Was I sexually assaulted?
Short answer is no.
Rationally speaking, no.
Factually speaking, no.
In my mind? It's harder to explain than a simple no.

I want to preface this post by saying outright that I am sharing this for the first time - even with the short conversations I had with my mum and sister about this, I have never gone this deep. So this is a first. I will probably not be 100% coherent or make the most sense. My thoughts might be more sketches and drafts of what I actually feel and if you feel the need to correct me or educate me at any point, please feel free to do so.

I also want to highlight the fact that, by calling my experience a "sort of", "kind of" assault, I do not mean to offend or diminish the pain of survivors of "actual assault" that involves a real offender. At all. That is not in any way, shape or form my intention - so if you do feel hurt or offended by my story, please feel free to comment below as I would love to hear your perspective on this.

And we'll head off to a confusing start I guess...

I was born with a bladder condition called vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), where some of the urine basically flows backwards from the bladder, up the ureter and back to the kidney (instead of 100% of the urine flowing forward where you actually pee it all). That does not mean I didn't pee, I did. Just a bit of my urine travelled back into my kidneys (from both ureters, so both sides) and that is not only unhealthy on its own, it leads to tons of urinary tract infections and, if not properly handled, could also lead to becoming infertile.

I had laser surgery twice to fix this problem (at 11 and then again at 13) but, between them and before them, ever since I was born, I would go for a check-up exam (usually yearly). They hoped the situation would be resolved on its own, but it did not. Hence, the surgeries.

These exams were excruciating.
I don't exactly remember my first one, of course. I was an infant.
But I do remember one where I already had my period, I had pubic hair, I had breasts and was "a woman". It was awkward.

Every since I can remember, I hated these exams.
They consisted of me going in to see a urologist (always a male), they would have me lay down on this ice-as-cold metal exam table totally naked and spread my legs and arms. Then the doctor would insert a not-so-tiny transparent tube up my urethra, they would fill the bladder up with water so that they could have me pee for them to see on the CAT scan how my bladder would behave doing so.

Of course, this was a medical exam. They had my mother's consent. She wanted to get me better. They were doing their jobs - harshly and coldly but in a professional manner. They did not assault me or act inappropriately. But I felt assaulted.
I don't know if this will ring true to anyone or make any sense but I hope so...

Every single time I went in, I asked for a female doctor. The male doctor laughed it off and said "don't be so whiny". Every single time I watched the doctor invade my personal space and self and I felt disgusted, uncomfortable, ashamed, humiliated and small. So small.
I can remember so even from a young age.
Then having to pee as they insisted and almost yelled for me to do so in front of so many people was mentally painful. Almost like emotional torture.

I did not consent.
I did not want it.
I realise both then and now that I was being treated medically.
But it scarred me as a human being.

I remember begging my mum not to go in again and not to have to do it.
The older I became the weirder it got for me.

Nowadays, I'm shameless when it comes to nudity.
I have a male gynocologist and have no problems with that. I have no problems getting naked in front of doctors and nurses but... I consent to all of that! So it feels very different.

Now you might think: how did this affect your life? Seriously?

From a young age - maybe an age of perception and reflexion - I developed a condition called vaginismus.

When I lost my virginity, it hurt like hell.
But I figured it was my first time, then it'd be ok.
Except it wasn't...
It kept hurting. Every single time. Not throughout the whole act of intercourse, just the beginning. But the first penetration just stung so much.
And I could never fully relax while someone performed oral sex on me (not even my long time boyfriend, who I feel and felt ultra comfortable with). It was too much. Too close. Too personal.

When I realised what this condition was, I was asked to think of any past trauma or events that might have contributed to this unconscious fear of penetration - and the usuals are pregnancy and assault. I had none. Not really. Yet after much soul searching I realised only this could be it. The answer. The reason. The why.

I began "physical therapy" for this and, again, this is still not something I'm completely comfortable talking about, because honestly I'm not completely over it, not fully healed - maybe one day.
But basically it just involves doing flexing exercises, sort of like kegels. So you have more control of your muscles down there and you can learn to let them loose when you want to.

Because, honestly, no matter how comfortable I was in any given sexual situation, no matter how much I wanted it to happen... No matter how relaxed I felt... When anything or anyone even went near my vagina (even my own self), I just felt it close up. Literally. Shut down! None shall pass!

Vaginismus can be a periodic condition that affects you when you're a bit more stressed or going through something mentally that manifests physically. But it can also be, like it was/is for me, something more continuous that has been with me ever since I can remember because the "trauma" is so far back.

So... Was I sexually assaulted?
Technically, no.
But, practically speaking, for me... My mind? Yes.
It's probably better defined as "sexual trauma" rather than "assault". Yet I feel like trauma is so vague that you eventually have to define it further...
It's frustrating to think so because there's no one to blame and nothing that could have been done differently really. It's just there. A mountain I have to climb every once in a while.

I have wondered wether to do specific mental therapy focused on this several times but I'm still not sure because, rationally, I am over it. My body just isn't. And it gets me thinking... Is it muscle memory?
You know when you do something so routinely and automatically you don't even remember doing it?
My dance teachers would often say "let the choreography learn you and muscle memory will never fail you" like this movement would just automatically come after the other because we internalised it that way.
I think that's what happened with me. Anytime someone came near my vagina I tensed up for a long period of time because it meant pain and uncomfortableness - from ages 0 to 13. So I believe it might be just my go-to response. Something I unconsciously picked up and have a hard time going against. It IS possible to overcome it. But it does come with a lot of therapy and hard work.

But what are your thoughts on this?
Have you ever heard of vaginismus? Have you had a similar experience?
I believe this condition is so much more widespread that we believe it to be because there's so much stigma around female sexuality, still to this day.

Let me know all your thoughts. Even if you disagree, comment below, please. I really want to have this conversation with you.

Caudalie has been one of my favourite skincare brands for the longest time, ever since the start of my blog in 2012 (sweet lord, has it been that long??)
Among my favourites are the Vinosource Sorbet Cream, Recovery Oil & SOS Serum, the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum & Brightening Essence and, to be quite honest, all their masks are the bomb.

But I was always surprised they never had a proper range for oily and acne-prone skin types.
This was recently explained to me when I went to their launch event ⎼ since the brand prides itself in coming out with products that are mostly made with natural ingredients (usually upwards of 95%) and they hadn't, until now, come up with a natural way to produce/extract salicylic acid (which they wanted to be the star ingredient) they just put it on hold. They researched and studied but never launched anything.
Makes sense. Kind of. I mean, there are so many ways to go around salycilic acid that still help acne. But I get the rationale.

Finally, they managed to extract salycilic acid from a plant called wintergreen in high dosages and they plowed through, creating a 3-step range of products that are, in theory, all we've ever asked from the brand.
But the reality is quite different...

It breaks my heart to write this post but it has to be done and I'm sure I'm burning some bridges here, but I want you to fully understand why these are not the best products.

First of all, let's start with the fact that this is a 3-step routine that does not include a cleanser.

Which is fine in a way because you can buy the cleanser separately, for sure. But it also induces less informed people to believe these are the only 3 products you need in your routine and, even though the first step (the Clear Skin Purifying Toner*) clearly states the word "TONER" and never "cleansing" or "makeup removing" or whatever it could potentially say, I know some people are using this as they would a micellar water. I don't even fully support micellar waters as it is, but this is even worse.

