An Interesting Beauty Development

Hi friend,

A lot has changed over the past 20 years, especially when it comes to the beauty industry. It’s overwhelming to try and keep up with all the new treatments (Scarlet RF? Tixel?) and ingredients (hypochlorus acid? exosomes?). These dramatic shifts are evident on store shelves and in dermatologists’ offices, but they’ve also permeated our homes, where more and more women are using tools like red-light masks and handheld microcurrent devices.

Again, this is all very recent. NuFace, the brand behind popular microcurrent facial-toning devices, was founded in 2005. Ziip came about in 2015; HigherDose, with its popular sauna blankets and red light masks, in 2016; the Lyma Laser in 2020. The pandemic truly turbocharged things, and now the field is crowded with gadgets from tech-enabled startups to high-end derms.

But: How much of the medspa do we really want to attempt at home? A new device, the Facialpro Glow from Shark Beauty (launching soon), pushes the boundaries of what novices can pull off with a device that seeks to replicate the “gunk-removing” effects of a Hydrafacial.

As Business of Fashion explains, “Part of the challenge in marketing Facialpro Glow is ensuring that shoppers, who may purchase the product on Amazon, use it correctly.” To help, they’ve partnered with esthetician Sofie Pavitt and will have YouTube demos. 

Even if you can master the tech and handle the price tag, the question remains: Are these devices worth it? To make an impact, you need to use them often, and improvements are modest. It looks amazing in this video, yes, but we could see ourselves splurging on this only to have it collect dust.

“For their lofty promises to replace pricier treatments or transform skin in the comfort of one’s dwelling, at-home beauty devices — like LED masks and microcurrent wands, or multi-setting tools that combine multiple functionalities — are often diluted versions of their medspa counterparts,” says BoF. “Some experts believe that at-home devices can promote surface-level benefits, such as clearer-looking pores and enhanced glow, but users have to use them consistently and highly regularly — and commit to them for life.”

No judgement to people who swear by such tools, but it does feel like it’s getting more and more expensive to just exist and age as a woman these days. Are we allowed to look older than 40? Or are we supposed to go to any length to arrest the sags and lines and spots … until we’re so old that it’ll finally be okay to relax? 

Bye,
Your friends at Gloria

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Boots with a bit of cowboy flair are having a moment. It’s as if “quiet luxury” hopped on a horse and went west for fall. We won’t go as far as to say that you have to wear them in lieu of sneakers (honestly, that doesn’t work for our lifestyle), but we are happy they are back, as they pair well with the bootcut pants that are also happening. Khaite, a bellwether for what fashion-y people are into, has a pair for an astounding $1,680 – almost sold out, mind you – but there are plenty of cuter and more reasonably priced options out there. Below, 10 to consider.

• Very cool and not at all costumey. Ann Mashburn Short Cowboy Boot, $595.

• A sleek update. Steve Madden Alfonsa Boots, $170.

• Less cowboy, more Euro. Madewell The Lexie Ankle Boot, $228.

• You can’t go wrong with Frye’s timeless Harness boot. Frye Harness 8R Boot, $468.

• We like the simple shape and the taller shaft. Tecovas The Dakota Boot, $285.

• How good are these? Emerson Fry Atelier Boot, $438.

• A minimal spin. Sandro Suede Ankle Boots, $212.

• This boho knee-high style really leans into the trend. Sézane Jill Boots, $335.

• An amazing snakeskin-print pair. Rachel Comey Sonora Boot, $550. 

• This lower-heel style looks extremely wearable. Ba&sh Clyde Boot, $311.50.

Shop the Story

TO STREAM Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s 40th Prime Minister, is the subject of a great new HBO doc (out today). For a bit more escapism, there’s the goofy new sports series Chad Powers, which has Glen Powell playing a washed-up footballer who pulls a “Mrs. Doubtfire.”

TO TRY If workout classes feel too time-consuming or intense, this program is for you. The Reverse Health Wall Pilates Challenge is designed specifically for women age 40+ to help tone and build strength in just 15 minutes per day. All you need is a wall. Click here to get a customized plan — it’s 60 percent off for Gloria readers right now. #partner 

TO MAKE We made this comforting sheet-pan tomato, chickpea, and feta recipe for lunch last week, and it’s a winner. You can serve it as a side, or as a main, with pasta or bread, for vegetarian guests.

TO LISTEN Blood Orange’s newish album Essex Honey is beautiful, with lots of gauzy tracks and unexpected additions (woodwinds, harmonica). We are particularly into this song with Lorde.

TO WEAR: This new Alex Mill x Margaux collab is hitting all the right fall notes: comfortable, polished, and unfussy. We’ve got our eye on these versatile slides that work with just about everything, or this kitten-heel pair that’s a little more dressed up but still easy to walk in. Both cover just about every occasion. #partner

“I got 70 injections of Rejuran: the viral Korean salmon sperm treatment.” • The Rocky Horror Picture Show just turned 50, and here’s a tribute to its impact. • Thoughts on Chat GPT’s new parent controls for child safety. • The return of Rick Moranis and of Reading Rainbow. 

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