The days are getting longer, the air conditioning is getting turned back on, and the jumpers are being put back into storage. That can only mean one thing around these parts. Winter is over for another year. And what a winter it was! I mentioned in my last empties post that June and July were draggy. Those two had nothing on August which has seen me work almost every day this month. All that to say, I am absolutely exhausted. And I’m very ready for this year to end.
But you aren’t here to hear me moan and vent. You’re here for the beauty of it all. And by some miracle, I do have five products that have added a little extra sparkle to the last few months. If you’ve been paying attention, you may already know what some of these products are. But these have been the legitimate stand outs of my winter. Let’s get into it!
BORING WITHOUT YOU REM REPAIR MOISTURISER – $39.99*
While I do love a thick, deeply nourishing moisturiser during the winter months, what I don’t love is when the moisturiser doesn’t soak into the skin nicely and leaves your skin feeling like it has a film sitting on top. And I personally find that to be common amongst the richer moisturisers on the market. Which is why I’m eternally grateful to Davey and the team over at Boring Without You for creating this phenomenal moisturiser. The REM Repair is thick, luscious, and oh so deeply hydrating. But it soaks right into the skin and feels weightless once it’s on there. My skin is softer, bouncier, and in all seriousness, a lot less oily in the morning since I introduced this into my routine. This bottle is already on it’s last legs and you bet your behind that I will be buying another sooner rather than later.
FRENCH COWBOY VANILLA FOR BREAKFAST – €90.00 for 100ml
I won’t spend too much time here. I just gushed about this fragrance a week ago. But as of this moment, Vanilla For Breakfast is my fragrance of the year and I will be shocked if anything else comes close to beating it. Truly one of the most unique vanilla perfumes I have ever come across.
ABOUT FACE THE ILLUSIONIST CONCEALER – $44.00
I lightly gushed about this one in my Bite Size Reviews. So I’ll give you the Cliff Notes version. If you are like me and are obsessed with the Tower 28 Swipe Concealer, you’re probably going to love this one too. Texture is similar in that they’re both more of a serum consistency. But the coverage is top notch and the wear on me is even better. I am counting the days for About Face To launch in Australia. More people need to try them.
MARC JACOBS BEAUTY BORN STAR CREAM TO POWDER EYESHADOW in SERVING – $48.00
If there is one product that I believe will sell out when Marc Jacobs Beauty launches at Sephora next week, it’s probably going to be this eyeshadow. And now that I’ve spent the last month playing with it, I can absolutely see why. I can truthfully say that I do not own a shade quite like this one. It appears like a purple/silver in the pan. But when it’s on the lid, it takes on more of a peachy pink tone. It’s looked different on everyone that I’ve seen try it. It’s a genuine stunner that I consider a must own.
RHODE PEPTIDE LIP TINT in MACADAMIA BUTTER – $35.00
I know that there isn’t much difference between the the different shades of the Peptide Lip Tints (I should know, I did a swatch video on them last month). But for whatever reason, Macadamia Butter is the one that has made a permanent home in my work shirt pocket and is by far, the lip product I have worn the most over the last few months. It might be the subtle brown tint that makes my lips look so juicy, it might be the fact that it smells and tastes like a Kingston cookie (my fellow Aussies know EXACTLY what I’m talking about). In any case, I love it and I’ve been unable to stop wearing it.
And that is a wrap on the beauty faves. let’s get into the random faves for winter!
YOU SEEM PRETTY SAD FOR A GIRL SO IN LOVE – Olivia Rodrigo
I’m not sure how she’s been doing it. But Olivia Rodrigo has been getting better and better with every new album. You Seem So Pretty For A Girl So In Love has been the soundtrack to my winter and it has been worthy of every ounce of praise that it’s gotten. Album Highlights for me are Drop Dead (which took a minute for me to get on board with), Maggots For Brains, Expectations, and My Way. Seriously, the season two Heated Rivalry edits to some of the songs on this album are going to hit like a sledge hammer (yes, my brain is still there. Leave me alone).
EVIL DEAD BURN – In Cinemas
I will forever die on the hill that there is no such thing as a bad Evil Dead movie. It’s easily my favourite horror franchise of all time. And Evil Dead Burn is no exception. Plot wise, we have a recently widowed young woman spending time with her in-laws, who one by one are turned into deadites over one horrific evening. And now, it’s a race for survival as the young woman has to do the unthinkable to see the next day. Like all Evil Dead movies, this is a nasty little piece of work. The director, Sebastian Vanicek, cut his teeth in the French Extremity era of French cinema. And he really pulls no punches. There are moments in this film that are incredibly difficult to watch. But the pitch black humour that has permeated the Evil Dead franchise is always present. This is, without question, one of my favourite movies of the year. And a must watch for horror fans!
MAP CONTACT by REGOLITH – WIP
Ilya Rozanov, celebrated hockey star, gets perilously lost in the wilderness.
Shane Hollander, wilderness expert and #1 Rozanov hater, finds him.
They’re stuck in the woods. Completely alone. Together.
*Em’s Note* To say that this fic has been one of my reasons to keep going over the last few weeks would be putting it mildly. Map Contact has truly made me feel every single emotion. I have laughed reading this, I have cried reading this. I have read chapters with my hands over my eyes because of the sheer angst on my screen. And I have fully crashed out with joy. I truly cannot recommend Map Contact enough and with only three chapters until the end, it is the perfect time to jump on board. Also a very special shout out to my fellow Discord Hags who have been following along with this fic. You have kept me sane, especially over the last few weeks. And I cannot put into words how grateful I am to this wonderful community.
And that is a wrap on my winter favourites! And now, it’s the slow grind towards the end of the year. Here’s hoping it’s kind to us all. Let me know what your winter must haves were in the comments.
Cheers and love
Emily xo