Out Like a Lamb

The weekend roundup includes the Brooke Shields hair care line, teeny sparklers, and a dash of folklore

Hello, Gorgeous!

According to weather folklore, March goes in like a roaring lion and out like a gentle lamb. Hopefully the rest of life will calm down a bit as well.

In honor of the final weekend of this feisty month, enjoy some soothing picks.

Hey, stud

I mentioned heading to the museum earlier this week. You know what else I did this week? I got two new piercings (well, one brand new one, and one refreshed). Here’s the thing, when I got my last piercings some decades ago I was in high school and headed to the mall. What was shocking then, is mainstream now. I wanted to do things right this time around. I headed to the Maria Tash flagship store in NoHo and I splurged on a teeny tiny perfect diamond stud earring — official title Invisible Set Diamond Threaded Stud Earring. Only it wasn’t an impulse buy; I’ve been coveting this sparkler and piercing for a while now. I’ll be writing a bit more about what to expect when you head for a piercing, since things have definitely changed since my last go round ($350, mariatash.com).

Let the washday commence

I write the blog content* for a major haircare brand, so it’s always an interesting challenge to constantly find new ways to rave about hair products. While I intended to do a full review of Commence, the Brooke Shields helmed haircare line, my favorite product from the line sold out in the interim. Here’s what you need to know:

OMG. This line is fabulous.

I’ll admit that the packaging threw me off initially since the colors are not what we expect for shampoos or conditioners. The science behind the brand targets hair issues faced by women over 40 including dry, thinning, or dull hair. And I gotta say, the products deliver. My hair feels — dare I say — bouncy. How is that even possible for my baby fine hair? Products include a detoxifying shampoo, a probiotic smoothing conditioner, a root serum, a couple of other products, and my favorite, the sold out Shine-Enhancing Detangler. I think we all realize that celebrities have a lot of help looking fabulous which probably includes wigs or hair toppers and extensions. But this line produces results, albeit subtle ones. (You can try their best sellers for $92, shopcommence.com).

A drenching moisturizer

What is up with Peter Thomas Roth lately and the incredible product launches? I start to love one and then there’s another one vying for my affections. I’m thinking that this one will be great for warmer weather. Water Drench Hyaluronic Jelly Moisturizer is super light and infused with a whopping 30% hyaluronic acid complex. The jelly texture dries with a slightly tacky feel to it. Not sticky, but you’ll be aware of it. The overall consensus is that this is also a great primer product since your blush won’t sink into skin. If you have an extra shiny T-Zone you might want to skip this one since despite claims of a matte finish, it adds a bit of shine to your complexion, and not in a glazed donut sort of way. ($50, Ulta).

Mythical mail

I haven’t spent time on X since back when it was Twitter. One of the highlights of my week back then was #FolkloreThursdays, an international weekly social media gathering of folks wise about things magickal or mystical. I learned so much from wonderful people including Dee Dee Chainey who was part of the team that brought together the Royal Mail’s Myths and Legends stamps. They’re gorgeously drawn by London-basedartist Adam Simpson. If you’ve ever delved into U.K. folklore, you’ll love the illustrations of the Loch Ness Monster, Beowulf and Grendel, and the stunningly drawn Blodeuwedd (a new to me legend). Though Grindylow will be giving me nightmares. Sadly, the stamps are only available in the U.K., but maybe a friend can pick some up for you (hint, hint).

Meanwhile, if you’re curious about the Black Shuck, Elly Griffiths wrote about the legend in her book The Night Hawks (part of the fantastic Ruth Galloway series); while Sharyn McCrumb delved into the idea of Selkies (seal people) in her Elizabeth MacPherson mysteries. Though if you’ve never read any of McCrumb’s books, I highly recommend starting with She Walks These Hills, part of her ballad series which is required reading in Appalachian universities.

A Caribbean adventure

If you’d like to keep your explorations to the gastronomical varieties, you might love Kwéyòl / Creole: Recipes, Stories, and Tings from a St. Lucian Chef's Journey by James Beard Award-winning chef Nina Compton. This cookbook is part memoir, part travelogue and pulls together diverse African cuisines ranging from her native St. Lucia to Jamaica, Miami, and New Orleans. You’ll find dishes that you’ve read about - like pepper pots. My favorite recipe is Fiona’s Cassava Cookies (page 76), a recipe by the chef’s sister that makes it easy to understand how to work with this sometimes complicated flour ($37.50, Amazon).

And that’s it for this time around. Let the weekending commence!

So do you have any fun weekend plans or will you be baking cassava cookies? Let’s meet in the comment section to discuss!

Rachel, Your beauty concierge 💋

*I’d love to write for you and your brand! Drop me a line if you’re looking for a fantastic writer/copywriter.