Organic Beauty You'll Fall In Love With || Tropic

As anyone who has stumbled across this blog before will know, when it comes to Tropic, I'm a hard core fan. They may be a company that I partner with for reviews, but I truly use the products on a daily basis and will rave about them until the cows come home (whenever that is).

This time around the lovely team sent over some of their make up items - I know, squeeee. I think I might have shed a tear when I unpackaged all of this. 



By far, the most exciting item I tried out was the ColourClick Lipstick Collection*, of which I trialled three shades (in order of swatches down below, 'In Bloom', 'Dragonfruit' and 'Poppy'). The packaging of these lipsticks is totally unique to me, in that they literally click open and the lipstick shoots out - I think my Mum and I spent about ten minutes when I unboxed them, just clicking and unclicking. Its addictive, you've been warned. Kind of like a beauty fidget spinner.

In Bloom - a subtle peach

Dragonfruit - a fresh, pink coral

Poppy - a vibrant 1950s red

As for the formula, the word 'buttery' comes to mind; fitting, since they're enriched with oils such as avocado, jojoba and argan. I particularly like the two darker shades, if only because they have more of an impact than the nude, which is a given. The colour just glides on, and stays put for hours without clumping or fading in the centre of the lips. £14 is definitely reasonable for these little beauties, and the shade range is beautiful! I had a hard time picking out some colours to try.

The Lip Glaze* in 'Pink Champagne' is another hit - I tend to be pretty picky with glosses, but this formula is just creamy enough to avoid the tackiness that I dislike. As for the colour pay off, this isn't a gloss with a high pigmentation (like the Bare Minerals Buttercream Glosses), but it is a lovely shimmer that would work well alone or on top of a lipstick, and has the texture of my favourite glosses. Again, £14 for a quality and versatile lip product is reasonable; you can't go wrong by adding one to your basket. 

Last but not least, the Correcting Cream Concealer* (£22). This product knows how to cover blemishes, let me tell you. The idea of a face product made from 100% natural ingredients appeals to me on a high level; it's so nice to not have to worry what you might be putting on your face. The texture is creamy and blendable, and considering I'm a liquid concealer girl, this went down a treat. On the website the description mentions "oat oil, zinc oxide and arnica extract" to fight blemishes and redness. I didn't even know that oats could produce oil, but if they do I definitely want to be a part of the action. A pot of this would last a long time, even with daily use. Similar to a pot of Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade, you pay a lot on the spot, but the product lasts long term. An investment make up item!

 

*These products were sent to me to review, but all opinions are my own.

A million thanks to the wonderful team at Tropic for reaching out again and sending these to me to trial. I had a lot of fun testing shades and adding to my Tropic collection. 

Pretty, Powerful Poetry

So far this summer has consisted of doing all the things that I really truly love, and I ain't sad about it. One of those things is reading poetry, and I've been lucky enough to stumble upon two books that, if you're a poetry reader/writer (and like books such as Milk and Honey), you would adore.

'The Princess Saves Herself in This One' by Amanda Lovelace is a gem of a poetry collection, it really is. I love the personal, storytelling version of poetry, where you witness a progression of the author's life through her words. And well, the title of this book is absolutely fabulous, because we can all be our own heroes. If you loved M&H and need somewhere else to take your poetry cravings, this is a brilliant choice, and it touches upon eating disorders, a topic close to my heart and therefore containing words that resonated with me. Parental relationships, loss, and toxic relationships are all covered within this collection. Real life isn't all sunshine and rainbows, and this book is a delicate and truthful expression of that. Crossing my fingers that some of you reach for this!



Another stunning read is 'The Chaos of Longing' by K.Y. Robinson, a book with an extremely gorgeous cover. Just sayin'. This one is along the same style, but more focussed on love and lust and the general theme of relationships. I didn't relate to this one in the same way as I did the first, but that didn't stop the recognition of well written poetry and formulated ideas. I think poetry is a journey of sorts; finding what style and topic focus works for you. I'm not a huge fan of poems that rhyme, but others thrive on that. You do you boo, you know?

I've posted a few of my favourites down below, and if you follow me on any of my social medias, you might recognise a couple of them. They're the kind of poems that give you goosebumps and stick in your mind whilst you're trying to fall asleep. Pretty, powerful poetry. And sometimes, the only words you need to hear.

A Summer Makeup Menu

 

In theory, summer is palm trees and mojitos in the sunshine. In reality, its a full time job and juggling a million projects, am I right? That shouldn't stop us though, from living vicariously through our makeup routine, and switching out the winter products for a bit of sunshine-proof glam.

 

The main product I'm excited to crack out in the next couple of months is the Urban Decay Full Spectrum palette, because if there was ever a time to try out some bold colours, its now. Trying out the shade Calavera is definitely next on the agenda, mainly because it reminds me of a shade in the 'Yes Please' palette by Colourpop, that I am desperate to get my hands on. Even though this isn't the most compact product, I think I might have to sneak it into my Madrid suitcase later in the summer. Another bold shadow I'm gravitating towards lately is 'Flipper' by Colourpop, a beautiful orange shimmer.

