33 Comments
Oct 17, 2023Liked by Jessica DeFino

Good (breathless!) retort on the Just Stop un-question. Wish you didn’t have to explain why talking about “beauty” is great point of entry for political discussions and introspection of all kinds... not least of all because freedom from its pursuit opens up so much time (and money) that could be spent on more genuinely wholesome thoughts and actions... Thank you so much for carrying on carrying on 🙏

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thank you <3 <3

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"I have to wonder if you're using retinol on that ideological through-line, because the line is nowhere to be found." AMAZING and yes. Your work is so important and the deconstruction of beauty culture is NOT superficial.

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thank you!! and thank you for helping me this morning :) :)

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Beverly must be new here...

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lol

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literally haha

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Oct 17, 2023Liked by Jessica DeFino

mic drop!!!

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lol thank you!!

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I came to say the same thing

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Wow, just wow. You are so beautifully (no pun intended) committed to this cause, it is always breathtaking to read your disarmingly clear explanation of your work.

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that's so sweet amy — made my day x

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Oct 17, 2023Liked by Jessica DeFino

Some times we have to put on a “face” when everything around us is crashing down around our ears. Maybe we do this so that family, kids, sisters, husbands know we are ok even when we are not. It is the semblance of normality in a world where so much is happening.

Many years ago I worked in a department store selling Clinique cosmetics. I loved my job. I loved making people beautiful, just because they never saw themselves as beautiful. I now live in a very small town in Texas, and I wear no makeup. I have gotten to a point in my life where I am comfortable in my skin.

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Oct 17, 2023Liked by Jessica DeFino

you are FI-YAH as always ️‍🔥️‍🔥

️‍your response to Bev...perfection. *chef's kiss*

thank you thank you thank you.

xo

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Thank you!!

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Oct 17, 2023Liked by Jessica DeFino

Have you read the Cut article about the 14 year olds using retinol???

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yes :( :( :(

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Oct 20, 2023·edited Oct 20, 2023

I think your response to Beverly was really great, I would add that not everyone needs to be or *should* be writing about the Israel-Hamas War or about the decades of conflict that have preceded it. It's incredibly complicated and the more I read about it the less I feel like I know how to feel about it. People are feeling pressured to write about or comment on it to the point that we are ending up with some very BAD takes (from both sides). Sometimes saying nothing publicly is actually the correct course of action.

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I disagree. We should all be demanding an immediate ceasefire. More 3000 kids have been killed by the IDF... and they're planning on killing many more. If you're in the US especially, you have an obligation to speak out and do what you can to demand that Israel immediately stop its genocide.

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Oct 18, 2023Liked by Jessica DeFino

sorry i missed the AMA but i have a question/conundrum: blackheads. what do i do with blackheads, how do i stop finding them disgusting, how do i stop myself from using topical treatment/ strips and just...let them be? are they supposed to be there??

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well there’s a difference between blackheads and sebaceous filaments — the latter are supposed to be there but are often confused w blackheads. they help protective oils get to the surface of the skin to seal in moisture, protect from sun, etc. your skin is healthier for having them!! blackheads indicate oxidation — so, lack of antioxidants. easy to incorporate these into your diet (vitamin a, c, e) or even topically. rose water is a great, gentle source of topical antioxidants. jojoba oil, meadowfoam seed oil, rosehip oil also great skin-supportive topical options!

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thanks so much 😭 i am 2 years into a divesting journey and trying to desensitize myself about skin conditions like bumps and stuff that are supposed to be left alone and most conditions treated nutritionally. but the collective disgust about blackheads is so large that the urge to fuck my nose up is super strong. i will keep the anti-oxidants thing in mind!!! love u

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I just grabbed some jojoba oil the other day and will give it a whirl. Thanks Jessica!!

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Would also love some info on this!!

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see above :)

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Ahh Bev. Some regretsies for them this morning.

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When I look at photos of the Kardashians before they had any and all “procedures” I think, “with good skin care and nutrition these girls would have been

Naturally good looking women”. Now I look at them as blown up make believe dolls that look exactly like each other instead of themselves.

But, since it got them more money and publicity than God I guess that was the endgame all along.

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I’m wondering if Beverly was actually responding to the 70 year old, asking about lasers or going under the knife, and not to Jessica?

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Oct 17, 2023·edited Oct 17, 2023Author

Nope. Beverly and I had a couple back-and-forth messages. Simply clicking the link I provided to Beverly's comment would make that very clear!

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Jess, WOW! While i was bummed to miss the session, so glad to be getting to read your responses!!

And 💥❤️‍🔥💥 on the answer to Beverly’s inquiry about how you could care about all this with what’s going on in the world.

One of the things I absolutely adore most about your work is what you cover in your response and what has frustrated me for so long:

SO many of us--and women absolutely more than men--spend huge amounts of time, energy, emotion and money around our overall appearance, skin, size, shape, face, fitness. Resources that could be much better used elsewhere. While we continue to make--statistically--less than men.

You absolutely nailed it in your response.

Wishing you a lovely rest of the fall and peaceful, warm winter (if you need warmth ; )

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Hi Jessica! I was wondering what you think about hair care? Are you planning to cover this topic in your newsletter? Thanks!

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