Beauty Products Review

Highlights losing their lustre? Worried about DIY bleaching? Kathy Phillips has all you need to know about hair colouring

Q: Money's tight and I can't afford to go to a salon to have my hair dyed any longer. What tips can you suggest?

A: If you're going to colour your hair at home, all the experts urge you to do a skin-sensitivity test two days before colouring. Trevor Halls at Garnier says only go two shades lighter or darker than your own natural colour and think about your skin tone when choosing. Also, he says: "If your hair is dry and damaged, don't expect the new colour to make it any better. Use hair masks a couple of weeks before to get your hair in condition." His other tips include following the instructions carefully. And "if you have long hair, buy two packs, as you don't want to run out in the middle. Apply the colour to the roots and work through to the ends so the colour is distributed evenly. Finally, apply a small amount of Vaseline to the hairline to ensure the skin does not stain."

Q: I put three colours in my hair, a lowlight and two blonde highlights. But no matter how expensive I go, the lowlight fades to a brassy pale red, the blondes fade to the same colour, and it all looks flat and dull. How do I keep it looking like it's just been coloured?

A: Hair colour will always fade - especially red - and the only way to support this is to maintain it well. The base colour needs to be quite strong to get definition. Colourist Jo Hansford says: "If you are choosing a vibrant red ask your colour technician for Rubilane Majirel, as it holds the colour for longer. Blonde lights can be bleached or tinted, bleach will stay the same, but blondes will always dull down with excessive hair straightening." Every expert I spoke to was adamant about using a colour-protect shampoo and conditioner. Invest in expertise here like the Jo Hansford Colour Care range (0207 495 7774, johansford.com), as it is designed to prevent fade and keep your colour looking fresher for longer. Colour expert Lisa Shepherd recommends Frédéric Fekkai's Technician Color Care Color-Protecting Glaze (£16, Space NK, 020 8740 2085), Schwarzkopf's Professional Silhouette Colour Brilliance Mousse (£4.50, schwarzkopf.co.uk) as a colour refresher, and John Frieda's Sheer Blonde, Brilliant Brunette and Radiant Red shampoos (£4.49, 020 7851 9800).

Q: How can I sort out my roots at home without colouring my whole head?

A: You can use Clairol's Nice 'n Easy Root Touch-up (£4.79) or Garnier's Belle Color Target Grey Kit (£4.49) and should do it after two to three weeks of growth. Brilliant colourist Louise Galvin says: "Ask someone who will be careful with the application to help. Always rinse with cold water before shampooing to make sure colour doesn't leech into the rest of the hair." Trevor Hall of Garnier adds: "Apply the colour to the roots and develop for 20 minutes, then for the last five minutes add a little water and emulsify. Massage the colour through to the ends to refresh them." For more advice on skin testing and home colouring, go to becoloursafe.com.

Q: What's the best way to bleach my hair a really white blonde?

A: I asked three experts about this - Louise Galvin, Lisa Shepherd and senior Procter & Gamble scientist Steve Shiel. They all said: don't try this at home. If you're determined, it depends where you are starting from. If you want the science bit, hair has two pigments: blonde or red hair has phaeomelanin, and dark hair has eumelanin. Grey hair has no melanin. If you are dark brown it may take several stages, so if you are very dark go to the salon. If you want to do it at home, this means bleach. Peroxide is a strong chemical and can cause burns and lesions to the scalp if not used correctly. Look for the words "potassium per sulfate" or "ammonium per sulfate" on the packet. Clairol's Born Blonde Lightener (£4.99) or L'Oréal's Perfect Blonde Crème Highlight Kit (£5.99) are probably the ones to go for. When you have finished you may be a bit more yellow than you would want. Then you need a blue toner or a blue shampoo to get to a cooler, whiter shade, but this process is also unpredictable, so be careful. Nexxus does a great blue shampoo, Dualiste Color Protection + Intense Hydration Shampoo, nexxus.com.

I would also suggest you keep your hair very short (think Agyness Deyn) and use lots of conditioner. If you're on a budget, try Louise Galvin's Natural Locks Deep Conditioning Treatment (£9.95, Waitrose).

Q: Is it important to buy expensive shampoos and conditioners when you have coloured hair? Which products are really worth the price?

A: It's not really about the money. Hair that has been permed, straightened or coloured does have special needs. It becomes more porous and the colour leaks away without protection and conditioning. You really do need conditioner. As for shampoos, when hair is wet it stretches and damages. You need to repair and smooth the hair shaft to prevent this. I went to the local supermarket with Procter & Gamble scientist Steve Shiel. I learned that the chemical ingredients to look for are diamethicone, amodiamethicone, stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol and, the magic word, guar. Ingredients are listed in order of quantity, so you want the magic ones to be high up on the list. I really like Pantene's Blonde Expressions (£2.99) or John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Shampoo and Conditioner (£5.49). Procter & Gamble has just brought out a new range called Pantene Pro-V Colour Expressions (£2.99-£3.99) with shampoos, conditioners and intensive treatments designed to protect all coloured hair from fading. Klorane Shampoo and Color-Enhancing Conditioning Balm (£5.99, 01582 820165) is good too, but the best range is by Jo Hansford (020 7495 7774, johansford.com).

