Category: Blog

Review: Lancôme DRAMA LIQUI-PENCIL Longwear Eyeliner

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If there’s one makeup product that’s a staple in my makeup bag, it’s eyeliner. I’m always changing it up between pencil and liquid, and this new one from Lancome promises to combine the intensity and precision of a liquid eyeliner, but with the fool-proofness of a pencil liner (which is more forgiving especially if you’re in a hurry or putting on makeup early in the morning whilst being in a hurry as I do when getting ready for work).

What It Is: A long-wear highly pigmented liquid pencil eyeliner.

What It Does: 24-hour wear, blendable formula, no smudging!

Verdict: This liqui-pencil is absolutely phenomenal! I LOVE how pigmented the eyeliner is, and the fact that it’s very forgiving and fool-proof to apply when you’re strapped for time. It is precise and doesn’t budge all day. Even when I swatched it, it was difficult to remove (I had to use both makeup remover AND cleanser to get it off). So you’re assured that this eyeliner will stay on your lid and not migrate half way down your eyes by the end of the day. It’s also sweat-proof (no running eyeliner when you’re hitting the dance floor or gym!), and even if you forget about wearing liner and rub your eye, this liner isn’t going anywhere! This liner comes in various vibrant colours ranging from blue, black, brown, and purple, but I got the blue and find it such a fun way to have a pop of colour on your lids whilst wearing nude eyeshadow.

Price: $23

Where To Buy It: Sephora

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By: Azzurra Nox

The Best Books & Films to Support Sexual Assault Awareness Month

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In light of the #metoo movement, April has been declared as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and to help celebrate and bring awareness to Sexual Assault, I wish to share some films and books that depict sexual assault in a realistic manner instead of glorifying rape culture. The books and films selected below focus on the psychological, emotional, and physical scars that one carries when they’re a victim of sexual assault. These books and films don’t solely focus on women getting revenge (ala I Spit On Your Grave) or being too crippled to rise up, but rather they explore the complexities of the aftermath of a sexual assault and the road to healing.

Books:

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She’s Come Undone – Wally Lamb

Dolores Price’s life is never the same after her rape. She begins to use food as a way to comfort her pain, and so she spends her days in front of the TV devouring Mallomars and other junk food till she reaches the hefty weight of 257 pounds. But Dolores wishes to live life, despite the fact that her actions would indicate otherwise. Dolores’ journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

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Speak – Laurie Halse Andersen

There’s a reason why this YA was a National Book Award Finalist, Melinda’s frightening assault at a party where she ends up calling the police (and thus making her the school pariah for being considered a snitch) is utterly relatable to any teenager who has ever had to look out for themselves at a party. Melinda’s assault causes her to lose her will to speak. She’s friendless and lonely, but slowly she begins to heal and with healing, she finds her voice and the courage to name her assaulter.

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The Way I Used To Be – Amber Smith

What happens when the older boy you have a crush on rapes you? Eden’s journey of how assault affects her future relationships, her friendships, and her relationship with her family is heartbreaking and poignant. This novel shows how the effects of trauma can last a lifetime, and only when she has the courage to confront her rapist does she finally get the inner peace she’s been lacking since that fateful night.

Films:

Precious

Hard Candy

Boys Don’t Cry

What books or films have you seen on sexual assault that you think was done right? Do you agree with this list? Comment below!

If you or anyone you know is a victim of sexual assault please refer to the following hotlines for help:

Safe Horizon – 212-227-300

https://hotline.rainn.org – To call or chat with a professional

DoD Safe Helpline (for military members and spouses) – https://www.safehelpline.org/

By: Azzurra Nox

Beauty In Breakfast: Tomato Omelet Recipe

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Breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day, so why not make it the perfect opportunity to eat foods that will give you beauty benefits?

“You can put on all the makeup and concealer in the world, but unless you’re eating a diet of beauty foods, your skin will not look its best,” says Lisa Drayer, MA, RD, the author of The Beauty Diet.

In this mini-series I will provide you with some easy and healthy-skin breakfast options!

In order to have a healthy-glowing skin you need to not only use the right products for your skin type, but you need to be eating foods that boost your skin’s health.