I shit you not, even some "influencers" are recommending this toner as a cleansing step. Which is sad, horrendous and I fear for the unknowing reader that just wants some skincare advice. But I diverse...

Trusting Caudalie deeply with my skin for years, I was so beyond excited for this range (given my acne propensity) that I didn't even go through the ingredient list. I read the panphlet, I knew the active ingredients, but I didn't go through the trouble of making sure I knew the full ingredient list (which I always do because I know I react badly to some things, even if they are naturally sourced).

So I got home and went ham on my face with these products. Of course I used a separate cleanser or two and introduced a facial oil because, no joke, my face would've cracked with only these three. And I also used the Skin Perfecting Mattifying Fluid* only during daytime and applied something a little heavier at night.
I felt that fresh feeling you get after using a minty product, which is not ideal or necessary to me, but I actually had two other products I used that had the same feeling and were not harmful to my skin (the Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser and the Skyn Iceland Antidote Cooling Lotion). So I didn't fret and kept on using them for about a week.

My skin was breaking out but I had been travelling back and forth from London to Algarve, to Spain, back to London, to Porto, to Lisbon and I lived out of a suitcase (and necessaire) for about a month. I knew my skincare game was not strong and sometimes my brushes weren't as hygenic as they should be (ew, I know).
So I kept on using the products hoping they would save me from my stressed skin.

Until I got to London, got back into my routine and my skin was worse than EVER. Like I hadn't had this type of texture and as many whiteheads together in such a long time. It was weird. I was even breaking out in my forehead, which I never do.

There was this one morning I was applying the toner and my eyes, being extra sensitive that day, started watering. I instinctively sniffed the cotton disk and the alcohol smell was so strong I coughed for like five seconds. How come I didn't feel this before? Have I just been piling on my skin with alcohol ⎼ the worst possible ingredient for sensitive and acne-prone skin??
Yes, ladies and gents. Yes, I had. Stupid, dummie, trusting old me did not check the ingredient list and had dug a whole for her skin (or several in her skin if you will) so deep!

I panicked and checked the ingredient list for the Purifying Toner*: YES! There it was, in all its full glory ⎼ ALCOHOL DENAT (aka the worst type of alcohol) as the second ingredient. SECOND! I was enraged but thought to myself... Surely, only the toner has alcohol because, even though that's such an old school thing to do, they wouldn't put it elsewhere. Right? WRONG.

Alcohol is the third ingredient in both their Blemish Control Infusion Serum* and Skin Perfecting Mattifying Fluid*. The third only after water and rose water. I don't know if I should laugh or cry.

All three products were loaded alcohol!
I felt so sad. So betrayed. So dismayed. And if you can believe it, it's been about 3 weeks since I've stopped using this range and the damage is still here.

Now, I want to talk about alcohol in general now and why I'm bashing it so hard.
So let's see: there are good types of alcohol (fatty alcohols that are actually really nice for skin and highly hydrating ⎼ such as cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and cetearyl alcohol); and bad types of alcohol (drying types, more commonly found in acne-fighting and deep cleansing products ⎼ they appear as alcohol, alcohol denat, SD alcohol and isopropyl alcohol). In case of doubt, just google the ingredient and it will come up as either good or bad.

So why do people continue to formulate products with bad alcohols?
Well, there are a few reasons... If the alcohol is listed way down the ingredient list it might not be too harmful; it can be there to preserve other ingredients, to activate them, it can be part of the fragrance, among other things.

If it is, like in this case, on the very first line of the list - the whole product is based in alcohol: it becomes an active ingredient in itself. So why is it still done?
Well, alcohol evaporates quickly so products sink faster and it may actually help ingredients penetrate deeper in some cases; and it is also ultra drying so, when used in oily skin types, it leaves a (debatably) "nice" deeply cleansed feeling on the skin, removes all types of oils (even good ones) so skin feels and looks ultra matte. So the look of it and instant feel of it can be nice, but longterm it's just no good. Because removing your own natural oils only makes your skin produce more oil (your glandules get tricked into thinking you're not producing enough and go "here's a shit ton of oil for you") and, because it dries up your skin so much, you eventually feel it being tight, itchy, uncomfortable, sensitive, red and flaky even.

On the other (still unsettling) hand, alcohol is also very known for its bacteria-killing properties. So, theoretically, it's good for acne-prone skin as it will rid you of your acne-related bacteria. But it will also get rid of your good, non-acne-related bacteria which could actually help your skin heal better and faster. And it will also leave your skin so stripped and exposed to outside aggressors that new bacteria can get in and set place faster and spread much more easily, therefore creating more acne in the long run.

So, to sum up, alcohol is like a quick bandaid you put on ⎼ it will cover up the problem real nice for a little while but then you'll realise you didn't address the problem to begin with so it's just gotten worse and worse over time.

Really, I don't recommend any product that has alcohol so early in the ingredient list (there may be a few exceptions, but for sensitive skin especially, don't go there).
I hope I didn't ramble too much and that made some kind of sense. And I realise this post might sound a bit bitter and angry. But, fuck it! I'm bitter and angry. My skin is a mess! It's not entirely Caudalie's fault, it's also my own. But still...

I am extremely disappointed that Caudalie chose to go this way because this is usually the traditional way to go for quick and foolish marketing, appealing to the people who recommend things on first impressions and the influencers who just need to get the word out to get paid when really they don't understand a thing about skincare. People who, unknowingly, think that matte and fresh skin equals no acne. I'm disappointed because Caudalie has always known better.

Now, is it possible this has worked for some people and I'm being too harsh? Yes.
Is it possible this could work for you? Yes.
Nevertheless will there be better options out there? YES.

Jesus, we have made such stride and have come so far in skincare, specially as we now cater to adult acne so much more as well, where we can't have products that are this drying (since adult skin just does not bounce back as fast). So I simply cannot understand how anyone with half a mind thought this would be a good idea.

In conclusion, this did not work for me. It effectively ruined my skin and I'm not saying this lightly ⎼ these were PR samples I was gifted for review. I have had an ongoing relationship with the brand and I was offered potential ads to promote these. So I'm losing out on all of that to be really brutally honest with you.
These products are not for sensitive skin. They may break you out further. They may cause other issues, such as redness, itchiness, dryness and hypersensitivity. And they will most likely not fix your acne. Unless you have extremely thick oily skin and your spots are just random. (And even then...)

I want to offer up some alternative products for acne-fighting on all budget tiers but this post has come off way longer than expected so I will be back soon with some of my favourite (and decent) acne-products for normal and sensitive skin types alike. Is that something you'd like to see from me?

Let me know your thoughts. I want to know everything!
Have you tried this range or were you thinking about it?
Do you flat out disagree with me?
Comment down below please, I really want to hear from more people who have tried the Vinopure range :)

* PR Samples

I've touched up on this subject quite a lot on my YouTube, mainly in connection to my depression. But I recently read Beth Sandland's post about this and I felt I needed to write and share my own story too. Because I loved her post and really enjoyed reading her perspective on it. And though our conclusion was sort of the same, our journey was the complete opposite.

I've always quite known I didn't fit into the proper academic moulds. I always wanted to be bolder, more artistic, less bookish, more creative (even though I do love to read books).
I knew university wasn't really something I dreamed of but I just figured (young naïve me) when the time comes I'll have something up my sleeve, my life will be somehow all set up and uni probably wasn't going to be it, I'll have options. Maybe a plan!

