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Beauty intern Lucy says: "In celebration of her 777 world tour, Rihanna is launching a limited number of her fragrance, Nude. And guess how many there's going to be? Yep, 777! They each come packaged in a super sparkling box, inspired by Diamonds, obvs. Each one includes Riri's signature, a crystal embellished charm and its own unique number. If you've not already smelt it, it's a sweet, floral fragrance with hints of vanilla and apparently it exudes intimacy, the feeling of bare skin and nakedness. Very Rihanna indeed! If you want to be one of the lucky 777 then be quick, they're available from today exclusively at Debenhams."
Having oily skin is becoming ever less of a reason to skip the sunscreen (should you be angling for one) with utterly non-greasy preparations like this. A mix of physical and chemical sunscreens, this liquid spray lotion absorbs instantly and leaves no oily residue whatsoever. It's from a range said to be 'the first dermatologist-developed natural skincare brand', which says something about how effective the latest botanicals can be. Not that this particular product has any – but it's an impressive product nonetheless, by a Florida derm who should know a thing or two about sun protection.
Goldfaden MD Sun Visor Ultralight Oil-Free SPF30 Mist, £40, uk.spacenk.com
We were a bit befuddled by these; we'd never heard of people with irritated cuticles? Turns out it's your eyes you have to worry about when it comes to nail varnish: apparently, a significant number of women end up with irritation around the eyes on account of rubbing them with freshly polished fingertips. So Clinique has concocted a polish (and a top and base coat) that won't irritate – and, happily, there is no trade-off in the form of bad chipping or a crappy, watery texture. We're loving the limited-edition summer shades: they are nice and loud, in a very un-Clinique way.
Clinique A Different Nail Enamel for Sensitive Skins, £12, Clinique
Beauty intern Lucy says: "As soon as this pretty Orla Kiely delight landed in the office I knew I had to take it home and burn it. I absolutely love the acorn pattered jar it comes in, and even though I don't actually drink (or like) tea, I absolutely love the smell of this. It fills the room with a gorgeous fragrance that's unlike any other candle I've had before – it's a beautiful blend of citrus, bergamot and black tea. And, as always, it's the small things I love the most; included in the box is a patterned coaster for the candle to sit on. Such a sweet idea!"
Orla Kiely Earl Grey Scented Candle, £24, johnlewis.com
Oooh, I love a good rosehip oil (I credit the stuff with de-sensitising my skin) and this is one with knobs on. Not only do you get a guaranteed 80% fatty acid content from rosehip and cranberry seeds (the omegas 3 and 6 help rebuild your skins lipid layer, making it better hydrated, glowier and less lined), theres also lycopene from tomato seeds and phytosterols from acai seeds to provide a skin-defending double antioxidant whammy. Add supremely soothing and nutritious oat extract and youve got a real treat for your face. Supercharge your night cream with it (thats what I do), or just massage a few drops into your skin anytime (well, after cleansing, obvs).
Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+, £26.50, trilogyproducts.co.uk
Beauty intern Lucy says: I have this real fear that Dove is bypassed in the hair aisle because thats not what theyre most well known for, so people are a tad skeptical, but honestly, it comes highly recommended from me I absolutely love their stuff, and its SO CHEAP. This deep conditioner works wonders, and not only does it help prevent split ends and breakage, it protects against future damage, and it contains technology which penetrates deep inside the hair that repairs damaged proteins. And, despite having oily hair, Ill often go through phases where I use it everyday just because I love the effect it has.
Dove Intensive Repair Express Treatment Conditioner, £3.39, boots.com
Cheaper bronzers have a reputation for offering just various degrees of orange and a lot of shimmer, which may be why we're so willing to shell out for the really pricey ones. But there's no need – honestly. These Body Shop ones have been around for a few years and they are amazing: super-fine, glitter-free, and in four shades so delicate and un-tangoed that even the most porcelain among you will be able to conjure a totally natural glow. Redesigned with a golden honeycomb-effect in the lid, they look cute, too.
The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder, £13, thebodyshop.com
Beauty intern Lucy says: Ive said it before and Ill say it again: Nails Inc really can do no wrong. Their most recent (albeit limited edition) launch is a Pantone, totally on-trend emerald green nail polish - not a colour for the faint-hearted because its super bright and it will get you noticed. In true Nails Inc style, its a pleasure to apply, its dry in record time and you get a good few days wear without a top-coat (more if you do use one, obvs). The only problem I found is that it stains even with a basecoat, there was an unsightly, greeny/yellow tinge to my nails, so consider yourself warned!
Nails Inc Queen Victoria Street, £11, nailsinc.com
Embossed with maps of London and the face of Liz, Royal Apothic's products look quaintly and quintessentially British – but are coming to you straight from LA, where the brand is doing a roaring trade in furnishing homesick Brit celebs with a slice of Blightly, as evidenced by a tweet by Posh declaring her obsession with one of the hand creams. This latest scent celebrates the Chelsea Flower Show (rah) with, fittingly, a bright, zesty cologne that dries down to a gentle floral. Or do as Posh and try the hand cream, which, points out its creator, passes 'the iPhone test': it's so non-greasy, it won't leave oily stains all over your phone.
Royal Apothic Antiquarius Petals EdP, £42, anthropologie.eu
Beauty intern Lucy says: "I feel like all my makeup brush dreams have come true. I absolutely love, love, LOVE this holder, and not just because it's practically pretty! I used to keep my brushes in old candle jars but have since replaced them with this, so now my dressing table looks very happy indeed! There are two compartments inside and because of the fan-shape, brushes spread out and are displayed in a really satisfying way. How wrong would it be to invest in another to keep on my desk? It'd be for pens instead though…"
Paul & Joe brush holder, £14.50, thisisbeautymart.co.uk
Beauty Editor Kate says: You may not have heard of skincare guru Ole (pronounced Oo-la) but he's a living legend in his native Denmark. Now based out of LA, his skincare clinic is chock-a-block with celebrities who adore his super-charged natural products and high-tech treatments. Ole has a knack for finding the next big thing and this is a case in point. CCs are achingly hip right now but Ole's put all of this clever thinking into this rather fab eye cream. Somewhere between a regular eye cream, concealer and illuminator, you can use this all around the eye right up to the lashes, above and below, and it does everything. Packed with high-strength vitamin C it reduces dark circles and fine lines, adds moisture and boosts collagen. Tinted enough to cover the dark circles it also seriously illuminating, giving your eyes a real sparkle. I use just a small dab of this in the mornings and I swear it brightens my whole face and this little tube is going to last ages. It's my new time-saving wonder.
Ole Henriksen Perfect Truth CC Eye Crème, £20, johnlewis.com
Beauty writer Cassie says: "L'Oréal Paris has repackaged its entire Sublime Bronze tanning range and added five new products, so it's safe to say, they're becoming the go-to brand for bronzing. I'm usually pretty loyal to my St Tropez mousse, but decided to go crazy and give this L'Oréal gel a go. I used my trusty tanning mitt to apply, and was impressed by how well it glided on. It doesn't have a colour guide though, so take your time getting a nice even coverage, especially around the ankles! Oh, and don't underestimate the colour payoff! It's much more intense than a gradual tan, so for those of you not keen on the mousse texture but still after a Barbados-not-Brighton tan, this gel is a real winner."
L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Fresh Feel Gel, £12.49, Boots.com
With mammoth beauty companies all trading in argan oil cosmetics, I do find myself wondering how the Berber women, who supposedly pick and process the argan tree kernels by hand, can possibly keep up – and one answer may be that the levels of actual argan oil in these products aren't exactly high. This face oil, however, is not a blend but just organic argan oil, cold-pressed like extra virgin olive oil and processed before any oxidation (which ruins its active compounds) can take place. It smells oddly meaty, in that very organic, non-scented way, but it's full of skin-repairing antioxidants and omega oils that will properly feed your face and stave off fine lines.
Essence of Morocco Facial Argan Oil, £22.85, esofmo.com
Aesop products look like they've been cooked up in a vat in someone's country kitchen, but they have surprisingly sophisticated formulas. This hydrator feels milky and very light, but it's richer than you'd expect once you get it on your skin. It's crammed with active botanicals and vitamins, all working together to counteract pollution and skin stress. But the best thing is the delicious sweet-green-herby smell, which must be sniffed to be believed.
Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Hydrator, £43, aesop.com
Beauty intern Lucy says: "I don't really understand the double-lettered makeup (and now, seemingly, hair) trend that's happening at the minute, but regardless of that, I am enjoying this CC Cream - even though the coverage is a lot lighter than I'm used to. This is the first time in a couple of months that I've dared to stray from minerals, but using this makes a nice change. I do usually prefer to use a brush to apply liquid foundation, but this is super easy and really quick to slap on in a morning using just my fingers. And it leaves a lovely, smooth, on-trend, glowy finish, with added SPF10."
Max Factor CC Cream, £9.99, boots.com
So, last year I discovered I can use retinoids without my face falling off, and now I can confirm that even the skin around my eyes can withstand the famously potent substance and not blow up like a balloon at least in this formulation. Which is great, because retinol and its slightly milder derivatives are still among the only ingredients skincare pros will tell you truly work on all signs of ageing. This silky potion tingles but doesnt sting when applied, and after a month or two my eyes are noticeably less saggy and tired. Which will have something to do with my insomnia being on the wane, but Im sure this stuff, part of my post-traumatic skincare offensive, has something to do with it too.
Philosophy Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Ageing Retinoid Eye Repair, £32, Philosophyskincare.co.uk
Beauty writer Cassie says: "OK, so I haven't personally tried this one - which kind of breaks the Daily Pick rules - but I really wanted to flag it up for those brave girls who like to wow with colour. It's semi-permanent, so perfect if you want to experiment and be back to your usual colour in 6-8 washes. There's no fiddly mixing either; the dye comes in a re-sealable tube, so if you just want a strand of bright colour, or a dip you don't have to throw the rest away. Obviously the brightness of the colour depends on your natural hair colour; the result is more shocking on fair hair, but can still give brunettes an exciting kick of colour too."
Schwarzkopf LIVE Color XXL Ultra Brights in Shocking Pink, £5.49, Boots.com
Nail Queen Marian Newman predicts that long-lasting nail gels are the future, and thankfully, this Kiss polish means we can jump on the bandwagon without breaking the bank completely. Eliminating the need for a professional mani, it's easy enough to apply the base coat, colour and top coat at home, with quick one-minute drying sessions under a UV lamp (it'll set you back an additional £38.99) in between. The finish is utterly glossy and lasts a good two weeks. Just don't pick at your nails and soak the colour off properly!
Kiss Everlasting Gel Polish Starter Kit, £27.99, Asda
Chubby makeup crayons are popping up everywhere, but for some reason they remain covetable. Must be something to do with the toddler in all of us. These M&S Pencils have a very light, non-tacky texture but give good coverage, like that of a sheeny lipstick. The colours are reliably good and flattering: fleshy nudes, poppy reds and pinks, and a sheer orange and purple for the cautiously daring. It's a twist-up, so you won't have to sharpen your pencil; that would be a mucky disaster.
M&S Autograph Ultra Shine Twist-Up Lip Colour, £9.50, marksandspencer.com
Beauty intern Lucy says: I was recently treated to a mid-afternoon hair pamper sesh using this new self warming mask that claims to restore hair at the deepest layer, as well as making it more resilient against future damage. In the little packet you get a sachet of intensive conditioner and a capsule of clear liquid (the activator). Once the conditioner has been applied, you pop the activator on top to create a lovely, warming mask. I dont bother conditioning or deep conditioning my hair anymore because they tend to make it greasy, but it actually coped quite well with this. My mane was left looking and feeling super healthy, shiny and not at all weighed down. So if your hair is in need of a little TLC, check out this new Dove Hair range - its totally affordable and works like magic!
Dove Self Warming Hair Mask, £3.99, Facebook
Beauty intern Lucy says: "Maybelline never, ever get it wrong when it comes to mascara and, surprise surprise, they've done it again. Mega Plush is the first gel-mousse formula that has "all of the volume, none of the hardness" and I absolutely love it. Because of the formula it's super easy to build and layer up whenever you feel like it – I've taken to keeping one on my desk at work so I can easily add extra layers if I'm heading out straight from the office. It doesn't flake, smudge or clump and it's really light so it doesn't actually feel like you're wearing anything on your lashes. Admittedly it does need a couple of layers to make it noticeable and the brush feels a bit flimsy but they're both things I can live with!"
Maybelline New York Mega Plush Mascara, £7.99, boots.com
Beauty intern Lucy says: "I'm a bit of a primer fiend, I'm obsessed with the stuff. Anything that creates a perfect base or promises longer-lasting makeup then I'm pretty much sold! What I like most about this Bare Minerals beauty is the fact it's yellow without being too yellow – perfect for calming my horrible redness down before I apply my foundation. It doesn't leave traces of colour like some correcting primers I've had before (once I used a green one that made me look like The Incredible Hulk even after I'd put foundation over it. Not a good look.) It blends really nicely and leaves my skin looking and feeling lovely. Worth the investment, I'd say."
