026. Westman Atelier, The Conjuring Universe
All my thoughts on Westman Atelier and The Conjuring Universe ranked!
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.
Back in August, I received possibly my most exciting PR package to date, and it was from none other than Westman Atelier. In April, I did a series of Instagram posts reviewing the Vital Skin Foundation Stick (purchased by me). If you've seen it, you know I love it. It's made appearances here and there on Tender Forms since. Still, it's genuinely one of my favorite makeup items that I use weekly, if not daily.
Their social team contacted me, asking if I would be willing to receive three items in exchange for five photos. I, of course, responded with a resounding yes. I was in a pink state of mind at the time, assessing which colors were missing from my makeup collection, so I chose: the Super Loaded Tinted Highlight in Peau de Rosé, Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in Poppet, and the Blender Brush. To my great surprise, the team was so generous that they sent over two additional products. My heart burst with joy, and now, after a month (I'll get to why only a month soon) of testing, but really enjoying, I'm ready to share my thoughts.
You also know I'm currently on a no-buy, so since this PR package was so generous, I've been slowly allowing myself to incorporate and use each of the products. This way, I get to use something new every so often that it feels like I've been purchasing! Anyway, onto the items.
Super Loaded Tinted Highlight in Peau de Soleil ($75, .14oz | 4g)
This was the first item I used, and mainly because I had an inkling that the shade probably wasn't right for me. Boy, was I wrong. I am so blown away by this product. I don't normally go for anything gold, it usually comes off too yellow or too warm on my skin, but my goodness does this strike the perfect tone! I'm so thankful to the Westman Atelier team for sending this my way because I never would've picked it out for myself, and that truly would've been a shame. When used with the Blender Brush, this gives such a beautiful sun-kissed look to my skin. The shimmer isn't visible when applied this way and instead just makes my skin look like it's naturally glowy and flawless. I used it daily as a highlighting bronzer during the Summer and even early Autumn.
It's a really unique cream to powder formula. In the compact, it appears as if it's a pressed powder. Even on the initial touch, it feels like a dry, hardened cream. However, with a swirl of a brush or fingertip, it transforms into a true cream and a very velvety one at that. The beauty of this product is how buildable it is. A thin veil with the blender brush truly blends it into your skin that even paler complexions like me can use it. On deeper complexions, this would make for a stunning and very impactful highlighter. If it's even possible, I think I love it even more on the eyes. I'll take my finger, swirl it in the compact, and apply directly to the lids. It gives me the most beautiful, almost liquid-gold sheen. It blends easily that with a light layer, it comes off like a light dusting of bronzer, but built up can give an opulent gilded eye look.
And if the color payoff wasn't enough, this formula lasts. It's tough to find cream products in the clean beauty space that deliver both pigment and longevity. This has both in spades. And as someone sensitive to texture, this cream dries down into almost a powder, which I'm guessing helps with the longevity. This stays on my face during a ten-hour workday, no problem.
Now you may have noticed I've only mentioned the Peau de Soleil shade. That's because I've still got Peau de Rosé tucked away to start using in the winter months. You've got to keep a no-buy exciting after all.
Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in Minette ($50, .21oz | 6g)
This was also another additional item expertly picked out by the Westman Atelier team. I love coral-peach blushes, and had I not been on the hunt for a cool-toned pink blush at the time, I would've chosen Minette. Regardless, it was kismet. I've fallen deeply in love with this color.
These blushes appear to be small, but there's actually a good amount of product. It currently offers the most product out of all my blushes. I also love that it's in stick form. If I had my way, all makeup would be in stick form. There's just nothing else that provides the same amount of application ease, and it's no different with these Baby Cheeks.
In a similar cream to powder formula, the Baby Cheeks are ever so slightly creamier. They apply with ease, whether straight from the stick or swirled with your finger. They also offer a similar dry down to the Tinted Highlight but remain again creamier depending on how much you've applied. I'm happy to report the longevity lasts just as long as the Tinted Highlight too!
These Baby Cheeks are also beautiful on the eyes or lips. If you've seen my recent Instagram full-face of Westman Atelier, you know it also delivers the perfect Bardot lip. I was afraid it would come off too light or milky, but it's perfection and so comfortable to wear! I love that it isn't high gloss or too shiny and delivers more of a satin-matte finish on the lips. Minette is also the only Baby Cheeks that has shimmer in it. I don't find it too noticeable on the lips or eyes, but you can spot it on the cheeks, especially if you have more texture there. I don't tend to go for shimmery blushes, but I love this color so much that I ignore the shimmer and am happy to do so. However, if you have a deeper skin tone and don't like shimmer, you might want to stay away from this one. The tone of the shimmer almost blends in with my skin, but it will be much more noticeable on deeper skin tones.
Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in Poppet ($50, .21oz | 6g)
There is nothing I love more than a cool-toned pink blush, and I am over the moon with Poppet. Again, the stick provides such ease in application. While the shade can seem intimidating, it blends and sheers out seamlessly. As with both Peau de Soleil and Minette, Poppet is also buildable. You can have the slightest of flush or the brightest if you've layered it up. I imagine this would be stunning on deeper skin tones. The website also says it's great for olive skin tones! I'm on the paler end but lean a bit olive, and I can attest to this; it's a lovely choice of blush color.
Poppet is pigmented, so a gentle application provides a wintery whisper of pink. I usually do a swipe on the hand, lightly coat the blender brush's bristles, stipple it on, and blend. A heavier layer (or layers) delivers almost a fuschia-berry tone. I love this one built-up on the eyes for a bright pink look or sheered out for a fluttery flush of pink. On my lips, it comes across like a popsicle stain, and I love it. This color never fails to brighten my overall complexion, giving my skin a delicate bloom of color.
Blender Brush ($125, ~5.5" in length)
I love tools, especially makeup brushes. I probably own too many, but I don't even care because I love each and every one. When the team reached out, the first item I knew I wanted to ask for was their Blender Brush. When I saw this, I immediately lusted after it. I love face brushes because I honestly dislike putting on makeup with my fingers. This one looked like a beautiful face brush and one that I didn't currently own in my collection.
It's a flat top kabuki style brush. All of their brushes are handmade in Kumano, Japan, the craftsman brush-making capital of the world. They're cruelty-free and made from "super soft nylon fibers." I own several natural hair brushes, and I've yet to come across a nylon version that feels just as soft…until now. Wow, is this brush soft. I couldn't believe it when I unboxed it.
Some brushes, even if the hairs are soft, don't always feel that way on the skin. This one does: incredibly smooth, without any scratchy or itchy feeling. This is also a looser brush making it optimal for blending and gliding. I say gliding because it's the perfect shape and looseness that it hugs the contours of your face. If I had their Face Trace Contour Stick, I'd use it with this brush too.
True to its name, it blends everything swiftly, seamlessly, and with no effort: the Vital Skin foundation, Tinted Highlight, and Baby Cheeks. It works as nicely with cream items from other brands also. It works equally beautifully with a tinted oil foundation. I've even tried using it with my Ilia pressed powder bronzer, and it even works for that!
I've washed it several times already, and aside from the normal one or two loose hairs in the beginning, it hasn't shed and retains its shape very well. I also love the size of this brush. It's around 5.5 inches in length, which makes it a relatively short face brush. I have small hands and prefer all of my brushes to be on the shorter end. I love it so much I wish I had a backup, and of course, now I have my eye on all of their other brushes.
However, I have to address the elephant in the room, and that is its price.
The Blender Brush alone retails for $125. That's correct. There are three digits there. The most expensive face brush I own is a natural hair Wayne Goss one that's $48. Even though I adore the Blender Brush, I could never get myself to purchase it. Not unless it was on sale or preferably super sale. I'm one to appreciate craftsmanship and handmade objects, and indeed, this brush is elegant and expertly crafted. But again, I can not of sound mind get on board with the price. I could maybe justify paying $80–90 for it, but not $125.
As for their makeup items, the amount you get in each product is also a factor. Compared with other luxury clean beauty brands, Westman Atelier products offer a high net weight and not always for the highest price. Some comparisons below:
I included the Kjaer Weis refills because I also want to talk about their current packaging.
Yes, Westman Atelier is a luxury brand, so part of the price tag is for the name. The other part is for its packaging, and my goodness is it stunning. Everything is beautifully weighted and balanced in design. It never feels like it will topple over on its own. The Vital Skin, Tinted Highlights, and Baby Cheeks all come with smooth, magnetic closures, as well as cloth or vegan leather pouches.
