This was a little bit of a letdown, but I think I might have had too high of expectations. I was hoping this would be the Beauty equivalent of Emily Ratajkowski’s phenomenal “My Body”, but it fell short for me. The essays broached interesting topics, but failed to get past surface level observations that didn’t seem to bring anything new to the discussion. I was actually surprised by this, as I’ve followed Young on social media for some time and was expecting more developed thought with some of her musings.

ARC provided by NetGalley.

"The beauty industry has a single mandate: be hot.
In the same week that you might be encouraged to try curtain bangs, contouring, bleached eyebrows, laser facials, lip fillers, and “non-invasive” facelifts, you’re simultaneously absorbing mantras about self-care, body positivity, empowerment, and loving yourself just as you are."

To quote America Ferrara, “It is literally impossible to be a woman.” Journalist and former Allure editor Sable Yong debuts a comical collection of essays about beauty, vanity, and growing up with social media. She delivers a witty, realistic depiction of what it’s like to grow up in today’s beauty culture and the impossible standards we must meet. With essay titles like, “I Know What You Did Last Sephora” and “What Glows Up Must Come Down”, you will be laughing just as much as you’re hugging your knees and crying in the shower about the fact that there’s a 2002 version of Bowling for Soup’s “1985”.

I would have enjoyed this title more as an audiobook but that's just my non-fiction preference. Fantastic debut for Yong!

Sable Yong is hilarious!

As my former colleague, I knew what to expect with Die Hot with a Vengeance (snark, hot takes, and witty descriptions), but I was pleasantly surprised when it was all that and so much more.

My favorite parts were, of course, the snippets of her previous job at a certain beauty magazine that I may or may not currently work at. Would 100% read more from Sable… always!

(Thank you, Dey Street Books and NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.)