Hitting pan on your beauty products? You’re not alone. After what feels like 84 years in the lofty tower of lockdown, the team have been using this time at home to pamper themselves rotten, applying all the lotions, potions and makeup you can shake a contour stick at.
Before we rush to repurchase, we thought we’d chat through our hits and misses.
We’re down to the final dregs of all our skincare and makeup products, squeezing every last little globule out of them – which is a rarity for beauty junkies like us – but before we rush to repurchase, we thought we’d chat through our hits and misses. From masks and serums to self-tanning drops, these are the products we’ve tried, tested and actually finished.
Darcey
I’ve only run out of skincare products recently, as for the last 6-7 weeks I’ve not worn any makeup, so at least I’m saving some pennies in the old makeup department! I’m a big clay mask advocate, so I like to try out different ones to see which one my skin likes the best! The Dr. Jart Dermaclear mask is really nice and feels super fluffy on your skin, you only leave it on for 3 minutes so it’s not the type of mask you’d want to use if you are wanting a full pamper session. I liked using this in the morning when I felt like my skin needed a good cleanse. Saying that, I don’t think I’d buy it again as for me a mask is a full process and I enjoy setting aside the time for a 20-minute mask and relaxing. But a good product to buy if you want clay mask results quick! My second clay mask in the line up is the Sand & Sky one, this is actually my second pot of this stuff and it is wonderful! Slightly on the more expensive side, but you only need a thin layer so it lasts for ages.
I love this product so much and it’s become a firm part of my daily skincare regime.
Another product which isn’t my first buy is The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside, which is a Vitamin C serum. I love this product so much and it’s become a firm part of my daily skincare regime. This is probably my fourth bottle of this stuff and my skin really loves it!
Lastly, I have just got through the Isle of Paradise dark self-tanning drops and have really enjoyed this product for self-tanning my face. I have been mixing two to three drops in with my moisturiser in the evenings, probably three times a week, and it gives the loveliest glow by the morning. I make sure to do it the same evening I apply my Bondi Sands gradual tanning oil so it blends together on the neck. Or, if I’m self-tanning with an instant one, I use these drops to top up the tan on my face as it starts to fade the quickest due to my skincare routine!
Lareese
Apparently, all my skincare has run out at the same time so my beauty empties are mainly serums, moisturisers and eye creams. I’m obsessed with Caudalie products and this weightless Vinoperfect Radiance Serum is a new favourite. It’s particularly good at brightening the skin first thing in the morning and smells like Spring in a bottle. It contains Viniferine which is 62 times more effective than Vitamin C for boosting radiance. I’d usually use this serum in the morning and then go in with the L’Occitane Immortelle Overnight Reset Serum for the evening, followed by the eye treatment – it’s lovely and hydrating on the under eye and a little goes a long way. If you’re in the market for a vegan, budget-friendly everyday moisturiser, The Body Shop’s Carrot Cream is gorg. It’s enriched with wonky carrots that are too imperfect to sell in the supermarkets. I’ve also hit pan on my favourite foundation and concealer.
It sits beautifully on the skin, giving you a natural lit-from-within glow all day.
The Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter is a bit of a magical hybrid product, somewhere between a complexion booster, primer and highlighter – which is perfect for me because I live for a dewy finish. It sits beautifully on the skin, giving you a natural lit-from-within glow all day. I can’t rave about this product enough!
Another faithful favourite I’ll be repurchasing asap is the Clarins Instant Concealer. It’s super hydrating and awakens the whole under-eye area. If you like your concealer really matte and baked, it’s probably not for you but I always go for anything that’s going to give my eyes a healthy boost of radiance and this definitely does that. Time to repurchase the whole lot I think. Bye wages, it was nice knowing you.
Danielle
Bit of a random assortment from me for my empties, I’ve been investing in much more beauty in lockdown meaning a lot of these are on their last legs as I’ve moved on to lovely new things!
Glossier Greens Galaxy face mask lasted so long and is a really lovely mask
Things I’ve loved and will be replacing are Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, I’m always banging on about this, I’ve already started a new bottle I’ll never go without TBH. Also Glossier Greens Galaxy face mask, this lasted so long and it’s just a really lovely mask although I am tempted to try the blue one? Fenjal body moisturiser, it’s definitely an acquired scent but I think love Fenjal so I can smell like an old lady, yum.
Things I’ve replaced with something else would be the Glossier solution, I now have The Ordinary Niacinamide and Zinc, Lumene Nordic C-Boost Syrum and Beauty Pie Triple Hyaluronic Acid so I think I’m all good on that front and I found Solution to be quite drying. White Company shower gel is lovely and this one smelt exactly like pomegranate noir from Jo Malone. I’m not that loyal to a shower gel I generally have stock from Christmas gifts that I go through during the year. This was LOVELY though.
Things I won’t be replacing is Estee Lauder eye makeup remover, it stings and quite frankly my MJC gets off all my eye makeup just fine. Facial Radiance Pads, there just not necessary, I tend to do my morning skincare and put makeup straight on so it was hard finding time to use them, don’t get the hype if I’m honest!
Zoe
During these months at home, I told myself that I would try and consistently use more products up as I have a bit more time to spare when it comes to getting ready/un-ready and giving my skin a bit more of a pamper. I’ve also used it as a time to try a few new bits too! I have both skincare/haircare/bodycare and bath bits to share!
