When you think of YSL Beauty, a few things come to mind. For me, I think of Touche Éclat concealer and Dua Lipa. For others, you may simply know the three iconic initials as an iconic French fashion house. All of these things are true, but during a recent trip with the brand to Marrakech (a home and huge source of inspiration to the brand’s founder, Algerian-born Yves Saint Laurent), I discovered that there was so much to YSL Beauty that meets the eye. And not to mention, some seriously excellent products to boot.
Over four days, I got the chance to visit Morocco’s Ourika Gardens, where YSL Beauty grows botanical ingredients for its suite of makeup, skincare products, and fragrances. (I’ll never forget hand-picking jasmine flowers that would end up in bottles of Libre perfume.) It’s as good a crash course as I could’ve dreamed of, and along the way, I tested out hundreds of dollars’ worth of product to determine which are the most exciting, covetable ones to try this year.
In a crowded landscape of lip gloss-treatment hybrids, YSL Beauty’s Loveshine is a standout. The shades are curated and truly unique — my two favorites are California Sunshine, a shimmery cinnamon, and Thunder Stealer, a sparkly frosted lavender that feels like it’s from the future. In addition to a kiss of color, the formula has ginger and pepper oils to boost circulation and naturally plump lips.
These adorable powder blushes remind me of French macarons — colorful, cute, and utterly irresistible. Available in both matte and satin finishes, these silky powder blushes are intensely pigmented and have pretty impressive staying power. (They held up all day, even on the hottest days walking around Marrakech.) My favorites of the bunch are Peachy Nude and Berry Bang, but to be honest, there’s not a blah shade in the bunch.
Lip gloss in a stick? Genius, if you ask me. It’s easier to apply without a mirror, less prone to getting everywhere, and when the packaging is this good, what’s not to love? I love to wear this with a lip pencil for an easy, effortless lip combo. You can also wear it alone for a barely-there hint of hydrating color.
I’m pretty picky with my mascara. I like my lashes to look effortlessly fluttery and defined, even when I do a more bold, voluminous lash look. I’m wearing YSL Beauty’s Lash Clash mascara here, and as you can see, it’s all about flirty, look-at-me lashes without any heaviness or clumps. YSL Beauty’s Global Makeup Artist Sam Visser gave me a life-changing tip for applying lots of mascara: Wipe off any excess from the wand before applying it to your lashes, which gives you more control over building up coats as needed.
These compact eyeshadow quads are high fashion, but for your eyes. There are two new palettes to look forward to this year, Captivating Dunes and Sunrise Safari, and the former has become my current obsession. It’s the perfect mix of earthy, cool-toned neutrals that are super elevated. I like to apply a wash of champagne shimmer all over my lid, and then define the crease with the medium taupe. For date night, I turn it into a smoky eye with the dark chocolate matte along the upper and lower lash lines. The powders are silky and soft to wear — never chalky — and are actually infused with fig cactus oil from the Ourika Gardens that I toured.
Yes, it’s a lip balm — but a really, really nice one. Like, the nicest I own. I love the shade 8B (a warm rose) to prep my lips while I do the rest of my makeup. It’s silky and hydrating, but not too heavy. I will be honest, the tint on this is quite sheer; but that isn’t a dealbreaker for me since I’m not a huge lipstick person anyway. The packaging is also stunning, and looks like something Marie Antoinette would’ve kept in her vanity.
I’m not normally a floral perfume girlie but Libre’s gorgeous mix of orange blossom, jasmine, lavender, and musk is like a warm, sensual embrace in olfactive form. According to perfumers Anne Flipo and Carlos Benaim, Libre was born from the idea of starting with a fougère — a traditionally masculine structure within fragrance — and adding feminine, floral notes for a juxtaposition. The result? A sexy, complex floral scent that evokes both strength and sensuality. We filled our own bottles in the gardens, and I love how the refills include two bottles’ (aka 100mL) worth of juice for $135. (A 50mL bottle retails for $140.)
I’m not a huge fan of highlighter, since I already have very oily skin that usually gleams a bit too much on its own. (I also lived through the unicorn strobing trend of the mid-2010s and had years of highlighter fatigue!) But trust YSL Beauty to snap me out of my funk with this finely milled powder highlighter. It’s shockingly subtle, which is why it’s so good: I added a dusting along high points of the face (and even as eyeshadow!) for a bit of eye-catching brightness, as if I turned up my phone’s exposure levels. Hypnotic Honey is the prettiest golden-hour shade that doesn’t look too pigmented — just an expensive, gilded glow.
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For many TV watchers The Bear and controversial Emmy nominations go hand in hand. For the last few years, every time the show scores Emmys nominations — like this year’s 13 nods — the same statement inevitably gets cranked out of the discourse machine: “The Bear is not a comedy.” The show has consistently earned nominations and won in comedic Emmy categories, sparking outcry from viewers and critics who ask, “How can a show about anxiety, trauma, and family breakdowns be a comedy?” But this leads to another question: In an era where genres are constantly being blurred and reimagined, do categories even matter? And further, does this whole debate overshadow artists’ achievements?
This year, one of The Bear’s breakout stars Ayo Edebiri has made Emmys history. She’s the first woman ever to be nominated for both acting and directing in a comedy series and she’s the youngest Black woman to have earned three acting nominations. She’s up for ‘Outstanding Leading Actress in a Comedy Series’ and ‘Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series’ for her directing work on the episode “Napkins”. While calling The Bear a “comedy” might be questionable, there’s no doubt that Edebiri’s phenomenal work, both in front of and behind the camera, deserves recognition — and award wins.
That tension between the category and the content has made The Bear a lightning rod for awards discourse and, to be fair, the “Emmys fraud” debate isn’t entirely without merit. There’s a long history of shows making strategic decisions to improve their chances of success. At the Emmys, shows can submit themselves to any category they choose, so they tend to pick the one they believe they are more likely to win. Lead actors submit themselves to the supporting actor category or more dramatic shows submit themselves to the comedy categories, bending the rules to secure an award. For example, in 2014, Joe Morton — who played protagonist Oliva’s father in Scandal — was submitted for the “Outstanding Guest Star” award category despite appearing in most episodes that season.
It also doesn’t help that the Television Academy (who runs the Emmys) used to state for years that comedies were defined as having a run time of 30 minutes. Therefore, a show like The Bear, exploring panic attacks, grief spirals, and high-stakes emotional reckoning alongside lighter comedic moments ended up being classified as a comedy by default because most of the episodes’ runtimes fit the comedic categories by definition. They changed these rules in 2021. Comedic acting has historically been undervalued, so when a show like The Bear dominates the comedy category, it raises valid concerns about whether dramas-in-disguise are crowding out more traditional, and equally deserving comedic work. The reality is TV genres straddle a medley of storytelling styles, which is great for viewers who appreciate innovation — award shows need to keep up.
Bearing all this in mind, it’s difficult not to feel happy for Edebiri — what matters most is her work being recognized. Her work in front of and behind the camera has been exceptional. Season 3 of The Bear often felt sluggish and struggled to find its feet, but flashback episode “Napkins” (Edebiri’s directorial debut and written by Catherine Schetina) stood out as a beautiful, tender insight into chef Tina (played by Liza Colón-Zayas) and how she became who is in the kitchen. We see the working-class woman of color, mother, and wife struggle after being suddenly thrust back into the modern LinkedIn-ified world of work, pitted against graduates and younger workers vying for the same jobs, facing endless faux-polite rejections and the immense pressure to continue providing for her family in a job market that doesn’t value her. A coincidental but deeply meaningful encounter with Mikey at The Beef helps Tina reinvent herself in the workplace.
The Bear tends to veer between unbearably hectic and tranquil; Edebiri shows her directorial chops by directing an episode imbued with that quiet stillness. We see the camera focus on aspects of Tina’s everyday routine, and watch as the stability of her life begins crumbling. Whilst this part of Tina’s story is sad, she’s not a pitiful figure. Edebiri gives the character a sense of fight, determination and dignity despite the anguish.
Edebiri has continued to build on her skills in 2025’s Season 4, directing and starring in the episode “Worms” — a tender portrait of Blackness, family, and community whilst also a highly introspective character study. Sydney (Edebiri) is facing a long stretched out dilemma: should she stay at The Bear or leave to join Chef Adam Shapiro’s new venture? As Shapiro begins to feel like an awkward mismatch rather than a viable new business partner, it’s also the first time we see the show delve more explicitly into racial themes.
In the episode, Shapiro doesn’t understand that Sydney’s hair appointment is likely to take all day, he over-explains why he’s blasting an East Coast rap song, and is then surprised when she chooses to put Beethoven on instead. He expects her to “bring in Afro Caribbean influences” to the restaurant, despite the fact we’ve never really seen her cook that style of cuisine (Sydney is also Nigerian). Later, he asks her if she’s seen the Chris Rock documentary Good Hair. He has the air of a 2020 self-described “white ally” who reduces Sydney to her racial identity, putting her in a box and diminishing her humanity. (Predictably, his good nature quickly disappears when he doesn’t get what he wants from her later in the series.)
While calling The Bear a “comedy” might be questionable, there’s no doubt that Edebiri’s phenomenal work, both in front of and behind the camera, deserves recognition.
“Worms” also reflects the deeply familiar shared experience of Black women getting their hair done: Sydney gossiping hairstylist/cousin Chantel (played by Danielle Deadwyler who is hilarious in the episode), getting her hair braided at home rather than in a salon, the stylist code-switching on the phone then back to her authentic self with Sydney, Chantel scolding her young daughter TJ for talking back. It’s a very believable portrayal of a near-universal experience for Black women.
The exploration of Sydney’s dilemma through her conversation with the much younger TJ is an interesting twist. There’s hardly any food in the house, so they go on an impromptu shopping trip, and leisurely make a home-cooked meal; the timer on the oven is stuck at 12:00. Unlike the demands of the professional kitchen, time is suspended and Sydney has the time to contemplate her choices through the simplicity of a child-like metaphor: choosing which house to go to for a sleepover. Getting a glimpse into Sydney’s familial relationships creates a contrast with Carmy (Jeremy Allen White), who can’t even remember he’s now an uncle.
“Worms” demonstrates deftly the tension of choosing between someone who seems “right” on paper (Shapiro) and people who — despite their flaws — feel like home (Syd’s coworkers at The Bear). Edebiri’s ability to convey that tension in her meandering dialogue, wide eyes, pauses, and sometimes unconvincing justifications for why she’s still at The Bear is outstanding.
Comedy or drama, The Bear’s writing, storytelling and directing is warm, grounded, realistic and brings us back to the heart of the show: food. The Bear is often far more interested in the personal and the micro, than the political and macro, but to me it has always quietly reflected a truth about multi-racial America, particularly for working-class people. People from different backgrounds work, socialize and care about each other. The Bear restaurant is often referred to as a family— albeit a chaotic one— and that extends to something very true about people in America more broadly, contrary to the story that more Conservative power holders want to tell. In a wider landscape of ICE raids and other racially hostile policies, the quiet politics Edibiri skillfully and convincingly teases out feels important.
The Emmys will likely continue to cause controversy but Edebiri’s work in The Bear has been extraordinary, whether she’s stealing scenes on camera, or shaping the emotional storytelling behind it. The show may be blurring the lines of comedy and drama — but that is actually a key ingredient in making The Bear unmissable TV.
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The moment I get a few inches cut off my hair, all I can think about is growing it back to Rapunzel-like tresses. It’s a familiar dilemma and one I’ve fallen into many times, thanks to my love-hate relationship with the bob haircut. From the Italian bob to the “boyfriend” bob, I’ve more or less tried them all, and while I do enjoy the look, there’s always a part of me that misses the ease of having longer hair.
But what if there was a haircut that allowed you to dabble in both? I’m talking a short, sharp bob and flowing lengths — no post-salon regret here. Happily, there is, and it’s all thanks to the innovative two-in-one haircut, a trend that’s flooding Korean hair salons and TikTok feeds.
What is the Korean two-in-one haircut, and what are the benefits?
The Korean two-in-one haircut involves splitting the hair into two sections and cutting the underside straight across into a bob. The top layer is left untouched, besides a subtle trim if you need it. When the top section is tied or clipped up, it reveals the bob underneath, giving the appearance of shorter hair, and when worn down, it looks as though your hair hasn’t been cut at all. Genius, right?
