🌷 Everything I loved in May

Gemini season! No one sleeps, everyone has a blast — and I'm celebrating my birthday next week by doing what I love: watching commencement speeches. This one still gives me chills.

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I have a lot of thoughts about what I'd say in mine — something about having lived on both sides of so many things (corporate and freelance, writing about finance and beauty, urban and suburban, single in the city and married with a toddler, to name a few), which feels very on-brand for a Gemini. More on that in a future issue. What would you say in yours?

Anywho. While May winds down, here are my favorites of the month.

I recently interviewed a Hudson Valley restaurateur who's opening a new casual-dining spot near his more established locations — it looks divine, and I'm already plotting a visit. He mentioned the restaurant's coffee program, and I just loved that framing for everything. It's common in the food world, but it got me thinking: why aren't we using it in beauty? With that, allow me to introduce you to my cheek program: DIBS Desert Island Duo in Cool Girl/No Shade. One side is the ideal bright, medium blue-pink that actually lasts — a special tint of pink. The other contours. As makeup artist Kristopher Buckle so sagely put it to Fat Mascara's Jessica Matlin: without blush, I look like a thumb. He's not wrong.

This is the best sunscreen I've ever used. Truly. The texture! So elegant, so hydrating I'd consider skipping my moisturizer — but I have a personal rule against that. In a pinch, though? It would work. I stay committed to separate sunscreen and moisturizer because a derm once told me sunscreen in your makeup doesn't count on its own. Better than nothing? Yes. Enough? Nope. Anyway — it's so creamy and melts immediately into your skin despite being a liquid formula. It's not cheap at $40, but it's more elegant than formulas I've tested at twice or three times the price. I'll be layering it under my foundation for the foreseeable future.

Tinge is body makeup — water- and transfer-resistant. I grabbed it in haste the other day and wore it on my face before realizing its intended use. Well. It was fantastic for days when you want a little more coverage than your usual routine delivers. A glitch that became a ritual — a glitchual, if you will. It's also a great alternative to self tanner when you need a little camouflage with your color. A win either way.

Strapless bras are relentlessly disappointing for anyone with a C+ cup. This one is a game changer. It doesn't slip, has a wide enough band that smooths everything from every angle, and it's $20 right now. I have it in nude and I'm considering a second in black.

Years ago I bought these magical workout shorts at the Hanky Panky sample sale — two pairs, pink and purple. I never saw them available anywhere again; I don’t think they ever went into production. Imagine my surprise when I found these on Amazon. Nearly identical shape, high waist, same material — but improved with a crossover waist and pockets. So key. These are coming on all my summer runs.

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I used to buy a much more expensive version of these pajama pants, and I'm thrilled I don't have to anymore. These have pockets (the innovation!), come in multiple colorways, and are a third of the price. I can wear them on a nighttime walk with my toddler and they pass as simple flowy pants. A total win at $25, currently 10% off.

I found these adorable shorts via My Sister Made Me Buy It — a little athletic, a little delicate. I'd pair them with this Mi Golondrina Maria top I've been coveting.

I know this is funny coming from someone for whom lashes are everything, but I'm currently a little over a mega-lash moment. I can't fully quit mascara — but I'm loving layering this lash-lift equivalent with something more low-key than my usual volumizing formulas, like this one.

I'm well-stocked on Cadence capsules for travel (nothing's better), but the new jade collection is tempting. It's stunning.

Speaking of travel — two more recs. The new Topside Bigger Carry-On from Away means I wouldn't have to take up my entire hotel room floor with the original version. I don't own it yet, but I'm dying to.

And this travel pillow is about to become your carry-on MVP. Designed specifically for side sleepers, it has a shoulder cutout that actually supports your alignment instead of just propping your head up at a weird angle. It reduces upper body strain and comes with a carrying bag with a handle. It includes a custom fitted pillowcase in Silver Lining — but grab the silk version too, because good hair on the go is non-negotiable.

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Kudos — the first disposable diaper with a 100% cotton liner, OEKO-TEX certified, and free of phthalates, fragrances, and parabens — was ahead of the plastics conversation before Netflix made it a documentary, and my son's been in them for months.