'To be a beauty columnist who ignores expensive products is a bit like a motoring columnist pretending Bentleys are rubbish'
Someone on Twitter recently became furious because I said I loved a perfume costing £120. How dare I expect people to spend so much when money's so tight, they asked. The simple truth is I expect no such thing. It's none of my business how people choose to spend their money, and nor should it be anyone else's. To be a beauty columnist who ignores expensive products is a bit like a motoring columnist pretending Bentleys are rubbish.
The same applies to face creams. People invariably ask me whether Crème de la Mer is worth the high price tag. My answer: it depends what £100 means to you. I couldn't afford to spend that on moisturiser, but that doesn't mean I don't love the way Crème de la Mer makes my dry skin look and feel. Some luxury creams are excellent, as are some cheap ones. Similarly, both can be utter balls.
Personally, I love the extremely spendy Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv, RéVive's Intensité Crème Lustre, Sisley Restorative and Elizabeth Arden Prevage, but if, like me, you are not swimming in cash, choose more affordable brands such as Clarins, Clinique, Nivea or Olay. All are consistently reliable, because they have huge resources to throw at research. Your skin will typically feel the benefit of their spend.
Sali loves… hair texturisers
Toni & Guy Casual Rough Texturiser, £7.19, boots.com
I am currently using this a lot in place of dry shampoo, because it does a similar job of adding texture and lifting roots, only without any chalky residue.
Bumble and bumble Thickening Dryspun Finish, £21.50, lookfantastic.com
I discovered this in America and have been waiting ever since for a UK launch. Bumps up flat hair without that horrible dry, dirty feeling.
Umberto Giannini Backcomb In A Bottle, £5.61, boots.com
Adds stacks of volume and dispenses with the need for harsh backcombing.