It’s been a couple of years since my last
toner roundup and I’m either finished or very nearly finished all of these so
here are some quick reviews before I open some more!
This is a lightweight, hydrating and
refreshing toner which is exactly what K Beauty is known for so no surprise there!
It contains yam root extract to replenish skin moisture and keep skin supple
along with vegan milk complex (derived from oat, rice, coconut and other
plant-based ingredients) and lipid water to strengthen the skin barrier. It
feels gentle, has a milky consistency and helped hydrate and calm my skin! Read my review here!Use my Yesstyle code DANIELLESBB5 for $$ off!
I was pleasantly surprised by this
formula having found everything I’ve tried from Glow Recipe a bit blah until
this which I loved! It’s cooling, brightening and hydrating and it didn’t smell
overpowering like their watermelon line. It contains Cloudberry which is packed
with Vitamins C and E and Coenzyme Q10 which is antioxidant and strengthens
skin. The bottle is only 75mls so I went through it quite quickly and it was
hard to get the last quarter out as it’s a jelly-like consistency and comes in
pump packaging but I would repurchase as it made my skin feel so good! Read my IPSY review here!
Another underrated gem from Pixi! This is
formulated with glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids, to promote smoother,
clearer skin without drying it out! It also contains aloe and probiotics to
soothe and balance skin. It used this anytime my skin felt like it was breaking
out and it helped so much with congestion! It’s alcohol free so didn’t dry my
skin out but worked well to exfoliate and keep spots under control!
I was spoilt earlier this year when
Farmacy sent me their three toners! This one is a toner/essence hybrid with
chamomile to calm and soothe, ceramides to replenish the skins moisture
barrier, smooth fine lines and boost elasticity as well as honey to heal and
nurture dry skin. I have loved using this – it’s hydrating, and softens and soothes
my skin leaving it ready for my next skincare steps!
This one might be my favourite of the
Farmacy trio! It claims to reduce the look of dark spots in just 7 days and I
would have to agree! It contains 3% tranexamic acid to work on aforementioned
dark spots and to brighten as well as 5% PHA and azelaic acid to even skin tone
and gently exfoliate. This has worked so well to brighten my skin and help
lighten some stubborn dark spots I get after breakouts! It’s gentle and I love
using it in both my AM and PM routines!
Lastly, another hit for Farmacy! This one
contains 2% BHA to exfoliate and help clean pores, draw out excess oil and
refine skin texture. Moringa refreshes skin and papaya enzymes gently exfoliate
and clarify skin! This works so quickly for me to calm my skin down when I am
experiencing breakouts and really helps refine problem areas and balance my
skin!
I can’t recommend any of these toners
enough! I have loved them all! The Farmacy are really up there though – I
received them in January and they will all be finished by the end of the month
so they lasted me a good 9 months with rotational daily use! I have a few
toners in my stash to use up but I would repurchase all of the toners here
tomorrow if I had a gap in my toner stash!
It’s that time again! Not quite as many
as I would have liked but I feel very close to finishing a lot of things in my
stash so I will hopefully have a big batch to finish the year!
I can go for a couple days longer without
washing my hair when I use this and my hair looks just as good as if I’d washed
it. There is no white cast or residue and my hair feels manageable and actually
looks clean! While it’s pricey, I find I use less than drugstore dry shampoo
and it has a fresh citrus scent. Already got multiple backups! Read full my review here!
Living Proof PhD Dry Shampoo
Not quite as good as the Advanced Clean
version but great nonetheless! Again, it leaves no white cast, absorbs easily
giving me an extra day or two out of my greasy hair and leaves no residue behind!
Already have a back up of this too! Read my full review here!
Amika The Kure Intense Bond Repair Mask
This seems to have had an update to be
called the intense strength repair mask but the ingredients look the same! It
contains sea buckthorn, plant butters and helps strengthen and reduce breakage.
It has a subtle scent and helps hydrate my ends keeping my hair manageable,
smooth and shiny! I have other masks I prefer so not a repurchase for me!
