Latest news with #DaisyLester
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Mauritius vs Maldives: Which is the paradise island for you?
In this week's episode of TravelSmart, Independent Travel is exploring the Indian Ocean, diving into two of the most popular idyllic beach getaways: the Maldives and Mauritius. Global Travel Editor Annabel Grossman shares the best activities in Mauritius, from visiting the Seven Coloured Earth to dolphin spotting and rum tasting. Fresh back from a trip to the Maldives, Daisy Lester reveals how to pick the right island for you to completely switch off and embrace a break of rest and relaxation. Plus, how to make your Indian Island trip more affordable and the best times to visit. Watch TravelSmart on Independent TV.
The Independent
23-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Independent
Benefit's hoola bronzer is my go-to, but is the new cream version better than the original?
Benefit's hoola bronzer changed the game when it launched in 2001. The innovative formula quickly became a cult favourite thanks to its matte finish, rich colour and soft texture. The bronzer's long-wear credentials and natural-looking pigment mean that this beauty buy has enjoyed enduring popularity. Ever since a trip to Benefit 's beauty counter as a teenager, the hoola bronzer has been a go-to staple of my makeup bag. Buildable and lightweight enough to be layered with other face products like foundation or blush, the hoola bronzer gives your face a subtly contoured effect. Plus, the nifty compact makes it perfect for throwing in your bag when you're on the go. Testament to both the branding and formula, the original hoola bronzer remains unchanged since it launched nearly 25 years ago. However, some find the hoola bronzer a little heavy and cakey on skin. On top of that, the beauty world has seen a growing trend for dewy, glass-skin products. It doesn't take much for a staple to go stale. Benefit's response? A new version of the hoola. Enter: the wave cream bronzer. A buttery-soft balm version of its bestselling predecessor, it's designed to apply like a cream for an equally natural, bronzed look. The brand describes it as sweatproof, waterproof, buildable and long-wearing, but is that actually true? I put all those claims and more to the test. How I tested For years, I've used Benefit's OG hoola bronzer to create a bronzed, contoured effect. In the past year, though, I've switched to cream and liquid-based blushes, for a more fresh-faced look – I was hoping Benefit's new cream-based bronzer could work well with these other products, while yielding similar results as the brand's original formula. Swapping out the OG in favour of the new version for a week, I assessed the application, look, and feel of the product. I wore it during long days at work to test how long it lasts. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews Senior writer Daisy Lester has been covering beauty at The Independent for the past four years. She's an expert on everything from fake tan to bronzing drops, SPF and the latest and greatest hair styling tools. From Benefit and Jones Road make-up to Refy skincare, Daisy has reviewed countless products and will always offer her honest opinions to help you find the formulas worth buying.
The Independent
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
These face tanning drops deliver the most natural sun-kissed glow
Finding the perfect face tanning drops is surprisingly tricky. Just like we wouldn't use the same moisturiser on our face as we do on our body, it's best to avoid using your favourite fake tan from head to toe. That said, from experience, even when you do use a separate facial tanner, it can be drying or even cause breakouts. Luckily, the beauty industry's best skincare brands have cottoned on and launched their own fake tan formulas – the latest of which is Caudalie. The brand uses natural and plant-based ingredients in its high-performing skincare and has cemented itself as a French pharmacy classic. From the cult beauty elixir (£18, that's loved by make-up artists and beauty editors alike (and Victoria Beckham, naturally) to innovative formulas like the vinoperfect dark spot brightening serum (made using sap that runs from the vine stalks) (£52, Caudalie's formulas are reliable favourites, which is why I was particularly excited about the new launch. Clearly, I'm not the only one because since the launch last month, it's already sold out one. Promising to be fuss-free and hydrating, as a self-confessed fake tan addict, I had to get my hands on a bottle for testing. How I tested From mousses to clear water mists, I'm more than happy to sample various fake tans on my body, but I'm more fussy when it comes to my face. While a facial tanner can develop nicely within a few hours, by the following day, it's at risk of going patchy under make-up or clinging to dry areas. When I find a face tanner that works, I tend to stick with it. But for one week, I swapped my trusty formula out in favour of Caudalie's new self-tanner. Considering ease of application, the ingredients, longevity and how it faded, here's my verdict. Spoiler: My original face tanner has been banished to the back of the bathroom cabinet. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews Senior shopping writer Daisy Lester has been covering beauty here at The Independent for the past four years. She's an expert on every style of fake tan, covering everything from bronzing drops and graduals to mousses. Besides fake tanning weekly, Daisy has investigated the best ways to apply fake ta n and has written several individual reviews for tanners, including St Tropez and Bare by Vogue.
The Independent
20-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Independent
Can this Aldi £2.99 body mist replace my favourite Sol De Janeiro scent?