“Sugar may contribute to wrinkles, and there’s research that shows that following a diet lower in refined carbs improves adult acne,” says Drayer.

Throw out your Pop Tarts and Toaster Strudels and give your skin a break.

“Tomatoes are the number one skin-friendly vegetable,” says Jessica Wu, MD, a Los Angeles dermatologist and author of Feed Your Face. Eating bright red vegetables may help fight sunburn, boost collagen, and reduce skin roughness.

Not to mention that eggs are loaded with Vitamin A (your number one skin-friendly vitamin!).

So put down the doughnut and read below for an amazing Tomato Omelet Recipe!

Ingredients:

2 Eggs

1 Medium Size Tomato Finely Chopped

½ Onion Finely Chopped

¼ Finely Chopped Cilantro or Parsley

A pinch of pepper

A pinch of salt

A pinch of Chipotle Pepper

1 Teaspoon Olive Oil

Directions:

  1. Add one teaspoon of olive oil to a pan and heat up.
  2. Beat two eggs in a bowl.
  3. Add the finely chopped onion, tomato, cilantro or parsley, salt, pepper, salt, and pepper to the bowl and mix the ingredients.
  4. Then place all the ingredients in the pan and fry until golden.

  5. Enjoy!

     

Photo by PhotoMIX Company on Pexels.com

Review: Wet N Wild Photofocus Concealer Correcteur

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Dark undereye circles have been the bane of my beauty regimen since I was twelve years old. I have hereditary dark undereyes (being half Italian and being said that anyone from the Mediterranean is predisposed to them there’s not much I can do about them), so in other words, I’ve come across numerous concealers. Some work okay, some work very well, and some don’t work at all. What makes a concealer perfect for me is blendability, the ability to disguise the actual darkness, and no creasing factor. Throughout the years I’ve used sticks, creams, and even powders. I’ve tested high end to drugstore, and I’ve recently discovered a concealer that not only does it conceal and not crease, but it’s also very economical.

What It Is: Concealer for any light condition

What It Does: Tested Under 7 Light Conditions: 1. Clear Blue Sunlit Sky, 2. Outdoors PM, 3. Indoors PM, 4. Electronic Flash, 5. Fluorescent, 6. Bathroom Light, and 7. Nightclub Light.

Verdict: This concealer instantly brightens the skin, making it appear more awake and rejuvenated. It’s also excellent at concealing any imperfections without looking cakey or creasing. What I love the most about this concealer is that it blends like a dream. It also lasts over ten hours without creasing! It works wonders not just for dark undereye circles, but even for any acne, acne scars, or any discoloration you may have. It comes in six shades in full coverage. You can say goodbye to photo flashback and let your inner beauty shine on the outside!

Perks: Cruelty-free (always a plus when a cosmetic brand doesn’t test on animals!)

Price: $3.99

Where To Buy It: https://www.wetnwildbeauty.com

By: Azzurra Nox

Review: Too Cool For School All-In-One Egg Mellow Cream

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If you follow my blog, then you’ll know that I swear by Vitamin A for having good skin. Having said that, one of the key ingredients in this moisturizer is egg yolk (which is rich in Vitamin A and proteins that nourish the skin). The nutrients found in eggs not only help nourish dull skin but it also brightens it. It also gets rid of acne (again, because of the Vitamin A) and because it also contains a natural antibacterial that fights acne. Since egg yolk is mostly made up of water and fats, it actually helps lock moisture into your skin cells, leaving skin feeling incredibly soft and supple. What more could you ask from a single ingredient?

What It Is: Firming Moisturizer

What It Does: This moisturizer is supposed to work as a serum, priming moisturizer, eye cream, neck cream, and sleep mask. It also targets dryness, dullness and uneven texture, and firmness.

Active Ingredients: Egg yolk, Collagen (great for anti-aging), albumen (egg white), Niacinamide, and omega oil for proper hydration that visibly plumps the skin.

