The A-list: June
Miami-proof makeup, the candle I was gatekeeping, 3D-printed shoes, analog hobbies, and World Cup fan lore
Disclaimer: I do not use AI to edit or format my writing so apologies for any run on sentences, typos or misspelling :)
Makeup favorites
Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch doesn’t really feel like foundation. It’s more like a veil. I hate when summer makeup makes your skin look flat or heavy, and this does the complete opposite. My friend Ivanna recommended it to me, and it’s become a summer staple, especially in this Miami heat.
Chantecaille Cheek Shade in Horse Joy is gorgeous and so luxurious. I haven’t used powder blush in a while, but this one stands out. A few sweeps of this on your cheeks is perfect for something natural and glowy.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Colour Wash in Bronze Water Tint is not so much a contour as it is a warm tint. It’s the perfect finish and blend to look like you don’t have makeup on.
Artists I love right now
Sasha December’s work feels like stepping into the emotional world of adolescence. Her paintings sit somewhere between innocence and melancholy, creating dream like scenes that feel equally comforting and unsettling. (@sashadecember on ig)
I discovered Fatima de Juan at Art Basel a few years ago. If you loved Lisa Frank growing up, you will love Fatima de Juan, trust. Fatima’s work feels loud in the best way. It’s colorful, weird, fun, and full of attitude, like the girls in her paintings know something we don’t. There’s a cool mix of softness and chaos that makes her work feel alive instead of overly polished. (@fatimadejuan on ig)
Yoshitomo Nara is one of my absolute favorite artists, and I always get SO happy to see his work irl. His art is easily translatable for anyone who looks at it, which I love. (@michinara3 on ig)
On my nightstand
I’ve been burning Japanese incense from Omakase Forest in the mornings and while I do work, and it’s one of my favorite things. As a Taurus, I think it’s important to set the tone of every environment you’re in, and scents are one of my favorite ways to do that ~
The Biodance Glow Booster is sooo good. I started using this mostly because of the TikTok ads (guilty). I don’t always believe in “glow” products because sometimes glow just means sticky, but this actually makes my skin look plumper and more hydrated.
I discovered Fragonard on a family trip to France, where we toured their factory and I instantly fell in love. Their Ambre Safran, has been my favorite scent ever since, and I’ve been quietly gatekeeping it until now. Thank me later…
Startups on my radar
Darkfin Labs is building a single-bottle skincare protocol powered by regenerative peptide science. What I find most interesting is that the brand is backed by an actual team of scientists, and it speaks to a very real problem in beauty: the exhaustion of using ten different products when one well-formulated product could do more. It’s a streamlined, science-led approach to skincare, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on them.
Zellerfeld is 3D printing shoes custom-fitted to your actual foot scan. I first heard about them at an Art Basel party in 2022 with my investor friend and have been keeping an eye on them ever since. At the time, it felt very Art Basel, like of course someone is talking about 3D-printed shoes at a party. But it actually makes sense! Why are we all wearing generic shoes when feet are so specific?
Goodles is one of my favorite mac and cheese brands. It’s colorful, nostalgic, better-for-you-ish, and the branding is so good. I love the “Shella Good” flavor.
Listening to
Ed Mylett’s June 13 episode, “Cracking the Hidden Code to Visualize Your Dreams into Reality.” This is a great podcast to listen to on a long drive. I love Ed Mylett, and all his episodes are gold!
The age of analog
One of my favorite hobbies is film photography because it makes you slow down and actually notice what’s in front of you. Lately, it feels like everyone is craving slower, more analog rituals again like film, vinyl, ceramics, journaling, painting. Anything that gets you off your phone and lets you make something beautiful, even if it’s a little imperfect. So if you’ve been waiting for a reason to try something new, consider this your sign!
In case you missed it
The World Cup in the U.S. is already less about highlight reels and more about fan lore.
Scottish fans drank Boston into an emergency beer delivery. Tourists are treating Waffle House, Chic-Fil-A, Texas barbecue, and free refills like sacred American experiences. South Korea and Mexico somehow became the tournament’s cutest friendship arc, complete with tequila, chants, hugs, and “Coreano, hermano, ya eres mexicano.” :’)
The games are the reason everyone is here, but the best content is happening around them: the bars, the food, the flags, the comments, the random friendships, and every host city having its own cultural crossover.
that’s all for June! see you next month.
