012. Empties, Currently Watching

Hi! I'm Maggie and welcome to Tender Forms Off-Camera: a weekly newsletter about slow beauty (skincare, makeup) and slow living (food, film + tv, music, home).

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pAra botanica Immortal Facial Serum* (gifted, $72, 1floz | 30ml)

The last time I got to use this, I thanked it. This bottle has been so good to me! I was strangely emotional after finishing it, like when a close friend moves out of town. This is hands down, my favorite emulsion serum I have used to date. It is so multi-functional, beautiful on its own or with others, and strikes perfect harmony with my skin. It soothes, hydrates, plumps, evens, and heals. It's tough for a serum to live up to so many claims, but this goes above and beyond! There will absolutely be a repurchase once I finish some other serums. Forever grateful to Rebecca of Uncommon Yarrow, for introducing me to this spectacular brand and Christy, the founder, creator, healer extraordinaire.

*My YouTube video dedicated to the brand and almost all of its offerings if you're interested in a more in-depth look!

Wildcare Special Edition Hydrosol Camellia + Rose* (gifted, 1.7oz) 

I was so excited when Cortney (founder, creator) said she would be offering seasonal, limited edition hydrosols! Her first special edition was indeed just that. Soothing and anti-bacterial, the Camellia + Rose worked as both an excellent toner and hydrosol. I would spritz it onto a reusable cotton round and gently wipe the face as a morning cleanse. In the evenings, and throughout the day, there was plenty of generous spritzing! While I loved this one, the following still holds the top place in my heart.

Wildcare Rosemary + Bay Hydrosol ($19, 1.7oz)

If you've been a long-time follower or subscriber, you know this is my all-time favorite hydrosol. Cortney has a way with her distillations. Though both ingredients have a savory quality, there's a sweetness to this. It's so soothing for my combo, sensitive skin. I purchased this one as part of the Hydrosol Trio ($50) to finally try the two others in the permanent collection. Updates on those to come!

Laurel Almond Rose Exfoliant* (gift from friend, trial size)

I finished this trial a while ago and got three or four uses. Of three Laurel masks I've tried, this one remains my favorite. The texture is somewhere between the Gentle and Antioxidant Mask. It's so refreshing and, above all, hydrating (I used it for hydration versus exfoliation). I'm still up in the air whether I would purchase a full-size ($60, 1.69oz | 50ml). It's not the most affordable, and while I certainly enjoyed it, I prefer other hydrating masks. But I never say never, so if I do repurchase, you'll be the first to know! *And for those wondering, the Gentle Mask made no difference on my skin. The Almond Rose Exfoliant instead had the result of what I expected from the Gentle Mask. 

Laurel Antioxidant Mask* (gift from friend, trial size)

I was pleasantly surprised by this mask! After trying the Gentle and Almond Rose ones, I expected a similar loose-tea leaf structure only to find a finer, powder, and clay-like one. And as for results, the word that comes to mind first is fortifying. It feels like it rebuilds and firms instantly. And as described on their site, this imparted a glow right after the first use! My skin was overall brighter, firmer, and more hydrated. Again, though I enjoyed it, I'm not sure I would invest in a full-size ($68, 1.69oz | 50ml). There are other clay masks I prefer, and other antioxidant serums I would choose over this one.

Zizia Botanicals Face Serum* (gifted, sample size)

I may have finished this sample, but I'm already on my second sample (Abbe, founder, creator, kindly snuck in a few). I will be purchasing the full-size whenever I finish and need a new facial oil. This face serum is divine. It is so silky and lightweight yet intensely moisturizing. My sensitive, acne-prone skin loves this formula. I'm trying to make every sample last, which is why I only use it in the evenings when I feel my skin can properly soak up all of its stunning nutrients. Eight ingredients in total, including Gotu Kola, Apricot Seed, Jojoba and Rosehip oils, and Calendula flowers! The scent is relatively light and leans herbal and root-like. A little goes a long way, and it's also great for facial gua sha. As a big fan of facial oil/serums, this one is truly magnificent. Plus, it's essential-oil free and vegan! *The link has my 20% off discount in case you're interested!

