AUG 28, 2026

INSIDE: Beauty Reports, Hobby Benefits, and Hot Girl Listens.  

TODAY I WILL:

Trust that every chapter doesn't have to be exciting to be meaningful.

Fall is coming, and our watchlist is already fully booked.

• Get the popcorn ready; this fall is all about movies.

• Even your favorite fake-dating scientists are officially in their movie era.

• Your environment may be affecting your complexion more than you realize.

• Deer-print nails are putting a softer spin on animal print.

• A new show is putting male friendship front and center.

Where Beauty is Headed—The People Have Spoken 

The first People's Beauty Index, built from a year of conversation data across Reddit's beauty communities, is here. And the biggest takeaway is a noticeable shift away from prescriptive trends to community-sourced advice. Instead of chasing a one-size-fits-all look, people turn to Reddit communities for personalized (and lived) experience advice on basically everything. And that community is helping individuals accept themselves instead of judging themselves. The report says posts using words like "fix," "hide," and "conceal" dropped 32% over the past year, while posts using "embrace," "highlight," and "enhance" rose 220%. 

For example, r/HoodedEyes saw “eyeliner” rather than “bleph” as the top search term this year. In fact, surgery-related searches fell 40% as the community leaned into makeup techniques instead of procedures. The gender-inclusive r/bald community (named Community of the Moment in 2026's Reddit Internet Awards) welcomed people navigating hair loss and amassed more than 1.2 billion views. In r/AskWomenOver40, members are focused on treating aging as a practice of self-love; they saw “confidence” mentions rise 97%. 

While the platform also serves as a resource to crowdsource beauty recs, Botox provider vetting, and more, we just love that people are using the internet as a place to support one another… regardless of where your beauty journey may be leading.

Yesterday, we asked: “What do you want from a hobby?”

It sounds like a little chill time is the ultimate goal. Thirty-five percent of you are looking for peace & quiet—because sometimes the best hobby is one that turns down the noise. Meanwhile, 24% want a creative outlet, and 23% are hoping to make more friends along the way. The last 18% are just craving less screen time. But whether you’re creating, connecting, or simply unplugging, it seems the best hobbies are the ones that give us a little something back.

Walk This Way

Your Hot Girl Walk deserves a soundtrack, and sometimes music simply isn’t enough. Whether you want to laugh, catch up on pop culture, get a little life advice, or casually rethink your entire career before you hit your step goal, these are the podcasts worth queuing up before you head out.

Giggly Squad
For the walk where you need to laugh at something other than your own internal monologue. Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo cover everything from pop culture and dating to friendship and whatever has taken over the group chat that week. It feels like catching up with your funniest friends, minus having to contribute to the conversation.

The Smith Sisters Live
Consider this your pop culture debrief. Lauren, Mariah, and Rachel Smith break down celebrity news, TV, internet moments, and the stories everyone is suddenly talking about. Perfect for when you want to come home from your walk fully prepared for the group chat.

It’s Me, Tinx
For walks that accidentally turn into therapy sessions. Tinx gets into dating, friendships, confidence, breakups, and all the complicated little life situations you’ve probably already overanalyzed. Come for the advice, stay for the feeling that someone else gets it.

The Morgan Stewart Show
Morgan Stewart brings the kind of unfiltered commentary that makes a solo walk feel significantly less solo. Expect pop culture, fashion, celebrity chatter, and plenty of opinions delivered exactly the way you want them: funny, specific, and a little bit ruthless.

Aspire with Emma Grede
When your Hot Girl Walk is more CEO strut than casual stroll, press play on Emma Grede. She talks with founders, creatives, and industry leaders about ambition, careers, business, and what it actually takes to build something successful. You may leave with 10,000 steps and a new business idea.

EYEING: This moisturizing cleanser, an azelaic acid booster serum, and some comfy clogs.