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brat summer may be wrapping up, but young people aren’t.
Hello, hello and welcome to our first September newsletter. 💫
If you’re reading from the US, hopefully Labour Day presented a much-needed break from the shock of Monday rolling around again. If you’re not… well, it sucks to suck. Writing from London, I’m right there with you.
Based on your feedback, our previous edition was particularly enjoyable. As thred’s resident people pleaser, I’ll be following a similar style this week – touching on pop culture, wellness, beauty, and planet-focused trends.
Before we get started, can we take a moment to acknowledge that it’s about to be autumn in the Northern Hemisphere? Judging by commentary on X and Substack, this is by far the most exciting and comforting time of year. Love that for us. 🍂
🎃 Pop culture
Is ‘brat summer’ officially over? Charli xcx thinks so – indy100.
Brat summer is so over. It’s bat time. We’re pumpkin that. Okay, I just cringed myself out. Still, Charli herself has declared that our lime green wild-child summer has officially concluded – so don’t shoot the messenger. Given that she’s announced an autumn/winter clothing collection with H&M, let’s just say Miss xcx knows what she’s doing. I mean, how satisfying is it to exit the party before everyone gets bored and leaves first?
J.Lo is ‘in bloom and unbothered’ – the cut.
Jennifer Lopez has been chronically posting and thirst trapping her way through the last couple weeks, seemingly celebrating her divorce from Ben Affleck. Apparently, no matter what age, social status, or financial position you’re in, ‘thrive posting’ on the ‘gram while coping with a breakup is basically a rite of passage. Celebs… they’re just like us!
💭 Wellness corner
A ‘life review’ can be powerful at any age – nyt.
When was the last time you sat down to reflect on key moments in your life, big and small? This process, when done systematically, is called a ‘life review’. It involves observing your past through conversations with others (or in writing) to identify character strengths, and develop self-awareness and acceptance. Though first popularised amongst the elderly and in end-of-life care, psychologists say ‘life reviews’ can be beneficial for young people, too. Recalling positive memories – as well as how we exercised resilience during hard times – is proven to increase self-esteem, optimism, and sense of meaning in life. It’s no wonder that people are journaling well into adulthood these days!
Teens aren’t using condoms and STI rates are rising – vice.
Rumours claiming that Gen Z are in a ‘sex recession’ have been swirling for years. But it turns out that when young people are getting some, they are not wrapping it up. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that teen condom use is falling, despite a rise in sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. You know, the infamous big three. Officials say this is down to poor sex education and a total rejection of such teachings in some parts of the world. Whatever happened to simply saying “no glove, no love”?
🫧 Beauty buzz
Why you shouldn’t fall for ‘clinically proven’ beauty products – dazed digital.
Yep, we’ve been fooled. The phrase ‘clinically proven’ is unregulated in the US, that is to say, it’s meaningless when slapped on beauty products. With consumers more concerned with achieving ‘science-backed’ skincare results than ever, it’s important to know that these words often refer to one ingredient, or to inherently-bias clinical trials that brands run for themselves. Not to mention, many of the problems retailers claim to target ‘clinically’ are totally normal. “We do not need science to save us from pores, texture, or wrinkles. They are not necessarily signs of unhealthy or non-functioning skin. They come with the territory of being alive,” says Jessica DeFino, writer of The Review of Beauty. You can’t hear me, but I’m snapping my fingers.
Is hair Botox a real thing? – vogue.
TikTok won’t stop talking about ‘hair Botox’, so let’s get into what it is. First emerging in Brazil, it’s essentially a deep-conditioning hair treatment that helps ‘replenish lost moisture, repair damage, and reduce frizz’. It surpasses holy grail keratin products by using ingredients that get deeper into the hair shaft, making hair look healthier, thicker, and glossier for longer. This service has been available in salons for many years, but its new, clickbait-y misnomer is what’s sparked the attention of widespread audiences online. Please don’t go injecting your scalp with anything, guys.
🌏 Our planet
How women are changing the narrative of wildlife film-making – the guardian.
No shade to the national treasure that is David Attenborough, but why are most nature documentaries made by white men? Women from the Global South are now shaking up the industry, producing films that document wild animals and the communities that live amongst them every day. Through each of their unique lenses, important subjects are explored, including environmental conservation, wildlife protection, the impact of urbanisation in areas of biodiversity, and the challenges faced by those who live alongside the world’s top predators. Let’s go, girls.
South Korean activists just won a climate case against their government – thred.
Five years ago, 254 South Korean young activists accused locals leaders of violating their human rights by failing to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Now, the Constitutional Court has ordered the government to ramp up its environmental policies, more specifically, to provide greater details on how it aims to reach its 2049 climate goals. This marks the first ever legal case in East Asia to challenge climate policies (and win!) – meaning it could set a precedent for other nations in the region.
🧠 Recommendation
Enjoy!
Thanks for reading and make sure to subscribe for the latest news on Gen Z and youth culture. Also, don’t forget to check out The Gen Zer for a weekly roundup of more trending insights, stories, and discussions.
