beauty products – marginalia and such

Summer makeup declutter

I haven’t worn makeup more than 2 or 3 times since March 17th. March 16th was the last day I went to the office, and I probably didn’t wear makeup then, but let’s call it the 17th. Regardless, quarantine has taught me that I really don’t need any of this stuff for the foreseeable future, if at all. Part of me was tempted to toss everything or only keep a hand-full of products, but I know myself—I’ll end up repurchasing the shades I tossed as soon as I get bored, so I kept a decent amount of variety.

A lot of my beauty products are “natural” or small-batch, which means expiry dates are short (6-12 months on average). The first round of cuts included everything that had started to turn/smell/separate/or looked wrong – which meant all my sapphos, fitglow, and two of my twinkle * apothecary lip to cheeks. The rest are products I: a) don’t use, b) was forcing myself to empty for the sense of accomplishment (I’m over it), or c) don’t work for my skin or skin tone.

The result is a curated collection of lip products in my preferred shades/brands, and a small batch of cheek and eye options. Not pictured is my small collection of palettes (and by small, I mean 3 palettes and 1 on the way because how could I resist the Colourpop Sailor Moon?) and a couple of basic shades that are part of my WFH rotation when I need a lift.

I’m satisfied for now.

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makeup capsule: week of 2.24.20

A bit late, but I’ve been migrain-ing and all non-essentials have fallen to the wayside… As a result, I’m going for a light and fresh look with minimal effort.

This week I’ll be using:

Twinkle * Apothecary the Stain on lips – this is a versatile product and probably my favorite blush of the last few months, but it’s also a beautiful, light lip stain
Twinkle * Apothecary petal on lips and cheeks – for the monochrome, 1-product days
Juice Beauty Stem Cellular CC Cream – I think I have 1 more use out of this, maybe 2.
Sappho New Paradigm CC Cream in light – Starting on this as soon as the Juice Beauty becomes an empty. This looks dark at first, but blends to a skin-perfecting finish. It’s also about to turn, so I hope I can make it an empty before it does.
Wet N’ Wild Retractable Brow Pencil – for ze brows (per usual)
Rituel de Fille lipstick in Fortune Teller – in case I need a power lip
Sappho mascara – possibly my fave eco beauty mascara
Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance – I’ve been craving the berry lid look
Smith’s Rosebud salve – a constant
Twinkle * Apothecary scent in Bad B*tch – reminds me of my dad’s perfume. A warm, masculine scent that lasts for hours.

I post #motd stories on my capsule closet insta @emilia____grace

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makeup capsule: week of 2.2.20

This week I’ll be using:

Twinkle * Apothecary the Stain on cheeks – this is a perfect flush
Twinkle * Apothecary bronzing balm – to highlight my cheekbones (also works as a blush for me)
RMS uncoverup 22 – for concealing
Wet N’ Wild Retractable Brow Pencil – for ze brows
Kosås lipstick in Royal – a plummy rose shade
Twinkle * Apothecary Mulholland perfume – a lovely flower-based scent that dries down to a powdery jasmine

A streamlined #makeupcapsule this week. Why? Because my eyes were nearly shut on Saturday morning and I think I finally found the culprit behind the eye dermatitis I had last year….

dun dun dun

ELF MAKEUP BRUSHES!

Yep. Brushes, not shadows. For nearly 9 months, I stopped using eye shadow (hence, my failed #projectpan), thinking I was allergic to an ingredient in the shadows.

A few months ago, I picked up some new brands and bought some Morphe brushes. This time, no dermatitis. I thought it was over, all healed.

Not so.

On Friday, I switched to one of my old elf brushes (one I hadn’t touched in months) and BAM swollen eyelids and what looked like contact dermatitis up to my brow bone. I’m a delicate flower and allergic to sooo many things. I suspect a fiber in the synthetic bristles is the culprit, so I’m putting these in quarantine, but I’m pretty sure I have my answer.

I post #motd stories on my capsule closet insta @emilia____grace

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loves & latest: July 1, 2019

loves latest

loves

reads

The F*ck It Diet by Caroline Dooner

I had a hard time connecting with books in June, but The F*ck It Diet resonated from the start. The title is something of a misnomer IMHO. This is NOT a diet book. This is an anti-diet book. It provides a science-based look at how diets screw up our relationship with food, resulting in restriction, binging, and negative self-image. Dooner’s style is swift and powerful and really hit home for me.

I’ll be posting a dedicated review video later in July because I’m only half-way through and I have soooo many thoughts to share.

beauty

Ocean Potion Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray

It’s summer in South Florida (and the rest of the northern hemisphere, obvs) but for reasons I was caught without sunscreen during my recent birthday penguin adventure. The gift shop had limited options and I am extra sensitive to chemical sunscreens, but this one did the trick, smelled great (no weird metallic scent), and covered my body in a pinch with minimal effort. Plus, it lasts, so I’m ready for my next adventure.

random

hot water bottle

This is an ode to my trusty helper. When I have neck pain, she gets me through the night. Ditto when my knee is flaring. Or cramps. She does it all.

It’s a long story, but I haven’t owned a microwave in two years, which means I can’t use my old flax seed heating pad, and I’m too paranoid for something electric. Enter ye olde hot water bottle. I have the one pictured. It’s pink and comes with a sweater and retains heat really well. If you need a warm hug to get rid of pain, you need one of these and a fast-boil kettle.

Want more recommendations? Check out the Loves page.

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podcast

bluestocking-circle Following on the heels of my personal favorite (Labyrinth), we move onto my co-host’s favorite work: Zorro.

Join us as we explore the quintessential (Latin)American hero and release the Spanglish.

Episode 23: Zorro is available on your favorite podcatcher.

If you want to hear two lady nerds talk about their favorite books and movies, give us a listen on Podomatic, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify. Also available on YouTube.

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loves & latest: June 3, 2019

loves latest

loves

reads

The Woman in the Lake by Nicola Cornick

This is my third Nicola Cornick read and definitely not the last. She writes time-slip mysteries set in England. Her first two books in the “series” were set in Tudor/modern day England, but this one is Georgian/modern day. These are edgy mysteries with a psychological bent… I don’t want to give the plot away, but it involves a dress that brings out the worst in those who possess it.

*more in my upcoming video review – later this month*

Affiliate links help support the site and podcast.

beauty

twinkle * apothecary – petal tint and bronzing balm

Instagram is my happy place. I keep a separate account to track my daily outfits, and have curated this feed with indie beauty brands, project panners, and women of all sizes. As I was browzing, I came across twinkle * apothecary, a female-owned indie beauty brand and store from Oklahoma City. Her products looks so pretty and lush (and affordably priced!), I had to give them a try.

I purchased the petal tint and the bronzing balm. Both give just the right amount of glow to my skin and give me a natural flush. They are lighter and dewy-er than my RMS and great for summer. Love them and look forward to trying more from the brand.

random

I don’t often talk about my partner in online platforms, but we’ve been together for a decade and, despite the ups and downs, there are some days when he really comes through. Today was one of those days. A wasp got into my bedroom and he rose to the occasion like a proper knight to help me get it out and soothe my panicked state.

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podcast

bluestocking-circle It’s June, which means it’s my birthday month(!) and my fellow host indulged my fangirling with a tribute to my FAVORITE movie: Labyrinth.

Episode 22: Labyrinth is available on your favorite podcatcher.

If you want to hear three lady nerds talk about their favorite books and movies, give us a listen on Podomatic, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify. Also available on YouTube.

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