Emmy Hayes Condon
Your daily guide to feeling, looking, and living your best.
Spicules Explained: Benefits, Best Products, and Why This K-Beauty Trend Tingles
The skincare thing everyone's suddenly obsessed with: spicules. Yes, that's a real word, and no, it's not as scary as it sounds. Microspicules are tiny, needle-shaped structures derived from purified sea sponge — basically microscopic silica shards that are invisible to the eye but do a lot of work once they hit your skin. They create micro-channels in the skin, sparking a bit of controlled micro-trauma, kind of like traditional microneedling, except it's suspended in a serum. That's why people call it "liquid microneedling."
So why the tingle? That prickly, temporary sensation is the spicules creating tiny pathways so your other actives — niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, centella, peptides — can actually sink in and do their jobs better. The payoff: refined texture, smaller-looking pores, more radiance, and firmer-feeling skin. Just don't go overboard — a little tingle is normal; a lot means back off.
Ready to try it? Here's where to start:
VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot(50, 100, or 300) — the OG cult favorite, great for beginners since it comes in different strengths
medicube Exosome Shot PDRN Spicule Serum— pairs spicules with exosomes and salmon DNA for extra glow
Rael Microcrystal Activated Serum 2000— niacinamide-forward, great for pore refinement
Start slow, patch test, and let your skin adjust. Your glass-skin era awaits.
Curl Up With a Good Book: It's Basically Self-Care
I have news that lets you feel great about that cozy reading nook. A new University of Cambridge review found that reading for pleasure may boost memory, empathy, and mental health; reduce stress; and help reduce cognitive decline.
Even better, the researchers say it can improve health and wellbeing at any age, regardless of reading material. Romance, thrillers, graphic novels? All count! One of the study's authors points to the secret ingredient: pleasure. Read for enjoyment, and you'll read more often and for longer. Translation: no guilt, no homework, no "shoulds."
The research also found that reading for pleasure early in life was linked with better attention and memory, and with more sleep and less screen time. And Sahakian says it's never too late to start.
So swap a doomscroll for a chapter tonight. To get you going, here are some of the fall releases we're most excited about.
Fall Reads to Add to Your Stack
Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel
Music Against the Night by Yiyun Li
Fair Ones by Lydia Millet
Heavy Cream by Sarah Blakely-Cartwright
Family Friends by Chloë Ashby
Hollywood, Ending by John Green
The Undercover Bookshop by Katherine Reay
The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury
Can Meditation Be Harmful? The Latest Conversation
I've got a meditation app on my phone and a long-standing assumption that it can only help. So The Atlantic's new piece, "The Dark Side of Mindfulness," made me sit up. (Reporter Olga Khazan also talks it through on a podcast episode.)
The story follows Willoughby Britton, a psychologist and meditation teacher who set out to study the practice's benefits; what she found alarmed her. Meditation is a multibillion-dollar industry pitched as a remedy for anxiety, pain, and addiction. Still, for some people it can cause severe, lasting side effects, including depression, anxiety, and even acute psychosis. One study found that about 10% of meditators experience some adverse effect.
Before you toss your meditation cushion, keep in mind - there's nuance. Researcher Richard Davidson says meditation is fairly benign for most people, and that skipping it may carry more risk than doing it. But he also says people with serious psychiatric conditions should practice only with a mental-health professional who meditates too. That's a big deal when so many of us are following an app alone at 11 p.m.
My takeaway: stay curious, not scared. Start small. If a practice leaves you feeling worse, don't just push through. And if you have a mental health history or are eyeing a long retreat, talk with a professional first.
Anti-Blush Makeup Trend: What It Is and How to Wear It
Your blush drawer is about to get a plot twist. Anti-blush is everywhere right now, and no, it doesn't mean skipping blush. It's a wash of warm brown that gives you a muted, moody look, and it's a full U-turn from the Barbie pinks and "blush blindness" of recent seasons. Think dusty mauves, taupes, beiges, and soft browns, some so neutral they could pass for bronzer or contour.
So how did we get here? The conversation traces back to creator Kim Senser (@unsensered) and one very viral shade, MAC's Film Noir Buff. Since then, the definition has gotten a little fuzzy, but the vibe is what matters: cheeks that look naturally flushed, like you're not wearing blush at all. Because the colors are low in saturation, they can double as blush and contour.
The best part? You may not need to buy anything. You can mix a custom shade from products you already own. Your mauve and brown blushes are officially having a moment.
