Welcome back to Health Gossip Top Shelfies, a series peeking into the medicine cabinets, vitamin shelves, and beauty (slash wellness) rituals of our dear community.

Today marks our first male Shelfie. is a New York City-based consultant, magazine editor, and the writer behind HEAVIES. I loved his interview with Molly Young, which filled in some of the blanks from her Health Gossip feature (protein pancakes, prison workouts, et al). Now, Chris is here to fill in some of the blanks from his own routine. Enjoy.

Who are you?

I’m Chris, a writer, magazine editor, and consultant based in New York City. My pie chart of work is all over the place. During the day, I’m head of editorial at SSENSE, but I write features for places like GQ (where I was an editor for nearly a decade), New York magazine, National Geographic, The Believer, etc. I also work as a consultant and strategist with my friends at C47 and the Office of Applied Strategy, and write the health and wellness newsletter, HEAVIES.

Outside of all that… I’m heavy into Muay Thai and train at Five Points Academy like 5 days a week. My gym is my favorite place in the city, and I’ve made a handful of wonderful friends there. I’m also 41 and tired 99% of the time, mostly because my wife and I have a four-year-old son who is very curious and funny and enjoys waking us up before the sun comes out.

Describe your approach to health and wellness.

The wellness industry, at least here in America, is one of those downstream effects of a society designed to profit off healthcare. It’s partly why I try not to overcomplicate my approach to health.

To my mind, it’s mostly just four things: eating right 80/20 (mostly whole foods), getting enough sleep, moving your body, and filling your life with people you love. That’s basically it. Supplements, red light, PEMF, peptides, hyperbaric — all that other sh*t is fun and nice to have, but not required.

Fundamentally, I think of being “healthy” as introducing necessary friction into your life. Cooking for your people, lifting heavy objects, reading challenging novels, walking places, meeting up with a friend even though it was a long day and every ounce of your being just wants to bail and order Seamless and binge Netflix or whatever. That’s sort of been the mission with HEAVIES: the case for doing the hard thing in order to become a little more resilient.

What are some of your must-haves?

I get sent a lot of products to try, but the important-ish things for me are:

1. Filtered water. This is probably the big one for most families, since hydration and cooking with water can do a lot of work for your health. My friend Dr. Michelle Davenport is the source code for all of this, as water-based cooking, i.e. soups and braises, is sort of the skeleton key to longevity. Essentially, it helps lower the level of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in your food, which are these harmful compounds associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and all that bad stuff associated with the Western diet. I use an AquaTru reverse-osmosis countertop system and have been testing the Rorra filter. New York tap water, while delicious, is filled with PFAs and microplastics — not because our water-treatment infrastructure is poor, but because a lot of building pipes are really old.

2. Creatine. Since I’m sleepy all the time, I find that 10g of creatine daily, as recommended by Dr. Rhonda Patrick, helps mitigate brain fog and has helped me squeeze in more reps. The downside, which isn’t even really a downside, is that I’m like 17 pounds heavier than I’d like to be (my fighting weight is closer to 125 pounds).

3. Whey protein. I try to get 120g of protein a day, which is a lot to get from meat alone, so I often supplement with a shake or two. I like whey because its amino acid profile is more complete than, say, pea protein, which can be high in heavy metals.

   

4. Beetroot powder. Good for blood flow and heart health. For vanity purposes, I love that bodybuilders swear by the stuff because it makes your veins look cool and throbby.

5. Vitamin D. I’m originally from Southern California and grew up surfing, meaning getting enough sun when I was younger was never an issue. Quite naturally, I was shocked when a recent blood test revealed that I was close to being vitamin D deficient, so as a result, I’ve been supplementing with a little something extra to get through this relentless winter.

Any wellness secrets you swear by?

Hot pot night. Ideal food (soup, protein, veggies) and friends. Very communal. Good for the soul.

I’m a big believer in PEMF therapy to speed up cellular healing and get it done frequently at MOCEAN (second-favorite spot) here in New York City. It’s a game-changer, especially for nagging injuries; it should be more popular than red light, to be honest.

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Welcome back to Health Gossip Top Shelfies, a series peeking into the medicine cabinets, vitamin shelves, and beauty rituals of our dear community.