With spring blossoming, it's nearly time to swap out woody, amber scents with fragrant, floral fragrances. Instantly transporting you to warmer climes, Sol De Janeiro's viral cheirosa body mists embody the feeling of summer. From the deliciously sweet Brazilian crush 62 (the same scent as its cult bum bum cream) to the new 59 delicia drench, the beauty space has the brand to thank for the resurgence of body mists. The grown-up sister to the sprays you spritzed in the PE changing rooms at school, Sol De Janeiro's range is both affordable and actually good. A day-to-day substitute for your favourite luxury fragrance, the body mists set you back £24.99 for 90ml with devotees (myself included) describing the scents as a holiday-in-a-bottle. Brightly coloured and perfectly travel-sized, the mists have garnered millions of views on TikTok and rave reviews across the board. The ultimate marker of a viral brand, they've also inspired myriad budget alternatives, from Marks & Spencer to Zara. Now, true to form, Aldi has brought back its sell-out body mists that are being hailed as an affordable alternative to Sol De Janeiro's cheirosa range. Whether it's a fragrance inspired by baccarat rouge 540, a bond-building treatment that rivals Olaplex or a £14.99 hair dryer the spitting image of Dyson, Aldi is the place for bargain beauty alternatives. The latest addition to the roster, Lacura's tropical essence body mist comes in three scents and costs just £2.99 per bottle, saving you more than £20 on Sol De Janeiro's scents. How we tested When a mini-size Sol De Janeiro Brazilian crush 62 landed on my desk last year, I started using it as a stand in most days for my expensive fragrance. The fresh, sweet scent is perfect for hot summer days and boasts impressive staying power. So, I wanted to see how the Aldi range fared. Assessing the scent notes, staying power and packaging, here's my verdict on Aldi's Lacura tropical essence range. Why you can trust us As The Independent 's senior shopping writer, Daisy Lester covers the latest trends and lifestyle news for IndyBest. She has her finger on the pulse when it comes to beauty, too. From Benefit and Jones Road make-up to Refy skincare, Daisy has reviewed countless products and will always offer her honest opinions, to help you find the formulas worth buying.
The Independent
28-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Best Shark deals on cordless vacuums, hair tools and more
As the UK's bestselling vacuum cleaner brand, Shark has continued to impress consumers over the years, with exciting releases of premium household products that are both hardworking and competitively priced. For the steadfast Shark fans out there, and those new to the brand, we've got a treat in store for you. Our savvy deal hunters have been busy sourcing the best Shark deals and discount codes, so that you can enjoy the brand's award-winning tech for less. Although their vacuums are among the brand's top selling products, there is so much more to Shark. The flexstyle launched in 2022 and has been a go-to product for those wishing to achieve salon-worthy hair, thanks to its abilities as a multi-styling tool. When shopping for an upgrade on your cordless vacuum, we can't promise that you won't be sucked in by Shark's fans, air purifiers, robot vacuums, and even its impressive LED face mask. Whether you're successfully sold on the latest Shark launch or a bestselling favourite, keep reading for our tips and tricks of how to shop the brand's best deals. If you're not already registered to receive Shark emails, you're missing out. Subscribing to these emails will ensure you're one of the first to hear about the brand's exciting launches, and believe us, you'll want to keep your eyes on what Shark has in store. But a perk better than being in the know, is the 10 per cent discount that you get on your first purchase when you sign up. With the discount, we'd make a beeline straight for the Shark cryoglow under eye cooling and LED face mask, which comes in two colourways: a baby blue and a pastel-toned lilac, and will have just shy of £30 off with the 10 per cent saving (was £299.99, now £269.99, When our beauty expert, Daisy Lester, tested the device, she said that 'the results are instant, with the area looking brightened and tighter'. Currently, you can also save 10 per cent on selected Shark flexstyles, like the 5-in-1 air styler and hairdryer with a storage case (was £299.99, now £269.99, While not all the models are reduced, the build your own system, smoothstyle bundle and flexstyle sparkle all feature in the savings. Last but not least, we have to pay some attention to the fantastic savings on vacuum cleaners right now. If you're prepping for the annual spring clean, and could do with arming yourself with a nifty new device, take a look at the epic deals at Shark. The Shark anti hair wrap cordless upright pet vacuum (was £429.99, now £299.99, has a handy 60 minute run time, with powerful suction on all floors to pick up pet hair and fur that finds itself all over the house. Our dedicated team of shopping experts at The Independent are always on the lookout for the best discount codes, deals and offers. We scour the web and work with retailers to secure the latest voucher codes and exclusive savings, so you'll always find a fantastic deal here. To help you shop better, we've made it our mission to bring you deals that will allow you to spend your money wisely. Our team have years of experience when it comes to sourcing the very best deals, and know an epic saving from a dud discount. We also only bring you deals on brands that we trust, so you can make purchases that will really make a difference.
