I did a similar post to this about three
serums I was loving back in 2022 so I thought since all of these are now
finished or almost finished, it was time for another! Keep reading if you want
to know my top picks for bright, clear and smooth skin!
Starting with a nice all-rounder and the Biotherm Life Plankton Elixir RRP $109 CAD* is a beautiful hydrating and soothing
serum that contains glycerin, life plankton and Vitamin C. It is scented (which
is something I don’t mind in skincare), and I am obsessed with the smell – it’s
so fresh and “blue” and it really adds to the experience for me. This makes my
skin feel hydrated and supported and it looks brighter and feels smoother! I
notice my fine lines less and I love the packaging too, the dropper has a
chrome look, it just feels so luxe! I think this has recently had a slight
update to the formula but I’m sure it’s just as good!
Sticking with Biotherm and the Blue
Retinol Night Serum RRP $103 CAD* contains 0.25% retinol as well as life
plankton, glycerin, HA and niacinamide. This worked well to smooth and even my
skin tone while targeting fine lines and I used it 2-3 times a week. The
formula is creamy and didn’t cause any sensitivity or peeling for me! Both of
these were also included in my Best Beauty Discoveries of 2023 post!Read more about Biotherm here!
The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair RRP $115 CAD | £65 is a serum that’s easy to see why it gets cult status
now I’ve gone through a full bottle! It’s a restorative serum containing
peptides and hyaluronic and antioxidants and helps protect against UV damage
and repair skin. It’s called night repair but can be used AM or PM though I
tend to use it in the evening and I wake up with hydrated, plump and firm skin.
Read more here! Already repurchased!
My Vitamin C pick is the priciest product
here but one that has worked so well for me I had to include it! The Skinceuticals C E Ferulic RRP $208 CAD | £165 GBP* contains 15% pure Vitamin C (L-ascorbic
acid), 1% Vitamin E, and 0.5% Ferulic Acid. It claims to improve signs of aging
and photodamage, the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles, and the loss of
firmness, while brightening skin’s complexion. This worked really well to
target my fine lines and leftover marks from spots faded much quicker. It is a
beautiful formula that absorbed quickly, helped brighten my skin and kept it
looking more even. Marks from any spots that popped up while I was using this
faded much quicker and I didn’t notice my nasolabial folds forming a fine line
at all which is the first thing I normally do notice when it comes to signs of
aging! The bottle lasted me just over three months with daily use which I
thought was good but this is definitely pricey! Read more about Skinceuticals Vitamin C range here!
While they are best known for their
Vitamin C line, Skinceuticals also have a vast range of hyaluronic acid based
serums. The Skinceuticals Retexturising Activator RRP $112 CAD* contains
25% Hydroxyethyl Urea, Kombucha as well as glycerin and hyaluronic acid and was
gentle to use despite having the resurfacing power of a daily 20% glycolic acid
treatment. As well as being hydrating it made my skin feel and look so smooth.
I used this daily and my skin looked brighter and my skin barrier felt strong.
Lastly, the Pixi Clarity Concentrate RRP $34 CAD | £26* which has been my go-to when I have been experiencing
breakouts and it’s been working a treat! It contains glycolic, salicylic and
lactic acid as well as probiotics and aloe and really helps to gently exfoliate
my skin while still keeping it hydrated and my breakouts have been healing much
faster with use! I don’t think this would work miracles if you are experiencing
severe acne but for the usual time of the month breakouts, it’s great!
Wow, it’s my 50th edition of
this blog series and the only one I strictly try and stick to! I get my empties
together around every 2-3 months and these posts are my favourite to put
together! I did my first one back in 2015 (linked here if you want a blast from the past) and funnily enough there are a couple of products I still repurchase
including a product that is included in today’s post!
Bodycare
Naturium The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body
Wash
This deserves the hype it gets, it’s
gentle, contains 50% glycerin, a blend of oils and squalane. It creates a light
lather and leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated! Wish it had a scent but
would repurchase!
Rituals The Ritual of Sakura Foaming Shower
Gel
Love this formula, it feels so luxurious
and smells so good! A little goes a long way as just a tiny pump of gel expands
into foam and it leaves my skin feeling soft and clean! Would repurchase!
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion
A go to for me mainly in the winter and
it sinks in quickly and works well to hydrate my skin all day long! It’s fragrance
free so I do interchange between this and a few other scented ones as I get
bored of it but a great staple and one I will repurchase! Read more in this post about my Accutane bodycare recommendations!
Eucerin Complete Repair Plus Moisturizing
Lotion
Another classic and regular repurchase
for me! This is great to have to hand for any stubborn dry patches or eczema!
