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The Beauty Gypsy

Luxury beauty * Self care * Sustainability

You are here: Home / Beauty / 7 tiny tweaks for a beauty routine that doesn’t harm our planet

7 tiny tweaks for a beauty routine that doesn’t harm our planet

It’s clear AF that Mother Earth is pissed off with us humans. First came the storms and earthquakes, then the apocalyptic wildfires and now a global pandemic so completely unprecedented and so throughly devastating that we can finally understand how a species as hardy as the dinosaurs could vanish off the earth.

It’s easy to see the sheer scale of the mess that we humans have created.

Millions of tons of plastic dumped into oceans, cruise liners the size of small towns rocking through tiny waterways, air pollution so dense that smog has become a default weather pattern, wildlife killed for sport, toxic chemicals that decimate entire coral reefs, a fast and wasteful fashion industry that chokes landfills with non-biodegradable synthetic materials (approximately 85% of all textiles end up in the dump every year), trash lining the beaches and forests… need I go on?

And all it took was roughly three months for the earth to put us in our place. And clean up our mess. Since the almost-global lockdowns, air pollution levels have plummeted drastically across the world, waterways have cleared (Venice has sparkling canals for the first time in maybe a century), wildlife is filling the vacuum left behind by quarantined humans and it’s no longer surprising to see deer grazing near the White House in Washington or peacocks strutting in Wales, and seismologist says that even the earth’s very vibrations seem to be growing calmer.

So, yes, nature is striking back and reclaiming its ground. Which sort of makes me worry: What if we humans are the virus and COVID-19 is the vaccine? 

Which is really something to think about. The curve may be flattening slightly but as world economies start to open back up, isn’t it time we took stock of our harmful practises so that we can thrive in co-existence with nature rather than it becoming an either-or situation? 

Venice turns blue again!

And what better time to put new resolutions in motion that on the 50th Earth Day? Which, coincidentally, also falls on a new moon (for the first time since 1974). New moons are seen as the chance to make a new beginning. To wipe the slate clean.

So, let’s start a new environmental cycle? Beginning with our beauty products, which have long been part of the problem? All we need is a few tweaks for our beauty routines to become more sustainable, making us more responsible occupants of Planet Earth. Surely, it’s time we made the change?

This is all it may take.

Be more conscious about packaging

The global beauty industry produces more than 120 billion units of packaging annually, at least 70% of which is not recyclable. Just one example: That jar of moisturiser you used in the morning may be hanging around in a landfill for more than 1,000 years!

And the onus rests on both consumers and brands alike.

While there are brands both big and small that are doing brilliant work on this front – Lush has gone entirely packaging-free for its Naked Range, L’Occitane sells refillable pouches for several of its liquid products, and even a young startup like Bloomeffects ensures that all its packaging is plastic-free (products come in fully recyclable glass jars or tubes made from sawdust), and packed in 100% recycled cardboard, with soy-based inks for printing – there is scope for a lot more.

And while that happens (hopefully soon), here’s what we can do as consumers to cut down on the environmental load of our beauty routines:

  1. Swap minis for regular or even super-size versions, which translate into less packaging
  2. Switch to refillable products rather than single-use ones
  3. And consciously recycle your beauty jars and bottles (more than 50% of us don’t!) – this may even be to your own advantage, with brands like MAC offering up one lipstick for six empties.

Upcycle!

This may be one of my personal favourites. Once you are done with the products, upcycle the packaging itself! Dotted around my house are empty Diptyque and Cire Trudon candle jars that make for the most unique cocktail glasses.

There is a sunshine-y row of tiny succulents growing out of L’Occitane’s Almond Milk Concentrate and Farmacy’s Honey Potion. Tubs of La Mer’s Soft Cream hold loose change.

A row of Chanel No. 5 EDP bottles (I tend to go through a lot of this one!) make for glorious bud vases. And Laura Mercier’s Body Crème empties do double duty as spice cellars. The only limit is your imagination!

Go local… or try DIY 

While this may be the most difficult switch to make in our beauty routines, not only does it lower our carbon footprint (less shipping) but it also helps small businesses, which are suffering tremendously with the pandemic’s economic fallout.

And going local may leave you pleasantly surprised with the discovery of beautiful, niche finds that are small batched, handcrafted and use fresh ingredients, which larger brands cannot manage so effectively. So look around your city for surprises that may be hanging just around the corner.

