Beauty Blast #4
I’m officially back on my bullshit.
These last few months have been rude. Almost devastating. The great thing about our readers is they (often) kindly extend their attention to our personal Instagrams, so a lot of you will know what happened to my face.
Do you know what I mean?
When my face blew up. When all the shit hit the fan. When I played with my epidermis, and it slapped me right back.
I think the most beautiful thing about that horrible experience was how much I’ve learnt. You see, the regularity of the Beauty Blasts was my undoing. I was trialling so many products to keep you satisfied, to keep you in-the-loop and the only person I forgot to keep in the know, well, was my skin. I took it to the cleaners.
I haven’t done a Beauty Blast in like three months. I have so much to say, I want to tell you how it all transpired, I want to show you how I remedied it, and I want to let you in on my new life, the products that are currently sitting pretty on my top shelf, winking at my crystal clear, fresh complexion.
I think the best thing about a meltdown is the glow up. So, usually, it’s at this point that I say this one’s for you, but it’s not just about you right now. Not this time around, anyway. This Blast is dedicated to my face, thank you for sticking with me.
Let’s blast.
The problem child
Osmosis – Rescue Epidermal Serum
A ghastly combination of this serum and the product listed below are the genesis of my face’s flare-up. And that’s a fact. And you know what? It’s all my fault. I combined two very potent products, and I got sideswiped. However, I want to criticise this product for a hot second. The website and bottle itself offer zero ingredient information, which Skin Care by Hyram also made mention of. Apparently, “this Osmosis epidermal repair serum contains a revolutionary, patented, new ingredient that combines modern technology and an ancient Oriental medicinal herb.” Whatever the fuck that means. The people at Osmosis were angels and were so helpful; they even sent me a soothing face oil, it’s not about them. It’s about what this product did to my face. It didn’t work for me, and I’d caution it for anyone with sensitive to normal skin. It also smells like a big splash of chlorine, like I’m bathing my skin in the bottom of a swimming pool.
It’s a no from me
RéVive – Moisturizing Renewal Cream
I tried with every ounce of my body to like this product. My god did I try, it’s $344.00. I kept coming back to it, and every time it gave my face a rash as if someone had just scrubbed it with sandpaper. I don’t know what else to tell you! I can handle glycolic acid, I love exfoliation, I don’t even have sensitive skin. But this simply ruined me every damn time. I wish we could’ve made it work, and I tried to make it work, I gave it my all, and you left me looking like I was stung by a bee. I have nothing left to say on the matter.
My knight in shining armour
Dermalogica – Barrier Repair
At the advice of my good friend, Caroline Hirons (jokes, but not actually jokes, she literally messaged me on her FB group and told me to buy this, anyway) I got myself a tube and even typing about it right now is almost overwhelming. I can’t explain to you how much Barrier Repair saved my skin. The velvety-textured elixir neutralised my epidermis in a way only scientists can explain. It healed my barrier, and although there isn’t a lot per tube, you don’t need too much, and it’s worth every single penny. I could not recommend a product higher if your skin is going through something intense.
You’ve got my back
EAU THERMALE Avéne – Cicalfate Restorative Repair Cream
The only thing that’s slept next to me for longer than three months is Avéne’s Repair Cream. Deeply nourishing and healing, I applied this product all over my face during its meltdown, and now I just use it regularly around my eye areas, which are still compromised to a certain extent. The combination of copper sulfate and zinc sulfate mitigates bacteria from multiplying; it’s a yes from me.
Drug store banger
Me Today – Cream Cleanser
Often forgotten, but always great – good drug store buys are so common but rarely spoken about. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed using Me Today’s Cream Cleanser. I find it hypoallergenic, suitable for all skin types, and it does exactly what it should. It’s not stripping, and it doesn’t leave my face feeling tight, all for just $19.99! You can thank me later.
Gentle touch
Murad – Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel
This was one of the first “active” products I reintroduced into my routine, and I’ve finished the entire bottle. It smells divine; I love the light synthetic fragrant it’s got going on. It is intensely hydrating, and I use it both AM and PM for unparalleled plumpness. BHA gently exfoliates the skin, with a non-greasy finish. We love to see it.
I don’t get it
Biologi – Bf Body Serum Hydration
I’m so confused. This is an entirely natural body serum, I was sent this bad boy, and I (stupidly) assumed it was a face serum. So maybe that’s the crux of the problem. I was underwhelmed, there is nothing wrong with it, but there is nothing extraordinary about it. It made my face feel tacky, it’s not active, and I don’t think it’s worth $89.00. But it hydrates the skin; I’ll give it that. I wouldn’t buy this particular product, but I know the brand has a fleet of other IG-hype products, so hopefully, I can dabble in something for my face specifically next time.
