I’m really hoping this newsletter saves you a ton of cash over the course of your lifetime—because the information is rich, deep and sort of wild.
This is one of the American beauty industry’s best-guarded secrets, and there are obviously exceptions to the rule… but not many.
Because SPF is considered a drug in both the US and Canadian markets, very few manufacturing facilities exist to produce these items.
Most beauty companies simply go to one of really only a few manufacturers (mostly Empack) and choose from a pre-existing catalog of ingredients, fragrances and finishes. Even the bottles are often exactly the same (except colors and design, of course) because the factory equipment is pre-set to handle and fill very specific dimensions.
Glad you asked, I’m going to give you a bunch of options that are genuinely excellent and very, very cheap. A lot are also on sale right now for Prime Day, so scoop ‘em up while they’re cheaper than usual.
In no particular order!
BB Sheer Sensitive SPF 50 Body Spray ($6.64 on sale): If you can’t find the Trader Joe’s spray I mentioned in this YouTube video, this is a good option that ships right to your door for about the same price. Excellent formula!
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer 45 (under $7/bottle): Truly sheer, layers well with makeup, travel-friendly, absorbs quickly.
Skin 1004 Centalla SPF 50 (about $13 on sale rn): Korean formula, goes on like butter, absorbs quickly, excellent for layering makeup over, no white cast at all. Added centella for dry skin/bonus moisture. Glowy/dewy effect.
Biore Aqua Rich SPF 50 (under $15): SO GOOD I AM SCREAMING. I talk about this one all the damn time and wear it on repeat. Japanese formula, no white cast, layers with ease, leaves skin plump and dewy. There’s also a slightly shimmery version that’s GORJ and a couple of bucks more here. Most people have no idea this one exists. I wish they’d sponsor me already bc I won’t stop yapping about my love for it.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 50 Stick ($10 on sale): Mineral formula, easily packed in a carry-on or purse (no liquids!), deodorant-like dispensing and magically almost no white cast at all. Pretty much all the boutique beauty brands with SPF sticks are copying this at 3-4x the price. Good for sensitive skin!
Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch SPF 30 ($5.69 on sale—cheapest on the list): Lighter sun protection, but a great, hydrating formula with a pleasing mango scent. No white cast, small amout of shimmer (you know which brands are repackaging this for over $30!), and water-resistant up to 80 mins. Also available in higher SPFs. If you like a little shimmer, load your cart up with this while it’s on Prime Day sale!
Coco & Eve SPF 45 Tan Boosting Body Oil ($36 but truly an unusual formula): The only body oil that made the list because it’s SPF 45 but also has a tan-boosting peptide that encourages skin to darken while still getting full-spectrum skin protection. FYI, you need to use it generously to work and get enough protection!
LRP Anthelios SPF 60 Clear Skin (about $20 on sale rn): A great formula if you’re breakout-prone thanks to a dry feeling and matte finish. It’s also oil-free (a rarity in the sunscreen world!) and works to absorb the existing oil on your face. Neat, eh? Not the cheapest on the list, but the cheapest in its category for what it does.
Hawaiian Tropic Brush SPF 30 Powder ($12ish with clippable coupon): I looooove this stuff for hair parts and reapplying SPF after you’ve already got makeup on. Fits nicely in your purse, and yes, the expensive one at Sephora is a direct rip-off.
Purito Sun Day SPF 50 Face Sunscreen ($11 on major sale rn!): This Korean option is delightful, but I normally don’t love the idea of a sunscreen over $20… but hello, Prime Day is still going, and it’s currently 49% off. No white cast, no oils, safe for sensitive and acne-prone skin and has a very smooth texture. Travel-friendly.
CeraVe Invisible Mineral Sunscreen (under $14 on sale w/clippable coupon): I did a whole YouTube video on this, but CeraVe and Kiehl’s are both owned by L’Oreal.
Btw, if you’re more of a YouTube type, I did a full in-depth explainer with suggestions here.
De-influencing you! If you’re thinking about buying an AWAY suitcase while it’s on Prime Day sale, please consider the dhoupe. It’s EXACT (even the color offerings) and about half the price. I have the dupe in bright blue, travel with it often, and have compared it with the AWAY piece I purchased a few years ago. They’re indistinguishable. Video with images of both here.
A while back, I told everyone about how cadaver fat (yes, dehd people) was being used in plastic surgery settings to fill in everything from ass dimples to aging, leathery hands (and yeah, boobs). And people in New York are desperate to get it, but the laws make it difficult. So there’s now a totally wild smuggling situation going on through the borders. A post-mortem fat mafia situation, if you will. More on that in the end of today’s newsletter, because GASP.
I’ve had LOADS of questions roll in about the facial grafting procedure I did in New York two weeks ago, and TikTok keeps banning my videos (which is wild bc to me, but whatever). Also, to be clear, this is my own very-much-alive fat. No smuggling rings were involved. You can see the full procedure with all the details here (zoom ahead to minute 2).
The SPANX bathing suit I mentioned in this morning’s Tiktok video is here. Mild-to-medium smoothing and sucking in. Wearing on repeat. Swapping on/off with this Kitty & Vibe swimsuit that is also super flattering! (Harbor stripes color)
Alsoooo… last week I dropped some fairly wild rich girl secrets that are floating around NYC right now. Do we need some follow-ups? Perfumes everyone’s wearing? Makeup? Shoes? Didn’t realize we’d all love that content so much. I’ll start out small with this divine-smelling Cyklar body lotion being a big deal rn and this scented body oil. Prices are not insane, packaging is minimal and quality is high-end. Also found the body oil discounted slightly for PD here (not the lotion though, boo). And everyone’s wearing this organic cotton underwear brand (also not expensive, just niche!) right now. I’ll dig into that next week!
(Not my stuff, just things that made me smile!)
This guy’s commitment to chocolate milk really inspired me.
Stahhhhp! I want one of these little nuggets.
Love the way he’s narrating this. What a blessing.
Today is the last day for major Prime Day Sales! Newsletter #55 listed my favorites (because honestly, some things are great deals while others are meh).
If you’re new here and missed my Aritzia/Old Navy and The Row/Eileen Fisher/Jenni Kayne/Quince pipeline content from a couple weeks ago, let me just put you on the tell you about the Reformation connection as well! Last week’s Doen dupes newsletter is also a good resource.
Rankings of the mattresses by type, price point, etc. from newsletter #48. Please don’t buy junky foam or overpriced innersprings! Also I did a big longform on my top 5 mattresses of 2026 here if you’re interested (more on that topic and sleep accessories next week!). All are hybrid styles—the type I think are best/last longest)—no off-gassing, lifetime warranties, excellent materials and CertiPUR-US certifications, etc.
Here’s how to get super cheap tretinoin (click here) and then watch this explainer video.
This Lands End Supima cotton towel bundle was my favorite overall value from newsletter #42 and is currently on sale under $85. Features 650 GSM, several pieces per set, loads of color options and excellent customer service/returns. And you can monogram!
I keep newsletters open and free for the first month they’re published, but after about 4.5 weeks, they end up in the paid-access-only archives (this prevents bots and copycats from stealing my work, which, yes—has become a bit of an issue… bleh).
And because I know so many of you have been so generous, I give a bit of extra access from time to time with bonus content. (Next week I’ll send a newsletter with a little gift!)
It would mean the world to me if you hit the “restack” button, though <3
According to court filings, New York state alleges that the manufacturer of Alloeclae (the cadaver fat plastic surgeons are currently obsessed with for everything from boobs to butts), Tiger Medical Holdings, knowingly bypassed state regulations after being denied permission to distribute within New York.
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