Bare Minerals Prime Time Neutralizing Foundation Primer, £21, bareminerals.co.uk
Beauty intern Lucy says: I love candles, theyre my weakness and Im one of those ridiculous people who will drop quite a bit of money on them. I just think theres just something so relaxing when theyre burning and this one from the Chelsea Day Spa didnt disappoint. The berry vanilla scent didnt smell quite as strong as Id hoped but sometimes a little subtly makes a nice change. This particular (lovely bright pink) jar is said to help de-stress, balance the mind and ease tension, which makes it perfect for a Friday night!
The Chelsea Day Spa Premier Luxury Candle in Berry Vanilla, £30, thechelseadayspa.co.uk
Beauty intern Lucy says: "I really cannot get enough of this lip balm, it's fast become a firm fave and a handbag staple. As well as being the perfect neutral colour for everyday without being overly glossy, it's super moisturising and has SPF 15 in there because lips need protection too don't ya know! I can see myself using every last drop of this, something that rarely happens these days."
No7 BB Lips in Ballerina, £8.50, Boots.com
We're all fans of Marni's spicy-sweet signature fragrance here on the beauty desk so I've had to swipe this pot before anyone else got their hands on it. Unlike a lot of perfumed body creams, this one is satisfyingly unctuous and cushiony and lovely for massaging your skin with. Layer the perfume on top for hours of extra scent-lingering mileage.
Marni Body Crème, £60, Harrods.com
Beauty ed Kate says "Why is it I can never find a hair band when I need one? And why do I get through so many? Seriously, where do they go?! Now that I have this little tin in my life I have stopped obsessing over my disappearing hair bands because they are all neatly in one place. Which I like, a lot. Of course, being from the super-cool Hersheson brand these are no ordinary hair bands! They are super-strong and snag-free and completely invisible in the hair, meaning you can get that real salon-sleek feel to your ponytails and up-do's. And they're super-cheap. I'm hoping they'll last me, ooh, at least a year before I start losing them again..."
Hershesons Clear Snagless Bands, £6.50 for 50, Hershesons.com
Beauty intern Lucy says: "Bath bombs don't usually float my boat but I am so in love with this little set, I'm particularly loving the pug print tissue paper! Inside are nine gorgeous smelling bath bombs (I can't stop sniffing them as I'm writing this!) that release cocoa butter and sweet almond oil once they're fizzing away in the bath – hello happy soft skin! There's a good choice of flavours too, including pomegranate, champagne, peach, coconut and French lavender. Love!"
Patisserie Macaroon Gift Tin, £18.50, miss-patisserie.com
Online beauty editor Bridget says "Further fuelling our love of innovative luxury Japanese brand Shiseido is its new Pureness collection. Formulated for young skin, the line up features products to hydrate, such as micellar water and a super light gel cream, as well as skin balancing buys to banish oil like a matifying moisturiser and these clever absorbing blotting papers which leave it up to your lips and locks to shine, NOT your T-zone. Get them in your handbag now for warm weather days like today!"
Shiseido Pureness Oil Control Blotting Papers, £18, shiseido.co.uk
Get the lowdown on the micellar water trend here!
Beauty intern Lucy says "As soon as I found out Bioderma had an anti-redness cream in their range I had to give it a shot, especially since being so impressed by Sensibio H20. I've been using the moisturiser for about a fortnight now and so far, I am impressed. It's a lovely, light, extremely hydrating, fragrance-free moisturiser that works to combat the aggravation of the redness, as well as helping to restructure thin and delicate skin that's sensitive to outside elements. I've noticed a slight difference in the appearance of the redness, but I am very optimistic about getting even better results as time goes by. Bioderma is definitely a brand worth checking out if you haven't already!"
Bioderma Sensibio AR Anti-Redness Cream, £16, escentual.com
Beauty writer Cassie: "I first came across these wipes at BeautyMart - a beauty section within Harvey Nichols that stocks a carefully selected edit of got-to-have beauty heroes - so I knew they would be good. Firstly, they're packed with lots of lovely natural ingredients, such as healing honey and balancing peppermint oil (which you can really smell!). Secondly, they're double the size of standard wipes, and feel like triple the strength. "You could wipe around your bath and sink with it once you've cleaned your face," jokes Millie Kendall, one of the founders of BeautyMart."
Heaven Ella Jane Skin Wipes, £7.30, heavenskincare.com
Beauty editor Kate says: I'm a huge fan of the classic Acqua di Parma Iris Nobile perfume so just seeing the iconic canary-yellow packaging tells me that I'm in for a treat. Each of the three luxury soaps is laced with one of the classic female fragrances - Iris Nobile (warm patchouli and iris), Magnolia Nobile (bergamot and magnolia) and Gelsomino Nobile (jasmine and orange blossom). They lather up beautifully and fill the air with the smell of summer. They're big, rich, show-stopping floral fragrances - so heady, so Italian. The perfect gift for anyone who fancies a little daily luxury in their bathroom.
Acqua di Parma Le Nobili Perfumed Soaps, £40, acquadiparma.com
Beauty writer Cassie says: "I've always found rose oils to be uber-hydrating - I love how my frown lines seems to melt away overnight when I wear it to bed. This new Gamila Secret one is made from hand picked active herbs (by active I mean, they bring about change in the skin), so the price tag feels justified. And for those of you wary of putting oil on your face - this one gives more of a radiance boost than an unsightly shine - I even wore it under makeup one day!"
Gamila Secret Rose Facial Oil, £85, houseoffraser.co.uk
This one's heavy on the vanilla and tonka bean and a bit of a sugar rush at first, but it dries down to something powdery-sweet and delicate (thanks to an avalanche of white flowers on a bed of sandalwood) that perfectly befits its gorgeous crystal tutu bottle. Perfect for for hopeless romantics and a beautiful addition to any dressing table (although I often wonder how many people actually have one of those?).
Lalique Satine Eau de Parfum, £80, Lalique.com
Beauty writer Cassie says: I could sniff this India-inspired fragrance all day long. I know its pricey, but were talking 100ml of eau de parfum here (eau de parfum has a higher ratio of perfume essence to alcohol compared to eau de toilette). Plus it smells good at every stage of the dry down - winter lemon flower fades to powerfully sweet damask rose, which finally gives way to warm amber with a pink pepper bite (fragrance is always best with a peppery edge, in my opinion). If you cant afford a holiday abroad this summer, just close your eyes and let this transport you to faraway lands.
Etro Rajasthan eau de parfum, £112, call 02074939007 for stockists
Online beauty editor Bridget says: "Ah, to be a Prada Candy girl! The epitome of Parisian sweet-meets-chic, this new take on the original Prada Candy fragrance is lush and light. Combining the familiar notes of caramel, musk and benzoin (think texture of candyfloss, aroma like vanilla) with an injection of lemon, mandarin and sweet pea makes for a playful perfume for spring. Plus we're a sucker for packaging and this bottle will doll up your dressing table a treat."
Prada Candy L'Eau, from £37.50, Selfridges.com
Beauty intern Lucy says: This is the third in the Vivienne Westwood 'Alice' range and by far my fave. It's the perfect summer daytime fragrance, with notes of bergamont, green tea rose and vanilla; it has just the right amount of floral without being too heavy. It lasts really well and, because so many people have complimented me on it, I don't think I ever want to wear a different scent again! Plus, the bottle is oh-so-typically Westwood, which naturally, I adore.
Vivienne Westwood Flirty Alice, £45, viviennewestwood.co.uk
I'm not one for fruity floral fragrances (I may have mentioned this before) but I'm surprisingly keen on this concoction, with really quite lovely cherry overtones, a bit like those Haribo cherries I can never stop eating. It also has vanilla, gardenia and musk, making it a happy, comforting kind of scent that'll make you smile. It's a limited edition that comes with a cute cherry 'n bow ring you can pop off the bottle and onto your finger. Perfect for a mock engagement, if you're so inclined.
Escada Cherry in the Air, from £25, theperfumeshop.com
Beauty intern Lucy says, "I absolutely love these lipsticks, I cannot even begin to express how perfect they are. The packaging alone is seriously luxe and, I'd say, kind of justifies the hefty price tag. The lipstick itself, although very sheer, is super moisturizing and really lovely to wear and apply. It's easy to build upon to create more colour and coverage if you like, but I prefer just one quick slick for a perfectly glossy, peachy pink daytime lip."
Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine lipstick in Pink in Paris, £24, selfridges.com
Beauty intern Lucy says: "For me, eyeliner is an essential and so (I think) that gives me the right to be fuss. And it helps me justify the silly amounts of money I'll happily part with. I like it to be the blackest black, I like those felt tip pen types best, I like it to stay where I apply it and not stray or smudge. I like it to be waterproof and it has to be easy to remove. Phew. But, you know what? This A La Carte liquid eyeliner pen actually ticks all of my boxes – incredible, I'm sure you'll agree. It's super easy to apply, it dries in 15 seconds flat and the nib isn't too hard or it too soft and it really is an intense black shade. It's a 10 from me!"
A La Carte Cosmetics Stay-Put Intense Eyeliner, £25, Cosmeticsalacarte.com
Beauty intern Lucy says: "I'm not usually a fan of palettes, the colour combos are never quite right and I know I'd never finish one of those DIY ones. However, I was introduced to this Safari Nights palette a few weeks ago and have been using it ever since. It's filled with totally wearable colours and is the perfect handbag size. There are two powder eye shadows, two cream-based ones (more of a fan than I thought I would be), a lip gloss, blush, a multi-purpose tint and a glow stick (both of which I used for highlighting depending on the occasion). It's the perfect size and, as cliché as it sounds, is just right for going from day to night."
Wild About Beauty Safari Nights Palette, £29, Wildaboutbeauty.com
Beauty writer Cassie says: Remember how fun it was drawing rude things on the chalkboard at school? No ahem Neither do I. Ciaté has appealed to my inner schoolgirl with its latest got-to-have nail kit. It contains a matte black base and liquid chalk pens to get doodling with. The liquid chalk washes off with water until youre happy with your design, and then you just set it with the finishing polish. Fun and experimental - two things nail art should be!
Ciaté Chalkboard Manicure, £25, exclusively at Selfridges
If youre not familiar with the Crystal Smooth Instant Lip Balms by Clarins let us revolutionise your makeup bag! They win for three reasons: looking like a lippy with their intense colour pigments, having the shiny (but non-sticky) finish of a gloss, and feeling like a balm on your lips as they are hydrated and plumped. There are four new limited edition shades for spring; a berry, orange, gold and the pink, Crystal Rose is our flirty fave. Treat your lips to them quick.
Clarins Crystal Smooth Instant Lip Balm, £18, Clarins
Beauty writer Cassie says: "On a night out, I usually go for pared-down eyes (some pale shimmer and a little black liner) and a red lip, but this fiery copper eye colour from Laura Mercier's new Folklore Collection inspired last weekend's all-about-the-eyes look. It's got a really silky, almost creamy consistency considering it's a powder, so blends onto the lids like a dream. It takes a couple of layers to get that punchy metallic shade, so you can play around with it and build up to the intensity you're after."
Illuminating Eye Colour in Fire Glow, £18.50, lauramercier.com
Beauty writer Cassie says: "Revlon has nails on the brain! Their new three-part nail pen collection is made up of Neon, Expressionist and Moon Candy - three ranges offering completely different nail art effects. I gave Moon Candy in Satellite a go. It comes with a gorgeous, almost-black-red base, and a glittery gold top coat - very cosmic!"
Revlon Nail Art Moon Candy, £7.99, Boots.com
Online beauty editor Bridget says: Nail varnish that dries in 30 seconds? That can work in our world! Besides the quick-finish, this stays chip-free and comes in a shed load of shades. We want the lot - starting with Orange You Quick, Mambo Melon and Strawberry – a perfect Cosmo pink!
Avon Speed Dry nail polish, £6, Avonshop.co.uk
Beauty intern Lucy says: "I didn't really understand the importance of a base coat until I started using one – they made my chosen colours easier to apply, prevented chipping and helped to strengthen my nails. I love Nails Inc as a brand anyway and this Flawless Base Coat doesn't disappoint, as promised it did dry quickly and definitely made application easier and smoother than usual and I'm sure my nail varnish lasted an extra day or two without peeling or chipping.
Nails Inc Kensington Caviar Flawless Base Coat, £12, nailsinc.com
Beauty intern Lucy says: "As somebody who paints their nails most days, I'm somewhat of a convert to these little pots of nail varnish remover. I wasn't sure anything would even come close to the magical Bourjois 5-second jobby, but I'd say this Remove & Go from Leighton Denny is defs on par. I wouldn't go as far as saying it's better, but it's definitely worth buying if you want to switch things up a bit, plus this one is a little bit cheaper I think!"
Leighton Denny Remove & Go, £4.40 marksandspencer.com
Beauty writer Cassie says: "Other non-natural blondies will know what I mean when I talk about colour fade and brassiness. Bottle blonde hair needs maintenance to stay looking fresh and vibrant, and purple-pigmented hair care is a really accessible solution. Kevin Murphy's new shampoo and treatment contain lavender extracts and optical brighteners to counteract the unsightly yellow tinge blonde hair can sometimes take on. The added keratin amino acids and shea butter didn't go unnoticed either - blonde hair can be shiny!"
