— Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC
👖 If you thought you’d successfully avoided the capri comeback, we regret to inform you they’ll be everywhere this fall. That’s also true of tie-front tops, which allegedly have “potential to become the ultimate transitional piece.”
This summer, it’s been impossible to avoid Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.” You know what’s also become inescapable this past week? Her alleged love triangle with “Señorita” singers Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello. For those who’ve managed to avoid the flood of fan theories on TikTok, let us untangle this deeply confusing, deeply Gen Z drama. In 2021, after roughly two years of dating — and very viral PDA — Mendes and Cabello announced via matching Instagram Stories that they’d split. That lasted until 2023, when the duo briefly rekindled their romance at Coachella, to the delight of Shawnmila fans everywhere. Now, where does Carpenter fit into all of this, you ask? Months before the Coachella makeout seen ‘round the world, Mendes and Carpenter were rumored to have been a thing, but their status was never confirmed. (Worth noting: This is the CliffsNotes version of the saga. For a very detailed play-by-play, click here.)
All of which brings us to just over a week ago, when Carpenter dropped the innuendo-filled Short n’ Sweet. While some assumed the album would largely be about her hot rodent boyfriend Barry Keoghan — who despite flirty Instagram comments, may now be her ex — many eagle-eyed fans are convinced multiple lyrics reference Mendes and Cabello (see: “I heard you’re back together and if that’s true / You’ll just have to taste me when he’s kissin’ you”). That includes tracks like “Coincidence” and “Taste,” particularly given the speculation that Jenna Ortega is meant to represent Cabello in the horror-inspired “Taste” music video. Of course, none of the parties have commented on the situation — though Cabello did post a rather curious TikTok set to her song “June Gloom,” which is allegedly about Carpenter. Oh, and to make matters even more, uh, awkward, it was recently announced that Carpenter, Cabello, and Mendes will perform at the MTV VMAs. We have to ask: Is Carpenter just drawn to messy love affairs (apparently, this isn’t her first brush with love triangles)? Which song off Mendes’s upcoming album will include his version of events? Or, in the words of Carpenter herself, is it all just a “coincidence”?
If you’re already caught up on Only Murders in the Building, we’d like to direct your attention to a very different — yet equally entertaining — show: Netflix’s Pop Star Academy: Katseye. The new docuseries, directed by Becoming’s Nadia Hallgren, is essentially The X Factor with a K-pop twist. It follows 20 talented young women who enroll in a rigorous K-pop training program, hoping to ultimately be selected as a member ofKatseye, the first global girl group from Hybe (the K-pop talent agency behind BTS) and Geffen Records (which boasts big names like Olivia Rodrigo). As the months progress, expectations rise and the pressure intensifies…and that’s before the competition takes a shocking, survival-style turn, leading some trainees to question if they want to stay in the game.
The only thing better than blasting a tight shoulder or sore calf with one of those handy massage guns? When it doesn’t cost a six-course meal to do so. That’s why we’re recommending this mini one from Sonic Power. Not only is it priced at a reasonable $75, but it’s also ultra quiet (so you can treat yourself to a muscle-pummeling massage while watching TV) and comes with four interchangeable heads designed to target different body parts, including one weird-looking little claw that feels oddly satisfying on your head, neck, and jaw. One editor used this a couple times a week on a funky rotator cuff — along with the usual icing and resting regimen — and noticed an improvement in her pain and mobility. (Of course, you should always consult your healthcare provider before using it on an injury.)
Trending products and brands our shopping team has been loving recently.
These $12 bronzing drops are our secret to maintaining a glowy tan well after summer's over. Mix a couple drops into your foundation or daytime moisturizer for a more natural look.
Still on the hunt for a good retinol? Hailey Bieber uses this one from Medik8, which also contains vitamin C for an extra dose of brightening. If it's good enough for her...
Cutting an infant’s nails with a regular nail clipper can be terrifying. Enter this electric nail file, which gently buffs nails down, no cutting required. You'll be glad you bought this for the newborn stage.
PS: Want more product recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram.
Unleash your competitive side with today’s games and puzzles. Choose from an anagram word search, digital jigsaw puzzle, or crossword (with a twist). Better yet: Try them all.
Skimm’d by: Taylor Trudon, Alex Carr, Melissa Goldberg, and Margaret Wheeler Johnson
Photos by Jon Kopaloff via Getty Images, Steve Jennings via Getty Images, Daniele Venturelli via Getty Images, courtesy of Netflix, Julian Finney via Getty Images, Alexander Tamargo via Getty Images, Pierre Suu via Getty Images, Dimitrios Kambouris via Getty Images, Sonic Power, Brand Partners
