How is everyone? I was going to ask if we’re all recovered from FriendsOfGlossier 50% Off Friday but since I haven’t actually received my order yet, I am still very much Not Over It. Apparently, this is a widespread issue that can be blamed on a) the fact that so many people gleefully defrauded Glossier and b) Brexit. My parcel has been very busy according to the UPS tracker — Apparating from Ireland to the UK and going from Out for Delivery back to In Customs at the drop of a hat. All I want is to be reunited with Boy Brow! (More on that later.)
I also wanted to update you on my ~*Wild natural deodorant journey*~ that I touched upon a couple of posts ago. The journey was very short. In fact, it concluded when my underarms turned red and itchy approximately two weeks after that newsletter went out. I don’t have particularly sensitive skin, but my pits did not like the Wild deodorant. Coupled with the fact that the smelly ‘adjustment period’ did not seem to be ending, I decided to cut my losses. The sustainability aspect is very appealing until you’re stuck with an absolutely useless tin. I’m a little bit raging, luvs! After I posted about it on Instagram, SEVERAL people got in touch to say they’d had similar reactions to Wild, so be aware, pals. If anyone is interested in trying it regardless, let me know and I’ll send you my tin and two remaining refills (cleaned and pristine, of course). Waste not, want not, etc.
And now to the meat of this edition: Empties! I don’t know about you, but I eat up ALL #empties content. I cannot get enough of other people’s trash. So here’s mine! With mini-reviews!
L’Oreal Elvive Dream Lengths Saviour Mask: This is probably the third one of these I’ve gone through. It’s just great! Smells amazing, leaves my hair silky soft — I used it when my hair was short too because I am a rebel without a cause.
Bumble and bumble Surf Styling Leave In: The description of this product contained the phrases ‘air dry’ and ‘beachy waves’, two of my Swizz Triggers™. I will literally buy anything advertised with those words. I already have naturally wavy hair, so I guess I tell myself that the result will look like heat-styled waves, which is physically impossible. It looks the same with or without this product. Foiled again!
Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask: I really enjoyed this rich, nourishing overnight mask. There’s a lot to be said for going to bed slightly greasy with skincare — in fact, I may dedicate a whole newsletter to that very thing. Drink Up is a great name for this, because it does feel like a nice drink for the skin.
Dr Bronner’s Soap: The only thing I will use to wash my makeup brushes! Paired with one of those little silicone scrubber things from Penneys, it gets absolutely everything out. Repurchasing with haste.
Waxperts Beautiful Body Oil: I can’t believe I’ve finished a body product. I just… don’t moisturise my body very often. Effort of it. This is lovely for after shaving (it’s designed for use post-wax, as you may have guessed). Big Dolphin Legs Energy.
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish: I like Cleanse & Polish well enough as a gentle, creamy cleanser. However, this was a limited edition scent for Christmas and the experience was akin to applying actual perfume to my face. Fragrance in products doesn’t usually bother me (despite what Hyram says) but this was tew tew much.
Lancer The Method Nourish moisturiser: Dr Lancer is a celebrity dermatologist with clients like Victoria Beckham, Beyoncé, and Kim Kardashian. This moisturiser is €125. I was expecting big things. But it’s really just a moisturiser, isn’t it? It has some nice ingredients (hyaluronic acid, squalane, peptides) and absolutely did the job, but there are many moisturisers out there doing the same thing for much cheaper.
Glossier Boy Brow in Brown: As I was coming to the end of this tube, I thought to myself, “This is the one product I would actually like a subscription service for.” Getting one of these in the post every few months or so would be incredibly handy. I just haven’t found a better brow gel, and I have tried lots of them at this stage. It makes my weird, sparse brows look somewhat shapely, even on its own, and the brush is the perfect size. I am begging you, UPS, release my Glossier order soon.
Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir: I’ve had several bottles of this over the years and it really helped me identify what I love in a daytime perfume (warm, fruity, but with depth? Does that make sense? Describing scent is HARD). I’m going to retire it for a while as I’m currently in love with Jo Malone’s Poppy and Barley, but I know it’ll always be there for me. I’m a basic bitch who loves JM and will not apologise for it!
Glossier Body Hero Exfoliating Bar: Not pictured on account of it having washed down my drain. I won’t be buying it again — it smelled nice, and I liked the handiness of just grabbing the bar in the shower, but I prefer my Salux cloth for exfoliating. Take the top layer of skin off PLEASE or don’t bother.
Favourites of the month: Citrine Healthcare Triacine Acne Gel and Benoxor Cream
I don’t get sent things any more so I was surprised to get this range from the lovely AM Foran PR — surprised and buzzing, for reasons that will soon become clear. Citrine Healthcare is a new Irish brand specialising in over-the-counter acne treatments, which… I mean. I was always going to be interested. I get cystic acne on the exact same part of my face, every single month, probably down to the same week. Bodies are wild, guys.
The Triacine Acne Gel (€27.99) contains 0.02% tretinoin (a retinoid), which got me excited because all the Americans in the beauty subreddits I follow LOVE tretinoin. It’s a lower dosage than what you’d get in prescription treatments, but it still packs a punch. The thing I always have to remind myself about with retinoids is that you’re looking for long-term gains. It takes at least four weeks for your skin to get through any dryness or purging, and I definitely experienced the old flaky nose with this product. But after six weeks of using it twice weekly, I can see it starting to have an effect — hyperpigmentation from past spots is fading, new spots are less monstrous, and my skin looks very smooth. I may up my usage now that my skin is starting to adjust.
I am hoping that continued use of this product will make my cell turnover so zippy that no new spots even have a chance to break through (wishful thinking) — but until that fateful day, I will apply Citrine’s Benoxor benzoyl peroxide treatment (€14.99) to any stubborn breakouts. BP is the only thing that has actually worked on my cystic acne, and I’m glad to know there’s an over-the-counter option (again, lower dosage than prescription, but it works for me).
These are both available from pharmacies now. Obviously, I am not a dermatologist or skincare expert, so if you have concerns about your skin, please talk to your doctor. I’ve been prescribed benzoyl peroxide before, so I knew it worked for me, but be careful with these types of active ingredients. Start slow (once a week with retinol! I swear to god) and stop immediately if you notice any adverse reaction. Your skin barrier is precious — please protect it.
And on that sombre note, thank you for reading Vanity Project! Feel free to subscribe, share, comment, follow me on Instagram (@valerieloftus)… See you soon for another one!