I’m in an extra reasonable mood this week, I just got over the man flu.
Big ups to Liam.

The response from our Beauty Blast #1 was fantastic, honestly, bless you all. It’s made me, almost, want to do one of these every two weeks, I’ll fail miserably in my pursuit for supreme efficiency. Why? Because I’m lazy, I overpromise and under-deliver, constantly!! But I do it with luminous, glowy skin. So shhhhhh.
You know what this is about, if you don’t read #1, this is real, this is honest, not in a natural ingredient way – like in my opinion. Whatever.

Let’s blast.

Ohhhhh she’s thick
Kiehls – Ultra Facial Cream

What a dream, honestly, a huge glycerin slap across my face. I love using it at night, but I do think that’s only because I have the 125 ML tub, and it totally comes in smaller, more travel appropriate day-time size (50 ML). Anyway, this is thicc, like super voluptuous, it doesn’t have a scent, for me anyway, and it’s bloody quick, I’m talking seconds. It’s like four solid circular facial movements and poof, it’s completely absorbed with no weird leftover residue or hue, it’s a huge yes from me and apparently 70,000 other enthusiasts, who rate it a 4.3/ 5 – as I said, I am in a reasonable mood, I give it a year-round score of 4.8/5. A 5/5 in the winter, great for the dry skin types.

Skin type: ALL. ABSOLUTELY EVERY SINGLE PERSON.

Fuck buddy
Tatcha – One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil

This cleansing oil has made me bat-shit crazy, I literally don’t know if it’s doing anything. I don’t really wear makeup often, so I wouldn’t see the typical results a makeup wearer would – but I know it’s fabulous. It’s sly. Honestly, it has this subtle, luxurious scent that’s soothing and such a treat before you hit the sack. The key ingredient, Japanese camellia oil, is rich in oleic acid, omegas 3, 6 and 9 and vitamins A, B, D and E. This cleansing oil intensely replenishes, hydrates and preps the skin for your next decisions. I definitely don’t use this every night, I often forget about it, I often forget to double cleanse, we all make mistakes.
Skin type: all, especially oily (sometimes, oil works best against oil).

Bring home to your parents
Fresh – Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner

Omg, I’ve been so excited to trial and write about this product. Is it weird I lose sleep over skincare products, it is isn't it? Anyway, I’ve been wanting to give this product a good crack for well over a year now because it’s just so bloody beautiful to look at, so I was immensely excited to see if it was actually efficacious. AND IT IS! It’s a powerful, non-abrasive toner that deeply refines the appearance of pores, leaves no impurities and it’s gorgeous on your top-shelf. Wow, you really can have the best of both worlds. The other day I spent 15 minutes rotating the bottle, watching the rose petals fall then rise, I have no idea what I am doing with my life.

Skin type: all, fabulous for the sensitive souls.

I’d drink you
The Ordinary – Hyaluronic Acid

I literally can’t imagine a world without The Ordinary, how would we all fall in love with skincare? I’ve been bashing this serum for what feels like forever, it’s a powerful humectant that holds my moisture in. It’s now cold, winter has cracked down on us hard and for that, it’s so important we start incorporating humectants into our routine to complement our moisturisers. Winter is the king of dehydration, redness, irritation and overall misery. However, this 2% beauty is divine, it combats dehydration and has literally NEVER failed me, this is your winter quick buy. Stop reading this right now and go drop $14.75 on this serum and email me telling me you’ve done it. If I could drink this, I would.

Skin type: all, especially dry.

Internet Sex
Drunk Elephant – B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum

Have I been fangirling over Drunk Elephant for years? Yes, yes I have. Why? Because I am a spawn of the internet. It’s impossible to avoid Drunk Elephant, to not get lost in its internet mist, it’s like the cool girl at school that everyone wants to be friends with and we all don’t know why, but I now know why. I am seriously impressed, this Serum blew me away. I am a huge fan of vitamin B5 and its smoothening properties, and it’s also entitled ‘pro’ which I assume means it’s better than the rest, basically, it’s a good hydrating time. I know it contains pineapple ceramide but the pineapple is not overpowering or at all scent-y. It’s just right, it’s very rare that I meet a crush on the internet and have a better in-person experience than virtual, but this is one of those rare occasions. It’s a huge yes from me, it makes my skin plump as hell.

