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Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
We asked 12 beauty experts to spill on their favourite beauty buys – some cost £450, others just £2
Some of the experts' picks will surprise you... Save Vs Splurge We asked 12 beauty experts to spill on their favourite beauty buys – some cost £450, others just £2 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IN the wise words of Jessie J, it's not about the money where beauty buying is concerned. In fact, more than a third of Boots Advantage Card members shopped for both budget-friendly make-up and premium cosmetics in 2024, focusing their attention not on how much products costs but on what really works - not something that's always easy to work out. To find out where we should be spending our money, and what products we can save on, we asked 10 industry experts for their favourite budget beauty product, and the one they will shell out for. Tara Ledden, Beauty Editor 32 These are the products Beauty Editor Tara Ledden buys again and again Credit: Tara Ledden I'm a huge fan of high street beauty, as there are so many brilliant products lining the shelves today, you really don't have to spend loads to arm yourself with hard-working products. However, if I'm going to splurge, it's almost always on skincare. BUDGET BUY 32 This multi-tasking spray is a hair saviour Credit: Arkive ARKIVE The Prologue Hair Primer, £4.50 I talk about ARKIVE The Prologue Hair Primer, £4.50, on an almost daily basis. In fact, when I told Beauty Writer Mia that I was going to make it my budget pick, she replied: "I knew it!" immediately. It's super lightweight, yet it still dissolves tangles and manages to leave hair noticeably softer and more shiny - while also protecting it from heat - without leaving any residue behind. It's impossible to use too much, so if you have fine hair like me, you don't need to worry about it feeling dirty or limp. BLOWOUT BEAUTY 32 This moisturiser is worth the splurge Credit: Tatcha Tatcha The Silk Cream, £123 I discovered Tatcha The Silk Cream, £123, in the Fabulous beauty cupboard over two years ago and started slathering it on my face. Within days, I was getting compliments on how good my skin looked, including one from a fellow beauty editor well versed in my history of acne, who exclaimed: "Your skin looks like porcelain!" before we'd even said hello. I'd used it for a week before I googled the price, and I instantly started using a tiny pea-sized amount to try to make the tub last longer, thinking I'd never be able to justify a repurchase. Unfortunately for my bank balance, I've not found a cheaper moisturiser that compares, and have since re-stocked multiple times. Jamie Genevieve, make-up artist and founder of Vieve 32 These are the products Jamie Genevieve swears by Credit: Jamie Genevieve As a make-up artist, it doesn't get more fun than testing and trying new make-up launches. BUDGET BUY 32 This serum is instantly hydrating Credit: BYOMA Byoma Hydrating Serum, £12.99 Everything from Byoma is simple, effective and fuss-free, with a super-accessible price point. Byoma Hydrating Serum, £12.99 gives skin a hit of hydration, making it great to use ahead of applying make-up. BLOWOUT BEAUTY I love my luxurious facials with facialists Olivia Francesca and Nichola Joss, whose clients have included Gwyneth Paltrow and I go to KMP Skin in London and Age Refined Glasgow for medical-grade treatments. Dr Christine Hall, aesthetics doctor and pharmacist 32 Dr Christina Hall has these products on her bathroom shelf Credit: Dr Christina Hall One product I never spend lots of money on is a cleanser, as you really don't need to. BUDGET BUY 32 This SPF has a lightweight texture Credit: Beauty of Joseon Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF 50, £15.50 The textures and finishes of Korean SPFs are unrivalled because they're so lightweight and non-greasy, plus they're often hybrid products. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF 50, £15.50, offers premium protection and doubles up as a moisturiser. BLOWOUT BEAUTY 32 This serum is worth the investment Credit: Skinceuticals Skinceuticals Silymarin CF Serum, £165 Skinceuticals Silymarin CF Serum, £165, is formulated with oily skin in mind and was genuinely a game-changer for me in terms of clearing my skin of breakouts. Mollie Burdell, beauty journalist and make-up artist 32 These are the beauty buys Mollie Burdell adds to her basket Credit: Mollie Burdell You don't need to spend much to create an exceptional skincare or make-up routine, but I'm also a real sucker for glitzy tools and gadgets. BUDGET BUY 32 This foundation gives pricey formulas a run for their money Credit: e.l.f e.l.f cosmetics Soft Glam Satin Foundation, £8 e.l.f cosmetics Soft Glam Satin Foundation, £8, is one of my favourite bases because it gives the most natural glow-giving coverage with minimal effort required, and works beautifully on all skin types. BLOWOUT BEAUTY 32 This innovation is a game-changer Credit: DYSON Dyson Supersonic r Hairdryer, £449.99 I first experienced the new Dyson Supersonic r Hairdryer, £449.99, at Larry King's salon, and I immediately knew I needed one for myself. It's nifty, lightweight and an absolute joy to use. Emily Lansley, celebrity manicurist, facialist and tanning expert 32 These are Emily Lansley's top picks Credit: Emily Lansley When adding to my beauty kit, I always keep prevention, protection and good gut health at the forefront of my mind. BUDGET BUY 32 You'll love this beauty bargain Credit: BOOTS Boots Glow Gua Sha, £8.50 A gua sha, like Boots Glow Gua Sha, £8.50, is one of the best things you can use at home for lymphatic drainage - you'll see instant tightening results. BLOWOUT BEAUTY Slimyonik AIR