November was a month of skincare discoveries ands scaling down on makeup. I updated my skincare routine with few new favourites and went from full on daytime smokey to more delicate looks. It felt right to do so and I haven't felt that good about my daytime looks in what feels like forever. I'm still pretty ill, with headaches and anaemia currently winning, but by now I am used to fighting, so nothing will bring me down. Posts aren't published as often as I would like and I'm sorry about that. I can only do so much and try to still produce quality content, despite feeling less than optimal. Please bear with me my beauties. Today I am bringing you belated beauty faves of last month and I hope you'll enjoy this beauty editorial.
I've introduced a few new skincare bits into my routine and there are three gems I'd love to share with you today. If there's three items I cannot live without, they will be a cleanser, a mask and a great serum.
New cleanser on my bathroom shelf is Pai Camellia and Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser** (RPR £28.00 for 100ml). Pan Skincare represents what I love about natural skincare, the ingredients are sourced mostly organic and are put together so well, this cleanser will be suitable for the most allergy prone skin types. I have fairly sensitive skin, which is prone to redness and discomfort, this cleanser works great as a second cleanse for me. All you need is 2 pumps to refresh your skin, whilst keeping it hydrated and supple. Muslim cloth is included with purchase so you can remove your cleanser and add an exfoliating motion as well due to the fabric of the cloth. It's advised that you can also use it as makeup remover, but I didn't find it quite up to the scratch so I only ue it as a second cleanser. I use it together with my Konjac Sponge but you can also use it with Foreo Luna or any other electronic cleansing devices. Check out the full ingredients list below:
aqua, camellia sinensis seed oil*, ricinus communis (castor) seed oil*, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil*, cetearyl alcohol, vegetable glycerine*, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter* , cetearyl glucoside, rosa damascena (rose otto) oil*, pelargonium graveolens (geranium) oil*, lavandula officinalis (lavender) flower oil*, litsea cubeba fruit oil* - may chang oil, mixed tocopherols (natural vitamin e), sodium lauroyl lactylate, sodium anisate, sodium levulinate, lactic acid, glyceryl stearate citrate *Certified Organic
New mask that's stolen my heart in the last few weeks is the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask** (RPR £30.00 for 150ml). It has come highly recommended by my fellow bloggers Nishi (POST) and Dagmara (POST), so I couldn't say no to trying this quite incredible mask. I honestly don't know what makes it so special, but using it once a week has transformed the texture of my skin. This is acid based mask with quite harsh exfoliation, yet it still works great on my sensitive skin. First you feel a slight burning sensation to your skin, which goes away 2-3 minutes in the treatment. You are to leave it on for up to 10 min but it's recommended to adjust the time based on your skin sensitivity. It's Triple Action Technology works great at deeply nourishing and clarifying the skin. Firstly natural pumpkin enzymes exfoliate to digest the dead surface skin cells whilst Alpha Hydroxy Acid works at peeling away dull complexion and revealing fresh and youthful you. Lastly the silver like crystals (used in salon microdermabrasion treatments) polish the skin revealing your best complexion appearance ever. The mask is gigantic and I have no idea if I'll ever be able to use it up, as you only need to apply the tiny amount to your skin. Once applied, make sure you wet your finger tips and massage the mask in for 30 seconds. This activates the crystals. Leave on for 3-7 mins depending on skin sensitivity. I recommend starting with 5 and building your tolerance with each treatment. Check out full ingredients list below:
Water/Aqua/Eau, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin), Aluminum Oxide, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Edta Edetate Discodium Dihydrate Usp, Methyl Eugenol, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate,Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol.
The Ordinary "Buffet" Multi Technology Peptide Serum (RPR £12.70 for 30ml) may be the best anti-aging serum on the market, yet it won't break the bank. Brought to us by Daciem, the company behind brands such as Hylamide or Niod. So how is it possible to offer advanced formulas at the price of two cocktails at Wetherspoons? The Ordinary creator claims to unleash its products on a beauty industry which charges us crazy amount of money for ingredients costing less than £0.50! Combine that with easy on the eye glass packaging and you find yourself shopping your arse off at The Ordinary website. The formula of 'Buffet' is packed with the active ingredients no one can pronounce and it just works. It's as simple as that. Funnily enough "Buffet' is their most expensive serum with others starting at just £4.90!!! It's a clear like thick gel that applies evenly and sinks in almost instantly, making it a great choice for both AM and PM skincare routines. I tend to use it in the morning alone and mixed with oily based serum in the evening for an extra hydration. Using it for 3 plus weeks, doesn't really give me a chance for a full review, but my skin looks good. It just does. Yes the lines are still there but something is changing. I am looking forward to using more serums from The Ordinary as you can combine them too, which is what the brand recommends doing. Please find the list of ingredients below:
Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Trehalose, Fructose, Glucose, Maltose, Urea, Sodium PCA, PCA, Sodium Lactate, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.
