TAAJ MAHARANI Crème de la reine Anti-âge absolu

 

by Sarah Cross

RRP: €59/£42.60 for 50ml

--What does the promo say?—

“Crème de la Reine” (The Queen’s cream) contains 40 rare, precious and natural anti-ageing ingredients plus hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin. It contains no silicones. An exceptional face cream, it envelops your skin in a gentle protective veil, leaving a satiny and comfortable finish. Skin is left visibly younger, plumped up and revitalised. Firmness and elasticity are restored, wrinkles are smoothed and the complexion becomes radiant and uniform.

The MAHARANI cream is inspired by the legend of Amrita. The Amrita is the nectar of immortality of the Hindu gods and goddesses. It is said that only the MAHARANIS, queens and wives of the maharajas, held the recipe and poured a few drops into their skin care to preserve their youth. Recommended for mature skin."

--Ingredients--

“Developed in France in partnership with a laboratory in India on the plateaux of the Himalayas, TAAJ beauty products are made from Himalayan spring water and extracts of plants and essential oils whose properties are beneficial to the body.

Himalayan spring water is the company’s star active ingredient. It is particularly pure; its pH of 7.3 respects sensitive skin whilst contributing to enhancing the active ingredients it contains. Its calcium concentration helps to regulate the body’s own pH. Rich in Silicium oxide, a molecule that consolidates the structure of Hyaluronic Acid, Himalayan Spring Water helps to combat ageing skin. The emulsion formed from this spring water and the associated oils is therefore more than a simple excipient and is the solid base for all our skincare products.”

--Company Philosophy—

TAAJ is the first modern French range of beauty products to be inspired by the philosophy of AYURVEDA. It has adapted ancestral principles to the highest standard for international cosmetics. Through its refined galenics and exquisite fragrances, TAAJ offers high quality and effective beauty products to women all over the world.

The website has much information on the ayurvedic philosophy and you can fill in a questionnaire to ascertain your own ayurvedic ‘profile’ to determine your ‘dosha’ (biological humors and psycho-physiological energies described in the Ayurveda) with associated beauty products, lifestyle and food recommendations.

80% of TAAJ products are also certified VEGAN by the Global Vegetarian Certification Services. The rest of the products contain beeswax or honey derivatives, which remain close to the principle of veganism because the beeswax used does not come from ‘domestic’ hives but from wild bee colonies in India.

--Packaging--
TAAJ products are generally in white or transparent boxes/containers with the distinctive TAAJ logo in gold lettering. However, the precious Maharani face cream stands out from the crowd in that it comes in a rich, royal blue box with gold lettering.

I love the fact that the cardboard box contains all the instructions and details of the ingredients printed on the inside, rather than additional folded paper inside the box - representing a saving on packaging. There is also a special card with the legend of ‘Amrita’ printed on it and small colour pictures of all the different ingredients. In a quality product, it was nice to see that so much attention had been paid to the detail of the special ingredients. 

The cream itself is in a cylindrical royal blue pump-action dispenser with gold lettering and has a gold top encased in a clear cap.

Whilst I find this container beautiful, there are two disadvantages. One is that you cannot tell how much you have used; the only way is through the diminishing weight of the container in your hands. (Why don’t the manufacturers leave a thin line section of this type of pump clear at the back so that you can see when you are reaching the bottom?) Secondly, because the tube is hard, you cannot cut it in half, as I do with so many of my beauty products, to scrape out whatever remains of the cream inside once the pump is no longer working. I have often found that I can use products for up to two weeks after the pump no longer works if I can cut the tube open, so I find myself gazing wistfully at this dispenser when I re-cycle it, wondering just how much of that precious cream is still lurking inside.

Only a minor disadvantage, though, as I feel the product benefits from being hermetically sealed in this way.

--Application--

Apply morning and/or evening to freshly cleansed face and neck.

--Appearance--

An opaque white cream that comes out in a small squiggle on your fingertip. The amount dispensed with one pump action is just right for one side of your face and neck. So, two small pumps and you are done!