NatureLab Tokyo 2-in-1 Scalp Scrub and
Clarifying Shampoo
I have been through so many of these tubs
and it’s my favourite scalp scrub/shampoo! It gives such a great lather, the
scrub actually reaches my scalp leaving it refreshed and it really does clarify
it while making my hair so shiny after use! It doesn’t seem to be available on
Cult Beauty anymore and the NatureLab website it sold out of everything so I’m
not sure if they have gone out of business but I hope they are just restocking
as this scrub is amazing! Would repurchase! Read my full review here!
Love this treatment! It helps strengthen
my hair as well as protecting it and visibly reducing the look of split ends.
It also offers heat protection up to 232˚C to help prevent future breakage
which is something I always look for in a leave in product as I use heat on my
hair. It leaves my hair smooth and manageable with a good shine and my ends
look much healthier with less split ends! Have a
full size back up as well as some more minis! Read my original review here!
Love this lotion! It’s formulated with an
encapsulated stabilised pure retinol complex that works to nourish the skin all
over the body to help improve its tone, texture and firmness. It has a lovely
creamy texture and sinks in quickly leaving my skin feeling soft and smooth. It’s
fragrance-free, keeps my skin hydrated, supple and firm and I don’t experience
any sensitivity. Obviously if you are using in the summer, make sure you apply
SPF! Will would repurchase!
Another great option from Naturium and I
think my current favourite lotion from them! It’s creamy, hydrating, helps with
exfoliation and smooths my skin. It contains 10% glycolic acid and worked
overtime the KP on the backs of my arms this summer, so it was non-existent!
Will repurchase! See my full review here!
This worked as a great duo with the above
lotion! It contains pumice and jojoba esters, plus AHA/BHA/PHA chemical
exfoliants and really helps smooth bumpy, dry, rough, and dull skin. It’s very
scrubby and grips well to my skin which is nice as you can use it as a
treatment and leave it on for longer which is what I tended to do! Will
repurchase!
This formula has the most beautiful
texture, moisturises my skin and leaves a beautiful glow behind! It is so
hydrating and the formula is perfect, thick but sinks in easily! My skin drank
it up and the Golden Hour scent is beautiful too – it’s a blend of bergamot and
Jasmine as top notes, lily petals and vanilla bean for middle notes and santal,
white mist and amber as its base and it’s not overpowering at all! Would
repurchase on sale!
Josie Maran Mini Body Butter in Topless
Tangerine and Golden Hour*
Loved having these minis with me on some
trips I went on this summer! Topless Tangerine is my favourite scent and just
so special! It’s so fresh with the scent of pixie tangerines and pink
grapefruit as well as brown sugar to keep it warm and smooth. These lasted me a
decent amount of time too as you don’t need to use much and it spreads so easy
and the scent lasts throughout the day! Would repurchase on sale! Read my full review here!
Necessaire The Body Serum
I really enjoy this serum! It’s a
Hyaluronic Acid treatment that’s a gel formula and it absorbs into the body
quickly. It feels luxurious, and I target it mainly on my chest/neck/dec area
and it definitely looks and feels more supple and hydrated but it’s out of my
price range so I tend to use something like the Jumiso essence as an
alternative as its more affordable! See my full Necessaire review here!
Youth to the People Superberry Firm +
Glow Dream Body Butter
Nice, thick moisturiser that has a fresh
citrus scent. Enjoyed using it up but didn’t love the scent as much as the
Josie Maran so if you are looking to splurge I would pick that so not a
repurchase!
Verden D’Orangerie Hand and Body Wash
Another citrus scent (sometimes I find
citrus hit or miss) but I didn’t love this one. Loved having it with me for my travels
this summer though as it was the perfect size and the formula was great but not
a repurchase for me!
Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia Bright Cream
Loved this! It’s the one recommended for
smoother, brighter skin as it contains Vitamin C and AHA’s! It helped smooth my
skin and smells great too and the scent lasts all day! Would repurchase on sale!
Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Body Firmeza Oil
This was a lovely lightweight body oil
with my favourite SDJ scent! Felt nourishing and firming but out of my price
range so not a repurchase right now!
Skincare
Murad Vita-C Triple Exfoliating Facial*
As well as being a physical exfoliant,
this also combines chemical (glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids) and
enzymatic exfoliants to slough off dead skin cells and smooth skin. It contains
Vitamin C too and on rubbing into the skin it changes colour from orange to
while to let you know you can stop scrubbing! This isn’t as gentle as some
scrubs I’ve tried but it’s in no way harsh either! I usually leave on my skin
for 10 minutes after scrubbing before washing off and I am left with smooth,
brighter skin that is primed for the rest of my routine! Would repurchase! You can read my full Murad review here!
Loved this SPF! It is a chemical
sunscreen formulated with centella asiatica extract and bamboo complex and
helps calms inflammation and protects skin against external aggressors. It has
a lightweight cream texture and absorbs quickly into skin leaving no white cast
and doesn’t pill and I love the antioxidant properties! Would repurchase! $$ off with my code DANIELLESBB5 at Yesstyle!Read my full review here!
Probably my most repurchased skincare
item ever! This is just the best at taking off waterproof eye makeup, never
stings or affects my vision and is super affordable (in the UK at least!).
Already have about 4 bottles in my backup stash!
Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist*
Loved this mist for a quick pick me up of
hydration and it felt soothing too! It contains black oat extract and
hyaluronic acid but it also contains fragrance – this didn’t bother me as I
enjoy scents in skincare but one to be aware of it you have extra sensitive
skin! Would repurchase!
Pixi Clarity Toner*
Another skincare favourite! This is formulated
with glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids, to promote smoother, clearer skin
without drying it out! It also contains aloe and probiotics to soothe and
balance skin. It used this anytime my skin felt like it was breaking out and it
helped so much with congestion! Would repurchase!
Finacea Azelaic Acid Gel 15%
My azelaic acid prescription! I love this
and am now on my second tube! It helps so much when I am breaking out (usually
on jaw/chin area) and instantly calms my skin and makes it less inflamed!
Doesn’t pill with makeup either and I have already repurchased!
This is a 0.05% stabilised retinaldehyde
and also contains 12 antioxidants and Ayurvedic botanicals, including
Encapsulated Glutathione, Superoxide Dismutase (also found in one of my
favourite facial mists from NIOD!), Niacinamide, Bakuchiol, Rosehip, and Carrot
Root Extract. It also features Liposomal Ursolic Acid and Tripeptide and these
all work together to brighten, protect, support collagen, firmness, and skin
renewal. I used this 1-2 times per week and noticed a real difference in my
skin - it felt smoother, I had less congestion on my chin and jawline, and my
fine lines looked softer and less obvious. It also helped fade residual dark
spots and my skin felt more plump and even-toned, and I looked fresher in the
morning! I love how gentle but effective this is – it is recommended to layer
it under or over moisturiser but I personally didn’t have to buffer it as it
didn’t cause any irritation or flakiness (I am used to 0.05-0.06% retinals
though!). Also love the airless pump packaging – it feels sleek, hygienic, and
makes it easy to get the right amount of product each time! It's priced at $136 CAD and I got around 5
months use (using 1-2 times a week) so it’s reasonably priced for such an
effective product! Would repurchase!
This was the perfect summer moisturiser!
It’s a gel formula and feels lightweight and cooling on the skin. It’s not
quite hydrating enough for me in the winter but is perfect for the summer
months and for oily or combo skin! The Kombucha helps strengthen the moisture
barrier and balance oil production while green tea extract has antioxidant
properties. Not a repurchase right now! $$ off with my code DANIELLESBB5 at Yesstyle!Read my full review here!
Bare Minerals Long Life Herb Serum
Nice hydrating serum but not a repurchase!
