Frivolous September

September is not the time to be winding down your sunscreen use. The Domestic Goblin uses sunscreen throughout the year.

Here are the newer ones that she purchased recently:

~ Sunsense Lip Balm SPF 50

Verdict: Comfortable and non-sticky. Can be used over or under other lip products.

~ Altruist Face Fluid SPF 50

Developed by Dr Andrew Birnie, Consultant Dermatologist based in the United Kingdom. (Recommended by Dr Dray).

Verdict: Light and comfortable to wear (texture is similar to the Australian brand, Sunsense Ultra sunscreen). Would like to see a larger sized bottle offered. 

In addition, DG loves the fact that for every product sold, 10p is donated to charities that support children with albinism in Africa.

~ Frezyderm Velvet Face Sun Cream with SPF 50

(Recommended by Nigella Lawson and is favourited by Nafsika from Greece).

Verdict: It starts off with a clear gel texture that glides onto the skin like satin and feels lighter than air. Gives a comfortable matte finish. However, this needs to be used sparingly as it caused DG's skin to break out with over zealous application. Will recommend to others but won't repurchase.

Domestic Goblin also decided to ditch the Bio Oil (thank you, Dr Dray) and purchased the:

~  Tamanu Oil by Life-flo

(Mentioned by Liah Yoo, founder of Krave Beauty)

Verdict: Has a natural nutty scent. Seems to work well on the skin.  

December update: the tamanu oil congeals when the temperatures drop. Have decided to try Acwell's Licorice Toner instead. Will share verdict once order is received.

An Alternative to Deodorants

In September 2020, the Domestic Goblin read an article written by Lab Muffin Beauty Science regarding the use of acid exfoliators as deodorant. 

She decided to test this theory out by alternating between two products she already had to hand: the Pixi Glow Peel Pads (containing glycolic acid and rosewater) and the CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream (containing salicylic acid).

Two weeks into the experiment and so far, so good. Even though it was still warm in the UK with temperatures between 20-25°C, there was no excessive sweating or odours detected in the underarm region.

Could this be the end of buying traditional stick deodorants to control underarm odour? Watch this space...

Link to Lab Muffin's article here.

Neanderthals Developed Tools

The Big Bang Theory

Twelve-season sitcom based in Pasadena, California between 2007-2019.

Main Characters

~ Dr Leonard Leakey Hofstadter: Experimental Physicist. 

Ex room mate with Sheldon. Husband of Penny.

~ Dr Sheldon Lee Cooper: Theoretical Physicist. 

Ex room mate with Leonard. Husband of Amy. Nobel Prize winner.

~ Dr Rajesh Ramayan Koothrapalli: Astrophysicist/party planner/small-dog enthusiast.

Best friend of Howard. Godfather of Halley. 

~ Astronaut Howard Joel Wolowitz: Aerospace Engineer. 

Best friend of Rajesh. Husband of Bernadette. Father of Halley and Neil.

~ Dr Amy Farrah Fowler: Neurobiologist. 

Best friend of Penny. Wife of Sheldon. Nobel Prize winner.

~ Dr Bernadette Maryann Rostenkowski: Microbiologist. 

Colleague of Penny. Wife of Howard. Mother of Halley and Neil.

~ Penny: Pharmaceuticals Sales Rep. 

Best friend of Amy. Wife of Leonard. Colleagues with Bernadette.

I'll Be There For You

FRIENDS

Ten-season television sitcom based in Manhatten, New York City between 1994-2004.

Main Characters

~ Monica Geller: Sister of Ross. Childhood friend of Rachel. Wife of Chandler. Adoptive mother of Jack and Erica.
Significant relationships: Dr Richard Burke, Pete Becker, Chandler Bing.
Career history: Head Lunch Chef at Iridium; Sous Chef at Café des Artistes; Waitress at the Moondance Diner; Head Chef at Alessandro's; Head Chef at Javu.

~ Rachel Karen Green: Childhood friend of Monica. Mother of Emma. Married Ross in Vegas and divorced.
Significant relationships: Barry Farber, Ross Geller, Tag Jones.
Career history: Waitress at Central Perk; Assistant at Fortunata Fashions; Assistant and Personal Shopper at Bloomingdales; Merchandising Manager at Ralph Lauren. Offered job at Louis Vuitton.

~ Phoebe Buffay: Has a twin sister called Ursula. Surrogate mother of Frank, Leslie and Chandler. Wife of Mike Hannigan. Ex-wife of Duncan Sullivan.
Significant relationships: David (the scientist guy), Gary, Mike Hannigan.
Career: Massage Therapist and Musician. 
Alter Ego: Regina Phalange.

~ Ross Geller PhD: Brother of Monica. Divorced three times. Father of Ben and Emma.
Significant relationships: Carol Willick, Julie, Rachel Green, Emily Waltham, Mona, Charlie Wheeler.
Career history: Palaeontologist at the New York Museum of Prehistoric History; Professor at New York University.

~ Chandler Muriel Bing: Long term friends with Ross. Ex room mates with Joey. Husband of Monica. Adoptive father of Jack and Erica.
Significant relationships: Janice Hosenstein, Kathy, Monica Geller.
Career history: Specialises in statistical analysis and data reconfiguration for large multinational corporations. Junior Copywriter at an advertising agency.

~ Joseph Francis Tribbiani: Ex room mates with Chandler and Rachel. Officiated Monica & Chandlers wedding as well as Phoebe & Mike's wedding.
Significant crush: Janine, Charlie Wheeler, Rachel Green.
Career: Actor. Played Dr Drake Ramoray in Days of Our Lives. 
Alter Ego: Ken Adams.

Fickle mascara tester

~ Lily Lolo Big Lash Mascara

The excess needs to be wiped off first before application due to the formula being wet and gloopy. Despite this, it did not smudge or run in the recent humid weather.
Verdict: Undecided

~ Ilia's Limitless Mascara

Recommended by Youtuber, Isabella, from Effortlessly Chic.

Had high hopes for this. However, I experienced irritation in my eyes which you wouldn't expect to happen with a so-called 'natural' mascara. Lashes also felt uncomfortable all day.
Verdict: Expensive disappointment.

~ Essence Lash Princess Sculpted Volume Mascara

Had to wipe off the excess formula in order to use the wand properly. Although lashes were fanned out initially, they then drooped very quickly and did not hold. Might keep the wand to brush out lashes and brows.

Verdict: Okay but will not repurchase.

* These mascaras were tested in 2019 and at the beginning of 2020 *

More Sniffing

~ Island Rose by Caldey Island
Smells like sweet Parma violets. No rose detected.


~ Tea Rose EDT by Perfumer's Workshop
A rose bush with green undertones.


~ Liquid Sunshine by The Scent Doctor

Headache-inducing nothingness. 

~ Ca Sent Beau EDT by Kenzo

Disappointingly, the reformulated version smells like a combination of hair conditioner and air freshener. Would love to have smelt the original.

~ Rose Gourmande by Zara

Generic dessert in a bottle.

Colour Key:
Red: can't smell what all the fuss is about
Amber: agreeable/okay
Green: love/must buy/already purchased full bottle

After writing this post, the Domestic Goblin decided to take a break from trying to find her holy grail fragrance and to enjoy the perfumes/colognes already in her collection.