code skøn

“A beauty editor’s year in textures, scents, and empty bottles — the products that truly earned their place on my shelf in 2025.”

The “empties” trend might live on social feeds, but for a beauty editor it has always been a private ritual: a bag of finished products waiting to be sorted into “repurchase immediately” and “nice, but forgettable.”

This year’s empties bag told a very clear story: comfort-leaning textures, gentle but effective skincare, a small but committed nail ritual, and fragrance that followed me through every season of 2025.

The products that made it to the bottom weren’t the newest launches, but the quiet staples—from my super market shower cream to a top quality face gel cleansers , from small pocketable cuticle pen that makes me feel on point to few fragrances that shaped my everyday routine.

Zo Skin : Gentle Cleanser.

If there is one category where my standards are ruthless, it is cleanser—and ZO Skin Gentle Cleanser is easily one of the best I have ever used. The texture hits my sweet spot: a satisfying gel that quickly foams, melts away the day, and rinses clean without that tight, over-stripped feeling that so many “deep cleansing” formulas leave behind.

Tahiti : Gel Douche Vanille

Tahiti Douche Crème Vanilla makes even the quickest shower feel comforting, like stepping into warmth after a long day.

The vanilla leaves a soft, sweet scent on the skin that lingers just enough to feel cosy without being overpowering, and I usually buy the refill bag, which makes it more convenient and lasts almost twice as long as the original bottle.

Charlotte Tilbury : Magic Eye Cream.

Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Eye Cream behaves like it was created specifically for my under-eyes, fitting my skin like a glove from the first application.

The half-gel, half-cream texture gives that sweet spot of deep hydration and a lasting glow that survives the entire day and sits beautifully under concealer without pilling or creasing.

Celimax : Retinal Shot.

If you are following this page you know my bathroom shelf has a soft spot for Korean skincare, and Celimax Retinal Shot has earned permanent residency there.

The formula feels considered and effective, slotting into my night routine as a retinal that respects my skin barrier, even if the tube empty a little too quickly for my taste —even when I’m careful with the recommended dose.

Manucurist : Nourishing Nail Pen.

The Manucurist Nourishing Cuticle Pen turned cuticle care into a tiny daily ritual that genuinely changed how my hands look, softening the contour and making even bare nails appear more polished.

Its pen format is far more practical for me than a classic tube of hand cream, because I can throw it into any bag and use it discreetly, without any mess, wherever I am.

Sol de Janeiro : Cheirosa 71 Perfume Mist

Sol de Janeiro 71 became my default “comfort cloud” this year, the mist I reached for when I wanted something sweet, warm, and easy. Its scent leans fully into dessert territory, with notes that remind me of crème brûlée and caramel, in the best, most addictive way.

I use it straight after the shower, over body cream, to create a warm, gourmand base layer for whatever fragrance I feel like wearing that day, from deeper leathers to softer vanillas.

Tom Ford : Tuscan Leather & Tobacco Vanilla.

Fragrance is where my beauty personality really lives, and Tom Ford Tuscan Leather has been my signature scent for years—the olfactory equivalent of a perfectly tailored leather jacket, and a core part of my beauty DNA.

Tobacco Vanille plays a different role in my wardrobe: sweeter, cozier, and made for warmer autumn days, where its spiced, gourmand trail seems to melt into the season instead of sitting on top of it.