Kevin Murphy Blonde Angel Shampoo & Treatment, £17.95 each, kevinmurphystore.com
If styling products in their shouty, plastic packaging offend your sense of style (darling), then Balmain has come your the rescue with a range created for ladies with a keen eye for aesthetics. Scented with a creamy, silky Balmain perfume and poured in clean, simple bottles, all six products are covetable but I particularly like this texturizing Salt Spray for giving me haute-couture bed-head in a jiffy.
Balmain Texturizing Salt Spray, £16.95, Thisisbeautymart.com
Online beauty editor Bridget says "Superdrug's new hair range, THIS ONE, is bargainous and brilliant. My fave product in the line-up is the shine spray which literally shimmers your locks in seconds. Mirror-reflective tresses are big news this season and not only does this grant gloss but it acts as a UV filter and nourishes your hair with lychee extract and Moroccan argan oil. Spray from ten inches away and focus on the mid-lengths and ends."
THIS ONE Gives you Showbiz Shine, £3.99, superdrug.com
Further reason why you don't need harsh sulphates in your shampoo: this one doesn't have any but still gives you plenty of the super-satisfying suds we like to associate with getting squeaky clean. The gentle surfactants will cleanse beautifully but will not strip your colour in the process, and there's nourishing, glossing, and even de-tangling action from a blend of plant oils and waxes.
Ojon Color Sustain Pro Fade FIghting Shampoo, £18, ojon.co.uk
I find sheet masks a major, messy hassle, and this one takes the cake as it comes in two separately packaged halves, creating double the drippage all over the bathroom floor. That said, my face did look seriously replumped and hydrated when I peeled the sheets off after ten minutes, and there was so much serum left in the sachets that I gave could give myself additional glow-giving moisture hits for another five days. Which makes this quite good value, even at £10.
Astalift Intense Replumping Moisture Mask, £10, Astalift.co.uk
Beauty writer Cassie says: "Don't be scared neutral makeup wearers – this isn't as lary as it looks. Blue is the shade this summer when it comes to eyes, but if it leaves you feeling a little nervous, here's your product. It leaves a surprisingly subtle hint of blue along the lash line – I had to go over it a couple of times to make it noticeable enough. Apart from being really wearable, like all blue-based products, it seemed to brighten the whites of my eyes (hangover makeup, yay!). The other great thing about it is that you don't have to be a dab hand at applying eyeliner. Because it's so subtle (unlike traditional black liner), it doesn't have to be applied neatly to look good – another reason this is staying in my makeup bag."
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Periwinkle, £13, Stila.co.uk
Beauty editor Kate says: Here's a neat skincare solution for your tricky 30s. This beautiful silky lotion is packed with all kinds of anti-ageing powers with a pretty impressive all-day mattifying action. Designed especially for those of us fighting early wrinkles and shiny foreheads at the same time (life's not fair, huh?), it helps boost cell renewal too, making skin brighter and more radiant – something we all crave. Given that a lot of anti-ageing potions are way too rich for my oily-combination skin, this is a brilliant break from the norm.
Darphin Micro-refining Smoothing Fluid, £50, Darphin.co.uk
Beauty intern Lucy says: "Rejoice, for Bioderma, has (finally) made it to the UK. I've seen so many rave reviews of this so I was super excited to try it for myself! It's a super-gentle micellar water cleanser that's totally alcohol-free, so perfect for removing all traces of even the most stubborn waterproof mascara. It easily and quickly got rid of all my makeup and left my skin feeling clean and refreshed. Perfect for those ever-increasing lazy days! It's a fab replacement for makeup wipes (although a tad more expensive) and much better for skin too. A definite must-try!
Bioderma Sensibo H20, from £9.99, Johnbellcroyden.co.uk
Trip the light fantastic! Dinner party guests will be wowed by this seriously rad candle honouring the famous Beat poet (ask your dad) – or maybe just because they recognise the design from a jumper Kate Moss used to wear. No matter, it looks seriously cool and smells divinely of fig leaves and tomato, as concocted by perfumer Azzi Glasser, who's behind classic fragrances like Agent Provocateur.
Bella Freud Ginsberg is God candle, £37, Bellafreud.co.uk
Beauty writer Cassie says: "Dove scientists have spent no less than eight years working out a way to compress their 150ml deodorants into smaller, greener, more travel-friendly 75ml cans. And they only went and did it! And the good news is, these smaller versions will still last you just as long as the original-sized ones. I also found it a lot softer on the skin, which is down to the reduced propeller gas, apparently. It's the same price as the original size (and why wouldn't it be?), so I just hope people aren't put off by the visual size difference and wrongly assume they are being shortchanged."
Dove Compressed Deodorant, £2.49, Boots.com
Beauty editor Kate says: Here's a weird beauty editor confession: I don't use body lotion. Maybe it's because of my naturally oily skin (I don't think I need it). Or maybe it's because I'm lazy. But slathering on a sticky layer every morning is not something I'm into. That said, I do find in winter that I need a little moisture-boost, nothing heavy. Massaging in a beautifully-scented body oil is my weekend treat. Then I discovered this new launch from The Sanctuary, home of divine-scented products. This indulgent shower treat is packed with the kind of skin-loving oils found in their skincare and even though it foams (hooray!) it still locks in moisture for a good 48 hours. My skin feels properly nourished and smells pretty amazing – without the heaviness that I hate. Perfect for lazy lotion-dodgers like me.
The Sanctuary 2 Day Moisture Shower Oil, £6.99, Boots.com
Beauty intern Lucy says: "And the prettiest lipstick award goes to…! This swirly lipstick is my latest obsession, upon application the two colours merge together to create a shiny, iridescent, baby pink shade. Layering it up too much does create a TOWIE-esque, almost tacky look, but with one sweep across the lips it's gorgeously understated with just the right amount of glitter, and it looks lovely when it catches the light. Love!"
LCN Mrs Swirl lipstick, £11.65, Bcidirect.com
To be honest, I have no idea how to use Touche Eclat 'to enhance facial features and contours'. To me, it's always just been that really good undereye brightener that launched a thousand copies. And even though there are loads of good alternatives out there these days, Touche Eclat still boasts the best texture for paper-thin undereye skin; one so light it sinks in, brightening dark circles rather than masking them. This special edition comes in a 'crystal-beaded evening gown designed by Mr. Yves Saint Laurent himself', which, in English, means it's got pretty little crystally droplets all over the tube. Nice.
YSL Touche Eclat Collector, £25, Yslbeauty.co.uk
Beauty intern Lucy says: "This is by far the best hot cloth cleanser that I've used. Probably because it cleanses AND tones, plus the included cloth is more like a flannel. The balm turns to oil when warmed up in the hands and is then removed using said cloth that's been dipped in hot water. The directions say to press it against the face, which apparently steams away the oil and any impurities. Then you dip the cloth in cold water and press it against the face again – this tones the face and closes the pores. It easily and gently removed the masses of eye makeup I insist on wearing on a daily basis and left my skin feeling super soft and thoroughly cleansed. I just wish it came with more than one cloth."
Moa Daily Cleansing Ritual, £14.99, Thegreenbalm.com
An anti-ageing potion with an elegant woody scent, presented in a beautiful black glass jar – lovely, but that alone can't justify the price tag. What does, according to its creators, is its active ingredients: silver hydrosol, which is anti-bacterial and skin-balancing, and DNA-HP, which protects skin cells and boosts collagen production. Together they provide an 'all-encompassing spiritual and physical treatment of wrinkles' – there's a first. It's a cream for girls and boys, so I had my friend FJ test it, who, despite its lotion-like texture, deemed it 'extremely rich', and noted that it made his (apparently frequent) shaving rashes disappear overnight. There's definite physical healing to be had from this potion, then – as for the spiritual kind, FJ is still waiting.
Argentum Apothecary La Potion Infinie, £147, Argentumapothecary.co.uk
Beauty writer Cassie says: "I've never managed to make an at-home manicure last longer than a day or two without chipping, which is why I was surprised this range hadn't caught my eye before now. There are 23 new shades launching, out of which I chose Greige (this colour still feels so chic). First off, LOVE the brush! It's a narrow rectangle shape, but fans out and covers almost an entire nail, which makes for easy peasy application. Like most professional manicures, the first coat didn't look very 'done', but the second coat took it immediately to gel-manicure status – really shiny and neat. And although they chipped a little sooner than a gel manicure (no surprise there), they lasted a hell of a lot longer than my usual attempt – five whole days before the first tiny chip appeared, hallelujah!"
Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure, £6.99, Sallyhansen.co.uk
This is a lipstick that looks like a gloss and feels like a balm - the best of all worlds, as far as I, more of a gloss/balm girl than a lipstick one, am concerned. It's got 'volumising oils', 'super hydro-wrap vitalizing DE' (come again?), and hyaluronic acid – if they all sound very hydrating, that's because they are. It feels gloriously comfortable and gives lips a beautifully glossy colour pop – especially this shade, which looks a muted rose in the tube but turns a vivid look at me!-pink on lips. Its staying power is limited, but that's to be expected from a hydrating formula.
Shiseido Perfect Rouge Lipstick in PK417, £23, Houseoffraser.co.uk
Beauty editor Kate says: Much as I love a candle, I'm not normally partial to pouring it over myself or anyone else in the bedroom (really hot, messy and not particularly sexy!) But whaddya know, here's a candle that actually works rather well as a proper massage balm – with all the added naughtiness that the liquid wax suggests. Made from shea and cacoa butters that melt at a warm, not scorching, temperature, the 'wax' is a proper skin-softening treat. The extra thrill is in the fragrances named after 3 different love themes – truly (marriage and commitment), madly (passion and lust) and deeply (faith and devotion). Time to book a night in?
MariaLux Massage Candles, £40 each, Liberty.co.uk
Beauty writer Cassie says: "In-salon glossing services have become pretty big business, so I was excited to try such an affordable at-home alternative (it works out at about £2 per use). Designed to lift fading colour between salon visits, it also has the same effect on lackluster hair that hasn't been chemically coloured. Wearing the gloves provided, I rubbed five pumps into towel-dried hair and waited the five minutes instructed. When I rinsed it out my hair wasn't any easier to comb through unfortunately (with my mop, only industrial strength conditioners will do), but when dry, the gloss-making magic was apparent. There was an added kick to my colour and my hair seemed more light-reflecting (and therefore healthier-looking). It's also available in Chestnut, Copper, Chocolate and Platinum – so you can all get glossed!"
Phyto Gloss in Golden, £20, Phyto.com
The first thing you want to do (I'm sure it's not just me?!) when your eyes start going south, is cover the whole area with smoothing, lifting, tightening potions, only to end up overloading the thin skin and causing swelling and irritation. So I've been getting very excited over a recent spate of liquidy anti-ageing eye gels designed to be satisfying slapped all over lids without causing any trouble. They all refresh and somewhat perk up dog-tired eyes instantly, and hopefully, over time, counteract crepey-, saggy-, and wrinkley-ness. This one does all that with rhamnose, a gentle sugar-derivative with proven plumping powers, and ceramides to nourish and condition lashes. Brilliant *slaps on more*!
Vichy Liftactiv Serum 10 Eyes & Lashes, £24.50, Vichy.co.uk
Beauty intern Lucy says I love that the little red dinosaur mascots have made their way onto a range of Rock Beauty products it means getting involved in Red Nose Day this year is even easier. The range includes these cute nail wraps and temporary body tattoos. All are available exclusively from Claires and £1 from each sale will be donated to Comic Relief.
Rock Beauty Designer Nail Wraps, £6.50, Claires.com
Beauty ed Kate says: "So, here's a lipstick that makes you instantly snoggable and happy at the same time. The five electric shades are ridiculously bright and cheerful but still pretty easy to wear (try Shocking Coral, punchy and flattering). Packed with goodies like honey nectar and lanolin oil, they feel gorgeously soft rather than that chalky feel you get with some neon lipsticks. I slicked some on before a lunch date and it was still getting compliments later that afternoon – now that's what I call colour payoff!"
Maybelline New York Color Sensational Vivids Lipcolor, £7.19, Boots.com
Beauty intern Lucy says: "I always rely on Models Own to be top of the nail polish table and Ice Neon is my fave collection so far. Five super neon shades (that should be kept in the fridge to maintain brightness) will definitely cheer up a dull day. Easy to apply, opaque in two coats, quick drying and only a fiver each means everybody wins. I'd say Luis Lemon and Toxic Apple are the ones that'll get you most noticed. They're available nationwide from 22nd March but you can preorder them right now! What are you waiting for?!
Models Own Ice Neon collection, £5 each, www.modelsownit.com
Beauty writer Cassie says: Oh Mac, how I love your pretty limited edition collections! And talking of love, their newest offering, Archies Girls, is inspired by a comic book love triangle. Freckle-faced Archie is the object of two girls affections - girl-next-door Betty and spoiled rich-girl Veronica, and these two loved-up comic characters front the contrasting colour collections. My favourite product is this face powder (the base is Shell Pearl Beauty Powder and the hearts are Foolish Me Powder Blush) - it captures a sweet comic book crush perfectly.
