Products Empties January 2026

February 8, 2026September 4, 2026 - Vicki

A New Year and a Fresh Batch of Empties! I’ve finished up quite a few products recently, and I wanted to share which ones I’d happily repurchase and which ones I probably wouldn’t.

Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser

One of the products I’ve recently finished is the Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser. I thought this cleanser was really gentle and found it worked best for me as a morning cleanser. It left my skin feeling clean, soft, and balanced, never tight or dry, and that is something I always look for in a daily cleanser. That tight feeling after you have cleansed is the worst, but this cleanser has some great skin loving ingredients that made it compatible for my more sensitive skin.

Aloe vera, which soothes redness and calms inflammation, and witch hazel, that gently purifies without over-drying. It’s also free from harsh sulphates.

I have already repurchased this because It’s gentle, effective, and affordable, perfect for everyday use. I’m keen to try a few more products from this brand, I am working my way through their Ultra Whip Cream Moisturiser, which I am loving as part of my Winter skincare routine.

L’Oréal Midnight Serum

I used this as part of my evening routine and thought the serum was lightweight and non-greasy, after a couple of months of use, I noticed my complexion looked brighter and smoother.

This serum contains hyaluronic acid, which hydrates and plumps the skin, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines. Vitamin C, that helps even out skin tone and gives that healthy glow and niacinamide, which supports the skin barrier and improves elasticity.

In a nutshell, this serum is ideal for anyone wanting a healthy glow, smoother and hydrated skin. I 100% recommend it, especially if, like me, you are 40+.

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil

This one of those products that comes with lots of hype and honestly, I was very curious to see if it lived up to it. This product was part of the mini overnight skincare collection, and it was the perfect way to try lots of products from the brand to see if what worked for mad & what didn’t.

This is a retinol oil designed to be used overnight, and it feels incredibly luxurious going on. Despite being an oil, it absorbed surprisingly well and left my skin feeling nourished rather than greasy. Over time, I did notice my skin looking smoother and brighter also a little less textured. It is no surprise that this oil is packed with incredible ingredients, especially for my more mature skin,

Retinol to reduce fine lines and boost collagen, blue tansy oil to soothe and calm irritation, and chia seed oil for deep hydration, with lactobionic acid to gently exfoliate and brighten the complexion.

I will say that I really enjoyed using this product, but it is on the pricey side, I would love to buy it all the time, but it might be more of a special treat than a permanent staple in my routine. So I would say it lived up to the hype, it is a product that delivers visible results and if I am able to re-purchase it in the future I will, and I will enjoy using every single drop.

*Samaya Hydrating Cleanser Pitta

I really enjoyed using the Samaya’s Hydrating Cleanser Pitta, the gel cream consistency melts into a soothing milky texture that removes makeup and impurities without stripping my skin, leaving it soft, hydrated, and radiant.

Formulated with jasmine, neem, lotus, turmeric, saffron, and aloe, it hydrates, balances, and soothes every time. Gentle, effective, and beautifully presented, this is a cleanser I would absolutely repurchase. I also appreciate and liked the minimalist design and packaging, the beautiful glass packaging, it feels and looks luxurious. This small, independent brand really delivers, and I highly recommend you check them out.

*The Cornish Seaweed Bath Co Revlitalising Eye Gel

When I was kindly sent this product to review a few months ago I had never heard of the brand, but everything I have tried from them has been a real surprise and an absolute treat. The Cornish Seaweed Bath Co’s Revitalise Eye Gel, has become a real staple in my skincare routine, the gel is lightweight, cooling, and absorbs quickly, making it perfect under makeup or in my evening routine and I recommend keeping it in the fridge for extra de puffing and cooling.

