019. Brow Balm, Sundaze Update, World's Toughest Race
New DIY and update in slow beauty, plus the most inspiring reality show currently on TV.
Hi! I'm Maggie and welcome to Tender Forms Off-Camera: a weekly newsletter about slow beauty and slow living. If you enjoy and would like to support this newsletter, click the button below! No pressure but thank you if you do.
On Tuesday, over on Instagram, I posted a new IGTV of my DIY Brow Balm (or click photo below to watch). While the video is pretty thorough, there were just a few things I wanted to touch on here, and I hope it's helpful!
I think there are two options when it comes to making your brow balm:
A tinted nourishing, growth encouraging brow balm
A tinted brow balm that provides some nourishment and hold
Because I'm not one to use brow gels or do soap brows, I don't look for a brow product that provides hold. But that's also because my brow hairs are thin and lightweight on their own, and I don't mind if they falter a bit throughout the day.
If you're going for a tinted nourishing brow balm, look for ingredients like olive oil, shea butter, and castor oil. But if you're looking for a brow balm that will provide a bit of hold, you can search for ingredients like beeswax, or lip balms that feel waxier to the touch. Adding more setting powder and creating a drier balm could also help keep the brow hairs in place.
And just because I used a lip balm doesn't mean you can't make this with a face balm! I personally haven't tried it yet, but I can't see why not. Plus, face balms have especially nourishing formulas, so then it's just about getting the texture right!
The goal of this brow balm is to use what you currently have in your stash. And at the end of the day, you're making a brow balm. It's not meant to give a good amount of hold, so while it could lift your brows in the morning, it doesn't mean it will stay that way throughout the day. But what's great is that the brow balm is also essentially a brow pomade. So you've made your own with a tint that will actually match your brows!
Since this is a DIY item, there's no set use by date. But here are a few steps you can take to ensure a longer-lasting brow balm:
Remove the top layer of your lip balm either by swiping onto a paper towel or using a spatula. This way, you'll be using fresh lip balm in your mixture with fewer or no remnants of bacteria.
Wash your brushes and spoolies weekly.
Give your brushes and spoolies and spray and wipe down with alcohol between uses.
Make small amounts of brow balm. This is by far the best way to ensure the cleanliness of your product. The smaller batch you make, the faster you work through it, and the fresher the overall product is!
Please tag me, send me a DM or reply to this email if you make your own. I’d love to see it!
It's official, I'm calling it. Sundaze C-Shells is my new favorite SPF.
It's been roughly a month and a half since I started using this (I shared my early impressions back in Newsletter 013). Since then, I've been using it in mainly two ways:
On its own, anywhere from 1/5 to 1/4 teaspoon all over the face and neck.
Mixed with the Heart of Gold Outer Sanctum Day Serum (not technically rated as an SPF, but has a tint, makes your skin look radiant, and 20% zinc oxide).
And if I owned bronzing drops or liquid foundations, I probably would have tried mixing those in too, and I most likely would have found that they blend beautifully as well. I was a bit worried that it wouldn't blend well with others since it has a wonderfully light, delicate, and mousse-like texture. To my surprise, it mixes excellently with Heart of Gold Outer Sanctum, which is oil-based (Sundaze is a mixture of water and oil).
I am so in love with this sunscreen that I don't know where to start. Okay, I actually do know where to start. It's the point that made the most impact on me when I was in the early stages of testing it: longevity.
First, since sunscreen can be so personal to everyone, I want to backtrack to the reasons why I went with Sundaze C-Shells.
I don't wear foundation 99% of the time. I'll use concealer for under the eyes and to spot conceal, but usually, my base starts and ends with a tinted SPF. But what I've found through testing countless tinted SPFs is that:
It's tough to find one where the tint truly matches.
Even tougher to find one that doesn't separate or wear off during the day.
I decided to get the Sundaze C-Shells since I'd yet to find a tinted SPF that matched, and within the price range I wanted, so I figured I would go for an untinted option. Plus, zinc oxide is already brightening and can have an evening effect, and since my face is darker than my body, it could work out just fine. And lo and behold, it did.