--Scent—

Hardly surprising, with all these amazing ayurvedic ingredients, that this cream smells totally DIVINE. Aromatherapy in a pot. I would wear this as a perfume.

--Texture and consistency--

Relatively thick and creamy but fluid enough to spread easily over your face. A little goes a long way.

--Effects on the skin—

Blends in easily and leaves the skin silky smooth. Attenuates fine lines. My dry skin loves it.

--Value for money--

Compared to some face creams on the market this is at the top of the range but is, I feel, well worth the money for the quality of the product and the research and care that has gone into producing it. I started using my first tube just after Christmas and I am still using it, morning and night, at the beginning of May.

--perfect partners--

HUILE DELHICIEUSE 100ml 22.40€

EAU MICELLAIRE 500ml 13.20€

EAU MICELLAIRE PEAUX SENSIBLES 500ml 14.50€

LE REGARD DE REINE eye and lip contour cream 44.90€

Payot Uni Skin Perles des Rêves

RRP: £54 for 38g

--What does the promo say?--

"The latest addition to the Uni Skin perfecting routine, Perles des Rêves offers your skin just what it needs to ensure a more even, brighter complexion in the morning. Its pearls enriched with shea butter melt on the skin, enveloping it with infinite softness. Used night after night, your skin will look more beautiful, softer and more harmonious."

--Packaging--

The jar is elegant and ergonomically designed, with the opaque glass jar beautifully displaying the pearls. The Payot logo is minimalist and unobtrusive. The white lid is a screw top, but it has no place for the opaque white spatula to sit or slot in, which seems inconvenient. The spatula itself is a good size. There's also a cover once the lid has been removed, to protect the pearls. This is easily pulled off when you need to use the product, but sits securely when not in use, so that you can travel with this product with confidence.

--Application--

The Payot website instructs, "In the evening, use the spatula to collect a pearl, then melt it in the palm of your hand. Apply to the face and neck after thorough cleansing." Unfortunately, I didn't read this prior to use and don't remember it being indicated on the silver cardboard box that encased all of the above. So I took four pearls (as that was the amount that seemed to sit comfortably on the spatula). This was probably too much - but I am not sure that only one pearl would cut it either (more of which below).

--Appearance--

The white pearls are gorgeous to look at and have the sheen that you would expect as well. When warmed in your hands, they melt and coalesce to create something resembling a more traditional face cream that we would be familiar with. Once rubbed into the skin, no visible residue is left.

--Scent--

A more heavily perfumed scent than I would normally choose for a face cream, proving quite botanical thanks to the various plant and flower extracts that are included. However, this soon settles down and doesn't feel too intrusive once the cream has been rubbed in, though it is still detectable. I actually quite liked this in the end as it made the bedtime routine feel more ritualistic.

--Texture and consistency--

As mentioned, four pearls was probably too many. This amount moisturised my face and neck generously this evening. However, I feel like one pearl would not do my full face, let alone my neck. So I will definitely be trying 2 or 3 pearls next time and seeing what works for me and my skin. This was perhaps exacerbated by the fact that I felt that the pearls, even once melted, had quite a thick texture and were not easy to rub into the skin compared to other face creams I have tried. This lack of smoothness perhaps detracts from the overall experience. The cream sat somewhat stickily on the skin for a while after applying it. While, as a night cream, we could argue that this does not matter as it has plenty of time to absorb, I have used other night creams that sink into the skin more easily than this one does.

--Effects on the skin--

This product promises a more uniform complexion, more nourished skin, and increased radiance. It may well be purely cosmetic (thanks to the product's literal pearlescence) but I suspect the product's slightly shimmery effect does indeed make the complexion appear more uniform and radiant, thanks to the effects of light-reflecting particles. Whether this is indicative of any deeper changes perhaps remains to be seen. Similarly, it promises to be "anti dark spot", meaning that ironically, for a product to fulfil its preventative aims, nothing should happen - so it's difficult to tell whether dark spots might have developed even if I had not used this product. However, I strongly suspect that increased nourishment is possible with this product thanks to its luxurious thickness and high-quality ingredients - and a higher percentage of users reported seeing this effect than increased uniformity (according to the statistics on Payot's website).

