Wednesday, August 5, 2009

The Times UK Best of Beauty List

The Times Online UK began its annual 100 best of beauty list last week. I just love best of beauty lists to see if there is anything I am missing out on!!

So far, here are its 25 Best Cosmetics and 25 Best Skincare Products with the Times Online commentary for each product. Some of these I agree with while some I am baffled with!! I don't understand how Maybelline Great Lash consistently makes these lists - I just don't love it. On the other hand, I love the NARS Multiple, Benefit's Benetint and Shu Uemura Pressed Eyeshadows. And now I can't wait to try the Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer and the Ila Face Oil - I have heard great things about both!

25 Best Cosmetics

Soap & Glory Arch de Triumph shaping and highlighting crayon A two-in-one pencil with one end of brow colour, and the other a highlighter to use under the brow. There are also handy eyebrow-shaping templates on the back of the pack.

Ruby & Millie i-writer These pens deliver metallic liquid colour with precision, so can be used as an eyeliner or for a more dramatic flash of eye colour.

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF15 Invisible and weightless, meaning that once applied, it looks like your skin, not like foundation.

Maybelline Great Lash mascara Maybelline does many great mascaras, but this is the best. It never clumps, lasts ages and is also available in waterproof.

Givenchy Mister Eyebrow fixing pencil A new discovery for the Times team, this pencil controls unruly eyebrows with wax that won’t leave stickiness or a visible sheen.

Essie nail polish Nothing beats Essie for long-lasting polish — up to three weeks on toes! Available in more than 280 shades, from subtle nudes to bright neons.

NARS The Multiple Can be used on eyes, cheeks, lips and body to provide colour, shimmer or highlighting. Available in 12 shades.

Clinque Quick Blush A must-have for anyone who applies make-up on the go. The nifty design of the twist-out brush makes application simple and mess-free.

YSL Everlong waterproof mascara A high–performance, hi-tech mascara that is able to stand up to humid weather, swimming and (of course) crying.

Guerlain Météorites Powder for the face These coloured balls all play a different role: pink for a warm glow; green to diminish redness; gold and silver for highlights and mauve to attract light. Creates a soft, fresh radiance.

Chanel Mat Lumière long-lasting luminous matte fluid make-up A wonderfully lightweight foundation that gives brilliant coverage without a “caked-on” look and lasts for hours.

By Terry Light Expert This nifty foundation brush not only delivers a flawless complexion but plumps out hollow areas and smoothes wrinkles, leaving a brilliant texture to the skin.

Rimmel London Moisture Renew lipstick This lipstick comes in 16 great shades and cares for your lips with three super-moisturisers, vitamins and an SPF20 sunscreen.

Benefit bene tint rose-tinted lip & cheek stain Give cheeks and lips a rosy sheer glow with this cult liquid product from Benefit. Smudge-proof and waterproof.

Body Shop Flawless Skin Protective Concealer The zinc oxide contained in this concealer battles impurities, while baobab oil encourages the regeneration of skin cells.

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm Start your routine with this hero product. Tightens skin for a more youthful appearance and keeps make-up fresh all day.

Prescriptives Custom Blend Lip Gloss Create a bespoke lipgloss from a vast array of base shades, pearls, finishes and flavours. Vitamin E and skin conditioners leave lips silky smooth.

Estée Lauder DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti- Oxidant Moisturiser SPF15 This light moisturiser is a perfect summer alternative to foundation, with a sheer, “one shade suits all” illuminating tint and the fresh smell of cucumber.

Shu uemura Pressed Eyeshadow These singles come in four textures (matte, pearl, iridescent and metallic) and a whopping 110 different shades. All are moisturising and long lasting.

MAC make-up brushes With more than 40 types of soft-yet-firm brushes, MAC is constantly updating its range to accommodate suggestions from make-up artists around the world.

Barry M kohl pencil Soft, smudgable pencils for dense colour. There are 20 different shades, from white (apply to the lower lid for wide eyes) and classic black to the pastels pictured here.