“This style is a clever optical illusion,” says hairstylist and hair trend forecaster Tom Smith. “You get the polish of a bob when your hair is tied up, but still enjoy the length and versatility of long hair when it’s down,” he says. Adding, “It’s perfect for anyone who wants to experiment with a shorter look without fully committing, or for those who like to switch up their vibe regularly.”
Even better, this work with different hair lengths, says Philipp Haug, cofounder of Haug London Haus hair salon, who recalls doing many of these cuts — a step up from the undercut — in the early ‘00s: “One person might have a shorter baseline and another might prefer something more mid-length, but then when you put the hair down, you’ve got a long haircut no matter what length you’ve gone for underneath.”
Mercedes, a hairstylist at The Young American in California, has recently cut several of these styles. She thinks it’s a lot of fun: “I love both long and short haircuts, so I’m always excited to do one of these,” she says. Mercedes suggests it’s a more wearable version of the also-viral “jellyfish” haircut, which is shorter on top and longer underneath. “The two-in-one Korean cut is like this, but flipped,” says Mercedes, allowing you to conceal the shorter section and wear your hair up or down with ease.
Which hair types suit the Korean two-in-one haircut — and which don’t?
Haug points out that this cut works especially well on medium to thick hair, as the underneath needs to be proportioned correctly. “When you cut the underneath short, you need to have enough length left on top to fall over the top of it,” he says.Smith agrees that a cut like this works best on thick or medium-density hair, and this is because there’s enough hair bulk to split into two lengths. “Straight to wavy textures will find it easiest”, he says, “as the contrast between layers is more defined and the hair holds its shape.”
Smith adds that those with very fine hair might not have enough weight to disguise the shorter undercut when worn down, so it could peek through and look slightly disjointed. “Very curly or textured hair will need to be styled to allow the disconnection to fall into place as desired,” Smith says. Mercedes points out that if you have very thick or curly hair, this might not be the cut for you. This is because you’ll likely need to put the top part up often, adds Mercedes, which could feel too heavy or put strain on claw clips.
What’s the maintenance like for the Korean two-in-one haircut?
Unlike the jellyfish cut, which requires regular trims to stay in shape, the reversed two-in-one haircut is surprisingly low-maintenance, says Smith: “The shorter underlayer is hidden most of the time, so you won’t notice regrowth as quickly as you would with a typical bob,” says Smith. He believes you can easily go a few months between trims, much like with very long hair. “If you do find yourself wearing the shorter length more frequently, you may prefer to have it trimmed more regularly or start the length at a slightly shorter point so that you keep it looking sharp more of the time,” he adds.
If you want to maintain a clean trim, Mercedes recommends visiting the salon every eight to 10 weeks. “Otherwise, the shorter pieces will start to look a little funky,” she says. That is, unless you’re growing out the underside of your hair. In that case, you can simply let it do its thing.
As expected, the comments are full of questions — mainly, are there any downsides? Underneath a video of the haircut posted to Instagram by Hove Salon, one person replied that they have no regrets since their hair is much lighter and easier to dry. That said, they noted it can be a bit inconvenient when trying to tie all their hair up, like when brushing their teeth or washing their face, as it now takes both a claw clip and a headband to keep the long and short pieces out of the way.
What should I ask for if I want the Korean two-in-one haircut?
Thanks to its low-maintenance nature and the versatility of wearing your hair two ways, Mercedes thinks this trend will be everywhere soon: “It’s a two-in-one haircut! Who hasn’t had the ‘Should I go short or leave it long?’ struggle? I think everyone has said this at some point.”
Likewise, Haug thinks this style is a really good introduction to shorter hair. “Especially if you want a bob haircut but aren’t confident enough to take the plunge,” he says. “This is like an in-between step.”
So how do you ask for the two-in-one cut? Photos might not do it justice, so it’s best to show your hairstylist the cut in action. TikTok offers plenty of inspiration, but since it’s still a relatively new trend, it’s only been shown on a select few hair types, typically straighter hair. If you’re unsure whether it will work for you, consider booking a (usually free) consultation with your hairstylist before committing to the full chop.
This story was originally published on Refinery29 UK.
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Welcome toMoney Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar. Today: a program manager who has a $120,000 household income and who spends some of her money this week on a massive fern and a tiny cactus. If you’d like to submit your own Money Diary, you can do so via ouronline form. We pay $150 for each published diary. Apologies but we’re not able to reply to every email.
Occupation: Program manager Industry: Non-profit Age: 37 Location: Providence, RI Salary: $55,000 Household Income/Financial Setup: $120,000. I work part-time, on average around 25 hours a week. I moved into this role a few years ago thinking the part-time life wouldn’t last, but I’m still here! I feel incredibly lucky to have a job that gives me so much free time and flexibility but still pays a salary I can live on. My partner K. is a nurse making around $65,000. She and I maintain separate finances but split a lot of costs including rent and utilities, pet expenses, and shared discretionary purchases. We have a shared credit card for these expenses that we split 50/50 each month. A couple years ago, she switched careers and carries some student loan debt from that. Assets: Checking account: $23,000 (recently pulled most of this out of a CD and haven’t gotten around to putting it elsewhere. However, it’s not as bad as it sounds: My checking account earns interest similar to a HYSA); HYSA: $12,500; IRA: $45,000; Roth IRA: $71,000; mutual fund: $31,500. Debt: $0 Paycheck Amount (biweekly): $1,675 Pronouns: She/her
Monthly Expenses
Housing Costs: $1,140 rent for a one-bedroom, heat included. My partner K. and I split this 50/50. The apartment itself is dated and small, but in a good location and this is a great price. We’ve been here for seven years with only small yearly increases and are paying under market rent. I always hold my breath when the lease renewal paperwork arrives. (Our last apartment was turned into an Airbnb with a month’s notice so I may be carrying some residual anxiety!) Loan Payments: $0 Electricity: I cover this, it’s between $50-$80, depending on usage. Internet: K. covers this this; it’s $60. Phone: $20 Retirement Contribution: I max my IRA or Roth IRA each year. I don’t currently have access to a 401(k). Car Insurance: $208, split with K. Health Insurance: $275. I get health insurance via the State Exchange; this cost went down a bit when I renewed so I think I’m probably getting a small subsidy now which I may owe back at tax time. I don’t have dental insurance, I pay for cleanings out of pocket and hope I don’t need a root canal. Rental Insurance: $12 Pet Insurance: $21, split with K. Climbing Gym Membership: $89 Spotify: $12.83 Netflix: $19.25 Donations: Around $100: $22 to a local immigrant rights/mutual aid group, and then donations of $5-$10 to a handful of local journalists and podcasters. I also budget $50 to give each month as I feel moved.
Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it? It was generally expected that I go to college. I applied to a few different colleges and ended up going to a small liberal arts school because it was the cheapest option after aid and scholarships were applied, even cheaper than the state school. I used a combination of need-based aid, scholarships, loans, and part-time work to pay for tuition and living expenses. My parents contributed around $5,000 and kept me on their health insurance. They also gifted me an old car of theirs. I graduated with a very manageable loan amount, around $14,000, which I mostly paid off with two AmeriCorps education awards.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s) educate you about finances? My parents are both very debt-averse and savings-oriented and they instilled that in me and my brother. They took us to open our first bank accounts and encouraged us to save birthday money or any money we earned. They also taught us to be pretty thrifty and live well on less, which I think is an underrated financial skill. I don’t really remember them talking to me about investing or retirement, but we chat about that sometimes now. My dad is a Nervous Nelly about the stock market and is prone to making poor market-timing decisions with his retirement account, so he has been a bit of a cautionary example.
What was your first job and why did you get it? I helped out on my family’s strawberry farm starting when I was maybe 10 or 11 and my parents paid me for it. This was… Semi-voluntary. It was expected that I would help, but I had a fair amount of say over how much I worked and was paid in accordance. When I was 15 or 16 I started my first actual job, working at a local after-school program for younger kids. It paid $6.15 an hour. I liked having more spending money and it was also an opportunity to hang out with friends.
Did you worry about money growing up? I didn’t worry that much about money but I was certainly aware of it. I grew up in a predominantly working-class area and I felt well-off compared to many of my friends because we were very financially stable, but money was not exactly abundant. When I was very young both of my parents had unsteady income that came from selling crafts, small-scale farming and odd jobs. Though their incomes were low, our lifestyle was more self-sufficient than average: we lived in a rural area and grew or hunted a lot of our food, and my dad built our house. We always had food, medical care, and housing (though not always bourgeois amenities like running water or flooring. The house was built *while* we lived in it, and before the house was ready we lived in a tent and a pop-up camper on the build site.) We also had some generational wealth that smoothed the way: My mom inherited some money around the time that I was born, and my paternal grandparents had a comfortable retirement and would help us out occasionally. When I was older, my mom started working an office job and we had more of the trappings of a middle-class life, like summer road trips to see the national parks and money to pay for extracurricular activities. My parents’ marriage was always strained (they eventually divorced), and as I got older I understood how much money was a factor in that.
Do you worry about money now? I don’t worry about money in a day-to-day sense. I do budget pretty carefully, but I’m more financially comfortable than I’ve ever been. If the car needs a repair, it’s not a big deal. If I want to go on a trip, I go. That said, like most people I have an anxious orientation to money that leads me to dedicate a fair amount of brain space to worrying about things like layoffs and recessions and lease non-renewals. In particular, I worry that I missed the boat on buying a home here in Providence. Real estate values have skyrocketed since COVID-19. Even if I were working full time, it would be tough to make the math work on buying a house. If I could get a do-over, I would have figured out how to buy in my early 30s, but at the time I didn’t feel a pressing desire to own a house and I didn’t know that a window of opportunity was closing.
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net? When I was in college, my parents contributed to tuition and covered a few bills for me (health insurance, car insurance). I used money from working part-time for any living expenses. By the time I graduated and started working full time in my early 20s, I was pretty independent from them but we still share expenses like streaming services from time to time. If I needed them as a safety net, I suspect they’d be able to lend me a bit of money, and in the worst-case scenario they both own homes outright and have space for me to move back in with them.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain. Yes, I received around $20,000 in EE-bonds as an inheritance from my paternal grandparents. Though I don’t count on it, I may get a modest inheritance from one or both of my parents eventually.
Day One: Monday
7:45 a.m. — Up a little late and make coffee. My partner K. doesn’t work on Mondays; since my schedule is fairly flexible, sometimes I take the day off as well so that we can take a long weekend camping trip or go to the beach. Today, though, she has a lot of other obligations so I’m planning to work. While I drink my coffee, I play Which Year, a daily game where you guess the year of archival photos. I send my score to my mom and brother; we have a friendly rivalry going on.
9 a.m. — K. and I take the dog for a walk together. We have a very sweet, very anxious small dog that we rescued a few years ago. She LOVES walks. Usually these morning walks are my job; if the weather is decent we’ll walk for at least a half-hour. It’s a nice start to the day.
9:45 a.m. — I eat a bowl of cottage cheese and blueberries while I answer a few emails and get myself organized for the day. I generally work from home, but I have in-person meetings on a regular basis.
11 a.m. — K. has a few Zoom meetings and virtual appointments today, so I decide to work in a coffee shop. Two people working from home in a one-bedroom apartment is a recipe for frustration, as we learned during COVID-19. I walk to a coffeeshop nearby, snag a table and order a large iced chai and leave a tip. I spend a few hours drafting a grant application. $8.19
2:30 p.m. — Head home and work on the grant application financial documentation (I actually love working on budgets). As a late lunch, I eat leftovers from a cookbook club that we attended last night. The cookbook was Start Here by Sohla El-Waylly. I made a bisteeya-inspired chicken pie and K. made a tahdig. Both were good, as were all of the other dishes that people brought.
5:45 p.m. — Wrap up work and meet up with my running group for an easy run through the neighborhood. It’s a small crew today and we only go a few miles.
6:30 p.m. — Back home and take a quick shower. K. is on a Zoom meeting, so I (quietly, did I mention our apartment is small?) make dinner. I make a chaat-spiced skillet fry-up with potatoes, roasted chickpeas, and green peas. I top it with some leftover tamarind chutney, onions, a cumin yogurt sauce, and fresh mint and cilantro. After several failures, I’m finally meeting some success with growing an herb garden on my fire escape.