--Value for money--

Payot is a prestigious brand and so I was pleased to pick up this jar in my local TK Maxx for a mere £12.99. As a result, I would definitely be interested in trying more from the Uni Skin range (or indeed even their Pâte Grise anti-blemish range). Different websites and shops seem to be offering it at a range of different prices at the moment, so definitely shop around online and near you for the best deal. However, I am not sure if I would pay the full £50+ for a jar, just because I typically wouldn't spend this much on moisturiser anyway. More objectively, it's a luxurious product in terms of texture and scent which many will find a pleasure to use - and it's a visual treat as well. More to the point, I genuinely believe it does nourish the skin - so it will tick many people's boxes and would make a beautiful gift this Christmas.

perfect partners

Uni Skin Masque Magnétique, £38

Uni Skin Mousse Velours, £36

Uni Skin CC Cream, £41

Uni Skin Concentré Perles, £82

Uni Skin Yeux et Lèvres, £45

Crème de soin visage au Lait de Jument de Camargue

by Sarah CROSS

RRP: 30€

--What does the promo say?—

“Let nature take care of you thanks to the legendary qualities of Camargue mare’s milk. The magical effect of mare’s milk remains an enigma for scientists; however its healing properties are indeed real. It has been shown in the past that drinking mare’s milk cured certain illnesses and that the face and skin looked younger and more beautiful as a result. This discovery led to the development of cosmetics using mare’s milk as it seemed clear that external application would also have a beneficial effect on the skin. Mare’s milk in the form of creams and soaps is therefore particularly suited to problem skin and helps to make it look more beautiful. All our beauty products are natural and handmade. This product is more like a beauty serum than a face cream as it is made from 40% mare’s milk (the highest percentage in our range of products). It leaves your skin feeling sensationally soft and provides all-day protection. It’s non-allergenic and kind to the skin. Its neutral pH means that it is suitable for all skin types: dry, sensitive, greasy or combination skin. Mare’s milk also helps combat skin problems such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, allergies and itchy skin.

--Ingredients-- 

Mare’s milk, hordeum vulgare, calendula officinalis, chamomilla recutita and rosa centifolia plant extracts, organic lavender essential oil, organic geranium essential oil

--Packaging--

The CRÈME DE SOIN VISAGE comes in an opaque white pump-action dispenser. It has a paper wrap-around label with discreet logo of a horse’s head, the Camargue cross, the name of the product in black and green lettering and an attractive picture of mares in the Camargue. It looks clean and minimalist. The sealed container keeps the product inside clean and stops it from drying out.

--Application--

Simply press down the pump once and the nozzle dispenses a small dose of cream to massage into your face. A little goes a long way. I find that two squirts, one in each hand, do my entire face and neck. The cream is easily absorbed into the skin without leaving any oil or residue behind.

--Appearance--

CRÈME DE SOIN VISAGE is an opaque, liquid moisturising serum and is milky white.

--Scent—

Sold as ‘natural’, the cream has no distinct or over-powering scent but smells clean, sweet and vaguely floral. It is a pleasant smell to have close to your nostrils and all over your face.

--Texture and consistency--

The texture is that of a serum, a thickish liquid that comes out of the dispenser easily.

--Effects on the skin—

I have quite dry skin so I really appreciated the consistency of this serum. Once applied, it was quickly absorbed and left no oily or greasy traces. My skin just seemed to drink it in. The appearance of fine lines was reduced and my skin looked glowing and healthy.

