Daily Skimm

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Friday. Skimm HQ is closed to observe the Fourth of July, but we’re still here to keep you informed. So we’re bringing you three things to know today before we turn it over to our commerce editors, who are sharing what they’re buying from this weekend’s sales. To put it bluntly, things are feeling dire out there. I, too, have woken up with a stress headache every morning for the past, oh, two-ish years. But when the doomscrolling gets to be too much, I’ve been putting down my small screen, firing up my medium screen, and engaging in some low-stakes, high-reward purchases. Retail therapy may not be the most effective form of therapy, but wow, does it feel good sometimes.

So while I’m sitting directly in front of my AC this weekend, here’s what I’m adding to my cart:

This rarely-on-sale cleansing oil that I will never stop evangelizing about. It just feels nicer and works better than any other cleanser.
A pair of charming pinstripe trousers to lean into my “Frazzled English Woman Summer,” the one summer aesthetic trend with which I feel spiritually aligned.
A high-quality lemon zester for all the dips and salads I’ll be arranging this summer, because my oven will not be turning on until September.
A pack of hydrogel eye masks that specifically target under-eye circles (self-explanatory).

Find more good stuff on sale ahead. You deserve the nice thing.

— Caroline Goldstein / Senior Commerce Editor / New York, NY

In politics: Instead of grabbing burgers for a July 4 BBQ, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) spent the week flipping the final GOP holdouts on the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” On Thursday, the House passed President Trump’s sweeping legislation by a razor-thin margin, delivering him a major legislative victory. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill will slash almost $1 trillion from Medicaid — which could leave nearly 12 million Americans uninsured by 2034 — while locking in tax cuts, mostly for the wealthy, and adding $3.3 trillion to the deficit. The bill now heads to the president’s desk for his signature. Here’s a closer look at how the "BBB" affects reproductive rights.
In the economy: The June jobs report beat expectations, giving Wall Street a boost on Thursday. The US added 147,000 jobs last month — slightly more than May’s total — and the unemployment rate dipped marginally to 4.1%. But while the job market remains steady overall, growth has been cooling compared to last year, with most new jobs concentrated in health care, hospitality, and local government. Economists point to Trump’s trade fight, immigration crackdown, and general economic volatility as headwinds for hiring. The Fed, meanwhile, is watching for any signs of a slowdown as it weighs possible rate cuts.
In retail: The Fourth of July is all about celebrating American independence — but it seems we can’t do that without China. Around 97% of the US’s fireworks were imported from China last year, and with Trump’s tariffs back on the table, costs could jump in the years ahead. Some retailers stocked up early to keep prices stable this summer, but by the US’s 250th birthday in 2026, higher costs could mean smaller shows.

✨ 25% off a pair of teardrop hoops you can wear with your swimsuit.