The Luxe List

Over the past few months I’d been quite good at keeping my beauty spending to a minimum. With lockdown in full force, it felt a little pointless buying new lipglosses and creams which I could only wear heading out to the supermarket, but in the last couple of weeks, I feel like I’ve treated myself quite a bit more than usual. I’m not feeling too guilty about it though, because I’ve found some new absolute gems, one of which is the Glossier Hand Cream.

This had been on my Wishlist, pretty much since it launched, but up until last month I hadn’t had my nails done since before Christmas, and I was working my way through my tubes and tubs of body and hand balms. So, when Glossier launched their summer sale, I snaffled all the bits I’d been lusting over since pre-Covid. Coming packaged in a seriously pleasing snappy and squeezy tube, the Hand Cream is pretty much a dream. Rich and hydrating without feeling sticky or too much, it hydrates hands without leaving them feeling greasy, and the smell is incredible. It’s equal parts laundry detergent and summer holidays. Despite not enjoying the Glossier perfume, which it’s supposedly based on, I’m obsessed with the scent of the cream. It’s also significantly helped me soften and smooth my hands, which were looking and feeling rough after 6 months mani-free.

Glossie Hand Cream is priced at £16 and is available here.

If you’ve not shopped at Glossier yet, click here to enjoy 10% off your first order.

When it comes to can’t miss routines, my evening cleanse is truly number one. I can’t even think about heading to bed with a dirty face, and I love the feeling of getting every scrap of makeup off before toning, moisturising then heading for bed. One of my must-have products to keep my skin happy is a gentle foaming cleanser, and usually I’d just use a normal clean facial flannel wash everything off.

So Eco sent over a 5 pack of their Gentle Facial Buffers, and honestly, it’s been such an upgrade! Made of natural, organic cotton, the pads are double sided, with one side textured, and the other soft. Gentle enough for daily use, I grab a clean one each evening, using the exfoliating side to really work the foaming cleaners into skin, and the soft side to make sure that there’s not a scrap of makeup left over. The result is skin which is thoroughly cleansed and gently exfoliated. Using the pad turns every cleanse into a mini facial, and they are such an effortless way to keep your skin healthy. They’re even amazing at removing clay-based face masks for that real spa effect!

A set of 5 So Eco Gentle Facial Buffers are priced at £12 and are available here

When it comes to unnecessary purchases, I’m pretty sure a £60 lipstick is pretty high up the list. I’ve got a hundred rosy-nudes to choose from this summer, but when Hermes released their new seasonal line of Lip Enhancers, I couldn’t resist. Available exclusively at Selfridges, I ordered mine online, and it was at my front door within 48 hours.

Described as a lip enhancer rather than a regular balm or lipstick, Hermes has designed a product which is as gorgeous as it is effective. One of a choice of three easy to wear shades, it comes packaged inside one of the brand’s iconic orange boxes, complete with a branded dust bag. It’s a gorgeous package, and it certainly feels premium to unwrap!

30 Rose Dete is a warm-toned pink which hovers somewhere between a baby pink and an enhanced neutral on me. If I’m honest, I was expecting a formula with a lot more slip, but this has a super lightweight, almost powder consistency which easy slides over the lips. It’s not at all drying, but it’s not got any sheen or gloss – ironically it’s perfect for wearing with a face mask as once it’s on, there’s not a hint of transfer. I love the flattering hue and the fact that I can just add a hint of gloss on top whenever I want a little extra shine. The longevity of the formula is impressive, and it seems to change as the day goes on – from a bright baby pink to a more neutral hue, it’s become a real favourite!

Hermes Rosy Lip Enhancer is priced at £58 and is available here

Monday mornings are never going to be my favourite time of the week. There always seems to be so much to do, and very little time to do it in, so over the past few weeks, I’ve been trying to take some time on a Monday to start the week on a calmer note. One of my little upgrades was swapping my regular toothpaste for a tube of Marvis.

Not only is Marvis probably the chicest choice for toothpaste, but they’re the tastiest too. Whilst you can choose your run of the mill mint, the brand also offer incredible choices which range from cinnamon to jasmine. My tube of choice is ‘Royal Wonders of the World’, a rather fun mix of Italian lemon oil, Mandarin, Rose extract and Mint. It’s feels like a real treat to use, and it looks fantastic on the shelf too!

If you’re keen to upgrade your morning routine, Marvis Royal Wonders of the World is priced at £7 and is available here

When it comes to summer skincare, I’m all about keeping things simple. I don’t like to play around too much with a routine which works, but when I tried Origins’ Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Treatment Lotion, I knew it was a keeper. Super lightweight, and designed to calm skin and calm redness, it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for during the warmer months.

I’m not sure why mine came in such a bright bottle, but it’s so pretty, and it really stands out from my other products! After cleansing, I pat my skin dry, and then tap about a ‘shake’ of the essence into skin. It’s got a light, watery texture, which absorbs instantly into skin, and I follow up with a pump of serum, and my facial moisturiser as normal.

The Treatment Lotion is pH balanced, so if you’ve spent too much time in the sun, or your skin is feeling just generally ‘off’, it’s great for getting everything into balance. Stored in the fridge, it’s cooling and calming, and it’s a real relief to use on warm mornings, when I feel a bit puffy, and it really hydrates skin deeply too. After application, I follow-up with my regular serum and moisturiser and my skin looks and feels hydrated and refreshed. It’s a godsend for days when I wake up feeling a bit blah, and on evenings when I’ve had to do a deep cleanse after wearing makeup all day, it feels absolutely gorgeous to apply.

Origins Mega Mushroom Treatment Lotion is priced at £32 here (UK) and here (US)