Reveal magazine Bargain Beauty Hotlist
We all love a beauty bargain, right? Well, you will definitely want to get your hands on the latest copy of Reveal magazine today then. Reveal has announced the winners of the Reveal Beauty Hotlist – the first and only media awards that recognise the best beauty products under £10.
The expert judging panel included notable beauty industry figures including Lee Pycroft, make-up artist, Michaella Bolder, A-list facialist, Irene Shelley, Editor-in-Chief of Black Beauty & Hair magazine, Ampika Pickston, celebrity salon owner and star of the Real Housewives of Cheshire, and Mikey Kardashian, celebrity hairstylist.
The winning products underwent a strict and intensive testing process which started with collating the results of the magazines ‘tried and tested’ pages and feedback from Reveal readers. This led to a shortlist of products which was put to the panel of testers. The judges tested the products over a period of five weeks, considering factors from initial performance to technology and ingredients.
The full list of 25 winners is available to read in Reveal, on sale today (May 15 2018), but here’s a sneak peek at ten of the winners.
Ultimate day cream
Aldi Lacura Caviar Illumination Day Cream SPF 15, £6.99
‘For the price point, it’s hard to fault this moisturiser. It sits well under make-up and offers all-day hydration. I used it on testers of varying ages and it looked luminous and fresh on all,’ says Lee.
Body scrub gem
N-Spa Sacred Spa Sea Minerals Salt & Oil Scrub, £4 (Asda)
‘This smells a lot more expensive than it really is. It’s not too gritty but, thanks to the blend of oils, leaves skin wonderfully soft and silky,’ comments Irene.
Mini night marvel
Olay Total Effects 7 in 1 Anti-Ageing Night Firming Moisturiser, £6.99
For Michaella, this cream just couldn’t be beaten. ‘The anti-ageing ingredients are impressive and it left my skin softer and plumper after only one sleep. It’s rich but not heavy,’ she explains.
Fail-safe fake tan
Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Natural Bronze Body Lotion, £5.99
‘I’m really loving this. It’s so easy to apply and dries quickly but gives a beautiful bronzed glow that lasts a few days. It smells amazing, too,’ says tan connoisseur Michaella.
Salon-worthy shampoo
Syoss Shampoo, £3 (Tesco)
You’ll usually find Mikey using a shampoo nine times the price of this. His verdict? ‘A huge thumbs up! My celebrity clients loved it. Even after one wash (I’m normally a huge believer in doing it twice), their locks were clean, shiny and smooth while smelling great,’ he says.
‘Wow!’ mascara
Essence False Lash Effect Mascara Princess, £3.30 (Wilko)
‘It really delivers. Just a few strokes instantly doubled the thickness of each lash for a total ‘falsie’ effect,’ Ampika tells us.
Power serum
The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA, £9.60
‘This serum combines super-hydrators with potent anti-agers that act on wrinkles within weeks. I’d even recommend it to clients with big money to spend,’
Top spot fix
Super Facialist Salicylic Acid Clay Mask, £9.99 (Boots)
‘It really works. It’s packed with spot-fighting salicylic acid and deep-cleansing kaolin to leave skin noticeably smooth but not stripped. Just use for five or ten minutes a week,’ says Michaela.
Winning lipstick
Bourjois Rouge Velvet Lipstick, £8.99
‘It delivers high-impact colour but feels lightweight and creamy with impressive lasting power,’ raves Ampika.
Foundation to trump ‘em all
L’Oreal Paris True Match Foundation, £9.99
L’Oreal’s leading the way with affordable, inclusive shade ranges but this easy-to-wear foundation, in 23 hues, is worthy of the highest praise. ‘I’m seriously impressed with this range. It caters for black skins with both warm and cool options. Many bases are too red or muddy-looking for my orange undertones but I was complimented on my lovely ‘glow,’ says Irene.
If you’re not sure about the judges – here’s a wee bit more about them:
Lee Pycroft, make-up artist
What Lee doesn’t know about make-up just isn’t worth knowing. She’s been in the industry for more than 28 years and is renowned for her flawless brush skills. When she’s not working her magic on a glossy shoot, she’s beautifying A-listers like Jessica Biel or heading up the team on Britain’s Next Top Model.
Irene Shelley, journalist
As editor-in-chief of Black Beauty & Hair magazine – where she’s worked for over 25 years – Irene’s an undisputed expert on all things beauty, particularly products for women of colour. With the world’s best buys at her fingertips, she has an eye for an exceptional formula.
Michaella Bolder, facialist
Having spent over ten years in the beauty business, we’re not surprised stars like Kelly Brook, Helen Mirren and Frankie Bridge have skin wizard Michaella on speed dial. She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of ingredients so if a product makes it into her kit, you know it’s gold standard.
Mikey Kardashian, hairstylist
Mikey is right-hand man to Amanda Holden, Katie Piper and Tamara Ecclestone with over 26K Instagram followers to boot. He’s used to working with the swankiest formulas and expects his products to deliver – fast.
Ampika Pickston, celebrity salon owner
Reality TV fans – you’ll know uber-glamorous Ampika from the Real Housewives of Cheshire but she also boasts impressive beauty super-powers. Having trained as a therapist, she runs her own busy salon and has even formulated her own haircare line.
