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Which One Should You Choose – Besame Cosmetics

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You don’t need to be a makeup artist to know that mascara has had a huge impact on fashion for centuries. People were lining their eyes and plumping their lashes back when the pyramids were being built, and we’re still doing it now. Of course, our methods have changed a bit since then. Now, you can find mascara that comes in a whole variety of colors and styles, but the basic concept remains the same.

There are two basic types of mascara: cream and cake. Each comes with a variety of perks and individual qualities. Which you choose is dependent upon your personal preferences, goals, and style.

A Brief History of Mascara

The grandmother of mascara can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where dried pigment was often rubbed around the eyes and onto the eyelashes of important individuals. Then, it was a symbol of religious faith and cultural prestige. Since then, it’s morphed into a beauty product utilized by people of every class for any occasion.

In ancient times, people often made their own lash-plumping substances. In Victorian England, women would mix ash with pigments derived from plants. This was a long and often risky process. Fortunately, by the 1920s, cakes of pigment were hitting store shelves. Much like watercolor paints, these compact patties only needed a small amount of water to turn into a workable makeup. With the help of a washable applicator brush, this pigment could then be applied to lashes, brows, and even used as an eyeliner!

Aside from the obvious benefit of no longer having to smush up your own messy ash-and-blueberry-gunk mixture, these cakes came with the added benefit of being surprisingly sterile. The dried patties had few places for bacteria to hide, and well-cleaned brushes denied germs a spot to get cozy, which helped increase their appeal after their invention in 1915.

In the 1950s, mascara took another huge leap. Cakes were reformulated into creams. At first, these mixtures were packaged in individual, squeezable tubes with a separate brush included. After some time, another innovator decided to put the applicator into the tube; thus, the ubiquitous and highly portable version of mascara that we know today was born.

Black-cake-mascara-swatch-on-red-background

What’s the Difference?

Okay, knowing where mascara comes from is fun trivia, but what’s the difference between liquid mascara and cake mascara? Which is better to use?

Cake Mascara

Let’s jump right in with the classic form: cake mascara. This is your grandma’s mascara, but that’s not a bad thing! Cake mascara was once the only option, and it remains a good choice for hygiene- and eco-conscious shoppers. This unique, vintage type of mascara can be hard to find, but we happen to carry some!

We’ve already mentioned that this form of mascara is less germy than most modern tube mascaras. However, there are other benefits. To start with, it’s a light and portable choice. In addition to their general grossness, the clumpy and gunky nature of modern liquid mascara often sticks hairs together and ruins expensive lash extensions. Cake mascara is easy to use, control, and a little product goes a long way.

The small amount required for noticeable results also makes cake mascara an eco-friendly option. Frequent users of mascara can use a single cake of mascara for much longer than they would a tube. Since the mascara is dry, it also has a much longer shelf life. This means that occasional users can keep a handy mascara cake for years versus the few months of shelf life for modern liquid mascaras.

Cream Mascara

The alternate form of mascara is, of course, cream mascara. In this form, you achieve long lashes with a thick, liquid substance. This is not to be confused with messy, runny liquid mascara, though! Cream mascara comes in individual tubes, like toothpaste, and the brush applicators are kept separately. So, for starters, you’re already getting the same hygiene benefits of a cake!

A good cream mascara, like our 1940’s vintage-inspired cream mascaraalso boasts the same portability as tubes of liquid lengthening mascara or pricey volumizing mascara.

Bésame’s Cream mascara avoids waste and contamination, as the applicator never enters the container. You control how much product is on the applicator by squeezing the desired amount onto the brush. More importantly, cream mascara is much easier to control and apply than liquid options, which tend to clump your lovely lashes into spider-leg-like chunks.

Cream mascara is also eco-friendly. As long as the package is tightly sealed after each use, the contents resist drying and caking for up to a year and a half.

Ultimately, your favorite mascara will be a matter of personal preference. Both forms come with benefits and drawbacks. It’s a matter of knowing how you prepare for your day and understanding what your individual needs are. We can’t pick a mascara for you, but we can help you weigh your options.

Looking for more information on makeup history? Want to test out vintage-inspired makeup yourself? Visit kiss me online for lots more like this!

Pressed Powder vs Loose Powder for Setting | Glo Skin Beauty

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Wondering what the differences are between pressed powder vs loose powder? And what does setting spray do? We’ve got you covered with this handy guide as we delve into the different types of setting powders and what setting spray does, all to extend the wear-time of your makeup look.

“Pressed and loose powders can be used as setting powders, meaning they help mattify skin for shine control throughout the day, plus they help extend the wear-time of your makeup look, keeping it in place for longer,” explains Janeena Rumsey, Glo’s Global Education Ambassador and Artistry Lead.

What Is the Difference Between Pressed and Loose Powder?

The main difference between pressed powder and loose powder is their formulas. “Pressed powder is a great option for on-the-go complexion perfection. As it is more densely packed than a loose powder, it tends to provide a bit more coverage, allowing for easy, mess-free touch-ups. Use a translucent, talc-free mineral pressed setting powder like our Perfecting Powder to set and mattify your cream or liquid foundation, to absorb any excess oil, and to blur any remaining imperfections,” says Janeena. “It extends the length of time your makeup will last without smudging or budging.”

Loose setting powder is finely milled, super lightweight, translucent, and oftentimes tends to be more sheer than pressed powder. “Our Luminous Setting Powder features diamond powder, which helps to blur texture and provide a luminous glowing finish,” adds Janeena. “Loose powder can be used to set any makeup look in place—and can be used as part of the “baking” method in setting your foundation and concealer for all-day wear.”

