Get to know the new affinity group lead, Nabimie Ducas! Learn more about Nabimie (who goes by Nabie) and consider joining the SWE Community Colleges Affinity Group (AG) leadership team to help further the impact of SWE on community colleges. What degrees do you have, and what colleges/universities did you attend? I hold a Bachelor…
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Read about Monika’s numerous accomplishments, passions, and community involvement with SWE.
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If you shop at Sephora UK, use code REALLYREESPH for £10.50 off.
If you’re on the hunt for a hydrating serum that goes beyond the basics, the Sunday Riley Tidal Deep Hydration and Plumping Serum is one that genuinely stands out. From the very first use, it feels like more than just a typical hyaluronic acid formula – it delivers that instantly satisfying plump, glossy finish while quietly working to support the skin barrier and lock in hydration for the long haul. I’ve been testing it and here’s what you need to know.
The Sunday Riley Tidal Deep Hydration and Plumping Serum is a multi-tasking hydrating treatment designed to deeply moisturise, visibly plump the skin, and support the skin barrier.
It combines multiple forms of hyaluronic acid with advanced hydrating and smoothing ingredients, making it much more than a standard hydration serum. It’s all about creating that soft, supple, well-hydrated skin that lasts all day.
Barrier-Supporting Ingredients: to strengthen the skin so it can retain hydration more effectively
Five Types of Hyaluronic Acid: to– deliver multi-depth hydration both instant and long-lasting moisture
Polyglutamic Acid: powerful moisture-binding ingredient that helps keep skin feeling plump and hydrated for longer
Lotus-Derived Mucin (Vegan Alternative to Snail Mucin): to create that bouncy, glass-skin effect while boosting hydration
Silk-Derived Peptides: for smoother-looking skin and to help maintain elasticity
The texture of the Sunday Riley Tidal Deep Hydration and Plumping Serum is honestly one of my favourite things about it.
It has a slightly dense, cushioned feel that sits somewhere between a classic serum and a light cream. It feels really satisfying to apply and gives you that sense of instant comfort on the skin.
It spreads easily, absorbs well, and doesn’t disappear too quickly, so you can actually enjoy working it in.
In terms of hydration, the Sunday Riley Tidal Deep Hydration and Plumping Serum really delivers.
Because it combines multiple weights of hyaluronic acid with polyglutamic acid, it doesn’t just give that quick hit of hydration, it actually keeps skin feeling comfortable and moisturised throughout the day.
It genuinely feels like it locks hydration in, rather than just sitting on the surface.
The finish is beautifully balanced. The Sunday Riley Tidal Deep Hydration and Plumping Serum leaves skin looking fresh, smooth and slightly glossy, but without tipping into anything greasy or overly dewy.
It gives that healthy, hydrated glow that works perfectly both on its own and under makeup.
This is where you really start to see the difference. The serum gives skin a noticeably plumper, more elastic look, with that soft bounce that makes everything appear fresher and more refined.
Over time, thanks to the added peptides, skin will also feel smoother and more even in texture.
It’s not just about adding hydration, it’s about helping your skin hold onto it. When your barrier is in good shape, everything else in your routine works better, and this serum really supports that.
The Sunday Riley Tidal Deep Hydration and Plumping Serum is a great choice if you want a hydrating serum that does more than just the basics.
It combines a really enjoyable, slightly creamy texture with impressive hydration performance, plus that added benefit of barrier support and smoothing peptides.
If you love plump, fresh, healthy-looking skin but don’t want anything heavy, this is definitely worth considering.
The Sunday Riley Tidal Deep Hydration and Plumping Serum is £70 and available via the links below. If you shop at Sephora UK, use code REALLYREESPH for £10.50 off.
Exclusive Sephora UK discount code for 15% off
If you are still looking for a serum, check out my Best Serums for 2026 – all Skin Types & Budgets blog post.
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I’ve been testing the newest launches from Dr Alexis Granite, the Joonbyrd Longevity Duo – the Future Romance Longevity Body Glaze and Big Time Longevity Body Wash, and it’s definitely one of those body care drops that feels like it’s trying to do something a bit different.