This product is packed with Fucus Serratus seaweed which is rich in minerals which help hydrate and firm, buddleia, skullcap, and chrysanthemum extracts to soothe and refresh, and aloe vera to calm skin. So lots of natural, soothing and gentle ingredients. Over time, my under-eyes feel softer, look brighter, and puffiness is less noticeable. I would absolutely repurchase this eye gel, it’s a gentle, natural, and effective boost for tired eyes that I reach for every day. Oh, and it is so nice to support and discover a brand that is very local to me.

*L’Oreal Revitalift Filler Hyaluronic Night Cream

The L’Oréal Revitalift Filler Hyaluronic Night Cream is so nourishing without ever feeling heavy, and by morning my skin always looks plumper and more refreshed. Over a few weeks, I noticed fine lines looking softer and my complexion feeling smoother.

It seems I really gravitate toward products with hyaluronic acid, and this one has that key ingredient too. I love that it deeply hydrates and plumps the skin, leaving the complexion smoother and helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This night cream also has Pro-Xylane, which is known for improving skin density and firmness. This is definitely a night cream I would repurchase, I like the whole revitalift range from L’Oréal and have tried and repurchased most of it, and this cream is a permanent fixture in my nighttime routine.

Fenty Skin Eye Cream

I’ve used up my Fenty Skin Eye Cream, and honestly, I’m a little sad it’s gone. It feels lightweight but really hydrates my under-eyes, sinking in quickly with no greasy residue. Over time, my eyes have looked brighter and more awake, and I’ve noticed a subtle improvement in smoothness and puffiness.

It is packed with lovely ingredients, a mix of peptides for firmness, licorice root extract for brightening, and hyaluronic acid for soft, lightweight hydration. It was a fantastic eye cream, but I’m not particularly loyal to this part of my skincare routine. While I would repurchase it, I’m going to try a different one next

L’Oréal Le Duo Serum

This serum is a little different, as it has a two-phase formula designed specifically for firmness and anti-ageing. I used it in the morning and like how silky smooth it made my skin and instantly hydrating. I really liked how it made my skin look smoother, particularly around areas where fine lines are starting to appear.

It has some great ingredients, hyaluronic acid, which plumps and deeply hydrates, peptides, which support collagen production to improve firmness, and vitamin C, which brightens and evens the skin tone. These ingredients make the serum feel like a true treatment—it’s both a deeply hydrating serum and a nourishing anti-ageing moisturiser in one.

I think the Le Duo is great for firmness and smoothing fine lines. My mum, who is almost 70, uses this serum too and absolutely swears by it, and I am on my 2nd bottle. It really is very good.

Have you tried any of the products I have mentioned? I would also love to hear what products you have recently discovered and would repurchase.

*products marked with * are PR samples

Exploring Bath Day 2

January 8, 2026September 4, 2026 - Vicki

First stop on day 2 was Nook, a lovely Australian vibe healthy breakfast / brunch spot. I had found them on Instagram and their food looked so good, but I didn’t know what to expect. The menu was incredible, full of healthy options and so many vegan and gluten-free choices. We opted for the loaded banana bread and the salted caramel bowl.

The café is quite small, they have a few seats in the window downstairs (where we sat) but they do also have an upstairs with a few more tables. It is a lovely, bright and friendly space and the menu is incredible, they make everything fresh to order. I could have happily ordered every single item on the menu, we shared the loaded banana bread and a smoothie bowl, both were delicious and very filling. I can’t wait to go back and was sad to hear they closed their Bristol location.

After breakfast, we had a walk around, the weather was dry and warm but not as sunny as the previous day. We made the most of it being a weekday and more quiet, the streets were empty, and we headed over the Pulteney Bridge, which is very famous in Bath. We walked towards The Holburne Museum although did not go in, it is a beautiful building at the end of Great Pulteney Street which is a lovely wide street, lined with impressive houses. I hear that the museum building was used quite a lot in Bridgerton, so it was fun to see it.

Every street is picture-perfect and as we were lucky with the weather again, we made the most of being outside and explored as much as we could, going up as many backstreets and soaking in all the history and incredible architecture. Bath has so many independent / small shops with lovely facades and painted windows, they really make the city look quirky and interesting.

