after a poll on instagram, here are my experiences and opinions on several sustainable period products.
I know these products, some more than others, tend to be more expensive and an investment off the bat – although they pay for themselves in the long run, not everyone can spend that amount of money in one go –, so you may want to look into several experiences online to make a more informed choice.
just know that nothing will replace your personal experience with a product to real gauge how it fits your needs and your anatomy.
always look up the instructions given by the brands, since a good maintenance can make them last for up to 10 years.
I finally caved and bought the Lush Slap Stick Solid Foundation (in N11), a blush/highlighter stick called Glow Stick (in Pipit) and a refillable lipstick (in Cairo), and I decided to try it all out.
these are all very similar wax and oil-based formulas (fragranced) with an interesting approach to recyclable sustainable packaging, in matchstick-type boxes and with a wax protective coating/seal/holder. once you open the lipstick you need to put it in one of their casings (or a palette, like Vueset), there’s no easy (as in mess-free) way to change between lipsticks in the same casing and no extra packaging to save the product once opened.
if you want to see how they applied, look and behaved on my combination skin for several hours, just keep on watching.
these products are available in your country’s Lush (mostly online, few have the makeup available in store).
wanting to start your skincare routine and feeling overwhelmed? I streamlined the basic steps of skincare, coupling them with some more affordable suggestions of products for you to pick. and I’ve listed some of the most common add-ons – the other building blocks you can slowly introduce to your routine, according to your skin’s needs. make sure you have products you like to use everyday, because a routine is made of persistence.
it would be rude of me not to address the fear-mongering and cancer-inducing behaviours a certain video promoted this week… everything based off of false allegations that are not science-backed.
a famous woman who happens to now sell cosmetics, – using her own blog/website to solidify a non-scientific narrative that benefits the sales for said products – made a video in a platform owned by a company that profits from affiliate links, where she deliberately ill-applied sunscreen – the underlying motive: because it has “toxic” ingredients. I don’t care that this over-privileged woman, with privileged access to all the best of everything, including information, decides to throw it all out the window and live her whatever Detox Avocado Lifestyle. it’s one thing to do it for you. another thing is the responsibility that comes with the platform she has, plus Vogue’s. they are spreading a cancer-inducing behaviour – and it’s one of the few cancers that, to some extent can be preventable. I deeply believe this is utterly wrong and dangerous, and everyone involved should be held accountable.
if Beenyth Faltrow was out there doing a video on how she smokes a pack a day because she discovered oxygen was toxic*, would we be having this conversation? Because, if you come to think of it, oxygen is involved in so many processes that may lead to death. and don’t get me started on hydrogen peroxide!
everything taken out of context can mean anything, and the “clean” beauty marketing spiel is creating dangerous habits along with paranoid misinformed consumers.
having a blast with my cream products and the ability to create my own make up palettes.
these are acrylic palettes that come in different sizes, with different shaped wells to which you can decant your products (they show you can take anything from beads to pigments, but I stuck to cream makeup): stick foundations, cream bronzers, pot concealers, lipsticks, you name it. you can create palettes by type of product, your own full face routines, you name it. they seal shut, there’s no transfer between wells, and they are stackable and microwavable. the tiny minis can be gathered in a key ring.
despite not being a pro make up artist, I’ve been truly enjoying these palettes, both by having the most travel-friendly full-faces of makeup that are smaller than a credit card, and by having my whole lipstick collection at a glance.
my morning skincare routine focuses a bit more on keeping my skin balanced, prevent breakouts and hyperpigmentation as well as, as always, also preventing further oxidative stress.
most of the serums mentioned can be used alone (after cleanser, before SPF) for a more minimalistic but still really effective routine, but I do like layering them to try to boost all the benefits possible.
I think this is the perfect time to let you in on my winter skincare routine, since now that I can look back and really hone in on the products and steps that kept my skin going for the past few months.
my skin is combination, I’ve had severe acne from 12 to 23, then mild acne from 25 onwards up until recently (about 1 to 2 years ago my acne started subsiding), and I still have the odd breakout and maskne. I’m very prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that then turns into dark spots that outstay their welcome for years. I’m 41 and life has naturally happened to my skin up until now: loss of elasticity, sagging, wrinkles, fine lines, textural issues.
my goals are keeping my skin barrier safe, help it as much as I can to stay as elastic, responsive and smooth as possible, tackle the blemishes that still come to visit, and tone down and prevent further hyperpigmentation.
I can’t say this enough: what works for me may not work for you, it’s all a game of listening to your skin and understanding what jives with it, being patient and willing to adapt. skincare has its limitations to what can be achieved – it’s only creams and serums, not scalpels nor needles –, and severe issues will definitely need a specialist. we need to manage our expectations regarding skincare (and brands need to back the hell up on the wild claims). but, with good science-based information, I believe many people can safely go beyond the “cleanser-moisturiser-spf” essentials and help their skin stay in the best shape it can be, and even tackle some minor issues.
Independent, female-owned, black-owned brand. YES! (also vegan and cruelty-free)
Danessa Myricks is a make up artist – have you SEEN her Instagram? — and her brand is proudly her, with full-on approachable editorial vibes and products that actually cater to her signature looks and creative needs (loads of cream products, face and eye glosses, multi-taskers and all the colours of the rainbow).
The brand screams inclusivity, innovation and creativity and sports a smile as a sign of strength – also because it hasn’t (until now) been tainted and shrivelled to an empty shell by the Super Greedy Evil Mega Corps™ of this world.
Sporting unapologetic pizazz and fierceness, all glossy lids and dishevelled hair, high heels and neon eyeliner, patent leather pants and juicy cheek bones… In my mind, I’m thinking…
let’s talk about trash, baby let’s talk about my empties let’s talk about all the good things and the bad things used by me ;)
used these all up, hardly any regrets. some I won’t repurchase just because I’m currently going through other products, or because I’ve found some alternatives I prefer. bar from one, these are all winners.
