A Few More Skincare Empties Feb 2025

- Vicki Leave a comment

Caudalie Beauty Elixir

What an iconic product, I have been using it for over 15 years and have been through so many bottles.  The scent is beautiful, botanical and reminds me of Summer holidays, as I always take a mini bottle away with me for refreshing my skin on flights and after a day in the sun, I also really like to use it to freshen up my makeup. Caudalie always use the best natural ingredients in their skincare and this mist is jam packed with them. There is no better way to give your skin and mood an instant boost, this is a must-have product in your beauty routine and I love it, the blend of essential oils, plant extracts, and antioxidants, really work wonders.

Green grape: Hydrating and radiance boosting and protects from free radicals.
Rose essential oil: Hydrating and soothing.
Rosemary essential oil:Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial.
Orange Blossom: Calming and soothing

You can use it as a toner, a setting spray, or a refreshing spritz throughout the day. I think it’s one of those product you always have and always go back too, it is simple, but effective.

*Teoxane Eye Cream

If you haven’t heard of this brand, you have to go and read my more in depth review of them here. This eye cream is highly regarded in the skincare world for its innovative use of TEOXANE’s patented RHA (Resilient Hyaluronic Acid) technology, which is often found in injectable treatments but seamlessly integrated into this eye cream for at-home use. It is nothing short of fantastic, I am not exaggerating. Years of scientific research and innovation have gone into all their products. This product targets the early signs of ageing and works to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, reduce dark circles, and minimise puffiness. I like the cooling metal applicator which not only feels refreshing but also helps to de-puff the under-eye area, it is like a spa treatment.

RHA (Resilient Hyaluronic Acid): Provides long-lasting hydration, plumps the skin, and smooths fine lines.
Dermo-Restructuring Complex: Nourishes and protects with amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins & minerals.
NovHyal: Stimulates natural hyaluronic acid production for skin regeneration and repair.
Escin (from Horse Chestnut Extract): Reduces puffiness and improves micro-circulation.
Caffeine: Helps diminish dark circles and reduce under-eye swelling
Arnica Extract: Soothes and reduces inflammation, calming the eye area.

It has a fragrance-free formula that ensures even the most sensitive skin types can benefit from this eye cream without irritation. I also like that the formula is lightweight and silky in texture and I find it absorbs quickly, I used it morning and night. I am sad I have used it all up, but despite the high price tag, I will be repurchasing as I have seen great results.

UpCircle Night Cream with Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide

This was such a lovely product to use, the scent is beautiful, and the cream has a rich texture which leaves your skin feeling velvety smooth. I had seen this brand a lot over the past few years but had never tried anything from them before, this was a great first product to try, and now I have a list of things I want to from their range.

Hyaluronic Acid: Deeply hydrates, plumps skin, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Balances oil production, evens skin tone, reduces redness, and minimises pores.
Upcycled Blueberry Extract: Rich in antioxidants, protects against free radicals & promotes skin repair.
Rosehip Oil: Nourishes, hydrates, and supports skin regeneration, reducing scars and fine lines.
Shea Butter: Provides intense hydration, soothes dry skin, and improves skin elasticity.
Aloe Vera: Calms irritation, hydrates, and helps heal and soothe sensitive or inflamed skin.

So if you are looking for a night cream that is fantastic for hydration, soothing and radiance, this is the one.

L’Oreal Age Perfect Toner

One of my favourite affordable skincare products, it is such a staple in my routine. It gently exfoliates and helps give your skin a healthy glow. I prefer to use it in the morning as it helps smooth skin, calms redness and combats fatigue, so your skin looks fresh, plump and radiant. I have been through countless bottles and always buy it for my mum too, she loves it. It contains some great ingredients,

Magnesium: Reduces inflammation and combats fatigue
Vitamin C:  Brightens skin and helps even out skin tone
Witch Hazel Extract: Soothes irritated skin

This toner is antioxidant-rich and helps protect against environmental stressors, it’s hydrating and helps refresh skin to give it that and healthy glow. It is just a great product.

