From BB creams to Bronzers, SPFs to skin tints, tanning drops to body serums, these are the products that the GTG team has loved to the last drop
We do not take the task of curating our #empties with anything other than utter seriousness at GTG Towers. We are lucky enough to be sent all the latest products to try out so those that make it into our bathrooms and are used to the last dregs are special indeed. This month we have finished an unassuming cleanser from Beauty Pie that hugely delivers, a bronzer from Hourglass that our writer's mum is now also obsessed with, not to mention one of the best moisturisers that have ever existed. Read on to discover all the products that we have loved.
SJ Corfield-Smith, GTG Beauty Director
Necessaire The Conditioner, £30
“My fine hair can easily get over-loaded with products that contain too many silicones and plastics making it feel greasy even when I’ve just washed it. Not the case with this brilliant conditioner that contains none of those things nor parabens (if that's important to you) and sadly no fragrance, but c’est la vie. It contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate hair as well as niacinamide and avocado oil to help boost the health of the scalp. There is, of course, a co-ordinating shampoo (that I’ve also finished) but if your budget can’t stretch to both then I would recommend splurging on the conditioner alone.”
Beauty Pie Japanfusion Pure Transforming Cleanser, £9 for members and £25 for non-members
“I wasn’t expecting a lot from this unassuming-looking cleanser but like so many of Beauty Pie’s products, it’s an utter triumph. It starts off as a gel and as you massage it all over the face it transforms into a lovely silky oil that makes working it in even easier. It then becomes a milk when you add water, at which point it is excellent at removing makeup and leaving skin feeling clean without feeling tight or stripped.”
Not a member of Beauty Pie? Sign up with Code GTGSENTME and Get £10 off an annual membership.
Dr Jart+ BB Premium Beauty Balm SPF50, £35
“Regular readers will know of my love for It Cosmetics CC Nude Glow - this almost matches up to it, which is high praise indeed. It offers similar light to medium coverage that can easily be built up. It contains excellent SPF coverage and makes light work of colour correction and covering redness – not to mention the gorgeous natural-looking glow it leaves on the skin. My only gripe is that there are only four shades and I think there is scope for more.”
Lancome Renergie H.C.F Triple Serum, £79.20
“Every pump of this serum has been a joy and delight. The reason I loved it so much? It contains three really hard-working skin active: hyaluronic acid, a combination of vitamin C and niacinamide as well as ferulic acid, all in one cleverly designed triple-chambered bottle to ensure they remain as potent as possible. If you’re looking for the best serum to target all your skin’s needs, you can’t go far wrong with this. I have to give an honorable mention to the texture as it is divine; silky, creamy and slightly oily all in one.”
Amy Rostas, GTG Beauty and Social Media Assistant
Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint, £42
"The Summer Fridays Skin Tint is a sheer foundation with a matte yet glowy finish. It effortlessly blends and transforms the skin, making it perfect for a quick no-fuss application. There are ten shades in the range and it's infused with hydrating and moisturising ingredients such as squalane and hyaluronic acid, plus tiger grass to soothe redness. If you prefer heavier coverage then you can layer it up but I think it's ideal for hot summer days when you want just a little something on your skin for a no-makeup-makeup look."
Escentric Molecules Molecule 01, £95
"I am a perfume addict with an extensive collection, so to come to the end of a bottle is quite an accomplishment. This perfume is famous for interacting with your pheromones and smells different on everyone. There are base notes of cedarwood and sandalwood, so even though it becomes unique to the wearer there is an overall woody vibe. It's probably the best example of a unisex fragrance there is and an icon for good reason."
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer, £54
"As someone who rarely finishes makeup products, it was a bittersweet moment when I hit pan on this bronzer. It has the perfect ratio of bronze to shimmer, so you not only get warmth but a gorgeous glow too. I normally gravitate towards cream bronzers, but this powder bronzer layers perfectly and sets my cream foundation and concealer in place. This is the second one I've bought and I've got my mum hooked on it too."
Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair, £46
"This rich, thick moisturiser has been a saviour for my dry skin over the past six months. Key ingredients include omega fatty acids and squalane to nourish and repair the skin as well as leaving it soft, plump, and rejuvenated. It's probably a bit heavy to wear during the day under makeup so I've just been slathering it on at night and it feels really comforting on the skin."
Jemma Thompson, GTG Design and Social Media Manager
Clean Co Non Alcoholic Tequila Alternative, £12
"As someone who loves tequila (perhaps a bit too much), I've been on the lookout for a good non-alcoholic alternative. This is created by Spencer Matthews (of Made in Chelsea fame) and comes incredibly close to the real McCoy. From its chic packaging to its distinct aroma and sharp flavour, it strikes the perfect balance between affordability and quality. I enjoy it neat with ice, but it's also a fantastic mixer. Plus, it's vegan, contains no sugar and is only 12 calories per 50ml serving. If you're looking to reduce your alcohol intake or embrace sober drinking, this is a must-have addition to your liquor cabinet. I’ve already ordered a top-up."
Dr Teal's Pure Epsom Salt Foaming Bath to Soothe and Sleep with Lavender, £8.09
"A long soak in the tub is only complete when I add in this bath foam. The heavenly, relaxing lavender scent and foaming bubbles are the key to an indulgent bath time. You only need one quick pour for it to work its magic so it always lasts me and my partner about five months. The Epsom salts work wonders for easing muscle aches and promoting a good night’s sleep — it’s like an at-home spa treatment and it's a bargain."
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud, £30.80
"This body cream is an absolute skincare delight. It is intensely hydrating but has a lightweight and non-greasy formula and a gorgeously delicate fragrance. It's brilliant for replenishing skin after a day in the sunshine as it's filled with hydrating hyaluronic acid that also plumps skin up too. And should your skin get a bit sunburnt this summer, it's great for soothing and calming."
Rituals The Ritual of Sakura Home Perfume, £29
"If I could trademark my home to have a scent (#lifegoals) it would smell like Ritual of Sakura by Rituals. I am genuinely obsessed by candles and reed diffusers with their long-lasting scent of cherry blossom and rice milk , however, the room spray is the standout for me and transports you to a world of serenity. Just one spray of this delicate blend fills the air without overwhelming it. Guests always comment on it too, which is always a good sign."
Kerry Potter, GTG Contributing Editor
Balance Me Gradual Tanning Drops, £33
"It’s taken me several years to find a facial tanner that I can finally call The One, after my long-term love, Lancome Flash Bronzer, was cruelly discontinued. Let me count the ways I adore this: 1. It’s fragrance-free rather than ponging of biscuits. 2. It’s a cinch to include in your evening routine – just add a few drops from the pipette to your moisturiser. 3. The colour is always natural, never Tango-esque. 4. It’s by the ever-reliable Balance Me so it’s made in Britain, cruelty-free, natural and vegan. I think we’ll be very happy together."
Beauty Pie Featherlight UVA/UVB SPF50, £13.50 members/ £50 non-members
"Beauty Pie has knocked it out of the (sun-baked) park with this SPF. Its slight, milky consistency belies its mighty ray-blocking powers – I never, ever burn when I’m wearing it. It’s non-comedogenic so doesn’t give me spots, it has a pleasingly sheeny finish and– hallelujah – it doesn’t pill when I apply makeup on top."
Ere Perez Fig All Beauty Jelly, £34
"This gentle gel from Ere Perez, an under-the-radar Sydney botanical beauty brand, smells so deliciously figgy I’m tempted to spread it on my toast (don’t worry, I won’t). Like a luxe, more pliable Vaseline, it’s a multi-tasker – you can use it as a cleanser, makeup remover or overnight mask. I’m especially impressed by how effectively and swiftly it melts away my eye makeup at night, with zero irritation. Bonus marks for the chic and minimal packaging too."
