Beauty Product Empties 2024

I have quite a few empties I want to tell you about. A few of them are favourites that I always repurchase (products that I know and love) but there are also a couple of new things that have surprised me. So let’s get to it, as there is lots I want to tell you about.

BYOMA now this was a brand that I had been aware of (they are all over social media) and was excited to be sent two of their cleansers, Melting Cleansing Balm*Milky Oil Cleanser*. I used them to double cleanse and really liked how they made my skin feel. I would say that if I was to recommend one out of the two, it would be the jelly cleanser, this cleanser contains Byoma’s Barrier Lipid Complex to help strengthen the skin barrier. Its oil-based formula contains moringa seed oil, olive fruit oil and squalane to intensely hydrate and soothe skin without clogging pores or leaving behind an oily residue. It is gentle but a really great at soothing skin and getting rid of the dirt and grime of the day. Have you tried anything from this brand, or do you have your eye on anything?

My favourite Garnier Hydrating Body Lotion is a forever repurchase for me, I hate the feeling of heavy lotions on my body and this one is lightweight but is deeply moisturising. You have silky smooth legs all day with this lotion and the aloe vera makes your skin so soft and over time using it keeps your skin hydrated for longer. You have none of that tacky, greasy feeling. Plus it is affordable, and a bottle lasts for ages. 10/10 love it.

If I could recommend one brand for you to explore it would be Miller Harris, they have a range of the most exquisite, luxurious and timeless fragrances to choose from. I have tried so many of their scents over the past 10 years and I can’t say enough good things about them, I am never brand loyal and usually enjoy trying lots of products but I always, always have a bottle of Miller Harris. I am currently wearing L’Eau Magnetic (a new scent to me) which is a beautiful fresh, zesty and sophisticated Spring perfume. I have also just used up my number one perfume from them, Peau Santal, have repurchased this particular fragrance so many times. It is deep, creamy, woody, and slightly masculine. I adore it!

The woody notes add a real touch of warmth and class, whilst the bergamot and cashmere give it creaminess and class. The pink pepper, amber and vanilla make it modern and very sexy. If you get the opportunity to try out this brand or pop into a store, then you really must, and let me know which one of their perfumes you fall in love with.

No7 Future Renew Night Cream* – the entire future renew collection from No7 is incredible, and I noticed visible improvements in my skin from using it. The night cream is the product I used up first, and I really liked the consistency, it felt nourishing and substantial without feeling heavy and thick. Whilst you sleep, this cream helps reverse uneven skin tone and texture, dryness and loss of elasticity with its line up of skin loving ingredients alongside the peptide blend it has shea butter, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid and an antioxidant blend of vitamin C, E and mulberry extract to help protect the skin and give your skin radiance.

It is great for nourishing skin, reducing fine lines and evening out skin tone. This really is a fantastic night cream and if you’re looking for skincare that targets damage from environmental aggressors and UV, as well as hydrating and replenishing tired skin.

StriVectin Multi-Action Restorative Cream now this is a power house of a moisturiser, it is expensive but absolutely worth every penny. It has been formulated to target the 12 visible signs of ageing

Fine lines, wrinkles, density, firmness, sagging, texture, dehydration, dullness, discolouration, clarity, resilience and enlarged pores.

So quite the all-rounder, if you are looking for a moisturiser that will give you results and are in my age bracket (mid 40s) you will see a huge change in your skin after using this cream. My skin looks refreshed, brighter, and my eye area is noticeably smoother.

If you are not a fan or body lotion / butter, then I highly recommend the L’Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil. This is a very luxurious, smoothing body oil that locks in moisture and leaves your skin feeling hydrated without the heavy feeling of a cream. It is formulated with almond oil, sunflower oil, which are rich in omegas 3 and 6, so it will replenish, hydrate and smooth your skin. Oh, & it smells incredible, very luxurious.

This Time Bomb Funk Off Double Detox Charcoal Mask was a great mask for using after wearing SPF all day. Great at unclogging pores and balancing sebum. Sadly, it seems that Time Bomb as a company are no more, which is sad because I really rated their skincare. If you have any recommendations for other affordable charcoal masks, then please leave them in the comments.

