Honest Reviews of Every Beauty Product We Finished in 2025
Here are all the beauty products we actually finished in 2025. These weren’t products we tried once and forgot about, but ones that stayed in rotation long enough for us to form an actual opinion. Some earned their place, some were simply fine, and others made it to the end without leaving much of a mark.
Every review comes from a different voice on the Cake The Mag team, each with their own skin type, habits, and expectations. Some products were instant loves, others quietly did their job, and a few didn’t quite live up to the hype and we’re honest about all of it. These were used properly, finished honestly, and judged on how it actually performed.
Davines Melu Shampoo
For someone dealing with a scaly, sensitive scalp, this shampoo felt like the right balance. It cleaned thoroughly without irritation, left the hair hydrated, and never felt stripping.
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads
Used once a week as a post-makeup, post-city detox, these felt more like a ritual than a transformation. No dramatic change, but the skin always looked fresher the next day, with a subtle, healthy shine that made them feel worth the step.
Kiehl’s Ultra Pure High-Potency Serum 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid
Exactly what it promises to be. Straightforward hydration, no drama, no irritation, no complaints.
Nivea Cocoa Butter Body Lotion
A lifelong staple that still delivers. Thick, deeply moisturising, absorbs quickly, and the scent lingers in the best way. Some things don’t need reinventing.
Kiehl’s Ultra Pure High-Potency Serum 5.0% Niacinamide
Much like its hyaluronic acid, this is a no-frills formula that does what it says. Clean, simple, effective.
Drunk Elephant Bouncy Brightfacial Masque Illuminateur
This one sat in the middle ground. It didn’t irritate the skin, but it also didn’t excite it. After consistent use, there was no noticeable difference, making it feel like a step that could be replaced with a less pricey alternative.
Sol de Janeiro Delicia Drench Body Cream
Thick, rich, and ideal for dry climates. The scent lasts forever, and the formula locks in moisture in a way that feels genuinely indulgent without being sticky.
Kiehl’s Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
This felt more like an extra step than a necessary one. Whether it was a mismatch with skin type or expectations, it didn’t make a noticeable impact and ended up feeling redundant in the routine.
By Mina Shiekhly Tailored Mascara
A standout. Especially impressive for a newer beauty brand, this mascara delivers on formula, wear, and finish. Easily a top-three mascara and one that genuinely surprised us.
Enzi Manuka Honey Mask
A go-to when skin felt dull, tired, or dehydrated. It brought instant comfort, hydration, and a subtle glow.
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Cleansing Oil
Still unmatched! It melts makeup effortlessly, feels incredibly gentle, and leaves the skin clean without residue. Running out of this one genuinely felt sad.
Drunk Elephant A-Shada Complex Eye Serum
Nothing revolutionary, but reliably hydrating. It did what an eye serum should do but didn’t show an visible change.
Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint (Lip + Cheek)
Loved on the lips, not so much on the cheeks. The stain aspect is very real. Once it touches the skin, it’s not moving. It dries quickly, leaves little room for blending, and works best with a brush and patience.
Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo
Straightforward and effective. It absorbed oil, refreshed the hair, and did exactly what it was meant to do.
Vegamour GRO Dry Shampoo
Another reliable option. No fuss, no residue, no complaints.
LANEIGE Cream Skin Cerapeptide Toner & Moisturiser
The skin truly drank this up. Lightweight yet deeply hydrating, it became a morning staple and left skin feeling plump and comfortable. Another product that was missed once finished!
Color Wow Money Mist
The scent completely stole the spotlight! So much so that the visual results almost went unnoticed (whoops). If fragrance matters to you, this one absolutely delivers. Visually, we can’t give a proper review as we were distracted (but will give it another shot in 2026).
The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors + Inulin Body Lotion
Perfect for acne-prone body skin. Lightweight, fragrance-free, fast-absorbing, and genuinely feels safe to use daily without triggering irritation.
Ultra Violette SPF 50+
Hydrating without greasiness and zero white cast!
Clinique “All About Eyes” Eye Serum
One of the rare eye products where results were genuinely noticeable. The improvement felt immediate and lasted, making it a standout in an often underwhelming category.
Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater
A simple, calming staple. Used post-tweezing, dermaplaning, or threading, it soothed the skin instantly and became an easy reach for quick comfort.
Dove Moisturising Beauty Cream Soap
A soap bar is a soap bar but with this one, the cleanliness lingers, the skin feels soft, and it lives up to the hype. Next on the list: the Shea Butter & Vanilla scented bar.
Glossier Boy Brow (Clear)
Purchased three times in one year, which says everything. No white residue, no crunchiness, just perfectly set brows that still feel natural.
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF
A standout for darker skin tones. No white cast, genuine protection, and verified performance. Easily one of the best sunscreens tested.
Kérastase Discipline Shampoo
A hair-care favourite. Cleans thoroughly, hydrates without heaviness, supports healthier growth, and smells incredible. This one earns its reputation.
rhode Glazing Milk
A dream for dry skin. Gives a soft glow under makeup and feels nourishing without being heavy. Repurchased without hesitation.
rhode Barrier Butter
Exactly what it claims to be. Rich, effective, comforting, and dependable.
Medicube Zero Pore Pads
No dramatic transformation, but great for a morning ritual. Cooling, refreshing, and satisfying enough to earn a repurchase.
Erborian CC Eye Cream
Took a long time to finish and worth every drop. It replaced under-eye concealer entirely during the day and became one of the best products of the year.
KAYALI Yum Boujee Marshmallow
Sweet, playful, and perfect on its own or layered with deeper scents.
Cake The Mag’s top 5 beauty products of 2026 include (in no specific order):
By Mina Shiekhly Tailored Mascara
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Cleansing Oil
Clinique “All About Eyes” Eye Serum
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF
Erborian CC Eye Cream
