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Hi, Violet Gang! This is an image from my review video, which is available below. My makeup routine is pretty stripped back, but Lisa Eldridge’s Elevated Glow in Crystal Nebula has earned a permanent spot. It does two things that make a real difference: after a few minutes, it forms a subtle lifting film on the skin, and it gives a glow without a single speck of glitter. Just smooth, lit-up skin that looks like mine—only better. In this review, I’ll break down what Crystal Ne

Hi, Violet Gang! Welcome to my blog. In this episode, I look at the alternative retinols such as bakuchiol, peptides, azelaic acid, glycolic acid, niacinamide and vitamin C. I really wanted to understand the differences between them and classic retinols. The first thing that you might be thinking is, which ones are better? Well, are you pro-science or anti-science? Tough questions in the first paragraph, right? Photo via iStock. But those are the core questions that divide pe

Introduction Looking for skincare that blends Scandinavian minimalism with cutting-edge ingredients? You might want to explore MANTLE. A Bit of Backstory Growing up in the harsh winters of Northern Sweden, Josefin Landgård struggled with dry, weather-worn skin. As an elite competitive skier, her skin was exposed daily to snow and icy winds. Later, after a successful career in digital innovation, she decided to merge her two lifelong interests—tech and skincare—and founded MAN

Hi, Violet Gang! I took the plate where I keep my keys and other stuff to a better photographing place. I don't keep any products in direct sunlight, so you know. It is usually next to my outside door. Anyway, this I’ll be honest: I only use SPF sticks on my lips. Occasionally, I put it on the backs of my hands. I do this if the sun’s really showing off from a clear blue sky. That’s it: no grand skincare revelation here, no holy grail moment. On my face? I’m all about lotion.

Hello, Violet Gang! Welcome to my very first beauty post. I thought I’d start with lipliners because my lips have lost pigment and size. I haven’t been using them very often so far. I’ve found them hard to use and useless. Or maybe not meaningless, but not necessary. Now that I’m in my forties, changes are happening to my appearance, and I've started noticing them. I’m not like “Oh, my god! Somebody call a plastic surgeon! I need help.” I have boundaries I won’t cross. When I

Hi Violet Gang, How’s your skincare journey going lately? Need help with acne, redness, and lack of collagen? Or maybe calming redness? Then you are in the right place. If you’ve ever had a HydraFacial, you’ve probably seen that glowing light mask used at the very end. Or maybe you are curious about trying one. But have you ever stopped to wonder what it’s actually doing? Today, I’m explaining what really happens during the LED phase of your treatment. I will also share my ow

Hi, Violet Gang! Nice to have you here. Today, I want to explore a common skincare frustration — pilling — from the product’s point of view. Pilling occurs when products don’t absorb well and start to ball up on the skin, often during layering. It’s incredibly frustrating when you’re short on time and trying to get through your morning skincare and makeup routine. I used to experience this often, particularly during my time as an HR Coordinator, when efficiency was key. Now t

Hi Violet Gang! First of all, I have to admit that I didn't know much about kojic acid before this post. It noticed it by chance. The other day, I was scrolling through @tukesinfo_kosmetiikka on Instagram. There, I saw a post about new EU regulations. These regulations limit kojic acid in skincare to a limit of 1%. This got me curious. I started wondering, how its potency varies across countries. Why does Finland already have stricter formulations? And what does this new regu

1. Introduction Hi, Violet Gang! I recently realized something important. I might still be writing like an HR Coordinator. It’s no surprise since I was one for 17 years! Yeah… I actually asked ChatGPT to analyze my writing style, and it pointed out that I was way too corporate. So, I’m turning a new leaf and writing with a more personal touch—The Nina way. I’m still getting the hang of it, but I’m learning! My last blog post was all about simple skincare science: why less

Hi Violet Gang! Have you noticed that everyone has been talking about using fewer skincare products lately? The timing couldn’t be better, especially here in Finland, where our skin encounters some unique challenges. After testing many products over the years (yes, my bathroom cabinet has seen it all!), I’ve discovered something surprising: simplicity works. I have always loved simplicity. In fact, using fewer, thoughtfully selected products often leads to better results th

