What's in my toiletry kit this week?
There's beauty in seeking comfort.
I come to you from a lake cabin in New Hampshire. Charming, though musty, and begging for me to just cozy up on its outdated little floral couch and bang out a quick newsletter for you this week.
As with most weekend trips, I’ve prepared a toiletry kit that maximizes comfort and sun protection. The only true “makeups” that are here with me are the Surratt Noir Lash Tint, Merit Flush Balm in Cheeky, and Jones Road’s Lip Pencil in Nude Rose, and still, they’re all extremely comfortable. By this I mean they are set-it-and-forget-it. Once they’re on, I barely notice they’re there. Yet they add the perfect *something.* That *something* is as much about looks as it is about routine if you’re like me and enjoy the occasional fussiness of putting on a face even when no one is around.
The Surratt Noir Lash Tint is a marvel, and I recently shared a quick love note to it on my IG. In case you would like more of the visuals, you can see how it shows up on lashes on the second slide. When using the Noir Lash Tint as compared to other mascaras, it is really weightless. I enjoy this product so much, despite its insane price tag. I am on the hunt for dupes, but skeptical of the most likely option Neogen’s metal-wanded option only because it bills itself as volumizing. I am simply after a wash of color. If I try, you’ll know. If you’ve tried, please let ME know.
And speaking of washes of color, Merit Flush Balm in Cheeky is my HG blush. For me, it’s really the cool pink that isn’t bubble-gummy that I love. I can toe the cool-to-warm complexion line, but I think it’s mid-depth cool tones that are my best bet. I cannot do pastels, in clothing or on face (occasional eyeshadow exceptions exist). Finally, The Lip Pencil in Nude Rose is a creamy lip liner that does match my lips quite well. Since buying it a week ago, this plus a layer of clear gloss or Decubal (more to come) has been my go to. If you’ve tried Make Up For Ever Wherever Walnut, the texture of Jones Road’s pencil is identical.
As for sunscreen and lip balm, I have two new international finds to share: ACO Ultra Light Sun Face Fluid and Decubal Lips & Dry Spots Balm. I picked up both in Sweden a couple of weeks ago, and as I searched for these online today I found the Scandinavian Online Store, so you can have them too! More importantly (selfishly), I can restock them.
Seriously, this ACO Ultra Light Sun Face Fluid is rising to the top of my sunscreen rankings. It’s a lightweight, hydrating sunscreen that dries to a comfortable finish. It says mattifying, but that’s a stretch. It’s more of a satin-cream hybrid finish, to borrow from the language of lipsticks. And like other Euro sunscreens, it boasts advanced chemical sun filters that aren’t currently available in the US. If research serves me correctly, the specific filters included in this formula are Uvinul A Plus, Tinosorb A2B, Tinosorb S, and Uvinul T 150. I’m sharing trade names (instead of chemical ones) because it’s easier to find the research on trade names if that’s your thing. The full inci list is here.
Finally, and just as comfy as the last four highlights, Decubal Lips and Dry Spots Balm is very similar to classic Aquaphor. It does what it says it will do and makes a lovely and rich glossy topper for any lip colors beneath. I use it at night on both lips and cuticles. I can see this one being a restock for the winter.
As for the rest of the routine in tow, it’s all Aveeno Oat Gel franchise, Colgate Optic White, and this counterfeit Softsoap at the Airbnb (well, it’s not an Airbnb; we booked it through Booking.com but it’s somehow still someone else’s house?).
Until next time! — <3 Addison