beauty, hair & skin stuff i've loved in 2025

New things I have bought and sampled that I think are worth your money.

Apr 02, 2025

westman atelier tanning drops

I look infinitely more attractive with a tan. Profoundly more attractive. This is somewhat of a curse what with living in the UK and our 4 day long summers. So, I am always on the hunt for anything that’ll help. I have been a die hard fan of the Clinique Bronzing Gelee for nearly fifteen years. It ran out last month and as it was out of stock I was forced to buy something else.

That “something else” was Westman Atelier’s Bronzing Drops. I wear shade 2 which is hard to track down but I’ve found it here. It is sensational. You do not need a lot of it at all - small drops on your cheeks, top of nose and forehead (and ideally a good brush to blend it in, I use Hourglass ones). But my word, you do look bronzed.

All shades available here.

ziip halo

I’ve praised this before but I need to come back to it because it really does do something. I got mine last summer and didn’t really notice what it “did” until I stopped using it and suddenly felt very puffy. I put it down to drinking more alcohol than usual (it was my birthday) and needing a top up of masseter botox.

Turned out, it was not using this little device that made the difference. I started with it again over the Christmas break and pretty much instantly looked snatched. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a miracle device - it can only work with what you give it - but if you want a slightly more chiselled look I can’t recommend it enough.

Best price is here.

victoria beckham kohl eye liner

To say these products are good or even merely just an eye liner - doesn’t feel profound enough. They have totally changed my make up game. I was kindly given some samples and have since bought 3 more.

Every single one is outstanding. The matte ones are great for classic eyeliners and smoky eyes, the shimmer and jewel ones can be used as liners but the texture glides so well and blends that you can use it as a shadow. Honestly, sublime.

Personal favourite shades are Olive, Sequin Green and Gold (so bright, its brilliant).

At VB (sign up for welcome discount) here.

naturium body exfoliator

Anyone else in a complete panic that we may have to get more than our necks, wrists and ankles out quite soon? I started my “summer prep” a few weeks ago and am feeling a little less shaky about t shirts thanks to it.

Two products have prompted this confidence - the first being Naturium’s body exfoliator. This scrub, scrubs. If you need a top-to-toe buff this is for you. Just make sure you moisturise afterwards because your new, softer skin needs treasuring.

Best price I could find here.

paulas choice body retinol

Paired with the exfoliator (above), this stuff is unreal if you want to have tighter, brighter body skin. I don’t love my legs, I have had cellulite since my teens and it’s almost as if the back of my legs is a totally different texture to the front. Doesn’t matter how many squats I do, it does not firm up. Same with a lovely little band of podge I have over each knee.

As much as I hate to admit it the only thing that makes it go away is lots of water and no sugar whatsoever. But thats miserable. So instead I religiously use this body retinol and within 2-3 weeks I start to consider wearing shorts. You do need to be consistent with it and I find putting it on when my skin is still a little bit damp from a shower speeds up results.

Best price I could find here.

absolute collagen shampoo & conditioner

This one is a real surprise. Any long term follower/reader will know I am a dedicated Aveda Sap Moss fan. I do not budge easily, if at all.

I have been working with Absolute Collagen on their powders and gels for the last few months (very positively it should be added - my review is here) and they sent me their product range as an additional “thank you.” Truthfully I didn’t think I’d get to using it, but my husband ran out of shampoo so grabbed the first thing in the cupboard.

Girls, I am really surprised. It’s great! I kind of thought only hair brands could make good hair stuff - especially for my unruly mop! I have a lot of fine hair - it needs serious help with volume and shine. Their stuff does the trick! I’ve also noticed my hair seems a bit stronger too - I curl my hair 5/7 days a week so I need to look after it and it really does seem to be working.

Needless to say the bottle was hidden from the husband and replaced with a Head & Shoulders from the supermarket. He can’t tell the difference - but I can.

Best price I could find for the shampoo/conditioner is here

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