Category: review

new skincare routine

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I’ve been pretty faithful to the same brands and products for almost 2 years now, but my inquisitive soul has been yearning for some spicing things up. as my current faves run out, I’ve been replacing them with some new-to-me products, and, since I’ve now basically replaced every one, I wanted to share the new routine with you.

please bear in mind that some of these are fairly recent, so I can only speak to the cosmetic elegance, feel and finish of the product, as well as its ingredient list and claims. I can’t report on any results as of yet.

give me the deets!

new(ish) affordable makeup

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here’s to a full face of new and affordable stuff.

May empties

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here’s another one of those… what I’ve actually used up and my in-depth opinions :)

*Affiliate links to More Than Beauty Store. If you need some new products and want to help me purchase more skincare while you’re at it, this is a way to support me. Get 10% off any purchase using the code FREEVOLOUS10

new make up in my life

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I’m not a big fan of haul-type videos, but over te past several months my make up focus has been slowly changing, and I’ve been looking into so many fun and (to me) off the beaten track products that I had to share (stay calm, I still threw some Lisa Eldridges and Natasha Denonas in the mix).

If you want an in-depth video with swatches, comparisons, or how I incorporate these products in my life, just let me know.

click for the products list

Make Up Forever HD Skin Foundation – up close and poresonal

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everyone is raving about this foundation, so I had to give it a not-sponsored whirl.

it claims to be a natural-looking, very long-wearing foundation, with medium coverage, buildable up to high, demi-matte finish, meant for normal, combination and oily skins.
it’s calling my name, right? not only do I have the combo-oily skin, I need my foundation to last a long time and I need to adjust coverage depending on how my acne and pigmentation are behaving.

so I went into a Sephora (not all colours were available to try in that store, mind you), shade-matched myself (which was a chore, because the charts they provide were way off in my case, and the foundations do set quite more peach/orange than they look), and brought a tiny sample jar to try it out with all of you. I did a wonderful shade matching job, if I do say so myself, ending up with the shade 1N15.

whenever you can, get samples before committing to the full size. it’s far more economical, kinder on the environment, and saves you from heartbreak and clutter.

this one’s available in 30 shades and in Portugal it retails for around 40€/30ml.

February/March empties

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another set of short and sweet reviews of products I actually use up!

Pat McGrath x Bridgerton Diamond of the First Water

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Now on a less than perfect, over 40 skin, with no fancy filters…

This 6 pan MTHERSHP palette is currently selling for 71€ at the Pat McGrath web store. It seems to be a limited edition product, so I don’t know for how long it will be available.

I had fun, but also some challenges with it. The colour story is really pretty – albeit a bit limited, you can still get a few different looks from it.
The shades perform well, they blend easily and mix well with each other.
I didn’t find it worked superbly with the eye primer that I own – but then again, I hardly ever use a primer, so that’s a plus for me.
I think the astral shade does benefit from using a glitter glue and a dampened brush, since the glitter is pretty dry and loose – and maybe looks a bit more opaque than it seemed in the videos.
The rose/berry/pink shades work pretty well as blushes, which is a plus, and the satin finish is really flattering.
The light highlighter shade did not perform as well as expected, it was a bit powdery and lacklustre, and it made my skin look a bit more textured.

I used Urban Decay Anti-Aging Primer, NYX Glitter Primer, Urban Decay Alkaline Eyeliner and Hourglass Caution Mascara.

Please note: this video was recorded before the the invasion of Ukraine.
Even if just watching from afar, it is a very disturbing situation, and my heart is in a mush.
I almost didn’t publish this video because it all feels shallow and dumb right now. But, as someone who is clinically anxious, I know how much comfort and escapism a simple make up video can bring. I can value and appreciate how this can help when one’s completely overwhelmed.
And so here it is.
I just didn’t want people who don’t follow me on other platforms to stumble upon this without any context.

geek and gorgeous – an overview

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a small Hungarian brand, woman-owned and science-based, with an interesting line of products that are simple enough to target specific skin concerns yet with a bit more of complexity put into them. it’s affordable and, in my experience, has the most cosmetically elegant formulations I’ve tried in this price tier.

I prefer a complex one and done formulation – layering many one-ingredient products can come with a set of complications, like increased potential for irritation, texture issues because of the layering with, product build-up, pilling etc.; and overall spending the same you’d spend on one serum (made by a specialist) that encompasses most of those needs/ingredients.
But that doesn’t mean simpler formulas don’t have a place in my life: some products are just essentials – which can serve a more simplified routine for many –, and other are add-ons to some specific situations or needs that may be lacking at times.

products mentioned:

  • C Glow
  • A Game
  • Stress Less
  • Liquid hydration
  • HA5 . Rich
  • B Bomb
  • Smooth Out
  • A Pad

you can get their products through the Geek and Gorgeous site, or through the Portuguese More Than Beauty Store.
I have an affiliate code with More Than Beauty, so if you use FREEVOLOUS10 on check-out, you’ll get 10% off and I’ll earn a commission – this does not in any way sway my opinions on the products, of course. no need, they sell lots of stuff ;))

January empties

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new year, old good habits remain of using up what I already have before jumping into something new. here are my thorough reviews of all the products I used up over the past month.

* affiliate link to More Than Beauty Store – international shipping available. Use the code FREEVOLOUS10 on any purchase to get 10% discount

** product sent by Yesstyle in exchange for a mention – obviously they don’t define my opinions, and I don’t sell them for a moisturiser. Use code FREEVOLOUS10 for a discount on Yesstyle.

*** product kindly offered by the brand, no request for mentions.