032. Giving Thanks
Reflections of all I’m thankful for and films that remind me to be.
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.
As I sit here on the eve of Thanksgiving, I already know there’s much to be thankful for. So it only seems fitting to devote today’s newsletter to all matters of giving thanks.
2020 has been challenging and weird, to say the least. Still, I think, above all, it’s been a year of growth. I’ve never felt a change, movement, whatever you want to call it when I’m standing still or in a comfortable spot. When I’m pushed to the edge, down in the dumps, that’s when I breakthrough and thrive. I’ve always found that it’s brightest after the darkness.
But in the daily grind, just trying to survive, like when I’m deep in work and feel there’s no time to rest, it can be easy to glance over moments of joy and miss the things to be thankful for altogether. And that really is a pity because there’s so much to be grateful for.
I’m blessed first and foremost by Husband. My partner, my rock, my best friend, the devil’s advocate I occasionally need, and my biggest supporter even when I trip and fall. It’s tough to find unconditional love in a not always kind, topsy-turvy world, but somehow we found each other. And together we found Muto! In case you don’t know, Muto is our cat and another family member we’re always thankful for.
I am always thankful that my loved ones are healthy and safe. They remain pillars of love and support, ears to listen and shoulders to lean on, and are there even if we haven’t spoken in ages. These are the people I trust, the backs I’ve got no matter what, and doorways to opening up my sometimes all too small little bubble.
Something I take for granted almost daily is my own health. I’m lucky to be the healthiest I’ve ever been, even if I had a self-induced scare earlier this week. When I’m overworked, my body lets me know, and it broke in a few ways, haha! But message received, and I shall do my best to rest this long weekend.
And I am ever thankful for my home. Which can’t be mentioned or appreciated without its history. To all that have lived here before us and to those whose land this belongs to. It’s a privilege we don’t take lightly to live here. The Pacific Northwest has become a very special home cultivated by generations of tribes, including but by no means limited to Chinook, Chehalis, and Coast Salish. (This map is an excellent resource if you’re looking to research a bit more or ways to contribute and donate! Click the lower right “Labels” to see state names and lines.) I also recently came across this beautiful Thanksgiving Address* by the Haudenosaunee. (I can’t take credit for this one, and I’m sorry I can’t remember where I saw this from!) It’s a truly stunning piece and well worth the read and meditation.
Work is something I’m always grateful for. Not only for the financial aspect but that I’m allowed to do what I love and be paid to do it. This entails both my job as a freelance Creative Director and Designer and Tender Forms. Which brings me to…
You. Yes, you. You, my short or long-time supporter. You who never fail to like an Instagram post, give a thumbs up to a YouTube video, or leave comments on both. You who write beautiful email responses to these newsletters that brighten my world, expand my heart, and put a smile on my face.
This year, I’ve been incredibly grateful to those of you who have clicked that button at the top of the newsletter and supported Tender Forms directly. I can’t express enough what a surprise it is each and every time one of you donate! You’re a moment of light for me in the dark times when I wonder about Tender Forms: if it means enough, does enough, is enough.
And your support has not gone to waste because…
I finally made enough to purchase an item to review! A huge thank you and hug if you’re one of the few who donated. You made this happen! I know I haven’t explicitly said it, but all donations I get go back directly into Tender Forms. As you know, I went on a skincare and makeup no-buy a couple of months back. Technically, this one doesn’t break it because I purchased it to replace an empty category: sunscreen!
Ah yes, one of my favorite and never-ending categories of purchase. In last week’s newsletter, I talked about continually looking for the one when it comes to sunscreen. Today’s is another that comes pretty darn close.
Saie Slip Tint ($32, 40ml | 1.35floz)
There’s been some confusion around the name since packaging has read as both Slip Cover and Slip Tint. I’ve checked with the brand, and they’re moving forward with Slip Tint! If you get one that says Slip Cover, like mine, not to worry, it’s the same formula.
I must admit, before Slip Tint, the rest of the line didn’t draw me in much. However, the moment this was released, I desperately wanted to get my hands on it. Especially after all the glowing reviews and photos I had heard and seen from Carson, BB, and Kait! Yes, there were some points to watch out for, as with all things, but the resounding words that pumped through my brain were “BUY IT.”
And I’m so glad I did. I’ve been using this for a solid two weeks now, and it’s been a pleasure to use. I immediately noticed that this didn’t make my face itchy or break me out. It takes a few days for my skin to acclimate to any sunscreen, but not with this one! From the moment I put it on, my skin was comfortable and happy.
I purchased Shade Two labeled “light fair.” I used their “Find Your Shade” website tool, and it matched me to that one. With two pumps, this is a pretty darn close match. I remember hearing from someone that all of their shades are neutral to work for both warm and cool skin tones. The whole philosophy of it really is that it’s taken out the guessing game when it comes to shade matching. However, I’ve found that’s not quite the case.