Anti-Blush Picks to Try:
MAC Skinfinish Colourstruck Blush in Film Noir Buff: The one that started it all, described by the brand as a rich, warm chocolate. It's reportedly sold out everywhere, so keep an eye out for restocks.
VERSED Everything Balm in Hint: A bronzey plum with a pearl-infused formula that gives a luminous flush so that you can skip highlighter.
Morphe Cheek Tints Multi-Finish Face Trio in Honeymoon Suite: A bronzey brown that works well on deep skin tones, with a sheen that can double as a highlighter.
Tower 28 GetSet Blur + Set Matte Powder Blush in Long Beach Iced Tea: A makeup artist favorite that works as both blush and bronzer.
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Encourage: A pop of mauve color.
Why September Feels Like New Year's (And How to Use That Energy)
January 1st has never actually felt like a fresh start to me. It's cold, it's dark, and by the time the ball drops, I'm already exhausted from the holidays. But late August/early September? That's when I feel it. That itch to buy a new notebook, rearrange my desk, and pretend I'm about to walk into homeroom with a color-coded binder and main character energy.
Something about back-to-school season hits different. Maybe it's nostalgia, maybe it's the shift in light, maybe it's years of conditioning — but every September I do a full life audit. New to-do list system. New morning routine I'll keep for exactly twelve days—a sudden, deep need to label things.
And this year, my feeds are extra loud with it — everyone's talking about the "90-day reset," that social trend where you treat the last quarter of the year like your own personal season finale. New habits, new goals, a clean runway into January instead of scrambling to catch up once the holidays hit.
I love this for us, honestly. There's something so much more forgiving about a fall reset than a January one — no pressure, no resolutions, just... a vibe shift. A permission slip to reorganize your life because the air got a little crisper.
So here’s to actually using that back-to-school energy — without burning out by Halloween. Let's do it!
Ask Clara:
"How do I schedule more time for myself?"
Rec Leagues Are Back: Why Adults Are Ditching the Gym for Kickball
Adult rec leagues are having a full-blown moment, and honestly? It makes so much sense. Remember when "working out" meant dragging yourself to a silent gym, staring at a wall while you did reps, and leaving feeling more drained than when you walked in? Yeah, we're over that too.
Grown-ups everywhere are trading solo workouts for kickball, dodgeball, and rec soccer leagues, and the vibe check is real. Turns out, when you commit to show up because your team is counting on you, you do. No more bailing on leg day because "I'm tired." Your teammates need a fourth for kickball, so you're there, and suddenly you've moved your body, laughed way too hard at a bad throw, and made actual friends — all without it feeling like a chore.
It's giving nostalgia, too. That "recess energy" we didn't know we were missing since, like, sixth grade. Community and competition might be the secret sauce to sticking with movement long-term, way more than any fitness app streak ever could.
So if your workout routine has felt a little flat lately, maybe the answer isn't a new gym membership — it's a jersey and a Wednesday night game. Grab your friends, sign up for a league, and let's get back out there. Trust us, your body (and your social calendar) will thank you.
Dior's New "Haute Wellness" Push: What Luxury Self-Care Trends Mean for the Rest of Us
Okay, we need to talk about Dior's latest power move — because it says a lot about where wellness culture is headed. The house's beauty division just announced it's leveling up its spa offerings and bringing on Pilates instructors and sleep specialists, essentially building out a full-blown wellness ecosystem to rival five-star hotels and retreats. Dior. Doing sleep coaching. We've officially entered the era where skincare brands want to optimize your entire existence, not just your under-eye circles.
Look, I love this on some level. It's a sign that rest, movement, and recovery are finally being treated as luxury-worthy, not just "self-care" fluff you feel guilty prioritizing. When a brand with Dior's cultural weight puts a Pilates reformer into the retail mix, it sends a message: wellness isn't a side hustle to beauty; it is beauty. But it also raises the question we ask every time luxury wellness expands its footprint — does elevating something make it better, or just more expensive?
Here's the thing: you don't need a $500 sleep consultation to protect your sleep, and you don't need a Dior-branded reformer class to feel the benefits of Pilates (though, no judgment if that's the dream). The core of what makes these practices work is available to basically anyone, budget be damned.
Ask Clara:
"How do I budget for my wellness routine?"
My Favorite August Wellness & Beauty Buys (Postpartum Mom Approved)
Here’s all the stuff I've been hoarding in my cart the last few months — the kind of purchases that make you feel like you actually have your life together (even when you very much do not).
