A beach house? A log cabin in the mountains? A row house in New York City?

Maybe all three? Depending on which day you ask, right?

This morning I woke up at a manor style log cabin next to Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. It was 6:45am when the sun peeked over the mountains. I brewed a pot of very strong coffee and watched it paint the sky.

My currently blocked inner artist felt a tingle. The itch to pick up my journal and write a story (as opposed to trauma dumping each morning) tentatively reached out.

But then reality snapped back.

You’re on a work trip with your family and in-laws. They wouldn’t understand why you wanted to miss out on family time - or actual paid work time - to write something no one is going to read. - my inner dialogue screamed.

And shame on me, I listened.

For a bit.

It’s now 4:30pm and after a few starts and stops, the need to get something down clawed its way out. Who cares if no one reads this. I’m nurturing my artist and she’s in desperate need to be heard again.

I’m using this Substack as my warmup. As my reminder that I can come back to this feeling as I move into this next phase of my life where my artist will feel just a little bit more pushed aside. As I continue to push forward with my career, I want this feeling - this magic to stay.

There’s a pin I have saved to my 2026 Vision Board that reads

Are you making space for magic?

I loved it when I saved the pin and I love it now as my reminder as I hopefully maintain this urge to write and create again.

Are you nurturing yourself? Or are you hiding?Are you making space for your magic?

If not, maybe you need to find your muse and create again. If that’s a place in the quiet of the mountains or with a glass of wine and an ocean breeze. Whatever it is, I hope you too can find it.

XX,

KT

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I mean look at this place, wouldn’t you feel inspired too?

And then something changed..I started to listen to my hair.

When I discovered Crown Affair, I discovered the Art of the Air Dry and my hair has never looked - or felt - better.

It wasn’t always sunshine and roses though.

My hair has gone through two pregnancies and postpartum periods (currently in my last one). It’s gone through rapid weight loss, plenty of stress, and almost 20 years of coloring.

If you feel like you are at a stalemate with your hair journey, know you’re not alone. It took me 30+ years and I can finally say that I love my hair (even though I may or may not have extensions coming to help me get through the awkward lob period).

I got by with some help from the nine hair tips below:

1. If you can’t stand the feeling of greasy hair and are also trying to avoid washing everyday, use a hair clip instead of putting your hair in a tight style. I use the clips from Crown Affair because they have a double layer of teeth inside for a non-slip grip - even on my fine hair.

2. If you do wear your hair in a tight bun, use a silk scrunchie to help protect your strands. Scrunchie No 003 and No 001 are my two favorites. I use No 003 the most as it works best with my shorter hair.

3. I cannot stress this one enough. Find the right hair styling product for YOUR hair type. Do not use or expect what works for everyone else to also work for you. I’ve found that your hair’s mood is very much related to yours. If i’m on my cycle, my hair is frizzier than usual and a cream will help more than a mousse. Styling balm is great for flyaways, but can be heavy when applied to wet hair. Find what works for you! These are my favorites: Crown Affair Texturizing Air Dry Mousse for soft waves and their Smoothing Air Dry Cream for a more defined curl (note this is heavier on my hair and can sometimes weigh it down too much) and Chris McMillan’s Mousse for tousled, volumized waves with more structure and the Styling Balm for flyaways on dry hair.

4. The tool you use on your hair matters. Always use a comb on wet hair, a boar and nylon bristle brush is perfect for at night use. This brush helps distribute the day’s natural oils and leaves your strands feeling silky smooth. A straight boar bristle brush doubles as a styling tool that’s safe for slicked back hairdos.

5. Your hair holds scents longer than your body does. If you want to add an extra layer of scent, try using a hair perfume. I love the vanilla scent from Maison Louis Marie.

6. For us fine haired girls, hydrating our ends is tough, especially when oil sits too heavy. I started using my everyday leave-in conditioner at night (or as needed throughout the day) on my dry ends to help hydrate them until I use my overnight repair serum the evening before I wash my hair.

7. If clarifying shampoo strips your hair, try using a scalp scrub instead. I wash with a regular shampoo and then do my repeat wash with the scalp scrub. If that is still too drying for your hair, pair it with a hair mask. Pro tip with your hair masks, apply the mask to your ends, BUT use a comb to distribute it throughout your hair.

8. The dry texture spray from Chris McMillan will change your life. I hate having crunchy feeling hair, but my hair also needs help with volume and hold. This spray is a style extender that helps soak up oil and gives my hair a hairspray like hold without the crunch.

9. I spent my entire adult life swearing that dry shampoo didn’t work. That was until I tried Crown Affairs. Their formula is a powder that is applied to your scalp using a brush. It’s non-aerosol and it really does work. It can be a little messy, but I honestly don’t see myself ever using another dry shampoo. They announced a travel size one coming and I cannot wait.

If you try any of these, let me know if they work for you! Or if you have any hair tips you swear by, drop a comment!

xx,
KT

You deserve a slow morning - a reason to put yourself first for a few minutes. Here’s your permission to do so without guilt.

And now, things I’m eyeing as someone who is building a new wardrobe with a Modern American Classic style.

1. Buck Mason Basics in Vintage Blue and Venice Wash to style under spring jackets.

2. Spring shoes from Tony Bianco and more. I’m talking tan suede flats and kitten heels.

3. The Mae bag from Freja NY. I need a chic black bag that can hold more than just the essentials.

A Slow Morning practice I am loving:

• Ending my nights with 20 minutes of reading. I have always been an avid reader, but lately i’ve been doom scrolling instead of reading. I’m attempting to change that habit. I’m currently reading The Future Saints.

