So good that we need urgent refills! From electrolytes to protein powders to a £7 eyeliner, this is what most impressed our editors this month. More, please…
In a world overrun by new beauty and wellbeing launches, how can you tell if something’s genuinely a keeper? Easy – it’s in Glossy Empties! Out of the hundreds of products we test every month, these are the special few that take up residence in our beauty bags and on our bathroom shelves; the ones we will repeat buy without hesitation.
Among this month’s gems: the relaxing herbal blend that’s finally converted our New Zealand staffer to the joys of drinking tea (we’ll make a proper Brit of her yet!), the mascara our beauty editor has used for 10 years and the electrolyte powder our deputy editor has to hide from her family. Shall we?
View this post on Instagram
VICTORIA WOODHALL
Our editorial director is beefing up her protein intake
Organised Beef Organs Protein Powder, £89 for 30 day supply
“I asked a longevity expert which collagen powder she recommends and she replied that she didn’t need it. She’s from Romania, where she eats soup made of collagen-rich bone broth every lunchtime. What’s more, in common with many Blue Zone longevity hotspots, her family would eat the whole animal, nose to tail, including the nutrient-dense organ meats (liver, kidneys etc) which have largely fallen away from our diets, and certainly from mine. Then a nutritionist friend got me onto Organised, a creamy shake made of grass-fed organ meats, bovine collagen, beef protein isolate and trendy immunity supplement colostrum. Sounds like it could never work but it’s the most delicious non-meaty tasting basis for my morning smoothie.”
SHOPSaltair Pink Beach Serum Deodorant, was £14 now £11.20
“Our family hunt for natural deodorants that work on the smelliest of armpits has discovered a new standout. My 22-year-old daughter loves Saltair’s 5 per cent AHA Serum Deodorant, which comes in a number of scents, with the coconut and vanilla fragranced Pink Beach giving Sol de Janeiro vibes. It’s a light liquid roll-on serum with acids that minimise ingrown hairs and discoloration. It really does keep odours at bay for longer than many other natural deos we’ve tried, while being baking soda and aluminium-free, in a recyclable glass bottle – and pretty to look at!”
SHOPFeel Iceland Bone Health Therapy, £32 for 30 day supply
“This is a skincare step you never knew you needed, but once you try this fine over-makeup mist that gives an instant glow-up, you’ll be addicted. If you have oily skin or shine you want to blot, this is not for you. But for those of us with dry skin and wrinkles – who thus find it hard to get any kind of light-reflecting glow that doesn’t look fake – this is a secret weapon. It makes my forehead head look like my Botox has just kicked in, only without the face freezing. The SPF20 in this is a reassuring top-up too. It’s not sticky and I can’t tell I’ve got it on until I catch myself in the mirror hours later when it’s still going strong.”
SHOP
KERRY POTTER
Our deputy editor and her entire family are hydrated at all times
Selfish Supps Hydrate Me Electrolytes, £29
“Of all the electrolyte supplements I take home to test, this moreish pink lemonade flavoured powder is the one my husband and teenagers immediately demolish. Created by Aussie wellness influencer Tammy Hembrow and her sisters, the 30-serving tub contains magnesium, potassium, calcium and sodium (although not too much because most of us don’t need huge amounts), plus vitamin C and zinc. Be aware though: the lead ingredient is glucose, hence my children’s enthusiasm.”
SHOPWiley's Finest Omega-3 with K2 and D3, £39.50 for 60 capsules
“I don’t eat the recommended two portions of oily fish per week (have you seen the price of salmon?!) so I supplement to hit my omega-3s, in order to keep my tiny brain ticking along properly. US family-owned Wiley’s Finest uses high quality, sustainable Alaskan fish sources and these one-a-day capsules are easy to swallow, plus have no fishy aftertaste. Alongside boosted brain and heart health, vitamins K2 and D3 mean bone health is also covered.”
SHOPSana Jardin Revolution De La Fleur EDP, £32
“I’m not a major fragrance fan but this deliciousness stopped me in my tracks and I’ve been eking out my 10ml bottle for two years – special occasions only! It’s a floral but not as you know it (hello, citrus and spice) and this cult UK brand is the brainchild of ex social worker Amy Christiansen, so has all the sustainability creds you’d hope for. Sana Jardin’s website isn’t currently accepting orders so you can’t buy direct from them, which is a worry – fingers crossed they’ll be fully back in business soon.”