But, shocker... Having graduated high school just fresh out of turning 17, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, who I was, what I wanted from life. I'm still struggling with that last one if I'm being honest. I was raised in a tiny town with under 10,000 people where everyone knew each other, no one dreamed big and I felt like a sore thumb sticking out.
So I had no examples to really follow, no people I could relate to and ended up mirroring what everyone else was doing. I applied to uni, got in, moved out of my parent's, uprooted my life to Lisbon and started my journey through the most horrible years of my life (not to be too dramatic, but yeah).

Everyone says, including my mama, "uni will be the best time of your life, you'll meet the best people, have amazing times and memories that will last you a lifetime".

First year of uni was quite fun and unique. Although I hated architecture, I didn't fully grasp how bad it was until my second year. Because the first year is all about new people, new parties, all nighters, settling in, finding who you are outside of your parent's roof and hold.
Getting drunk off 1€ shots of absinthe, the beautiful green fairy (the fastest way to get drunk, I would not recommend) and golden strike and powering through the buzz till the 8AM geometry exam without one wink of sleep. Letting your friends crash on your tiny rented room and sleeping on the legit floor, no mattress. Celebrating your birthday at the beach overnight with tents, loads of booze and friends. Splitting the "two free drinks" you get at the club entrance into 8 shots of pure vodka when you're already 3 shots in (true story, BAD IDEA) and waking up in the hospital with puke all over you, hooker heels, no keys, money or phone and the blessed IV drops ⎼ it only happened once but that's how wild my first year was. (Urban Beach, anyone?)

But then shit got real. The actual course load started and, man, did I hate architecture!
Let's be clear, architecture is known to have the hardest workload of any and all degrees. It's fucked up. It's harsh! You have to LOOOOVE it. You have to admire it. You have to breathe, think, dream architecture to actually lowkey enjoy it.
Me? In my free time I wanted to get the subject as far away from me as I possibly could and there was no way in hell I was spending my holidays reading on it and visiting buildings to study their structure and design. Nope.

I quit my architecture degree two months into my fourth year (it's a 5 year degree, masters included). I couldn't take it anymore. I was miserable. Crying every day. Fully sobbing at the thought of another project. Wanting to get away from architecture as fast as I could. I met amazing people. Had amazing parties. Formed amazing memories. But overall, I was a shell of a person because none of that mattered. I hated it. I hated it all. And I often wondered if it was "all going downhill after uni", was it really worth living at all?

I took a year off to study for the two exams I had to retake at my old highschool (fun trip down memory lane, bumping into old teachers who asked "oh, what happened?"). And I applied to Fashion Design. I got in. Same campus. Same university. Different subjects. Different people. Younger people ⎼ going through their wild first year phase I was waaaay too old to care for.
And, guess what?
I hated it!
I loved fashion, still do. But I just was not made for uni. The structure doesn't suit me, it doesn't nourish or nurture me, it just makes me stressed, mopey, depressed and freaking miserable!
I just wanted out and by the third year I was screaming inside. But I couldn't bear the thought of spending 7 years studying and not graduating at all, not having any degree to show for it. Or should I say, my mum could not bear the thought of it and I did not want to break her heart again.

I graduated. I went on a big ass vacation to Mexico with Miguel to take my mind off things. (Mind you I was being medicated at the time and had just got done with the horror show that was college so I was high on life... and meds. And summer vibes!)
I moved to London. I started working. And though depression has always followed me around like a creepy stalker (I realised much later it wasn't about uni entirely, more on that later), I was happy.

I wasn't working in fashion ⎼ I had realised that I do love fashion but I absolutely loathe the fashion industry. And I wanted nothing to do with that, it wouldn't be good for my mental health. Fast fashion is becoming faster and faster each year. And the stress of its deadline structure is even more intense and raw and crude. No, thanks.
So I gathered up my skills (lord did I struggle with this) and I started applying for influencer marketing positions. Two months later, I landed at Digital Streamers, where I worked for about a year and a half before going freelance with my own content creation.

Working full-time was SO MUCH BETTER than uni. It wasn't going downhill for me, it was going uphill. Uni was hell. Working was kind of nice.

I came home and I could rest. I didn't have the weight of a million projects due. The guilt over my head for watching a few episodes instead of working 24/7 because that's what was expected.
I wasn't a grade A student in uni. My goal was to pass... And graduate. Some subjects I did better, usually the ones that were more intelectual and less deadline-oriented.
Truth is: no matter how much I loved or hated the subject, it wasn't about that at all. It was the structure. I couldn't hack it. I'm not a good person to work under stressful and tight deadlines. I crack. I need time to breathe. I need time to think. I need time off where I do absolutely nothing and take a break off of my own mind. And I thought any artistic course would be great for me because it would allow my ideas to flow and fully form. But the reality? Even when studying art, you have to do it all on their time. You have to reduce and restrain your creativity so that it can all be done in time for the final presentation, for the final exam, for the final show. Not fully explore your ideas, just exercise the practical part of your brain that is responsible for managing time. And that's not what I wanted. That's not what I expected. That's not what I was looking for.

So working felt right. I did have some deadlines but it wasn't all that creative so I didn't have to restrain myself. I got home and I didn't overthink it, I didn't wonder about all the things I could've done and improved if only I had had the time. If I just could've done it right, like art is meant to be done. I just did what was asked and expected and all was okay. (The lack of creativity did begin to hit, but again, a story for another day.)
I had more time to be social. More time to spend with myself. More time to do nothing. More time to simply breathe with no weight on my shoulders. Just purely breathe for the sake of breathing.


My point is...
Everyone is different.
You don't always fit into the cookie mould.
Uni may be the best time of your life. Or the best time may yet to come. Or sadly it might've been before uni (though unlikely). We never know. But we have to stop looking for it and expecting it, otherwise we'll never live life to the fullest.
If we think it'll be the best time, we'll be so worried trying to make the most of it, it won't feel organic or right. If it's not, we'll forever feel like life won't get any better and then... What's the point of going on, really?

Plus, what does that say about people who, for some reason or another, have not gone to uni? Will they not ever experience the best time of their lives? Will their lives always have a uni-shaped hole? I call bullshit.

But I'd love to hear from you on this.
What are your thoughts? What has been your experience?
I'd appreciate if you could leave a comment and start a discussion :)

Okay, so Drunk Elephant is coming to the UK (and, therefore, at least before Brexit, it will be easily shippable to the whole EU) and I couldn't be more excited!! It's a whole hype around this brand and they've been growing and growing and have become a huge success with a cult following!

They are currently available on their own website and Sephora but will soon be launched at Space NK and Cult Beauty. Hooray!

So many of you asked for reviews on the brand, if it was worth it in general, which products should be the first to get, among all other things. So I, having tried most products from the brand (the ones I haven't tried yet were both eye products, the lip balm and the cleansing bars), felt it was only fitting to write such a post before the launch.

I want to say beforehand that I have chosen to use original HQ photos of the products from the brand's website because, although I have tried all the products pictured above, I do not own them all at this exact moment (either because I've finished and have not gotten around to repurchasing or because I wasn't too crazy about them, as will be explained below).

As a general, the brand is definitely impressive!
It's a beautiful and unique cross between natural beauty and scientific "lab" beauty - clean beauty, if you might; mostly natural but not 100%. They do pride themselves in using only gentle ingredients so that all products can be used by sensitive skin types. And we'll get into this as well for each product. So let's jump into it!

