013. New In, Not Reading, The Time of King
Hi! I'm Maggie and welcome to Tender Forms Off-Camera: a weekly newsletter about slow beauty and slow living. If you enjoy this newsletter and would like to support Tender Forms, please help keep this running with a tip! No pressure but thank you if you do.
I received a highly anticipated package of mine last week: the Sundaze C-Shells SPF30 Mineral Sunscreen. I found the brand sometime a month or two ago when I was searching for a new SPF to try (when am I not?). This one immediately sent a tingle of excitement up my spine from the following:
WOC owned
$30, 2oz | 57g
Great brand design
Recyclable packaging: (after asking the brand) outer box is made of paper and recyclable. The tube is made of LDPE (#4 plastic) and ALSO recyclable! Just cut open the tube and give it a little rinse before recycling to help ensure it goes through the process. Be sure to double-check what's permitted in your city's recycling! Here in Portland, my curbside recycling does accept this type of plastic; however, it doesn't accept anything smaller than 6oz. So I'll recycle it through Ilia's recycling program (mentioned a few newsletters back). You can also recycle it through Terracycle or at a local Whole Foods. (Clearly, I have much to say on recycling, haha!)
Non-nano Zinc Oxide (18.9%)
Broad Spectrum
Contains Vitamin C (Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, stable)
Reef-safe, vegan, no animal testing
Great ingredients (not the absolute cleanest but I'm comfortable with the list)
"Lightweight, serum-like fluid texture"
Minimal white cast
No greasiness
Safe for all skin types including sensitive skin
Formulated without parabens, synthetic fragrances, silicones, phthalates, sulfates, formaldehydes, PEGs
As you can see, it's an impressive list, but not a unique one. Many sunscreen brands have boasted these same claims and fail to meet them. My first impression of this is: it's 90% true of these accounts! I've been wearing it for the past week and will continue testing it until I reach a full month before giving more thoughts. But honestly, I'm genuinely enjoying the experience thus far.
This was my first day's impression: I was shocked (in a good way) by the texture. A soft, creamy whipped mousse! (But I wouldn't describe it as "serum-like fluid.”) I used approximately a NyQuil pill-sized amount (if you know the pill, you know it's quite large, haha). But I was even more shocked by how easy it was to spread and apply! It didn't take much effort to get an even layer with a minimal amount of white cast.* While it felt cooling on the skin, it also felt…heavy.
My heart dropped when I realized this. There's nothing worse than heavy sunscreen, however! That heaviness lifted as the product set down to my great surprise! Strange but exciting. As the day went on, my face was the most comfortable it's ever been with a sunscreen.
On the face, it sits somewhere between my two favorite sunscreens: the Heart of Gold Outer Sanctum Day Serum and the MyChelle Sun Shield Liquid SPF 50. The HG is very moisturizing but tends to feel slick as the day goes on, and the MyChelle is matte but ends up being drying. This had the moisturizing comfiness of the HG with the non-sticky feel of MyChelle! Had I found my perfect sunscreen?!
Well, the first few days weren't without its hiccups (minor breakouts on the forehead, cheek, and jawline). Still, they were small, already a whitehead, and every time I switch a sunscreen, I break out. So nothing new there. A week later and my skin has become used to the formula, without any breakouts. And there have been two excellent developments since then:
This sunscreen somehow acts as an incredible primer! I noticed my makeup lasts so well with this underneath. It's jaw-droppingly good
I think…this has helped brighten my skin! I haven't used any new skincare, but I've been noticing my skin looking pretty good in the mornings! I guess the "powerful antioxidants" in the formula are no joke
More thoughts to come after I hit the one month mark, but I can't help but love it so far.
*A note on the white cast: this is an untinted sunscreen, so as with most zinc-oxide formulas, it depends on how much you put on. If I'm doing my daily indoor office, not much direct sunlight (especially on overcast days), NyQuil sized amount, I get minimal white cast. For reference: I wear fair–light foundations, and my face is darker than my body, so usually, I'm trying to lighten to match. On me, I can see a slight evening and lightening of skin tone.
When I use a full 1/4 tsp on my face alone, there is an unmistakable and quite substantial white cast! Of course, there’s debate on how much to use, and depending on the size of your face… But, if you're a medium and up skin tone and a stickler for using enough SPF, this most likely will not work unless you'll also be applying base products (foundation, concealer, bronzer, etc.). My guess is it will severely lighten the skin tone and turn ashy. The brand has three videos of women with different skin tones applying it on their site (scroll down). There's no white cast on the deepest model, but I noticed she used a small amount (unlikely to be near a 1/4 tsp), so that could be why. Comment if you're a deeper skin tone and this works for you!
I've finally become a Book of the Month* BFF member! This means I've already gone through 12 boxes in my membership, and this month’s came with a fancy tote with a book pocket perfect for these hardcover beauties. (Plus, free books on my birthday and end of every year. YAY!) Here are the latest two that just came in:
The Shadows by Alex North: North is a repeat author on Book of the Month. I enjoyed his last novel, 'The Whisper Man,' and expect a similar feel for this new one: a thrilling and easy read. Makings of a great summer book.
