An overview of last month’s empties, with mini-reviews: know what I loved and repurchased and what is not coming back to my collection.
new makeup loves
where have I been burning my moneys lately?
on these:
- Cover Fx Monochromatic Bronzer Duo – Sunkissed Bronze
- Danessa Myricks Vision Flush – Ballet slippers, Sweet Nectar
- Danessa Myricks Twin Flames – Everlasting, Amour
- Beauty Bay Pressed Eye Pigment – Air
- Romand (Rom&nd) Juicy Lasting Tint* – 06 Fig Fig, 01 Juicy Oh!
(also mentioned Glasting Water Tint* 03 Brick River) - Catrice Power Full Liquid Lip Balm – 10 Glossy Apricot
*you can get a discount on any purchase on YesStyle (<— affiliate link, the ones above are not) by using my affiliate discount code FREEVOLOUS10
new beauty – skincare
a small batch of new products entering my life and my impressions so far.
- Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing balm*
- Geek & Gorgeous aPAD (azelaic acid derivative – hyperpigmentation)
- Geek & Gorgeous Stress Less (barrier repair)
- Hada Labo Premium Moisturiser** (hydrating moisturiser)
- Dear, Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Moisturiser** (rich moisturiser with barrier repair properties) – this product was offered to me by Yesstyle, but the opinions are obviously my own – I don’t sell out for creams.
* affiliate link to More Than Beauty Store, which now has international shipping – use the code FREEVOLOUS10 for a discount in any purchase on the store.
** use the affiliate code FREEVOLOUS10 for a discount in any purchase on YesStyle
learn more about me and my stance on affiliations and other things here.
august empties 2021
clinique even better clinical serum foundation – UCAP
geesh, these names make the titles so long and aesthetically unpleasant… dang…
here’s my 11 hour experience with this foundation from Clinique that brings so many claims… I had to check them all against my combination-oily skin with dark spots and acne remnants that need coverage, and some wrinkles that worsen with base products – tough balance, I know, but I also know many of you out there feel the same.
the skincare ingredientes included are nice, but I prefer to rely on skincare to deliver actual effects, and also because an SPF of 20 is hardly enough for my needs (or would hardly be correctly applied, seeing that it is a heavier coverage product which we tend to sheer out). I really believe including SPF in tinted products makes people fall into a false sense of security and risk their skins more… so for me a foundation having sunscreen in it is completely indifferent.
you can easily find Clinique anywhere, but here’s a link for Lookfantastic in case you need it :)
sunscreens that did not like me
I come to you in a moaning tone, b*tching about the sunscreens I purchased and tested that turned out to be huge flops.
that being said, although I’m shamelessly complaining and explaining in detail all the reasons why these products let me down, that doesn’t mean they are in any way bad products in themselves… they were just bad for me. it comes down to skin type and the chemistry that occurs between our skin, the product, and even other products underneath. although I did try to minimise my routines to accommodate these little suckers, they still refused to cooperate, and my skincare routine is something I’m not willing to give up that easily either, so that would still make them less prone to be a part of my life anyway.
reviewing pharmacy body sunscreens
I’ve been testing a few (mostly French) pharmacy body sunscreens, and decided to share my impressions on them.
I’m particular to an spf 50+ that sets transparent on the skin and feels comfortable and lightweight even when applying the correct amount.
all of these are light fluids, dry oils or aerosols, formulated for intense sun exposure, yet I’ve tested them on a more daily urban routine setting, albeit always reapplying.
my favourite for the highest and most reliable protection under intense sun exposure, both for face and body, is P20 Suncare for kids, which is a cream.
just because some haven’t worked for me it doesn’t mean you’ll have the same experience.
these were the greats:
- Isdin Fotoprotector Transparent Spray Wet Skin
- Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced Spray
- Uriage Bariésun Light Fluid Spray
these were the mehs:
- Uriage Bariésun Dry Oil
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Dermo-Pediatrics Spray – can’t find the exact one I’m talking about, don’t know if they’ve recently reformulated…
- Bioderma Photoderm Bronz Spray – this is the one that promotes melanin production
reapplying sunscreen
tale as old as time: you’ve done your skincare routine, you’ve applied makeup, and now you’re stepping out into life. how do you reapply your sunscreen with minimum disruption of your work of art?
disclaimers:
1. I’m talking about short bursts of moderate sun exposure, like your daily commute, going to have a meal outside, running errands… NOT sitting out frying in the sun – there’s no safe way to do that without reapplying sunscreen like a mad person super regularly and staying in the shade during the harshest hours.
2. any kind of product applied on top of your makeup will likely slightly disrupt it, and the (hopefully) frequent reapplication can make it more pliable as the day goes by. it just comes with the territory and it’s nothing that having a few cotton buds, a powder/concealer and your lipstick at hand won’t solve.
new sunscreens on the block
there are so many great products on the market, I had to make a video on the ones I’ve been recently trying out and loving!
most of them will be easily accessible in your local pharmacies, so bonus points for that!
- Garnier Sensitive Advanced Facial Fluid SPF 50+ (usually available also at Lookfantastic)
- Uriage Bariésun Ultra Light Fragrance-Free Fluid SPF 50+
- Uriage Bariésun Fragrance-Free Cream SPF 50+
- Uriage Bariésun Anti-Brown Spot Fragrance-Free Fluid SPF50+
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Age Correct SPF 50+
- Hello Sunday The One That’s a Serum Day Drops SPF 45
- Lierac Sunissime Protective Eye Care SPF 50
Essence Pretty Natural Foundation – up close and poresonal
on Instagram, you all voted on this one to go under the microscope today, and, to be honest, I was rooting for this one to end. I mean, the claims!
medium coverage, natural matte finish, long-wearing, hydrating… and a super affordable price? I wanted to put it to the test!
bar my pitiful shade matching, I think you’ll get a thorough first impressions, application and review on this little nugget.
it is available supposedly in 36 shades (at least in the US), in store in Portugal and in most online renowned online shops we only have access to about 10 (shameful!). I found a larger range at Maquibeauty but they only ship I believe to Portugal and Spain.
it turned out practically impossible hard to find an online store with more than the 10 shades (Feelunique, for instance, only has a limited shade range), so I’m leaving you the link to the Essence European website (where they mention only 19 shades… wtf?!) where you have a store finder.
do let me know if you know of a bigger online retailer that has the full shade range and can ship around Europe…