Spoiler alert: I still love them. Now which do I get?

The Loafers I’m Eyeing:

Shop-Peche Hugh Loafers: Upper: 100% cow leather, Lining: microfiber, Sole: 100% rubber

Madewell The Dolli Glove Loafer: Upper: 100% leather, Lining: 100% leather, Sole: synthetic, rubber.

I had my heart set on the Shop Peche loafers until I got an email last night with the ones from Madewell. I love the square cut of the Madewell loafers, but am worried they are too unique. The traditional outline of the Peche loafers are hard to pass up. Both are under $150 and have similar material. I haven’t found any reviews on the Madewell ones yet, but the Peche ones are known to be comfortable with zero break-in time.

The question still remains, how do I choose? Without having either nearby for me to try on, the next best option is to create a style board for them.

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How I Would Style Them:

One of the most important things to consider when buying a shoe is how you plan on styling them. I’m looking to add loafers to my shoe collection mainly to wear them for onsite client visits. I’m really loving the aura of sophistication that loafers give and how they would look with a mid to dark wash jean for professional settings.

I collaged an outfit board for each shoe in the gallery above based on my Modern American Classic styling.

Madewell Loafers Outfit

Pieced Barrel-Leg Full-Length Jean is meant to be cuffed! I got a tall for the longer inseam to make sure I had enough material to get a dramatic cuff. I did size down in these and love the vintage wash. I like the barrel leg cut for these loafers because I think the unique fit of both the jean and the top of the loafer compliment each other. Depending on how you size these pants, you can add a statement belt like the Oval Buckle belt from Dolce Vita.

Field-Spec Boyfriend Crop Rugby Polo is a gorgeous crop cut that is the right amount of boxy. I wear a medium for the looser fit. They have striped versions, but I love this neutral plain color with a merino wool triangle scarf for a pop of color. Feel free to match the scarf to your sock color. Red socks and loafers are trending!

Felted Wool Chore Coat is another slight crop fit that I think would layer perfectly over the rugby polo. I love layers right now and to have a double collar layer with the red triangle scarf is chef’s kiss in my mind. This is a piece I don’t have yet, but want!

Peche Loafers Outfit

The Legend Jean from AYR in Russell are gorgeous and currently on my wishlist. They are a moderate straight-leg with a waist-snatching high rise. Jeans with minimal stretch have always been my favorite and these are certainly ones that I need/want to try. The straight-leg of these with the classic Peche loafer screams chic.

Vintage Interloop Quarter Zip is a closet staple for me. It is your way of wearing a pullover in a dressed-up way. This is a lighter material perfect for year round. I prefer a size medium for a little looser fit. With this outfit, the jacket and the jeans are meant to take front stage. Opting for a quarter zip instead of a crewneck gives you more chance to layer with a colored undershirt underneath for more movement.

Felted Wool Blanket Coat is one of two options I would pair with the classic loafer with the other being a houndstooth blazer. To me, nothing scream chic more than a looser fitting styled jacket and a good jean/shoe combo. I would wear this in blue even with the black loafer. My only complaint with this coat is that there isn’t a tie to hold it together.

Miro Bag in Raisin Gloss is another great compliment color to the black loafer. This is a burgundy color with a 50s style silhouette. This is a new drop from one of my favorite handbag companies. It’s not a large bag, so it wouldn’t deter from the slightly overfitted coat.

And now that I shared and styled each one, I feel that I need both! Vote in my poll or drop a comment on which you would choose or if you would style them a different way!

You deserve a slow morning - a reason to put yourself first for a few minutes. Here’s your permission to do so without guilt.

A Slow Morning practice I am loving:

1. Making a tea latte in the afternoon. I have been getting up at 6am to start my day and by mid-day, I am in desperate need for a pickmeup. To give my stomach a break from coffee, I started making a cup of black tea with honey and adding a splash of whole milk.

2. Walking while I catch up on emails. It’s just 30 minutes a day to help get my body moving! This is the treadmill i’m using.

xx,

KT

You all know what I mean when I talk about The Winter Uglies. It’s that time of the year where you’re coming down from the holidays, stuck indoors thanks to yet another snow storm, hiding under bulky layers to combat the constant chill in the air, and nothing - I mean nothing, makes you feel like your best self.

This year the winter uglies hit hard for me. I am six months postpartum and currently going through the biggest identity crisis of my life. While I have lost all of my baby weight, the clothes I have just don’t feel right, my hair chop and color seem out of place, and my pores have become the most distinguishing feature on my face.

This negative list could go on and on because that’s what the winter uglies do to you. They give you a reason to knit pick every single thing about yourself that doesn’t feel perfect. I’m here to help with that, i’m here to help you fight those intrusive thoughts because you’re not ugly - you just need a reminder to spend a little time on yourself.

The winter uglies hit during January for most people because (I think) we are so focused on becoming our best selves for the new year that we end up sticking ourselves under a microscope and focusing only on the flaws. How do you cure the winter uglies?

It’s easy. Stop analyzing and start appreciating. Turn every “flaw” into a goal that you can work towards. Now this is key - don’t expect that goal to be achieved overnight. Have patience with yourself. Sure instant gratification is nice, but so is the journey and the self-discovery you can make.