Bodystyler treatments, from £99, is a body contouring and lymphatic drainage device. It supercharges your metabolism, reduces inflammation throughout your body and improves your skin and gut health from the inside out. Adam Reed, hairstylist and founder of Arkive Headcare 32 Here's what the hairstylist swears by Credit: Adam Reed Creating and sticking to a routine is near impossible for my ADHD mind, so I make sure I keep things really simple. BUDGET BUY 32 Keep it simple with this moisturiser Credit: Nivea Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream, £2 I use Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream, £2, absolutely everywhere, and it's also a great base for making fragrances last. BLOWOUT BEAUTY I take weekly visits to the nail salon for a mani/pedi. My job is aggressive on my hands, so I really take care of them. Townhouse nail salon is my go-to. Katie Onyejekwe, aesthetician and skincare educator 32 These are the products Katie Onyejekwe loves Credit: Katie Onyejekwe My beauty routine is simple, results-driven and efficacious. BUDGET BUY 32 This budget lip liner has gone viral Credit: RIMMEL LONDON Rimmel Lasting Finish Lip Liner in Cappuccino, £3.99 Rimmel Lasting Finish Lip Liner in Cappuccino, £3.99, is the perfect nude shade for my skin tone - once applied it really does stay put, which I find a lot of other liners don't. BLOWOUT BEAUTY 32 Achieve a sculpted look Credit: Pure Lift Pure Lift Pro EMS tool, £674 I use Pure Lift Pro EMS tool, £674, in my facials, and occasionally on myself. It visibly lifts and helps to drain away water retention, leaving you looking sculpted. Iram Shelton, celebrity nail artist and lifestyle creator 32 Iram Shelton regularly uses these products Credit: Iram Shelton I spend way more than average on beauty, but it's part of my job, so I see it as a business investment too! BUDGET BUY 32 Iram loves this cult concealer Credit: Maybelline Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eraser Concealer, £9.99 Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eraser Concealer, £9.99, blends like a dream and has been in my make-up bag since my teenage years. Some things don't need to be expensive to work. BLOWOUT BEAUTY 32 A Dyson Airwrap can be a great investment Credit: Dyson Dyson Airwrap, £479.99 My Dyson Airwrap, £479.99, was a major splurge, but it's the best way to achieve a salon-worthy blowout at home without frying my hair. Plus, the time it saves me makes it 100% worth it. Adeola Gboyega, make-up artist 32 Here's what MUA Adeola loves Credit: Adeola Gboyega I'm not into products that are all packaging and no performance. If it doesn't get results or elevate my routine in some way, it's not worth the spend. BUDGET BUY 32 Elevate your bodycare routine Credit: Nuxe NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Body Oil, £12.50 NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Body Oil, £12.50 has a super-luxe scent for the price and I love how multi-use it is: body, hair, décolleté, even a few drops in the bath. BLOWOUT BEAUTY I believe in complementing my skincare routine with professional treatments. Injectables, chemical peels and laser treatments help with long-term skin health and make everyday maintenance so much easier. Jules Von Hep, beauty expert & author of The Confidence Ritual My beauty kit is brimming with different products dependent on season, day of the week, mood, age. Essentially more is more, less is a bore. 32 Jules Von Hep loves these beauty products Credit: Jules Von Hep BUDGET BUY 32 Why splurge on hair gel? Credit: Vo5 V05 Wet Look Gel, £3.50 The job of a hair gel is solely to firm up and hold in place, so why spend lots on it? V05 Wet Look Gel, £3.50, is no frills, and creates slicked-back hair every time. BLOWOUT BEAUTY 32 This stunning fragrance is a great investment Credit: Matiere Premier Matiere Premier Santal Austral, £165 for 50ml EDP Fragrance is always worth the splurge - you smell expensive because it is expensive. Douse me in Byredo De Los Santos, £150 for 50ml EDP and Matiere Premier Santal Austral, £165 for 50ml EDP. Estee Lalonde, content creator and founder of Mirror Water 32 Estee Lalonde has these products in her bathroom Credit: Estee Lalonde Don't be swayed by trends – find what works best for you. Shopping with a list helps me to avoid impulse buys. BUDGET BUY 32 This is a skincare staple Credit: Garnier Garnier Micellar Water, £5.49 Garnier Micellar Water, £5.49, is a ride-or-die for me. It's perfect for all skin types and is always the first step of my evening routine to remove my make-up. BLOWOUT BEAUTY 32 Soothe and balance stressed skin Credit: Reome REOME Active Recovery Broth, £75 I'd always say to splurge on a luxurious serum. REOME Active Recovery Broth, £75, is an all-time favourite - if my skin is showing any signs of stress, this highly concentrated formula instantly calms and soothes it. Mia Lyndon, Beauty Writer at Fabulous 32 These are the products that Mia reaches for Credit: Mia Lyndon Never overload your skin with buzzy skin and make-up products - instead, invest time in finding products that work for you, regardless of how unsexy they may seem. BUDGET BUY 32 This cream gets the job done Credit: Cetraben Cetraben Cream, £4.84 It's taken me a long time to find the right moisturiser for my eczema-prone complexion, but I've finally found it in simple and deeply nourishing Cetraben Cream, £4.84. BLOWOUT BEAUTY 32 Mia likes to invest in good handcare Credit: Molton Brown Molton Brown Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Hand Wash & Lotion Set, £47 Invest in great handcare - like Molton Brown's fresh, aromatic Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Hand Wash & Lotion Set, £47 - and you'll always be ready to have guests around!
