Category: sorry, not sorry

Lisa Eldridge eyeshadow palette – Myth

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A thorough review, after having used this palette for several full days, showing you the beautiful performance and blendability of this brighter mid-toned palette, but also some less spoken about characteristics I’ve stumbled upon and may be of interest to you.
Keep in mind in the meantime I’ve received Vega as a gift (I’m spoiled, I know), and I’ve had the same experience with all the formulas in that palette.

If you’re looking for super smoothing flattering mattes that blend themselves out and with which you can hardly over-apply, this is definitely one palette to look into.
But if you’re into shiny-sparkly shades, or if you need longevity for a full day of work (or just because you have oily lids), you may want to watch the whole video.

Of course this is just my experience (although I’ve been talking with some people and I’ve been having some similar feedback), so take it all with a grain of salt! It’s overall a beautiful palette, I love the “poppable” pans, the concepts behind the colour stories, and how impeccably and effortlessly you can make a look.

eyeshadow palette declutter

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quite self-explanatory, this is another (quite exciting) part of my Make Up Reset Project.

I thought I’d ease my way into it by decluttering my eyeshadow palettes first, since I knew I could actually be quite assertive with them… many of the next categories will be a lot harder for me to go through, I think.

I created 4 piles: staying, going, nostalgia (for those I’m not using anymore but from which I can’t separate for emotional reasons), and the chopping block (for those that I’m not sure I want to get rid of, so I’ll give them a good go before deciding – so, more videos eheh).

I’m happy to report that almost half of my palettes are leaving my collection!

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.

disappointing skincare from 2021

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there are always a few things that don’t agree with my skin. throughout the year I always sprinkle my review videos (especially my empties) with some duds. these are the products that haven’t made it to the empties because I just haven’t been able to use them up!

it comes without saying (but saying it nonetheless) that we’re all different and what didn’t work for me may do wonders for you. this is not a diss on the products, brands or your personal choices. it’s just a list of things that didn’t work for me and my heartbroken overview.

sunscreens that did not like me

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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.

all the links and more info

favourites from More Than Beauty Store

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long story short, I became affiliate with a Portuguese store, More Than Beauty Store, that sells international brands and my Portuguese viewers asked for a list of my favourites from there.

since these are products that are widely available, I thought I’d do my weekly video on them.

UPDATE: More Than Beauty offers international shipping to the EU, so if you’d like to support me, please feel free to explore the website and use my affiliate code FREEVOLOUS10 for 10% off.

you’ve heard about all of these, so there’s nothing too new here, but all of the products have a special place in my heart and stash ;)

just to reiterate: the links on this post are affiliated!

product list

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.