These past few weeks I had a lot of adulting to do, including receiving multiple visits from technicians when my garbage disposal stopped working (such a mess! a total nightmare for a germophobe like myself). Thankfully, this is going to be a long weekend in the US, so I look forward to a nice break. I finally got a chance to sit down and catch up with you, so I hope you enjoy reading about the latest!
An almost entirely new skincare regimen. After acting confused for a few months, I feel like my skin has finally accepted that we moved away from Florida’s heat and humidity. The combination of my health challenges, weather changes, and overall different lifestyle have created a need for a completely different skincare regimen. Some of the products that I didn’t include before, such as simple, water-based moisturizers, have become a necessity. There’s no excess oil sitting on my face (except maybe a tiny amount on my nose), but instead a great need to replenish moisture a couple of times a day.
I am finally figuring things out and have already noticed some improvements. When we arrived, my skin was always dull and I was experiencing some flaking. I am seeing my new dermatologist next week and I look forward to receiving new recommendations from her, but in the meanwhile, I have reached a good place. I would also like to find a good place to get facials in Boston, so if you have any suggestions, please leave a comment below. Besides getting at least 7.5 hours of sleep every night and avoiding problematic foods, I have introduced new products that have been working very well.
I already spoke about the Odacité Bioactive Rose Gommage* in this post, which has found a permanent place in my routine. It is a mildly exfoliating mask that contains hydrating ingredients, so it’s the perfect reset treatment when my skin’s texture starts to look a bit congested or lackluster. I use it, literally, all over my face–including on lips and around eyes (of course, not too close to the eyes, but definitely all over the under-eye area). It is so gentle that I don’t have to rush to wash it off and it leaves no redness on my face.
The newest addition is the One Love Organics Botanical A Facial Cleanser*, an exfoliating gel cleanser that is effective as it is gentle. The AHAs and BHAs in this cleanser help to shed dead skin and I have found that my most recent scars have been fading much quicker. Typically, red marks left by pimples last quite a bit on my skin, (probably because I don’t use strong exfoliants), but I noticed that some recent scars have almost disappeared in only a couple of weeks. That is impressive to me, especially considering that it does not irritate my skin as most exfoliating products do. It has truly been a game changer to my skin.
I have been using it every evening after makeup removal with a cleansing oil. It can be used in the morning, too, but keep in mind that the acids in it make your skin more vulnerable to UV damage, so you should exercise maximum diligence with your sunscreen use while testing this product. I have nothing negative to note about it so far, and I have used it for about four weeks. Highly recommend it! Those of you who have been following me for a while know that I am extremely picky with cleansers and always go back to the same one, so you know the crush is real. You can shop it here.
TDM Best of Green Beauty Box*. Every year, The Detox Market creates a box featuring their bestselling products. The box is a limited edition collection that gives you the chance of getting the products at a highly discounted price (this year is worth $249 but it costs $149). What’s nice about it is that it comes with different categories of products (body care, face care, makeup, and hair) so you get to try different things. This year it includes:
- Kosas Kosasport LipFuel in Pulse | full size
- Pai Skincare Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil – Mini | full size
- Maya Chia The Eye Achiever | full size
- RMS Beauty Signature Set in Mod Collection | full size
- Odacité Blue Aura Cleansing Water | full size
- W3LL People Expressionist Volumizing Mascara | full size
- Innersense Pure Travel Trio (shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in conditioner) | travel size
- Detox Mode Happening Scrub | full size
I think that this is one of the best boxes they have created so far. I don’t use the W3LL People mascara anymore (my favorite one is the ILIA Limitless), and I no longer use the Innersense hair wash and conditioner (I used to like them, but switched to Rahua Hydration, which works better for my hair), but besides those two, I love the selection. The Maya Chia Eye Achiever is my favorite eye oil, the Kosas LipFuel has grown on me since the first time I purchased it, so much that I bought a second one, and the RMS palette contains some of my favorite RMS cream products. It is perfect to create a simple “nude” look. I have used it almost every single day. This could also be a wonderful present for someone you want to treat to a green beauty starter kit :) You can find it here.
Kjaer Weis is in the October’s Detox Box*. The Detox Box by The Detox Market features a different green beauty brand every month. The concept is similar to the box I mentioned above (you get products at a highly discounted price). However, this type of box can be purchased as a subscription (check out my in-depth review of the subscription service here).
This month, it features one of my all-time favorite (made in Italy!) makeup brands, Kjaer Weis, and it includes three products. I was already familiar with two of them–the eyeshadow in the color Charmed (you can see swatches in this old post) and the eye pencil in the color Brown (which I used in this video). The eyeshadow is a versatile shade of soft beige that can work for a variety of skin tones. On lighter skin tones, it makes a nice base to use all over the lid, while on darker skin tones it works more like a subtle highlighting color. I appreciate that they chose a wearable, neutral shade instead of a brighter, more unusual color. The pencil is a classic wooden type that requires sharpening, but I have gone through several of these, and they have all held up very well. The Kjaer Weis eye pencils are in fact my favorite ones and this brown one is dark enough to be used as an eyeliner without looking too harsh. It’s been my go-to for years, so I am very happy to have found it in this box.
The third product in the box is their lip balm, which I had only tried as a sample. It is one of those balm-to-oil textures, so as you rub your finger to pick up the product it melts to a more thin consistency. This balm does a lovely job at moisturizing my lips. It’s the type that I prefer to wear in the daytime under lipstick or with some lip pencil to keep my lips soft, protected, and comfortable. I also used it as an overnight lip treatment, though during colder months I prefer something thicker at night, like the Henné Organics Lip Balm V2 or Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask. Overall, it is a beautiful product that works well and comes in the most gorgeous packaging (and would even make an outstanding present!). I like that they included this lip balm in the box, especially for those who chose this subscription service mainly to try new skincare instead of makeup. It balances the box nicely.
I think it’s pretty obvious that I love this month’s box, and if you have shied away from this brand due to how pricy their products are, I think that this would make the perfect opportunity to try it without breaking the bank. You can find it here.
Clean Line Liquid Liner. So I finally bought and tried the new liquid liner by Ilia. When I did a poll on my Instagram stories, 90% of people who participated in the poll told me that they liked it and that it was the best “clean” liquid liner. I must say that I agree. What’s more pleasing to me, is that the applicator tip (which is the thing that I am the pickiest about with liquid liners) is great–easy to use, and not floppy.
It currently comes in only one shade, which is black and very pigmented, and it is called Midnight Express. It’s a bit on the shiny side, so if you prefer a completely matte/opaque finish, this is not it. It does not smudge or flake under my eyes (though it is now chilly here in Mass, so I don’t know if in a warmer climate it would hold as well). I also find that it stays put for at least the entire working day, though if you accidentally rub your eyes, it may fade.
This is definitely a major upgrade in green beauty. I would have preferred a more opaque finish and a bit more longevity (again, if you don’t rub your eyes, you’ll do fine with it, but if you do, you’ll have to touch up). If clean ingredients are a priority to you, this is, without a doubt, the best option available. Worth trying at least, if you love a cat eye or just a simple line. I bought it here.
News. I now have a discount code for my friends shopping at The Detox Market. Every time you shop there you can save 10% by using the code LILLY10. It cannot be combined with other discounts, and it excludes boxes and certain brands that don’t participate in any sales, but it can be used on all the other orders. Enjoy!
Sorry for the looong post, but you know that when I talk about beauty products I like to get as detailed as possible. Let me know if you have any questions!
*gifted/press sample
