I'd like to start by saying that, don't worry, you've not missed anything: although the title of the blog post might be worded like this a regular feature, it's the first time I've actually done a post like this. Normally I keep my empty sharing to Instagram stories but I've had a lot more time than normal to finish up various beauty and skincare bits over the last month or so, so thought I'd do a proper round-up here so that I can go into a bit more detail. And if you like the post I'll continue it on and make it a regular feature fo' real! So, without further ago, here are some of my recent favourite beauty empties:
Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate:
I've been using this on and off for the past five years or so and have repurchased countless times. It works by enhancing your skin's natural night-time recovery process and I always feel my skin that bit softer and more hydrated the morning after using it. The formula's 99.8% natural derived and there's lavender essential oil and primrose oil in so it's verrry relaxing to apply - I normally take a big deep breath whilst I'm patting it on, making everyone else in the vicinity instantly uncomfortable. Plus, the bottle looks like it came straight from ye olde apothecary (not an essential when buying skincare but I am particularly drawn to bottles that look like they belong in a potions lab). I warm 3 drops in my hands and apply it after cleansing and toning, pre-moisturiser, by gently pressing it onto my skin. Don't forget that breath.
I've been using this on and off for the past five years or so and have repurchased countless times. It works by enhancing your skin's natural night-time recovery process and I always feel my skin that bit softer and more hydrated the morning after using it. The formula's 99.8% natural derived and there's lavender essential oil and primrose oil in so it's verrry relaxing to apply - I normally take a big deep breath whilst I'm patting it on, making everyone else in the vicinity instantly uncomfortable. Plus, the bottle looks like it came straight from ye olde apothecary (not an essential when buying skincare but I am particularly drawn to bottles that look like they belong in a potions lab). I warm 3 drops in my hands and apply it after cleansing and toning, pre-moisturiser, by gently pressing it onto my skin. Don't forget that breath.
Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream:
I'm sure you'll have seen me bang on about this countless times because it's a firm favourite in my beauty bag. The first time I ever used it was when I was a child and burnt my face on holiday* and it was the only lotion my Mum could find to soothe it without stinging. Since then it's become a staple and I use it for everything from smoothing flyaways to highlighting my cheeks in summer to smothering myself with on planes, but it's been especially useful the past few weeks for wee patches of dry skin that have popped up in isolation (anyone else's skin going a bit nuts?). If you haven't used the Eight Hour range before, I'd also highly recommend the hand cream for dry paws, the Great 8 daily defence moisturiser, and the lip balm (the tinted ones are especially nice) as well! Ooh, and the Miracle oil for evening time on holiday. Heaven.
*As I typed that I could hear my Mum wailing, 'you make me sound negligent, Amy!' so I hold my hands up and say that I would use the slipperiness of sun tan lotion to my advantage, break free and run straight back into the pool the second she'd finished applying it and, thanks to this joie de vivre, my under-eye skin took a real hit
I'm sure you'll have seen me bang on about this countless times because it's a firm favourite in my beauty bag. The first time I ever used it was when I was a child and burnt my face on holiday* and it was the only lotion my Mum could find to soothe it without stinging. Since then it's become a staple and I use it for everything from smoothing flyaways to highlighting my cheeks in summer to smothering myself with on planes, but it's been especially useful the past few weeks for wee patches of dry skin that have popped up in isolation (anyone else's skin going a bit nuts?). If you haven't used the Eight Hour range before, I'd also highly recommend the hand cream for dry paws, the Great 8 daily defence moisturiser, and the lip balm (the tinted ones are especially nice) as well! Ooh, and the Miracle oil for evening time on holiday. Heaven.
