From The Sunday Times
May 10, 2009
The Sunday Times beauty awards
So here they are, the products that — despite credit crunches and whatever else life throws at us — have proven to be winners for you. One thing you make abundantly clear is that you don't feel the need to splash out on expensive products or fancy labels just for the sake of it. If something delivers what it promises, that's all you need: Rimmel, Max Factor, Boots No7 and Vaseline rank among your favourites. You have cut down spending on lipstick, shifting from Lancôme to Boots No7; on eye cream, switching from Clinique to Avon; and on men's moisturiser, substituting Nivea for Clinique.
But you're not prepared to skimp on fake tan — St Tropez beat last year's winner, Johnson & Johnson, into second place — or foundation, which you have upgraded from Max Factor to Clinique.
You're developing a taste for classics — Audrey Hepburn, for instance, makes an entry as your second most popular beauty icon. But it's more than that. You're also creating your own classic beauty products: Boots No7 Protect & Perfect, Revlon Nail Enamel, Clinique for overall skincare and John Frieda Frizz-Ease in the hairstyling category have all held on to their winning titles from last year. Why? Because you said so. Read on to find what else you've decided is worth singling out for some beautiful praise.
FOUNDATION
Clinique Superbalanced Makeup £19.50
According to recent research by L'Oréal, it is foundation — not lipstick — that women now prefer to spend their beauty money on. Your favourite? Clinique. With its bestselling Superbalanced foundation — and new Even Better SPF 15 make-up range that evens out and corrects skin — we certainly applaud your choice. This was a very close category, with only 112 votes between the winner and the runner-up, L'Oréal True Match (£8.99).
We also love By Terry Eclat Opulent, £93, from spacenk.com, and Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid Foundation, £8
BLUSHER
Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush £5.99
It comes in only two shades — Dolly Pink and Plum — but clearly that's enough for you, as this lightweight blush was your resounding favourite for cheeks, and a bestseller for Maybelline. Easy to apply with the fingertips, it gives a very natural glow and provides a perfect finish that belies its price tag.
We also love Bobbi Brown Blush in Soft Pink, £15.66
BRONZER
Rimmel Sunshimmer 3-in-1 Bronzer £5.99
It's likely that the versatility of the three-tone palette made you all quiver — you can go lighter or darker at whim, but still have cover and a dash of shimmer. This was a resounding winner in its category, possibly helped by the ad campaign that shows even the redheaded British model Lily Cole looking bronzed to perfection.
We also love Shu Uemura Bronzing Powder, £26; spacenk.com
LIPSTICK
No7 Moisture Drench £9.80
Almost 5,000 of you rated this as the best lippy on the market. With an improved formula to keep lips moisturised and 22 shades to choose from, it's likely only to become more popular.
We also love Mac Lipstick in Russian Red, £11.26; maccosmetics.co.uk
MASCARA
Max Factor False Lash Effect £10.99
You seem to want your lashes ever longer, bolder and more dramatic. Nearly 4,500 of you plumped for Max Factor (it also won this category last year), which promises — and delivers — lashes that look almost too great to be real, making it the brand's bestselling mascara.
We also love Giorgio Armani Maestro, £19
NAIL POLISH
Revlon Nail Enamel £6.16
Last year's winner is back in pole position and almost 2,500 votes ahead of its nearest rival. Revlon introduced nail polish in 1932, and though its best-known shade is Cherries in the Snow, its bestseller is One Perfect Coral. We don't think anybody should be without it, either.
We also love Essie Nail Polish in Bordeaux and Lyford Lilac, £8.95; nailsbymail.co.uk
FACIAL MOISTURISER
Clinique Superdefense SPF25 Age Defense Moisturiser £26
Clinique did it again, but only just: one vote separated it from Olay. With a strong focus on protecting the skin from UV rays and pollution, and with dozens of moisturisers in the range, it has earned your trust. The bestseller is Superdefense, but Redness Solutions is one of our favourites, and the latest cream, Youth Surge SPF15, which lends a real glow to tired skin, looks set to be this year's hit.