--Value for money--

Initially I thought the container quite small for 30 euros; however, I was quite astonished at how long it lasted. Applied both morning and night, the tube lasted ten whole weeks! I am really enjoying using these products and, since I live near the Camargue, I am very happy to be supporting a small local business that has a love and passion for animals and for creating natural beauty products. Have a feeling I will be using these products for some time to come. Watch this space for more reviews.

perfect partners

LAIT DEMAQUILLANT (Make-up remover), from €9

CRÈME PEAU SECHE ET SENSIBLE (Cream for dry and sensitive skin), from €9

SAVON AU LAIT DE JUMENT NATUREL ET HYDRATANT (Natural moisturising mare’s milk soap), from €2

SOIN DES LÈVRES, €8

CRÈME POUR LES MAINS (Hand cream), 11.90€ 

CRÈME POUR LES PIEDS (Foot cream), 11.90€

COMPLEMENTS ALIMENTAIRES (dietary supplement capsules), 29.90€ 

https://laitdejumentdecamargue.fr/

Carun Active Hemp Face Cream

RRP: £16.99

--What does the promo say?--
"Carun Skin Cream is naturally anti-inflammatory and antibacterial so it is suitable for regular daily use and problematic skin, helping to maintain and restore balance and a healthy appearance.

Carun Skin Cream has been created to help sufferers of acne, rashes or dry skin but it can also be effective on other common ailments such as inflamed or irritated skin, blisters, eczema, psoriasis and itching."

--Packaging--

The squeezy metal tube is practical rather than luxurious, but does the job well, minimising wastage and with clean, unisex deisgn and colour scheme.

--Application--

Apply to clean, dry skin after cleansing. Is light enough to be used in the daytime, while moisturising suitably during the night.

--Appearance--

An off-yellow cream that blends invisibly into skin.

--Scent--

Has a refreshing scent that comes from the rosemary, but which is tempered by the lavender and lemon, which are not really detectable, but prevent it from being overpowering.

--Texture and consistency--

Slightly greasy, and yet blends in quickly, and does not leave a slick layer on the skin.

--Effects on the skin--

My acneic skin was greatly calmed by the use of this product, toning down redness and reducing blemishes.

--Value for money--

At £16.99 this isn't cheap, but it is effective and one tube lasts a good few months, as a little goes a long way. I was sent mine for free (thanks, Carun PR!) but I would purchase with my own money and recommend to others, especially in conjunction with the Active Hemp Soap.

perfect partners

Active Hemp Soap, £4.99

Hemp Ointment, £16.99

Hemp Body Oil, £13.99

Hemp Bath Spa, £19.99

Rosehip Plus Hydrating Day Cream

RRP: £24

--What does the promo say?--
"This Hydrating Day Cream is a 100% pure and natural Australian Certified Organic facial moisturiser. It has been formulated with RosehipPLUS® 100% pure Certified Organic cold pressed Rosehip Oil as well as a blend of chamomile, avocado and rose geranium, which supports and encourages a healthier looking skin."

--Packaging--
The orange and white colour scheme is new and different, with the rosehip plant clearly silhouetted. The flip-top lid is practical also.

--Application--
Rub a small amount into your clean, dry face post-cleansing. A little goes a long way, so beware!

--Appearance--
The white cream dissolves invisibly into skin, leaving no residue.

--Scent--
Surprisingly citrusy, although not overpoweringly so.

--Texture and consistency--
As mentioned, blends well without any greasiness or stickiness.

--Effects on the skin--
The product's claims are perhaps a little vague and those with acneic skin may not find that it helps to balance oiliness. Those with drier skin may benefit more from the cream's alleged hydrating properties.

--Value for money--
While the quality of the sourced ingredients is undisputed, and the cream is pleasant to use, it didn't seem right for my skin type - a shame. I have had better success with oil cleansing methods in the past, however, so would be keen to try the rosehip oil from the same range instead.

perfect partners
Rosehip Oil, from £15
Skin Boost Roll-On, £10
Nourishing Night Cream, £29
Daily Cream Cleanser, £19

Johnson's Face Care Rehydrating Night Cream

RRP: £4.07

--What does the promo say?--

"JOHNSON'S® Rehydrating Night Cream is enriched with skin loving minerals and vitamins to restore skin vitality and glycerine to help support your skin's rehydration overnight."

