Rash Decisions
Or: how I spent my summer vacation in Port Charles, Puerto Vallarta, and Westeros
Hello, Gorgeous!
I haven’t been having a great summer, though I explored a lot! The only places I traveled this summer were Westeros on House of the Dragon and Port Charles, daily, on General Hospital. The only cruise I took was aboard the Pacific Princess, because I’ve also spent the past weeks binge-watching The Love Boat, as you do.
Otherwise, I was in bed. Excruciatingly.
First up: the stomach bug that shall not be named. Was it that parasite? I felt too grim to be tested. Dovetailing with that bit of joy was a medical situation that went on for another few weeks. I’ll spare you those details, but the meds prescribed to get me through triggered a monster allergic reaction. My arms are still covered in what look like goosebumps, itch, burn, and generally have my arms and hands looking like the human equivalent of a 1970s popcorn ceiling.
The reason I’m telling you this is that one can technically work from one’s bed. Only I couldn’t seem to. I also told you I’d be back on a Monday. Reader, I was not. But I’m back now and will be posting more regularly.
Somewhere in the middle of the summer from hell, Hello Gorgeous! turned two. Two years of sharing our favorite beauty obsessions and thoughts on beauty culture, and I marked the occasion by lying very still and rewatching things I’d already seen.
We’ll celebrate late. Late is fine. In fact, late is arguably on brand for a newsletter about aging well.
To mark the occasion, I’ll be hosting a giveaway from Wacoal. Fancy, right?
I also have so many beautiful new products to tell you about, but first I’ll share a couple of lifesavers that got me through the summer.
I’ve spent decades writing about serums, actives, textures, and the specific pleasure of a well-made cream. My current regimen, in its entirety, consists of alternating doses of Triple Paste Eczema Care ($15, Amazon). Incidentally, what alchemy is in this formula to make med-reaction bumps and heat rash feel sooo much better in seconds? and Sarna Sensitive Anti-Itch Lotion (About $10 on Amazon), applied liberally after a tepid shower and before bed, slathered on for maximum relief so I can actually sleep.
In a bit of exciting news, later this week, we’ll have a first-time guest post from writer Debbie Carlson. Debbie is a dear friend, a brilliant journalist with bylines in the Wall Street Journal and Barron’s, and a serious makeup and skin-care aficionado. This will mark her beauty writing debut here on Hello Gorgeous!
And how’s your summer been going so far?
P.S. I want to send out a huge thank you and tons of virtual hugs to Judy G, Betsy M, “Endora,” and everyone who popped in to check on me. I love you guys.
Rachel, your beauty concierge 💋
Quick note: I included some affiliate links and from time to time, some sponsored products which means I might earn a small commission on sales made through these links, but I also throw in stuff I love just because. Prices are current at publish time.
Yes. I do sing along at the top of my lungs every single time.