Another month, another set of products that I've put to the test. From makeup to skincare to fashion, October had quite a few nice surprises and fun finds, including some interesting wardrobe additions that are perfect for fall but can easily transition from season to season.
Made the Cut
Alba Botanica hawaiian oil-free moisturizer refining aloe & green tea
(Yes, "Hawaiian" is normally capitalized but I'm just matching the brand's styling here.) Finding the right moisturizer can be especially difficult with oily skin. While many women make the mistake of thinking they don't need or can't use a moisturizer because they have oily skin, part of the problem is that some can simply be too hydrating and will leave you looking like an oil slick just a couple of hours after application. As a result, only a handful have ever met my exacting standards, but on a random trip to the bath + body aisle in Safeway sometime in early October, I spotted a lone jar of Alba Botanica's aloe & green tea moisturizer ($17.99) and had to give it a shot.
My face seems to like products with green tea (especially because I'm acne prone) and I liked that this one claimed to minimize the appearance of pores, so on a whim I grabbed the last jar on the shelf and decided to give it a go. I love this stuff. It smells amazing and gives my face such a healthy glow. It's very hydrating without making me greasy throughout the day, and it does somewhat minimize the appearance of pores (though nothing very dramatic). A very little goes a long way; I've been using this daily since I got it and have hardly put a dent in it. It's also very affordable. Unfortunately, my Safeway hasn't had a restock since I bought the last jar (which seems like it's attributed to the supply chain issues happening right now), but you can find this moisturizer online from different stores in addition to Safeway.
I also love that this didn't break me out and that it wears well under SPF and makeup. One application tip, though: don't try to apply SPF too soon afterwards or the SPF will pill. That was my experience with my Supergoop! sunscreen, at least (which, admittedly, has a tendency to pill regardless of what moisturizer I use it on top of, but it seemed more exaggerated with this moisturizer). One of my all-time favorite skincare finds.
L'Oreal Pure-Clay Cleanser Detox & Brighten
For the record, I think the word "detox" is a marketing buzzword in pretty much every application except drug rehabilitation (which I'm not making light of nor do I have any personal experience with). That being said, this Pure-Clay Cleanser ($7.59) really does clear out your pores and makes your face feel exceptionally clean. I picked this up at the same moment I picked up the Alba Botanica moisturizer because I ran out of my Good Molecules Clarify & Cleanse Bar and needed a new, non-exfoliating face wash for days in between the exfoliating washes. Like green tea, charcoal is another ingredient my acne-prone face loves, but it can sometimes be harsh or leave your skin feeling a little too tight or dry.
This face wash doesn't do that. I was so shocked by how nice my skin looked after I used this cleanser for the first time. I was glowing. My face looked so healthy. It has a really nice scent and is a somewhat thick, mousse-like texture that spreads easier when you rub it between your fingers with just a bit of water before applying to the face. It rinses clean and easy, and in the month I've been using it my skin has looked so fresh. It isn't advertised as an acne-fighting cleanser, but because it clears out my pores and I use it daily, it's done a good job at keeping breakouts at bay (I've only had one since using it). I'd say the Good Molecules bar is still the best cleanser I've used for controlling my acne, but this one is great.
Small gripe, though, and it isn't exclusive to this cleanser. Charcoal cleansers can often leave me greasier and shiner by mid-day than other washes, and I think it's likely due to my oily face overcompensating for the lack of grease and oil thanks to the charcoal. That happens a bit when using this cleanser, but it's not too bad overall.
Clad & Cloth The Cartoon Network Checkered Sweater
Kind of a clunky product name, though I get the reference. That aside, this is a really cute sweater and adds the perfect amount of visual interest without being too over the top, especially for someone like me who's more comfortable in subtle prints and neutrals. I've been really drawn to all things checker board for a while now so I had to have this when I saw it in a marketing email I got sometime in October.
It's soft, warm, chunky without being too chunky, and a great piece for both fall and winter. Unfortunately, at the time of writing this item isn't just sold out but has been totally removed from Clad & Cloth's site. That's disappointing given the very short period of time this sweater was available, but Clad & Cloth often does surprise restocks of items (like their much-loved Dani Coat), so keep checking back on their site if you're hoping to get one of these sweaters for yourself.
