Take It From a Beauty Director—If I Could Only Repurchase 8 Products This Summer, It Would Be These
Our take
The beauty landscape is perpetually shifting, a tidal flow of new formulations, trends, and influencer endorsements. It’s easy to get swept away, to feel pressured into trying the latest viral sensation. Yet, as evidenced by this recent piece from Who What Wear – I Just Saved You So Much Time—16 of The Best Beauty Deals to Shop During Dermstore's Sneaky Summer Sale – there’s a growing recognition of the value of curation and trusted recommendations. A beauty director distilling down a vast market to a mere eight repurchase-worthy products speaks volumes. It signals a desire for clarity amidst the noise, a yearning for the tried-and-true, particularly when summer’s demands on our skin—hydration, sun protection, cooling relief—are so specific. The fact that even seasoned professionals are reaching for familiar comforts underscores a broader trend: a move away from fleeting fads and toward investing in products that consistently deliver results, especially when faced with the intensity of summer. This isn’t about chasing the newest; it's about embracing the reliable.
This prioritization of established favorites also aligns with a broader cultural shift towards mindful consumption. We're seeing a growing rejection of rampant consumerism and a greater emphasis on sustainability and longevity. The beauty industry, often criticized for its fast-paced turnover and environmental impact, is feeling this pressure. Consumers are increasingly scrutinizing ingredients, packaging, and brand ethics. While exciting new innovations continue to emerge – as highlighted in I Can't Stop Telling My Friends About the Best New Beauty Products From July – there's a parallel appreciation for the enduring power of classics. The beauty director’s curated list isn't a dismissal of innovation, but rather a recognition that true quality transcends fleeting trends. It's a testament to the fact that sometimes, the best beauty routine is simply the one that works, consistently and reliably, minimizing waste and maximizing efficacy. Consider, too, the ongoing pursuit of addressing specific skincare concerns, as explored in The 10 Best Age Spot Treatments Can Help Fade Unwanted Pigmentation—Here's What Dermatologists Recommend; a focused approach often benefits from established, dermatologist-recommended solutions.
The significance of this editorial extends beyond just product recommendations. It’s a commentary on the evolution of beauty advice itself. The days of blindly following every influencer endorsement are waning. Consumers are seeking guidance from trusted experts—beauty directors, dermatologists, and individuals with a proven track record. This shift demands greater transparency and accountability from brands and influencers alike. The beauty director's authority lies not in fleeting popularity, but in years of experience and a discerning eye. This perspective is particularly relevant as we navigate the increasingly complex world of skincare, where ingredient lists are longer and claims are more ambitious than ever before. A curated list, based on genuine experience, offers a much-needed filter, guiding consumers towards products that are likely to deliver on their promises, rather than simply capitalizing on a trend.
Ultimately, this editorial points to a future where beauty routines are less about constant reinvention and more about thoughtful refinement. The focus will likely shift toward building a core collection of high-performing, reliable products, supplemented by occasional indulgences or targeted treatments. The question becomes: will the beauty industry adapt to this demand for authenticity and consistency, or will it continue to prioritize novelty over enduring quality? The rise of the curated list suggests a powerful shift in consumer priorities, one that favors experience and efficacy over fleeting trends.
It has been hot this summer. But you don't need me to tell you that. I'm currently writing this story with two fans directed at me and my Shark Depuffi stationed on my desk for some cooling cryo breaks. And I'm not sure about you, but as soon as summer heatwaves begin, my beauty routine gets a serious shake-up. This shake-up tends to happen subconsciously, and I don't realise just how different my daily routine has become until I sit down and look at my empty beauty products at the end of the month.
July was a clear example of this. Whereas my Empties Edits usually comprise a healthy mix of makeup, skincare, haircare, perfumes and candles, this month, every single empty is somehow related to the intense heat we've been experiencing. I've been getting through body creams like there's no tomorrow, making sure my shower gels are working overtime with the three showers I've been having every day and prioritising decongesting cleansers to tackle sweat build-up.
And with over a decade of beauty editor experience under my belt, I test hundreds, if not thousands, of products every single year, so I can assure you that only the best of the best make it into my routine and get used to the very last drop. These eight beauty products have been so game-changing over the past month, in fact, that I'm ready to repurchase every single one immediately. Introducing The Empties Edit for July 2026.