Here are some examples of things I am doing to help overcome those negative feelings:

Skincare: I learned that Mandelic acid as opposed to a BHA is safer for me as it’s less harsh for my sensitive skin. I ended up adding The Mandelic Clearing Serum to my AM lineup, barrier boosting products at night, and a clay mask 1x a week. This all should help with my pores. Adding in red and/or blue light therapy has also been a saving grace for me. I haven’t invested in a red light therapy mask yet, but I do swear by this wand. Use my code KATEY15 to save!

Self Tanner: Adding Saltyface into my AM skincare every 3-4 days has really helped give me a confidence boost. I’ve had the worst luck with self tanners, but this is the only one that doesn’t make my skin breakout or leave me looking orange. I got the Face Set which includes a brush. It makes the mist application look so natural. I do have a discount code, KATEYH10, if you are interested in trying!

Minimal Makeup: Over the past few months I have really enjoyed investing in luxury makeup. I have fallen in love with the idea that less is more in terms of most things - especially makeup. Since adding the self-tanner to my routine, my need to have full coverage is mostly gone. I use the Fara Homidi Face Compact for my undereyes and to spot treat some natural redness. Westman Atelier’s mascara, bronzing serum, blush, contour, and their skin tint are all frequent grabs for me as well. For eyes, the Merit Solo Shadow Sheens are my favorite when paired with Victoria Beckham Beauty’s eyeliner in shade Cocoa for a natural look or Cocoa Pave for a blurred, smokey look.

I also set up pampering appointments for a facial, lash lift and tint, and a gloss/root touch up for later this month to round out a month of selfcare.

You deserve a slow morning - a reason to put yourself first for a few minutes. Here’s your permission to do so without guilt.

XX,

KT

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And now, things I’m eyeing as someone who is building a new wardrobe with a Modern American Classic style.

1. This felted wrap coat from Buck Mason. She’s all over my socials and would 100% be in my closet already if the price point was a little lower. I am newer to the brand, but already obsessed with the quality. I plan on doing a deeper dive both into Buck Mason and into the style in future articles, so stick around.

2. The High Hopes pant from AYR. I work from home and refuse to work in things that aren’t comfortable. I love that these pants scream comfort but class - I could wear these at home or out and about. Once the long length is back in stock, i’ll be snatching these up. I have plans on doing a work from home pant article in the future too!

3. Black loafers are everywhere right now and I am every bit as obsessed with them as my Pinterest board suggests. I am torn between Shop Peche and Matisse. Before I buy, I want to make sure I have the clothes in my closet already that work with them! Be prepared for me to not shut up about these once I officially click buy.

A Slow Morning practice I am loving: morning pages. I am currently working my way through The Artist’s Way with . For the last two weeks, I have gotten up by 6:30 every morning to write three pages of word vomit in my journal. The idea is to write down everything that’s negative so that it’s not on your mind for the rest of the day. It’s amazing how much lighter I feel after getting these thoughts out. Having that 45 minutes to myself every morning before my kids wake up has also been great for my mental health. And two weeks of drinking my coffee without having to reheat it is something I haven’t gotten to enjoy in a few years.

Welcome to The Slow Morning - a place where we try and prioritize ourselves for a few moments - preferably every morning. That sounds simple enough, yet most people find themselves turning off their alarm and jumping immediately into the their daily routine.

It’s my hope that through this Substack, I can create both a reminder and a community centered around finding little luxuries that make your day better. From fashion and beauty to books and a little bit of marketing, The Slow Morning is your safe space to be yourself.

The Slow Morning isn’t just about giving yourself time in the morning - it’s about finding moments throughout the day to bring yourself joy. Whether that’s stepping away from fast fashion and settling into a personal style, sitting down with a book and a fresh cup of coffee, or putting on your favorite makeup simply because it makes you feel more productive, as long as you find time to prioritize yourself each day, you’re practicing the mantra.

If you’re looking for gentle reminders to enjoy life’s little luxuries, welcome 🤍 I hope you find exactly what you’re needing here.

xx, KT

And then I got an email that wrote a new Substack and, as I always am after being reminded to take my time (her motto) I was inspired to pull up a new tab and empty my heart out to all of you.

My usual writing is done with either a cup of coffee or a glass of wine at my side. Today’s writing is being done one handed while I hold my sleeping daughter. Emmeline McKenna Hicks was born 23 days ago in dramatic fashion. At only 35 weeks exactly, she came into this world and was almost immediately whisked away to the NICU, where she spent the next 18 days learning how to breathe and feed via mouth. Over those 18 days, I had to learn how to continue smiling while half of my heart was 30 miles away. I had to plaster on that brave face for my son and for myself.

Once she was cleared to come home and I had my whole family together, I found myself questioning what was most important. I love my job (I own a social media marketing solo business), but it quickly became apparent to me that it was no longer my end goal. Instead of needing to have a full client list and a six-figure salary, I found myself setting my phone down and being fully present with my family.

What I noticed was more laughing and a fuller feeling - a feeling that had me saying, “so this is what life should be like.”

It wasn’t until I read Dianna’s Substack for the third time that it really sank in: I needed to take my time back. And to do that, I needed to spend less time and energy on things that don’t fill me, and more time on things that do.

I want to be a creator - to post with authenticity and truly help someone find value in the things I promote. I want someone to feel as inspired as I was after reading my idol’s Substack.

I want to write, both to tell stories and to find that sense of calm I have after each writing session. To write things no one but myself will ever read, and to write things I hope millions of people see.

