Tag Archives: Benefit

Hot on the Highstreet Week 218 – Benefit Summer Favourites

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Hoola has been the best-selling bronzer in the UK for the last 5 years. This Benefit product adds colour and a healthy glow to your skin all year round but it is a particularly key product in the summer months. This high quality powder will give a natural but exotic glow to any skin-tone. The texture is light and matte, which works perfectly in hot weather to stop skin looking shiny. The rich pigmentation means the product lasts for ages even if you use it religiously every day, it is also perfect as a contouring powder. I can’t stand sparkly bronzers, and am pleased to report that this products lacks any unnatural glitter, insuring the Hoola tan looks like it has really come a day at the beach. Packaged complete with a mini application brush, apply gently across face and neck for an all-over tan. Priced at £23.50.

Benefit has designed tints for every mood and every season. The newest, Lolli tint, offers a candy-orchid tinted glow for lips and cheeks. This multi-purpose product will give a natural flush and pretty-in-pink appearance. On bare skin the tint only needs one layer to offer a lovely girly blush. With bronzer add a few more layers to give a cheekier brighter pink shade. Dab on the cheekbone or lips and blend with fingertips for best effect. Packaged in a fun metallic pink bottle this product will always stand out in your make-up bag. Priced at £24.50.

I love the quirky name for this new soft focus highlighter. Previously I have always used the Benefit Sunbeam and Moonbeam, but this product offers a lovely daytime glow. Particularly good for eyebrow and cheekbone highlighting, Watt’s Up has a natural champagne tone that can be used on top of foundation or bronzer without disruption. This versatile product has two uses, one end has a sponge for easy application of the highlighter (though I preferred to use my fingers to blend) the other end has a creamy shimmer stick to add definition and shading to your skin. Great for all everyone, though more effective on medium to darker skintones. Priced at £24.50.

See the whole Benefit Cosmetics range of make-up here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 192

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January is a good time to change and refresh your daily beauty routine. I’ve scoured the best brands around, and here’s my top selection for the winter.

Face

Finding a brand that offers a range of products to cover your whole face routine is a revelation. Murad Daily Cleansing Foam, Balancing Moisturizer and T-Zone Pore Refining Serum is on offer as a set for £99 when you buy all three and they compliment each other and your skin so you don’t have to worry about any other products. I love the easy-to-use cleansing foam, it is very light and fresh and tones the skin while also washing away all dirt and impurities. The serum is particularly good to use on more problematic areas of your face, whilst the moisturizer can be applied liberally and will hydrate and protect.

The luxuriously organic collection from Thalgo is faultless. Made from a concoction of the finest ingredients, these formulas are a a joy for every skin type. Both the Freshness Exfoliator and Relaxing Cream are light and yet hydrating. The silky touch of the cream makes it a pleasure to use, night and day.

Those days your skin needs a little extra boost, Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream does the trick. This rich and creamy moisturiser smells divine and feels even better. Presented in a retro turquoise glass container, it is a facial cream for the most glamorous girls and will keep your skin glowing long after application.

I have always been a fan of Jurlique, the floral and girly ranges are great for maintaining even tone and complexion whilst scenting the skin with delicious perfumes. The Balancing Cleansing Lotion is a gentle product made with rosewood and lavender, to cleanse and hydrate the skin. Once the skin is clean, a few pumps of the Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum will combat any dullness and leave your skin radiant. I notice the wonderful effects of Jurlique everyday.

Body

I can’t get enough of the indulgent Cocooning Body Butter from Sanctuary Spa, it soaks so easily into the skin whilst softening and tightening. It can be used on the whole body and is the perfect remedy to unwind at the end of a stressful day. Another great product, the brings the spa to your home, is the Warming Sugar Polish. This self-heating scrub deeply cleanses the skin with the crushed organic sugar and crushed walnut recipe removing any dead skin to leave your body feeling bright and fresh.

For bronzed skin all-year round, there is only one brand to go to. St Tropez is a godsend, and in summer the shelves of Boots are emptied as girls rush for these precious bottles of tanning lotion. My favourite is the Bronzing Mousse which is easiest to use and very natural. But before tanning can commence the skin must be smooth and soft, which is where the Tan Enhancing Polish comes in. This scrub preps the skin and helps ensure the best tan. For your face, St Tropez Bronzing Lotion gives the best results.