*Jurlique Herbal Recovery Eye Serum

This cream is so luxurious and the scent of Jurlique’s rose products is so familiar and soothing to me that I just love them. This eye serum was so hydrating and nourishing around my eye area, it helped me to look refreshed and more awake. It is also great at reducing dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, and dehydration, so quite the powerhouse product.

  • Glycerin and avocado oil: ensures that the skin around your eyes remains hydrated, moisturised and smooth.
  • Botanical extracts: such as viola tricolour, yarrow, and Japanese cedar bud provide antioxidant protection, promote elasticity, reduce signs of ageing.

I think the Herbal Recovery range from Jurlique has had a revamp, as I can’t find this specific product to link to. It appears they now offer two eye products in that range. I especially like the sound of the eye oil roll on. I can honestly say there is not a product from this brand that I have not enjoyed, they always put quality ingredients into their entire range.

*L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Le Duo Serum

This is quite a new release from L’Oreal and I love the concept & the clever formula – you get two serums in one, which means double the ingredients to help with wrinkles, firmness, and radiance. On one side, there’s a collagen peptide booster serum that really helps rebuild firmness and smooth out those wrinkles. On the other, it’s packed with Vitamin B3 and C to boost radiance and even out the skin tone. I took it with me on my recent trips to Amsterdam, London, and Manchester, and was so impressed with how my skin stayed glowing and hydrated, even with all the recycled plane air and hotel AC. The formula is rich but not heavy – it nourishes and hydrates from the first use. Loved it, I have repurchased it and haven’t stopped using it.

Have you tried this yet, or spotted it in stores? If you’re missing a targeted anti-wrinkle serum in your skincare routine, this is definitely a must-try.

Miller Harris Peau Santal

This is honestly a fragrance I can’t get enough of. I’ve been through countless (pretty pink) bottles of it, and it still remains my absolute favourite from the brand. I’ve tried quite a few of their other offerings, and while they’re all stunning, Peau Santal just has that something special. It is without a doubt my most worn scent, the one I feel the most confident wearing, and without fail, it’s always the fragrance I make sure to have in my collection. There’s something so comforting yet sophisticated about it, with that beautiful balance of warmth and elegance. It’s definitely a signature scent for me.

Head Notes: Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Saffron
Heart Notes: Sandalwood, Olibanum, Violet Leaf, Papyrus
Lasting Impressions: Sandalwood, Cashmere Woods, Crisp Amber, Vanilla

•this post contains PR samples and affiliate links, If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

First Skincare Empties of 2025

- Vicki Leave a comment

Garnier Gentle Peeling Water

This is a fantastic, affordable product. I don’t use it to take off makeup, but instead use it as an exfoliating step after cleansing and before my toner. It works to exfoliate the skin, lightly removing dead skin cells to reveal a more radiant complexion. If you like products that help you achieve that natural healthy glow, then this should be in your routine. It is a mild formula, but I would say that if you are more on the sensitive skin side, do a patch test first, just to be on the safe side. This gentle peeling water contains exfoliants & 1% PHA + Glycolic Acid (AHA, known for their gentle peeling efficacy to help exfoliate and leave skin smooth. I love how much it smooths my skin’s texture, and gives that healthy glow. Which Garnier water is your go-to, and have you tried this one? I would 100% buy this again, and I bought it for all the ladies in my family for Christmas.

*No7 Future Renew SPF40 Day Cream

With this collection, No7 used research from the University of Manchester and their breakthroughs in peptide technology (pepticology). This breakthrough technology supports skin’s natural self-repair and helps reverse visible signs of skin damage, fine lines & wrinkles, uneven skin tone, dryness, and loss of firmness. I loved this cream, loved it! It is a rich, hydrating day cream that is packed with ingredients designed to tackle all the key concerns for mature skin (like mine, I am almost 50). What stood out for me is that it has SPF40. I love having extra protection, and there is simply no point in investing in high-quality skincare if we don’t protect our skin from UV damage, which as we know accelerates ageing and contributes to pigmentation and texture issues. So wear your SPF.

