Eye Palette

So first off - I had my eye on Drunk elephant for over a year. The packaging was so sleek, modern and simple, basically so appeasing to the eye. Back then I just couldn’t justify spending like $100 (I am based in New Zealand) on single item. But a little after latest Christmas a Drunk Elephant set was on sale for $189 and I thought why not treat myself. So after using it for a while now I have to say, the price tag is definitely worth it! I have extremely sensitive skin at times so I am cautious to try expensive things so my skin in case I react. But this serum left my skin feeling refreshed and bright! It improved my pores and evened out my skin tone, which as a current bride to be, makes me even happier. I try to apply it every night after I cleansed. Sometimes I use it with the Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil, which came in the set, to give my skin the extra treat. The oil helps nourish and balance the skin, especially if I am having a dry skin day. And yes sometime the pretty packaging does mean it’ll give you pretty skin. It’s worth the price tag and you don’t actually use much. 100% recommend ❤️

DRUNK ELEPHANT - T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum What it is- an AHA/BHA night serum that resurfaces skin by lifting dead skin cells to improve texture, fine lines, wrinkles, and pores Good for any skin type! I have dry skin, my main concerns are anti aging, clearing out closed comodones, and smoothing texture. I’ve been using this product for over a year now and I am on my third repurchase. I truly think this is a product that I will use for life at this point. My skin never gets irritated with it like other glycolic acid serums I’ve used. It’s been gentle yet effective. When used on areas I’ve broken out I notice quicker healing and less severe of a pimple. It’s pricy at 90$ for 30ml but that size bottle lasted me 6-7 months.

***disclaimer this is NOT for your face and will clog your pores if applied to face*** This smells soo soo good. This smells like a very rich cocoa butter (just to give an idea of the scent) I got mine from Sephora and used it to the last drop! I was literally scraping the bottom. It left my skin feeling silky soft and helped my stretch marks a lot! I got compliments everywhere I went about how good I smelled as well! Overall a 10/10 and I WILL be purchasing this smelly good fav again in the bigger container. SOL de Janeiro - Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

So Iv seen this product hyped up like crazy and I finally got my hands on a small sample size. I was so excited to open it up and experience the incredibly delicious scent people have been talking about......... What. A. Letdown. It smells okay. Just okay. There is nothing special about how this feels or smells. It’s cute and I think it’s a great cream but I’m not understanding all the extra hype around it. SOL de Janeiro - Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

So I’ve finally been able to try out two other cleansing balms other than my usual go to, FARMACY - Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm First up DRUNK ELEPHANT - Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser What I liked: * very gentle and effective cleanser * option to add exfoliating powder * no scent * fairly easy to remove with just water What I don’t like: * needed more to get an effective cleanse than other product tested Overall, I enjoyed it and if Green Clean wasn’t available I’d definitely use Slaai. Next BANILA CO - Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original What I liked: * no scent * price point What I didn’t like: * took a lot of product to effectively cleanse * left residue after rinsing with water, a cloth is needed to remove it all This definitely came in 3rd as it just doesn’t compare for me with the other two. And my favorite FARMACY - Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm What I liked: * the fresh scent (had me hooked after first use and I typically don’t like scent in my products) * only need a small amount to effectively cleanse * comes of easily with water * no irritation to eyes What I didn’t like: * Zero complaints! Green Clean, not surprisingly, takes the win for me. 🏆 I’ve been a fan of it for a year now and nothing can replace it. I definitely was biased coming it to this as it’s had my heart for so long, but I have been eager to test other balms to see if they compare. Again, I’d choose Slaai if Green Clean wasn’t available. It’s definitely a good contender.

A lipgloss should be a staple in everyone’s makeup routine! I’ve been saying this since I was a kid, and I’m so glad they’ve come back in style. I loved (and still love) matte lipstick, but it’s so refreshing to just throw on a cute lipgloss to top off your look. And, some of the heavy-hitters in the makeup world have taken notice of this! My favorite brands make the cutest lip glosses. I have two go-tos that I use almost daily! These have been pretty standard for me for the past few years and have consistently pulled through with awesome results. When it comes to lip products in general, I tend to gravitate towards Fenty Beauty and Kylie Cosmetics. Kylie’s claim to fame with lip products escalated around 2016, and Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty line has expanded exponentially within the last few years. But, here’s why these two glossy shades are my absolute favorites! 1. High Gloss in the shade Slept On by Kylie Cosmetics Kylie Lip Kits used to be almost impossible to get your hands on. They used to sell out in minutes. The natural next step for Miss Jenner was clearly to make a lip gloss. Of course, she dabbled in other products too, but these glosses are fantastic! Again, the formula is light and not at all sticky. It has a great amount of shimmer, too. 2. Gloss Bomb by Fenty Beauty As we impatiently await new music by Rihanna, we can still marvel at her amazing beauty line. Her Gloss Bomb lipgloss is another one of those products that we’re still talking about years later. It’s so versatile and lightweight that you almost forget you’re wearing it! Out of the three on my list, this one is my all-time favorite.

