Apologies this was late I was busy at the F1 xx
Welcome to the first edition of Empties, where I take you through my recent collection of finished skincare and beauty products. Here, I'll explain what I liked and if I would purchase them again. For your awareness, I have dry skin and also suffer from eczema. Lastly, before anyone has a go at me for 'publicly slandering a brand,' (yes, this has actually happened before) these are my personal opinions published on my personal platform and take them as such.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream [Gifted]
Alongside Dr Barbara Sturm's Super Anti-Ageing Night Cream, this is my other favourite moisturiser. I remember the first time I used this, I woke up the following morning and could see a visible difference in my skin. It was radiant without any morning skincare having been applied yet. Longterm, my skin feels plumper and I think appears more supple. I have gotten the most compliments about my skin while using this moisturiser. I highly recommend to any and all looking for an evening cream that actually does something.
BUY AGAIN: Abso fucking lutley.
Go-To Skincare Much Brighter Skin
I liked the texture of this product and found a little went a long way (one of the features of all Go-To products I have tried), which is great on the budget. I did notice though that when I wore this under my sunscreen, it tended to pill around my temples and forehead. This could have been due to something I was doing myself, but I haven't encountered this problem with any other serums I put under my sunscreen.
BUY AGAIN: It's not a hard no, but it's more likely a no than a yes
Youth to the People Retinal and Niacinamide [Gifted]
I have recently transitioned from retinol to retinal as my skin can handle the slightly more potent active. Since swapping, I do think I have seen a slight improvement to the overall texture of my skin, but I do believe using retinoids is a longterm game so come back to me in 10 years for a proper review. I liked the consistency of this serum and for the price, I would be back for more. The combination with niacinamide is also a sound formulation as using the two together to help reduce pigmentation and scarring is a powerful combo.
BUY AGAIN: Yes
Aesop Balancing Toner
I don't tend to deviate from this toner as a toner should be a simple extension of cleansing in my eyes. I wouldn't say this Aesop toner does anything remarkable but my skin also never reacts to it and I like the light scent so I stick to it. If you want advice or a proper breakdown on toners specifically, you are in the wrong place because they are definitely not a product I ruminate on.
BUY AGAIN: Yes
Brazillian Bum Bum Cream by Sol de Janero
I seem to have been gifted every tub of this cream I've used in the last five years either by my boyfriend or his family so many thanks to them for what was a seemingly infinite supply. I love how it leaves my body feeling thoroughly moisturised and, as a person with eczema, this is not an easy task. I do find that it's scent does permeate any clothing or bed linen it touches, which is an unwanted side effect. Would I purchase it myself? At this point, I really do like it but I just don't think any body lotion is worth $79AUD.
BUY AGAIN: Probably not (would accept as a gift, please and thanks!)
Glossier Full Orbit Eye Cream
I found this cream made the skin around my eyes feel softer and firmer than it had in a long time. I was sat at my desk after about a month of use feeling my under eyes going, “wow, they feel really soft. Why is this?” and then I realised what I had been doing differently. A lot of the skincare I use is for its long-term benefits, so using something that has such tangible results sooner impressed me.
BUY AGAIN: Yes
Go-To Skincare Nifty Fifty Fluid
The TGA doesn't want us to give reviews on sunscreen. In a country like Australia, I think this is debatable. Go try this for yourself because money on sunscreen is money well spent.
Reading:
So Thrilled for You by Holly Bourne – This book made me feel slightly uncomfortable because large swathes of the character’s internal monologue’s felt very close to home, especially those around having children and body image issues. However, it is an engrossing read and the dialogue alone keeps you hooked in. Worth picking up if you’re after something light-ish, but with gumption.
Rebecca Jane Hill’s piece in British Vogue about fashion having a problem with large breasts – I have rarely felt so seen by an article than I was by this one, particularly when Hill speaks of how she has spent her whole life hiding her boobs. There was definitely an unease from the large titty committee when everyone was chuckling at the skinny male models walking down the runway with synthetic large breasts.
Rebecca Mead’s piece in The New Yorker about Amelia Dimoldenberg – A profile piece on the Chicken Shop Dater that delves into her backstory and the creative process behind each episode.
Also – the recently declassified JFK assassination files. Are you really surprised?
Watching:
[last week, technically] The Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, in person! Trumps anything else I had watched this last week. What a rush. Also, Drive to Survive on Netflix, which really got me hyped for the race. I particularly enjoyed the naming of the episode “Carlos Signs.”
Stephen K Amos at the Adelaide Fringe in The Garden – hilarious! Stephen is doing a work-in-progress show here in Adelaide, so trialling his new material on the SA audience first. Lot’s of audience engagement and even went over time, though it seemed no one noticed besides the venue staff who needed the show to wrap up!
Listening:
The Business of Fasion’s podcast episode “Can Farfetch Be Fixed?” – for those interested in business or fashion (well, duh), I’d recommend giving this one a listen. Farfetch’s last few years have been interesting to say the least and as a consumer, I am hopeful some of these insights come off as true.
Mayhem by Lady Gaga – Put your paws up little monsters are we not all SO EXCITED that Gaga is back? Really enjoying this album, feels like OG Gaga has been unleashed again. She also looked amazing on SNL last week with her little bob cut.
Coveting:
Ganni trench coat - I told myself this year I wouldn't purchase any winter clothes as we are away in Europe for the six-weeks when winter is at its coldest. And yet, as autumn continues and winter approaches, I can't help but feel that this would look great on myself and my coat rack.
Hamburger stools from Hous Korea - We definitely do not have room or a need for them in our apartment, but I will keep them on file for one day!
This moment between Anthony Hamilton and Isack Hadjar – all the feels!