1. Tatcha The Rice Wash
I have two cleansers in my life that I consider the best ever made. The first is Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip (which I waxed lyrical about in last month's Empties Edit and feature regularly on these pages). The second is this one: Tatcha The Rice Wash. Unlike Ceramic Slip, which has a gel-like, creamy consistency, this stuff is a thick cream. The texture is almost putty-like, meaning you only need the smallest amount, and it works into one of the most luxurious, efficacious lathers in the cleansing game. It's pH-neutral and contains hyaluronic acid and red algae to really nurture and protect your skin's natural moisture barrier, but my gosh, it is hardworking, too. With Tatcha's iconic Japanese rice powder and an amino acid base, it does a stand-up job of removing build-up and delivering a truly standout cleanse. If you have congestion-prone skin, do not sleep on this cleanser.
2. Diptyque Rhubarbe Candle
Key notes: Rhubarb, patchouli, carrot seeds
It's almost needless to say that I don't burn nearly as many candles in the summer as I do in the winter. With the doors and windows wide open to let in a gentle breeze, summer candles need to pack a serious throw, and in my opinion, Diptyque is one of the only candle brands with formulas up to the job. This new addition to Diptyque's Classic Candle line-up is without question one of the best summer scents I have ever encountered. With fresh, juicy rhubarb at its core, it is reminiscent of an abundant English vegetable garden, and it scented every summer soirée I've hosted this season so far—much to my guests' delight.
3. Victoria Beckham Beauty FeatherFix Brow Gel
Brow gels don't get much better than this, in my opinion. I have written about Victoria Beckham Beauty FeatherFix at length many times, so you probably already know it's one of my favourite brow gels ever. The beauty of it is all in the brush. Instead of a tiny fibrous spoolie, it has a plastic comb, meaning it really grabs onto every single brow hair for maximum volume and lift. The best bit? It doesn't turn brows into a sticky, laminated sort of situation. Instead, it leaves them looking fluffy and naturally lifted.
4. Cowshed Active Bath & Shower Gel
Key notes: Lemongrass, ginger, rosemary
Cowshed got a rebrand, and I could not be more thrilled about it. I've never met a Cowshed product that I don't like, so when I found out the brand was redesigning not only its packaging but also its scents and formulas, I was nervous. Cowshed is, after all, one of my most cherished brands out there. But truthfully, since trying the entire range, I can confirm the products somehow got even better. This Active shower gel (along with the Relax range) is my favourite of them all. With an intensely zesty, spicy zing, it's the sort of shower gel that is totally revitalising and reinvigorates you in just a single use—perfect for sweltering days and intense workouts.
5. Jones Road Body Lotion
Do not let the messaging on this body lotion get things twisted: this is not a lightweight lotion. It is a thick, rich, incredibly hardworking body cream. The consistency is almost Nivea-esque in its thickness. However, with glycerin and squalene, it is one of the most hardworking body creams I've used this year. My dry, crepey, scaly summer limbs were immediately transformed with this stuff. Oh, and it smells deliciously fresh, too.
6. Beauty Pie Healthy Hydration Perfect Moisture Conditioner
Price shown is members' price.
In my opinion, Beauty Pie haircare doesn't get the love it deserves. This hydration range (of which I used both the shampoo and conditioner) proved the perfect everyday hair wash situation for my fine, long, straight hair. (So, it's probably worth adding the caveat here that it likely isn't intense enough for coarser hair types.) It left my hair soft, smooth, silky and glossy with zero fuss, which is just what I need when daily hair-wash days are necessary in 30°C-plus heat.
7. Byredo Blanche Body Lotion
Whilst the Jones Road Body Lotion played the part of the big guns in my summer body care routine, Byredo Blanche Body Lotion was my fluffy, everyday slice of luxury. The scent of Blanche is one of my all-time favourites. It is musky, comforting, coddling and creamy—like being enveloped by the whitest, fluffiest hotel towels. And whilst I'm typically not blown away by skincare formulas developed by fragrance houses, this one blew my socks off. It is lightweight, nourishing and leaves a beautiful sheen of hydrated glow on the skin. I'm ready for another bottle stat.
8. Sunday Riley Detox Darling Microbiome Balancing Toner + Essence
Do you need this product? Probably not. Will your skin like you more for applying it? Absolutely—particularly if you are congestion- and breakout-prone like I am. When sprayed onto a cotton pad and swiped over my skin post-cleanse, this zinc-containing toner helped clarify my congested skin and leave it looking its clearest, healthiest self. 2026 has proved the year of toning for me, and my skin couldn't be happier about it.
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