Today’s guest is Cali Strauhs, a New York City-based esthetician and the founder of Strauhs Studios. With an integrative approach that blends holistic skincare with clinical precision, her studio has quickly become a go-to for beauty editors, models, and women in the know. Below, a closer look at her skincare philosophy and daily routines.

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Top Shelfie: Cali Strauhs

Who are you?

Cali Strauhs (@calistrauhs @strauhstudios). Based in NY, I like to spend my time decompressing in many different ways, one of which is traveling to Brighton Beach to go to the Russian bathhouse, taking milk baths, expanding my mind and heart, and finding ways to do good in the world. I gift treatments to people who really need them and are going through hardship in their lives, rather than making it some big announcement or giveaway. I like that stuff to happen naturally; it’s what makes me feel alive. Ever since I was little, my family thought I was nuts. I remember getting into conversations with people living on the street and just talking for hours. Very much in my Scorpio nature.

How would you describe your approach to beauty and wellness?

I have always been a maximalist. Not so much a diva, but someone who truly enjoys finding ways to take better care of ourselves, mentally and physically. I’m a sensitive, empathic girl, so I energetically have to decompress every day.

Having acne-prone skin is what drew me to become a practitioner myself. My approach has shifted over the years because acne taught me how to take better care of myself beyond just topical treatments. There is no quick fix (well, sometimes we get lucky) without taking a proper scan of our overall nervous systems. Skin helps us come back to ourselves.

I have so many people come in with the healthiest, cleanest diets, yet they’re in fight-or-flight mode and their hormones are out of whack.

What are some of your must-haves?

I’ve been testing out a new product coming out that I’m absolutely loving called True Tone 2.0. It’s quite active, but that’s what I like — and that’s how I’ve been able to achieve real results and skin transformations in my practice.

True Tone contains retinyl propionate (non-negotiable — vitamin A in general), mandelic acid, kojic acid, lactic acid, and more. Why is using a form of vitamin A non-negotiable for me? We are constantly getting depleted of vitamin A daily. Regular use of vitamin A helps restore barrier function. It’s not about strong doses, but rather gentle amounts that you can tolerate and use regularly for daily cell turnover.

(Though, if you have an impaired barrier, you’ll want to start with healing your barrier first before introducing actives.)

Another product I’m drooling over is this form of collagen induction therapy we offer, which I named “BioLift,” also known as bio modulation or bio needling. It was originally used in nose surgery and was created by a surgeon in the EU. We use microscopic spongilla spicules to create a cascade of natural function in the skin that is completely regenerative and stimulates new cell growth. Amazing for pigment.

Any health or beauty secrets you swear by?

Microcurrent on the neck and traps for pain! The Big 6 Method and trampoline every single day to move lymph. Sauna regularly to live a long and prosperous life. Trust that your unique nature is what makes you perfect. Trust that life never runs out of good things for you to experience.

What’s on your wishlist?

My ultimate wish list item is a wood-fired sauna, which isn’t really possible in New York City. Infrared saunas don’t cut it for me; there’s something about an almost unbearable heat that makes you want to jump into the snow.

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Welcome back to Health Gossip Top Shelfies, a series peeking into the medicine cabinets, vitamin shelves, and beauty rituals of our dear readers.

This week, we’re hearing from Nadia Tuma-Weldon (aka ), a Paris-based luxury brand strategist and pro-metabolic writer with some exciting things in the works…

Below, she opens up about her single-ingredient approach to life, journey to Ray Peat (sensing a theme here), and how she cultivates joie de vivre amidst an incredibly busy life. Enjoy!

Who are you?

@nadiatumaweldon + @nouriparis_. I’m an American living in Paris. I’m in my early 40s and moved to France nearly two years ago. I lead strategy for luxury and beauty brands at a creative agency, and while I hate the term “busy” as a lifestyle descriptor, my life is insanely busy. My workdays are very long, usually spent in an office, with endless urgencies. I’m not one to work all week and then be too tired to do anything on the weekends, so I try to live when I have time off: explore the city, spend time with friends, fill my cup with art, food, etc.

I find that life in France provides a relatively “pro-metabolic” environment, with far less stress than if I had the same workload in America. Even though my actual life has never been this hectic, I am generally much calmer, happier, and peaceful.

How would you describe your approach to beauty and wellness?

