I'm Adore Beauty's New Editor and Here Are 8 Products I'm Buying With My First Staff Order

Hello! Amy Clark here, Adore Beauty’s new Senior Editor!

You’ll be seeing my face and reading my words on Beauty IQ in the coming weeks and months, but I thought we’d break the metaphorical ice with a bit of a beauty getting to know you game.

I’ve worked as a beauty writer for almost four years, putting almost every bit of my body (within reason) on the line to test a whole bunch of weird and wonderful beauty things so you don’t have to.

Before that, I loved nothing more than jumping on Adore Beauty or wandering down the beauty aisles at the chemist, spending my money on skincare, shampoos, citrusy body washes and more lip products than any one person needs.

Now, I’m lucky enough to receive product samples of new brand launches so I can try them and let you know if they're any good. Yes, this is really bloody F-U-N, but I also take my job pretty seriously because by recommending a product, I'm telling you it's worth your hard-earned money. Regardless of how much you're financially able to spend on beauty, that's a big deal.

That’s why I LOVE hearing about the products other people in the beauty world, including you, purchase again and again. The ones you love so fiercely, you re-order before they’ve finished so you never have to be without them.

So, I thought I’d share eight of my favourite skincare, makeup, hair care and body products I’ve got in my cart right now.

From bougie serums and affordable dupes, to my tried and tested favourites I’m almost out of, here’s exactly what I’ll be buying with my first Adore Beauty staff order.

My Favourite Adore Beauty Skincare, Makeup and Hair Care Products.

1. Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50+ Hydrating Facial Sunscreen.

Honest, this Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50+ Hydrating Facial Sunscreen is a dead-set 19/10. Wearing SPF on your face every day - even in winter, even when working from home - is the easiest and most cost-effective way to prevent the signs of ageing. It also protects you from developing skin cancers (very important!), but for those of us investing in exxy serums and skin treatments, you might as well chuck your money in the bin if you’re not wearing SPF every day too.

Supreme Screen's thin, silky texture sinks in, won’t sting your eyes and plays well with makeup = no pilling! The non-sunscreeny scent and moisturising ingredients mean it feels just like applying any other lovely skincare product.

The formula also has a slight peachy colour so those with darker skin tones or varied skin undertones won't get that annoying white cast. AND most importantly, it provides SPF 50+ UVA (the rays that age you and primarily cause skin cancers) and UVB (the rays that burn you) protection. 

If only it could bring me coffee, too.

2. Beauté Pacifique Defy Damage Skin Repair Serum 40ml.

Heralded as an excellent serum for sensitive skin types, I’ve been a loyal Beauté Pacifique Defy Damage Skin Repair Serum 40ml fan since I first slathered it onto my face two years ago. So much so, my skin throws a tantrum whenever I venture out to try something different.

Jealous tendencies aside, this serum has a hydrating, smooth lotion consistency that glides on and sinks into the skin in the time it takes to chuck on a bra. It’s also got the tiniest concentration of Vitamin A to target skin texture and fine lines without causing too much of a fuss. If your skin angers easily or you want to dip your toe into serious skincare, I can’t recommend this serum enough.

3. Skinstitut Enzymatic Micro Peel 75ml.

The Skinstitut Enzymatic Micro Peel was one of the first enzyme exfoliants I ever tried and it’s perfect for anyone like me who has a baby face and is kind of terrified of hectic peels.

Unlike a physical ‘scrub’ exfoliant, the chemical exfoliant formula of this product is super creamy and smells like a tropical smoothie bowl. Or a piña colada. I love it because a thick layer applied all over my face gives me a mild ‘it’s working tingle’ to let me know the papaya enzymes are gently chomping on my dead skin cells to reveal radiant skin underneath. Plus, the hydrating powers of ingredients like Vitamin B5 and Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide), Hyaluronic Acid and fruit oils are looking out for my skin barrier.

