothing look sporty, in an very cool way.

FORME POWER BRA

Here is my honest opinion on this very costly “posture correcting” sports bra that features a very iconic blonde pop star in much of its marketing materials. This pop star reportedly wore this sports bra while training for her Era’s tour. I like it and and I think it’s priced really high. I ordered it last month when I felt like my shoulders were just constantly up around my ears and my upper back felt very tight and tense. I’ve had lower back pain off and on for years, but upper back pain was a new and obnoxious nuisance. I think the Forme bra does all it can do as a sports bra. It’s not a back brace and it’s not an orthopedic device but it absolutely helps support/force me to bring my shoulders back. It makes it a little uncomfortable to slouch, which is awesome. To get very detailed, the Forme is mostly comprised of stretchy material, but it has some mesh panels that are less stretchy, so it’s an interesting combination of stretch and structure that does really work to help reinforce the habit of sitting up straighter. But it’s subtle, you don’t put it on and experience a massive difference. I noticed the biggest difference on a walk/jog.

On the downside, $189 is a steep price for a sports bra. If it were $100 (or less), I’d buy another because I genuinely want to wear it all the time, and having a backup would be nice. However, I can't justify spending nearly $400 on sports bras—I’m not Taylor Swift!

I think if it fits easily in your budget, get it. If it’s a stretch, absolutely skip. If I find a less costly alternative, I will report back.

IDEA: READ SUBSTACKS IN OTHER LANGUAGES

A (Florida) friend used to say that you could just tell the people who took French in high school vs. Spanish. I interpret this to mean that he could just tell that we were impractical people who probably did the opposite of what our parents told us to do (hi!). Yes, in Florida you do not need French, you need Spanish. The only reason you might need French is if you read one too many articles on the French paradox or how to wear the same 10 clothing items every day to be chic like a Parisian (hi, again).

Did I fully commit to the routine and minor in French in college? Oui.

Do I speak French fluently? Non.

Le sigh.

But, if you are also prone to setting Duolingo down for years at a time (hiiiii) - do you know that there are Substacks in other languages that you could read? This realization dawned on me over an Instagram account that my friend shared with me. Delphine Reynaud is cuter than cute and posts mostly in French. If I want to know about her red sweater (pull-over rouge) or where she got her cute chaussures, a language barrier will not stop me. And my own tenacity showed me that consuming fashion/style content is actually a good way to practice learning a language.

I would love to compile a more robust list of foreign language Substacks and social media accounts but here are a few to get started:

• Jessica Troisfontaine
  writes Le Vie Gourmand

• Eugenie Trochu
  writes Eugenie’s Substack (a fashion newsletter)

• Not in Spanish, but too good for me to not include:

  Talía Cu
  writes a love letter to Latin fashion and culture: Latin Zine by Talia Cu please do not miss the loveliness of these flower rings

Lastly, Duolingo is seeing a rise in Mandarin learners thanks to the pending TikTok ban and potential move towards RedNote. I enjoy consistently being ‘of the moment’ but nearly always missing the mark a bit.

• Very into the length of this raincoat

• Very cute kitten heels (to wear with wide leg trousers) at reasonable price points

• Everything about Greta Gerwig’s next film is exciting.

• I don’t like a big showy logo except for certain cases when a big showy logo is so big and showy it almost stops looking like a logo. Please also keep this bag away from me and do not let me lay eyes on it again

• SNL x Saks Fifth Avenue + Favorite Daughter is a confusing collaboration. However, I wouldn’t mind a tote. But a Le Labo SNL candle…are we ok?

• What’s next for Hill House and the unofficial mom “event” uniform Nap Dress?

• I have strong feelings about women of a certain age becoming invisible. I think it’s true only if you enjoy self-fulfilling prophecies. Here is a look at “aging women in Hollywood” who are having a moment. If this was an article featuring Brad Pitt, Paul Rudd and Matt Damon it would be titled “Men in Hollywood”

• Speaking of elderly men in Hollywood….

• Nathalie Dupree was responsible for a lot of what’s good about New South (and specifically low country) cuisine. She believed in what she called the “pork chop theory”—the idea that would-be competitors can always make room for one another and bring each other up, just as the fat from one pork chop feeds the other while they cook together in a pan. -from this lovely tribute

• I will definitely be making this “nose to tail” potato leek soup

Recently enjoyed on Substack:

• Mia Rigden
  on how to improve indoor air quality

• Hey Mrs. Solomon on Style
  has a dishy 101 on affiliate links and a “6 Gems” post with an affogato martini (I take some credit for inexplicably cross-pollinating these two wildly unrelated things)

• Emily Amick
  has some practical advice that I wish we didn’t need on how to prepare for what’s next. I especially loved: You don’t have to engage in every political discussion. You can choose when to talk about politics and when to let your brain have a break.

• I loved

  Amelia Wilson
  ’s Solutions to January Problems

• Alicia Lund
  ’s Best of 2024 has some seriously good links as well as a great hack for making the most of Sakara