natjtan I can’t believe it’s March already, we’re transition into a new season and I’m posting about December January Beauty Finds. Our skin renews itself about every 4 weeks so if I like something I like to give it more than a month to see if it works.
I have 4 requirements when it comes to skin care and cosmetics: Cruelty free and no animal testing (though vegan I eat honey so beeswax and honey are okay. I draw the line at bee venom), contains no animal ingredients that I know of, doesn’t sell physically in China, contain no crap ingredients like SLS, parabens, sulphates, phthalates, petroleum (though some derivatives with low toxic rating as listed on ewg.com I allow), palm oil as I like orang-utans more and as natural ingredients as possible. The last 2 with make up can be tricky especially in Europe so I go with what I can get. And yes my love of Korean products is still going strong. My skin’s oily combination with a neural undertone. Pores, blackheads the occasional acne and anti ageing are what I’m combating.
The Hits
Neogen Dermalogy Bio-Peel+ Gauze Peeling Lemon
Neogen is one of my favourite Korean cruelty free skin care brands. Most of their products are based on fermentation and this one is no exception It’s an at home peeling bio-peel gauze that promotes smoother, brighter more luminous skin. It gently exfoliates dead skins cells, impurities and clarifies dull skin. Like a regular exfoliator I use it after cleansing and before toning and love love it’s scent. If you love limoncello you’ll love the smell! I’ve been using about twice a week and have noticed a reduction in blackheads, less blocked pores and better skin brightness.
Mediheal Line Friends E.G.T Timtox Ampoule Mask Ex
Sheet masks are my weakness as I transition to zero or less plastic waste. The results of this one I love. It’s aimed at ‘mature’ skin but my skin looks smoother, fuller, healthier and glowing afterwards. I use one about once a week as it’s a little more expensive and effective than my other favourites which are more maintenance masks (for me a few coffees out, but then I don’t have tea or coffee out!) or when my skin feels tired, dull and dehydrated. The mask tears nicely along the nose bridge for a snugger fit and it’s quite good at staying put under my chin. It comes with ample amounts of essence with any excess I pat onto my neck and decollarge. The only con is it’s scent can take a bit of getting used it.
Elizavecca MilkyPiggy Gold Kangsi Pack
Okay, the collagen’s marine, but that can contain crustaceans, so don’t judge me with this one. I didn’t know about crustaceans in marine collagen until P looked it up (I was trying to get him to use it!). I thought it was plants, seaweed man! As far as I know the brand’s cruelty free and doesn’t sell physically in China. Anyways, the mask. It contains 24k gold powder (yes, I may sing Bruno Mars when appling) that when applied’s gold and as it dries turns white after 15-20 minutes. It can have a drying feel afterwards if left on for too long and its scent can be a little chemical. I use it once to twice a week and my skin generally looks brighter and smoother after with pores looking happier. It washes off easily and slightly foams while rinsing.
Marc Jacobs O!Megalash Mascara in Blacquer
I’m forever looking out for a cruelty free mascara that lengthens and volumes and this one’s currently my favourite. It’s expensive about €28 but that’s what’s Sephora points card’s for. Aside from packaging which I love, I love that it lengthens and give a fair amount of volume and doesn’t clump. It doesn’t however hold the volume for long, but I haven’t reacted to it and it doesn’t flake or smudge if I’ve been talking and laughing too much. 2 coats with touch up later and it’s good. It’s not however a dramatic lengthening mascara. More if you like in-between natural and start of dramatic lashes.
The Misses
Jeffree Star Cosmetics, Velour Liquid Lipstick, 714 and Chrysanthemum
I love his YouTube channel though I think I must have had amnesia swayed by the hype with these liquid lipsticks. I don’t even wear lipstick! I’m a lip balm and subtle hint of pink girl. My lips are naturally somewhat pigmented and I never like how lipstick makes me look old or how colours change. I can find a lovely pink lipstick, try it and it becomes a purply red colour and ages me by 10 years. No thanks. Many of the reviews of the 2 lighter shades (714 from the permanent collection and Chrysanthemum from the Holidays 2017 collection) had them down as light pink colour. Not with me. The 714 was a greyish colour and the Chrysanthemum was a mauve grey colour not the pinks as advertised. I would love it if online retailers would show lip colours of different coloured lips. Online shopping when it comes to cosmetics is a gamble anyway so any help’s appreciated!
They’re the 1st liquid lipsticks I’ve used so I don’t have anything to compare them too. I made sure I exfoliated my lips and lip balm-ed them up before hand but I got streaks with both. Even a subtle hint by not letting them dry 100% I didn’t like the colours. So now I have 2 products I don’t what to do with, just a lesson learned. I waited until the holiday collection was available on Beauty Bay the European retailer for Jeffree Star’s products before purchasing (no import fees or being turned away at customs if sent by a courier as Spain doesn’t allow the import of make up.
Jeffree Star Cosmetics Skin Frost Peach Goddess
Okay, it’s not that I don’t like this product per see. Again I purchased this from Beauty Bay and again all the online tutorials of this shade looked good. It’s more I don’t get along with powered highlighters as I’ve discovered. Cream or stick formulas that work better with my skin type. Used as an eyeshadow it works great! I prefer not to pack it on as the gold shade can be a little dark for me.
Urban Decay Naked Skin One and Done Hybrid Complexion Perfector, SPF 20
I should have know better and stuck with Korean BB creams. I’ve been looking for a new BB cream to replace my cushion compact as I try to reduce plastic waste. I can’t get refill for the compact and therefore have to buy a new compact every time. I picked the lightest shade that I thought I’d make work, but no. It’s way too orange, not enough coverage, the formula oxidised easily and streaked after HITT workouts.
What are your current beauty finds hits and misses?