Talking about lip gloss, sometimes I love using clear ones as a topper to make my lips look juicy and plump; if my lips are too dry, I also love using lip glosses with pigmentation alone to get a healthy look. And here are three of my favorite lip glosses. I want to start from a clear one, the Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer from Fenty Beauty, named Fenty Glow. This is the first lip gloss Fenty Beauty launched and is a shimmering rose nude shade, which is suitable for all skin tones. What I love about this is that it has gold and silver shimmers inside, really beautiful under sunshine. It looks sticky but after applying, I feel it more like oil. It also comes with peach-vanilla scent and I really love sweet scent. FENTY BEAUTY - Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer The second one can be used not only as a topper, but as a tinted gloss. It is called Bronze Temptation from Pat Mcgrath Labs, which is famous for its eyeshadow palettes and matte lipsticks. But after trying this gloss, I think it’s an underrated product. This is a golden peachy bronze shade, giving lips a three-dimensional luster. Comparing the $38 lipstick, this gloss only costs $28 and has more products, you can feel the packaging is quite heavy. The only thing I don’t like is that t’s a little sticky, so don’t wear it in a windy day or your hair will stick on lips. PAT McGRATH LABS - LUST: Lip Gloss The last one is called Aragon from Nars. This one is the perfect everyday lip gloss for me, non-sticky, great pigmentation, instant smoothing and wonderful color. I have light skin with yellow undertone, so this red chestnut color will brighten my skin. Even though the shade is a little bit darker than the other two, but the luminous shine will make me look healthy even without makeup. NARS - Lip Gloss Summer is coming, it’s time to try some new lip glosses and enjoy the sunshine.

Niacinamide or vitamin B3 is a water soluble ingredient that helps to reduce the appearance of large pores by tightening the pore. It also improves uneven skin tone, helps with dullness, and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I have heard wonders about this product and had tried The Ordinary’s version with little success, so I had essentially given up on it. After getting my hands on the Good Molecules version, I finally understood the hype though I don’t see super drastic results like others do, I still think it’s a beneficial ingredient. GOOD MOLECULES - Niacinamide Serum This is a thick, semi-milky serum. I find that this serum sinks into the skin rather quickly and I can start to see results within a few days of using this consistently. It has an amazing dropper, and I apply about half a dropper’s worth (3-4 drops) to my whole face and another half for my neck. The thickened consistency means no waste and excellent spreadability! The Ordinary - Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% TO’s version is a less viscous, but still thickened liquid consistency. I find that serums that have this very watery consistency tent to be finicky to use and cause a lot of waste. Like many of their other formulations, it features a simple ingredient list. Unfortunately, I don’t find this one to be nearly as effective as the GM version. VERDICT Both of these products are very affordable at under $10, but there is a very clear difference in quality. The Good Molecules version stands out by far. Not only does the thicker consistency mean it doesn’t run all over your face, but it also gives faster results. I found that regardless of how long I used TO niacinamide, I didn’t experience any of the benefits. Also, the dropper on the GM serums are m a g i c. Although these are both in the same price bracket and very similar ingredient-wise, I wouldn’t repurchase TO version and would instead purchase the Good Molecules serum. I have been thoroughly impressed with GM and their commitment to quality and affordability.

