Hi! First things first, I have an incredible giveaway this month thanks to NIRA (the at-home laser device I wrote about recently). The are generously gifting a Laser Pro + Skincare Collection worth $600 to one reader — just leave a comment saying something you learned about their at-home lasers on this post. I’ll pick a winner next Friday, September 20th. If you’re a paid subscriber, you have 10x the chances of winning — I’ve left a private thread in the chat with details.
We just got back from a fantastic week-long trip in Copenhagen and I plan to post all the details here on places we visited/ate at soon. But in the meantime, here is the video I edited on the 11-hour plane ride home. The music, Copenhagen Life, is by Danish violinist/composer Jacob Gade and I have been enjoying this whole album upon my return!
Here are all the blog posts I wrote this past month:
And here are some other internet things I want to share! Miles is on a tote bag at Chevalier’s, our favorite local bookstore. We immediately bought one in store the day it came out.
My friend
interviewed me (I’ve lost count how many times she and I have interviewed one another) over at her multi-media empire,. She is one of my favorite people to talk to, and I’m so lucky I’ve gotten to do it for as many years as I have.I also spoke with
over at about working with the wonderful actress Joan Chen in Saving Face.Speaking of, that movie is still getting love everywhere — even two decades later! Read this article via them.
Finally, I’m honored to have actress Yvonne Chapman (Kung Fu, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Superman & Lois) share her picks for Vancouver Asian eats over at my other Substack,
for September.THINGS I BOUGHT FOR TRAVEL
✈️ I popped into Sephora last-minute to purchase two new-to-me travel-size items to keep me hydrated every few hours in the air — the much-hyped Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask and some Caudalie Grape Water Face Spray. Both worked really well, though part of me kept thinking, “Isn’t this just moisturizer and water?” every single time I put them on.
🧴 Another trip-related purchase — I got a mini size of this Kate McLeod Body Stone so I wouldn’t have to pack extra lotion in case our hotel didn’t have any. (And good for me, because they didn’t!) You basically just rub the stone (which feels a lot like a soap bar) all over your body — and it’s very hydrating and feels luxurious. I wish it was easier to hold, like if it came in deodorant form. It kinda slips around, even wrapped in the cloth it comes with.
💦 No matter what, there are certain products that always end up spilling all over the plastic baggies I keep them in after a flight. That’s why I got these silicone covers (they remind me of condoms) for the bottles that are most susceptible to leakage, like all my toners/essences/serums. I actually had to throw out some of my skincare on the international flight back, because I’ve been so used to domestic TSA pre-check for my carry-on and haven’t had to condense everything into one single plastic bag in years. Lesson learned!
🏋🏻♂️ I always bring gluten-free protein bars in case a restaurant doesn’t have something celiac-safe, so I brought several cases of protein bars to Copenhagen — specifically mini Quest ones, these crispy rice-krispie like bars, and my favorite — Built Bars. I’ve been a bit embarrassed that I love the Built bars as much as I do (since they’ve got a real gym-workout-bro vibe going on) so I felt validated when I saw that cookbook author
also enjoys eating them too. They do have protein bars in Denmark too — they actually seem to love Barebells (not celiac safe) — but most GF versions felt hard as a rock when I examined them.🗒️ Now that I’m in perimenopause and on the pill, I barely need disposable tampons/pads anymore. I got this set of snap-on, washable pantyliners instead and they’re really comfy.
THINGS I WAS SENT
When I told Neutrogena I’d try out their new Collagen Banking skincare, I didn’t expect to get an entire vault, plus a brand new
purse! I really like the moisturizer but unfortunately the SPF stings my eyes so I’ll only use it on my hands/neck. As for the bag, at first I didn’t know if it was my style (it’s the Le Bowski Bowling Bag in Sky Blue) but after pairing it with a more sporty outfit, I think it’s a keeper. I’m even gonna adorn it with some charms soon — stay tuned!I’ve been curious about EADAM because they were founded by, and are for women of color specifically. They sent their Dark Spot Serum and Exfoliating Toner, and I like the metal applicator for the Le ChouChou Lip Softening Balm which not only buffs and hydrates but comes in a subtle color (see below, in shade “Burnt Malai”). I don’t shave anymore so I no longer deal with ingrown hairs — but their Ingrown Relief Serum has gotten some really good reviews.
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That’s it for this month — don’t forget to enter the giveaway below. Residents in the USA only, sorry international readers!
Love that they have 2 models - the precision with a small targeted tip and the Pro with a large surface area (haha I’m looking at the backs of my hands now…)
Love following Lynn…die hard follower from the actors diet 2013. Obsessed with everything you recommend for gentle aging and NIRA has been on the list ever since you recommended it. Just so you know, I appreciate all that you share, it’s more impactful than you know. 💕