Skin type: all, great for oily skin.

Meet you at the altar
Estee Lauder – Advanced Night Repair

Do you think Estee Lauder is going to get pissed off at me if I don’t include the accent on the second ‘e’, I literally don’t know how to do it, it’s 2 AM, everyone needs to back right off. Okay, let’s ignore the fact that this cult-product has a gaggle of girls religiously drinking this elixir, let’s set aside that I genuinely believe this is one of the most popular products on the planet, let’s set aside all of that and let’s just focus on what’s going on. I love it. I’m one of those girls. 75% of women (and me!!!!!) felt their skin looked more youthful in just four weeks of application, it’s a powerful HA, an antioxidant brew that’s just beautiful. I don’t know why it’s segregated for night time use, but I’m not the expert, I’m a broken vessel, this serum is all about repairing the skin’s barrier (wait, maybe that’s why it’s a night time jam because your skin heals at night). I digress. I can’t fault you, don’t bash a good thing, just join the bandwagon.

Skin type: all, I believe.

Frisky Foreplay
MURAD – Vitamin C Glycolic Brightening Serum

I created a whole new category for this puppy. I haven’t tried this product long enough to sell my soul to it (currently worth anywhere between $13.00 and a large KFC family bucket), but I am nearly there. I feel like people in NZ don’t talk about MURAD enough, I hype this. I love its three-second pinch, my grandma used to pinch me the same. Everyone loves a good hit of vitamin C, I noticed visible improvements in my skin’s tone, I don’t have huge hyperpigmentation, so I won’t comment but I definitely feel like it packs a punch in efficacy and targets dullness and uneven tone and texture. Also, includes skincare hero glycolic acid (AHA), which we love to see, I reckon that’s where the pinch is stemming from and I love knowing it’s resurfacing my dumpster yard skin, while it also brightens. I’m not done with you, darling.

Skin type: normal, dry, combination and oily.

Too good for me
Tahi - Marino To Calm Oil

I really love Kiwis who create fucking amazing brands, I love some homegrown ingenuity, just out here slaying life. Anyway, I was kindly sent the Tahi range and this specific oil is by far my favourite. I need to be honest, in the past I’ve shied away from lathering lots of oils on my face, it’s just not my vibe, but I’ve really enjoyed topically applying this gem and its fragrant lavender and earthy manuka tree notes have been pleasantly welcomed. But what I’ve loved most about this potion is the wonders it’s doing for the devils on my chest, I get ingrown chest hairs because I shave, sometimes, don’t you dare judge me. Anyway, I’ve noticed after applying this oil how soothing it is for my demonic bumps. This is verified.

Skin types: all, anyone with scarring needs to buy this.

Old habits never die
Aesop – Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream

Okay first off, if you don’t’ like mandarins skip this whole product because this packs a strong citrus punch. It’s in the title, I hate products that hide away from their scent, Aesop is transparent and I really like mandarins. I also really love stealing goods from my closest friends and then informing them about said stolen property on public platforms, Zeenat I stole this from your car. Anyway, I froth this facial hydrating cream, the scent is not at all overpowering, it’s just right. It leaves no residue, it's cool and luxuriously creamy. It makes your face and hands smell beautiful, tangy and fresh.

Skin types: normal and combination skin, and oily skin through the cooler seasons (honestly, I pulled this from Aesop’s product bio – it’s totally great for everyone IMO).

On some spiritual level
Ceremony - Reiki Infused Body Oil

My pal, Olivia, is a mad genius. She’s like next-level spiritually connected, I went to see her for a reiki healing session and she literally realigned my chakras, I thought my whole body was about to crack, I joke. Or do I? I left her therapy room feeling like I’d dropped 30 kgs. She gifted me this body oil which smells so good you’d chug it, the vanilla is potent and pleasant and although it’s a body oil, it’s found its way onto my face, lol. It’s lit and it’s reiki infused, which means it’s on some spiritual shit. Do you feel me? It’s boujie, it’s smooth, it’s lush, it’s a vibe.

Skin types: all, spiritually is inclusive.