The Irish Sun
11 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
We asked 12 beauty experts to spill on their favourite beauty buys – some cost £450, others just £2
IN the wise words of Jessie J, it's not about the money where beauty buying is concerned. In fact, more than a third of Boots Advantage Card members shopped for both budget-friendly make-up and premium cosmetics in 2024, focusing their attention not on how much products costs but on what really works - not something that's always easy to work out. Advertisement To find out where we should be spending our money, and what products we can save on, we asked 10 industry experts for their favourite budget beauty product, and the one they will shell out for. Tara Ledden, Beauty Editor 32 These are the products Beauty Editor Tara Ledden buys again and again Credit: Tara Ledden I'm a huge fan of high street beauty, as there are so many brilliant products lining the shelves today, you really don't have to spend loads to arm yourself with hard-working products. However, if I'm going to splurge, it's almost always on skincare. BUDGET BUY 32 This multi-tasking spray is a hair saviour Credit: Arkive ARKIVE The Prologue Hair Primer, £4.50 Advertisement READ MORE IN BEAUTY I talk about It's super lightweight, yet it still dissolves tangles and manages to leave hair noticeably softer and more shiny - while also protecting it from heat - without leaving any residue behind. It's impossible to use too much, so if you have fine hair like me, you don't need to worry about it feeling dirty or limp. BLOWOUT BEAUTY 32 This moisturiser is worth the splurge Credit: Tatcha Advertisement Tatcha The Silk Cream, £123 Most read in Fabulous I discovered Within days, I was getting compliments on how good my skin looked, including one from a fellow beauty editor well versed in my history of acne, who exclaimed: "Your skin looks like porcelain!" before we'd even said hello. I'd used it for a week before I googled the price, and I instantly started using a tiny pea-sized amount to try to make the tub last longer, thinking I'd never be able to justify a repurchase. Advertisement Unfortunately for my bank balance, I've not found a cheaper moisturiser that compares, and have since re-stocked multiple times. Jamie Genevieve, make-up artist and founder of V ieve 32 These are the products Jamie Genevieve swears by Credit: Jamie Genevieve As a make-up artist, it doesn't get more fun than testing and trying new make-up launches. BUDGET BUY 32 This serum is instantly hydrating Credit: BYOMA Advertisement Byoma Hydrating Serum, £12.99 Everything from Byoma is simple, effective and fuss-free, with a super-accessible price point. gives skin a hit of hydration, making it great to use ahead of applying make-up. BLOWOUT BEAUTY I love my luxurious facials with facialists Advertisement I go to KMP Skin in London and Age Refined Glasgow for medical-grade treatments. Dr Christine Hall, aesthetics doctor and pharmacist 32 Dr Christina Hall has these products on her bathroom shelf Credit: Dr Christina Hall One product I never spend lots of money on is a cleanser, as you really don't need to. BUDGET BUY 32 This SPF has a lightweight texture Credit: Beauty of Joseon Advertisement Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF 50, £15.50 The textures and finishes of Korean SPFs are unrivalled because they're so lightweight and non-greasy, plus they're often hybrid products. , offers premium protection and doubles up as a moisturiser. BLOWOUT BEAUTY 32 This serum is worth the investment Credit: Skinceuticals Advertisement Skinceuticals Silymarin CF Serum, £165 Mollie Burdell, beauty journalist and make-up artist 32 These are the beauty buys Mollie Burdell adds to her basket Credit: Mollie Burdell You don't need to spend much to create an exceptional skincare or make-up routine, but I'm also a real sucker for glitzy tools and gadgets. Advertisement BUDGET BUY 32 This foundation gives pricey formulas a run for their money Credit: e.l.f e.l.f cosmetics Soft Glam Satin Foundation, £8 , is one of my favourite bases because it gives the most natural glow-giving coverage with minimal effort required, and works beautifully on all skin types. BLOWOUT BEAUTY 32 This innovation is a game-changer Credit: DYSON Advertisement Dyson Supersonic r Hairdryer, £449.99 I first experienced the new , at Larry King's salon, and I immediately knew I needed one for myself. It's nifty, lightweight and an absolute joy to use. Emily Lansley, celebrity manicurist, facialist and tanning expert 32 These are Emily Lansley's top picks Credit: Emily Lansley Advertisement When adding to my beauty kit, I always keep prevention, protection and good gut health at the forefront of my mind. BUDGET BUY 32 You'll love this beauty bargain Credit: BOOTS