4 Things Worth Shopping, Reading, Trying, and Buying for August
The best dress, a spicy book, the hair mask we all deserve, and a home collab that's just marvelous.
Oh August…why must you be so spicy? And not in the romance novel* sort of way! This month is always stealth hectic for me, interrupting my illusion that we have one last lazy month of summer to enjoy. You’d think I’d know better by now? Between family birthdays, back-to-school prep, no-camp weeks, creating next year’s work strategy and budgets (October 1st = Q1 now), and getting ready for the fashion month merry-go-round that always seems to kick off on the first day of school, it’s quite a lot of mental gymnastics and planning. Which is all fine and dandy, but then we’ve got a monster Mercury retrograde on our hands, which is happening in both Leo and Virgo, and also happens to last nearly the entire month? All I can say is: Thank god for Chani.
*Today’s newsletter does have some!
In other news, I also am about to start testing an estriol moisturizer from Alloy—the brand’s M4 Face Cream; I also got a prescription for Tretinoin at the same time (which I’ve never used, a fact that surprises me)—and curious if any of you have tried one? Earlier this summer, Alloy shared the results from a randomized, double blind clinical study on the product, and the results were compelling, with significant improvements with skin elasticity, hydration, and overall skin health at 12 weeks. And related/unrelated, I also just signed up for a Parsley Health subscription (they take some insurance in California now, which is awesome), as I want to do all the labs and get a baseline read on my hormones. Has anyone else done this? Anything you wish you would have known ahead of time or done differently? I’m all ears! And yes, will keep you posted on that face cream.
As always, if you have any questions for me regarding this story, or anything, really, please don’t hesitate to drop me a comment below, and I will answer you! (And why am I prompting you to comment? Because while I love DMs and always try to answer you there, my inbox is messy, and comments here are much easier for me to find and use as source material as I’m working on new things. Also, I love comments; they make me feel seen.)
SHOP: Doen Romina Dress ($248)
Does my closet overindex on Doen dresses? Absofuckinglutely. Does that mean I’m more qualified than your average bear to tell you when a new (to me, anyway) style is definitely worth your money. In my humble opinion, yes.
If we are agreeing to go along with this (semi-questionable) thesis, then I’m happy to share that there’s a new favorite Doen dress in town, the Romina. Why is she so perfect? Well, the fit is fabulous, first and foremost. I’ve tended to stick to Doen’s smocked bodice dresses, as they’re pretty accommodating, but I recently realized I was limiting myself when I bought the Gap x Doen Floral Midi Dress ($128) in May—more details on that haul, here. That dress just skims the body in such a female gaze way, and made me feel like my best self, which in turn made me open to trying the Romina, which has a similar underbust seam, slightly fitted waist, and invisible side zipper.
The thing I love most about this dress is how versatile it is. I’m wearing now it with my insanely soft Jamie Haller penny loafers and oversized Khaite jean jacket (I bought it for less, but it remains one of my favorite buys because I wear it all the damn time), then will style it with my go-to Gianvito Rossi biker boots and an oversized leather jacket come fall. Because it’s a super soft cotton-viscose blend, it’s also pretty easy to dress up or down. I’d wear it with my ancient black Chucks for a casual day or style it with my go-to Dior slingback kitten heels for a more polished moment. The dress works for just about anything you throw at it: Work, date night, travel, baby showers, school events, engagement parties, entertaining at home, you name it. Truthfully, it’s not an ideal pick for the club, from what I very vaguely remember, but that’s pretty much it?
Long story long: It’s an 11/10 buy for me, and I think you should own it too.
READ: The Pairing by Casey McQuiston ($14)
This summer, I’ve recommended a not insignificant number of books. Miranda July’s All Fours was the star of a newsletter, then I talked about five of my favorites for sweltering days and nights, plus I loved The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza, None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell, and a few others.
And now I have another new one that’s perfect for the end of summer: Casey McQuiston’s queer romantic comedy, The Pairing. The plot synopsis made me laugh with delight when I first read it—bisexual exes (one of whom is nonbinary) unknowingly book the same three-week European food and wine tour, then end up in a hookup competition, which is no big deal because they’re obviously over each other—but like all of McQuiston’s books, it’s full of heart, too.
The book is just a feast of pleasure, indulgence, and joy, and thoughtful sexiness, which is hotter than it sounds, thanks to McQuiston’s considered writing. It’s short, it’s the most delicious late summer book ever, and should be in your carry-on bag if you’re traveling this month, or on your nightstand if you’re not.
