An absolute whirlwind of a year is coming to a close and this period is often a time for reflection and for planning your goals for the coming year… both big and small.
So of course, it’s time for us to look back at some of the products that have stood out for us in 2021. These aren’t all new products that have come out this year – but these are the products we’ve found ourselves reaching and have become an absolute staple in our routines. We’re all about supporting small independent businesses and this is something that has become even more of a priority for us this year and something we want to highlight in our year review.
We’d love to know what products you’ve been loving this year.
Denise’s Picks…
Jane Scrivner Whipped Butter Polish
It’s always a pleasure when a typically mundane skincare task is made more interesting and even more pleasurable by a new formulation. In case you’re wondering …I’m talking about facial exfoliating and the exfoliator in question is the new Jane Scrivener whipped butter polish…and let me tell you that the name really fits! This is a lush, finely milled physical scrub, with a deliciously whipped texture & as you can see in the pictures this latte coloured scrub looks like some sort of yummy dessert topping. It feels as good as it looks – luxuriously creamy but light.
Buy the whipped butter polish from Jane Scrivner
Buttah Vitamin C Serum
I’ve been a fan of vitamin c serums for at least the last 5 or 6 years, mainly because I love the glow enhancing benefits that they offer. Of course not all vitamin c serums are the same, so you have to figure out which formulations work best for you. This silky serum scores extra wow points because it comes in an opaque bottle that protects the serum from the effects of light and it comes with a press and twist lid.
The Buttah Rosewater Toner
I only really got serious about using a toner about 2 or 3 years ago and I’m always on the lookout for what I consider to be a good toner for my combination skin. I’ve tried lots of different ones and I’m often disappointed. Some are ineffective while others are too strong, so there are only a couple that I repeat purchase, and this one by Buttah is now one of them. The combination of toner and exfoliator works well for me… gentle but effective.
Buy the toner from Cult Beauty
Curlsmith Bonding Oil
This powerful hair oil from much loved curly hair brand Curlsmith works to repair the bonds in your hair and seal the cuticle… making this the perfect oil for anyone who has sustained any damage to their hair… heat, colour etc. It’s enriched with next level bond-building technology to also improve shine and repair the hair. Love using this to break the gel cast… the hair is left super shiny and protected, love!
Buy the Curlsmith Bonding Oil from Curlsmith
Curlsmith Intense Deep Treatment Serum
This is a rich multi-purpose hair butter that melts into oil. It can be used as pre-shampoo, overnight treatment or leave-in… beautiful particularly for those with very dry hair.
Saltee Hands
Kiss the Moon Glow Night Time Body Cream
What better way to complete your bedtime ritual is there than to massage your skin with a lush and fragrant night cream designed exclusively for your body? One of my favourite things about this cream apart from its fragrance is the fact that it is a ‘dry’ cream …what I mean is that it doesn’t leave your skin sticky or clammy and yet you can feel the effects of the butters that form base, namely Shea and mango. Its therapeutic benefits come from the glow blend of Rose geranium, myrrh, orange etc…using this cream at night makes you feel as though you’ve wrapped your body in a luxurious robe.
Buy the Body Cream from D.O.R. Beauty Edit
Saskia’s Essences ‘Breathe Deep, Seek Peace’
I love flower essences and Saskia’s Essences are the ones I return to time and again. Lately, I’ve found myself reaching for her wonderful ‘Breathe Deep, Seek Peace’ essence and it’s because at the moment that’s exactly what I need to do, especially in the evenings when my mind won’t let me rest as I worry about everyone and everything…so if you need some support try this one.
Buy the Essence from Saskia Essences
Aviela Shea Body Butter
A luxurious blend of 100% pure, highest grade unrefined Shea Butter, Grape Seed and Avocado Oils, with a delicate touch of Vanilla, all generously whipped into a light and airy butter. Rich in fatty acids, vitamins A, C, D and E, and with natural soothing properties, it glides onto the skin effortlessly to deeply moisturise and soften the skin.