I found this day cream deeply nourishing but not heavy or greasy, perfect for daily wear. I think it is the right balance of quality and affordability & it’s no surprise that I will 100% repurchase. The eye cream and the night cream from this collection is 10/10. Have you tried it, or what are your favourite No7 products?

*Tropic Tamanu Healing Balm

This is simply a wonderful multipurpose balm (I love that it is green). I use it for so many things, on chapped lips, cuticles, dry skin and I even use it as an eye cream. It is jam packed full of natural and heeling ingredients, With tamanu oil (aka ‘green gold’) at its core, which is a centuries-old Polynesian remedy known for its ability to stimulate skin & help soothe inflammation, while deeply nourishing. Alongside the tamanu oil, Tropic have blended it with hydrating, soothing monoi and cocoa butters which are hydrating and calming and if that wasn’t enough it also contains antioxidant-rich blackcurrant extract and raspberry seed oil.

This balm is a ‘does all product’, and you will not regret having it in your bag / beauty routine. I take it everywhere. This pot lasted me so long and that was with me using it for so many things on a regular basis, it just lasts forever. I just can’t say enough good things about it and think it is the ultimate multipurpose balm.

Garnier SkinActive Vitamin C Day Serum

I love both the day and night versions of this vitamin C serum from Garnier. In a nutshell, it is formulated to boost radiance, even out skin tone and protect against free radicals. It has a 3.5% concentration of vitamin C which really gets to work, helping your skin look fresh and glowing.  Alongside other skin loving ingredients like Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid which help gently exfoliate to reduce texture and blemishes and Lemon Extract which works to brighten skin. This is just a great and affordable product to have in your routine. It is a product I always recommend.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Fig Cleansing Balm

Fig and all things fig scented are my fave, I adore anything with fig as an ingredient. This is the 3rd 100ml pot of this I have been through, and It won’t be the last. It is a forever repurchase for me. The Elemis cleansing balms are a cult product, and it is easy to see why. Nothing removes makeup like this, it has a balm to oil texture that just cuts through even stubborn waterproof mascara, it is gentle and feels amazing on the skin. It is like having a spa at home, the sweet fig scent is calming, and the balm leaves your skin feeling clean, nourished and soft, it is 10/10. Elemis offer their cleansing balms in a number of scents and I will have to try their latest release, the Dark Cherry Balm, have you tried it yet?

Beauty Bay Chamomile and Oat Cleanser

This cleansing balm is a great affordable option, it is not as rich and luxurious as the Elemis one, but it is still a great everyday gentle cleanser. This balm boasts a formula made up of 86% naturally derived ingredients which include, Oat Lipids which are rich in ceramides, which are essential for maintaining the skin’s barrier and retaining moisture. They help to replenish the skin, leaving it nourished and smooth, whilst gently removing impurities and makeup without stripping the skin. It also contains Chamomile, which is well known for its anti-inflammatory and calming properties, making it ideal for soothing irritated or inflamed skin. I really enjoyed this product and will 100% be purchasing more products from Beauty Bay

 

•this post contains PR samples and affiliate links, If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Five Current Skincare Favourites

- Vicki Leave a comment

Isle Of Paradise Sunny Serum Bronzer*

This was one of those products I kept seeing everywhere in 2024. Even the skincare queen herself, Caroline Hirons, called it a must-have! But I resisted until winter arrived when I didn’t always want to wear foundation, but I still wanted my skin to look healthy and radiant, so I finally gave in and bought a bottle. And let me tell you, I honestly don’t know what I did before this product. I mix it with my moisturiser I find that works for me, and it gives me a subtle, sun-kissed, fresh-faced glow.

It’s incredibly easy to apply, never looks heavy, and instantly makes you look radiant, like you’ve just had the best night’s sleep or cheeky Winter sun holiday. This is an absolute must-have for those lazy days when you don’t want to do a full face of makeup but still want to look put-together with minimal effort It 10000% lives up to the hype and for the price get it in your makeup bag, you will not regret it. LOVE IT. The price is incredible and the product just works.

