And just like that, autumn is done for another year. Gotta say, it was a hectic and expensive couple of months here (new laundry machine, jury duty, new fridge! Can my appliances please stop dying?). But the thing that always keeps me calm and happy is testing products for you all. And I have five game changing products that have blown me away recently. Let’s chat about them!
KAYALI FREEDOM MUSK MATCHA – $58.00 for 10ml
If you had told me when the Freedom Collection launched that the Matcha one would be my favourite, I would have looked at you like you had two heads. I fully had my money on the Latte one being the favourite (your girl does love her coffee). But from the first spritz, I fell in love with Musk Matcha. It’s quite possibly one of the most unique fragrances that I’ve come across. It’s sweet, earthy, creamy, grassy, and oh so indulgent. I always get compliments whenever I wear this. And as it stands, this is my fragrance of the year. A 50ml bottle is imminent.
RHODE POCKET BLUSH in FRECKLE – $43.00
It’s no surprise that one of the Pocket Blush’s made it’s way into my seasonal favourites. Rhode’s launch into Australia has easily the beauty news of the year. The question was always going to be which shade. And while Freckle is admittedly a basic choice, it is the blush I have worn the most over the last three months. It’s gives such a natural peachy tone to the cheeks. Sincerest thanks to the absolute saint that is Morgan for putting me onto this shade. Because it’s everything.
MECCA MAX FANGIRL PANORAMIC TUBING MASCARA – $30.00
I just reviewed this so I can keep this brief. If you like the long, wispy lash effect, you need to try this mascara yesterday. For more details, my review is here.
MORPHE M204 ROUNDED CREAM & LIQUID BLUSH BRUSH – $21.00
This is for everyone who has been asking me which brush I’ve been using to apply my cream blushes as of late. It’s this one. And I recommend it wholeheartedly! I love the shape of it. The smaller domed head makes precise application so easy. I love that it’s the right amount of fluffy for me. It really does make blending my blush so much easier. I’m tempted beyond belief to buy 5 more just so I always have it on hand.
L’OREAL PROFESSIONAL METAL DETOX MASK – $75.00*
Full disclosure, this was sent to me in PR. But I have a tub of this sitting in my Adore Beauty cart for the split second I run out. This mask is phenomenal. I break this one out once a week and my hair is immediately softer, smoother, shinier, and healthier. It’s done wonders for my breakage. I’m seeing a lot less hair in my shower and hair brush. And my hair just feels lighter and less weighed down overall. She’s pricey, but so worth the hype!
And that is a wrap on my beauty favourites! Now, here is where I would normally share my bonus, everyday favourites. But the truth of the matter is that for the last three months, all I’ve been doing with my spare time is reading Hollanov fan fiction. A lot of Hollanov fan fiction. Possibly an unhealthy amount. But hey, it keeps me sane in the lead up to season 2/Unrivaled coming out next year. So, for a little bit of fun, I wanted to share my five current favourite fics.
DEJA VU – NotEvenCloseToStraight – WIP
2014: Ilya Rozanov shocks the world and breaks Shane Hollander’s heart by disappearing without explanation, and without a goodbye kiss.
2024: A devastating injury forces Shane to retire early, so he moves to a small town to coach girls hockey and figure out what the hell to do with the rest of his life.
When recently divorced Ilya Rozanov walks into the rink with his twin girls, Shane has to decide if he’s brave enough to risk a second chance on a broken heart, and a rekindled romance with the first and only boy he ever loved.
*Em’s Note* I was already a fan of this author’s work. But this fic is something truly special. It’s easily the most realistic fic I’ve read in the reunion category (like, I can easily see book canon Shane and Ilya in this universe). And Ilya’s kids are just the cutest. There is pain (Shane is in a really bad place at the start of this). But there is so much joy too. I literally drop whatever I’m doing whenever a new chapter drops.
