Hello, hi there and a very warm welcome to the 20th edition of the journal! Thank you for coming back, we have some super fun beauty talk ahead of us.
Today is a special, super sized gift giving guide and I am very excited to share it with you. I have 6 categories so that you have options, but also kept it tight so that it’s not too overwhelming. I’ve tried to keep things fun and a little unique, as well as incorporating a range of price points.
Also in today’s journal are some SPF recommendations, because soaring temps and UV rays mean your protection routine should be solid. I’m also sharing my 5 product routine that takes me from post-pilates flush to ready for drinks with friends in no time at all.
Enough chit chat; let’s talk beauty.
The 2024 Gift Guides
Naturally we had to start with the guide for the beauty lover in your life. I wanted to provide a mix of fun products that work for everyone with useful bits they may not think to get for themselves.
Clockwise from top left:
Holme Beauty Show Topper in Gracie
Glossier Balm Dotcom Duo
Gunk Off Double Cleanse Duo
Saint Jack Bang For Your Brush Cleaner
Go To Skincare Bon Bons
Cee Clear Blue Small Cosmetic Case
For me, being a home body is all about being comfortable in a beautiful space, preferable with a good snack. Whether your home body friend is a foodie, event host, cosy gamer or simply a girl, there’s something here to brighten their day.
Clockwise from top left:
Jasmine Dowling Cross Pollination Flower Chart Print
Lego Tiny Plants
K. Juliet Robe Green
Fazeek Jewel Stand
Celia Loves Cloud Muse Room Spray
Mosey Me The Cloud Slipper in Orchid
Looking for that Kris Kringle gift or just keeping things a bit more on a budget this year? Then here is an edit of items, all under $30 and all of which I would love to be gifted myself.
Clockwise from top left:
Lego Sunflowers
Ultra Violette Lil Glow Givers
Martinas Tiny Store Large Scrapbooking Stickersheet
Reliquia Cherry Charm
Cotton On Body Cherries Cos Case
Frank Body Barrier Bounce Kit
Cotton On Heart Trinket Tray
Hello, it is I, your resident book lover and avid cosy reader with a list of things that would make any reader happy. I’ve gone more for little extras that make the experience or environment you’re reading in more enjoyable, rather than just a list of good reads.
Clockwise from top left:
Celia Loves Chilled Sangria Candle
Baggu Puffy Tablet Sleeve 8”
Studio Milligram Essential Oil Bath Salts
Verve Design Edie Mineral Green Portable LED Table Lamp
Orbital by Samantha Harvey (Man Booker Prize winner)
Gigi & Tom Fluted Carafe and Tumbler
If there is someone on your list this year to whom the budget does not apply, I’ve got you. These are some more boujee picks that are also big on the fun and the joy.
Clockwise from top left:
Molten Store Fortuna Sapphire & Garnet Drop Earrings
Four Pillars Australian Christmas Gin 2024
Adidas Originals Gazelle in Preloved Green
Oroton Miette Mini Bag
This is a selection of cute, fun and enjoyble gifts for that person you never know what to get. They sit a little out of the box so that they feel a tad different, but not so far out as to feel too niche or unwanted.
Clockwise from top left:
Frank Green The Essentials Gift Set
Journey of Something Embroidery Kit
35mm Co The Reloader Film Camera
Molten Store The Eden Chalcedony Ring
Cotton On Sun Lounge
Gorman Fuego Bucket Hat
Summer SPF Refresh
Let me start this off by saying the obvious - sunscreen and sun protection is important every single day. It doesn’t matter what season or weather you’re currently in, you should be applying and reapplying your SPF.
However, sunny summer days are undeniably a pertinent reminder to us all just how intense this sunshine business is. Higher temperature can also introduce a different set of variables to your sunscreen use - sweat, extra oil production, going in and out of the water for a cooling swim - that can impact how a sunscreen formula works for you and your skin. With all of this in mind, I wanted to share some new(er) and noteworthy formulas that you should know about, especially if you’re in the market for an SPF refresh.
Gem Solar Screen SPF50
Gem have recently expanded their product offering to a whole new family of SPF50 formulas. It consists of 7 sunscreens, with a range of textures and ingredients to cater to different preferences and skin types. Most of the range sits in the $25 - $32 price bracket and comes in their signature pastel packaging that will look cute in any makeup bag.
My top pick is the lightweight fluid, which I am very impatiently waiting to come to my nearest Priceline. In the meantime though, here is Hannah’s try on and let’s be honest, that’s all that matters.
Cancer Council
Cancer Council sunscreens have been a pillar of Australian sun protection for many years, but they’ve recently had a little refresh and introduced some newer formulas (yay!). In recent times you may have heard of their SPF50 serum or the matte invisible fluid, but we now have more hydrating and glow giving formulas. I really like that they’re continuing to bring out more options and especially cater to those looking for sunscreen that works cohesively with a makeup routine. I have been trialling the Hydration Boost, which has a primer-like texture and ingredients like squalane and hyaluronic acid.
Their face formulas are widely available, almost all under $30 and every purchase goes towards cancer research and services.
