January empties 2024: everything the GTG team used up this month

Akt The Deodorant Balm SC00, £21

“My husband, a primary school teacher who is on his feet all day, gets through boxes of this natural deodorant and has tried every one of their elevated scents. He was sceptical about this latest unfragranced version, created in response to demand from customers with sensitive pits, but reports that it works just as magically as the others - no sweat, despite not being an antiperspirant. Akt, created by two sweaty actors, can do no wrong in our house!”

GF Fabulosity Hair and Scalp Recovery Elixir, £53

"When you have thinning and breakable hair, every wash can be heart-sink moment. But I’m totally in love with GF Fabulosity, the high performance natural hair and scalp care brand from stylist and London salon owner Gustav Fouche, who also dry cuts my hair. I love that I can use the conditioners on my scalp to keep it nourished. The hero is this milky Elixir which I use  as a daily scalp serum (rice proteins, caffeine and amla help boost growth and block shedding), a protein pre-wash and overnight mask. It’s a brilliant all-rounder in a giant bottle that makes me truly love looking after my hair.”

Ilapothecary  Magnesium and Amethyst Deep Relax Bath Soak, £59, refills £44

"If you’ve had a tough day, a small handful of these bath salts with relaxing magnesium, centering amethyst and gorgeous essential oils will set you to rights. They are so concentrated that you only need a small amount to reap the grounding benefits. They are the big guns of bath salts and I save them for when I’m struggling with overload, have a big decision to make, or if there’s been an argument in the family. They are my hug that softens my skin and my mind. The refills are £15 cheaper."

Mahsa Rosemary and Thyme Probiotic Toothpaste, £14

"I love a premium toothpaste: they are  generally less full of, or entirely free from, fillers such as titanium dioxide  (makes toothpaste look white but has zero benefits) and artificial sweeteners, which I don’t fancy swallowing daily. Because they have less rubbish in them they are often highly concentrated - this pump dispenser took me a good few months to finish. Dr Mahsa is a London dentist and has created a fluoride paste that looks after the oral microbiome. The herbs are antibacterial and breath freshening. Plus it’s currently 30 per cent off (normally £15!"

Oskia Moon Salts, £68

“I know this is pricey for a jar (it's a big 500g one though) bath salts (the refills are slightly cheaper) but I keep this giant jar of pink-hued salts hidden away for times when I need it most - mainly when sleep has been alluding me as these really do help reset my circadian rhythms. I also find them superior for easing aching muscles and even soothing away headaches. And when my 9-year-old daughter is suffering with growing pains in her knees I sprinkle some in her bath and it seems to magic them away. The smell is divine and, for me, the price tag is outweighed by how they make me feel after using them.”

Aveeno Skin Relief Nourish & Repair Cica Balm, £6.99

"This is one of those types of products that becomes a handbag and bathroom staple, especially if you have young children. It is a rich balm filled with hydrating glycerin and Aveeno’s skin calming colloidal oat and prebiotic complex that is known for soothing, calming and healing skin. I have smothered it over my 9-year-old’s eczema flare-ups, my 5-year-old’s grazed knees, on the entire family’s chapped lips and dehydrated, cracked hands. Even though it’s rich it sinks in quickly so it’s easy to use and, as you would expect, it’s unscented, so can be used on any type of irritated or distressed skin to bring peace and harmony again."

Omorovicza Gold Flash Firming Serum, £128

“Oh, I loved this serum. Not only does it contain powerhouse ingredients that do all the things you need your skincare to do when you reach a certain age but the colloidal gold extract (which also heals skin and gets to work on pigmentation) leaves a gorgeous golden gleam on your skin so you look instantly more revived. There is also the brand’s unique bio-fermented complex that repairs skin from oxidative damage as well as polypeptides that preserve skin elasticity.”

Alustre Spectre 575 - 149 Shadows of Bergamot EDP, £140

“A slightly long-winded name for an absolutely wondrous perfume. The 575-149 part relates to the precise point on the colour spectrum that has inspired the scent (this is dark blue and the other Alustre scents are inspired by other spectrums of light and colour) but the second part ‘shadows of bergamot’ gives you a real sense of what this fragrance is all about. It’s dark, sexy, heavy and musly - everything I love in a perfume and unlike anything else I’ve smelt. All the Alsutre scents have been composed by master nose, Bertrand Duchaufour who has also created masterpieces for Penhaligons and Vilhelm and are made in the heart of perfumery in Grasse, South of France so you are getting every element of fine fragrance in this bottle.”

Ancient and Brave Cacao and Reishi Rest Ritual, £28

"Along with the steadily dropping temperature, so have the contents of my carton of this cocoa (surely that’s the same as cacao?) blend as I’m constantly spiking hot chocolates with it. On the bitter and savoury side, mixed by itself into milk makes for a relatively challenging drink, but added to a regular hot chocolate, it takes out the over-sweetness and creates just the right flavour balance for me. More importantly, it gives me a daily dose of super-phytonutrients in the shape of reishi mushroom powder, ashwagandha, baobab and beetroot and they’re noticeably doing me good. I’m already ordering additional supplies."

Nécessaire The Body Retinol, £56

"Retinol causes problems on my face so I use alternative retinoids instead, but I was slightly less worried about suffering rashes on my limbs so took the plunge with this potent (it’s 0.1% which is the highest level I’ve seen in a body product) retinol body cream. And to my surprise (especially because there’s also 10% exfoliating AHAs, including aggressive glycolic, in here), I’ve really loved it and gone through the bottle in no time. Unscented and silky, it’s given me body skin so slick I feel like a seal, and it seems a lot less sapped of moisture, especially under the recent frosty conditions. Three weeks in, I did get a rash in the crooks of my elbows which I assume is down to the acids, but elsewhere this has been a revelation."

