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!
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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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.