We also love Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser, £16; uk.lizearle.com
EYE CREAM
Avon Anew Clinical Eye Lift £17
It's America's bestselling eye cream, and a pot is sold in Britain every 44 seconds, making it Avon's top product here. Why? Because anyone who has tried it swears by its triple action, which gives a lift to the upper and lower eye and the brow bone.
We also love This Works Tired Eye Serum, £30; thisworks.com
ANTI-AGING PRODUCT
Boots No7 Protect and Perfect £18.50
It caused a retail storm two years ago after a BBC Horizon programme reported that it had repaired photo-aged skin and improved fine wrinkles. It is still No7's bestselling product in the UK and, with its ability to reduce fine lines in only four weeks, it has become a skincare essential.
We also love Tri-aktiline Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler, £24.99, from Boots
NIGHT CREAM
Olay Regenerist All Night Recovery Cream £19.50
The skin is most receptive at night, so it's important to find a night cream you trust. Your favourite came courtesy of an Olay formula that promises intense cell renewal lasting for up to eight hours and results in less than a week.
We also love Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial, £41.11; spacenk.com
FACE MASK
Elemis Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Mask £45
With its focus on combining the power of nature with the latest in technological formulations, Elemis has a reputation for skincare that really makes a difference. So it's no surprise that it won this new category in the Style Beauty Awards. Its bestseller is the Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Mask, which helps to lift and firm. We are also fans of its Fruit Active Rejuvenating Mask, £24, for its ability to brighten and refresh the skin.
We also love Nude Deep Cleanse Mask, £27.40; spacenk.com
MAKE-UP REMOVER
Simple Conditioning Eye Make-Up Remover £2.99
This is a new category, and Simple swept the board with more than 4,000 votes for its oil-free make-up remover, which even removes waterproof mascara. You're in good company — this is also the UK's biggest-selling make-up remover, with two bottles shifting every minute.
We also love Chanel Précision Biphase Eye Make-Up Remover, £19
SKINCARE BRAND
Clinique
The clear winner in this category is Clinique, the UK's bestselling premium beauty brand, repeating its triumph of last year. The company has other reasons to celebrate: this year the brand celebrates its 40th anniversary. Clinique's launch marked a turning point in skincare: created by dermatologists, it was the first prestige cosmetic brand to be fragrance-free and allergy-tested. These days, one Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, from its famous three-step collection, is sold every four seconds worldwide, and its skincare ranges have been extended to treat everything from redness to blemishes. When it comes to your faces, this is the brand you turn to, from moisturising to foundation.
We also love Amanda Lacey, from £15 for a lip balm
BODY MOISTURISER
Vaseline Essential Moisture £4.19
We have all known and loved this for years, but this is its first entry into our beauty-award charts. Chock-full of vitamins — including A, E and B5 — to keep your skin hydrated, it delivers everything you could want from a body moisturiser, including a fresh but understated smell.
We also love Jergens Natural Ultra Hydrating Body Moisturiser, £5; 0800 085 3813
ORGANIC/NATURAL PRODUCT
Neal's Yard Frankincense Hydrating Cream £18.10
Not only was it the first brand in the UK to be certified by the Soil Association for non-food products, Neal's Yard has also been certified as a carbon-neutral company, setting an example to others. The Frankincense range, which is recognised for it's ultra hydrating and anti-ageing properties, was developed after four years of research, and evidently it paid off.
We also love Jigsaw Organics Bath Milk, £24
ORGANIC/NATURAL BRAND
Bare Escentuals
There is a growing awareness of all things natural, and beauty is no exception. Bare Escentuals hit our shores from America like a whirlwind last year, thanks to its 100%-natural ingredients and great choice of trend-savvy pigments. Coming in a close second was one of our favourites, Green People, the ever-growing Soil Association-certified skincare brand. Don't be put off by its basic packaging, the body oil feels as luxurious as silk.
We also love The Organic Pharmacy
MEN'S FRAGRANCE
Calvin Klein
It might be the most famous (and first modern) unisex fragrance, but men still can't resist the charm of the 1990s icon CKOne (£21.50 for 50ml). At its peak, it sold 20 bottles a minute worldwide, and it's still Calvin Klein's bestselling men's scent. Many of its followers now choose CK's latest creation, Man (£35.50 for 50ml), a crisp, fresh fragrance that is, in keeping with the house style, perfectly understated.
