The best facial is a slapping facial

+ recession beauty Vol. 1 — GOOD skincare that's under $40

Hi,

I hope everyone had/is having a lovely Sunday.

First of all, if you read last week’s CBK beauty Substack, thank you. If you haven’t (and you’re not over the online discourse) you’ll find it below:

Today’s Substack however is a bit of a mixed bag —

In this newsletter you’ll find:

• Beauty news, saves, headlines etc

• A quick review of the best buccal-face-slapping-Bella-Hadid-cheekbone-giving massage I had last week from a woman I’d never heard of (recommended to me by a CHANEL makeup artist)

• My theory that teeth whitening gives the same fresh face energy as Botox does

• Recession beauty Vol 1 — 10 best skincare under $40 (a new mini content series I thought could be interesting)

• Also, I’ve decided I’m going on a pigmentation journey and would love advice in the comments from anyone who has successfully tried: needling, cosmelan, laser OR a topical that’s performed miracles (hydroquinone??)

• Product of the week

Enjoy.

NEWS, SAVES, HEADLINES

• CHANEL has launched a serum face mist. RHODE also launched a glaze mist the week prior… spray on skincare as a mini trend?

• Obviously we all saw the SPF Choice testing chaos and the fall out that ensued. I think this video by Ava (the co-founder of Ultra Violette) is the most succinct explanation I’ve seen. It’s hugely disappointing because ultimately what this news has done is cause people to loose faith in sunscreen

• Sofia Richie cut a chic bob (my favourite bob of all time still belongs to Taylor LaShae)

• Australian facialist Mel Grant has opened a NYC space above Violet Grey

• Ben Gorham is leaving Byredo three years after it was acquired by PUIG

• Everyone should save THIS POST by NYC acne aesthetician Sofie Pavitt on what treatments to get and when to get them, pre-event (BRIDES!!). It’s specific to her but still great information. Also, THIS POST about acne literally made me go to chemist warehouse and buy Metamucil

• Finally got out of my nude Russian manicure vortex and tried navy! See below… OPI midnight mantra layered on top of a sheer BIAB. Manicure by Soni @ Sindoba (wrote about her HERE)

A GOOD FACIAL IS ONE WHERE I’M GETTING SLAPPED

I’ve had a lot of facials. Some are clinical and focused on skin benefits only. Some are purely relaxing. Some are a hybrid. Some are more holistic. I think every kind of treatment has its place, but personally I like something I can’t get at home. Something that’s both special and remarkable.

About a fortnight ago, I saw Vic Baron (a Sydney beauty legend and CHANEL makeup artist) post about a treatment she had with in the mouth buccal massage, slapping, fascia release — all sorts of lifting techniques designed to release tension, and bring your face UP. Like Bella-Versace-campaign level DEFINITION.

The treatment was with…