Tried and Tested section

Every month we select Life Matters’ readers to be part of a testing panel to try out the latest beauty products to hit the city’s shops. Here you can find out which products came out top.

Face Serums

Crème De La Mer Lifting Face Serum, £175, Jarrolds

“The stylish glass bottle with easy to use dropper really impressed me. After the first use my skin looked more radiant with a healthier glow.”

Body Butters

Crabtree & Evelyn Botanical Body Butter, £15.95, Crabtree & Evelyn

“This body butter left my skin feeling wonderfully moisturised, even my problem dry areas such as my elbows felt soft and supple. It kept my skin moisturised for hours and I only needed to use a small amount. It also smells good enough to eat!”

Energising shower gels

Potions & Possibilities Aromatherapy Bath & Shower Gel, £7.99, Jarrolds

“I adored the Detox Blend. The mix of juniper berry, grapefruit, lime, sweet orange, vanilla and Echinacea was subtle and uplifting.  Great for a morning shower or a rejuvenating bath.”

Deep conditioning hair treatments

Pantene Repair & Protect, £3.98, Boots

“It’s packaged in a good size tub so it’s easy to reach in a grab a good handful.  It has quite a thick texture which is good for clinging to your hair.  I loved the way it made my hair feel incredibly soft. But it makes the shower floor extremely slippery!”

Organic bath oils

Soothing bath oil, £10, Neals Yard Remedies

“This bath oil left my skin smelling nice and feeling soft and so smooth that there was no need to moisturise. The oil did leave the bath a little slippery but overall it was a very relaxing product to use.”

Organic face washes (joint winners)

Desert Essence, Thoroughly Clean Face Wash with Organic Tea Tree Oil and Awapuhi, £7.45, Holland and Barrett

“I loved this face wash.  Although watery compared to my normal cream wash, it left me refreshed for hours. I have very sensitive skin and had no reaction so I will definitely use the product again.”

Palmarosa face wash, £10, Neal's Yard Remedies

“The product left my face feeling cleansed without being dry and taut like most other facial washes I have tried and within a week my skin felt calmer and softer. It comes in an attractively coloured glass bottle, giving that extra feeling of luxury.  Definitely a product to pamper yourself with!”

Organic Body Lotions

Australian Organics Evening Primrose Body Lotion, £2.99, John Lewis

“I love the colourful packaging but at first I was disappointed with the products thin and runny texture. However, it left my skin feeling soft and smooth and the clean and fresh smell lasted all day.”

Anti-ageing concealers

Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Intensive Concealing Duo, £28, Jarrold

“This is a great item. Packaged in a gorgeous compact and with a little brush for applying the concealer it makes it feel very indulgent. The colours are great, the lighter one is reflecting and brightening, the darker, concealing and smoothing.”

Mousse Blushers

Autograph Colour Mousse blush, £9.50, Marks and Spencer

“This blusher felt so light on my skin and it gave me a nice rosy look to my cheeks. I loved this product as you only need a little product with each application. The blush also lasted all day.”

Volumising mascara

Elizabeth Arden Lash Extending mascara, £16.00, John Lewis

“Everything you want from a mascara - long slender brush, thick liquid and lash-conditioning to boot.  This product not only separated my lashes beautifully, but it held them in place with a perfect coating and lifted and lengthened them to give a very natural yet striking look. I would advise two coats just to maximise impact and, as much as I resent paying through the nose for cosmetics, in this case you definitely get what you pay for!”

Energising leg gels

Clarins Energizing Emulsion, £12, Jarrold

“This light blue lotion smells faintly medicinal, with an overriding menthol aroma that grates on the nostrils if you sniff it a bit too closely. However, it was easily applied, and sank quickly into my skin without leaving any noticeable residue. Almost immediately, my legs began to feel lighter and rejuvenated, while the cooling effect of the product left my skin feeling positively zingy.

The overall effects were more noticeable and lasted much longer than those of the other two products; my legs felt close to normal again within about 10 minutes. You can also apply this product over tights, so it would be a great product to have in your arsenal if you’ve got a long workday on your feet, for example. I was impressed by how well this worked. However, the scent really wasn’t the sort of thing I’d be inclined to dab behind my ears and it is powerful enough to hang around for a substantial amount of time.