Buy the body butter from Aviela
Alpha H Daily Essential Moisturiser
This is a fab multi tasking product… not only is this a lovely, lightweight moisturiser, but it also has SPF 50 without any sort of white cast. It contains Vitamin E to protect and hydrate your skin and have a nice non greasy texture… perfect under makeup too.
Buy the Moisturiser from Cult Beauty
Kear Mastic Herbal Soap
Kear have a lovely range of soaps and the Mastic Herbal soap is my favourite!
It is enriched with Chios mastic essential oil, ensuring in-depth cleansing by controlling the secretion of sebum in oily skins. Rich in anti-oxidants, it promotes elasticity, while it hydrates and nourishes the skin. Versatile & multi-tasking, can be used as a facial and body cleanser, as well as a solid shampoo bar.
Kear Hydrate Relax Body Oil
A body oil that is lush and full-bodied is a rare thing, especially one where you can virtually see its goodness when you pump some into your hands. This body oil from Kear is just that… lush and viscous with a texture like runny honey, a real indulgence for the skin. This lush oil is a blend of several plant-based actives that work to nourish and protect the skin without being annoying and greasy; this formula has a lovely affinity to the skin and is absorbed easily leaving it looking well-fed and radiant.
Jessica’s Picks…
The BeYou CBD Oral Drops
I’ve been testing out a few CBD oral drops this year, but I keep find myself coming back to this one!
Although CBD tends to take a while to start taking effect, I usually find that I feel the benefits within a couple of weeks. It’s one of the few things that helps me have a better nights sleep – waking up less in the night that is. It’s affordable and I like that you can choose different ways to use it – either as a spray or a dropper.
BeYou is a brand we first discovered via their monthly patches for period pains. We love their focus on women’s health, their education about the products on their website and the effectiveness of their products.
Westlab ‘Mindful’ Bath Salts
I’ve been really getting into my bath salts this year in particular and I’ve found myself reaching for various Westlab bath salts more than any other. I love the relaxing benefits of a bath and the additional benefits of Epsom salts to relax the muscles.
One of my favourites is the ‘mindful’ bath salts… love the scent!
Curlsmith Multi-tasking Conditioner
This is a bit of a superstar! You can use this product as (deep breath) a regular conditioner, deep conditioner, a leave-in… phew!
It’s protein-rich, makes hair feel soft and lovely! I like to use a small amount as a leave-in on my hair (and sometimes as a deep conditioner) as I feel like it’s just too good to use as a regular conditioner. You don’t need to use a lot, you can emulsify it in your hands a little to make it easier to apply and it also has that lovely Curlsmith smell. I’ve really loved the versatility of this product and that it works beautifully in different ways.
Buy the conditioner from Curlsmith
Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly
This is a very cost friendly, effective hair gel that I picked up on a whim one day and have absolutely fallen in love with! This is a medium hold gel and I find that it gives me medium to strong hold. It provides a great cast on the hair. My hair feels defined, shiny and bouncy… love!
The jelly is vegan, sulphate free, silicone-free and cruelty free.
Buy the jelly from Umberto Giannini
Lola’s Lashes Felt Cute Hybrid Magnetic Lash & Liner Kit
For false lash newbies and long time fans… these magnetic lashes from Lola’s Lashes not also look fantastic, but they’re so easy and quick to use. All you need to do is apply the eyeliner that comes with the mascara (as without it, they won’t work) and then the lashes just snap right on… amazing!
Buy the lashes from Lola’s Lashes
BorrowBox
If you’re an avid bookworm like me – this is for you! Borrowbox is basically your local library, but in App form. You sign in using your library card account and you gain access to ebooks and audiobooks that you can loan out and enjoy. I’ve particularly enjoyed listening to audiobooks these last few months… and it’s been great during lockdowns when libraries are closed.
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