Are YOU guilty of my top seven beauty crimes? HANNAH BETTS’ Better… not younger
- Hannah Betts reveals the ‘red flags’ of the beauty world, including grotty brushes
- READ MORE: My duty-free bargain buys — and the ‘don’t bothers’
The term ‘red flag’ is often applied to behavioural traits in relationships — indications that signal danger, stop or even dealbreaker.
But I would argue that the beauty world also has its red flags, and I came across a cracking one this week, so let’s kick off with that.
Grotty looking make-up brushes
Brace yourself: 34 per cent of make-up tools contain more bacteria than a lavatory brush.
Granted, the people who told me this are the creators of the excellent StylPro Make-up Brush Cleaner and Dryer (£29.99, boots.com). But, they’re not wrong.
If you don’t wash your brushes, you’re depositing weeks, months, perhaps years’ worth of bacteria onto your complexion, causing spots, irritation and — possibly — illness. And that’s without taking into account all the maniacs who lick their brushes and pencils.
Wash your brushes weekly in soapy water, rinse, allow them to dry, then store in a cool, non-humid place to keep them germ-free.
Not using up the last drop
There are some aspects of the cosmetics world that are worth lobbing money at: hi-tech foundation, or a perfume you find utterly exquisite, say.
Brace yourself: 34 per cent of make-up tools contain more bacteria than a lavatory brush (stock image)
However, there are many that aren’t. And indiscriminately throwing money at the beauty business is not a means of buying the best.
In the same way, try not to purchase new stuff without finishing what you own. The single thing we could do to make the beauty industry more sustainable is to use every last drop.
And don’t fill your drawers with ‘back-ups’. Products go off and we go off them.
Sleeping in your slap
A survey of British women a few years ago discovered that almost two-thirds don’t remove their make-up before hitting the sack. I’m staggered by this.
Cleanser is cheap. Superdrug is selling Garnier Micellar Water Sensitive Skin at roughly 75p per 100ml: that is £5.29 for just short of a year’s worth (700ml equalling 350 uses). Superdrug’s B. Gentle Micellar Water is just 62p per 100ml, or £2.49 for 400ml.
Sleeping in your slap causes blocked pores, dull skin and, in my case, eye infections. It’s nicer to go to bed with a clean face.
Skipping that pedicure
You owe yourself decent feet. Arrange a Margaret Dabbs London Medical Pedicure (from £85, margaret dabbs.co.uk) with a podiatrist at one of her ten UK clinics, or find a local expert via the Royal College of Podiatry (rcpod.org.uk).
Ghastly foundation
If there’s anything remotely thick, pancakey, or old-fashioned about your base — including if it doesn’t match your neck — then get yourself to Liberty, Space NK or John Lewis, ask for advice and prepare to be astounded.
Names to conjure with include MAC, Bobbi Brown, Charlotte Tilbury, Sisley, Shiseido, NARS, Kevyn Aucoin, Chantecaille, Rose Inc and Jones Road. Spend here, save elsewhere.
Dodging your deodorant
Those who crave a natural solution should opt for Akt The Deodorant Balm (£19, aktlondon.com) — chic, powerful, scented, use anywhere sweat-busters in recyclable aluminium tubes.
Or rely on Mitchum Women Unscented Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant (£3, boots.com), an ultra-hardworking option, then drench yourself with perfume.
Not sporting sunscreen
A recent survey by the charity Melanoma Focus found that 32 per cent of adults rarely or never use sunscreen in the UK. And yet, a high SPF remains the only proven anti-ageing product. Acquire Ambre Solaire Super UV Anti-age Face Protection Cream SPF50 (£8, boots.com) and use it.
Race you to it!
The cult spot treatment to tackle heatwave flare-ups, Super Facialist Salicylic Acid Anti-Blemish Clarifying Gel (£9, superfacialist.co.uk), is back after selling out online. Fans rave that its 1 per cent salicylic acid and niacinamide formula combats pimples without parching the complexion.
My icon of the week – Demi Moore
My icon of the week is 60-year-old actress Demi Moore – she keeps self-care simple
The 60-year-old actress keeps self-care simple: Westman Atelier’s Vital Skin Foundation Stick (£62), Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (£19, both cultbeauty.co.uk) and Lancome’s Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara (£20, lancome. co.uk). Plus Kevin Murphy Hydrate-Me Shampoo (£26, cultbeauty.co.uk).
Cosmetic craving
Driven mad by vanishing eye make-up? You may be able to get away with a budget lid fix in the winter, but in summer it can only be NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base (£23, narscosmetics.co.uk) to persuade shadow and liner to stay put for hours. This insider trick of the trade deploys a polymer and mineral powder blend to establish a firm grip on colour. Simply wand on and allow this lightweight primer to dry before applying colour.
The four tinted versions are now 30 per cent off at £16.10. Nothing else comes close.
Summer hands and feet
Leighton Denny Less is More (£12.50, leighton denny.com)
The Noughties classic is back, lending nails sheer, rosy, lipgloss-style polish.
Vaseline Expert Care Dark Spot Rescue Body Lotion SPF 20 (£4, ocado.com)
This contains antioxidant-rich niacinamide to reduce pigmentation.
Margaret Dabbs Bare Feet Electronic Callus Remover (£35, barefeetandhands. co.uk)
Removes tough skin from dry feet in seconds.
NatureCan Cooling Menthol CBD Muscle Balm (£39.99, uk.naturecan.com)
Menthol plus cannabidiol means chill bliss for hot and bothered summer soles.
Nails Inc Plant Power Vegan Nail Polish in Inner Peace of Me (£9, nailsinc.com)
A gorgeous summery marine blue.
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