7 p.m. — K. heads out to get a drink with work friends and I watch La Casa de las Flores on Netflix (Spanish practice, though I get lazy midway through and turn on the subtitles).
Daily Total: $8.19
Day Two: Tuesday
6:30 a.m. — K. is working today, which means that everyone is up earlier. She has already made coffee when I get out of bed (this is generally her job).
7:30 a.m. — I take the dog for a long walk and swing by my community garden plot, where I pick some rhubarb and a big bunch of mint. The dog spots a rabbit, very exciting stuff.
8:30 a.m. — Breakfast is cottage cheese and frozen blueberries. I catch up on a few things for an organization that I’m on the board for, and then do a few small admin tasks and email for work.
10:30 a.m. — Head to a follow-up appointment for LASIK, which I got around a month ago. All of the appointments were included in the cost, which was $4,100. They say my eyes look good and my vision is 20/20, which is excellent news after spending the last 25 years of my life in glasses. The procedure wasn’t cheap, but contacts and glasses aren’t either. So far I wouldn’t say that it’s changed my life, but it was really great not dealing with glasses and contacts when we went camping a few weeks ago.
11 a.m. — Back home and work for a few hours. I’m a little hungry but don’t feel like making anything, so I eat an apple and a couple of spoonfuls of peanut butter.
1:30 p.m. — The dog has a vet appointment. This is our third attempt at taking a blood sample, she freaks out every time. We have been medicating her in increasingly large amounts. Putting her harness on, I have my doubts that we’ve medicated her enough, she seems quite alert and happy to go for a walk. Unfortunately I am correct: after around 15 minutes of attempts, the vet tech throws in the towel. We talk about other med options and they tell me the vet will follow up. Today’s appointment doesn’t cost me anything since it was a failure. How thrifty.
2 p.m. — Back home, still hungry. Eat a packet of instant ramen with an egg. The egg makes it healthy. I also start steeping a big pot of iced Moroccan mint tea with the mint from the garden. Then back to work for a bit.
4 p.m. — I remember that I need to make a boarding appointment for the dog later on in the summer. K. and I signed up to volunteer at the Newport Folk Fest. I haven’t been in years because it’s hard to get tickets. As volunteers, we’ll get in free but staying nearby in Newport would be crazy expensive. With the hour-long drive each day, we’ll be gone a lot and it feels best to board the pup. For 48 hours it will be $130, but we won’t pay until we pick her up.
4:30 p.m. — Take the dog on a quick walk and then head to the climbing gym for a bouldering session. I don’t climb for too long but I tackle my least favorite style: overhangs.
7:30 p.m. — Arrive back home and K. is making some sort of Greek potato pie with leftover phyllo dough and fresh herbs from the windowsill herb garden. I help out a little and then take a shower while the pie is in the oven. It’s pretty good, but then again… iIt’s potato and phyllo. How could it be bad?
8:45 p.m. — We put on an episode of Killing Eve and tackle folding clothes. The volume of clean, unfolded clothing in our bedroom corner feels obscene. It could clothe a whole Medieval village. Then, bedtime. It’s chilly tonight, I turn on my mattress pad heater (a purchase that has greatly increased my quality of life) and snuggle in.
Daily Total: $0
Day Three: Wednesday
7:30 a.m. — Tired and stiff this morning. Probably the climbing yesterday. Get up, coffee, take the dog on a walk.
9:15 a.m. — I am planning on doing some yoga and starting work a little late but then I realize I have a 9:30 a.m. meeting. Darn. I throw the leftover potato pie in the oven for breakfast and log on.
11 a.m. — Meeting is wrapped up and I’m still feeling hungry, so I make a bowl of oatmeal. It’s a chilly day and oatmeal with cranberries, apples, and brown sugar feels like a treat. After, I change into semi-professional clothing and bike a few miles downtown for a meeting. I’ve been trying to bike to most of my downtown meetings now that the weather has improved — it’s fun and generally a bit faster because I don’t need to find parking.
12:25 p.m. — My meeting has wrapped up and I have a little time to kill, so I duck into the Japanese market where I buy a shrimp tempura onigiri, salmon sashimi, frozen udon noodles, and a small chocolate bar. $24.70
1:50 p.m. — I bike over to a community garden. I’m meeting someone here to show me a space that I’m planning to start gardening in. They’re trying to get it started up again after a few years of neglect. It is a bit far from my apartment and I already have a plot at a different garden that I tend to with a group, so here I’m planning to just do flowers and a few low-maintenance veggies. I eat the onigiri and chocolate bar while I wait. The garden space is definitely rough, there are lots of old pallets that I’ll need to clear out, but I enjoy tackling messy spaces, so it’s up my alley.
2:15 p.m. — Back home again. Tell the dog that I love her and that she’s beautiful and perfect. Make a big cup of chai; it’s deceptively chilly out today and I need something warming. Do a little work to follow up from my meetings and then log off around 3:30 p.m.
4 p.m. — Walk the dog. I spot a forest green fabric basket on the curb and snag it. I really appreciate the robust curbside redistribution system that our neighborhood has. I don’t bother taking anything to the thrift store anymore.
5 p.m. — Need to swing by the organization that I volunteer for to drop some items off, so I combine that with a run. Stop by and chat with other volunteers, and then go to a nearby riverside bike path that is just a little too far for me to regularly incorporate into my runs.
6:30 p.m. — Get home and shower while K. starts making poke bowls with the salmon sashimi. We top them with salmon, mango, sriracha mayo, furikake, and cucumber. After, we settle in for an episode of Killing Eve, then early bed.
Daily Total: $24.70
Day Four: Thursday
7:15 a.m. — Wake up to torrential rain. Boo. The apartment is freezing; wish we owned a space heater. Make coffee and play Which Year, hold off on walking the dog in the hopes that the rain will let up.
8:15 a.m. — Do a short yoga session before hopping on a 9 a.m. Zoom meeting. The meeting lasts much longer than I expected and I wish that I’d eaten breakfast before.
10:30 a.m. — Finally free! I bite the bullet and take the dog out, then make a big bowl of oatmeal for breakfast which I eat in front of my computer.
12:15 p.m. — I head to my ceramics studio for a session. I work on glazing a few plates and then handbuild a footed jewelry tray (strongly influenced by one I saw on Etsy). I buy three-hour blocks of studio access in packages of ten so I don’t need to pay anything today. Generally they are $30 each unless I get them on sale, and then I spend another couple hundred a year on clay, glazes, and firing fees. On the plus side, I save lots of money on gifts! Everyone wants more mugs, right?
3 p.m. — Back home just in time for another Zoom meeting. After, I wrap up a few follow up items and then log off.
4:30 p.m. — Still cold, still rainy. I take a nap in bed with my heated mattress pad, which is a delight. After, I decide to make rhubarb bars. They sound like a good treat today and running the oven will warm the apartment up.
5 p.m. — The rain has finally cleared, so I take the dog on a walk. I call my mom to coordinate with her about summer plans. She’s going to be coming out to New England for a few weeks with my cousin and her kids. They have found an affordable vacation rental for their Rhode Island stay; I tell her it’s not in the trendiest location but should be convenient to the beach and to me. I also tell my cousin she can use my car for two weeks. Mistake? Maybe! But it will force me to bike more.
7 p.m. — K. usually works a 12-hour shift on Thursdays, but she comes home early today and we make dinner together: Japanese-style potato and carrot curry with big chewy udon noodles. After, spend some time reading before bed. I’m finally reading Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein.
Daily Total: $0
Day Five: Friday
7:30 a.m. — A little warmer today. Coffee and Which Year, then take the dog on a walk (extra long this morning since we didn’t get out much yesterday).
9 a.m. — I do a few small things for my job, but I’m not planning on working much today since I’m close to hitting 25 hours for the week. To be honest, work has felt slow recently; there’s a few big federal grants that are in limbo under the current administration and so we don’t have as many projects going as usual. It’s a weird time.
10:30 a.m. — Wrap up work, eat some blueberries and cottage cheese for breakfast. Put on an old episode of You’re Wrong About and spend half an hour cleaning the apartment in the company of my para-social friendships with Sarah and Michael.
12 p.m. — Eat a can of Amy’s lentil soup for lunch (underwhelming) then head out to run some errands. Stop at the bank and withdraw $80 in quarters for laundry (we have coin op machines in the basement), then swing by a carwash to vacuum out my car. Love having a clean car. $2
12:45 p.m. — Stop by one of my favorite houseplant stores. It’s this oasis in a converted mill building. I really love these old mill buildings. You go inside and it’s this maze of repurposed spaces hosting retail, artist studios, dance studios, and community organizations. One of them nearby has a pinball museum and an indoor skatepark! It’s so important for a city to have affordable commercial space for these kinds of fun, oddball ventures, and I worry that we’re starting to lose that here. Anyway, off my soapbox. I buy a massive fern for a plant propagation workshop I’m teaching tomorrow, and a tiny cactus. I could probably get the fern reimbursed if I asked but I don’t really mind donating it. $49.20
3 p.m. — Back home and spend some time prepping for the plant propagation workshop. End up going down a plant-care rabbit hole that culminates in me chopping my huge monstera into a bunch of smaller pieces. Someone on YouTube assures me that once I replant them I’ll have a healthier, happier plant and I’m trusting the process.
6 p.m. — I’m just finishing sweeping up when K. gets home. She’s wiped from the week and doesn’t really feel like going anywhere, so we decide to stay in. She makes a Persian chicken and rice dish for dinner (this is one of her specialties, it’s very delicious) and I clean up. Then we watch a few episodes of Killing Eve. Not sure I’m as into the second season.
Daily Total: $51.20
Day Six: Saturday
9 a.m. — Sleep in a little, then up to make coffee and walk the dog.
11 a.m. — Head out to a volunteer shift at the tool library. It’s busy today, this time of year is always full of people working on their gardens and house projects and starting new hobbies. Today we have a bunch of people just hanging out as well. It’s started to feel like a third space, which is fun.
2 p.m. — It’s time for the plant propagation workshop I’m leading. We have 12 people attend, which is a larger group than I was anticipating and flusters me a little, since I had planned for it to be very hands-on. Hopefully everyone enjoys it and learns something. Dividing up the giant fern seems to be the highlight.
3 p.m. — The plant propagation workshop is followed by a plant swap. I end up taking home an unnecessary number of seedlings and plant cuttings (pilea, jade, pothos, stonecrop, elderberry, and something called oregano brujo, which is used medicinally in Puerto Rico, according to the woman who brings it). Also, a very sad cactus arrangement that I hope I can revive.
5:30 p.m. — Home from the plant swap and K. is heading out for a karaoke night. Karaoke is not one of my favorite activities so I will not be joining her. Instead, I go on a quick run with the dog and order takeout from my go-to Cambodian place. I get crispy wings, nime chow, and crab rangoon. Then I settle in with my takeout and watch the first half of Sirens. $32.86
Daily Total: $32.86
Day Seven: Sunday
9 a.m. — Sleep in, coffee. Score in the second percentile on Which Year, very exciting.
10:30 a.m. — Walk the dog and then spend a bit of time catching up on financial stuff. I ask K. to venmo me half of our shared credit card balance and catch up on categorizing transactions in my budget. I also catch up on my bank account bonus churning. I’m not as into this as some people, I consider it a small side hustle. I have a spreadsheet that tracks all of my in-process bank account and credit card sign up bonuses. I’m currently trying to trigger a checking account bonus from Chase and need a direct deposit. I read reports that an eBay deposit will do it, so I list K.’s old Xbox for sale.
11 a.m. — K. is working on sewing projects this morning so I ask her to mend a few items of my clothing with small tears or missing buttons. We also debate whether she is capable of altering a too-large linen jumpsuit I got at a recent clothing swap. She says she’ll make an attempt.
12 p.m. — Try to buy a kitchen cart off of Facebook Marketplace but lose out to another buyer. The search continues.