Most importantly, I want to hold onto this feeling of fulfillment. To finding the joy in slowing down and taking my time back.

How does that look? We will figure it out together, but expect a more intentional presence from me across my platforms. I’ll still be sharing what I love, but I hope with a little more heart.

I look forward to this journey together.

xo,

Katey

Don’t call it a comeback - yet 👀

Or better yet, let’s. Knock, knock…she’s BACK!

May was a month of he(double hockey sticks). It was also everything I needed to help me get back. to myself I’ll spare you from the long story, but it involved questioning my career. In today’s fast paced world, making money is often valued above overall happiness and I unfortunately fell for that trap last month when I almost gave up my career to work for someone else and be away from my family.

So after MUCH self reflection, I have come to the realization that I love my own schedule - I love working when and where I feel like it and I love sharing my life with my internet friends. While I make next to nothing as a creator, it makes me happy and that’s enough.

So, let me officially reintroduce myself. My name is Katey Hicks and I plan on oversharing my life here on Substack. I do own my own business KT Social Media + Marketing in addition to working as a creator across (well basically all) social media channels.

Before joining the social media world, I had aspirations to be a writer and it’s with Substack that I hope to combine my love of both creative outlets. I still dream of writing a novel, I just also dream of collaborating with brands and helping women on the internet find their confidence like I did.

As part of what I am calling my life rebrand, I plan on setting the following goals for myself in regards to Substack:

1. Show up on notes everyday. When Twitter (yes, I still call it that) first came out, I would tweet every single thought I had. I loved doing that so much that I am bringing it back here - but hopefully with less typos and more aesthetic.

2. Write weekly. I do want to make a living still with creating, so I do plan on writing both free and paid posts. The free ones will be more general while the paid posts go into more detail and involve a closer look into my life. Why is my life worth reading about? Well, I plan to write about everything from owning a marketing business to being a new mom again and even building a house. There’s no shortage of topics I plan on covering in the time to come with KT Creations.

3. Engage with other creators. I will be the first to admit that I am terrible at engaging with fellow creators. As a creator and someone who knows how important it is to have engagement on your own posts, I still find myself not responding to comments or not telling the girlies how amazing they are. This is going to change. ASAP.

4. Slow down. This may sound counterproductive to the above list, but I want to slow down when it comes to posting. I don’t need to rush to get something mediocre out. I want to love what I post (knowing that it will never be perfect) and spend time to really make it my own. Quality over quantity you might say.

In short, I want to create a safe space for creators, business owners, new mamas, etc. where we can all feel like there’s someone in our corner. Days can be heavy and friends can come in the shape of internet strangers.

To kickstart this space, I want to share a bit more about me by sharing a monthly recap of the things that helped me get through the past month. I do want to share that I do make some of my income as an affiliate through places like ShopMy, Benable, and LTK, so this may seem a bit salesy, but I promise i’m not recommending something unless I actually believe in it. It’s also important to note that at this point in my career, I am still paying for 90% of the content I am sharing or recommending. So take that how you will.

Let’s deep dive into May favorites ❤️

Beauty

May was ALL about beauty - from hair care to makeup and skincare treatments, my wallet is still crying from my spending. You can check out my list of makeup im loving this summer on Benable, but my favorites are Merit’s The Uniform (SPF skin tint), Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Quad (yes you can finally pick your own!!!!), and Summer Friday’s Bronzer and Skin Tint duo. Pro tip: apply both the bronzer and skin tint all over your face and blend them together to avoid possible pilling (which I have never had a problem with).

Crown Affair has my heart and I will forever recommend them for hair care. They released a collab with D.S. & Durga’s signature scent “I Don’t Know What” as part of their iconic Leave-In Conditioner so I snagged that and restocked my shampoo and conditioner. This collab introduced me to renowned brand where I discovered my new favorite scent Rose Atlantic which I got as part of their 3 Perfume Set.

As part of my work as a UGC creator, I discovered Laduora’s Velvie Skincare Wand which is a 5-in-1 wand with both red and blue light therapy settings. Use my code KATEY15 to save! Trust me, this is a game changer and only requires 5 minutes a day.

Fashion

If you didn’t know, I am expecting a little girl mid-August and have fully reached what I call whale status (aka I have a noticeable baby bump). I am also very stubborn and have decided to refuse buying maternity clothes this pregnancy which means I have been living in pull on pants and shorts. My favorite are the Preppy Gingham Pants from Free People (they run big!). These pull on pants are so cute and have a gauze-y texture that’s perfect for all day comfort. Pair them with a cute bodysuit (to show off that pregnancy bump) or with a graphic tee!

Madewell had a few sales last month and I stocked up on two items: black gladiator sandals and a medium sized crochet bag. Madewell is one of those brands that I have loved since high school. I don’t want to invest in clothes while i’m pregnant, but since my shoe size didn’t change and you don’t need to worry about sizes with bags - I figured these two were safe bets to snag at a discount.

Entertainment

May was about falling back in love with reading summer novels. I read 7 books in May and most of them were cutesy summer-based books like One Golden Summer from Carley Fortune. This is the second book to talk about the infamous Charlie who was the older brother in Every Summer After (another highly recommended book). I happened to be headed to the beach the weekend after this book dropped and it was so neat to read a lake read while sitting next to my own body of water.