*As I typed that I could hear my Mum wailing, 'you make me sound negligent, Amy!' so I hold my hands up and say that I would use the slipperiness of sun tan lotion to my advantage, break free and run straight back into the pool the second she'd finished applying it and, thanks to this joie de vivre, my under-eye skin took a real hit
Ouai super dry shampoo:
Because who needs dry shampoo when you have SUPER DRY SHAMPOO. I use dry shampoo all the time - be it on my fringe to give it a bit of volume, on my crown to give it texture for a beehive and on those 'in between wash' days, which are becoming more and more present in iso, may I add (I'm trying to train my hair to go longer between washes and am determined to beat it). It is pricey, sadly, but if you ARE looking to splurge, I would say it lives up to the price tag and a little goes a long way; I had mine for around 4 months before it ran out. Plus, two big bonuses: it smells absolutely amazing and it doesn't leave any telltale chalky spots on your hair or scalp. However, if you're still looking at this and thinking 'are you nuts, woman?' then you can't go wrong with good old Batiste.
Because who needs dry shampoo when you have SUPER DRY SHAMPOO. I use dry shampoo all the time - be it on my fringe to give it a bit of volume, on my crown to give it texture for a beehive and on those 'in between wash' days, which are becoming more and more present in iso, may I add (I'm trying to train my hair to go longer between washes and am determined to beat it). It is pricey, sadly, but if you ARE looking to splurge, I would say it lives up to the price tag and a little goes a long way; I had mine for around 4 months before it ran out. Plus, two big bonuses: it smells absolutely amazing and it doesn't leave any telltale chalky spots on your hair or scalp. However, if you're still looking at this and thinking 'are you nuts, woman?' then you can't go wrong with good old Batiste.
Utan x Jamie Genevieve CBD tanning water:
I LOVE this. There are only two fake tans I use on my face and this is one of them. It's perfect for sensitive skin - it's one of the few that hasn't caused my face to have any sort of reaction - gives a really lovely glow that you can build on each night and is infused with lavender so smells amazing which, I think we can all agree, is a true rarity for fake tan. One of my favourite things about it is that it sprays directly onto your face and there's no need to rub it in, so no worrying about it getting all over your hands either, huzzah! I use 3-4 spritzes as the final step in my evening skincare routine.
I LOVE this. There are only two fake tans I use on my face and this is one of them. It's perfect for sensitive skin - it's one of the few that hasn't caused my face to have any sort of reaction - gives a really lovely glow that you can build on each night and is infused with lavender so smells amazing which, I think we can all agree, is a true rarity for fake tan. One of my favourite things about it is that it sprays directly onto your face and there's no need to rub it in, so no worrying about it getting all over your hands either, huzzah! I use 3-4 spritzes as the final step in my evening skincare routine.
Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede candle:
It's a bold claim to make but I think this is my favourite Jo Malone scent, every time I get a whiff of it on someone I can't help but spontaneously shout out 'PEONY AND BLUSH SUEDE!'. The candle version is just as delicious and the smell fills the entire room (the candle's been finished for about three weeks now and the jar still smells like peony heaven). Peony, red apple, jasmine, rose and gillyflower all come together to make for a really beautiful, calming scent... get a room, I know.
It's a bold claim to make but I think this is my favourite Jo Malone scent, every time I get a whiff of it on someone I can't help but spontaneously shout out 'PEONY AND BLUSH SUEDE!'. The candle version is just as delicious and the smell fills the entire room (the candle's been finished for about three weeks now and the jar still smells like peony heaven). Peony, red apple, jasmine, rose and gillyflower all come together to make for a really beautiful, calming scent... get a room, I know.
Darphin De-Puffing Antioxidant eye cream:
My skin can be quite sensitive and Darphin's a brand I've always found my skin really gets on with. I've yet to be disappointed with their products - if you haven't tried their rose oil cream yet it's a b-e-a-u-tiful night cream, especially on dry skin - and this eye cream is another winner. It's a gel-like formula so applies nice and lightly on the skin and is also very fast absorbing so a great one to use under make-up. I've found it to be both hydrating and smoothing, especially on dehydration lines, and a little goes a long way.
My skin can be quite sensitive and Darphin's a brand I've always found my skin really gets on with. I've yet to be disappointed with their products - if you haven't tried their rose oil cream yet it's a b-e-a-u-tiful night cream, especially on dry skin - and this eye cream is another winner. It's a gel-like formula so applies nice and lightly on the skin and is also very fast absorbing so a great one to use under make-up. I've found it to be both hydrating and smoothing, especially on dehydration lines, and a little goes a long way.
