When it comes to skincare, I really think it pays to be fussy about what you use.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that buying the most expensive product on the market will automatically give you the best results, but in my opinion, once you find a product that works, it’s worthwhile investing in it, no matter what the price (within reason, of course).

Unfortunately it’s a sad fact of life that lots of the brands that many of us have success with are at the pricier end of the spectrum.

I do love me some Dermalogica, particularly the Treatment Foundation and Daily Microfoliant, but buying these products at a salon can set you back many, many dollars.

The good news is that SkinCareStore is positioning itself as the local version of Dermalogica Active Moist pictured here (it’s a light, non-greasy moisturiser) is currently selling for $56, which is a saving of $20 from the salon.

By Caroline Warnes

These days it’s pretty much a given that anyone who cares about the skin on their face uses some sort of sun protection every day.

Like it or not, you need to be wearing some sort of sunscreen on your face. Many products (foundations and moisturisers) come with an SPF built in, but there are some questions around the effectiveness of these combined products versus a standalone sunscreen (though you have to admit that something is better than nothing).

If you have enough confidence in your skin to forgo a traditional foundation, the answer is a light tinted sunscreen and I believe the best on the market to be Hamilton Everyday Face.

First and foremost, it provides SPF30+ broad spectrum high sun protection, which is the most important thing. It’s also light and not at all greasy - most sunscreens tend to leave my pores feeling blocked.

It comes with a light tint and wears well under makeup if required - I usually just pop a bit of concealer and finishing powder over the top and I’m ready to go.

Best of all is the price. It’s available at most pharmacies for under $10, and at times I’ve picked it up for around $6. And one tube lasts forever - well at least three months, which is forever when you’re talking about a product that costs under $10.

And don’t forget - if you are applying a succession of creams to your face (moisturiser, sunscreen, foundation etc) you should leave at least 10 minutes between each application, otherwise the product won’t apply properly.

By Caroline Warnes

NeoStrata is my all-time miracle skincare product range - I wrote about it back in May (here).

Basically, NeoStrata is chemist-only skincare that incorporate AHA and PHA ingredients to effectively perform chemical exfoliation on your skin at home.

I happened to click through to the NeoStrata site this morning and noticed there is a free product sample offer here.

You can receive the Facial Cleanser (a great product), Daytime Protection Cream with SPF 15, Ultra Smoothing Lotion, Renewal Cream and Bionic Face Serum - valued at $20.

The offer is only while stocks last but I can also tell you that Hamilton Labs (who distribute the product line locally) are very good at sending out samples if you email them and ask.

By Caroline Warnes

When it comes to putting things on your skin, in my opinion you should keep things as natural as possible.

Aside from my beloved NeoStrata, which I’m guessing is about as natural as Nicky Kidman’s preternaturally preserved face, I really do try to keep it simple.

I’ve recently discovered the Burt’s Bees range of beauty products and am intrigued. The company started life making homemade beeswax lip balms and has since expanded into producing a full range of honey-based products for the skin and hair, as well as using other organic and natural products.

Why honey? Well not only has honey long been considered one of the greatest natural moisturisers, but it’s also recently been discovered that it contains antiseptic and antibacterial properties (great if you suffer from breakouts).

I’m keen to try the Honey Lip Balm, which sounds good enough to eat - it also contains shea butter, almond and cocoa butter.

I also like the range of products for your hair (shampoos, conditioners and treatments) - how good does a raspberry and brazil nut conditioner sound?

The range can be bought online at Adore Beauty and from selected health food shops.

By Caroline Warnes

I’ve been using NeoStrata skincare for over six months now and I have to say my skin is the best it’s ever been.

That’s not to say that I’m going to be the new face of CoverGirl cosmetics any time soon, however my skin is now decent enough to get away with wearing a tinted sunscreen each day - and no foundation.

I’m loving not having to paint myself with foundation every morning. It was such a drag and honestly, when you think about it, can it be healthy to have something like that sitting on your skin, all day, every day? Have you read the ingredient list on the pack of a tube of foundation recently? Titanium dioxide, butyl paraben… I don’t know what the hell either of those things are and I sure don’t want them sitting in my pores.

NeoStrata is a fantastic range of skincare that can be found in your local chemist for a very reasonable price. The range uses alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and milder poly hydroxy acids (PHAs) to give you a mini chemical peel at home. This is great for reducing the signs of ageing - fine lines, skin pigmentation and so on. Another way to think of it is as a chemical exfoliation.

As I said, my results have been really pleasing. I started off with the PHA 4 Facial Cleanser, used morning and night (if you are new to using hydroxy acids you should always start off with the milder PHAs before moving up to AHAs when your skin is ready for it). I coupled this with the PHA 10 Ultra Moisturising Face Cream, also used twice a day.

After a month or so I decided to move onto the AHAs - however I still use the PHA 4 cleanser twice a day as it really is a terrific product. Now I use the AHA 10 Ultra Smoothing Lotion once a day - sparingly - and this is giving great results (make sure you always wear a sunscreen when using any AHA or PHA product as it has the effect of peeling away the top layers of your skin, leaving the newer, unprotected skin underneath).