Archies Girls Pearlmatte Face Powder in Flatter Me, £21.50, Maccosmetics.co.uk
Beauty intern Lucy says, "Primer is an essential part of my daily makeup routine and this one by Dermalogica is the best I've used, like ever. The tube isn't massive, especially for the hefty price tag, but a little goes a long way. It creates a gorgeous velvety base as well as enhancing luminosity and radiance. Plus, the skincare benefits are endless: there's a mix of ingredients in there that stimulate cell renewal, others that fight pigmentation and, best of all, it has an SPF of 30. My face has never been happier."
Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer SPF30, £37.30, Dermalogica
Beauty Ed Kate says: Eyeko are that rare thing in beauty world: a small company devoted to a very niche area (eyes only) that only launch a new product when they think they've hit upon something exciting or /properly/ useful. It's no wonder their fabulous mascaras are a real word-of-mouth discovery (try the Eyeko Skinny, my favourite). Now they've launched their first brow gel and I'm pleased to say it doesn't disappoint. First up, it's tinted, which is actually quite rare in a brow gel, so it gives your arches a bit of depth and colour. The keratin-rich formula helps thicken your brows and the super-small brush means you can get precise with applying it. Pretty much all you need to work this season's big brow trend!
Eyeko Brow Gel, £18, Asos.com
Beauty intern Lucy says "If I could only use one electrical for the rest of my life, without hesitation I would choose my trusty ghds. I'm so reliant on them that I should probably be a member of HSAA (Hair Straightening Addicts Anonymous – if it er, you know, existed). And now, just to add fuel to the fire, ghd pop up with these super cute, retro sweetshop inspired straighteners in time for spring. Would it be wrong to invest in all three colours?"
ghd Candy Collection, £110, www.ghdhair.com
To me, this smells like it's arrived by tardis from the 80s, feeling so close to Cartier's Panthère and Santos (which is for boys) and YSL's Opium. It's big, it's busty, it's totally oriental, and I love it. There are lots of dark and earthy woods, sensuous resins and powdery iris, but with a sparkle of neroli, bitter almond and gardenia. That keeps it from smelling too severe. I assumed this very grown-up scent would put off the youngest member of our team, but beauty intern Lucy loves it, too – she's got great taste, obviously.
Cartier Le Baiser du Dragon EdP, £97, Harrods.com
Beauty intern Lucy says, "Love Your Skin London are my current fave skincare people. I've been using their exfoliating cleanser for about five months now and it's done wonders for my skin. I now use this water each morning as well as on 'lazy' days and I love it – my skin always feels so hydrated and thoroughly cleansed after each use. Ingredients include linden blossom to calm, soothe and tone skin, as well as green tea antioxidant to firm and protect."
Love Your Skin London Complete Cleansing Water, £22.99, Lys-london.com
Beauty Ed Kate says: There's something about lighting a posh scented candle that can really help lift the fug of endless winter gloom. My new crush is this oh-so-pretty candle from Fortnum's brand new own-label collection. We're talking serious mood-boosting aromas here: jasmine and pink peppercorns fired up with sandalwood, patchouli and nutmeg. It's the kind of hot and spicy scent that I want from a home candle at this time of year. Guaranteed to warm your cockles.
Fortnum & Mason Amber Rose Votive Candle, £20, Fortnumandmason.com
Beauty writer Cassie says: "A good face scrub plays an essential part in my morning shower routine, so I'm always on the lookout for a new fave. This one wins hands down on smell alone – the tangerine and lime scent makes for a satisfying zingy wake-up call. And the exfoliating beads are my favourite type – substantial enough to feel like they're scrubbing, but gentle enough to use every day. The key ingredient, salicylic acid, takes care of its pore-unclogging promise, but it generally feels like a gentle product, for those who are usually wary of scrubs."
Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pore & Shine Daily Scrub, £4.49, Boots.com
Beauty intern Lucy says "This two-toned blush is perfect for creating naturally sculpted cheekbones and gives a gorgeous sun kissed glow without looking completely ridiculous (and that's coming from somebody who doesn't wear fake tan and is scared of bronzer!). The colour lasts too, which is good and bad – bad because I have no legit excuse to pull out the pretty little compact in public!"
Paul & Joe Cheek Colour in Ombrage, £18.50, Asos.com
I wasn't keen on the previous Venus razor-with-moisturising-gel-bar: said gel bar was way too small to make a difference to the shaving 'experience' and melted away in two uses. Seems I wasn't the only one as this updated version has 'moisture-boost bars' that are 30% bigger and feature actual Olay moisturising technology. It makes for the slickest, smoothest shave ever: I actually didn't believe I'd shaved because I couldn't feel anything beside silky soap passing along my skin. But shaved I had, with the added bonus of a nice after-gleam skin thanks to the 'glossing agent' contained in the bars. There's also a 'luxurious scent of caramel and peach', for what it's worth, on your legs. Or your bikini line.
Gilette Venus & Olay Razor, £10.99, Boots.com
Beauty intern Lucy says, "Ah, I love this idea! A box containing lots of (handmade) goodies and everything you need to take time out and have some you time. The box contains foaming bath crystals, essential oils, a candle and holder, massage oil, soap and chocolate flake tea bags. There's even a little ticket that allows you to take an extra-long, guilt-free soak – they've thought of everything! Of course, you could share it with your significant other, or you could go it alone and spend some quality time with yourself. Enjoy!"
Soak Yourself Love Bath Ritual Recipe Kit, £40, Soakyourself.co.uk
Daniel is the loveliest man in makeup and he makes some brilliant products, all informed by years and years of making women look beautiful and understanding what it is they really want and need. His two new Luxury Matte Lipstick shades (the other is a hot orange called Marilyn) pack just the punch you need for the spring season, when loud mouths will be /de rigueur/. I particularly love this intense fuchsia, which'll brighten your day (and your complexion) with one quick slick.
Daniel Sandler Luxury Matte Lipstick in Gigi, £13.25 www.danielsandler.com
I love a good beauty idea, and Eyeko has yet again come up with one. Take one tube of (glossy, non-flaky, non-smudgy) mascara, add three interchangeable brushes, and behold: you've just de-cluttered your makeup bag while expanding your lash look options in one fell swoop. Choose from naturally defined, curly or big fat lashes as the mood takes you. All together now: "why didn't anyone think of this before!"
Aha, my favourite kind of BB cream: one that's not mattifying. So it's a tinted moisturiser, as far as I'm concerned, and a really good one – lovely sheer coverage, natural hint of colour, gives skin a beautiful subtle gleam. It's hydrating, has SPF15 and UVA filters, and packs niacin and vitamin c to zap dullness and dark spots. I subtract half a point for it not being fragrance-free, but apart from that: best on the high street so far.
L'Oreal Paris Luminize Code BB Cream, £14.99, Boots
Beauty ed Kate says "This new hair potion contains two separate serums that fuse together as you pump, delivering a double-whammy of smoothing, softening benefits – for a straight but not poker-straight result. It has all kinds of nice added benefits such as patching up split ends and taming frizz. I used it alone on freshly washed hair and blow-dried it straight with a paddle brush. After weeks of static and kinky hair, this somehow kicked flyways into touch and gave me a seriously smooth profile. It looked shiny and smart and just that little bit more groomed. Straight but not poker: just how I like it."
Redken Two Smooth 03, £13.40, Redken.co.uk
Online beauty editor Bridget says "This lovely serum substitute does it all, helping remove dead skin cells, regenerating the surface of the skin and feeding your face with antioxidant goodness. Packed with an all-natural line-up including hydration hero, Hyaluronic Acid, it's a potent anti-ager. It also smells IN-credible. You'll want to pump more than the three drops required."
This Works no wrinkles wonder essence, £30, Thisworks.com
Beauty intern Lucy says "I'd quite like to find a product that means I can go an extra day without washing my hair (I currently do it every day. I know, I know! It's bad) and, although I don't think this is the one, it is a good conditioner. It smells good – what other hair products do you know that have fragrance notes? It makes my hair feel super-soft and leaves it looking shiny. I use a lot of products in the morning and after using this, I can tell my hair is thankful because it's completely refreshed and ready for the next day!"
Bedhead Recharge conditioner, £11.95, Tigihaircare.com
Beauty intern Lucy says "Avon's Anew Vitale range is targeted anti-ageing skincare for ladies between the ages of 25 and 40. The first thing I noticed about this (gel-based) night cream was the scent. I'm absolute sucker for things that smell good and this reminded me of shampoo for some reason. Upon application, it did feel a bit sticky and took longer than I would have liked to absorb, but each morning I noticed a healthy glow and my skin definitely feels a lot better since using it too."
Avon Anew Vitale Night Cream, £19.50 Avonshop.co.uk
Japanese beauty brand Suqqu comes up with lots of sleekly designed gems – we love their brushes so much, they've won two consecutive Cosmo Beauty Awards! The brand is ten years old now and to celebrate, you can get your hands on this matt black lash curler, adorned with a diamond (well, it's a Swarovski crystal but no one will know the difference). The black definitely makes the tool look less like a scary surgical instrument, which is a good thing, but the colour did obscure my lashes somewhat. Once I managed to grab them, though, the curlers performed admirably.
Suqqu Limited Edition Eyelash Curler EX, £20, Selfridges.com
Somewhere in the mist of time (the '90's), Yves Saint Laurent launched a set of never-seen-before, intensely pigmented lip lacquers in lavish, heavy golden cases that caused a furore and cost a bomb. When I tried Apocalips, those YSL lacquers were the first thing I thought about; the Rimmel version is pretty much identical, at a price we can all afford. If you're looking for a blast of hot, loud, glossy colour (and you should, because it's the look of spring/summer 2013), snap up one of these.
Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer, £5.99 Superdrug.com
Beauty intern Lucy says "As far as deodorant goes, Nivea is definitely up there with my favourite brands – I've been using their Pearl & Beauty spray for as long as I can remember. Swapping that for the new Stress Protect didn't cause a noticeable change for me, but maybe that's because I didn't experience ULTIMATE STRESS. Nivea claim that this deodorant contains a unique combination of two ingredients (Stress Protect Actives and a Zinc Complex apparently) that work together to provide protection in stressful situations."
Nivea Stress Protect deodorant, from £2.29, Boots.com
Beauty intern Lucy says Ah, another piece of perfumellery I sense a trend occurring! Marc Jacobs always manages to absolutely nail any sort of packaging and this solid version of their newest fragrance, Dot, is no exception. Just look how cute it is! The fragrance itself is really light and perfect for everyday wear; the notes of red berries, jasmine and driftwood make me wish spring would hurry up. I think this is my new favourite thing EVER.
Marc Jacobs Dot Solid Perfume Necklace, £30, Debenhams.com
With every second show on the telly seemingly hailing from Scandinavia, this would be a good time to introduce you to some cool, clean makeup encased in cool, clean packaging, designed by a cool, clean Danish makeup artist. This kit has your fresh face sorted, containing as it does a peachy-pink cream blush, rosy moisturisng lip tint, and crease-proof eyeshadow in a flatter-all slate brown shade. It's expensive, but it's all made with organic raw materials from plants, wild flowers and minerals and really rather beautiful.
Kjaer Weis The Essential Trio Kit, £95 Naturisimo.com
Ooh, this is good: a clarifying shampoo that removes product and city filth build up, but contains no harsh sulphates that strip away natural oils. I was just wondering why nobody had come up with one yet! I can definitely go an extra day without shampooing after using Weekender, which leaves my hair soft and clean but not at all dry or static. And it smells nice and orangey. Definitely worth the investment.
Unite Weekender Shampoo, £14.20, Unitehair.com
Aw, how pretty are these? There are three in the box, and they have a decent, fine grain that won't tear at your nails. Satisfyingly, they're printed on both sides for continued aesthetic pleasure. Just don't be tempted to show them off by filing your nails in public, as that is simply rude *thinks of being covered in neighbouring tube passenger's nail dust and frowns*.
Ted's Emery Boards, £5, Boots.com
Beauty intern Lucy says "I was never a fan of BB creams and I was a bit skeptical about CC (complexion corrector) creams but surprisingly, I have grown to love the latest release from Nip + Fab. For somebody who always wears heavy foundation, the transition to using these is a big thing! I suffer from redness so that's what I always aim to eliminate with my base, and this CC cream does that without being obvious. It's also got built in moisturising properties, SPF 30 and light diffusing pigments that help brighten skin and soften imperfections. It leaves a gorgeous, dewy finish and with a spritz of setting spray lasts all day."
Nip + Fab CC Cream, £14.95 Boots.com
Beauty intern Lucy says "It's hard to get excited about shower gel but Imperial Leather have just reformulated and they now claim to be 'rich, thick and twice as creamy' meaning that they lather up loads more than usual and they're not as watery – I tried Ocean Fresh and can happily say it was lots thicker, didn't slip off my hand (most annoying thing ever!) and it lathered up nicely. I am suitably impressed."
