I’ve done a couple of these posts before
which I will link below (and this does have a few crossovers) but I also have
some newer brushes that I reach for everyday so wanted to do an updated
version!
rephr brushes when first purchased November 2023 (along with No15 eye brush - great for blending!)
Starting off with some of the newer
brushes to my collection and I picked up these rephr brushes towards the
end of 2023 after hearing some Instagram hype and they have been in daily
rotation since! Brush 04is a petit angled brush that I like to use for
blush and it works well for cream, liquid and powder. The angled head means it
is versatile if you prefer to use it for bronzer/contour/highlighter etc and
the fact the head is a little smaller allows for more precision!
Brush 05 is their
flagship powder brush and I love this for powder bronzer as it allows me to
create a really diffused finish! The brush head features a slightly flattened,
oval shape and the size is a little smaller than a full powder brush. I look
forward to using this brush everyday!
I just saw on their website that Brush 37 is unfortunately going through a re-design based on feedback received
from the community. I’m sure they will make it even better but I am sad to see
if off the website as I think it’s perfect as is! It’s a petit cheek brush that
I use for cream and liquid blush and it’s a little denser than the previous two,
so I don’t use it for powder. It allows me to be precise with my application
and it gives an airbrushed finish and helps blend the cream and liquid
seamlessly!
These brushes are by far the softest I
own and are made with natural goat hair in Japan! The matte black handle looks
chic, they wash incredibly well and I have noticed very minimal shedding
(literally a couple of hairs after washing). I absolutely love using these
brushes as they are so soft and work so well for me! If I have to replace any
of my makeup brushes or want to look for anything new, rephr will be my
first stop! They used to hold regular sales which I think recently decreased in
frequency but it’s worth waiting for a sale to get a bit of a saving even
though they are very reasonably priced!
My rephr brushes 2.5 years later l-r: Brush 05, 37, 04
Next up is my Sephora Collection
brush collection! I have the Mini PRO Foundation Brush #56.5 (also comes
as a full size #56) which I use specifically for concealer (I apply foundation
with my fingers). It’s densely packed with soft vegan bristles and blends my under-eye
concealer very well as well as allowing me to build coverage easily over
blemishes.
Lastly, from Sephora Collection, the PRO Blush Brush #93 - an angled brush (which you can already probably tell is
one if my favourite types of brushes!) that I prefer to use for cream bronzer.
I find this a little too dense for powder blush but it works well for me with
cream products!
I like to pick these up when Sephorahas
30% off their Sephora Collection range at sale time!
The PRO Brush Collection are made with
hand-shaped vegan synthetic bristles. They are soft but not nearly as soft as
the rephr ones!
Real Techniques have been in my
collection for a long time and this Setting Brush is actually my second
one as I lost the first and couldn’t be without it! Though I have to say I much
prefer the non-sticky bottom on the new one – if you know you know! It’s a small,
soft, powder brush that adds a controlled dusting of powder or highlighter. My
preferred use is to set my under eyes and this fits perfectly and ensure it
never looks cakey!
The Duo-Fiber Face Brush is one I
can’t seem to find online so may be discontinued now unfortunately but I had to
include it as it gets daily use from me to blend my cheeks after I have applied
my bronzer and blush – especially if I have been a little too heavy handed! It’s
quite flat and really helps to diffuse the product! It actually first featured on my blog 10 years ago in this post and it’s great quality as it still looks
like new!
The Charlotte Tilbury Powder &
Sculpt brush has a narrow, tapered end that is perfect for getting into the
hollows of my cheeks as well as my temples – I use this with powder bronzer or
sometimes a cooler shade for contour. I love the rose gold hardware and crimson
handle on this brush but I have had to glue it back together in the past! This
is another brush that I have had for a while – since 2017! It’s made with
synthetic fibres and you can get 15% off your first order at Charlotte Tilbury with my discount code: CT-SOCT8QXLOF9
Lastly, the Zoeva 128 Cream Cheek brush and another one that unfortunately I cannot find online anymore!
