Glossier's Balm Dotcom: the balm that launched a thousand ships

Glossier’s Balm Dotcom: from OG to mango

Since its inception I’ve purchased six tubes of Balm Dotcom, the classic, unscented version being the first — it came with the Phase 1 set which also included the Milky Jelly Cleanser and the Priming Moisturiser. This fact alone doesn’t make me special by any means, more like persistent in my pursuit to find the best darn lip balm out there.

Balm Dotcom was alright at the start, but it was lacking something. So, I tossed it in my vanity and didn’t give it much thought until the launch of Birthday Balm Dotcom as inspired by Milk Bar's hundreds and thousands (a.k.a rainbow jimmies or sprinkles) birthday cake. Birthday smells of vanilla cake and features an iridescent finish, alas I was spellbound by the holographic packaging more than anything else, and so it goes Birthday was relegated to my vanity shortly thereafter.

Not wanting to stop there (for the sake of experimentation and all) I purchased a trio of flavours, which included mint, cherry, and coconut. Mint is refreshing and tint-less; I enjoy applying this before running out the door to help make myself feel a little more put together than I actually am most days. Coconut is more on the buttery side (think, butterscotch) — lovely enough, but I still hadn’t found my match. With cherry plan on feeling nostalgic; think Lip Smackers circa 1995, just more grown-up with its cherry red tint.

As luck would have it, more like being in a pinch when I found myself with dry cuticles a few winters back and no cuticle oil on hand, I grabbed for a tube of Balm Dotcom to help keep my hands and lips happy, and I’ve never looked back.

The texture is consistent across all of the flavours — thick and rich, never greasy, and emollient; giving quenched lips and digits a new lease on life over and over again.

What about Mango? Well, it’s my personal favourite! With its light coral pink tint and mango-y goodness, it transports me back to Hawaii whenever I need a hit of holiday feels.

Wearing Mango Balm Dotcom layered over Cloud Paint in Dusk on my lips

It’s What’s on the Inside that Counts

Each tube features hydrating, good-for-you ingredients including:

• Beeswax - a natural emollient used to help protect the skin.

• Lanolin a.k.a. wool wax, but try slapping that term on a label for consumers to mull over - a moisturising ingredient which “mimics human skin lipids.”

• Castor seed oil - a natural plant extract that acts as a humectant (helps to retain moisture).

• Cupuacu fruit extract - moisturiser with Omega-6 and 9 fatty acids to maintain a healthy appearance.

• Rice bran and rosemary leaf extracts - “antioxidants used to combat free radical skin damage” (free radicals are by-products floating around in the atmosphere, e.g. smog, dust, and cigarette smoke. Yay?)

Balm Dotcom, or BDC, well, it’s my jam — especially when it comes to Mango or OG BDC (balm dotcom, to you).

Wait, how much does it cost? I’m so glad you asked.

A single tube goes for $12 USD, or buy them in a trio and save $6 USD! So handy.

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Sources and Additional Reading

https://www.glossier.com/products/balm-dotcom

https://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/skincare-advice/paulas-choice-product-tips/how-omega-fatty-acids-help-skin.html

https://lanolips.com/why-lanolin/

https://www.makeup.com/what-are-free-radicals

Red on red

Wearing Nars Flamenco from the Steven Klein Magnificent Obsession Lip Set

Easy reds. What is that? It's a red lippie which:

• Never makes you break a sweat when applying it
• Reinforcements, who needs em'? Read: Q-tips, tissues, and a bottle of micellar water
• And, one that receives the most compliments, and is quite possibly the most universally flattering shade of red.

Why Francois ever decided to permanently pull Flamenco (a sheer, candy apple red) from the shelves, it honestly alludes me to this day. But if you're in a Sephora this particular weekend, and you happen to spy this gift set leftover from the holidays on the shelf, please buy it for your BFF. She will thank you, and maybe even offer to let you borrow it from time to time. I've even been told Flamenco is their "power red," and she's a lawyer.