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo: this book has been on my list for almost a year now, and I was so happy to spot it on Book of the Month. Though every month they have a selection of 5 books, there's also a backlog of books to choose from previous boxes.
Not a part of Book of the Month and not even a book, but the Storytellers Issue of CRWNMAG finally arrived! Please note that this is not the same size or length publication for those who've purchased previous issues. I would call this one more a zine! Excited to dive in nonetheless (you know I love me some Issa Rae).
*Discount: if you're interested in joining, you can get your first box for $9.99 with my referral link! Happy reading if you choose to join!
Last year, I set a reading goal that I never imagined I could accomplish 5 years ago. It was a measly 12 books, but I was still incredibly proud of achieving it. Since moving out to the Pacific Northwest, I've tried to make as much time for reading as I can. And this year, I set another unimaginable goal of 24 books (yes, I thought, why not double it), and well, let's just say that it doesn't seem likely now.
I want to blame it on 2020, but honestly, that wouldn't be fair. Despite all the negativity, stress, and heartbreak, what's hindered me most is chemistry. By that, I mean reading chemistry.
Reading chemistry is one of my fiercest foes. No matter how great the synopsis, criticism, or accolade of the book is, if I don't gel with the writing style, I won't finish it. I may try several times, but ultimately, I'll never know how that story ends.
Nowadays, you can use so many apps and websites to track your reading and reading challenge progress. So it can feel a bit defeating to start a book, only to shelve it away or admit to the app (and anyone following) that you haven't and couldn't finish it. But we shouldn't feel ashamed of this! Just like our taste buds have preferences, reading is no different. Sometimes things just aren't the right fit.
Here are five books that I just didn't get along with. I've finished four, with one where I haven't gotten past 40 pages. In an effort to find these a better home (and make room for new ones), I'm giving them away for free! All you have to do is the following:
Be a subscriber of this newsletter
Leave a comment with which four (4) you would like (sorry, USPS flat rate box-sizing woes) or reply directly to this email (if you're shy) with your four choices
Live in the U.S. (sorry, paying for shipping myself)
Note on condition of books: all are LIKE NEW with book jackets! No folding or writing on pages. Can give a spritz and wipe down with alcohol if you'd like (though this may cause smudging or bleeding of ink)!
I will announce the winner in this newsletter's comments tomorrow, Monday at 3pm ET/noon PT. If you know someone who might want to enter, please share this newsletter!
Two weeks ago, I convinced Husband to watch 'Doctor Sleep' (2019). It was finally on HBO Max, so he didn't mind since we weren't paying to buy or rent it on iTunes. He's read many Stephen King novels and been left disappointed one too many times after a movie adaptation (except 'The Shining'). On the other hand, I haven't read any (I'm scared, don't laugh). So I didn't know the story aside from the little tidbits I gathered from watching other King film and television adaptations and the movie trailer.
All I knew was:
Mike Flanagan was directing (this alone was reason enough for me)
Cinematography looked excellent
I enjoyed ‘The Shining’ (1980) so I would probably enjoy what looked like a sequel
After watching, I can confirm this: it's finally the time of King.
From how Husband describes King's vast collection of works, it seems film technology has finally caught up. Today's era of cinematography and VFX finally have the tools to accurately and stylistically convey the dense worlds found in his books.
In case it wasn't clear, I loved 'Doctor Sleep.' Everything from blocking to pacing, SFX to VFX, performance to the final cut. I was continuously stunned by the meticulousness of the camera work. Much of this can be attributed to Flanagan's singular vision, as he was director, screenwriter, and editor. But as mentioned before, today's filmmaking process is what really brought it life. That's not to say there aren't incredible movies of the past. King's worlds simply require a more significant technical feat than what was available in the bulk of the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. *Of course, this is just my opinion and what I gravitate towards visually in filmic storytelling.
Back in 2017, the spectacular 'It' adaptation blew everyone away. While 2019's 'It Chapter Two' wasn't as high in achievement, it still holds its merits. A month later, 'In the Tall Grass' premieres on Netflix. Though it sits more in the B Horror movie category (more camp, less drama), it was surprisingly entertaining to watch. Another tremendous collaborative effort behind set and sound design, editing, etc. Plus, the cinematographer (Craig Wrobleski) was already in an honorable camp of his own, having shot FX's Fargo and Legion and the upcoming sophomore season of The Umbrella Academy. And this is just in film. 2018's Castle Rock on Hulu premiered to much praise as well (personally, I'm not a huge fan).
A lot of this has to do with today's caliber of acting too. What was considered great acting back in the day isn't the case anymore. And with remakes like 'It,' the evolution in filmmaking and the art of acting is apparent and very much appreciated for horror fans new and old. I've dug a bit further and am now excited about upcoming adaptations too. Leave a comment of your favorite (or least favorite) work from King: book, movie, or otherwise!
As always, thanks so much for reading! Hope you have a great start to your week, and I'll meet you back here tomorrow to announce the new owner of this stack of books!
Thanks for hosting this giveaway! I would love to read The Holdout, Lost and Wanted, The Last Flight, and Lock Every Door.