Whatever happened to Zoeva? They seem to have a website, but they were much
more readily available back in the day and I have a number of high quality
brushes from them that I still use regularly! This one is in my rotation most
often and despite it being called cream cheek, I like to use it for powder
blush! Again, I love the angled bristles and it makes applying blush so easy, it’s
always even and never looks harsh! I’ve been using this one since 2015 and its
still as good as the day I bought it! Such a pity the brand isn’t on more
websites and some of the brushes seem to be discontinued! See my original review here!
I wash my makeup brushes every couple of
weeks with Dr Bronner’s 18-in-1 Pure Castile liquid Soap – the eucalyptus and
tea tree scents are my favourite and the bottle lasts forever while the soap
itself is gentle on my brushes!
Read about my past favourite makeup
brushes here and here! Let me know what makeup brushes and brands you love!
Welcome to the first empties of 2026! Let’s
get straight into it!
Haircare
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Advanced
Clean Dry Shampoo
My go to dry shampoo! Let’s me go for a
few extra days without washing my hair when I use this and there is no white
cast or residue. My hair feels manageable and actually looks clean! It’s
pricey, but I find I use less than drugstore dry shampoo and it has a fresh
citrus scent. Already got multiple backups! Read my full review here!
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
Not quite as good as the advanced version
but I really like this one too! Would repurchase!
Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture
Leave-In Conditioner via IPSY*
This contains squalane and hyaluronic
acid to hydrate hair and really helped detangle my hair! I just wish it had
heat protectant in it! Not a repurchase for me but would check out the rest of
their range! Read my IPSY review here!
OGX Damage Remedy+ Coconut Miracle Oil
Love this oil! This would be way too
heavy of an oil to use on my hair after washing but I use it as a prewash oil
and coat my ends in it, letting it soak in for about an hour before showering
and then wash out with a clarifying shampoo. I am left with soft, hydrated hair
with great shine and my ends don’t look or feel as frazzled! It smells like a
vacation and it’s so affordable I don’t feel bad or like I am wasting it by
washing out! Already repurchased! Read my full review here!
Briogeo Scalp Revival
Love a scalp scrub and this one smells
good (refreshing and minty) and invigorates my scalp! It helps remove dead skin
cells and build up to support a clean and balanced scalp and reduces scalp irritation and
inflammation. It’s not quite as scrubby as my favourite Nature Lab Tokyo scalp
scrub (which I think is sadly discontinued) so not a repurchase for me! See my Briogeo review here!
Verb Glossy Shine Spray with Heat
Protection
Nice handy travel size heat protectant,
no strong feelings on I though so not a repurchase!
OUAI Hair Oil
Another great mini for travel and this
didn’t weight down my hair and kept the ends hydrated! Have another mini to use
up!
Bodycare
MIO Clay Away Body Cleanser
I picked this up super cheap from Home
Bargains a while ago (it must be being discontinued) and enjoyed using it
before showering as a treatment as it’s a clay mask! Didn’t notice a huge
difference so not a repurchase!
Bath and Body Works Eucalyptus Mint
Foaming Hand Soap
Had to give this a quick mention as I
love the scent so much! Doesn’t dry out my hands but I did go through it quite
quickly but I would repurchase again when its on offer!
Jones Road Beauty Body Cream*
This might be one of the richest body
creams I have ever tried! It is a deeply nourishing cream enriched with sodium
hyaluronate, natural oils, and ceramides and provides long lasting hydration
while replenishing the skin barrier. It leaves my skin with a glow and it feels
smoother and more supple. I like to use at night for overnight hydration as it
does take a minute to sink in and it has a subtle citrus scent that doesn’t
linger. I went through the tub super quickly so not a repurchase for me as its
$56 CAD!
Nivea 3 in 1 Anti-Age Q10 Hand Cream
My favourite hand cream – smells so
fresh, sinks in quickly and makes my hands feel so soft and smooth! So
affordable too, I love it and already have a back up!
