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.

---

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

Honest thoughts on Glossier: the series

All the Glossier stuffed inside a pink bubblewrap pouch

Welcome back! It’s been a long while since we last caught up. After a bit of thinking and stewing, and missing having a creative outlet, I thought to myself it was high time to re-visit the blogosphere.

So, hello again — how are you and what’s new?

After posting about my comeback my lovely friend, Kara of Miss Frankie, dropped me an inspiring note that solidified my burning desire to return to writing and reviewing makeup over here on Bagful. Plus, she may’ve subtlety hinted about featuring Glossier, and well, here we are. Over the next few weeks I’m going to take you on a semi-deep dive through all things Glossier.

Instead of jotting down one long review with way too many photos of my face, I’ll provide links in this post as the reviews progress <watch this space>, but here’s what you can expect to find over the coming weeks (in no particular order; it’ll all come down to what I feel like writing about at the time #truth):

Skincare

• Serum: The Supers (Super Bounce, Super Glow, and Super Pure)

• Lip stuffs: Balm Dotcom

• Face wash: Milky Jelly Cleanser

• Eye and lip cream: Bubblewrap

Makeup

• Complexion: Perfecting Skin Tint, Wowder, Stretch Concealer, Haloscope, and Cloud Paint

• Eyes: Lash Slick, Lidstar (as made famous by the likes of Beyonce and Maya Rudolph at last year’s Oscars ceremony), and Colorslide

• Brows: Boybrow and Browflick

• Lips: Generation G, Cloud Paint (yes, it’s a rascally multitasker), Lip Gloss, and Vinylic Lip

Apparel

• The Glossier sweatshirt — I need a back-up, stat! It’s super soft, keeps me warm, and turns me into a walking billboard for Glossier whenever I wear it. Does that mean I qualify for some sort of kickback now?

Bear in mind that I won’t have photos for some of the Glossier products I’ll be reviewing — it’s either been used up, dried out and binned, or sold on eBay (true story, I did that).

Wonder how I managed to smuggle so much product over to Australia? (Glossier doesn’t yet ship here.) Let’s chalk it up to using a mail forwarding service, and strategically placing orders while on holiday in the US ever since Glossier’s opened it’s brick and mortar-less store.

To satiate your appetite between reviews, here’s a 10% discount code: https://re.glossier.com/7ba0f00a

I’m not an affiliate, but it’s a sweet incentive for Glossier customers :) Happy shopping, and let me know what you buy!

Apart from brows and foundation I’m wearing a face full of Glossier; full look breakdown coming your way!

Until next time 💋🙋🏻‍♀️

What is Lash Lifting?

I've always wanted to get my lashes tinted, but when I saw an ad for lash lifting at Brow Theory, I shrugged my shoulders, figured 'why the heck not' and booked in for a lash lift in one months' time. All for the sake of investigative journalism, am I right? Thing is, I didn't know what it entailed, so I did a bit of research as the days ticked closer, and almost nearly chickened out the night before.

So, what is lash lifting?

Lash lifting is a process whereby a silicone tube is glued along the lash line, the lashes are then wrapped around the contour of the tube and fixed in place. A chemical (smells of the same chemicals used to perm hair) is then gently painted onto the lashes and left to process for approximately 10 minutes. Once the lashes are decidedly lifted, a tint is applied to the lashes to further accentuate them.

From start to finish I was in the chair for a good 40 minutes, and in that time I had moments of doubt, a touch of fear, and 'OMG, what if I can never see again?'. Sometimes I like to think of myself as an eternal optimist, but in a moment of weakness and unknowing I plunged head first into the depths of hell. I guess the thing that bothered me the most was having to keep my eyes closed for what seemed like an eternity -- it was difficult to do while listening to the background music swirl together with the garbled voices as they bounced off the halls of the Strand Arcade. Part of me wished I made Scott come along to hold my hand and tell me it would all be okay. Alas.

The lash glue was the other annoying bit, especially when the brow technician pried the lids apart to make sure she didn't actually glue my eyes shut -- this is when my mind went into overdrive and immediately filled with regret.

Can you say neurotic?

Lash tinting, by contrast, was a breeze, it took less than five minutes and wasn't nearly as burdensome (read: scary). It's been about a week since I got my lashes lifted -- for the price ($80!!) and the heartache I don't think I'd necessarily do it again. I guess it was worth it in that I haven't used a lash curler or mascara since doing this, but now that my lashes are curled to the extreme I've become hyper aware of them from all the tickling. Yes, my lashes tickle and annoy me (First World problems).

I left with a bit of nervous energy and absolutely spaced on asking about any special care requirements, so I called back and was advised to avoid using moisturisers, eye creams and eye makeup removers for the first 24 hours. Lash lifting should last between 8 to 10 weeks so long as you prescribe to the initial instructions; the tint will likely be halved in terms of longevity thanks to regular face washing.

The results

No mascara

Mascara

Post lash lift, no mascara

One week post lash lift, no mascara

You can check out my before and after photos over on Brow Theory's Instagram page. If you're totally head over heels in love with the results, be sure to enter their Instagram competition before 9 August 2015 for a free lash lift for you and your BFFL.