For example, one of my favorite wellness brands is Anima Mundi, which is a glorious small batch apothecary in Brooklyn. Plum & Ashby is my first stop in London. And I can never leave the South of France without a huge crate of authentic Marseilles soap. Or Singapore without a selection of Sén Natural lipsticks, which are so clean that you can actually eat them (not that I eat lipsticks as part of a regular diet!).

Or try DIY. One of my favorite things during the lockdown has been to research and play around with homemade beauty products. And it’s empowering to discover how much good you can do for your skin or hair with just a dash of pure honey or a palmful of plain yogurt!

Ditch wet wipes and conventional cotton buds

Started the day with a cotton bud to clean up that errant mascara? Or wiped off your makeup with a wet wipe? Your beauty routine may be less earth-friendly than you would like to believe.

Cotton buds and wet wipes are virtually indestructible, and will ultimately end up in our oceans and landfills. Is this the footprint we should be leaving on the planet?

Want to make a change? Swap the plastic-stemmed cotton buds (which should actually get banned, like plastic straws) for eco-friendly bamboo ones. And look for wipes that are biodgradable – like Yes To’s cellulose version. Or just switch to face cloths!

Support sustainable brands

Today, there are plenty of brands that are not only going the sustainable route in processes and ingredients but are also actively giving back to the environment. For example, the Clean Beauty Collective’s portfolio of clean perfumes are underlined with safe and sustainable manufacturing processes, combined with eco-conscious packaging. All while maintaining its luxe, premium signature. Its new limited edition Clean Reserve Radiant Nectar not only smells like summer but also helps support the Protect Our Species campaign to help protect endangered bees.

Others that are doing a fabulous job: Bastide, Chantecaille, Origins, Rahua, Osea, Sana Jardin, Farmacy, Sol de Janeiro, La Mer, Neal’s Yard, Vegamour, The Body Shop, Caudalie and Burt’s Bees. Look and you will find enough to build an entire beauty wardrobe!

Ban the glitter

Glitter looks like glamour, glitz and games. Till it ends up in the stomachs of our fish and other marine life, starving them to death. That’s because these shiny shards, like the banned microbeads, are a microplastic – which refers to pieces of plastic smaller than 5 mm.

Microplastic is almost impossible to control so like microbeads, glitter ends up in the seas. In fact, some studies estimate that microplastics actually account for 92.4% of the plastic pollution in our oceans.

But don’t worry – you don’t have to give glitter altogether. There are now enough alternatives available in the form of plastic-free biodegradable glitter, so you can continue to sparkle and shine. You just need to know where they look.

Look at labels

Do some basic research and you will find a whole tome of knowledge which proves that certain cosmetic ingredients are super-harmful for the environment. Like synthetic fragrances and dyes, which don’t break down and accumulate in the marine environment, often finding their way into the tissues of fish and other aquatic wildlife. Ditto for BHA, BHT and DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate).

Or oxybenzone, which is present in several sunscreens and leads to coral bleaching, ultimately killing off entire reefs. Hawaii has become the first state to ban the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and we hope others will follow soon. Till then, use your discretion and ability to read ingredient labels!

Which are you favourite sustainable and earth-neutral beauty brands?

 

