Emmy Hayes Condon
Your daily guide to feeling, looking, and living your best.
The Case Against One-Click Buying: How Slow Shopping Became the New Self-Care
Convenience is online shopping: fast delivery, promised newness, shiny things practically dropped in your lap. And look, I've always loved to shop. But lately the online arena has felt a little lackluster — same algorithm, same ten brands, same "you might also like." Getting out of the house and into a well-curated shop (bonus points if it's a local small business) has become the best place to spend hard-earned money, especially with everything getting more expensive.
Turns out I'm not the only one feeling this.
Boutique shopping is having a real moment right now, and it's not just nostalgia — it's a genuine pushback against the endless-scroll, one-click, buy-now culture we've been living in for years. After a stretch where "convenient" meant "correct," people are rediscovering that a slower, more deliberate way to shop can feel just as good as the purchase itself. Independent shops are reporting renewed foot traffic, shoppers are name-dropping their favorite local spots the way they used to recommend restaurants, and there's a growing appetite for the kind of discovery an algorithm can't replicate — the thrill of finding something in person that you didn't know you needed.
Part of it is economic: when every dollar counts a little more, people want to feel good about where it goes. Part of it is sensory burnout — we've all bought the thing that looked perfect on screen and felt like cardboard in real life. And part of it is just craving a little friction back in our routines, a reason to leave the house with intention instead of a package showing up while we're not even paying attention.
Which brings me back to my own theory: dedicated shopping trips make for less impulse buying and more sensory buying — all five senses working overtime before you decide whether this is finally the perfect white t-shirt, whether that little plush toy is a timeless keepsake, or whether a notebook has the kind of silky pages your gel pen can actually glide across.
Turns out, the best algorithm might just be your own two hands.
Ask Clara:
"What are some easy ways to budget?"
Is Skipping Sunscreen Ruining Your Dating Life? Gen Z Says Yes
Ever thought about whether your new date wears sunscreen? Has strong opinions about sunscreen? Because apparently Gen Z daters have a very strong opinion, because that's a whole thing now.
A new survey from the Hily Dating App shows that some Gen Z daters see sunscreen as a total dealbreaker — like, actually swipe-left-worthy. 1 in 5 Gen Z women and more than 1 in 3 men said they wouldn't date someone who skips sunscreen on their face. Which, sure, health is hot. But here's the plot twist: 23% of women and 37% of men who said that... don't actually wear sunscreen themselves. So, a little hypocrisy in the mix, but we don't judge (much).
The Hily data (they surveyed 4,500 daters, so this isn't just vibes) also found the flip side is real: 30% of both men and women wouldn't date someone who pressures them to use more sunscreen than they want, and 1 in 3 women and nearly 1 in 4 men said constant sunscreen talk is an instant no. There IS such a thing as too much SPF nagging, apparently.
But before you panic — most people land on the sweet spot. 70% of Gen Z women and 64% of men consider making sure your partner wears sunscreen a genuine form of care, basically the new "text me when you get home."
Moral of the story: offer the sunscreen, don't force the sunscreen, and maybe apply your own before your next beach day.
Ask Clara:
"What are some fun outdoor date ideas?"
My Current Obsession: Refillable Deodorants
My new personal care obsession: refillable deodorants. If you're already doing the reusable water bottle thing and bringing your own tote to Trader Joe's, this is your natural next step (pun intended).
Here are my top picks:
Wild is the OG that got me into this whole thing — a sleek case you keep forever, paired with compostable refill pods that pop in and out. It's made with 95% natural-origin ingredients and is Vegan Society & Leaping Bunny certified, so it checks the clean-beauty box, too.
Dove Refillable is the mass-market hero here. The stainless steel case is designed to last a lifetime, and the refill packaging is made from 98% recycled plastic. Plus, you can find it at big-box stores, so zero effort required.
Rollr is the new luxury pick that's basically a piece of jewelry for your bathroom counter. The glass bottle has a modular, patented screw-top neck for easy refilling, cutting packaging by 90% compared to competitors. The refills are powder-to-liquid concentrates you mix with water at home — it feels more like a ritual than a chore.
Why deodorant is the perfect refillable beauty gateway: it's a fast repurchase (so you feel the savings quickly), the "case + insert" format is dead simple to design well, and unlike serums or foundation, there's no shade-matching or formula anxiety. Just pop in a new pod and go. Low-risk, high-impact, very "I have my life together" energy.
