The secret beauty hub with all the best brands you need to know about

7 December 2023

If you’re in the market for a whizz-bang new hair tool, looking for a fragrance upgrade or an update for your makeup bag or skincare routine, then head to Very whose extensive beauty offering will surprise you as it did our Beauty Director, SJ. Here is our edit of some of the best buys that you need to add to your basket

Written in partnership with Very

I’m here to tell you that you need to reposition the online retailer Very in your mind. Not that I’m saying that you sit around thinking about Very all the time, but if it were to enter your thought process I’m guessing you may, like me, regard it as a well-priced, fashion-forward clothes e-tailer. And that is 100 per cent correct. However, were you aware of the quite amazing and extensive beauty offering that Very has? Nope, I wasn’t either but that needs to change as of now.

We have teamed up with our friends at Very, who rightly so, want to shout about the huge range of beauty brands and products they have on offer. We’re talking Dyson, Elemis, Ghd, Dermalogica and so much more. So, I have trawled through the many, many beauty shopping pages to cherry-pick just a few of my favourite products that I think you will love too. Happy shopping!

Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener, £399

Dyson has quite simply transformed the hair electrical market but of all their hair gadgets (so far) this is the one that I think is worth spending your money on. The cordless straighteners (you can also use them plugged in) regulate the temperature 100 times a second to effectively but gently straighten. They can be packed in hand luggage (when the flight safe button is switched on) and are really light and compact but super efficient.

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Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin Renewal Booster, £48

Think of this as the aperitif of your skincare regime. It preps and hydrates your skin but also makes the skincare you put on after work harder as it can draw the actives deeper into the skin. Clever stuff

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L’Oreal Paris Lash Paradise Mascara Duo Set, £21.50

I have raved about this mascara for years thanks to its lash lengthening and volumising abilities. I’ve never seen it sold in a duo set until now which makes financial sense and means you can keep one in your makeup bag and one in your bathroom so you’re never without.

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Murad Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector, £65

Not only does this contain light-reflecting particles to make tired eyes look instantly more wide awake but the hardcore actives of encapsulated vitamin C get to work on reducing the appearance of dark circles and fine lines over time too.

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NYX Professional Makeup 16 Pan Eyeshadow Palette in Ultimate Flamingo Frost, £16

This caught my eye, not only because the packaging is cute and fun and because NYX Professional is a brilliant budget and hard-working makeup brand, but because it’s a well-curated palette that would make a great stocking filler gift this Christmas. There are highly glittery shades that are perfect for this time of year as well as more muted, matte and wearable tones. Plus, four of the colours have Christmas stockings embossed on them and who doesn’t want that?

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Philosophy Snow Angel Shower Gel & Bubble Bath, £16

A great option for a Secret Santa or teacher pressie. It has a lovely clean, sparkling scent and can be used as a shampoo, shower gel or bubble bath. It has a slight shimmer to it, but don’t worry it won’t leave you looking like a Christmas bauble, just happy and glowy.

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Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Crayon in Laugh Louder, £9.99

Lipsticks can be quite high-maintenance with all the touch-ups and precision application that’s required, which is where this clever lip crayon comes in. Available in 12 wearable shades - but I do love this classic red hue - it has a pointed nib which makes lining your lips perfectly a cinch, the formula is creamy enough to apply all over but then stays put all day long.

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Elemis Pro-Collagen Energising Marine Cleanser, £46

The cleanser I keep in the shower to wake me and my tried skin up first thing in the morning. It leaves skin feeling refreshed, hydrated and plump and also does a great job at removing makeup and the day’s dirt and grime if you prefer to use it last thing.

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Shark SpeedStyle RapidGloss Hair Dryer for Straight & Wavy Hair, £199.99

Another genius hair tool that I think is worth your time and money. This hair dryer is super light and very cleverly monitors the temperature 1000 times per second so it never gets too hot. You can buy it with different attachment configurations so you only end up with the ones you know you’re going to use.

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Philip Kingsley Elacticizer, £36

And icon and for good reason. This deeply hydrating and repairing hair mask is suitable for all hair types and leaves hair looking shinier and bouncier. Fun fact, apply it on wet hair before shampooing and leave for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse and wash your hair as normal to get the best results.

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Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance, £45

Whether you have constantly dry skin, you feel your face tightening up in the colder weather or you’re looking for something comforting and rich post tweakments then this is an absolute winner. It’s intensely hydrating without feeling heavy, greasy or like it’s overloading the skin.

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