Sappho New Paradigm | Skin Perfecting Primer, Light Reflecting CC-Cream & Brow Pomade: Review and Swatches

Disclaimer: The products featured were provided for review.

Last month I visited a plant-based exhibition called the Planted Expo where I had the opportunity to check out a Vancouver-based clean beauty brand called Sappho New Paradigm. Created by Canadian makeup artist JoAnn Fowler in 2008, Sappho offers a full-range of vegan, cruelty-free, and environmentally-conscious makeup products. The brand kindly gifted me a few of their products to test out so I wanted to share my thoughts with you today. To read on, click......

Sappho New Paradigm | Brow Pomade, Skin Perfecting Primer & Light Reflecting CC-Cream

Sappho New Paradigm | Skin Perfecting Primer for Dry Skin (C$38 for 30 ml):

Packaged in a recyclable squeeze tube made with recycled plastic coated with a material called BioSphere that makes the plastic more biodegradable than traditional plastic, the Skin Perfecting Primer for Dry Skin is a silicone-free makeup primer designed to moisturize the skin and minimize the appearance of enlarged pores. As much as I appreciate the more eco-conscious packaging, I do find the design a bit drab. It's definitely not a deal breaker but the plain gray tube and the outdated typography may deter those looking for a more modern aesthetic.

Sappho New Paradigm | Skin Perfecting Primer for Dry Skin

Also available in a lighter version for oily skin, the primer is formulated with aloe vera, coconut oil, gotu kola (aka cica), chamomile oil, pineapple juice, and apple juice. With a lightweight cream consistency with no discernable scent, the primer separates a bit in the tube so a good shake is needed to ensure that it is properly mixed. The formulation spreads easily on the skin and it absorbs nicely, leaving behind a smooth, dewy, but non-greasy finish. To me, this is basically a light moisturizer, which is totally fine as a lot of people apply their makeup directly on top of their skincare. However, if you already have a good moisturizer, then the Sappho Skin Perfecting Primer becomes redundant so I almost wish that this was advertised as a priming moisturizer as opposed to just a primer. Nevertheless, the formulation works well as it's moisturizing and smoothing, a great option if you are looking for a nourishing and lightweight moisturizer to use with or without makeup.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract*, Cocos Nucifera Oil*, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil*, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Xanthum Gum, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Jojoba Ester, P-anisic Acid, Soybean Peroxidase, Saccharomyces/Agave Tequilana Leaf Ferment Filtrate*, Centella Asiatica Extract*, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil*, Beta-Sitosterol, Squalene, Tocopherol, Ananas Sativus Fruit Juice*, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Juice*, Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate*, Superoxide Dismutase. *Certified Organic (Pesticide Free) Ingredient.

Sappho New Paradigm | Light Reflecting CC-Cream in "Fair"

Sappho New Paradigm | Light Reflecting CC-Cream (C$40 for 30 ml):

Currently available in 4 shades, the Light Reflecting CC-Cream is packaged in the exact same squeeze tube as that of the Skin Perfecting Primer, right down to the printing on the tube. As you can see in the image above, the CC-Cream packaging is simply re-labeled with a sticker to differentiate it from the primer. I understand that Sappho probably did this to minimize its production cost and eco-footprint but for a $40 product, the re-labeled packaging feels a bit cheap.

Packaging aside, let's take a look at the formulation of the Light Reflecting CC-Cream. Made with aloe juice, jojoba oil, coconut oil, apple juice, pineapple juice, and pomegranate juice, the CC-Cream also contains 10% zinc oxide. Although it doesn't claim an SPF (as sun protection products are highly regulated in Canada), the CC-Cream does technically provide protection from UVA and UVB.

Sappho New Paradigm | Light Reflecting CC-Cream in "Fair"

With a surprisingly thick consistency, the Light Reflecting CC-Cream from Sappho offers a light coverage. I found the formulation difficult to blend. When applied with a brush, the finish is especially streaky. Because of its chunky, almost-solid nature, the Sappho CC-Cream doesn't fully meld with the skin. It doesn't smooth over pores and instead settles around fine lines and dry patches on the skin. I have combination skin and found the formulation too dry so I can't imagine how it would work for someone with dry skin. Additionally, it's worth noting that the finish of the CC-Cream is not particularly radiant as its name suggests. The formulation definitely provides some coverage that color corrects but the finish is completely matte, not at all dewy or "light-reflecting".

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Heptyl Undecylenate, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Stearyl Alcohol, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Juice*, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Juice*, Phenethyl Alcohol, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Juice*, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Citrus Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil*, Jojoba Esters, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Oil*. May Contain: Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Yellow Iron Oxide CI77491, Red Iron Oxide CI77499, Black Iron Oxide CI77492. *Certified Organic (Pesticide Free) Ingredient

Sappho New Paradigm | Brow Pomade in "Taupe Grey"

Sappho New Paradigm | Brow Pomade (C$32 for 4 g):

Available in three shades, the Brow Pomade from Sappho is an oil-based eyebrow pomade designed to fill and define the brows. The pomade is packaged in a simple clear glass jar with a black plastic lid. The formulation is fairly pigmented and the shade "Taupe Grey" is a nice neutral gray suitable for those with black hair. I've been getting ombré brows for the past few years so I don't really have a use for brow makeup anymore. Nevertheless, I gave the Brow Pomade a go. The formulation goes on very smoothly and with a sharp angled brush, I can make some defined strokes. The color matches really well with my natural brow hairs but I don't like that the finish doesn't completely set. Although the pomade is water-resistant, it's not smudge-proof and will transfer with light contact.

Sappho New Paradigm | Brow Pomade in "Taupe Grey"

Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Euphorbia cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax*, Stearic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Calendula Officinalis Flowers*, Matricaria Recutita (Chamomile) Flowers*, Hectorite, Phenethyl Alcohol, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil*, Zinc Stearate, Tocopherol. *Certified Organic (Pesticide Free) Ingredient

Availability:

Sappho New Paradigm is available online at www.mysappho.com. It is also available at select retailers globally; see a list of retailers here.