Verdict: As you can tell, I have quite an obsession for overnight masks (you can check out more here), mostly because I suck at waiting out the 15-20 minutes required for face masks and who doesn’t want to wake up to amazing skin? This moisturizer (that also acts as an overnight mask) has fives uses and is packed with multiple benefits in one convenient package. I mostly use this on my face and neck, but it could also be used for the eyes. This cream has a pleasant scent (anyone who has ever used egg on their face knows how sticky and smelly it can be!). What can I say? The moment you apply this cream, your skin will look visibly plumper and will be insanely soft. But don’t worry, the effects last until the following morning. I woke up to softer skin and with no sign of redness or inflammation whatsoever (which can sometimes be the case for us acne-prone skin types). This moisturizer is a godsend to those of you that have dry or flaky skin, but it’s light enough that even those of us with extremely oily skin (as myself) can reap the benefits and won’t clog your pores!

Price: $36

Where To Buy It: Sephora.com

By: Azzurra Nox

Is Blood the new anti-aging secret?

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Elizabeth Báthory wasn’t too far off when she used to bathe in virgin blood to maintain her youthful beauty. New studies have shown that teenage blood, when injected in older subjects, reverses the aging process with significant changes. The founder of Ambrosia, Jesse Karmazin, MD, tells New Science that it’s the healthier proteins present in younger plasma that is the key. Patients who were treated with the plasma treatment also presented lower levels of carcinoembryonic antigens (these antigents can signal cancer), and also displayed lower blood cholesterol and decrease in levels of amyloids (which could help prevent Alsheimer’s disease). The downside to this anti-aging procedure is the staggering cost: $8,000 a session and it’s recommended to do it twice a year.

 

Another blood treatment has been Blood-Infused skincare creams, which pretty much incoporates your own blood into moisturizers (supermodel Hailey Baldwin is said to use this skincare routine from Dr. Sturm). Again, the costs of such a skincare routine are elevated as a moisturizer could cost you around $1,400.

 

A few years ago the web went wild when Kim Kardashian showed off a cosmetic procedure on Instagram dubbed the vampire facial. What this procedure consists of is a doctor takes a few vials of blood from your arm, centrifuges the blood so that it separates out the plasma and platelets from the red blood cells, and then adds the platelet plasma back into your face using small needles.

 

If all of this makes you feel woozy, don’t worry, as Marilyn Manson said years ago, the media sells fear so that you’re made to spend thousands as a way to prevent from losing your youth. Truth is, it’s probably about time that people began to accept the cycle of life, and embrace the aging process gracefully such as badass icons like Helen Mirren.

 

Would you try any of these anti-aging techniques? What do you think about them? Are they too extreme?

By: Azzurra Nox

Skincare: Is Foundation Ruining Your Skin?

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When asked what foundation I use, many people are surprised when I admit that I don’t use any and haven’t really worn much of it (save for the few times I’ve had to for photoshoots) in years. I attribute my good skin days to various things, but NOT wearing foundation is at the very top of the list. If the thought of leaving the house without makeup is enough to make you cringe, then you may be damaging your skin. This is the age of Instagram, Beat Face, and Full-coverage foundation. But what damage are all of these cosmetics, namely foundation, really doing to your skin day after day? The terrible truth is that if you have problematic skin (dryness, oiliness, or acne-prone) then you aren’t doing your skin any favors by adding layers and layers of products on top of it.

Oily Skin

If you have oily skin you’ll soon found out the hard way, that foundation and oily skin DO NOT mingle. Using liquid foundation may actually create a thicker coat of oil on your skin, meaning your skin will look slick with oils, rather than dewy. If the thought of going foundation-less is unfathomable, then opt for mineral foundation or lightweight pressed powder.

Dryness

Although liquid foundation may increase the oil in oily skin, it does NOT act as a moisturizer for dry skin. It actually creates more flakes and dryness! So you’re better off using a tinted moisturizer, or adding a smidgen of foundation or concealer to your favorite moisturizer and using that instead.

Acne

Though makeup hasn’t been proven to cause acne per se in people who aren’t acne-prone, it does, however cause acne to flare up in people who have acne-prone skin. And I know that many people who have acne, turn to foundation as a way to create the appearance of flawless skin, but it’s a Catch 22, where the more foundation they use the more new blemishes it creates, in turn, making someone continue to use foundation. If you suffer from acne, try to discover the root of your problem (meaning is it due to diet, hormones, or stress?) with the help of a dermatologist. Don’t just try to conceal the problem with foundation, it’ll only wreak havoc on your skin.

