Kiehl's Heat Protective Silk Straightening Cream

RRP: £15 for 150ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Created especially for wavy, frizzy, or curly hair in need of smoothing, our cream helps smooth hair and tame frizz without weighing hair down whilst protecting the hair from breakage."

--Packaging--
The yellow accents on this squeezy tube brighten up an otherwise dull item. The screw-top lid is practical and the overall design is suitably unisex.

--Application--
Run through the ends of wet hair (not the roots) before drying/straightening. Brush/dry as normal. Very easy. A 50p-sized amount should do it.

--Appearance--
A white, glossy cream that melts invisibly into the hair.

--Scent--
Clean-smelling and homely, a bit like fabric softener - which makes sense given the relatively neutral main ingredients (silk, soy and sesame). 

--Texture and consistency--
Beautifully creamy with no lumps or stickiness. As mentioned, it works beautifully with the hair to leave no stiffness after styling either.

--Effects on the hair--
Flyaway hair is tamed and made to feel beautifully smooth, soft and under control. FAB.

--Value for money--
As so little of the product goes such a long way, and there is NOTHING wrong with it (not even the price!), I'd happily repurchase this. Maybe my favourite Kiehl's product ever!

perfect partners
Amino Acid Shampoo, from £8.50
Hair Conditioner and Grooming Aid Formula 133, from £18.50  

Louis Marcel Hair Removal Cream for Face and Bikini Line

 RRP: £5.65

--What does the promo say?--
"The cream removes unwanted hair effectively, leaving the skin soft and moisturised. Formulated with soothing calendula and witch hazel, it helps to maintain the natural balance of your skin."

--Packaging--
The pink and white tube, decorated with a calendula motif, is distinctly feminine and neatly encapsulates the product's virtues of natural ingredients and gentleness. Easy to use; closes securely to greatly reduce the chances of leakage.

--Application--
The brand advises: "Evenly spread the cream, directly onto the skin, ensuring that all hairs are completely covered. Leave in place for 5-10 minutes. The time needed may depend on the stubbornness of the hair, but do not exceed 10 minutes. Remove a small test area of cream with the spatula provided. If the hairs come away easily, remove the rest of the cream with spatula and rinse the hair removal area with plenty of water. If needed, leave the cream on for no longer than 10 minutes." Nothing difficult about this. Application and removal are facilitated thanks to the reusable plastic spatula included in the box.

--Appearance--
A white cream that leaves no visible residue on the skin.

--Scent--
Surprisingly floral and relatively pleasant without being overbearing. Definitely does not fit the mould of chemical-smelling depilatory creams.

--Texture and consistency--
Seems to spread onto the skin smoothly and wash off easily too, while being more robust than a mousse.

--Effects on the skin--
While you do feel a little bit of tingling in the final minutes of the full 10, it's possible that some people won't need to leave it on for long enough to experience this. Unfortunately, some of my unwanted hairs are quite stubborn, so the full 10 minutes was required - and even then success was only partial, eliminating most/all of the finer hairs but not always doing much on the thicker ones. The thickness of the hair growth was stemmed as a result of using this cream.

--Value for money--
This price seems to be in line with hair removal creams from other major manufacturers, such as Veet and Nair, so shouldn't raise any eyebrows. I'd say that if hair removal creams normally work well for you, I'd recommend trying this, as the presence of calendula and witch hazel are definitely different to other creams and serve as a clear plus. However, I can only see it in my life as a complement to other hair removal methods, such as shaving, waxing and plucking (I alternate between these depending on how the hair growth is), as it wasn't quite enough to get rid of all of my unwanted body hair, even by using it for the maximum 10 minutes allowed. You haven't got much to lose by giving it a go though - and make sure you shop online for the best deals.

perfect partners
Hair Removal Mousse, £3
Crystal Gel Body Wax Strips, £6.18

The Bluebeard's Revenge Luxury Shaving Cream

RRP: £14.50
available from: The Shaving Shack, Safetyrazors.co.uk, Elm House Products Ltd

--What does the promo say?--
"Designed by a real life Blue Beard who was bored to death with being a Desperate Dan look-alike, The Bluebeards Revenge™ is a paraben free, premium quality shaving cream with added ingredients to specifically combat tough stubble. It has been formulated to our unique specification in one of the UK's premier male cosmetics laboratories who are renowned experts in the field of shaving cream."

