'I get gifted beauty products for free. Here are 11 products I've bought again.'

Aside from the ability to work from home, attend glamourous events — sometimes — and flex my creative arm, one of the many joys of my job as a freelance writer is being able to trial, test and review the trendiest new, exclusive and soon-to-launch beauty products.   

For those not familiar with how media gifting typically works, it is simply a matter of brands or public relations agencies reaching out and gifting products to those working across digital or print media — think journalists, writers and even respected television personalities. 

This is done with the hopes that the media receiving these products will — in return — feature the brand or its products in upcoming articles, blog posts or reviews, that he or she may be working on. 

Watch: Mamamia's Senior Beauty Writer Erin Docherty tries the new ghd Duet Style 2-In-1 Hot Air Styler. Story continues below.

As one of those individuals lucky enough to work in the media and receive free products, I must admit it... it’s a process that does essentially work. 

Rather than recommending products based on what’s trending or what a celebrity may be using, I prefer to invest and support beauty brands whose products I have tried, tested and genuinely loved — which actually proves rather tricky when you adore every moisturiser, mousse and mask sent your way.

That said, I definitely do have a firm list of beauty frontrunners that I have repeatedly re-purchased, time and time again.  

Similar to my favourite wardrobe staples, my most beloved beauty products are the serums, glosses and primers I know I can rely on for every and any occasion. 

From serums and shampoos to body lotions and balms, these are the 11 beauty products I will continue adding to my cart until death do us part — or they are discontinued, of course. 

Sabbia Co Botanical Glow Cleanser, $59.   

After trialling almost every cleanser under the sun, the cleanser which did respond best to my sometimes sensitive skin also happened to be the one with the most natural ingredients. Shocking, I know.

Featuring organic aloe vera and calendula, Sabbia Co Botanical Glow Cleanser leaves my skin feeling and smelling as though it’s holidayed in a botanical oasis.  

Despite being suitable for both AM and PM hours, I prefer to use the cleanser as the first step in my morning beauty routine – I like to think of it as my skin’s daily pre-work green juice. 

Having just finished off my third bottle, it's safe to say... I’ve already got my eyes on a fourth.   

Lanolips Golden Dry Skin Miracle Salve, $20.

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I’m almost positive that no one owns more Lanolips products than my best friend – think three in each handbag. So when I shared with her that I was yet to have tried the brand’s cult hand cream, she was definitely not impressed. 

After being gifted the infamous Golden Dry Skin Miracle Salve earlier this year, I now understand what all the fuss is about. 

Unlike the majority of hand creams which refuse to absorb into my skin and end up leaving me feeling as though I’ve stuck my hands in a pot of slime (we all know the feeling), I found the thick consistency of this cream to sink into my skin within seconds. 

Just like my staple pack of lollies, overused water bottle and favourite lip balm, I now carry this little miracle worker with me wherever I go.    

Bioderma Hydrabio H2O Micellar Cleansing Water, $33.  

Notably, one of my least favourite tasks in my beauty routine is removing my makeup – especially post-events and evening work functions. 

When I am looking to remove my makeup in an instant – and with as little effort as possible – I lean towards using a gentle liquid-based cleanser... my favourite being BIODERMA’s Hydrabio H2O Micellar Cleansing Water. 

Having been gifted the makeup remover at an evening event, it was only a few hours later that my colleague caught me eagerly cracking into the cleanser’s seal with my teeth – safe to say, I was persistent on trialling it then and there. 

Now known in my friend group as the micellar water junkie – I’m a daily user now – I have begun using BIODERMA’s Micellar Water every evening.  

Unlike most cleansers and liquid-based cleansers I have tried, I found this one to soothe rather than strip my skin – hence I have continued to invest in and recommend this product. 

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip & Cheek Glow, $57.  

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If Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk lipstick is known as one of the brand’s oldest products, let me introduce you to her – equally impressive – younger sister. 

Just as popular as her elder siblings, Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip & Cheek Glow has become my favourite lip and cheek duo, to date. 

Since initially trialling the product in the back of an Uber, using my finger and a pocket mirror, I have continued to apply the balm this way ever since – minus the Uber of course.  

Adding a balmy pop of berry to my cheeks and lips, this makeup compact is definitely a case of 'a little goes a long way'. 

In order to not smudge the balm whilst doing other components of my makeup, I tend to apply the balm in the final steps of my makeup routine. 

I, along with my bank account, can confirm that I have repeatedly re-invested in this glow-getter more than once – after all, who doesn’t love a multi-use product? 

Nip + Fab Hyaluronic Fix Extreme Jelly Eye Patches, $39.  