Creator

Let’s talk the Etsy creator program! I was lucky enough to get invited to become an Etsy creator a few months back, but it wasn’t until this past month that I truly enjoyed creating for Etsy. As part of a gifted campaign, I picked out an embroidered tote that I customized for the farmer’s market season. I grabbed the medium size of the pink handle tote and did a mauve stitching. I also grabbed a graphic tee that pairs well with my love of coffee. I sized up to a large for the slight oversized fit. This is a comfort colors tee which is hands down my favorite brand.

Thanks for reading! I hope to deep dive into my new plan here ASAP. I’m going to activate my chat and encourage you to join and connect. If you follow me on my socials (@kateymhicks), send me a DM so I know you came from here and can follow back!

If you are looking for affiliate programs to join, I’d ask that you use my referral links! My DMs are always open with questions!

ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/join/kateymhicks

Benable: https://benable.com/i/RMEHA

As a girl’s girl, I wanted to throw together a quick shopping guide on the sales that I will or would shop if I could shop them all! As I see more come in, i’ll update this list so keep checking back all weekend long! You can also check out my ShopMy which is housing all of my Memorial Day Weekend Sales!

What to Shop:

Skincare/Bodycare

Necessaire: Take 20% off now through May 26th! Necessaire has quickly become a staple for me during my second pregnancy. One thing I am NOT buying into this time is a body oil. Instead, I am using the Body Serum which has Hyaluronic Acid in it and The Body Lotion on top. I use this duo all over and really focus on my stomach.

Makeup

Kosas: If you are looking for sets, you should shop the Kosas sale. All of their sets are are on sale and created based on what you’re looking for. I personally think the build your own bundle is a great option because you can mix and match three products. I use a lot of Kosas products and highly recommend their Revealer Extra Bright in the pink shade to help with dark circles, Cloud Set Loose Powder (also in the pink shade), and their Blush is Life baked blush.

Charlotte Tilbury: Take 20% off with the code MAGICMAY. I will not be shopping this sale, BUT if I was I would use this as an opportunity to grab the Magic Cream, their mascare, and their Setting Spray. I do however recommend the Airbrush Flawless Finish (shade Fair) and Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint (shade 2 Fair). Both are used on a regular basis for me. The Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint gets a bad rap, but I personally love it especially for a lighter coverage summer glow. You can also use it under your eyes to help with dark circles and brightening them!

Saie: Save 20% off with the code SAIEFAM25! This is a PERFECT time to stock up on the new Saie Supersuede Baked Powder Blush. I have the shades Stella (coral) and Bella (baby pink) and use them almost daily. Their Dew Blush in the shades Spicy (perfect for sunburnt blush) and Lady (new mauve shade) are STUNNING and I actually pair the two together topped with Stella in Powder Blush. The Glowy Super Gel is literally shade is also a summer staple for me. Sunglow gives you a gorgeous bronze that layers well under a skin tint.

Clothes

Madewell: 25% off plus 40% off sale 5/21-5/27! Madewell is a brand that I have worn since high school. Their jeans were one of the only kinds that fit and they have stuck with me over these many years. I highly recommend taking advantage of 25% off sale as I rarely see their jeans on sale for more than this. I have linked a whole bunch of clothes I have my eye on, but unfortunately I cannot shop this sale while i’m pregnant as they just won’t fit 🙃

Nuuds: Starts May 22nd with almost everything on sale (except their swim). Nuuds is a brand that I have developed a deep obsession with. Think of them as elevated comfort. From sweatpants, to tees, and bodysuits (my holy grail) I can’t recommend Nuuds enough. I do think they are pricey, but I wear everything so much that the cost is justified. If you have been looking to try this brand, their bi-annual sale is a great time to start! I will be shopping this sale and grabbing their Pajama Set (comes in TALL!!) and another Crewneck Sweatshirt. Due to my pregnancy, I will size up to a large!

Harper Wilde: Take 20% off sitewide and an extra 70% off sale through 5/26. Harper Wilde is literally the ONLY bra and underwear brand that I will wear. Their Bliss collection is my favorite. The Bliss is similar to a sports bra but cuter, while their other cuts also the same amount of comfort and support. I did shop this sale and stocked up on their No-Show Thongs, Bliss Plunge which is an adjustable back clasp, no-wire bra, and their Bliss Square Neck cut. I am a medium in everything, but can also comfortable fit in the large for less compression.

Happy shopping everyone! ❤️

Picture this, it’s Thanksgiving eve and you’re sitting on the couch having eaten your fill at Thanksgiving lunch, and you’re updating your shared Christmas list for your husband to do his Black Friday shopping. You’re browsing your social media when you come across the brand Crown Affair. You had followed them a few weeks prior having recently started your content creation journey, but hadn’t tried the brand before. You see they are having a Black Friday sale where you get free minis when you buy a bundle of three products. You add them to your Christmas list with a star for importance not knowing this little act would spark an obsession that would leave your shelves filled with (almost) every Crown Affair product a year later.

In case you didn’t already realize, that’s exactly what happened for me. I fell for aesthetic marketing and stayed for products that surpassed the hype. Crown Affair not only helped fix my dead hair, but it taught me how to embrace my natural waves.

If you follow me on socials (IG, Pinterest, and TikTok) then you know that in my spare time I like to create and share content about brands and products that I like. One of my goals for 2025 was to get back to my basics which is creative writing. Although I am two months late in acting on that New Year’s resolution, the topic of today’s boasting was well worth the wait.

For those who want a quick rundown of every Crown Affair product i’ve tried, you can just read the bullet point list below. For those who are interested in learning a little more about my top three products, keep reading!

