the 25th journal
Peptides, powder blush and how to beat the work uglies
Hello, hi there and a very warm welcome to the 25th edition of the journal! Thank you for coming back, we have some super fun beauty talk ahead of us.
Peptides continue to be everywhere, so we’re doing a little dive into what they are and why you might want them in your skincare routine. We also talk about the bonafide effect that Kayla Jade is having on Australian beauty brands and how exciting it is to see a fresh face giving genuine beauty recs.
Of course, we also talk about more beauty new releases (there’s even more powder blush coming our way!) and dive into what it means to deal with the work uglies.
Enough chit chat; let’s talk beauty!
The Blue-Eyed Kayla Jade Effect
If there’s one person on social media at the moment that can sell something out in Australia, it’s Blue-Eyed Kayla Jade. Her profile has risen massively in the last 12 months or so as she shares super candid, nothing-held-back details about her experiences in sex work, but also just super fun and relatable everyday style content. Whilst her accounts obviously work to promote her own business interests, it’s also been a great platform for a range of Australian brands who have seen the very real effect of having their products recommended to her nearly 2M followers.
What really seems to work for her is that she’s sharing this style of content as just another girlie who’s doing her skincare or makeup and trying to figure out what works best for her skin. She’s not coming from a place of talking down or exclusively using luxury, exorbitantly priced products - she’s just like us. Plus, in my opinion, she has excellent taste, as I’ve seen a few products and brands I love pop up in her videos.
Just some of my fave products and brands she’s spoke about:
Ultra Violette Queen Screen:
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Boring Without You Make Me Wet Serum:
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tbh skincare:
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It’s All About Pep!
Well, it looks like peptides’ moment in the sun has turned into an entire season and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down soon. It may surprise some people to know that Hailey Bieber and Rhode didn’t actually invent peptides, but they have certainly helped boost their popularity since they launched. They’re actually a very well researched and widely regarded skincare ingredient that are absolutely worth knowing more about. So let’s do a quick little breakdown on what they actually are, what you may expect and of course a round up of all the viral products you might find them in.
What are peptides?
When we talk about peptides, we’re actually talking about a group or family of molecules - that’s right, there’s actually many different peptides. A peptide is basically a shorter or fragment of a protein and are made up of amino acids (which they are sometimes called on packaging as well). Peptides actually have a range of functions in the body beyond what they do for your skin aesthetically.
What can peptides do?
When we’re talking about peptides for the skin, there is a range of benefits you could reasonably expect from using a peptide skincare product. You should also keep in mind that whilst most peptides fall under the umbrella of providing skin restoring effects, there are different ones, so they come with different outcomes or results. Some may be linked to a skin-smoothing effect, some with helping restore firmness over time and some with reducing the appearance of wrinkles. It’s also quite common to see blends of peptides, so you’re getting a few benefits at once. What peptides don’t necessarily do is actually plump the skin in the way you might expect. As with all skincare ingredients, it is great to use and you can get great benefits, but keep realistic with your expectations.
Where can I find peptides?
Long story short, there are a lot of options available, partly because it is such a buzzy product and partly because it is just a great, well-tolerated ingredient. Here are some ways you can try it!
The Lip Products (yes this is it’s own category now)
Nudestix Hydrating Peptide Lip Butter (my personal pick from this lineup)
All of the dupes. Just literally all of them, you know what they are and what they’re duping.
Giving the Work Uglies the Boot
If you have never heard the term the ‘work uglies’ that’s probably because it’s something I literally just made up. I know, I’m so clever and original.
Basically, it just refers to the state you may find yourself in if you work a particularly practical or hands on job that requires you to focus on function over form to get through your day. For example, I am now working in book warehousing, which requires lifting + unpacking heavy book boxes and doing so in a warehouse that’s not air conditioned in the Queensland summer. On the daily you’ll find me in a uniform of bike shorts, very comfortable sneakers, a plain black tee and my hair tied back and out of the way. Oh and absolutely no makeup because…sweat.
Safe to say at the end of the day, especially in what has been a very warm summer, I am more than a bit *gross* and absolutely not looking like the cute girlypops who I see posting fit checks and their lip combo of the day. If I want to film content after work it normally necessitates a cold shower to try and freshen up so that I don’t look like I just spent 8 hours in a dusty warehouse.
All of this does just sound like a giant whinge (and it is…a bit) so I thought I would I would challenge myself a little to make some changes and give the work uglies the boot.
Going for a more slicked back hair look, so that my hair isn’t looking frizzy and undone. Maybe even adding in some fun hair accessories, like coloured clips or a scrunchie.
Making sure I’m wearing a perfume everyday! Obviously I wear my deodorant, which smells lovely (I have the Gem Vanilla Macadamia) but also adding in an actual scent that gives me a little more of a boost.
True no makeup makeup products, that are a little bit more but not too much. Maybe my Dr Jart Tiger Grass Cicapair Colour Correcting Treatment, which corrects redness but without feeling heavy or giving too much coverage. Trying out the brown shade of my fave Tower28 mascara for a more subtle definition and length.
Playing with more feminine details like a cute lip combo or a chain that’s sweat-resistant and I can wear on the daily. If you have a sweat or tarnish resistant jewellery recommendation, please do let me know!