CHERNOBOG – BoopBoop – WIP
The week before the 2017 All-Star Game, Ilya Rozanov is placed on IR. Ten days later, he disappears from the league entirely. Boston says nothing, and for once, a notoriously fickle league closes ranks.
Every attempt Shane makes to find him hits a wall. In one last desperate, life-altering bid to reach him, Shane comes out to the world, only to be met with Ilya’s silence.
By the time the 2020/21 season begins, Shane has nothing left but hockey and regret. He builds a dynasty, guts his life, and pins the last scraps of his hope on the Metros’ newest transfer, the dangerously hot-headed Cliff Marlow.
Stepping back into the public eye after the worst three years of his life, all Ilya wants is to find some kind of purpose. Shane is done with him, he made that much clear. Ilya isn’t about to try to convince himself otherwise. He just wants to prove he still has some use left in him.
Fortunately for both of them, they’re still fucking stupid for each other.
*Em’s Note* Probably the biggest downer I’m recommending. It starts out rough (Yes, Ilya goes on IR for the exact reason you’re thinking of and it’s horrible). But it is turning a corner. That last sentence of the blurb is probably the best descriptor I can give for this one. God, they love each other here.
DO THE WRONG THING – MacyFletcherFiction – Completed
After Shane’s plan to come out to Ilya in Tampa falls through, the pair have a falling out. There is no cottage. Instead, Ilya is forced to wait and see Shane at a charity event being held in New York. Ilya hopes that, after a miserable summer apart, he and Shane can reconcile.
There’s just one problem.
Jordan Bragg, a forward for the New York Admirals, has also come out as gay. Stunningly handsome, funny, and just what a heartbroken Hollander needs, Jordan makes it clear that Ilya Rozanov isn’t the only one after the Metro’s star centre.
*Em’s Note* Holy mother of Jesus, this fic is messy in the best possible way. Lots of characters acting OOC. But it’s so, so good! This one is also completed and there is a sequel series in the works.
FIRST THREE, NO FLASH – Frenetic_Muse – WIP
Shane Hollander is a freelance concert photographer with a day job at a camera shop, a bank account in active distress, and a long-standing professional fixation on Ilya Rozanov, front man of the Russian rock band Rozanov.
Professional. Definitely professional.
For years, Shane has shot Ilya from the pit: first three songs, no flash, get the shot, get out. Then Rozanov’s lead guitarist gets arrested at the border, the tour starts rearranging itself around disaster, and Shane finds himself getting closer to the machine than any photographer is supposed to get.
A photo pass becomes a backstage pass. A backstage pass becomes a job. Access becomes proximity.
And proximity, unfortunately, has consequences.
*Em’s Note* This is the only AU I’m recommending (I know AU’s aren’t everyone’s cup of tea). But this premise got me so good! Chaotic Ilya is best Ilya.
THE PRACTICAL (ACCIDENTAL) ACQUISITION OF A HUSBAND – Cherrylilies – WIP
After a viral photo outs Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov while they’re still busy pretending their years-long situationship is mostly just sex, the fallout gets complicated fast. The world reacts badly. Their teams react worse. Ilya’s future in North America starts to look alarmingly fragile, and Shane, who has never met a disaster he didn’t try to control into submission, throws himself into fixing what can still be fixed.
Ilya has spent his whole life being wanted for the wrong reasons and discarded for the right ones. Shane has spent his whole life believing that if he is careful enough, good enough, controlled enough, he can keep disaster from reaching the people he loves.
A practical solution emerges, then a house, then rings.
Somehow, by the time they say their vows, both of them are certain they are the only one who means them.
*Em’s Note* The most recent acquisition to my bookmarks. That last paragraph of chapter one was what sold me. If you’re a fan of a slow burn, this is the fic for you!
And that is a wrap on my Autumn favourites! I hope that the upcoming winter or summer is kind to you all. And as always, let me know what your autumn must haves were in the comments.
Cheers and love
Emily xo