Expert reviews: Beauty staples

A dazzling white smile, smooth flawless base, thick voluminous hair and fresh clean confidence – these beauty staples are well within your reach with these four essential products. Find out what we thought in our expert reviews below and add these prods to your beauty arsenal, stat!

Dove Original Anti-Perspirant Roll-On 

bh’s Sam says:

I like to experiment when it comes to beauty products, so it's very rare that you'll find me using the same thing over and over again. But this is a major exception. I have been using the Dove Original Roll-On Deodorant since I was 16 and every time I've strayed, I've come back to it quite quickly. The scent is so clean, fresh and unobtrusive - you hardly even notice it's there and can wear any fragrance without problems. But the real bonus is it contains one-quarter moisturising cream. I can safely say I have never had a problem in regards to dry, red or irritated underarms. In fact, they've always been nothing but smooth and soft for me, which considering this is the only product I use in this area - must be thanks to the formula. I don't think I'll ever use anything else.

TONI&GUY Hair Care Glamour 3D Volumiser

bh’s Anna says:

My hair is quite long (I’ve been growing it for almost two years now from a short bob) and it’s also fairly thick. This combo means it’s quite heavy and no matter how I style it, it always lacks volume and has a tendency to look super flat. I’ve tried a bunch of volumising products and I have to say this Glamour 3D Volumiser from TONI&GUY is my Holy Grail product! I use it on my roots before styling, then after styling I randomly spray it throughout the layers of my hair for a little extra va-va-voom. It instantly lifts my hair without making it look dull or feel too gritty. Plus it has great staying power. This product keeps my hair looking lush throughout the day/night, making it a real winner in my eyes! 

HiSmile Peroxide Free Teeth Whitening Kit

bh’s Rosie says:

Having tried teeth whitening pens and trays before, I was really keen to see the difference this tray with LED light would make to my smile! First of all, the HiSmile kit comes in really cute and convenient packaging. It also includes clear and easy instructions for use, which makes the process a cinch. It comes with a tray for your top and bottom teeth in which to dispense the whitening formula. The formula contains sodium bicarbonate which helps to gently remove stains and it does not damage or weaken the tooth enamel. You then attach the LED light, place the tray in your mouth and switch the light on. You only need to leave it on for 10 minutes which is way quicker than other trays I've used. After just two uses, I definitely noticed my teeth looked brighter and after three more uses, they're looking much whiter. This kit is perfect for anyone wanting a quick, yet more effective way to whiten their teeth at home, while also caring about protecting the health of their teeth, too!

Elizabeth Arden Flawless Start Instant Perfecting Primer

bh's Michelle says:

Lines? Wrinkles? Visible pores? Yes. Yep. How did you know? I’m at the point where I’m ticking all of these fun boxes, so anything that claims to improve the look of my skin’s texture immediately sparks my interest. You can only imagine how the words “instant perfecting” were like music to my ears.

Although I wear foundation and concealer daily, primer isn’t usually part of my routine (because, morning rush). I made an exception for this one and you know what? That extra step really doesn’t take much time at all. Plus, the payoff makes it totally worth it. It contains light-reflecting particles that blur and soften all those textural imperfections, and the difference is immediately noticeable; even before foundation, my skin looks smoother.

Following this advice from Elizabeth Arden’s National Make-up Artist, Stephen Gaskett, I’ve been focusing the application in the areas that need it most, rather than smoothing it all over my face. This means my forehead, where my pores are more visible, and around my nose.

The primer does have a mattifying finish which I wasn’t initially sold on (my skin is ridiculously dry), but to my surprise, it felt comfortable to wear all day. After about a week of daily use, a few drier patches did develop, but they disappeared after I switched to a foundation with a dewy finish. It also gives the foundation a beautiful, long-lasting result.

Which of these products would you like to try?