• The Leave-In Conditioner: 10/10 favorite product. I use it daily on both wet and dry hair. It’s also a heat protectant!

• Shampoo and Conditioner: Original and Hydrating formulas. The Hydrating formulas are, in my opinion, my favorite formula. I use them daily without any issue. They work for air dried and heat dried hair without leaving an oily scalp.

• The Towel: I recently switched to using this towel after I went through a period of massive hair shedding. I have noticed less breakage and more wavy curls since switching! The elastic strap on the back to hold the towel in place is game changer. I feel so chic in this too.

• The Texturizing Air Dry Mousse: My holy grail behind the Leave-In Conditioner. This gives you such a beachy tousled look - think I woke up like this but make it chic. I pair this with the Leave-In 95% of the time as Crown Affair has truly helped me embrace my natural waves.

• The Dry Shampoo: Since I was my hair daily, I don’t find myself needing this much, BUT that’s not to say it isn’t amazing when I do use it. Since my hair is on the finer side, I need a little evening pickup sometimes. I’ve never - literally never, found a dry shampoo I liked until this.

• The Oil: My most recent Crown Affair grab. I apply this to my ends overnight to help with end damage. Its lightweight and instantly softens my ends.

• The Clips: Diana Cohen, the founder of Crown Affair and one of my idols, uses these for her twist and clip method for natural, effortless air dried curls (I highly recommend you look this up and try it). They basically have two sets of clips inside to help from slipping plus the designs are gorgeous. These aren’t a need, but definitely cute!

• The Renewal Mask: I pair this with The Cleansing Scrub once a week to give my hair a luxurious treatment. You can use such a small amount of this mask that it truly could last you a long time! The effects are instant.

• The Finishing Gel: I love this product though I don’t use it often. If you want a non-crunchy or wet looking slicked back hair style, I highly recommend The Finishing Gel. It also works great to soften flyaways - plus it brushes out so easily.

• The Finishing Spray: I was actually gifted this product through a Skeepers program and I immediately fell in love. It’s a non-toxic hairspray that smells amazing and has a gentle hold on your hair.

• The Scrunchie No. 1 and 3: Great accessories and gentle on your hair!

• The Cleansing Scrub: I have a love hate relationship with this formula. That being said, I do use it weekly. I don’t like the stripped feeling it gives my hair post use, but when I pair it with The Renewal Mask, it’s perfect!

• The Brush No. 3 and in Mini: I recently learned about the importance of a good brush and comb for your hair. The Crown Affair team has a few different brushes based on your hair type. The No. 3 is meant to help style already dried hair. It’s great for slick backed looks. The Mini is always with me in my purse and can be used for quick touchups.

• The Travel Signature Scent: Think Crown Affair in a bottle. I spray this on my hair in the mornings if I have to leave the house before washing my hair. Since it’s the travel sized version, she also always lives in my purse for quick refreshes.

If you've made it this far and have already picked out your favorite, head to ShopMy to use my affiliate commission link to buy. As you can guess, I will receive a small commission payment which means so much to me as a small creator.

Crown Affair on ShopMy

Top Three Crown Affair Picks

One of the many things I love about Crown Affair is that they offer a bundle deal - called Build Your Ritual - where you get three full-sized versions of their products combined in one box that’s neatly wrapped in a 15% off bow! This is where I recommend you start - because proper haircare unfortunately can’t start with just one product.

Not all Crown Affair products are for everyone, but there are three that I think every single person can and should use (excluding products like The Towel, brushes, etc.).

1. The Leave-In Conditioner

2. The Texturizing Air Dry Mousse

3. The Finishing Spray

   

The Leave-In Conditioner was my first love. I received this in their bundle from my husband (as mentioned in the dream scenario above) along with the Original formula of the Shampoo and Conditioner. I have repurchased this product three times plus stocked up on the travel size(s) for trips. Even using four pumps daily, I still find that this product lasts and is well priced.

The Leave-In is lightweight and perfect for all hair types. My hair texture is wavy and fine though I would say I have a decent bit of it despite having gone through some hair loss due to rapid weight loss last year. This conditioner does not make my hair look oily nor heavy. I use it mainly after the shower, but have also used it as a mask in conjunction with The Oil (at night) for days where I applied heat to my ends.

My daily routine is not complete without using the Leave-In. On days where I air dry, I pair it with The Texturizing Air Dry Mousse and on days where I use heat, I always start with the Leave-In since it is also a heat protectant. Combined with The Finishing Spray, The Leave-In is what brings my styled hair together.

Where The Leave-In was my first love, The Texturizing Air Dry Mousse was my soulmate. I have forever hated my hair - always wishing it looked more like everyone else’s. It wasn’t until I hit the postpartum hair transformation after my first child, that I began to embrace and even love my hair.

I had pin straight thin hair until I hit puberty. Between that and most likely due to the amount of bleach my hair has seen, my hair turned into what I referred to as a white girl afro. It was big and frizzy and needed to be straightened for me to like it. As I grew up and spent more time learning and understanding the beauty industry, I discovered that my hair wasn’t only frizzy, it was wavy and just needed the right products.

By the time I hit my late 20s, I began to realize that I didn’t have time to do my hair everyday. After a few year period of trying extensions which lasted approx. one month post birth of my son (moms iykyk), I embraced the art of air drying.

