#ThirstyThursday Issue #237

The Assist Newsletter
May 27, 2026
A tropical illustration shows a woman relaxing with a coconut drink beside palm trees and sunshine. Large text says, “I told my GPS I needed a getaway.”

Click the image for the punchline 👆.

😂 See all May 2026 Thirsty Thursday jokes here.

✅ Today’s Checklist:

  • Work clothes that don’t read “corporate uniform”
  • PCOS has a new name (and it actually fits)
  • Network sideways, not just up
  • Three tiny makeup tweaks that change the whole face

QUICK LINKS

⚠️ Accommodation risks start small. This course helps managers catch missed cues before they become claims.

🧦 “Microshifting” is reshaping how people work (and most companies are catching up late).

🧠 Three in four professionals deal with imposter syndrome at work. Here’s how to push back on it.

🤖 If you’re using Claude like a chatbot, you’re missing 90% of it.

WARDROBE EDIT

A video thumbnail shows a woman holding a pink microphone with the text, “Where to shop for non-basic work clothes.” Clothing images appear in the background behind her.

Work Clothes That Don’t Read “Corporate Uniform”

 

Takeaways:

  • Build your wardrobe around elevated basics, not boring basics. Brands like Commense mix classic staples with slightly trendier silhouettes and details that make outfits feel more styled.
  • Don’t ignore affordable brands for foundational pieces. Fashion Nova actually has surprisingly solid basics for layering work outfits without spending a fortune.
  • Invest in timeless staples that make getting dressed easier. Gap is still one of the best places for clean trousers, denim, and neutral basics that work across multiple outfits.

Watch on IG.

DE-ESCALATION TRAINING

A Traliant advertisement promotes de-escalation online training with a “Get a free trial” button. A man and woman are shown having a serious conversation in an office setting.

What to Do When the Calm Meeting Stops Being Calm

 

The meeting was fine until it wasn’t. A client got loud. A coworker’s voice cracked into something sharper. The room shifted, and you realized you had no idea what came next. Most people learn de-escalation the hard way, after the moment has already gone past saving.

Traliant’s 10-minute De-escalation course gives employees the language and the moves before they need them: how to spot the early signals, respond with empathy without absorbing the hostility, set clear boundaries, and know when to disengage safely. Scenario-based, ten minutes, no homework.

Your team walks away with:

  • The ability to spot escalation before it tips over
  • Practical scripts for the moment the room gets sharp
  • A clear playbook for when to stop and step out safely

👉 See the training in action.

PCOS RENAMED

A pink graphic explains that PCOS officially has a new name: “Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome.” A woman is pictured in the lower corner pointing toward the text.

PCOS Finally Has A Name That Explains The Condition

 

Takeaways:

  • The shift from PCOS to PMOS reflects a broader understanding of the condition. PMOS frames it as a full-body metabolic and hormonal issue, which is what the lived experience actually looks like.
  • Better language can lead to better care and earlier intervention. The updated framing centers insulin resistance, inflammation, long-term health, and quality of life instead of focusing narrowly on fertility.
  • This change happened because patients pushed for it. Over 22,000 patients and healthcare professionals were surveyed, and 86% of patients wanted terminology that better reflected their lived experience.

See all of the important changes on IG.

NETWORKING

A whiteboard-style video thumbnail features handwritten text that says, “How to Network (without being annoying).” A hand holding a marker is shown writing on the board.

How to Network Without Sounding Like You Want Something

 

Takeaways:

  • Build relationships before you need something from them. A wedding, birthday party, or random conversation at a bar can become a valuable connection when you focus on genuine interaction instead of transactional networking.
  • Don’t only network “up,” build strong peer relationships too. The person at your level today could become a future founder, VP, hiring manager, or collaborator later in their career.
  • Pay attention to out-of-context opportunities. Some of the best networking happens outside formal work settings because people are more relaxed, memorable, and open to real conversation.

Explore all 4 quadrants of networking on IG.

DAILY RITUAL

A Jones Road Beauty ad announces that the Memorial Day sale ends today, 5/28. The graphic features several makeup products alongside a black “Shop Now” button.

The Single Beauty Product 5,800+ Reviewers Won’t Stop Talking About

 

By Thursday of a short week, the math on a multi-step morning routine stops working. What you need is one product that can be blush, highlighter, lid color, or lip tint depending on the day, with a finish that looks like skin instead of makeup.

Jones Road’s Miracle Balm has 5,866 reviews and a 4.4-star average because it does exactly that. It’s a cheek cream, a lip tint, a lid wash, and a highlighter, depending on which of the fifteen shades is in your bag. A pinch on the back of your hand, three fingertip dabs on the face, and you’re done. The pot lasts roughly forever.

Clean ingredients (no phthalates, PEGs, or sulfates), works on every skin tone, and weighs about as much as a tube of chapstick.

The Memorial Day Mini Sale wraps this today, and it’s the lowest-stakes way to try the balm. And the more minis you add to your set, the more the discount stacks: 15% off three, 20% off five, 30% off ten.

👉 Build your mini set here before the sale ends.

P.S. Code ASSIST drops a free Best Blush in the cart on top of all of it.

MAKEUP TWEAKS

A beauty video thumbnail shows a woman applying makeup while holding a cosmetic product. The text says, “3 makeup tricks that you should NEVER skip.”

Three Tiny Makeup Tweaks That Change The Whole Face

 

Takeaways:

  • Apply concealer after bronzer to create more lift and dimension. Placing brightening concealer on top helps sharpen the contrast and keeps the face from looking flat or muddy.
  • Use concealer and setting powder strategically under contour. Cleaning up the area beneath your cheek contour instantly creates a more sculpted, defined cheekbone effect.
  • Add subtle contour in unexpected places for fuller-looking lips. A little contour under the bottom lip and above the Cupid’s bow creates natural-looking depth without needing filler.

Watch all 3 tricks on IG.

STAFF PICKS

Stuff We’re Loving This Week

 

👉 Find out how to handle employee resistance to your team’s AI initiatives at this free event on 6/11.

👗 The linen dress with a corset bodice, lace trim, and (yes) pockets.

☀️ A bronzer stick that gives you instant warmth without a whole makeup routine.

💋 This lip balm feels more elevated than every other throw-it-in-your-bag pick.

JUST FOR FUN

A meme shows a monkey wearing sunglasses and a headscarf with a long caption about overthinking at work. The text jokes about already crossing multiple bridges before problems even happen.

COMMUNITY

📆 Upcoming Events

Smart Girl Society is our private community for women who want deeper conversations, accountability, and tools that actually make life easier. Join the waitlist to get in the next round.

💼 Browse our job board here.

SPILL THE TEA

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TA Poll ThirstyThurs 237

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