Sézane Will Jacket | Ochre
The Will Jacket from Sézane has been a closet staple for me for a number of years now. It's versatile and easy to throw on over a number of different looks, so when I saw that it was available in this incredibly beautiful shade of ochre, I had to have it.
Made of virgin wool, this is definitely a piece for the fall and winter. It's a lot warmer than I expected but without being heavy or bulky, but if you get overheated easily just bear in mind that it's easy to start sweating through this. But as the days get colder, it'll be easier to layer with this without feeling too warm. I wear an XS in this jacket and feel that it's pretty true to size; Sézane recommends sizing up one size if you're in between sizes and I think that's sound advice. Most definitely a quality piece and while it's not exactly a small price tag at $190, this is something I'm going to be wearing forever, so I felt a little better shelling out the dough for it. But only a little.
Sandy Liang x Target | Floral Print Sherpa Jacket
This piece is way outside of my normal clothing choices and even perhaps a bit outside my comfort zone, but there will always be that very feminine part of me that loves my 90s Barbies and Fashion Avenue outfits and floral prints, and this really spoke to that side of me.
This jacket is SO soft and has pockets to keep your hands warm. Everything about this is cozy and it actually does a pretty good job at blocking out wind chill. There was only one left at my local Target in XXS, and while it's just a bit snug taking it on and off (it's a pullover), it fits well once it's on. I think it would've been easier to get on and off were it a XS, though. Can't say I was too crazy about the price ($50 for a pullover at Target isn't ideal), but I splurged a bit. I also tend to stay away from trendy pieces that are more likely to not be in style the coming year, but given that the 90s don't seem to be going anywhere (style wise), basically anything goes now with fashion, and my main concern is wearing things I like, I felt comfortable adding this to my wardrobe.
FLOWER Beauty Day Glow Highlighting Glaze + Blush Bomb + Flower Pots
I vaguely remember when FLOWER Beauty debuted and thought, "Huh, Drew Barrymore has a makeup line now," and then forgot all about it. I'd seen some of the earlier products at Walmart but just wasn't interested enough to give anything a try. Then a couple of weeks ago I was at CVS looking for a shade of brown nail polish for fall and walked past the FLOWER Beauty display.
First thing that caught my eye were the Blush Bomb liquid blushes ($10), which many people online are calling dupes for Glossier's Cloud Paints. I'd say that's a pretty fair comparison, from the formula to the finish to the color selection and even the product packaging. I wear Dusk exclusively in the Cloud Paints and consider it my go-to, all-time favorite blush. I picked up the Blush Bombs in Cinnamon and Nectar after a very long process of digging up swatches online while crouched in front of the display. I was worried Cinnamon might be too dark but it's actually a really pretty warm shade on my skin. Nectar pulls a little peachy for my taste (I tend to avoid all face makeup in peach tones because it makes me look too orange) but so long as I don't go too heavy handed with it, it looks nice. CVS doesn't carry all of the colors, but if they did I would've picked up Spiced, which seems to be a very close dupe to Dusk.
I also picked up the Flower Pots Powder Blush in Spiced Petal ($10), which instantly became one of my very favorite blushes. The color is really flattering on my skin and leaves a very subtle sheen which gives a healthy glow. It pairs really well with the Day Glow Highlighting Glaze ($10), which looks and wears like a much more expensive product. Not glittery, not sparkly, just the right amount of natural dew. I got both colors, Stunner and Ablaze, and while I think Stunner is probably the best match to my skin tone, I can wear both and love Ablaze for more golden, bronzed looks.
The only product that has any downside is the Blush Bomb. On my oily face they don't have a ton of lasting power, but they are pigmented when you first apply so go in a little at a time, blend out, and apply more if needed. I use my fingers for application of liquid blush. The Flower Pots blush and Day Glow all last throughout the day. These are all fantastic products in beautiful shades, and the price point is great. My only regret is not trying this brand sooner.
Didn't Make the Cut
...Nothing!
That's right — nothing I tried this month disappointed me or left me shaking my head in dissatisfaction. Which is maybe not as interesting to read, but I'm definitely not complaining because no one likes to spend money on duds! Maybe next month I'll have something new to stand on a soapbox and gripe about.
Be sure to check back next month for another round of products that made the cut and didn't, and thanks for reading my monthly series, The Cut.
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