Hi, I’m Maggie, and welcome to Tender Forms Off-Camera: a bi-weekly newsletter on all things slow: beauty, fashion, and living. Links in this newsletter may include affiliate links or discount referrals. If you enjoy and would like to support this newsletter, click the button below or shop through my links! No pressure, but thank you if you do.
Brand Identity
I work as a freelance Creative Director/Designer for my everyday job. So it came as no surprise when I fell hard for F. MILLER years ago after spotting their stunning packaging during an Instagram scroll. I must devote a moment or two to the ever-powerfully minimal and considered branding of F. MILLER. The comprehensive brand identity was designed by New Zealand studio: 1of1. And I believe, specifically by Creative Director Natasha Mead.
A glance through her impressive portfolio just further clicked things into place for me. She is responsible for some of my all-time favorite brand identities: LESSE Skincare, J. Hannah, and Moon Lists, to name just a few. But to return to FM, 1of1 did their Brand Identity, Web Design + Development, E-commerce, Packaging, Print Collateral, and Digital Assets. Comprehensive indeed. I highly recommend a leisurely digital stroll if you’ve yet to peruse the FM website. Also recommended is a deeper dive into their Our Story and Ethos sections, found on the bottom navigation. Founder Fran Miller’s take on her eponymous skincare line hits home.
*I have a referral link for 20% off. Linked above and here.
Now we fast forward to last year when the stars aligned, and I happened to need a new cleanser at the same time they were having a flash sale. Long-time subscribers already know my love for cleansers, so of course, that was the first* product I went for: a daily essential and a skincare step I adore in any routine. I could not wait to dive in.
F. MILLER Cleansing Oil
($80 CAD | ~$58 USD, 100ml | 3.4floz)
Packaging + Scent
One of FM’s unique points of view is their signature block glass bottles. Aesthetically pleasing, it looks gorgeous no matter where you place it. I very much enjoyed the feel of the bottle in my hand. The glass is substantial, and while blocky in shape, the edges are smooth to the touch and easy to grip.
It comes with a pump, and a generous one at that! Cleansers often don’t dispense much per pump when I wish they would. This one provides a solid amount each time. The pump mechanism itself is also smooth.
Now, for the first sensorial section: scent. The Cleansing Oil has a beautifully sweet grapefruit citrus profile. It leans a bit on the sweeter side due to the mix of fruit and nut oils and floral extracts. However, the citrus quality is forward enough to lift the scent. I love it because this one is a mood booster.
Cleansing is my favorite step because it indicates that the tough part of the day is over. I cleanse right after work, and it’s a moment where I transition from stress to decompression. My mood is usually weary and tired at this moment, so this being the first scent in my evening skincare routine, is a very welcomed one. It brings back joy and lightness. It is also surprisingly energetic. Most of my cleansers fall within relaxing and grounding scent profiles, while this one is more reviving.
Feel + Performance
The next sensorial section is, of course, its feel. I would categorize this as a medium to heavyweight oil that leans slightly on the drier side. It’s not quite as dry as Earthwise Beauty’s Paloma nor as dense as H is for Love’s Rapha. The balance they struck with this cleansing oil is fantastic, as I think it would appeal to a wide range of oil cleanse lovers.
I used a generous four pumps every evening to remove all traces of makeup, sunscreen, and grime. The feel is simply lovely. The luscious oil spreads across the skin easily, with a good amount of grip, thanks to its medium to heavy density. I spend some time massaging it all over the face and neck.
I then add a few drops of water and continue to massage as it turns milky, ready to rinse off. I’ll dampen my washcloth to remove it. On bare-faced days, I skip the washcloth and rinse with my hands and warm water. It leaves my skin so hydrated and soft. This is also an excellent cleansing oil for a deep facial cleanse. I loved using it with my Lanshin Pro Gua Sha Tool on the weekends for an at-home decadent face massage.
Some cleansers are slightly more “active” for me, meaning they’re better at unclogging, bringing acne to the surface, and healing. This is an excellent cleansing oil but doesn’t decongest more than others I’ve tried. Where this cleanser shines is in its ability to moisturize deeply. I would say this is great for dry or easily dehydrated skin(me). Which reminds me, it’s also excellent as a quick shower steam mask!