L’Occitane Shower Oil
This is always a treat to use and perfect
for winter when my skin tends to be drier. I haven’t noticed any flaky, dry
patches this winter and I think it’s mostly down to this! Just got sent a full
size and can wait to get it back into my shower!
Sol de Janeiro Delicia Drench Body Butter
Really enjoyed this – the formula is one
of my favourite body butters it’s so nourishing! The scent is gorgeous too, its
described as warm and spicy and it blends with my skin very well! Also loving
the body mist in this scent! Would repurchase!
Somedays Cramp Cream
Had to include this little sachet as I’ve
been so impressed with it! I apply on my lower stomach area and it really helps
with cramps! It contains natural active ingredients such as Wintergreen and Camphor
Bark and it also smells amazing (minty and natural) and just sooths my cramps
so well! Will repurchase!
Skincare
Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm
Probably my favourite cleanser of all
time! It’s a luxurious balm and it works beautifully to remove makeup. I love
the moringa scent and it really makes cleansing an experience! My skin always
feels clean, soft and hydrated after use and you can usually find it on offer
so that takes the sting out of the price a little! Will repurchase!
Pixi EOD Cleaning Oil*
This is such a great, affordable cleanser!
It’s fragrance free and plant based containing argan oil and soy bean oil and I
have no issues with this removing makeup and SPF effectively. My skin is left
feeling soft and hydrated and the only negative I would say is that sometimes I
find the packaging can be a little messy around the cap so I tend not to take
it travelling with me and I would prefer a pump! I think Pixi is such an
underrated skincare and makeup brand, I love the majority of the products I
have tried! Would repurchase! See my full review here!
NIOD Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist
One of my favourite mists! It acts
against oxidative stress, water loss and inflammation of the skin. I love the
fact it’s antioxidant and my skin feels so calm and hydrated with every use!
It’s in a huge 240ml bottle too so I don’t feel guilty using this all over my
chest as well as face! Will repurchase! Read my full review here!
Pixi Clarity Mist*
Another great mist that I loved and used
on my chest and back as well as my face! It’s a purifying facial spray that contains
Cica to soothe, Hyaluronic Complex to lock in moisture and Sea Salt to support
clearer skin and it delivers instant hydration and calm. Would repurchase!
Nivea Double Effect Waterproof Eye Makeup
Remover
My favourite eye makeup remover! Takes
off my mascara with ease and doesn’t leave me with cloudy eyes! Already have
several back-ups!
By Wishtrend Vitamin A-mazing Bakuchiol
Night Cream*
A really solid, gentle, retinal and
bakuchiol combo in a handy pump bottle! This has a yellow colour to it due to
the retinol, feels lightweight and sinks in quickly. I think it would be
perfect for beginners to retinal and it leaves my skin feeling smooth, plump and
hydrated!Don’t forget you
can get up to 5% more off at YesStyle with my discount code DANIELLESBB5
(affiliated). Read my full review here! Have other stronger retinal’s I prefer
so not a repurchase!
HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye
Cream*
Love this eye cream! It contains
Bakuchiol and fermented Black Rice extract and is nicely hydrating and has
reduced the look of fine lines round my eyes. I haven’t noticed a huge
difference with dark circles but not much works on that for me! This feels
gentle and works well under makeup keeping my eye are looking smooth! Get up to
5% more off at YesStyle with my discount code DANIELLESBB5 (affiliated). Read my full review here! Would repurchase!
Josie Maran Pink Algae Pro-Retinol
Moisturizer*
This is such a great moisturiser – it
contains a gentle form Vitamin A that smooths skin and argan oil to improve
hydration and fine lines. It felt creamy and hydrating and worked well for me
both at night and in the morning – I would use an SPF if in the morning! Kept
my skin looking plump and gives the perfect base for makeup! Would repurchase!
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
This is such a cult classic! It contains
squalane and pro-ceramides and is a lightweight texture. I know this is a
favourite for a lot of people, but I prefer moisturisers that are a little
thicker personally so while this hydrated my skin well, I have others I would
repurchase over this! Not a repurchase!
