The best product I've tried this year

Hi friends!

Coming to you today with a selection of excellent things across skincare, fragrance, makeup, haircare and a few clothing and accessory mentions. 16 things that have skyrocketed to the top my favourites list that I believe are worthy of mention and your attention! Including the best product I’ve tried all year.

10 Min Express Self-Tanning Body Mask - Before trying the 10 Min Express tan for myself I was dubious of the claims. How could I possibly get a good, long lasting self-tan from applying a lotion I only need to keep on for 10 minutes before washing off?! But this stuff is the real deal. Gone are my days of scheduling in tan time, marinating for hours, feeling gross in the process. I love the colour it gives and how naturally it fades. This is easily the most life-changing/best beauty product of the year for me!

D.S. and Durga Debaser in Bloom - Described as a remixed version of D.S.’s hero fig scent Debaser, Debaser in Bloom is a punchier, richer fragrance. Fig is still a main player but what really comes through for me is the musk, coconut husk, gardenia and white currant. To me it’s a more grown up, mysterious fig relative in the D.S. and Durga family. I wore it exclusively on my most recent trip to France and I just adore it.

Specific scent notes are:

Top Notes: White Currant, Rosemary Flower, Tapes

Heart Notes: Fig, Gardenia, Cream

Base Notes: Musk, Coconut Husk, Raspberry Leaf

Naturium Multi-Bright Advanced Serum - God this serum is GOOD! Naturium’s formulas and ingredient choices are always top tier. This exfoliating serum is gentle but effective thanks to lactic and glycolic acid, combined with L-arginine, allantoin and bisabolol to soothe skin. It has helped improve my texture, radiance all while not impacting my skin barrier. I’ve found it gentle enough to use every night.

Paula’s Choice Cellular Youth Longevity Serum - I’ve gone through a few bottles of this serum already and I keep coming back to it for it’s restorative effect to my skin. It has peptides, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to help enhance skin firmness, smoothness and radiance while improving skin tone, texture and elasticity.

DedCool detergent - A Christmas gift to myself and one I’ve fallen in love with - the DedCool laundry detergent is something I’ll be repurchasing for myself over and over again. It adds a little luxury to a mundane household chore - who doesn’t want perfume scented clothes!? And yes, it properly cleans clothes too. It’s a great gift idea for loved ones.

AKT deodorant balm - I don’t know that I’d ever used a deodorant balm before this one but consider me converted. AKT was founded by two West End performers who were searching for a deodorant that could withstand grueling daily shows, rehearsals and training - and the profuse sweat that comes along with this type of activity - without compromising on ingredients and design. Happy to report they achieved greatness with this product and a standing ovation is needed!

Maison Balzac Sainte T Hand and Body Wash - This hand and body wash scent is UNREAL - perhaps because the scent description is a thousand cut flowers. It’s so perfectly floral but not in an overpowering way and the scent lingers - through the house and on the body.

COS tshirt - not the first time I’ve shared my obsession with this tshirt and it won’t be the last! I have a bunch of these in white and wear them constantly but I recently bought it in grey and it’s perfect also! Main takeaway - I need more colours of this perfect tshirt.

COS hat - while picking up more tshirts in store, I found this adorable hat and immediately purchased. I cannot get enough hats these days. They’re the quickest and easiest way to add something extra to any outfit.

Uniqlo x JW Anderson denim - Jonathan Anderson is a design genius in many ways - his fashion resume is larger than life (Loewe, Dior and his namesake JW Anderson of course) but one thing I know he is always going to nail; denim. How do I know this? Because he lives in it. I picked up these Uniqlo x JW Anderson jeans and have been wearing them on repeat.

Pro-tip - shop the men’s section also! I need to get these.

Wired headphones - As much as I love my Air Pod Max noise cancelling headphones, I’d been feeling a pull back to wired headphones. It was mostly the lure of not needing to charge them that got me back. I also love how lightweight and small they are - so easy to throw in my handbag.

Milk Hydro Grip Gel Concealer - I’ll often forgo foundation and just spot conceal specific areas - so I take concealer very seriously. This Milk concealer has fantastic coverage, staying power (grip is in the name and it definitely grips to the complexion) - all while looking natural and light on the skin. It’s entering ‘can’t live without’ status for me.

Rhode Juicebox Pocket Blush - I made a promise to myself I couldn’t buy anymore Rhode products until I finished the ones I already have so I’ve really been leaning into my pocket blush in the shade Juicebox. It’s the perfect hot pink shade. I love using lots at a time to give my cheeks a nice flush like I’ve just been on a very brisk walk/light jog. My willpower may crumble as I fear I need the new bronzing range that Rhode just dropped…..

Typebea Intense Repair Leave-In Treatment - I’m on a hair growth journey (and loving it) but given I bleach my hair I need products that keep my ends thriving. I’ve been a fan of Typebea (from the same owners as Vida Glow) ever since they launched and their latest launch has totally blown me away. The standout for me is their Intense Repair Leave-In Treatment. It leaves my hair so soft and silky.

evo colour protect range - Another beloved hair brand I always return to is evo. Their Great Hydrator Moisture Mask is one of my favourite hair masks of all time - I always have multiple in the cupboard in case I run out. While travelling recently I took their new colour protect range with me and it’s wonderful. It keeps my colour thriving and my hair nourished.

Kerastase Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops Hair Oil - Just finished this (really beautiful) bottle of Kerastase Glaze drops and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I was scraping out every last drop of it! The hair oil can be used on damp or dry hair, is nice and lightweight (completely non-greasy), helps with frizz, leaves hair shiny and helps to soften the ends of my hair. It also smells incredible! Hair treatment and hair perfume in one.

More Smooth Brain Thoughts soon!

Ali xx

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