 --Packaging--
The shiny blue box combines a white skull and crossbones with a somehow still classy-looking jar that comes with a silver-effect screw top lid. A shaving brush is also included, and the whole ensemble is easy to use. The Bluebeard's Revenge reports that girls have been making up an ever-increasing percentage of their customer base, so the female contingent may wish to skip the use of the brush, but the male tester on this side says that the brush is easy to use and is even a bit of a novelty in an age where most men don't reach for the shaving brush automatically.

--Application--
An almond-sized blob should cover your whole face (for gents), so an even smaller amount is required for ladies who are looking to get rid of persistent unwanted facial, underarm and bikini line hair. Shave off as normal with hot water and a decent razor.

--Appearance--
A pearlescent white, thick luxurious cream that should appeal to everyone. It's quite stiff, too, implying that it is a bit more heavy-duty, going beyond the airy-fairyness of your average shaving foam or face cream. No visible residue is left on the skin after use.

--Scent--
Quite masculine, staying true to The Bluebeard's Revenge's word that it conjures images of a traditional barbershop with a modern twist. I suspect some vetiver in there, although the ingredients list gives nothing away save the inclusion of aloe vera. Possibly too masculine to truly appeal to girls - if I were working at The Bluebeard's Revenge, I would seriously consider putting out a version of the cream that uses the same technology but has a different smell - perhaps something more neutral or something that uses essential oils such as lavender or lemon that may appeal more to the XX market.

--Texture--
As previously mentioned, it's very stiff, but you get a good lather with no effort at all and it washes off easily too, leaving skin feeling insanely smooth and soft after use.

--Effects on the skin--
The most notable immediate effect, baby-softness aside, is the fact that this cream delivers an incredibly close shave, which will alone keep the unwanted hairs at bay for longer even if the stubble-busting technology itself were a load of old cobblers. Him indoors did unfortunately find that he experienced greater sensitivity after using this compared to his usual shaving cream (which, for the record, costs exactly the same), but that to the contrary this lessens if you use the cream having not shaved for a couple of days (as opposed to shaving every day). From my experience, I found no sensitivity occurred while using this product, even when tackling a few unwanted hairs on my own face, so it quite clearly depends on the person. It's also difficult for us to know if the product really reduces stubble, as I am normally a waxer (plucking out hairs that grow on my face), and him indoors has only used this new cream once a week. I'll be passing it onto my dad, whose stubble also regrows quickly, for further tests.

--Value for money--
For a totally vegetarian, paraben-free product that also works well and contributes to charity with every pot purchased (money is donated to Help For Heroes for every unit sold), you're getting a good deal here on a unique product that poses a credible challenge to the domination of the hair removal market by Gillette. Don't hesitate to go out and buy it for the man in your life this Christmas - or even as a Christmas present to yourself.

perfect partners
The Bluebeard's Revenge Scimitar Double Edge Razor, £29.99
The Bluebeard's Revenge Doubloon Bristle Shaving Brush, £6.99
The Bluebeard's Revenge Shaving Cream, Brush, and Mach3 Razor Gift Set with Free Balm, £49.99
The Bluebeard's Revenge Post Shave Balm, £9.99

Absolution Day Cream

RRP: £52.95/30ml
--What does the promo say?--
"Absolution skincare day cream is a certified organic moisturiser for women with mineral sunscreen. This complete skin care is high in antioxidants, anti-radical and hydrating active principles. The perfect ally of your hectic days. To obtain your bespoke skin care, adapted to your skin’s mood, you just have to add one drop of La Solution + of your choice to target and reinforce its efficiency. La Crème du Jour anti-ageing action is combined with a mineral sunscreen (Mica). Everything you need to enjoy life with serenity! Certified organic by Eco Cert."

--Packaging--
Very edgy, urban, modern and unisex, combining Art Deco style angles with Mary Quant monochrome. My sample (part of the box of goodies I received from Being Content ) was just a sachet, but this apparently delivers, in its full-size form, an efficient pump-action system to allow the correct dosage to be dispensed.

