the 30th journal
met madness, more new new and two step skin prep
Hello, hi there and a very warm welcome to the 30th edition of the journal! Thank you for coming back, we have some super fun beauty talk ahead of us.
It was one of the biggest cultural events of the year on Monday - the MET Gala. Of course we do a little look at the theme, the looks that delivered and discuss some of the hair and beauty moments that are sure to be trending in the coming weeks. We somehow have even more new releases to talk about and some that I think need a little more noise than they’re getting.
Skip prep continues to be top of mind for so many of us but I’ve been a little obsessed with finding two step solutions that are simple yet super effective. Trust me - they give you that glowy, protected base that you really want. Of course there’s also my weekly fave to finish things off.
Enough chit chat; let’s talk beauty!
The First Monday in May
In case you missed it, the MET Gala took place this week and of course took over every social feed as our favourite celebs and fashion figures walked the carpet. It is undoubtedly one of the biggest events in the fashion calendar and more recently has been the birthplace for the trends and re-creations you’ll see in your algorithm in the coming months.
The upcoming exhibition at the MET is titled “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” with the dress code more specifically defined as “Tailored for You”. It was also the first gala in more than two decades to focus moreso on mens fashion, as well as highlighting the importance of black dandyism.
For me personally, it was one of the more interesting carpets we’ve had in recent years, especially understanding the symbolism or personal history behind some of the ensembles. Given the dress code, it makes sense that we saw a lot of suits and suit elements played with in a real variety of ways - ranging from sleek and minimal (but not boring) right through to the dramatic, all with a sense of individualism.
Here are my top three looks:
Laura Harrier in Zac Posen for GAP
Lewis Hamilton in Wales Bonner
Lupita Nyongo in Chanel
The beauty looks were also phenomenal and whilst the theme meant most people tended towards monochrome, there were fun and important moments through makeup and hair that really stood out. Hair specifically had a big moment, with kiss curls and waves popping up over and over, as well as baby fringes and more structural moments.
Makeup had an overall vibe of more pared back looks with a strong eye: lots of glowing skin and well placed blush in combination with deeper cool tones for the eyes and defined lips in natural tones. A few stand outs include Doechii (with the LV stamp!!), Jenna Ortega and Ayo Edebiri.
I’m excited to see how these tones and well executed looks will be carried on through the coming seasons. We may even see the pendulum swing back from the ‘clean girl’ vibe to embracing bolder features like a strong eyeliner.
For now, I shall leave you with a portrait of the MET Gala king and queen aka ASAP Rocky and Rihanna:
Hello New!
2025 is the gift that keeps on giving with beauty launches happening on the regular - great news if you’re a beauty lover like me. Let’s dive into what’s dropped in Australia recently and the launches to get ready for.
Haus Labs into Sephora Australia
It feels like a minute since we’ve had a brand launch in Australia this big and it certainly is an exciting one. Whether you’re a Lady Gaga fan or beauty fan or both, there’s quite an exciting lineup of products now on offer through Sephora in store and online. The foundation, glassy highlighter, lip oil and blush balm stick have all had their own viral moments and the brand already has such a strong following. I haven’t yet tried any of the brand but hope to soon!
LOOPS Beauty Masks + Cleansing Pads
LOOPS really bring a bit of fun to beauty and if you’re unfamiliar with the brand, chances are you’ve already seen their bright packaging in the sheet mask section of your local Mecca. However, their new products are really interesting and a bit different from the brand, which is cool to see. We have the Milky Cleansing Pads, Moisturising Pads, Wrapping Mask and Ultra Hydrating Lip Mask all now available and they’re definitely on my radar to try soon.
New Benetint Shades
The iconic Benetint shade has had a bit of a reimagining with two new shades now available in the tint/stain formula. Raspberry and Dark Cherry bring the same style of natural flush and watercolour you’re used to but in new variations you’re going to love. Also, just a note that one little bottle of this goodness really will last you a long time - I think my original Benetint has been going for a couple of years now.
Expanding Sephora Collection
We really need to put a bit more respect on the Sephora Collection name because the range has been expanding with some excellent offerings and the price point is very very attractive. Some of the newest additions include Juicy Lip Tints, a Blush Palette, a dap and go liquid blush and many more fun goodies like a Multichrome Liquid Eyeshadow. They also have added quite a bit to their hair care offering, focusing on hair repair and honestly, the formulas look really good. I’ve not met a Sephora Collection formula that hasn’t delivered and I think there’s a few gems to be discovered in here.
