Worth It

Worth It? ecoTools Daily Brush Cleaner

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ecoTools Daily Brush Cleaner

Precious few of us wash our makeup brushes as often as we should – but ecoTools Daily Brush Cleaner makes it easier for me to pull off.

Although washing our brushes at least weekly is high up there on the list of things we can do to improve both our application and skin’s health, a lot of us non-professionals just don’t do that. It is a bit silly when you think about it: caring for your tools – whether they are makeup tools or powertools – helps them last longer and perform better.

I used to use Cinema Secrets to buy time between proper soap washes, but when I saw that ecoTools, a more accessible and affordable brand, had a similar product (their ecoTools Daily Brush Cleaner), I wanted to try it out. Both less expensive and easier to get, it seemed a good fit as long as it worked.

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Worth it? Lemonhead LA Glitters

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Worth it? Lemonhead LA Glitters

Last year, a friend had some adventures that included seeing ABBA. She had a requirement: vegan glitter. While I don’t know what she ended up with, I joined the hunt for products and offered up Lemonhead LA glitters as a suggestion. I would later learn that, in the realm of cosmetic glitter, Lemonhead LA reigns supreme. If you’re on the hunt for glitter that sets the standard, your search ends here.

…so, Eventually, I Bought Some

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How Retinoids Changed my Skin Routine

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Retinoids Changed my Skin Routine

I shared that I stopped using OTC retinol products after learning how they lose potency fast. I switched to a prescription retinoid, Tretinoin, which has extensive research and time in the market behind it. It works, and it remains stable over its shelf life – which is more than can be said by cosmetic OTC retinols.

I expected to see improved results over, say, Paula’s Choice, Inkey List, or InnBeauty. But retinoids changed my skin routine in ways I didn’t expect, too.

Retinoids Changed my Skin Routine – Fewer Steps, Fewer Products

When you’re incorporating a serious retinoid into your routine, best practice is to discontinue all other treatments to give your skin time to adjust. I pared back to the basics: cleanse, moisturize, retinoid, sunscreen. No acids, no toners, no treatments or whatsoever else. I did reincorporate Vitamin C in the morning, which I previously used, once I had adjusted.

A typical skincare day looks like this:

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Worth it? Ohora Semi-Cured Gel Nail Strips

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Ohora Semi-Cured Gel Nail Strips

Before I got into gel manicures, I used to do nail art all the time. This also consumed a lot of time, which was okay back then because I HAD time. Then, I got into gel and got 10-21 days out of a manicure. As my time faded, so too did my interest in nail art. Even now, I don’t dislike it. I just can’t spend hours on my nails 1-2x a week, and I never picked up gel art.

Enter Ohora Semi-Cured Gel Nail Strips

I had never tried nail strips – neither classic nor curable gel. Though I appreciate the art-on-demand aspect, they didn’t strike me as something I needed to try. I have good polishing skills, and I can live without art. So, I dismissed them for my own purposes. This goes for both gel AND classic strips – just had very little interest at their price point.

Last July, some of the Ohora Semi-Cured Gel Nail Strips went on sale. I bought a pack that featured a tortoise design, and left them untouched until mid-October. It was then sufficiently Autumn, so I gave them a shot.

Application

I was pleasantly surprised that using these things is pretty damn easy! Match up sizing much like you’d do for a press-on nail. Carefully peel from the backing. Align with your cuticle and gently but firmly press to adhere, ensuring no bubbles or gaps.

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Worth it? Dieux Forever Eye Mask (Reusable Eye Mask)

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Dieux Forever Eye Mask

Dieux you know what? Dieux Forever Eye Masks ($25) came back in stock shortly after I mentioned them in February 2021. I flung myself at the ordering page. Within a few days, they were on my doorstep – and then my face. Annnnd then I kinda did this hiatus and didn’t mention them again for a year and a half, basically.

I’ve been on this gradual conversion to reusables for a few years now. I enjoy eye masks, but they seem pretty expensive for what they are, and then there’s all this waste. Using disposables doesn’t align with how I want to live, especially considering the ultimately frivolous nature of beauty items.

What I Love about Dieux Forever Eye Mask

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What I DON’T Spend Money On – 2022

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Like most people, my spending has evolved over time across many areas, and beauty is no exception. My wants, needs, and what I find fun have obviously evolved – and I don’t want to store a ton of stuff that may expire, too!

Here’s the latest on what I don’t spend money on:

  • Trying 7238578157283 products
    My money has better things to do, and it is no longer fun for me the way it used to be!

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