Apply it on cleansed skin and leave for 10-20(ish) minutes and voila! Glowing, hydrated, revitalised skin!

P.S. The Skinstitut Enzymatic Micro Peel is a decent alternative to the Aspect Fruit Enzyme Mask 50g if that one’s out of your budget.

4. Murad Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector 15ml.

Fact: Murad Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector 15ml is so damn good, one of our writers has had to accept she’ll be sharing it with her boyfriend forever more.

Whether or not you use an eye cream is up to you, but after hearing other beauty editors talking about how much they’re loving this one sick, I can confirm it is, indeed, sick. 

FYI, Hannah and Jo asked a dermatologist whether eye creams are actually necessary on the Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast, get it in your ears below!

The packaging promises reduced under-eye darkness in four weeks using two different Vitamin C derivatives. Personally, I’ve seen great results in three weeks of everyday use. Yes, it’s exxy, but one tube of this will last you yonks.

You really only need the tiniest bit applied gently under, above and around the eye for an instant glow thanks to the formula’s light-reflecting micro-minerals, while the active ingredients work hard getting you that IRL glow.

5. Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub 250ml.

As you can see, I literally scrape out every last bit of the Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub and even when it’s empty, I hang onto the tub hoping it might magically refill itself. Sadly, that’s the one thing this scalp scrub can’t do.

This product is cult for a reason. Where traditional scalp scrubs can be hard to apply and disperse throughout the hair, Christophe Robin's feels and acts more like an extra clarifying shampoo with salty granules to gently exfoliate the scalp, without stripping it of its natural oils. It doesn't hurt that it smells divine, too. 

I use this every second hair wash (so once or twice a week) as my first shampoo. Then, I'll do my second shampoo with whatever I'm using at the time and finish with conditioner. 

6. Benefit Hoola Lite Matte Bronzer.

Got pale skin? Same, and I'm yet to find a better bronzer thanBenefit Hoola Lite Matte Bronzer. Every time I get a glimpse of the silver bottom of this product's pan, I fear the day it crumbles to dust. 

I discovered this product around three years ago and haven’t looked back. It’s the perfect matte, natural-looking bronzer that never looks muddy or orange on fair skin tones. Using a big ol’ powder brush, I swish this bronzer in a '3' shape starting from my forehead, down my cheekbones and under my jawline.

Oh, and never forget the nose - that’s where the sun would naturally hit if we spent time in the sun, which we don’t. I’m also known to use it in place of a setting powder if I need more colour, and across my eyelids as an eye shadow. 

7. Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Volumising Mascara.

I’m a lash lift and tint lady through and through because… I’m really lazy. However with this cheap and cheerful mascara, it was love at first swipe.

The Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Volumising Mascara - Blackest Black curved bristle brush can be used a few different ways depending on how you like your lashes to look. Want length and separation? Wipe excess product off on the side of the mascara tube and apply gently, wiggling the brush at the base of your lashes to make sure you get ‘em all. Love thick lashes with stacks of volume? Pack on the product and go for two or three coats (tip: to avoid crunchy lashes, don’t let the mascara dry between coats). As you can see in the pic above, just one coat of mascara on my right eyelashes makes a big difference.

I don’t find this mascara flakes or transfers throughout the day, unless I’ve worn it to the gym, which would never happen because I don’t go to the gym. If you do, or love a good cry, it also comes in a waterproof formula.

8. Lumira Glass Candle in Cuban Tobacco.

A dear friend of mine started the #lightthegoodcandle hashtag on Instagram a while back because beautiful things should be enjoyed, not collecting dust waiting for a special occasion.

It's never been more important to create special moments in our lives (cheers COVID), so I'll be lighting the good candle every night. Specifically, the Lumira Glass Candle – Cuban Tobacco because I bloody deserve it and so do you.

And that’s what I’ll be adding to my first Adore Beauty staff order. 

Feature image: Supplied/@theamyclark.