Obviously Cheryl took part in a spot of street dancing which resulted in her first single coming out with her now bezzie Will.I.Am; Sarah tested her skill by learning the art of Polo in Argentina; Kimberley took to the stage of the West End; while Nicola took on a real challenge… to bring out her very own range of makeup! Now we’re talking!

After publicly admitting her obsession with fake tan, daily applying the addictive colour to her skin in order to “fit in” with the other girls and actually being able to match her makeup shades, Nicola finally realised the beauty of her porcelain tones and fronted the famous “Tanorexia” ad campaign!

After visiting various stores around the UK to try and seek out the lightest shade available to fair skinned ladies like herself, Nicola proved what a struggle it was and that in fact, there were absolutely NO foundation shades that comfortably matched the fairness of her skin.

It was here that Dainty Doll was born! With a full range including foundations, eyeshadows and lipsticks, Dainty Doll was specifically created for those with lighter skin tones that are difficult to match.

At such reasonable prices, you can always tell the difference when you buy quality makeup. Well, our skin is so important, it’s only fair to treat it with respect, no!? So why don’t you check out this beautiful range, the foundation will leave your skin feeling velvety soft and looking flawless as ever while the mineral powder compact can come with you on your daily journeys, making it easy to apply a dusting of powder over your skin using their handy brush and powder combo (and may I add, I haven’t felt a makeup brush so soft in a LONG time!).

You can just tell this brand has been created through pure passion, from the quirky packaging, to the sheer quality of the product itself. Now available in Boots, you have no reason not to fill your makeup bag with a bit of Dainty Doll love!

Alexis Day, Beauty Writer
Professional Makeup Artist

So 2011 is the year of austerity, something we haven’t seen since Margaret Thatcher was in power and gone is the idea of Spend Spend Spend.  Far too vulgar!

Instead, in place, is a new dawn of thinking; perhaps if Mr G Brown had done a bit of this a little earlier on in his reign over the country when in charge of the £££ and the Gov we might not necessarily be in the mess we are now.  Anyway, I digress.

What I’m trying to get around to saying, is that actually all this pulling in of money belts is not such a bad thing, buy the statement pieces and rein in the ‘want it, buy it now’ train of thought with our finances.  I’m not saying NEVER to spend again, but more a little advice on choose wisely what you spend your pennies on….  Although, it is nice to have a little treat now and again, and what better than a guilt free budget makeup buy.  I did a bit of digging and have brought you a round up of the BEST budget makeup brands around where you can get some super treats, which actually stand up against some of their more designer cousins!

As we all know, back in our early teens, we are ALL guilty of getting makeup wrong, money’s tight, experience is lacking and sometimes our fashion sense is well, a little off kilter….  Mine certainly was: who remembers the classic brown eyeliner pencil used as a lipliner with some concealer or the palest cream lipstick we could get our hands on to create that UBER gorgeous lip…. (my pics of looking like this have been banished to the shredder) But, as I always think, if you don’t experiment and get it wrong, how can you learn to get it right?!

Anyway, gone are the god-awful cheapo brands of the past, with cakey, flaky and frosty makeup textures, and in place are a couple of blinking EXCELLENT makeup brands that all have things under £5.  Here’s a selection of the best budget brands for you to create masterpieces with:

MUA – (Make-Up Academy)

So far this is my top budget brand. It has over 100 makeup products that cost £1 each. £1 whole of the Queen’s pennies.  Per product. HOW good is that! 

This is sold exclusively in Superdrug and is WELL worth a check over.
One of my particular faves is their range of nail polishes; I have used on the Strictly Come Dancing stars, as well as some of my girl bands AND for a number of fashion shoots.  The quality of the polish is stunning and they’re exactly the right size for a makeup artist.  Currently rocking the Coral shade (shade 6) of polish on my fingers and toes – perfect for summer.  You only need 1-2 coats for a great budget manicure.

Regular readers will recall we were sponsored by the lovely team at MUA for Pam Hogg’s LFW AW11 show – so let’s face it peeps, if it’s good enough for Pam Hogg, it’s good enough for us…

Barry M

Barry M has come on LEAPS and BOUNDS in the last 5 or so years, they’ve really ruffled a few feathers with their extremely quick turnaround of on trend fashion forward nail polishes (the quality is as good if not better than Chanel’s Vernis) and the prices are astonishing.