1 p.m. — Head out for a grocery shopping run. We’re going to a Memorial Day barbeque later on, so first I stop by the liquor store to buy wine and brandy for sangria (split with K.; my share is $14.37), and then to the grocery store for the fruit and normal grocery haul. Rhode Island doesn’t sell any alcohol in grocery stores, which is highly inconvenient. I buy peaches and strawberries for the sangria, potatoes, onions, apples, mangos, bell peppers, ginger, a few tubs each of cottage cheese and yogurt, a few bags of frozen blueberries, milk, half and half, butter, dried cranberries, couscous, chicken, chickpeas and kidney beans, and eggs. I feel like it’s a lot of stuff but the total is only $92 (split with K, my share $46.13). $60.50
2 p.m. — Throw together the sangria, bid the dog farewell, and head over to the cookout. Our friends live in the neighborhood, so we can walk. The food spread is delicious, and they have the most amazing garden, I am very jealous. My least favorite thing about our place is the lack of outdoor space.
7 p.m. — Home to feed and walk the dog, then back out again for a parking lot show at a local dive bar. They do these free parking lot punk and metal shows in the summer that last all day; this is the first one of the season. This isn’t normally my scene but it’s a fun summer tradition. I always appreciate how diverse in age the crowd is: there’s folks age 7 to 70 bopping around and catching up. We get a beer ($7.35 each with tip) and chat with some acquaintances in between sets. I am a little hungry so we each get a hot dog from a food vendor ($5 each, but K. pays because I can’t get Venmo to work). $7.35
9:30 — We’re tired and a little cold, so we head home. I’m still complaining that I missed snagging the last cupcake at the cookout this afternoon, so K. makes a quick batch of brownies to placate me. Then bedtime.
Daily Total: $67.85
The Breakdown
Conclusion
“This ended up being a slightly lower-spend week than normal. It was a little quieter than usual in general, and I did a number of free things, the show, the plant swap, the barbecue. And not having to pay the vet bill certainly helped! I’ve been trying to cut down on my consumer spending on “stuff”, so it was gratifying to see that I didn’t spend much in that area. I think in general I do wonder if I can really afford to keep working in this job as the cost of living goes up. I don’t save as much as I did working full time, obviously!
“Also, a quick update: The week after I submitted this, I found out that our landlord is selling all of his properties, including our building, to an investor. So that’s probably the end of our cheap rent. I feel like I jinxed myself! We’re still waiting to find out the upshot of this for us, but if we do need to move, our rent will likely double in the fall.”
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Roll your sleeves up because life is about to get extra messy! From July 22nd to August 22nd, the sun will be shining in the constellation of Leo. The friendly lion will be stirring up the theatrics, making us all a little extra — which isn’t a bad thing. Sometimes we need to lead with our passions in order to be in touch with our hearts.
Leo is the fire sign who loves to perform, so over the next month, we will display our attributes for people to see. After all, life is but a stage, and we will be feeling ourselves during Leo season. That is good because we need to get our rizz back and show off our charming personalities. We can enrich ourselves and step into our strengths without caring what anyone thinks. The only opinion that matters is ours. We are in the driving seat now.
Leo is the zodiac’s boldest, confident, self-assured, most generous, and most loving. Leos are sweethearts who’ll do just about anything for the one they adore. They have a big roar when upset and will refuse to back down from an argument when they believe in the cause. This is due to their fixed nature. The lion likes to put on the razzle dazzle and let people see all sides: being ruled by the sun means they are extremely powerful and motivated. Since Leo loves to care for others and inspires friends to grow, being the scene leader will make us peppy and optimistic for the next few weeks. We’ll have a sense of bravado and take charge by allowing our authenticity to shine.
On the other hand, competitiveness will be intense. The fire sign will do anything to come out on top, but we shouldn’t use manipulation or lie to get our way. Everyone can be shady, but the lion knows how to spin a tale and make it seem real because they are the actors of the zodiac and will do anything to get their way. Be careful because seeming sincerity could be false and lead to disappointment.
We’ll all be taking on all these energies for the next month, so we mustn’t misbehave and start nonsense with those we care about. If we do, the results won’t be pretty, especially as this Leo season is starting off bumpy due to the aspects between the sun and Saturn retrograde in Aries, Neptune retrograde in Aries, Uranus in Gemini, and Pluto retrograde in Aquarius. These planets will bring out triangular situations and urge us to break free from toxic cycles. It’ll be hard to do since we’re wrapped up in them. Mercury’s backward spin in Leo lasts from July 18th to August 11th and will stir the pot even more. Miscommunications will cause tensions with others, and the retrograde might hold us back from moving forward. When Mercury turns direct on August 11th, our goals will become clearer and concise.
The upcoming month wants us to break free and focus on the next steps in our lives. The only way to find our footing is to heal the past. The four retrogrades (Mercury, Saturn, Neptune, and Pluto) encourage us to do so. In the process, we’ll find our way to enlightenment and embrace our brave and daring attitude. That is the biggest flex of all. Let’s slay Leo season!
Important Dates For Leo Season:
July 22nd: The sun enters Leo, heightening our desires and swagger.
July 24th: The New Moon in Leo gives us the chance to pivot into a fresh start.
July 30th: Venus swims into Cancer, allowing us to understand our feelings in partnerships.
August 6th: Mars moves into Libra, making us more diplomatic.
August 9th: The Full Moon in Aquarius lights up the sky, urging us to embrace our unique visions.
August 1st: Mercury turns direct, ending the retrograde journey that began July 18th. Life will move swifter and with clearer communication.
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From pimple patches to spot treatments to lasers, there’s little I haven’t tried in the name of clear skin. And when it comes to beauty tech specifically, I’m hardly a novice, either — LED masks, sleek hair stylers, high frequency wands, cleansing tools…I use ‘em all! But, if I had to use only one for the rest of my life, it would easily be the ZIIP.
Microcurrent is perhaps most popular for its “snatching” abilities (aka the ability to sculpt and tone facial muscles), but I’ve personally noticed the most dramatic improvements with my acne. Microcurrent is an effective treatment for acne because it draws out acne-causing bacteria and reduces inflammation, sometimes before it even has a chance to come to a head. ZIIP, co-founded by facialist Melanie Simon, is perhaps best known for the Halo — a small, computer-mouse-shaped device that treats myriad skin concerns, from wrinkles to puffiness to yes, acne.
I’m 31, and genetically blessed with few wrinkles and good bone structure, so while I loved the Halo (truly, it was a cornerstone of my wedding skin prep), I almost exclusively used it to ward off breakouts. At $399, the Halo is far from cheap — and if you’re only interested in it for acne treatment, I might not have recommended it. But here’s where the ZIIP Dot comes in.
As if the beauty gods themselves heard me, an acne-focused ZIIP device finally arrived. Unlike the Halo, the Dot doesn’t require a companion app to select which treatment to load. It arrives preset with a 90-second spot treatment routine (60 seconds of Treat mode, followed by 30 seconds of Calm to reduce inflammation) and a six-minute full-face routine (four minutes of Treat mode and two minutes of Calm).
It looks like a mini doughnut and has two thin, slightly curved electrical nodes on the underside of the device. In the box was a bottle of Clear Gel (one of the various conductive gels the brand makes), along with a charging cable and manual. It’s super lightweight and fits comfortably in my hand. After cleansing and patting my skin dry, I applied a few pumps of gel all over my face. Pressing and holding the Dot’s power button activated the full-face routine, and I slowly glided the device over my face. I tend to notice a slight warming sensation when the microcurrent “finds” the active acne — this is totally normal! Depending on how severe the breakout is, things can get a little tingly, but nothing unbearable. (Compared to other devices I’ve tried, I find that ZIIP’s are not only the most effective but also the most gentle.)
I tend to break out most on my chin and jawline, but occasionally get acne in congested areas like my nose. The Dot is small enough to get into hard-to-reach spots, and I liked that you can start your treatment right away without having to pull up and sync the device with the app. After use, I wiped the Dot clean with a towel, rinsed off any excess gel, and proceeded with the rest of my nighttime skincare routine.
The following morning, I swear that the early rumblings of a cystic pimple were gone. (Formerly, I’d only seen results that fast with a dermatologist appointment and cortisone injection.) The one-two punch of microcurrent to kill bacteria and nanocurrent to quell inflammation — at its core, that’s what acne is, after all — is a pimple’s worst nightmare, and my new best friend.
The brand recommends using the Dot two to three times a week, which is perfect for keeping breakouts at bay. The full-face routine has really helped maintain clear skin, but I’ve also used the spot treatment for a quick zippity-zap if I’m in a rush. Depending on the stage my acne is at, that’s been enough to reduce the lifespan and severity of the breakout dramatically. (In my aforementioned example, I was able to “catch” the pimple before it had a chance to wreak havoc; since I tend to scar easily, this was still a great tool to have to reduce hyperpigmentation.)
If acne is your primary skin concern, then at $200 (half the price of the Halo) the Dot is an amazing addition to any acne-haver’s routine. I love that it’s compact enough to easily travel with — great news if your skin tends to flare up after a long flight. With this sleek new skin gadget as part of my acne routine, I feel like I’m truly taking care of my skin — and that’s a very, very good thing.
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We’re fully embracing summer… and all the seasonal sales (from Prime Day to Lululemon’s Summer Scores event), so of course we’re ready to jump on Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale. The reader-favorite retailer’s annual sale officially starts on July 12 — but Nordy Club members get early access now — featuring covetable styles at major discounts (and they don’t stay in stock for long).
Alongside Nordstrom’s own brands like Zella and Open Edit, you’ll find other favorites likeMadewell, Paige, and Frame in the mix. Dive in and refresh your summer wardrobe with these can’t-miss deals and bestsellers from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.
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I’m no stranger to a lash lift. Anything that saves me from wrestling with my almost-rusty lash curlers every morning gets my attention — and I find them especially brilliant in summer, when mascara tends to end up halfway down my face by lunchtime. When my lashes look that perky, I tend not to reach for it. My TikTok algorithm knows this about me, which is why it constantly serves up mesmerizing before-and-after videos. Lately, though, a new style of lash lift has been taking over my feed.
What is the Korean lash lift & what makes it different from a standard lash lift?
The Korean lash lift takes a more health-conscious approach to curling and lifting lashes. Rather than using harsh, drying glue to fix lashes to a silicone pad, it typically relies on a cysteamine hydrochloride lotion to gently soften the hairs, making them easier to shape and lift. In addition to the gentler solution, the service takes inspiration from thorough Korean skincare routines. It includes various hydrating and protective serums containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, leaving lashes soft and strong instead of dry and brittle.
I booked the service easily through Fresha, the salon app I use for all my beauty appointments. I opted for BIYU Lash in London and added a lash tint to maximize the results, but there are plenty of salons offering similar services here in the US.
What happens during a Korean lash lift & what are the benefits?
Make no mistake — the Korean lash lift is infinitely more relaxing than the traditional lash lifts I’ve had before. It also feels more thoughtful. My lash technician, Krista, began by applying a satisfyingly cool gel pad under each eye, followed by a few strips of tape to further protect my skin from the softening formula, curling solution, and later, the dark lash tint. Before applying the softening solution, my lashes were gently cleansed with a lash shampoo, which was rinsed off using purified water.
Krista began by gently pulling my eyelids taut using a Japanese sensitive-skin tape, then applied a cooling silicone pad to each eyelid to prevent the softening solution from transferring. Next, she used a waxy balm to brush my lashes upwards, ready for the solution, which she pulled through my lashes with a soft, angled brush.
At the tips, Krista applied another serum to boost moisture in my delicate lash hairs, then covered my eyes with plastic wrap. “The heat and minimal air contact encourage the solution to work,” she told me. “I also like to place an eye mask over the covered lashes, allowing the heat from your skin to process the softening solution.” This usually takes 12 minutes, but for stronger lashes like mine, an extra five minutes might be needed to ensure they’re soft enough for curling.
Once the softening solution had taken effect and been removed, Krista applied a pH-balancing lotion to neutralize the acidity, preventing my lashes from becoming too soft or overprocessed. It also prepped them for the main event — the curling solution. Before that, though, she talked me through the different curl options.
Krista explained that in Korea, there are close to 20 versions of lash pad, depending on whether you want your lashes to curl dramatically upwards, look more natural, or sit flicked slightly downwards for that “puppy eyes” finish — a look that Krista tells me is super popular in Korea and Japan. I opted for something between the first two, and my newly softened lashes were painted onto the silicone strip to take shape.