Farmacy Brighten Up 3% TXA Dark Spot
Toner*
This might just be my favourite toner! It
contains 3% tranexamic acid to work on dark spots and to brighten as well as 5%
PHA and azelaic acid to even skin tone and gently exfoliate. This has worked so
well to brighten my skin and help lighten some stubborn dark spots I get after
breakouts! It’s gentle and I love using it in both my AM and PM routines! Read my full review here! Will
repurchase!
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel
Love this cleanser! This is so gentle, and
it cleanses so well, doesn't dry out my skin and never makes it feel tight
after use. Will repurchase! See my full review here!
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA
I think this is such an underrated
product from The Ordinary! It makes my skin feel so smooth and doubles up as a
body serum for me too as it’s so effective on KP on the backs of my arms! It’s
also available in a 5% formulation but I prefer the stronger one and don’t
experience any sensitivity personally (it contains Tasmanian Pepperberry
extract to help reduce irritation and sensitivity associated with acids). See my full review here! Will repurchase!
Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cocoon
I took this home with me over Christmas
and it was a really lovely, calming nightly moisturiser! Out of my price budget
right now so not a repurchase!
Krave Beauty Kale-Lalu-yAHA Gentle AHA
Exfoliator
Enjoyed this toner from Krave but Pixi
Glow Tonic is my go to glycolic acid toner so not a repurchase right now!
Dr Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum
Loved this hyaluronic acid – I do tend to
find the expensive ones the best but this won’t be a repurchase due to price!
Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm*
I love this formula and the scent – lime,
bergamot and orange – it’s so fresh! The balm starts off stiffer but melts
easily one you start massaging into the skin and transforms into a milky lather
when you add water. It’s rich in antioxidants and contains sunflower oil and
papaya extract to nourish skin and target impurities leaving my skin soft and
hydrated. It removes my makeup without leaving any residue behind and I can’t
fault it! Read my full review here! Will repurchase!
Da Lish Cosmetics Lip Scrub via IPSY*
This worked well to exfoliate my lips but
nothing beats the Lush lip scrub for me so not a repurchase!
Polite Society Polite Pout Glossy Lip
Balm in Pink Grapefruit via IPSY*
Worked well to hydrate my lips and was
lightly tinted but didn’t blow me away enough to repurchase!
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in iced
Coffee
I do like this formula and enjoyed the shade
but its not the most long lasting and overall l find it a little overrated if I
am honest! Not a repurchase for me!
A nice cooling and soothing mask!
Probably won’t repurchase but I do enjoy using these, just prefer to spend
money on more than one use!
Pixi DetoxifEYE Caffeine and Cucumber
Depuffing Eye Patches*
Enjoyed these as well, cooling and depuffing!
Not a repurchase for same reasons as above but nice to use on the weekend when I
have time!
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Masks*
Enjoyed these also but you guessed it, not
a repurchase! Great for a special occasion though!
Makeup
NARS Light Reflecting Eye Brightener in
Night Swan
Really enjoyed this under my concealer,
did a good job brightening my under eyes and never looked cakey! Will repurchase
at the next Sephora sale unless anyone has any other under eye brightening recommendations?
Miscellaneous
Webber Naturals All Greens Superfood
Enjoyed this Greens powder and have been through
a few tubs now! Tastes a little sweeter that other powders I have tried so
easier to drink! Will repurchase when I see on offer!
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
Picked this up for when I was at home, works
so well on my joints! I use a different one in Canada that but have and would repurchase
this again!
Nature’s Bounty Extra Strength Hair, Skin
and Nails
Love these, they feel like a little treat
and I think my hair, skin and nails have been doing well so will continue to repurchase!
Organika Electrolytes in Pineapple
Passionfruit
Love these! They taste so good and help
hydration levels, I already had a backup and will repurchase again though I can’t
see this flavour available in some places and it’s the best one!
Berocca Mango
Like these too for some extra Vitamin C
and enjoy the Mango flavour! Have repurchased!
Did you see any of your favourites here?
I hope to have a few more makeup empties in my next batch!
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