 

Over the past few months, a strong highlight has really disappeared from my routine, but during the July/August months a golden shade is ideal. 'Gleam' by Topshop is my go-to for when I have a slight tan (emphasis on the slight, since I pretty much only burn). To complete the bronzed look, I obviously have to pull out my beloved Laguna from Nars. From the formula of the powder to the perfect bronze shade for my skintone, this powder has everything. On the sad day that I do eventually run out of this, I know I'll splurge and repurchase. It's that kind of product. A holy grail.

 

The Better Than Sex mascara is legendary, enough said. TooFaced have killed it with this product, and I think the majority of the beauty community knows it. For volume and length sans clumps, this is your gal. And who can resist metallic ballet slipper pink packaging? I know I can't. For me, mascara is one of the most important components of a holiday makeup look, because a lot of the time it's all that you're wearing on your face. I'm also planning on reaching for my Urban Decay setting spray a lot this summer; I know it can handle the heat and stop my foundation from melting.

 

Lastly, in terms of lips, as y'all probably know by now, I'm not much of a matte lip product girl. It's all about the glosses and the balms, especially in summer. But for days when a lipstick is called for, a sheer formula is just what the doctor (beauty blogger) ordered. My favourites are 'Patisserie' by MAC, a beautiful rose in the lustre formula, and my YSL lippie in the shade 44 is of the same ilk. I completely forgot the word ilk existed? What a lovely word.

 

 



The Makeup Eraser || Qwerkity

 

Ever since my skin said "NO" to face wipes, I've been trying to find better ways of removing my make up; methods that will fully cleanse without harsh chemicals. When Qwerkity, a great website for sourcing unique gifts,  asked if I'd like to try out their Makeup Eraser* I obviously jumped at the chance. This product retails at £17.50, which seems pretty pricey for a make up remover, but when you consider that this can be reused, that isn't a bad price at all.

 

Essentially, you add water to the face cloth and it works to break down the oils that bind make up to the skin. This removes foundation perfectly. It took a little longer to remove eye makeup, but that's to be expected, and the opposite side of the cloth exfoliates your skin (an added bonus). I think that the premise of a make up remover that only needs water is unique and efficient, considering that travelling can often be a hassle when you have a million and one beauty products to fit inside your suitcase.

 

My only qualm with the eraser is that it takes a considerably longer period of time to pop this in the washing machine than it does to grab another makeup wipe from the drawer. If your skin responds well to wipes I can't see many benefits of changing to the eraser - I can however see major benefits if like me, you have dry and easily affected skin. Having to wash a product is a small price to pay for clear and glowing skin. I'm so excited by the prospect of ditching chemicals and adopting a travel friendly way to clean my face at the end of the day.

 

If you're looking for a gift for a makeup obsessed girl, but you don't know what makeup products they already have, then this is a wonderful alternative and still incredibly relevant to their interests. For people on the search for innovative skincare approaches, then this is a fab product to send their way. I was so sceptical that this would actually take off a full face of makeup, but voila! The proof is in the pudding (I mean, the face cloths). I can't imagine a more naturally effective product for make up removal, and if you're prepared to stick with the routine of washing it, then I think you'll get on with the Makeup Eraser.

 

 

 

*This product was sent to me to review, but all opinions are my own.

June.

 

Oh June, you've been good to me.

 

You followed me home to the beach and watched my hair get tangled in the sea breeze and the tip of my nose get dipped in ice cream.



You've seen me start to build up a healthy relationship with exercise again, a major step forward that I've been hesitant to take. The cross trainer has been a demon of mine for a long time now.

 

You saw a favourite night with one of my best friends, and then the ugly hangover the next morning. (Life hack: don't go to a restaurant and order chocolate treats when you're hanging. It's not a good idea.)

 

You've sat with me and watched a lot of Sam Claflin movies, because why not? 

 

You waited patiently for me whilst I contemplated a four month summer, simultaneously delirious with excitement and rigid with fear for the long stretch of time. I thought for a while that I didn't like spending time on my own, and I tried to constantly fill empty spaces with people. June, you taught me I was wrong. I kinda love my own company.

 

You cheered me on as I picked up my work in progress and drove the process of writing my novel full speed ahead. Summer is a beautiful opportunity to dream, and I now get separation anxiety every time I leave my story for more than 24 hours.

 

You sat and waited whilst I had a minor freak out over all the things I want to achieve in these next few chapters of the year. And then smiled as I picked myself up and made a to-do list, because we all know that they solve everything.

 

You also witnessed a blogging identity crisis. Guys, you might notice a few new tabs at the top of my website - this space is now a pretty little mish-mash of topics. I couldn't love it more.

 

You've lazed on the grass with me as I embarked on a reading marathon to make up for all the time not spent with my nose in a book at university. Who knew we could get through so many stories?

 

Last night you probably laughed as I attempted my first professional cocktail in a bar; never underestimate the work behind a porn star martini.  

