How we review

Use it like a buyer would

We use each product in a normal routine for weeks, not an afternoon. Skincare gets time to show what it does and whether it irritates; makeup is worn through full days; hair tools are used on wet and dry hair of different lengths and textures. Where it matters, more than one tester with a different skin type, hair type or tone uses the same product.

What we look at

• Hair dryers and stylers: drying time, heat control, noise, weight and the finish they leave.
• Skin devices: comfort, how long a session takes, and what changed on skin over the weeks of use.
• Serums and treatments: irritation, texture, how they layer, and what changed on skin.
• Moisturizers and cleansers: hydration through the day, barrier comfort and value per ounce.
• Sunscreen: white cast on different tones, wear under makeup and how easy it is to reapply.
• Foundation and concealer: shade range, coverage, finish and wear over a full day.
• Eyes, lips and cheeks: wear time, smudging, comfort and how the color reads on different tones.

What the score means

Scores run from 0 to 10 with one decimal. Around 9 means we would buy it again without hesitation; 8 is a strong product with a clear weakness; 7 does the job but a rival does it better or for less; below 6 we would not recommend it. The verdict always names who the product is best for, because a good product for oily skin can be a poor one for dry skin.

Facts, prices and pictures

Specifications and prices come from the maker's own pages, and each review links to the official product page. Pictures are captures of the product or of the maker's own pages, and each caption says what it shows. We never edit a picture to make a product look better or worse.

Corrections

When a fact in a review is wrong, we fix it and add a dated correction note at the end of the review. Send corrections through the contact page.