Beauty for a reasonable price
When you’re in the supermarket it is well worth checking out the beauty products on offer. For a fraction of the price of leading brands they offer a range of benefits
DOES the phrase ‘you get what you pay for’ count in this day and age? My opinion is that generally, yes you do, especially when it comes to beauty care. Although I am a self-confessed skin-care-product snob and mostly use or work with up market brands, I have to say there are several products in the lower priced ranges available at supermarkets which are very good and I also use and couldn’t do without.
As far as facial skin care is concerned, if you do not have a specific or severe problem (acme, eczema, highly sensitive, severely sun damaged or very congested pores), which may require specialist care and products from a beauty therapist, then the two major companies L’oreal and Nivea have quality, effective products to offer at reasonable prices.
Below is a selection of some of the products available that are definitely worth their salt, some of which I regularly use at home or when I’m working on people for photoshoots.
BODY CARE
When I need a good body lotion without the posh price tag I always buy one of the following seven:
Body Cocoon by Garnier is great when your skin is particularly dry on body, feet or hands. It comes in an orange pump bottle and smells good.
Nivea Milk in the classic dark blue bottle we all know, is rich for dry skin and I personally use it to give a lovely sheen on the legs and arms.
Nivea Lotion is a lighter version of the milk and comes in a white bottle. It’s a great skin hydrator for everyday use. Contains vitamin E to condition skin.
Nivea Firming Body Lotion contains Q10 plus and is similar in texture to the above lotion, with the added benefit of having skin firming properties. This is a personal favourite for regular use after the bath.
Nivea Firming Body Cream is a richer version of the above lotion for dry skins and comes in a jar. It contains the some active ingredient, Q10 plus.
L’oreal Nutrisoft Light but with a nourishing texture. Very pleasant to use.
Nutrilift, also by L’oreal, is a body lotion with firming properties as well as nourishing texture.
BODY TONING OR FIRMING PRODUCTS
For firming and toning thighs, bum, hips and tummy try L’oreals Perfect Slim. This a smooth, silky gel which needs to be massaged into these areas firmly everyday for four weeks. Within days of use, I find this product improves the appearance and tone of the skin on my things and I do notice firming effects.
A product I love is Garnier’s Body Tonic. It is not so much a firming or slimming product, but it does have a toning effect on the skin and the senses. It is a zesty, hydrating gel with a beautiful fresh smell and feels light and cool on the skin. It contains firming properties and I like to use it as a light skin hydrator when I don’t need a rich lotion on the body. Lovely for use in warmer weather too!
Other useful products available in the supermarket are:
Sanex shower gel. This is one of the gentlest shower gels around. It is Ph. balanced and non drying, therefore perfect for sensitive, dry or easily irritated skins.
Titania Pumice Sponge for the feet. Use regularly on soles of feet to keep hard skin to a minimum and feet soft.
Almond Oil is useful as a natural skin moisturiser or cuticle conditioner.
Loofah Or Back Scrubber Brush. A very cheap way to keep the skin on the body smooth and toned. Simply use in the bath with shower gel on wet skin.
FACE CARE PRODUCTS
L’oreal Eye Make-up Remover is gentle and easy to use. You’ll find it in a clear, light blue bottle. I’ve been using this product for years.
Lo’real offer state of the art face care products at affordable prices. The company has an impressively comprehensive range to suit all skin types and ages. The Pure Zone range is formulated for teenagers or skins which are oily, blocked or pimply and includes a face wash and anti-greasing moisturiser to delay the appearance of shine.
For young faces, around the twenty something age group, there are Ideal Balance, Hydra Fresh, Active-Futur products for normal to combination skins, and the Hydra Confort, Hydra Fresh and Re-Nourish products for dry to sensitive skins.
For existing wrinkles or their prevention, they have formulated the Wrinkle De-Crease and Visible Results range which is suitable for all skin types and which offers UVA and UVB protection.
The Revital Lift range is suited to more mature skin and boasts anti-wrinkle as well as firming properties. It includes the Revel Eclat cleanser and toner which enhances the effect of the creams.
Their most nourishing and anti-ageing line, Age Perfect is good for mature completions. These products contain regenerating and anti-slackening properties.
Another leader in the ‘beauty care at a reasonable price’ market is Nivea and their Nivea Visage Range. They produce good quality comprehensive, face products for all skin types and ages and for men too!
Nivea Young is suitable for teenagers or oily, blemished skins. The line consists of face wash, scrub, toner and a balancing, oil free moisturiser.
The Nivea Visage range includes products which contain the co-enzyme Q10plus which is a renowned cell regenerator and helps to fight the appearance of wrinkles. Nivea actually own the patent to have this ingredient in a skin care product. The Perfect Contour restructuring serum is a specialised product which helps to lift and firm the contours of the face. Their Crème D’Energie is good for dull or sallow complexions as it helps to oxygenate skin and therefore improves radiance.
Nivea also produce booster products which contain Creatine, which energises the skin (this ingredient is also used in energy food supplements for athletes).
The New Skin products contain pure vitamin C, which helps to accelerate collagen and elastin fibre production.
For mature skin they have Antiwrinkle Q10 plus Eye Care, Day Cream and Night Cream, and also Nivea Vital Regenerating Night Cream and Activating Day Cream.
For the men there is a good range of shaving gels to suit different skin types including sensitive, and skin care products to encourage them to take care of their skin too.
