Consumer Digest 002: November 2024
Welcome to this month’s Consumer Digest, a list of everything I consumed this month that has had a lasting impression.
This month was defined by red-eye flights and dinner parties—or more precisely, red-eye flights to dinner parties. One such occasion was a birthday celebration in Marrakech, arguably one of the most magical cities on Earth. Being invited felt like a gift in itself, so I knew my present had to match the enchantment of the trip.
Determined, I walked into Scent Bar with one mission: to buy Bianco Latte . Simple enough, right? Well, not quite. While I did accomplish step one, I somehow found myself drawn to a group of girls who shared my olfactory obsessions. What began as a quick errand transformed into a serendipitous afternoon, bonding over tea and coffee-inspired scents like Love Me Latte, before wandering into the world of gourmands: Jany, Italica, Fire At Will, Lira, and more.
What could have been a simple stop turned into a full exploration of my Fragrantica library.Considering I banned blind buying I am not too mad at this.I even found myself in a spirited exchange with the scent specialist, eager to impress her with my layering suggestions. I mentioned my belief that Gris Charnel and Bianco Latte were destined to be paired. She countered with her own combo: Kyse’s Delizia di Marshmallow. One quick spritz, and it was love at first sniff.
Fast forward to now—the bottle is nearly empty, and it hasn’t even been a month. Delizia di Marshmallow is everything I’ve ever wanted in a marshmallow scent: light and airy, not cloyingly sweet, but perfectly sugary and comforting. Unlike some of its marshmallow peers, it strikes the perfect balance. Scents like Oriana or Love Don’t Be Shy are lovely, but their floral and sugary notes can become overpowering over time. Meanwhile, Commodity Milk is intimate and beautiful but dries down to an almost too subtle skin scent, making it less impactful on its own.Delizia di Marshmallow combines the best of both worlds: it’s soft yet assertive, with an impressive 8+ hour wear time and an expansive scent bubble. It stands on its own effortlessly, delivering all the marshmallow goodness I’ve been searching for. Every time I’m on a flight, nestled in my window seat, gazing at the fluffy clouds and imagining what it would feel like to lounge on them or leap through their softness, this scent perfectly captures that dreamy sensation. It’s pure, sugary comfort in a bottle. WOW—this fragrance is truly special.
(And as if that weren’t enough, I also snagged testers of Kyse’s Bonbons à la Vanille and Macarons. This perfume house is seriously trying to steal my heart!)
2. Patrick Ta Eye Major Dimension Illusion Eyeshadow
Death to the clean girl starts with eyeshadow, death to the cool girl starts with eyeshadow. Particularly sparkly,glittery eyeshadow that says “HI! I’m wearing makeup, and if that makes you think I’m high maintenance,IDC”. From childhood, I’ve always been drawn to glitter and shimmer in every form. So, when Patrick Ta released his (admittedly divisive) glittery eyeshadows, my curiosity was instantly piqued. I ran into Sephora to see if it really was worth the $42, and I’ve worn it every time I've done my make up and I'd say the compliments I've received suggest it’s good.
Beyond the compliments, I’m personally obsessed. I chose the shade “Do You Know Who I Am?”, a deeper gold that genuinely sparkles unlike any other eyeshadow in my collection. Now, full disclosure: my eyeshadow stash isn’t exactly massive, so take that with a grain of salt. But this formula feels special—almost hypnotic.The other thing I love is what most people hate, the size. While the price for the size is a conversation to be had, I do like the smaller size as it makes it much easier to travel with.It’s stunning, it makes your eyes mesmerizing,that is all.
I hate putting my hands in products,even edge control. So when I need a little touch up this stick is perfect to slick my edges without having leftover product on my hand.It is also great for flyaways, other gels and edge controls can sometimes be too wet and make your hair look too shiny in the area you apply them, but this style stick is more of a natural finish and blends sooo much better!
Volufiline + Eyecream
Volufiline has been on and off of my FYP for what seems like forever, when I saw Devon Kelley’s results I knew I had to try it. You mix the thin liquid with another eye-cream (or any cream) and it helps to plump any areas by increasing fat cell development in the site of application. I’ve been mixing it with quite a few eye-creams — I’ve been working though some to complete my project pan. The standout mixes have been Volufilline + Beauty of Joseon’s Ginseng Eye Serum or The Phix Depuffing Eyecream. The BOJ was originally in my Project Pan but after consistent use I realized that it is a favorite product. I find it to be more in between a cream and an ointment than a serum (which I prefer), and I’ve noticed a visible difference in the smoothness of my undereyes. With eyecreams, I feel like there is also too much or too little information. One day you're told eyecreams do nothing, the next day you're told you need prescription strength hydroquinone. I let these murmurs get to me and confuse me out of constantly applying eye cream, especially because my undereyes weren't a top concern of mine. Once I committed to using the products that have been wasting away on my shelves I became consistent and wow! The difference consistency makes, I generally look more awake and my make up also applies much better. Less creasing and longer lasting!
If I were to go to jail, it would be for stealing socks. Every time I go to visit my cousins I make a b-line for their sock drawers,socks are just very important. I recently found the best socks known to mankind - The Aritzia Best Ever Crew Sock. It’s even in the name, they’re the best ever. They’re thick enough to keep you warm and not slippery, and good quality.Let me set the scene… You're nestled into the couch, the fabric worn just enough to feel like an old friend, its softness cradling you. A cozy blanket is draped across your lap, but it’s not the blanket that you’re focused on today — it's the socks.You tug the blanket just a little lower, revealing your feet. There they are — the Aritzia Best Ever Crew Socks, snug and perfectly positioned. They're thick enough to keep your feet comfortably warm, yet breathable, like they were custom-made for the ultimate lounging experience.You’ve worn socks before, of course. Lots of socks. Some thick, some thin, some fuzzy, some sleek. But these socks? They’re perfect on gym days, chill days, work days, they’re just perfect.