When I discovered Crown Affair in November of 2023, they hadn’t yet released The Texturizing Air Dry Mousse, but when they did release it in 2024, I was already so obsessed with the brand that I bought this the day it was released. It’s now my go-to for wavy hair - a look that I have come to identify as “me” more than a heat styled version.

The Texturizing Air Dry Mousse is meant to be scrunched in your hair to give it volume and a tousled, wavy look. This embraces bigger hair and can even tame frizz. It does not make your hair crunchy and it’s so soft that even your ends don’t feel fried (like it is for some mousses). You can also use it on your hair before heat styling to help give your intended curls something to grip onto. I have also used it on straightened hair to give my roots a bit of volume.

Because I am one of those people who freak out over running out of a favorite product before a refill can get here, I have my second bottle waiting in my closet for when i’m ready.

The Finishing Spray is a hairspray that is non-toxic and free of all the usual things that make up hairspray. In fact, their website says, “Non-aerosol, alcohol-free hairspray for everyday styling with a flexible hold”.

As someone who is pregnant with their second, what chemicals I am breathing in has become important to me. I want to use products that are safe for me and my baby. And for those of you with husbands who like to pick on you, my husband has yet to complain about the chemicals i’m spraying when I finish off my look with The Finishing Spray and he’s in the bathroom with me.

You can use The Finishing Spray on air dried or heat styled hair. On air dried hair, you can use it to help tame fly aways and on heat styled, it works like any other hairspray and helps to hold a curl. I still love to straighten my hair even though I lose my volume when I do that. If you grab a few pieces at the top of your hair and pull up (like your hand is a claw machine and your top layer of hair is the prizes) you can use The Finishing Spray to help give you some faux volume that looks natural. I’ll do a TikTok on this for those that are interested. My handle for all my socials is @ kateymhicks

Now The Finishing Spray isn’t as revolutionary as The Leave-In or The Texturizing Air Dry Mousse, in terms of visible results, but it is a severely underrated product. If you need more proof, compare the ingredients to your current hairspray and then you’ll understand.

In case anyone needed to be told, this isn’t sponsored. Yes, I am a content creator, but NO I am not getting paid to write this. I’m simply another girl who spent 30+ years of their life hating their hair until they didn’t. Crown Affair didn’t just change my hair - they changed my viewpoint on my hair. And to me, that’s worth shouting about.

XOXO,

KT

Current Crown Affair Wishlist

1. The Comb No. 2

2. The Towel in Black

3. A mini travel sized version of the Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner

4. A travel sized version of the Dry Shampoo for my bag

PS If you are part of the Crown Affair team and are reading this, while these last two aren’t products, they should be (wink wink)!

PPS If you are part of the Crown Affair team, keep doing amazing work! As a Social Media Manager, I have to say, I pull a lot of inspiration from your posts. Thank you 😊

PPSS? If you are Diana Cohen and reading this, know that I am fangirl-ing so hard over having my idol read something I’ve written.

I’ve never been very good at creating or following goals besides the usual “lose 10 pounds” “go to the gym” “make friends” etc. I’ve spent a good amount of time over the last week pouring over Pinterest boards, reading fellow writer’s manifestations, and looking back through my old notes (yes, I religious use my Apple Notes app for everything from writing down my parking space number to creating goals), but I still didn’t feel like I had a good grasp on what I really wanted to achieve in 2025.

Until now.

Intriguing right? It’s also super easy to do. All you do is copy the prompt below into ChatGBT and then answer each individual question. The results feel authentic because each question is built off my previous answer. I loved it so much, my dramatic self is not only going to print it out and frame it, but I also will share it with you in hopes that you too can find it as helpful as I have.

Prompt:

I want to create my goal and vision for 2025. please guide me through this process by asking me 20 questions one by one, and when i’m done answering the 20th question please write my dream life story for 2025, what my 2025 affirmation will be and then my top 5 goals broken down by relationship, career, family, body, and life.

Here are my results 👇

Dream Life Story for 2025:

In 2025, I wake up every morning feeling a deep sense of fulfillment and peace. My home—my dream house—is my sanctuary, with dedicated spaces for work, content creation, and relaxation. It’s a haven where I can recharge, create, and thrive.

I’ve successfully built my career as a paid lifestyle, beauty, and fashion creator. I’m creating content that aligns with my passion, posting daily and engaging authentically with my community. My Instagram has reached 10k followers, and I’ve completed 15 paid collaborations, each one reflecting the hard work, creativity, and authenticity I put into every post. I’m no longer focused on chasing likes or numbers but on the joy of creating and inspiring others.

While content creation has grown into a rewarding income stream, I’m still able to prioritize being a mom and wife. My family time is sacred, and my content supports them financially, but it doesn’t overshadow the love and presence I give them. I’ve found balance—taking care of my body, my mind, and my relationships.

My morning routine has become a grounding force in my day: yoga, journaling, a quiet coffee before my son wakes up, and peaceful walks. I’m active throughout my day and feeling strong, and I’ve created space in my schedule for self-care. Evenings are for unwinding with my family, and after my son is in bed, I can enjoy some quiet time reading or reflecting on the day.

My community, both online and offline, is full of supportive, like-minded people who inspire me every day. I’ve built real friendships and connections, and I know I’m surrounded by those who genuinely root for me. The negativity is gone, and in its place is a vibrant, authentic network.

In 2025, I’ve created a life that reflects my values—authenticity, balance, and passion. I’ve found that sweet spot where I’m thriving as a creator, a mom, a wife, and an individual. Every day feels like I’m living with intention, and I can confidently say I did everything I could in 2025 to live fully.