Fragrance free and a little more work to rub in than the Aveeno but a
repurchase for sure!
Maelys B-Flex Lift & Firm Arm Cream
RRP $64*
Really enjoyed this to target my arms
especially before my holiday. It contains Red Algae and Kangaroo Paw Flower
Extract for a tighter and smoother appearance and creates a warming sensation
as you rub in. I definitely noticed my arms looked and felt smoother and
tighter with regular use. It’s coloured purple so I did get some stains on my
bedding but I would recommend this in the run up to an event/vacation etc when
you want to feel your best! Not a repurchase for me right now.
L’Occitane Amande Huile de Douche Shower Oil
So glad I finally got to try this! It
felt luxurious and my skin felt soft after use but the scent isn’t my favourite
and it’s expensive! I have another mini to try but not a repurchase for me
right now!
OUAI Scalp and Body Scrub
Not the most gritty scrub out there and I
find this hard to spread when I use it in my scalp! The Melrose Place scent is
divine and I am a OUAI fangirl but this isn’t a repurchase for me!
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
I’ve lost count of how many of these I
have gone through! Smells amazing, absorbs quickly, and hydrates my body, I
love it! Again, I find it pricey so I try to look out for it in sets before I
repurchase but I already have a backup of it!
Sol de Janeiro Samba Foot Fetish Cream
Enjoyed this foot cream, it absorbed well
but it changed colour and scent before its expiry date so not a repurchase for
me!
Nivea Q10 3 in 1 Anti-Age Hand Cream
Obsessed with this hand cream, I’ll go as
far as to say it’s my favourite. Smells so fresh and clean, absorbs quickly and
most importantly, keeps my hands soft and smooth. Already have two backups.
Burt’s Bees Moisturizing Hand Cream*
This is a much thicker cream than the Nivea
so takes longer to sink in. It took me longer to finish too as I just used it
before bed but once I started concentrating on using it up I can see it works
just as well as the Nivea at keeping my hands soft and smooth but the fact it
takes longer to absorb and there is no scent means it’s not a repurchase for
me!
Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream
Another great option to keep hands soft
and hydrated. This one also sank in quickly and has an interesting scent. Not
my favourite as it’s a little old fashioned but it’s not the worst either! This
is expensive though so not a repurchase for me!
First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body
Scrub
Loved this! It’s really scrubby and
worked well to keep my skin smooth and target KP. I have another mini to use
but I would repurchase.
Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream
This is the product that was also included
in my very first empties which I linked at the start of this post! I always go
back to this, I am obsessed with the Nivea scent and this is such a great light
body moisturiser. Will repurchase!
Necessaire The Body Serum
I was happy to have a mini of this for
some extra TLC on my chest area this summer. It’s a Hyaluronic Acid treatment
that’s a gel formula and it absorbs into the body quickly. It’s formulated with
5 molecular weights of Hyaluronic Acid as well as Niacinamide and Ceramide NP. It
feels luxe to use and I enjoyed it but it’s out of my price range so not a
repurchase right now. Read my full Necessaire review here!
Haircare
TRESemme Volumizing Dry Shampoo
Great budget option. I have gone through
multiple of these. Definitely doesn’t soak up as much oil as the Living Proof
one but this is often on offer and I’m happy with the extra day it gives me out
of my hair! Will repurchase!
Schwarzkopf got2b Instant Refresh Dry
Shampoo
Another great budget option and
similarly, doesn’t make my hair feel as clean as the LP but for the price I
will repurchase!
Living Proof PhD Dry Shampoo
Love this dry shampoo! It leaves no white
cast, absorbs easily giving me an extra day or two out of my greasy hair and
actually makes it look clean. Worth the money but I try to bulk buy when on
offer/in a set! Already have a back up!
Living Proof Full Shampoo and Conditioner
Enjoyed this duo. Cleansed my hair well
and though I have fine hair, I felt it looked fuller. Would repurchase if I saw
on offer as I love their dry shampoos and triple bond complex!
Living Proof Triple Bond Complex
Love this, it’s my favourite hair
treatment and I prefer it as a repair treatment to Olaplex! It’s a weekly
treatment that you apply to damp hair after washing and leave in - it works to
construct new bonds within the hair to help strengthen it as well as heat
protect it up to 232˚C and the look of split ends are visibly reduced. I leaves
my hair smooth and manageable and I have noticed my ends looking healthier with
less split ends even when my hair is overdue a trim! Read my full review here!
JVN Deep Moisture Mask
Enjoyed this mask. It left my hair
hydrated and I enjoyed the rich scent. Would repurchase!
JVN Complete Air Dry Cream
This smoothed my hair and gave good shine.