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Am pretty sure this VIP Mon Amour Palette is what Hemingway meant by Paris is a movable feast. Thank you @byterryofficial for bringing Paris to me, when I am craving the city SO much. Also, I’m sure the colors are great but I’m not smudging this one. It’s just too pretty!!!!!⁣
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*adds one more to cart to actually use*⁣
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Tag a friend who loves Paris. And neutral eyeshadows. AND pretty palettes.
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What does a croissant themed candle smell like? More specifically, what does @overosefragrances Croissant candle smell like? 🥐🥐🥐🥐⁣
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To me, it’s the smell of the cozy Parisian viennoseries in the small by-lanes that open out on the Seine river. It’s the smell of a golden, buttery, flaky croissant straight out of the oven. You pick it up from the bakery, tucked in a paper envelope, and walk out to the Le Pont Alexandre-III bridge that spans the river from the Left Bank to the Right Bank. From La Rive Gauche to La Rive Droit. From the Paris of Picasso and Matisse to the Paris of Chanel and Dior. 🇫🇷🇫🇷⁣
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There, as you lean against one of the bronze candelabras, you slowly peel back the paper and take that first, all-encompassing bite as the sun starts to spread its rays across this magnificent city. ☀️🌅⁣
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Your nose inhales the aroma of fresh butter, churned to golden perfection and folded into the heady, yeasty dough. Every bite releases a fragrance that cannot be replicated with anything else and you don’t even mind the crumbs falling on your shirt. Life is perfect for the moment. 🥐🥐🥐🥐⁣
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And that’s what the Overose Croissant candle smells like to me. A moment that’s replete with the alchemy of the world’s finest butter and flaky, airy dough, mingling with the inimitable romance of Paris as it comes to life with the first rays of the morning sun. A moment when life is perfect.⁣
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What’s YOUR perfect moment? ❤️⁣
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Begin as you mean to go on… cuddled under a thick quilt, one of my favourite candles keeping me company as I sip on sparkles and dream of all the places I will (hopefully) go soon. How’s your new year going? 🥂✨🌟💫
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If you’ve ever been stuck for a gift for someone, all you need to know is their zodiac sign. The time-tested astronomical science of sun signs is a great way of gaining a sneak peek into someone’s personality – and it has yet to fail me. Ever. So, talking perfumes this time ’round, let’s figure out what to gift that Pisces sister-in-law or Gemini co-worker that’s sure to hit the right spot.⁣
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PS: It’s also a great way of exploring your own signature scent.⁣
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Click the link in bio for further details into the why and how of every sun sign.⁣
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And save this post for future inspiration!
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20.11.20⁣
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The date that changed everything. ⁣
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The date that he asked for her hand for a lifetime. ⁣
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The date she said yes.⁣
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The date my brother’s new life began.⁣
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And the date I got a sister.⁣
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@ra_shizzle welcome to the crazy Charan family. I have not stopped simultaneously jumping, grinning and crying happy tears since Friday. You not only complete @abhichar… you are also the missing piece of US. You are such a gorgeous, lovely, beautiful person and I could not be happier to share in your forevers (yes, @dhananjaymorarji and I are part of the package deal!). 😬😬😬😬⁣
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@abhichar, she’s truly your lobster! I am so happy that words fail me. And you know, THAT rarely happens. So, to slightly re-quote my favourite author, “… whatever your souls are made of, yours and hers are the same.”⁣
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Just wait till we gang up against you, though – I have been waiting TWO DECADES for that to happen. So, watch out now 😈😈⁣
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Jokes apart, you are the very best brother in the world. And I am missing you soooooooooo much. Till we meet – hopefully soon! - here’s raising the biggest, sparkliest toast to both of you 🥂🥂🍾🍾❤️❤️
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Monday work desk situation:⁣
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Fresh flowers: Always. ⁣
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@oneoceanbeauty Blue Light Protection + Hydration Mist: Because blue light skin damage is very, very real. And a mist that packs protection against this particular form of premature ageing with providing deep hydration  is a win-win in my book 👩🏻‍💻💧⁣
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@thelordjones Royal Oil: With 1000 mg of broad spectrum CBD, it truly helps my anxiety issues. And no, it doesn’t leave me buzzed or even a little bit high… just calmer, more relaxed, more able to handle the situation (which, today, is 893654837 deadlines all at once).⁣
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@lamer The Hand Treatment: Dry hands are uncomfortable. Sticky, greasy hands make it difficult to work on the computer. Plus, I am paranoid about grease transferring onto my MacBook as it stains the finish and you just never manage to get rid of it! This hand cream is lightweight, easy to absorb and super-hydrating 🙌🏻🙌🏻⁣
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@freshbeauty Hydrating Lip Balms: The only lip balms I end up repurchasing repeatedly because they make my lips feel SO good. And they are delicious (the caramel one is all the taste bud delights of chocolate without the calories!). AND they are the perfect touch-up tint for Zoom calls!⁣
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What’s your workday beauty staple? That one beauty product you always have within an arm’s reach. Tell me below 👇🏻