Imperial Leather Ocean Fresh shower gel, from £1.89,Boots.com
That Aunt Sally (whoever she is; never saw her on telly where I grew up) has a lot to answer for, scaring droves of UK women off blusher for life. Its still the fastest way to take your face from drab to fab, though, so I will continue looking for blushers that everyone will love. This bright fuchsia shade may look terrifying straight from the tube, but the tiniest dab looks beautifully fresh on your cheek apples. And the silky, melting texture (its silicone-based) is probably the easiest-to-apply out there. Just beware of putting it on top of a silicone-based BB cream, as blending two silicone-textured products successfully is somehow, I find, really hard!
Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric in Fuschia, £29, Armanibeauty.co.uk
Let's face it: a BB cream is what you, or the manufacturer, want it to be – I've kind of given up on defining them. All I personally want from a BB cream or tinted moisturiser is for it to give me a little bit of colour, a nice sheen, and the very sheerest evening-out effect. This one, which does all of the above, is very peachy, a hue that's known to flatter most skin tones, but initially struck me as disconcertingly orange. Smoothed on my face, though, it did the trick: everyone told me I looked "so fresh!" Mission accomplished.
Dior Diorskin Nude BB Crème in Medium, £30, Selfridges
There was a time when sulphate-free, organic botanical-rich hair products would cost you an arm and a leg, but that time is no longer. The whole of this range of cleansers, conditioners and styling products by colourist Daniel Galvin Jr. is free of any stuff that strips colour, like harsh cleansers, and full of the oils and proteins that protect and restore it. The packaging may be basic but the contents aren't, and with all this at just £4 for a shampoo or conditioner, who's grumbling?
Galvin & Galvin London Organic Head Detox & Purify Shampoo, £4, Danielgalvinjunior.com
I love that Bobbi Brown has launched a whole brightening collection for January, designed to freshen, lift and open up your face just as you probably feel like crawling under a rock and sleeping until April. This powder is the prettiest item of the lot and hard to resist, even if you don't actually know what to do with it, like me. As per the instructions in my press release, I've just blended all the shades together with a big brush (watch it, the powder's quite loose) and dusted it on my highlight points (cheekbones, temples etc.) for a subtle moonbeam effect. The actual packaging says to dust it all over your face, though – which I would advise against unless you're very porcelain-skinned, or you'll end up looking like Madame de Pompadour.
Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder in Porcelain Pearl, £40, Bobbi Brown
This is a mask that boasts lots of organic essential fatty acid and antioxidant-rich, skin-nourishing oils, so you'd expect to find a cream formulation. Surprisingly (to me at least), it's clay-based, so it dries on your face like a purifying mask. I quite liked that as it kind of felt like the mask was locking in all the nourishing goodies, but it did mean my face felt a little taut immediately afterwards. That said, it also seemed slightly lifted: good times. Loved the gentle zesty scent of it, too.
Orico Skin Brunch Kukui Rejuvenating Mask, £23, Orico
Micellar water is a posh French invention thats basically a very gentle, water-based cleanser with liquid crystals in it that trap oils and dirt. Youll be hard-pressed to completely take off very hardy makeup or lashings of waterproof mascara with it (unless you use half the bottle), but it effectively removes moderate amounts of makeup and purifies skin without stripping it. It feels like water so its perfect for oil-phobes, and it usually costs quite a lot. This one, by Superdrugs new, very good B. cosmetics range, doesnt, and its just as good as the fancy French ones.
B. Pure Soft And Gentle 3-in-1 Cleansing Water, £4.99, Superdrug
"I normally don't bother with eyeshadow but this one had a mysterious kind of attraction on me when I first saw it. It resembles a starry sky in its compact – and looks exactly the same on your lids. The blueish-gray makes any eye colour pop and has a pleasingly smoky finish, without you having to try very hard to 'do a smoky eye'. In fact, I don't try at all – I rub some on my lids with my finger and get lots of compliments. Result!"
MAC Pressed Pigment in Enlightening, £16.50, MAC
Standing out in a vast sea of lip balms isnt that easy, but Models Owns dinky rubberized compacts in shouty neon shades caught my eye instantly when they hit my desk. The contents arent half bad either: just thick and sticky enough to really nourish, with nice fruity flavours that arent too cloying. Add vitamin E, SPF15 and a decent mirror, and you have rather brilliant value for money, I think youll agree.
Models Own Fruity Moisturising Lip Balm, £4, Models Own
Beauty intern Lucy says "2013 is all about textured nails and is there a better way to ease yourself in than with the new OPI and Mariah Carey collection? It features eight shades, including four brand new Liquid Sand Nail Lacquers – polishes that have a slight shimmer and a pebbled, matte finish. Being the magpie that I am, my faves are The Impossible – a reddy/pink Liquid Sand shade with star shaped glitter, and Pink Yet Lavender which is a glitzy topcoat packed full of pale pink, lavender and holographic glitter."
Mariah Carey by OPI, £11.50 each, Lenawhite.co.uk
Beauty intern Lucy says "having only just discovered the wonders of eye makeup remover, I've quickly fallen head over heels in love with this new release from Clarins. Used with a cotton wool pad every evening before I wash my face, the water-based lotion gently (and quickly – no scrubbing required!) removes all traces of my daily eye makeup. Ingredients include organic cornflower, which leaves my peepers feeling super nourished, and soya protein which helps to strengthen and condition eyelashes. I absolutely love it, plus it's gentle enough for you contact lens wearers!"
Clarins Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, £17, Clarins.co.uk
Beauty writer Cassie Powney says: "Yes, this brand is pricey, but if you're in dire need of a hair overhaul, you really do get what you pay for. This masque is packed with lots of tiny water-activated beads that give the cream a really interesting texture to run through your hair. When the beads burst (or whatever it is they do), they release powerful proteins that nourish and rebuild each strand. I was surprised at the recommended three minutes leave-in time, but it really did strengthen my hair in that short amount of time. A real hair treat."
Alterna Caviar Repair Micro-Bead Fill & Fix Treatment Masque, £42.90, call 01925578000 for stockists
Beauty writer Cassie Powney says: "I've noticed quite a few oil-based shampoos launching recently. The concept might sound weird, but for those of you who find most shampoos quite drying, I urge you to give it a go. The new Kerastase Cleansing Oil Shampoo is another favourite of mine, but there's something about the great smell and treacle-like consistency of this Pureology one that I can't get enough of. It takes two washes to get a good lather, but leaves your hair feeling deep-cleaned without that horrible straw-like finish. I would recommend following with the Pureology Precious Oil Conditioner, £18.85 – really detangling!"
Pureology Precious Oil Shampoo Oil, £15.85, Pureology
Beauty writer Cassie Powney says: "Look after your hands and they will look after you. OK, so I don't think that's an actual saying, but it's true right? This dreamy hand cream contains moisturising shea butter, clary sage to help maintain the skin's moisture levels, and glucosamine – a sugar derivative that sees off dull surface cells. Most people are obsessed with preventing the skin on their face from ageing, but (wrinkly) hands up who neglects their skin elsewhere? This creamy, easy to blend hand-hero is a must for your New Year beauty kit."
Bobbi Brown Extra hand cream, £21, Bobbi Brown
Beauty writer Cassie Powney says: "I love how a good shower can really set you up for the day, or help you wind down before bedtime. I can't get enough of a coconut-flavoured pampering product either, so this was my obvious choice from the new jazzed-up Radox range. It contains uber-hydrating coconut milk and smells like a Caribbean holiday (if I knew what one of those smelt like). The two other flavours, Cherry Blast and Berry Burst, are probably more energising, so save those for the early mornings. Lets face it, buying all three won't break the bank."
Radox Coconut Kiss shower gel, £2.15, Boots
Beauty writer Cassie Powney says: "Hey baby nails! These cute 'n' dreamy nail shades in Narcissist, Dilettante, Absinthe, Coral Cult and Lilac Leather mean you never have to grow up. I've always been a fan of Estée's nail offerings great colours in a glam glass bottle. Estée Lauder's creative makeup director, Tom Pecheux, took inspiration from Paris in Spring for this collection so channel some flower-market-meets-macaroon style beauty and make people smile even when the suns not shining."
Estée Lauder Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Heavy Petals, £14.50 each, Estée Lauder
Beauty writer Cassie says: "I've always been a fan of Soap & Glory's good-enough-to-eat shower treats (Soap and Glory The Breakfast Scrub, I salute you). So this whipped-butter inspired shower cream was bound to ignite my love for a gourmand-shower experience. Firstly, it smells of pistachio nuts and vanilla, and its consistency is akin to clotted cream. It's made up of 25% moisture oils and butters, which means you won't get the same amount of lather you would from most other shower products, but the soft-skin sensation will more than make up for it. It looks pretty on your shelf too – always an important factor when making a bathroom purchase, I think."
Soap & Glory Whipped Clean Shower Butter, £8, Boots
"Facial wipes are the one item we can never find any of in the beauty cupboard, because we snatch them to take home as soon as they come in. As far as I'm concerned, they should be unperfumed and gentle enough to take your eyemake-up off if you're in a hurry/lazy/drunk. These Neal's Yard ones are all of the above, and get extra brownie points for their soothing botanicals, absence of mineral oil, and for being made of biodegradable cotton."
Organic Facial Wipes, £5.50, Neal's Yard Remedies
Beauty Intern Lucy says: "I'm one of those people who believes products stop being as good as they once were if you use them all the time, so I find myself swapping post-hair wash lotions and potions quite a lot. Essence Absolue Nourishing Oil-in-Cream is infused with camellia oil and it has a really subtle yet gorgeous scent. I only needed to use a tiny bit before blowdrying and my (dry, frizzy, generally dead) hair looked sleeker and a lot healthier than usual – I even got compliments! I'll defs be adding this to my collection of regularly-used hair products."
Shu Uemura Art of Hair Essence Absolue, £32, Feel Unique
Beauty Intern Lucy says: "My skincare routine has significantly improved since working at Cosmo, that said though it still took me a while to understand the point of using a toner but now I'm a bit weird and actually looking forward to using it. This NUXE toner is the best of two that I've ever used. It's scented delicately of rose petals, and after I've used it my face feels completely refreshed, hydrated and squeaky clean – it gently removes every last trace of London dirt and leaves my skin fully prepped before I moisturise. To any non-believers, I defy you to try this and not love it!"
NUXE Gentle Toning Lotion with Rose Petals, £13, Marks and Spencer
Beauty Intern Lucy says: "This facemask probably couldn't have a more fitting name – using it was exactly like slapping sloppy mud onto my face (in the most satisfying way, of course). It was pretty incredible though, it started drying as soon as I'd applied it and I could physically see it working it's muddy magic on my pores and blemishes (again, a bit gross but so satisfying to see. Should I admit to that?!) The instructions say to leave it for around 20 minutes, but I ended up waiting around half an hour (by which time I literally could not move my face) before washing it off, and my skin was left feeling beautifully soft and, surprisingly, hydrated. It's definitely the perfect pre- and post-night out mask!"
Glamglow SUPER-MUD, £44.99, Feel Unique
Beauty Intern Lucy says: "Any product that promises to speed up drying time and has some sort of nail benefit is a winner in my eyes. After using this Mavala Oil Seal Dryer a couple of times I noticed the Cotton Oil and Vitamin E is really helping my cuticles, they look better than they have in a long time. And, as promised, it made my nail varnish touch dry and super shiny in about a minute. I had to be careful with the brush though, it's quite firm so a heavy hand results in dints, and nail polish lovers will agree when I say that's probably the worst thing that can happen to freshly painted nails (except smudging, obv)."
Mavala Oil Seal Dryer, £11.85, John Lewis
Beauty Writer Cassie says: Ive always loved the Aussie 3 Minute Miracles they make it easy for you to indulge in a deep-conditioning mask without having to shiver for 15 minutes halfway through your shower. The new Miracle Shine range contains pearl powder and Australian ginseng extract, and like past Aussie 3 Minute Miracles, delivers on its quick-fix promise. Its difficult to get any kind of shine in my fine, curly hair, but it styled a lot better after I used this (the more conditioned my hair, the better my curls tend to ping up.) And if you have a scarf fund stashed away somewhere (dont we all?), Aussie have collaborated with hot new Australian fashion label Kelly Love, to create a gorgeous limited edition silk scarf to celebrate the launch.
Aussie Miracle Shine 3 Minute Miracle Deep Treatment, £4.99, Boots and
Kelly Love for Aussie Miracle Shine Scarf £80
Not sure if it's the party season or the imminent Strictly Come Dancing final, but I seem to be attracted to disco lips this month. Lipstick Queen Dancing Queen lipsticks are a bit of a contradiction in terms; they are sheer, matte, and shimmery. The sparkle comes from a fine glitter that'll flash up like mad under strobe lights, but looks quite subtle (and has a tooth-whitening effect) for daytime. This little box has three: a creamy nude (nice with a smokey eye), a vixen red, and a sultry merlot. Called The Hustle, Electric Slide and Cha Cha respectively, they're guaranteed to put you in a party mood – well, they do me…
Lipstick Queen Dancing Queen, £38 spacenk.com
Beauty Writer Cassie says: Theres still a big buzz around argan oil in hair care, and this one can be used for styling, as a treatment, or to add shine to your finished do. It contains nourishing macadamia nut oil and kukui oil alongside the argan oil, but is still light enough for styling. I would probably be inclined to reach for a thicker, more indulgent oil for an overnight treatment (it takes a lot for my dry curly hair to feel really conditioned), although they do recommend using it three times a week for six weeks to get the ultimate results. In a nutshell, this is well worth the money for those who want to add uber-shine to their blow dry, and to smooth frazzled ends.
