Ok, so I wanted to introduce a regular (just how regular will remain to be seen lol) post that’s kind of a bit more casual than a review, just a little beauty catch up on what I might be using, liking, not liking, what’s new… anything really!
#1. Krave Beauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser
It’s been many many years since a face ‘wash’ stole my heart (there’s actually been a couple lately – but I’ll save that until later). I say wash, because that’s kind of the experience of using the Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser – albeit without the harsh SLS and tight dry skin. I wrote about my recent Krave Beauty haul recently and I am so impressed by the line. The cleanser is an absolute pleasure to use either sink-side or can be easily rinsed off in the shower (don’t scald your face people – cool water only on the face in the shower). It gets a little foamy and lather-y when you add a few drops of water (I find these types of cleansers work best on a damp face) but it’s super gentle on my skin and when rinsed away my skin feels clean and refreshed – not squeaky and tight.
It’s packed with good ingredients – the Matcha makes up 40% of the cleanser (full of antioxidants) and then there’s Hemp Seed Oil (moisturizing, calming and antibacterial) Vitamin B5 (anti-inflamatory) Sodium PCA (humectant) plus Krave uses really mild cleansing agents to not only not disrupt your skins natural barrier but to help replenish it.
#2. Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and De-Puffing Eye Contour Cream
In my opinion this is best saved to use in the mornings so you can really take advantage of the brightening effect. Sunday Riley Auto Correct is easily absorbed into the eye area and gives off the most beautiful subtle light reflection ( there is light reflecting particles included in the cream). Dull tired eyes? She’s your girl. I haven’t used long enough to say if the brightening or de-puffing is anything more than a superficial effect but the short term effects are very real and I am completely into it.
I’d suspect that it’s the included Caffeine that has something to do with making me look like I had more than a couple extra hours sleep (wouldn’t that be nice though for real?!). Also included is Lutein – which is an antixoidant (and honestly one I’d not heard of before) that give your eyes some blue light protection (remember – its not just UVA/UVB these days) Jury’s still out on just how much ‘blue light” is affecting our skin cell health, if you want some further reading about blue light and the effects it may have Lab Muffin Beauty Science has a pretty comprehensive article here and Youtube video here.
Press Sample via Mecca Cosmetica
#3. Trinny London BFF Cream Skin Perfector SPF30
I go a little back and forth with this one. After hearing so much hype and love around the internets for the Trinny London BFF Cream I had some pretty high expectations. My assumption was that this would be a light coverage foundation with SPF30. Not truly the case but that’s more down to how I interpreted what I’d read about it, rather than what Trinny London actually market it as.
After using it for a month or two now, I tend to think of it more as a subtlety tinted SPF. The coverage is very minimal but what it does do, and pretty fantastically – I might add, is give a bit of a blur to imperfections on the skin and a just a light wash of tint to even out the complexion. Basically, it’s your BFF for casual weekend brunches or daytime errands when you just want your face to look ‘undead’ but you have no time or inclination for a proper full face.
Paired with some concealer, cream blush, lip and mascara you can pull off a more put together look, but to be honest, if I am going to these lengths I’ll just pull out a light foundation for a quick face rather than faffing about selectively concealing areas.
You can also use it as a primer/SPF but do use a correct amount if you are going to rely on it as your sole SPF – 1/3 to a 1/2 teaspoon to cover face and neck is what’s generally recommended.
What I find super cool about the BFF Cream is that when you pump out the cream it’s actually white. Huh? How does that work? Well, if you look up close the white cream contains tiny shaded microspheres that burst when massaged onto the face and gives that subtle veil of tint and illumination.
Press Sample via Trinny London
#4 Hair Clip Mania
There’s been a recent resurgence of hair accessories like clips and bobby pins – oh! and don’t forget scrunchies – and honestly it has me conflicted and captivated at the same time.
I mean, for someone who lived through the scrunchie craze the first time (80’s/90’s child here!) am I able to actively participate the next time ’round? I certainly don’t hold back at home and I’m totally #teamscrunchie but on the flipside I feel a little apprehensive about a full on scrunchie moment in public at this stage of my life. What do you think? Rock a scrunchie at any age? Or leave it to the later Millennials and Gen Z?
Hair clips and bobby pins I can get behind a little more. You don’t have to go overboard to make an impact. Claudia Ciocca has a beautiful slideshow of bobby pin moments that are giving me so much inspiration – take a look here.
I’ve invested in a couple of coloured clips to try the trend out for myself and I’m into it. A clip or two can take a ponytail from basic boring bitch to hey, I’m super cute and a bit more fun!
You can go super bargain or super luxe with this trend. There’s so many gorgeous options at all price points.
End of the day, they are also super cute Instagram props…. so there’s that.
What’s your thoughts on all the recent hair trends? Do you have a Highlight or Lowlight you want to tell me about?