We also love Guerlain Homme, £39 for 50ml
MEN'S SKINCARE
Nivea for Men
Look in any man's wash bag and the chances are you'll find Nivea in there. A whopping 2.7m men across the country use Nivea for Men, which has helped make it the top worldwide male facial skincare brand (prices from £4). As if that weren't enough, Nivea is relaunching its men's range. Snap up the new Q10 moisturiser, now doubly concentrated, when it hits stores in June.
We also love L'Oréal Men Expert, from £3.29
MEN'S SHAVING PRODUCT
Gillette
Let's have a roll call of the Gillette poster boys: David Beckham, Roger Federer, Tiger Woods. The most famous sportsmen the world has to offer send a powerful message to its target consumers. Gillette is not merely a general shaving brand — it has become an emblem of what it means to be male today. No, that's not just hype: 600m men around the world trust their faces to Gillette every day, with the Gillette Fusion Power Phenom razor (£10) its bestseller.
We also love King of Shaves Azor Razor, £5 ?
BARGAIN BUY
Vaseline
Proving that the oldies really are the best, once again you voted Vaseline as the best-value beauty product. Loved by make-up artists, mothers and sportsmen alike, a tub (£1.58 for 50g) of Vaseline is still your one-stop shop for a multitude of beauty ailments. And, in more than 100 years, they have barely fiddled with the formula or the price, despite the other balms that have been launched to shift Vaseline from the top spot. In 2007, more than 14 tins of Lip Therapy were sold each minute worldwide.
We also love Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick with SPF15, £17
BRAND FOR BLACK SKIN
Mac
The beauty world has come on leaps and bounds in its attempts to provide for skin of all shades, although a scan of the beauty counters proves there is still a long way to go. You voted Mac's as the best selection, but an honourable mention goes to Bobbi Brown, which came in a close second (and we mean close). Small wonder: both brands have made it their ethos to be pioneers of products that can be loved by all.
We also love L'Oréal, for its range of shades and textures at a high-street price
NEW BRAND
Rock & Republic
The denim label has shown the rest how to do it with a debut collection of dazzling pigments and silky textures, all beautifully encased in black and silver metallic compacts, which you loved enough to blast it to victory. Our favourite? Privilege, a midnight-blue eye shadow, £20, from Harrods.
We also love Illamasqua, for its bold colour and high-drama ad campaigns
AFTERSUN
Nivea Sun Cooling After Sun Spray £8
Another gong for team Nivea. And why not? As a brand renowned for its gentle approach, it provides a sound (and reasonably priced) range of aftersuns (we love the spray version, which gently soothes sun-scorched backs). Though, at the risk of sounding overly solicitous, you shouldn't really require an aftersun if you use the appropriate SPF sun cream in the first place.
We also love L'Occitane Cupuaçu After-Sun Balm, £13
SUNCARE FOR BODY
Piz Buin
Once you have the SPF sorted, sun cream is all about texture and ease of application. (After all, lazing about in the sun makes us all a bit slapdash.) You decided that Piz Buin has this down to a fine art. Its 1 Day Long (£18.99 for 200ml) has a nongreasy formula that glides on to give you sun protection for up to six hours, so no more tedious reapplying after a dip in the pool.
We also love Institute Esthederm Adaptasun Sensitive Skin Tanning Body Lotion Strong Sun, £38; spacenk.com
SUNCARE FOR FACE
Soltan
Holding onto the crown for another year, Boots's own brand, Soltan, is the sun cream that you deem gentle, affordable and protective enough to apply to your face all summer long — proving that sun protection needn't come at a high price. Soltan's top-selling Once Face (£9.99) is now available with a gradual tanner, which lets you build up a natural glow while shielding your skin from UVA glare. An extra-special victory for Soltan, which turns 70 this year.