Lumene Quenching Aqua Serum this was a really lightweight serum, and it saved my skin over the Winter. Packed full of hand-picked arctic ingredients that all have specific benefits for your skin. This is a company that uses naturally derived, vegan ingredients so your skin is in good hands.

  • Nordic Red Algae – nourish and hydrate the skin
  • Pure Arctic Spring Water – to increase skin hydration
  • Nordic Birch Sap – to make your skin supple and encourage and cell renewal
  • Hyaluronic Acid – to improve skin hydration and overall glow

StriVectin Anti Wrinkle Cleanser this was a nice cleanser, I didn’t notice any changes in my skin after using it. It was a great gentle cream cleanser, but I wouldn’t say rush out & buy it. I think their moisturisers are a much better place to invest and see results. I always wonder just how good a cleanser can be & when they stop being worth the price tag.

L’Oréal Bond Repair Shampoo* – I love this entire range and have all my family on the hype. It is a range of haircare to help strengthen, repair and give structure to hair that is prone to breakage. If you use heat on your hair regularly or notice breakage when you brush your hair, this entire range is fantastic. It strengthens and restores weak hair as well as giving it a healthy glossy shine. I am also here to say the leave in serum is 10/10 too & I have repurchased it so many times.

L’Oreal Hydra Moisture Boost Shampoo – This is a great range, but I can’t use it too often as it makes my hair a little greasy. If you have more dry hair, it would work really well for you. It does give great volume and bounce, if you have naturally wavy/curly hair. I do like the intense hair mask from this collection as a treat for my hair after I have been swimming or out in the sunshine.

So there you have it, have you used any of the products I have mentioned. Or do you have any recommendations of skincare you have been loving this year, I would love for you to leave me any suggestions in the comments.

Products marked with an * were PR samples. I have not been paid by any brands to mention their products. I have also used affiliate links, of which I would receive a tiny % of any items sold.

Five Beauty Favourites 2020

Five Beauty Favourites 2020

*Gifted. It’s safe to say it’s been a dark, wet and miserable start to 2020, I don’t think we have seen the sunshine so far this year and my skin has been bearing the brunt of this. My skin has felt dry and dull, what with the effects of the central heating and lack of sunshine, I have really been relying on my skincare and makeup to help revive my complexion. I thought I would share with you a few products that have become staples in my routine which I’ve been using religiously over the past couple of months.

Five Beauty Favourites 2020

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane 30ml

I love so many products from The Ordinary Skincare but this serum is pretty epic. I have used it for over a year now and can’t imagine my skincare routine without it. Apart from the fact this brand is incredibly affordable their skincare is fantastic quality and shows real results. This didn’t irritate my skin despite it having quite a high concentration of Retinoid, it is easy to apply and doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy. I apply it at night 2 – 3 times a week, as my first step after cleansing and I wake up with smooth, bright, plump skin. Over time this serum helps increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen which helps to reduce the signs of ageing, like uneven skin tone, age spots and reduces fine lines & wrinkles.

This product is a great way to achieve that youthful, healthy glow, in terms of long term use you really see your complexion improve. It is like liquid gold! Just remember Retinoids can react with more sensitive skin, so dilute at first if you are concerned (or use the 1% version) also please remember to use a high factor SPF as your skin will be more vulnerable to the damaging effects of UVA & UVB rays.

Vegan & Cruelty Free

Tropic Beauty Booster Sheer Foundation SPF35*

Although I’m someone who doesn’t like to wear much makeup on a daily basis, I still like that look of being put together and like my skin to look evened out with a little glow. This Beauty Booster from Tropic gives me just that. It is lightweight and I just apply it with my fingers on top of my moisturiser. It leaves my skin with a nice touch of colour, helping to reduce redness, uneven skin tone and gives the illusion that I haven’t seen the sun for MONTHS! The other wonderful things about this lightweight, almost tinted moisturiser (with a bit more coverage) is the fact it has UVA, UVB and HEV (artificial light) protection and SPF35, so if you do venture out you know your skin is well protected.

