Review: January’s New-In Beauty Products + Empties

Hi and happy Thursday, friends! In case you missed it, I shared in the introduction of this post that I would be launching a few new beauty series on the blog this month and today’s post is one of them!

Y’all know I really love trying new beauty products and sharing what I’m loving, what didn’t quite do it for me, etc., so I thought a monthly review of new products + thoughts on any empties I had that month would be so fun and helpful! It can be tedious having to try out new things, so I want to kind of lift part of that burden for you girls by making sure I share everything I try along with my thoughts and then give that information a permanent place to live on the blog so you can always reference it. So, today marks post number one in this new series, and I very much hope you find it helpful!

Alright, let’s get into it!

Summer Friday’s Super Amino Gel Cleanser [uk link]- This product is very gentle and would be great for anyone with sensitive skin, however, I found that it definitely does not take makeup off completely. I’d recommend using it as a second cleanse after removing makeup with a balm, micellar water, or wipe. The reason why I decided I did really like it though is that it doesn’t leave skin feeling tight! Anyone else despise that feeling after washing your face?! It’s also pH balancing and works well with the TULA toner pads!

Summer Friday’s CC Me Serum [uk link]- I had such high hopes for this vitamin C serum as I do love most of Summer Fridays’ products, but this fell short for me. I will say that I do love the consistency of it but I don’t feel like it is as effective as some other vitamin C serums I’ve tried.

itCosmetics Brush Cleanser [uk link]- OK, I’ll admit, I was very skeptical of this brush cleanser and was almost positive it would not be effective as it’s in a spray bottle and I didn’t think enough product would come out to truly get all the makeup off. WOW. I was wrong. Very wrong. This stuff works SO well!

Westman Altier Vital Skin Foundation Stick [uk link]- I talked a bit about this foundation stick on Stories a few weeks ago, but in case you missed it, this is a clean brand with a matte formula and full-coverage. It’s also the first foundation stick I’ve used and I actually love it more than I thought I would. It blends out really nicely, but I definitely needed a setting spray as I don’t feel like the staying power is there for all-day wear, but it still gets 4/5 stars from me!

Hourglass Hyaluronic Acid Skin Tint [uk link]- This skin tint is great for casual ‘no makeup’ makeup days. I’m really looking forward to using it more in the summertime as it gives you a bit of a glow but I also wouldn’t say I’m overly impressed by the formula. I wish it felt more like a CC cream but it just doesn’t unfortunately. If you enjoy a really light skin tint though, it might be a great fit for you!

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer [uk link]- If you’re not using a primer in your makeup routine, this is a great one to give it a try with! You’ll be shocked at how much it helps your makeup last all day. For this primer, in particular, I love the thin formula and I do feel like it truly secures the product underneath very well.

Westman Altier Mascara [uk link]- Another product I really, really wanted to love! I do appreciate that this mascara offers a clean formula, however, I was not overly impressed with it. I prefer my mascara to really lengthen my lashes and felt this product fell short [pun intended, lol] for me.

Tartelette Juicy Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette [uk link]- OK, I am obsessed with this palette! I love all of the colors and the variety of matte and shimmery options. The formula is pigmented and blendable checking even more boxes for me! I highly, highly recommend this if you’re looking for a good eye shadow palette.

BareMinerals Prime Time BB Tinted Primer [uk link]- Another primer option I really loved this past month. I will likely wear this a lot in the spring and summer as it has SPF 30 [always wear your SPF, ladies!] and helps to keep my makeup in place and last all day.

TULA Purifying & pH Balancing Toner Pads – I talked about these toner pads quite a bit in January on Instagram because they’re one of my favorite new beauty products of 2021! If you’re not familiar with toner or don’t currently use one in your routine, it works to balance the pH of your skin. This one specifically is great for lifting impurities, tightening your pores and truly making your skin feel squeaky clean. The pads are also biodegradable, which I love! I try to use reusable pads for other products so knowing these are biodegradable is great. And as a treat for my readers, you can get 15% off your TULA purchase with code ALYSONHALEY.

Beauty Empties

Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Cleansing Balm [uk link]- Farmacy, in general, is a fantastic skincare brand and this green clean makeup cleansing balm is no exception. I have been using it for years and love it! It’s highly effective and fantastic for makeup removal. Without a doubt, I will definitely repurchase!

Necessaire Body Wash [uk link]- I just hit my one-year anniversary of using and loving Necessaire body products. If you’re in the market for a clean formula body wash, you have to consider the Neceessaire body wash. I repurchased in Eucalyptus – it’s such a fresh scent! Love it!

Tarte Shape Tape [uk link]- Longtime shape tape lover here, you guys know this. It’s a fantastic full coverage concealer that’s great for hiding those dark circles. I know a lot of influencers and bloggers talk about this product, but it’s because it really is that good! My new tube is already on its way to me!

Sachajuan Thickening Conditioner [uk link]- It was my first time using this conditioner and I have to say, I did really like it. In particular, I love how it left my hair feeling when it dried. It was able to give me a bit of volume without weighing things down, which is a hard balance to strike. I might repurchase in the future but will likely go back to my all-time favorite, which is the matching conditioner to my shampoo. If you’re in the market for a thickening conditioner though, I would recommend giving Sachajuan a try!

PureFoods Pre-Natal Vitamins [uk link]- Technically these vitamins might be more of a health product vs a beauty product but it does affect your outer appearance so might be considered beauty? Anyway, I LOVED these pre-natals! The only downside is it’s just a little expensive for me to have them shipped to the UK,  and I’m very happy to be back on Ritual vitamins, which you can snag 10% off of on your first three months! Just use code HALEY10 at checkout.

Lots of amazing beauty products this month, right?! I hope this post and the ones that follow it in this new series will be a resource for you girls! Let me know if you have any questions on any particular product in the comments, but I would say you really can’t go wrong with almost all of these! Until next time! xo.

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1 Comment

  1. Danielle wrote:

    I really want to try out some Westman Altier products soon, they look amazing!

    Danielle xx
    https://www.thereluctantblogger.co.uk/

    Published 2.6.21 · Reply