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Rare Beauty Products Review

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First of all, I am a huge Selena Gomez fan, so when I heard that she launched her own beauty brand, then I obviously couldn't wait to get my hands on these products. Only downside is that they don't sell any products in Estonia nor in the neighbour countries, so I had to patiently wait until I could finally travel! Anyways the holy day came when I went to Paris and the first store I visited was Sephora. Nowadays cosmetics cost enough that I didn't grab everything, but tried to choose wisely. Also their formula is vegan and cruelty-free! Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm in Nearly Mauve This incredible lip balm + lip gloss consistency really hydrates the lips while giving you a lovely glossy finish. I really enjoy it on my lips and love the light mauve tone as I don't have anything like it. 10/10 would recommend and buy other shades as well. Lip Soufflé Matte Lip Cream in Courage & Inspire When in Paris I obviously had to get the most popular and Selena's favourite

Best sunscreens for oily / acne-prone skin - my TOP 5

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When using any acne treatments, sun protection is a must as skin is more sensitive and sun can cause more damage, especially if you have any spots from acne trying to heal. Well overall sun is not a friend for skin, so I apply SPF50 every day. Re-application throughout the day is something I need to work on though... But it can be quite difficult to find good sunscreens that work well with oily skin and not be the cause for more acne. So I've tried quite many different sun protection creams and overall I've had no issues with them, so this review is more based on the texture, feeling and finish on skin. 5.  Babe Facial Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF50+ Dry Touch This fluid absorbs fast without leaving a white cast, even adds a bit of a glow, while remaining lightweight and matte. I even apply a bit of moisturizer afterwards, which I think says a lot about this sunscreen for my oily skin. The Babe sunscreen hasn't caused my skin to breakout or any sensitivity, it has only protected

Dermaceutic Radiance Brightening Cream - Review

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How to get rid of acne scars? This product might actually be the answer. Dermaceutic Radiance Brightening Cream contains Kojic Acid, Arbutin, Niacinamide, Salicylic and Mandelic Acids - the ultimate skin brightening combo! This brightening cream gently exfoliates the skin and thus helps with uneven skin texture and skin tone. This cream is a bit different from your usual skincare products as it is recommended to use as a treatment for 3 months at a time and slowly introducing it to your routine. Dermaceutic Radiance Brightening Cream   I got this in a small tester tube, but it lasted for at least 8 uses and results appeared already the next day. Every morning after using this, my skin had a lot less redness, pigmentation was less noticeable, acne had calmed and my complexion had a nice glow. I am definitely putting the full-size product on my wishlist, this seems like a miracle cream for my scarred skin.

How to treat hormonal acne - diet and birth control pills

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My seemingly never-ending battle with acne has led to try many things, but when you finally take step back and acknowledge that no external product is going to help, then it's time to focus on internal issues. I have hormonal acne - I know that because my skin gets usually worse before a period and it fluctuates a lot throughout the year as my hormones either calm down or brew up a storm. Also my hormones are all over the place as my periods tend to be irregular and cause other health issues. I've taken antibiotics for my skin before, but that didn't do anything, so I guess it's time for a different approach. 1. Hormone balancing diet Before any drastic measures, I decided to try clean eating for my hormones. So after googling "hormone balancing diet", this is what I found out. Foods to avoid: white/processed sugar, wheat flour, white rice, potatoes, dairy, cacao, fried/processed foods. Nothing is more motivating for avoiding sugar, when your body is inflamed

Dermaceutic Light Ceutic Toning Night Cream - Review

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To try something different for my skin, my cosmetologist introduced me to Dermaceutic. The Light Ceutic Skin Toning Night Cream contains 8% Glycolic Acid, 4% Phytic Acid and Vitamin C, which are more targeted towards irregular and dull complexion. For my acne-prone skin with acne scars this should also help and lighten them. Price 41€ I apply this serum-like toning cream after cleansing and before moisturising. One pump is enough to cover most of the face. At first the toning cream felt a bit strong/harsh due to the Glycolic Acid's exfoliating properties, but hasn't caused any sensitivity. The Glycolic Acid and Vitamin C both have a brightening effect and make my skin feel smooth. While I quite like this product, this is still not a match for my hormonal acne, but helps with acne scars and my skin heal faster. So I'd suggest this to anyone dealing with a dull and/or irregular complexion and acne scars, but it won't do much to keep acne at bay.

