Your A-Z autumn edit

The beauty must-haves, must-wears and must-buys for the season ahead and beyond

Everything to keep your face, hair, nails and body in tip-top condition

A… is for Anniversary Haircare products come and go, but not Andrew Barton’s fabulous range. It’s celebrating 10 years on the shelves of Asda. If your hair is dry and frazzled from the summer months, you’ll love the bestselling S.O.S Hair Repair Shampoo and Conditioner (£4.99 each). Whatever you choose, they’re all super-nourishing and packed with argan oil.

B …is for Brightening Last year, a third of all skincare launches were aimed at making our complexions more radiant, and this year is looking just as bright! Introduce Naturally Radiant Glycolic Tonic (£5.99, Superdrug) to your routine after cleansing, as it includes 5% glycolic acid (the same as more pricey formulas) for a daily exfoliation. Vitamin C is your go-to beauty ingredient for brightening, too; mix two to three drops of Paula’s Choice Resist C15 Super Booster (£45) into your daily moisturiser to see a real difference.

C …is for Calm Do you want the perfect excuse for some me-time? Put your hair in a deep conditioning mask, like John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Deep Conditioner (£6.99, Boots), wrap it in a hot towel and leave it on for 20 minutes. Do this once a week for a real moisture boost and, while you’re at it, put your feet up, the kettle on and read your favourite magazine!

D… is for does DNA count? According to Olay, you don’t need good genes to have good skin. A recent study of over 150,000 women found that it’s nurture over nature that counts. External factors, such as UV exposure and skin hydration, are much more important than genetics. So stay out of the sun, drink lots of water and treat yourself to an Olay Regenerist 3 Point Super Age-defying Cream (£29.99, Boots). It’s now packed with more youth-boosting ingredients.

E …is for Eye-opener You can now wake up to thicker, fuller and curled-looking lashes without any effort thanks to the new Lash Perfect Lash Lift treatment (from £25-£55, lashperfect.co.uk). Relax in your lunch hour (it only takes 30-45 minutes) while a beautician tints and perms your lashes – now at the lash line for optimum lift. You’ll look like you’re wearing natural-looking falsies, and, amazingly, we found it lasts for up to eight weeks.

F… is for FOMO After the success of the collaboration in 2016, Lulu Guinness has teamed up with Vaseline again this year and designed these fun Lip Therapy tins (£2.99). What’s more, now there’s a Hand Cream (£3.95) to collect, too. Fearful Of Missing Out? Look out for them in Boots at the end of October and get them before they sell out!

G… is for Gardeners’ must-have Green fingers need special care after digging, planting and exposure to the elements, so keep Woods of Windsor Gardeners’ Blackberry & Thyme Exfoliating Hand Scrub (£4.99, selected department stores and garden centres) by your sink for stubborn, ingrained dirt. Team it with the Hand Balm (£7.99) for a fab Christmas gift for gardeners.

H ...is for Hybrid Foundations that act like serums; serums that add glow... the world of skincare and make-up are entwined more than ever – saving us time and money. Try No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum Foundation (£18, Boots) – packed with the anti-ageing ingredients that are in the serum of the same name, it provides a beautiful natural finish.

I... is for Instant facelift Full, bold brows + big, black lashes = 10 years off. Perfect your arches with Benefit Foolproof Brow Powder (£20) for a natural face-framer, teamed with YSL All In A Wink mascara in No1 (£25.50, counters nationwide).

J… is for Just because… …it’s fun and all over Instagram! We’re giving a big thumbs-up to bubble masks. Clinique Pep-start Double Bubble Purifying Mask (£24) applies like a gel and transforms to bubbles that lift out oil and dirt for a deep cleanse. If you prefer a sheet mask, try Oh K! Bubble Sheet Masks (£6 each, feelunique.com).

k…is for Knot-free Forget novelty body treatments, traditional massages are the only way to de-stress this autumn. We love Clarins Rebalancing Massage (£57, for 1 hour and 25 minutes, nationwide) because it releases long-standing knots and tension – like all good massages should.

L... is for Luminosity A luminous, dewy finish on skin is still what we all crave. Make creamy foundations, radiance fluids and balms your best friends, or fake it with illuminating powders, like Beauty Pie Pro-strobe Luminizer Powder (£5.12 for members, £30 for non-members).

M...is for Metallics Last year’s metallic must-haves on eyelids and nails creep on to lips this season, too. Think it’s a step too far? Think again! The metallic texture works well teamed with a smoky eye for nights out when you’re putting on the glam! For a pretty pink, try Barry M Matte Me Up Metallic Lip Kit in Allure (£6.98, Boots).