Boots Glow Gua Sha, £8.50 A gua sha, like , is one of the best things you can use at home for lymphatic drainage - you'll see instant tightening results. Advertisement BLOWOUT BEAUTY is a body contouring and lymphatic drainage device . It supercharges your metabolism, reduces inflammation throughout your body and improves your skin and gut health from the inside out. Adam Reed, hairstylist and founder of Arkive Headcare 32 Here's what the hairstylist swears by Credit: Adam Reed Creating and sticking to a routine is near impossible for my ADHD mind, so I make sure I keep things really simple. BUDGET BUY 32 Keep it simple with this moisturiser Credit: Nivea Advertisement Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream, £2 I use , absolutely everywhere, and it's also a great base for making fragrances last. BLOWOUT BEAUTY I take weekly visits to the nail salon for a mani/pedi. My job is aggressive on my hands, so I really take care of them. is my go-to. Katie Onyejekwe, aesthetician and skincare educator 32 These are the products Katie Onyejekwe loves Credit: Katie Onyejekwe Advertisement My beauty routine is simple, results-driven and efficacious. BUDGET BUY 32 This budget lip liner has gone viral Credit: RIMMEL LONDON Rimmel Lasting Finish Lip Liner in Cappuccino, £3.99 is the perfect nude shade for my skin tone - once applied it really does stay put, which I find a lot of other liners don't. Advertisement BLOWOUT BEAUTY 32 Achieve a sculpted look Credit: Pure Lift Pure Lift Pro EMS tool, £674 I use in my facials, and occasionally on myself. It visibly lifts and helps to drain away water retention, leaving you looking sculpted. Iram Shelton, celebrity nail artist and lifestyle creator 32 Iram Shelton regularly uses these products Credit: Iram Shelton Advertisement I spend way more than average on beauty, but it's part of my job, so I see it as a business investment too! BUDGET BUY 32 Iram loves this cult concealer Credit: Maybelline Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eraser Concealer, £9.99 , blends like a dream and has been in my make-up bag since my teenage years. Advertisement Some things don't need to be expensive to work. BLOWOUT BEAUTY 32 A Dyson Airwrap can be a great investment Credit: Dyson Dyson Airwrap, £479.99 My Advertisement Plus, the time it saves me makes it 100% worth it. Adeola Gboyega, make-up artist 32 Here's what MUA Adeola loves Credit: Adeola Gboyega I'm not into products that are all packaging and no performance. If it doesn't get results or elevate my routine in some way, it's not worth the spend. Advertisement BUDGET BUY 32 Elevate your bodycare routine Credit: Nuxe NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Body Oil, £12.50 has a super-luxe scent for the price and I love how multi-use it is: body, hair, décolleté, even a few drops in the bath. BLOWOUT BEAUTY I believe in complementing my skincare routine with professional treatments. Advertisement Injectables, chemical peels and laser treatments help with long-term skin health and make everyday maintenance so much easier. Jules Von Hep, beauty expert & author of The Confidence Ritual My beauty kit is brimming with different products dependent on season, day of the week, mood, age. Essentially more is more, less is a bore. 32 Jules Von Hep loves these beauty products Credit: Jules Von Hep Advertisement BUDGET BUY 32 Why splurge on hair gel? Credit: Vo5 V05 Wet Look Gel, £3.50 The job of a hair gel is solely to firm up and hold in place, so why spend lots on it? , is no frills, and creates slicked-back hair every time. Advertisement BLOWOUT BEAUTY 32 This stunning fragrance is a great investment Credit: Matiere Premier Matiere Premier Santal Austral, £165 for 50ml ED P Fragrance is always worth the splurge - you smell expensive because it is expensive. Douse me in and Advertisement Estee Lalonde, content creator and founder of Mirror Water 32 Estee Lalonde has these products in her bathroom Credit: Estee Lalonde Don't be swayed by trends – find what works best for you. Shopping with a list helps me to avoid impulse buys. BUDGET BUY 32 This is a skincare staple Credit: Garnier Advertisement Garnier Micellar Water, £5.49 , is a ride-or-die for me. It's perfect for all skin types and is always the first step of my evening routine to remove my make-up. BLOWOUT BEAUTY 32 Soothe and balance stressed skin Credit: Reome Advertisement REOME Active Recovery Broth, £75 I'd always say to splurge on a luxurious serum. , is an all-time favourite - if my skin is showing any signs of stress, this highly concentrated formula instantly calms and soothes it. Mia Lyndon, Beauty Writer at Fabulous 32 These are the products that Mia reaches for Credit: Mia Lyndon Advertisement Never overload your skin with buzzy skin and make-up products - instead, invest time in finding products that work for you, regardless of how unsexy they may seem. BUDGET BUY 32 This cream gets the job done Credit: Cetraben Cetraben Cream, £4.84 It's taken me a long time to find the right moisturiser for my eczema-prone complexion, but I've finally found it in simple and deeply nourishing Advertisement BLOWOUT BEAUTY 32 Mia likes to invest in good handcare Credit: Molton Brown Molton Brown Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Hand Wash & Lotion Set, £47 Invest in great handcare - like Molton Brown's fresh, aromatic