I appreciate almost all aspects of the packaging: material, feel, design, mechanism, detailing. The only part I disagree with is the fact that it isn't refillable. Lucky for you and me, they're currently working on refillable packaging. They've said the first items to convert to the new packaging will be the compacts. I'm unsure if that includes all compacts such as both the Tinted Highlights and Lip Suede, or if it's one or the other. I'm also curious when they'll be able to switch over their stick formulas to refillable packaging as well. As of now, there's no concrete timeline for rolling out new sustainable packaging.
Right now, there isn't an easy way to recycle these items. The website addresses that their secondary packaging (the boxes and cartons the products come in) is recyclable. But there's no information on the material makeup of the sticks or compacts packaging. For now, I'll recycle them through Terracycle.
Here's the thing. Even though I know the price can seem outrageous, I love these products' performance so much that I think they are absolutely worth it. They really tick all the boxes for me, especially texture and longevity. They're also my most used makeup items. They're the ones I trust the most. I know that because of their ease of use and longevity, I can throw it on, know it will look great and last. I won't need to check on it throughout the day or do extra skincare prep to make sure everything goes on smoothly. It will no matter what.
All the products are pigmented, so a little goes a long way. Plus, I have the luxury of the lengthy 18-month shelf-life to make sure I get through all of it. Or at least most of it! As objects, they're beautiful no matter where they're sitting or lying. Since I don't buy a lot of makeup and tend to purchase items in areas where I'm lacking, I can afford a little luxury in my life. And I wouldn't want to spend it anywhere else in the makeup realm.
As for the next few items I want to invest in, I have my eye on their Face Trace Contour Stick. Though I don't contour ever, I really enjoy the neutral tone and ease of a stick application. It would be perfect for those no-makeup makeup days. I've also always had my eye on the Lip Suede, but I want to wait until it has refillable packaging or when their more neutral, everyday colorway comes out!
I've left out any images in this portion for those sensitive to horror films. But honestly, it's for my benefit because any frame from any of these films freaks me out, and everything terrifying floods back into mind immediately. Plus, I've been having some genuinely atrocious nightmares revisiting these and writing October's Horror Month newsletters!
When I think of my favorite horror films, 2013's 'The Conjuring' always pops into mind. What sticks with me the most are the characters and the supernatural world that James Wan has created. The Conjuring Universe, as it is referred to, is expansive, to say the least. And all the characters are so compelling to me that it's quickly become my favorite horror universe.
Today, I'll be ranking The Conjuring Universe for your viewing pleasure! Yes, it's great to watch all of them so you can catch all the little deviled eggs (the horror version of easter eggs), but if you want to spare yourself from watching the not-so-great ones, this is for you. (Ranked from best to worst.)
The Conjuring (2013)
The one that started it all. This is a brilliant film, even outside its horror genre. It's impeccably shot, extremely watchable no matter which genre you gravitate towards, and the story is penetrating and excellently told. And while the premise is not new, the overall execution is. James Wan indeed created such a layered and detailed piece. It feels both traditional and modern, old in the tale, new in the style and camerawork. I also adore how true-to-the-times it was. This feels like something you dug up in the archives: dusty, scratched up, and yellowing on the edges. It's terrifying, in the best of ways, and all of the actors are superb, even dear Sadie (RIP). Also features one of my favorite title-on-end sequences of late; it combines the graphic look and score perfectly; I wish I had worked on it.
The Conjuring 2 (2016)
There are some truly deliciously malicious scenes in this film. I especially loved the treatment of the tethering between old man Bill Wilkins and Janet, and of course, the introduction of The Nun character. I don't think there's ever been a spirit more menacing and horrifying to me than her.
Annabelle: Creation (2017)
To be honest, this isn't the best Annabelle in my book. However, there's a scene from this one that has latched onto me like an evil feeding spirit, and I just can't shake it. We watched this back when it was released, so it's been three years now, and it still haunts me. While not all the malignant spirits are as compelling, we also learn a bit more about The Nun in this film, and really, those are the best parts. This is the origin story of Annabelle.
Annabelle (2014)
Now, this is the best Annabelle movie. Similar to 'The Conjuring,' it captures a moment in time so perfectly. A descriptor that comes to mind is "stylish." The color palette of this film is exquisite. Of course, it's reminiscent of 'Rosemary's Baby,' but I think still very original in its own right. Annabelle Wallis is the lead, and she does such a phenomenal job. Director John R. Leonetti creates such a perfectly contained film. It makes sense why this 'Annabelle' is so visually stunning because he was the cinematographer for both 'The Conjuring' and another personal favorite, 'Insidious Chapter 2.' And if you read last week's newsletter, you know he managed to shoot one of the best/new/original jump scares in recent memory in that one.
