021. Empties and Robert Pattinson
Another round of empties, and yes, that Robert Pattinson
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.
In no particular order:
pAra botanica Nenekti Purifying Mask*(gifted, 1.7oz | 50ml*)
Both my skin and I love clay masks. There's just something about it that my skin craves. And I'm happy to report that this is my favorite clay mask. When I spoke with Christy about the ingredient similarities between Nenekti and H is for Love's Propolis, she explained that Nenekti's clay content is at a much higher percentage than Propolis. This may sound scary for us sensitive, dry-skinned gals, but as with all things, it's all about the formulation! And this one is unrivaled. Purifying is the perfect descriptor for this mask because that's precisely what it does. It feels like it draws out impurities due to a slight cooling sensation on the face, despite using hot water to activate it. I'm acne-prone and love to use this as a spot treatment. It reduces redness and the size of the blemish immediately. When it comes to using it as a full-face mask, I mix it with pAra's Soma (review coming up next). This combo is my favorite mask. Period.
Yes, you read that correctly! My favorite mask is pAra botanica's Nenekti mixed with Soma. When I use this combo, it feels like this mask was custom made for me. It brightens and evens my complexion so well that I have no redness after using this mask, and this result lasts for days after using it. It unclogs congested skin because afterward, my skin feels like it can breathe without being dried out. It gives my skin the perfect amount of glow, not too much, but visible enough. And any inflammation or itchiness is gone. My skin is plump with nourishment and looks even better the next day. I don't know how it does all of this, but to call it magic is an understatement.
You know I'm currently on a no-buy. Still, I can tell you this: pAra botanica is presently only one of two sales I'm allowing myself to shop come holiday sale season. It's only been a few weeks of living without pAra, and I can't take it for long.
*This smaller size is no longer available because now it comes in a new doubled size ($48, 3.4oz | 100ml)! The smaller size lasted me 6 months, which means this new one would last a year! Nenekti lovers rejoice.
pAra botanica Soma Repair Mask* (gifted, $56, 1.7oz | 50ml)
I cannot stress how amazing this mask smells. It's warm, sweet, and spicy, like autumn in a jar. The texture is also magnificent, like a thick golden, amber-hued honey. This mask is incredibly moisturizing. I've tried it on its own once but mixed it with pAra's Nenekti for the remainder of the jar. The two intertwined together are just out of this world, and it's my preferred way to use this mask. This jar lasted me just shy of 6 months. Again, I would absolutely repurchase this.
pAra botanica Chaya Beauty Balm* (gifted, $50, 1oz | 30ml)
You're probably tired of me going on and on about this balm by now, so I'll keep it short and sweet. This is my favorite facial balm. If your skin is also sensitive, easily dehydrated, acne-prone, and reactive, this is for you. This jar lasted me just over 6 months, but I'll admit I've indulged myself by using this as a cleansing balm many a time. I also included this in my "Best of Cleansers" back in Newsletter 005. So I'm estimating if I used this only as a facial balm, it would easily last upwards of 8 months. One thing to note is that the Period After Opening for this is technically 6 months. But I store this in a cool, dark drawer away from sunlight and heat. And I always use a clean spatula with no double-dipping, and am careful of no water splashes or drips nearby! Oh, and you bet I'll be picking up another jar come that sale time.
LINNÉ Activate Exfoliating Body Wash* (Christmas gift from a friend, $58, 8floz | 240ml)
I don't splurge much when it comes to body products, but the LINNÉ body wash is one I'll always make an exception for. This elevates any shower experience. The scent is everything I love: woodsy, earthy, invigorating. It's also the only body scrub I've used that doesn't leave my skin tingling or raw. The scrub itself is so fine and gentle while remaining effective. The blend of oils is also so enriching. If I've used this during my shower, I don't need to follow up with a body oil because this usually does the trick (except for deep wintertime). Plus, this entire bottle lasted me 7 full months. SEVEN! So, in the end, coming in at roughly $8.28 per month, it's not a luxury splurge, but one I can't afford to miss.