Hair

Charles Worthington is an affordable and reliable haircare brand. These three products (Moisture Seal Shampoo, Conditioner and Hair Masque) work well as a set, intensely nourishing the hair from root to end. Enriched with argon oil, when dry the hair appears shiny and glossy. Use the masque occasionally to add strength to weakened hair.

In my opinion Philip Kingsley is the king of haircare. His Moisture Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner is proof of this, these carefully formulated products are ideal for medium-textured and wavy hair, giving bounce and shine. As well as improving quality, this shampoo and conditioner makes hair manageable and easy to style, adding moisture to dry split ends and ensuring balanced roots.

When it comes to hair styling it is important to have products that you know work for your hair. Joico is a fashionable American brand with sassy styling products, I can particularly recommend the Styling & Finishing Spray and Ultra Dry Spray, with a light and lovely smell and medium hold, they will prepare hair perfectly for a night out on the town.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 126

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As autumn fades and winter approaches, the cold weather becomes more damaging to our hair and skin. It is essential to invest in effective products to keep healthy and glowing in the chillier months. I have picked out a few of the best new products from my favourite beauty brands which can hopefully act as everyday staples.

MOISTURISER –

Perricone MD Deep Moisture Therapy: Keeping your skin moisturised is the most important part of your daily beauty routine and Dr Perricone is a brilliant Cosmeceuticals brand that I can’t fault. The Deep Moisture Therapy is a new antioxidant based cream designed to hydrate, smooth and repair dry and damaged skin. Thanks to the palm, borage and coconut oil ingredients, the cream is light and soft on the skin and comforts and moisturises without the heaviness often found in winter moisturisers. With anti-aging properties, it is a good option long term working over time to protect skin and ensure a healthy glowing complexion. When using it I found it was a brilliant base underneath make-up as well. £69.50

SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER –

Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin Shampoo and Lait Vital Conditioner: The Kerastase ranges are exemplary for hair care which is why you see them used by so many top salons and hairdressers. This range is for normal to dry hair so is perfect for use during colder weather. I find this shampoo and conditioner nourishes from the roots to tips, eliminating signs of split ends and leaving hair silky smooth and shiny. It is always best to use a very small amount of shampoo twice to ensure the hair is fully cleansed and hydrated. £29.95

L’Oreal Force Vector shampoo and conditioner: I am a new user of L’Oreal’s hair products and have been pleasantly surprised by the results. Force Vector is a great range for winter, in particular the conditioner replenishes hair and acts as a masque, preventing breakages and split ends and thoroughly moisturising. These products are formulated with Glycocell (Incell and Royal Jelly extract) to leave hair fibre fortified and protected. £24

WINTER TAN –

He-Shi Luminous Shimmer: If you are partial to the winter blues this product could be the one for you. The He-Shi bronzer has extra sparkle and has an easy-to-use tanning mitt for perfect tan application. Best of all it is designed for him and her. Slightly scented with a sweet subtle smell, this wash off bronzer leaves you looking naturally tanned with an extra glittering finish. The cream can be applied to the whole body or used selectively to enhance legs or shoulders on a night out. £10.50 plus £4.50 for mitt

MAKE-UP –

Benefit Peek-a-Bright-Eyes: this eye illuminating kit is perfect to brighten up tired winter eyes. The cute little kit includes an instant eye brightener, buff base shadow, warm chocolate contour shadow, pearly pink highlight shadow, contour / liner brush, concealer brush plus tips and tricks to help you achieve the best from these Benefit essentials. I particular liked blending the two contrasting eye shadows together to create a subtle warm smoky look. Everything you need to make your eyes stand out from the crowd this winter. £24.50

HAIR CARE –

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil: I love this product. Presented in a small neon orange bottle I found it instantly appealing. The oil smells delicious and is so featherlight and soft, it dissolves instantly into the hair leaving a lovely shine. It is perfect for either towel dried hair or for adding finish to already dry hair. Now I’ve tried this product and fallen in love, I want to try the whole B & B collection! £30

Bumble and Bumble Spray de Mode: The only hairspray to use this winter is the Bumble and Bumble fashion edition bottle. With extra strong but flexible hold and an astounding memory for shape, it is perfect for day and night-time use. £21.50

Mashooq 100 % Natural deep penetrating oil treatment: The Mashooq oil is an exclusive blend of pure natural oils which rejuvenates and nourishes the hair and is particularly beneficial to dry, damaged or brittle hair. The treatment has no chemicals or additives and has a medicinal smell, you feel you are doing your hair real good when applying it. This is a product without hype, but with the evidence of amazing results. £7.99

All products available online.