I’m not entirely convinced anyone is searching for “longevity body care” just yet, but the concept is interesting. Instead of quick fixes or instant glow, this duo is all about supporting your skin over time in terms of hydration, resilience, and overall skin health rather than overnight transformation.
The Joonbyrd Longevity Duo is a two-step bodycare routine designed to bring skincare-style thinking to your body routine.
The formulas are built around Joonbyrd’s ALXmd04™ technology, which targets hydration, skin resilience and long-term radiance at a deeper level. The idea is that consistent use helps improve:
“Longevity” is very much a buzzword right now, but in practical terms, it’s about:
Joonbyrd positions this as preventative body care rather than corrective, which is actually quite a smart shift away from traditional “anti-ageing” messaging.
This isn’t just a basic shower gel. It’s designed to act as a treatment step within your routine.
The formula includes:
It also uses plant-derived cleansing agents to remove impurities while maintaining hydration.
The texture is just gorgeous. It feels so soft and cocooning and it turns into a rich, luxurious foam, which already makes it feel a bit more elevated than your average body wash. A little goes a long way, so you won’t need to worry too much about getting through the bottle too fast.
It leaves my skin feeling super soft and smooth, and really calm and hydrated. It’s delightful. Also, I love the smell. I never really thought that I’d like a banana body wash but this is absolutely gorgeous. It’s warm and creamy and extremely comforting. There’s something really familiar about it, but also quite different!
This is the second step, and where things get a bit more “skincare meets bodycare.”
The Body Glaze is packed with:
It’s designed to help:
There’s something so glam about this glass bottle and I love the fact that the formula is described as a “glaze,” which suggests something a bit more luminous and skin-enhancing than a traditional body lotion.
The lotion melts into the skin so effortlessly and feels light to the touch but super hydrating.
The Glaze leaves a light glow on the skin, that just gives that healthy skin finish, perfect for summer. There’s nothing sticky or tacky about it, and you can get dressed immediately, so don’t get put off by the glaze reference.
This also has the fab Banana Woods fragrance, and this layer builds lightly on the scent from the body wash, without being overpowering.
Both products share the same scent, described as Banana Woods, with notes of:
On paper, it sounds quite sweet, but in reality it’s designed to be more of a warm, creamy, musky scent with a soft fruity edge rather than anything overly tropical.
As I said above, I’m quite a fan, and am surprised by how much I love the banana. It all feels very calming and relaxing, and it’s the perfect scent to help enhance overall skin wellbeing and mood.
Because this is positioned as “longevity” bodycare, results are more about consistency than instant payoff.
I have been using the duo for about a week and together they are super soothing and nourishing, and bring a great level of comfort to my skin. My skin is feeling nice and hydrated, and even my elbows feel nice and smooth.
With continued use, the benefits are likely to be:
This sits firmly in the premium bodycare category. Future Romance Body Glaze is £62 and the Big Time Body Wash is £39, and packaging-wise, Joonbyrd is very much about that sensory, elevated experience. I love this brand’s aesthetic and if you care what your “shelfies” look like, you will love it.
I think this will really appeal if you:
It’s less about quick results and more about consistency and experience.
I’m already a big fan of Joonbyrd and love their Moon Swim wash and the Daydreamer Body Serum. For more info on those, read:
This new duo is certainly no disappointment.
There’s definitely a shift happening towards treating body skin with the same level of care as facial skincare, and this duo leans fully into that.
Whether it’s worth the investment really comes down to how much you value this kind of elevated experience with the kind of high quality ingredients that are often reserved for the face. Personally, now I’m in my 50s, I definitely see the value of treating my body skin with a bit more care and a more targeted approach.
The Joonbyrd Big Time Longevity Body Wash and the Future Romance Longevity Body Glaze are available now via the links below:
It’s a two-step bodycare routine featuring a treatment body wash and a hydrating body glaze designed to support long-term skin health.
It refers to products designed to maintain and improve skin health over time, rather than delivering instant results.
It’s a warm, creamy and slightly musky scent with soft fruity notes, rather than a sweet or tropical banana scent.
