From the ultimate body product one member of our team buys every summer to the perfume that has made our beauty director question everything she thought she knew about rose scents. These are the products that are so good we've used up every last scraping, squeeze and spritz
Finishing products is a bittersweet moment. One the positive side it's fabulous to find a product that you love so much that you are scraping the inside of the bottle to make sure you've used up every precious drop. On the negative, it means it's all over (until it's replacement arrives, of course). But, what also comes with #empties is that the mere fact that we've made it to the end of them means these are the products that we recommend to friends, family and, most importantly, you guys. So, here they are. All the products we've used up this month. There's the cleanser from a celebrity skincare brand that exceeded expectations, a cult summer fragrance, an iconic moisturiser and a brilliant face SPF all in the mix. Enjoy!
SJ Corfield-Smith, GTG Beauty Director
Van Cleef & Arpel Moonlight Rose EDP, £145 for 75 ml
“Let me start by saying that I do not normally like rose fragrances. They smell artificial and like Turkish delight, which is the devil’s work in my opinion. But this one completely changed my opinion. There is rose in it but it’s offset with dark deep notes of patchouli and earthy moss that make it very sexy and sultry and very oud-like in composition. It’s meant to encapsulate what a rose smells like at midnight so there’s nothing light and floral about this and it’s like nothing else I have ever smelt.”
The Outset Gentle Micellar Antioxidant Cleanser, £32
“This has been the standout product for me from Scarlett Johansson’s skincare brand, The Outset. It uses micellar technology (tiny spheres of cleansing oil) suspended in a gel cleanser that slightly foams when mixed with water on the skin. Unlike many foaming cleansers this doesn’t strip the skin at all or leave it feeling dry, instead you’re left with clean skin (it makes light work of removing mascara btw) that feels plump and soft. My only gripe is that I wish it had a lovely scent but it is unfragranced to appeal to all skin types.”
Ingenious Beauty Ultimate Collagen, £60 for 90 capsules
“I am making a concerted effort to take collagen supplements daily as every derm I speak to recommends them, and I’m starting to notice a real difference in the quality of my skin as well as the strength and health of my hair and nails. I normally mix collagen powder into a glass of water but on days I forget I take two of these before bed instead. Not all collagen tablets can be absorbed by the body properly, but these have been proven to be able to get to the small intestine, where it is then distributed to where it’s needed in the body, effectively so they do actually do something.”
Function of Beauty Wavy Hair Shampoo, £12
“Bespoke beauty products normally come with a hefty price tag but Function of Beauty is a great example of how you can customise a product to suit without paying a fortune. You start by choosing a base shampoo and conditioner suited for your hair type (wavy, straight, curly or coily) and then add ‘boosters’ to target your hair needs. I added colour protection and anti-frizz to my wavy shampoo and have thoroughly enjoyed using it.”
Amy Rostas, GTG Beauty and Social Media Assistant
K18 Peptide Prep Ph-Maintenance Shampoo, £39 and K18 Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo, £39
“I have been alternating between the two K18 shampoos and they have revived my hair. I use the detox one about once every two weeks when I feel like I have a lot of product build-up on my scalp and when my hair needs a really good clean and it helps me to go longer between wash days. I then use the pH maintenance shampoo on every other wash and it works at rebalancing the pH and microbiome of my scalp. Once a week I will follow with the bond repair K18 peptide treatment, better than Olaplex to keep my hair strong and prevent any breakage.”
Phlur Missing Person EDP, £96
“This perfume went viral last year and for good reason. The whole idea behind it is that it's meant to smell like someone you love or miss wrapping you up in a great big hug. There are notes of skin musk, wood and light florals which together create an almost naked like quality. It's a subtle and sophisticated scent that has the same type of comfort like putting on your favourite cashmere sweater. I am gutted to be on my last drops but I'm definitely repurchasing.”
Sol de Janeiro Glowmotions Glow Body Oil, £35
“This shimmer oil from Sol De Janeiro is my summer must-have that I repurchase every year. It’s the best multi-use product I have in my body care arsenal - it contains oils to hydrate the skin, shimmer for a glowy effect and a Sol de Janeiro's signature sweet and nutty Cheirosa ’62 scent, that is delicious. Ideal for weddings, festivals or whenever you have a bit of skin on show that you want to look dazzlng.”
Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara Travel Size, £14
“When it comes to expensive mascara I like to buy the travel size version first so I can make sure I love it enough to then commit to the full-size. And I can confirm, I am ready to commit to this Hourglass one. The formula is really versatile. Want a subtle daytime look? One coat creates light volume and length. Going on a night out? Layer a few coats for a more dramatic look. It also nourishes your lashes with moisturising panthenol, it's smudge-proof and clump-free. My mum has oily eyelids and swears this is the only mascara not to end up down her face so is also buying the bigger size. ”
Jemma Thompson, GTG Design and Social Media Manager
Only Curls Volumising Curl Mousse, £16
“I've been on a quest for a mousse that defines my curls and stops them from dropping for a while, and this mousse is the best I've tried. What sets it apart is its staying-power. Your curls or waves won't just bounce and shine for an hour – they'll hold their shape throughout the day (so you won’t get the midday curl droop!). Crafted with curl-loving ingredients like rice water and pea protein, it not only enhances and strengthens your natural curl pattern, but also leaves it feeling super soft and smelling delicious, thanks to the citrus and coconut fragrance.”
Tatcha The Silk Cream, £123
“I've said it before, and I'll say it again: this is hands-down my ultimate face moisturiser. The silky texture glides effortlessly onto the skin, providing instant hydration without heaviness, which is just what my oily/combination skin yearns for. The cream also plays well with makeup (it's like primer and moisturiser had a baby!). After just a few days of use, my complexion always feels plumper, smoother, and more radiant. Now, I know what you're thinking – the price tag. But it's a slice of skincare indulgence that lives up to its premium price and really does work. Plus, it looks impressive on your bathroom shelf.”
Necessaire The Body Wash in Eucalyptus, £25
“This body wash offers such an invigorating yet calming spa-like experience. The scent of eucalyptus leaves you feeling incredibly relaxed, while the gel texture lathers well for a gentle cleanse suitable for all skin types. Packed with niacinamide, vitamin C, and vitamin E, this body wash leaves your skin not only cleansed but also velvety smooth. And yes, that means you can skip the post-shower body cream hustle.”
Aroma Active Sleep Salt Soak, £7.50
“I’ve been struggling with my sleep lately, so a strict evening routine has been essential. An hour before bedtime a long soak in the tub is needed and this stuff is like a lullaby for your senses. The moment these salts hit the water, a soothing aroma dances around you, like a cosy blanket wrapping you up. It's made up of a blend of Epsom salts, magnesium and valerian root extract works to ease muscles whilst the calming aroma of lavender, ylang ylang and buddhawood helps to soothe the mind and soul.”
Marie Louise Pumfrey, GTG contributor
Murad City Skin Age Defence Broad Spectrum SPF 50, £66
“This is a most excellent daytime sunscreen. It glides on, doesn’t leave a white cast, and gives your face a luminous finish. It’s a perfect base under foundation and a firm staple in my beauty armoury. It's reassuringly techy and formulated with all the key ingredients to protect skin from all the variations of light damage including blue light from screens and UVA and UVB. There’s zinc oxide and titanium oxide to filter out the UV rays, polymer matrix to block out toxic pollutants, and iron oxide to protect against infrared radiation and even skin tone. It’s fragrance-free and safe for sensitive skin.”
LeaLuo Dip in Moisturize Conditioner, £22
“This conditioner has made a huge difference to my hair, which is dead straight, and lacks lustre, especially on a beach holiday when I’m in and out of the water. I’m always on the lookout for a product which gives volume and gloss, and after a good dollop of this, which I leave on for a couple of minutes, I have the gleamiest mane. It contains wheat protein and hemp seed oil to deeply moisture the hair shaft and leaves it so silky.”
Elemental Herbology Rejuvenate Bath and Body Oil, £28
"This oil is heaven in a bottle and one of my favourite self-care treats after a challenging ashtanga yoga class. There’s nothing quite like a hot bath with this restorative body oil which I also massage in afterwards. It smells divine and is packed full of anti-inflammatory and relaxing essential oils like lemongrass and nutmeg. Because its so multi-tasking, it doesn’t last long especially since my husband has discovered its wonders too.”
Ren Moroccan Rose Otto Body Lotion, £34
“This cream feels like silk, and I love its calming, subtle rose fragrance. It came away on holiday with me last month as was perfect body treat after a day on the beach, dipping in and out of the sea. It’s super soothing, absorbs instantly and is enriched with hydrating shea butter and rosehip seed oil. I love the velvety soft feeling and delicate fragrance this cream leaves on my body after a beach day. It’s a great after-sun alternative and I’m a big fan of Ren and their clean beauty ethos.”