The Sun
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
We asked 12 beauty experts to spill on their favourite beauty buys – some cost £450, others just £2
IN the wise words of Jessie J, it's not about the money where beauty buying is concerned. In fact, more than a third of Boots Advantage Card members shopped for both budget-friendly make-up and premium cosmetics in 2024, focusing their attention not on how much products costs but on what really works - not something that's always easy to work out. To find out where we should be spending our money, and what products we can save on, we asked 10 industry experts for their favourite budget beauty product, and the one they will shell out for. Tara Ledden, Beauty Editor 32 I'm a huge fan of high street beauty, as there are so many brilliant products lining the shelves today, you really don't have to spend loads to arm yourself with hard-working products. However, if I'm going to splurge, it's almost always on skincare. BUDGET BUY BUY NOW I talk about ARKIVE The Prologue Hair Primer, £ 4.50, on an almost daily basis. In fact, when I told Beauty Writer Mia that I was going to make it my budget pick, she replied: "I knew it!" immediately. It's super lightweight, yet it still dissolves tangles and manages to leave hair noticeably softer and more shiny - while also protecting it from heat - without leaving any residue behind. It's impossible to use too much, so if you have fine hair like me, you don't need to worry about it feeling dirty or limp. BLOWOUT BEAUTY Tatcha The Silk Cream, £123 BUY NOW I discovered Tatcha The Silk Cream, £123, in the Fabulous beauty cupboard over two years ago and started slathering it on my face. Within days, I was getting compliments on how good my skin looked, including one from a fellow beauty editor well versed in my history of acne, who exclaimed: "Your skin looks like porcelain!" before we'd even said hello. I'd used it for a week before I googled the price, and I instantly started using a tiny pea-sized amount to try to make the tub last longer, thinking I'd never be able to justify a repurchase. Unfortunately for my bank balance, I've not found a cheaper moisturiser that compares, and have since re-stocked multiple times. Jamie Genevieve, make-up artist and founder of V ieve 32 As a make-up artist, it doesn't get more fun than testing and trying new make-up launches. BUDGET BUY Byoma Hydrating Serum, £12.99 Everything from Byoma is simple, effective and fuss-free, with a super-accessible price point. Byoma Hydrating Serum, £12.99 gives skin a hit of hydration, making it great to use ahead of applying make-up. BLOWOUT BEAUTY I love my luxurious facials with facialists Olivia Francesca and Nichola Joss, whose clients have included Gwyneth Paltrow and I go to KMP Skin in London and Age Refined Glasgow for medical-grade treatments. Dr Christine Hall, aesthetics doctor and pharmacist 32 One product I never spend lots of money on is a cleanser, as you really don't need to. BUDGET BUY Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF 50, £15.50 The textures and finishes of Korean SPFs are unrivalled because they're so lightweight and non-greasy, plus they're often hybrid products. , offers premium protection and doubles up as a moisturiser. BLOWOUT BEAUTY Skinceuticals Silymarin CF Serum, £165 Skinceuticals Silymarin CF Serum, £165, is formulated with oily skin in mind and was genuinely a game-changer for me in terms of clearing my skin of breakouts. Mollie Burdell, beauty journalist and make-up artist 32 You don't need to spend much to create an exceptional skincare or make-up routine, but I'm also a real sucker for glitzy tools and gadgets. BUDGET BUY e.l.f cosmetics Soft Glam Satin Foundation, £8, is one of my favourite bases because it gives the most natural glow-giving coverage with minimal effort required, and works beautifully on all skin types. BLOWOUT BEAUTY 32 Dyson Supersonic r Hairdryer, £449.99 I first experienced the new Dyson Supersonic r Hairdryer, £449.99, at Larry King's salon, and I immediately knew I needed one for myself. It's nifty, lightweight and an absolute joy to use. Emily Lansley, celebrity manicurist, facialist and tanning expert 32 When adding to my