Now available in three shades—Translucent Light: Sheer Peach, Translucent Medium: Sheer Golden, and Translucent Medium Deep: Sheer Tawny, as well as our best-selling Translucent: Sheer, it’s the perfect way to add even more glow to your final finishing touch.

Loose setting powder is another great option for shine control and naturally mattifies the skin to create a soft-focus, flawless finish. “If you are generally looking for a lighter or sheer effect, loose powder will be your go-to,” shares Janeena.

Is Pressed Powder the Same As Setting Powder?

Setting powder is an invisible step in your makeup ritual that sets the makeup in place with a translucent powder that keeps everything looking shine-free, flawless, and to enhance the staying power of your makeup look. You apply your setting powder over your mineral makeup as a final step to lock it all in.

With many types of face powder products available, it can get confusing as to what each powder does. “Pressed powder as a term can be used to refer to pressed setting powder or a pressed powder foundation,” explains Janeena. “A pressed powder foundation like our bestselling Pressed Base can be worn as a base with longwearing buildable coverage, and it can also be layered over any of our other foundations or concealers for a longwearing, flawless complexion.”

“Perfecting Powder on the other hand is a pressed setting powder. It is translucent, mattifying, and specifically designed to perfect the complexion, for a flawless, longwearing finish,” she adds.

Is Pressed or Loose Powder Better For Mature Skin?

“Whether pressed or loose powder is better for mature or aging skin is really all down to the look you want to achieve and your skin type,” explains Janeena. “That said, as skin ages, it tends to be drier, so needs a little radiance boost. This is where loose setting powders with blurring benefits can help. This type of setting powder imparts a lightweight, luminous glow for all day radiance as well as supporting the longevity of your makeup look.

How To Apply Finishing Powder

“When you’re applying a finishing powder or setting powder, my top tip is to keep it lightweight and natural looking,” says Janeena. “Start off with a minimal amount and build from there. You don’t want to place too much on to begin with as it can look overdone.”

“As the finishing powder is quite literally meant to set your look in place, the trick to applying it, is to be gentle. Lightly sweep on your powder without dragging your skin as this can affect the placement of your foundation, concealer, blush or bronzer.

“Using your preferred powder brush—mine is the Tapered Setting Powder Brush, lightly dip into your powder, tap off any excess, then gently press and sweep across your face, paying particular attention to your T-zone If you’re prone to an oily shine in this area, pairing it with a mattifying primer beforehand can also help reduce shine and smooth the skin’s surface. As a little will go far, be minimal with your setting powder for the most natural look.

“If you want to “bake” your foundation or concealer, after applying your setting powder, let it sit for a few minutes, then using a large fluffy brush, gently sweep away any excess, to avoid it settling into fine lines.”

What Is Setting Spray and What Does It Do?

“If you really want to ensure your makeup lasts all day, and your skin feels comfortable and nourished, a setting spray is the way to go,” explains Janeena. “A setting spray is essentially a liquid mist infused with nourishing hydrating ingredients that lock your makeup look in place. Our HA-Revive Hyaluronic Mist is powered by hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and botanical extracts to replenish moisture levels of both skin and minerals, and help your makeup stay put without smudging or settling into fine lines.”

And you can spritz your setting spray throughout the day to replenish your complexion and keep any touch-ups in place.

For more tips and tricks on products that keep you shine free, check out Melt Proof Skin and Beauty Essentials.

I Switched To This Shampoo For Psoriasis & My Scalp’s Redness Dropped By 70% In 3 Weeks

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Hey there! Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I greatly appreciate your support 🙂

If you’ve been dealing scalp psoriasis, stubborn dandruff, or itchy and flaky scalp, you know how frustrating it can be. The flakes, redness, irritation and scratching your head like you’re searching for buried treasure can make you feel self-conscious and uncomfortable.

But what if there was a shampoo that not only calms your scalp instantly but also nourishes your hair, making it softer, shinier, and healthier with every wash?

So, recently I got my hands on this powerful Salicylic Acid, Menthol, and Peat Mud shampoo by Sphagnum BotanicalsI had high hopes but low expectations (because let’s be real—most scalp shampoos either smell like a chemical lab or leave your hair feeling like brillo pad).

But spoiler alert: This one was different.

Why This Sphagnum Botanicals Psoriasis Shampoo Is a Game-Changer for Scalp Health?

Before I spill the tea on my experience, let me tell you why this shampoo isn’t just another psoriasis shampoo. Here’s why it stands out:

  • 3% Salicylic Acid Power: Think of this as a mini exfoliation session for your scalp. It gently dissolves flakes, softens psoriasis plaques, and makes them easier to wash away.
  • Menthol Magic: Thanks to the menthol infusion, you’ll feel a refreshing, cooling sensation that instantly soothes itchiness and inflammation. Imagine washing away the day’s stress while giving your scalp a cool, minty spa treatment.
  • Peat Mud Therapy: This rare ingredient is basically a spa day for your scalp. It’s packed with bioactive compounds that soothe irritation, reduce redness, and promote faster healing.
  • Multi-Purpose Relief: It’s not just for psoriasis—it also works wonders for seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, rosacea, and even plain old dandruff.
  • Healthier, Shinier Hair: Thanks to nourishing ingredients like Panthenol (Provitamin B5) and Allantoinyour hair won’t just be clean—it’ll be softer, stronger, and shinier.
  • Free from Harsh Chemicals: No SLS, SLES, or parabens here! Just a gentle formula that nurtures sensitive scalps without drying out your hair.

