Make your cosmetics and your money go further with multi-purpose products that work harder – so you don’t have to.
- COCONUT OIL – (Biona Organic Coconut Virgin Oil, £4.38, boots.com) Not just for cooking with, this miracle oil and models’ favourite is rich in fatty acids so makes a great moisturiser for body, face and deep conditioner.
- TRANSLUCENT POWDER – (Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder, £29, selfridges.com) Yes it can give oily skin a perfectly velvety finish but it can also be used between layers of mascara to thicken and define fine lashes and as an alternative to dry shampoo if you’ve run out of your regular brand – just use sparingly on darker hair.
- PETROLEUM JELLY – (Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, £20.80, johnlewis.com) This classic petroleum product is a real jack of all trades. Use it in the conventional way to inject well-needed moisture and vitamin E into the dermis or go wild and use it for everything from waterproof mascara remover to minimalist, glossy eyeshadow.
- HAIRSPRAY – (L’Oréal Elnett Diamond Hold £3.99, superdrug.com) Perfect a non-budge barnet, then spray onto a clean mascara wand and comb through unruly eyebrows to keep them neat and sleek. Got a ladder in your tights? Give it a quick spritz to avoid it running any further. Sartorial disaster averted.
- GEL DEODORANT – (Gillette Cool Wave Deo Clear Gel, £2.99, boots.com) Stops sweat in its tracks and also gives skin a bit of slip, so perfect for avoiding a blister if new shoes are rubbing you sore.
- HAIR CONDITIONER – (L’Oréal Elvive Ultra Violet Filter Colour Protect Conditioner, £3.99, tesco.com) Keeps hair shiny, hydrated and tangle free but can also be used to get rid of the hair on your legs, face or anywhere else in place of shaving foam.