Skin Care and Book Pairings to Aid Your Social Distancing
Hello! It’s your friendly beauty and skin care enthusiast Shannon, writing to you from my tiny 1-BR apartment in New York while I’m practicing social distancing amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. I realized earlier this week that the only things I was stocked up on were skin care and books—two things that are excellent for social distancing. If you’re going to be at home for an extended amount of time, might as well do some moisturizing and masking! (Don’t worry, I’ve made a grocery run this week.)
So I present, my skin care and book pairings to make your social distancing a little glowier, and a little less boring. (Also, use the moisturizers on your hands if your hands are as dry as mine are from all of our hand-washing!)
As always, disclosing that I am an employee of The Estée Lauder Companies. Products that fall under that umbrella are marked with an asterisk.
“A Tree Grows In Brooklyn” by Betty Smith + Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel*
Both classics. One, a yellow formula you probably used in middle school; the other, a coming-of-age story you probably read for the first time in middle school, and, if you’re anything like me, you continue to reread quite often as an adult. If you want a slightly more modern version of the moisturizer, try Clinique ID* with customizable cartridge for your specific skin concern.
“City of Girls” by Elizabeth Gilbert + Tatcha Violet-C Radiance Mask
There’s a major glow-up for Vivian in this novel set primarily in 1940s New York (Elizabeth’s review here). And you’ll definitely get a glow-up from this mask, which is packed with vitamin C and AHAs.
“Medium Raw” by Anthony Bourdain + Weleda Skin Food
Aside from the pleasure I get in pairing a book called “medium raw” with a moisturizer, I just thought Skin Food needed an accompanying book by an amazing food writer. Use this very, very thick moisturizer on your driest parts: elbows, feet, etc…
“Followers” by Megan Angelo + Summer Fridays Jet Lag
Pair this somewhat-dystopian novel (about a future society in which a government-appointed celebrity tries to escape from her live-streamed reality) with an influencer-led brand that got its start primarily on Instagram: Summer Fridays.
“Such a Fun Age” by Kiley Reid + Drunk Elephant Babyfacial
I can’t promise that this exfoliating mask will make your skin will look as young as the nannying charge in the novel, but, it’s a pretty damn good mask. The book is excellent, too.
“My Year of Rest and Relaxation” by Ottessa Moshfegh + sheet masks
An intense burst of moisture paired with an intense yet enjoyable novel about grief and self-medicating. Works for me.
“Naked” by David Sedaris + Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Body Creme*
If you’re social distancing with your significant other, you’ll want to look good naked.
“I Feel Bad About My Neck” by Nora Ephron + GlamGlow Mega Illuminating Moisturizer*
Nora Ephron remains one of my favorite writers to this day, and I always love rereading her essays (especially as I’m getting older!). Pair this classic book of Ephron Essays with a daytime moisturizer that’ll give you a bit of a glow.
“The Ten Year Nap” by Meg Wolitzer + Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask
This novel explores the lives of women who chose to leave their high-powered jobs to raise their children. Read it before going to bed while this Glow Recipe sleeping mask moisturizes and exfoliates overnight.
“Dry” by Augusten Burroughs + Clinique CityBlock Purifying Charcoal Mask* or Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask*
Pair this memoir about recovering from alcoholism with a pore-detoxifying mask.
(Additionally, if you’re not super anxious right now, I also suggest checking out Elizabeth’s Lit Hit List of Pandemic Fiction.)
If you click on one of the links in this article and make a purchase, She’s Full of Lit may receive a small commission. It doesn’t add anything to your price — we promise! Thanks so much for your support.