We also love Shiseido, for its Sun-Protection Compact Foundation SPF 30, £26
SELF-TAN FOR FACE AND BODY
St Tropez
When you complained about the biscuity smell of fake tan, the people at St Tropez listened. So, after years of research, the company has produced a reformulated, repackaged range that contains Aromaguard, an ingredient that is said to cut down the whiff by 70% (it has been replaced by a fresh summer scent), proving that even the best in the game can get even better. Try the latest double-nozzled lotion, Everyday Perfect Legs, for a light tan that you can control.
We also love Dior Bronze Self-Tanner Natural Glow, £22.50
STYLING TOOL
GHD
As we already know, GHD is the Aston Martin of haircare. Given the choice, you wouldn't want to be seen using anything else. As testament to the kudos that comes with the brand, GHD has been featured in CoolBrands, the annual index of Britain's coolest labels, for several years on the trot. All this and they only launched in 2001. GHD straighteners are pretty much the only brand that hairstylists and celebrities will carry in their kits, and you echo such sentiments. We also give them credit for weathering the world of hair trends — you know, you really can achieve a soft wave with a straightener, ta-da!
We also love Daniel Hersheson, for his salon-quality, professional hairdryer, £100; smoothgroove.co.uk
STYLING PRODUCT
John Frieda
Such is the raging success of the Frizz-Ease range that no doubt it has its own private gallery of awards in Mr Frieda's home. But, as the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it: and Frizz-Ease has remained pretty much the same for the 21 years since its launch. The range has swelled to a current total of 21 products: Frizz-Ease Straight Fixation Smoothing Creme (£4.79) is one of the latest. It has become a saviour for women with unruly hair, most of whom wouldn't dream of putting their trust in anything else.
We also love Kevin Murphy Anti-Gravity styling pomade, £12.95; kevinmurphystore.com
SHAMPOO
Herbal Essences from £1.99
There is no secret formula to creating a hit beauty product, but if there were, Herbal Essences would be in on it. Since the 1970s, the brand has encapsulated a unique sense of fun, optimism, nature and wellbeing — all in a fruity shampoo.
All of those elements have remained the same, though the bottles have had a makeover (we actually preferred the old ones). The formula has also been improved. And now Mischa Barton is the new face of the brand, lending Herbal Essences a touch more street cred.
We also love Kérastase Résistance Bain de Force, £14; 0800 316 4400
CONDITIONER
Tresemmé from £2.93
Save for the mildly irritating TV adverts, TRESemmé ticks all the boxes when it comes to seriously effective haircare at a reasonable price. With its nine-piece range of conditioners, including cleansing, anti-breakage and colour revitalising, Tresemmé has repeatedly proven its worth in consumer tests, in which women have rated it better than its expensive salon equivalents. So how does it do it? Well, there's the money saved on fancy packaging for a start. Whatever it is, it's working, as 2m women condition their hair with TRESemmé every week.
We also love Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner, £3
NEW FRAGRANCE
Ralph Lauren
When Notorious (£47.50 for 50ml) was launched back in September 2008, it marked a departure for Mr Lauren, the man behind modern preppy tailoring and wholesome Americana. For his latest fragrance, Lauren turned his attention to full-throttle sexiness. Notorious is a sparkling oriental fragrance with flourishes of vanilla and patchouli, inspired by such big-screen acts as Lauren Bacall in The Big Sleep and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown, whom Ralph Lauren bills as the "self-possessed women of the golden age of film glamour". A seductive sell, and you voted in your thousands to prove that the scent is equally enticing.
We also love Wode by Boudicca, £75 for 100ml
CLASSIC FRAGRANCE
Chanel
There's a bottle of it on millions of dressing tables around the world. It conjures up images of Parisian glamour and old-school sophistication, and it's older than almost all of the women who voted for it. It is, of course, Chanel No 5, and it remains Chanel's bestselling fragrance and your favourite of all time. There's just no stopping this enduring classic: a bottle is sold every 55 seconds worldwide. The house continues to garner fresh No 5 devotees, with Audrey Tautou the latest in a series of modern muses to personify the scent.
We also love Shalimar by Guerlain, £42 for 50ml
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