Hello New
Fenty Cheeks Suede Powder Blush
So who was going to tell me that Fenty were also entering the powder blush game?? Turns out these have been around for a little while, but have only just landed on Australian shores (typical). There are 14 shades in the range and whilst it is a powder, not all of them are a matte finish. As per usual with Fenty we have a whole range of colours, from brights to more neutral and deeper tones, as well as a few that have popular counterparts in their other blush formats. Of course, there is also a brand new brush to go along with the new formula and it looks like an interesting shape to help you get a more pin pointed colour.
While we’re on the topic of Fenty they’ve also dropped their Gloss Bomb Stick formula in new shimmer shades, giving you that ultra glossy finish but now with a classic Fenty multi-dimensional shimmer. Again, a great mix of useful neutrals and fun bold shades so there’s something for everyone.
Byoma at Sephora Aus
Exciting news as Byoma is launching into Sephora very very soon! Byoma has garnered a following overseas for it’s skin barrier boosting products and ethos, along with their super cute packaging. In terms of hyped products, their Phyto-Mucin serum and Creamy Jelly Cleanser are the ones that have really been popping up on my feed time and again, so they’re probably the ones I’m most interested to check out. There seems to be a Tri-Ceramide Complex at the heart of most of their formulas, which I really love as someone who does value a strong and healthy skin barrier.
Saie SuperSuede Radiant Blush Powder
At this point I can’t even keep up with all the powder blush releases but I will say I am still interested to see how the new Saie formula fairs amongst some stiff competition. It’s described as a breathable formula that gives a blurring and wearable flush of colour and will be available in 6 shades, with a good mix of vibrant and more neutral tones. There will also be a new brush designed to go with it and if there’s one thing I know about Saie, it’s that they can really nail a brush design.
Nars Hot Escape Collection
Nars have been doing themed limited edition collections for a while but something about this one just grabs me. It feels like a return to their summery, bronzed skin style palettes and products that worked for them so well earlier in the 2000s. The range includes a cheek palette, limited edition lip oil shades and shimmery eyeshadow sticks. As per usual, the packaging is stunning with a fun stripe that absolutely evokes sitting at a beach in the Côte d’Azur, beach umbrella overhead and drink in hand.
Morphe Brushes
If there is one brand you should be looking at when you need affordable brushes, you absolutely need to check out Morphe. They really do nail a great quality product at a very agreeable price point and they’ve done a solid revamp of their brush range and it’s available to pick up at your nearest Mecca. Personally, I think the 5-Piece Portrait Mode Face Brush set looks especially like a winner.
House of Sephora
A little birdy told me that next week is the biannual House of Sephora event, which showcases upcoming new releases and brand activations and is the best for a sneak peek of what’s hitting Australian shores too! Keep an eye out in the next edition for even more beauty new release goodness 👀
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: THE BEAUTY CHEF THE PERFECT POO
Well if the product name doesn’t clue you in to what this Beauty Chef product will do for you, I’m not sure how much clearer I can be. In all honesty though, as an IBS girlie I love the idea of being able to turn to a product and it is very clear and to the point about what it’s going to do for me. There’s not a lot to say about it other than it works but what I like most about it is that you get a good dose of fibre and benefits in something that’s quite enjoyable to drink.
Beauty Chef are a brand I rely on and trust a lot when it comes to fermented and digestive health supplements and I do think they really deliver on this new product as well. Just a reminder here as well that a product like this is really designed to supplement your diet and can just help with that. So start with food and movement first and if you’re looking at something to give a bit more of a helping hand, this is a great add in.
Shop it here.
MOON: FRANK BODY NIACINAMIDE CORRECTING BODY SERUM
As someone with dry and irritable body skin, I really should have a better bodycare routine down pat - at least one that involves adding hydration back in properly. However, I don’t like the thick feeling of a body butter or cream sitting on my skin. That is exactly where this body serum comes in. Frank Body really nailed it with the texture of this one and how juicy it is without feeling like too much.
I have been a fan of their hyaluronic acid body serum for a while and do enjoy how hydrating it is, but I’ve been loving this niacinamide version so much recently and am nearly finished my second bottle. It has a light scent that I really enjoy but isn’t irritating, hydrates the skin and then the niacinamide is also working to help support the skin barrier and correct pigmentation. It’s just so good and one I’ve been consistent with even in this never ending humid summer weather.
Shop it here.
RISING: GLOSSIER LASH SLICK IN BROWN
I first bought the Lash Slick when I was at the Glossier flagship in 2018 and honestly loved the formula straight away. At the time it felt like one of the few tubing mascaras available and really ticked the box in what I wanted from an everyday lash - length, definition but still natural. It then boggles me why on earth I haven’t tried their brown shade in the same formula.
I picked up the brown shade from Mecca in a recent little order and oh my, it is so gorgeous! I have very fair skin and blue eyes, so really a warm brown shade was made for me because it still delivers on definition but gives a less stark effect. It’s also my first tube of Lash Slick for a little while and I forgot how good it was in general too. No flaking, no irritation and just lasted well all day.
Shop it here.
And with that, we’ve reached the end of the 25th 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 to come in 2025 and I hope you join me for it. I’ll play myself out with a little song recommendation for your week 💚