Other beauty geekery...
...featuring other beauty writers' newsletters that I love and a rare discount opportunity...
Having said I was just going to revisit some vintage issues while I was off, I thought it was a bit mad not to use the opportunity to introduce you to some of the beauty writers also on this platform whose work might be of interest to you. I mean I say beauty writers, because it was in that guise that I first got to know most of them, but many of them now write on a range of topics from interiors to philosophy. I like them and thought you might too.
While they’re not all talking exclusively about beauty here I do think you’ll enjoy their content… (also, this list is not exhaustive, there are a load of other great creators out there, these are just some of the ones I make a beeline for… please do add any of your favourites in the comments — it will only help to reinforce to Substack that WE NEED A SEPARATE BEAUTY CATEGORY.) Oh and don’t miss a rare opportunity to stock up on some of my favourite skincare at a rare discount — details at the end…
BTW: some of the links in this newsletter are affiliate links which means if you buy a product through them, I can earn a small amount of commission. This will never influence my opinion on something: I only rave about products I really rate. If you hate the idea of this, please let me know, as this is very much a work in progress and nothing is set in stone (and, for more on my thoughts on affiliate links, click here.)
So, let’s get into it…
A Model Recommends
I’m not sure anyone else’s newsletter makes me snort (with laughter, obvs) like Ruth Crilly’s does. Whether she’s talking interiors, comfy bras, or beauty, she’s not only very, very funny, but I also want to know what she has to say.
The Emma Guns Show
She calls me her “clever friend” which is very flattering but Emma Guns is also my clever friend. The person who always has a thoughtful or considered take on something. I’m loving her new “Ask Emma” series on here, hard recommend if you have a dilemma, or any other perplexing issue.
BritishBeautyBlogger
If there’s anyone on here who tests, swatches and reviews as many products as Jane Cunningham does, I have yet to encounter them. Her output is seriously impressive. She also covers the business side of the industry, and tells it all how it is, without fear of ruffling feathers.
Good For Your Age
I must have read some of Cheryl Wischover’s work before because she writes the sort of pieces I wish I’d written for outlets I admire, but I didn’t really know her ‘til I got here. She has the Gen X DGAF energy I think the beauty industry needs and I invariably love her newsletters.
Trucco Journal
In a similar but different vein, AM Guarnieri is a new discovery here. Her deep dives into the business of makeup, brands and branding have me absolutely agog with the depth and breadth of her knowledge.
Pearl
When it comes to beauty editors in the US, Kristina Rodulfo has had the big jobs (Elle, Women’s Health, PopSugar etc etc). In Pearl, her newsletter, she looks at the culture of beauty as well as the more practical side.
No Subject
No that’s not a typo, that’s really what it’s called. Lucy Partington has recently got back onto Substack and although she’s a beauty writer at heart, she’s also a life writer — I want most of the kitchen essentials she’s written about most recently because I am the girl who loves a nose around Crate & Barrel's kitchen section even when I already have a herb stripper, a cherry-stoner and a spatula in every size from Lilliputian to Giant.
Can We Discuss
Laura Capon’s wide-ranging newsletter covers everything from beauty to culture to fitness — all with a welcome dose of down-to-earthness, and a desire to read all the minutiae around something that borders on the obsessive (in a good way.) She’s my shortcut to what people a bit younger than me are thinking about a thing.
Peak Notions
Laura Kennedy was the person who helped me “get” newsletters and paywalling your own content. She advised me about Patreon back in the day, and now she’s part of the team here at Substack. The beauty world is poorer now we don’t regularly get her intelligent takes on it, but I love her philosophy-based newsletter which always makes me think differently.
The Powder Room
Anita Bhagwandas writes brilliantly about the intersection between beauty and culture. She’s thoughtful about beauty standards and the way in which women particularly internalise as normal some of the most irrational behaviours. Anyway, have a read and be enlightened.
The Midlife Beauty Edit
A former beauty editor at The Daily Telegraph, Jen Baden Howard is not only hugely supportive of other writers on here, but she really does curate the beauty (and fashion and a load more besides) stuff that women her age want to wear / do.
Citations, Please
It’s little surprise that the name of Charlotte Palermino’s newsletter is so damn quirky, clever and on the money. Because so is her copy. She’s the co-founder of Dieux skincare, grabbed my attention on Insta because of her incredible skin and her brilliant mind, and now you can get proper long reads of her stuff over here. Brilliant.
Not Fucking Invited
I feel like Tori Crowther at her best on here is the drenching in cold water reality check that the fluffy world of beauty, air kisses and PR needs. She talks about the reality of being freelance, what’s trending in commissioning and why, and while it could sound chippy, it doesn’t.
Beauty In Sight
When I saw Jacqueline Kilikita’s latest newsletter, I thought “damn, this was the newsletter I planned to write when I got that press release, and then promptly forgot.” A beauty-lover without being a sycophant, read her stuff for practical tips on what you need — and what you don’t…
That’s all for now. As I say, not exhaustive, please share your own favourites below. Even as I type this, I’m thinking I should have included Hannah Betts, Georgia Day, Darian Symoné Harvin, Becci Vallis and many, many more… SEE Substack Team, WE NEED A DEDICATED BEAUTY CATEGORY. Anyway, do share your favourite discoveries in the comments.
If you’re going to buy Skin Rocks, buy it this weekend
Finally, Skin Rocks — which isn’t normally discounted — has 20% off almost everything from this Friday 24th July for a whole week. I know founder Caroline Hirons is a friend but if it was shit I just wouldn’t say anything and, honestly, if I was only allowed to use one skincare brand for the rest of my life, right now I think it would be this one. I just know the attention to detail that goes into every single product. For a start she’s seen it all and won’t make something if she doesn’t think she can do it better than what’s already out there. Plus she invests in proper clinicals. That aside, I genuinely enjoy using the products and think they’re effective.
I don’t love everything in the range, but that’s not because they’re bad products, they’re just not for me. For example, I don’t get on with the Cream Cleanser and I like the Cleansing Balm but I love the Gel Cleanser — I don’t mind fragrance in my skincare, but if you do, there’s an unfragranced version.
The Hyperpigmentation Serum is something I am never without because I think it is genuinely brilliant; and while I generally use prescription Tretinoin, on days when I want to step down, I’ll use the Retinoid 3. I’ve always liked the Support Oil to have on hand to rescue my skin when everything else is upsetting it (and Emma Gunavardhana recently discovered that it’s also genius at preventing mosquito bites from itching and swelling.) The Antioxidant is also great, but not discounted.
That’s all for this week… Until next time…
Thank you so much - I am a big fan of many of the other newsletters you cite :-)
PS: enjoy the rest of your break! 💖