Crabtree & Evelyn fruit smoothie face cream:
This recommendation actually comes to you from Rob! We both use their exfoliating body bar daily (a great product if you're a bar user, we've been using it for almost two months and still have about a third left) so when he spotted this he claimed it for his own. It's honestly one of the nicest smelling moisturisers I've come across - it's listed as being sweet coconut and cactus leaf but to me it smells like holidays and the ocean. I pinched some for myself one night and it's really lovely and hydrating but very light at the same time. So there's one you know will be a hit with the men in your life too!
This recommendation actually comes to you from Rob! We both use their exfoliating body bar daily (a great product if you're a bar user, we've been using it for almost two months and still have about a third left) so when he spotted this he claimed it for his own. It's honestly one of the nicest smelling moisturisers I've come across - it's listed as being sweet coconut and cactus leaf but to me it smells like holidays and the ocean. I pinched some for myself one night and it's really lovely and hydrating but very light at the same time. So there's one you know will be a hit with the men in your life too!
Kloris CBD oil:
Another one from both me and Roberto - we've been using a few drops of this in a herbal tea in the evening to help with sleep or, on days when I feel especially anxious, I'll pop a few drops under my tongue and keep them there for 30 seconds. I know there's still a bit of doubt surrounding CBD oil but we both really enjoyed using it!
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser:
I tried this for the first time last summer on Liv Purvis's recommendation and have been hooked ever since. It's beautiful to use, very kind to sensitive skin and also removes eye make-up - that's right, EVEN MASCARA - without leaving your skin feeling dry or tight. I currently use it for my first cleanse in the evening: splash some warm water on your face, apply and massage the cleanser in and watch your make up roll on off.
Frank Body Scrub:
Boy does this take a long time to fully vacate your shower but it really is one of my favourite body scrubs. I fake tan and need a good ole exfoliate every few days so I don't go full on patch adams and this is one I come back to time and time again - it's a blend of coffee granules, oils and vitamin E so leaves your skin so, so soft to touch after you've used it. Plus the smell of coffee is always a welcome addition to a shower. I find one handful enough to do my whole body!
Mitchum Deoderant:
This is another one that comes to you from both me and Roberto as he's been using the men's one. I normally use a Mitchum roll on but have switched to this new one which is powered by bamboo powder, is 96% natural ingredients and it smells like HEAVEN. It's eucalyptus so a really soft, natural scent. A definitely re-purchase in my books!
La Mer The Concentrate:
I've done a huuuge blog post on this product right here so I won't go into it in too much detail again but everything I've said there stands true - it goes on like velvet, soothes red and irritated skin and it just a joy to use. A total investment but one of my favourite La Mer products and one I'm v sad to finish!
Amy x
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I tried this for the first time last summer on Liv Purvis's recommendation and have been hooked ever since. It's beautiful to use, very kind to sensitive skin and also removes eye make-up - that's right, EVEN MASCARA - without leaving your skin feeling dry or tight. I currently use it for my first cleanse in the evening: splash some warm water on your face, apply and massage the cleanser in and watch your make up roll on off.
Frank Body Scrub:
Boy does this take a long time to fully vacate your shower but it really is one of my favourite body scrubs. I fake tan and need a good ole exfoliate every few days so I don't go full on patch adams and this is one I come back to time and time again - it's a blend of coffee granules, oils and vitamin E so leaves your skin so, so soft to touch after you've used it. Plus the smell of coffee is always a welcome addition to a shower. I find one handful enough to do my whole body!
Mitchum Deoderant:
This is another one that comes to you from both me and Roberto as he's been using the men's one. I normally use a Mitchum roll on but have switched to this new one which is powered by bamboo powder, is 96% natural ingredients and it smells like HEAVEN. It's eucalyptus so a really soft, natural scent. A definitely re-purchase in my books!
La Mer The Concentrate:
I've done a huuuge blog post on this product right here so I won't go into it in too much detail again but everything I've said there stands true - it goes on like velvet, soothes red and irritated skin and it just a joy to use. A total investment but one of my favourite La Mer products and one I'm v sad to finish!
Amy x
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