--Application--
I was using this 'neat', as it were, but if you're using the full range, what you're supposed to do is dispense the required amount and then mix it with a drop of "La Solution" that suits you best (the idea of the brand is for you to create your own bespoke skincare by mixing and matching the more specific elements that you need with their 'basic' creams). As it was, even using the day cream on its own gave no problems.

--Scent--
A very strong smell of bitter orange characterises the overwhelming first impression that you get, to the extent that it's almost masculine, even though there is a day cream for men as well (which my fiancé informs me actually has a milder scent). If you don't like it, steer clear: I doubt that the "Solution" of your choice would do much to mask or alter the scent.

--Appearance--
A white, slightly stiff and lumpy cream.

--Texture/consistency--
Blends in well, but takes a long time to do so.

--Effects on the skin--
For this amount of money, and for something packed with such a diverse range of ingredients whose effects have been proved positive (such as green tea, aloe vera, borage, hyaluronic acid, neroli, and centella) I was surprised to see no effect whatsoever on my skin - positive or negative.

--Value for money--
See above. You pay over £50 only for nothing to happen whatsoever, and then to see something happen, you have to pay another £63 ON TOP OF THAT (since the Solutions can't, I don't think, be used by themselves) to see any effect at all. Woof. Since the cream in itself is targeted as an anti-ageing product (the inclusion of hyaluronic acid gives a strong clue), the older generation might have more luck in seeing tangible effects on their skin, and may feel the pinch a bit less when it comes to paying for the stuff. So even though the bespoke aspect of this is all very original and impressive and everything, I think I'll be giving this one a miss.

perfect partners
Absolution Cleansing Water, £27.50/50ml
Absolution Night Cream, £54.75/30ml
Absolution La Solution Anti-Ageing, £62.75/15ml
Absolution La Solution Energie, £62.75/15ml
Absolution La Solution Radiance, £62.75/15ml
Absolution La Solution Controle, £62.75/15ml

Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser

RRP: from £2.48/75ml online

--What does the promo say?--
"A regular cleansing routine is one of the key steps to keeping facial skin looking young and healthy. Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser is a rich facial cleanser that deep cleans pores to remove stubborn dirt and make up - even waterproof mascara. The special blend of ingredients softens the skin as it cleanses, to leave it feeling soft, smooth and radiantly clean."

--Packaging--
A pleasantly serene-looking and simply designed screw-top glass pot, which also comes in a relatively sturdy white cardboard box with teal-green strips and the Pond's logo. The only drawback is the shape - you have to really bend your fingers to get into the corners of the jar for the last dregs.

--Application--
Smear liberally onto face, and either wash off immediately or leave on for 2 minutes as a mask before rinsing with a damp flannel.

--Appearance--
A very stiff, luxurious-looking cream that bears a resemblance to very well-beaten egg whites. Leaves no visible residue on the face after use.

--Scent--
A very clean, just-hung-out-on-the-washing-line type smell. Very fresh and quite universal (everyone from teens to grans could use this and have no problem with the scent).

--Texture/consistency--
Very rich and quite unlike any cleanser I've used before as someone with oily skin. Absorbs quite well, but there is a slight residue left after rinsing. If you have normal to dry skin you can leave this on to sink in; if, however, you're a bit of a toning junkie or have oily skin, rinsing again or toning as normal will get rid of this easily.

--Effects on skin--
Even though you'd think that this would be quite unsuitable for someone with oily skin, I saw a positive effect on my skin in less than 2 weeks: skin felt immediately softer and over the days and weeks skin seemed calmer and with fewer spots. While it unfortunately cannot withstand the monthly hormonal onslaught on my skin caused by the time of the month, as a general everyday product it works well.

--Value for money--
You can't argue with the price of this surprising success; it's arguably the best 'cheap' cleanser I've ever used. Just make sure, if you're female, that you keep something a bit stronger in the cupboard for the runup to your period.

perfect partner
Pond's Light Day Cream, from £2.99 online

Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream

RRP: $75 or £57.40 for 50g (£51.66 if you buy 2 or more)

--What does the promo say?--
"Symptom: Winter weather can ravage your skin. Cosmetic procedures put it through the wringer. What you're left with is stressed, irritated, uncomfortable skin that needs immediate relief!