Sundae
If there’s a brand I trust to bring the fun, it’s Sundae. They’ve brought their whipped texture to body SPF and I truly think it’s genius. One of the biggest hurdles for people wearing sunscreen, especially on the body, is how it feels. A heavy texture or super greasy finish can be a big deterrent and I’m always encouraging of alternatives to that. This range includes a whipped SPF50 sunscreen and an after sun foam, coming in super cute bottles just waiting for you to share with friends on the beach.
My 5 Product Transformation
Summer afternoons are prime time for the magic that is taking a sweaty post-workout face to glowy, ‘drinks with the girls’ ready skin. I’m always so curious what people are reaching for when they want to do more with less, so I thought I’d share my 5 product routine that takes less than 10 minutes and also pairs perfectly with a slicked back look.
Before anything else, I like to have a super quick shower and do a gentle cleanse to sort out any sweat, then just do a light hydrating toner before going in with my makeup.
ABH Beauty Balm Serum Boosted Skin Tint - this is a super lightweight formula and comes with the bonus feature of being in a stick format, so you can swipe it straight onto the skin and direct coverage where you need it most. It’s a low coverage product that brings a good amount of glow and doesn’t feel heavy on the skin, instead leaning into that natural, healthy looking finish.
Nudestix Stax Picante Nude - in my opinion, Nudestix can do no wrong and their newest blush iteration is proof of that. It’s a less pigmented than you might be used to from their iconic stick formulas, but that kind of makes these fool proof. I find the finish to be a bit like a cream to powder, semi-matte look, which pairs nicely with an ultra glowy base to tone things down a smidge.
Mecca Max Brow Guru Gel - this is a clear brow gel with a super strong hold that gives you that more defined, laminated brow look. I like using this by itself when I’m not filling in my brows, so that I can give them a good shape and push upwards. A pushed up, non filled brow can go a long way towards keeping you fresh faced, especially if you’re also skipping mascara.
Pat McGrath Dramatique Mega Lip Pencil in Nude Venus - Mother herself shared that this was the lip shade used on Addison Rae in her music video for Aquamarine. But if that isn’t enough inspiration for you to wear it, think of it as the perfect blend of pink and beige tones that gives you that ‘my lips but better’ colour we’re always chasing.
Kopari Kaanapali Coast Hair & Body Mist - a light, fresh scent can go a long way towards making you feel refreshed and ready to go, which is exactly what this does. I figure that no matter how well my makeup holds up, if I’m smelling delicious, I’m looking good too. This is the ultimate combination for me of warmth and sweetness whilst still being light.
The Big Three
Ok, you know how you have your big three in astrology? This is just the beauty product version of that, and yes I think I’m pretty clever thank you very much. The Sun will be something that’s going on my face on the daily, Moon is for the nighttime routine heroes and Rising is for the newcomer or rising favourite of the week.
SUN: CANCER COUNCIL HYDRATION BOOST
Is this the second mention of this sunscreen in the same newsletter? Absolutely it is! I wanted to share a little more about this formula that I’ve been trialling because I want to take any and all opportunities to share a sunscreen that I think you might enjoy.
Ok the facts: SPF50 broad spectrum UVA+UVB protection, contains hyaluronic acid, squalane and polyfructol plus for hydration and to help boost the skin barrier. It’s described as being a multi-tasker that gives the skin a smoother, firmer look before makeup. I find it’s basically like using a lovely primer that conveniently gives you sun protection, with no tint and a dream to layer over the top of.
Shop it here.
MOON: GO TO DE-CREASE
This under eye serum is pretty much my first foray into using a retinal product regularly, particularly as that area is known to be extra sensitive for me. What I do enjoy is that this is an easy to play with encapsulated retinal, helped along by peptides, niacinamide and mushroom extract to soothe and support at the same time.
A real stand out for me is that the pump dispenses the right amount you need for under your two eyes, so there’s no messing around or uncertainty around how much to apply. I’ve been using it consistently for 3 months now, starting at once a week and building up to twice a week and feel like that area is staying more bouncy and firm all by itself. Plays well with others and is super easy to work into a routine. Make sure you’re extra vigilant with sun protection the next day.
Shop it here.
RISING: NUDESTIX STAX PICANTE NUDE
I was already a fan of the original Picante shade - a collaboration with Allana Davison (@allanaramaa) that got quite the hype once it was used by Sofia Richie - but know that it isn’t for everyone, or maybe every look. This is. It’s warm and you get that spicy orange tone, but it’s balanced out to be more neutral and inviting.
If you haven’t tried the Stax formula yet, it’s a new development from Nudestix (masters of the cream blush stick) and feels a bit like a quieter younger sibling. I quite like that the pigment is a bit less, because it feels like you can’t accidentally put too much on. Instead it’s got an almost blurring finish, bringing the colour to the cheek but also a softness around the edges that makes it very easy to work with and exceptional for a more tap and go approach.
Shop it here.
And with that, we’ve reached the end of the 20th edition of Morgan’s Skin Journal! if you’re made it this far, I hope that means you’ve enjoyed it and would consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy it. There’s so much beauty goodness still to come in 2024 and I hope you join me for it.
I’ll play myself out with my song of the week and see you all for the next journal 🩵
Love, Morgan