Nicky Clarke Weightless Treatment with Argan Oil, £20, nickyclarke.com
"Beauty writer Cassie says: If you ask me, party season is the perfect excuse to indulge in a new makeup palette. This one manages to combine two things that don't often come hand in hand – glitter (a party-season essential) and good colour payoff. It also includes four shimmer shades if you're after a bit of toned-down twinkle for the daytime. A couple of the colours may scare the hell out of you, but trust me - they're more wearable than they look. And if you're still not convinced, the shocking turquoise colour is great for framing eyes when mixed with a bit of water and applied along the lash line – aqua eyes are in after all!"
Sparkle 2 i-Divine Palette, £7.99 (limited edition), Sleek Makeup
"Beauty Ed Kate says: "One of the questions I'm asked the most as a beauty editor is: what's the best mascara? Truth be told, it's impossible to answer, because we all like different things. But if you reeeeeally pushed me, I'd have to say that Max Factor produce my favourites, time after time, and I think it's down to their awesome wands. I've been wearing their brand new mascara, Clump Defy, for a few weeks now and can confirm - it rocks! They've come up with a curved wand that loads the lashes with mascara at the roots but leaves the tips wispy, feathery and clump-free. It gives you a volume-hit but with a more elegant, daytime look. It's my perfect work-day mascara: full but not OTT. Another winner!"
Max Factor Clump Defy, £10.99, Boots (not available until Boxing Day)
'Says beauty intern Lucy: "Soap & Glory are probably my favourite (though slightly overpriced) brand when it comes to bath and shower goodies, so whenever I see they have a new product launching, I get a bit giddy with excitement. Whipped Clean (genius!) is described as a 'luxe cream wash' and luxe it definitely is – using it felt like a once-a-week treat. It was so smooth on my skin and, once I'd worked it into my hand, a little did go a long way (which I learnt the hard way as usual!). I kind of wish it had that Soap & Glory smell though - the pistachio, almond and vanilla scent of Whipped Clean just doesn't seem to do it for me as much as the original does."
Soap & Glory Whipped Clean, £8, Boots
"LUST! A lovely zesty lip balm made of plant oils, beeswax and natural grapefruit essence, housed in a choice of four of the sweetest Liberty print pill boxes. Decent pill boxes are damn hard to find at the best of times, so discovering these, with the added joy of the balm and a mirror inside, is making my day. I will be hanging up four stockings for Santa and keep my fingers crossed."
Andrea Garland delightfully Pure Lip Balm, £18, Andrea Garland
"How delicious – a body wash that looks and smells like cloudy apple juice. There's no nuclear 'green apple' laboratory scent here, it's all real apple water and apple fruit extracts, along with gentle plant-based cleansers, smoothing peptides, vitamins and shea butter. Nourish products are close to 100% organic and devoid of harsh and 'unfriendly' chemicals – real skin food."
Nourish Balance Purifying shower gel, £9.95, Nourish Skincare Range
"Hooray, another '80's fragrance has been brought back from the grave for my delectation, this one a slightly fresher 're-interpretation' of the original 1983 Dali parfum de toilette. It's a floral chypre with a rose and jasmine heart, a woods-and-vanilla base and zesty top notes. I just smell something that's unlike anything else, a scent that's simultaneously rich, soft and fresh, with a definite hint of cucumber (which most certainly isn't in it). Basically, it's delicious."
Salvador Dali Dali eau de toilette, from £28 (01730 813419)
"Want to channel some serious disco fever, fast? This gloss looks like it was nabbed from Bianca Jagger's makeup bag after she left it in the loos at Studio 54 (it's a glamorous picture I painted there). Fire-engine red and unapologetically glossy, it says 'I eat men alive – and then re-apply my lip gloss.' It's very non-sticky, which is fab, but the liquidy texture does tend to bleed, so beware if you have any little lines around your mouth."
Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss in Icon, £21, Liberty
"Says beauty ed Kate: "'Tis the season to be frizzy. Humph! All this misty drizzle and central heating is playing havoc with hairdos at Cosmo HQ. Thank God for a new handbag-sized version of the legendary Weatherproof Hairspray. A few spritzes over your blow dry or up-do gives you all-day protection against that dreaded 'halo of fuzz' that tends to appear all winter. It seems to give you a sharper profile and, with fairly strong hold, it's a useful substitute for your regular hairspray. I'm loving the fact that I can now stash it in my handbag for those days when I need to leave the office but the sky's turned black or a gale's picked up. Winter: I'm ready; give me your best shot!"
Weatherproof Hairspray, from £6.80, Philip Kingsley
"Says beauty intern Lucy: "I'm partial to a good lip balm. This Lip Macaron from MOR is gorgeous sweet treat, plus, who doesn't want a tin that looks like a macaroon?! The balm smells lusciously of rose flavoured Ladurée macaroons but it's not too overpowering, and the vitamin E in there moisturises my lips nicely. It doesn't stay put for very long but it does give a gorge glossy finish that I like! Plus, for the price, they'll make for good stocking fillers this Christmas!"
MOR Lip Macaron in Rosebud, £11.50, Les Senteurs
"Like all of the new-generation eye pencils (Max Factor, YSL, L'Oréal Paris, Urban Decay, Maybelline all do them), this liner glides on effortlessly and comes in many shades (six, in fact). But this one is a cut above the rest as my upper lash lines at this moment are still solidly tinted forest-green; the stuff absolutely doesn't budge. And that's while it's under assault from copious amounts of eye-cream, extra-creamy undereye concealer, saggy eyelids that eat makeup and and lots of absent-minded eye rubbing. Great stuff!"
Waterproof Shadow Liner, £17, Smashbox
"Blend Collective make (properly) natural bodycare products in three fragranced ranges, each created by a leading UK aromatherapist. The 'unwinding' blend, concocted by Glenda Taylor, is full of soothing, sultry frankincense, sandalwood, cedar and neroli. Treat parched mitts to this hand cream (it has nourishing sea buckthorn and cocoa butter, but is nicely non-tacky), then cup your face in your hands and breathe…. And relax."
A Concentrated Hand Cream, £12.50, Blend Collective
"We love Michael Kors' heady, tuberose-tastic signature fragrance here on the Cosmo beauty desk, but it sure is one of those perfumes that enters a room before you do. If you ever wished for a gentler version for daytime – one to intrigue people rather than blow their socks off - look no further that this Rose Gold Edition. It smells very similar (don't you hate it when an 'edition' of your fave fragrance smells nothing like your fave fragrance?!), just softer. And if you buy any Michael Kors fragrance at House of Fraser before the end of November, you a ginormous glitzy tote for precisely £0,-. Run!"
Michael Kors Rose Gold EdP, £53, House of Fraser
"Inspired by the practice of Ayurveda, Palmolive's new shower gels are supposed to "create a harmonious body and mind experience that will leave you feeling balanced and energized." Beauty intern Lucy didn't quite feel any of those things, but was "impressed with the amount they foamed up! My favourite was the pink one, Joyous, which combines lotus flower and Indian mulberry extracts."
Palmolive Ayurituel shower gels, £2.99, Sainsbury's
"Feeling besieged by the overwhelming choice of makeup textures, colours and products out there? Ever wished someone could just edit the whole lot for you, down to just a few bits that'll take you reliably through the day and into the evening? Then check out Aerin, by Aerin Lauder, scion of the famous Lauder family. Her seasonal collections fit in your evening purse and her palettes, all with sizeable mirrors but still lightweight, feature the kinds of shades that you'll use to the very last crumb. Très chic."
Aerin Holiday Style Palette, £45, Estèe Lauder
"I'd never heard of this (jewellery) brand, but I've fallen in love with their makeup collection, especially this beautiful gold eye shadow. It has two leaves of pure 24-carat gold crushed up in it (hence the hefty price tag) and, despite the creamy formula, it doesn't crease and has a sparkle that lasts all day and all night (trust me, I tried it). It can easily be built up to create something really intense, or you can use it to add subtle highlights anywhere."
Belmacz Blitz 24ct gold eye shadow, £28, Selfridges
Beauty intern Lucy has discovered that spending a bomb on your cleanser could be worth it: "After a few uses of this cleanser I wasn't convinced it was any better than my usual one, so why would I spend £20+ when I could spend £4? I switched back to my old faithful and it was only then I realised just how much better, and how luxurious, this Cleanse & Smooth Exfoliating Wash is. Infused with rosemary and willow bark, it's so gentle to use and leaves my skin feeling clean, totally refreshed and super soft after every use."
Love Your Skin London Cleanse & Smooth Exfoliating Wash, £22.99, LYS London
"The label isn't lying when it claims this'll remove your varnish in one second per nail. Stick a finger into the sponge, twist a bit, and pull out a scrupulously clean talon – unless you had glitter polish on, in which case you'll have to do some more twisting. These little pink pots are popping up like mushrooms all over the beauty department; once you've tried them, you won't go back to fiddly cotton wool and drippy remover. Now all we need is a way to make it work for our toenails…"
Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover, £4.99, Boots
"Oatmeal isn't just a comforting thing to scoff when it's cold and dark out there, it's also seriously comforting for skin as it has inflammatory properties. So this pot of extra-rich cream is just the thing to slather on if you want to give itchy, flaky winter skin its mojo back. It comes complete with a creamy, rice-pudding-y fragrance to hammer home its healing, nutritious, soothing point."
Jergens Deep Conditioning Oatmeal Body Cream, £4.99, Superdrug
After getting over the initial shock of the phallic bottles, beauty intern Lucy had nothing but praise for this anti-frizz range: "It's truly a saving grace in this winter weather. Not only do these products leave my hair smelling amazing, but I have noticed a significant reduction in the amount of frizziness on my head too, which I'm told is down to the panthenol in the shampoo and the conditioning polymers found in the er, conditioner. Apparently these ingredients coat the hair and cause the cuticles to lie flat... I don't really understand either, but if it works, who am I to complain?"
Umberto Giannini Frizzi, from £5.29, Boots
"Daniel's Watercolour blushers are a stroke of genius: they're the texture of a liquid stain but they feel, and blend, like liquid velvet. My personal secret weapon for a glow-from-within natural flush, I think every woman should own one – and this is the perfect time to snap one up. While stocks last, a donation from every Blusher in Charm (a peachy pink that flatters any skin tone) goes to the Moon and Stars charity supporting Cancer Research UK. And as a thank you for your support, you get Daniel's Waterbrush (specially designed for even-easier Watercolour application) for free – it's worth £15.50! That is so generous, it's frankly silly. I'd get in there fast if were you."
Watercolour Fluid Blusher in Charm, £14.50, Daniel Sandler
"When she couldn't find anything to treat her dry, red, aggravated skin, the creator of Selexir set about concocting the perfect potion herself. The result is this blend of 21 highly concentrated ingredients that relieve irritation and treat sensitivity. So far, it has done away with some of our rashes and aggravated blemishes, and it's a brilliant hydrator. One to keep to hand at all times for skincare emergencies!"
Selexir Peace Balm, from £39, selexir.com or Harrods Urban Retreat from November 15th
"I dont think there is a single Miller Harris fragrance that I dont like, and this new, seasonal, spicy-woody scent is totally up my street. Think Seville orange, pine, cedar, cinnamon, nutmeg and lashings of clove; yes, its a hot toddy, but a very chic one. Infuse your home with it and even the greatest Bah Humbug (that would be me) will start getting into the Christmas spirit. Ho ho bloody ho!"
Bois dépicerie Natural Wax Candle, £45, Miller and Harris
"WHAT is that colour on your nails!" cried the beauty department as Cassie Powney returned from her Essie manicure (she's a busy beauty writer, is Cassie). Leading Lady is just mesmerising: a deep cherry red, it's packed with glitter particles that, when applied in two or more layers, give nails a 3D-finish that reminds me, somehow, of toffee apples. Definitely the nail colour for Christmas. I've stolen Cassie's bottle straight away."
Essie Nail Polish in Leading Lady, £7.99, Superdrug
"I like a lip butter in a little pot – the texture is always just that much balmier than that of a stick balm. Nivea have packed these babies with nicely nourishing almond oil and shea butter and added snazzy technology (taken from their skincare) that helps lips stay hydrated naturally. All that and a choice of three flavours (I'm partial to the Caramel Cream) for just £1.99 per tin? I'm going to stuff one in every bag I own…"
Nivea Lip Butters, £1.99, Boots
"Once the clocks go back, it's time to protect your hair against the ravages of central heating and icy winds. This new overnight treatment promises to give your hair an intense moisture boost and double its strength as you snooze. Simply rub into dry hair before bed and wash out in the morning for a real salon-style start to your day. Packed with healing Argan Oil, it dries quickly which is great because no-one wants to sleep on a soggy pillow! For added hair joy, use a silk pillowcase - it reduces hair friction (and therefore frizz and tangles)."