Skin/Hair/Body:
– Dr Roebucks Lifesaver Skin Brightening Toner: OH BOY! As you can see I’ve used two of these up (and had to swiftly place an order for more). I’ve not always been a toner user but more recently it’s been a step in my skincare routine I can’t miss out. This toner is fabulous, leaves my skin feeling so glowy and clean!
– Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish: I feel like I don’t need to go on about how much I love this as I’ve said it all before and have used it for years and years. I can’t even count on two hands how many bottles of this I’ve used overall!
– Lumene Nordic C Glow Boost Essence: This serum is a fairly new addition to my everyday skincare routine but I love it! Once I got to the end of this bottle I ordered myself a new one!
– IGK Jet Lag Dry Shampoo: Holding onto my extensions for dear life means not washing it too often. I’m trying to do one wash a week, and in between that reaching for the dry shampoo, hence finishing off this bottle!
– Function of Beauty Shampoo & Conditioner [previously paid partner]: My number one shampoo & conditioner! It’s fully customisable from your hair type, your hair goals to the colour and the fragrance! I’ve gone through many a bottle of this and have now delved into my backups.
– SOL Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturising Shower Gel: I’ve had this a while as I’m terrible at starting new shower gels, getting bored and cracking open another one without finishing them. So I finally finished this! It smells like summer and leaves my skin feeling so soft as it has moisturising properties in it!
Bath/Body:
– Neals Yard Remedies Soothing Bath Oil: I love a bath oil at the moment as my skin is feeling a bit dry! This one was such a nice pre-bed one.
– LUSH Sleepy Shower Gel – I’ve used this both as a shower gel and as a bath soak and this scent is my FAVOURITE for a sleepy bath/shower. I’m sure I sleep better after using this.
– Molton Brown Bathing Oil Orange & Bergamot – Again, because my skin has been on the dryer side, I’ve loved using an oil and this one has been my go-to! I have a few in different fragrances but used up this one first as it was my favourite!
Roques Oneil Therapie Himalayan Detox Salts – These bath salts are HEAVENLY! I’ve gone through countless jars of these and they’re such a luxury for that much needed pamper evening!
Mio Liquid Yoga Restorative Bath Soak – Again, another bath staple for me and I’ve gone through many of these! This is such a lovely soak to feel a bit more rejuvenated!
Maddie
I’m not one of these people that will persist with a product if it’s not doing what it’s supposed to do. I’m well into my 30s now, I need products that are going to be gentle but effective and if they have multiple purposes then that’s just a bonus.
These 5 products have been firm favourites in my collection for a while now and they are products that I will buy time and time again. First off, cleansers. I only really got into double cleansing a few years ago and since then I am pretty religious with it. I love the La Roche Posay Micellar water for getting rid of the bulk of my makeup and the BareMinerals Total cleansing oil gets rid of any residue and really gives my skin a good clean, it’s absolutely heavily to use. The eye area is so delicate and also the part of your face that can age more quickly as a result so I am militant with my use of eye cream. I have many favourites (Vichy mineral 89 eyes deserves a shout out here too as I’m so obsessed with it) but this banana eye cream by Ole Hendriksen is as good as they say. It works so well under makeup so I loved using this one in the day time especially for extra brightness.
I only had a sample size of this but I’ll definitely be replacing it for a full size now I’ve run out.
Vitamin C’s are all the rage at the moment and for good reason, with claims to revive tired-looking skin. I’ve tried my fair share and this one by Lumene has been by far the best, I only had a sample size of this but I’ll definitely be replacing it for a full size now I’ve run out. Finally, I couldn’t forget my full-proof tinted moisturiser with SPF. This Ginzing by Origins must be my 4th or 5th tube, it’s my go-to summer moisturiser as it not only evens skin tone and hydrates, it protects at the same time. Now I’m off to replace these heroes immediately, thank goodness for online shopping!
Charlotte
I’m nothing if not consistent when it comes to my ride or die products, and all of these (but one!) empties are gems I’ve loved and used for a while.
I like to think I’m a bit of a magpie when it comes to budget skincare, as the Botanics Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm (£8.99- although is often on offer/ 3 for 2 in Boots) along with the Boots own brand Cucumber Moisturising Lotion (£1.50!) are such amazing finds from my savvy student budgeting days, and still make regular appearances on my bathroom shelf. I feel like I can properly enjoy using them without shedding a tear at the pound coins washing down the drain as I have done with more spenny skincare in the past. The Garnier Micellar Water is another essential for me- I use it as my first evening skincare step after a day of make-up wearing and I don’t know where I’d be without it!
I picked this up in January to top my basket up to the free delivery threshold, but have been surprisingly impressed
A new addition to my routine (but with another on it’s way to me) is the Revolution CBD Nourishing Essence Spray. I picked this up in January to top my basket up to the free delivery threshold, but have been surprisingly impressed with how refreshing yet moisturising it is. I’m not sure if the CBD benefits have had a transformative effect on my skin, but it’s a lovely one to spritz on in the warmer weather and genuinely makes my skin feel nourished after using it.
And finally, a £6 product I’d be crying in a tangled mess of hair without- the Bleach London Reincarnation Mask. I had a bit of an over-processing hair colouring disaster earlier in the year and spent many a day worrying about knots and tangles and the hair I was losing as a result. This mask made such a big difference and means I can brush through my hair post-wash with far fewer concerns! It smells like a hair salon too- what more could you want!?