Step 1: Cleanse Cleansing is so important in skincare! If you don’t cleanse your skin properly your skincare isn’t going to be as effective and you aren’t going to see the results you want. I usually remove my make up with a make up removing balm (hello double cleansing method!) and then I go in with the FARMACY - Clean Bee Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser . I prefer gel cleansers for oily skin because they lift away dirt, oil, and other impurities from the skin without completely stripping it like foam cleansers can. It’s effective yet gentle. With this you only need a little bit and it takes off the last remaining bits of my make up. Step 2: Tone Toners are light weight liquids that prep the skin for the rest of your routine. They can provide essential ingredients and help hydrate the skin. The GOOD MOLECULES - Niacinamide Brightening Toner is the only toner that has agreed with my skin. When choosing a toner you want to stay away from ones with alcohol or fragrance. Both can dry out and irritate the skin. Thankfully this one contains neither. This toner specifically promotes bright, even skin tone with less visible pores. The main ingredients is niacinamide (which I’ll go more into in the next step) which is my holy grail ingredient for oily skin. It also includes arbutin and licorice root extract to help to sooth inflammation and reduce pigmentation. This works for me because it adds a layer of hydration to my skin all while helping regulate my oil production. I’m also a little acne prone thanks to how oily my skin is and it helps soothe the inflammation from new pimples while helping fade the marks from old, healed ones. I’ve seen a huge difference in my skin from using this (paired with the next serum). Step 3: Serum Niacinamide. If you have oily skin (and all skin types can benefit from this) this serum helps regulate oil, fade dark spots, reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, and strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier. I really like the GOOD MOLECULES - Niacinamide Serum because it’s so lightweight and absorbs easily into the skin. It doesn’t feel sticky or sit on top of the skin. I’ve seen a huge improvement in the oil production in my skin. Step 4: Moisturizer Moisturizer is a must for oily skin! I really love the CLINIQUE - iD : Moisturizer + Concentrate for Pores & Uneven Texture because you can mix and match moisturizers and pumps based on your concerns. I use the hydrating jelly because you still need hydration in your skin or else you’re going to over produce oil. This is lightweight on the skin yet still adds that hydration back after cleansing. I also really like the blue cartridge because it has AHAs which retexturize the skin and help reduce the appearance of pores which I struggle with. I’ve been using this routine for about a year now and I’ve seen huge results in my oil production and pores. I do all these steps AM & PM. 🖤

Hey y’all! Today I will be getting my first product from The Ordinary which I am SO excited about! But I don’t know which serum to get! Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% or Lactic Acid 5% + HA? ✨my skin is oily in my t zone and dry on my cheeks. it is slightly sensitive to physical exfoliation as well. i have some breakouts, texture, and blackheads. i also use amzeeq and tretinoin ✨the niacinamide would help with oil control, my congested pores, and my acne prone skin. i would use this in the morning, but i don’t know if i can use it at night because i don’t know how it would react to my tretinoin ✨the lactic acid would help with the texture on my face, hydrate my skin, and would exfoliate the dead skin cells. i would use this 2-3x a week at night, but i still don’t know how it would react with my tretinoin:( let me know your thoughts down below!! i would LOVE to hear them!!💓💓

The products ✨ Niacinamide, also called vitamin B3 has quickly become a staple ingredient in my routine. Niacinamide helps to reduce the appearance of pores, control excess oil production and reduce the amount of blemishes and congestion. While the inkey list is a straight niacinamide serum, the ordinary’s contains zinc which is supposed to further help with blemishes My thoughts✨ When I began my skincare journey this was one of the first products I decided to pick up to address my oily/acne prone skin. I use niacinamide once a day in the AM and I notice my skin’s oil production is more balanced throughout the day. Since I’ve started using this I’ve gone through two bottles of The Ordinary’s niacinamide and decided to picked up The Inky List’s to compare. I would say both of these products give me the same result, but overall I prefer The Inkey List’s. The Ordinary’s formula is more sticky and dries quicker, so I end up having to use more product compared to when I use The Inkey List. My only complaint about the inkey list is the bottle, more specifically the top... I just overall prefer a dropper applicator. With that said I originally picked up the inkey list when I was going to be traveling because it’s a plastic more compact bottle, better for travel. I was originally worried it might leak, but thankfully it didn’t. Both of these products are extremely affordable (under $10) for 1oz, which lasts a few months so if you’re thinking about trying Niacinamide definitely do. THE inkey LIST - Niacinamide 30ml The Ordinary - Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

