Another day, another TikTok famous skincare brand, it seems – and the latest has landed at Boots after much popularity stateside.
As a self-confessed beauty addict from the Millennial generation, I thought I knew quite a lot about all the skincare brands on the market. As it turns out, those in Gen Z – and Gen Alpha – are fast becoming the main source of knowledge about up and coming brands.
One such brand that many of the younger generation are raving over is Bubble. Famed for its fun, colourful packaging, this skincare brand has racked up more than 50million views on TikTok, with many fans showcasing their products – particularly the Slam Dunk Hydrating Moisturiser.
Previously only available in the US, skincare fans went wild when Boots officially announced that it would be the first UK retailer to stock its products earlier this month. In fact, some shoppers said the move was “exciting” and that they needed to get their hands on some products “ASAP.”
As I mentioned, I am a bit of a beauty obsessed Millennial, which means I am always down to see if new brands are worth all the hype. So, when Boots gave me the opportunity to try out some of Bubble’s bestselling products, I jumped at the chance.
Here are my thoughts on some of the Bubble Skincare range.
What did I try?
(Image: Daily Record/Rachel Williams)
Inside my parcel there were five of the brand’s products. These were:
How did I find each product?
First things first, let’s talk about that packaging – I’m not the only person to have noticed it’s actually extremely eye-catching. With its cute, bold colours and sleek packaging, I understand why these fun bottles have become a bit of a hit with teenagers looking to get into skincare.
The Bounce Back Balancing Toner Mist
(Image: Daily Record/Rachel Williams)
I first tried the Bounce Back Balancing Toner Mist, which can be used anytime of the day to give your skin an “instant refresh”.
Boasting a 4.8 rating on the Boots website, this toner mist has been infused with sea water, niacinamide, Sodium PCA and willow bark extract, all which mattify and hydrate the skin, while reducing the appearance of pores. It says only one or two sprays are needed, which is what I did straight after cleansing.
It was actually incredibly refreshing, while also being a great first step before popping on any serums. I can’t say myself if it reduced the look of my pores, as mine are fairly small, but I did like how lightweight it felt on the skin. I also really appreciate its handy packaging that can be popped into my handbag, just in case I need to give my skin a burst of moisture during the day.
Beauty deal of the week
When it comes to popular Charlotte Tilbury beauty products, it doesn’t get more iconic than the viral Pillow Talk lipstick range.
Launched in 2013, the designer makeup brand’s award-winning lipstick has gone on to earn a cult-like fan base, although it can be pricey at around £27. Luckily, there is a new kit that works out at under £10 for each lipstick inside.
The limited edition Pillow Talk Wardrobe Lip Kit contains four of the luxury brand’s bestselling Pillow Talk lipsticks that beauty fans have been raving about. Priced at just £39, this Pillow Talk Kit is actually worth over £60 – which means that each item essentially works out at £9.75 each.
The hero product of the lip kit is the travel-size Pillow Talk Medium Matte Revolution Lipstick, which is a warmer, berry-pink shade from from the popular lipstick collection. Said to be sold every two minutes, the lipstick has ben praised as “happiness in a tube”.
Available in 13 shades, this matte lipstick uses vitamin E and antioxidants to condition and soften your lips for a look that will last for over 10 hours. Meanwhile, there are also 3D glowing pigments to give your lips a bit of a shine.
The Matte Revolution is not the only popular lipstick that you can find included in the Pillow Talk Wardrobe Lip Kit, as there are three other bestselling products. This includes the full-sized Hyaluronic Happikiss in Pillow Talk.
Infused with hyaluronic acid and C-peptides, this lipstick has been specially formulated to keep your lips hydrated and fuller-looking. The beauty brand has described it as “a magical fondue-like texture for a dewy and juicy kiss of HYDRATING colour on your lips.”
Meanwhile, there is also a travel-sized version of the Jewel Lips Lipgloss, which has also been infused with hyaluronic acid to flood the lips with plump-effect moisture and hydration. The lipgloss would usually set you back £22 for a full-size tube when bought individually.
Lastly, there is also a travel-sized version of the Lip Cheat in Medium. This lip liner, worth £21, has been described as “universally flattering” and boasts a waterproof formula that is said to last for up to six hours worth of wear.
Beauty fans can nab the £39 limited edition Pillow Talk Wardrobe Lip Kit on the Charlotte Tilbury website here.