Unrealistic Expectations

Learn to love your natural skin! Wearing foundation every day not only does it damage it, but it will give you unrealistic expectations of how your skin should look at all times. You can have amazing skin without it having to look airbrushed or Instagram worthy. Instead, try to take care of your skin by keeping hydrated, sleeping at least 6-8 hours a night, turn to a more plant-based diet, and keep up with a skincare routine that best suits your skin type.

Amazing skin isn’t easy to have, but with some work and dedication (and less makeup!) it’s easier to achieve than thought possible.
So give your skin a break and go foundation-free, and keep foundation ready for those moments when you really need it (school photos, weddings, etc.).

By: Azzurra Nox

Want to kiss your acne goodbye forever, then READ HOW VITAMIN A CAN CURE YOUR ACNE!

Review: Medusa’s Makeup Black Hawaiian Sea Salt Facial Scrub

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Facial scrubs are perfect for getting rid of dead skin and promote cell turnover. Exfoliation is key for healthy skin. I was recently sent this sea salt facial scrub from Medusa’s Makeup from one of their monthly beauty boxes that I’m subscribed to. I’m usually kinda lazy when it comes to using facial scrubs, but I know how important it is to do them cause it rids your skin of dead skin cells, and this helps with keeping acne away.

I’m particularly keen on Medusa’s Makeup products because being vegan, usually means that the products are made using natural ingredients and are free of harmful chemicals. An absolute win/win for your skin!

What It Is: Sea salt facial scrub

What It Does: Rids of dead skin cells and promotes cell turnover, leaving skin feeling soft.

Active Ingredients: Black Hawaiian sea salt and almond oil

Bonus: Vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free

Verdict: I usually only do facial scrubs about once a week because more than that and my skin feels raw. This scrub smells heavenly and leaves your skin feels so clean and soft! The only downside is that it can be somewhat messy, as is the case with any scrubs (more so I suppose when the salt is black) so I suggest making sure that you’ve rinsed off all of the scrub before patting your skin dry with a towel. The almond oil found in this scrub also doubles as a moisturizer as your skin won’t be left feeling stripped of its essential oils. Follow up this treatment using your favourite moisturizer and you’re set to go!

Price: $10

Where To Buy It: https://medusasmakeup.com/collections/new-and-limited-edition/products/black-hawaiian-sea-salt-facial-scrub

By: Azzurra Nox

For more skincare tips check out My Skincare Routine & Five Fruits for Amazing Skin!

Film Review: The Shape of Water

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Anyone who knows me well, knows that I’m a sucker for fairy-tales (the Grimm variety or Oscar Wilde, not Disney) and impossible loves (think Edward Scissorhands and Kim), so of course I’d fall in love with Guillermo Del Toro’s lush fairy-tale of a love story, The Shape of Water.

The movie opens with the audience getting to meet Elisa (Sally Hawkins), a mute woman who lives in a tiny apartment alone above a theatre house, next door to the lonely artist Giles (Richard Jenkins). Due to working as a cleaning lady for a government laboratory in Baltimore, Elisa’s “day” begins at night, working the so-called “graveyard shift” with co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer).

Most of her days are the same, until one night a new test subject is brought into the lab, a revered River God from South America dubbed the “Amphibian Man” (Doug Jones) for being a cross between a man and sea creature. Elisa feels compassion for the Amphibian Man and is saddened that the creature’s handler Richard Strickland (Michael Shannon) has no interest in getting to know the creature and instead, tortures it daily without mercy

Elisa feels drawn to the Amphibian Man because, like her, he is different. She also feels compelled to him because they’re both lonely, invisible beings to society, and decides to initiate a friendship with the creature through egg lunches and sharing of jazz music. But when learns that the government is only interested in killing the Amphibian Man rather than trying to learn more about him, she’s overcome with grief and hatches a plan to get him out of the heavily surveyed government lab with the help of Giles and Zelda.

The beauty of the film is that it brought together four characters that represented “invisible” and alienated people. Elisa is invisible for being mute, Zelda is invisible for being a woman of color in 1962, Giles is invisible for being a gay starving artist, and the Amphibian Man is invisible because he isn’t even deemed as human. All four characters suffer from loneliness and are aching for some kind of human contact that will make them feel alive again and complete. Before meeting the Amphibian Man, Elisa was merely existing, but once her feelings for him begin to blossom and are reciprocated, that’s when she begins to truly live.

