The lowdown on four spring beauty finds

We’re well into spring, but have you updated your beauty arsenal? As someone who’s had the same lippie in her handbag for months, I’m the first to admit I’ve been a bit slow on the uptake. 

Sound familiar? The good news is, you only need one or two new beauty buys to refresh your look. To help you on your mission, this month’s expert reviewers have the scoop on four fab body, make-up and skincare products. Get ready to discover your new fave find…

Designer Brands CC Créme and Pressed Powder

bh’s Marie says…

First up, the Designer Brands CC Creme Complexion Correction is in a glass bottle with silver detailing, which looks elegant on my bathroom bench. As for the formula, I only need a small amount to get good coverage over my face. It hides my pigmentation and has a lovely matte finish. It also works well around my eyes, leaving the area looking smooth and firm. The fact it has SPF15 UV protection means I don't need to worry about the effects of the sun on my face when I am out and about. I also love the pump bottle, as it allows me to dispense a little bit of product at a time. After wearing the CC cream on my face all day, I my skin is still quite smooth smooth, with no oil build-up – which is great as I have oily skin! 

The Designer Brands Age Revive Pressed Powder is well-priced and surprised me in terms of how well it works. I don't usually use sponges that come with pressed powder packs but I’m really impressed with the coverage the powder offers. It blends easily to give me a very natural look. I’m also always a fan of products not tested on animals. Good on you, Designer Brands!

Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil

bd’s Nat says…

Since hydration is my number one skin concern, I’ve been on the body oil bandwagon for ages. The downside of this, however, is that I've become quite fussy about my body care. The smell of sweet fruits alone made me more than willing to give Weleda's Pomegrante Regenerating Oil a try, and I was really impressed to find it was more than just a nice fragrance. The consistency of it is quite thin, meaning it absorbs really quickly and doesn't feel sticky. I use it predominantly on my legs, and it leaves a nice sheen. My skin feels smooth and soft afterwards, and something about the combination of the summery scent and the consistency makes it feel very indulgent. My only hot tip is to be very cautious when pouring it out of the bottle – because it’s quite a thin liquid, it comes out quite fast. It really is a beautiful product.

PureTAN Instant Wash Off Bronzer

bh’s Carli says…

I'm a big fan of having a faux glow, but I often can't be bothered with the prep involved (and tanning is a no-go when I have my white sheets on), which is why I was so drawn to the PureTan Instant Wash Off Bronzer. The cream comes out a very dark brown, and yes, at first was a little scary to apply, but once it’s blended out and rubbed in, the shade is a much more natural brown. I do have medium-toned skin, which meant it wasn't such a drastic change of colour, but if you're a bit fairer, try applying in smaller amounts and building the colour up. When I applied it with my bare hands, I had trouble getting them clean (even though the formula washes off with water), so I started using a mitt. This also helped to ensure the coverage was even. Admittedly, I did find that the colour transferred a bit (and onto a white vest - annoying!), but this could be because I got dressed before the formula dried completely on my skin.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

bh’s Julia says…

My dermatologist recommended the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser when I was struggling with acne on my cheeks and large pores on my nose. I was really surprised at how quickly it worked – in only a few days, my skin was soft, my pores were small and the acne was gone! I also get eczema and have quite sensitive skin, so I’m very happy to have a cleanser that keeps my skin clear and soft without irritation. I keep it in the shower and use it to remove my make-up (with warm water, rubbing it over my skin using circular motions). I have been using Cetaphil for over a year now, and it’s definitely a product I would recommend to anyone looking for something to get rid of blemishes.
 

Which of these products would you most like to try and why?