Big question. I once heard someone say that after you’ve tried veganism, vegetarianism, carnivore, paleo, keto, etc., if you’re lucky enough to end up in the Ray Peat universe, there is no where else to go. That’s 100% my experience, especially as I get into middle age, and having tried it all (I was also vegetarian/vegan-ish for 22 years). At some point in my 40th year, I realized that I felt like trash not eating animal products, and starting re-incorporating them. It was as if my body had been starving for real nutrients for decades. Everything changed from there really quickly. I’ve been cultivating a hot and healthy metabolism (what I call “high energy mode”) ever since. It’s intuitive and I basically approach everything in life by judging whether it promotes energy, or drains energy — and even more, whether it sustains a child-like state of wonder, resilience, warmth, joy.

Overall, I try to live a “single ingredient life.” I feel my best this way: I eat whole, single-ingredient foods (meat, eggs, broth, dairy, fruit, honey), wear single-ingredient clothes (wool, cotton, leather, fur, silk), use single-ingredient beauty products (oils, tallow, whatever). Even my movement diet is basic: weights, mat pilates, mobility, yoga, walking. We don’t need all these extras which rob us of our time, money and judgement.

As we get older, I think the impulse is to complicate everything (complicated skincare, complicated procedures), but at nearly 44 years old, I can say the simpler stuff works.

What are some of your must-haves?

In terms of my little morning supplementation wake-up ritual, it’s still in the single ingredient-ish life philosophy.

After I get up, scrape my tongue and brush my teeth, I hydrate with natural electrolytes from Fractal Forest in filtered water. I take desiccated APE Nutrition beef organ pills with that. Then, in goes a scoop of Perfect Aminos in water, and I also have some mineral drops from Fractal Forest. Basically lots of filtered water with lots of minerals first thing.

After that is my morning cocktail: OJ without pulp, a scoop of grass-fed collagen, and a bit of coconut water.

Then it’s coffee, and I’ll get into my workout before the madness of the day.

If I can do this in the morning (and eat nutrient-dense, whole foods the rest of the day), I’m pretty much super woman and can tackle whatever chaos the day throws my way.

Any health or beauty secrets you swear by?

So many things learned along the journey of life. The biggest mindset shift I made was to stop this nonsense of wanting to eat less to be small. I learned to truly nourish my body with beautiful food, movement that builds muscle, and proper deep rest. After decades, I now know that running on nutrients is much better than running on stress hormones. Being child-like is the goal (it’s why everyone is always magnetized to small children), joy, wonder, awe, energy, warmth.

Tune in. Pay attention to the world around you. Roll around on the floor. Being limber in body makes you limber in mind. Be delighted by the world. Ask lots of questions. Eat when you’re hungry, stop when you’re full. Love fruit and fruit juice. Turn your face to the sun. Stop to pet a dog. Smile and say thank you to people you buy stuff from. Be gracious, be a team player, be lovely.

Everything changed when I changed my energy. Took me too long to figure that out.

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This week, we’re hearing from Audrey, a San Francisco-based events producer and marketing manager at Goop Kitchen. Read on to learn more about her natural deodorant grail, her mother’s 70s wellness vibe, and the poem she keeps framed in her bathroom…

Who are you?

Audrey, @therealaudreyhorne. I like to spend my days cooking, sweating, driving the coast, fantasizing.

Describe your approach to beauty.

I practice extreme moderation in health; I get grumpy if a day goes by without my skincare or leafy greens, but I firmly believe in a good hamburger and love a small glass of scotch (or two). My mom had a very 70s wellness vibe which I find embedded in my soul (think: brown rice, echinacea, and very little sunscreen). She ran the kitchen at one of the Pathwork Centers in the Catskills when she was pregnant with me, where she had to make food for people’s auras. I don’t think she believed much in it, but it left an impression on me. As I get older, I am more interested in exploring health fads and seeing what sticks. I’m not dogmatic by nature but I like to play around with a variety of practices that all focus on promoting overall wellbeing. It’s fun.

What are some of your must-haves?

A lot of my paycheck goes to Living Libations. I adore the Best Skin Ever line; I wash my face with the Rose and finish my evening with the Sandalwood (trying this one out as it’s sans coconut oil — I think I prefer Immoretelle). My #1 product is my Alvera Aloe deodorant; I found it in a carpeted health food store in the Florida keys and buy it in bulk. I’m addicted to the Beekeeper’s Naturals Propolis Nasal Spray — I struggle with my sinuses and this provides immediate relief so I always keep one in my bag. I have this Lawrence Ferlinghetti poem framed in my bathroom from A Coney Island of the Mind which makes me very happy to read each morning.