Last update on 2025-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

My Honest 3 Week Experience Using This Shampoo For Scalp Psoriasis

I used the salicylic acid shampoo three times a week and followed the instructions religiously. Here’s what happened:

Week 1: Instant Itch Relief & First Impressions

The first wash gave me some relief from itching and tightness. My scalp felt noticeably cleaner, but the plaques were still a bit stubborn. The moment I lathered up, the menthol cooling effect kicked in—and not in a “my scalp is on fire” way. It was refreshing, calming, and downright therapeutic. After just one wash, my scalp felt less itchy and more comfortable.

By the second wash, stubborn flakes clinging to my roots started loosening and shedding gently.
Oh, and bonus points: it didn’t smell terrible like most psoriasis shampoos—especially coal tar ones (if you know, you know!).

Week 2: Visible Flake Reduction & Calmer Scalp

By the second week, I noticed a visible reduction in flakiness. The scaly patches started softening and shedding more easily during my washes. The redness and inflammation reduced with each wash. My scalp felt calm, balanced, and comfortable—something I hadn’t experienced in a long time.

Week 3: Healthier Scalp & Shinier Hair

By the third week, my scalp looked and felt noticeably healthier. The redness and irritation were significantly reduced. The constant itch was practically gone. My hair felt softer, shinier, and smoother—an unexpected cherry on the cake!

Overall I had a good experience using this shampoo for my scalp psoriasis and it has delivered on most of its promises. If you’ve been struggling with scalp psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, or chronic itchiness, this shampoo is definitely worth adding to your routine.

Last update on 2025-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Final Thoughts: Does Salicylic Acid Shampoo Work for Psoriasis?

I’ve tried my fair share of scalp treatments, but this shampoo genuinely delivered on its promises.

It doesn’t just tackle flakes and itchiness—it revitalizes your entire scalpmaking it healthier and more balanced with every wash. Plus, the added benefit of shinier, softer hair makes it a win-win. If you’ve been struggling with psoriasis, this shampoo is worth adding to your routine. Just remember to pair it with a hydrating conditioner and you are sorted!

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What Is Resveratrol? 5 Skin Benefits

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When it comes to skincare, nature should always be the first ingredient. That’s why here at Juice Beauty, we swap the junk for juice — in this case, grape juice.

Today, we’re going to talk about a new ingredient that’s taking the skincare world by storm: resveratrol. What is this ingredient, and why is everybody talking about it? What are the effects of resveratrol on your skin? Keep reading to learn all the answers.

What Is Resveratrol?

Resveratrol is one of nature’s strongest chemicals. In your body, resveratrol supplements can lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and support your overall heart health.

Other health benefits of resveratrol include lowering blood pressure, supporting cardiovascular health, and supporting your health against age-related concerns. However, when it comes to your skin, this ingredient is known for its antioxidant properties.

Chemically speaking, resveratrol is a type of polyphenol found in red wine, blueberries, dark chocolate, and grapes most of all.

Polyphenols are a class of plant-based nutrients that feed your body’s cells and prevent chemical imbalances that would disrupt your organ systems, including your skin. This makes resveratrol (and the antioxidants it offers) an essential part of a nourishing skincare routine.

How Do Antioxidants Work?

As an antioxidant, resveratrol is a powerful tool for managing skin impurities. These compounds can help clear blemishes, brighten dull skin, and smooth out the look discoloration and dark spots.

So, how does it work? To understand why antioxidants are such an important skincare ingredient, we have to get into a bit of chemistry.

Your skin — like everything else in nature — is made from a handful of key chemical elements, the most important of which are carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbon is the most abundant element, playing key roles in each cell and structure in your skin. Oxygen is the lowest concentration in your skin.

Together, these elements make up the internal structure of your skin. They create your skin cells and all of the organelles within, as well as the other key building blocks of skin: proteins, lipids, and water. As you can imagine, this is a very delicate system that must remain in balance to keep your skin healthy and strong. If even one element goes awry, there can be major side effects.

The most common element to cause problems is oxygen. When your body creates energy within your cells, this chemical reaction can leave oxygen atoms with a missing electron, transforming them into free radicals.

These unstable atoms are desperate to find a new electron. If one isn’t readily available, free radicals will rip into skin cells and steal an electron from another molecule. This process can break apart entire skin cells.

When your skin contains too many free radicals, it enters a state of chaos called oxidative stress. However, your body has a natural defense against free radicals: antioxidants.

Antioxidants are chemical compounds that are designed to bond with free radicals. By giving these unstable atoms their spare electron, antioxidants support your wellness during exposure to oxidative stress and the cell damage that comes with it.

5 Resveratrol Benefits for Skin

Antioxidants are one of the strongest defenders of healthy skin, and resveratrol has an incredibly high antioxidant potential. This means that all of the benefits of antioxidants are benefits of this skincare ingredient too.

We could go on and on about the benefits of resveratrol for your skin, but we’ll start off with the five most popular.

1. Relieve Irritated Skin

Irritation is a common skin concern for several skin types. From chapped dry skin in the winter to inflamed acne flareups in the summer, skin irritation is incredibly uncomfortable. Thankfully, resveratrol can help with that.

Resveratrol has soothing properties, which help it soothe irritated skin. This benefit is thanks to the skincare ingredient’s status as an antioxidant.

When your body is overrun with free radicals, your immune system kicks into gear in an effort to heal damaged skin cells. Irritation is a side effect of this immune response. By working to support your cells during exposure to damaging free radicals, resveratrol can help soothe the skin.

2. Brighten Dull or Tired Skin

The next benefit of resveratrol for skin is also connected to calming irritation and brightening the look of your skin.

