Beauty | the caterpillar

Review + swatches: matte pink/mauve lipsticks (MAC, Bourjois)

Posted on October 6, 2017 by thefrenchcaterpillar

This month I’ve purchased 3 new lipsticks with a semi-matte/matte finish and I thought I’d take the opportunity to give you a quick review.

From top to bottom: Bourjois Velvet in 09 Happy Nude Year; Bourjois 12 hours lipstick in 31 Beige Shooting; MAC Matte lipstick in 70 Mehr

1. Bourjois ROUGE EDITION Velvet in 09 Happy Nude Year (€14.50)

+ PLUS +

Light and creamy consistency
Nice velvety matte finish
Stays on well once it has dried
Smells wonderful

– MINUS –

Takes some time to dry
Hard to apply, it’s easier using your finger or a brush

* SHADE *

The shade “Happy Nude Year” is not really a nude, it’s a cool pink. As you can see from the swatches, it looks really different on the photos with or without flash. It looks more natural in real life, but can seem a bit more pink on photos. However, keep in mind that the color sets on your lips once it has dried. Be patient.

2. Bourjois ROUGE EDITION 12 hours lipstick in 31 Beige Shooting (€14,50)

+ PLUS +

Easy to apply
Smooth consistency
Natural finish
Not drying

– MINUS –

Does not last 12 hours
Not very pigmented (could also be a plus if that’s what you’re looking for!)

* SHADE *

“Beige Shooting” is actually not beige at all, it’s a pink/mauve nude. Don’t get fooled by the swatches, it’s actually less “cotton candy pink” on the lips than on the photos. It’s a perfect “my lips but better” color for everyday use: it’s discrete, but it still defines and enhances the lips beautifully.

PS: Whomever is in charge of naming the different shades at Bourjois should really consider getting another job. The rest of the Bourjois employees can go on making great budget lipsticks. Thank you for your comprehension.

3. MAC Matte Lipstick in 70 Mehr (€19.50)

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+ PLUS +

Highly pigmented
Nice matte finish
Easy to apply
Beautiful shades

– MINUS –

A bit dry
A bit too thick in consistency

* SHADE *
The shade “Mehr” is a kind of berry-brown pink. It’s a bit darker than it seems at first sight, and more pigmented than the 2 other lipsticks, but the color is gorgeous and can be worn for all occasions. I feel like this is perfect autumn/winter shade. It leaves a nice tint on the lips even hours after you’ve applied it, but if you tend to have dry lips use some lip balm to revive the color and prevent it from drying out.

Howdy!

MAKEUP FAVOURITES

Posted on September 26, 2017 by thefrenchcaterpillar

I thought it was time I updated my makeup routine as well. Makeup has really become a real interest of mine this past year. When I developed adult acne, I was so desperate to find foundations and concealers which would look natural, while doing the job of covering my zits and scars, that I started to spend a lot of time reading reviews, watching tutorials on Youtube, etc.

Here is a list of some of my favourite makeup products right now:

Dermablend Fluid Corrective Foundation by Vichy, but as a concealer
Fit Me Concealer by Maybelline to conceal my (very) dark circles
Dream Pure BB Cream by Maybelline with 2% Salicylic Acid
Miracle Touch by Max Factor – for touch ups (blends really well!)
HD powder by Makeup Forever or NYX (dupe) – to set the foundation and concealer
So Couture Volume Million Lashes Mascara by L’oréal – simply great
Gimme Brow by Benefit Cosmetics – easy and quick
Matte Lipstick in Mehr by MAC – gorgeous color

I also still use the Bourjois blush and bronzer powder, which I had reviewed before, but I’m actually looking for a more natural cool bronzer/contour shade. I will let you know if I find my holy grail!

UPDATED SKIN ROUTINE

Posted on September 25, 2017 by thefrenchcaterpillar

Hi folks,

I’m back with a new skin routine! I have tried to stop using any potentially irritating products and given up on harsh acne-treating products, and I must say that after using these products for 3 months I see a real difference. I haven’t had any major breakouts, except 2 hormonal zits on my neck (?) the first month right before my period, but now my skin feels balanced and ready to heal. If you have sensitive acne-prone mixed skin like I have, this could be for you!