Beware The Barbie Peptide
You know that "Barbie drug" you keep seeing on TikTok — the one promising a sunless glow-up via injection or nasal spray? We need to talk about it. It's called Melanotan II, and #tanfluencers are hyping it hard, but dermatologists are very much not on board. The peptide works by revving up melanin production — but it doesn't just talk to your skin. It messes with receptors all over your body, which is why users report everything from nausea and headaches to a very unfun side effect: hours-long, painful erections. Not the glow-up anyone signed up for.
And now it's official: The Skin Cancer Foundation just issued a formal warning on Melanotan II, and it's serious. They've flagged case reports linking the drug to melanoma, plus rapid changes in moles that can make catching skin cancer way harder. Add in muscle damage and system-wide toxicity, and you've got a real mess. Worse, it's totally unregulated — you're basically trusting a random online seller with your bloodstream, no idea what's actually in the vial.
Look, we all want that effortless bronze. But this isn't a shortcut; it's a gamble with your health. Skip the syringe and reach for a good self-tanner instead. Your skin (and your future dermatologist) will thank you.
What I'm Loving This Summer: Skincare, Books & Easy Summer Recipes
Is it just me, or is everyone OOO right now? Honestly, rightfully so. It's still peak summer, and while I've got a little vacay envy of my own (hi, new baby + 100-degree heat + hormones), I wanted to share a few things that got me through the season. Maybe you'll indulge with me as summer winds down into its gentle, golden-hour close.
Moving: Weekly online yoga, plus 5 minutes of stretching before bed (my nervous system thanks me)
Eating: Fresh tomatoes, crusty bread, good cheese — basically anything that doesn't require turning on the stove in this heat
Wearing: These lip balms, this self-tanning face spray, and body oil on repeat. Also just... living in flowy linen sets (Old Navy never misses)
Watching: Just the right amount of scary for #summerween, one deliciously messy summer fling drama, and something a little unhinged
Reading: I finally rejoined Goodreads (it had been a solid decade — no judgment please ?), and I've been racking up audiobooks while feeding the baby. Loved these short, delightful novellas, surprisingly enjoyed this memoir, and added this, this, this, and this to the TBR pile.
Doing: Beginner cross-stitch kits (because they keep me off my phone)
Enjoy these last few weeks of summer!
Ask Clara:
"How do I improve my relationships?"
The Newest Way To Be Single: Hobbyamory
The dating trend taking over group chats everywhere: hobbyamory. The New York Times just wrote about it and it's the singles life hack we didn't know we needed.
Here's the gist: instead of white-knuckling your way through another swipe-fueled coffee date with a stranger, hobbyamory is all about falling for your hobbies first and letting connection happen around them. Run clubs, pottery studios, climbing gyms, book clubs — these low-pressure, built-in-activity spaces are becoming the new meet-cutes, minus the awkward "so tell me about yourself" silence. You're not performing datability; you're just doing the thing you love, surrounded by other people who love it too. Romance becomes a bonus, not the whole point.
That's the magic of it. You get to build a full, joyful single life first. Even if you never lock eyes with a soulmate over a pottery wheel, you still leave with a new skill, a sense of community, and zero bad-date stories to recover from.
So, we say: lean in. Some fun hobby-date ideas to try solo or with a crew:
A sunrise hike with a local trail group
A beginner ceramics or paint-and-sip class
Trivia night at your neighborhood bar
A community garden workday
An amateur cooking class (bonus points if you get to eat your mistakes)
A bouldering gym intro session
Single doesn't mean sitting around waiting. It means showing up for your own life — hobbies included.
How Beauty Might Beat Pharma at Hair Care
For decades, if you wanted real results for hair loss or damage, you basically had two pharma options — minoxidil or finasteride — and not much else. But beauty is quietly staging a coup. Hair longevity innovation is picking up fast, with ingredients like peptides, polyphenols, botanical extracts, and microspicules getting buzz as promising new tools. And it's not just surface-level stuff. Experts are pointing out that real hair longevity means addressing both follicle health and hair structure, not just slapping on a hydrating serum and calling it a day.