Any health or beauty secrets you swear by?

I eat an ungodly amount of yogurt in a given week; I think it maintains my girlish figure. My skin looks best after a good bikram class, so I practice 3x/week. I try to visit my parents on the east coast during the summer so I can experience peak humidity — my skin and hair love it.

I’ve lit my bedroom with a red light bulb since my freshman year of college. It helps me wind down over a good book or nightly journal.

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This week, we’re chatting with Los Angeles-based esthetician Reilley Lorene, whose approach blends lymphatic drainage with clinical precision. Read on to learn more about her love of facial massage, her maximalist tendencies, and her secret for (almost) invisible pores.

Who are you?

Reilley Lorene, @reilleyloreneesthetics.

Describe your approach to beauty.

I’d say I definitely lean more maximalist. My parents were always into self-care — my dad especially. I still remember him putting lotion on every single night before bed and every morning when he woke up. And growing up around makeup artists and the industry, I naturally had this thing for skin health and glowing skin. I used to be a lot more minimalist and holistic, but over time I’ve become more clinical, especially since becoming a licensed aesthetician. What’s stayed the same is how much I love the ritual of skincare and the beauty of taking care of our largest organ.

What are some of your must-haves?

My non-negotiables are simple but powerful: Dr. Loretta Gel Cleanser, Venn All-In-One Concentrate, and Tizo Tinted Mineral SPF. I cannot live without these, and honestly, I refuse to. Dr. Loretta’s Gel Cleanser is so gentle — it never over-strips my skin, but still leaves me feeling clean and hydrated. Venn’s All-In-One Concentrate is a huge reason I don’t deal with breakouts; it keeps me glowing, hydrated, and my skin incredibly plump. And Tizo’s Tinted Mineral SPF? It makes my skin look flawless. I love it so much that I even wear it at night as makeup.

Any health or beauty secrets you swear by?

My biggest health, beauty, and wellness secret that I swear by is simple — you don’t need fancy tools, you just need your hands. Massaging your face and body, really taking the time to touch your skin and stimulate blood flow, is one of the most powerful things you can do. It’s truly your biggest weapon in your arsenal.

If I had to share a recipe from my Shelfie, it would be my Goldfaden Dr. Scrub paired with Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant. I love my exfoliation nights — I actually look forward to them — and I do it about twice a week. That combo makes my pores look almost invisible, leaves my skin super clean, and preps it perfectly to absorb all the serums I love to sandwich together every single night.

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Today, we’re hearing from Ryan Alexandra, a Los Angeles-based vintage reseller and daughter of a longtime Estée Lauder product developer.

Who are you?

My name is Ryan Alexandra (@ryan_alexandra), I’m based in Los Angeles currently. I’m a Taurus Sun. I sell vintage and other found items via Alexandra Mimi.

I’m usually spending time with my cat at home or exploring Los Angeles by way of estate sales.

Describe your approach to beauty.

My routine is centered around seeking a sense of seamlessness and balance in my life. My approach [to beauty] is rooted in self-awareness. I regularly check in with myself, stay curious, and explore habits that can help me achieve and maintain my harmony.

I lean towards a blend of minimalism and maximalism when it comes to products. My mom, who worked in cosmetics in product development at Estée Lauder throughout my life, has greatly influenced how I care for myself. She instilled a love for trying new products, as well as an appreciation for clean beauty and holistic care, always emphasizing the importance of checking ingredient lists! I tend to mix some luxury brands with health food store products (Lazy Acres is the best). Turning 30 this year, I’ve shifted my routine to focus more on hydration and sun protection...

What are some of your must-haves?

I’d say my Shelfie is looking very girly at the moment. I just got back from France so I picked up some new products from Caudalie, Embryolisse and Biologique Recherche. Can’t wait to start using Lotion P50 again, I missed it. I’m excited to try the Embryolisse Concentrated Milk-Cream Retinol-Like, I have heard great things.

I love using the Colorescience Face Shield Tinted SPF in the morning, it’s so hydrating.