Again, Krista drenched the tips in the same moisturizing serum she’d been using throughout to counteract dryness. “The ends of our lashes are always very delicate, so I always apply more serum when I put the second solution on,” she told me. Once the curling lotion had worked its magic and been removed, Krista applied the tint, which sat for around 10 more minutes.
After the dye was wiped away, I was instructed not to get my lashes wet for the next 24 hours and was sent home with a small vial of nourishing oil to help counteract any dryness. Honestly, though, I felt that I didn’t really need it — my lashes have never felt softer. Since Krista brushed them into place, the initial result was much like a strip lash, appearing a little spaced out and doll-like. So cute!
When I got home and showed my partner — who didn’t know where I’d been — he complimented the way I’d done my mascara. When I told him I wasn’t wearing any, he didn’t believe me. The strip lash effect didn’t last long, but the final results, after finally washing my face 24 hours later, were fuller and fluffier, rather than spread out. Most days, I forget to apply mascara (usually the last step in my makeup routine), but when I do, the result is something major: thick, perky, and impossibly long lashes that don’t drop all day. I’ve lost count of the number of compliments from friends and colleagues!
How much does a Korean lash lift cost & how long does it last? Is there any aftercare for a Korean lash lift?
A Korean lash lift and tint usually takes around 90 minutes and can cost between $75 and $150, though prices may vary depending on location and add-ons. The curled results typically last six to eight weeks, based on how well you care for your lashes, while the tint usually fades after about three weeks. Regular maintenance, like oiling your lashes, can help prolong the results. Unlike lash extensions, which tend to grow out unevenly, a lash lift fades gradually as new, straighter lashes grow in, replacing the curled ones. It’s a pretty seamless transition.
Where can I get a Korean lash lift in the US?
The Korean lash lift is becoming increasingly popular, and finding a technician who offers the service is easy with a salon booking app like Fresha. In New York’s Koreatown, for example, there are lots of salons offering similar services, but Fresha lets you search for treatments wherever you are.
While it’s not the cheapest option, I can’t recommend a Korean lash lift over a traditional one enough — not just because the results are more striking, but because my lashes feel healthy, not parched. To me, that makes it well worth it.
This story was originally published on Refinery29 UK.
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There’s always a seemingly endless number of deals to shop during Amazon Prime Day, which runs between July 8 to 11 this year. But in this roundup, we’re unveiling something that’s a little closer to our own carts: Refinery29 readers’ most wanted Amazon products that are, of course, on super sale.
After digging into an entire year’s worth of anonymous shopping data from our most popular stories, we were able to whittle down a product list that includes only the top Amazon favorites R29 readers have eagerly scooped up. Peep all the noteworthy and unexpected deals that just may have been carted by you or your closest friends and family, from beauty hidden gems to vacation-ready travel best sellers. Read ahead for a piping-hot selection of Amazon deals.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
This is the treat your feet desperately need as cozy season revs up. With over 20,000 five-star Amazon reviews, these plush slippers keep your toes toasty, while the memory foam insoles make you feel like you’re walking on clouds. They’re machine-washable, and the non-slip soles make them suitable for the outdoors, too.
Donpapa Fluffy House Slippers, $, available at Amazon
Timeline The Night Cream
PSA: this ultra-luxe moisturizer rarely goes on sale, making a 40% off Amazon Prime Day deal truly special. Powered by Mitopure(R), a proprietary ingredient that promotes cell regeneration, this nourishing night cream leaves skin stronger, smoother, and noticeably more hydrated. Reviewers say they notice a difference even if they skip for a night.
If you’re even slightly curious about trying Billie Eilish’s fragrance brand, now’s the time to strike. With sensual notes like palo santo, black pepper, and incense, this is the perfect date-night scent. The brand hardly goes on sale, making this Prime Day markdown especially tempting.
Billie Eilish Eilish No. 2 Eau de Parfum, $, available at Amazon
Therabody Theragun PRO Plus
If you’re splurging on a massage tool, make it this one. Featuring a more robust motor, ergonomic handle design, and multiple attachments to target specific areas, this most advanced Theragun model is worth every penny.
Therabody Theragun PRO Plus, $, available at Amazon
iRobot Roomba 104 Robot Vacuum & Mop
Robot vacuums are an incredibly popular buy for our readers. These smart gadgets think for themselves and sweep up messes without you lifting a finger. Amazon has tons of these vacuum deals you won’t want to miss — this bestseller at nearly half off.
iRobot Roomba 104 Robot Vacuum & Mop, $, available at Amazon
Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips
Crest takes the Amazon bestseller cake: The brand’s coveted Whitestrips are typically marked way down on Prime Day, and are all but guaranteed to make your pearly whites, well, whiter, providing professional-level stain removal in under an hour’s time. (They even earned a top-reviewed spot on our Tried & True coverage of the best teeth-whitening products!)
Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects Kit, $, available at Amazon
JISULIFE Handheld Mini Fan
This compact electric fan is one of the best Amazon travel accessories money can buy: Cutesy design aside, it has remarkable battery life and can be folded up into a desktop fan. This will be a winner on your next tropical vacation.
JISULIFE Handheld Mini Fan, $, available at Amazon
Nikolable Lightning Cable iPhone Charger
This is one of those practical Amazon Prime Day discounts that is an absolutely no-brainer. If you often misplace your smartphone charging cables, now is the perfect time to invest in some spares.
Nikolable Lightning Cable iPhone Charger, $, available at Amazon
Nesugar Portable Handheld Garment Steamer
If you can’t bear the thought of wearing wrinkled clothes while you’re on vacation, this handheld steamer deserves a spot in your shopping cart. It snaps into action in just 15 seconds, and emits continuous steam for up to 10 minutes. The best part? It weighs just under 1 lbs, which is a lot lighter than most steamers on the market.
Nesugar Portable Handheld Garment Steamer, $, available at Amazon
Laneige Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask
We’re long-time fans of Laneige’s lip treatments, and this new sleeping mask looks just as promising. Hydrating ingredients like peony extract and collagen complex keep the skin pillowy and soft without feeling oily, and the light floral scent makes this the perfect bedtime skincare treat.
Laneige Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask, $, available at Amazon
Wowshow 14K Gold Plated Hoops Chunky Open Hoops
A true most wanted steal from every Prime Day occasion is this pair of chic gold hoop earrings. At under $10, the 14k gold-plated jewelry score is the perfect sweet gift for yourself or someone special. They are a lightweight, budget-friendly alternative to pricier styles.
wowshow 14K Gold Plated Hoops Chunky Open Hoops, $, available at Amazon
Oral-B Genius X Limited
Every time Amazon Prime Day makes an appearance, so do the toothbrush deals. If there was ever a time to stock up on oral hygiene essentials, it’s right now. This uber-smart toothbrush has multiple cleaning settings to accommodate different preferences, and its Bluetooth connectivity enables you to stay on top of your brushing routine.
Oral-B Genius X Limited, Electric Toothbrush, $, available at Amazon
Foodi 6-in-1 DualZone FlexBasket Air Fryer
Now, this wouldn’t be a proper Prime Day roundup without mentioning our editors’ favorite deal. This multi-purpose air fryer has scored over 33,000 rave reviews on Amazon, with happy customer praising its ability to cook family-size meals without taking up a large amount of counter space. The discount makes this a no-brainer.
Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 Air Fryer, $, available at Amazon
LOVEVOOK Carry-On Travel Backpack
This waterproof backpack is the ultimate travel accessory for over-packers: The large capacity can hold up to 40L and includes three packing cubes in different sizes — that’s big enough for spare clothes, toiletries, and shoes. It fits laptops up to 17 inches and features a side pocket for umbrellas or water bottles.
LOVEVOOK Carry-On Travel Backpack, $, available at Amazon
Nécessaire The Body Wash Hinoki
Whenever we ask our beauty editors about their favorite body care brand, Nécessaire is always at the top of the list. For Prime Day, you can score a sweet 25% off its deeply nourishing body wash, which contains brightening niacinamide and calming eucalyptus.
Nécessaire The Body Wash Hinoki, $, available at Amazon
Levoit Air Purifier
Amazon reviewers have been snapping up this early Prime Day deal, calling it “an absolute winner” — especially for its under-$100 price point. It runs quietly while filtering particles and odors from the air, and you can sync it to an app for real-time updates on filter life.
JW Pei makes some of our favorite vegan handbags, and we’re thrilled to see the brand join in on the Prime Day action. With an asymmetrical curved design and a trendy croc-effect exterior, this mini shoulder style is bound to be a compliment magnet.
JW PEI Harlee Shoulder Bag, $, available at Amazon
Beats Solo 3 Wireless Headphones
Good headphone deals are hard to come by on Prime Days. So, when we saw that Beats has sliced the price tag for its popular Solo 3 wireless headphones, we know it’s something special that probably won’t last on shelves for long.
Beats Solo 3 Wireless Headphones, $, available at Amazon
Guess Hestia Ankle Boot
Looking for a pair of cheap ankle boots to carry you through fall and winter? It’d be hard to find a better deal than this versatile pair from Guess, with sturdy lug soles and the brand’s iconic triangle logo detailing.
This is the perfect time to invest in the famous KitchenAid mixer, one of the most popular kitchen tools on the market. With 10 mixing speeds that can blend everything from cookie dough to dipping sauce, there won’t be any more excuse to fall behind your meal prep.
KitchenAid Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, $, available at Amazon
Anker Dual Port Wall Charger Adapter (Two Pack)
These USB wall adapters, which make charging multiple devices at the same time a breeze, have been flying off the digital shelves as one of the most useful products on Amazon. It’s not hard to see why, given Anker’s reputation for good-quality charging devices.
Anker Dual Port Wall Charger Adapter, $, available at Amazon
Flexispot Adjustable Height Standing Desk
We are always looking to upgrade our home office furniture, and Flexispot is one of our go-to brands for sleek, minimalist chic pieces that are also highly versatile. This ergonomic standing desk offers multiple height settings and is super easy to assemble. We wouldn’t miss the chance to bag this essential home furniture on sale, just saying.
Flexispot Adjustable Height Standing Desk, $, available at Amazon
Bedsure Satin Pillowcase Set
This Amazon satin pillowcase is still a bestselling steal. It rose to Most Wanted fame after being spotlighted as a reader’s Amazon hidden gem for protecting her hair and skin while catching some shut eye. The smooth and buttery fabric will make you feel like you’re sleeping in a five-star hotel.
Bedsure Satin Pillowcases Standard, Set of 2, $, available at Amazon
Dumos Pink Office Chair
In a sea of black mesh home office chairs, this baby pink number really stands out. Reviewers highly rate the cuddly teddy fabric, the wide cushioned seats, and the sturdy construction. It helps that this is probably one of the easiest chairs on the market to assemble.
Heartleaf is a trending K-beauty ingredient lauded for its calming, pore-refining, and anti-inflammatory properties, and it stars front and center in this bestselling cleansing oil. (This product is ranked number one on Amazon for the “make up cleansing oil” category, if you need an idea of just how popular it is.) This sale is the perfect time to work this product into your double cleansing routine.
Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil, $, available at Amazon
Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Cleaner
This small but mighty cleaner is one of the most-carted items from our roundup of TikTok-viral cleaning products. It removes the most stubborn stains from all kinds of surfaces, including your upholstery, carpets, and the insides of your car.
Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Cleaner, $, available at Amazon
Keurig K-Elite Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker
If you can’t live without your cup of morning brew, don’t let this Prime Day home deal pass you by. This Keurig coffee maker is much beloved for its consistency at making the perfect cup of coffee every time. The ice coffee setting is ideal for the summer, too.
Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker, $, available at Amazon
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Apple rarely offers sales on its tech accessories outside of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so this Prime Day tech deal is really worth the wait. For a limited time, you can grab Apple’s iconic wireless ear buds at a steal.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), $, available at Amazon
Kimkoo Sleeping Mask
This cotton sleeping mask is a useful Amazon product both at home and on the road. The modal material is buttery soft and gently hugs the contours of your face without pinching the nose. Another bonus? It’s machine washable and comes with a travel pouch.
Onyx Professionals Hard As Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream
This nail-fortifying moisturizer is such a universally beloved, miracle-working product that it was awarded one of our first-ever MVP awards. (As in, you know, most valuable products.) Our editors — along with over 70,000 customers — won’t shut up about how quickly and efficiently this emollient strengthens and brings shine to lackluster nails.