• Beste No9 Jelly Cleanser: I like this but I don't love this. I mean... It's a nice cleanser, it does what it's supposed to and it's not too drying. But at the same time, I do have other cleansers I prefer the texture and finish of, the after-rinsing feeling is just more comfortable. It's a jelly cleanser, as the name suggests, it does sort of "melt" into skin but I wouldn't necessarily recommend this as a make up remover, I'd use this as a second cleanse or morning cleanse (also it stings on your eyes if yours are sensitive so do not remove your eye makeup with this). Overall, is it good? Yes! Is it worth the hype? No. I've had better jelly cleansers, such as, for example, the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel and the Pestle & Mortar Renew Gel Cleanser (both jellies that melt into oil once in touch with skin and emulsify into a milky solution when water is added and, in my opinion, are gentler and more nourishing and more of what I was expecting this to be like.

• B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum: To me, personally, the most overhyped product of the whole range. It's a lightweight hydrating gel serum (which is denser than all the other serums by DE so, in my opinion and preference, would go last if you were to apply more than one) that sinks into skin quite fast and deeply hydrates. It's an amazing product, do not get me wrong. It's just... Not worth the price tag, in my honest opinion, as I've encountered similar products in the market that are more affordable and perform the same. This claims to hydrate deeper than most competitor products - which, clinically, I can't say it doesn't, but to the best of my knowledge about how my skin feels, it does just about the same. So, it is good if you want to splurge, but some cheaper and amazing alternatives would be the Caudalie Vinosource SOS Serum and the Glossier Super Bounce Serum.

• TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum: Definitely one of the brand's best sellers and I can see why - it's potent! It's one of the most exfoliating serums I've come across and yet still apt for sensitive skin, or so they say. I do feel like it works its magic but it does tingle slightly on my skin (which isn't usually that sensitive to acids to be honest) and I can't use it every single night, I use it two or three times a week, MAX. Is it worth it? Yes. But bear in mind it is not exactly ok for all sensitive skin types, do patch test if you can first or keep in mind it's a once in a while treat. A gentler version of this product that actually does not sting me would be the Sunday Riley Good Genes (although it uses lactic acid as a main ingredient instead of glycolic; and lactic acid does break some people out, not me) but for glycolic exfoliation I usually go for either masks or toners (such as the Pixi Glow Tonic or the Paula's Choice Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment with 10% AHA).

• C-Firma Day Serum: The actual MVP of the brand, the most talked about product and probably the #1 best-seller. I've got my issues with this product but they have actually nothing to do with performance. It does perform rather well, it does what it says and as far as I can tell the Vitamin C is excellently preserved and still very potent when you're nearly finishing the bottle. But, first of all, this is a oil-serum type of product - which may in itself be a turn off for some people; the oil used is Marula Oil (as is typical for the brand) and that also does break some people out so keep an eye out. Second of all, it does have a funky, rusty sort of scent that is typical of many vitamin C products, which wouldn't have bothered me too much if it went away but I find it lingers on the whole damn day and it really annoys me; it even stays on my hands after I wash them, it's weird and definitely something that puts me off repurchasing this to be honest. Other than that, even being a oil-serum, it does skin into skin super fast and actually works well even when layered upon (I would definitely recommend this to be the first product applied after cleansing and toning though). Is it worth it? Yes, definitely if the scent doesn't bother you, so I'd test in in person if possible. Other alternatives for this product, although nothing is really a dupe for texture (or maybe results, that is hard to say) would be the Glossier Super Glow Serum or the Lumene Nordic C [Valo] Glow Boost Essence - both runnier, almost watery and non-oily with no nasty scent.

• Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil: A simple oil that is 100% Marula but is luxury indeed. Now, marula oil is actually ultra nourishing, high in fatty acids and overall amazing for dry, dehydrated and mature skin types (actually great for acne-prone skin in the sense that it increases elasticity and therefore helps prevent scarring but some people do break out from it - not all, not me, but some). However, marula oil is also usually really thick and "greasy-feeling", it takes a while to get used to and does sit on top of the skin a bit. Somehow DE were able to source the highest quality marula oil and process it in a way that surprisingly makes their oil lightweight and fast-absorbing. It's weird and unheard of, nothing I've ever experienced with this type of ingredient from other brands and I do believe that it's also better for acne-prone skin and doesn't break out as many people (although it can still happen, it can happen with any ingredient really). So it's superb! And I definitely understand the high price tag for such a "basic" ingredient. So, is it worth it? Yes, if you're looking into an excellent and refined elasticising oil, this is perfect! If you're looking to soothe your acne, this will be better than any competitor. If you have dry skin but you don't care as much about the texture and would rather have a cheaper dupe, we have the Oils of Heaven Marula Oil and the Marula Pure Beauty Oil (you also have the much cheaper The Ordinary 100% Marula Oil but, in all honestly, I'm trying to steer off Deciem due to the recent controvery).

• TLC Sukari Babyfacial: The "step further" to the TLC serum meant as more of a weekly treat (although that's already quite how I see the serum). So this is more my type of product, which means that, between the serum and the mask, I would definitely prefer the mask. If we're doing this a treat, the mask is better, more efficient and it just suits my needs. It still stings a bit, maybe a tiny bit more than the serum, but it does also work better and faster and then I can apply soothing and hydrating serums on top, which is much better for my skin. It's an amazing mask and I do definitely love it and recommend it! It's sort of like a jam sort of texture and very pleasant to use - bar the tingling sensation that kind of fades about 5 minutes in, it's just absolutely lovely! Worth it? Definitely! If you do, however, want a cheaper option to this I also love the non-tingling (and gentler) REN Glycolactic Mask - same jam sort of texture and also absolutely lovely - (and, if you absolutely want something dirt chip then I do recommend The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% which is more of a liquid solution you apply all over).

• LaLa Retro Whipped Cream: I think this was my first product from the brand and I still love it all the same. Have repurchased it twice and plan on doing it in the future. It's an absolute beaut with a whipped textured and it's deeply nourishing, while still offering a soft matte finish (no greasiness) and sinking into skin fast. I love it for my acne-prone yet dehydrated skin as it doesn't break me out yet still offers just enough nourishment and elasticity to keep my skin healthy. Worth it? Heck yeah! Go get it! I can't seem to find a good dupe for this to be quite honest, maybe the Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream is a good second option but not as nourishing.

• Protini Polypeptide Cream: I had to get this as soon as it launched since I loved LaLa so much! It's a much lighter texture, being more of a gel-cream so maybe I'd use this more for daytime and LaLa for night. It sinks in faster as well, of course. And it's just absolutely wonderful for adult acne because it tackles the aging part of us that realises we're already way past our 20s but also doesn't aggravate the acne that's just the teenage rebel inside of us that won't grow up. Is it worh it? For me, yes! It's a no-brainer. Get it giiiirl. A dupe for this would be in terms of texture maybe the Caudalie Vinosource Moisturising Sorbet Cream, but it does not have as many anti-aging properties.

• D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops: I've spoken about this little gem on my last post; it's probably the most decently priced product of the whole range. It's lovely for Summer and I really like to mix it with my sunscreen. This does not offer SPF (though maybe it should?) but rather has a two-in-one bronze effect - it does have a bronze-coloured texture that sheers out but is still quite potent; and it has a very light gradual tan that doesn't stain at all or go patchy (also no nasty scent, which is a huge plus). Worth it? I'd say so, I'd maybe only go for this in the Summer as this on top of my pasty complexion in the Winter would be just sad, but it is a beautiful product. I don't think there's a dupe for this to be honest, there are some lovely gradual tans for face that I love but none offer the anti-pollution qualities.

• Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense: Finally, their first product ever I believe. It also comes in a tinted version but it's only one shade and (from the swatches I've seen online) it's too dark for me to consider it a possibility lol. The untinted version is quite lovely, SPF 30 and definitely good to be worn daily (I wouldn't necessarily wear it at the beach as I prefer my SPF in its 50+ on my face when I'm under the sun for prolongued periods of time). It does not have much of a white cast and no funny smell either, which can be hard to find in physical sunscreens - and no added fragrance. Worth it? Well, yes. I guess it is, it's a good stand up product. But you can find the same a bit cheaper I'd say. Maybe not physical but I don't mind chemical SPFs so... I say I'd maybe prefer to get the Cetaphil SPF 50+ I love and/or the Uriage Hyséac SPF 50+ - both are just as sheer, sink in fast and layer well and are cheaper. So if chemical SPF is not a problem for you, this product isn't all that. If you are sensitive though and prefer physical sunscreen in general, this might be the best option in the market for a daily product that you can layer makeup on top of.

So these are my unfiltered opinions, I am clearly mixed and I can't say the whole range is amazing! But it is a very unique brand that's breaking all expectations and creating wonderful and innovative products with complex and beautiful compositions that actually do work!

You can buy The Littles kit, which basically brings minis of their cleanser, Lala Cream, all 3 face serums, the oil and the Shaba Eye Serum - perfect if you want to try each of them by yourself and decided which you'll want to go full-size.

Have you tried them? Do you agree with me? And what are you faves?
If you haven't just yet, which products will you be picking up? Let me know in the comments x

Yes, I know it's possibly the worst timing for a Summer Favourites blog post, it's officially Autumn! Yet the weather in Portugal (and many other countries still) is saying nope!

Plus, some of these do transition really well!
(But some are also limited edition so hurry if you still want them ahah)

• MARC JACOBS Coconut Fantasy Eye-Conic Multi-Finish Eyeshadow Palette: I'd be wanting to own a MJ palette for ages but couldn't justify the purchase because I have so many shadows already; however I could not let this beauty walk by me - the shadows are gorgeous and so freaking creamy and pigmented, highly recommend

• IT COSMETICS CC+ Cream Illumination (Fair)*: the perfect base for the sunkissed complexion (really sad they don't have a lighter shade for my winter ghost face); it's high coverage, really glowy and still like a second skin layer - so easy to apply you can do it with your fingers, fo real

• L'ORÉAL Life's A Peach Skin Awakening Blush*: absolutely perfect, such a "sunkiss"-inducing touch of colour; not too powdery and just YES (plus, they're introducing a watermelon version of this blush and I am so here for it!)

• Chantecaille Luminescent Eye Shade (Sole): highly recommended by Beth Sandland and it was love at first sight; this is one of those shadows I don't mind having as a single because you can literally use it on its own with no brushes and it looks hella fly - I always get comments on my eyes when I wear it and questions about the brand

• NABLA Metalglam Liquid Eyeshadow (Ethereal Lost In Paradise)*: beautiful glittery bases for any shadows and VERY resistant to the heat and sweat the hot weather creates; they're also super cute as inner corner highlights even if you're wearing nothing else

• MARC JACOBS Daisy Love: I don't think there's a single MJ fragrance I'm not obsessed with, they are all so me! So fresh. So summery. So beachy! This has been my Summer of 2018 scent and I cannot yet part with it - not while the sun's still out

• NABLA Glowy Skin Highlighter (Beige Mirage)*: Bronzy, glowy and easy to apply! Not only are these sticks gorgeous for Summer but they also have a very dewy texture, which I've been sooo into this Summer. I have completely shoved all my powder highlighters aside these last few months and I'm all about creamy, liquid GLOW!

• NUDESTIX Nudies All Over Face Colour Glow (Illumi-Naughty)*: A sheerer and yet more dewy version of the above, better if I'm still a bit pale or if I over-powdered - has a slight pink shift that surprisingly blends so well into my skin

• BOBBI BROWN All Over Glow: The most dewy, high-shine, WET highlighter ever! I found this to be super gorgeous for a quick dew on my cheekbones, nose, shoulders and collar bones but sometimes a biiiit too much for an all-day makeup because it's so freaking wet it might look a bit oily when you're already sweating buckets (lol) it's still absolutely LOVELY if you're looking for an intense beachy glow and it's not that hot out

• MARC JACOBS Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter: My summer love! Even though it's pretty dark compared to my skin tone, it does sheer out to such a lovely bronze that you can build up or wear as a sheer tint. It's a warm shade yet it shows off super subtle reddish undertones, which really compliment any sunkissed look, almost like a two in one! And it smells amazing somehow!

• KIHEL'S Butterstick Lip Treatment SPF 25*: Untinted and extremely creamy, with lemon butter (and, of course, a slight lemon-y scent) - deeply nourishes and protects my lips

♥

• DRUNK ELEPHANT D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Serum: something of a find in the DE family because it's actually quite "affordable"; I love mixing this baby with my SPF in the morning, it's slightly bronzey and has a light tanning aspect to it, it's really nice to my skin with no nasty scents or staining

• ORIGINS Glow-Co-Nuts Hydrating Coconut Moisture Mask: Preach Origins as they have the most amazing face masks ever and this is no exception! Smells amazing like, obvs, coconut! And it's so creamy and moisturising - a wonderful after-sun treat for your stressed skin

• SOL DE JANEIRO Ipanema Sunset Glow Oil: ridiculously glowy and cute shimmery bronze oil (comes in two shades, this is, of course, the lightest one); smells lovely too and just really evens out my skin tone, gives me a glowy bronze goddess look - plus, no transfer or staining of clothes and no "melting" effect when you sweat

• YOUTH LAB Dry Oil*: a more intensely hydrating oil than the above, absolutely gorgeous on dry crackled skin and even sensitised skin (amazing for after shaving, doesn't sting one bit); it's one of the most hydrating and pleasant to use body products I've ever owned and I'm obsessed

• TWEAK'D BY NATURE Wild Summer Apricot Cleansing Hair Treatment*: I love their cleansing conditioners, they have various scents for different results and types of hair - but this one smells so yummi, so freaking yummi I can't even! It gently cleanses the hair while also deeply conditioning! This specific Summer one protects your hair against UV rays and keeps your colour fresh. The only thing I fault this product for is being too small (because I have looooaaads of hair and use so much product)

• DAVINES SU After-sun Hair Mask: It's my third year in a row using this mask after sun exposure and it's still a favourite of mine; smells amazing and deeply nourishes hair - it does have silicones, which is why it's not a year-round mask for me but do they protect my hair from sun, sea salt and chlorine damage (especially if I'm washing my hair every single day on holiday)
  
  

And that's it from me this year!
I promise next year I'll try to book my summer vacay early so I can report on favourites when they actually matter.

Which of these have you tried?
And what are your favourites that I have not mentioned??

* PR Sample

There are few things as exciting for a beauty lover as unboxing a monthly beauty box! The surprise of what's to come, the new brands you get to try out and everything in between.

