You know that feeling when you pull on a jacket you haven’t worn in ages and suddenly remember why you loved it so much? That’s exactly what’s been happening in my beauty routine lately. Just as I like to look back on my early adventures into beauty (it being the 00s, this featured a lot of Dream Matte Mousse and roll-on glitter) and reflect that I’ve had a bit of a glow-up, so too have some of the classic products that I once loved, but seem to have lost over time.
Old favourite brands that were once must-haves and gradually got replaced by new obsessions have suddenly caught my eye again. I’ve been shopping items from French powerhouse Nuxe, skin specialist Vita Liberata and membership site Beauty Pie – and loving them!
There’s something quite satisfying about rediscovering old favourite beauty products. They’re the ones that once made it into daily rotation for a reason—reliable, flattering, and usually way less effort than we give them credit for. It’s like catching up with an old friend who still gets you.
This month, I’ve been embracing a bit of beauty nostalgia and giving these tried-and-tested heroes their moment back in the spotlight. Whether it’s a base that always delivers or a lip product that somehow works with every outfit, here’s what’s made a very welcome return to my makeup bag.
Nuxe
Let’s start with the old flame that reignited this whole affair: Nuxe. This French pharmacy brand was probably my first ever attempt to level up my skincare game after the Neutrogena teen years. Discovering it on holiday, it felt like some grown-up, impossibly glamorous secret that would magically transform me into a gamine Parisenne beauty (something I’m still chasing now). The luxurious packaging and grown-up scents were game changers for me, and made putting my daily moisturiser on feel like a sophisticated ritual. Over time of course, my tastes moved on – but seeing it recently in the airport reminded me there’s so much to love about this classic brand.
Nuxe Reve De Miel Face Cleansing Gel
Soft, honey-scented, and as comforting as a warm hug. This gel cleanser used to be a staple in my travel bag, and I honestly don’t know why I stopped using it. There was a time where I was literally obsessed with anything honey-scented, and it’s still a favourite today. It’s gentle enough for morning use (no tight skin here, thank you) but also shifts SPF and daily grime with minimal fuss. It’s the kind of cleanser that reminds me skincare doesn’t always need to be twelve steps long and active-ingredient heavy to be effective.
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
I’d be lying if I said the scent wasn’t half the reason I fell back in love with this cult classic. That warm, beachy floral aroma is like an instant mood boost. I’ve been using a few drops post-shower on damp skin, running the excess through the ends of my hair, and even dabbing a tiny bit on my collarbones when I want to feel like I’ve got my life together (even if I don’t). It gives your skin that healthy, lit-from-within sheen without any greasiness — a French pharmacy hero that truly earns its stripes. I used to use bottle after bottle of this and now I’m seriously wondering why I ever stopped. They just need to do a honey-scented Reve de Miel version.
Vita Liberata
Remember when Vita Liberata was the name in self-tanning? Turns out, they’ve been quietly levelling up in the glow game while we were off chasing other trends. I’ve never really been one for fake tan – too much fear of going orange and streaky, but I have always been a fan of their Body Blur lotion. That’s body makeup that adds a very light tan, a subtle bit of shimmer, and just generally gives your limbs that expensive VS sheen. There was a time where I wouldn’t go on a night out without a coating of it. Then they launched Beauty Blur, for the face and I was completely sold. Although it dropped out of my rotation for a while as I got into other things, I was delighted to see the range has had a makeover and couldn’t resist re-ordering.
Vita Liberata Original Beauty Blur
This is like an Instagram filter in a tube. I forgot just how flattering it is — smoothing, slightly blurring, and with a subtle glow that makes your skin look perkier, even when you’re feeling the complete opposite. I’ve been mixing it into my tinted moisturiser or wearing it solo on those no-foundation days. The finish? Healthy holiday skin, minus the actual holiday.
Vita Liberata Dual Sided Luxury Exfoliating Mitt
I know, an exfoliating mitt doesn’t sound sexy, but hear me out — this one is really good. One side buffs away dead skin like a dream, the other is more gentle for prepping pre-application. It’s durable, luxe-feeling, and doesn’t leave that dreaded patchy aftermath.
Vita Liberata Everyday Blur Drops
This serum/tint hybrid has become my weekday glow cheat. A few drops blended into my SPF and I look like I’ve had eight hours of sleep and a green smoothie for breakfast (neither of which are true). The texture is light, layers beautifully, and gives your complexion a soft-focus, sun-kissed finish. Hello, new obsession.