Wildcare SunRoot Solar Serum* (gifted by Bergamot Beauty, $68, 1floz | 30ml)
You know my love for all things Wildcare, and it's no different when it comes to the SunRoot Solar Serum. This is such a lovely, enriching, and healing facial oil. First and foremost, I hope Cortney (founder, creator) makes this into a solid perfume because I would be the first in line. Second, if you're a skincare minimalist, this facial oil is for you. The blend of oils here is spectacular. While they seem simple on the surface, it's the quality of these ingredients that take it to the next level. It's just so nourishing and renewing. This is the perfect daytime oil, nighttime oil, anytime oil. This and a hydrosol is all a skincare minimalist needs. I don't tend to have carrier oils lying around, so this was also my favorite go-to for when I wanted something fuss-free, offered a healing and moisturizing quality, and without actives. It was also my favorite to mix in for custom emulsions, cleansers, and masks. Plus, this even makes an excellent body oil. I mixed this with Monastery's Aloe (review down below), and it was my perfect body lotion. And do you know the tag going around about your skincare collection if you weren't a YouTuber? This would be my facial oil of choice if I did that tag. *This was also reviewed back in Newsletter 003 if you want to read more!
Monastery Aloe Hyaluronic Moisture Boost (purchased as part of April Boxwalla Beauty Box, retails $79, 2.03floz | 60ml)
I reviewed Aloe in-depth back in Newsletter 011, so I will also keep this one short. It wasn't a match for the face in the current climate I'm in, so I used it to create my perfect body lotion instead. My favorite aspect of this serum was, by far, the scent. I wish this too, were a perfume. I also wished that I had mixed it with the Rose Cleansing Oil while I still had some to create a Monastery cream cleanser. I suspect I'll repurchase a bottle next year (after my no-buy) to do that! I miss this scent not being a part of my every day too much.
* Don't be fooled by this seemingly un-empty bottle. I love the design of this so much that I'm currently using it to house my DIY body lotion.
Newaukum Wild Deep Forest Dew Hydrosol* (gifted, $17, 4floz)
Nothing woke me up more this summer than this beautiful hydrosol. I actually started this bottle back in January when Alison (founder, creator) first kindly sent it my way. However, when used consecutively day after day, it was too astringent for my dry winter skin. As suspected, I prefer using this hydrosol during the summertime. As the name suggests, this scent is like taking an early hike in the forest to watch the sunrise. It's so refreshing and awakening. I also love this mister! It casts such a fine mist and covers plenty of surface area. I'd estimate this 4 oz bottle lasted me 4 months used daily. I can't believe this hydrosol is only $17 because its quality is incredible—cleansing, toning and slightly firming. If you're an avid spritzer and looking for an affordable option, you can't go wrong with this one!
I know this statement may feel like it's coming out of left-field, but I promise it's not. I am a big fan of Robert Pattinson. There. I said it, you read it, let it be known.
Yes, he's that guy who played the boy Diggory, fated to die in the crossfires between Harry Potter and Voldemort. The vampire who glimmers in the sunlight like diamonds in the Twilight series. But did you know he's also the young billionaire riding crosstown in a stretch limo, an almost unrecognizable British explorer, a bank robber, one of two survivors amidst a damned mission to outer space, and a lighthouse keeper?
To say Pattinson's acting career is an interesting one would be an understatement. And one can't deny his humble trajectory from just being okay to one of the greatest actors of our time. And I say humble because he's mostly stayed out of the spotlight, choosing to focus on his work and craft, and it shows.
After his teen fame years in Harry Potter and The Twilight Series, he first reappeared on my radar in David Cronenberg's 2012 'Cosmopolis.' I remember being so taken aback that this was the same actor in those previous series. Yes, some of it was still awkward and a little cheesy, but there was a big difference in stride. His performance was memorable enough that when I next learned of his role in David Michôd's 2014 'The Rover,' I immediately added it to the list. Upon viewing, it was clear he'd reached a turning point. Now I knew 2012 wasn't a fluke, and he'd made a conscious decision to work towards something.
Then came 2016's 'The Lost City of Z.' I mentioned this film briefly back in Newsletter 010, as it shares the same director with 'Ad Astra,' James Gray. In 'The Lost City of Z,' Pattinson is almost unrecognizable beneath his facial hair, wardrobe, and accessories. And the method in which he chose to play his character: quiet, gentle in the background, yet impossible to miss, was another sign that he was growing his craft at the speed of a runaway train. But what sealed the deal came next: 2017's 'Good Time.'
I thought he was unrecognizable in 'The Lost City of Z.' Still, I didn't know what he was capable of until 'Good Time,' a crime thriller directed by then brother newcomers Josh and Benny Safdie. He is so captivating in this frenetic and electric film that you can't peel your eyes away even if you tried. If Pattinson wasn't already back on everyone's radar, this film cemented it.