Charles Worthington Salon at Home Overnight Ultimate Hair Healer, £14.99, Boots
Who says soap is a boring present? I love a good soap, with the emphasis on good. And they dont get much better than this limited edition Chanel beauty, and outsize pebble of luxuriousness with a creamy lather and that cant-do-wrong scent that lasts as long as the soap does. It comes with its own translucent soap dish but, alas, no Brad Pitt appearing magically from the suds.
Chanel No5 Luxury Bath Soap, £32, Chanel
"Hands up if you'd rather be in Bali right now *does a Hermione impression*? If you haven't the spare change for a long-haul flight just now, I reckon I've found the next best thing. Mandara Spa Amber Heaven Sensual Collection is a range of frankly gorgeous body treats, all inspired by the sensory pleasures of Bali. Think jasmine, patchouli, hibiscus, sandalwood all those exotic smells that have the power to transport you away from deadlines, stress and rubbish British weather. My favourite is this bath foam, which turns my tub into an Indonesian mini spa. And at £12, I can afford this trip!"
Mandara Spa Amber Heaven Pampering Honey Bath, £12.00, Sainsburys
Is it a bird? Is it a bauble? No, its Thomas Sabo Glam n Soul, the jewellery brands latest fragrance (does every brand come with its own fragrances these days?!). The scent is a bit cute and a bit rock-chick, much like the brands popular charms and pendants, with sweet hints of lychee and rose, and an edge of pink pepper. The orb-shaped bottle (its a white globe, actually) could double as Christmas decoration. Clever!
Glam n Soul, £56.95, Thomas Sabo
"The world has gone loopy for liners (I couldve told you years ago that theyre the quickest way to make your eyes pop, but hey), and D&G are joining in the fun with no less than 8 shades of liner of the liquid variety. I tried one on my hand first, and two days later it was still there. I do wash, so the only conclusion can be that this stuff is seriously budge-proof. My fave shade is Baroque Bronze (one of three limited-edition metallics) which gives my eyes a mysterious gleam (I like to think)."
Dolce & Gabbana Glam Look Intense Liquid Eyeliners, £23.50, Harrods
"The entire Cosmo beauty team loves this pretty, understated piece of perfumellery, as Lucy our beauty intern has dubbed it (it's perfume and jewellery, har har). Hidden inside the engraved locket is Chloe's signature scent to dab elegantly on your pulse points, along with a handy mirror to check for makeup mishaps. The pendant has a lovely long chain and comes in the cutest little pouch (we love those little details!). A perfect present for someone you like a lot. Like yourself."
Chloe solid perfume necklace, £45, Debenhams
"This is probably the most multifunctional hairspray Ive ever come across. Spritz it on towel-dried hair before styling and it will protect against thermal damage and leave hair glossy and manageable. Spray it on dry hair and it gives hold and volume, while shielding hair from UV rays. And all the while, it weightlessly infuses hair with strengthening agents, making it 20x more resistant to breakage over time. Thats a lot of bang for your, er, pound!"
Living Proof Restore Revitalising Spray with Heat and UV Defense, £20, Space NK
"Good old Urban Decay. The 20 eye shadows in this fab palette are highly pigmented (thanks to a new Pigment Infusion System apparently ooh!) and a dream to apply and wear. Theres no creasing, they have amazing staying power, and the double-ended brush helps to make them seriously easy to blend. The mix of mattes, shimmers, satins, neutrals and brights makes creating different looks for any occasion a breeze. I may even be tempted to try some cobalt blue (named Chaos) or pink (aka Noise), instead of my usual brown and gold "
Urban Decay the Vice Palette, £42, House of Fraser
"Want to see crater-like pores and terrifyingly large crows feet? You can with this mirror! Itll show you your features in eye-popping detail (15x is SERIOUSLY magnifying), which may not be great when youre having a bad-face day, but is absolutely brilliant when it comes to eyebrow-shaping. Theres no way youll ever miss the tiniest of hairs again with this bit of kit, which comes with handy suction pads so you can stick it up against your bathroom tiles or mirror."
Magnifying Mirror, £12.95, Shavata
It starts with who you are, rather than how you look, says Bobbi Brown, and thats a pretty powerful premise for a how-to makeup manual. Bobbi is a whizz at bringing out the beauty in every woman, and this book shows you exactly how she does it. Its full of fresh-faced makeovers of celebs, athletes and real women, accompanied by Bobbis brilliantly insightful, simple makeup tips and no-nonsense, beauty-starts-on-the-inside lifestyle advice. A book to give you confidence and help you feel pretty good about yourself."
Pretty Powerful, by Bobbi Brown with Sara Bliss, £19.99, Bobbi Brown
"The Cosmo beauty team has a beauty-book library, and Jemma Kidds latest launch has already earned a place on its shelves. Its packed with practical insight only a makeup artist with years of experience would have, with as much emphasis on skincare and prep than the makeup application itself. Its likely youll rethink your whole beauty routine after youve finished reading "
Jemma Kidd Make-up Secrets, £25, Amazon
"Marks & Spencers new beauty hall is dedicated to stocking niche beauty bits, some of which are completely new to the UK. H20+ is one of those ranges, with six collections (blimey!) boasting lots of marine-based magic. OK, not magic, but this face-hydrator (the debut H20+ product) gets sold at a rate of one every two minutes! The water-based gel is like an instant drink of water for the skin and can be used as a weekly mask if youre not looking to change your daily moisturiser."
H20+ Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment, £27.50, Marks and Spencer
"Hair chalking has become such a popular hair-hobby, regular chalk just won't do anymore. These Hair Shadows allow you to glide a section of hair across the top of the pot for instant wow colour, without getting your fingers chalky. There are ten bright-and-beautiful shades, but my fave is Pink Flamingo; great for achieving that instant dip dye-effect on fair hair."
Hair Shadows, £5.99 each, Colour Mania
"Now heres a brilliantly simple, non-fiddly nail art idea. Just apply one coat of a white polish and then add two coats of your chosen graffiti shade (there are four fabulous colour-ways to choose from). Each shade has a mixture of crazy shapes and textures that magically transform into a street-art style pattern once they hit the white background. Easy to do in front of the telly but looks like the work of hours!"
Graffiti, £11, Nails Inc
"Upmarket fragrance houses have mostly stayed away from scents that smell like an explosion in a candy shop since Thierry Mugler concocted the definitive gourmand with Angel in 92. Until now, that is: after Guerlain (La Petite Robe Noir) and Lancome (La Vie est Belle), this is the third big-time classy candy scent this year. Jasmine is the main note, but the blackcurrant, vanilla and tonka bean will make you think of pudding before you think of flowers. Thankfully, theres enough sandalwood and cedar in here to add a really sexy edge, guaranteeing that men will want to eat you, or nibble your earlobes at the very least."
Manifesto, from £44, Yves Saint Laurent
"I think Soap & Glory's latest offering for lashes may well be the best budget mascara I've used in a long time. My lashes loved it and were transformed into something a lot longer, more voluminous and more noticeable. Soap & Glory believe that the SEVEN (count them) sided fan flare-180° brush with a V-groove (not sure what that means but it works) is perfect for maximum mascara-loading without clumpiness, and I have to agree. There's also 'no flake 24 all-day wear technology', which lives up to its promises – well, I can vouch for about 15 hours…"
Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara, £10.50, Boots
"Aptly named Cosmopolitan (thanks!), this olive/brownish/greyish mineral eye shadow is perfect for an understated daytime smoky eye. The colour did fade despite being highly pigmented, but it left a flattering shimmer. I may have applied it a bit too sparingly, and will start with a primer next time. That said, there was barely any creasing, so it's really good value at just over £5. It comes in loads of lovely colours, but obviously cosmopolitan is the BEST."
Mineral Eye Shadow in Cosmopolitan, £5.29, Lily Lilo
"The instantly recognisable scent of this hydrating primer (there are versions for normal & combination skin and dry & sensitive skin) meant that applying it felt as easy and comfortable as slapping on a regular Nivea moisturiser. It absorbed quickly so I didn't have to wait around before putting on makeup. It left my face feeling silky smooth and well hydrated throughout the day. I'm pretty sure my make-up lasted a bit longer than it usually would, and so did the glow the cream gave me."
Nivea Express Hydration Primer, £3.99, Superdrug
"What on earth did we do before dry shampoo? We can no longer count the brands on the market but Batiste, in many people's eyes, is still the original and best. The perfect bad-hair-day fix, it sorts out oily roots, refreshes your scalp and gives limp hair body and volume. If we had to find a thing to moan about, it would be that the packaging tends to be a bit rubbish. So, well done to Hershesons for giving Batiste this chic makeover. Hershesons' leading stylists use Batiste in their brilliant blow-dry bars and reckon that the classic dry shampoo should take pride of place on your dressing table. It can now!"
Hershesons Batiste Dry Shampoo, £5.50 Hershesons.com
Get big, sexy hair like Lady Gaga and Leona Lewis with our celeb hairstyles gallery.
"This chic, patent Jimmy Choo shoe case is so gorgeous I would happily part with my hard-earned cash for it. But amazingly, you get it for free if you buy any Jimmy Choo fragrance this month. It's the perfect place to stash your favourite pair of heels (even if they're a little more Zara than Choo) and make you feel a teensy bit A-list. It's not often that a gift-with-purchase is worth shouting about but credit to the brand: they've thought outside the (shoe) box and delivered something brilliantly unique and lust-worthy. Get in there quick because these are only available while stocks last. Go!"
Jimmy Choo luxury shoe case, free with any Jimmy Choo 60ml fragrance while stocks last (department stores nationwide).
"I've noticed an improved natural glow since using this hydrating radiance elixir. It's an intensive treatment designed for use before moisturising but can be used on its own too. Crammed full of organic ingredients and natural extracts like papaya and Aloe Vera leaf juice, it rehydrates and replenishes the skin in an instant.
Dr Organic have also launched a range of both Organic Moroccan Argan Oil products and Organic Dead Sea Minerals products to go alongside these – exciting!"
Dr. Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Hydrating Radiance Elixir, £12.99, hollandandbarrett
"Superdry has stepped into female perfume territory with the release of NEON – a collection of four contrasting fragrances inspired by the current fluoro trend. My favourite is Neon Blue – Fresh Floral; an effortlessly feminine scent with notes of juicy pear, apple and melon combined with lily of the valley and petals of jasmine. The bottles are pretty nifty too but the flip lid may or may not have baffled me at first!"
The Superdry Neon Collection, £35 Superdry
"This cute little toiletry bag has Fearne written all over it (not literally though, of course). It's a tad grunge but the flowers add a chic and girly edge – I approve. The contents are impressive too; although a typical gift set with body wash (plus loofah!), body lotion and body spray, they do smell really good, especially with vanilla being the most prominent scent – an old favourite of just about everybody!"
Fearne Cotton toiletry bag, £16, Boots.com
"If you loved Cloud Nine (rollers that heat up in seconds, who wouldn't?), then you'll agree this more portable version by Diva is going to fly off the shelves. Rollers are still the go-to tool for volume and texture, and these ones (sold separately for £29.99) have a felt-like finish, which really improves the grip and produces much smoother curls. The storage bag costs an extra £19.99, which I think is well worth it for girls-on-the-go".
Diva Session Instant Heat HOTPOD, £79.99, Sallyexpress.com
"When the original Healgel launched in 2008, its multifunctional-wonderfulness proved a big hit. Developed by cosmetic surgeons to shorten people's post-operative recovery time, it became hot property for fading scars, reducing redness and even tackling more serious skin issues. New Healgel Face is a seriously hydrating cream-gel formula. The protective silicone barrier it leaves on the skin makes for a really smooth base for makeup and allows the active ingredients to work effectively underneath".
Healgel Face, £48, Victoriahealth.com
"Woohoo! Kick off the new season with the beauty must-have for autumn 2012 – the Limited Collection Shadow from Marks & Spencer. Inspired by the catwalk trend for everything owl-related, this covetable palette includes six owl-shaped eyeshadows in every-wearable shades, including deep charcoal with a hint of shimmer, metallic bronze, shiny silver, shimmering gold, dark blue and nude pink, plus a mini doubled-ended eye brush, all for £7.50".
Marks and Spencer Limited Collection Shadow, £7.50, M&S
"I'm liking this liquid liner from a great new makeup range by former popstar and reluctant WAG Louise Redknapp, which launches today. It's a doddle to apply and the packaging is sweet. Its staying power leaves something to be desired, but you do get a very gentle-on-the-eye formula with soothing chamomile extract and without parabens, petrochemicals or other potentially irritating ingredients".