Onyx Professional Hard As Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream, 1 oz, $, available at Amazon
Amazon Echo Dot
There’s no better time to score Amazon’s tech accessories than the retailer’s infamous Prime Day (and shortly thereafter). Nab your very own Echo Dot and enjoy its numerous convenient features, including LED lighting, smart speakers, Alexa controls, and more.
Amazon Echo Dot 5th Generation, $, available at Amazon
Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser
Speaking as one of the hundreds of people who carted this dental hygiene machine over the past year, its push-of-a-button water pressure gum-cleaning abilities are game-changing, and will definitely win you a seal of approval at your next dental appointment.
Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser, $, available at Amazon
Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds
We’ve gotten feedback from many a reader that they actually prefer this set of wireless headphones from Powerbeats to the minimalist fit and look of Apple AirPods. The wrap-around feature sits comfortably on the ear, making them ideal for workouts, runs, and easy listening.
Beats Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds, $, available at Amazon
Rubbermaid Food Storage Containers
Amazon has Cleantok’s favorite BPA-free Rubbermaid food storage sets on sale in a variety of sizes. If you’ve been thinking of reorganizing your kitchen, the timing is perfect.
Rubbermaid Brilliance Airtight Food Storage Container, $, available at Amazon
Dyson Airwrap
The Dyson Airwrap needs no further introduction. This much-coveted hair styling tool is famed for its patented airflow technology that dries, straightens, and curls your hair without causing heat damage. It is also famously expensive. If you’ve been tempted to cart up this cult-favorite multi-styler for a while, now might be the perfect moment, given that it’s currently 19% off just for Prime Day.
This quirky mushroom night light was one of our bestselling Amazon home products last year. Our readers loved that it’s light-activated, meaning that it will glow brighter in the dark and turns itself off during the day. Now is a great opportunity to grab this adorable fellow on sale.
Rienar Sensor Led Night Light, $, available at Amazon
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original
Our readers are loving these adhesive spot stickers — which contain hydrocolloid, a polymer that seals off wounds and helps them heal better — claim to eradicate pimples overnight. They are safe for sensitive skin, and, thanks to a see-through design, you will hardly notice having them on. Shop Amazon
Mighty Patch Mighty Patch Original, $, available at Amazon
Neo Chair Office Swivel Desk Ergonomic Chair
Despite its alarmingly low price, this best-selling office chair features some high rewards: cushy foam padding, ergonomic back support, flexible fabric, and more. Shop Amazon
NEO CHAIR Office Swivel Desk Ergonomic Chair, $, available at Amazon
Samsonite Omni 2 Hardside Expandable Luggage
Samsonite always release some fantastic luggage deals for Prime Day, and this year is no different. This carry-on and 28-inch spinner luggage set has “summer vacation” written all over it. Reviewers rave about the sturdy shell that stays scratch-resistant even after bumpy long-haul flights.
Samsonite Omni 2 Hardside Expandable Luggage, $, available at Amazon
Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%
This wallet-friendly Naturium skincare bestseller just got even more affordable. A multitude of self-professed acne sufferers swears by this seemingly miracle-working skin-clearing serum. Niacinamide is a powerful ingredient that brightens uneven skin tone while keeping bumps and blemishes at bay.
Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%, $, available at Amazon
Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Cream-Infused Face Mask
Give your skin some much-needed TLC with this K-beauty sheet mask enriched with ceramides, an editor-approved ingredient for plumping and nourishing your skin barrier. Now discounted for just over $11 a pop, this would be a super handy essential to pack in your toiletry bag for upcoming long-haul trips.
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream-Infused Face Mask, $, available at Amazon
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original Bundle
Our readers love these adhesive spot stickers — made with hydrocolloid, a polymer that seals off wounds and helps them heal faster(claiming to eradicate pimples overnight). They’re safe for sensitive skin, and thanks to the see-through design, you barely notice them. This bundle includes a pimple balm to further improve skin texture.
Mighty Patch Mighty Patch Original Bundle, $, available at Amazon
American Tourister Moonlight Hardside Expandable Luggage
American Tourister’s glossy pink luggage was the talk of the town in terms of Prime Day luggage deals. It’s got all the high-quality amenities of a much more expensive suitcase with a under-$100 pricetag — for now.
American Tourister Moonlight Hardside Expandable Luggage, $, available at Amazon
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier (Lemon Lime)
We are constantly on the lookout for the coolest Amazon products for lazy people, and if you can’t be bothered to drink your eight glasses of water a day, these sachets from Liquid I.V. should help make rehydrating a bit more fun. The sachets are packed with electrolytes and vitamins, which helps your body replenish its fluids in the heat of summer (or after a big workout). The Lemon Lime flavor is utterly refreshing, especially when served over ice.
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier (Lemon Lime), $, available at Amazon
Mayfair Linen 100% Cotton Sheets
Discovering a set of quality bedding on Amazon is like finding a needle in a microfiber haystack. But R29 readers are on the case, and this top-shopped set from Mayfair Linen covers all your bases. It’s a steal for 100% cotton (certified by Oeko-Tex, no less), has deep pockets, and is made using fade-resistant dye. They might not be the best sheets in the whole entireworld, but both our readers and editors think they’re definitely some of the best sheets you can buy on Amazon.
Mayfair Linen 100% Egyptian Cotton Sheets, $, available at Amazon
Dyson Hot+Cool™ Gen1 HP10 Purifying Fan Heater
Would this be a Prime Day sale roundup without the mention of a Dyson electronics deal? This fan heater, which pulls triple duty as an air-cooler and purifier, has been on our wish lists for forever, so it’s amazing to see it marked down at 34% off. Nesting at home is about to get so much cozier.
Dyson Gen1 HP10 Purifying Fan Heater, $, available at Amazon
Satisfyer Pro 2+ Air-Pulse Vibrator
Amazon is a sneakily good source for sex toy deals if you know where to look. The Satisfyer Pro from Amazon is the crème de la crème, thanks to its good vibes, affordable price tag, and viral-status reviewer praise. Here’s a taster for the sort of praise we’ve come across: “Ladies, if nothing else, get this toy. For a long time I thought my clit was broken…I was wrong.”
Welcome toMoney Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.
Today: a grant officer who makes $139,967 per year and who spends some of her money this week on egg freezing medication.
If you’d like to submit your own Money Diary, you can do so via our online form. We pay $150 for each published diary. Apologies but we’re not able to reply to every email.
Content warning: This diary details fertility struggles.
Occupation: Grant officer Industry: Federal government Age: 35 Location: Seattle, WA Salary: $139,967 (government job) and up to $7,200 (side hustle #1) and then also up to $67,200 (side hustle #2). Both of these side hustles are new, I got them to help me weather impending unemployment. (Just a quick note about my salary and why I’ve only listed my main income: The side hustle amounts are the maximum amounts afforded through my contracts, but payout depends on how many hours I work, which is rarely the full amount each week. Basically, for the purposes of this diary, I don’t want to inflate my salary too much. I’m also going to be dropping side hustle #2 soon.)
Assets: Checking account: enough to cover monthly credit card bills; HYSA (3.75% APY): $14,796; retirement: $212,905 ($196,329 in my Thrift Savings Plan, the retirement plan for federal employees, which is a combination of Roth and traditional 401(k), and $16,576 in a Roth IRA); car value: $26,000; home value: $940,300. Debt: Beyond the mortgage that my parents and I share ($486,682 left), I am debt free. Paycheck Amount (biweekly): $3,123.38 from work; up to $300 from side hustle #1 (depending on hours); up to $4,800 from side hustle #2 (depending on hours). Pronouns: She/her
Monthly Expenses
Housing Costs: My parents and I co-own a house. I pay $2,750 of our $3,760 a month mortgage. Our arrangement is this: My parents paid a hefty down payment to get the monthly mortgage low enough to be within reach for me to pay. I pay as much as the mortgage as I can, and they cover the rest. We meticulously track what we each put into the house, and will break out any proceeds from a future sale proportionately. For them, it’s a way to grow their own money (and have a place to crash when they visit) while helping me build wealth. I hope to be able to cover the full monthly mortgage payment someday soon, whether through Airbnb income once we finish the basement, joint income through marriage, or making more money in my next gig… Whichever comes first 😉
Loan Payments: $0 Retirement: $472 (in anticipation of being laid off, I lowered my contribution to meet my agency’s 5% match criteria and no more; this used to be $1500). Health Insurance: $174 Dental Insurance: $28 Cell Phone: $40 Water/Sewage/Trash: $110 Electricity: $100 Wifi: $55 Spotify: $13.23 Google Storage: $2.11 iCloud: $3.17 NYT Subscription: $4.09 Egg-Freezing Storage: $70 Ridwell: $18 Union Dues: $34 Strength-Training App: $20 Charitable Contributions: $500 (combination of church, local food bank, and my parents’ non-profit) Savings: $800 Car Insurance: $953 (every six months).
Annual Expenses
Home Insurance: $786 (my parents pay this). Prime Subscription: $139 Alaska Airlines Credit Card: $95 State Park Pass: $30 National Park Pass: $80 Vehicle Tax/Registration: $458
Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it? There was definitely an unspoken expectation. Doing well in school was always given a high value in my family, and I embraced that value. I was a very studious kid and put a lot of pressure on myself to excel in school. For college, I got a full-ride community service scholarship at what would have otherwise been a very expensive private university. I also received a full-ride scholarship through my local Rotary Club to attend grad school abroad. For both, my parents covered housing, books, food, and any other needs I had while in school.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s) educate you about finances? I cannot remember explicit money conversations growing up, but I can see now as an adult that my own philosophy around money certainly flows from my parents’. We were upper middle class, had everything we needed, but my parents were never flashy with the money they had in the way that some people in our area were. They were frugal in funny ways. For instance, my dad is famous for his “uniform”: white polo and khakis. He has a few pairs of both but otherwise doesn’t wear anything else. And my mom will sit patiently on the phone for hours to navigate things like erroneous health care bills just to save a few bucks. On the flip side, they were also very generous. My dad always kept cash on hand to give to anyone who asked; they often treated our friends to meals or experiences; they hosted big, abundant meals for family; and, on top of their full-time day jobs, they started a non-profit that does solar energy projects for hospitals and schools around the world. If they spent big money — like to purchase one of the early hybrid-technology cars in the early 2000s — it was for something that flowed from their values, like environmentalism or education, or on experiences that enhanced our quality time as a family.
What was your first job and why did you get it? I started babysitting for neighbors around 12, but I got my first hourly job at 14 scooping custard at a Midwest burger chain. The job was less about financial relief for my parents and more about my getting workforce experience and staying occupied in the summer.
Did you worry about money growing up? I wouldn’t say I worried about money growing up; my parents provided us everything we needed and more. But I was aware that we didn’t have as much as other people in our social circles. My brothers and I attended Catholic school K-12, which is not cheap, and so many of our friends were kids whose parents could also afford to send them to private school. My two best friends in grade school lived in legit mansions and had multiple vacation homes. I have a diary from 6th grade with multiple entries that toggle between jealousy for what my friends have and gratitude for what I have. So while I was never worried about my family’s financial security, the question of “What is enough?” bounced around in my head at a young age. Knowing more now about my parents’ finances, I can see that my parents could have afforded more luxury and convenience, but chose to be relatively thrifty, generous, and values-driven with their resources. I admire this approach and try to practice it in my own life.
Do you worry about money now? I do, especially with the level of job insecurity in the federal government right now (more on that in my diary below). After the November election, I started to dial back expenses, lower my retirement contributions, track my monthly budget more closely, and seek a side hustle, anticipating the layoffs to come. Even outside of these unpredictable times, I’m always worried that I’m not saving as much as I should (for retirement, for emergencies, etc.).
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net? At 23, when I moved to DC after grad school for my first job. If I ever got in a bind, my parents would definitely be able and willing to help out, but I don’t ever want to get to the point that I need to ask.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain. When I moved to DC, my parents gifted me a car that they had been wanting to get rid of. They also bought me the car I have now a couple years ago (which cost $30,000). This past year, my mom gifted me close to $30,000 to cover three egg freezing treatments. Apart from really wanting me to give her a grandchild some day, she went through IVF back in the 1980s to get pregnant with me, so is very invested in this journey for me. And as I mentioned above, my parents and I co-own a house that I would’ve never been able to afford on my own. I’m incredibly grateful for my parents’ generosity and know I’m super lucky.