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As a writer who completes the majority of her work during the evening, always having dark circles under my eyes is something I’ve grown to accept.  

After having trialled a variety of eye masks, creams and serums, I was rather surprised when it was a set of gifted jelly eye patches, that made my dark circles appear visibly faded.  

Designed to revive and plump the under eyes, these jelly patches feature two hydrating frontrunners.. otherwise known as hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid. 

With application suggestions advising you to leave the jelly patches on for roughly 10 to 15 minutes, I tend to apply mine in the evening whilst prepping dinner. Did I mention they are ideal for multi-taskers?

Sundae Body Coconut Cream Foaming Body Wash, $20.

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Ideal for shaving and scrubbing, Sundae Body has taken prime position in my shower, since day dot. 

As someone who has a bad habit of missing spots whilst shaving, I tend to use my foaming body wash as a guide to where I have and have not shaved – often referring to it as my 'female shaving cream'. It’s seriously great for this, especially when shaving tricky areas such as your knees. 

Although Sundae’s foams all smell equally divine, the scents I have bought on repeat include Coconut Cream, Cherry On Top and the classic Very Vanilla.  

With packaging designed to resemble an actual whipped cream can, and foaming body wash spiralling out like whipped cream, you may want to remind any visiting guests – particularly small children –  that these products are actually not edible... at all. Yes, I did indeed experience a close call. 

Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume, $73.

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I’ve always been a sucker for great perfume – notably Chanel – so it of course came as no surprise to find that when I got a whiff of Gisou’s Honey Infused Hair Perfume, my beauty product sweet tooth was itching for a bite – or spritz, should I say.  

Considering that I prefer to be able to spritz and freshen my locks, when and whenever I want, I opted to invest in the brand’s 50ml travel-sized fragrance.

Although Gisou recommends spraying two to three squirts of the perfume before leaving home, I like to pack the small sweet-smelling mist in every handbag I carry, so I can easily re-apply it throughout the day. 

On days when my hair looks and feels slightly overdue for a wash, for a quick freshen I like to combine a spray of dry shampoo with a spritz of Gisou – I credit this combo to have cured my greasiest of hair days.  

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Sun-Kissed Self-Tanner + Makeup Primer, $57.

Although I am a frequent fake tanner – Thursdays now being my designated 'tan night' – I have never been one to use fake tan on my face. And if I am honest, it’s not recommended that you do either.   

Wanting to add an enhanced glow to my face, and after hearing great reviews from fellow beauty writers, I decided to call in a trial for Ole Henriksen Self–Tanning Makeup Primer.  

After using the vitamin C boosting primer for just two days, I noticed my skin had a bronzed glow about it – holiday skin if you may. 

Now, after using the multi-purpose tanner two to three times per week, my face always has that slightly bronzed glow about it – holiday or not. 

Biologi Bf Restore Face & Body Serum, $72. 

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I’m a sucker for a serum, especially when that little yet oh-so-expensive serum can be used on both my face and body.

Despite the name, when I was first gifted this multi-purpose serum I initially used it on my face, and my face only. After my skin started to feel as smooth as a baby’s bottom, I trialled it on my elbows, knees and heels – aka, all the spots my skin tends to dry out.

Due to Biologi’s Face & Body Serum utilising a range of active ingredients – think vitamin C, tryptophan and ferulic acid, this little serum also aids in preventing premature aging, strengthening the skin’s surface and reducing pigmentation. It’s a win-win. 

Ella Bache Rose Hydrating Face Mist, $41.

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This Ella Bache Rose Hydrating Face Mist would have to be one of the most used products in my beauty bag.  

Providing an instant refresh to my skin, I use this rejuvenating spray during both winter and summer months. Whether it’s the office air-conditioning or summer humidity, my skin tends to dry out extremely quickly as a result of both. 

When I do catch my pores starting to feel like the Saharan desert, I spray three to four squirts of the mist onto my face and decolletage. Thanks to the travel-sized bottle, I can also carry my mist with me wherever I go – it’s what I like to call... re-fresh on the run.

Biobod Replenishing Hydra-Soothe Serum, $65.    

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For my girls with sensitive skin, this one is for you.

Due to having rather sensitive skin myself, I am quite picky about what cleansers, scrubs and serums I choose to use on my face. 

Created to hydrate and calm the skin whilst acting as a breathable skin-quenching formula, this serum actually does not feature any oil – which is great for those who dislike an oily residue on their face.

Unlike other serums I apply in the evening, I prefer to use Biobod’s soothing serum when my skin feels in dire need of hydration – typically post-shaving or sun exposure.

Have you tried any of the above products before? Which ones are your favourite? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

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