Then, he came out with four back-to-back films that are simply unbelievable. All four are completely different genres, and he's spectacular in all of them. I can't even wrap my brain around his shooting schedule and if he ever took any time off.
The first is a quirky off-comedy by the title of 'Damsel' in 2018. In this film, he is so hilarious that if I didn't know him, I would've mistaken him for a comedy actor. The second was Claire Denis' 'High Life' of the same year. An operatic sci-fi horror where he plays a father struggling to take care and survive alone in outer space with his daughter. For some reason, I've always had a tough time imagining him as a caretaker, even though he plays an emotionally packed one in 'Good Time.' He's so believable in this one, and the tenderness he emotes was something new and exciting in his acting vocabulary.
The third is Robert Eggers' 'The Lighthouse,' released in 2019. This is by far my favorite film of Pattinson's thus far. Seeing him in this role made me feel like all the work he put into his previous projects was so this performance could exist. The fourth is 'The King' of the same year. He plays a minor role in this one, but it's both hilarious and uncomfortable watching him, which is perfect for his character!
Now, I'm sure you're aware of his latest role in Christopher Nolan's 'Tenet,' which was released just over a week ago. I've yet to watch it, but I have high hopes. The same goes for the just-released (in select theaters) 'The Devil All the Time,' which premieres this coming Wednesday on Netflix. But what I'm looking forward to most is 'The Batman.'
Yes. Pattinson will play the famed dark knight of Gotham come 2021 (fingers crossed as production is currently halted since our star has COVID). The teaser trailer premiered during DC FanDome (DC's version of ComicCon in COVID times). I must admit, I was very nervous to watch the trailer. What if it's terrible? Well, I'm happy to report, it's not, and it looks promising!
However, it's important to note that this could all drastically change. I would honestly categorize this more as a concept trailer. Again, production is shut down for now, and who knows what could happen before the final edit. But also, I don't care because I'm just so excited and can't wait to watch it.
Well, I think you've had enough of me trying to prove to you that Pattinson is genuinely an extraordinary actor despite his earlier roles. I would recommend all the films I mentioned above.* Not only do they showcase Pattinson's growth as an actor, but they're beautifully honest, raw films in their own right. Another honorable mention is Cronenberg's 2014 'Map to the Stars,' which is an excellent film! Pattinson plays a supporting role, which is why I didn't mention it above. Alright, now I'm done. *Most are available on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and for rent on iTunes.
September 11, 2001
I wanted to dedicate a portion of today's newsletter to remember 9/11. Friday marked the 19th anniversary, which seems impossible to me because it feels like yesterday.
I remember that day so vividly. I was in Middle School, a 40-minute drive away, sitting in Science class, and the PA system came on calling a student down to the office. Nothing abnormal about that. Except minutes later, another student was called, followed by several more. All students were then told to report back to homeroom, and our principal announced the devastating news. School was dismissed soon after that. I can't remember anything between homeroom and when I was back home sitting in front of the tv watching the news with my parents. Can't remember leaving school, whether it was Dad or Mom who picked me up or the drive back home.
But I remember all the news footage: the terror, the sadness, the anger and grief that followed. Here's to all who lost their lives that day and to all who answered, whether first responders or fellow citizens. Know you are remembered and loved. And a call to those of us still here to remember the days we came together as a country. When we put humanity and love first.
Thank you so much for reading. Remember, you can always reply directly to this email or leave a comment to chat.
Also, I've officially reached month 1 of my no-buy! It's been tough…how many more months left until the end of the year? Anyway, I hope you have a great start to your week, and I'll see you next Sunday!
I'm still craving for the coolness when you gifted me a sample of Para Botanica's Chaya Balm. I have never had any itchiness going down as fast as when I used that balm. I love learning about your beauty empties, all the products sound so lush. I hope I will get to pick up a full-size Para Botanica one day! I'm slowly coming back to being a clay-mask user as a way for a deeper cleanse, acne fighter, and just a reason to lay down with clay on my face for 15-30 minutes! I'm currently using Yuli's Pure Mask which I'm hoping will last me about 6-8 months.
I quite feel the same way about Robert Pattinson. Sometimes, I think about how interesting his portfolio is because he's played so many different characters - I just cannot predict in what movie he will star in next.
really makes me want to try para. thanks for another lovely newletter 💕