I also work quickly through sunscreens with the amount I use and being diligent about using it daily. More and more, I'm looking towards the more affordable end of the spectrum, and Sundaze is perfect, delivering 2oz for only $30. This is especially great since most come in 1oz sizes, so I would have to repurchase less often (though I suppose I could buy in bulk).
Now let's jump back to the attribute that sealed the deal for me: longevity. This sunscreen stays on impeccably. It acts as my moisturizer, primer, and SPF. I don't know how they managed to do it. When I was testing it early on, I felt it was too moisturizing to use along with my morning skincare. Since then, I've just been splashing my face with water, swiping toner with a cotton round, and then going in with Sundaze. This leaves my skin happily nourished, and somehow creates the perfect canvas for makeup, and lasts throughout the day. How do I know this? Because at the end of the day, my skin looks as flawless and even as the beginning. And I've noticed all of my makeup lasts longer. They break up less, retain their vibrancy, and while this is a very moisturizing SPF, it doesn't make me oily either.
The fact that it truly is so many products in one really won me over. And of course its price, cute and recyclable packaging, and the ability to support a POC, woman-owned business.
Of course, that's not to say this sunscreen is perfect. Because I have to address the white cast. Yes, there is one if you use the recommended 1/4 teaspoon for your face and neck. I also reached out to the brand to check the recommended amount, and it is 1/4 teaspoon. They did, however, suggest applying the full amount in layers! Start with one layer, let it sink in, and then build your second layer on top. Somehow, this does actually mitigate the white cast a bit, but unfortunately, it doesn't get rid of it altogether. But this doesn't deter me from repurchasing (which I will once I'm close to finishing this current tube) because I love this sunscreen so much.
Note how my face is darker and more golden than the rest of my body on the left, bare-faced photo. After applying 1/4 teaspoon of Sundaze, my face matches my body—paler and pinker. You can see some of the difference near the top of my hairline.
If you're using less than 1/4 teaspoon, indeed, this has minimal to no white cast. But even when I'm using the full amount, I can easily correct this with the lightest dusting of my bronzer (Ilia NightLite Bronzing Powder in Drawn In) all over. Or, better yet, I can mix in the tail end of my Heart of Gold Outer Sanctum Day Serum, and create my perfect match tinted SPF. *If you combine this with a liquid foundation or bronzer, make sure to compensate with extra SPF to ensure you're getting the full SPF30.
And did you know this SPF includes Vitamin C in the form of Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (which is a personal favorite and really the only one that agrees with my skin)? So not only do the rest of the moisturizing ingredients help my skin stay happy throughout the day, Vitamin C is working its magic to brighten and repair. I am so glad I took the plunge to try this SPF because it's been so rewarding to use every day. *While this is my new favorite, it doesn't mean there aren't other sunscreens I love or are on my list to try. But more on that soon.
Husband and I are big fans of Bear Grylls. He's a British adventurer and has multiple tv series about navigating and surviving the wild in all sorts of climates. We've enjoyed his most notable 'Man vs. Wild' series tremendously.
Last week on Amazon Prime Video, we noticed he was hosting an adventure racing competition called the Eco-Challenge. The series is titled 'World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji.'
We blasted through this series and would have finished it even sooner if I didn't limit us to max 3 episodes per evening. This series was a whirlwind of emotion in the best way. The title is accurate, it surely is the world's toughest race. The hardship, sacrifice, and willpower of these teams are incredible. And I loved hearing the intimate stories of teams and their members. The title of this section is a quote from one of my personal favorite racers at a pivotal moment for their team.
I highly recommend this series not only for entertainment but for the views, the tales, and the inspiration. To look within, to challenge, and to better ourselves. And to learn to depend on others because believe it or not, your people will always be there for you.
When you're done, head over to this article to read about two of the true heroes behind this show: the camera(wo)men.
Thanks so much for reading! Remember, you can always reply directly to this email or leave a comment to chat. I'd love to hear what your current favorite SPF is or if you’ve decided to sign up for the next Eco-Challenge 2021!
Also, I was wandering around YouTube and was suggested this. It was fun, however many minutes it was, and now the song is stuck in my head. Maybe you'll enjoy it too! Especially if you're a fan of 'Pitch Perfect.' *Yes, I've watched all three, but only the first one is good. It goes downhill and fast from there.
As always, I hope you have a great start to your week. See you next Sunday!
