Here ‘ye! Here ‘ye!
Presenting the first-ever Stephie Skincare Awards; celebrating the best in skincare over the last 12 months or so; all tried and tested by me! Tbh, this is just a highlight reel of my favourite skincare products tbh, but why not be jazzy and make it an actual award ceremony aye? All the products below are produced that have been tried and tested by Moi, and while I wouldn’t consider myself a skincare “expert”, I am a huge fan of the subject, and I do have *pretty* good skin (lmao look I have to say it okay?!) so I do kinda feel like I know what I’m talking about tee bee aitch.
For reference, I have oily skin, so the products below are all things that I have found worked very well for my skin. Also, some of the links provided may be affiliate links so if you do make a purchase of any of the below, your girl will get a smol percentage!
So on we go!
The ‘Dry Your Eyes Mate’ award goes to…
Soap & Glory Puffy Eye Attack Eye Makeup Remover, 150ml
For the longest time, I was always a bit dubious about makeup remover gels specifically for eyes because…what do they have that normal micellar waters don’t have? Is it Capitalism gone mad? Why on earth would I pay for something that already does the same job? Hmph x30. HOWEVER my friends, this formula is actually incredibly excellent. There is something incredibly cooling about the jelly when you hold it against your eyes for a few seconds. Not only that, but it also depuffs your eyes too. After about 10 seconds ago, all you do is swipe and EVERYTHING comes off. Waterproof mascara? Gone. Waterlined eyeliner? Gone. I know that this will last a pretty long time as a little goes a long way with this one.
The ‘I Like it Nice and Tight’ award goes to…
The Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment, 30ml.
Yes. It is £85. I know, I know but HEAR ME OUT.
It’s actually, really really good. I’d heard about this serum from a lot of beauty journos online who have waxed lyrical about the product and so I really wanted to give it a try. Bear in mind that this is a reformulated product however; the older product used to have shedloads of lactic acid in it, until the EU banned it because of its high dosage (boo!). Sunday Riley decided to change the ingredients a little and add more glycolic acid which essentially does a similar job to lactic acid, but at a milder pace. I use the treatment after toning my face and I have seen a vast improvement in the texture of my skin. Everything just feels…tight. snatched. whipped. My cheeks also have been looking a bit brighter of late which is wonderful, as this formula is supposed to be amazing for hyperpigmented skin. I’m using it in small doses though because you know…£85.
The ‘Tall Drink of Water for Your Face’ award goes to…
Murad Nutrient Charged Water Gel, 50ml
On average, I’d say that it takes me around 9 months to a year to finish a day moisturiser. Why? Because for the most part, I’m only applying it on once a day or during the summer months, once a week (I use a moisturising SPF for summer!) so it can take some time.
So someone please tell me why I’ve had this moisturiser for 2 and a half months and I’m nearly done? I’m literally now scraping for scraps with this gel. It’s *THAT* good. Why is it good? Because it prepares your skin for makeup application, leaving your skin dewy, fresh and just….hydrated. You combine this with a hyaluronic acid before applying makeup? You’re sorted. I am in LOVE with this cream! It’s light, it melts into the skin easily and it’s an AMAZING pre-makeup primer. The price is a bit dear, but you won’t regret it.
The ‘Touch my Body’ Award goes to…
You just can’t go wrong with a body scrub by The Body Shop, can you? I’ve taken a photo of the Almond Milk & Honey Exfoliating Scrub here, but literally any scrub in the line will do. I love their scrubs as it contains the right amount of ‘scratchiness’ to moisture if that makes sense? It’s not too corrosive, yet it’s hard enough for you to feel like you’re getting your money’s worth and that the skin is flaking away, as it should. Plus, there’s a huge collection of different scents which all smell incredible, and at a great price point, what’s not to love?
The ‘DYSON FOR YOUR FACE’ award goes to…
G9 White in Milk Whipping Foam Cleanser, 120g
If you click on the link above, you’ll see that there are only 4 products left. That’s because this stuff STAYS running out of stock. I’ve already ordered my next batch because this cleanser is absolutely incredible. INCREDIBLE.
I have different cleansers for different things. I have the everyday facial cleanser that I use in the shower, my pre-makeup cleanser and then my makeup removal cleanser. I always make sure to double cleanse, so after taking off the base of my makeup with an oil cleanser, I move in with this bad boy and when I tell you that it literally hoovers your face of makeup, oil and impurities? I’ve never seen anything like this. When you first apply the cleanser, you’ll notice that the colour of it starts to change from white to whatever shade your makeup residue is, in real-time. It’s actually pretty brilliant. This product removes absolutely everything, and your skin ends up feeling squeaky clean afterwards. It’ an actual wonder product and it’s not surprising that it keeps selling out.
