I know what you are thinking. 2023? But this is not a mistake. After writing about my makeup favourites, I am only now getting around to finishing the beauty ones. But I promise that I won’t wait until next December to write about my 2024 picks.
Scents
Urban Apothecary candles (here)
To be honest, for some reason, I have gone off scented candles lately, and prefer diffusers and home sprays. However, I am still a big fan of Urban Apothecary. During colder months, I have been gravitating towards Mandarin Glace (it was a LE). And in Spring & Summer, it was all about Vine Tomato. With notes of tomato leaf, tomato pulp, grapefruit zest, lime fresh grass, and cedarwood it quickly became a firm staple.
Lush Rose Jam, £25 for 30 ml here.
This rose, geranium and lemon fragrance is my personal must-have. I have used countless shower gels, and perfume bottles and recently got a bubble bath bar. Not sure how they don’t have a body cream yet. Rose Jam is exactly what it is, sweet and fruity with a hint of lemon freshness. I prefer wearing it during the colder months. Maybe not the most sophisticated perfume but it brings so much joy.
Zara x Jo Malone Fashionably London from £16 here.
I had all of Zara and Jo Malone fragrances, and I liked Fashionably London the most. The notes are: bergamot, rose, and musk. It is not too intense but is not barely-there either, just spot on!
Hair
R&Co Balloon Dry Volume Spray, £25 from here
I am the biggest fan of the brand, and this is probably my favourite product by them. Instant volume without weighting the hair down or making it look greasy. Smells incredible, as well. If you have fine hair and, like myself, are not very skilful in styling it, give this a go.
Balmain Texturizing Salt Spray, £35 form here
Having several volumising products on rotation, I reach for Balmain when I want a lot of texture and volume without the hair feeling crunchy. It’s really good!
Bodycare
Highland Soap Co Whisky and Honey Hand & Body Organic Body Lotion, £14.95 here
This is such a beautifully scented body lotion—definitely one of the best ones I’ve ever had. It has that warm, enveloping, and refined scent of “the finest oak-aged single malt” with notes of honey, spicy cinnamon, and cloves. My friend and I spent a while smelling all of the Highland Soap Co. lines, and picked up quite a few things ( Rose and Patchouli and Wild Scottish Raspberry were my other faves), as they are sublime. We both got this body lotion and will rebuy it. The new Wild Gorse sounds intriguing, too.
CORPUS Third Rose deodorant
I have just written a detailed review about it, so please have a look here. Is it worth the hype? It definitely is for me.
Rudolph Care Hand Cream, 12 EUR for a travel size.
Rudolph Care was one of the brands of 2023 for me. I have very dry hands, so need a rich and nourishing formula that doesn’t feel sticky or heavy at the same time. Rudolph Care delivers. Scented with their signature fragrance, the cream leaves your hands soft and nourished. I want to buy their Silky Soap and a big size of hand cream now. Along with every other product from the brand.
Frank Body Rosehip Body Scrub +Cleanser, £16.95 here.
I am very picky regarding body scrubs, and Frank Body ticks all the boxes. Rosehip oil, coffee seed extract, and lavender oil ensure the skin is well-exfoliated and silky smooth. It smells amazing and is mess-free. The tub lasted me for about a year which also makes it a great value, especially for the price.
Skincare
Ole Henriksen Truth Orange Ferment Barrier Booster Essence, £36 from here.
The bright orange colour and uplifting citrus scent work perfectly for a British winter. I find the Essence instantly hydrates the skin, getting it ready for the next step in my routine. Really lovely, as all the OH products I’ve tried.
Patyka Advanced Plumping Serum, £79 from here.
Another brand of the year, besides Rudolph Care, has been Patyka. And their Advanced Plumping Serum was the product I loved the most. Just like the OH Essence, this added hydration and ultra-moisturisation to the skin in seconds.
Rudolph Care Sun Face Cream, SPF 50, £34 from here.
The fact that this SPF won the Danish Beauty Award was enough for me to buy it. On my skin, it doesn’t feel sticky or greasy but gives a lovely glow. It also smells incredible. One of the best facial SPFs I have ever used.
Alpha H Beauty Sleep Power Peel, £73 from here.
While Alpha H’s cult product is Liquid Gold, it’s Beauty Sleep Power Peel I am personally obsessed with. It is probably the most effective beauty product I own, and I am on my second tube. With 15% glycolic acid and 0.5% retinol, it literally transforms my skin overnight. The complexion looks healthier and glowy-er in the morning.
I am currently in the 35-40 age group and have very dry skin. Not a single product was received in PR. You can follow me on Insta and I have also recently started a Substack.