💉 In this week’s edition of deeply worrying beauty trends: The era of buy now, pay later Botox is here.
👯♀️ Apparently, it’s no longer enough to be a close friend or a best friend. Now, you can be a “tenured friend.”
The Princess of Wales has shut down the rumor mill. In a prerecorded video message released Friday, Kate Middleton revealed she has been diagnosed with cancer, which she called “a huge shock,” and is receiving “preventive chemotherapy.” Like her father-in-law, King Charles III, Kate did not disclose the type of cancer, but she said it was discovered in post-operative tests that followed “major abdominal surgery” in January. The announcement comes after what Kate described as “an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family.”
The limited information up until this point, coupled with the doctored photo of Kate and her children led to weeks of conspiracy theories, wild rumors about her health and well-being, and an investigation into an alleged breach to try to access her medical records. One thing that still rings true: The Kensington Palace comms team did little to control the frenzy. Now, speaking on her condition for the first time, Kate reiterated what she told George, Charlotte, and Louis: “I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal.” And she asked for “time, space, and privacy,” as she continues treatment and focuses on “making a full recovery.” The hysteria around Kate the past couple of months and the somber reality of what was going on behind the scenes has been a reminder to many that our fascination with royal women should not strip them of their agency to tell their own stories — on their own terms.
It’s a big week for sci-fi fans. Because “3 Body Problem,” the new show from the creators of “Game of Thrones” and “True Blood,” just dropped on Netflix. It tells the story of a group of friends, made up of scientific researchers and government agents, racing to save the planet from total chaos — and an alien invasion. The drama is based on the popular book series “Remembrance of Earth’s Past” by Liu Cixin, and it’s got everything you could want from an otherworldly show — aliens (obviously), bends in the space-time continuum, VR gaming, the list goes on. Or, you could just binge it to see your favorite “Game of Thrones” stars back in action.
Forget vintage watches and Le Creuset — “status showerheads” are apparently the new, splashy thing. That would be surprising, except there’s also been a rise in people taking hours-long everything showers and hanging fresh eucalyptus bundles over their showerheads. But before you spend $165 on Jolie’s super sleek design — or nearly as much on one from Canopy or Act+Acre — a couple things you should know: First, the filters need to be replaced every three months, which costs another $30 or so. Plus, while the companies claim their products filter chlorine and heavy metals from water — resulting in healthier, more hydrated skin and hair — some experts have been skeptical that it’d make a noticeable difference. And certainly not in 24 hours. That said, the showerheads are a fraction of the price of Dyson’s next hair dryer…
If you have to ask, you know the answer. While the term, and variations like yapping and yap, have suddenly flooded TikTok, to yap still means to talk incessantly. So skip the videos of people yapping about yapping, because you can probably already name telltale signs: your conversations are more like monologues, you often say “not to rant” then proceed to rant, you’ve been accused of not knowing the meaning of silence. But now, being a yapper may not be a bad thing — particularly on a platform that’s built largely on people talking. That might explain why some are proudly embracing the identity. Yap on.
Wondering why anyone would willingly slather their face with something slightly reminiscent of margarine? Well, if you’ve ever woken up with redness and irritation after trying to scrub away a full face of makeup — or, worse, woken up with remnants of said makeup — this cleansing balm might be the solution to your struggle. The fudgy consistency transforms into an oil when massaged into skin, making it easy to remove every bit of makeup (even waterproof mascara) and leaving skin feeling soft and hydrated. Not to mention, it smells like you’re eating lime sherbet on a hot summer day.
Trending products and brands our shopping team has been loving recently.
1. A liquid peptide serum that belongs in your skincare routine.
In: Talking openly about money. Out: Staying tight-lipped about finances. Lena Haas, head of wealth management at Edward Jones, broke down five outdated money tropes we all need to kick to the curb.‡
3. A made-to-measure bra you can order from your phone.
DOUBL uses a combination of AI and your own phone's tech to capture your measurements and build a bra that fits you exactly right. And you don't need to stand in a dressing room half-naked to do it.
†Proven via independent consumer study on 55 participants over 8 weeks
‡This content was paid for by Edward Jones
Have you tried Flipart yet? Everyone’s loving this new game — and we get why. It’s such a rush when all the pieces fall into place. See for yourself.
THESKIMM: HERE'S WHAT'S NEXT
theSkimm helps you tackle your to-do lists, whether you're refinancing your loans or choosing a daycare for the first time. We talk to experts and real women to empower you to make decisions faster and with more confidence. Check out our guides to get started.
PS: Your feedback makes a big impact. Let us know what you like, what could be improved, and most importantly, if we helped you get sh*t done. Share your thoughts.
Skimm’d by: Melissa Goldberg, Alex Carr, and Niven McCall-Mazza
Photos by Max Mumby/Indigo via Getty Images, BBC Studios, Netflix, Jolie, Sephora, Brand Partners
