Pale Products and More

So, the YSL Touche Eclat White Ultra Brightening Pen. Is it a concealer is it a highlighter? What do we do with this pen? I actually use it for both! This works in both ways on me because I am so pale, of course this would not be suitable for a concealer on someone with a slightly darker complexion than me.

So I recently watched Sam Ravndahl's video on deluttering her makeup and was inspired to do the same. I find myself only reaching for a handful of products on the regular, and notice I have a lot that just sit in my drawer, so I figured it was about time to get rid of them. Be aware, there's a lot, lol. I also have reviews on several of these so you can search for them if you care, they won't be linked.

Let's start with the face products I'm getting rid of. For some reason I couldn't bring myself to declutter any foundations, even tho I literally only wear the Nudestix Tinted Blur Stick or Cover FX Power Play. Maybe next time.

I used to really like the Wet N Wild cushion highlighter, but I just have so many other cream highlighters that give the effect I want. This one is too metallic for my tastes now.

Recently when I picked up the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal, I also got the shade Dim. As I mentioned in the Haul post, I got this shade because I saw someone saying they were fair and used it as a bronzer. I've been having a lot of trouble finding a decent powder bronzer lately so I figured I would give it a go.

It retails for $46 for .35 oz; to compare the Nars Bronzing Powder is $40 for .28 oz., and the Too Faced Chocolate Soliel Bronzer is $30 for .28 oz. As this is technically a finishing powder, it is said to diffuse and soften the look of skin, as well as recreate flattering light.

The shade Dim Light is a neutral peach beige, and I think that description is fitting. It swatches a bit peachier than it looks on the skin, fortunately. It has a slight sheen that's really beautiful.


It applies very easy and takes very little work to blend out. It doesn't appear patchy or anything. Its very easy to build up, but also hard to overdo.

only Dim Light applied

full face done

Overall I really do like this product to use as a bronzer! Its not too warm toned or orangey, lasts very well, and applies even better. I haven't been reaching for powder products that often now that its getting extremely hot out, but when I do I always use this!

So after I stopped using the Diva Cup (review and explanation as to why I stopped, here), I wanted to try another menstrual cup. I did a lot of research and landed on the Lena cup due to two deciding factors: its very soft as far as menstrual cups go, and they offer a sensitive version. These factors were especially important to me because of the difficulty I had near the end of my usage of the Diva cup due to its firmness.

I got mine off of Amazon for $24.90. I believe the site had some sort of coupon, but it was still cheaper when it came to shipping to buy off of Amazon. I placed the order January 31st and it arrived February 2nd, as its part of primer 2 day shipping. It comes with a cotton pouch for storing like the Diva cup.

It comes in small, large, and sensitive (either small or large). Unlike most other cups, the cup size is not based on birthing history or age, but instead flow and sensitivity. I chose sensitive due to my issues with the Diva Cup, and I definitely think that was the right choice.

Since this cup is significantly softer than the Diva, there is again the learning curve of how to fold for insertion. But since I had some familiarity with cups, it wasn't hard or anything. I found that with this cup inserted, I could not feel it at all. I didn't find that it pushed on my bladder, or that it caused me to have to pee any more than usual. I am 100% happy with the fit of this cup.

As far as use, I found that at first I had no leaking. I'm on the same birth control I have been, but my period has become significantly lighter to almost none existent. I started using this when I was still having 3 day light periods and I experienced no leaking. Then I used it when I was having 1 or 2 day light periods and experienced slight leaking. The last month I used it I had a slight 1 day period and found that wearing the cup with such a light flow was uncomfortable, which is to be expected- these aren't meant to be worn when you barely have any flow. I've found that the last few months I do not need to wear the cup. I have been trying different period panties- reviews to come!

Overall when I had more of a regular "birth control period", I really enjoyed this cup. It was everything I wanted in a menstrual cup; not noticeable, didn't cause any pain or discomfort, easy to insert and remove. If my periods do come back more than they have been, I will definitely be using this cup again.

As soon as I saw Stila was releasing new shades of this highlighter I was all over it. I own this product in Transcendence and Kitten (reviews here and here) and they are one of my favorite highlighter formula (looking back on the Kitten review, I applied it wayyy too heavy and its too dark for my skintone. I only apply it very sheerly now). I have actually always lamented the fact that they don't have a white shade, and lo and behold here we are!

It retails for $32 for .35 oz; to compare, Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors go for $38 for .28, and the new Nars Highlighting Powders are $38 for .49 oz. This product is a bouncy to the touch highlighter with gossamer-light to give an ultra fine, barely there, natural glow.



The shade Opulence is described as a "white pearl- sheer fresh opulence". I agree it swatches semi sheer. I'm a sucker for white highlighters, as we all know, so I love the shade. I included the finger picture to show have glowy and reflective this is, as I didn't feel the arm swatch did it justice.

I applied this with my elf blush brush, as I do all my highlighters. It blends effortlessly and basically does the work for you. It can be subtle or built to be more intense. Wears well 8+ hours with no fading, and does not emphasize texture or pores.



It gives my skin suchhhhhh a healthy glow and I just love it. Overall 10/10 for sure, so glad Stila answered my prayers and made a white version of this. I can tell this is going to be a go to for sure.

When Fenty Beauty frist launched I was (obviously ) interested in the foundation (you can read my review of that here), but the rest of the launch kind of bored me. I initially wasn't even drawn to the lip gloss, but I was sold on it literally only after seeing Samatha Ravndahl wear and rave about it.

The Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminzer (was that necessary) retails for $18 for .30 oz or 9 mL of product; comparing to the Tom Ford Lip Gloss which is $28 for .16 oz or 5 mL, and the Too Faced Peach Oil Lip Gloss which is &19 for .14 or 4 mL, it seems like Fenty is really giving us a lot of product for not a crazy price! Props to Rihanna for that.

It claims to have "explosive shine" and be the "perfect rose nude", while plumping lips to make them look "fuller and smoother". I would definitely have to agree on all accounts- it makes my lips looks really nice and full, has a high shine finish. I'm not in love with the shade as it pulls relatively peachy on me, but I do like it.


It feels soo smooth and nice on the lips and fades extremely evenly, as well as leaving lips feeling moisturized. I was initially worried about the shimmer, but when applied you can't even see it. I do like this a lot I just wish the shade was slightly less peachy and more true rose. It doesn't even photograph as peachy as it actually looks when applied to my lips.


Overall I do really like this, but its not something I reach for every day. I'll definitely use it up, but won't repurchase.