February/March empties

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

Pat McGrath x Bridgerton Diamond of the First Water

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

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 ;))

Purito Cica Clearing BB Cream . Up Close and Poresonal

Oh, I’ve missed doing these videos!
Here’s a “too close to comfort” review of Purito Cica Clearing BB Cream.

Things you may want to know:

  • I have combination skin, going through a more oily phase; over 40, so with wrinkles; acne-prone since I was 12, with breakouts and hyperpigmentation which I tend to prefer to cover;
  • you can buy this product from Yesstyle (it takes a while to ship, if you know of a European retailer that can ship this faster, let us all know!);
  • it’s (at this time) 10,60€ for 30ml;
  • it’s a light to medium coverage foundation, feels like a cream, leaves a luminous to dewy look on the skin, evens out and visually smoothes texture;
  • terrible shade range – 27 (the shade I’m wearing) is the darkest colour;
  • claims to contain moisturising “Cica” extracts to strengthen the skin barrier– it does contain Niacinamide, Panthenol and Centella Asiatica, among other lesser-known ingredients that help with skin barrier and soothing the skin, as well as classic emollient, humectant and moisturising agents, and a cocktail of UV filters (the US website claims SPF 38 PA+++).
  • does not contain fragrance nor essential oils.
other things to consider

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Concealer Review

Getting sucked in by all the hype makes me buy stuff I wasn’t planning to get. It’s ok to step out of my comfort zone (and have some new content for you guys), but was it worth it for me, personally?

Check the video to find out.

You can buy the Pro Filt’r Concealer at a Fenty Beauty Counter or, depending where you live, at Sephora.

base routine — Hourglass goodies

I come to you with a stuffy nose to show you how I’m enjoying the new products I’ve acquired recently, most of them from Hourglass.

Being such an expensive brand, I wanted to do my routine on camera for you to see how it works on me to help you decide if these are some products you’d like to invest in.

click for products description and links

Dior Backstage foundation — Up Close and Poresonal

This one was so raved that, as soon as I test-drived my sample (as I should always do, impulsive buyer me…) I had to make a video on it.

This foundation retails for around 40$, around 40€, or 39£ — for 50ml —, comes in 40 shades with 4 different undertones, it’s not cruelty free and claims highly customisable coverage, a natural finish, and resisting through water and sweat.
It’s widely available in counters worldwide, and I found it online at Selfridges and, of course, Sephora US.