Let the Woman Honest Beauty Awards 2016 guide you on which products have the best results and are worth investing in. From make-up must haves to miracle skincare saviours.
It can be tough knowing which products are going to have the effects you want. There are so many out there, all with different claims and promises. So we rounded up a panel of industry experts and readers to give our most honest ever awards. These are the beauty buys that REALLY work. Tried and tested by us!
READ MORE: The ONE thing that will give fine hair volume – and it costs less than a fiver!
Meet the panel; Andrew Barton, Creative Director at Urban Retreat, Harrods. Ruby Hammer, Iconic Make-Up Artist. Angela Griffin, Actress and Self-Confessed Beauty Addict. Kath Brown, Woman’s Lifestyle Director.
And our lovely readers; Julia Douglas, wants to escape her make-up rut. Kelly-Ann Maxwell, religious about her nightly beauty routine. Rachel Redlaw, obsessed with keeping her skin looking young. Natasha Jackson, glosses her lips about 50 times a day. Ninder Takhar, never without her kohl black eyeliner.
READ MORE: Totally genius DIY beauty secrets you need to try….
So, here’s what they voted as their top tried-and-tested products….
BEST FOR: INSTANT CHEEKBONES
Rimmel Kate Sculpting Palette, £6.99
Palettes that have made a comeback because who doesn’t want a blusher, highlighter and bronzer in one slick package that fit in your bag? Exactly. And this one makes you look like Kate Moss (kind of).
BEST FOR: A FULL ON FLUTTER
Benefit Roller Lash Mascara, £19.50
This has a cult following, for good reason. Our judge, Angela Griffin, said, ‘It’s one of the best mascaras I’ve used-and I’ve used a lot!’ It ticks all the lash boxes, from length and volume to curl and flutter power-and the packaging’s so pretty, too.
BEST FOR: CONCEALING FLAWS
Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer, £19.50
This little tube may not look much, but believe us, it’s MAJOR! Perfect for disguising a pesky breakout or to hide dark circles, it’ll be your go-to when your face isn’t behaving.
BEST FOR: TRANSFORMING YOUR FACE
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue, £27
This ‘I just woke up like this’ base creates flawless skin without a hint of caking or tell-tale base lines. We apply it like a moisturizer, smoothing it on with fingers. It feels like not wearing make-up at all, but with a face that looks pretty good!
BEST FOR: GREAT SKIN UNDER £3
PS BB Cream Beauty Balm, £2.50
Quality under three quid is unheard of, but Primark has done it! This has a silky texture that glides on smoothly and it gives great coverage without the ‘cakiness.’
BEST FOR: BROWS WITH BENEFITS
Maybelline Brow Drama, £5.99
A proper arch gives you more than just a ‘now’ brow, it’s an instant eye lift, minus the surgery. And while this chunky crayon is a cinch to use, it gives maximum results that guarantee a compliment or three.
BEST FOR: AN EASY CAT EYE
Ciaté London Double Lines Eyeliner, £19.50
Afraid of the eye flick? Us too. Until we found this dual-ended make-up cheater. Kohl one end for smokey eyes and a felt tip the other for a graphic flick. Whatever look you go for, we promise you won’t need as many cotton buds to clean up wonky lines after using this super-chunky pen.
BEST FOR: A SALON WORTHY MANI
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel, £14.99
Gel nails are all the rage, but regular salon slots can add up. With Sally Hansen’s colour-and-topcoat combo, you can get super-glossy gel mani results yourself while watching Strictly…
BEST FOR: SOME SERIOUS ME-TIME
Elemis Frangipani Monoi Body Oil, £35
We are in love with this oil. There’s the smell to start with (think far-away spa-like scent) and there’s the fact that it can be used on your skin, hair and nails, giving each a hit of serious, lasting moisturisation.
BEST FOR: NO-BURN HOLIDAYS
Soltan Once Invisible Spray, £7
One of our biggest summer bugbears is thick, gloopy suncream that leaves a white sheen. This is 100% transparent and it sprays at all angles so you can get to all of the tricky areas without missing any. Plus it’s got a five-star rating against skin damage caused by UVA rays.