--Packaging--

While I like the glass pot (brands where you pay much more sometimes still only supply plastic, which is far less luxurious and less easily recyclable), the lid doesn't seem like it would prove too robust during travel: on its journey from the PR company to my door, the lid on this shattered, although luckily, thanks to the foil lid inside, this didn't lead to any loss of product. Always great to be able to view the product from the outside so that you know when to restock, and jars mean you can get out every last bit, too (it's for this reason that I prefer them to tubes, despite the potential hygiene implications).

--Application--

Apply at night after cleansing, once the skin has had a chance to dry.

--Appearance--

An almost nacreous cream whose blendability is belied by its stiff appearance. Sinks in invisibly.

--Scent--

 Smells of cotton and fresh air. Should not interfere with any perfume.

--Texture and consistency--

Thick, luxurious, and creamy, yet blendable. A pleasure to use.

--Effects on the skin--

I know oily skin needs hydration still, but I'm not sure my skin needs the extra hydration provided by a night cream. I'll be passing this on to testers with more normal skin than I have so that they can hopefully report better results.

--Value for money--

At a little over £4 it's certainly inexpensive - but in this price bracket I'd be more likely to try a hemp night cream (£4.90), Clear Essence's lemon and vitamin C cream (which, at £5.49, is doubly good value as it's designed for day and night use), or a comfrey cream (£4.98), all of which would seem to be more appropriate for my skin type. However, there will be some people for whom it works well, and if it works for you, it's undoubtedly a bargain.

perfect partners

Refreshing Facial Cleansing Wipes, £3.05 for 25

Refreshing Gel Wash, £3.05

Rehydrating Night Cream, £4.07 for 50ml

Green People Vita Min Fix

RRP: £14.95/50ml

--What does the promo say?--

"Voted ‘Best Moisturiser for Dry Skin’ by Natural Health & Beauty magazine. A 24 hour solution for normal, dry and tired skin. An explosion of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Regenerates and nourishes your skin. Promotes production of new skin cells. Delicate, natural scent. This natural skin care product is made without Parabens, Lanolin, ethyl alcohol, artificial perfumes, petrochemicals, phthalates and colourants to bring you the purest moisturiser that nature can offer. Certified with the Organic Food Federation. Suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Also available in a 10ml travel/trial size. This product contains Fairly Traded Ingredients."

 --Packaging--

The white and blue bottle (looks like a pump-action bottle; I wouldn't know, as Green People kindly sent me a sample tube that works more like a lip gloss) tells you everything you need to know without overloading you. 

--Application--

Apply onto clean dry skin after cleansing and toning.

--Appearance--

A white, slightly translucent cream which blends invisibly into skin.

--Scent--

Floral and natural without being overpowering. It also seems slightly fruity, although I don't know what ingredient/s could be giving me this impression. Overall very pleasant.

--Texture and consistency--

Light and non-greasy, rather than intensive; sinks into skin quickly.

--Effects on the skin--

Sadly, I think this made my acne worse, but then again it was clearly never made for my skin type. I can see how it would definitely be better for normal or dry skin and will be passing this on to someone else whose skin type is closer to this for a more accurate assessment.

--Value for money--

It is great to see a genuinely ethical company endorsed by genuinely ethical organisations, such as the Organic Food Federation and the Vegan Society, as opposed to all the other companies out there who think sticking a leaping bunny on the tube (which is linked with BUAV - possibly one of the most questionable "ethical" organisations out there) makes it all OK. Despite my negative experience with this cream, I am not put off trying a Green People product again that might be better suited to my skin type - and I don't think £14.95 is a lot to pay for 50ml of genuinely natural and ethically produced cream.

perfect partners

Eye Cream (night), £8.50/10ml

Fruitful Nights, £14.95/50ml

Philosophy Hope In A Jar

RRP: £34/56.7g

--What does the promo say?--

"Recommended for all skin types, this intensive facial moisturiser contains lactic acid to exfoliate and Beta Glucan to help give skin a healthy glow. The light texture means it's easily absorbed."

--Packaging--

Clean, light and minimalist in design and colour, using black and white to get the product's message across simply. Shame it's all made of plastic; for the price, more is perhaps expected.

--Application--

Smooth on a small amount of the product after cleansing and toning.