Marie Louise Pumfrey, GTG contributor
No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum, £38
"When No7 Future Renew range launched this launched a couple of months ago it caused a stampede at the tills as the most high-tech age-proofing serum around. I’ve been using it religiously morning and night and love its hydrating and plumping results. Its secret sauce is a new peptide created by No7 to support to help your skin repair faster and even reverse some of the damage caused by factors such as UV and stress. The consistency is lightweight, non-greasy and absorbs fast so easy to wear under moisturiser. For the science behind it and the results, it's really good value. "
Legology Jelly-Lite, £48
"Now that the sun is out, I have got through this moisturising body jelly at an alarming rate and need more for my holiday next month. Legology is a specialist leg care brand - if you suffer from dry or heavy legs and flaky skin, this is a fast, thirst-quenching, lymph-boosting fix. You can use it all over the body as a cooling after-sun or to damp down a hot flush. Its jelly texture lends itself brilliantly to using straight from the fridge. It comes in a big scoopable tub and, like all Legology products, has the most divine scent of Sicilian lemon. Perfect for prepping your legs for summer and soothing them after a hot day on your feet."
Elemental Herbology Muscle Melt Balm, £29
"This is the best tension-busting muscle reliever I’ve come across and it smells like heaven. My husband suffers from chronic back pain, so I’ve been giving him nightly back and shoulder rubs and it has really helped. It has the most wonderful balm-to-oil texture. It’s packed with natural anti-inflammatory ingredients including turmeric and ginger."
Ren Moroccan Rose Otto Body Lotion, £34
"A intensively nourishing cream that makes my skin smell and feel like velvet – I use it at night, after a hot bath as the rose fragrance helps me wind down and my skin can soak up all its goodness while I sleep. There’s a concoction of active ingredients which deliver long-lasting hydration including rosehip seed oil, shea butter and vitamins A and E ,that help strengthen the skin barrier."
Ingeborg van Lotringen, Contributing Beauty Editor
Beauty Pie Youth Bomb 360* Radiance Concentrate, £185/£44 for members
"This serum, which is bloody expensive but at least comes in a generous 50ml bottle, confounds me. It boasts ground-breaking anti-ageing and firming ingredients but I see only a load of (admittedly very nourishing and calming) plant extracts and a tiny concentration of a single peptide. There are plenty of products that impress me more on paper. Yet I love this stuff, which pulls the difficult trick of instantly soaking into skin yet leaving it feeling bouncy and quenched and looking glowy, long-term. It’s like a health drink for your dermis, and I wish that, despite the size, I wouldn’t go through it so fast."
Not a member of Beauty Pie? Sign up with Code GTGSENTME and Get £10 off an annual membership.
Wild Beauty Replenishing Mask with Rhug Honey, £80
"Even though officially this is a congestion-clearing face mask because of the mineral-rich kaolin clay, users have been praising this for getting rid of their eczem. That’ll be the high concentration of healing heather honey, reportedly as nutrient-rich as Manuka, plus the battery of organic anti-inflammatory plant extracts and selection of fatty acid-rich oils. Another insider secret is that it's a brilliantly smoothing neck cream and that is the reason why I’ve raced through a pot, as it really does work to give my neglected neck the boost and nourishment it needs. Far more so, than any ‘official’ neck cream.
Clinique Moisture Surge 100h Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, £25
It’s easy to forget the originals - and this moisturiser by Clinique was one of the first light-but-mighty, jelly-like ‘sorbet creams’ and is possibly still the best. A fragrance-free, super fresh gel packed with about a million humectants including soothing aloe vera, lots of ferments (fermentation makes plant extracts more effective and bio-available) and antioxidants, it also has unnecessarily much-maligned, but very useful, silicones to weightlessly seal in the moisture. It feels silky-velvety while delivering pure moisture without any oiliness at all. A quencher I come back to over and over.