Vieve Skin Nova Illuminating Primer

Some products get so much hype that you think, surely, it can’t be that good, well, this one really is. Skin Nova primer is simply beautiful, it is the glow you never knew you could get. The radiant luminous glow it gives is unlike anything else, like you’ve just had a facial, a holiday, and the best night’s sleep all in one. Whether you wear it under foundation as a primer or on its own for a fresh, dewy look, you’ll find yourself reaching for it every single day. It’s effortless, luminous, and absolutely stunning. It feels like primers fell out of favour in the beauty world, either people stopped using them or just stopped talking about them. But Skin Nova has changed that and has put primers back in my makeup bag. It is now a step I never skip. Everything Jamie touches turns to gold and I say good on her, her products are fantastic quality and the prices are reasonable and worth it.

Charlotte Tilbury Air Brush Flawless Setting Spray

I had my makeup done at a Charlotte Tilbury makeup counter when I went in looking for a new foundation (which I bought), and the lady who did my makeup used this setting spray to finish the look. Normally, I like to think about my purchases, maybe hunt for a deal online, but this time, I bought everything on the spot, including the brush (who even am I). My brief to the makeup artist was, I wanted my makeup to look fresh, dewy, and seamless, without settling into fine lines, and WOW this setting spray delivered. Not only does it give your skin an instant glow, but it also locks your makeup in place for hours, literally all day long. Your skin looks radiant, hydrated, and flawless without needing touch ups. I have used quite a few setting sprays, and they have worked, but others have felt a little drying, heavy and tacky to the touch, but this one it gives hydration and glow. I have since bought the travel sized bottle so I can always have it in my bag! Well worth the money & the hype.

Votary Super Seed Serum

This is my go-to serum for calming my skin, I am prone to redness and this has been doing the trick. Votary have such a lovely range of skincare, and I am head over heels for this serum. It’s lightweight, silky smooth, and instantly soothing, perfect for calming my skin, especially during colder months or after sun exposure. The benefits of this serum are that it hydrates & plumps with hyaluronic acid, it strengthens & protects with natural peptides and boosts skin resilience with broccoli seed & rosehip oil. Perfect If, like me, you need gentle yet effective skincare, this serum is a must-have, sensitive skin will love it. It carries quite a big price tag, but I snapped it up in sale, so it is worth looking for a deal.

Kiehl’s Super Multi Corrective Cream*

I have been on a mission to even out my skin tone and combat dullness, and this cream is fantastic for that. I have used Kiehl’s products for years and always feel like they deliver on quality and results, this cream was something I had never tried before, but I’ve been using it every night for almost 2 months and really enjoying it. Not only does it help with skin tone, but it has so many other benefits, it helps, lift, smooth, and firm skin, whilst boosting radiance and enhancing elasticity. So it targets signs of ageing. The cream is just the right texture and feels comforting, rich and hydrating. It has become one of my favourite products in my evening skincare routine.

Let me know if you have tried any of the products I have mentioned, or if you also have them as favourite products. I would love to know what skincare you have discovered lately and that you would recommend I try. Leave me a comment.

*this post contains affiliate links, If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. All products mentioned were purchased by me and not gifted or received as PR.

Hoxton Lloyd Hotel Amsterdam

- Vicki Leave a comment

After the huge success of the original Hoxton on the Herengracht, Hoxton opened, a second hotel in Amsterdam, in a more quiet neighbourhood in the Eastern Docklands area of the city called The Lloyd. I have stayed at both Hoxton hotels in Amsterdam, and they’re extremely different in both style and location, but I have to say without a shadow of a doubt that the Lloyd Hotel is my preferred place to stay out of the two, and have actually been back 4 times in the past 18 months.