There is history everywhere in Bath, and it is a city that encourages you to look up and just take it all in, we spotted so many murals and painted shopfronts. As I said in my Day 1 post we are suckers for a classic car and always take photos of them, Bath did not disappoint there were so many and we spotted a lovely red Beetle.

We did not go inside the Cathedral (we will on our next visit) but even from outside it was very impressive. It is very grand and ornate, we walked around the entire outside and loved that you could sit in the square at the back and just admire all its gothic details and huge windows. I can only imagine how special it looks on the inside.

For our second coffee stop we went into The Watchouse on Old Bond Street, it is part of a chain but their coffee / matcha is fantastic (if not on the pricey side). We sat in the window and watched the world go by. It was a very friendly, bright and modern space, they have an upstairs with more seating, and it was popular for lunch. I would recommend it, and I am looking forward to trying some of their locations in London, they always seem to renovate interesting and cool buildings for their cafés.

I took so many photos of this house, which was covered in Ivy & also up for sale. If I had won the lottery, I would 100% have bought it. The photo doesn’t do it justice, the building was huge, and the ivy went right up to the roof and all the way around the outside and including the basement it was 5 stories with an impressive garden, what a magical and romantic place to call home.

I know that many British cities are full of history, original features and historical details, but I think Bath has to be one of the most preserved and maintained. It reminded me of Edinburgh and York. I just loved all the iron railings, the beautiful stone houses, wide streets and green spaces.

It becomes even more romantic at night when you can see through the windows into the impressive houses and also the Cathedral and bridge are all lit up and so much more quiet than during the day. Fewer crowds and traffic, so it’s a nice time to explore and take photos.

Let me know if you have any recommendations for Bath, I can’t wait to visit again and would love to hear of any places to eat, drink & things that I shouldn’t miss.

Shark Glam Sleek Straight Waves & Curls Pink Exclusive

November 9, 2025September 4, 2026 - Vicki

It’s fair to say that hair tools have truly evolved in recent years. Gone are the days of relying on a basic hairdryer that leaves your hair frizzy, blasts out excessive heat, and limits your styling options to a simple blow-dry while claiming to work on all hair types. We can now be kinder to our hair and achieve salon-quality results at home, thanks to innovative all-in-one multi stylers like the Shark Glam Sleek Straight Waves & Curls, which is a game changer if, like me, you’ve accumulated one too many hair tools over the years. The Shark all-in-one styler replaces your hairdryer, straightener, curling tong, and glossing brush. It is designed to smooth, curl, volumise, and dry without excessive heat damage & this all in one tool combines professional performance with everyday convenience.

I’ve been putting the Shark it to the test over the past month and honestly, I’m loving the results. The first thing I noticed was how sleek the hairdryer is, it’s slim, easy to use, and actually looks pretty on my dresser. I’d been using an ancient travel hairdryer before (which I have had for years!) and didn’t realise just how much better a hairdryer could be. My hair after drying now looks glossy, smooth, and super sleek, and I like that the settings let me choose exactly how hot or forceful I want the airflow to be.

I have been just roughly drying my hair with the hair dryer, then adding the Styling Concentrator accessory to make it look more sleek and glossy. This accessory makes it much easier to be precise, directing the airflow exactly where you need it, which helps smooth the hair cuticle and gives a sleek, glossy finish. It’s great for taming flyaways and making your hair look polished without extra effort

Now one of the best tools in this kit is the Silki Straightener which can be used on wet / damp hair, which is a great for saving time, and you will be shocked by how effective (and fast) it is at drying and straightening your hair. I’ve mostly been the Silki Straighteners for refreshing second or third-day hair. They’re such an innovative tool, using smart heat control, so it is gentler on your hair than most straighteners. The combination of heated ceramic plates and airflow smooths the hair cuticle, tames frizz, and adds shine without relying on extreme heat. I also love that they’re easy to use, gentle on my hair and leave my hair looking sleek, glossy and refreshed. If, like me, you are used to your straighteners drying out your hair, you will be surprised by how effective and gentle the Shark Silki Straightener is. Say goodbye to dry, heat‑frazzled hair and hello to sleek, glossy, perfectly smooth locks.

