Laugh Lines

Have you ever wondered why a spritz of your favorite perfume can mentally transport you to the backseat of your high school boyfriend’s car? Or why a good hair day can make you feel like you can take on the world (or at least, finally get around to doing the admin you’ve been putting off for three months)?

Well, you’re in the right place.

Welcome to Laugh Lines, where we explore the messy, hilarious, and sometimes unhinged connection between beauty and mental health. Expect deep dives, product picks, and real talk—because looking good and feeling good are both a work in progress.

Who is this person talking right now?

Great question! My name’s Zoë Zelin, and I’m a longtime beauty editor (when I started, Condé Nast was still at 4 Times Square). I’ve wanted to do this ever since Andie Anderson sashayed into that very same building in 2003, and 15 years later I was starring in a YouTube series called Zoë Tries It All. In other words, I literally became the “How To” girl.

I’ve written for all kinds of publications, including Allure, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Bustle, and more, and I spent five years as the beauty editor at a beauty and wellness website. I’ve tested thousands of products, traveled all over the world to learn about beauty in different cultures, interviewed hundreds of experts and tried pretty much every treatment under the sun (… just wait until you hear about what I did before my wedding), so I like to think I have at least some authority on this stuff.

I’ve also got a nice long list of mental health concerns—we’re talking anxiety, ADHD, depression, an eating disorder and plennnnty of trauma. This means that I’ve spent a lot of time both in and outside of my therapist’s office deep diving on myself…mostly because psychologizing what’s wrong with me allows me to feel some sort of control over it (I technically learned that on a Reddit thread, but it tracks).

All of this is to say that this newsletter brings together the two things I’m most passionate about: Beauty and mental health. And believe it or not, they actually do have a lot in common.

What exactly is this newsletter about?

All my years as a beauty editor have taught me that beauty is never just about the products we use—it’s about how those products make us feel. It’s about the confidence boost from a bold lipstick, the comfort of a skincare routine that calms more than just your skin, and the joy of taking a moment for yourself in a chaotic world.

Laugh Lines is for anyone who’s ever felt the transformative power of beauty. Each week, I’ll share stories, tips, and insights that celebrate the rituals and routines that make us feel good—inside and out. From the mental health benefits of a perfectly timed face mask to the connection between self-expression and self-care, we’ll laugh, learn, and glow together.

Why "Laugh Lines"? Because this newsletter is about celebrating the beauty in life’s little moments—the ones that leave their mark on us in the best possible way. It’s about embracing imperfection, finding joy in the journey, and never taking ourselves too seriously.

So, grab your favorite sheet mask or pour yourself a glass of wine (for me, it’s usually both), and let’s talk about beauty in a way that puts feeling good first.

Thank you for joining me—I can’t wait to share this space with you.

What Laugh Lines Covers

📝 What You’ll Get:

• 🔍 Deep dives into the science, psychology, and culture of beauty

• 🎤 Honest takes on products, treatments, and wellness trends

• 💬 Community convos on self-care, stress, and the weird ways beauty impacts our brains

Subscription Options

📩 Free Subscription (What You Get for Signing Up):

• Full Coverage Friday – A weekly roundup of beauty + mental health stories, product recs, and whatever else is on my mind.

• Community chats, polls, and occasional surprises.

💎 Paid Subscription (Why Upgrade?):

• Monday Deep-Dive Features – Exclusive, reported stories that go beyond the surface.

• Subscriber-Only Chats & AMAs – Ask me anything, and get insider access.

• Brand Perks & Giveaways – Early access to beauty & wellness deals.

• Support Independent Journalism – Keep Laugh Lines going strong!

👉 Subscribe for free, or go paid for $6/month to unlock exclusive content.