 My personal favourite from them has to be their Dazzle dust which, if you catch them at the right time, you can get 3 for £5 in Superdrug and Boots, depending when they do their promotions….  OR they are just £2.99 each and last for goodness knows how long.  (Yes I know this isn’t scientific but they last for ages)  They were also one of the first, and only, high street makeup brands to bring out the Nail Effects crackle polish at an affordable price.  About 90% of the range is less than a £5 and I have some warm love for this brand.  They’re also all about colour and even though some of their beauty ads are a bit questionable, they’re at least cheerful!  Highly pigmented these items work really well on all ages, and all skintones. Hooray!

2TRUE

This is a godsend for makeup artists like myself, particularly when it comes to eyelashes!! Their ethos is £1.99 each item, or 3 for £5.  Now when you consider Eylure, Shiseido, MAC and Shu Uemera lashes cost upwards from £5- £125 each pair, how good is it that you can get 3 pairs for the cost of one.  I’m not someone to request lashes back from a model after a shoot (unless of course it’s the limited edition gold ones from Harrods then “can I keep them” err hell no!)  Also great are their lipglosses and little skin jewels if you’re putting together a makeup test.  

Natural Collection 

Well this is a Boots only brand, but has a fab range of natural inspired skin, hair and body products as well as make-up.  I would say they are a cheap and cheery version to The Body Shop…  EVERYthing is under £5 which is simply unbelievable to be quite honest with you.

My personal favourite bits from them are their little face masks (which are great for girlie parties) priced at £1.01 each. I mean come on, what’s NOT to love?!

This rosemary and witch hazel face mask actually got 5 stars from the Boots online community and I just think you can’t go wrong with this treat.  Great for travellers who still want a bit of luxury pampering but at little cost.

Collection 2000

Collection 2000 is another brand who have really improved in the last 5 years, plus if like me, you’re keen for makeup brands to NOT test on ANIMALS, then get involved with Collection 2000.  They have never tested and promise never to test on animals in order to create their makeup products.
 
Pictured here is an absolutely fabulous multi-use product which I remember buying when I was 17, the fact it is still in production to me, shows that it’s been a bit of a hit with the audience.  This all in one bronzing kit is fab and I remember creating the most beautiful cheekbones (I still don’t have them naturally!) with the bronzer and made sure I had this in my bag at all times through my late teen years.  There’s 2 lip tints, 2 eye colours and a cheek colour for about £5.   Another GREAT tip for festivals and holidays, all you need are your brushes!

NYC

Another American import, NYC is slowly gaining it’s fans, although doesn’t have a massive presence in the UK.  It’s slogan is uptown style at down to earth prices which is quite nice (why don’t more people think like this) and they seem to be keeping to it.

From what I’ve tried out, I do really think their Showtime Waterproof mascara is a steal at £3.99!  It adds volume, and the waterproof wailer test I do on all my waterproof mascaras actually stands up to being dunked in water, rain splashes, AND a lot of crying. This is an excellent budget mascara is great for weddings and possibly even hayfever sufferers!  Another goodie is their mosaic face blushes and bronzes.  Available in Superdrug.

Slightly over the £5 limit:

mememe

Well this is a relative newcomer to the high street, but that’s not to say it isn’t any good. In fact it’s a bit of a ringer for a quirky San Franciscan makeup brand especially with their new range of blushers…

Blush me Blush Boxes come in 4 colours with a brush applicator AND a mirror!  Ok so this particular product is over the £5 limit at £8.50 but given it’s competitor is approx £25 it’s not a bad one to mention.

I have tried out a few of their items, their eye line kohl pencils are £4.99 and great for blending and creating a smoky eye effect using pencil shades.

Rimmel

An OBG.  (Oldie but Goodie) Rimmel London has been a makeup staple for almost everyone I know, and certainly my entire peer group during my teen years.  I still love their Glam Eyes liquid eyeliner in Black and Brown, as well as their Eyebrow pencils and currently I am LOVING their new 25hour lasting foundation.  Fronted by the beautiful Zooey Deschanel, Rimmel has created a foundation that is sweat, heat, humidity and transfer-proof for up to a full 25 hours.

Does it really last 25 hours, well um, yes it does!  Albeit the intensity is not as strong as during the first few hours of application, but definitely still some coverage a day later.  And I have to admit, I tested this on people with young-ish skins so I can’t officially claim it works on everyone, but will be looking at trying it out on some older, and dehydrated skin types just to see how well it stands against my other fave (the not so budget Chanel Vitalumiere).

They say it has a revolutionary formula, complete with a revitalizing mineral complex and moisturising aqua primer, and I’m inclined to agree.  Although the colour shade offering is a bit poor to be honest, so if they can get that expanded to cater for black and asian skintones then we’re onto a real winner here.