TRY: Roz Foundation Mask ($48)
Over the past twenty years, I’ve tried more hair products and treatments than you can imagine. As an editor, I’m constantly testing things, and can say with utter confidence that ROZ is one of the finest brands I’ve ever used. As you might remember from this newsletter, the brand makes my go-to daily shampoo and conditioner, I buy the refills (with my own money) on a regular basis, and even my kids ask for it by name.
I’m such a fan, that when I got an email informing me that Mara Rozak, the celebrity hairstylist and founder of ROZ, was launching a new silicone-free, reparative, super hydrating Foundation Mask, I might have done a little dance around my office. It’s perfect timing, as I can’t be the only one who is uncharmed by my end-of-summer hair? My usual routine of highlights and heat styling makes me a good candidate for a deep treatment, but throw in months of sun and pool time? Forget about it!
This week, I got to experience the mask in person at Rozak’s salon, Mare, and I loved it so much I’ve already used it again. You can use it alone for excellent results, but the incredible stylist Agnes Cabala (folks, she’s phenom!) layered it into a larger treatment process that I loved.
First, my dry hair was coated with ROZ Willow Glen Treatment Oil, starting at mid-length and ends, and then brushed through my roots too. Then Cabala did a double cleanse with the brand’s shampoo—the formula is super gentle and doesn’t make your hair feel dry, ever—and then applied a generous quarter-sized amount of the mask, again starting at the mid-lengths and ends, and then combed through the roots.
The results were honestly impressive. My hair was bouncy and full, super hydrated and happy. Not to mention, it smells SO GOOD like all the rest of the ROZ products, which it’s the most important thing in the world, but it’s not nothing. (Especially as I tried another surprisingly great hair mask recently, but that brand’s scent was both strong and not my vibe, which means I’m unlikely to use it regularly.)
BUY: Gaby Dalkin x Crate & Barrel Collection
Like you, no doubt, I adore everything Gaby Dalkin does. She’s one of my top go-to resources for recipes, makes the most amazing spice mixes, and she’s an excellent follow on @whatsgabycooking. (She also gives good podcast; her episode of Second Life is worth a listen.) So it’s probably no surprise that I’m thrilled about her new 60+ piece kitchen and entertaining collection with Crate & Barrel.
So what’s in my cart right now? First: The Calistoga Ceramic Sheet Pan Serving Dish with Wooden Footed Trivet ($59.95), which is genius as it’s oven-safe to 400 degrees, so you can cook on it and then just drop it into the mango-wood trivet to serve. Brilliant. I’m always looking for chicer ways to corral my cooking utensils, and I love the Pacific Ceramic Utensil Holder ($24.95); done and done. Now that our backyard is almost ready for entertaining, I’m definitely buying the Carmel Ceramic Beverage Tub ($99.95) because this is oddly a very difficult piece to find in the right size and price point. I could go on—and truthfully I could happily buy every single piece—but I won’t keep you any longer. Just go see it all for yourself!
Okay friends, that’s it for now. If you want to follow me on @hillarykerr, I’d love it. And if you have anything to say or ask (preferably nothing terribly mean), please drop me a note either via DM or in the comments below.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read this post. I’m truly so glad you’re here. If you like what you’re reading, please consider sharing this newsletter. (And if you have the time to like it, that would mean a lot to me!) All products mentioned are independently chosen, and some may be affiliate links. Your support is appreciated.
Love your newsletter and look forward to it. I’m 55 and post menopausal. I’m a pilates instructor and nutritional therapy practitioner. My recommendation is to really dial in your nutrition by eating plenty of protein, healthy fats, complex carbs. Limit the processed carbs: crackers, bread, chips, cookies, bagels, etc. You may want to ease up on the alcohol as it’s harder to metabolize. Walk every day, get sunlight, reduce stress, lift weights. Muscle is the fountain of youth. Invest in friendships. Question your thoughts and beliefs around menopause and aging. It’s a powerful transition, not an ending. Curate carefully who you follow in the menopause space. Too many alarmists in my opinion. You can test hormones as a baseline but you really want to optimize the foundations: sleep, stress, digestion, blood sugar regulation, and eat a nutrient dense diet.
Hi! I have been using Alloy’s M4 cream for a few months- in the morning all over my face and back of my hands. People have said my skin looks great! It’s subtle. I also started using Tretinoin cream (0.025) about 4 weeks ago. I have used prescription retinal in the past and it’s amazing. Good luck. Can’t wait to hear your experience with both.