MORNING ROUTINE:

If I need to shower, I clean my face while showering with the So’ Bio etic Clarifying mousse which I actually bought in a supermarket and I was amazed! It really clarifies the skin and gives you a radiant look!

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If I don’t need to take a shower, I opt for a gentle clean with some Bioderma créaline H20 micellar water and/or some witch hazel water.

Now when it comes to my every-day moisturiser, I have a new favourite:

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the Clear it up oil-free moisturiser by Lumene

These past couple of months, I have been very disappointed by many high-end products, so I’ve decided to stop thinking that expensive means good, and simply base my decisions on the ingredients in the products. This moisturiser is cheap while really keeping my skin in control while not drying out my face at all. It’s not an acne-treating moisturiser, but it’s oil free and contains a short list of good ingredients and very little fragrance, which my sensitive skin always appreciates. It’s hard to find in stores but you can find it on internet.

EVENING ROUTINE:

If I’m wearing a lot of makeup, I use coconut oil and massage it into the skin. Then I start taking it off with a little warm water and finally use a cotton pad to take the rest off. 61hb3sobt1L._SL1000_.jpg

Then I use La Roche Posay’s Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser to wash away any makeup residues.

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As the water is rather harsh in Paris (where I live) I try to always spray some chamomile or witch hazel water on my face after washing it with water.

Once my face is squeaky clean, I proceed with my favourite part of my skin routine: the Aromessence Neroli Night Balm by Decléor ❤

Where do I start… it’s simply the best thing that has ever happened to my skin. My mother has used it for years, but I’ve avoided her advice of trying it because I thought we did not have the same skin problems and there was no way it would work on my sensitive acne-prone skin. Boy was I wrong. Its composition is simply marvellous: the basil oil in the balm purifies my skin while the neroli hydrates and calms my skin. I wake up with beautifully hydrated, balanced and plumped skin. Even though it contains a lot of different essential oils it does not make my skin break out at all. I think this night balm + the oil-free moisturiser from Lumene is a really good combo for my whimsical skin.

MY SKIN ROUTINE

Posted on May 12, 2016 by thefrenchcaterpillar

Morning:

I start off by gently cleaning my face with Witch Hazel or Rose water and then apply my day cream. Right now I’m using the Melvita rose facial gel which is really fresh and hydrating and let’s the skin breathe. In the winter I use the Biodroga Puran Formula 24H care for dry impure skin.

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Night:

I first apply a large amount of coconul oil on my face and massage it into my skin and eyes. Coconut oil is a great make-up remover, even if you’re wearing waterproof mascara. I then wipe it off with a cotton ball or wipe. Then I either use my Konjac sponge with a little bit of oil and fragrance-free face wash, my Tri Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash or my Bioderma Sensibio H2o Micellar Water

As I have microcystic acne, I need quite a lot of exfoliation but as my skin is sensitive, I try to alternate between the three. Konjac sponges are very useful if you want a deep cleanse without irritating the skin. After that, I apply one of my home-made oil serums.

Right now I have two home-made oil mixes:

Balancing, Calming, Acne-fighting: Hazelnut oil with Lavender and Tea Tree essential oil
Balancing, Hydrating and Healing: Jojoba oil with a few drops of Vitamin E extract

I sometimes alternate with aloe-vera based serums when my skin isn’t dry. Other recipes to come !

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Do you own oil mix according to your skin type: it’s easy, cheap and natural!

Treatments:

I use La Roche Posay’s Effaclar Duo on spot that are still “under the skin” and for scars as it has two effects: it unclogs pores and works wonders on red scars. It’s also not as agressive as all other acne treatments.

To kill inflamed zits I use the miraculous Tea Tree oil. Tea tree oil is an aboslute must-have if you have problem skin. Crajiru extract is also very purifying but it’s a bit more expensive.

I also put Manuka honey on my dry spots and scars 3 times a week, it works miracle.

Once a week I steam-bath my face (or just put a hot towel on my face for a few minutes if I’m in a hurry), use a very gentle scrub such as Caudalie’s gentle scrub or my Konjac brush to gently exfoliate the skin before applying a home-made mask.