First up: a shampoo so glossy it basically tricks people into thinking I get blowouts weekly. Paired it with a volumizing mascara that gives my lashes main-character energy without the falsies commitment. And can we talk about extra-large eye patches? Because "mom tired" eyes needed an intervention, and these delivered.
On the wellness side, I've been slowly (emphasis on slowly) working my way through this postpartum core workout, and it's honestly perfect for the chaos of new-mom life — I can squeeze it in during nap time or ignore it for three days and pick right back up, no guilt required.
Then there's the splurge: a pair of earbuds that I debated for weeks before buying. Worth. Every. Penny. Being able to listen to an audiobook while still hearing the baby monitor? Actual sorcery. Motherhood upgrade unlocked.
I also snagged a curling iron that gives salon-level waves for a fraction of the price of the fancy one everyone raves about — my wallet said thank you.
And finally, the pièce de résistance: a little spritz of body spray that makes me feel expensive even when I'm running on four hours of sleep and dry shampoo. Bougie on a budget, baby. That's the whole aesthetic.
The Ulta Sale Picks I'm Sending to the Group Chat
So... Ulta's 21+ Days of Beauty Event snuck up on me again (running now through September 17). As your resident wellness editor, I feel obligated to report back on what's actually worth your attention this time around. And if you’re feeling a case of the “shoppies,” here are my selections for the daily and weekly deals. Feel free to bookmark them!
9/3: Christophe Robin Clarifying Scrub With Sea Salt — The best. I stocked up in Paris on my last trip because it was about 7 euros a tub there — not the luxury price we pay stateside. I use this once a week on my very processed, bleach-blonde hair, and the way it cleans and hydrates is insane. The scent is light, and I’m always amazed at how the sea salt dissolves and froths into the perfect rinse.
9/5: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Luminous Powder Blush — A beautiful formula and best-seller from everyone’s favorite celebrity-backed brand. I’m eyeing Happy (a pop of pink) and maybe Love (terracotta) for fall.
9/8: Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream — The K-beauty answer to La Roche-Posay’s Cicaplast B5 Balm. Great for very dry or problem skin — more occlusive than a daily moisturizer, and a smart one to stock up on before winter.
9/9: Maelys B-Tight Lift & Firm Booty Mask — This one intrigues me — I believe it made Oprah’s Favorite Things list, so that’s the vibe. But honestly? Anything with “firming” and “booty” in the name, on sale for 50% off, and I’m trying it.
9/10: FOREO FLIP Play Advanced LED Light Hairbrush — My biggest curiosity as I start my postpartum hair journey ?. Red light has been studied for cell and hair regeneration — it’s just one tool in the toolbox, but I’m here for it.
9/12: Clarins Double Serum — A cult classic for a reason. Anti-aging, plumping, firming, and a nighttime must (it’s a bit thick for morning routines).
9/17: Virtue Healing Hair Oil — A blend that brings tired, dry hair back to life, no matter how little sleep you’ve gotten.
If there's a splurge-y skincare tool or a perfume you've been circling for months, this is the time to buy. That's less "go buy everything" and more "if you were going to get it eventually, now's a smart time."
The Great Filler Reversal: Inside the Rise of Filler Removal
The gist: after years of everyone quietly plumping up their cheeks, lips, and jawlines, a lot of people are now booking appointments to undo it. Yep — filler removal is having a moment, and honestly? We get it.
Here's the thing about filler: it's sneaky. You start with a little tweak here, a subtle touch-up there, and before you know it, years have gone by, and your face has slowly drifted into "puffy," "stretched," or that telltale pillowy look that's become the internet's favorite thing to clock in celebrity photos. It's not that anyone did anything wrong in one sitting, and to each their own, I love a little lift every once in a while.
So now the pendulum is swinging the other way. Dermatologists are seeing more patients asking for hyaluronidase (the enzyme that dissolves hyaluronic acid filler) to hit reset and get back to their actual faces. There's something freeing about that, right? The whole "your filler isn't forever" reminder feels like permission to change your mind.
If you've ever looked in the mirror and thought Hmm, did I overdo it? You're not alone, and it might be worth a conversation with your injector about dialing things back.
Curious about the full scoop? The WSJ article digs into why this shift is happening and what it means for the future of "tweakments." Worth the read if this hit close to home.
Ask Clara:
"What are natural ways to plump up my skin?"