I used it mainly on damp hair but it doesn’t offer heat protection so not a repurchase
for me as I use heat on my hair!
Probably my number one most repurchased
skincare product! This is the best eye makeup remover available hands down! So
gentle, removes waterproof mascara easily and doesn’t dry my eye area out! Have
about 3 back-ups already!
Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm
Loved this cleanser! It’s got a rich,
luxurious balm texture and a beautiful citrus scent. It contains plant oils,
olive oil and grapeseed oil as well as persimmon and Vitamin E. I don’t feel like
I need to use that much of this to cleanse and it removes makeup easily and
leaves my skin feeling nourished and clean! Would repurchase! Read my full review here!
Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment
I liked this for winter as it’s one of
the more thicker eye creams I own but if my skin is in any way wet from other
products when I use it, it refuses to sink in. I didn’t get any milia from
using this but it’s not the best texture I have used. Not a repurchase!
Biotherm Life Plankton Elixir RRP $109*
Loved this serum! It’s a beautiful
hydrating and soothing serum that contains glycerin, life plankton and Vitamin
C. It’s also scented and I am obsessed with the smell – so fresh and “blue” and
it really adds to the experience for me. This makes my skin feel hydrated and
supported and it looks brighter and feels smoother! I notice my fine lines less
and I would repurchase on a good offer! Read my full review here!
MONUskin Extra Rich Night Cream
This contains a blend of Royal Jelly,
Vitamin A and Evening Primrose Oil and worked well to support and hydrate my
skin overnight. It was a thick cream but sank in well though I have other night
creams I prefer so not a repurchase for me!
Skinceuticals Retexturising Activator RRP
$112*
I didn’t want to because of the price but
I loved this serum! As well as being hydrating it made my skin feel and look so
smooth. It contains 25% Hydroxyethyl Urea, Kombucha as well as glycerin and
hyaluronic acid and was gentle to use despite having the resurfacing power of
daily 20% glycolic acid treatment. I used this daily and my skin looked
brighter and my skin barrier felt strong. Not a repurchase for me right now due
to price only but I would love to if I found a good sale!
Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum
Nice serum but didn’t use it long enough
to see much difference. Would consider a purchase as I love a lot of Murad
products but would probably go with the Vita C Glycolic Serum! See my in-depth Murad review here!
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot
Serum
I haven’t loved anything I’ve tried from
this brand but I enjoyed this serum! The formula sank in well and the smell
wasn’t too overpowering. It wasn’t a big enough sample size for me to see any
results though so not a repurchase!
Farmacy Honey Butter Beeswax Lip Balm
Loved this! Easy to pull out and reapply
and gave me long lasting hydration and smooth lips with a subtle sheen! Not a
repurchase as its $17 and I went through it so quickly!
Makeup
Urban
Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray*
I
don’t see as much of a difference when I use this as I would like to and hear
others seeing but I have a full size to use so will test it more! Not a
repurchase as I prefer the Charlotte Tilbury setting mist!
Fenty
Beauty Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick in 06 Retro Rose
Loved
this lipstick! Easy to apply with or without a mirror, great my lips but better
shade and despite having some slip to it, decent lasting power! Sad to be
finished but I would repurchase! Though I have far too many other lip products
to get through and I am eyeing the new Gloss bomb Stix High-Shine Gloss Stick!
Read my full review of the Fenty Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick here!
ClarinsLip Comfort
Hydrating Oil in 04 Pitaya and 08 Strawberry
Up there with the Fenty lip oil as my
favourite formula, this feels silky and not sticky at all while lasting a
surprisingly long time on my lips keeping them comfortable and hydrated for
hours. It gives a beautiful shine, contains omega 6 and 9, rose oil and jojoba
oil but the original is Honey shade is my favourite and I already have a backup
of it so these shades aren’t a repurchase! Read my full review here!
Miscellaneous
Organika Original Enhanced Collagen
Protein
Switched to this Costco Collagen and I am
loving it! Same results as before (I notice good results especially in my
joints!) btu absorbs much easier! Have already repurchased!
Webbber Naturals All Greens Superfood
Another Costco purchase and this one was
much sweeter than my previous greens powder but I think did the same job in
allowing me some more nutrients in my diet lol. I went back to my original
Greens powder as I felt I was cheating with the sweeter flavour but I will be repurchasing
this one as its more palatable!
Crest 3D White Strips
Good for a quick fix before an event but
not long lasting or that vibrant! I feel like I get similar results when I do a
quick bicarb of soda brush so not a repurchase for me.
Well done if you made it to the end of
the post! Let me know if you saw any of your favourites or anything you want to
try! Bonus point if you tell me which product made an appearance in my very
first empties post too!
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