Hair tool analysis paralysis is real, especially for curly coily girls. This brush is a multipurpose tool that perfectly distributes product and defines curls while still being perfect for sleek styles like slick backs etc.
Boy Smells Broken Rosary Candle
I am almost never down with OPC—Other People’s Candle’s that is. I just can't seem to like other people’s candles, they, for some reason, always make me feel nauseous. That is until my Boy Smells obsessed sister lit Broken Rosary. Ugh my heart, it smells sooo good. It smells like looking up at your boyfriends and nestling up into his beard but the catch is that your girlie-pop vanilla perfume is still lingering. It’s described as a woody vanilla Holiday candle, with hints of cardamon,cinnamon,rose,sandalwood. It's sooooo goood! I immediately bought two and burned through hers, sorry not sorry.
This month, much like the last, began in LA—the land of Erewhon and Runyon Canyon. Every time I return, I’m reminded of my wedding to wellness during the time I lived there, when most mornings began at Kreation or the MOON Juice that has since transformed into another Kreation.
On this trip, I rediscovered a forgotten gem from my wellness routine: the tiny copper U-shaped device I’d left on my bathroom sink ages ago—my trusty tongue scraper. I hadn’t picked it up in years, but now, it’s back in rotation and a non-negotiable part of my oral care routine.
There’s something incredibly satisfying about using it. It makes me feel like my oral hygiene game is on another level. Beyond the satisfaction, it’s a practical powerhouse—helping to remove bacteria and lingering debris that simply doesn’t belong. For me, this little tool does wonders in keeping that freshly brushed feeling and smell for longer. The confidence of a truly clean mouth is so brat to me. I’m officially hooked again!
This may be my second oral care favorite, but let me start with a disclaimer: I’m not a dental professional, nor am I recommending this toothpaste for any dental health reasons. That said, I’ve been absolutely obsessed with Marvis toothpastes, and the Jasmine Mint flavor is hands-down my favorite.
Admittedly, it feels a bit odd to have a “favorite toothpaste,” considering toothpaste is typically just...functional. But here I am, embracing this extreme level of curation. I feel like this is an accomplishment, my preferences even go down to what I brush my teeth with, add #curator to my LinkedIn.While I understand that the jasmine flavor might not appeal to everyone, I personally love it. The delicate floral taste, paired with the freshness of mint, is a dream for someone who already adores jasmine.Beyond the taste, I’m obsessed with how it leaves my breath lightly scented with jasmine—it’s subtle, unique, and lasts longer than you’d expect. For me, brushing my teeth with this toothpaste is more than a routine; it’s a small daily indulgence.
JW Anderson Green Trench
New York used to be unforgettable and wretchedly cold during November, but this year not so much. My go jacket became a trench coat that has a swishy bottom and a ribbon allowing me to create a bow, my favorite. I initially saw the tan and loved the cut but still felt it wasn't remarkable enough to move forward with, upon googling it again I found this deep pistachio green and I knew. As Lana says “When you know you know”, it’s moment like this that prove that holding out for the right item or the right version is much more worth it.Of course I would have gotten use out of the tan version but it would not have aligned with my personal style as much, yes even just the color can make or brake whether or not something is a forever piece!
Niche Beauty is where Net-a-Porter meets Violet Grey meets Sephora. I stumbled upon their Instagram after seeing a post titled “These 9 Products Are Worth the Splurge”—and was immediately intrigued by Le Bonne Brosse . Their bio perfectly encapsulates their essence: “Strictly Selective, Strictly Luxury”. This immediately brought Violet Grey to mind, with its iconic Violet Code—a gold standard for the beauty-obsessed. Every product sold at Violet Grey must pass this meticulous code, undergoing a process of discovery, testing, and approval.
Niche Beauty’s Clean Box, complimentary with certain purchases
Niche Beauty offers a similarly curated experience, but on a broader scale, which lends it a Sephora-like versatility. My introduction to Violet Grey, however, was refreshingly offline—on Melrose Place in 2018, where I wandered into their boutique. To me, Violet Grey has always been a brick-and-mortar gem, whereas Niche Beauty thrives in the e-commerce realm.What truly impressed me about Niche Beauty was their lightning-fast shipping—so efficient it reminded me of Net-a-Porter. I have never received beauty products so fast, it was two days versus Sephora’s 7 plus.Despite being more expansive than Violet Grey, Niche Beauty stays true to its name, catering to the discerning tastes of what Caroline Stern calls the “Niche Luxury Hot Girls.” They consistently deliver the latest in niche luxury, from exclusive perfumes to cutting-edge beauty collaborations.
Their selection of niche perfume houses is particularly remarkable, featuring names like Amouage, Heretic, Parfums de Marly, Björk and Berries, Gritti, and more. They even carry the latest collaboration between Fugazzi and BORNTOSTANDOUT. Niche Beauty seamlessly bridges exclusivity,discovery and accessibility, making it a standout in the luxury beauty space.
11 favorites for this month since there is no playlist. I am so excited for next months, which will be a 2024 Consumer Digest, highlighting the “Best of 2024”.
Things I am Trying!
Prequel Gleanser + SA ( I didn’t get to use it as much as I wanted to last month)
The Dyson Airstraight
Beauty Stat Universal Triple Action Daily Peel
MUD\WTR
Red Light Therapy for hair growth
Link for easy access: Consumer Digest
Thanks for consuming!
Phia
“Each Day Gets Better”