BEST FOR: FAKE TAN PHOBES
Ambre Solaire No Streaks Bronzer BB Body Bronzer, £7.99
This is your last-minute saviour if you’ve got to reveal your body parts your clothes won’t hide. Not only does it disguise milky-white limbs, but it makes skin look more toned, hiding imperfections-what’s not to love?
BEST FOR: YOUR BEAUTY BUGBEAR
Ameliorate Skin Smoothing Body Lotion, £27.50
Do you suffer with pesky little chicken-skin-like bumps on your upper arms? This cult buy tingles when first applied (that’s the lactic acid) but use regularly and by week three they should be gone!
BEST FOR: CHEATING A WORKOUT
Cloud 9 Body Makeover, £35
OK, your cellulite won’t just ‘disappear’, but it will make a big difference to the texture of your skin. It’s as though the area you’ve applied it to – religiously – has been hoiked upwards, so skin looks smoother and tighter.
BEST FOR: NOURISHING DRY WINTER SKIN
Palmer’s Cocao Butter Formula Jar, £3.65
You’ll feel the benefits after a single application of this. Our top tip? Smooth it on before bed and let it work its magic overnight for silky-soft skin by the morning. And we love being able to scoop it easily out of the tub. We just want an even bigger one now!
BEST FOR: GETTING YOUR LEGS IN SHAPE
This Works Perfect Legs Sculpt & Shine, £28
If your legs aren’t your strongest asset, but you still fancy getting the out once in a while, this will give you the confidence to do so. It sculpts, tones and adds a subtle shimmer to your pins in seconds, and it’s a cinch to do, thanks to the clever roller applicator.
BEST FOR: YOUTHFUL HANDS
Nivea Smooth Nourishing Hand Cream, £3.20
This is unrivalled in terms of instant results. Hands feel soft and the texture appears smoothed. Stash it in your bag for regular top-ups.
BEST FOR: A GOOD HAIR DAY
L’Oreal Elvive Fibrology Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner, £3.50 each
This duo is your daily go-to – they give your ‘do back its salon-fresh swish.
BEST FOR: SLEEK, SHINY RESULTS
Ghd Platinum, £165
This is an investment buy, but it’s worth it. We won’t go into the science bit, but all you need to know is it gives 50% less breakage and 20% more shine.
BEST FOR: A QUICK FIX
Batiste Dry Shampoo, £2.99
Not only does this instantly refresh your hair when you don’t have time to wash it, it also gives a volume boost – no blow dry needed.
BEST FOR: HIDING ROOTS
Josh Wood Instant Root Conditioner Spray, £9.50, M&S
Take your salon off speed dial, and use this dinky problem-solver instead – telltale roots will disappear in seconds and coverage lasts all day.
BEST FOR: A RED CARPET FINISH
Kerastase L’Incroyable Blowdry, £21
This is an A-List hairdresser in a bottle – it smoothes, adds shine, protects from heat styling and gives long lasting hold from AM to PM.
BEST FOR: CLEVER STYLING
Tangle Teaser Blow-STyling Tool, £18
This newbie’s a must in your styling arsenal – team it with your dryer and you’ve got a pro blow-dry at home thanks to the clever bristles that eliminate static and frizz.
BEST FOR: ZERO EFFORT HAIR
This Works Sleep Plus Hair Elixir £25
Crank up your beauty sleep routine with this hair treat that’s a cinch to use. No rinsing out, no messy patches on your pillow…. Just spritz in before bed, wake up and enjoy healthy hair.
BEST FOR: EASY DIY COLOUR
L’Oreal Preference Infinia, £7.99
This at-home colour treatment makes serious claims and delivers. Up to eight weeks of fade defying colour? Tick! Lustrous colour and shine from day one, and 100% grey coverage? Double tick! If you prefer this to DIY, make a grab for this box of tricks.
BEST FOR: ZAPPING SPOTS
Origins Super Spot Remover, £15
Pimple just appeared? Hormonal breakout? Don’t panic? This is multi-award winning with good reason: it works! Just dab it on and let blemish-busting salicylic acid do its thing. And don’t worry about post-spot scars or discolouration – this is formulated to reduce the appearance of these.