N… is for Natural The growing demand for organic skincare has never been more evident, with so much choice now available. If you want to go natural, try Tropic Skin Revive Nourishing Cream Concentrate (£22) as a daily moisturiser, or Botanics Organic Facial Oil (£11.49, Boots) if you like an oil. On the body, we love Jurlique Softening Rose Body Lotion (£28). And for a purse-friendly option, try Garnier Skinactive 3 In 1 Rose Water Botanical Balm (£12.99), a mask, day and night cream all in one.

O…is for Once a day If you’re applying your body lotion more than once a day, you’ll love the new longer-lasting formulas from brands that have woken up and realised we’re women with to-do lists as long as our arms! For a high-street buy, we’re loving Dove Nourishing Secrets Restoring Body Cream (£8.79). Want a treat? You can’t beat L’occitane Ultra Light Body Cream (£32). If the menopause is making your skin extra dry and uncomfortable, try the targeted Vaseline Mature Skin Rejuvenation Healing Moisture Lotion (£5.99).

P… is for Pretty in pink Have you spotted the pink peepers having a beauty moment on the red carpet? It’s a beauty trend with true wearability for all. Try Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Midnight Cowboy (£15) for a soft, suit-all pink; for a bit of evening sparkle, we love Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in

Ballet Baby (£23) or Barry M Dazzle Dust

in Nemesis (£4.59, Superdrug) for a deeper burgundy.

Q ...is for Quick fix If the change in season is leaving your complexion dehydrated, give it some TLC with Simple Water Boost Hydrating Booster (£6.99). Use on its own, or mix with your regular moisturiser. Makes a great primer, too.

R… is for Retinol This magic ingredient is backed by research for its ability to smooth lines, minimise pores and banish blemishes. Try The Ordinary Retinol 1% (£5.80, victoriahealth. com) from the brilliant, budget skincare range. Build up your tolerance to it by initially only using it a few times a week.

S ...is for Sulphate-free shampoos A slew of sulphate-free shampoos this year is not just great news for the chemical conscious. Super-gentle, they’re perfect for anyone with a sensitive scalp or damaged or coloured hair. And, thanks to natural foaming agents, they won’t leave hair lank. We really rate Pureology Clean Volume Shampoo (£16.50).

T... is for Trick or Treat Spice up the spooktacular time of year with The Body Shop’s limited edition Vanilla Pumpkin body care collection. Pick from a Hand Cream (£4), Body Butter (£15), Shimmer Mist (£12) or Shower Gel (£5). They all smell surprisingly delicious!

U… is for Underneath Primers are still big news, because the latest technology makes them more hardworking than ever. It’s the skin-perfecting step under your make-up that you can’t afford to miss. We love Revlon Youth FX Fill + Blur Primer For Face/neck (£14.99, Boots), as it smooths pores and lines, and the teardrop applicator makes application easy.

V …is for Very sensitive solution You’re in for a big surprise if you don’t believe you can benefit from the latest technology and super skincare ingredients because your skin’s ultra delicate. Trilogy Very Gentle Restoring Oil (£29.50) is a pure plant oil that will hydrate and protect those who suffer from inflammation. We love Lancôme Advanced Génifique Sensitive (£59) because it has all the power of the iconic serum, but is packed with antioxidants and probiotics to help with flare-ups.

W… is for Wow-factor foundation If you prefer a full coverage, but have found foundations too heavy in the past, you’ll love bareminerals BAREPRO Performance Wear Liquid Foundation SPF20 (£29). The mineral pigments feel fine, light and super-comfortable but stay put all day long.

X ...is for X marks the spot Break outs happen to us all. Keep Murad Rapid Relief Spot Treatment (£17) on standby, as the salicylic acid formula exfoliates and treats blemishes instantly. For cover-up, you can’t beat the high coverage of Vichy Dermablend SOS Cover Stick (£15, Boots).

Y ...is for Youth booster Nothing looks more ageing than dry, frizzy or unruly hair. And with straight, sleek strands making a comeback, now is the time to treat it to Kerastraight Ultimate (from £150), the Brazilian smoothing treatment that leaves your hair supersilky, so you can have a good hair day every day. Best of all, it lasts for months.

Z... is for Zzzzz It’s official: we’re knackered! A recent study found UK people work the most overtime in Europe. Restore your 40 winks with new supersized This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray (£35). Spritzed on the pillow, the award-winning natural blend of lavender, vetivert and camomile helps calm the mind and relax the body. You’ll be asleep in no time. Sweet dreams.