Industry watchers expect 2026's "hair longevity" wave to look like exosome-based treatments and peptide serums, basically the clinical hair care of the future. But most brands are also pairing their serums with either supplements, shampoos, or even scalp red light therapy. Basically, beauty brands are borrowing biotech's playbook (cellular-level, preventative science) and packaging it way more accessibly than a prescription, although results may vary and you should always consult your healthcare provider about any new additions to your supplement stack.
Is it all hype? Not fully proven yet, tbh — but the trajectory is undeniable; beauty is finally getting some scientific formulas that are good enough to give pharma a run for its money.
Hair Longevity Products to Try:
Ask Clara:
"How do I take better care of my scalp?"
Why Nervous System Regulation Is Everywhere
Have you noticed "nervous system regulation" popping up literally everywhere lately? Your favorite wellness influencer, your therapist, your friend who won't stop talking about her vagus nerve — it's suddenly the topic. And according to a great Forbes piece, you're not imagining it. After years of chasing optimization and productivity, a lot of us are shifting toward recovery, balance, and just... feeling okay again. Honestly? Relatable.
The best part is that nervous system regulation doesn't require fancy gadgets or a subscription. It's rooted in genuinely simple stuff. Here are a few easy ways to bring your body back to baseline when life feels like too much:
Breathe on purpose. Try a slow exhale that's longer than your inhale (think 4 counts in, 6-8 counts out). It tells your body "hey, we're safe."
Get outside. Even 10 minutes of fresh air and natural light works wonders for calming an overstimulated system.
Move your body. A walk, a stretch, a little shake-it-out dance party in your kitchen — anything that discharges built-up tension.
Cold water on your face or wrists. A quick reset button for when you're spiraling.
Put your phone down for five minutes. Just five. Your nervous system will thank you.
None of this is about doing more. It's about permitting yourself to slow down. And honestly, that might be the whole point.
To Combat Loneliness, Doctors Are Prescribing Art
What if the best prescription for feeling less alone wasn't another medication—but a paintbrush, pottery class, or museum visit?
It may sound surprising, but a growing number of healthcare providers are embracing "arts prescribing," a wellness approach that connects people with creative activities to improve mental health and reduce loneliness. The idea is simple: making art—or even experiencing it alongside others—can create meaningful moments of connection that many of us are craving. Research suggests that creative expression helps lower stress, boost mood, and strengthen our sense of belonging, all of which can have a real impact on overall well-being.
Think about the last time you lost yourself in a watercolor class, sang along at a concert, wandered through an art museum, or laughed over a DIY craft night with friends. Those experiences don't just fill time; they help us feel seen, inspired, and connected.
As loneliness continues to be recognized as a serious public health issue, experts are encouraging us to think beyond traditional treatments. Creativity isn't just about making something beautiful; it's about building community and giving ourselves permission to express what words sometimes can't.
So this week, consider making a little room for art. Visit a local gallery, sign up for a ceramics class, color in an adult coloring book, or invite a friend over for a craft night. Get inspired and socialize!
Ask Clara:
"What are some good date ideas for friends?"
The Rising Cost of Dating: Why Money Is Becoming a Barrier to Finding Love
Can we all agree that dating has gotten...really expensive? Between cocktails, dinner reservations, rideshares, new outfits, and the pressure to plan an Instagram-worthy night out, it's easy to see why so many people are hitting pause on romance. According to a recent New York Times report, many Gen Z singles say the rising cost of dating has become a real obstacle to finding connection, with some choosing to date less—or not at all—because they simply can't justify the expense. It's part of a larger shift happening as young adults navigate higher living costs, student loans, and financial uncertainty. Recent surveys estimate that the average date now costs close to $190, and about half of Gen Z says dating expenses are getting in the way of their financial goals. Instead of grand gestures, many people are redefining what effort actually looks like, focusing more on intentionality than price tags.
Honestly? That might not be such a bad thing. Some of the best dates don't require reservations or a hefty bill—they just require showing up.
Need inspiration? Try one of these budget-friendly ideas:
Pack snacks and watch the sunset at a local park.
Visit a free museum day or neighborhood art walk.
Grab coffee and take a long walk instead of sitting in a crowded café.
Browse a bookstore together and pick out books for each other, and visit a library later.
Cook dinner at home and rate frozen pizzas or mocktail recipes like you're food critics.
Check out free concerts, outdoor movies, or community events in your city.
Because at the end of the day, the goal isn't to impress someone with your spending. It's to find someone you genuinely enjoy spending time with.
Ask Clara:
"How do I build better relationships?"