Kathy Phillips, beauty director of Condé Nast Asia, has her own award-winning aromatherapy range, This Works. If you have a beauty question, email observer.woman@observer.co.uk. The best one receives a product from This Works (thisworks.com). For t&c, see observer.co.uk/woman.

We asked beauty editors for their all-time best products for lips, eyes and skin. First, Harper's Bazaar's Newby Hands on anti-ageing creams

Newby Hands on the best anti-ageing creams

Creams

Dior Dior Capture 60/80 XP Ultimate Wrinkle Restoring Cream, £44

I got a colleague to try this, and over two to three months I watched her skin go from ordinary and a bit lumpy to glowing, clear and smooth. It's one that actually does much of what it says.

Olay Rejuvenate Daily 3 Point Treatment Cream, £29.99

I asked four trusty testers to try this "blind". Each one raved about the joys of this cream and all loved what it did to their skin. This one-pot-suits-all-skins cream really does make a difference.

Crème de la Mer £88.09

I am always being asked if Crème de la Mer really works. I think so. Older and drier skin can use it daily; anyone else should use it for when needs must - to soothe raw skin, sunburn or any time skin is out of sorts or needs a kick.

Serums

IS Clinical Active Serum, from £60.10 (victoriahealth.com)

This frills-free serum looks pretty ordinary but its effects are quite extraordinary. Expect soft, smooth skin within a couple of weeks. NB: less is more with this.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair, £39.26

This little anti-ageing gem sets the gold standard for great skin. If you want to guarantee better skin (as in smoother, more even-toned) in the future, then start using this now - I swear by it.

Clarins Hydro Quench Intense Serum, £35

Just the best instant plumper for dry skin. I overdose on this in- and post-flight. As any skin, even oily, can get dehydrated (which is often the cause of tiny lines), this is a beauty essential to have on hand for when needed.

Skin rescues

La Prairie Radiance Concentrate Pure Gold, £347 (Harrods only)

This luxury serum is my secret weapon. All I know is that I look better with it (especially when tired or jet-lagged) than without, and the last three times I used it I was asked if I'd just had a facial.

Aromatherapy Associates Rose & Sandalwood Facial Oil, £27.90 (aromatherapyassociates.com)

I like this. Great for giving older, tired, dry or dull skin an overnight boost, it makes my skin supple and rosy. Plus it smells great and isn't super-greasy.

La Roche Posay Effaclar K, £12 (0800 556822)

If supermodel Natalia Vodianova says she uses this overnight before a big shoot, you know it has to be good. Use daily if skin is oily; if not, just overnight before something special.

Annabel Jones, beauty director of Grazia magazine on the best for lips

Rep lipstick

Jelly Pong Pong Supermodel Stain in Nymphette, £15

This is the most versatile red - a lipstick that doubles as a blush. The fact that this stain requires only a finger to apply to both lips and cheeks makes it perfect for first-timers. Plus, pressing colour into your lips with a finger gives you that effortless, bitten-lip look you don't get with a traditional lipstick bullet.

Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Red, £14.68

Get red lipstick right and you'll look a million quid. Get it wrong and you'll look cheap - or like you have poor dental hygiene. This is one of those perfectly balanced (not too warm, not too cool) hues that suit most people. The best, most flattering classic red, with a satin finish to give lips a super-chic edge.

Revlon Super Lustrous Cherries in Snow, £7.13

This is certainly the best on-trend red. OK, technically it's more pink than red. But you only have to look at this season's catwalks to see that cherry is big news. Besides, it's more youthful than ordinary pillar box. For a luxe, evening finish, apply with a flat eyeliner brush.

Lip balms

Lucas Papaw Ointment, £4 (cultbeauty.co.uk)

I first came across this multi-duty SOS balm when I was in Australia and I reckon it's the best budget lip balm you can buy. Made from the medicinal papaw fruit, it will sort out chapped lips instantly, or act as an amazing gloss over lipstick. It's a great conditioner for brows and lashes, too.

Balance Me Stellar Beauty Balm with Linden Blossom, £12 (balanceme.co.uk)

At the luxe end of the budget scale, this really is the Louboutin of lip balms. Packed with the finest natural ingredients money can buy, it's good for everything from heels to lips; I keep a pot by my bed to use as an overnight lip treatment. And it smells heavenly.

Korres Wild Rose Lip Butter, £6

This gets my vote for the best tinted lip balm. I've searched and searched for a tinted balm that gives proper colour, and finally I've found it. This is for those days when you can't be bothered with make-up but want enough to look presentable. Gives a just-there healthy hue to lips while keeping them moist.

