Cool people like cool things, which is why we asked cool person Dan Allegretto to share some recommendations on Perfectly Imperfect.

Dan Allegretto is a photographer and the host of DIAL #DAN, a podcast where he calls up friends such as Lauren Servideo, Naomi Fry, Annie Hamilton, Hari Nef, Leia Jospé, and more, to talk about… basically anything. It’s very funny and I’ve been a listener for a long time. He’s also one of my favorite people to follow on Twitter and an expert in the art of predicting trends, so when “skipping stones” is the hottest new trend this winter, remember Dan was on it first. Dan has great taste and lucky for us, he’s here to tell us what he’s been into.

Without further ado

Dan Allegretto (instagram, twitter, patreon, store)

💧 CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion

I wish everyone would cut the freaking crap and just get moisturizer with a pump attached to it. People have less money than ever (no evidence to support this) and yet are flushing it all down the drain spending the most ever on skincare (also no evidence to support this.) For $16.99 at Walgreens you can get this fabulous lightweight moisturizer that doesn’t clog pores and straight up lasts you an entire year. CeraVe has MVE Delivery Technology that ensures a controlled release and therefore all day hydration, along with hyaluronic acid to retain your skin’s natural moisture. I’ve tried a lot of expensive moisturizers and serums (Kiehl’s, La Mer, Olay lol)  and they basically do the same shit CeraVe does but cost 5-10x more. Martha Stewart was just on What What Happens Live and she was asked what secret “trashy” habits she has and the first one she offered up was “the only moisturizer I use is hospital grade and it comes in a blue and white bottle.” Um.. hello!? She’s talking about CeraVe!! A huge benefit of using an industrial size product with a nozzle is that you can use it all day without being stingy. I think a lot of us are neglecting our neck and decolletage and if you use expensive creams you’re rightfully hesitant because you can practically see how much money you’re wasting with each application. Use it on your face and bod.. your wallet will thank you!

💵 Jeffree Star Hand Mirror

I know this makes me seem kinda fake and random but I love my Jeffree Star hand mirror. It hangs on a nail in front of my desk and I kinda just stare at my freshly slathered CeraVe visage all day long. A tiny mirror can visually open up a corner of your apartment making the room seem bigger and brighter. You can take it off the wall and stand in some more flattering light and inspect a pimple or see how long your nose hair is getting. Using your phone to see if you have broccoli in your teeth is straight up degrading.. use a mirror instead! I truly get so many compliments on this because it is so fucking stupid but honestly a really cool color/shape and just straight up hella cute. Perhaps you don’t want Jeffree Star products in your home, which I understand and say no more, but just get yourself some other kind of hand mirror.. they’re really chic to have laying around and it’s more useful than you might think... 

🎣 Gaskin’s

Discovered this lovely charming restaurant on a recent trip upstate and had to go to dinner there two nights in a row it was that good. It’s on the only corner in Germantown which overall honestly seems as fake and random as my Jeffree Star hand mirror; there’s this gay ass laundromat, next to a gay ass plant store, next to a gay ass market, next to this gay ass mid century modern furniture store.. and that’s pretty much the entire town. I’m not really complaining though, it just seems a little odd since I’m from the Real American part of upstate NY. Anyways, the food and drinks are amazing. I had the bluefish which was the juiciest and most delicious fish I’ve ever had in my life. It looked like pork and had fat on it but also looked like it had chicken skin on top but it was definitely 100% fish. The chocolate cake for dessert was psychotically good as well. Since the airbnb was only like 3 mins away and it was the middle of nowhere so I didn’t mind having a few whiskey cocktails before getting behind the wheel and driving home. Nail me to the cross I was on vacation! 

🚬 Smoking Cigarettes

Again I don’t have any “evidence” to support this claim but I know in my heart of hearts that heavy smoking is the only antidote to prevent Covid-19/coronavirus. Time will prove me right, you just have to trust me.. 

☯️ Shakti Mat

Haven’t you always wanted to rest on a bed of nails? Well.. consider the Shakti Mat. I bought mine very early in the pandemme because I was desperate for a product to change my life; and not being the most active guy, I was relieved all you had to do was lay on top of it and breathe.

After 20 minutes you feel amazing. The first time is a little scary because the spikes are pretty damn sharp and it’s an entirely new sensation for most. I’ve turned to goo and fallen asleep on the mat many times and had to peel it out of my back once awake. The mat helps me sleep, calms me down, and loosens up my chronically stiff back. I use it on the couch, the floor, in the bed, and even stand on it for a couple minutes barefoot. Pretty sure it’s not supposed to be sexual in any way but you do have to submit to the pain which can potentially be arousing for some of you…I’m not saying it is for me but that it might be for you…… Anywho, I just copped the neck pillow version which I’m sooo excited for- I’m tired of my neck hurting and feeling like it’s made of wood! For the last 18 months I have consistently used the Shakti; not something I can say about any other wellness product I’ve purchased. The company donates 10% of the profits to charity but like honestly who gives a shit lol. Oh, and don’t buy knock offs! They don’t work as well. The pointy things aren’t sharp enough!

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