FAVORITE SMOOTHIE RECIPES

I have been really big on wellness for a while now. Even though I don't necessarily eat clean, I love making smoothies as snacks.

My go-to recipe goes something like this:

• frozen strawberries / mixed berries

• soy or oat milk

• strawberry granola with chia

Put it all in a blender and voila. I also sometimes add coconut yoghurt depending on my mood.

Another favorite of mine:

• frozen strawberries

• avocado

• a banana

• soy milk

• dates

It's my way-lazier-but-still-inspired version of the famous Hailey Bieber Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie from Erewhon, without the actual strawberry glaze. It still tastes really good and I get healthy fats so it's a win. Adding dates makes it super sweet and healthy!

Whether I need a little sweetness in the morning or I get hungry just before bed, I love smoothies. They are super easy to make, taste delicious and they are super healthy on top of all that. What more can a girl want? Extra points for how pretty they look too.

xo Tuvana

THE PERFUME FILES

I am a firm believer of having an “essence”. A smell that will make people think of you. When I was a pre-teen, it was Victoria’s Secret Bombshell. I know, very lame. But I was in middle school and believe it or not it was cool back then.

When I started high school, my smell evolved to Lancôme Trésor Midnight Rose. I still get vivid memories whenever I smell it. I would empty half of the bottle after going out so I wouldn't smell like cigarettes. For day to day, my go-to was Chanel Chance Eau Tendre. Probably a bit too much for high school.

As I was already interested in high fashion, I LOVED perfume commercials. Daphne Groeneveld channeling Brigitte Bardot for Dior Addict, Prada Candy variations featuring Lea Seydoux, the iconic Miss Dior commercials especially the ones directed by Sofia Coppola... And I was particularly inspired to actually buy them. I blind bought Versace Bright Crystal only because the commercial featured my favorite model of all time Candice Swanepoel.

After a while, I started discovering the world of more niche fragrances starting with Lipstick On by Maison Martin Margiela. It was love at first sight! But they later discontinued it which I'm still sad about. So I started looking for alternatives. Lipstick Rose by Frederic Malle and Lipstick Fever by Juliette Has a Gun were said to be similar - hence the names. They did have the lipstick dna which I adored. Chanel Misia is also known for being “lipsticky” although it is a lot more mature then the others. I love and still use all of them.

After learning a bit about the world of perfume, I started recognizing perfumers. Francis Kurkdjian and Quentin Bisch make some of my favorites. Kurkdjian is the nose behind Burberry Her which is one of my absolute favorites of all time.

With Parfums de Marly, Bisch made Delina an icon. Although it is very pretty, I love the La Rosée version more. It is actually my current l'essence.

Another favorite from Bisch is Good Girl Blush by Carolina Herrera which I love using at night. And I love the pink stiletto bottle. I don't care.

I still have a lot more to explore - especially in the niche area. Until then, hope you enjoy my current picks.

xo Tuvana

SKINCARE ESSENTIALS

As some of you may know, I have very sensitive rosacea-prone skin. Most skincare products tend to irritate my skin rather than help it. If you also struggle with rosacea, you know exactly what I mean.

The first thing I look for in a product is whether it contains fragrance. If it does, it’s an immediate no-go. I've learned this the hard way. Sadly, fragrance is found in almost everything - especially in luxury skincare brands. I've found French pharmacy products to work best for me, as there are options specifically formulated for rosacea. Always check the ingredients list regardless. For instance, I once tried the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, which is marketed for sensitive skin and eczema, and still ended up with a rash.

I also avoid most acids, except for hyaluronic acid and azelaic acid, both of which are gentle and recommended for rosacea. Whether you have sensitive skin or not, harsher acids can be very tricky to use, and if you’re not careful, you will most likely end up with a damaged skin barrier.

My Skincare Routine:

1. Gentle Cleanser

The first step to any skincare routine is cleansing, but with rosacea, I’ve learned that it’s essential to choose a gentle, hydrating cleanser.

Favorite Products:

La Roche Posay Toleriane Caring Wash

Bioderma Sensibio Foaming Gel

2. Moisturizer

Moisturizing is key in any skincare routine, but especially when dealing with rosacea - as it causes significant dryness to the skin. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in strengthening and protecting your skin's barrier.

Favorite Products: 

Bioderma Sensibio AR Cream

Avène Cicalfate

La Roche Posay Cicaplast

Embryolisse Lait Creme Sensitive

3. SPF

SPF IS BFF. I love using a glowy sunscreen as a makeup base – it not only gives my skin a radiant finish but also serves as a gentle reminder to apply it every day.

Favorite Products:

Darphin Intral Environmental Lightweight Shield SPF50

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice Probiotics Spf 50

A'pieu Power Block Tone Up Sun Base Pink SPF 50+

4. Double Cleanse

On days I wear makeup or sunscreen, I use an oil cleanser to double cleanse. I find it to be the best method, as it melts away everything gently without drying out my skin.

Favorite Products:

Nuxe Very Rose Delicate Cleansing Oil

5. Serums

I don't always use a serum as I try to keep my routine simple, but when I do, I reach for serums that are formulated to calm redness, hydrate, and strengthen my skin’s natural barrier.

Favorite Products:

Bioderma Sensibio Defensive Serum

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid

The Ordinary Marine Hyaluronics

Extras

• I've been using pure rose water as a toner for years! Toners can be an unnecessary nightmare for sensitive skin but rose water has never failed me. It is naturally gentle and leaves my skin super soft. Be careful to avoid the ones with alcohol or added fragrances, which can worsen sensitivity.

• If I get a flare-up or feel like my skin is too dry, I use La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume all over my face. It’s also my go-to for spot treatment, effectively calming irritation and speeding up healing. It is incredibly versatile and has become one of my all-time holy grails.

  
  

• Another beauty tip I have kept with me for years is to use Vaseline for lips! I put it on top of my usual lip balm for the most hydrated plumpest lips when I wake up.

I hope my routine helps you! Trust me, I know the struggle. It took a lot of trial and error and at this point I deserve a chemistry degree. Needless to say, every skin is different and while it may take some time, you will find what works for you.

xo Tuvana