beauty kit, I always keep prevention, protection and good gut health at the forefront of my mind. BUDGET BUY Boots Glow Gua Sha, £8.50 BUY HERE A gua sha, like Boots Glow Gua Sha, £8.50, is one of the best things you can use at home for lymphatic drainage - you'll see instant tightening results. BLOWOUT BEAUTY Slimyonik AIR Bodystyler treatments, from £99, is a body contouring and lymphatic drainage device. It supercharges your metabolism, reduces inflammation throughout your body and improves your skin and gut health from the inside out. Adam Reed, hairstylist and founder of Arkive Headcare 32 Creating and sticking to a routine is near impossible for my ADHD mind, so I make sure I keep things really simple. BUDGET BUY Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream, £2 I use Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream, £2, absolutely everywhere, and it's also a great base for making fragrances last. BLOWOUT BEAUTY I take weekly visits to the nail salon for a mani/pedi. My job is aggressive on my hands, so I really take care of them. Townhouse nail salon is my go-to. Katie Onyejekwe, aesthetician and skincare educator My beauty routine is simple, results-driven and efficacious. BUDGET BUY BUY HERE Rimmel Lasting Finish Lip Liner in Cappuccino, £3.99, is the perfect nude shade for my skin tone - once applied it really does stay put, which I find a lot of other liners don't. BLOWOUT BEAUTY Pure Lift Pro EMS tool, £674 I use Pure Lift Pro EMS tool, £674, in my facials, and occasionally on myself. It visibly lifts and helps to drain away water retention, leaving you looking sculpted. Iram Shelton, celebrity nail artist and lifestyle creator 32 I spend way more than average on beauty, but it's part of my job, so I see it as a business investment too! BUDGET BUY Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eraser Concealer, £9.99 BUY HERE Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eraser Concealer, £9.99, blends like a dream and has been in my make-up bag since my teenage years. Some things don't need to be expensive to work. BLOWOUT BEAUTY Dyson Airwrap, £479.99 BUY HERE My Dyson Airwrap, £479.99, was a major splurge, but it's the best way to achieve a salon-worthy blowout at home without frying my hair. Plus, the time it saves me makes it 100% worth it. Adeola Gboyega, make-up artist I'm not into products that are all packaging and no performance. If it doesn't get results or elevate my routine in some way, it's not worth the spend. BUDGET BUY NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Body Oil, £12.50 has a super-luxe scent for the price and I love how multi-use it is: body, hair, décolleté, even a few drops in the bath. BLOWOUT BEAUTY I believe in complementing my skincare routine with professional treatments. Injectables, chemical peels and laser treatments help with long-term skin health and make everyday maintenance so much easier. Jules Von Hep, beauty expert & author of The Confidence Ritual My beauty kit is brimming with different products dependent on season, day of the week, mood, age. Essentially more is more, less is a bore. BUDGET BUY V05 Wet Look Gel, £3.50 V05 Wet Look Gel, £3.50, is no frills, and creates slicked-back hair every time. BLOWOUT BEAUTY Matiere Premier Santal Austral, £165 for 50ml ED P is expensive. Estee Lalonde, content creator and founder of Mirror Water 32 Don't be swayed by trends – find what works best for you. Shopping with a list helps me to avoid impulse buys. BUDGET BUY BUY HERE Garnier Micellar Water, £5.49, is a ride-or-die for me. It's perfect for all skin types and is always the first step of my evening routine to remove my make-up. BLOWOUT BEAUTY I'd always say to splurge on a luxurious serum. , is an all-time favourite - if my skin is showing any signs of stress, this highly concentrated formula instantly calms and soothes it. Mia Lyndon, Beauty Writer at Fabulous 32 Never overload your skin with buzzy skin and make-up products - instead, invest time in finding products that work for you, regardless of how unsexy they may seem. BUDGET BUY 32 Cetraben Cream, £4.84 BUY HERE It's taken me a long time to find the right moisturiser for my eczema-prone complexion, but I've finally found it in simple and deeply nourishing Cetraben Cream, £4.84. Read More on The Sun CHILD 'MURDER' Woman, 37, charged with murder after boy, 4, found dead inside home MY GUILT Brit jet survivor says he'll feel guilt for life after not swapping seats with bro BLOWOUT BEAUTY 32 Molton Brown Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Hand Wash & Lotion Set, £47 BUY HERE Invest in great handcare - like Molton Brown's fresh, aromatic Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Hand Wash & Lotion Set, £47 - and you'll always be ready to have guests around!