Prestige Cosmetics

Originating from America, Prestige is now available in the UK at selected bigger retailers (mainly Superdrug and Boots).  Now, I’ve had a little go at their mineral range, my personal fave is their mineral skin shimmer. In particular the MBZ-03 Pure Shimmer shade is EXCELLENT for recreating a High Beam, or Multiple – esque illuminated finish on the face and body.  This comes in at approx £6.99 and it lasts for aaaggggeees.  Densely packed with a mix of golds, creams, vanilla, peach pigments, this mineral packed shimmer is a must for the coming summer holidays and festival season ahead for instant glam.
Just don’t blame me now if you get carried away!!

Maria Aloia, Beauty Treatment Specialist
Beauty Salon, Bedford

I am so pleased that my wait is finally over and that Dermalogica’s long overdue UltraCalming range has arrived!

Unfortunately, I suffer from very sensitised skin. I don’t know why, and I don’t know how it got like this, but it is. I am usually red or blotchy for one reason or another, and although a Dermalogica devotee, and the fact that my skin has benefitted from other Dermalogica products; I have never had ‘great skin’.

It seems I’m not alone! At least 50% of women worldwide experience sensitivity in one form or another, be it genetic sensitivity, or sensitisation caused by pollution, stress or increased exposure to chemicals. Whichever it is, the causes share one common reaction – inflammation! Dermalogica’s new UltraCalming range is the first product range to take into account neurogenic and immunogenic inflammation as well as the breakdown of the skin’s protective lipid barrier. Those clever people in the lab at Dermalogica HQ, have developed a complex combining Oat Kernal, Ginger and Red Hogweed, which can control inflammation, and the signs of sensitivity, irritation and redness.

They have updated some existing products – UltraCalming Cleanser and Barrier Repair, by adding this new UltraCalming Complex. We also see the introduction of some new products – UltraCalming Mist; acts as a desensitiser and toner, UltraCalming Serum; helps to calm and restore skin, and UltraCalming Relief Masque; enriched with Colloidal Oatmeal to soothe enraged skin and provide lasting relief from skin flare ups and rosacea.

Finally, a way to control red, itching, burning skin! The new UltraCalming range calms, soothes and replenishes the most aggravated, inflamed and irritated of skins. By targeting the triggers behind redness and irritation, these products will also help to prevent future flare ups and provide long lasting relief.

I have been using these products for almost a month, and I can certainly notice the difference. My skin is calmer and less irritated and looks clearer too! I love the whole range and I also love how you can intertwine the different ranges to get your ultimate skincare regimen. I like to combine the new UltraCalming range with my favourite AgeSmart products, Dynamic Skin recovery with Age Reversal Eye Complex.

Thank you Dermalogica for another fantastic and well needed addition to an already fantastic range!

Maria Aloia, Beauty Treatment Specialist
Beauty Salon, Bedford

So in the quest for a perfect body, women are risking their lives by injecting liquid silicone directly into their buttocks. The desire for a big bum originates from South America, but it is increasingly becoming popular in Europe and the USA especially.

Although silicone buttock implants can be perfectly safe if performed by a qualified and certified Plastic Surgeon – it’s exactly the same as silicone breast implants – injecting liquid silicone is not.

Not only can host your own ‘pump up’ party, you can even buy some black market liquid silicone from the web, with instructions on how to inject yourself! It’s Crazy! Liquid silicone has been banned in many countries, because it is unsafe, could cause a blood clot to the lungs and kill you. It has been described as playing Russian roulette; one time, you’ll feel fine – do it again and you could die. Injecting liquid silicone can kill you, yet despite this, more and more women are searching out this back street illegal treatment to give themselves a bigger butt.

One young lady travelled from London to Philadelphia and paid a lady to inject her buttocks with liquid silicone in a hotel room just near the airport. A day later she was dead. Last year, a former Miss Argentina also died, following the same procedure.

Is it worth it? What kind of world do we live in that women are risking their lives in their quest for what they believe to be the perfect body?

And about time too eh.  Lovely makeup brand Make Up For Ever are launching the first unretouched makeup advert (although strictly speaking The Body Shop’s recent campaign was also unretouched. I know this because I know the MUA behind it…  )

But anyway, what it means is the Makeup Artist and the products they use have to be good and stand up to the test in order to pull this off.  This new ad campaign is promoting the new Make Up Forever High Definition line of products, which promise to be of such high quality that even an HD camera would fail to pick up blemishes.