Anyway I just stocked up on my NeoStrata products yesterday so imagine the chagrin I felt this morning when I found an offer from Terry White Chemists on NeoStrata products here - get a free NeoStrata Eye Cream (RRP $40.95) when you purchase specific products from the NeoStrata range. I’ve used this cream before and it’s quite good.

(Offer ends June 11).

By Caroline Warnes

Once you’ve spent a certain number of years grooming, plucking, moisturising, waxing and the rest of it, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve pretty much heard it all.

Every woman and her dog has their own patented beauty and grooming tips that they like to rattle off at every opportunity, some of them helpful, some of them not so helpful.

However there are certain tips that I myself have actually found to work… some of them well known, some of them more obscure.

1. Always wash off your make up at night. This is a no-brainer. Whenever I am too tired to wash my face before I stumble into bed I will always end up with congested skin. These days I save foundation for special occasions only as quite frankly I think my skin is better off without it. If you can get away with it, a light tinted sunscreen or moisturiser is better for day.

2. Drink plenty of water. Another no-brainer. Your skin will thank you for it. Your water requirements are dependent on factors such as your gender, weight and level of activity. There is a simple calculator to find out how much you need here.

3. Eyebrows are the key to framing your face properly so it’s a good idea to have them shaped professionally occasionally, even if you maintain them between visits yourself. When it comes to grooming your eyebrows on a daily basis, making your eyebrows too heavy or dark can add years to your face so be light handed with whatever you use to fill gaps and don’t line them the whole way along. One of Sydney’s top eyebrow technicians told me several years ago that you are better off filling in your eyebrows with eyeshadow and a small angled brush, using small, light strokes, rather than a pencil. I use Mac Coquette Satin, which works great for medium-to-dark brown hair.

4. Another great tip to make your eyes pop is to apply a little concealer to your eyelids before eyeshadow. This will bring out the colour and also make the eyeshadow last longer.

5. Make sure you consider your eye colour before selecting an eyeshadow. Eyes look best with a colour that is on the opposite side of the colour wheel. For example, if you have brown eyes, try a green eye shadow. Blue eyes look great with rich, warm brown tones.

6. When applying mascara, a great tip is to apply a second coat while the first coat is still slightly sticky (after 30 seconds or so). This will make the lashes look darker and fuller.

7. If you are going to wear bright lipstick, make sure your lips are in good condition. Why would you want to draw attention to cracked, dry lips? Using a little pawpaw salve (available from health food shops) will keep them nicely moisturised.

8. Still on lips. Don’t ever wear lip liner that is a shade darker than your lipstick or gloss. I have a rather graphic name for this look that I can’t repeat here due to it being highly distasteful. Suffice to say, don’t do it.

9. Get plenty of sleep. Studies have suggested that getting eight hours of sleep a night helps keep you slim and refreshes your skin.

10. Not really a beauty tip but I had to mention it because it really gets my goat. And that is dressing for your body type, whatever it is, and dressing for the occasion. For example, sack dresses and floaty things without a waist that people insist on wearing don’t really look good on anyone unless you are a catwalk model and no larger than a B-cup up top. I’ve learned that if I wear something like this I look like I’m eight months pregnant. I’ve also learned that I will never fit into a size eight jeans so it’s best I don’t try (hello, muffin top).

By Caroline Warnes

It’s always nice to hear an Aussie success story, and local organic skincare range Stem Organics is hitting the big time in the US.

The brand is celebrating the news that its Intensive Eye Serum will be included in the gift bags given to award winners, nominees and presenters at the prestigious Golden Globe Awards, to be held in Hollywood next Sunday evening (Monday, Australian time).

Making it into the Golden Globes or Oscars gift bag is big news for any brand during the Hollywood awards season. The stars who present and receive awards are often photographed using the products in the bag, giving the brand visibility better than any other advertising. This year, stars who will be receiving the bag include Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie, Keira Knightley and Johnny Depp.

The Stem Organics range features products made from certified organic and natural ingredients - and, wherever possible, Australian ingredients. The Intensive Eye Serum’s formula includes ingredients such as Fringed Violet for fine lines, organic Ginseng to firm and lift the eye are and Hibiscus Peptide, which beauty experts call a natural form of Botox.

You can buy Stem Organics products online, or at retailers such as Myer.

By Caroline Warnes

Most of us associate the Olay brand (also known in various incarnations as Oil of Ulan) with our mothers.

It’s been beloved by Australians for generations because it’s cheap, it smells nice and, most importantly, it works.

These days, Olay has evolved with the rest of the beauty industry. One of the best new products produced by the company is Olay Complete Defence SPF30+ Daily UV Moisturising Lotion, which is gentle enough to use every day but also packs in some impressive moisturising properties and sun defence.

Olay’s moisturisers are usually quick-absorbing and non-greasy, even the ones with SPF in them - this is something you don’t find with many supermarket brand moisturisers. The Complete Defence SPF30+ is no exception.