Mysterious Red Velvet Matte Lip Pencil (bottom), Flamenco (middle), and Misdemeanor Lip Liner (top)

Swatches of Misdemeanor Lip Liner (left), Mysterious Red Velvet Matte Lip Pencil (centre), and Flamenco (right)

Going red, root canals, and a few of my favourite makeup bits from September

September was in all honesty a blur of a month, I turned 32, celebrated my fifth wedding anniversary, got a root canal (ouch doesn't quite cover it), dyed my hair red, and managed to apply some makeup in between countless appointments to the dentist. 

Blogging unfortunately moved to the back burner as a result, because I couldn't quite get myself to sit down and write. So instead of going into detail about the root canal, let's touch on the light-hearted stuff, makeup.

First up, brushes..

Real Techniques Bold Metals Collection

In late August Real Techniques released seven new brushes in order to appeal to both their grassroots fan base, as well as brush snobs like myself. Aesthetically pleasing to the eye with their angular lines and precious metal finish (rose gold, gold, and silver), and synthetic bristles -- read: animal-friendly. While I do love gold as much as the next gal, I cannot overlook the fact that the brush handles won't stay gold forever. Greasy fingerprints and annoying/tricky packaging take these seven brushes down a few notches in their hot pursuit of luxe-ness. RT brush prices range from $39 AUS to $65 AUS, and in the event you head to your local Priceline to check them out be sure to hit up the cashier as you won't be able to find them on the sales floor. 

Hits

• Brush 301 - holy contour, Batman!
• Brush 202 - the petite multi-tasker for lining the eyes and creating natural brows.
• Brush 300 - this tapered blush brush was made for pairing up with Hourglass' Ambient Light Blush palette.

Misses 

• Brush 101 - the triangle foundation brush fails to compute, I just don't get it.
• Brush 100 - the arched powder brush.. been there, done that. Plus there far better and cheaper alternatives out in the market.
• Brush 200 - The oval shadow brush is too large for my small eyes. It can blend, but not with the same precision as MAC's 217.
• Brush 201 - The pointed crease failed to leave a lasting impression.

Chanel's 2-in-1 Foundation Brush

Speaking of brush snobs, I picked this brush up, Chanel's 2-in-1 Foundation Brush Fluid and Powder, way back in August, and it's become the brush I'd like to master using. When used correctly Photoshop filters and the Healing Tool will quickly become obsolete. Sabrina's in-depth review definitely justifies this spend-y indulgence. 

Evo's roy wide-tooth comb (pictured in the first image) was an anniversary gift from Scott. Don't knock this comb until you've tried it -- made from recycled wood, this tooth-y comb really gets into the roots while the rounded ends massage the scalp.

Moisturiser

Renewed Hope In a Jar Dry, as commented by my facialist, has left my skin looking and feeling plump, hydrated and youthful. Filled with AHA's, Philosophy's revamped formula spreads on evenly as it melts into the skin to moisturise, fill in fine lines, and promote gentle chemical exfoliation throughout the course of the day. Because of my sensitive skin I tend not to slather this stuff on morning and night in fear of having a negative reaction. *touchwood* Highly recommend this lightweight moisturiser for Spring and Summer, and don't forget to apply SPF!

And the scent, I can't help but think of babbling brooks and gentle streams.

Eyes

Wearing look No. 2 from Urban Decay's Naked Smoky Eyeshadow Palette

When smoky eyes became a big thing again in the early aughts, the three colours of choice were black, silver and white; when executed on me I was left looking like a sad panda. Well, we've come a long way in the past decade, because UD's Naked Smoky Eyeshadow Palette for lack of a better word is sexy. From its plastic packaging, magnetic closure, and built-in mirror I seriously cannot get enough. Let's not forget about the four looks broken down in one handy insert created by Urban Decay's in-house makeup artists -- watered down instructions for the makeup impaired and uninspired, they help make the trickiest looks achievable. I was on the fence about picking up palette number four, but it was love at first swatch.