Skin cells damaged by free radicals don’t just disappear from the skin once they’ve lost an electron. Those dead skin cells often become trapped on the skin, held together by the stolen electron that killed them. When damaged or dead skin cells build up on the surface of your skin, it can dull your natural glow and cause a dry skin look.

Resveratrol helps brighten skin by helping your complexion clear away dead skin cells. It does this by breaking the remaining chemical bonds holding those cells to the surface of your skin.

3. Reduce the Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Your skin is a complex organ with many layers and supporting structures that hold everything together. If free radicals break apart these important structures, the inner damage can have a huge impact on the surface of your skin. One example of this is the formation of wrinkles and fine lines.

Wrinkles are caused by a weakened skin structure. Specifically, they develop when the structural proteins holding up your skin start to fail. These proteins — collagen and elastin — naturally deteriorate as you age, but they can break down early as a side effect of oxidative stress.

By protecting collagen and elastin from damage by free radicals, resveratrol and antioxidants like it help prevent premature skin aging and smooth away fine lines and wrinkles from the skin.

4. Protect Against Harmful UV Rays

The benefits of resveratrol go beyond its status as an antioxidant. In addition to preventing premature signs of aging by relieving oxidative stress, this skincare ingredient can also help avoid photoaging by protecting against UV radiation.

In nature, resveratrol is known for protecting plants from ultraviolet rays. Now, dermatologists are learning that the polyphenol can do the same for human skin.

Resveratrol protects against UVA rays specifically, a type of sunlight that can penetrate the skin barrier and damage the cells within. This damage is called photoaging because it often results in sun damage-induced signs of aging, like sun spots (also called age spots) and wrinkles.

5. Supports Health Skin

The last way resveratrol benefits your skin is by promoting healthy skin from the inside out. It does this by supporting cell regeneration.

Even without damage, your skin cells naturally deteriorate and are replaced by fresh skin from underneath. This cycle of new skin cells relies on a biological process called cell regeneration where skin cells duplicate to create brand new cells.

Resveratrol helps your body generate new skin cells by supporting cell proliferation (aka cell duplication). In doing so, this skincare ingredient ensures your skin has a constant supply of fresh, healthy cells to carry out your skin function.

How To Add Resveratrol Benefits to Your Skincare Routine

There’s a reason why resveratrol is taking off in the skincare industry. The benefits speak for themselves! With so much to offer for your skin, it’s not a matter of if you should add resveratrol to your skincare routine but how.

Our Stem Cellular SuperGrape Youth Renew Serum with Hyaluronic Acid is made with the rare Sagrantino grape, a powerful fruit packed full of resveratrol. This product works to renew and refresh skin for a more youthful glow through intense hydration and powerful doses of antioxidants.

But don’t just take our word for it. In clinical studies, SuperGrape showed up to 144% higher antioxidant levels and up to 78% higher antioxidant phenolic value than the leading serum. With stronger antioxidants and more polyphenols like resveratrol, it’s no wonder 100% of participants experienced younger, happier-looking skin.

SuperGrape Youth Renew Serum is all juice, no junk. It’s made with the highest-quality skincare ingredients, including:

  • Sagrantino Grape: This super grape is grown at our own Juice Beauty vineyards as a part of our Farm To Beauty™ initiative. Sagrantino grapes have the highest antioxidant level, making them strong protectors against oxidative stress.
  • Pricky Pear: This potent fruit juice has intense skin-soothing properties, making it a powerful tool for improving skin tone and texture. The hydrating nature of prickly pear is the perfect complement to the antioxidant-rich Sagrantino grape.
  • Hyaluronic Acid: This alpha hydroxy acid is a powerhouse skincare acid known for its skin-plumping effects. This acid works by supporting your skin’s natural moisture barrier.

A Grape a Day Keeps the Skin Issues Away

Forget about the apples. If you’re looking to achieve the smooth and supple skin of your dreams, look to the power of SuperGrape.

Resveratrol is the secret ingredient you’ve been looking for to smooth, brighten, and support your skin. Its antioxidant properties give it the strength it needs to knock out free radicals and prevent damage to your skin.

Cool as a glass of grape juice, SuperGrape-powered skincare from Juice Beauty delivers a stunning complexion that looks as good as it feels.

Sources:

Why is Carbon the Key to Life (On Earth, Anyway) – Science Reactions Videos | American Chemical Society

Anatomy, Skin (Integument), Epidermis – StatPearls | National Library of Medicine

Free Radicals, Antioxidants in Disease and Health | National Library of Medicine

Oxidative Stress: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment | Cleveland Clinic

Resveratrol: A Double-Edged Sword in Health Benefits | National Library of Medicine

Anti-Inflammatory Action and Mechanisms of Resveratrol | National Library of Medicine

Inflammatory responses and inflammation-associated diseases in organs | National Library of Medicine

Free Radicals and Extrinsic Skin Aging | National Library of Medicine

Collagen: What It Is, Types, Function & Benefits | Cleveland Clinic

Efficacy of Vitamin C Supplementation on Collagen Synthesis and Oxidative Stress After Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Systematic Review | National Library of Medicine

Protection Against Ionizing Radiation-Induced Normal Tissue Damage by Resveratrol: A Systematic Review | National Library of Medicine

Resveratrol activates autophagy and protects from UVA-induced photoaging in human skin fibroblasts and the skin of male mice by regulating the AMPK pathway – Biogerontology | Springer Link

Photoaging (sun damage) | Yale Medicine

Article Resveratrol promotes skin wound healing by regulating the miR-212/CASP8 axis | Science Direct

Definition of cell proliferation | National Cancer Institute

Benefits of topical hyaluronic acid for skin quality and signs of skin aging: From literature review to clinical evidence | National Library of Medicine

Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches Review

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*Links marked with asterisks are affiliate links, these help Ree with running costs of the blog

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Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches Review

Eye patches are one of those skincare products I’ve tried in every possible iteration over the years – from quick-fix high street options to very expensive spa-grade treatments. It takes a lot for a pair to truly impress me. That said, the Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches have firmly earned their place in my routine.

