Sorry for the two-week gap! If you’re following me on Instagram, you might have seen that I was on holiday for a week and supposed to go to Cyprus, but I didn’t get my Covid test in time to fly… ugh, 2020, you suck. I had a lovely staycation though and celebrated my 45th birthday with a party at my flat resulting in the worst hangover I have had in years! I did lots of nice me-time things for myself which made me realise that I shouldn’t keep lovely things to do just for holidays; reading a book for a few hours in the day, taking myself for a cocktail in a hotel bar in the afternoon, some pleasurable shopping are a few of the things I am going to try and do for myself a little more regularly.

Onto this week’s post. It’s not quite an ’empties’ blog as I’m still using some of these, but I wanted to review some new products that I’ve been trying over the summer, most of them new launches.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II

First up, one of my first skincare loves, that I have used and been loyal to for over twenty years, but now comes in a new and improved formula! I didn’t have any #ANR for about two months or so, then they bought out the new formula which I purchased and it honestly feel like my skin takes a deep sigh of relief when I start using it again. This is a lightweight serum, suitable for any skin type and contains lots of hyaluronic acid, anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories to plump, smooth and hydrate the skin. The new addition is ‘Chronolux™ Power Signal Technology’ (which is a mouthful and I don’t know what it means,) but it helps promote skin renewal and production of collagen – so yes please! I have been using it for just over a month and I love it even more now.

Murad Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector

There was a lot of hype about this eye cream, and as it said it tackled dark circles it intrigued me. I am not a great sleeper and suffer from dark circles more than bags, Touch Éclat is my friend. I got this one with a Really Ree discount code and have been using it for about a month. It’s a lovely texture, a very light cream that has light reflecting micro-minerals to brighten the eye area immediately. The gold-stabilised Vitamin C is what fights the dark colour and it also has algae and cucumber to smooth and hydrate. I really like this, it has definitely brightened and helped my under eye area. It’s quite expensive, but I think worth it.

Becca Zero™ No Pigment Virtual Foundation

This was new out in July and sounded right up my street as I’m not a big user of normal foundation. I’m not sure ‘virtual foundation’ is really the right description though, it’s more of a primer, but ‘virtual foundation’ is a better marketing tool, which I appreciate. To be honest, I wasn’t sure at first, I use a primer most days and am used to a more matt, smoothing look with that. However, as the weather got hotter it came into its own. It’s a gel like texture and very cooling when you apply it. It gives a really nice base without mottling and smooths the skin in preparation for makeup. I would get this again next summer.

NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder

The first of two powders, (I had to try some others as I couldn’t get my beloved Chanel one for ages, turns out it has just been repackaged, not discontinued!) This Nars ones I absolutely love. I used a big brush to sweep it over my T zone and it gives the skin such a gorgeous finish, no colour so incredibly natural, but subtly illuminating. It definitely ‘sets’ any makeup without clogging or sitting on the skin. It’s fantastic. The combination of the Becca Zero with the Nars powder would actually be a great one for men too, untraceable, but better looking skin.

By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder Loose


I thought I was going to love this, a powder with skincare ingredients sounded genius! I found the powder almost too finely ground though; it was hard to get it to sit where it needed to be. I think the pressed one would probably be better and do a similar job to the Nars, and although I’ll use this up, it was disappointing.

Iconic London Sheer Blush


The final two products are not that new, but new for me. The Iconic range really appeals to me, all glow enhancing products and I like the packaging. I had wanted to try these blushes for ages and got a duo of Power Pink and Rose Riot. The latter is a really pale, pretty pink and very natural. The Power Pink is my favourite, a brighter, vibrant hit of colour, but as they’re sheer you can blend to the density you prefer. I like to layer it over a little Benetint first to really pop the colour and find they are better when you pat and press them in rather than rubbing too much. A real winner for me, I much prefer them to the Glossier Cloud Paints.

Tan-Luxe Super Glow Drops


Final one and ending on a high. I had seen so many bloggers I love recommend these drops so I really wanted to try them. They’re a very lightly tinted tanning drop for the face with a lightweight hyaluronic acid in to smooth and hydrate at the same time. I wouldn’t say you get a tan with them as such, more a nice glow and they feel lovely to use. I think I will try the actual Face Tan drops next and then use the Super Glow as a top up, but a really innovative tan and skincare hybrid that makes me want to try more of their range.

I hope that’s useful, what new products have you been loving recently? Any more on your list to try? Let me know.

Hannah x