 

Finally, you've watched me find another little part of myself. I feel like I say this every month, but this month has been a learning curve. I'm so happy to be on the right track.

 

Goodbye June, I liked you.

 

I liked you a lot.

 

The 'Fit Me' Translucent Powder

 

If I haven't mentioned before how I'm kinda in a love affair with the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer, then the secrets out now. I'm not sure I'll ever become as emotionally attached to a man as I am to that product. Like, dang, I'm pretty sure you could party all night, get one hour of sleep, and the concealer would still manage to cover the dark circles. Boom.

 

So naturally, when I was browsing Amazon after repurchasing the concealer (you really do have to go to those lengths to get the pale shades, which are ALWAYS out of stock in Boots) and saw that there is a translucent 'Fit Me' powder, I had to have it. Literally had to have. To make everything even more exciting, it was advertised as a powder to make your skin look 'matte and poreless'. Squeeeee. And like the face product maniac I have become lately, I got on that Amazon Prime train and boarded the land to Maybelline Fit Me. I was not disappointed.

 

 

When it comes to powders, I'm pretty picky. Obviously, the risk that you take with a white translucent powder is white-cast, and I'm glad to announce that thankfully, you don't get any of that with this product. I'm going through a phase at the moment, whilst I nurse my dry skin back to health, of not using foundation, and when you layer the powder over only the concealer you can hardly tell that I've skipped that step. Being the sceptic that I am, I didn't think that the powder would deliver when it came to making your skin look 'poreless', but it does indeed. This is definitely up there with my Soap&Glory face powder, which isn't a title given lightly. In terms of matte-ness (is that even a word?), despite the fact that you need a top up a few hours after application, its a good egg. A really good egg. For £5.99, I can't believe the quality.



 

The only downside to this glorious purchase, is that I've noticed that it can slightly lighten some foundations that I do wear (on the few occasions that I've paired it with them). It seems different to white-cast, because it doesn't make your skin look white, it just alters one or two of my other skin products. And it isn't drastic. In my case, that's a bonus, considering I don't imagine I'll ever find a light enough shade, but for some of you I know that that might be an issue. So be wary, and not too heavy handed.

 

The product comes in a cute little compact, and although I don't think I'll ever use the sponge that's included, it would be a good way for someone to apply the powder if they're just building up a make up collection. I definitely relied on sponges like that before I got into make up brushes, and they worked well for me! Last but not least...that mirror is 10/10. I used it to touch up my face on a train the other day, and it worked a dream. Gotta love a handy mirror. 



 

Have you ever tried the 'Fit Me' collection?





All The Rage || Courtney Summers

 

Trigger warning: All The Rage by Courtney Summers is a book about rape.

 

This book isn't a light-hearted contemporary that you picture yourself reading on the beach with a cosmo in the other hand. Its a book full of darkness. Its also the first book in a while that left me wanting to string my constellations of thoughts into a tangible review.

 

Courtney Summers is not afraid to tell the truth. A tragic irony, since the whole book is based on the opposite. Each chapter drips confession, even if Romy (the protagonist) avoids the very same thing. This book is about what its like to be a girl that has been raped. Not only that, its about what it's like to be a girl in general. How we pit ourselves against each other, and how we cower in the face of the uncertainty that, if we stand up for what we believe in, we run the risk of being just as unfortunate as those that need our help. How we walk alone at night and cross our fingers that we remain safe, and how we cringe every time a man whistles as we walk past.

 

The pages say horrible things, like people often do. It brings to light what so many ignore; the truth to being a woman, and the hardship of his word against yours. The tight lipped truth that if a man contradicts your story, it suddenly becomes less worthy of a reaction.

 

It touches upon the loneliness of education, and the aftermath of being brave enough to admit something before you are shunned. The words resonated with me not because I related to them (something that the power of literature often enables), but because they spoke so honestly and brutally that I couldn't help but open my eyes. It isn't fluffy, but neither is real life. Rape is such a taboo subject that it takes a brave author to write about it, and a brave reader to turn the last page. I read this in one sitting, and I could feel how important it is.

 

In terms of the writing, the switching from first to third person in the beginning threw me off. In fact, I almost abandoned it. Once you get about fifty pages in and acclimatise to the style of writing, it becomes clear that this is a beautifully raw piece of literature. Authors write what people are afraid to say in everyday life.

 

This is a story about rape. The brutality of it, the affects of it, the way people respond to it. It touches on what it feels like to be part of a community, and what happens when that community turns on you. There is nothing more heart-breaking than watching a confession be rendered meaningless, and I cannot imagine being in Romy's shoes. To go through something so raw and have not one person believe you. The story really begins when a girl goes missing, and suddenly bravery is more than a protagonist trying to save herself. I don't want to give anything away, so this review is spoiler free. Trust me though, this is a book that will make you view the world a little bit differently. One chapter at a time.

 

I cannot ignore fearless writing. Or the anger that it shakes up inside of me. (Believe me, you're supposed to feel that way.)

 

5/5 stars on goodreads.