The Day Dream Vitamin C + Niacinamide Serum
As I usually use a serum as the second step of my skincare routine, the next product I trialled out was the Day Dream Vitamin C + Niacinamide Serum. It’s said to “glide onto the skin smoothly” and prevent oiliness.
Now, as both this Day Dream Serum and Toner Mist contain niacinamide, I can understand why it is primarily marketed towards the younger generation as it can help target breakouts and uneven skin tone.
According to the packaging, you only need to apply one pump to your skin and it is said to target hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, redness and dull complexion. I was a little sceptical of the amount you were to use, but quickly found that a little really does go a long way.
It’s also incredibly lightweight on the face and literally melts into the skin without a fuss. While I did find the scent a little too synthetic, it was an overall nice serum that gave my skin a bit of a glow and never felt too oily on the skin, which can happen with some heavier serums.
The Slam Dunk Hydrating Cream Moisturiser
(Image: Daily Record/Rachel Williams)
The next step is to apply some moisturiser, so I tried out the bestselling Slam Dunk Hydrating Cream Moisturiser. The reason I was excited to try this cream? Well, many of the reviews and TikTok videos have claimed it is “better than Drunk Elephant”, and if you’re a fan of skincare, then you’ll know that is high praise.
Described as a “rich, hydrating cream”, Bubble’s moisturiser restorative natural ingredients to soothe and hydrate the skin. There’s also a neat blue light protection, which I have been noticing cropping up in a lot of skincare brands targeted towards the younger generation.
Now, I have never tried Drunk Elephant as I simply cannot afford it, so I can’t compare both brands. However, I can say that the Slam Dunk Moisturiser is my favourite product from Bubble and it might become a staple in my routine from now on.
The press-down dispenser makes sure that you don’t use too much product so it lasts longer, while the cream itself literally melts into the skin like butter. I found that any dry patches that I usually get in this weather never returned while using this cream, so I have to say it is a win. If I had to mention a downside, it was the lack of SPF, as I genuinely think this is a must-have ingredient, especially if you are aiming your products at teens.
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The Bubble Detoxifying Clay Mask
(Image: Daily Record/Rachel Williams)
Now, as someone who does occasionally break out every now and then, I am a great believer in treating your skin to an exfoliant one or two times a week. Next up are the Detoxifying Clay Mask and Deep Dive AHA+PHA Exfoliating Mask, which are both considered as a “step two” in your skincare routine.
At the start of the week, I used the Detoxifying Clay Mask, which came in the cutest sphere-like packaging AND with a cute application brush, which is actually incredibly handy if you don’t have one. I do like a clay mask, but what I really enjoyed about this one was the lighter texture that didn’t feel too heavy or restricting on my skin.
The mask uses vitamin E, which is an ingredient I swear by, which left my skin feeling both detoxified and smooth without the congestion you usually get from a clay mask. It also uses flower extracts and Azeliac acid to clean and exfoliate, but it never felt too harsh on my skin, which I loved.
The Deep Dive Exfoliating Mask
Later on in the week, I ended up using the Deep Dive Exfoliating Mask, and I think it might be the one product I have a mixed opinion on. Since it uses PHA and AHAs to exfoliate and deeply cleanse the skin, I can imagine it is great for those who have congested pores and uneven skin tone, however it felt a little too strong for my skin.
Overall, the texture was lovely and light like many of the previous products, but I did feel quite a stinging sensation for a while when I popped it on. The sensation didn’t last and it didn’t leave me with any redness or irritation, but I found that it did affect my skin, so that might be one to watch if you suffer from dry, sensitive skin like myself.
Overall verdict
(Image: Daily Record/Rachel Williams)
From its cute packaging down to its products that leave the skin hydrated and clean without any irritation, I can totally understand why Bubble has become quite buzz for skincare fans – especially the younger generation.
I am usually quite sceptical of many new brands, since I am used to the ones I grew up with, but I think Bubble’s budget-friendly products are certainly worth checking out. I may be a Millennial, but this is one Gen Z brand I wouldn’t popping into my shopping basket from now on.
I have to say that, out of all the products, the star of the show was the Slam Dunk Hydrating Rich Moisturising Cream which really lived up to its own hype. My skin felt butter-soft and so smooth, even hours after I had applied it, so it is worth the money.
You can check out the full range of Bubble Skincare on the Boots website here.
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