A Cold-Weather Must

Hi friend,

A few things struck us from Allure’s year-long dive into American med spas. First, there are more of them than you’d think. According to beauty writer Danna Pai, the most recent count (from 2023) is 10,500. “There are almost as many med spas in America today as there are McDonald’s locations,” she says.

Related to that first point: The laws and regulations governing this industry are all over the place. It’s the Wild West — so much so that, in lieu of comprehensive regulations, and to protect their brands, “pharmaceutical companies making injectables have stepped in to help standardize training for non-physician injectors.” Is this training sufficient? You’ll have to read the whole thing to judge for yourself!

Along with this proliferation of med spas, there are new body parts to obsess over and new treatments to try. Air Mail, on the luxury beat as always, has a wild story about secretomes, an anti-aging skin treatment made of the materials from the base of hair follicles. You start the process by having about 40 hairs plucked from your scalp, which are sent to a biotech company in Canada where a “soup of biologically active growth factors, exosomes, and cytokines” are created, then filtered, freeze-dried, and shipped back. “The process, which can cost between $1,000 to $1,500, takes six to eight weeks and results in 12 vials.” That’s just the cost of the raw materials; having it applied to your face by a plastic surgeon or dermatologist is extra.

As we all continue to come to terms with our year-over-year facial changes, we shouldn’t overlook the power of great bathroom lighting…as well as a flattering mirror. Whatever it takes, you know?

Bye,
Your friends at Gloria

It’s coat season, and there are a lot of incredible options that go beyond the basic black, gray, and camel of past seasons. A coat is an investment purchase, but right now a bunch of them are on early Black Friday sale. We went in search of higher-quality options made of real materials, and found 16 stunners.

• Just completely adorable. Boden Fur-Tipped Coat, $439. Size 2 to 22.

• A simple shape in a standout print. Madewell Leopard Print Single Breasted Topcoat, $243.80 (with code LETSGO). Size XXS to XXL.

• A heavyweight wool option in some interesting colors. Universal Standard Callaghan Wool Coat, $220.80. Size 4XS to 4XL.

• This coat is a whole outfit, particularly in that bright yellow-brown combo. Laveste Miranda Coat, $625. Size XS to L.

• A lovely wool-cashmere style. Aritzia The Beatrix Coat, $350. Size 2XS to XL.

• This is more of a jacket than a coat, and is obviously a nonsensical purchase, but we cannot stop thinking about it. Derek Lam x FRĒDA SALVADOR Mira Trench, $446.25 (with code BFSAVINGS25). Size XS to XL.

• An ultra-chic robe coat, at a bit of a discount. Apiece Apart Matta Coat, $627 (with code EVERYTHING30). Size XXS to XL.

• More for looks than warmth. Mango Leopard Coat, $175. Size XS, S, M.

• This plaid one comes with a matching scarf (that’s removable). Sézane Kais Coat, $490. Size 2 to 14.

• Kind of like a blazer in coat form. LouLou Studio Wool-Crepe Coat, $273. Size XS to XL.

• We like the minimal vibe of this zip-up one. J.Crew Long Toscana Coat, $279.50. Size 00 to 24 (some colors almost sold out).

• A chic, timeless black wool coat (no wonder it sold out). Uncle Studios The Overcoat, $548. Back in stock Thursday.

• This one looks great belted or loose. Cos Wool-Blend Trench Coat, $449. Size XXS to L.

• A wool trench in the prettiest red. The Great The Trapunto Trench Coat, $243. Size 0 to 3.

• The print, the fabric, the length — we love it all. Emerson Fry Maxi Coat in Wooly Mohair Plaid, $458. Size XXS to XL.

• Why is the blanket-edge finish on this fuzzy topper so appealing? Banana Republic Fuzzy Italian Wool-Blend Topcoat, $270. Size XS to XXL.

Shop the Story

Keds is doing 30 percent off today, which means it’s the perfect opportunity to snap up the brand’s timeless basic sneaks. (The classic white canvas lace-up is still our forever favorite — simple, clean, works with everything — even though it’s excluded from the promo.) What is on sale: this canvas slip-on to keep by the door for school runs and weekday errands, and this retro-inspired brown suede style with a cushy footbead. PS: If you have a kid who loves a little shine, this studded foil lace-up is genuinely adorable. Shop the full assortment here. #partner

TO WATCH Teenage Wasteland (opening tomorrow at Film Forum in NYC) tells the story a 1996 high school A/V assignment about a toxic waste site that turned into headline news. We love the original footage as well as the vibe of the teacher, who encouraged the kids to press on despite the involvement of the actual mob in the illegal dumping. In wider release this week: a new Knives Out film, Wake Up Dead Man, and the indie Brazilian thriller The Secret Agent.

TO GIFT What do you gift the person who already has everything? A Tinggly experience gift box is the perfect solution. From hot air balloon rides and spa days to gourmet dinners, Tinggly lets them choose their own adventure from 18,000+ experiences worldwide. And if you procrastinated (no judgement), you can send a voucher instantly… the perfect last-minute gift that’s still personal and thoughtful. Use code GLORIA for 33 percent off. #partner

TO LISTEN This new link up between laid-back, guitar-strumming surfy dude Jack Johnson and the band Hermanos Gutiérrez is good — actually good! Someone’s grown a lot since “Bubble Toes.”

TO SHOP Wayfair’s Black Friday sale is live with up to 80 percent off plus free shipping, and there are so many cool and genuinely useful small-appliance gifts. We love this gooseneck electric kettle that heats up fast, this programmable slow cooker for easier weeknight dinners, and the gorgeous indulgence that is this espresso machine. All on sale now. #partner

“47 and pregnant.” • If everyone can gamble on everything all the time, what happens to Las Vegas? (Nothing good.) • In addition to colonoscopies and mammograms, apparently we all need to get our lungs checked. • A peek into how Joan Didion planned her star-studded Thanksgiving dinners.

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