If living costs are biting into your beauty budget, there are some hidden gems at your local supermarket. Editor Trudi Brewer shares her faves.
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Supermarket beauty is far more than stocking up on cotton pads or the best whitening toothpaste. According to editor Trudi Brewer, these brands cater to your skin and hair, and your bank accounts will thank you.
Essano Happy Skin Supercharge Glow Serum, $40.
Aimed at anyone who wants to healthy- looking skin. This serum is stacked with all the ingredients the skin craves to stay firm and fermented postbiotics, vitamin C, niacinamide, ceramides and hydrating hyaluronic acid to balance the skin’s microbiome (made up of billions of little microorganisms that work together to keep your skin and immune system in balance). In addition, it’s ultra-lightweight and has a fresh, zesty scent.
To use: Day or night before moisturisers.
Formation Cream Cleanser Squalane, $25.
This cleanser looks more like one in a SpaceNK than in our local supermarket. It’s a luxe-y creamy texture and fragrance-free, and the ingredients stack up too. Rich oils include squalane, which boosts hydration and has anti-inflammatory benefits; sweet almonds, sunflower, jojoba, and Shea butter, aloe vera; and skin-brightening liquorice root extract. All that ingredient goodness and this cleanser will remove makeup swiftly with warm water.
To use: Day and night.
Glow Lab Water Gel Hydrating Cream, $25.
This new gel moisturiser may feel weightless and liquid-like but packs a potent hydrating punch. That’s thanks to the moisture-boosting benefits of hyaluronic acid and plant juices like aloe vera and jojoba esters. It’s also free from nasties and made in New Zealand.
To use: A superbus gel moisturiser that will wake up dehydrated skin. Use day or night.
Only Good Balance Body Wash, $9.
We are fussy about the body we use and not negotiable regarding the formula - it needs to be clean. What we wash down the drain matters, right? So, not only soap-free, it’s 100 per cent palm oil free, has no petrochemicals, and is cruelty-free. Then the heavenly hydrating coconut oil, chamomile, aloe vera, and rosehip base is scented with Ylang Ylang.
Clairol Root Touch Up Spray Hair Colour Light Brown, $15.
We discovered this genius root touch-up spray during our last lockdown and have been buying it ever since. It is fab at masking colour regrowth to stretch out those pricy salon visits. There are five shades (pictured here Light Brown).
To use: Shake well, then spritz about 15cm away from the roots into dry, styled hair - and the greys are instantly gone.
CoLab Dry Shampoo Original, $8.
A cult-beauty buy this dry shampoo does more than clean and refresh the hair; it also plumps up lifeless strands, adding volume to give that back-combed effect without the tangles. And why is a cult-beauty buy? First, it leaves zero white residue - genius. It’s a gym bag and bathroom staple.
To use: Spritz into the hair in sections, about 10cm away from the roots. Wait a few minutes, and then brush your hair. We also spray our hair before bed. This helps absorb moisture in the hair overnight.
Rimmel Wonder Last Brow Tint, $25.
This clever brow wand has a waterproof, sleep-proof and transfer-proof formula - that stays put for two days - and we can back that claim. With a comb and brush to groom brows, the precision brush allows you to draw hair-like strokes to fill gaps and perfect your brow shape. There are four shades, pictured here Blonde.
To use: Brush up your brows and then add the tint where you see the gaps.
Maybelline Lifter Gloss Hydrating Lip Gloss in Silk, $28.
We love lip gloss and have one in almost every jacket pocket. This newbie from Maybelline has a lip-boosting formula, thanks to hyaluronic acid that drenches the skin with moisture topped off by a high-shine finish - it’s a winner. We have three shades to add to our collection. Silk, Pearl and Ice.
Essano Focus Jasmine & Sweet Lime Candle, $30.
Hands down, these are the best candles to pick up with your weekly shop. Each is 100 per cent natural soy wax with a 100 per cent cotton wick, and they offer a burn time between 40-60 hours. Add a touch of luxury to your home with these beautiful fragrances. Our fave right now is Focus, burning in the office daily. A scent blend of jasmine with sweet, zesty lime.
The range of candles is available at all supermarkets and online.
A designer scent laced with vanilla.