I’ve been a long-time admirer of Marie Reynolds London as a brand. I genuinely trust Marie’s approach to skincare and, hand on heart, I’ve never tried a product from her that I didn’t love. These patches feel very on-brand: considered, effective and designed to support the skin rather than overwhelm it.

What Are Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches?

What are Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches?
What are Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches?

The Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches are biocellulose under-eye patches designed to deliver an intensive hydration boost to the delicate eye area. They are formulated to sit closely against the skin, allowing the ingredients to be delivered efficiently and comfortably.

Biocellulose is key here. It moulds beautifully to the contours under the eyes, ensuring even coverage and preventing slipping during wear.

Key Ingredients & Benefits

The formulation behind the Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches focuses on hydration, comfort and visible revitalisation.

Key benefits include:

  • Hyaluronic Acid to deeply hydrate and help plump dehydration lines
  • Icelandic Mossknown for its soothing and revitalising properties
  • Biocellulose Technology helps ingredients absorb effectively by adhering closely to the skin

Together, these ingredients work to leave the under-eye area looking smoother, fresher and more rested.

How to Use Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches

Using the Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches is simple and fuss-free:

  1. Apply to clean, dry skin under the eyes
  2. Smooth gently into place
  3. Leave on for 10–15 minutes
  4. Remove and lightly pat in any remaining serum

They work beautifully as a morning skin-prep step before makeup, or in the evening when your eyes need a little extra care.

My Experience & Results

My Review of Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches
My Review of Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches

What I appreciate most about the Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches is how consistently comfortable and effective they are. They feel instantly soothing on application, never irritating, and sit beautifully under the eyes without slipping.

One thing that really sets these apart is the amount of serum inside each sachet. There is genuinely so much product that it feels almost wasteful not to use it elsewhere. Once I’ve applied the patches, I always smooth the excess serum over my face, neck, décolleté and chest, where it absorbs effortlessly and leaves the skin feeling deeply hydrated and plumped. It’s a lovely added benefit and makes the treatment feel even more luxurious and generous.

As someone who has tested countless eye products over the years, I can say these feel thoughtfully formulated rather than trend-led. That’s something I’ve come to expect from Marie Reynolds London.

To check out Marie’s other products, read all my other reviews:

Before & After: Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches

before Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches
Before
After 15 minutes wear of Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches
After 15 minutes wear of Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches

Who Are Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches Best For?

The Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches are ideal if you:

  • struggle with dehydration around the eyes
  • want a smoothing, plumping effect without heaviness
  • enjoy a spa-like skincare moment at home

They’re suitable for all skin types, particularly those who prioritise hydration and comfort.

Final Thoughts

The Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches are a beautifully executed eye treatment that delivers exactly what they promise: hydration, comfort and a visibly refreshed under-eye area.

As with everything I’ve tried from Marie, these feel trustworthy, effective and thoughtfully made. I genuinely trust the brand, and I’ve yet to encounter a Marie Reynolds London product that hasn’t impressed me.

If you’re looking for under-eye patches that feel luxurious but purposeful and that genuinely support the skin, these are well worth adding to your skincare wardrobe.

Where to buy them

The Marie Reynolds London Eye-Drate Patches are available in a set of 5 for £25.20. Shop online via the link below:

Meet the Pets of Woohoo

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If you’ve ever stepped inside Woohoo HQ, you’ll know one thing instantly: we’re serial animal lovers.

Dogs, cats, rabbits, poodles, ponies, lizards, birds – if it barks, chirps, purrs, slithers, squeaks, meows, neighs or snuffles… we’re obsessed.

And while our pets contribute absolutely nothing to KPIs, they do contribute everything to our office morale and daily serotonin levels.

So to wrap up the year in the most whiolesame way possible, here’s a roundup of the furry, fluffy, floppy-eared friends keeping spirits high.

Angie the Greyhound

Angie

  • Paw Parent: Kerrie-Ann
  • Age: Almost 2 years old
  • Breed: Greyhound (Foster Girl looking for her forever home)
  • Title: ‘Toy Organiser’
  • I unwind by: being a total cuddle-bug
  • Pet peeve: The baby gate barrier
  • Favourite treat: All the treats
  • Top adventure spot: Any sniffari – especially if there’s water

Angie (aka the goodest girl!) is looking for her forever family. If you’re feeling the tug on your heartstrings, reach out and we’ll connect you with her foster humans. She’d love to meet you!