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Everything is going nuts but I’m just going to sit here and pretend it’s Christmas and all is well with the world. First up, sorting through Christmas ornaments (too early?). Second, ordering my first apple pie for the season. And third, making it feel like the holidays are literally in the air with Diptyque’s Winter Collection candles.⁣
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I mean, how GORGEOUS are these? Honestly, I think these are the most stunning candles that Diptyque has ever done – and they have done quite a few beauties. ⁣
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The winter collection is all about three marvellous beasts coming to life on a snowy Parisian night and setting off towards the city’s most famous landmarks. ❄️🌨🌨❄️⁣
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There’s the majestic lion in the Tuileries Garden – a bold floral bouquet of rare roses warmed with cinnamon and spices. 🦁🦁🦁🦁⁣
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A mysterious swan spreading its wings over the Buttes-Chaumont Park (this one’s my favorite) – a comforting cocoon of orange, cinnamon, ginger and amber. 🦢🦢🦢🦢⁣
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And the loyal deer leaping through Place Vendôme – sweeping through a glacial forest of fir trees, eucalyptus, rosemary and peppermint. 🦌🦌🦌🦌⁣
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All my memories of Paris, swept into gorgeous artwork by Ugo Gattoni and fragranced by Diptyque. And all the candles are screen printed, so there shall be no peeling away of the artworks (and this is literally art) even if you burn them through the day.⁣
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Which I fully intend, so pardon me while I go and stock up on full size versions! They are limited edition after all… so once they are gone, they are GONE.⁣
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When do YOU start doing the Christmas things? And is it all right to pretend the holidays are coming earlier this year as a form of self preservation?
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It’s been a really long time since I’ve been excited about a makeup launch. First, because who’s wearing makeup nowadays? And second, everything in the market is so repetitive. ⁣
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But... BYREDO! I mean, it’s not like the brand isn’t already known for being super cool but the makeup is in another league altogether. 👀👀⁣
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I know everyone’s been salivating over the interestingly shaped mascara (it’s inspired by a horn… get your mind straight!) and the multi-sticks. But I’ll always gravitate towards the lipsticks and eyeliners because that’s my prime vibe. ⁣
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And the lipstick is LUSCIOUS. I mean, first there’s the silver-gold metallic case that’s inspired by bamboos. Weighty, luxe, sculptural and with a super-satisfying magnetic click… it looks amazing on my vanity and would totally be a conversation starter. AND it smells like violets and vanilla. 💋💄💄💋⁣
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In fact, I constantly keep playing with it… almost like a stress ball 😬⁣
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I have Lascaux, a deep, matte burgundy that’s super-pigmented. It sort of melts into my lips and wears for a decent 6-7 hours with multiple beverages passing my lips. But it does transfer onto things that touch your lips and is also a bit drying… though the latter is most matte lipsticks for me.⁣
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As for the eyeliner, I know the Kelly-green packaging doesn’t look that exciting but the formula itself is perfection. Through her years of doing makeup, @isamayaffrench knew to make the tip much shorter than the average liner, giving you greater control. Plus, it’s smudge-proof and humidity resistant – and clean, like the rest of the line. 💚⁣
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My only worry is the screw top packaging… I live in fear of opening it the wrong way ‘round and ending up with a lot of black stuff on my hands⁣
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In short, if you are in the market for an eyeliner, this one is superb. If not, I would concentrate on the lipsticks. Or the multi- sticks, if you love playing with a bold palette. ⁣
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Tell me, are YOU wearing much makeup nowadays?
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What’s your favorite part about autumn? Mine would be the colors and the chill in the air and the feeling of absolute soul-soothing coziness that engulfs us at this time 🍂🍁🍁🍂 ⁣
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Do these look like giant sushi rolls to anyone else or am I just really, really hungry 😳
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If you’ve been here a while, you know I am obsessed with candles. Especially ones that both look gorgeous and smell gorgeous. Have lately been loving this one from RLI London, a young candle brand that makes the most dreamy votives.⁣
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There are three candles in their capsule collection – Capri Blue, Up in the Andes and R(h)ome. And they have all been inspired by local flowers and scents from founder Rachele’s travels. ⁣
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This one is Capri Blue (which you probably guessed, given all the blue!) and it smells of rippling sea waters, salt-kissed skin, and citrus trails. Fresh, breezy and energising… like a perfect summer’s day on the Italian coast. Pure escapism! 🌊🌊🌊🌊⁣
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And I really love the little details. Like the colored wax that matches the jar and the romantic line drawing by @cecilia_carlstedt. It’s going to be #upcycled into the most eye catching vase once the wax is gone. Which is going to be pretty soon, since I’m burning it every single day! 💙⁣
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Do you love candles as well? What do you look for while buying one?
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Currently working on renovation plans for my house and wondering if a door like this would be a bit OTT 😬⁣
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What do you think? 🧐⁣