Stars & Sage is a monthly Bath Rituals beauty box that delivers 3-6 products to your door, ranging from skincare and bath and body to wellbeing. They use all cruelty-free products and, whenever possible, all natural and organic ingredients.

This July edition is absolutely gorgeous with the Green & Avocado theme - which is not only super trendy, but also amazing for your skin because avocado oil is rich in fatty oils which are hella nourishing.
Plus, the vibrant yet relaxing scents are glorious!

In this month's box we have:

• TRUE Nourishing Avocado & Evening Primrose Facial Oil
  Perfect for dry skin types, with vitamin A, D & E; calms itching and irritation, while deeply nourishing and hydrating skin.

• The Salt Parlour Lime & Avocado Salt Scrub
  With a fresh blend of mineral rich Dead Sea Salts and the antiseptic properties of the energising lime oil, this scrub is perfect for those suffering from skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, eczema and more. It desinfects the affected areas properly, without being too harsh and the added avocado oil works towards rebuilding the skin barrier, while keeping it peaceful and hydrated

• BAO Skincare Avocado Orange Face Polish
  A gentler scrub for your face with bamboo exfoliant for soft and smooth skin; with rosehip, avocado and baobab oils to heal and repair skin + orange and bergamot essential oils for added efficacy (and aromatherapeutic pleasure)

• MOA Fortifying Green Bath Potion
  A gorgeous herbal blend with refreshing peppermint, detoxifying fennel, calming fir needle and sweet birch and soothing yarrow extract. This extremely potent bath potion is a beautiful end-of-day treat for your sore muscles and busy mind. The scent is extremely revitilising and calming, takes the edge off a hectic day and makes for a better sleep

• Nathalie Bon Peppermint Lip Balm
  Light and deeply nourishing balm with heavy-duty cocoa butter to soften and hydrate, calendula oil to soothe and calm and olive oil to repair chapped lips

• Jade Face Roller
  The ancestral Chinese skincare tool to complement your routine. The jade stone heads boost blood circulation, reduce swelling and help skincare products penetrate deeper. The massage also helps with firmness, lines and tightened muscles
  
  
  

In conclusion, honestly the perfect self-care box!
I'm tempted to get a long term subscription because there is not one single product in this box I won't use - and that is so rare with beauty boxes.

What are you thoughts on a bath ritual box?
Is it something you'd definitely be looking to get regularly or more of a novelty once-in-a-while "treat yoself" thing?

* This post is part of an advertorial campaign with the brand Stars & Sage. However, all opinions are my own and I only accept paid sponsorships with brands I know, have tried and love.

My relationship with activewear and sportswear is so long and complex. I've always hated sports. Yet I've always loved to dance and, when I joined a dance academy in 9th grade, sportswear really came into play for me. (Also, sidenote: my mum is absolutely obsessed with activewear ⏤ she'd wear it daily if allowed.)
For me, it's like buying pajamas: I hate spending money on activewear but I love buying it and love the feeling of new pieces! And here enters NICCE, a London-based streetwear brand that was born in 2013 and brought to life two of my favourite themes ⏤ activewear and minimalism. Oh how I love minimalism! I could go on all day about it (even though I'm not a minimalist myself, I'm rather more eclectic).

Their pieces are simply exquisite to me. Even a basic grey or black women's hoodie from NICCE are so simple but so cute. Most of magic is the logo and name itself ⏤ clean, short, aesthetically pleasing ⏤ and the contrast between the logo colour and the hoodie's colour.

If you've known me for a while you'll know I'm a hoodie kinda girl. In highschool I used to actually sometimes wear an XL hoodie over skinny jeans and that would be my outfit. So when NICCE wanted to collaborate with me I was beyond excited!
It might seem like just a simple piece of clothing but it's so beautifully put, so well constructed and thought-out. The fabric is so soft and such nice quality and the fit is that of a cocoon. The first day I wore it I swear I felt like a baby being swaddled, burrito-style. Even when I became a little warm I didn't want to take it off, that's how comfy I was.

As I'm working from home at the moment, any day that I'm not actually going out into the city, I am "activewearing". Leggings and hoodies have been my partners in crime and I can definitely tell you my NICCE wishlist is huge now (including their swimwear, which is gorgeous).

So what are your thoughts on activewear, do you love it or hate it?
And does it make you feel lazy or confident?

I think a lot of people still look at activewear as lazy clothing but, to my eye, it has come such a long way, so many beautiful pieces are coming out every year. If I'm wearing activewear that I love, I'm absolutely confident!

* This post is part of an advertorial campaign with the brand NICCE.
However, all opinions are my own and I only accept paid sponsorships with brands I know, have tried and love.

Emma Hardie is such a beautifully curated brand!
I can't even count by my fingers how many tubs of their Moringa Cleansing Balm* I've gone through. It's such a gorgeous makeup remover and first cleanse: the scent is comforting and evokes spring; the texture is so buttery and soft yet it emulsifies and washes off completely with no residue left behind; and the results are cleansed, yet hydrated skin.

Since the brand was launched at Lookfantastic, two new products joined their line. First, the Plump & Glow Hydrating Facial Mist*. A beautiful ultra-fine mist that smells amazing, very herbal but revitalising. It makes me feel so refreshed and energised! Plus, it's great for Spring and Summer since it sinks in super fast ⏤ some mists are kind of "dewy" in finish, which is great for dry skin types and Winter, but this is definitely not that type; it does hydrate the skin but in a sort of "invisible" way, so no worries about excess oil production during the hot weather.
It's also extra handy to keep in your purse because it's a spray in a tube so, unlike its glass or even plastic bottled friends, it's super lightweight.

And just very recently, their new Moringa Renewal Treatment Mask* ⏤ which I'm obsessed with. It is so creamy and nourishing, it's unbelievable. I love it as a morning mask when I have the time!
Even though it's "brightening", the ingredients that work towards an even skin tone (red algae and amino acid derivatives) are so gentle, you could easily use this even if you have super sensitive skin. Plus, with hyaluronic acid and moringa oil, it lightly nourishes and plumps up your skin!
This mask is like the cleansing balm's baby sister: leaves your skin soft, clean and super nourished all in one. But it also gives you a glow-up and sets up a great base for a healthy, glowy makeup.

Have you tried Emma Hardie? (And their Moringa balm?)
And, by the way, what is your favourite Cleansing Balm? I've tried sooo many and yet keep coming back to EH.

* PR Sample

If you're a regular follower of mine, you know how much I love food supplements. I love all kind of vitamin capsules and I do believe they do so much for you! I cannot go without fish oil and probiotics (at the very least)!!

When I was in the pits of my last depressive episode, I lost all appetite and lost a lot of weight too. By the end of it, I was weighing 45kg - which is a number I hadn't seen in my scale since middle school.
All food would make me sick and it didn't taste good, I just didn't feel like eating at all. If I could, I'd eat just a handful of biscuits the whole day and I'd be "fine".

It was getting out of control and I didn't want to dip below the 45 mark so, even though I had already started my antidepressants, as they take a minimum of 30 days to show results, I was advised to pair them with a multivitamin - which not only would allegedly spice up my appetite but also keep me well nourished even if I wasn't getting the vitamins from food.

That's when this Daily Duo of Supplements box* I had here from VITL became my best friend! Not only does it offer a powder multivitamin capsule, but it's coupled with a softgel of what?? Omega 3 from Krill Oil!!

