Advantages: Visible removal of dirt
Disadvantages: Chemical overload

...Ten-o-six deep pore cleanser has been around for years, and I have used it a few times in both the "full fat" version, and this sensitive skin version. While this one is undoubtedly more gentle than it's aggressive older sibling, it still has the power to make your eyes water if you attempt to use it on eye makeup! Having said that, it is extremely effective at removing makeup and dirt (you can actually see how much grime is left on the cotton wool) and leaves skin feeling squeaky clean. It is nicely scented and a bottle which costs £4.99 (from Superdrug) lasts for ages. It's also brilliant for drying out spots - must be all the alcohol it contains! The cleanser itself contains a scary amount of chemicals, and I swear that when I spilt some on my dressing table, the varnish discoloured! But I would compare it favourably... Read review

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Advantages: A thorough, even tan
Disadvantages: Staining

..., with paper bag over head, in case I met anyone I knew, I went to the salon. We went into a small room and I removed all my clothes, put on a very small paper thong (there was an option of slightly smaller briefs but, hey, I wanted an ALL over tan) and a delicious shower cap. I then stood on a mat between some plastic sheeting which protected the rest of the room from the spray and adopted the robot-esque pose required to ensure full coverage. Jayne then took out a paint gun and proceeded to spray extremely cold brown paint at my skin. Beware, if you are ticklish, it is a nightmare because the cold spray really sets your nerves a jangling! The whole procedure took about ten minutes. You move around whilst the spray is applied and then, when all your body (including face) is covered, you allow it to dry for a few moments before putting your... Read review

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Advantages: Coverage is glorious!
Disadvantages: Cost!

...I have used Clinique's Stay-True Makeup for the past ten years. I have tested department store brands such as Lancome, Estee Lauder, Elizabeth Arden and countless discount store brands like Loreal, Cover Girl, Revlon, but I keep coming back to this foundation. Coverage! Stay-True's foundation has the best coverage to any I mentioned. You control the amount of coverage-from light to heavy depending on your need, It applies easily and evenly. Since it is a liquid foundation you have control over amount you use, more in some places, less in others. Clinique's foundation is creamy and blends with ease no matter how much you use. My skin tone, although I have a medium to dark complexion, it is very blotchy. I have red splotches here and white splotches there. Stay-True will give you long lasting coverage through out... Read review

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Advantages: Leaves your skin feeling smooth
Disadvantages: You look very strange with it on!!

...range and is unimaginatively called a Clay Mask. It has an orange square on the front, signifying it should be used once or twice a week. It costs £3.29 for 75ml, but I bought it while there was an offer in the catalogue to buy three of a selection of products for only £5. Look out for these ;-) It is simple enough to use. Cleanse your face, then smooth the clay mask, avoiding the eye area. It is quite a thick stodgy substance which hardens quite soon after being applied to your face. It has a slight antiseptic smell to it and it did make my eyes tingle at first, but not too badly. You leave it on for ten minutes, then rinse it off with cold water. Of course, those ten minutes feel much longer and you must remember to avoid contact with humans and – apparently – your pets! So any time when the postman is due or your... Read review

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Advantages: The prices are excellent
Disadvantages: A bit un-organised

...I am a member at David Lloyds leisure club, and inside the premises there is Saks Hair and Beauty. I rang up on the Friday night and got an appointment for the Saturday morning which I thought was brilliant. I arrived at the salon and I was offered a drink and asked to wait in the waiting area, 5 minutes later I was being given a consultation from the stylist, who listened to every word I said and actually let me get a word in edgeways. My hair was washed, cut, highlighted and blowdried to perfection and it only took 2 hours, I was really pleased with the end result. I have a few disadvantages though, the staff seemed to be laughing amongst themselves a lot and it made me feel a bit uncomfortable, and it didnt portray a very professional environment. I was also given a ten percent discount as I was a member of David Lloyds... Read review

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Advantages: An alternative to gel and wax
Disadvantages: Didn't work as it should, not as good as gel

...friends performing their own version of a WKD advert, but in the name of research I continued. The product is fairly easy to use and its thickness allows you to shape and mould your hair as you like. I used the sample twice and found it worked slightly better on damp hair rather than dry. When I’d finished I must admit my style was as good as with the gel but looked more natural, not showing as much product as usual. Unfortunately this didn’t last and unless you’re planning on going to a ten minute party then I very much doubt this is the product for you. An even bigger let down was the unique selling point of the product – which was that you would be able to restyle during the day. I tried this and all that happened was my hair looked worse, in fact it only took away more of the product. Within a few hours my hair looked greasy... Read review

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Advantages: Bright colours, easy to apply, conditioning
Disadvantages: Stains skin and clothes, sometimes doesnt last long, no gloves!

...I have been using this stuff for absolutely years! I usually have black hair, but then I get bored and want some colour, my main choice is Directions! So this time I decided to do underneath my hair a different colour and leave the top layers of my hair black. So after a few bleach sessions (my poor hair!) I decide its finally light enough to have a colour over the top, and the fact if I bleach it one more time there may be nothing left to dye over! So, I had intended to get lagoon blue, instead I got flamingo pink because it would have gone over better and looked brighter. Plus pinks and reds last a lot longer than blue! Luckily, the shop I work in sells Directions in quite a few colours! We even have one of them colour chart books with the coloured bits of hair in. Usually they're £4.75, but with my discount, it was £3... Read review

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Advantages: Light, gentle, smooth, soft, conditions skin, excellent coverage
Disadvantages: Availability

...I've been using this make-up system for about seven years (since it first came on the market). This newer improved system has been available for just over one year now. The core of this make-up system is based around the a natural extract from the yeast process used in making Sake, it was first discovered by a monk who saw how smooth and wrinkle free the workers hands were (male, female, young and old) who came in contact with the Sake ingredients. The monk carried out tests and discovered a clear, nutrient-rich liquid that could be extracted during the yeast fermentation process. He shared his findings with a group of skincare scientists, who became equally excited by the potential of his discovery. Five and a half years later Pitera was named and first used by SK-II a Japanese skincare company that was bought a few years ago... Read review

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Advantages: Easy to use
Disadvantages: Have to keep doing the roots once you start

...I'm always dying my hair, it cheers me up when I'm a bit fed up and it can alter the way you feel. I've never used Schwarzkopt Live before and went into a shop called Savers before the New Year and saw it on the shelf priced at 3.49. I usually pay around 5.00 for my hair dye, so was surprised to see this so cheap. The colour I chose is cool champagne. Having recently gone light brown and not liking it, I thought it best to dye my hair again for the new year. New year new look. The package is dark blue with a woman with blonde hair on the front. Inside the box is a bottle of live colour gel and a developer bottle, this has a twist off lid and fits inside the developer bottle. No more mess! You just twist the two together and shake to mix, this does take a few minutes though as they are both thick liquids. Apply... Read review

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Advantages: Reverses time!
Disadvantages: Addictive!!

...I have been using Nivea Creme for as long as I can remember as it has always provided me with the best defence against chapped lips. My mum used for years before that, so my family has been a regular user for probably 60 years or so. Recently I edveloped a little dryness on my arms, which may have been due to moving to a hard water are, I'm not sure, so I decided that I would use a moisturiser to see if it would help in any way. Nivea was the name that sprung to mind and with the firming lotion on offer in my local store, I though that I would give it a go. The texture is smooth and soft and easily absorbed into your skin. The fragrance is pleasant and fresh but not overpowering and the bottle is designed so that you can get just as much as you need out of it. Having used it for a couple of months now, I can say that my arms... Read review

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