The Irish Sun
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I'm a nail tech – here's the two words I hate from clients, I won't reply or book them in
A NAIL expert has revealed the two words that prospective clients say that can gets them ghosted. There's plenty of bad habits such as being glued to your phone and creating awkward conversations that can lead to a frosty atmosphere in the salon. 1 There's a two-word enquiry that nail techs hate receiving Credit: Getty But some beauty fans could ruin their chances of an appointment before they're even through the door. Nickie runs her own salon in Musselburgh, East Lothian, and also trains up other prospective nail technicians. In a recent She said: "I'm not replying to you if you just write to me 'how much'. "Sorry? How much for what? How much for nails? How much for training? Eyebrows? Hair? A lift to your mum's house? "Like what even happened to 'hey how are you?'. "Not even a 'how are you?' Just like a 'hi'. "'Hi. How much is nails?' Or 'how much is training?' Most read in Fabulous "[Just] 'How much?' Like? I'm sorry but I can't even reply because I feel like it's like a waste of my time because then I know you're not going to reply back to me again." She continued: "Am I just getting too old because I just don't know the lingo of this generation? How much? Even just like HW? What? Beauty fans can get their nails done professionally for just £5 in Superdrug - here's how "So unless somebody can speak an English sentence to me that is clear then I can't reply because…bye." And it turns out Nickie's grievance isn't an unpopular opinion at all, as her quickly racked up more than 10,000 views with plenty of comments from other beauty professionals. One said: "I have just completly stopped replying to people with those kind of messages. I find it so rude and I don't want clients like that. "Customers don't realise we do pick and choose our clientele." A second wrote: "I always just send my booking link lol" A third chimed in: "Or 'how much for gels' you tell them & they ghost you obviously think you're too expensive." "Completely agree, it's so rude", fumed a fourth. Read more on the Irish Sun A fifth echoed: "It's so rude bugs me so much." Meanwhile, a sixth added: "If they arent kind enough to say 'hi', it isnt good money." Biggest beauty mistakes Fabulous' Beauty Editor Tara Ledden has shared the do's and don'ts when it comes to beauty. "No matter how much time and money you spend on your beauty routine, if you're not getting the basics right, the rest is wasted. "There aren't many non-negotiables, but these are the biggest beauty mistakes sabotaging your regime." Not wearing SPF: Sun-damage is the main cause of premature skin ageing, so if you want to keep your skin looking plump and glowing, sun cream is vital. Using expired products: Best case, they're ineffective and don't deliver the results they promise, worst case they cause irritation and infection. The shelf life of beauty products differ - for example, mascara is usually good for 3-6 months while lipstick can last for 9-18 months. Check the 'POA' symbol on the packaging (it looks like a jar and will have a number inside for how many months it's safe once opened. If you can't remember when you opened your product, throw it away and start again, marking the month and year with a permanent marker on the packaging. Not knowing your undertones: If you're using make-up with the wrong undertones, it'll never look natural no matter how much you blend it! An easy trick to work out whether you have cool, warm or neutral undertones is to check the veins on your wrist - if they look blue, you have cool undertones, if they're green, you have warm and if they're a mix you have neutral. Skipping heat protector: It might feel unnecessary, but much like sun damage on the skin, excess heat is the most common cause of hair damage. So, if you want shiny, healthy hair, or you're trying to grow it longer, using a heat protection product is key. Not washing your face before bed: it's as simple as this, if you're not washing your face before you go to sleep, everything that's been on your skin during the day is sitting there for even longer, clogging your pores and drying out the surface. Any skincare applied on top isn't going to be effective with a layer of dirt underneath, and you're probably going to end up with dirty pillows too - yuck!
Scottish Sun
05-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
I'm a Beauty Editor – I get sent thousands of products a year, but these are the six items I spend my money on
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. Tara Ledden's job comes with some serious perks, including testing hundreds of products every month. But despite the freebies, there are some star items that she'll always return to BEST BUYS I'm a Beauty Editor – I get sent thousands of products a year, but these are the six items I spend my money on EVERY time I tell someone that I'm a beauty editor, I know exactly what they're going to say next. 'Do you get loads of free beauty products?" 