It's absolutely the best because it's so handy and easy to carry around in your purse and it also allows for tracking. I often forget if I've taken my vitamins or not and with the week days written I always know if I've already taken them or if I missed a day.

Now, obviously my medication eventually kicked in and my appetite came back. But I swear to you that this helped a lot too! I felt a bit stronger even when I wasn't eating that much, less tired and more energetic. And the fish oil also helped my skin become even clearer than it was before!

I absolutely recommend this!
And I'm actually excited to order my next box. Though I gotta admit I'm eyeing its upgrade: the 4 Daily Supplements (it has the two capsules from the Duo box + 1 Magnesium Calcium Complex + 1 Supergreens, which really intrigues me because it's also great for skin).

What about you?
Are you a vitamin enthusiast like myself? And have you tried VITL?

* PR Sample

This lip kit is absolutely ME in a little lip-shaped tin. Right??

Huda created these little sets earlier in the year and there's a few of them but they all consist of: 1 lip liner + 1 mini liquid matte lipstick + 1 mini lip strobe gloss.

When they hit Cult Beauty, to be honest, they were really cute but I wasn't too fussed about them. None of them was really screaming for me to get them.
But then I saw lovely Jamie Genevieve sport this Silver Fox tin and I went crazyyy. (Sadly, it's only available through US Sephora and Huda's website - not on CB.)

It comes with a solid, very creamy but precise (and hard to wash off) lip liner and a creamy, non-drying matte liquid lipstick ⏤ both in the shade Silverfox. I feel like you do have to layer the lipstick twice if you wear it on its own, as it can come off quite sheer at first, though not streaky at all. But if you use the lip liner underneath, it's totally fine with one swipe.

And to top it off, there's a slightly glittery and duochromatic lip strobe gloss in the shade Enchanting (which is creamy white with subtle pink and violet shifts).

The beauty of this set is that you can use them all together or one by one. The lip strobe also looks amazing over other dark lipstick shades such as black and maroon and even beige tones for a more summery look.

I might honestly take a look at the other tin shades now, but this is truly my favourite. It has me written all over it, don't you think?

Have you tried HUDA Beauty?
I know her liquid lipsticks are kind of love or hate in the makeup community, so let me know your thoughts below.

As you know, my mental health is not stable at all times and it's something I'm very vocal about because I really believe in mental health awareness. You know, break the stigma! The more you talk about it the less it feels like there's something "wrong" with you, the more you can openly share knowledge and educate yourself about it the more you grow and get better or help others get better.

But you know what? To me, personally, there is a small drawback.
Even though acknowledging it publicly has been so enlightening and I've learned so much more about myself and why I act the way I do - and has even allowed me to reinterpret past phases of my life that had been very puzzling to me... The truth is aknowledging the disease also comes with using that as an excuse in my case.

I'm a lazy person! Have always been, my sister and I share that feature and we're two of the laziest people I've ever met. Doesn't mean we don't work hard for the stuff we love, we're just lazy on a personal, at-home type of level...
AND I'm an introvert! So I love to stay at home and limit social interactions to a minimum (ahah yes dat me).

So when you're lazy and an introvert AND you're depressed it's like a million things weighing you down. To get out of a funk or a depressive episode you need (sometimes therapy and medication but also) to go out, socialise, get some sun, talk to people, go out for walks, exercise - all things I'd honestly rather not do. Ever.

And, of course, it's so important to let people know they're still doing good if they're doing their best but can't get better. I've seen multiple tweets and sayings mainly communicating the idea that even if you can't get out of bed, it's fine. We all have good days and bad days - and bad days sometimes mean we cannot get out of bed and that's okay.

While I agree 100% with that!! Like a millionth %. It does allow a little room for my laziness to enter and have a play.

Some days... Some days I literally cannot get out of bed. Some days I can't even open my eyes for the first hour I'm awake, it's that bad. Some days I can't get out of the house. And in none of any days do I ever want to exercise.
But some other days I know if I had pushed myself a bit harder I would be able to do it. Forced, but I'd do it! That's when my lazy brain is like "Raquel, it's okay to stay home today" "Raquel, it's okay to stay in bed today" And that worries me!

Because I haven't been able yet to find the balance between "I literally can't" and "I could but it's okay if I can't".

You know what I mean? Am I making any kind of sense?
I've been wanting to write this for so long because I've been struggling with it and thinking about it for so long. But I'm not sure this feeling would ever be able to be worded right (by me, at least). So I hope this post is somehow coherent...

Have you gone through something similar?
And, if you do have depression or have gone through depression, how is your personality like? Are you a lazy introvert like me? Or are you able to overturn your depressive thoughts and physical weakness?

Skincare has always been such a huge part of my life. First, because I basically grew up in a department store (our family business) and skincare was like a rule in my house, and second, because acne got to me when I was 11 and sadly still hasn’t really left me. Skincare saved my life, it’s basically the only reason I’ve had acne for so many years, yet have so few scars.

I’ve been browsing the skincare world for years, after all, I’m a girl who knows what she wants, and I know what I’m looking for in terms of products and ingredients. But I realise it can be quite confusing if you’re just starting out or if you just want to ‘up the ante’ with your skin game. Luckily, Super Facialist have just created their Skin Diagnosics Tool which allows you to answer a few quick questions about your skin type and concerns, recommending products that are the best fit for you, to make your skin clearer and healthier.

Because I had been taking roaccutane for about 6 months, my skin was super raw, dry and sensitive when I took the test and the ranges recommended were ​ROSE​ and ​PURE​ (though I was already quite familiar with some of the products).

I remember the first time I tried Super Facialist and it was a life-changer. The brand had just launched in Portugal and the blogger world was buzzing. Word on the street was that their Rose Miracle Makeover Facial Oil was absolutely amazing. I tried it, went through three packages in a row and over five years later, I can assure you… it really ​is amazing!!
It’s absolutely gorgeous because not only is it a pre-cleanse makeup removing oil, but it can also be used as a facial oil after cleansing, as the ingredient list is made up of 100% natural oils so it does not emulsify.

As a cleanser, it softens up the skin while drawing impurities out gently, not stripping it of any natural oils (I usually use a hot damp cloth to take it off so there’s no residue left behind). And, as a facial oil, it sinks quickly into skin and balances out my skin’s hydration levels, soothing my dry patches and making sure my skin is not producing unnecessary oils from dehydration.

The Rose Calming Creamy Cleanser is the absolute best second cleanse for sensitive and dry/dehydrated skin types. It’s super gentle and soothing but it will leave your skin baby soft and clean. It’s a smooth cream with no foaming ingredients, so it doesn’t lather up, which is the best type of cleanser my skin can ask for.

And the Rose Brighten & Refine Facial Scrub is the perfect follow-up for a weekly pamper routine - once again, it’s gentle yet incredibly effective. My skin is really sensitive and fair and usually reacts to physical scrubs really harshly (I breakout and get all blotchy and it feels like it’s burning) so I typically avoid them, but this one is the exception to the rule! Even for sensitive skin types, I swear… No lie. No redness. No stinging. Just smoothness.

Their PURE range though, is just delicious. Both the Day and Overnight Sensitive Skin Recovery Creams are so lush. I’m usually turned off by moisturisers that are tailored to sensitive skin because they are so boring in texture and scent, but these just get the job done. With a light yet pleasant scent and an incredible gel-in-cream texture (which is both refreshing and incredibly nourishing) they restore my skin’s balance and keep it peaceful, even on my acne medication. With probiotic and peptide technology, they just soothe my (usually) blotchy, sensitised skin and promote cell renewal with no harshness. The results? Smooth, clear, even and radiant skin.