Lip liners

MAC Lip Pencil in Redd, £8.81

I first spotted this vibrant red liner backstage at the shows, where make-up artists were filling in the whole of models' mouths with it before applying lipstick (makes it last longer, apparently). Why is it so good? It doesn't drag, is super-flattering, and lasts pretty much all day. Definitely the best red lip liner.

Benefit D'finer D'liner, £13.50

This is great for lip liner phobes as well as the best liner to stop lipstick bleeding. So if the mere mention of lip liner gives you bad 80s flashbacks, then this one's for you. No Nancy Dell'Olio lip line to contend with here - this invisible clear pencil acts solely to stop lipstick bleeding. Genius.

Rimmel 1,000 Kisses Stay-on Lip Liner in Red Dynamite, £2.99

Love, love, love this budget buy. I'm someone who's been known to go through lip liner like it's going out of fashion (as if) - but at this price you really can afford to bag a few in different shades. Its stay-put benefits are also worth a mention.

Annabel Meggeson, beauty directoe of Elle magazine on the best for face

Base

Jemma Kidd Pro Skin Rescue Bio-Complex Veil SPF15, £32

This is particularly good. It's so light I sometimes wonder if I'm getting any coverage at all, but when I step back from the mirror my skin looks even-toned and more alive.

Estée Lauder Nutritious Vita Mineral Liquid Make-up, £23

I'm not the only beauty editor who rates this nourishing base. It blends in beautifully and its luxurious texture gives a creamy coverage.

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF15, £26

This is a classic foundation that looks more natural than most thanks to its yellow tones. The range comes in 17 shades, so everyone - from very pale to very dark - can find their perfect match.

Concealer

YSL Multi-Action Concealer, £18

I've loved this handy concealer for nearly 10 years. It gives proper coverage but has a moisturising texture that makes it blend really well. By the time I've finished with this, I barely need base.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, £25

The main selling point of this dual concealer is that you get two shades in one, so you can mix and match according to whether your skin is pale, tanned or somewhere in between.

Collection 2000 Illuminating Concealer, £4.99

With illuminating concealers, first you apply a regular concealer to neutralise dark circles, then an illuminating one over the top for brightness. This cheap and cheerful version delivers just fine.

Blushers

Shu Uemura Glow On M Peach 44, £18.50

This gives a creamy, healthy finish to skin but lets you go to town with an eye or lip without looking overdone. Note: this is not about a natural flush - you need a thorough base for it to work.

The Balm Stainiac Hint of Tint in Beauty Queen, £12

This pretty pink stain has the right amount of blue tones to mimic a natural flush. Use it on very well-prepped skin (serum, moisturiser) for extra glow.

Paula Dorf Cheek Colour in Ecstasy, £17 (skinbrands.co.uk)

This dark pink powder delivers a spot-on sexy flush. The cream version is great, too.

Susanna Cohen, beauty director of Marie Claire magazine, on the best for eyes

Mascara

Prescriptives Motor Eyes Instant Action Mascara, £25.45

Incorporates a vibrating brush, so you can now apply mascara faster than ever, using fewer strokes. It's also great for giving volume, colour impact and lift and curl.

Givenchy Phenomenon Eyes High Precision Panoramic Mascara, £18.11

This daring new spherical mascara brush is truly groundbreaking, making a professional application foolproof. I also like the fact that it is pocket-sized and fits into the smallest make-up bag.

Guerlain Le 2 de Guerlain Waterproof Mascara, £21.53

With two separate brushes, one tailor-made to suit the upper lashes and one to suit the lower, there is no better mascara wand to give you that 360-degree doe-eyed look.

Liquid eyeliner

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner, £13.70

This liner stays put (whatever the weather conditions). Best of all is the ritual of applying it. It's a proper old-fashioned beauty product - perfect when getting ready is half the fun. Also, it comes in 14 shades.

Lancôme Artliner, £19.50

A real classic, originally launched in 1994 and back by popular demand. The felt-tip-inspired nib delivers just the right amount of dense, long-lasting colour onto the lid.

Max Factor Masterpiece Glide & Define Liquid Eyeliner, £6.99

This is the product that proves you do not always need to pay a fortune for quality. I defy anyone to find this wanting alongside more expensive brands.

Eye pencils

Clarins Kohl Eye Pencil, £12.23

I love the elegant tapered shape of this pencil. It really makes you feel as though you are applying it with a brush, but in fact you get the ease of application of a pencil.

Clinique Cream Shaper for Eyes, £12

The soft, creamy texture of this pencil makes it a perfect cross between a pencil and a shadow, allowing for a romantic smudgy effect that can be easily blended but still stays in place. Great for a softer daytime look.

Bourjois Regard Effet Métallisé, £4.25

Perfect for parties, it is also soft and comfortable to apply and, unlike some other cheaper brands, does not drag the fragile skin around the eye.