The Hoxton, Lloyd Amsterdam, is a striking blend of history and modern design. Housed in a national monument, the building carries a legacy spanning over a century. Originally commissioned by the Royal Holland Lloyd (Koninklijke Hollandsche Lloyd, KHL), it has served various roles over the years from hosting immigrants to being a detention centre and artists studios, The Lloyd Hotel officially opened in 2004, housing 117 rooms and becoming a popular meeting place for locals and visitors. The Hoxton took over, and gave the tired hotel an extensive refurbishment, doing what they do best, which is blending historic charm with contemporary aesthetics. They opened in September 2023, and I was so excited to visit that I booked a room in October, the hotel was so new, and I was very impressed by all the attention to detail.

The building is so striking and dominates the area, it looks dark and imposing (I love its Wes Anderson vibe) but when you enter the interior is bright and unique. They have done such a good job at keeping so many of the building’s original historic features and making the decor contemporary, it has good energy and you instantly feel comfortable.

The Breman Brasserie, which is the hotels, restaurant is named after the building’s original architect and this grand space is beautiful, with high ceilings, huge windows which let a lot of light in and the decor is elegant and inviting. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as taking your time over a coffee or sit at the bar for a cocktail. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, and I really enjoyed spending time in here, the food is fantastic, but I do wish they would offer a few more Vegan options.

The hotel is a space for relaxing and taking your time, there are lots of places to sit and let the time pass you by. I am in love with the decor, I really like the way they have not shied away from using pattern and colour. The whole hotel is a vibe and it just feels so inviting and interesting. Everything from the original tiles in many of the rooms and the corridors, the incredible light features and the grand high ceilings add to its rich charm.

I have stayed in a few different rooms, all of which had very different decor and vibe. The rooms photographed below are both ‘concept rooms’ and have features that are protected and could not be changed. Like the white subway style tiles that line the walls and the huge mirrors. I really liked this room but my husband said it was quite cold and clinical, I see what he means, I thought it was very interesting and unusual. The bathroom was massive and bigger than the actual bedroom, the showers in this hotel are fantastic and the ‘blank’ products you get in the shower/bathroom are very nice.

We also stayed in the Tune concept room, this room was insane, it had a split-level connected by a statement spiral staircase with the sleeping area upstairs and living space downstairs. The decor was so whacky and the scale of the room hard to take in at first. The vaulted ceiling was so tall and so too were the windows, the room had the biggest mirror I had ever seen, a grand piano and the staircase was a work of art in itself. Such a treat and a room I will never forget, have you ever seen a room like it?

I think our favourite part of the entire hotel was the bar, Barbue has a level of cool which for the time I was there made me feel like I was a little cool too. The double height room, with a mezzanine level, has wood panelling which gives it a warm feel, and the low lighting makes it feel atmospheric and quite sexy. There is a South American flair, giving a nod to the hotel’s rich history, the classic old ticket office, where travellers once purchased tickets before embarking on ships to seek a better life abroad, has been fully preserved in its original state.

The bar is beautiful, and the drinks/cocktail menu has been very well curated with lots of Argentinian offerings, again in keeping with the hotel’s rich South American connection. The staff are fantastic and very helpful when recommending or explaining the heritage and flavours of the drinks. We spend many a night in the bar, soaking up the atmosphere and trying some new and unusual cocktails. Even if you’re not staying at The Hoxton, Lloyd Amsterdam, I highly recommend visiting Barbue for a drink. The bar is intimate, effortlessly stylish, and exudes a very cool vibe, making it the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy its exceptional drink menu. I can’t wait to head back.

So in a nutshell this hotel is fantastic, unusual and in a quiet part of the city but still very well-connected, and you get to also explore new neighbourhoods. As someone that has visited Amsterdam many times, it is nice to be slightly out of the madness but still have access to it. It is easy to find, easy to get about and a lot more affordable than most Amsterdam hotels, but it is up there with the best I have stayed in. No compromises, they give incredible service, the rooms are quiet and I love the decor.

This is from The Hoxton website, on how to find The Lloyd & get about by tram, car,

‘Rietlandpark tram stop is a mere 3-minute walk from the hotel and you can hop off there from any point in the city – including Amsterdam Centraal Station, which is around 10 minutes’ away by tram and connects to regional / international train services. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is a 20-minute drive.’