I have heard a lot of talk about using a toner, the benefits of a toner lately, you only need a toner and serum talk. But is it enough for everybody? I don’t think so. I prefer essences to toners because they are thicker and have a higher concentration of actives. Toners are great for removing impurities (good for mornings when I feel too lazy to wash my face), balancing the skin barrier pH and lightly hydrating.

Hi, Violets! When Diane Keaton passed away on October 11th, 2025, I suddenly felt compelled to watch Annie Hall (1977), the film directed by Woody Allen. Why? Hmm… maybe it has something to do with my age. I'm in my mid-forties now, and I often find comfort in revisiting films from the last century. I was never much of a Woody Allen fan, but this time, I found the movie surprisingly amusing. Diane Keaton had such a distinct, effortlessly cool style—a style that’s not so far f

Hi, Violet Community! This time, I chose to talk about storing your skincare products properly. It’s not just about the 'valid until' sticker on the bottom of the jar, bottle, or tube; it’s also about how and where you store your skincare products. And yes, different products are sent to other locations. Not every product is happy staying in the bathroom cabinet. However, before we delve deeper into the topic, take a look at my previous post about face masks – are they still

Hi, Violet Gang! If you’ve read my previous post, you already know the correct order to apply your products. But knowing how to use them is just the start. In this post, we're going deeper: we'll explore what products and ingredients work best for your unique skin type — from morning to night. You’ll learn how to identify your skin type, tailor your routine accordingly, and even adjust it for seasonal changes, travel, or stress. Consider this your personalized skincare routi

Hi, Violet Gang! I’ve been sharing short videos of my morning and evening skincare routines on Instagram for a while now. You can find them on my account @violettextsbynina, under the (highlight)series Violet Routine. In each video, I highlight just one product—why I use it, when I use it, and what it does for my skin, and so on. However, because those clips spotlight only one product, I thought it was a good idea to step back and see the whole routine: what a complete skinca

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