My Recent Empties & Reviews
I’ve been trying a ton of new products (some new launches, some are just new to me). In honor of this, I wanted to do a bit of a roundup of the skin, hair, and beauty products I am loving. I want to make this blog extra digestible, so we will keep it simple with my impressions, my “why,” and if I will repurchase or not!
Skinfix Barrier+ Balancing Water Cream Moisturizer
This is a newer launch from Skinfix! You probably already know that their Ectoin cleanser and Triple Lipid Peptide Moisturizer are two of my holy grail skin products. So you can anticipate my excitement when they came out with their balancing water cream moisturizer! Even though I have dry skin, and the water based formula is definitely intended for oily skin types, I have been loving it over summer! It’s a light gel-cream texture that sinks in quickly without leaving any residue—so perfect under SPF or makeup.
What’s inside:
Loving the formula for this one! It includes Zinc PCA, niacinamide, and green tea extract to help control oil production, Hyaluronic acid for long-lasting hydration, and a blend of prebiotic peptides designed to support the skin barrier.
Would I repurchase?
For starters, if you are an oily skin type, I think you’ll love this! For me personally, this is not a year-round staple since I lean dry, but I’ll definitely keep one on-hand during the summer.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Cheek Serum
The makeup-skincare hybrid that is screaming summertime. She hydrates, she brightens, and gives a dewy flush all in one. For all of my fellow skin friendly beauty lovers, this is skincare that makes your cheeks pop.
What’s inside:
The standout ingredients are niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, making it a hydrating dream!
Would I repurchase?
Absolutely. Literally no notes.
Laneige Cream Skin Milky Toner
This one just didn’t work for me. I know it’s a cult favorite and I was hopeful because it includes barrier-supporting ingredients—but it just didn’t work for me.
What’s inside:
The formula includes ceramides and peptides meant to nourish and hydrate, but I found the texture a little too slippery and didn’t notice any major skin benefits during use and possibly a few new breakouts.
Would I repurchase?
Nope. I wanted to love it, but I think there are better hydrating toners out there with more noticeable payoff.
Dae Agave Dry Heat Protection Spray
Ok let’s start off with the fact that I’ve yet to try something from Dae that doesn’t deliver. Every product smells incredible, and works perfectly! I tend to use this heat protectant for refreshing second- or third-day curls. It helps smooth frizz and redefines shape without weighing hair down.
What’s inside:
Packed with Agave (hence the name) to moisturize and smooth, glycerin to retain moisture, and thermal protectants to shield hair from heat damage.
Would I repurchase?
1000% yes. Tbh I already did.
Supergoop Glow Stick SPF 50
Let me start by saying: Supergoop’s body sunscreen is a true staple in my household. This product, though? Just not for me. Truth be told, my issue isn’t with the formula—it’s with the format (and pretty much all stick sunscreens).
What’s inside:
It’s a hydrating, oil-based sunscreen stick that gives skin a really pretty glow while claiming to offer broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection. But the reality is: with stick SPFs, you’d need to apply a lot to get proper coverage. Like I am saying, close to 30 swipes for the label protection (I actually discussed this with LabMuffin in a podcast episode) and I find it highly unlikely that any of us are doing 30 swipes on every region of the face.
Would I repurchase?
No. It’s a great idea in theory, but I just don’t find myself reaching for it or feeling confident in the protection it offers. Instead, here are some of my favorite tinted spfs for every skin type!
Ritual HyaCera Supplement
Hydration has always been a focus for me. While you can (and should!) hydrate with topicals like hyaluronic acid serums, internal hydration is just as important. This is one of the only supplements I’ve seen with solid clinical backing for smoother, more elastic skin. Completely off topic, but Ritual’s protein powder is also pretty incredible if you haven’t tried it! Their prenatal blend is a staple for me. My code for the whole site is AMY25. Hope that helps!
What’s inside:
It includes a clinically studied combination of hyaluronic acid and phytoceramides (called HyaCera), which work together to improve skin smoothness, reduce fine lines, and support overall barrier function.
Would I repurchase?
Yes, I think it’s a great complement to a solid topical routine.
GISOU Honey Infused Lip Oil
This one lands somewhere in the middle for me. I didn’t dislike it—but I didn’t love it either. I absolutely love how it goes on but it dissipates so quickly for an oil.
What’s inside:
It’s made with honey to nourish and hydrate lips, and it does give a nice glossy finish. But I found myself reaching for other lip products more often.
Would I repurchase?
Probably not. It’s a beautiful product, but just not one that wowed me or felt essential. I would rather go for Naked Sundays with SPF or my ride or die Lawless Lip Plumping Mask.
Naturium Retinaldehyde 0.15% Serum
If you follow me, you know I’ve been a fan of the 0.05% version for a while now, so when Naturium released the 0.15%, I was so excited—and it totally lived up to the hype. This is a great step up for anyone looking to level up their retinoid routine without jumping straight into prescription territory.
What’s inside:
This formula uses a next-gen form of retinoid—retinaldehyde—which converts directly into retinoic acid (the active form) but with less irritation than traditional retinol. It also includes biofermented oligopeptides to help refine skin texture and enhance radiance.
Would I repurchase?
Absolutely. This is one of the best retinaldehyde options I’ve found and one I constantly recommend.
Pro Tip: (use code “AMYK15 for a discount”)
Merit Tinted Mineral SPF
I owe all of you the credit for this one! I was getting a ton of DMs requesting I try it and share my review. All I can say is you guys were right because W-O-W, it really is that good. The texture is beautiful, the finish is natural, and it layers so well with other products. It might just become a staple for my foundation(less) summer.
What’s inside:
It’s a mineral-based sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum SPF 30 with a buildable tint. It also contains plant-based squalane for added hydration.
Would I repurchase?
I would! I love my fair share of tinted spfs, so it takes a lot for me to want to adopt another in my arsenal. With that, it impressed me that much, so I will be repurchasing.
Skinny Confidential Brow Peptide
Spoiler Alert: This has officially earned a permanent spot in my brow routine. It’s basically a styling product and a treatment serum in one, which is all I want in a brow product. You can use code AMY15 on the whole site!
What’s inside:
It’s formulated with peptides and conditioning ingredients!
Would I repurchase?
Yes. No notes.
Ok I hope you guys enjoyed reading this as much as I had fun doing it! Let me know if you want more of these. ALSO, keep an eye out because my Skincare Guide is about to get a MASSIVE upgrade.
xx Amy
**Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and may contain products gifted in PR. This means that I may earn a small commission when you purchase via these links at no additional cost to you (thank you! It helps me keep things up and running)… As always I ONLY recommend products, goods and services that I stand behind and personally love and use