Day One: Monday
7 a.m. — I wake up to my alarm and when I un-silence my phone, I see that I have over 100 text messages from East Coast colleagues. About a month ago, DOGE cut a lot of positions at my agency (including mine) and terminated many of our grants overnight. These developments happened so quickly and chaotically that it has been hard to get reliable information on what’s happening, and our text thread provides some clarity and solidarity.
7:30 a.m. — After morning skincare routine (plain water rinse, Honest Beauty Vitamin C serum, Purito Seoul face lotion, and Trader Joe’s face sunscreen), I make some breakfast (Bob’s Red Mill protein oats, a dollop of plain Greek yogurt, cashews, chia seeds, diced Granny Smith apples, cinnamon, a drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkling of flaky sea salt), take my morning supplements, and give myself my morning shots. I’m on my second week of stimulation meds, preparing for egg retrieval and freezing next week. This is my third cycle, so I can mix the meds and poke myself on autopilot at this point.
8 a.m. — While I’m eating breakfast, I check email and see that the consulting job I’m about to start (side hustle #2) has agreed to the hourly rate I requested, which is much higher than they originally offered. This was my first experiment in “asking for what I’m worth” and I am blown away it worked! I’m on paid leave from my government job for two months before my position is eliminated. I will receive some severance and annual leave payout, but it won’t last me long. Having what could functionally be a 40 hour a week temp gig if I need it is a huge relief.
8:45 a.m. — Drive to my monitoring appointment with my fertility doctor. The clinic is in a suburb of Seattle and the drive takes 45 minutes with traffic, so I’m grateful for the flexibility in my schedule at the moment. My doc is pleased with the interval growth (i.e., the rate at which my follicles are growing) she sees on the ultrasound. I only have about 11 follicles that look like they will be big enough for retrieval, which is on par with my last two cycles. I have relatively low AMH for my age, so my body doesn’t have as many follicles to recruit. In my last two cycles, only eight of the dozen-ish follicles had eggs that were retrievable, and seven of the eight eggs retrieved were mature enough to freeze, so I have 14 eggs on ice at this point. The stats say that you want about 20 to have a strong chance of having one baby in the future, so here I am, on cycle #3, trying for that magic number.
10 a.m. — I get home and listen to Ezra Klein talk about our country’s constitutional crisis while I walk around the neighborhood. I am not allowed to vigorously exercise while on stim meds, which is hard for a gal whose mental health depends on running. Long podcast walks in an unusual spate of Seattle sunshine have been a saving grace.
10:30 a.m. — My boss (who still has a job) calls to check in on my job hunt and shares how bleak it feels to be one of the only ones left in the crater of the bomb DOGE set off.
11 a.m. — I take stock of my inventory of jobs to apply for this week and send LinkedIn messages to a few old acquaintances. Government people don’t really use LinkedIn much, so my networking skills are rusty, but I’m trying.
12:30 p.m. — I eat a delicious mix of leftover potato salad from the Easter feast I attended yesterday, chicken salad, arugula salad, a clementine, and a handful of my kryptonite, Trader Joe’s chocolate pretzels. While I’m eating, I see that based on today’s lab results, my doctor wants me to order more meds. I submit a payment to the pharmacy (my mom is paying for half of my medication costs this round, which she has already covered, so this one’s on me). I take my lunchtime supplements and struggle through the daily NYT games. $894
1:30 p.m. — I pack up some snacks and head to the office of my church a few blocks away. After the election in November, I saw the writing on the wall and took a job as an operations coordinator at my church (side hustle #1). This comes with the perk of getting to use their beautiful light-filled office space whenever I want. I’m much more disciplined at the job hunt in this environment than at home. I complete three job applications and get a call from a job connection I made a couple weeks ago at a construction company where my friend works. This connection and I really hit it off, and he tells me that he will soon have a position opening that might be a good fit for me. I’m excited at the sound of it, but also… Construction?! Not at all aligned with my public sector/non-profit do-gooder career thus far. I have a minor identity crisis after the call.
5 p.m. — Go to my acupuncture appointment. I’ve been doing fertility acupuncture to increase blood flow to my ovaries to hopefully improve the quality of the eggs retrieved. During the session, I have a delightful nap on the table. I pay my copay; insurance covers the rest. $25
6 p.m. — Stop by Trader Joe’s ($6.57) and Safeway ($10.28) across the street to pick up some odds and ends I forgot on my weekend shopping run (chocolate pudding, whipped cream cheese, microgreens, pita crackers). $16.85
7 p.m. — Cook one of my staple soups: coconut-ginger lentil soup with spinach. While that’s simmering, I food prep some turkey burgers and roast some broccoli for the week.
8:30 p.m. — Finally sit down to eat a bowl of soup with toasted bread, adding a dollop of sour cream and microgreens on top to feel fancy. I nearly choke on my food because I am bawling my eyes out during the finale of From Scratch.
9 p.m. — Administer evening shots, put compost bin and Ridwell items out for pickup tomorrow, and water my house plants.
9:30 p.m. — I do my nighttime skincare routine (La Roche-Posay face wash and Cocokind retinol and moisturizer), read Leif Enger’s So Brave, Young and Handsome, and fall asleep by 10:15 p.m.
Daily Total: $935.85
Day Two: Tuesday
7 a.m. — Wake up and listen to a morning meditation designed for people going through IVF, but it works just as well for egg freezing. This morning I visualize welcoming the hormones in as strange but friendly gardeners who tend to and prune my eggies for optimal growth.
7:30 a.m. — Turn on NPR on my kitchen radio while I do some morning chores: washing sheets, unloading the dishwasher, administering morning shots, taking supplements. I eat breakfast (carbon copy of yesterday) and read the latest issue of Bon Appetit magazine, earmarking a pork stir-fry I want to try. I then go on a short “sensory walk”; something that a pop psychologist I like recommended to help decrease anxiety and regulate my nervous system. I am not allowed to “think” on my walk, only notice as many things about the natural world as possible. This morning I notice that the lady across the street is selling succulents from her garden again and I break the “no-thinking” rule to make a mental note to find her later and purchase something.
9 a.m. — Work on some tasks for my church job for a couple hours, mostly scheduling volunteers and purchasing things we’re low on (all paid for with my work credit card).
11 a.m. — Break for lunch (more leftover potato salad, turkey burger, arugula salad, grapes, and chocolate pretzels), take mid-day supplements, play NYT games. My medication shipment arrives and I inspect and refrigerate the meds.
12 p.m. — Walk to the office space at church and hunker down for more job apps.
2:30 p.m. — Take a break to follow up with a plumbing company about lining my sewer. I live in a house built in the 1940s with an aging concrete sewer pipe that needs to be lined with plastic piping (a more expensive job than it seems like it should be) before it collapses on itself (an even more expensive job to repair). I snack on a protein bar and a clementine while I contemplate whether it’s worth it to be a homeowner.
4:30 p.m. — As I leave the office, I get a notice that the audiobook Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art is ready to borrow from the library. I start listening on my walk home.
5 p.m. — I list a bunch of stuff on Marketplace, including a dresser I found on the side of the road and zhuzhed up a bit with round oversized drawer pulls. Someone messages immediately and agrees to buy it for $300, which makes me wonder whether furniture flipping could be side hustle #3?? I also see that someone responded to a post I made on my neighborhood’s community blog asking for (free) help repairing a bluetooth speaker. I’ve had this dinky speaker for 10 years and it died out of nowhere last week. I figured there’d be a neighbor out there who might want to tinker with it!
6 p.m. — Eat a quick dinner (leftover soup, Trader Joe’s crackers with guac, and a pudding with some peanut butter mixed in), take evening supplements, and head to the local beachfront park to meet up with a friend, A., and her baby, J.
7:15 p.m. — Another friend, L., joins. Hilariously, L. is wearing her wetsuit because she misinterpreted my text. I asked her to watch the sunset with me, she thought I asked her to swim at sunset with her. We both got into open-water swimming in the Puget Sound this winter, so this miscommunication is not totally out of the blue. We hang out until the sun sets behind the Olympic Mountains (the Pacific Northwest is freaking majestic, if you’ve never been). She does a plunge and I head home.
8:30 p.m. — Administer evening shots, do bedtime skincare routine, read, lights out by 10 p.m.
Daily Total: $0
Day Three: Wednesday
6:15 a.m. — Wake up, make my usual breakfast, administer morning shots, take my supplements, and pack up my skis. I learned how to ski this winter and rented gear instead of buying to make sure I liked it. The rental shop is 30 minutes further than my doctor’s appointment, so I decide to make the trip after my appointment this morning.
7:30 a.m. — Arrive at appt. Ultrasound is normal. Get my blood drawn by my favorite angel nurse.
8:30 a.m. — I fill up with just enough gas to get me out and back from North Bend. There’s a gas station near my house that has the cheapest gas I’ve been able to find in town, so I don’t want to overpay for a full tank. I listen to Breath while driving. So far, I’m learning that mouth breathing is really bad for you. I concentrate on breathing through my nose the rest of the drive. $8.73
9 a.m. — I arrive at the coffee shop that is attached to the ski rental place. The shop doesn’t open until 10 a.m., so I order a decaf cortado and start responding to an intense family text thread to coordinate a trip with my parents and brothers and their kids to my SIL’s family’s lakehouse in Arkansas. I send my résumé to an old college friend so he can do an internal referral for a job I’ve been eyeballing. $5.09
11 a.m. — I return my skis and drive an hour home. I chat on the phone with a colleague who still has her job the whole drive.
12 p.m. — Eat lunch (dregs of potato salad, turkey burger, broccoli, microgreens, crackers and guac, and a glass of Trader Joe’s orange-peach-mango juice), take lunchtime supplements, and play NYT games.
12:30 p.m. — Go on a sensory walk.
1 p.m. — Do an intense session of personal grocery planning for next week and for a church event on Sunday. I’m in charge of building a massive charcuterie table to feed 150 adults and kids. I already have most of the materials, but will need to do one last Costco run tomorrow.
2 p.m. — Chat with someone who I found on LinkedIn who has the same role at a company at which I applied for a job. She gives me super helpful insight into the role (and as she does, I feel the energy drain from me… Something my career coach told me to pay attention to!) and offers to recommend me to the hiring manager.
3 p.m. — Spend an hour preparing a cover letter and résumé for a job app, only to find out that it isn’t posted anymore. I send a message to a random recruiter at the company who I found on LinkedIn to see if there’s any chance I could still submit. Shoot your shot.
4 p.m. — Give my car a much needed vacuum, spray down my mats in the backyard, and chat with two neighbors who are also dinking around outside.
5:45 p.m. — Meet up with my partner, M., to head to our biweekly couple’s counseling session. M. and I have been dating for two years and are starting to have more serious conversations about the future. We started going to counseling a couple of months ago for some help with specific dynamics and communication patterns that we both want to be smoother before we decide to take the next step. I order salads for both of us through my Sweetgreen app on the way so they’re ready for pickup when we get there. M. venmos me for what he thinks is half, $15, even though these salads cost an obscene $17 each. I swallow the $2 extra. I love you, Sweetgreen, but damn. $20.19
6:30 p.m. — We eat our salads and head to our appt.
7 p.m. — We meet with our therapist and work on rehearsing a recent interaction in a more productive way. My therapist charges me for our session, since my insurance allows me to submit for reimbursement. We’ve been receiving roughly $150 back for every $250 we spend per session. But until I get my reimbursement check in the mail, I pay the full amount and M. venmos me for his half. $125
8 p.m. — We drive back from our session, chatting about what was helpful from the session and what wasn’t. We’re both still undecided about whether we jive with our therapist, but want to give her a fair shake.
9 p.m. — I fill up with gas at my cheap(er) gas station, administer evening shots, shower, nighttime skincare, and am asleep by 10:15 p.m. $62.81
Daily Total: $221.82
Day Four: Thursday
6:15 a.m. — Wake up an hour before my alarm. Listen to another IVF meditation. This time I visualize my follicles vibrating and glowing with energy.