Soapsmith Hackney Marsh Body Wash, £28

"This is such a cool London bath and body brand, with its unique range of capital-inspired fragrances and designs – I don’t know why I don’t see it featured in every boutique hotel in town. The formulations are gentle (no sulphates) and subtle, the packaging is recyclable, and I’ve loved the jumbo size of this body wash - which I’ve been using as a hand wash so it’s lasted me half a century."

Virtue Flourish Conditioner for Thinning Hair, £44

"Like using retinoids and peptides on your skin, supplying your hair consistently with a good keratin complex to patch up damage and nutrients to encourage healthy growth, is pretty essential if you don’t want things to go downhill with age. Virtue’s proprietary Alpha Keratin 60KU Complex comes highly recommended by hairstylists for bringing over processed or weak hair back to life and I believe it’s helped mine stay in decent nick, despite the ravages of menopause. This conditioner is rich but not heavy, and has an instant mildly thickening effect."

Ilapothecary SOS Body Balm, was £49 now £39.20

"Undoubtedly, this body balm has become my go-to pregnancy essential. Infused with anti-inflammatory blue chamomile and healing arnica, it works wonders in soothing the skin and easing tired, aching muscles - much needed in my final trimester. Plus, the gorgeous scent of rose, and vanilla is uplifting, which is great when hormones are all over the place!. It contains hydrating ingredients to tackle dry, irritated and tight skin and leaves you moisturised for hours on end. It’s become my nightly ritual that me and bump look forward to."

Sam McKnight Happy Endings Nourishing Balm, £36

"This multi-tasking gem, infused with shea butter, serves as both a primer for wet hair and styler for dry. On my textured hair its been great for tackling second-day frizz as it effortlessly smoothens strands leaving it slick and styled. It contains 'vegabead microcapsules,' an ingredient that's unique to the brand and ensures continuous shine and manageability without product buildup so you can use it daily without worrying about it making hair greasy. With a delightful fragrance and fast-acting formula it’s ideal for any lazy gals like myself that want to elevate their hair game with ease."

Nutrition Geeks High Strength Iron Tablets with Vitamin C, B12 & Folic Acid, £6.29

"As an expectant mama, finding a reliable and budget-friendly iron supplement is paramount. Formulated by British PhD scientists, this four-month supply of 14mg iron also contains vitamin B12, vitamin C, and folic acid. It helps to reduce fatigue, boost the immune system, and support red blood cell formation. What’s key for me is that the vegan tablets are easy to swallow with no aftertaste and are great value for money. Plus, the packaging contains 95% less plastic than bottles and jars and is ethically made in the UK, with the brand aiming to be net zero by 2024."

Curel Skin Balancing Care Oil Control Foaming Facial Wash, £10

"This foaming face wash is a refreshing solution for oily and combination skin. It gently cleanses any impurities and excess oil without causing dryness or stripping this skin. The light and airy fragrance-free foam helps to maintain skin balance by protecting natural ceramides whilst eradicating any excess oil or sebum. If you’re looking for something that’s derm-approved, easy to use and affordable, I highly recommend this."

Ouai Hair Gloss, £30

"If your hair is looking a little lacklustre then may I introduce you to this conditioning and shine-enhancing treatment from celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkins. It contains a blend of rice water, panthenol and hyaluronic acid to repair damage and create salon-worthy glossiness - at a fraction of the cost. It's suitable for all hair types and designed to be used once a week. If you have textured or curly hair it's recommended to apply after conditioner, finer hair - like mine - can use it instead of conditioner, and for best results leave it on for five minutes before rinsing off. It also has a gorgeous scent that lingers on the hair for a few hours after styling."

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, was £21 now £16.80

"I've been struggling with my sleep recently so when a friend recommended this cult product (can you believe I've never used a pillow spray?)  I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only did my sleep improve, but so did the anxiety I was starting to feel around bedtime. It has a slumber-inducing blend of lavender, camomile and vetivert to create a dreamy, relaxing scent to breathe in. I recommend not only spraying it on your pillow but the top of your duvet too."

Kayali Eden Juicy Apple 01 EPD, £25 for 10ml

"Meet my pocket-sized perfume hero - Kayali Eden. This fragrance has become an indispensable addition to my handbag. Whether I’m commuting on the tube, powering through a busy morning at work, or just in need of a quick pick-me-up,  one spritz makes me feel, and smell, refreshed and revived. The delightful blend of red apple, berries and touch of fresh floral creates a sweet, yet bold long-lasting scent that without fail sparks inquiries about what I'm wearing. It has amazing staying-power and one spray really is all you need so the 10ml size is a no-brainer in terms of convenience and budget."

Rodial Snake Jelly Eye Patches, £12

"Anyone else feel and look utterly knackered by the end of January? Now, I'm not saying an eye patch is going to change that but these clever ones from Rodial not only get to work on reducing puffiness, thanks to a botanical blend, but they contain a patented tripeptide ingredient that instantly, and temporarily, freezes the skin under the eye making it look smoother and firmer. Ideal makeup prep before a big event or for when you have a full-on day ahead of you. Or simply so you can start February looking like you breezed through January."