I love oils. I got this new oil from Oliambru, it’s their Beauty Balm made from Corsican olive oil. It smells so amazing. I was told it’s the oldest beauty balm oil in Corsica and to put it on the ends of my hair for hydration.

I also love this oil I got from Pure Heart Sessions, it’s their Goddess of the Hunt Oil, handmade with frankincense and myrrh. I like to put it on my wrists in the morning when I wake up.

Sea buckthorn oil on the skin at night or morning is my favorite. It’s rich in omega-3, omega-7, my skin feels so hydrated plus it adds almost a bronzing glow...

My armpits are so sensitive so this deodorant is the only one that doesn’t irritate me. It’s scentless, organic and baking soda-free.

But my non-negotiables are always: Weleda Skin Food, BR Vivant mask for breakouts, Heritage Store Rose & Glycerin Water Spray (3x/day), Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain, Santa Maria Novella Muschio, and my deadstock hair combs I sourced in France :)

Any health or beauty secrets you swear by?

I stopped wearing mascara everyday; it’s been so nice, my lashes feel a lot healthier. Not washing my skin in the morning is kind of a hack for me as of recent… I noticed my skin really prefers to not be over-washed. I always use a rose water spray to wake up my face in the morning, then I apply my skincare. I was told applying cream to wet skin allows ingredients to penetrate more deeply.

For hair, I sleep in a silk bonnet and always use a spray bottle with water in the morning to redo my bangs and curls then I apply a hair oil/cream. At night, hot baths...magnesium glycinate, fresh chamomile tea, and face oils. Also! I love putting blush on a pimple or breakout instead of coverup.

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Who are you?

Zoë (@zoemadeleinebrown). Acupuncturist based in San Francisco. Outside and inside of work, I live for delight, beauty, and connection.

Describe your approach to beauty.

For many years, I wrote about beauty for my job (and amassed a small fortune of skincare sent by a fabulous slew of Women In PR). I’ve given away most of it and kept what’s worked for me (simple things that feel fun and indulgent). Joy, kindness, and inner harmony with oneself will make you beautiful.

What are some of your must-haves?

I’ve used every fancy oil in the world (see the Vintner’s Daughter, which I do think is worth every dollar) but my favorite grail is the Honey Girl Organics Creme, which I’ve bought from Whole Foods for the last ten years at least. It’s perfect and lasts forever. I’m addicted to ROZ and the fragrance is perfect (your beauty products should make you happy).

Shoutout to Julia Barna, my perfect facialist with gifted hands (if you live in LA a visit to Julia is the equivalent of a year of therapy) who got me to stop destroying my barrier and switch to oil cleansing, love Marie Veronique’s.

Any health or beauty secrets you swear by?

Eat your beauty. Supplement with fish oil, eat your omegas (nuts and seeds, fatty fish, olives, olive oil...a beautiful woman’s diet...). Take a long bath with a hot beverage. Consume copious amounts of bone broth. Kiss someone you have a crush on. Give yourself a “nature facial.” Think less about how you look.

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Health Gossip is a conversational newsletter exploring the personal side of health and wellness. Each week, we invite a new guest to fill out the HG questionnaire, quizzing them on their daily routines, perfect meals, and best pieces of advice. You can read the full archive here.

Anyway, in the spirit of being Into the Gloss for esoteric girls (a designation I’ve recently committed to, and others have co-signed), I’m excited to launch a new Top Shelfie series. Here, we’ll get an inside look at some of the items lining the Health Gossip community’s shelves — from vitamins and tonics to top-secret concoctions…

Submit your Top Shelfie here

Our first Shelfie comes from Annika, a Toronto-based student and Waldorf teacher-in-training (swoon).

On her approach to beauty, she writes:

I love simplicity, and a kind of naturalness is a virtue. I have four sisters and we’re all this way — my mother had me young, and having grown up Catholic, I guess looked down on vanity. But she instilled in us a love of beauty, which I see reflected in simple daily rituals.

Current essentials include The Ordinary’s Rosehip Oil (“I love Northlore’s but The Ordinary’s is more budget-friendly”), Weleda Wild Rose Deodorant (“no notes”), and a Redecker Hairbrush Cleaner (“it’s very cute, and does the job”).

What’s in your Top Shelfie?

xx,
Lily

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