A Supplement Supplanting Sunscreen?

plus, HNTFUYF meets AI

Welcome readers, old and new!

Please hit the ❤️ above for a fascinating account of animals’ wisdom in the field of pharmacology. There’s even a word for it: zoopharmacognosy. It seems we humans are only half as smart as we think we are (as if we needed more proof).

Definitely knows which sunscreen is best.

When I feel stressed, I often resort to cleaning. Which is why today’s post opens with a housekeeping moment.

I’m not sure what motivated me to peek into my Gmail JUNK box recently (assassination attempt? conventions? confusion?)—but when I did, I found a handful of reader emails and questions I’d never seen. I tried moving them into my INBOX, but a couple fell through the virtual cracks.

I’m mildly haunted by this, because I’m conscientious about personally responding to all materials flying through the mail slot at the HNTFUYF estate. If you’ve written to me (valeriemonroe@substack.com) and haven’t had a reply, please comment on this post, where I’ll be sure to see your question (if you don’t care to share particulars, just tell me you sent a question and I’ll drop down into the JUNK to find you). To the lovely readers who took the time to send a question and haven’t yet heard from me, I promise I’m not ignoring you; you’ve been misdirected.

💻 💻 💻

I had a drink—a perfect negroni, very refreshing, even without booze—with a lovely beauty editor friend a couple of weeks ago who suggested I might be interested in seeing how ChatGPT answered a beauty question in the style of HNTFUYF. This friend might be a little… mischievous. “Interested” doesn’t begin to cover my reaction. Here’s what was generated:

Ah, darling, when it comes to beauty, it's all about embracing your unique essence and enhancing your natural radiance. Remember, skincare is the canvas upon which makeup artistry shines. Start with a nourishing cleanser to purify and hydrate your skin, followed by a lightweight moisturizer to lock in that dewy glow. For a touch of glamour, a swipe of your favorite lip color and a subtle blush can work wonders. But the real secret? Confidence and kindness are your most captivating accessories. Flaunt your inner beauty, and let it reflect in every smile you share with the world.

What kills me (besides the overwriting and misinformation) is the way the bot did capture the themes often talked about here even while accentuating cliches. But, darling? I remember one day at O, The Oprah Magazine, I shared a ride to an event with our editor-in-chief, a gracious (and quietly formidable) woman; for some reason I addressed her as “darling.” Mortified, I think I actually said, “What the f*ck was that?” before we moved on conversationally. My point: Definitely not my style.  

Except with M. I sometimes call her “my darling” or “my darling girl”—and though she’s reminded me I might refer to her as “my precious granddaughter,” she never objects. Were you ever anyone’s darling girl? I was, and it warms me still.

A reminder that HNTFUYF is a payola-free zone. I get no cut from sales when I mention a product. I share this so you know my recommendations are offered without obligation. The beauty Q&A in this post sits quivering with excitement behind a paywall, waiting for you to discover it. For full access to all posts and to the extensive archives, please become a paid subscriber at the currently discounted rate of $40/year. Can’t afford a subscription? Write to me at valeriemonroe@substack.com and I’ll give you a comp, no questions asked. 🙏