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide
Dew Drops
I always struggled with when to add this into
my routine as it can be used it either like a serum or a primer! I used it
mainly as a primer and it really did add a glow to my skin! I enjoyed using it
when I remembered to but not a repurchase for me!
Blistex SPF 15 Lip Protectant
Such a classic and I always have one of
these in my backpack if I am hiking as I love the added SPF! Will
repurchase!
Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub
An essential for me! I use this daily and
it lasts me at least a year as I only need a tiny amount! The perfect formula
and scent to scrub the dead skin off my lips! Will be repurchasing ASAP!
Pixi Aftersun Soothing Infusion Sheet
Mask*
Lovely cooling mask containing aloe,
cucumber and chamomile. I used this after catching too much sun one day and it
felt so soothing! I like using sheet masks up but don’t tend to repurchase
myself!
Pixi Clarity Blemish Stickers*
Loved having these to hand! These contain
salicylic acid and cica and were great for targeting specific spots that had
popped up! They helps calm them down and I always felt they looked less
noticeable the next day! Would repurchase!
Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal
Daily Peel
Such a classic peel! Love using these when
I have them as they give my skin such a good exfoliation but it never feels
sensitised! Not a repurchase though as I prefer to spend my money on
treatments/serums rather than one use items but love when I get this in GWP’s!
My favourite foundation although
definitely a love/hate one for a lot of people! It’s full coverage and looks
better as the day goes on! Doesn’t go patchy or transfer and is great for
oily/combo skin! Already have a back up!
Enjoyed this foundation from UD! It’s billed
as waterproof, sweatproof, and transfer resistant with up to 24 hour wear and a
medium buildable coverage and comes in 40 shades. It’s great for oily and combo
skin, though I have heard less so for dry skin, it’s mattifying, the wear time
is great and it doesn’t oxidise or separate. I love the packaging too, it looks
sleek and saves so much space and weight if you are travelling with it! It doesn’t
feel heavy but I do prefer the finish when I add in a glow primer. Not a
repurchase as there are a few other foundations I want to try!
Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer Hydrating Glow
Primer*
Loved this glow primer from Pixi! I used
it virtually every day as it mixes so well with my foundations and adds such a
subtle glow! It keeps my skin hydrated and just ensures the most beautiful
finish to my foundation! Pixi makeup (and skincare) is so underrated in my
opinion! Have a backup sent by the brand and would repruchase!
Been through a few of these now and won’t
be without it! It’s a tubing mascara and I have watery eyes and usually go for
waterproof mascaras which still smudge halfway through the day but not this!
The bristles make it easy to coat my lashes and it works well to lengthen and
separate and give a good amount of volume. There are no clumps or flakes and
definitely no smudging as the day goes on! Already repurchased! Read my Merit review here!
This is such a cult product and I can
absolutely see the hype now! It’s a thick cream that is non greasy and very
moisturising and preps my skin so well for makeup. It ensures it doesn’t settle
into fine lines and helps plump my skin and keep it hydrated all day. Would
repurchase! Read my full review here and my Ipsy review here!
Sad to be finished this one too! It was
my go-to lip balm to throw into my bag or pocket if I was heading out anywhere
as it works so well to hydrate and gives a lovely natural pink tint. It’s a lip
treatment that plumps lips and smooths fine lines and I like the strawberry
scent! Would repurchase in the future but I have way too many lip balms to get
through right now! See my full review here!
Miscellaneous
Lumineux Whitening Strips
A friend recommended these as they are
peroxide free – they are quite “gummy” and leave a lot of residue behind once
you take them off then after brushing you are left with marginally brighter
teeth but it doesn’t last! Would maybe repurchase if I saw them on offer again
as I like the fast they are gentle on enamel!
And so ends another empties! Looking
forward to getting all these in the trash now and working my way through the
rest of my stash although the Black Friday sales a looming and I do like to
stock up during the sales! Have you used any of these before? What did you
think of them?
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