SHOPLiving Proof Leave-in Conditioning Spray, £27
“A multi-tasker par excellence, this nixes my terrible tangles in a jiffy, de-frizzes and gives UV and heat protection. If only it could also make me a cup of tea, I’d marry it. It’s not cheap but that’s because it was created by biotech scientists (plus the brand was once co-owned by Jennifer Aniston who’s spent 30 years giving good hair). And this bottle did last for six months.”
SHOP
INGEBORG VAN LOTRINGEN
Our contributing beauty editor is keeping it clean
Matter of Fact Remove + Replenish Gel Balm Cleanser, £35
“Lush is not a word often used for a fragrance-free gel, but this one really is. Made with 85% glycerin, which is water-based but has a slightly sticky, nourishing feel, it’s clear but so dense that you need to massage it into skin like an ever-so-slightly warming balm – one that doesn’t go foamy, oily or milky but silky instead. It then manages to melt away every last bit of grime, makeup, sunscreen and pollution on your face. You really need just a pea-sized dollop to do the job, so it’s cost-effective too.”
SHOPKay Beauty Gel Artist Gel Kajal in Bronze, was £9 now £7.20
“These pencils are just brilliant – a fine-liner’s dream with their precision bullet and buttery, deeply pigmented formula. ‘Kajal’ usually means a sooty, smudgy texture for those after a smoky effect, but here it’s misleading: there’s no smudging at all, and that’s just how I like it. The only drawback is that you go through fine bullets like this in about four weeks. Thankfully, they don’t cost the earth.”
SHOPCode Beautiful Code VLM Mascara, £24
“I’ve used this mascara for over a decade and I still can’t remember the name, that’s how little sense it makes. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that this consistently blows every other one out of the water. The brainchild of two Welsh sisters, its brush picks up and coats the wimpiest lashes with ease and the smooth formula lengthens and builds beautifully – no clumps thanks to a clever ‘wiper’ inside the tube. Best of all, the gentle, water-resistant formula just doesn’t smudge. Ordering my next one now.”
SHOPNaturium The Booster Hyaluronic Acid Body Wash, was £19 now £15.20
“Especially in winter, anything soapy can really strip my skin to the point of cracking, so I’m always looking for products that moisturise as they clean. This jumbo bottle of gentle suds contains so many humectants (glycerin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol), that it’s like an enormous hydrating serum that also leaves your body clean, which has been a win-win-win for me this arctic season. It’s unscented, but it feels so nice it’s still a treat to use.”
SHOP
ISLA HUFFADINE
It's sweet dreams for our content coordinator
Vida Glow Women’s Health Sleep Supplement, £30 for 30 days
“As someone who struggles with sleep, I’ve tried countless supplements that promise better rest – but this is one of the few that’s delivered consistent results. From Anna Lahey’s Vida Glow – the world’s number one marine collagen brand – it’s designed specifically for women. It has maizinol (a natural sleep enhancer with benefits similar to melatonin), zinc, passionflower and vitamin B6 to calm the mind, relax muscles and support deeper sleep. I take one capsule an hour before bed, and the best part is I don’t wake up feeling groggy.”
SHOPRituals The Ritual of Ayurveda Warming Vata Tea, £7.90 for 25 bags
“I might be the only person in the UK who doesn’t usually drink tea, but this organic herbal blend won me over during winter. It may come as a surprise that it’s from the popular wellbeing brand Rituals, but the chai-style blend of cinnamon, cardamon and ginger creates a warming, fragrant mix. Long associated with Chinese medicine, these spices are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Better still, it’s caffeine-free – making it an ideal choice if you’re looking to unwind in the evening.”
SHOPCharlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, £39
“This is one product I’ve never been able to find a true dupe for – it’s just that good. If you don’t like the heaviness of traditional foundations, this illuminating multitasker is perfect for evening out your complexion, hydrating the skin and creating a glowy base. It offers the sheerest coverage in the brand’s foundation lineup, but that’s exactly why the lightweight application appeals – delivering a true ‘your skin but better’ finish. There are 12 shades available and it’s suitable for all ages – my mum loves it too.”
SHOPDermalogica Acne Biotic Moisturiser, £69
“Blemish-prone readers, take note: this lightweight gel moisturiser has become a staple in my routine, helping to keep regular breakouts under control. While it’s pricier than your average high-street moisturiser, the results have justified the investment. It’s packed with hydrating glycerin, a plankton extract and skin-balancing prebiotics to tackle existing spots, help prevent future ones and fade out old ones. My skin looks so much clearer.”
SHOP