Laneige Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serum
She’s here! The squishy tinted lip product we’ve been begging Laneige for has finally arrived in Australia and it really is that cute. Available in 6 shades, it looks like a different formula to their glowy balm, instead going for a more lightweight texture that provides a great wash of colour. The names are all very yummy and honestly have me wanting a little sweet treat.
Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks + Face Trace Sculpting Powder Duo
Our favourite high end makeup artist brand has come out with what is essentially the powder version of the Baby Cheeks and Face Trace sticks. These Westman Atelier powder duos are very pretty but also on the pricey end and you can pick up blush + contour duos in 3 different shade offerings. It looks like most of the shades have corresponding cream formulas, so you can use the powders by themselves for a more matte, pigmented look or to help set the cream formulas.
Go To Lip Hero
My favourite face oil, Face Hero has been made into a lip oil and I couldn’t be more excited for this. I love a hydrating lip oil product and this one is a great formula. It features oils such as the Buriti, rosehip and evening primrose that you find in Face Hero, but also additional anti-inflammatory ingredients. Shiny without being too sticky or slippy and a scent that’s sweet but not sickly.
A Case for Two Step Skin Prep
I love a long, thoughtful skincare routine. The ritual of it and spending the time to really enjoy it and get the most out of it for my skin.
However, I do very much enjoy keeping things simple with a two product routine that still delivers on prepping the skin.
Simple doesn’t mean boring or ineffective and I’ve found a few little one-two combos that make sure you’re getting everything you need - hydration, antioxidants and SPF.
Mecca Cosmetica Gel Cream + Matte Sun Serum
Lightweight gel cream formula packed with squalane and niacinamide to hydrate the skin without feeling too heavy. It felt lovely and light on my sensitive skin and I can see this being a great option if you’re a more acne prone or oily skin type too. The finish is quite natural and not too glowy, just healthy and hydrated. Of course your skin prep isn’t complete without SPF protection, so I reached for this matte-finish sun serum from Mecca Cosmetica too. I’ve been enjoying a more natural or matte finish skin prep so that I can just add in glow with my makeup where I want it most.
Paula’s Choice C5 Super Moisturiser + Ultra Violette Supreme Screen
This moisturiser from Paula’s Choice is an excellent way to include vitamin C in my routine and it’s truly such a fab formula. Think vitamin C, squalane, hexa-peptide, poluglutamic acid and more, all wrapped up in a quick to sink in texture. This can literally just go straight on clean skin and then I follow it up with Supreme Screen. So that is giving my my SPF50 protection, along with more hydration and vitamin C. Think of this combo as quite a brightening and glow boosting duo.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
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: GO TO NIFTY FIFTY FLUID
Making it my mission to regularly share as many SPF recommendations as I can, so you’re getting another one in this issue and it’s a good one. Last year Go-To expanded their SPF offering to include updated formulas and textures and the new fluid one has been what I’ve been reaching for during the day in the last few weeks.
It’s ultra lightweight and gives a nice glowy finish that isn’t insane looking - it is one that really just sinks into the skin and I don’t feel it sitting there. Packed with extra antioxidants (yay) it really just delivers on everything I want from a sunscreen. Goes well under makeup but also just gives that healthy skin look by itself.
Shop it here.
MOON: VIRTUE LABS HEALING OIL
My hair and I continue to be in a love-hate relationship: I love my curls and the length, but it continues to be thin and frizzy. While I do try to manage the diet and lifestyle factors that impact hair health (why don’t I just try to stress less?) I have also been trying to show it a little more love. That’s where this oil comes in.
It’s usually a strict mid lengths and down rule for hair oils but this one is super lightweight and serum-like, so I’ve been running it through all of my hair before braiding it back at night. I have also been using it through my damp hair after my curl cream is in, to help reduce the frizz that comes from air drying. Smells good too!
Shop it here.
RISING: NYX LIP IV HYDRATING GLOSS SERUM IN DRIPPIN IN ROSE
Somehow NYX have completely nailed a hydrating, glossy finish lip product that has a stain like splash of colour too. It’s very comfortable to apply, like you would expect when you look at the ingredients list and see the inclusion of extra hydration.
Drippin in Rose is a gorgeous shade and arguably comes out a little deeper than you’d expect when you see it in the tube. The longevity and wear is really nice too, since you get that initial punch of pigment with a glossy finish, but overtime it’s a more subtle stain effect so you still have colour. For the price point? Absolutely lovely.
Shop it here.
And with that, we’ve reached the end of the 30th 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 💚