Just when you thought "Peach Fuzz" was no longer a thing
Plus: Our new fave podcast • why your mascara isn't working • what to replace in your home that's grossly expired
BeWell | The Midst beauty, style & wellness newsletter
Everything’s coming up Peach Fuzz. We’re not talking the kind that fluffs our cheeks in sunlight. We’re talking Pantone’s elected color of 2024 — a velvety, gentle peach hue, also (less gently) referred to as “PANTONE 13-1023.”
2024 also marks Pantone’s 25th anniversary of creating a “Color of the Year,” which I’ve come to find out is no simple feat. Experts from across the globe, comprising the renowned Pantone Color Institute, carefully deep-dive into trend forecasts, cultural influences, color psychology, and consumer insights to determine a hue that can both represent and inspire, well, an entire year.
While “Peach Fuzz” can certainly raise a variety of thoughts and emotions, for the Institute, their intentions were pure: “In seeking a hue that echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection, we chose a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance. A shade that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace, and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless,” stated Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman.
And wouldn’t ya know it, this sweet peach hue looks pretty damn incredible on all of us. From sheer makeup in shadows, cheek tints, and lip glosses, to fashion, accessories, and even Golden Girls’ moments at home, I have a feeling, this 2024 color will be giving us the warm and fuzzies long after it’s seen its year.
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If you’re a certain age and read women’s magazines, Kim France’s name resonates. France was an OG at Sassy (the beloved teen feminist mag from 1988–1996) and a founding editor at the fashion-forward, now-defunct Lucky magazine. We’re loving France’s latest iteration as a podcast host (“Everything is Fine” with beauty writer-editor cohost Jennifer Romolini) and Substack newsletter Girls of a Certain Age, designed for over-40 women “looking for ways to stay stylish, cool, and informed.”
For all the newsletters that we ignore or put off reading, we breathlessly read France’s as soon as it arrives in our inbox. Most recently, she wrote about dresses with grown-up hemlines, her favorite Etsy home items, and colorful puffer jackets. We lol’d at the podcast episode Eileen Fisher Time, in which the hosts gab about their love for Parker Posey and grappled with the idea of snagging a classic item from the older-woman’s line of basics, because of its frump-tastic reputation. —Gretchen Kalwinski, The Midst managing editor
Ask Lauria
Our Beauty & Wellness Editor welcomes your Qs
Q: “How to I get my eyelashes to look longer and fuller? I’ve tried so many mascaras and can’t seem to figure it out.” —Annie R., 46, Chicago, IL
A: Girrrrl, don’t blame your mascara! One of the biggest beauty “mistakes” I think people can make when applying mascara is skipping the very important step of first (to avoid wonky-looking lashes and breakage) curling their eyelashes.
This quick crimp points your lashes upward (instead of outward), making them appear much longer, while also opening the eye. Lash curlers may seem scary if you’ve never tried one, but I swear they’re safe and make a HUGE difference. Simply position the curler close to your lashline, clamp down, count to 10, and release. For extra oomph, you can then apply a lash primer (like my all-time fave by L'Oreal) and let that dry before applying two or three coats of your favorite mascara — or just jump to the mascara step.
Just so you don’t have to dig into reviews, I’ll tell you that beauty junkies’ longtime favorite crimper is the acclaimed Shiseido’s lash curler ($25). I’ve personally been using my MAC curler ($23) almost daily since I was a makeup artist for the brand, so for over 10 years, replacing the rubber pads ($7) infrequently as needed, which you can do with all metal curlers. And for a drugstore option, I adore Revlon’s curler ($9), which works just as great.
Get answers to your most pressing beauty, style, wellness, or whatever questions: “Ask Lauria” in comments or by emailing Lauria@The-Midst.com.
10 household items you probably need to replace
By Emily Ornberg
For many, a new year is a time for resolutions, diets, or planning. But for me? Time for shopping! As the year starts anew, I say it's a good time to think of replacing the old — or expired — items in your home that could probably use a refresh (though some should be more often than once a year!).
Here’s a solid list of easily-forgotten-about items that you might want to consider replacing:
1. Toilet brush
How often? Every few months or when the bristles start to bend.
Why? As the bristles flatten over time, they create new places for germs to burrow.
2. Mascara
How often? Mascara and liquid eyeliner are considered safe for three months.
Why? Liquid products used near the eye have an increased risk of spreading bacteria.
3. Cutting board
How often? About every two years or when a sponge snags on cuts or scratches.
Why? Lingering bacteria can fester and hide in those grooves. Wood cutting boards might have a longer lifespan than plastic if you properly care for them.
4. Shower curtain liner
How often? At least once a year or as soon as you see any build-up of mold or mildew.
Why? All kinds of bacteria and mold form on shower curtains from extra moisture or germs from the toilet.
5. First-aid kit
How often? About every year.
Why? Ointments and medications expire, and bandages can lose adhesiveness.
6. Water filter
How often? Faucet-mounted water filters last about three months (or 100 gallons), and pitcher filters should be changed every two months. If you have built-in filters, check the manual — they’re usually about every six months.
Why? Filters help keep your water clean from contaminants and impurities.
7. Towels
How often? When they’re unraveling or feel exceptionally stiff, it's time to replace them.
Why? If your towels no longer dry you off, it might be because your dead skin cells have built up on them. Yuck!
8. Bath mat
How often? About every two years. But if your mats can’t be washed in the washing machine, replace them more often, like every 6 months.
Why? Not only do bath mats collect nasty toilet germs, but dampness makes these mats a breeding ground for grossness. Cut down on these germs by hanging your mats to dry after every shower.
9. Pillows
How often? About every two years or sooner.
Why? Pillows can collect allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and mold over time.
10. Surge protectors
How often? If your surge protectors don’t have an auto-shutoff feature, replace them every three to five years.
Why? They’ll continue to pass power to your devices long after their surge protection has worn out, making them pretty much useless.
This article was originally published here on the-midst.com.
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Upgrade your The Midst Substack here. You must be a paid subscriber to either: a monthly, annual, or founding Midster plan. If you’re already a paid subscriber to The Midst Substack, you’ll automatically be entered to win!
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Thanks for reading BeWell!
X, Lauria, The Midst Beauty & Wellness Editor
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