2025 Affirmation:

"I am a creator who embraces authenticity, balance, and passion. Each day, I choose to show up for myself, my family, and my community. I trust the process and know that by staying true to my vision, I am creating the life I’ve always dreamed of."

Top 5 Goals for 2025:

1. Relationship:

   • Prioritize quality family time, ensuring my husband and son always feel supported and loved.

   • Strengthen friendships by surrounding myself with a supportive community of like-minded people.

2. Career:

   • Establish myself as a paid lifestyle, beauty, and fashion creator, achieving 15 paid collaborations and growing my Instagram to 10k followers.

   • Focus on creating high-quality, authentic content that aligns with my passions, rather than chasing numbers.

3. Family:

   • Balance my work and personal life, ensuring my family’s needs always come first.

   • Cultivate a peaceful and joyful home environment where love and connection flourish.

4. Body:

   • Stay active throughout the year, incorporating yoga and daily movement into my routine.

   • Prioritize self-care by establishing a morning and evening routine that nurtures my body and mind.

5. Life:

   • Successfully manage the transition into my dream home, creating a space that supports my growth.

   • Build a life where I feel deeply connected to my passions and find true fulfillment in both my personal and professional endeavors.

My jaw is still on the floor (yes I realize how dramatic that is). And I cannot be more excited to look back on these on January 1, 2026 and know that I lived in 2025.

Cheers to a beautiful year and to finally figuring it all out.

Shameless pitch: feel free to follow along on my IG journey to 10k!

With love,

KT

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Welcome to my first official Substack post! My name is Katey and I am a content creator and owner of KT Social Media + Marketing. Almost a year ago I took the plunge and started content creator for my personal Instagram and TikTok pages. It’s truly been a fun experience so far - and a journey I am incredibly proud of.

Content creation, and social media in general, has given me a creative outlet where I can showcase things I love - like books, fashion, makeup, haircare, etc. When I first heard about Substack, I was intrigued, but since I have a blog on my website, I figured this wasn’t worth the spare few minutes I have. Obviously I changed my mind as here I am!

If you’ve made it this far in my ramblings, then you’ll be happy to know that the topic of this post - the 2024 Sephora Sale, is finally starting ❤️

Makeup is something I didn’t really get into until my college days - although it really wasn’t until the last few years that I took the time to truly understand and learn which makeup products were best for me. Many (and I mean many) trips to Sephora later, I finally found a makeup routine that works for me!

My current makeup routine/products I use that I think are worth grabbing:

Base: Saie Glowy Super Gels (specifically the Roseglow and Sunglow shades) or Innbeauty Mineral Sun Glow. Summer Fridays SPF is good too!

Skin tints: Summer Fridays, Hourglass, and Merit Complexion stick (if you have dry skin, then don’t get this one)

Concealer: Hourglass (you have to really prep your skin for this one to work), Saie Radiant All over concealer, and the Merit Complexion stick

Bronzer: Merit and Nars!

Contour: Milk Makeup

Blush: Merit - shades Apres, Fox, Mood, and Cheeky. Saie in the shade Chilly, and Milk makeup jelly in Splash.

Eyebrows: Merit brow pencil and brow gel!

Eyeshadow: I’m not the person to ask for recommendations for eyeshadow honestly. I like the Laura Mercier pencils because they are easy to use!

Mascara: Saie, Tower 28, YSL for Brown shades!

Highlighter: Merit!! I use Solstice with my bronzer to give it a more cooler tone and then Bounce for my cheeks and nose highlight.

Lips: Merit for lipstick, Ole Henriksen for lip treatment, and Saie for lip gloss. For lip liners, I like Makeup forever and Saie!

Check out the link to a TikTok for visuals of these recommendations!

TikTok of my Sephora Sale Picks

My current hair care routine/products I recommend:

Literally anything by Crown Affair. I will go into a more in depth post on another date about how amazing this brand is, but for now, if I had to limit the list, i’d say get the Leave-In conditioner and the Texturizing Air Dry Mouse if you have wavy hair. I use almost all of their other products though and highly recommend everything.

For shampoo and conditioner, I am currently using Dae Hair and I am obsessed. From the scent to the gentleness, it’s a 10/10. You may want to note that I have naturally wavy hair, wash daily, and have finer texture.

Skincare products hot take:

Honestly most of my skincare products have been UGC products that I have received and most are not on Sephora. BUT I do recommend the Merit moisturizer if you have dry skin. Personally, I love brands like Covey, Naturopathica, and Rhode who are much cheaper.

What’s in my cart:

Take a look for yourself! It’s a doozy (if you’re my husband and seeing this, no you’re not)

I would like to take a minute and remind you that you do not need all this makeup to look beautiful. You do NOT need to spend a ridiculous amount of money on makeup. I am extremely fortunate that I am in a position to buy makeup (and no I won’t end up buying everything that is in that cart) and to have been budgeting to get a decent size Sephora haul. Makeup is a hobby of mine and I do think it is worth the dollar amount for me.

Now’s the time where I plug in that if you shop my links, I am eligible for a small commission which, as always, I appreciate! I have linked my recommendations in my LTK which you can click on via the button below 👇

Sephora Sale Picks on LTK

Thank you so much for taking the time to even read my Sephora Sale picks! It feels good to dust off my writing skills again.

XOXO, Katey