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There’s something about October that always feels like a recharge for me – a chance to reset following summer adventures and build up my batteries before the Christmas chaos. It’s a chance to slow down, layer up (both outfits and skincare), and indulge in those cosy, gourmand products that lend themselves so well to the season.
This month, I’ve found myself drawn towards products that are luxurious and comforting, from rich body butters to warm and addictive perfumes. There’s some brand new launches that have hit the UK in recent weeks, as well as some almost-empties I’ve been reaching for more frequently – including a lip liner that gives the best ‘your lips but better’ look.
These are the five beauty finds that I’ve been loving this October.
Saltair – Santal Bloom Body Butter – £23
Saltair has finally landed in the UK, and their debut at Space NK didn’t disappoint. The Santal Bloom Body Butter has become my post-bath obsession – rich, creamy, with a rose, jasmine, and sandalwood fragrance that is subtle enough to not be overpowering, but lingers beautifully on the skin. It’s packed with ceramides, fatty acids, and sea buckthorn oil to hydrate deeply and strengthen the skin barrier, which is perfect for hydrating winter skin.
Founded by Iskra Lawrence in 2022, the brand has become one of the US’s fastest-growing bodycare brands, and is proving just as popular in the UK, with all bar four products currently sold out online. I’ve also really enjoyed using their Santal Bloom Serum Deodorant, which works to both exfoliate and smooth while minimising discolouration, yet remaining gentle on skin. There’s also a matching body oil, perfect for layering and intensifying the Santal Bloom scent.
Yves Saint Laurent – Libre Intense Eau de Parfum 50ml – £117, currently £81.90
If October had a scent, it might just be YSL Libre Intense – bold, warm, and utterly addictive. As someone with more than 50 rotating fragrances, it takes me quite some time to get through a bottle, but I’ve almost completed my 50ml bottle in three years which could be a new record.
It opens with a combination of citrusy tangerine and bergamot with lavender before delivering a floral heart of jasmine sambac and orange blossom. But it’s the base notes of smoky vanilla, tonka bean, amber and vetiver that really makes it a cosy and confident scent that lends itself to the autumn months. Fierce and feminine, it’s powerful enough for evenings out, but still elegant for everyday wear.
Refy – Lip Sculpt in ‘Dusk’ – £18
When Refy launched their original two-step Lip Sculpt, I didn’t get along with the formula, finding the liner too crumbly and the setter somewhat redundant. But since they remastered the product in March this year, Lip Sculpt has quietly become my go-to lip product.
Seven months on, I’ve just finished my liner in the shade Dusk, which is described as a dark mahogany pink, and is perfect for achieving that ‘your lips but better’ look. The formula self-sets to a matte, transfer-proof finish that truly lasts, while vitamin E and coconut oil keep it feeling comfortable and non-drying.
I love to pair mine with a Wonderskin lip stain and a clear gloss which gives a plumped, contoured pout. The ultra-fine 3mm tip allows for precision application, but I have certainly owned other lip liners that last a lot longer. That won’t stop me from repurchasing it though.
Euthymol – Whitening Toothpaste – £2.99
Not the most glamorous pick, but hear me out. Jake and I are set to get a moving in date for the house soon, so I wanted to find some daily toiletries I loved to avoid wasting money on disappointing options down the line. Euthymol Whitening Toothpaste is refreshingly old-school, with a vintage aesthetic and more sustainable, metal packaging.
What’s more is that it’s pink, which is obviously a novelty for me, while the paste itself is minty and has a medicinal quality to it which I’ve really enjoyed. More importantly, it genuinely works, helping lift stains and keeps my teeth feeling genuinely clean. Oh and, it’s under £3 – sometimes the simplest things earn their place on the favourites list.
Fable & Mane – HoliRoots Hair Oil – £34
Finally, this pre-wash treatment from Fable & Mane was something I had in an advent calendar last year and absolutely loved using. I rarely get through one hair product before I’m moving on to something else, but after completing one bottle, I simply had to get my hands, and my hair, on another.
Inspired by Indian rituals, it combines ashwagandha to strengthen hair with dashmool to boost scalp circulation. On everything-shower day, I love to oil my scalp about an hour or so before shampooing. It’s super lightweight and has a gorgeous floral scent that makes it feel really luxe to use. I always notice a big difference in my hair after using the oil, leaving it softer, glossier, and healthier after each use.
Read more: Six REFY beauty products you need to add to your makeup bag immediately
Read more: YSL Libre Intense – the warm, spicy fragrance I can’t stop wearing
