The Daily Valet. - 4/26/23, Wednesday
✔️ The End of Going Gray?
Wednesday, April 26th Edition
By Cory Ohlendorf, Valet. Editor
Curious about what I’m wearing these days in Tokyo? Here’s a look.
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Today’s Big Story
The End of Going Gray?
Researchers have unlocked new evidence as to why hair loses its natural color over time
Does finding a gray hair stress you out? Some people fret over each new one that pops up while others simply embrace it. But no one really knows when it will happen or why. Until now? Researchers at NYU have unlocked new evidence as to why human hair loses its natural color over time.The new study, conducted using mice and published in Nature, a peer-reviewed scientific journal, closely examined the melanocyte stem cells known to control hair color. Earlier in life, these cells can be remarkably dynamic, but with age, as hair is lost and regrown, these stem cells tend to slow down. And they get trapped in what's known as the hair follicle bulge—meaning they don't get a chance to finish the job they were created to do.In other words, when those melanin-producing stem cells stop functioning properly, your hair goes gray. The study is being heralded as a breakthrough of sorts—providing a clearer picture of the cellular glitches responsible for turning us into silver foxes.Before, scientists had assumed that gray hair was likely the result of that pool of melanocyte stem cells simply running dry. And while the study was conducted with rodents, the researchers say their findings should be relevant to how human hair gets and loses its color. What's more, they hope their findings could be a step toward preventing or reversing the graying process.With the greater understanding of the stalled-out cells and their probable responsibility for loss of hair color, researchers are now focused on how to get the McSCs back on track. According to lead researcher Professor Mayumi Ito, PhD, the task is “to investigate means of restoring motility of McSCs or of physically moving them back to their germ compartment, where they can produce pigment.” If they find a way to get them moving again (which appears to be entirely possible), it could mean a lot less hair dye in the world.
Get It Back:
If you've recently noticed more gray than you'd like to see, you have some options. Here is what the experts suggest.
Biden Is Officially Running
Now the talk turns to “Generational Warfare” and the rematch that no one really wants
Declaring that the “battle for the soul of America” he launched four years ago is ongoing, President Joe Biden said Tuesday he will seek reelection because “it's not time to be complacent.” So far, the field for the 2024 presidential campaign is starting out small, and looks like it will be a rematch of the same two aging men who ran the last time: President Biden vs. former President Trump. According to NBC News, it's a rematch nobody really wants.Democrats tell pollsters Biden's age is a big reason so many want another nominee. And some in the GOP are using Trump's age to push the party past his divisive era. Nikki Haley—former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor—who's seeking the Republican nomination, recently called for a mandatory mental competence test for candidates over age 75 and declared: “America is not past our prime. It's just that our politicians are past theirs.”Despite his age, Biden is confident he can run again on the same themes that buoyed his party in the midterms last fall—particularly on preserving access to abortion and his record of pushing through major bills such as the bipartisan infrastructure package and legislation to promote high-tech manufacturing. And, it appears, he's got some clever young people on staff that are co-opting memes to help to transform the public's perception of the octogenarian president from a bland figure to something more exciting.
FYI:
There are still 559 days until Election Day, so we have plenty of time.
Partner
A denim industry vet with a love of cycling has created a line of performance clothing that doesn’t “feel or look” like performance clothing.
What Are These Service Fees?