The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
Pleasantly surprised by this film. We definitely went in with our expectations practically at 0% because we spotted some ratings here and there, and it was dire. But surprisingly, this was an entertaining viewing! I can remember two excellent shots, and I enjoyed the cast—lesser-known to many perhaps, but widely acclaimed in our household, aka Raymond Cruz.
Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
The latest installation of the Annabelle series, this was actually better than we thought it would be. It's well-paced, with enough going on to keep your attention. However, when I think back on it, I can't remember much of anything, which is always a sign that the movie wasn't good.
The Nun (2018)
I had impossibly high expectations for this film. I tried to cut it down notch by notch with each terrible review reading but was still left incredibly disappointed in the end. I love the character of the Nun, but this film did such a disservice to her. I also love Taissa Farmiga and think it sweet that they kept it in the Farmiga family with casting, but this was just a terrible film to no fault of hers. Don't watch it.
Coming Soon
There are currently three more films in the works. 'The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It' was initially slated to release this year, but it's since been pushed back to next year's Summer. The Crooked Man, a character from 'The Conjuring 2,' has its own film in development, and there's a second untitled The Nun film. I'm most excited about 'The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,' because of all the franchises within the universe, it remains my favorite. However, I was excited to learn more details about the sophomore The Nun film. The screenwriter is Akela Cooper, who wrote 'Malignant,' a recent James Wan film that I am very eager to watch. It stars Annabelle Wallis, who was the lead in 'Annabelle,' and I read a bit of press with her, and now the film has got me very curious. It sounds like an exciting project, making me hopeful that the second Nun film will be eons better than the first. Akela Cooper has also worked on 'American Horror Story' previously. Hence, she's no stranger to horror. Having already worked with James Wan on 'Malignant' (set to release in December), there's at least an established relationship and, hopefully, an understanding one. I'm keeping my expectations low for 'The Crooked Man.' We don't learn much about him in 'The Conjuring 2,' except for his children's rhyme. Being a spirit that scares children, I'm afraid it will turn into something similar to 'The Babadook,' which I enjoyed but didn't love.
Today's was a long one, so I'll keep this part short. Thanks for reading, as always! For those who are enjoying Horror Month, can you believe there's only one left after today? And for those who aren't, it will all be over soon, haha!
I hope you have a great start to your week! See you next Sunday.
Good morning, Maggie!! Thank you for this luxurious read 🥰 I am so impressed and elated that Peau de Soleil is a flattering color for you!! Those warmer, bronzy tones can be so difficult, so i love hearing how effortless this one is! I'm also so happy you finally have Poppet in your collection--I can imagine how beautiful that cool pink looks on you 🥰 I didn't realize the shelf life was so long!! I feel like that helps with the price a bit. Also, I'm really happy to hear about the craftsmanship of the brush--it's been hard to find reviews with such detail and relation to natural hair, so your review on this was super helpful! ❤️
One of my favorite aspects of Westman Atelier's make-up is the longevity of their products!!! 18 months is truly amazing especially for someone who just wears a touch of make-up daily. I'm struggling to use up my Manasi7 All-Over-Color that is good only for 6 months (I'm past the due date but I still use it because it still looks, smells, and feels good.....). The 18 months alone make the price worth-while as I'm sure it could take me 18 months to finish it up. I love how much you love Super Loaded Tinter Highlight in Peau de Soleil! It looks like such a beautiful shade and I can imagine it being stunning on the eyelids. I'm not sure if you used to own Kosas Tropic Equinox but in a hindsight, the color reminds me of that - I could be wrong, just someone trying to imagine it. The texture also sounds like a dream - would you say the cream to powder texture feels similar to touch and finish to Ritual De File Creme Pigment?
Baby cheeks look so irresistible. I'm so happy you got your Poppet!!! A poppy pink is so cheerful! I cannot wait until they make their packaging refillable. Their current packaging are hefty and beautiful. Curious, what tinted oil are you currently using?
Yes to the Conjuring Universe. Before the Conjuring got released, I was dying for a "western" cinema to make a good ghost horror movie as good as say, my favorite are the ones coming from Japan and Thailand (i.e: Shutter and Ladda Land :( ) I was pleased when the first Conjuring cae along - I watched it in the cinema and the whole audience literally gasped, screamed and giggled because of its intensity and anticipation of scare hahaha it was a memorable one.