Del Toro’s visually stunning movie ignited the bleak atmosphere of the Cold War and cruelty with the spark of love and how colourful everything begins to be when one is in love. He also masterfully reminded us that sometimes it’s the lesser important people who become the heroes of the story when they feel they have a purpose.

The Shape of Water is a touching love story of how two very radically different people (they’re not even the same species!) are brought together and how their love overcomes all the obstacles. This movie is truly a celebration of the Latin quote, Amor vincit omnia (Love conquers all). And in today’s complacent, superficial modern society where everything is disposable, even love, it’s refreshing to be reminded that some things are worth fighting for.

By: Azzurra Nox

Book Review: Running Wild Anthology of Stories Vol. 2 – Amelia Kibbie Q & A

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Amelia Kibbie’s latest short story “Idylls of the King,” is one of the twenty short stories featured in the new Running Wild Anthology by Running Wild Press. Her short story features two young boys who have to leave their London homes due to Nazi bombings during WWII with their school teachers and classmates for the safety of the countryside. Both boys, James and Arthur are ruthlessly bullied by their peers, the first for having effeminate mannerisms and fancying boys, whilst the second for his weight. But when the two boys meet an aging Baroness, their lives will never be the same again.

What inspired you to write this short story?

Actually, it was for a totally separate anthology called “Heart of Steel.” The anthology called for happy ending LGBT love stories that contained knights of some sort. I didn’t want to do the typical fantasy thing, so my story takes place in England in WWII. I wanted to show that no matter how old you are, or what time period you live in, you can have a heart of steel — the heart of a knight that values love, friendship, honor, and protects those in need.

Your short story explores the theme of bullying—how important is it to have a story where the bullied triumph over their bullies?
Like pretty much everyone else, I’ve been bullied. I think everyone dreams of some kind of a sweet moment where you can go back in time and stand up to your bully. But in the real world, this usually doesn’t happen. So part of writing this story was wish fulfillment for me. I wish that anyone bullied for their sexuality would be able to stand up and fight back or have someone to protect them.
I’m definitely not the first person to depict this, but maybe the first person to have a suit of medieval armor involved!
What actually happens in, Idylls of the King is that James and Arthur stop being the bystanders to each other’s bullying. James sticks up for Arthur and risks a beating, only to be saved by the air raid siren. When Arthur sees this, it empowers him to stick up for James in return. In real life, empowering the bystanders is the most effective way to combat bullying. All of those other kids in the class were just standing there and watching all those years, just thankful it wasn’t them being targeted. They should have been banding together to stand up to Morgan and his friends to improve life for everyone in the class. I work with young people, and the anti-bullying research finds that empowering the bystanders is the most effective way to improve a school climate.

Why did you choose WII England as your setting?
This is going to sound super cheesy, but I was actually inspired by the ultra-crappy sequel to The Woman in Black. I liked the first movie quite a bit, and the second one was on Netflix. I was homesick, so I decided to watch it. It wasn’t a great movie, but it had some really interesting ideas to it — like the manor house being cut off by the tide at certain parts of the day. That reminded me of one of my favorite travel destinations, Mont Saint Michel. The part that obviously made it into Idylls of the King was the story of the children evacuated for Operation Pied Piper and moving into a mansion together.
Do you have any other upcoming writing projects?
I’m currently crafting Idylls of the King into a novel that picks up ten years after James and Arthur find one another. They’re still together, living in London, and find themselves on a cross-country adventure to fulfill a man’s dying wish.

You write across genres, which one is your favourite?
I would have to say horror. I just re-read The Shining, and it brought back so many memories of being in high school and reading Stephen King. He and Anne Rice were my big inspirations back in the day, and horror will forever hold my heart. I love writing in other genres and just telling a good story with characters I care about, but when I write a horror piece, I really get into it.

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You can purchase this book HERE or check out Amelia’s short story in MY AMERICAN NIGHTMARE – WOMEN IN HORROR ANTHOLOGY HERE.

Follow Amelia either on Facebook or her website.

By: Azzurra Nox