here’s everything to know about those extra fees showing up on restaurant checks
Americans are collectively spending nearly $65 billion on sneaky fees, according to the White House. “Sometimes they're called convenience fees. Sometimes they're called service fees,” Lina Khan, chair of the Federal Trade Commission, told CNBC. “It really seems like companies have become addicted to junk fees.”Maybe you've noticed them when you glance at your dinner bill. A service charge, also sometimes called an “automatic gratuity,” is something that some restaurants work into their business model. According to Tasting Table, it frequently ranges from 3-20% of the total bill and unsurprisingly, these tacked-on surcharges have become a source of public outcry coast to coast. They've been called deceptive and even tacky.But a new generation of restaurateurs see these fees as a critical way to go against the old industry labor model of subsidizing worker pay through the so-called tip credit. That system allows restaurants in all but seven states to pay their staff as little as $2.90 per hour, with the remainder left to the discretion of diners. But it sure is confusing for those of us who just want to go out to eat, right? Bon Appetit breaks it down like this: If a restaurant is “tip-free” or “tip-included,” there's usually an 18–22% tip factored into the price of each dish. Additional tipping is (probably) not expected. But if there's an “employee benefits” or “pay equity” fee on your check, then yeah ... you should leave a tip.
FYI:
If you are ever unsure of where the service charge is going, it's okay to ask—that way, you can ensure that you are still tipping appropriately.
IKEA Goes Back to the Drawing Board
With inflation squeezing consumers and material prices up, the company is tweaking products
IKEA just marked its 80th anniversary at Milan Design Week with Assembling the Future Together, an immersive exhibition that charts the furniture company's history while also addressing its future.The Swedish home store is now the world's biggest seller of furniture. Just how big? We're talking about 460 stores spread across 62 countries that carry some 9,500 products. Those beloved in-store snack bars serve over a billion Swedish meatballs with cream sauce and lingonberry jam each year.But if they want to stay on top, they have to be smart about everything from the materials they use to the weight and shape of their products to further cut down on those signature flat-pack boxes. As the Wall Street Journal reports, IKEA is now redesigning some of its bestsellers, from the Billy bookcase to the Säbövik bed frame, tweaking the design to make them cheaper and hoping that customers can't tell the difference. Everything from switching from zinc to recycled aluminum in bathroom hooks to ditching wood veneer for “wood-printed paper foil”.
Meanwhile:
The company just announced its largest U.S. expansion in 40 years, spending over $2.2 billion on at least eight stores.
In Other News
The attack took the lives of 13 American service members.
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Partner
A Fresh Take on Adventure Clothes
DUER's pants are unlike other performance gear you're used to
First, a quick origin story: After three decades in the denim world, working with some of the best in the business (Levi's, for example), Gary Lenett left the industry, sold his car and bought a bike. His new commute called for jeans with some serious stretch in order to handle daily rides to and from downtown. But nothing on the market fit the need that married performance and sophistication with ease of movement and comfort. So he built a brand that did.DUER has gained a cult following for their performance stretch denim, but that's not all they do. In fact, their non-denim pants are the ones we've been pulling on lately. Every pair is outfitted with the brand's signature hidden gusset, which expands your range of motion. What's more, the brand takes a natural approach to their performance wear. Since day one, DUER has been determined to use as few synthetics as possible—just enough to achieve optimal strength and stretch. Herewith, a few of our current favorites.
These adaptable pants offer the comfort of your favorite sweatpants with the look of a classic five-pocket style. With an easy mid-rise and a relaxed fit through the hip, they're tailored with a slight taper at the hem.
$135 / $114.75 (w/code AFF-VALET15) at DUER
This hybrid pant combines an active jogger with military cargo pants, built for multi-purpose wear and designed for all body types with technical features for maximum versatility.
$149 / $126.65 (w/code AFF-VALET15) at DUER
With comfort, sophistication and built-in stretch for all-day ease of movement, these multi-purpose pants offer a casual, professional look, no matter the occasion.
$139 / $118.15 (w/code AFF-VALET15) at DUER
Exclusive Deal:
Get 15% off DUER's No Sweat collection with code AFF-VALET15
Shopping
What We’re Buying
Frech Terry Sweats
It’s the texture that make these sweats. Made out of an 11 oz. organic cotton and French terry blend, the nuanced Donegal weave offers a soft, rich feel for a cozy pair of pants to chill in.
Get It:
Fillmore pant, $128 / $89.60 by Taylor Stitch
Morning Motto
Remember, we all feel undeserving sometimes.
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