Final Thoughts
As with all new things, my sensitive skin did need a few days to acclimate. I had one or two small breakouts, but then all was clear! I also really appreciate the generous size of this. It’s a 100ml bottle and lasted just under six months for me with daily use.
Because of its size, the price point is not the highest out of my cleansers, making this also a more affordable option, especially when on sale. I would absolutely repurchase it because it’s just a joy to use. And now I’m left wanting to try the entire line.
Last weekend, Husband and I hunkered down for our weekly Sunday film. I am so glad to have chosen ‘Watcher’ because it was fantastic.
The premise is simple: a couple moves into an apartment, and the woman notices a man who seemingly is always watching her. Maika Monroe plays the lead, Julia. I’ve been a massive fan of hers since 2014’s ‘It Follows.’ Her acting style in this particular thriller genre is a quiet but undeniable force. The subtleties in her expression and energy are exhilarating to watch unfold. I only hope to see more of her acting.
Today, I am here less to talk about the film itself but rather to focus on the unexpected costume and styling of Julia. It’s been a while since I’ve noticed a character’s wardrobe as the one I wish were my own. And this is not to diminish the incredible work and theory behind the character. Costume Designer, Claudia Bunea, built an extraordinary progression of Julia’s character arc through her clothing alone.
So before we dive in, there’s a reason I rated this four stars. It’s a haunting, fun, claustrophobic thriller that’s stylish without distracting, with stellar performances from the entire cast—excellent direction and screenplay from Chloe Okuno (adapted from the original by Zack Ford). The cinematography is intelligent, rich, and decadent. Plus, the expert soundtrack by Nathan Halpern was sensational. The film’s general absence of music adds to its eerie and disarming quality. The soundtrack is atmospheric and impeccably accented by sound design throughout the film. Please give it a chance and a view.
Now, let’s take a generous peek into Julia’s wardrobe.
We first see meet Julia in unassuming travel wear. While casual, it’s still a beautiful yet comfortable outfit. As Julia starts exploring her new surroundings, she’s hard to miss. Often found wearing red, the eyes are immediately drawn to her thanks to the contrast of her environment, which is often monochromatic and neutral in tone. I also love the range of daywear to evening wear. Though there are two red outfits, it’s hard to mistake one for the other. The daytime look is again comfortable and casual; a bright red sweater and matching red tights. But the evening wear is breathtaking.
She’s shed off all her layers to opt for a deeper, richer red that hangs from her shoulders handsomely. It’s thin, form-fitting without being skin-tight, and revealing but not overly so. Simply put, it’s enticing.
However, this dress also marks a turning point in the film. We notice that Julia’s red accents are nowhere to be found after that evening’s events. Sometimes she’ll wear blue, which is as bright a color as she’ll let herself be in. This, of course, reflects her desire not to be seen or watched.
While she starts to disappear into her outfits of camels, sand, whites, and greys, they’re still fashionable and timeless. She could be a character in various eras and look good in all. And isn’t that the kind of wardrobe we all strive for? *I know it’s not. Julia’s closet happens to be more my style of clothing. Minimal, easy to mix and match, a range of loose to fitting.
One of my favorite moments in the film is when Julia and the Watcher’s roles are flipped, and their outfits are almost the exact reverse of one another. Julia’s version is slightly younger and more trendy sure, but the base and overall shapes come from the same thought.
I was taken aback by how much I enjoyed this film on so many levels. This is masterful storytelling that somehow has flown under the radar.
Thanks so much for reading! Have you tried F. MILLER skincare? And have you seen ‘Watcher’? Let’s talk both in the chat! *You can join on the web now too!
As always, I hope you have a great start to your week. See you soon!
I have always felt the same way about cleansers. If you look back on all my years with documenting products, I don’t think I’ve ever used a cheap cleanser despite everyone’s recommendation to save on them. It’s the first thing to bring me out of my work trance and very much need to feel like I’m adequately “cleansed” of the accumulation of the day in order to unwind. I can’t seem to stop repurchasing Wildcare Singing Leaves. I know you like that one too. Other cleansing oils I usually tire over after a while but not that one.
I had received a bunch of preview ads for Watcher before it came out and so I ended up seeing in the theater. While I liked it, for some reason the preview didn’t quite meet the reaction I experienced of the movie. Which is fine sometimes too, I guess I’m left with some element of surprise that way. I mostly wanted to see because of the actress. I loved It Follows- it’s in my top fav movies.