Ollie the Mini Lop

Ollie

  • Paw-parent: Cindy
  • Age: 4.5 years old
  • Breed: Mini lop
  • Title: Best bunny buddy, “B” for short
  • Pet peeve: Several, but being picked up – that deserves a foot thump!
  • Favourite treat: Bananas
  • I unwind by: Lots of therapeutic, affectionate pats altho nibbling on cardboard works too
  • Top adventure spot: When the side gate gets let open
Percy the Tabby

Percy

  • Paw-parent: Jess
  • Age: 9 (nearly 10)
  • Breed: Tabby
  • Title: Lord Chunky Butt/Clingy McClingerson
  • Pet peeve: An empty food bowl, getting my claws trimmed, Winnie getting all up in my grill
  • Favourite treat: Creamy cat sachets
  • I unwind by: Sleeping and making sure I am touching my mum in some way – preferably both at the same time
  • Top adventure spot: Wherever my mum is
Winnie the Kelpie x Border Collie

Winnie

  • Paw-parent: Jess
  • Age: 9 (nearly 10)
  • Breed: Kelpie x Border Collie
  • Title: Fetch Fiend
  • Pet peeve: When the ball stops being thrown, thunder, Percy not playing with me
  • Favourite treat: Anything passed to me under the table at dinner time
  • I unwind by: Jumping in manky creeks and ponds
  • Top adventure spot: Wherever there’s a ball to be thrown for me for hours on end
Kill the Bordoodle

So

  • Paw-parents: Aaron & Phoebe
  • Age: 13 weeks
  • Breed: Bordoodle
  • Title: Chief Turf Removal Officer
  • Pet peeve: When I’m refining the lawn and someone says “No!” (rude)
  • Favourite treat: Forget treats, gimme belly scratches!
  • I unwind by: Tree shade, a light breeze and a big mouthful of grass
  • Top adventure spot: Deep in the bamboo jungle
Peppa the Koolie x Cattle

Peppa

  • Paw-parent: Amanda
  • Age: 10
  • Breed: Koolie x Cattle
  • Title: Lady of Leisure
  • Pet peeve: Watching my family walk down the street to soccer and being left at home, even though I am a total pain if taken to soccer
  • Favourite treat: Any, really not fussy when it comes to treats
  • I unwind by: Pushing my way in the back door and making myself at home inside.
  • Top adventure spot: A trip to the farm
Rosie the Manx

Rosie

  • Paw-parent: Amanda
  • Age: 5
  • Breed: Manx
  • Title: Demander-in-Chief
  • Pet peeve: Not being fed as soon as I meow
  • Favourite treat: Fish
  • I unwind by: Curling up with my favourite humans and purring
  • Top adventure spot: Definitely not being taken camping at the farm, I prefer the garage at home.
Millie the Calico

Millie

  • Paw-parent: Jen
  • Age: 7.5
  • Breed: Calico, rescue
  • Title: Professional Cat Napper
  • Pet peeve: Not enough pats!
  • Favourite treat: Chicken crunchers at bedtime
  • I unwind by: Sleeping
  • Top adventure spot: On your lap
Dudley the Golden Retriever

Dudley

  • Paw-parent: Vicky
  • Age: 6
  • Breed: Golden Retriever
  • Title: Professional hoarder of hooman’s clothes
  • Pet peeve: Walking past the pub and not being allowed entry
  • Favourite treat: Anything edible on offer
  • I unwind by: Bathing in mud
  • Top adventure spot: Camping by the lake. My fellow campers love when I pop in for a snack!
Aoife the Standard Poodle

Aoife

  • Paw-parent: Alana
  • Age: 7
  • Breed: Standard Poodle
  • Title: Passenger Princess
  • Pet peeve: When Zeus expresses displeasure (thunder). I express displeasure in return (barking and growling).
  • Favourite treat: The special liver treats from the vet
  • I unwind by: Running. Also having my granddad sing to me
  • Top adventure spot: Wherever we land after a day on the road
Maizie the Lhasa Apso

Maizie

  • Paw-parent: Michelle
  • Age: 13
  • Breed: Lhasa Apso
  • Pet peeve: Being told no more snacks
  • Favourite treat: Any form of food
  • I unwind by: Having lots of nanna naps
  • Favourite adventure: Going for walks around the neighbourhood
Leo the Russian Blue

Leo

  • Paw-parent: Julie
  • Age: 1
  • Breed: Russian Blue
  • Title: Style Maester
  • Pet peeve: When the neighbour’s cat steals my food and plays with my toys
  • Favourite treat: Chicken wings
  • I unwind by: Sleeping and playing around with my neighbour’s pets (so long as they’re not stealing my things!)
  • Top adventure spot: Garden adventure
Rufus and Teddy

Rufus & Teddy

  • Paw-parent: Kristina
  • Age: 5 & 6
  • Breed: Toy Cavoodle & Toy Poodle
  • Title: Co-CEOs of Separation Anxiety
  • Pet peeve: When mum goes into the next room and we can’t watch her intensely at all times
  • Favourite treat: Salmon sashimi and porterhouse steak (must be the most expensive cut from the butcher – we can tell the difference)
  • I unwind by: Sleeping in mum’s arms, suntanning on the grass
  • Top adventure spot: The park to play endless rounds of fetch
Toffee the Greyhound

Toffee (and she’s as sweet as her name)

  • Paw-parent: Kerrie-Ann
  • Age: 4
  • Breed: Adopted Greyhound
  • Title: Professional Dog Bed Tester
  • Pet peeve: When the foster dogs forget – its HER toy!
  • Favourite treat: Chicken and banana
  • I unwind by: Greyhounds are masters of unwinding, any bed or rug or piece of floor near the favourite humans will do.
  • Top adventure spot: Every outing is the adventure but I enjoy when there is a body of water included during the sniffari.

We hope this brought a smile to your day 🙂 And if you’re looking to give Angie her forever home, she’d love to meet you! Until next year’s pet roundup… give your own fur babies an extra treat and cuddle from us ❤️

Amorepacific Launches Second Voluntary Retirement Programme Since Founding

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THE WHAT? Amorepacific Group has introduced a voluntary retirement programme, marking only the second time such a measure has been implemented since the company’s founding.