Shiseido Mattifying Compact Powder SPF15 - Review

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While a glowy dewy look would be a dream, my oily skin is there to remind me that matte is better for me. It's my first time ever using Shiseido's products, but let's just say that this powder really set high expectations for them. I usually don't spend this much on a mattifying powder, but for a no make-up day, I'd like to keep my oiliness away with a powder that has SPF, is super mattifying and provides a light coverage. So after reading the good reviews, I had to splurge for this.  Shiseido Pureness Matifying Compact Oil-Free I got the shade 'Light Ivory', which is a bit dark for me, but still manages to look natural. I'd say the coverage is buildable to a medium. I don't like to use the applicator that comes with the package, so to keep powder fallout to a minimum, I lightly tap a kabuki brush on and then press onto my face. This has a lot of fallout, so I'd suggest being gentle and careful.  I couldn't believe how matte this kept my supe

BioNike Acteen Sun Cream-Gel SPF 50+ - Review

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Sun is out and summer's heating up, so another sunscreen review only seems right! This time I purchased the BioNike Acteen Sun Cream-Gel SPF 50+. My main reason for choosing this was that it is targeted towards acne-prone skin with sebum-regulating active ingredients. The cream-gel formula has a dry and mattifying feel, so it's perfect for oily skin. Another plus is that it's water-resistant!  Price 14,85€ While the texture isn't my favourite for spreading, the sunscreen's matte, but slightly glowy finish won my heart. It feels really lightweight and doesn't leave a white cast. Probably one of the best sunscreens for dealing with acne. After a few hours my oily skin still comes through with the warm weather, but this keeps my face feeling comfortable. BioNike as a reputable pharmacy brand has my trust for high protection from UVA, UVB and IR rays. I would personally love to explore more sunscreens, but this is definitely on my repurchasing list.

Inika Organic Loose Mineral Foundation SPF25 - Review

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This product deserved a separate post, because it has been here for me for almost two years and I couldn't be more grateful. My cosmetologist swears by Inika's products, saying they're a bit cheaper alternative to Jane Irendale. Currently I own two of these mineral foundations and one travel-sized version.  The first shade I purchased was Unity P1, which was a bit darker than my natural skin tone, but it was perfect for summer. The travel-sized foundation is shade Unity N1 and I can say that they are quite different. The P1 is more pinkish (hence the P) and for me it seemed a bit lighter, while N1 seems darker with its more yellow undertones. The second time I bought a shade lighter Grace P1 that is my perfect match. Inika Organic Loose Mineral Foundation SPF25  I love that this powder builds, so you can choose what kind of coverage you'd like. For those simple days I like to just apply a bit on my more problematic spots and any redness areas. If my skin is looking bett

Babe Facial Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF50+ Dry Touch - Review

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With long-awaited summer approaching, I thought it's only appropriate to write about sun protection. Sun is still extremely harmful for your skin, in case you forgot, and applying SPF daily is recommended for a reason. So if you don't want to look 20 years older in the next 10 years with wrinkles and dark spots, I'd suggest you get on it asap. I religiously apply SPF, so using one that is great for my acne-prone oily skin is of high importance. Babe Facial Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 50+ Dry Touch  I always opt for and suggest buying SPF from a pharmacy, because most of the products sold are high quality and sensitive enough that they shouldn't cause any issues. This time I decided to try the Babe Facial Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF50+ Dry Touch. This sunscreen is also supposed to be water-resistant, colourant-free, hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested. The formula is enriched with soothing active ingredients and antioxidants (like vitamin E), so your skin should be happy. T

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 - Review

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This year winter has been an actual winter in Estonia, which we haven't seen in years. So while it's great to enjoy the cold and the snow, my skin hasn't reacted the same way. My super oily skin was feeling dry and extremely sensitive, having a lot of redness. Thankfully my TikTok algorithm knew and introduced this soothing balm by La Roche-Posay. While my cosmetologist says that their products usually contain many fillers, which can block your pores and cause even more acne, then the Cicaplast Baume B5 multi-purpose repairing balm is an exception as it is formulated for extremely sensitive skin. The main ingredient promoted is 5% panthenol for its soothing properties. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 This balm doesn't leave my skin greasy, but sinks nicely into the skin, soothing any redness and irritation. What I love is that it leaves my skin quite matte. When I used this for about a week straight as a face moisturizer, I saw a difference in my skin. Redness and sen

Things TikTok made me buy

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So about a year ago when the pandemic began and I had to sit at home, I found my way to TikTok (and actually posted a few). Though in the beginning it was mostly entertainment, now most of my feed is about advice, hacks and product recommendations. So of course I've tried out some of those products and I have to say I'm really impressed. These items have become essentials for me.  Here are the things TikTok made me buy: 1. Ariana Grande Cloud perfume This is apparently a cheap dupe for the famous Baccarat Rouge 540. I've never had the chance to smell it, but this Ariana Grande perfume lives up to the hype. It is so different from the floral and sweet I used to go for, but I love this burnt sugar scent that is so fresh. A bit more masculine, but I absolutely love it and I've even gotten a few compliments. Ariana Grande Cloud 2. Simple Modern Tumbler Cup This cup from Amazon is amazing. Used by Victoria's Secret supermodels, so why wouldn't it be. I love this cup