Obviously, I am in love with the brand. It’s been a long-term relationship and it’s still going strong. It’s simple, cruelty-free, affordable, effective and still fun to use. Because at the end of the day, skincare has to be fun. It has to feel like you’re enjoying yourself and not like a chore.

The Super Facialist range is available directly from their own website, plus in-store at Boots and Sainsbury’s.

* This post is part of an advertorial campaign with the brand Super Facialist.
However, all opinions are my own and I only accept paid sponsorships with brands I know, have tried and love.

Unpopular opinion: I do not like the Glossier balms.

Ok, don't shoot just yet. Hear me out!
I have had acne for 14 long years now and so have been on acne treatments who dry lips like hell for 14 long years. I've tried just about every type of lip balm, stick or cream - and this ain't it!

There are two type of lip balms: the ones that actually hydrate your lips and the ones that keep the moisture from leaving your lips. And these are the latter.

These type of products are usually vaseline-based (and by that I mean, the first ingredient is petrolatum jelly). They are good and fun if you got normal to dry lips and you just want to protect them from the harsh weather or soften dead skin before exfoliating (I do love them for that).

What they do not do: actually hydrate your lips deeply as a lip balm should! So they feel great once you apply them but you quickly realise you have to reapply more and more because they're not doing anything. And for extremely chappy and dry lips this is not what you want!

To sum up, vaseline itself does not hydrate your lips, it forms a nice and fatty barrier between your lips and the world so that they're protected but their condition underneath stays the same. And, even if after petrolatum jelly they inject the product with amazing ingredients, they most likely won't be able to penetrate the jelly to get to the lips.
Basically, they're lip protectors - not lip hydrators.

Hydrating lip balms I would recommend are (in order from the most liquid to the most solid):

• Bioderma Atoderm Restorative Lipbalm
• Noviderm Boréade Soothing Repair Lip Stick
• Caudalie Lip Conditioner
• Nuxe Rêve De Miel Lip Balm
• Dr Lipp Nipple Balm

What do you think?
Have you tried the Glossier balms and love them? Or do you feel like they don't do much and are just really yummi? (Because they are, specially the birthday cake one!)

So my first post since I went MIA was about the BLITHE serums, honestly because I just really wanted to talk about them ahah
But it was sort of a 2-part post and this new InBetween range of theirs is the second part.

In this new range they have launched 4 products:

Prep Essence*: lightweight essence with fermented soybeans, rice and tomato leaf extract to fortify the skin's natural barrier (all skin types)
Instant Glowing Cream*: Infused with moisture-locking glycerin and reparative niacinamide, protects skin with a luminous finish (all skin types)
Tone Correcting Cream: brightening formula transforms skin to leave it instantly softer, smoother and more even (best for uneven skin and oily/combination types)
Hydro Priming Cream: watery gel-cream with free radical-fighting probiotics and bifida ferment extract, deeply hydrating but sinks in fast (all skin types)

I have gotten the amazing chance to try the first two and first of all: they're so much eye candy I can't even, look at those photos!

But anyway...
BLITHE is attempting to step into the world of makeup just as it's done with their pressed serums. They're a practical brand looking for a 2-in-1 solution once again: products that are deeply hydrating and have amazing active ingredients, even for the tricky (spotty) skin types and offer different formulas for your different needs (from liquid essence, to gel moisturiser to creamy texture). Yet they're also prepping your skin and getting it ready to grab makeup (namely foundation) onto your skin and make it last and last!

This sounds like a gimmick but I swear it's not.
I've been using these products ever since I received them, which was about a couple weeks ago and they have made a difference in luminosity and keeping my face less cakey throughout the day. They also make my foundation glide smoothly and evenly, even though they don't feel silicone-y at all. On the Instant Glowing Cream, for example, the silicones are about half way down the list and before them come other beautiful babies such as glycerin, squalane, betaine, niacinamide, among others. And even after dimethicone (aka the silicone) we have other wonderful ingredients too.

So does that mean that you don't need to moisturise if you use these? Well, yes, kinda... Really, again, depends on what type of person you are. I love layering so I play around with these and my regular skincare. But you can you use the essence and one of the creams and (if you're skin's not too complicated), you'll be good to go! Primed and ready - literally.

So what do you think?
Have I got you convinced with this brand?
I swear on the next post I'll bug you about something else xx

Oh and I also posted a short dewy skin tutorial last night with these two, so you can actually see me applying them right here.

* PR Sample

So I will spare you the excuses of why I basically ghosted the blog and let's get to it because I'm commited to talking about skincare again (among other things). In depth. And in love.

Let's talk BLITHE.
They are a Korean skincare brand currently expanding widely throughout the US and Europe and I could not be more excited. I first heard of their "pressed" serums through Gothamista and she got me hooked.
They used to offer 3 different ones, but have actually just added a fourth one. So we have:

• Velvet Yam: for instant & enriched hydration
• Crystal Iceplant: for calm & cool hydration
• Tundra Chaga: for ultimate nutrition & firmness
• Gold Apricot: for radiance & brightening

If it was up to me I'd try them all - and, let's face it, I probably will eventually. But my first choices were Crystal Iceplant and Tundra Chaga.

So what is a pressed serum?
These all have different textures but overall they can be described as pudding or gel-like textures that are injected with all the active ingredients serums usually hold and will perform a 2-in-1 action (serum + moisturiser). This sounds appealing specially for peple whose skin breaks out easily from heavy creams but still need all the hydration and nourishment.

You lovely lot probably know I'm not a 2-in-1 kinda gal so I use these as pre-moisturisers. Because I'm crazy and I love layering skincare on my skin like no other.

The Crystal Iceplant Pressed Serum (which I've repurchased, so you know it's da bomb) is a very lightweight gel serum that sinks into skin SO FAST you won't even feel it. I love it as a pre-moisturiser in the mornings because it does actually allow me to use a fatty cream on top but still have that dew and water-hydration underneath - perfect combination.

The Tundra Chaga is more like a pudding texture and actually very thick. So I still use it before moisturiser but at nighttime (or maybe when the weather is absolutely bonkers and freezing in the AM). It's ultra-rich and you can feel that by slapping it across your face but it still sinks into skin very fast, considering the heaviness it appears to have.

To sum up, if you're not a nut for skincare you can easily use this as a 2-in-1 step! And it WILL work! And save you money and time... But if you love layering, I think you'll enjoy these so much too! They are, in my book, indispensable and I cannot live without them... Dying to try the other two, but honestly also scared I'll love them and won't know how to live without the four ahah

Have you tried BLITHE?
And what are your thoughts on K-Beauty in general?

I feel like it used to be so basic and fun to use as a teenager and also very whimsical but some brands made the extra effort and turned it into luxury too - something more ellegant, with excellent products and performance as well as more minimal and sleek packaging "for adults". I'd still use these if they were inside a panda-shaped tub but you know what I mean.

If you're interested in navigating through this more evolved K-skincare trend, I'd definitely recommend you follow Gothamista and peruse these US-based web-stores: Oh Lolly! | BEAUTIBI | Glow Recipe | Peach & Lily.
And, as always, if you have good skincare recommendations, leave them below.