Solution: Pure Cloud Cream is the cosmetic equivalent of kid gloves. Incredibly soothing and comforting, this light-as-air cream provides hyper-protection and healing relief for super-sensitive skin. Formulated to rescue skin from external aggressors like harsh weather and provide comfort after dermatological procedures and surgeries, it pampers and calms seriously stressed skin. Irritation and inflammation are soothed away by aloe and oat extract while peptides stimulate the release of feel-good endorphins. Hydrolyzed rice protein and ImmunoBoost help bolster skin’s immunity and inhibit collagen breakdown for improved healing."

--Ingredients--
Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrogenated Didecene, Angelica Archangelica Root Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Canola Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Bisabalol, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Extract, Simondsia Chinensis, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Avena Sativa (Oat) Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Retinyl Palmitate, Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Gold, Silver, Copper Sulfate, Glycosphingolipids, Cetyl Alcohol, Oleth-10 Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Monostearate, PEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides, Lecithin, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Perfluorodecalin, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Trideceth-6, Lauryl Glucoside, Laureth-3, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol

--Packaging--
Really nice opaque, dreamy-looking pot that is really reminiscent of clouds of white, adorned with minimal writing in a simple grey font. Utterly luxurious and almost breathtaking. The lid is a simple white plastic screw top, and there's little/no risk of leakage.

--Application--
Sweep a little out of the pot using your finger, and apply to your face. Very little is needed to moisturise the whole face.

--Appearance--
Quite a thick, stiff cream, but still smooth rather than lumpy. A real creamy white colour that's just a joy to look at. On the face, it doesn't leave any visible residue.

--Texture/consistency--
Stiff - it stands up on its own as egg whites would do. However, it's still very easy to rub in and it absorbs really well.

--Scent--
My first thought was that it smelt of lemons, which was a very pleasant surprise. On closer inspection, though, there is also a chalkier, more powdery smell in there. The grapefruit scent comes through nicely though perhaps it would be nicer to be able to smell the other scents, like aloe vera, as well.

--Does it do what it says it will?--
Yes - my skin felt fabulously smooth even after going out in strong winds (well, if it can withstand Iceland, it can handle merrie old England, right?). However, it didn't do anything that my Liz Earle intensive treatment doesn't do. (Please note that my skin is too oily to use this as an everyday moisturiser, so I am using this as a rescue treatment only.)

--Value for money--
I was disappointed to find that this product was so expensive: not because I didn't like it, but because in principle I refuse to spend that much on a face cream. If I was going to buy it, I would buy it in America, where at today's current conversion rate it is approximately £20 less than the current British RRP. I'd guess that a pot would last quite a long time, seeing as each application requires so little of the stuff, so given that, and given that it works so well, it probably is good value for money in a sense. Oh well. Perhaps one day when I am rich...

Clinique Touch Blush

RRP: £14.50 for 5.3ml
no. of shades available: 6

--What does the promo say?--
" Unique, airy mousse/cream blush with blendable colour and a velvety finish. The look is smooth, soft and modern and the wear is long-term and comfortable.
• Imparts a smooth, soft glow of colour
• Blendable, long wearing, comfortable formula
• Unique texture – for fingertip application"

--Packaging--
A very small, lip-gloss sized clear pot, with a silver screw-top lid and the Clinique logo decorating the front in silver. It's easy to open and close, and it doesn't leak, but getting the protective white screen off the top each time can be a bit tricky.

--Application--
There's often some creme left on the protective screen, so you can wipe it directly onto your face if you want, or you can use your fingers. However, it's way too easy to put too much of this stuff on.

--Texture--
Smooth and creamy and very lovely.

--Appearance--
If you get it wrong, you look like Krusty the Clown. If you get it right, however, the result is a wonderfully dewy glow.

--Longevity--
Unfortunately this needs to be reapplied a few times a day, and I'd say that the Bourjois powder blushers do better in this regard.

--Value for money--
While it seems a shade on the expensive side, you need so little each time that I reckon it balances out.

perfect partners
Clinique Touch Tint For Eyes : Pearl Formula, £12.00 for 7ml
Clinique Moisture Sheer Lipstick : SPF15, £12.00 for 1.6g