The base of the mask is pretty much always the same: clay (while, green or red) or yogurt, and then I add other cheap natural ingredients. I will make a complete list of easy DIY face mask recipes in my next post.

Basic Make-up:

Make Up Store Oil-free Primer

Biodrogan BB cream “for mixed impure skin”

Une concealer “Skin glow”

Une BB highlighting pen

Maybelline green concealer

Shiseido “UV Protective Compact Foundation” in the summer, a mineral powder in the winter.

Elizabeth Arden Blush “Wild Berry”

Bourjois Bronzing Powder “Délice de poudre”

Bare Minerals Eye Shadows “The Truth”

Maybelline Baby Balm “Cherry Me” or Isadora Twist-Up Matt Lips “Nude Rose”

Anastasia Brow Pommade “Taupe”

+ some brown eyeliner and waterproof mascara

DONE !

MY ACNE STORY

Posted on May 12, 2016 by thefrenchcaterpillar

Hi folks!

This is my first post, so much pressure! I want this blog to be a personal yet anonymous beauty, lifestyle and inspirational blog. It will feature beauty advice, monthly picks, product reviews, and other stuff to meditate upon !

Let’s will start off with the basics which will make all my other beauty posts much more relevant: my acne (never-ending) story.

My skin is mixed/sensitive and blessed with gorgeous adult acne <3<3

This is my left cheek and jaw today #scarredforlife #thuglife

Yes, I can laugh at it now. I have cried myself to sleep and cancelled enough meetings because of break-outs. I’ve learnt to deal with it now – at least psychologically. I had mild acne as a teen, but it wasn’t as bad and scarring as my microcystic adult acne. It started when i was 22 and I’m now 25. 3,5 years. At my worse, I could have over 20 mycrocysts ready to burst into flames and 5 fully-bloomed spots and many many scars and blemishes. Right now I have about 10 really small microcysts, 3 inflamed ones and a couple of scars.

My acne is caused by many, many things:

Lack of self-control
I can’t stop touching my face. It’s like an addiction. I know how bad it is for the skin, but I can’t help it. The urge to feel the spots, try to squeeze them or peel the dead skin off is simply too strong. It’s sick, I know.
Lack of hormonal balance.
I usually get small microcysts before my period who bloom during my period and heal… well when it’s time for the next menstrual cycle. There’s not much to do about this unfortunately.
Lack of will.
I smoke. A lot. Smoking is very bad for the skin: it clogs pores and gives you a dull complexion. But godammit I’m french, I’ll stop when I have kids. I also drink alcohol 1or 2 (or 3) times a week.
Lack of sleep.
I sleep an average of 6 hours a night. I’ve had insomnia in the past, and the moment all the lights are out and I’m trying to sleep is something I always try to put off that moment for as long as I can. I’m also a very stressed person, and stress is not good for the acne. Fun fact: According to a Chinese face-mapping, having acne on your chin is a sign of needing to chill.
Lack of hygiene.
I wash my hands about 20 times a day, clean my face twice a day and change my pillow often because of my allergy to dust/mites – but I don’t wash my brushes and clean my phone as often as I should. If you have acne on your cheekbones and ears like me, you probably should do it too.
Lack of diet.
I just know there is something I’m eating that is causing some of my breakouts. I’ve tried keeping a skin/food diary and cutting out dairy, but I haven’t found any particular intolerance or acne . I must say cutting down sugar helped. That one time when I cut down on sugar… As a true frenchie, I’m also addicted to bread and wheat in general. I have high amounts of Candida in my body, a bit above normal. Candida feeds off wheat. Candida can cause acne. That’s all I know, because I have never tried cutting off gluten, it’s just not for me. Cutting off gluten would be like cutting off a source of happiness in my life. A baguette a day keeps the psychologist away !
Lack of good skin genes.
My mother had adult acne during most of her 20’s and had huge cysts on the neck for 2 years in her 40’s. She also has thin, sensitive skin with visible veins – just like I do. Thanks for the DNA mom!

My next post will be about my SKIN ROUTINE featuring general advice on how to keep your skin in control using mainly cheap natural products.

Until next time…

	thefrenchcaterpillar on MY ACNE STORY
	mylifeasishan on MY ACNE STORY