Day to day, when I’m indoors, out of sunlight, and just at my desk, I use two pumps as my sunscreen, and it’s fantastic. It’s surprisingly moisturizing and definitely glowy by my standards. Though from what I hear, it’s less glowy than the Ilia tinted SPF; another reason I wanted to get this Saie one. It does dry down ever so slightly, but you’ll have to powder if you get oily throughout the day.
I simply love the finish. It feels so lightweight on the skin, the lightest any physical SPF has ever felt (aside from the Purito Comfy Water that caused some slight dermatitis on my skin). And I cannot stress enough how amazing it is that my skin didn’t need time to acclimate. It just clicked. It also gives surprisingly good coverage. It evens out my skin tone and makes my skin look rather flawless, which I love. And that’s with just two pumps! But a word of caution to those with drier, more textured skin; it will catch onto dry patches. It’s not overly noticeable, but if you’re looking for it, it’s there. There were a few days when my skin wasn’t at its best, and it was definitely noticeable towards the end of the day.
Of course, I also had to try using it as my sole sunscreen outdoors. Because this is Broad Spectrum SPF 35, it takes a little over 4 pumps to get a 1/4 teaspoon’s worth. And when applied, whoa, that’s a lot of coverage. It makes sense that it’s almost like a full-coverage foundation because I already got great coverage with just two pumps. However, at over 4 pumps, while you’ll be getting the full SPF 35, it grows exponentially glowy (read shiny now). Luckily, it’s nothing powder couldn’t solve.
But then I ran into the issue of shade matching. At two pumps, it’s almost a perfect match. It’s slightly lighter and cooler than I would like, but with the usual dusting of bronzer and my long hair, it’s not noticeable. At over 4 pumps, it’s downright way too light and too pink. I want this to be my only sunscreen, so it seems Shade Three would be a better match.
I reached out to the brand, and their customer service was nothing short of excellent. I described my issue, sent over a selfie, and they shipped me Shade Three as an exchange though they said I didn’t have to send back Shade Two. It just arrived the other day but I haven’t had a chance to open it yet. Fingers crossed this is the one. I’ll keep you posted and do swatches soon!
To keep with the theme, below are just a few films that never fail to remind me to be thankful or remind me of Thanksgiving. Not all might make sense, but just in case you’re looking for something to round out your Thanksgiving weekend…
Addams Family Values (1993)
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Revenant (2015)
Lady Bird (2017)
The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) (2017)
Greyhound (2020)
And two television series episodes for good measure:
Friends “The One With the Rumor” (Season 8, Episode 9)
Gilmore Girls “A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving” (Season 3, Episode 9)
Of course, I can’t not share what I have been or am going to watch! Admitting here and now that I’m deep into HBO’s ‘Industry.’ Beware, there are tons of cringe-moments akin to ‘Euphoria,’ but damn it, now I need to know if these kids will make it! They were releasing episodes weekly, but I heard through the grapevine there’s been a change of plan. They’ll be releasing all the remaining episodes later this week (all are now available as you’re reading this). Still watching HBO’s ‘The Undoing’ though it’s less exciting now…
As was, Season 4 of ‘The Crown.’ I was unsuccessful with doling out episodes, so I blew through it and finished the season. There were some ups but mainly downs. I wasn’t blown away as I thought I would be, despite the ever-excellent writing and cinematography.
I also binge-watched and finished Netflix’s ‘Dash & Lily’ two weeks ago, shortly after it was released. Very sweet and a good Christmas series, so I highly suggest waiting until it’s December to watch this! Speaking of Netflix and Christmas, add ‘The Christmas Chronicles 2’ to your list, and ‘Happiest Season’ if you have Hulu. I’m impatiently waiting for December 1st to watch these.
And in case you aren’t following me on Instagram, make sure you do! I have a series of posts starting December 1st that will act as a Holiday Gift Guide. Can’t wait to share it with you!
Thanks so much for reading! I would love to hear how your Thanksgiving went! Family or no? Food and what items? Details, please. And what are you watching lately? Leave a comment or reply directly to this email to chat one-on-one.
I hope you’ve had a great long weekend and have a great start to your week. See you next Sunday!
I love reading your thanksgiving reflection - thank you for sharing!
I have also been enjoying Saie Slip Tint - it's the most pleasant formula of a mineral sunscreen I have ever come across, luminous finish with zero stickiness and heaviness. My only concern is probably how it's going to hold up in the summer later! I had the exact same thought like you; my skin did not need acclimation to this one. My favorite is also their ingredient which reads straight-forward :) I thought it's nice for customers who's already wearing serums, face oils, etc underneath this sunscreen. Now, my only hope is that they make a non-tinted version of this formula because nothing is going to make the tint not cling to my face mask when I wear it.
I finished Dash & Lily! It's predictable ending but it's such a sweet holiday tv show which I'm a sucker to, guaranteed to be enjoyed and leaving everyone smiliiing. It gives me the Modern Love vibe :')