--Appearance--

A creamy yellow product that blends invisibly with the skin.

--Scent--

A slightly milky/creamy smell - given the presence of lactic acid, this isn't exactly surprising.

--Texture and consistency--

Creamy and luxurious; glides on and blends in effortlessly.

--Effects on the skin--

Redness is reduced, oiliness is reduced, spots don't seem to last as long, and the cream gives a really nice glow to the skin. Skin is also softened and calmed. Top stuff.

--Value for money--

This product seems to really polarise critics, with users on MakeUpAlley.com giving it as many 5-star reviews as 1-star reviews. One size therefore probably does not really fit all as the company tries to claim, and so my opinion of 'suitable for all skin types' products remains the same; I reckon I just got lucky this time. I also balked at the price when I saw it (THIRTY-FOUR QUID?! ARE YOU HAVING A GIRAFFE?!?!), but consider that if it really is effective on my poor acne-plagued skin (which, so far, it is) then it must be worth paying. The effects are also visible within even a few days of use, meaning that even the most disheartened can take something from it. Would buy again, and would encourage other acne sufferers to give it a go too - a surprise contrast to my disappointing experiences with other Philosophy products.

perfect partners

Miracle Worker Anti-Ageing Moisturiser, £46/56g

The Present Skin Perfector, £22/56.7g

The Great Mystery, £22/141.8g

The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash, £22/236ml

Hope Springs Eternal Deep Sea Revitalising Mask, £21/142g

Qiriness Purity Control Cream

RRP: €36.50 for 50ml

available at: branches of Marionnaud (France); branches of Ici Paris XL (Belgium)

--What does the promo say?--

"This airy and delicate cream gives your skin instant radiance and mattifies it whatever the circumstance for faultless skin. Purity Control Cream absorbs excess sebum, controls undesirable shine and leaves skin matte and silky, thanks to its purifying, mattifying and astringent qualities."

--Packaging--

Disappointingly plasticated, although the silver and clear design is nice - very modern and slick. I like the fact that it's a screw-top lid, too - at this price you want to be able to get right in there and scrape out every last drop of the cream.

--Application--

After cleansing with your preferred cleanser (strangely, Qiriness don't seem to do their own line of cleansers yet - so in my case, I'm using a Neal's Yard cleanser) and toning with a toner (Qiriness does do toners at least), rub in a few drops of this to moisturise your skin throughout the day. Simples.

--Appearance--

The moisturising cream is a lovely pale duck-egg blue which fades into nothing once rubbed into the skin.

--Scent--

A very fresh, clean and natural, almost alpine scent - perhaps unsurprisingly seeing as it's packed with Swiss herbs.

--Texture and consistency--

Almost impossibly smooth and light and blends into skin instantly. Delightfully soft and silky to handle.

--Effects on the skin--

As I found out following a facial at the Marionnaud, it really does make your skin baby-soft, which adds a small piece of luxury to your routine every day (I'm sure every woman craves that spa-quality softness which really does last all day). It also stays true to its word in terms of keeping your skin mattified (i.e. not like an oil slick), and I have also found that it has improved my acne considerably as well. In short, it really does do everything that it says it will.

--Value for money--

While some of the other Qiriness products are insanely expensive, this one is, to my mind, worth every penny in exchange for the results I have seen. And nope, I haven't been paid to write this by anyone - I definitely paid all €36,90 of this out of my own pocket, and I would do so again. This luxurious but highly useful product is perfection and value personified.

perfect partners

Purity Peel-Off Mask, €49 (60g)

Vive Tonic Lotion, €19,90 (200ml)

Purity Performance Serum, €39,50 (30ml)

Cosmetics Contemplations: When the people speak

I've always been a bit of a consumer watchdog: in my student days I loved such televisual output as Don't Get Done, Get Dom, and (of course) Watchdog, and as I've got older and web users have become more vocal, I've enjoyed participating in fora such as those on the MoneySavingExpert website and reading reviews of products and services. In fact, it's surprising that I've never taken out a subscription to Which? (although I did apply for a job with them recently, so you never know - my love for what they do could soon manifest itself in other ways...). In fact, my passion for making sure the consumer was making an informed choice based on honest opinions rather than just company spiel was one of the main motivations behind me beginning to review products in the first place. The main website for reviews, although perhaps less so now with the rise and rise of the blogosphere, was and probably still is Ciao. Although it is an extremely comprehensive and detailed website which I still visit from time to time, it has less use for me since the advent of the glorious price comparison engine that is Google Shopping and there were reasons why I went over from reviewing on Ciao to blogging here which remain unchanged.

