The hottest Beauty Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

What's got my attention this week #32

The Shift With Sam Baker • 319 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Beauty
  1. The fashion industry is showcasing older female celebrities like Diana Ross, who is 80, in campaigns, highlighting a positive shift in representation.
  2. Various interesting articles and interviews discussing topics like women artists, health tips, and multigenerational living were shared in the post.
  3. The post is exclusive for paid subscribers, offering access to the newsletter archive, book club, reader chat, and supporting the production of the newsletter and podcast.

Edna Andrade

Something I Saw • 511 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Beauty
  1. The importance of finding inspiration and beauty in art
  2. Acknowledging and embracing the power of beauty in creativity and self-expression
  3. Reflecting on the balance between life's truths and the presence of beauty in society
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'Mid'-century modern

Close-reading the reruns with Phoebe Maltz Bovy • 412 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Beauty
  1. The concept of 'mid-century modern' extends beyond furniture and into discussions of attractiveness.
  2. The term 'mid' is used to describe women who are attractive but not considered exceptionally beautiful.
  3. For men, beauty is viewed as subjective while for women, it's often seen as a source of power and subject to rankings.

Possible verdicts

Austin Kleon • 1358 implied HN points • 23 Aug 22
🎭️ Culture Beauty
  1. It's important to separate our feelings about beauty and personal taste when it comes to art. Just because we don't like something doesn't mean it's not beautiful.
  2. Adults can develop a deeper understanding of art by recognizing multiple ways to respond to it, beyond just liking or disliking.
  3. Being able to appreciate something as good, even if we don't like it right away, shows growth in our taste and judgment.

Ely Cathedral and the beauty of progress.

The Common Reader • 1098 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Beauty
  1. Ely Cathedral showcases the evolution of architectural progress from Romanesque to Gothic styles.
  2. The transition from Romanesque to Gothic architecture highlights the significant engineering improvements that allowed for artistic advancements.
  3. The beauty and grandeur of Gothic architecture in Ely Cathedral represent a high point in Western architectural history.

What's got my attention this week #18

The Shift With Sam Baker • 239 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Beauty
  1. Jenna Lyons, ex-J Crew powerhouse and Real Housewives of New York star, is making waves without her signature glasses due to a genetic disorder.
  2. Ageism in advertising is being challenged, and Poorna Bell launched a Substack newsletter discussing the illusion of busyness.
  3. An inspiring 91-year-old filmmaker, Tracey Emin's column in the Evening Standard, and the toxic impact of the 'positivity paintbrush' are worth exploring.

On Homosexualist Fashion

The Pedestrian • 396 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Beauty
  1. The author reflects on being influenced by homosexual fashion trends
  2. He discusses how a TV show inadvertently groomed him to adopt a certain style
  3. The author raises awareness about how individuals might unknowingly conform to fashion standards set by others

Birdsong

The Commonplace • 1120 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Beauty
  1. Take time to observe the beauty around you, like birdsongs and nature, instead of being consumed by technology.
  2. There is enchantment in the everyday environment if we open ourselves to see and hear it.
  3. Utilize technology, like bird identification apps, to learn more about the world around you and the beauty of nature.

Saturday at the Nail Salon

Restoring Truth • 176 implied HN points • 11 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Beauty
  1. The nail salon visit turned into an unexpected dive into American gossip and culture.
  2. The conversation ranged from local scandals to political opinions, exposing diverse viewpoints.
  3. Observing a father painting his son's nails raised questions about gender norms and parenting.

“Give Me Sydney Sweeney’s Tits Or Give Me Death”

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 73 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Beauty
  1. Sydney Sweeney's ad campaign stirred a lot of debate about beauty standards. Some people feel that seeing attractive models like her is a bad thing, while others think it's normal and refreshing.
  2. There's a cultural shift happening where being good-looking was seen as something to apologize for in recent years. Many believe it's okay to celebrate attractiveness again and not feel guilty about it.
  3. The outrage over Sweeney's ad suggests that people are tired of being told what they can or can't appreciate. Many want to embrace beauty without shame and see it as a natural part of life.

Seeds of Time

Earthly Fortunes • 157 implied HN points • 18 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Beauty
  1. The concept of 'growing up' and 'aging' creates a false boundary in society.
  2. Beauty and goodness come from experiences and memories, not just appearance.
  3. Getting older is like planting a 'seed of time' to grow into a tree of life and memories.

Vanity fair.

Soaring Twenties • 201 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Beauty
  1. People often expect you to define yourself in one way, but it's okay to like different things or change your mind. We can all have complex identities.
  2. Feminism isn't about fitting into a specific image or following strict rules; it is about wanting equality and being able to express ourselves freely without judgment.
  3. Gossip and assumptions about others can be harmful, and it's important to focus on being understanding and accepting of people's choices instead of labeling them.

Michelle Pfeiffer Needs Help?