SUMMER FRIDAYS - Jet Lag Mask A thick, creamy mask that infuses great hydration into the skin. This mask can be used in a variety of ways: as a wash off mask, a sleeping mask, a spot treatment, an under eye cream, a moisturizer, or a primer. My favorite way to use this mask is as a wash off. The thickness of the cream makes me, as an oily skinned girl, a bit nervous to use as a moisturizer because I worry it might clog my pores. But, as a wash off mask, it really does hydrate well and I can definitely layer it with other products well. BIODERMA - Sensibio Mask This mask is ultra-gentle. It has a simple formula that’s fragrance free and works well with all skin types. The consistency of this mask is perfect for my skin. It’s not too heavy, so I find it to be really hydrating without feeling like it’s suffocating my skin. This mask is part of a Bioderma line specifically formulated for sensitive skin, so it’s especially amazing when my skin feels irritated. It is a wash-off mask. VERDICT The jet-lag mask is a cult favorite and superstar product. It really hydrates the skin. Bioderma does the same, with gentler ingredients and at a much lower price point. When compared to Jet Lag, the Sensibio mask has a much lighter consistency, but still infuses the same amount of moisture. I find that after using both, my skin feels soft and plump. However, sometimes when I use Jet Lag, my skin gets irritated and I get little red bumps within a few hours (only sometimes, but it’s something to keep in mind). This has never happened to me with the Sensibio mask. Based not only on results and efficacy, but also on price comparisons, I have to say that I prefer the Bioderma Sensibio mask over the Summer Fridays Jet Lag mask.

My PM routine is all about giving my skin a good shield to help repair and recover overnight. Sometimes I will add in acids to this routine. My skin type is combination (dry on my jawline, chin and forehead, oily in my t-zone, and rosacea on my cheeks under my eyes) in the winter/spring while leaning more oily/normal in the summer and fall. My skin is VERY sensitive (have been all my life, even consulting with doctors for years) and my skin is prone to allergic reactions to many natural and organic ingredients. This routine works so well for me since it’s focused on healing and none of the products irritate my skin! FIRST CLEANSE: DRUNK ELEPHANT - Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser I’ve already posted a review on why I prefer Slaai versus Farmacy’s balm for my first cleanse. It’s a lot thicker than green clean and feels so much more soothing and turns into a true oil. Slaai doesn’t sting my eyes, has no smell, and washes off without leaving my skin feeling stripped or tight. I massage a tiny amount of this into dry skin for 45-90 seconds before washing off with warm water. Then I’ll do my second cleanse without drying off my face. Slaai is on par with green clean price and size wise ($35 for 3.88oz) and I can’t recommend it enough. Get a sample at Sephora before purchasing!! 5/5 SECOND CLEANSE: HOLI FROG - Superior Omega Nutritive Gel Wash Holifrog’s gel cleanser is transparent with minimal “suds” that deep clean your pores without stripping your skin. It’s full of antioxidants too—Holifrog packs their cleansers with amazing ingredients. It’s jelly in texture and has a light scent to it but nothing major. When I use this cleanser I always pair it with my FOREO so I’m cleansing my face for at least 60 seconds and I’m hitting it where it counts. $36 for 5oz is standard for a mid-tier cleanser and I wish it was more accessible. Only available for purchase on holifrog’s website or dermstore.com. 5/5 RETINOID/OIL: The Ordinary - Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane Guys, this Retinoid is so amazing. I’ve been using it for 5 months now almost daily and it’s formulated for sensitive skin. Let’s get one thing straight: it’s NOT retinol. It’s a retinOID. Big difference. Granactive Retinoid in particular is formulated for sensitive skin and allows for daily use without destroying your skin! I chose the formula with squalane oil so I get 2-in-1 without missing on quality. It’s $9.60 for 1oz and I’m so happy I got into this when i did. My acne scarring texture has decreased so much while using this, but not so much redness. 5/5 highly recommend. OVERNIGHT MASK: SUMMER FRIDAYS - Jet Lag Mask Jet Lag is the perfect topper on my PM routine because it seals everything in. I’ve already reviewed this, so long story short—I wake up with brighter skin every time with no irritation. No scent. Super thick gel formula. $48 for 2.25oz. Get a sample first! 5/5