When I’m just at home, I usually give my hair a quick blow-dry and leave it, but when I’m heading out, I like it to look polished without spending ages on it. For me, that usually means adding a soft wave or a loose curl to give it that effortless, styled look, and the Auto-Wrap Curlers are 10/10 for this look. Even with my short hair, they worked brilliantly and made styling so quick and easy.

The Coanda air‑flow technology gently pulls the hair toward the barrel while blowing warm air, creating a wrapping motion so it automatically wraps, sets, and curls your hair in minutes. The barrel is the ideal size to create soft, defined curls or waves and the heat‑controlled surfaces reduce exposure to extreme heat, so your hair is never damaged, and you get that glossy shine and minimal frizz.

The Glossi Brush is the attachment I think I will get more use from as my hair grows, it will be great for taming my fringe or adding a nice flick to the bottom of my bob. I’m excited to use it more and see what new hairstyles I can create.

It has been so nice incorporating the Shark Multi Styler into my haircare routine (especially in this exclusive pink colour), it has become part of my daily routine and my hair has never felt so healthy and looked so glossy. It makes styling my hair so effortless, and the tool is so versatile that you are able to create so many looks with ease. I am impressed with the quality and the way it makes me want to experiment with my hair. Doing my hair has become part of my self-care routine, I no longer dread it or rush it and as a result of using this multi tool my hair looks healthier which makes me feel more confident.

*Sponsored post with gifted product, but the review is 100% my own.

Summer Beauty Empties 2025

September 21, 2025September 4, 2026 - Vicki

Now that we are in Autumn, I am sharing the beauty products I used up over the past few months. I discovered new products that have become firm favourites and that I will be repurchasing, and also a few items that were good but that I won’t rush to use again.

Garnier Intensive 7 Days Hydrating Lotion

I’ve gone through a few bottles of this over the years and while I think it’s a good, affordable body lotion, it is not my favourite. The texture is lightweight and hydrating, with a fresh, clean scent, and it does absorb quickly without feeling greasy, but sometimes, mostly in the colder months I just need a cream that is more rich and nourishing, so I still prefer the Dove Pro Age Body Lotion for the colder months. I will repurchase the Garnier on when it’s on offer (too good a deal not too) but I will be using the Dove one until the Spring comes round again.

Charlotte Tilbury Air Brush Flawless Setting Spray

I have fallen hard for the Charlotte Tilbury Air Brush Flawless Setting Spray, I can honestly say this is a product I’ll always repurchase. It not only keeps my makeup in place all day, but it also gives my skin a gorgeous, healthy glow. Unlike other setting sprays that can feel heavy, sticky, or drying, this one is hydrating and weightless on the skin. I get the travel-size bottle so I can keep it in my bag for top-ups (though I rarely need them). For me, it’s 100% worth the hype and an absolute must-have.

Batiste Volume Dry Shampoo

This can of Batiste lasted me ages, which I love because you only need to spray a little product, and it does the job. I go through phases of using dry shampoo all the time & then I forget about it for a while. I always keep a can of Batiste on hand as such a reliable product, I usually just grab whichever version is on offer, but the dark one is a favourite as it blends in with my hair so well. Definitely one of those everyday staples I’ll keep repurchasing. I just don’t think you need to spend a fortune on a dry shampoo.

*Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Elasticity Day SPF 30

This was such a lovely cream to use, I mainly saved it for makeup days because my foundation sat beautifully on top of it and looked really fresh all day. I also loved how plumping it felt on the skin, giving me that fresh, hydrated look. It’s packed with hyaluronic acid to help with fine lines, plus arctiin for elasticity, and the added SPF 30 is such a bonus for everyday protection. It also contains Thiamidol, which is a patented Eucerin ingredient, that’s clinically proven to reduce dark spots, prevent their return, and promote brighter, even-toned skin. A great day cream that I’d highly recommend, I’m looking forward to exploring more products from this range, which includes an eye cream, a serum, and even a refill pot for this moisturiser. The refill option is a great idea, as it allows you to top up your pot rather than discarding it entirely, making it a more eco-friendly choice.

Elemis Pro Collagen Green Fig Cleansing Balm

I’ve just finished my 4th pot of the Elemis Pro-Collagen Green Fig Cleansing Balm, and I can’t get enough of it because fig is one of my absolute favourite scents. It’s easy to see why the Elemis cleansing balms are such a cult favourite, I love the balm-to-oil texture it melts away even the most stubborn makeup, but it’s gentle on the skin. Using it is like having a little spa moment at home, it’s soothing, and it leaves my skin feeling soft, nourished, and completely clean and the fig scent is heavenly. Honestly, it’s a solid 10/10.

Garnier Vitamin C Brightening Moisturiser

I really liked this moisturiser, it’s lightweight, hydrating and absorbs quickly without leaving any greasiness. It’s an effective day cream that I’d happily repurchase. If you are looking for an affordable moisturiser, this is a great option.

Garnier Vitamin C Brightening Day Serum

I adore this serum and have used up many a bottle. It’s designed to boost radiance, and even-out, the 3.5% vitamin C concentration helps leave my skin looking fresh and glowing. It also has Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid, which gently exfoliate to smooth texture and reduce blemishes, plus Lemon Extract to brighten the skin. It’s such a great, product to have in your routine.

Garnier Vitamin C Brightening Night Serum 10%

Like the day serum, I love the night one too (this might just be my fave out of the two), It has 10% vitamin C which works overnight to brighten, even out skin tone, and give that fresh morning glow. I love that it also has Niacinamide to smooth and calm, Salicylic Acid to gently exfoliate and tackle blemishes, and Lemon Extract to boost brightness. My skin always looks well rested, nourished, and glowing by morning. Such a popular product in my house, as my husband also uses it.

L’Oréal Revitalift Plumping Toner

This toner is a constant in my skincare routine, I use it at least once a day, it is refreshing and hydrating and find it helps prep my face for the rest of my skincare routine. It contains hyaluronic acid, which helps to plump and hydrate my skin, making it feel soft and smooth, I like using it on days when my skin needs a little extra hydration boost. It’s such an effective, and affordable toner, and I always have a new bottle waiting and I buy it for my mum as well.

Sunday Riley 5 Stars Retinoid + Niacinamide Eye Serum

This eye serum was included in my Sunday Riley set and I can’t tell how much I enjoyed using all the products. I had never tried this brand before and thought a set was the perfect way to try a few of their key products. This eye serum is designed to target fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles and I felt it worked really well. It contains, 6% retinoid complex and centella asiatica to boost collagen and improve elasticity, plus niacinamide to brighten and calm. Ceramides, olive oil, red poppy seed extract and shea butter hydrate and soothe delicate skin. It is a fantastic for radiance, soothing and smoothing the under eye.

Sunday Riley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum

I honestly loved this serum, I used it at night, and the incredible ingredients that are packed into this product worked their magic. It’s got a 6.5% blend of retinoids which gets to work on fine lines, uneven texture, and sun damage, it’s also packed with CoQ10, ginger, honey, cactus extract, and shea butter which keeps your skin feeling calm, hydrated, and balanced. The texture is lovely, even though it is a retinoid based product I found it was gentle and didn’t irritate. I am buying this again, and think it’s made such a difference to how fresh and radiant my skin looks.

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. Products marked with an * were gifted PR.

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