FAN-FARKN-TASTIC
Tatcha – The Dewy Skin Cream
I’ve never had a bad experience with Tatcha, IMO, you get what you pay for. The Dewy Skin Cream is luxury redefined, and it hydrated my irritated skin. After months of damage, this cream gave my skin its bounce back. The Japanese purple rice brain is rich in antioxidants and helps the skin recover and shield itself from external aggressors. It melts into your face; it’s divine.
The recovery
The Ordinary – Moisturizing Factors + HA
After about two months, I could start reapplying my glow products. Like my Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi drops. Lately, I’ve been mixing my D-Bronzi drops (which everyone knows I am besotted with) with The Ordinary’s Moisturizing Factors + HA formula. It’s a thick moisturiser, but it doesn’t leave any residue or white cast, it’s a steal at $14.90 and includes hyaluronic acid (HA) for a bonus hydration punch. Also, this November Deciem (the parent company of The Ordinary) is encouraging responsible consumption and skipping its annual Black Friday sale, instead, it’s offering a 23% discount on its entire family of brands for November. So relax, make responsible, ethical choices – you don’t need to end up with a bunch of products you’ll never use.
It finally stopped raining
Mecca Cosmetica – To Save Save SPF50+ Broad Spectrum UVA & UVA Sunscreen
Throughout this whole drama, I couldn’t wear any sunscreen. It was too irritating. I would hate to think about the damage I’ve caused over the last few months. When I reintroduced sunscreen into my routine, I lapped up this Mecca delight. The formulae seem as if it has a tint to it, but once applied, it’s almost undetectable. I’m addicted to the smell. It’s light-weight, residue-free, non-greasy and doesn’t leave any of the traditional white casts.
A cut above the rest
Emma Lewisham – Illuminating Oil Cleanser
Our hometown hero, our beauty pioneer and New Zealand’s answer to Paula Begoun. Emma Lewisham is a cut above the rest. I was lucky enough to trial her new luxuriously rich Illuminating Oil Cleanser before it hit the market. It came into my life at the perfect time, right as I started to reintroduce natural actives into my regime. Emma, once again, did not disappoint. The oil cleanser is a full-spectrum beautifying treatment that leaves your skin glowing. It’s so rare to find a cleanser on the market that is designed to leave you with such a fresh, bright complexion – while also delivering on all the cleansing objectives. Upon contact with water, the oil consistency emulsified and buffered away my dead skin cells, but it wasn’t too dramatic or messy. It’s everything you want in an oil cleanser and nothing you don’t. We STAN Emma Lewisham.
Leave no drop behind
Sunday Riley – U.F.O Clarifying Face Oil
If you suffer from blemish-prone skin, this one’s for you. This green goddess is an exfoliating oil, and once my skin barrier was ready for it, I lapped it all up. U.F.O is infused with salicylic acid, which draws out impurities from the skin, such as blackheads and whiteheads. Everyone gags for the oil on IG. I love the texture, it doesn’t leave a cast, it absorbs quickly, and it improves the discolouration of my skin’s tone. I bought this, and I will keep buying it. Why? Because it’s so damn good.
MY GOD, YES!
iS Clinical – Active Serum
All I have to say is that Shani Darden endorses this product, so. I’ve never used a serum quite like it, upon first application, the aroma is a huge gulp of fresh air. You can’t use this product and then immediately apply another elixir, you have to take a step back and enjoy the experience. It’s potent as hell. After a few applications, I noticed drastic improvements in my skin’s tone, I don’t have many fine lines and wrinkles (yet), but I know this is what I’ll be using when I do. I would let this serum work its magic. I think this stands by itself. You don’t need to apply other steps over it – this is enough, plus a moisturiser of sorts, maybe. I scooped it up from the wonderful ladies at Inés, the only NZ online beauty destination worth talking about.
Give me a new face
Biologique Recherche – P50W Lotion
The most ‘gentle’ version of the cult favourite lotion. I’ve dreamt about P50, and I can finally say I am proud enough to have it posing on my sink. There is a reason it’s become so popular globally, why people scream for it, it’s unparalleled in the market. It’s on its own level. The multi-functional lotion exfoliates the skin in a non-abrasive manner, but it packs a punch, and if you have sensitive skin, I am sorry, I don’t think you should even use the gentle version. After just one application, the top layer of your skin is baby fresh, smooth and balanced. It’s also free from alcohol, which just blindsided me. I guess there is a reason it’s unmatchable and has been for decades. Long live P50, period.
And that’s it for now, Saucettes. This is your friendly reminder to care for your skin, learn from my mistakes – I mean, I don’t mind being the mule, as long as you stay reading forever.
Kisses x
Words & Images — Liam Sharma
