Budget doesn't necessarily mean second best.
Beauty gurus Jo Fairley and Sarah Stacey asked the opinions of 2,300 women who trialled products from supermarket, high street and mass market ranges for their new book called Beauty Steals, covering 67 categories from lip balms to night creams. The
book is £8.99 and is published tomorrow by Kyle Cathie. Here are some of the budget winners:
Anti-ageing eye creams (around £10-15 mark)
WINNER: Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare Daily Eye Repair (£12.50, from www.lizearle.com and 01983 813 913) – 7.68/10
Sarah and Jo say: "An intensive cream containing botanicals including echinacea, light-reflective pigments and SPF10."
Testers say: "instantly blurred lines, worked very well on puffiness, camouflaged dark circles".
2. L'Oreal Age Re-Perfect Pro-Calcium De-Crinkling Eye & Lip Contours – 7.4/10.
3. L'Oreal Wrinkle De-Crease Collagen Filler Eye.
Miracle creams (up to £20)
WINNER: L'Oreal Derma-Genesis Cellular-Youth Nurturing Night Cream – 8.3/10.
Sarah and Jo say: "Contains high levels of skin-plumping hylauric acid, plus L'Oreal's patented Pro-Xylane ingredient."
Testers say: "The first morning my skin was brighter and slightly plumped; after two weeks, fine lines across forehead and mouth less visible."
2. Neal's Yard Remedies Frankincense Nourishing Cream – 8.25/10.
3. Soap & Glory Make Yourself Youthful Rejuvenating Face Serum – 8.12 /10.
For the neck
WINNER: Dove Pro-Age Neck and Chest Beauty Serum (£6.84 at Boots) – 7.5 /10.
Sarah and Jo say: "The anti-ageing face creams we tried did amazingly well, rivalling more expensive brands. Yet the budget neck creams performed poorly in general. n Testers say: "Neck more even toned, plumped, and the vertical lines, which I absolutely hate, seem less noticeable; I feel much more confident showing cleavage on a night out."
Body lotions
WINNER: Yes To Carrots C is Smooth Body Moisturizing Lotion (about £8, from
Boots) – 8.7/10.
Sarah and Jo say: "The signature ingredients of this rich lotion are organic carrot juice, pumpkin, sweet potato and melon."
Testers say: "Really enjoyed using this; quickly absorbed and very effective."
2. Jergens Age Defying Moisturiser – 8.18 /10.
3. Good Works Gook Looking Body Lotion – 8.1/10.
Face masks
WINNER: The Body Shop Warming Mineral Mask (£7.30) – 8.87/10
Sarah and Jo say: "A truly stellar score for this self-heating mask which warms on contact with the skin, drawing out impurities (that's the kaolin and essential oils)."
Testers say: "One of those rare, miracle products; skin clear, fresh and bright and the rather large pores around my nose looked smaller – hooray!"
Other winners
Face Fillers winner: No 7 Line Lift Line Filling Collagen Booster (£9.75) – 7.18/10.
Liquid Foundation winner: Rimmel Lasting Finish 16hr Mineral Enriched Foundation (£5.86) – 6.94/10.
Shampoo winner: Louise Galvin Natural Locks Nourishing Shampoo for Dry Damaged Hair (£7.95, from www.louisegalvon.com) – 8.28 /10.
Conditioner: Daniel Galvin Junior Hair Clinic Hangover Hair Organic Lavender Conditioner (£4.99, from danielgalvinjnr.co.uk) – 8/10.
Stop pressOne of England's oldest perfumeries, Grossmith, founded in 1835 (it ceased trading nearly 30 years ago), is being revived by Simon Brooke, great-great-grandson of founder John Grossmith. Simon, who discovered the connection while researching his family tree, found original formulae books that had been saved from Grossmith's City of London offices after bombing during the blitz. With the help of fragrance expert Roja Dove, a new fragrance range has been created for a modern market and is available at Burgins in York and Hoopers in Harrogate. The eau de parfum starts at £95 for 50ml.
Harvey Nichols now stocks HEMPZ, with the full collection of body moisturisers and lip shines, taking the formula from its number one selling moisturiser and infusing it with four delicious flavours enriched with pure organic hemp seed oil for luscious, long-term hydration, that is paraben and gluten free. Choose from Cranberry Vanilla Cake, Coconut Cream Frosting, Gingerbread Cookie or Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake, each containing a gourmet blend of natural honey and vanilla extracts. Body lotion costs £11.99 for a 235ml bottle, £4.99 for a 64ml bottle and lip gloss costs £9.99.