The Ordinary - AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution DRUNK ELEPHANT - T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial 25% AHA + 2% BHA Mask I also found this dupe on Tiktok! Everyone is talking about the ordinary AHA BHA solution and I’m so glad! I’ve been using this for a little over a year now and it’s really amazing. I have a previous review on this product so I won’t get too much into it. The Drunk Elephant Babyfacial is a new product to me. I always saw everyone raving about this so I finally decided to give it a try. So many people on Tiktok are saying that the ordinary product is a dupe for this one but I had to see for myself. These products are more different than I originally thought. Despite them having almost the same percentage of AHA and BHA, the user experience is much different. The drunk elephant one comes out a tan color with slight particles in it. It’s super sticky and you have to spread it evenly before it dries because it’ll become tacky and uneven. It has a subtle scent but it smells natural. You are supposed to leave this on for 20 minutes but I usually do 15 to lessen irritation. The ordinary one goes on red and less sticky but you are supposed to leave it on for only 10 minutes or less. In my opinion, the ordinary one does a more intense job at exfoliating. I would recommend this to someone who has oily or rough skin type that wants to try an AHA BHA product. The drunk elephant one is more of a luxury experience and left my skin a little softer. I think this is good for someone with normal to dry skin because it does have some moisturizing agents as well as the AHA BHA. I will continue to use both! I do think that if you’re on a budget, it’s worth it to just get the ordinary product because the results are very comparable

Products I used for makeup Primer: Too Faced - Hangover Replenishing Face Primer Hangover replenishing by TooFace Foundation: MAKE UP FOR EVER - Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation Make Up For Ever HD in 118 Concealer: DIOR - Forever Skin Correct Concealer Dior Forever Skin Correct in 1 Neutral Powder: HOURGLASS - Veil Translucent Setting Powder Veil translucent setting powder by Hourglass Bronzer: benefit - Hoola Matte Bronzing Powder Hoola by Benefit Highlight and contour: Shade & Light palette by Kat Von D Brows: ANASTASIA Beverly Hills - Dipbrow Brow Pomade Dip Brow in Dark Brown Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyeshadow: tarte - Tartelette In Bloom Clay Eyeshadow Palette In Bloom Clay eyeshadow palette by Tarte Mascara: LANCÔME - CILS BOOSTER XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base CLIS BOOSTER Super enchanting mascara base by Lancôme. tarte - Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara Lights camera lashes mascara by Tarte Blush: NARS - Free Lover Cheek Palette Free Lover Cheek Palette by NARS Highlight: BECCA - Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter Champagne Pop by Becca Lip liner:Charlotte Tilbury - Lip Cheat Iconic Nude 1.2g Iconic nude by Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick: MAC - MAC Lipstick in Honey Love Lip Gloss: Charlotte Tilbury - Lip Lustre Lip Gloss Blondie by Charlotte Tilbury

You can’t “dupe” all high-end or niche products. This doesn’t apply to one-ingredient products like virgin marula oil. While the texture may be different, the end result is probably going to be the same for most folks. But multi-ingredient products like Drunk Elephant’s B-Hydra, TLC Framboos, C-Firma, and other niche products from brands like Paula’s Choice, Youth to the People- the main active ingredients may be the same, but the concentrations and inactive ingredients are different. As well, they may not have an active ingredient that the “original” product does. Let’s take these two. Often touted as dupes, I love them both. I used to use them both daily, actually, though now B-Hydra is my main hydration serum. The Ordinary - Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 has HA and B5 as it’s two actives and I adore that TO utilizes multiple sizes of HA to draw moisture into different layers of your skin 💦 DRUNK ELEPHANT - B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum ‘s active ingredients include Hyaluronic Acid (both products use sodium hyaluronate, which is molecularly easier for skin to absorb) and Panthenol (B5, a hydrator), but also Niacinamide, which helps with controlling excess oil production. This key ingredient is what made B-Hydra so amazing when I struggled with oil overproduction. You can utilize the Ordinary’s Niacinamide+Zinc alongside its HA+B5 offering, but I enjoy that B-Hydra just has it already in it, as it makes B-Hydra a unique serum that addresses multiple issues common to those with combination/oily skin. As far as inactives go, both products include a variety of extracts, but B-Hydra bumps up its hydration offerings by adding sodium PCA in its ingredient list! It’s very well-rounded. So, is HA+B5 inferior? Not at all. I love it, and it’s an affordable, lovely hydration serum. I enjoy that the Ordinary does one- or two-note products because it allows you to truly personalize a skincare routine. But HA+B5 is not a duplicate for B-Hydra, the ingredient lists are very different even if they share two actives. It can be used as a substitute, but long-term results likely won’t be the same without supplementing the missing niacinamide via a secondary product. Saving money is A+, but evaluate *where* in an ingredient list you’re willing to budge before grabbing a “dupe”!