THE DETAILS Announced internally on 5 December, the programme is positioned as a response to shifting domestic and global business conditions. It follows a previous voluntary retirement initiative launched in December 2020.

Eligibility extends to employees with 15 years or more of service in support or offline sales functions, as well as career hires aged 45 and above. The programme applies across multiple group entities, including Amorepacific Holdings, Amorepacific, Innisfree, Etude, Amoreprofessional, Osulloc and Espoir.

Compensation varies by tenure. Employees with 20 years or more of service will receive up to 42 months of base salary, while those with 15–20 years of service, and eligible career hires, will receive two months of base salary per year of service. Additional post-retirement benefits include health check-ups for employees and their spouses for up to two years.

THE WHY? The move signals a broader effort by South Korea’s largest beauty group to recalibrate its cost structure and organisational efficiency as it adapts to slower growth, changing consumer behaviour and structural shifts across global beauty markets.

Source: Business Korea

How What You Already Own is Sabotaging Your Style — Inside Out Style

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Did you know that your brain may be the reason you’re not feeling or dressing as stylishly as you’d like?  I’m not kidding.  There is a high likelihood that your brain is sabotaging your style. There are a number of ways it can do this, but one of the most common ways is known as the Endowment Effect.

How What You Already Own is Sabotaging Your Style — Inside Out StyleWhat is The Endowment Effect?

It is the tendency to place a higher value on something simply because you own it. Once an item is hanging in your wardrobe, it becomes “yours” and takes on an inflated sense of importance, even if it is uncomfortable, outdated, unflattering, or never worn.

You said “Yes” to that garment once (when you acquired it” which means you feel like you have to keep saying yes, because your brain doesn’t want you to feel like you make bad decisions.

The question becomes: Are you keeping this garment because it genuinely serves you, or because you’ve owned it long enough that letting it go feels like a loss?

How it shows up in your wardrobe

Here are the most common patterns I see in clients, brilliant, high-achieving women who want to make intentional style choices yet feel weighed down by decision fatigue.

1. Overvaluing past purchases

When you’ve spent money on something, you’re far more likely to keep it, even when it’s wrong.  This is what economists call the “sunk cost fallacy”.  Thinking that because you’ve already spent time, energy and money acquiring something that it has a greater value.

This can sound like:

  • “It was expensive, so I should keep it,”  even if you’re never going to wear it

  • “I haven’t had my money’s worth yet.” Even if it’s out of style, it doesn’t make you feel or look great, or isn’t your personality.

Yet every time you see it, it quietly drains confidence, space and energy.

2. Keeping items from a former identity

Clothes linked to a past version of yourself often hold emotional weight. You may overvalue them because they represent who you once were or who you felt you should be.  Just because you’ve enjoyed wearing a garment in the past doesn’t mean you should keep it.  Ask yourself, “Can I imagine wearing this garment again, and would I be excited about wearing it?”  If the answer is no, let it go.

This can keep you from dressing for who you are now.

3. Holding onto “almost right” pieces

These are the garments that nearly work, but not quite: the 80 per cent fit, but it’s too hard or expensive to alter, the colour that’s a bit off, but you’re not prepared to dye it into a great colour, the neckline you’re always adjusting because it doesn’t sit quite right.
You might keep them because they feel familiar, but familiarity is not the same as value.

If you’re overlooking pieces in favour of others, because they’re not quite right, and if you’re not prepared to make the alteration to make it fabulous, let it go so someone else gets the value from that piece.

4. Rationalising with imagined future use

The mind says, “I might need this one day for a pirate-themed fancy dress party”.

How likely is this to happen in reality?

But that imagined moment rarely arrives. What it does do is block the present, adding clutter and clouding clarity.

Clutter creates decision fatigue, which adds further stress to your already busy mornings.

5. Emotional attachment masking as practicality

Sometimes you tell yourself you’re being sensible by keeping something, when what’s really happening is emotional attachment.

This includes gifts, sentimental purchases or pieces tied to big life moments.

The longest kept but least worn garments are gifts (see my post here about this).

Keep the love in which the gift was given, but give away the garment.  Your loved ones don’t want you to feel burdened by their gifts.

Why the Endowment Effect matters for style

A wardrobe full of overvalued items creates a constant sense of friction. Instead of supporting you, it becomes a museum of sunk costs, old identities and wishful thinking.

When a woman understands this, she can start asking more empowering questions:

  • Does this garment express the woman I am becoming?

  • Does it make getting dressed easier?

  • Does it increase my confidence and presence, or drain it?

Letting go becomes less about waste and more about alignment.

How to work with the Endowment Effect rather than against it

Here are a few powerful ways to shift the pattern.

1. Create a vision of your future style

When you’re clear on the woman you are becoming, anything that doesn’t fit that identity becomes easier to release.  If you’re really not sure of who you are now and what your style aesthetic is, I highly recommend you do my Visualise Your Style program – it will help you become clear about your future style vision and keep you on track.

2. Calculate the true cost of keeping

Ask yourself:
What is this piece costing me in space, clarity and dressing ease?

Often, that cost is far greater than the money you spent.

Remember that energy, space and time also have value.

3. Use the “neutral decision maker” technique

Imagine the garment does not belong to you.

  • Would you buy it again today at full price?
  • Would you buy it in its current state from a thrift store?

If the answer is no, that tells you what you need to know.

4. Replace guilt with learning

Every purchase teaches you something about your preferences, your colour palette, your silhouette and style preference and your lifestyle.

Instead of holding on, extract the lesson and let the item go.

5. Experiment with a temporary separation

A “maybe box” creates psychological safety. If you don’t miss the items after a set time, that tells you they don’t hold real value anymore.