BEST FOR: LOOKING MORE AWAKE
Clinique Even Better Eyes, £31
Looking shattered is one of our biggest beauty bugbears, – so any help in making us look more awake is welcome. Which is why we’ve crowned this our hero for perking up tired eyes. The metal tip de-puffs while the product itself rids you of dark circles.
BEST FOR: OVERNIGHT REPAIR
La Roche-Posay Toleraine Ultra Overnight, £17.50
Any product that works while we catch some zzzs gets our thumbs-up, but this is something special, especially if your skin’s sensitive. The pack is a bit tricky to understand at first, but once you’re in, skin will look calmed, refreshed and hydrated by morning.
BEST FOR: INSTANT RESULTS
Anatomicals Puffy The Eye Bag Slayer Wake-Up Under Eye Patches, £6
This morning after a late one, don’t let your eyes give it away! Pop on these little collagen wonders and you’ll look more alive and less tired in a flash. Targeting puffiness, dark circles and general under-eye crepiness, these patches should be your beauty SOS go-to.
BEST FOR: LOOKING YOUNGER (ISH)
Olay Anti-Wrinkle Firm & Lift 2 in 1 Anti-Wrinkle Booster + Firming Serum, £4.99
Pain-free answer to Botox for under a fiver? We’ll take that! This multi-tasker simplifies your regime, filling lines, improving skin’s firmness and intensely moisturising in one go.
BEST FOR: YOUR NIGHT TIME CLEANSE
bareMinerals Pure Plush Cleansing Foam, £18
There’s a knack to cleansing skin – sorry ladies, soap and wanter just won’t cut it! But work this into your routine and your face will thank you. Just a small amount on damp skin lathers up into a rich foam that removes all traces of make-up without the need for harsh scrubbing.
BEST FOR: AFTERNOON PICK ME UP
Bioderma Hydrabio Eau De Soin, £9
It’s 3pm and it’s not just your energy levels having a slump (pass the Kit Kat) – your face is looking a bit weary, too. This is the first water-based facial mist that hydrates parched skin, halts premature ageing and offers UV protection all in one spritz. Just whip it out whenever your skin feels dehydrated, for an instant hit of freshness.
BEST FOR: SENSITIVE SKIN
Melvita Nectar De Roses day Cream, £25
Skin having a meltdown? Irritated? Dry patches? Sensitive? Then look to rose: beauty’s star ingredient. Our winner reduces redness, and soothes and moisturises all skin types. And it’s made with 100% organic ingredients – nature at its best.
HERO PRODUCT
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair, £50
Man is this beauty director’s must-have worth the price tag! Apply before bed for a real beauty sleep!
HERO PRODUCT
Andrew Barton Radiant Dry Argan Infused Hair Dryer, £54.99
Not only does this dryer do the job in double-quick time, the argan oil-infused ceramics blow out teeny tiny particles of the stuff, leaving your hair shinier than ever!
HERO PRODUCT
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, £14
In the beauty hall of fame for years and still going strong, this renowned cleanser-and-cloth duo revolutionised the way we think about our skin.
HERO PRODUCT
Make Up for Ever Ultra HD Foundation, £29
Designed to give a near-invisible finish, the texture is satiny-neither matte nor dewy. This could be ’the one’!
HERO PRODUCT
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, £27
The tube has a limited-edition makeover but inside it’s the same moisturizing, protecting skincare legend.
HERO PRODUCT
Clinique Chubby Stick, £17.50
The lipstick/lip balm hybrid that set the beauty bar, gives a sheer, nourishing tint in a range of colours so beautiful we’re hard pressed to resist collecting them all!
HERO PRODUCT
Beautyblender Classic Sponge, £16
Makes your foundation (or blusher, bronzer, whatever you apply it with!) look smoother and more even, and wastes less product than a brush does.
HERO PRODUCT
No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum, £24.95
If you think the instant results are good, just imagine what your skin will look like after a few weeks of smoothing it on!
