What We Consumed This Week: Novelty Sunscreen and How Beyoncé Boosted the Global Economy
From news to podcasts to shopping, find out what the team at Coveteur consumed the first week of August.
Welcome to Coveteur’s Consumer Diaries!As our co-dependent relationship with the algorithm deepens with time, the bottomless scroll has turned us all into 24/7 consumers. As we consume horrific news, targeted ads, trailers, shopping, and user-generated content, all accordioned together in an endless feed—our consumer habits have reached a fever pitch. Each week we will be untangling the top news stories of the week and asking Coveteur staff members for top recommendations of what they consumed this past week.
The Weekly Wrap
This week in culture news…
This last week in news has typified the kind of media madness we’ve grown all too accustomed to—I might reconsider Botox since my eyebrows have remained permanently raised for the last three years. On Tuesday, three of Lizzo’s former tour dancers filed a lawsuit against the singer and the tour’s dance captain Shirlene Quigley, with allegations of sexual and religious harassment, hostile work environment, racism, and body-shaming. This is the last thing anyone expected from the body-positivity icon/flutist, but after Ms. “Be Kind to Everyone” Degeneres got blasted for a hostile work environment—this isn’t our first rodeo. On Monday, we lost not only comedy legend Paul Reubens (aka Pee Wee Herman) but also rising star and Euphoria’s Fezco, Angus Cloud.
In less harrowing news, it has been widely reported that Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour have created a noticeable bump in America’s economy by bolstering tourism and patronizing local establishments. In addition to boosting the economy, the Eras Tour specifically has caused a phenomenon of post-show amnesia, making this the most unforgettable, forgettable show since that time you got hypnotized at that 8th-grader’s birthday party. Meanwhile, the government confirmed the existence of aliens on Earth but hey, we’re just out here trying to make ends meet with enough time on the weekend for queer line dancing or straight pickleball—whatever you kids are into these days.Consumer Diaries
From podcasts to shopping to media, we asked Coveteur staff to send their top recommendations for what they consumed this past week.
Products
Vacation Whip Sunscreen: “Usually kitschy products don’t have much quality value but this sunscreen is airy, absorbs quickly on the skin, and smells incredible. The star-shaped foam applicator makes the sunscreen look confusingly appetizing. The product gets an extra gold star for using eco-friendly propellants.” —Andie Eisen (Culture Editor)
Clé de Peau The Serum: “This is a game-changing facial serum. It goes on light, and a little goes a long way. The bottle is gorgeous, and the only downside is (and this is going to sound bougie AF) that I wish the cap were made of glass, like the bottle. My skin has never been more radiant; $400 worth of radiant.” —Marc Duron (Head of Innovation)
Maison Margiela, Beach Walk: “I’m not a summer gal by any means, I'm only outdoors if I absolutely have to be. Between mosquitos and the humidity, my best friend is the air conditioning. This perfume has been my spritz of choice to mimic the summertime vibes without the sweat.” —Katie Mok (Content Management Coordinator)
Prequel Gleanser and Skin Utility Ointment: “I had the chance to try the new dermatologist-developed skincare line Prequel. The ‘Gleanser’ is a non-drying glycerin cleanser that softens skin and can be used for the face and body—day or night! Skin Health First is their motto and I can see why.” —Patricia Foster (Executive Beauty Director)
Moon Juice Brain Dust: “I kind of wrote off Moon Juice after the juicing craze peaked around five years ago. A friend of mine was recently taking the Moon Juice magnesium powder before bed and I was super impressed when I sampled it. As someone that can’t drink caffeine anymore, I’ve been looking for a morning routine replacement and the brain dust is packed with adaptogens for focus.” —Andie Eisen (Culture Editor)
Media
Poog Podcast: “I’ve adored this podcast since comedians Kate Berlant and Jaqueline Novak launched it in 2020. It is essentially a forum for existential musings masquerading as a ‘wellness & beauty’ podcast—hint: the title is Goop backward. The episode where Jaqueline is brought to tears trying to articulate a metaphor about ice cream cones and death is riveting.” —Andie Eisen (Culture Editor)
WSJ Article—Parents Hire $4000 Sorority Consultants: Parents spend upwards of four grand to hire consultants to coach their daughters while they rush sororities. “I mean, should we get into this business? I can teach these kids how to be cool for free.” —Ama Kwarteng (Beauty Director)
Slow Days, Fast Company by Eve Babitz: “Yes, I’m yet another LA girlie on the beach reading an aesthetically pleasing Eve Babitz book. I’ve been on a bit of a Babitz kick this past year, and the collection of non-fiction essays in Slow Days are my favorite so far. Her insight, hedonism, and humor are at their peak in this book and her incisive skewering of LA society is just as relevant as it was 40 years ago.” —Andie Eisen (Culture Editor)
Dictionary of Color Combinations: “Based on the author’s seminal six-volume set from the 1930’s, these palm-sized books of color combinations are a must for anyone inspired by color, theory, and beauty. Flip the book, land on a color, and then implement it into your life. You won’t regret it.” —Marc Duron (Head of Innovation)
The Pop Manifesto: “Launched online last month, Editor-in-Chief Ilirjana Alushaj interviews rising stars and established industry veterans in music, art, tech, fashion, design, and more. The digital-first conversations feature musician Miya Folick, fashion studio BTFL, author & technologist Mindy Seu, and more. I love the digital interface but am even more excited to see a hard copy with exclusive interviews debuting later this year—long live print magazines! (And stay tuned for a merch drop soon!)” —Andie Eisen (Culture Editor)
Want more stories like this?
Consumer Diaries: Aliens, RHONY & Summer Reading
Your August Horoscopes
When a Prank Becomes a Crime