Wild About Beauty Line and Define Liner, £13.50, Debenhams
"I'm slightly obsessed with this colour. The perfect creamy coral, somewhere between orange, pink and nude (the image here doesn't quite do it justice I have to say), it's pure Saint Tropez circa 1962, and I fancy myself a right Brigitte Bardot when I'm wearing it. Lipsticks this shade tend to be matte but this has a slight gloss, a lovely comfortable feel, and definite instant plumping power. It also has 'wild mango butter' which is apparently proven to heal damaged lips – a welcome added benefit at that eye-watering price!"
Kevin Aucoin The Expert Lip Colour in Micavel, £27.50, Space.NK
"This handbag-sized 'super moisturiser' comes in a tin so cute that everybody must own one! Golden Ointment contains no artificial colour or fragrance and combines three of nature's best inventions: lanolin, manuka honey and vitamin E. This will be great in the coming months when those super-dry patches on my hands and elbows will really feel the benefit."
Lanolips Golden Ointment Tin, £7.99, Victoria's Health
"Ojon's latest 'miracle' product claims to help rid hair of annoying frizz, control excessive volume and prolong the effects of blow-drying and heat styling; quite a claim, huh? But, my hair and I can happily say this exceeds expectations. A blob left my hair feeling instantly smoother and more manageable, as well as smelling incredible. After straightening, and even the morning after, the glistening shine remained – well done Ojon, you've done it again!"
Super Sleek Restorative Blowout Perfector, £21.50, Ojon
"Time for a perfume switch-up! As the nights draw in, I'm in the mood for something richer, more mysterious, some familiar woodiness… Step forward Calvin Klein, master of the modern sexy fragrance. Euphoria has become a dependable favourite: addictive, long-lasting and now with the seal of approval from uber-babe Lara Stone, who's fronting the new ad campaign. HAWT!"
Calvin Klein Euphoria, £45, The Perfume Shop
I like how Eyeko re-invents simple old faithfuls like eyeliners and mascaras, coming up with lots of little ideas to make them work even harder. This mascara comes in a squeezy tube so theres no waste, and with a clever plectrum-shaped lash shield to put an end to mascara splodges on your skin (very handy for lower lashes). The curved brush really helps curl lashes, the formula builds smoothly, and it doesnt run or smudge at all. Douze points.
Black Magic Drama & Curl Mascara, £18, Eyeko
Acne is one of the trickiest conditions to treat but this new Eucerin range is backed up with clinically-proven results. From cleanser to concealer, the regime of seven products help break the acne cycle and heal existing blemishes. The premise is that no single product has the answer, because not everyone has the same skin needs. With this multi-pronged approach you get the best combination of active ingredients. Pow!
Eucerin DermoPurifyer Active Concentrate, £9.18, Boots
"There's a buzz around this neat multi-tasking skin enhancer, which has just arrived online from the US. Ok, so it has all the skin-smoothing, mattifying properties you'll find in many BB creams but the real stand-out feature is its unusual, mousse-like texture. This makes it a cinch to blend, even without a mirror, and gives skin a lovely satiny finish, with decent coverage for blemishes. Great for good-skin days or wearing to the gym."
Miracle skin transformer SPF20 face, £38, Miracleskintransformer.com
"Garnier's first body oil is a mix of four miracle-workers – argan, macadamia, almond and rose oils – that are blended into a clever weightless moisturising spray. Unlike some body oils that end up all over your hands and clothes, this spritzes on easily and feels light as a feather, giving skin a soft, satiny glow. Best of all is the seriously delicious, end-of-summer fragrance – I'm trusting this to keep the Autumn-blues at bay."
Garnier Ultimate Beauty Oil, £7.99, Boots
"I love this foot balm: its packed with Chinese mint and gives you an instantly tingly jolt. Its rich and nourishing without leaving feet too slippery, and makes feet feel softer instantly. Also very good after a jog to instantly calm hot, achy trotters, thanks to the soothing and inflammatory properties of something called Yi Yi Ren (not sure what it is, but it seems to work)."
Lao Tze Foot Balm, £9.90, Rituals
"Wow, this thing is fabulous. Looking identical to a liquid liner pen, this is quite terrifying to use at first I thought I was going to end up with two solid black arches stenciled above my eyes. But what comes out is like a gentle watercolour that blends imperceptibly with your eyebrows, leaving them subtly coloured and perfectly defined. Comes in Green (?!) for blonde brows and Brown for dark ones."
Eyebrow Liquid Pen, £20, Suqqu Selfridges
"Painting your own nails just got so much easier. These polishes (there are 24 colours, all named after desserts. Yum) have got a properly bright light in the cap, so you can see what you're doing without having to position yourself near a direct light source. Especially helpful when you're doing your own toenails, I have found – I no longer end up with polish all over my toes."
i-Polish in Summer Fruit Pudding, £10, Cid Cosmetics
"No, your lips cant get dependent on Vaseline. It wont nourish or condition your lips (for that, look for ingredients like shea butter) but it is brilliant at protecting them against the elements because it locks in moisture. This little retro gem has the colour (if not quite the taste) of pink champagne and sells exclusively at Selfridges until mid-september, after which it will be at Boots and Superdrug while stocks last."
Limited Edition Lip Therapy in Pink Bubbly, £3.49, Vaseline at Selfridges
REN products are full of botanicals with proven anti-ageing and skin-conditioning benefits, and the brand never makes promises it cant deliver on. This cleanser smells pleasingly orangey and acts as a mild skin peel-come-face-scrub, seriously deep-cleansing your face and optimally prepping it for your serum or moisturiser. Itll be too much for you if you have very sensitive skin if not, go for it.
Micro Polish Cleanser, REN, £20
"This has a gorgeous silky texture, and swirled together with a blusher brush it makes for a natural-looking bronzer with a brightening hint of pink. I use it as as a bronzey blush rather than all over my face, as that would turn me a tad too pinky and perky for my taste. The 'light optimizing+ complex' should reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but I can't attest to that because I don't have wrinkles on my cheeks (does anyone)?"
Colour Accents Face & Blush Palette, £30, Clarins
"Oh, allow me to bang on about revived fragrances from the 80s. This one was originally launched in 1987 (a fabulous year). If you believe fragrance connoisseur Roja Dove, it greatly inspired the original Agent Provocateur perfume which happens to be the scent I wear every day. Its a chypre, so it has a warm, spicy dryness that tempers the sweeter rose, honey and jasmine notes. Terribly elegant and lovely."
La Perla EdP, from £55, John Lewis
"Forest Secrets is a quirky skincare range from a lady who packs her products with only the best and most effective botanicals at high concentrations so a little goes a long way. This hand and body lotion is as light as it is super-hydrating, and full of good stuff thatll boost collagen production all over your body, making skin more bouncy and resilient."
iRejuvenate The Cream Of Wonders, £25, Forest Secrets
"Dark circles are among those beauty problems that nobody seems to be able to fix; there are so many possible causes that its hard to tackle them all successfully. This nifty potion goes after the pigmentation at the root of undereye shadows and does it without any irritation whatsoever. I cant say my circles have yet improved by 30% (thatll happen after 12 weeks, says a clinical study. I wonder what 30% looks like). But I do like the lightweight hydration, collagen-boosting ingredients, and instant circle-blurring optic particles theyve packed into this stuff. A good all-rounder for eyes, I say."
Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector, £28, Clinique
"Im not a powder blush girl, but this stuff is so silky it might as well be cream or liquid. It blends seamlessly with a bit of easy buffing and leaves cheeks glowy, which I like. The peachy shade is great for blusher-phobics: it flatters all skin tones and makes you look healthy in a subtle, non made-up way. Plus, it stays put all day, which is more than I can say for most cream blushers (which my dry skin seems to eat up)."
Supernatural Blush in Laughter, £19, bareMinerals
"Seeing as my undereyes have collapsed completely recently, this concealer is a welcome addition to my arsenal. Its got the collagen-boosting botanical thats made the Plantscription serum and Cosmo Beauty Award-winning eye cream such a success, so it should help firm up saggy skin (I live in hope) while concealing crepey lines and dark circles. The gel-like texture really glides on and smoothes the area instantly, and Im impressed with how it doesnt dry out and sit in my lines at the end of the day. Good staying power, too."
Plantscription Anti-Ageing Concealer, £16, Origins
"You apply this straightening spray to wet hair before blowdrying for super-sleekness, then mist over dry hair to keep the straightness going, there are no silicones, oils or resins, so hair wont go greasy or limp. In the words of beauty ed Kate (whos always straightening her wavy hair): All my wavy bits fell into submission without a fight and my hair felt thicker too. The instructions recommend use of straighteners for the best results but I didn't need them. Poker straight all day: impressed.
Living Proof Straight, £25 spacenk.co.uk
"Give me a fragrance that takes me back to the 80s anytime. Ivoire was a big hit back then and this 're-interpretation' stays close to the original, thankfully. It has none of the over-the-top-ness associated with a lot of 80's scents – it's soapy and soft, gently floral with sparkly mandarin and tart galbanum cutting through the sweeter notes. To me, it's like a hug in a bottle."
Balmain Ivoire EdP, from £39, Selfridges.com
"Oh good, ANOTHER BB cream! Actually, this one is a good idea, as 60% of women now claim to have sensitive skin. It has no fragrance (always good in my book), soothing allantoin, and SPF25 (brilliant). It really does give skin a candlelit glow and a velvety finish, and makes me look healthier by blurring blotchiness. Like."
Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream Sensitive Skin, £9.99, Garnier
"I'm not a fan of perfumes extending into bath and body products. Most are just inferior bath and body formulations, laced with a lot of fragrance. This one, like most, has sodium laureth sulphate, the skin-drying detergent I'm not enamoured of. But it somehow manages to leave my skin feeling comfortable, and the scent – a riot of sun-drenched zesty notes – is so bracing and joyous that this is now my favourite of the four body washes currently on my bathroom shelf."
Aqua Universalis Scented Shower Cream, £35, Maison Francois Kurkdjian
"A mousse girl all the way (I'm from the 80's), volumising sprays are always a bit lacking in oomph for my liking. This one threw down the gauntlet by promising to increase my hair diameter by 20%, so I obviously had to test it. Granted, I sprayed on quite a lot, but it did pump up the volume beautifully and weightlessy, and gave it that beautiful Aveda smell as an added bonus."
Pure Abundance Style Prep, £19.50, Aveda
"I'm instantly weary when a product comes with a fancy French name and costs five times more than the average price for similar products. But my hair has been softer, glossier and bouncier than usual from the minute I started using this conditioner, and I don't think I've ever noticed a hair product make such an instant difference. Smells lovely, too – I guess I'll just have to grin and bear that price..."
Moisturising Repair Conditioner, £33, Touché by Flavien
"So CK One makeup is back, with rather a huge range of colours, textures, and clever multi-purpose products. This gloss eyeshadow pencil looks terrifying, but smudges on really easily and blends flatteringly. The result is 'easy rock chick' rather than 'terrifying Goth'; with a glossy gunmetal finish that makes you look like you didn't try too hard. Nicely sets off your eye colour, too."
Ck One Gloss Eyecolor, £13, Debenhams
"Odd product; it's not a self-tan, which I would've thought the name (and the brand) implied. Rather, it's a moisturiser that gives an instant bronzed glow. The result is lovely, if a bit disappointing for those hoping to develop a tan. It does have a 'melanin boosting complex' though, which "can help stimulate your natural melanin production" when in the sun. Confused? I am."
Adjustable Tan Glow Moisturising Emulsion in Blonette Tan, £21, Lancaster
"This rich-but-easily-absorbed body lotion smells beautifully uplifting and citrusy and is packed with vitamins and omega oils – it's practically an anti-ageing cream for the body. It really nourishes, so your body skin will not just look and feel better instantly, it will get naturally more supple and hydrated over time. Lovely!"
Sea Buckthorn Body Lotion, £15.95, Weleda
"This colour is bizarre; its blueish base scared me as I assumed it would make my already not-at-all-tanned toes look corpse-like, but it's actually very flattering. I should've known as these violetty shades are also surprisingly beautiful on lips, giving your face a kind of ethereal air. You learn something new all the time!"
Vernis In Love in Violette Coquette, £12, Lancome
"Good old Pantene. For the foreseeable future, the brand will donate 5p from the sale of every bottle bearing the special logo to Cancer Hair Care. The charity helps women who live with hair loss through cancer treatment – so what better time to re-acquaint yourself with one of beauty's multi award-winning stalwarts?"
Pantene Pro-V Classic Care Shampoo and Conditioner, £2.69, Boots
"This must be the softest, creamiest cleanser I've ever tried; I can't stop massaging my face with it, which is exactly what a facialist would do (massage is anti-ageing and glow-giving, don't you know). It smells faintly of rose and is full of beautiful nourishing ingredients. Love it."
Rose Hydrate Calming Creamy Cleanser, £8.99, Super Facialist by Una Brennan available at Boots
"Antibacterial hand gels are quite handy when experiencing the delights of Portaloos at V Festival, but they're generally made of mostly alcohol and can dry out your mitts like mad. So I'm loving this one, which owes its anti-microbial and anti-viral properties to nothing but fragrant and not-at-all drying herbs, roots and berries (think rosemary, marjoram and radish root), with a little seaweed thrown in for nourishment.
Antibacterial Hand Gel, £7.50, Green & Spring
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