Maybelline's The Rocket Volum'Express was like a shot to the heart (in a good way). Mascara and I have had a love/hate relationship over the years. Just when I settle on a brand or a formula, without fail, things breakdown, and I'm left looking racoon-like. The Rocket Volume'Express' thicker consistency coats the lashes evenly and sets/dries rapidly, a feature more to my liking. My lashes are left looking fuller, albeit slightly crispy which I'll gladly accept in lieu of smudged mascara along the under eye area. Thank you, Diana 😘 

Face

Becca's Champagne Pop

I like my bubbles right where I can see them, preferably in a glass. For the days when I can't imbibe Becca x Jaclyn Hill's Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop gives the structure of my face that extra oomph with a touch of ethereal glow.

Wearing Champagne Pop on my cheekbones and Marc Jacob's Role Play on my lips

Going Red

Growing your hair out is such a bear. Tired of seeing the dreaded line of demarkation between old and new, I made a huge leap of faith and dyed my hair RED, and I, of course, left this to the pros.

I won't go into huge detail, but I tried out a new salon and a new hairdresser, and was left with a sour taste in my mouth. I eventually grew to like the results (it took a couple of days), but now the hunt begins to find yet another hairdresser to take the reigns -- the red hair is here to stay (I think).

*PR samples provided (Real Techniques and Philosophy) –  Thoughts and ramblings written here are completely my own.

Liptember: help me kiss away the blues

Unfortunately, mental health issues and depression don't discriminate. I have friends and family members who've ambled through the darkest clouds. My words here can't even begin to scratch the surface of their personal struggles, but I can share my own story as a testament that depression can flow through the cracks and suck you right in.

September was typically a trepidatious time for me thanks to the new school year ticking over right around Labor Day in the US. Couple that with the fact that my birthday fell seven days into the aforementioned month, which should of been a happy time -- but, I was the awkward kid handing over the cupcake filled Tupperware container to my teacher on or around the first day of school while thinking I'd instantly become popular (never happened). The SAT's left me in cold sweats in Junior and Senior year, but it was the second year of university when things turned dark. Turns out living away from home for the first time plunged my already sensitive mind right down to the rip currents. Here I was 20-years-old, crying in the middle of the Gap on Newbury Street one lovely fall night, unable to see the tags through the hot tears -- with an hour left in my shift sizing underwear became less of a priority as my chest grew tense -- look busy, that's it, so no one would catch onto the tinge of mania.

I hated myself, the experience, for rooming with a girl who didn't even want to know about me, the gaggle of girls who partied at 3 AM in the common area, the neighbour who professed she was apple shaped after watching an episode of Dr. Phil and swore off all food (what does he even know about a woman's body, I thought), and the suite mate who disappeared in the middle of the night and to never be seen again after breaking down. It's safe to say she was having a much tougher time than me.

When you're twenty the minutiae of life really stings, and suffering in silence only cures the concrete. Instead of remaining stuck, I put in for a dorm transfer request to move closer to my best friend, Diana and found a counsellor. My sunny disposition slowly returned, I was finally able to immerse myself in schoolwork and comfortably socialise again, and I think my parents even made fewer trips up and down 93 in order to break me out of school. 

If I didn't change my situation, or recognise something was in fact wrong I think I would've given up on studying, and hated myself even more for squandering something I worked so hard for. 

Wearing three of six shades from the W7 Liptember range

Throughout the entire month of September I'll be raising money for Liptember to help support women's mental health; all donations will go directly to Lifeline, a crisis support hotline, and the Centre for Women's Mental Health in Australia.

Or, you could purchase a neon Liptember shade from Chemist Warehouse, and wear it proudly throughout the month of September.

Go on, make the first donation, you won't regret it!