The Better Letter • 137 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Beauty
  1. Even though Michelle Pfeiffer looked perfect, she needed a lot of help to appear perfect
  2. Managing expectations is crucial - both in beauty standards and in investments
  3. Expectations of high returns in investments are often unrealistic and can lead to unhappiness

Sexual Competition, Social Media & Algorithms

The Great Gender Divergence • 137 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Beauty
  1. Female beautification is inevitable, especially under intense sexual competition
  2. Sexual competition heightens beautification, with greater competition leading to more focus on appearance
  3. Algorithms on social media platforms like Instagram manufacture an inequality of adoration by showcasing the most popular posts, distorting girls' perception of peer competition

Acknowledging Simple Truths

lettersonbeing • 137 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Beauty
  1. Acknowledge simple truths in your life, even if they are not poetic or romanticized.
  2. Allow yourself to embrace change and experimentation, even if it's with something as simple as your hairstyle.
  3. Don't be afraid to express what you like or want, regardless of others' opinions or expectations.

Looksmaxxing: chronicles of harmful beauty standards

The Digital Native • 58 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Beauty
  1. Looksmaxxing is about maximizing physical appearance through basic self-care techniques.
  2. Looksmaxxing should be balanced with mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, not just focused on physical appearance.
  3. Historically, beauty standards have often been unrealistic and harmful, emphasizing the importance of balanced self-care.

AI & Beauty

The Cognitive Revolution • 98 implied HN points • 11 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Beauty
  1. Beauty is subjective and cannot be easily quantified by AI.
  2. Existing AI models struggle to accurately assess the beauty of images.
  3. Humans are still essential in creative projects, as AI lacks the creative vision and aesthetic judgment.

Arsenic and old faces

The Quack Doctor • 19 implied HN points • 10 May 24
💾 History Beauty
  1. Arsenic was once thought to provide a youthful complexion, leading to the trend of advertising arsenic pills and soaps in the 1890s.
  2. Entrepreneurs in the 1890s marketed commercial arsenic products for complexion, openly promoting the poisonous ingredient as a benefit.
  3. Chemists faced legal trouble in the late 1800s for selling arsenic soap that did not actually contain arsenic, signaling a dangerous trend of mislabeling products.

Beethoven vs. Baby Shark

Fake Noûs • 377 implied HN points • 09 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Beauty
  1. Baby Shark has brought more total enjoyment and viewership compared to Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.
  2. The quality of aesthetic pleasure produced by art can be a factor in determining its value.
  3. The purpose and definition of art play a significant role in determining its artistic value.

Perfectly imperfect

J ROBERT CLARK - MAKES • 58 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Beauty
  1. Imperfections in handmade items are a part of their unique beauty and tell a story.
  2. Witness marks on objects can be considered a maker's unique signature.
  3. Scars and imperfections serve as reminders of experiences and contribute to personal stories.

#069 ✰ Should I put a ring on it

Objet • 58 implied HN points • 18 May 23
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Beauty
  1. Objet aims to bring back joy and pride in the relationship humans have with shopping and objects
  2. The soul and meaning behind possessions like Charlotte's Cartier trinity ring can create special connections
  3. Consider ethical and sustainable options like lab-created, Canadian, or recycled diamonds when making jewelry choices

Catch up with The Shift Bookclub Live with Jean Kwok

The Shift With Sam Baker • 39 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Beauty
  1. The Shift Bookclub Live with Jean Kwok covers topics like being an immigrant, motherhood, unexpected divorce, and beauty standards.
  2. The conversation ranged from growing up in a Chinese family to the concept of 'leftover women' to ballroom dancing and Icelandic volcanoes.
  3. The next bookclub live event will feature Nina Stibbe discussing 'Went to London, Took the Dog,' covering topics like menopause, midlife separation, and more.

The upside to losing my looks

Sex and the State • 26 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Beauty
  1. As I age, I feel less anxiety about my looks, which is a nice change. I no longer feel pressured to always be beautiful like I did in my younger years.
  2. People often say that women lose their beauty and become invisible as they age. But I feel a sense of freedom and relief from that pressure now.
  3. Growing older means less worry about fitting into tight beauty standards. It feels good to let go of those expectations and simply enjoy who I am.

La Dolce Vita

Seeking Solutions • 39 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
🍲 Food & Drink Beauty
  1. Appreciation for basic ingredients is a key to a good life in Italy
  2. Italy has figured out the importance of portion sizes for food and alcohol
  3. Italians value and express love for beauty in everyday objects

Beauty by default

Holly Elmore • 39 implied HN points • 19 Jun 23
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Beauty
  1. Beauty virtue is about lacking flaws, not just being beautiful.
  2. Competing by default means winning without competing, just by showing up and following the rules.
  3. Beauty by default is when one wins by not having any flaws, similar to winning by default in a competition.