It’s formulated with protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays and comes in two varieties, for normal and sensitive skin.

If you’re willing to pay upwards of $50 for your moisturiser, you will be able to find a better product. However given its price and availability, Olay Complete Defence SPF30+ is a standout star as a supermarket moisturiser.

Click here for offers on Olay products near you.

By Caroline Warnes

Many people seem to be have the idea that the more expensive the beauty product, the better results wil be on your skin.

This is something of a controversial issue, and one to which there is no right or wrong answer. I’ve tried many products, right through from the very expensive (Creme de la Mer) right through to your cheap and cheerful options that you can find at your local supermarket. The results from all of them have been mixed, and naturally it all depends on an individual’s skin.

But I can honestly say that some of the best beauty treatments I’ve tried have been ones I’ve whipped up at home, proving that sometimes, the simple things in life can be the best. These can also be a godsend when you’re down to your last few dollars and payday is still a way off.

Apple cider vinegar

If I had to be stuck on a desert island with just one thing, it would most likely be a bottle of apple cider vinegar. Well, maybe not quite, but I seriously use this stuff for just about everything. You can make it into a solution to clean floors, to freshen cut flowers, kill weeds and more. According to the Internet, you can also use it to remove skunk odour from a dog, which is always handy to know.

But my all-time favourite use for apple cider vinegar is on my hair. It’s a fantastic method of removing product build-up from your hair and adding shine. It’s also good for any flaky skin on the scalp.

Once a week, I make up a solution of one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to one cup of warm water in a bowl. Don’t be too heavy-handed with the vinegar, or else you’ll smell like a salad is growing on your head. After wetting your hair, you dip the ends of your hair into the solution for a few seconds, then pour it over the rest of your hair, avoiding your eyes. Leave it on for a few more seconds, then rinse it off. I promise, your hair will be the shiniest it’s ever been.

I gave up shampoo and conditioner long ago in favour of natural cleansing agents, but you could also try mixing a little bit in with your bottle of conditioner for easier use.

Asprin mask

Another el cheapo beauty remedy of mine is an asprin mask for your face. This is a tried-and-true mask for exfoliating your face.

You simply take three or four asprins (note, this must be asprin, not Panadol or anything else!) and grind them up into a powder with the back of a spoon. Add a few drops of water, then a tablespoon of honey (which is a natural moisturiser) to make into a creamy mask. Apply to your face, leave for 10 minutes then rinse. This leaves your skin feeling so smooth.

Egg

If you’re looking for a deeply moisturising mask, you can’t go past the humble egg (raw, of course).

Simply separate the yolk and the white of the egg. Apply the white to your face and neck, then leave it for around 15 minutes while it dries on your face. Wash it off with warm water and pat your skin dry.

Next, stir the yolk with a fork and apply that to your face and neck. This provides the moisture to your face, so leave it for as long as you possibly can - at least 15 minutes. Wash the egg yolk off and dry your skin. It should feel soft and deeply moisturised.

Note: try to avoid doing this one in front of housemates as you can look rather stupid.

There are plenty of websites out there that have heaps of suggestions for other at-home beauty treatments. I like Make Your Cosmetics. And don’t forget if you’re having a specific skin condition that’s causing you trouble, you should seek advice from a dermatologist or other skincare professional.

By Caroline Warnes

It’s hard to believe it’s almost the end of the year again. The end of the year means several things, most of them good, including holidays, lots of sun and, of course, Christmas parties.

In all honesty, I don’t get invited to that many parties. Perhaps that makes me lucky because then I don’t have to struggle through the next day as often. When I attend functions with an open bar, I usually make the mistake of deciding it would be uneconomical of me not to overindulge. This makes it hard to do an honest day’s work the following day.

However over the fast few years I’ve found a few tricks that make the next day that much easier.

1. Berocca is a great way to replenish those essential B-vitamins that alcohol seems to suck out of you. I have one before I go to bed and when I get up, washed down with lots and lots of water. Vegemite is also fantastic for this purpose.

2. If you wake up late and don’t have time to give your hair a full wash, your best option is a dry shampoo for a quick freshen up. The best on the market is Klorane - simply spray it in your hair, comb through and you’re ready to go.

3. If you’re like me and you suffer from dark circles under your eyes when you are tired or dehydrated, a good concealer is a must. I love the Yves Saint Laurent Anti-Cerne concealer stick. You could also try the YSL Touche Eclat (Radiant Touch), which is actually a highlighter but does a fantastic job of freshening up your face.

4. To avoid that wan pallor of death look you can get when you’re tired and dehydrated, make sure you always have a facial bronzer on hand. I like the Natio Bronze Shimmer Palette. Best of all, it’s priced at under $20.

5. Sunglasses are a good idea for the day after a big night. The ones from the Cancer Council have all been designed to offer the required level of UV protection. This is important - fashion sunglasses don’t always offer the maximum protection.

Happy party season!

By Caroline Warnes