Hiiii, I’m new here. Or at least new to writing here. My BFF Liam has so kindly entrusted me with the 9th instalment of Beauty Blast. I hope you enjoy it, because I am also your new contributing editor — my unsubbed words will be in your inbox/feed/dreams on a regular basis.

I have been a beauty journalist for 8 years, both online, for mags and now as a freelancer. Working for a publication is great (job security, steady stream of event invites, priority on PR lists), but I love freelancing more because it enables me to write the things I want to write, for titles I admire – like Sauce! You can also find my musings over at Byrdie, Harper’s BAZAAR, GRAZIA, Gritty Pretty, and Vogue.

Back to beauty, I love everything about it: The allure, the (sometimes false) promises, the shiny packaging, the science, the campaigns, the people working within it… I’ve actually never had a job outside this industry; every single dollar I’ve ever earned has come from pedaling lipstick or talking about hyaluronic acid. I’m not a millionaire but I’m not broke, either.

Anyway, onto my blast. I’ve tested 1000+ free products in my time, so I feel I have a good barometer of what’s good and what’s stupid. The below list is made up exclusively of the former, or at least those that make me feel like a gussied-up version of myself.

Hope you love <3

Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser, $60

When I got the email Allies of Skin was coming to Mecca, I squealed. I’d actually never used the brand (lol) but it has organic endorsements from Kaia Gerber and Nikki Deroest, so you know it’s legit. I got the Cleanser in the press box, and went to town. It’s a semi-solid oil that melts like a stick of room-temperature Lurpak. It gets rid of zinc and mascara with ease, while simultaneously leaving the skin smooth and plump. A friend alerted me to the fact that it's got a few shitty reviews online (people claim it’s irritating), but my experience has been the opposite. 10/10 would buy with my own money.

Byredo Eyes Closed, $338

Ben Gorham could bottle up garbage water and I would want it, but Eyes Closed is a soft, smoky, skin-like fragrance that’s hard to describe but fun to wear. The scent story pedals it as the olfactory interpretation of closeness; of those spine-tingling, skin-contact moments. The notes are cinnamon, cardamom and patchouli, but I would more describe it as warm, amber-ish, and masculine. This is not for people who wear Baccarat Rouge; this is for people who want to smell mysterious, and naturally hot but not as if they’re wearing fragrance. It sits in the background, but it’s sexy. I love.

Biologique Recherche Creme PIGM 400

Once upon a time, acne was what troubled me. But now that I only break out occasionally, I have unlocked a new skin concern: pigmentation. Anyone who understands skin, or also has unhinged melanocytes, will know it is a bitch to treat. I’ve come to terms with this, but that doesn’t mean I’m not using stuff that promises to help. A current favourite is Biologique Recherche’s PIGM 400 Creme. It claims to “act on the three stages of melanogenesis and regulate the accumulation of lipofuscin at the origin of dark spots.” I am not going to pretend I can comprehend this, but I can tell you this cream has left my skin visibly more even (not perfect, but better) and it’s also got this subtle pearl sheen that I’m obsessed with. Surprisingly there’s no standard ‘skin brighteners’ but plant ingredients like young cress shoots, plum pulp, genistein and wasabi. Overall, it’s a really good product to lighten existing splodges, and prevent more from making their way to the surface.

Starface Micro-Cloud $17.99

On the topic of acne, I am going to be fucking annoying and talk about a product not available in Australia or New Zealand, but if you have a friend going to the US, put in a Starface order. The brand is founded by queen Julie Schott, but even without her, the products stand on their own. You could get the original star-shaped pimple patches (they’re good) but I love the new Micro-Cloud Micro Dart stickers because they target those under-the-skin zits that ALWAYS manifest on my cheeks (why?!). The cute cloud is fitted with tiny spikes that self-dissolve, sending salicylic acid straight into the heart of your pimple. I use them before bed and always wake up to a smoother face.

Biba de Sousa Zinc Mask, $59

One more about zits, for old times sake. A not-so-fun fact about me is that I wanted to get off the contraceptive pill for ages, but was genuinely too anxious of the ensuing acne (and I knew it was coming… I’d been there before). When it became obvious in 2021 I was going to be inside for months, I thought to myself ‘this is my chance’. In hindsight I find this depressing, but I did come out the other side. And now I find it very therapeutic to talk about (DM me if you’re in a similar post-pill hellscape).

You really need a 360 approach to tackle it, but a topical I discovered to be very effective was Biba de Sousa’s Zinc Mask. Biba is a hero of mine, and I think she’s smart as fuck. This mask in particular is chock full of zinc and sulfur to draw out sebum/bacteria. It’s not preventative, but a brilliant way to diffuse red, angry pimples in a timely manner.

Abhati Suisse Kanva Body Lotion, $78

I will tell you the story of this body lotion, because $78 is a bit much but for some reason it has a very unique hold on me. Six years ago when I worked at Byrdie, someone influential shared it on Instagram. My editor thought it would make a cool story, so I called in a bottle and became obsessed. It smells phenomenal (clean, expensive, sandalwood-y), imparts a non-greasy sheen and just makes your skin look better. I drained it so went to get another, but poof, it was gone! Nowhere to be found for years. But last month, I saw it at the George Street Mecca store in Sydney. I bought it for $78 (yes I paid!) and I do not regret a thing. It’s packed with nourishing plant extracts as well as lactic acid to smooth out crusty knees. My legs have never looked better. Get amongst it.

Masseter Botox

Can we talk about injectables in this blast? I hope so. This morning I got another 40 units of anti-wrinkle in my jaw and I’m so, so happy. Not only was it the first time I’ve had injectables and not passed out, but I can already feel the dull, heavy, melting sensation in the lower half of my face. I have a debilitating phobia of needles but will 100% put myself through mental hell to just enjoy waking up without the urge to physically unlock my jaw. The fact it slims my face is a welcome plus, too.

If you are considering it, please, please chat to a trusted injector with ample experience — the masseter is a hairy place and you don’t want a cowboy stabbing it with neurotoxins. Personally, I go to Ageless Clinics in Sydney. They are fantastic and always provide juice poppers so I don’t faint.

Words - Emily Algar

Beauty Blast #9