Hi, Violetines! Welcome to my new posting time on Mondays at 4 pm. EET! This post includes affiliate links. Last December, I enjoyed unboxing Typology’s advent calendar every day. This was part of my Violet Calendar Christmas Project on my Instagram. The journey was an exciting skincare discovery. Among the standout products were Typology Paris’s Peppermint Hydrolate and Orange Blossom Hydrolate. These hydrolates quickly became staples in my routine, combining skincare and se

Hi! Welcome to the first blog post of the year 2025. How has your year started? I hope with new skincare routine resolutions😉. To me, the numbers just changed. It's skincare business as usual.🙂💜✨ Read my latest blog post here about winter skincare tips. When it comes to repairing a damaged skin barrier, I’ve tried my fair share of products. But Drunk Elephant’s Bora Barriere Repair Cream has genuinely impressed me. This cream promises to strengthen the skin barrier, soothe

Hi, Violet Gang! How has your December started? Any problems with dehydrated skin, aka pintakuiva iho? If you are experiencing breakouts and tightness in your skin more than usual, this is the post for you. When winter arrives in Finland, it’s not just the temperatures that drop—our skin’s moisture levels plummet, too. With subzero temperatures outside and aggressively dry, heated indoor air, skin dehydration becomes an unavoidable reality for many. If you’ve found yourself s

Hi Violetines! We have almost reached the end of November. It has been snowing here in Finland like it is on the scale of a winter wonderland. But. It has always melted away. Sorry, Mr. Snowman and Miss Snowman☃️! Next before we go to the topic of this post, I want to share some news. I will send my first monthly newsletter on the 30th of November. It is called VIOLLETTER, like violet + letter. I have even trademarked the name that my mom came up with. Thanks, Mom❤️! Then, I

Hi Violetines! How is your autumn going? I love the cool and crisp air when I go for a walk. All that lovely O2, aka oxygen, to brighten my complexion. Have you already read about Effective Skincare Patches: Targeted Solutions for Common Skin Concerns? Acids are essential in skincare. Hyaluronic, glycolic, and salicylic acids are well-known for helping us achieve clear, radiant skin. Yet, the skincare world is constantly evolving, with new and exciting acids emerging that off

Skincare is becoming increasingly specialized. Patches have emerged as an innovative solution for tackling common concerns like acne, dehydration, and wrinkles. Designed to target specific issues, these patches harness active ingredients and advanced materials to deliver fast, noticeable results. Here’s how they work and why they’re worth adding to your routine. 1. Acne Patches: Targeted Treatment for Blemishes Acne patches, often made from hydrocolloid material, are designed

Hi there, Violetines! Here is my second post for this October. If you haven’t yet read my earlier product review about three of my favorite hydrating serums, read it here. Photo by Violet Texts by Nina. If you’re in the market for a solution to even out your skin tone and tackle dark spots, you might have come across Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum. This product claims to diminish discoloration and leave your skin looking more radiant, but does it really deliver? He

Hello Violetines! It is so lovely to see you here. In my last blog post, I talked about the best skincare ingredients for hormonal acne. You can read it here if you haven’t and want to. It is October now, and I have seen proper frost on the ground already. The Barnacle Geese are gathering their flock to move away from Finland for winter. It was nice to see you geese! Safe moving trip! Okay, let’s get into the topic of the moment. Cold weather dries out our skin for several re

Hi Violetines! Summer is finally showing clear signs of ending. And so is my blog in Finnish. From this point onwards, my blog is only available in English. In this post, I look at hormonal acne from the point of view of skincare ingredients. Fall's Touch on Our Skin As temperatures drop and humidity levels shift, our skin’s behavior can change. This often leads to increased dryness or oil production as it tries to adapt. These changes can disrupt the skin barrier, trigger in

Hi Violetines! Happy September. Last time, I talked about how you know which skin concern you have. If you haven't read it yet, you can read it here. We are now officially living in autumn, but the weather is still in summer mode. Nonetheless, the colder months are arriving, so it's good to know which skincare ingredients to favor. Okay, let's get on with the current topic, shall we? Ever feel like your skin is stuck in a desert scene from a movie? That tight, flaky feeling,