Giorgio Armani fluid sheer The ten available shades can be used for various effects. Gold tones give a fabulous glow under make-up, lighter shades highlight and pinks add radiance.

Laura Mercier Bronzing Duo A long-wearing two-tone bronzer for a golden sheen and radiance in one. Formulated with French “cashmere” talc for a silky soft, sheer application.

Chantecaille Lip Definer A water-resistant lip pencil that gives soft, smudge-free matte colour. Designed to avoid a ring-around-the-lips effect.

25 Best Skincare Products

Liz Earle Sunshade Face Protector This non-greasy SPF protects the face all day after just one application.

Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve A no-nonsense product that helps to protect hands.

Weleda Wild Rose Body Lotion A light but hydrating body lotion that leaves skin supple, toned and smooth.

Boots Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum Apply under moisturiser. Skin feels noticeably tighter after application.

Ila Face Oil for Glowing Radiance A deeply moisturising face oil made from biodynamic ingredients.

Lancôme Flash Bronzer Idiot-proof face bronzer that quickly develops an even, natural, sunkissed glow.

Dr Frances Prenna Jones Formula 2006 This multi-tasker smoothes lines, evens out the complexion and increases collagen production.

Trilogy CoQ10 Booster Capsules This easily portable, nourishing skin treat is great for parched skin or during cold weather.

Darphin Gentle Eye Make-up Remover This lotion removes all traces of eye make-up without leaving an oily residue.

Barielle Total Foot Care Cream A super-conditioning formula that softens calluses while moisturising chapped areas of the feet.

Alexandra Soveral Midsummer Dew Body Oil A blend of essential oils that leaves skin feeling nourished and doubles up as a body scent.

Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Face Cream Skin is stronger, healthier and looks more youthful after using this cream with its patented technology.

The Organic Pharmacy Self-Tan This chemical-free formula gives a very natural colour. Smells fresh, not cloying.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser SPF 15 An easily absorbed moisturiser with antioxidants and an in-built SPF.

Shu Uemura Brightening Cleansing Oil An oil-based cleanser that rinses off with water, effectively removing all make-up and impurities.

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess SPF 30 This cream is light, glides on easily and has an exotic, beachy scent.

Green & Spring Revitalising Light Bath Oil This invigorating bath oil smells divine and hydrates skin beautifully.

Crème de la Mer Eye Concentrate Visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Skin feels quenched.

Guinot Fresh Radiance Exfoliating Peel-off Mask Draws out impurities without fuss.

YSL Rinse-off Instant Foam Radiance Revealer Foaming cleanser that rinses off easily to leave skin fresher and brighter.

Jurlique Biodynamic Beauty Night Lotion A lightweight, easily absorbed lotion that helps to even out skin tone.

Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel This clear gel zaps spots without drying out the area around the infection.

Spiezia Lemongrass and Marigold Body Scrub An invigorating body scrub with essential oils, so there’s no need to moisturise after use.

Natura Bisse Soothing Balm With Organic Aloe This cooling balm is great for sunburn and is deeply moisturising.

Suki Exfoliating Foaming Cleanser An organic cleanser that also exfoliates your face without being abrasive.

4 comments:

  1. Lists like these are fantastic. And useful. :)

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  2. I actually have consistently great results with Great Lash, it's always worked so well for me.

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  3. Agree with you, Archana! Any products from the list you're thinking of trying??

    Frances - does Great Lash do a good job with lengthening for you? Maybe one of the reasons I don't like it is that my lashes are not that thick so I really like a volumizing mascara. I think maybe Great Lash is better for lengthening.

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  4. Mm, my lashes are fairly long and pretty thick so I usually wear mascara for a false-lash effect. And for that, I find Great Lash is the absolute best for me. Huge love. It's not available in my country though :( so I use Diorshow instead, which I don't find as good as Great Lash.

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