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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If your skin has been feeling a bit stressed, dry, or just generally not itself, this is the kind of product that immediately catches your attention. The First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Pillow Pads are all about comfort-first skincare, and honestly, that’s exactly what so many of us need right now.
These promise instant soothing hydration, barrier support, and that soft, plumped skin feeling we’re all chasing… but do they actually deliver? I’ve been putting them to the test.
These are pre-soaked, ultra-soft toner pads designed to give your skin a boost of hydration while calming irritation at the same time.
They’re saturated in a milky essence and are slightly thicker than your average pad, almost cushiony, which is where the “pillow” name comes from. You can swipe them over the skin like a toner, or press them on areas that need extra TLC like a mini mask.
The idea is that they act as the first hydrating step in your routine, helping everything you apply afterwards work better.
This is very much a barrier-loving, sensitive-skin-friendly formula:
It’s very much designed for dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin types, and everything about the formula leans gentle and comforting.
These are not your typical thin toner pads.
They’re noticeably thicker and you can swipe across the skin for a quick refresh or press onto dry areas for a few minutes for extra hydration
They leave behind a light, slightly milky layer that sinks in nicely without stickiness.
These instantly feel different from your standard toner pads. They’re thicker, softer, and nicely loaded with product, you get that satisfying, cushiony feel straight away. The milky essence gives them a slightly more skincare-heavy vibe rather than just a quick swipe-and-go step, which I really like.
This is where they really shine. They feel cooling, calming and properly comforting on contact. If your skin is even slightly irritated or tight, you’ll notice an immediate difference. There’s no sting, no tingle, just that soft, hydrated feeling.
They leave behind a light veil of moisture, but nothing sticky or heavy. Skin just feels quenched.
These are all about supporting your skin rather than pushing it. I found they take away that tight, post-cleanse feeling and help reduce visible redness. They’re especially good on days when your barrier feels a bit compromised, whether that’s from weather, over-exfoliation, or just general sensitivity.
I’ve been using them in two ways:
They work beautifully under makeup. Skin feels smoother, and foundation seems to sit better, especially if you’re dealing with dryness or texture.
These are ideal if your skin:
They’re not an exfoliating product, they’re all about hydration and repair.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Pillow Pads are £34 available now via the links below:
If you are looking for something a bit more active, but still super soothing and hydrating, I am loving the Niacinamide pad from Anua. They are absolutely soaked in serum! For more info on those, read, Anua Niacinamide 5 TXA Brightening Pads Review.
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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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As part of their spotlight month, the Entrepreneurs AG highlights members of their leadership team.
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