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PS: I was right here this day, last year. And can’t wait to go back ❤️ ☀️☀️❤️⁣
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While everyone has been busy fussing over Gucci’s new bronzing powders, I have been obsessed with their summer capsule collection of nail polishes. 💅🏼💅🏼💅🏼💅🏼⁣
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There are five in total, each one dedicated to iconic movies and characters from the Hollywood’s golden era. And they make for really happy nails… ! ⁣
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Anyone who knows me wouldn’t be surprised that I rightaway gravitated to the more offbeat colors – Melinda Green and Dorothy Turquoise. And they are soooooooo PRETTY!!!!!! 💚💙💙💚⁣
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The green is not as lime-neon as it looks in the bottle… it’s more of a leafy shade, I would say. But just that much “extra” to make a person look twice. 💚💚⁣
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And the blue is very Breakfast at Tiffanys, so guess it’s going to get a lot of real estate on my nails this season. (Swipe for swatches). 💙💙⁣
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The bottles themselves are pure love, with a 1950s retro vibe that’s luxe in a very minimalistic fashion. It reminds me of the (now vintage) nail polishes that I would steal from my grandmother’s dresser as a kid. And that makes me feel grown up and nostalgic all at once⁣
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But what actually surprised me was the formula itself. Colors are relatively easier to mix up but Gucci has really gone all out on the formulation. Like all ‘polishes that I test, these were applied without any base or top coat and they glided over so smoothly that I don’t think you need any of that stuff at all! Which is a first for me. 💪🏻⁣
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Today is the fourth day of wear and there’s not a single chip even after all the hand washing and sanitisers (swipe to see). Plus, the brush head is wide and squat, which makes it easy to apply the color – a boon, since it’s going to be a while before nail salons become a part of our regular existence again. 😳⁣
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Also, they took about two minutes to air dry – again, without any top coat to help them along!⁣
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I am seriously really very impressed.⁣
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Have you tried anything from @guccibeauty yet? And what’s YOUR nail polish vibe? Bright? Or more understated?⁣
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Just. Listen. ⁣
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When was the last time you took a break, drew a deep breath and just let yourself listen to the world around you?⁣
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I love this quote by Drew Sirtors because it makes me pause. And listen to the wind. To nature. To the world outside my being. To the voices inside my own head. ⁣
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Which is your favorite quote? The one that heals you, inspires you, challenges you? Tell me 👇🏻⁣
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I must have worn a lipstick about 4 times in the past 3 months (hello masks!) and yet keep collecting them like crazy. And maybe it’s just not me? The simple lipstick is a curious phenomenon. From being seen as a sign of Satan worship and being the province of prostitutes to becoming markers of wealth and an indictor of the economy (#lipstickindex), they are more than “just” makeup. 💄💄💄💄⁣
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And where, in historic times, they were used in secret chambers and with great subterfuge, today it’s THE thing to whip out a gorgeous lipstick case in public to freshen up your look. Lipstick cases, in fact, are the latest ‘It-accessories’ of our times with everyone from Hermès to Gucci competing for the most sculptural, almost museum worthy, effects. 💋👄⁣
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The best ones, where I am concerned, are those that combine form and function. And out of the 642652986298 that I currently possess, these are the top four that both look stunning and work brilliantly!⁣
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(from top to bottom)⁣
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Dolce & Gabbana Dolcissimo Liquid Lipstick: With a floral print that’s inspired by the designers’ couture gowns, isn’t this pure luxury?⁣
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Chantecaille Lip Veil in Mandevilla: Sales of this limited-edition lip color support Elephant Family, an NGO in India) 🐘🐘⁣
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Gucci Rouge à Lèvres Satin Lipstick in Moira Sienna: That Art Deco-inspired etched gold case!⁣
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Rouge Hermès in Violet Insense: This is a limited edition, hence the red and blue bands… the permanent ones come with black and gold bands. Plus, the cases are refillable so I am making it my life’s mission to collect them all!⁣
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Which is YOUR favorite lipstick? Tell me 👇🏻
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If makeup is supposed to make you feel happy, these limited edition beauties have had me grinning ever since they landed on my desk. And I’m not even that into cats 😻😽⁣
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But Paul & Joe, the uber-chic beauty brand from France definitely does, and cats have become a signature motif for them. And they do them ADORABLY, don’t you think? Case in point: this ‘Bratty Cat’ (love the name) lipstick, which has the pigment in a cat-shaped core running through the tube, encased by a clear glossy base made from jojoba oil, macadamia nut oil, and lavender oil for a glossy and hydrating finish. Swipe to see a closeup 💋⁣
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Then there’s the Face & Eye Color palette, which is simply precious. Total summer vibes. ⁣
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And for the social record, let it be known that if anything were to happen to me, I bequeath my Paul & Joe collection to @galadriel255 – my BFF and the MOST cat-obsessed person in the world!⁣
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Tag a cat lover who would adore these!
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