The ‘Fine Girl No Pimples’ award goes to…
Kiehl’s Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Serum, 30ml
I’ve spoken about this wonder product for the best part of 4 months by now. Now I’m not someone who it prone to spots or outbreaks of any kind – the only time it happens is if I go to another country where the climate is drastically different, or if I’m on a plane. This is why I only use this serum during any of those situations. As soon as I get a breakout, i apply the serum and I shit you not, the spots are gone the very next day. It may be the active ingredients included inside, but this serum is a Godsend for those who are prone to breakouts and rashes. An ideal product to take with you on a plane. 19/10 would recommend.
The ‘You’re literally Good at Everything’ award goes to…
LUSH Shower Gels, various sizes
Shapes! Colours! Scents! Ingredients! Sizes! Gifts! I mean, need I say more? I currently have 4 different flavours/scents of shower gel from Lush that I cannot wait to get through. They are just…so GOOD you know? Made with natural ingredients, the shower gels not only do a good job of cleaning your body, but THEY JUST SMELL SO DAMN GOOD. Every time I finish showering, my bathroom smells like a spa for up to 4 hours or so. You just can’t go wrong. My favourite scent of them all is Honey I Washed the Kids. Love a honey shower gel!
The ‘These Lips aren’t Moist and Luxurious for Aesthetics’ award goes to…
Since finding out about overnight lip masks, I haven’t been able to turn back. They are much thicker and creamier, without it being sticky, and the product just melts into your skin. I’ve tried a few overnight lip creams but I have to give it to Laneige as not only does it smell wonderful, it actually stays on all night too. It was a close call between Laneige and the Dermalogica Nightly Lip Treatment. The reason I like this one is because of the cooling metal applicator which feels wonderful and gives your lips a bit of a massage, but the price point of £47 doesn’t make it worthwhile for me, as I found I had to keep reapplying it every 30 minutes?
The ‘Name a Better Duo’ award goes to…
Sunday Riley Tidal Cream and Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip
Like Harry Potter and Voldermort, neither can live while the other survives. When used separately, these products are okay. But together?! They are a dream. This is my pre-makeup cleanser. Featuring three types of clay, Ceramic slip cleanses the skin like a dream but also helps to tighten pores AND EXFOLIATE at the same time. We love a multi-use product!
Afterwards, I apply Tidal, which appealed to me because not only does it contain two forms of hyaluronic acid, but also alpha-arbutin, an ingredient that tackles hyperpigmentation. The cream is gel-based and sinks into the skin so effortlessly after using Ceramic Slip. My makeup sits on the skin perfectly after using this.
The ‘You Gotta Be Responsible!’ award goes to…
Murad Essential-C Cleanser and Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier SPF45
There always has to be those essential products that you use religiously and with care, because of how well they look after your skin. The Essential C cleanser contains vitamin C that leaves skin feeling rejuvenated, as well as a lot brighter. This is my everyday shower cleanser and it’s a great little pick me up in the morning! The cleanser also provides a little barrier against SPF, but obviously I need to pack on the real thing after showering, which leads us to the oil and pore control mattifier.
An SPF that doesn’t leave your skin looking like Caspar the friendly ghost? LOVE TO SEE IT. It’s a hydrating moisturiser with an SPF of 45 and not only does it keep skin looking moist, it mattifies the skin too, so perfect for hot holidays! My only problem with this is that I wish it came in a bigger bottle…
The ‘I’m Tired But I Gotta Get My Makeup Off!’ award goes to…
Now if you follow me on instagram, you’ve been seeing a lot of posts about this bad boy over the last week or so and for good reason: they are EXCELLENT. Containing only three ingredients: 99.9% water, dead sea minerals and fruit extract, the wipes work to effectively cleanse your skin of makeup, even waterproof mascara. I use the wipes for those days when I cannot be arsed to do my 10 step skincare regimen, and I still feel as if I’m getting a thorough cleanse from them. They are allergy tested, vegan and can be used on sensitive skin, so an all round treat!
That’s it! Congratulations to all the winners involved and I hope you’ve liked my little roundup of my favourite skincare products this year! What have been your favourites?
December 18, 2019
Steph
THE STEPHIE SKINCARE AWARDS 2019