The Deeper Shift

The Endowment Effect is not a wardrobe flaw. It is human nature. But when a woman starts to see it at play in her closet, she begins to see it in other areas of life too: work, relationships, self image.

And that awareness becomes liberating.

  • It creates space not just in the wardrobe, but in the mind.
  • It opens room for authentic expression.
  • It helps her step into the woman she is today, rather than clinging to the woman she once was.

What are you holding onto that you should be letting go of?

What Do You Do With an Unwanted Fashion Gift

How What You Already Own is Sabotaging Your Style with the Endowment Effect

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4 Essential Steps For Looking Your Best – Vegan Beauty Review | Vegan and Cruelty-Free Beauty, Fashion, Food, and Lifestyle : Vegan Beauty Review

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They say, correctly, that looks aren’t everything. While that might be correct, it’s also true that our appearance can have an impact on our experience of life — and if you don’t think that’s true, just speak to the large number of adults who don’t feel comfortable in their own skin.

Appearances may not be everything, but they’re also not nothing. Happily, your looks depend on more than winning the genetic lottery. Having a Hollywood-worthy natural appearance would be nice, but it’s not the only pathway towards looking your best. In this post, we’ll run through a few key steps that can, when all combined, have a hugely positive impact on how you look.

Pexels – CC0 License

Improve Your Sleep

They don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing. While this saying has been around for a long, long time, and thus is liable to be one of those things that sounds good but isn’t actually true, beauty sleep really is a thing. Getting a consistent good night’s sleep will help improve your skin, make your eyes shine, and also just give you the energy you need to do other appearance-boosting activities like going to the gym.

Find The Right Cosmetic Products

You don’t need us to tell you that there’s an ocean of cosmetic products out there. And while the sheer abundance of options can be a little overwhelming, it’s actually a good thing — with so many products to choose from, there will almost certainly be one that’s perfect for your needs. The process of finding the right cosmetic products for your hair and skin type can take a little time, but once you’ve found them, it’ll be like finding your soulmate. If you’re not sure where to begin your search, pay a visit to a beauty cosmetic store (a good one!) and ask for advice.

Enhance Your Smile

Your smile does more than impact your appearance. It also impacts your confidence, and there are fewer things more attractive than someone with bags of confidence! How you boost the appearance of your smile will depend on your starting point. It could involve investing in invisible aligners if your teeth aren’t as straight as you’d like them to be, or getting dental implants if you’re missing a tooth. Alternatively, if you’re generally happy with the positioning of your teeth but they’re not as white as they could be, then a teeth whitening service will do the trick.

Stand Tall

Finally, there’s good posture. Standing tall is an underrated way to boost your appearance, but it really does work — not only is it a show of confidence, but it can even help improve the quality of your skin. It’s also something that can have a long-term, positive impact on your overall health, too.

The difficult part? Good posture requires a conscious effort. Yoga practice, going to the gymand being mindful of how you sit when you’re working can all help to boost your posture (plus, yoga and the gym will also help your appearance in other ways, too).

About Sunny (Sunny’s Profile)

Longtime vegan, hardcore compassionate beauty junkie, serious cake aficionado, and lover of all things floofy and sparkly! If there’s something in particular you’d like me to review, drop me a line at Sunny@VeganBeautyReview.com.
You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram, TwitterYouTube, and Google +.

Filed in: Vegan Beauty
Tags: beauty sleep • invisible aligners • posture • self-care • well being

What Ob-Gyns Think About the First Libido-Boosting Pill Approved for Use After Menopause

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What Addyi probably won’t do is make you spontaneously crave sex. “It might be that if right now, eight out of 10 times, you decline your partner when they ask you to have sex, with Addyi, perhaps you’re declining them only three out of 10 times,” Dr. Rahman explains. And where Viagra can have an immediate effect, it takes time for Addyi to reach its maximum benefit, Christie Cobb, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn in Little Rock, Arkansas, tells SELF. With continued use, it can essentially make it easier for you to get aroused.

But of course, brain chemistry isn’t the only contributor to sexual desire, Dr. Rahman notes. Other biology can also play a role; for example, if you have a health issue that hinders circulation or causes pain, you may be uninterested in sex, and medications like antidepressants can also dial down libido. And then there are all the psychological and social components—for instance, being depressed or anxious, having a poor relationship with your partner, or even taking on the bulk of the household labor could slash your libido. So Addyi may be more effective for HSDD in some women versus others, depending on the factors that are feeding into low desire in the first place.

Like any medication that acts on the brain, Addyi also has some side effects. It can make you sleepy (which is why it’s recommended to take it at night) and may also lead to dizziness, nausea, and headaches. (For context, these are comparable side effects to many antidepressants.) You’re also at greater risk of low blood pressure and fainting if you mix Addyi and alcohol—but it’s worth noting, the original boxed warning, which called for total abstinence, was changed in 2019 to suggest simply waiting two hours after having one or two drinks to take your daily dose, or skipping it if you’ve had three or more. Addyi can also interact with a variety of other medications, Dr. Cobb points out, so it’s important to tell your doctor all the drugs you’re currently taking if you’re considering it.

Why is the approval of Addyi for women past menopause especially important?

Libido can “fall off a cliff” at menopause, even in perimenopause (the lead-up to menopause), because of a variety of factors, Dr. Rahman says. On the one hand, the above elements that influence libido often take a turn for the worse with age—you’re all the more likely to be on medications or dealing with health issues post-menopause. On the other hand, the menopause transition itself can cause libido to plummet due to both the shift in hormones, particularly the drop in testosterone, and the symptoms this change can spark.