Guys. I had so much anxiety about taxes this year that the sense of UTTER RELIEF I felt the minute I filed them can’t even be described. First of all, I’m a freelancer. That already makes taxes complicated. I got audited last year while I was pregnant, planning a wedding and while my mom got a cancer diagnosis. It was beyond stressful. I’d been terrified of this happening since I saw it happen to Graham and Patty on My So-Called Life.
And as someone who got married at 43, doing anything financial with anyone else feels insane, even though it shouldn’t. I’m just conditioned from years of managing the whole enterprise myself (with a savvy accountant or my friend Jake, who’s been a massive help the last several years during tax time).
So now that this heavy-ass burden has lifted and it wasn’t anywhere near as painful as I thought it’d be, let’s talk about the best things I’ve uncovered in APRIL.
Giveaway
Also! Before I get into that, paid subscribers will be entered to win a T3 Airebrush, valued at $150. U.S. residents only, please. I love this heat styler and use it twice a week. It makes blowing out my hair a breeze — and I have the whole process down to 10 minutes. I’ll choose a random winner on Thursday, April 18 and will notify them via email. The winner’s name will also be announced in the next Substack.
<div class="substack-post-embed"><p lang="en">💦The everything shower: 🌷 spring edition by Amber Katz</p><p>My exact routine for spring</p><a data-post-link href="https://amber.substack.com/p/the-everything-shower-spring-edition-e0f">Read on Substack</a></div><script async src="https://substack.com/embedjs/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Ok, let’s get into it.
Vacation Studio Tone SPF 50 I just love this brand. I’m not in the market for a full-time job, but if this brand ever came knocking, I’d consider it. Vacation has bottled, literally, ‘80s and ‘90s nostalgia, two things I hold near and dear. This high-SPF thin liquid bronzer gives me a kiss of color — and real ones know it’s a shout-out to L’Oreal’s Studio Line haircare. What a fun little easter egg. Vacation, I’m obsessed with you. Come for the Studio Tone, stay for the ORANGE GELEE which I haven’t tried yet (beyond smelling and swatching), but can’t wait to.
Speaking of nostalgia, you can still get my favorite ‘90s everything shower staple, Vitabath Gelee in Spring Green (so many gelees in the ‘90s, yes?), which smells like the color green in a way you don’t need synesthesia to appreciate.
I wanted the Dorsey cuff, but it’s sold out so I bought the Maison Miru version and know what? I’m glad I did. It elevates every outfit when I can’t count on my hair to do that because… three month-old baby life.
Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Cream Eyeliner Stick is my new favorite formula. I got mine in Panther, a rich black, during the Sephora sale and it helps me easily create the perfect cat-eye.
This lacey blouse is already a spring staple. I pair it with white, blue and black jeans and will be donning it with cut-offs come summer.
Saltair Exotic Pulp Deo is my triumphant return to natural does after a year of Dove. During pregnancy and the fourth trimester, I just needed those chemicals, you know? But now I’m back to baseline and trying all the artisanal scents, which sadly, are just not available at the drugstore.
Ardell pre-glued lashes are inexpensive and ideal for amping up my eye looks. Or just wearing for two to three days. It lets me skip makeup and look somewhat polished without having to get on the lash extensions wagon again, which for me lasted about 15 years until 2020. I can’t go there again right now, you know?
I’m using only one hair styling product right now and it’s this one. So simple, so good. A tried and true of mine for a reason. It tamps down frizz, gives my hair extra moisture and offers a little slip for blowouts.
I tried Hanni Cocoon Cleanse for a story and it blew me away. This serum-infused body cleanser smells positively divine and hydrates on a level I’ve never seen from a bar soap.
Hotel Lobby launched a new candle called Poolside, and it quickly became my everything. I rely on candles to provide the olfactory experience of things I desperately want but do not have — like a fireplace, a Christmas tree, and now, a POOL. Until I achieve the trifecta, this scent stunt double is doing the job.
That’s all for today! If you want to follow me on Instagram at @rouge_18 I’d love it! I’m glad you’re here—thank you for taking the time to read this post and support this work by being a subscriber. If you like what you’re reading, please consider sharing this newsletter. Hearting it is also appreciated. All products highlighted are chosen by me, and some may be affiliate links.