7 a.m. — Turn on NPR to catch me up on the day’s news, make my usual breakfast, take morning supplements, administer shots, and pack up a cooler to haul groceries throughout the day.
8 a.m. — Head toward my fertility acupuncture appt. I’m going to a different acupuncturist today because my regular acupuncturist is visiting family in China. The new acupuncturist’s office is right next to one of the better budget grocery stores in Seattle. My neighborhood doesn’t have one, so I always take advantage when I’m close. Next week, I’m planning to take a meal to a friend who is solo-parenting while her husband is abroad and to host my next-door neighbor so we can talk cost/logistics of dealing with the shared portion of our sewer line, so I’m going to make one big throwback pot of (wait for it…) homemade beef stroganoff for both. I get egg noodles, ranch seasoning, and sour cream for the stroganoff, and other staples (tuna packets, brown rice, arugula, tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumbers, apples, clementines). $26.92
9 a.m. — Have my acupuncture appt. It’s so interesting to see how different acupuncturists practice. This one leads me in a guided meditation while I’m on the table. It’s pleasant. I pay my copay. $25
10:30 a.m. — Drop off some jeans at Madewell so they can fix a broken zipper (I am always popping zippers, not sure why!). Thankfully this service is free. While I’m there, I try on some things. I am perpetually on the hunt for an everyday jean short, and I find it in their new summer line. They’re perfect for my lanky legs and big booty, but $90 is pricey for jean shorts. I ask the store associate if there are any sales coming up — she says no, so I ask if federal employees get discounts. She feels bad for my/our situation and offers 15% off. I also use a store credit from a return long ago, bringing the price down to a more reasonable amount. $41.25
11:30 a.m. — I need to post up somewhere to have a call with my career coach. When I found out I was getting laid off, I searched Google for “free career coaching for Feds” and found so many people on LinkedIn offering pro bono services. I’m blown away by the kindness and solidarity. I land at a bagel sandwich spot with a great patio to soak up the sun. I get an everything bagel with salmon lox, veggie cream cheese, salmon roe, and pea shoots. The price tag makes me SO sad. You’d think that seafood would be cheaper in Seattle since we’re so close to the source. $17.66
12 p.m. — My career coach cancels last minute, which I’d normally be annoyed by, but it’s free, so I can’t complain! I repurpose my time by ordering a decaf iced latte from the bakery that shares this patio and doing some research for an upcoming weekend away with M. A friend is lending us her family’s cabin near Leavenworth, a quirky German town in the southern Cascade Mountains. I make a restaurant reservation, research trail runs, and find an outdoor spa that has hot tubs, saunas, and cold plunge pools. M. and I went to Japan last year and got very into public bath culture, and take advantage of anything resembling it in the States. $6.62
2 p.m. — I make a Costco run for the remaining charcuterie items for my church event (purchased on work credit card), and pick up some chicken meatballs for myself while I’m there. $14.99
3:30 p.m. — Unpack groceries at home and call my parents to discuss the sewer lining project. We decide that they will foot the $15,000 bill up front and I will reimburse them for half once I have a next job. For home maintenance things like this, we aspire to split costs in this way.
6 p.m. — Get ready and head to a fundraiser for a local non-profit that friends of M. and me are involved with. We chow down on a fajita bar and then bingo starts. The prize is a $500 gift card to one of the most untouchable restaurants in Seattle. I’ve always wanted to go, so I purchase more bingo cards than I was intending. We don’t win, but our friends who just had a baby do, so we’re happy they get to treat themselves to date night. $50
9 p.m. — Head home, administer evening shots, take nighttime supplements, read a page of my book before crashing at 10 p.m.
Daily Total: $182.44
Day Five: Friday
6:15 a.m. — Wake up to my alarm and do a fertility meditation.
7 a.m. — Meet with Career Coach #2 (I’m open to all the free help I can get!).
8 a.m. — Administer shots, take vitamins, prepare my usual breakfast (but make it to-go) and hop in the car for an ultrasound/bloodwork appt. One of my toxic traits is eating meals while driving. Every New Year’s, I commit to building more margin in between daily transitions, especially for meals, but I haven’t cracked the code yet. It’s not that I lose track of time, it’s that I think I can get more done in the time allotted than is actually feasible. One friend calls me a “time optimist”.
8:30 a.m. — See my doctor. Everything is still progressing as expected, with 11 or so follicles still looking viable.
9:45 a.m. — Get home, clean the house a bit, and do some lunch prep. My friend L. and her two-year-old A. are coming over for lunch. I make Mediterranean bowls for us, with white rice, chicken meatballs from Costco, a cucumber-red pepper-red onion medley, and TJ’s tzatziki sauce.
11 a.m. — It’s super nice outside, so we eat on my sunny patio. This is a new friend; we met through mutual friends who connected us because we’re both from the same hometown. She feels homey and we have a lot to talk about, and get some pretty decent adult conversation in before her kid needs some attention. We float in and out of chatting about meaningful things and helping him count the number of rocks his dump truck unloads.
1:45 p.m. — My friend leaves, I clean up, and my energy zaps. The hormone meds are really taking it out of me. The theme of this week is give the body what it needs, so I lay down for a snooze.
3:30 p.m. — I walk to church to print songbooks for this week, and do several church admin tasks while I’m there.
6:30 p.m. — Printing done. I walk home, eat another soup dinner, administer shots and take supplements, and do some life admin. I book a haircut and regular maintenance for my car next week. Maintenance will be free because I bought a three-year maintenance package when I got my car in 2022. I thank my past self for her foresight. I also book a sauna and cold plunge session for after my procedure next week, which my naturopath recommended to help my body shed the extra hormones. There’s a wood-fired barrel sauna on wheels that parks itself on a beach near my house so patrons can cycle in and out of the sauna and cold-plunging in the Puget Sound. I utilized this service HEAVILY during the winter, and it worked wonders to fend off the winter blues. I text a friend to see if she wants to join. I also sign up for a free trial at a local gym. I won’t be able to run right after my procedure, but I’ll be able to start doing gentle cardio, so just need access to an elliptical for about a week.
8:30 p.m. — I start watching Normal People. I have been very drawn to English and Irish dramas lately (Bad Sisters, Adolescence), so I’m hoping this will continue to scratch the itch. It does not disappoint.
10:30 p.m. — After a couple episodes, I do my nighttime routine and put myself to bed.
Daily Total: $0
Day Six: Saturday
7:30 a.m. — I wake up to my alarm, do a fertility meditation, have my usual breakfast, congratulate myself for eating breakfast at my kitchen table, and hop in the car to go to my appointment.
9 a.m. — My follicles look good, but doc is a tad worried about my bloodwork. My LH (ovulation hormone) is spiking so she wants me to administer a medication that will keep me from ovulating prematurely. She decides we should retrieve on Monday.
9:45 a.m. — I pick up the ovulation blocker meds at a pharmacy around the corner. $48
10:15 a.m. — I drive back to Seattle. Mount Rainier comes into view as I drive over Lake Washington and it is pure magic. I have some time to kill before a shop I need to go to opens at 11 p.m. I call a friend, S., who lives nearby and see if she’s home. She is, and tells me to come over. She makes tea and I get to hear about her and her family’s recent trip to Bend, OR. I make a mental note to add Bend to my list of places to explore out here in the PNW.
11 a.m. — I go to a store in my neighborhood that sells bulk home goods by weight. You can bring your own containers or buy them in the store. Shopping here is part of my journey to reduce the amount of single-use plastics in my life. I need body lotion, and have the option of normal lotion or a lotion bar. I’ve never tried the bar, so I decide to give it a shot. $17.66
12 p.m. — I get home and make a lunch of arugula, farro and parm salad with a turkey burger on top. I administer my new meds and start an application for passport renewal. Mine expired last month, and M. and I have been talking about taking advantage of my funemployment to go somewhere, so I want to be ready.
2:30 p.m. — M. comes over and helps me stage my passport photo. We then head to my local waterfront park and go on a one-mile walk (about all my body can handle at this point) and talk and nap and snuggle in the sunshine at the beach.
6 p.m. — M. leaves and I head to my friend A.’s house for our weekly Sabbath meal. Sabbath is a new practice to me as of last fall, and it has been really lovely. I’m learning to see it as an invitation to slow down, refrain from work and engagement with technology and commerce, reflect on God’s presence throughout my week, and delight in things that bring me joy. I try to practice it Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, but even setting aside just Saturday evening has been a nice habit shift. The friend I do it with is single-momming by choice, so I’m in charge of making dinner at her place while she gets baby J. ready for bed. Tonight will be easy, because I’m feeding us leftover charity event fajitas. They both cheer me on as I administer my “trigger” shot — the shot that will prepare my eggs for retrieval. My friend went through many rounds of IVF before J. came along, so she has been a wonderful companion throughout this process.
8 p.m. — We pray and eat and talk about our weeks and lives.
10 p.m. — I head home, do my bedtime routine, and crash.
Daily Total: $65.66
Day Seven: Sunday
7:30 a.m. — I wake up, do meditation, make some licorice tea, and read in bed for an hour.
8 a.m. — I take my last shot, woohoo! I decide to celebrate by making Kodiak cake blueberry pancakes with chicken sausage and mango-peach-orange juice. It hits the spot.
10 a.m. — I drive to a coffee shop around the corner to conduct some business. I sell an alarm clock to someone on Facebook marketplace and drop off my broken speaker to the neighbor who has agreed to fix it. I love the informal and sharing economies.
11 a.m. — Back at home, I start to prep materials for the charcuterie board at church. I cut veggies, wash fruit, and slice cheese.
1:30 p.m. — I head to church to start to set up. I’ve never done this before, and perhaps ambitiously think that I can after watching a few YouTube videos. What I pull together turns out way better than I expected; humbly, it is a work of art.
4 p.m. — Church service. M. joins.
5:30 p.m. — After the service, folks graze and I get lots of compliments (and even a request to do this for pay at a baby shower!). Before M. leaves, we game-plan the transportation plan for my appointment, as he is my post-anesthesia designated driver.
7 p.m. — Come home, clean the kitchen, write some thank yous to my doctors and nurses for retrieval day tomorrow, and watch an episode of Normal People.
9 p.m. — I get hungry; the cheese board didn’t quite cut it for dinner. I’m feeling protein-deprived, so I fry up a weird nightcap of chicken meatballs.
10 p.m. — I do my nighttime routine and settle in for bed. I set multiple alarms on multiple devices because I do not want to miss my wake-up for my procedure. I also remove my water bottle from my bedside table so I’m not tempted to drink it in the middle of the night and violate the empty-stomach surgery requirements. I fall asleep saying a little prayer that tomorrow goes well… Wish me luck!
Daily Total: $0
The Breakdown
Conclusion
“This was an abnormally spendy week due to the egg-freezing medication. My wallet and my schedule will appreciate the coming relief from egg freezing costs (medication, acupuncture, supplements, gas for appts). I’m noticing that I’m drinking coffee and eating out a bit more than I normally would, given the flexibility of my days while I’m on paid leave. As a budget foodie, I normally prefer to save restaurant money for a restaurant I really want to go to, not for casual food to eat on the go. Depending on how long my unemployment lasts, I may need to rein that in a bit. Otherwise, my spending this week was pretty normal.”
And an update…
“Since I wrote this diary, a lot of life has happened! I had my egg retrieval, and the outcome was not good. My doc was only able to retrieve four eggs, which was incredibly disappointing for both of us. Her theory is that it might take my body more time than ‘average’ for the egg to release from the follicle wall in order to be retrieved, hence why I had so many ‘blank’ follicles. She felt so bad that she offered me a fourth cycle completely free, which, as you’ve seen from the price tag, is so generous! I’ve already completed that fourth cycle, and we were able to get eight eggs this time, so I now have 26 eggies in the freezer and I’m content with that 🙂 I also got a full-time job offer from that construction company (starting salary of $160,000 and a $5,000 signing bonus), and I decided to take it. I’m scared about what such a hard, weird pivot in my career will mean, and whether I’ll ever be able to find my way back to public sector work, but I’m trusting that it’ll be ok. Because I’ll have a full-time job, I’m planning to drop side hustle #2 soon. I was able to negotiate a start date in the fall, which means I’ll get to have a mini sabbatical this summer to rest and travel, and I couldn’t be more pumped. Thanks for following along!”
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