Category: review

new Lisa Eldridge make up

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a haul and try-on of the goodies I got from the latest release.
this is becoming such a nicely curated collection and I can’t wait for the newness in the Autumn – and maybe some restocking of lip pencils, and the blushes that I had to leave behind this time around…

Lisa Eldridge releases new products just a couple of times a year and has a limited stock, so the best option would be to sign up for the newsletter and follow her channel to know all about the new products in advance.
there are still some products for sale at the time of this post, but for instance the blushes are all sold out.

the ones I got

Elevated Glow Highlighter in Crystal Nebula and Solar Light
Enlivening Blush in Pink Soap, Island Glow and Mountain Walk
Luxuriously Lucent Lip Colour in Kitten Mischief and Painterly
Gloss Embrace in Songbird and Affair

all about my foundations . tag

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oooh, I’ve been wanting to do this for so long and a subscriber finally gave me the much needed kick in the butt to get on with it.

I got the tag from TTSandra (a gorgeous and super classy Canadian YouTuber, by the way), and added a couple of questions. if you want to carry on with the tag, feel free to pick it up from here :)

newest foundation in my collection
Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint

oldest foundation in my collection
Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation (or is it?*)

most expensive foundation I own
Chanel Les Beiges Water Tint (though this one is hardly a foundation or even a tinted moisturiser)

least expensive foundation I own
Purito Cica Clearing BB Cream
honorable mention to the sample size of Danessa Myricks Vision Cream Cover (only 5€ and it will last you a long time!)

most “everyday” foundation for me
CYO Lifeproof (discontinued)
Dior Backstage
Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation
Purito Cica Clearing BB Cream
Make Up Forever HD Ultra Foundation Stick

foundation with the best memory attached to it
Hourglass Vanish Stick Foundation

a foundation that is worth the hype
Dior Backstage

a foundation that is not worth the hype
Fenty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation

favourite foundation from your favourite brand
Danessa Myricks Vision Cream Cover Foundation

most used foundation
CYO Lifeproof
Make Up Forever HD Ultra Foundation Stick

most underrated foundation
Danessa Myricks Vision Cream Cover Foundation
Cover FX Power Play
Purito Cica Clear BB Cream
Physician’s Formula Healthy Mix

most nostalgic foundation
*MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation
Lancôme Miracle Cushion Foundation (discontinued)

most disappointing foundation
Catrice True Skin Foundation

most unique foundation
CYO Lifeproof (discontinued)
Danessa Myricks Vision Cream Cover Foundation

solid classics (those foundations that have remained solid favourites long after the hype was gone)
Nars Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation
Dior Backstage
Make Up Forever HD Ultra Foundation Stick

the one with the dupe (one that is hyped at the moment for some reason, but it has been done beautifully by other brands before)
Fenty Pro Filt’r Powder Foundation
Sephora Collection Matte Perfection Powder Foundation

sustainable period collecting products

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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.

products mentioned:

  • menstrual cups – mine I think is an Organicup
  • menstrual disc – mine is Ziggy Cup by Intimina
  • cloth pads
  • period underwear – I got mine from Thinx US, you can find bits of the collection in Europe through Asos.

Lush make up try-on

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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).

Vueset — the customisable palettes wonders

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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.

read all about it

winter skincare routine – pm

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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.

products mentioned

Danessa Myricks – does it crease, though?

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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…

– But does it crease, though?

read all about it