Antioxidant-rich resveratrol and vitamin E help to condition the skin, while building defences against daily pollution. Titanium dioxide gives a mineral SPF of 35 to shield against everyday exposure. So if you’re looking for a base that gives you an even, lightweight, natural dewy finish then this Tropic Beauty Booster is the one. I have been loving it and using it every day as my base to combat my tired, dry winter skin!

Vegan & Cruelty Free

Miller Harris Peau Santal Perfume

Miller Harris Peau Santal Perfume*

This is my happiness in a bottle, it smells beautiful and so luxurious, it makes me feel amazing whenever I wear it. The scent is uplifting and just gives me a reminder that warmer, brighter days are on the horizon (even if it is raining cats and dogs). It has such a rich, warm creamy scent but you get a hint of fresh, airy crisp notes as it settles. I am not exaggerating when I say this perfume is the most sophisticated and beautiful perfume I have ever owned, and I love quite a few Miller Harris perfumes but this one has something special.

The woody notes add a real touch of warmth and class whilst the bergamot and cashmere give it creaminess and class. The pink pepper, amber and vanilla make it modern and very sexy.

Top Notes: Bergamot, Pink Pepper and Saffron
Heart Notes: Olibanum, Violet Leaf and Papyrus
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Cashmere Woods, Crisp Amber, Vanilla CO2 Extract and Moss

This would make the most luxurious, thoughtful gift or treat to yourself, it’s a beautiful perfume and the scent lasts so long, I can smell it on my scarf/coat days after I have spritzed it. The quality is second to none. The bottle is also beautiful, the minimal dusky pink give it a subtle, classy feel and the simple gold accents on the font and the lid add a touch of luxury, the bottle is very weighty too and feels so nice in your hand and also looks great on your vanity.

Ark Skincare Firming Serum

ARK Skin Perfector Firming Serum*

I tried a few products from UK based ARK skincare last year and was very impressed with their ethos of products that target specific skin concerns depending on your age, as our skin changes so much as we get older and ARK have targeted skincare so it is easy for you to include it in your routine and see fantastic results.  This Firming Serum has been a skincare saviour for me this year as it targets your skins loss of elasticity and works to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and with my skin being so dry from the weather it has helped smooth, hydrate and plump! So if like me you’re in your early 40s this is a wonderful product to use for long term results. I like to mix the serum in with my moisturiser and apply it as part of my morning skincare regime.

It is jam packed with some wonderful ingredients that help keep your skin looking fresh, smooth and healthy.

Micro Algae Extract – Highly purified microalgae extract delivers an instant and long-term tightening effects

Hyaluronic Acid – Active 100% natural Hyaluronic Acid locks moisture in the skin matrix and improves collagen synthesis. Skin appears firmer and more flexible, while fine lines are plumped and smoothed.

Biomimetic Lipopeptide Idealift – targets skin sagging and improves resistance to gravity by promoting skin’s elastic fibre architecture

ARK Skincare is proudly developed & manufactured in Britain. Cruelty Free, with many of their products being Vegan friendly. They use Bioactive, natural ingredients that are gentle on your skin but give effective results.  You can browse their entire range on their website www.arkskincare.com  and tailor your skincare for your specific skin concerns and age.

The Ordinary Retinoid SerumSkincare

Delilah Illuminating Powder in Aura

I love this compact, not only the fact that it is a beautiful rose gold & pewter but it has a good size mirror which makes it perfect for keeping in your handbag. This stunning bronzing/highlighter is also a wonderful product to add a touch of radiance to that Winter complexion without going OTT on the glow. It’s a mix of rose gold, soft peach and lavender pink and I just swirl my brush to pick up a little of all the colours and it gives my cheekbones a nice bronzy warm touch of colour. Such a beautiful product and a very luxurious and not so well known brand, their blushers are super nice too.

*Products have been provided as PR samples but reviews are 100% my own.