Beauty and Health Director Rose Beer asked 50 industry insiders — hairstylists, make-up artists, aestheticians and dermatologists — to name the single beauty product they could not live without. Their choices range from a £5.15 hairspray to a £649.99 hair-growth helmet, and several come with personal stories of discovery.
Hair Heroes and Fragrance Favourites
Session stylist Luke Hersheson chose L'Oréal Paris Elnett hairspray, recalling an early shoot when a well-known photographer told him: "What the f*** is that? Why aren't you using Elnett? This is shit." He said it gives control, shape and hold but lets hair feel like hair.
Sam McKnight, session hairstylist and founder, picked Hair by Sam McKnight's Love Me Do Nourishing Shine Oil after overbleaching his hair left it brittle. He said it is incredibly lightweight and makes hair feel soft without weighing it down.
Colourist Nicola Clarke credited Kate Winslet for introducing her to Oslo Skin Lab The Solution Beauty Collagen, which she takes daily in her coffee. Colourist Cetera Lamb said Barbara Sturm's Glow Drops make her "look alive" and she will repurchase them forever.
Skincare Staples and Tools
Aesthetic doctor Dr David Jack chose Hermès Un Jardin en Méditerranée, a fig and citrus blend that takes him back to Italian holidays. Dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting said Robert Piguet Fracas is "locked into my identity" and she would never change her scent with the seasons.
Facialist Kate Kerr recommended Medik8 Ultimate Recovery Bio-Cellulose Mask for its hydrating and soothing powers, especially for sensitive skin. Skin and laser expert Debbie Thomas picked BioEffect EGF Serum, noting how quickly she feels a difference — her complexion is notably different on waking.
Make-up Must-Haves and Body Care
Make-up artist Bobbi Brown named Victoria Beckham Beauty Reflect Highlighter Stick, saying it is beautiful on sun-kissed skin in summer and brings light in winter. Advanced facialist Teresa Tarmey chose YSL Touché Éclat, which she discovered from a make-up artist behind Hollywood red carpet looks.
Hairdresser Zoë Irwin picked MAC Ruby Woo lipstick, recounting how a trail of kisses on a man she should not have been kissing was traced back to her when his colleague recognised the shade. She called it proof of its long-lasting powers and distinctive colour.
GP Dr Louise Newson selected Trinny London's Take Back Time Overnight Hand Transformation, saying her hands already look different and an age spot is fading after a few weeks. Dermatologist Dr Clare Kiely chose Bare by Vogue Medium Self Tan Foam, calling body skincare "the next big frontier."
Tools and Devices
Facialist Annee de Mamiel said she would not be without Cecily Braden's lymphatic brushes, which leave her face looking fresher and less puffy. Nutritionist Rhian Stephenson credited the CurrentBody Hair Growth Helmet with helping her hair fall after two babies, noticing a difference after six weeks.
Beauty entrepreneur Millie Kendall chose her Tweezerman tweezers, which she launched in the UK in the 1990s after buying as many as she could for £2k and selling them by mail order in under 48 hours.
