Weekend Mode: Easy Does It

Barely there beauty and lifestyle treats

Hello, Gorgeous!

Yesterday a friend called my newsletters my 'newsletter empire,' which made me laugh — but also reminded me that some of you only know me through Hello Gorgeous. If you’re interested, you can also sign up for The Hot Sheet (communications and PR) and The Kumzits (Jewish interest).

Quick brag on your behalf: Hello Gorgeous has a consistent daily 47% open rate, which is more than double the industry average. And a whole bunch of you spend the weekend catching up. That means you actually read this thing. Trust me when I say I appreciate each and every one of you and I don't take that for granted.

Now let’s ease into the weekend!

Did anyone make a New Year’s resolution? Did you reject it yet? I didn’t make an official one but am vowing to keep things as easy and chill this year. To that end, here are some treats for when you can’t commit to a full glow-up.

Barely there nails

Earlier this week we discussed the genius of Essie’s new liquid nail patch (Yes, it’s amazing. Yes, it really works). I was curious if the patch effect showed through really pale or sheer polishes. It does not, it’s smooth and invisible under polish. Huzzah! If you’re looking for the perfect winter nude, it’s time to revisit some classics. Mademoiselle, Ballet Slippers, Inside Scoop, and Fairy Tailor are all perfect shades that won’t look out of place on your completely pale and drained of any sunlight skin (Starting at about $8, on Ulta.com).

Enriching makeup remover

You know you should remove your makeup every single night, right? For weekends away a towelette or wipe can help, though some really dry out skin. Earth Therapeutics Collagen Makeup Remover Wipes come in a tiny pack you can throw into your handbag. They remove even stubborn makeup while somehow keeping things soft and dewy. I don’t know how, I just report it back to you ($6, Amazon.com).

Shower steamers

Forget bath bombs, shower steamers are having a moment (even on the show Landman!), and I am so here for it. Formulary 55’s Wake Up Set is infused with eucalyptus, peppermint, and sweet orange, great for a wakeup call or to chase away the morning sniffles. I love that these steamers are handmade in small batches in Colorado, and are also vegan, cruelty-free and made with clean, all-natural ingredients. I love less the slightly awkward packaging content that seems to have gotten some help from AI, but that’s me being cranky. These are beautiful and make a thoughtful gift as well. Try them ($20, for a set of three formulary55.com).

Balm for the soul (and face!)

I’ve been spoiling my skin silly with esthetician extraordinaire Joanna Czech’s skincare products lately (preens for your approval). I’m not going to even pretend I understand the complicated reasons it works (there are many). The ingredient list is a dream: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, plus olive, castor, sunflower seed, and raspberry seed oils to protect the skin barrier, with algae and yeast extracts and antioxidants to combat cell aging. I use it as a final layer before I leave the house and on top of my moisturizer. One caveat - the packaging is slightly awkward and at some point you’ll have to use the enclosed tool to scoop out remaining product. Pricey, but worth it, especially if you’re prone to dry patches. I love to smooth my eyebrows with it too to avoid winter dryness! ($230, joannaczech.com).

Yummy lip gloss

I think I’ll always fondly remember my days of Lip Smackers. Covergirl’s new Clean Fresh Yummy Lip Gloss pays homage to those sweet simple days with a new collection of glosses. I mean, how can you resist a sheer and super glossy pink infused with hyaluronic acid and named Sunshine Rays? ($9, Amazon.com).

Another book in a series you enjoy

In some ways I’m just a creature of habit. If I like the characters in a series, chances are good I’ll keep buying the books even when the series isn’t as sparkling as it once was. I really enjoy the Lydia Chin/Bill Smith mysteries by S.J. Rozan. They’re sometimes gritty and most often set in the Lower East Side of Manhattan or the five boroughs of New York. A nice series quirk is that each of the 16 books are presented through the point of view of one or the other of the main protagonists. And so this weekend I’ll be reading First Do No Harm ($28, Amazon).

Any weekend plans? Or will you be vegging and snacking? (both noble pursuits!) Let’s meet in the comments to discuss!

Rachel, Your beauty concierge 💋

Right now I’m listening to this underappreciated chestnut that reminds me of the genius of the Go-Go’s. How did I never realize just how incredible their actual music, harmonies, and arrangements were?

---

Quick note: I included some affiliate links 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.