Think back to the Dove viral ad which went round our emails a few years back showing the before and after shots of one of their advertising models.   These days an ad without airbrushing is like a tap without water.  Just not the done thing darlings!   Or remember Kate Winslet and her “are they her thighs” dilemma on her GQ front cover….  The industry is infamous for its heavy reliance on airbrushing to achieve perfection. Thighs can be slimmed, pores can be shrunk and imperfections all but disappear with the swift click of a finger on PhotoShop.  So, this is a nice maverick situation, making it all a bit more real again.

For the Make Up For Ever campaign, four different women are pictured taking self-portraits using their own mobiles. Obviously they are all young and gorgeous and generally flaw free to start with but what you can clearly tell is that the photoshop wizards have not been near them; lumps and bumps are still visible, you can see the uneven skin tone on their arms, misplaced shadows, and even, shock!, horror!, shiny foreheads.

Apart from these everyday mishaps, the makeup itself looks the business, and looks like it does what is says on the tin!

Small steps people, but a breakthrough for reality.

Carole Hughes, ESVIE Contributor

Below are 4 lovely multi-tasking hair masks, sprays and treatments that will keep your hair in peak condition and guarantee a happy hair day every day…

Aveda Style Prep Smoother

Aveda’s new Smooth Infusion range is the definitive product for all hair types whether you are Caucasian, afro- American or Asian. The Style Prep Smoother contains a plant infusion formulation that generates a smooth new surface on hair that is light but extremely resilient thus it defends your hair not just from the weather but also continuous heat styling. This results in frizzy free hair and a protection against clamminess for up to 14 hours.

Price £18.00 Available from House of Fraser nationwide or www.aveda.co.uk

Philip Kingsley Weather-proof Hairspray

Hairspray is seldom ever regarded as a way to protect your tresses, most are usually alcohol based and drain the life from your hair. This is in contrast to Philip Kingsley’s hairspray from his Weather-proof range. The admired hair trichologist certainly knows a few things about the art of hair so he has shrewdly produced a hairspray that provides long-lasting hold and at the same time protects and conditions the hair. The UV guard also helps extend the life of your hair colour. Perfect!

Price £15.00 Available from www.philipkingsley.com

ESPA Pink Hair and Scalp Mud

This intensive hair and scalp treatment is one of ESPA’S most popular products. It combines red and white clay, watercress extract and apricot kernel to leave your hair looking amazing and more controllable. This is the perfect solution for dry, damaged or even chemically treated hair. Remarkably, it also doubles up as a superb skin conditioner that can not only be used on skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

Price £30.00 Available from Liberty nationwide.

Frederic Fekkai Protein Rx Daily Protein Fortifier

Frederic Fekkai, the American hairstylist who is a much loved among the red carpet gang, continues to provide us with his impressive product range. To acquire shine and strength that no amount of bad weather can stifle, his Protein Rx Daily Protein

Fortifier is wonderful. This leave in conditioner is excellent for over-styled hair suffering from the after effects of the weather and heat styling. The main ingredients of soy and milk proteins will bolster and even out your hair leaving it healthy and ultra glossy.

Price £20.00 Available from John Lewis nationwide.

Maria Aloia, Beauty Treatment Specialist
Beauty Salon, Bedford

Where’s my shopping list? Toilet paper, coffee, eggs, manicure…. Oops sorry – wrong place! Actually, it’s not! Tesco, in their quest to rule the world, are now set to break into the Hair, Beauty and Spa Market.

They are calling their new venture ‘Your Beauty’, and have teamed up with Regis in the hope to create the perfect experience for those multitasking male and females looking for convenience and great value. This is no early April Fool’s joke. They have already opened a salon within Tesco in Leicester and Chesterfield, with nail bars piloting in Milton Keynes, Wembley, Cambridge, Kingston and Manchester. If all goes well, they look to open 70 salons nationwide!

With no appointment necessary you can get your hair done and enjoy some beauty treatments all while looking out at what’s going on in the supermarket. Prices are low, and treatments are quick. Now please don’t imagine a boutique hair and beauty salon; this is what it is, a section at the back of Tesco, where you can get your basic beauty treatments done or your hair trimmed. Treatments are cheap, yet basic, they are not even done in a private room (unless you wait in a queue for one) but in full view of shoppers. Imagine standing in Tesco queuing for treatments, Tesco lighting and noise… Don’t get me wrong, therapists will be well trained (they can’t afford not to be) but it won’t be like going to your favourite salon with relaxing music and ambiance.