Zoeva seems to be on a high again with two launches that completely overcame my makeup regime. Their Plaisir series (POST) finally updated with two new 'chocolate' palettes complete the collection started with my all time favourite Cocoa Blend. I had a hard time choosing which palette I prefer so I decided to include them both. Just because I love them both exactly the same. Blanc Fusion** (RPR £18.00)is a stunning daytime palette with neutral and warm tone shades being just so simple yet divine, it will change your fave morning eye makeup. I think it was a main reason behind my more subtle looks this month. Caramel Melange (RPR £18.00) just scream it colours with the variety of reds and red toned neutrals. This is a fantastic palette for those of you sporting blue/green and grey eyes. I love it as it brings out the best of my own eye colour and the shades are just stunning. I have a review on both palettes HERE, so check it out for swatches!
If you've been following me for a while you know I do a beauty swaps with a lovely girl from Poland, Dominika (check out her beauty Instagram HERE). This time I was able to get my hands on so many awesome products, but one has totally changed my bronzer game! I'm used to cool toned shades due to my complexion with pink tones so I am used to skipping warming bronzers. Finally there's one I can get around and it is Golden Rose Mineral Terracotta Powder in 04 (RPR £4.65 in Poland or £5.21 on Ebay). It gives the most beautiful flush of colour and I love using it on top of my cheekbones and on my forehead to add just a touch of colour to my complexion. It's not super pigmented, it has the smoothest satin finish I've ever seen plus it's so finely milled, you'lll fall in love with it instantly. I can't praise it enough! Modern classic packaging doesn't feel cheap at all and it became a staple in my day to day routine. I love using it with my new EcoTools Blending and Bronzing Brush 1305 (RPR £8.65) (POST) which is a brilliant duo fiber face brush. It's large enough to apply powder formulas in one swipe and great for bronzers, setting powders or even blush. I tried it with many, but now I stick to using it with my bronzers. Not the contour shades as it's slightly too big to be precise with it but brilliant to warm up the complexion. Super soft bristles, good quality handle and no shedding. I am surprised I haven't tried Eco Tools before!
My dry lips are always struggling come winter time, so I updated my routine with the best lip moisturiser on the market. Lanolips (RPR £10.99) isn't the cheapest lip treatment out there but honestly it is the best I've ever used. No Carmex or even Dr Lipp compare. It's thick oil gel formula makes for a superb overnight lip treatment or something to soothe your lips in between the lipstick top ups during the day. There's not much else to say, other than that it just works. Where other lip treatments work only if used non stop, Lanolips works ore thoroughly. It's the only one for me and I wouldn't change it for the world.
I kept to nude when it comes to lipstick shades in November. Yes I wore an occasional vampy lip too, but nudes are such an easy every day look that it overcame my routine once more. I have lots of nude lipsticks but there were two that totally changed the game for me in November. Makeup Revolution Rose Gold Lipstick in Chauffeur (POST) (RPR £3.00) is the best there is when it comes to affordable satin finish lippies. I love the formula as it glides on the lips and doesn't dry them out plus the shade is just stunning. Cool tone nude light enough to be called nude for pale complexions. I highly recommend trying them out and if satin finish isn't on cards right now, MUR has released this shade in matte too (here). I didn't stray from liquid lippies either and my fave formula this autumn/winter is from one and only Jeffree Star. JS Velour Liquid Lipstick in Mannequin is a gorgeous slightly pink nude. This one's high coverage super matte finish that somehow doesn't dry out my lips. It stays on for a comfortable 4-8 hours, depending on food you eat etc. What I don't love is the scent of this particular shade, but thankfully it evaporates quickly. The shade is a true stunner and I found myself reaching for it constantly in the last few weeks.
It wouldn't be November faves if I didn't mention Gilmore Girls Revival: A Year in the Life. I've loved Gilmore Girls and kinda grew up with Lory, so when Netflix has announced the sequel, I practically screamed with joy. On November 25th it premiered on Netflix and I actually passed on a Christmas Party to stay home and watch it - no judgement! I watched it with coffee because there's no other drink that can be enjoyed as much watching Lorelai! It made me laugh and cry, especially The Fall instalment which got me sobbing few minutes in and left me devastated. It's such a beautiful story od Mother and Daughter that I can totally relate to. If you haven't already - get yourself on to Netflix to relive Lorelai and Rory's life. Beautiful <3 Netflix subscription available HERE for only £8.99 a month.
That's it for my monthly beauty edit. I hope you found some inspiration in my picks. What did you love in November, I'm easy to be enabled so please let me know your absolute faves I shouldn't miss out on! Happy December my beauties!!!
Thank You For Reading,
Love
Dorota X
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