Zizia Botanicals 5 Flowers Face Mist* (gifted, sample size)

I was so surprised and thankful when I saw this sample with my order too! This was the next item from the Zizia skincare line that I wanted to try. The scent is so delicate that you may miss it altogether if you're not looking for it. But if you happen to catch it, it's like catching a firefly's glow at night. Surprising, calming, and magical: very floral and slightly sweet. Using this with the Face Serum is a skincare minimalist's dream. This is especially so if you have sensitive, reactive skin due to its incredible blend of roses, lavender, yarrow, and calendula. Just be warned that the price is not for the faint of heart. But if you have a birthday coming up…

Zizia Botanicals Cactus Hibiscus Hydrating Powder ($39.99, 4.38oz | 136.92)

In one of my earlier newsletters, I wrote about this fantastic hydrating powder. This is our first empty jar, and we're already halfway through our second. There will be many repurchases in the future since I can't see life without it! If you suffer from feeling dehydrated no matter how much water you drink, this one is for you (and me)!

Mater Soap Geranium Bar* (gift from friend, $14, 5oz | 142g)

I wrote about this recently a couple of newsletters ago, and you can read full thoughts there. This Geranium bar was too fragrant, but I would definitely purchase another type of bar! I have my eyes on the Mugwort and Basil ones next!

Moss Skincare Halo Photoprotective Soothing Essence Powder in Light* (gift from friend, hefty trial size)

This one belongs in both skincare and makeup, but I thought I’d place it here since I used it as a foundation.

My friend, Trish (@greenbeautytrish), was so kind as to give me a small jar of this! This was back last year when I was on the hunt for my perfect powder SPF to mix in with facial oils. This had a very promising start! The tint is ideal and offered more coverage than I had expected, so I wore this as my foundation. My skin tone is neutral and leans olive, so most often, tinted sunscreens appear too yellow or orange on me. This one was the perfect match! It also blended in so smoothly with any facial oil I mixed it with, and on the skin. It wore beautifully throughout the day, and I didn't get any breakouts or irritation from it. However, I wasn't using enough for SPF30, and once I upped the amount, this irritated my skin so much. There was slight stinging throughout the day, and when I removed it in the evening, my face was so red and the area around my eyes pretty raw. I can only assume the Vitamin C became too potent once I used the amount for SPF30, so I went back to using a lesser amount. So I went back to using a lesser amount. It's been several months since I finished this, so I'm interested in trying it again ($36, travel size | 6g)! And mainly because I've added a few more skincare items that I think might play very nicely with this. I will keep you updated!

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Queen Sugar (Hulu)

A big thanks to Shobha and Olivia for recommending this series!

I was so excited to learn about this show now because there are four seasons waiting for me! Well, three since I just blew through Season 1. Is this the best show on tv? No. But if you're looking for more signature Ava DuVernay blocking and juicy juicy (so nice I wrote it twice) drama, this one's for you. And for those wondering: the series' beautiful cinematography is thanks to Antonio Calvache and Kira Kelly.

The Titan Games: Season 2 (Hulu)

If you've been needing some exercise motivation, there's nothing like watching Season 2 to make you realize how far you have to go, haha! In all seriousness, this is my favorite fitness competition: inspiring, merit-based, good sportsmanship, and we could all use more of Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson in our lives. Season 2 works a bit differently than Season 1. This time around, competitors not only have to beat each other in grueling tests but also DJ's team of Titans.

Perry Mason (HBO, HBO Max)

Initially, I didn't expect much from this show off the promos alone. However, it's proven my doubts wrong time and time again. Three episodes in, and this show unravels in ooze-like layers: sensual, foreboding, terrorizing. It delivers an onslaught of pitch-perfect performances by some of the best actors today: Matthew Rhys (The Americans), Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), Chris Chalk (Whey They See Us), Gayle Rankin (GLOW), and John Lithgow to name just a few. Actor Chris Chalk (plays Paul Drake) describes the series best:

Perry Mason is about people who want to see justice in the face of ultimate corruption. It's about the journey to tell the absolute truth.

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Thank you for reading! Let me know what you've been watching lately in the comments. And a reminder that you can always reply directly to this email too! Hope you had a great weekend and see you next week!