From the Group Chat: Justice for Benny Blanco, "Boneless" Lashes, and "The Studio"

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Sunday. With temps expected to push 80 degrees in NYC this weekend, I’m spending as much time as possible outside (ideally while wearing a breezy, Victoria Ratliff-inspired “dinner party kaftan”). But before I go touch some actual grass, a few noteworthy things I came across this week: 

• This extra summery tomato-print tote bag from Vera Bradley’s Heritage Collection (it’s giving major high school nostalgia). 

• Equally delightful? Stella Al Fresco, the Meghan Markle-approved doll that obviously comes with a cheese wheel and baguette (and I thought my Kirsten doll was cool). 

• The “squoval” nail trend, which just might be more flattering than my go-to almond shape. 

• And, last but definitely not least, Ben Affleck’s shockingly good glow-up from disheveled Dunkin’ ambassador to Mr. GQ. *Takes long sip of iced coffee*

— Taylor Trudon / Writer, Culture & Lifestyle / Brooklyn, NY

👀 We regret to inform you: Your lashes might be “boneless” — and no, like most internet lingo, that’s not a compliment.

✂️ Want to switch up your look? Throw sense and sensibility to the wind and get “Jane Austen bangs.”  

🩰 The “sneakerina” trend is taking over — and compared to its chunky cousin, it’s, dare we say, wearable. 

🧦 Trust us, nothing will make you feel cooler than stepping out in a “saucy little sock.” We don’t make the rules.

🦷 In this week’s edition of You Can’t Make This Up: Old-school metal braces are having a resurgence — and it’s not just teens.

We’ll admit, when Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco started dating, we — like many others — were a bit…perplexed. But after watching the singer/actress/beauty mogul and the “most popular oddball in pop music” promote their new album, one thing is certain: Blanco is finally getting the credit he deserves. Thanks in part to an inescapable and delightfully entertaining press tour, many are just now realizing that Blanco — whose real name, for the record, is Benjamin Joseph Levin — isn’t merely a “producer” and “songwriter.” He’s one of the masterminds behind practically every millennial anthem. OK, that may be a stretch, but his hits include Rihanna’s “Diamonds,” Kesha’s “Tik Tok,” Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream,” and Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite.” (In the words of one X user, “apologies benny i wasn’t familiar with your game.”) Plus, in recent years, the aficionado of aphrodisiacs has become a notable food influencer — fueled by his unexpectedly good cookbook, his (sometimes stoned) food reviews, and his penchant for cheesy PDA (literally).

But Blanco’s talents aren’t the only reason the Extreme Toenail Art Enthusiast virtually united the internet overnight. In an industry that tends to take itself, shall we say, a tad too seriously, his goofy, go-with-the-flow attitude has been refreshing to watch — whether he’s bravely sharing the backstory of his unibrow transformation (we bow down to Gomez’s makeup artist) or blacking out during a Hot Ones appearance (even Gomez had to stand up and take a lap). It also helps that, as one Instagram user put it, “He’s the BRIGHTEST GREEN flag ever seen on earth.” Just take: his charming stories about the early days of his relationship with Gomez (like why he was confused when she first said, “I love you”); his truly impressive Valentine’s Day surprise (one word: Whataburger); and his master class in Boyfriend Behavior. Selena, you didn’t need our blessing, but we’re giving it anyway.

Forget method dressing — method dressing rooms are apparently now a thing. That is, if Jake Gyllenhaal has his way. In an Architectural Digest article published last week, the actor — currently starring in Broadway’s Othello — showed off his dressing-room makeover. While fresh paint and new furniture would have been reasonable for the Great White Way, Gyllenhaal and his two designers took things a couple (let’s be honest, many) steps further, creating a “narrative-driven” space that “he could really retreat into.” What does that mean, you ask? They covered the walls with moody, blown-up photos of Venice. As an ode to his character’s “calculated gameplay,” they brought in a handmade chess set — complete with chairs inspired by the “racial dichotomy underpinning the tale” (sure). And, to create an “appropriately dark and dramatic vibe,” they sourced (presumably) thousands of dollars’ worth of lamps and sconces. Now, you’d be correct to think this all sounds very extravagant, but somehow, it pales in comparison to other dressing-room requests: At one point, Jay-Z reportedly required seven dressing rooms (yes, you read that right); Joe Jonas admitted to including “12 puppies” on his tour rider; and there were rumors Cher once asked for a room…for her wigs. Not to mention, Sarah Squirm’s very colorful, very clown-inspired dressing room at SNL, which is truly a whole different kind of over-the-top.

If you thought a 14-step AM skincare regimen was intense, brace yourself for fitness influencer Ashton Hall’s wildly involved morning routine. For those who haven’t watched — and rewatched — the six-hour marathon of extreme wellness, here’s a fraction of what it entails: A 3:52 am wake-up call (already a hard pass); a terrifyingly fast treadmill sprint; roughly 35 minutes of shirtless phone time (relatable); countless emotional support Saratoga water bottles; two separate face dunks into a bowl of ice-cold bottled water; and a banana peel facial (we’re not taking questions at this time). 

Naturally, the frankly unhinged video has gone extremely viral (it’s been viewed over 760 million times) and has inspired endless parodies, including from the Empire State Building (*slow clap*) to New York Governor Kathy Hochul (respectfully, no). And on the off chance you happen to be wondering: Should I take notes from this man with protruding everything? Sure, but maybe add a grain of salt — since many derms agree that the benefits of bottled water ice baths and banana peels are minimal, at best. Oh, and did we mention Hall has also dropped an incredibly intricate night routine? Can’t say we didn’t see that one coming.

Here’s a fun drinking game: Take a sip every time you spot a celeb in the new Apple TV+ series The Studio. Actually, on second thought, it’s probably best that you don’t — unless you want to wake up with a hangover for the books. In the showbiz satire from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (the childhood friends who blessed us with Superbad), Rogen plays Matt Remick, who unexpectedly becomes head of struggling Continental Studios after the company’s unpredictable CEO (Bryan Cranston) fires his mentor (Catherine O’Hara). Remick’s first assignment? Turn the Kool-Aid Man into a Barbie-level blockbuster — without compromising his creative integrity or upsetting the money-hungry execs and needy (read: annoying) artists. Boldly declared “the first great new show of 2025,” the 10-episode series features cameos from just about any and every A-lister, including Olivia Wilde, Charlize Theron, and Zoë Kravitz — all of whom play very extra versions of themselves. At least, we hope.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Dewy SPF 30

No exaggeration, this is the one beauty product we recommend to everyone. While Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer has long been a bestseller, it was recently reformulated to work even harder. So in addition to moisturizing hyaluronic acid and skin-strengthening probiotics, the lightweight and long-lasting formula also delivers natural-looking coverage with a beautiful, dewy finish. Think: Your skin, but better (yes, really). Plus, thanks to the built-in SPF 30, it can double as your sunscreen in a pinch. A win-win, indeed.

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Use code SKIMM15 to take 15% off at Credo Beauty. Kosas’ new hydrating setting mist is a great place to start.

Build a bundle of 111SKIN face masks for 20% off and receive a travel pouch to put them in. Your in-flight routine just got upgraded.

Unleash your competitive side with today’s games and puzzles. Choose from an anagram word search, digital jigsaw puzzle, or crossword (with a twist). Better yet: Try them all.