However, it still being an extremely popular website, it is always interesting to see just how far the views of its users reflect the views and habits of the general population (and, dare I say it, "experts" like myself who write about beauty regularly and are equally regularly lucky enough to have free stuff thrown in their general direction for testing). 

My first impression upon looking at the list of the best cleansers and exfoliators (as per five star rating) is that the list probably doesn't reflect the whims of the population at large - contrary to my expectations. I say this because a good half of the brands featured are, to put it bluntly, expensive. Of the remaining half the list, one of the brands (Burts Bees) is what I would call of limited availability: for the widest choice you are definitely best off looking online rather than popping to your local chemist. For Ciao users, this is perhaps not unreasonable: however, most people are not willing to trawl the net looking for a product from a less widely available brand. Of the four remaining cheaper brands, two bring us back down to earth with a bump, perhaps showing how easily conned the British public is by advertisting (as they are not brands that I would ever recommend). Olay and Ponds are of course much-beloved British high street classics, and so it is hardly any great surprise that they appear on the list as well. Another interesting feature of the list is its diversity, with all ten of the listed products being from different brands: this openmindedness, or lack of brand loyalty, is refreshing, but arguably also a trademark of the internet shopper: those of us who shop around and go through price comparison sites with a fine tooth comb are probably more likely to be curious about lots of different brands than the UK shopper who throws their moisturiser into their supermarket basket as part of the normal weekly shop. It is this diversity which also reflects the "beauty experts" quite accurately, with lots of different brands from different budgets being included, but with the list ultimately leaning towards higher-quality products.

So would the 'best face creams and treatments' list fare any better in representing the average UK consumer? The answer is perhaps yes. Only three of the ten products featured are not widely available on the high street and of these three there was only one product that I had not heard of at all - and yet even this one product is perhaps indicative of people's shopping habits, since a little digging around online revealed it to be available via a popular UK shopping channel as well as via a few web outlets. At hundreds of pounds for a pot I would expect the Freeze 24-7 Anti-Wrinkle Cream to have classier packaging, but as I previously mentioned, there are a multitude of ways in which the British public can be duped, especially if this is via the frankly superliminal means of the television shopping channel. In addition, for a cream that reportedly glows under UV light (not so good if you are a seasoned clubber), you could say it represents the buying population's slightly more eccentric side. It's comforting that the rest of the list, though, ranges from a mere £2 right up to the dizzy heights charged by Decleor, Elemis, Estee Lauder and Freeze, meaning that there really is something for everyone there - which I think is what everyone would expect and want.

The only 'mistake' in that list, in my view, is the Simple moisturiser, but hey - I suppose even the legions of web shoppers can't get it right all the time...

The lists

Best cleansers and exfoliators 

Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel

Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

Simple Soothing Toner

Philosophy Purity

Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Splash Away Foaming Cleanser

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 3 (Oily Skin)

Clearasil StayClear Skin Perfecting Wash

Olay Regenerist Cleanser Daily Thermal Skin Polisher

Ponds Cold Cream Cleanser

Best face creams and treatments

Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions Clearing Moisturiser

Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream

Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser

Boots No7 Protect and Perfect Beauty Serum

Clinique Superdefense Moisturiser

Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream

Decleor Face Treat Aromessence Ylang Ylang Purifying Concentrate (Oily and Combination Skin)

Estee Lauder Idealist Pore Minimising Skin Refinisher

Olay Definity

Freeze 24-7 Anti Wrinkle Cream

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