12 As a beauty editor, Tara gets sent hundreds of products, and says Monday Muse The Cleanser is great for sensitive skin Credit: Tara Ledden In short, the answer is yes. It's actually quite obscene - a quick look at the Fabulous beauty launches spreadsheet (where we keep track of everything new we've been sent to try) tells me that there's a whopping 402 products launching this month, and that's just the ones we've been told about! My job is to test them all, which means there's not much room for me to be loyal to any one brand or product, as I'm constantly chopping and changing. However, there are a few that I can't part with, and will happily repurchase myself every time they run out. These are the products I always go back to... THE ONE-STEP CLEANSER Last year, Monday Muse The Cleanser went out of stock for a period of time and I spent weeks trying to find a replacement that would stand up to it's acne-safe, gentle, make-up and grime melting powers. It turns out, there isn't a replacement - it's one of a kind. So, when it was back on shelves I stocked up, and now I've got it on subscription. It cuts through make-up without being oily or greasy, lightly foams without drying skin, and doesn't irritate my eyes at all. 12 Monday Muse The Cleanser is suitable for all skin types Credit: Monday Muse Monday Muse The Cleanser, £28 The only thing it's not a match for is waterproof mascara, but I don't tend to wear that often. Forget double cleansing, I use it every night without fail with a flannel and get rid of everything in one step. 12 Dior's Foundation Stick has been Tara's go to for over 6 months Credit: Tara Ledden THE COVERS ALL BASE I generally light to use a product a few times, and really put it through it's paces, before I sing it's praises. But when I tried Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick for the first time, it instantly won me over. I've got lots of redness in my skin, and a fair few acne scars, so I tend to wear full coverage foundations and a heavy duty concealer on top - which can feel heavy on my skin. This miracle stick completely changed that. It blends out super easily and doesn't feel drying, but it completely camouflages imperfections. 12 Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick renders concealer redundant Credit: Dior Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick, £48 Even after using it for over six months, I'm still in awe of how quickly and easily it makes my skin look near flawless without feeling (or looking) cakey. I've been getting regular compliments on how good my skin looks since using it, and they're still coming in thick and fast. I've used it throughout the depths of winter, and this week of soaring temperatures in London, and it looks just as seamless at the end of the day as it did when I first apply it. I've yet to find a single fault - other than the price tag, but given I don't need to use a separate concealer or setting powder in tandem with it, I'm saving money there 12 Clinisoothe has an unlimited number of uses Credit: Clinisoothe THE ACNE CLEARING MSIT For the marble tray of pretty perfumes sitting on my dresser, there's also an equally stacked bathroom cupboard of, frankly, ugly beauty products that I wouldn't dream of parting with. By a country mile Clinisoothe Skin Purifier is my most-used unpretty product. I spray it on my face straight after cleansing morning and night, and if I've got any cuts or sore patches elsewhere, they get spritzed too. It contains hypochlorous acid, which is a natural disinfectant, so it kills bacteria (especially the acne-causing kind) on contact. 12 Clinisoothe is used by before cosmetic treatments for it's bacteria killing powers Credit: Clinisoothe Clinisoothe Skin Purifier, £14.95 It also reduces inflammation and helping wounds heal quicker without causing any dryness or irritation. If I'm travelling, I'll take Vital Baby Hygiene Aquaint® Cleansing Water, £2.49, with me instead, as it's under the 100ml limit, and contains hypochlorous acid too. 12 Arkive has been a mainstay in Tara's routine for three years Credit: Tara Ledden THE SHINE ENHANCING SHAMPO0 Since the brand launched in March 2022, I've been consistently loyal to Arkive All Day Everyday Shampoo & Conditioner. Before using it, I wasn't fussy when it came to shampoo and conditioner thinking that none of them were quite right for my hair that's oily at the roots and dry at the ends. This has completely changed the game, and my expectations for shampoo and conditioner going forward. The shampoo lathers easily and leaves my scalp free of build up without that dry squeaky clean feeling. 12 Arkive's refill pouches make restocking easier Credit: Arkive Arkive All Day Everyday Shampoo & Conditioner, £12 each While the conditioner melts through tangles and deposits more shine than any salon shampoo I've used without weighing my hair down. Plus, they both smell delicious - with notes of mandarin, vanilla, rhubarb and musk. I've even managed to influence my mum into being a huge fan after a life-time of Alberto Balsam. 12 It's not glamorous, but Kosas Chemistry Deodorant is the best out there Credit: Tara Ledden THE BO-BUSTING DEODORANT Picking one single product as my ultimate favourite is, I imagine, akin to choosing a favourite child - in that it changes daily, rather than it's impossible, but without a doubt Kosas Chemistry Deodorant has revolutionised my life. The whole brand is great - Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer, £26 and Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Powder, £32, have also made it into my make-up bag since the brand launched in Space NK in March 2023, but the AHA deodorant easily takes top spot. I've used natural deodorant for nearly three years now, and it's by far the best at keeping odour at bay without irritating my armpits. 12 Tara prefers the fragrance free version, but there's also two scented ones on offer Credit: Kosas Kosas Chemistry Deodorant, £14 The exfoliating acid based formula changes the pH of under-arm skin to kill bacteria on contact. Technically, I could live without it, but it would be a smelly existence! 12 Batiste Dry Shampoo is an oldie but a goodie Credit: Tara Ledden THE OG DRY SHAMPOO There's a running joke amongst the Fabulous team that if there's one item I'll never give away, it's Batiste Dry Shampoo, and they're not far wrong. I've tried dry shampoo's with price tags more than 10 that of the can I used as a teen, and none of them match up to it's oil absorbing powers. 12 Sometimes, they're classics for a reason Credit: Batiste Batiste Dry Shampoo, £3.25 My favourites are the original and the blush scent, but I'll grab whatever's on the shelf. I love that it makes my hair feel clean as well as looking clean, which isn't the case with most of the expensive dry shampoos which leave my roots feeling gritty.