Of course it’s excellent if you’re doing your shopping, and remember you forgot to get your lip waxed (as long as you don’t mind getting it waxed in the middle of supermarket) and you just want to pop in and get it done immediately (providing there is no queue). Or, if you’re short on money and just want a basic treatment – a file and polish is a file and polish wherever it’s done, I guess! Just don’t smudge your nails on the way to the car while carrying your shopping!

I think for those last minute “oops I forgot to book in my pedicure” moments, then maybe Tesco is the place, or, if you just want that treatment done and don’t care much for the finer details, or, if you’re short of cash or time. However, if you relish the whole experience of the beauty salon, respect the knowledge your therapist has, desire more specialist treatments and enjoy building that relationship with your therapist, then stick to your beauty salon.

I for one will not be going to Tesco for hair or beauty treatments any time soon. I like the privacy of a salon; I don’t want everyone to know when I go and what I have done. I also freely admit that I’m a bit of a snob; I want to brag about that lovely little salon I go to, just like I won’t get my hair done at one of those hair salons that don’t take appointments; I like my appointment, booking my time out, my treat. I don’t want to wait in a queue and be rushed along a conveyor belt of haircuts or beauty treatments. It’s all down to personal preference; some people will love the idea of doing their grocery shop and adding on a haircut, others will be horrified by it. Either way, Tesco is taking over the world! Look out for ‘Your Beauty’ at a Tesco near you soon…

Maria Aloia, Beauty Treatment Specialist
Beauty Salon, Bedford

So everyone seems to be going crazy about Waitrose Baby Bottom Butter – but they’re not putting it on their baby’s bottoms! Ladies have discovered a new use for it – as part of their own skincare regime! This £2.54 cream from this leading supermarket has become the company’s number one skincare product, leaving other beauty brands in the shade. Reports have stated that a 14 year supply was sold in just 12 months following glowing reviews on parenting websites.

Why do mums love this cream so much? Containing camomile, lavender and olive oil, this rich emollient leaves a dewy look and keeps skin soft. Containing no parabens, petrochemicals or colours, Beauty Industry experts remain unconvinced.

To be fair, any rich emollient will keep skin soft, but is it actually improving the dermis, or is this cream just acting on the surface? That dewy look? If it’s not going in, it’ll only be sitting on the surface of the skin, hence that ‘dewy’ look.

Is it the price that attracts this buying frenzy? Yes, it is cheap, but they do say you get what you pay for. I am not convinced. The label clearly states ‘Baby Bottom Butter’, so as far as I’m concerned the Butter will be going on the Baby’s Bottom only! I’ll stick with Dermalogica…

Maria Aloia, Beauty Treatment Specialist
Beauty Salon, Bedford

Gone are the days of big, chunky, Footballer’s Wives style acrylics; make way for the nail trend of the season – short, neat nails. Whether you prefer short, dark nails (I’m still seeing a lot of black, dark purple and steel grey in the salon) or traditional short, French nails – short, neat nails are definitely the option.

Nails should be short, neat, manageable and healthy. If you don’t fancy a dark colour but bored with French, why not try a pale, creamy colour? Shorter nails are less likely to break, giving your nails the best chance to become really healthy and strong. You must oil your cuticles daily to encourage healthy growth; my favourite cuticle oil will always be Solar Oil by CND – I love that almond smell!

This season we will also see a lot of nail foils like Minx and the rising popularity of gel/polish hybrid treatments like Shellac, Gelish or Geleration. Whichever you choose, there is absolutely no excuse to walk around with chipped polish. Tacky and unsightly, chipped nails are definitely a no. These options ensure your nails look perfect for around 2 weeks – the ideal solution for busy ladies!

Maria Aloia, Beauty Treatment Specialist
Beauty Salon, Bedford

Male Grooming Expert, Jason Shankey, has developed his own range of male grooming products. Jason Shankey, famous for his Male Grooming Salons, the first of which opened in 1997, aims to change the way men look, feel and think about themselves.  With Sky Sports on the big tvs and a beer or soft drink with your treatment, Jason Shankey knows how to treat a man!

Already stocked in Urban Retreat since November, Jason Shankey’s simple regime is bound to be popular among the ‘macho-sexuals’. Including products like shave creams, moisture balms, and hair growth inhibitors, he’s even produced a step by step DVD for the perfect cut throat shave. Any of his products are sure to be a great gift for any man, both for the experienced metrosexual, or as a gentle introduction to male grooming. Prices are reasonable, starting from around £13. These products have been 10 years in the making, and pretty soon, you’ll be seeing them in salons, spas and hairdressers up and down the country… Could be a great gift idea for Valentines Day!