Beauty Pie
Now let’s talk about Beauty Pie, my beauty cupboard MVP that’s proving itself all over again. I signed up to the membership site literally years ago. The concept was high-end makeup and skin care formulations – supposedly made in the same labs and to the same recipes as pricey designer versions – for a much cheaper price, if you paid the membership. I loved the products and my makeup bag quickly filled with their products. Over the years, things have changed. Although you still pay a monthly fee, the items have rocketed in price so there’s no real savings. And their much shouted-about strategy of never advertising or using influencers to make savings for members – is absolute nonsense now. Plus, they have many issues with beloved items disappearing without warning forever, being ‘reformulated’ and coming back lots more expensive or just being out of stock for stupidly long times. I think their business model is broken, but I’ve never fully left because some of the products are genuinely brilliant – as I’m somewhat reluctantly rediscovering…
Le Masque Micro Caviar Overnight Moisture
This one is a new launch, but my goodness, it’s a good one. It’s a ‘sleeping mask’ type of product – a luxe, French-made overnight gel that delivers 100,000 Omega-9 bubbles of nourishment to the skin while you sleep, with cherry blossom infusion and saffron extract. The oil-in-serum texture helps to deliver a well-rested, plumped. and lifted look, for that effortless overnight glow-upIt’s rich without being heavy, and leaves me waking up looking like I’ve had an actual facial. Great for those nights when you’ve done the bare minimum skincare-wise but still want maximum payoff.
Youthbomb 360 Double Vitamin Radiance Concentrate
One of the most-hyped serums of the moment — and rightly so. This vitamin-loaded powerhouse smooths, brightens, and generally makes my face look more alive.There are 15 active ingredients to resurface, brighten and zap wrinkles. There’s also added Vitamin C and B3 to help skin naturally renew itself, marine actives and peptides to plump and firm, and a host of other anti-aging skin goodies that, to me, made it worth a splurge. I tried and liked the original Youthbomb serum and this is a turbo-charged version that seems to be having a positive effect – I do think my skin has looked better since I’ve used this. That alone makes the membership fee worth it, even if the product is still on the pricier side, and as it’s a 3-in-1 formula, it has replaced a couple of products in my skincare routine. It layers beautifully under makeup too, with no pilling. It’s the kind of serum that gives you a glow that has people saying, “You look well!” which is the ultimate compliment, isn’t it?
Wondercolour Cream Shadow Stick – Teddy Bare
This cream stick is the epitome of five-minute makeup. I swipe it on my eyelids, blend with a fingertip, and look instantly pulled together. The shade ‘Teddy Bare’ is that perfect neutral cool tonedbrown that works well for a speedy contour as well, so I use it as a sort of fast, one-stop-shop for adding dimension to the face. It’s a bit of a must-have, really.
Triple Beauty Luminising Wand
It’s like turning the beauty filter on IRL. I tap this onto cheekbones, down the nose, and a little on the cupid’s bow — and the glow is chef’s kiss. It’s dewy without being greasy, and doesn’t mess up your base underneath. The kind of highlighter that gets compliments every time.There are blurring microspheres (always a bonus for those of us over 30) and a fresh, water-like feel with a really natural, subtle glow. It’s just too good.
Superbrow Angled Shaping Pencil – Perfect Brown
Brows, done in 60 seconds. The angled tip makes shaping easy, the spoolie is just right, and the shade ‘Perfect Brown’ is… well, perfect. Not too warm, not too ashy — just a natural, believable brow that frames your face without shouting about it. There was a time when I wouldn’t use anything else on my brows – until it went chronically out of stock for months and months, and I was forced to find alternatives. The ‘new’ version is refillable, which is a definite plus. I like the thicker, triangular shaped tip, as it’s far quicker to fill and shape than the micro-tipped brow pencils, without sacrificing precision. The formula includes waterproof waxes which make it really long lasting and hold brow hairs in place so you don’t need a separate gel or wax. It’s definitely one of the best brow pencils I’ve tried, so I’m glad to have it back.
One Powder Wonder -Uberlucent Universal
This was the OG product that first got me into the Beauty Pie universe, back when ‘filter in a compact’ powders were a completely new innovation.I’d completely forgotten how good this is. It mattifies without dulling the skin, sets makeup like a dream, and doesn’t cling to dry patches. When I started using other setting powders, I really noticed them settling into the lines under my eyes but this absolutely doesn’t and for that I love it. It also blends and sets makeup really well, disguises lines and pores and makes skin luminous without too much sparkle.Ideal for that midday T-zone situation.
Unlipstick Modern Matte Lip Tint -Unmatched/Unrivalled
These are a relatively new one to me, but they are very much in the zone of that blurred, nonchalant ‘I just look good and I’m not even trying’ French girl zone occupied by Violette.fr. ‘Unmatched’ is a warm-toned rose that really is ‘my lips but better’ for me and ‘Unrivalled’ is a warm but sheer pink-coral that instantly makes you look more awake and put together. The formula is matte but not drying at all, soft-focus but still pigmented.It’s that ‘just bitten’ look in a tube, but with added squalene and hyaluronic acid to keep lips hydrated. I love that you can swipe them on without looking or with only a slick of concealer if you’re keeping it very natural. Basically, if my lip drawer caught fire, I’d try to save these first.
It’s funny how beauty trends can pull our attention in ten different directions at once, but sometimes, the best products are the ones we already know and love. These old favourites have earned their way back into my rotation — not just for nostalgia, but because they’re genuinely brilliant. So if you’ve got some long-lost loves gathering dust at the back of your shelf, maybe it’s time to reunite. You might just fall for them all over again.
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