ICONIC BEAUTY BUYS

Chanel No 5: A cult product since Marilyn Monroe claimed it was all she wore in bed, the bottle has been illustrated by Andy Warhol, advertised by Nicole Kidman and worn for generations.

Elizabeth Arden

Eight Hour Cream: e rst Arden product, created by Elizabeth herself to soothe her horses’ bruises. Used to heal, moisturise, shine and smooth it can even be used in place of makeup.

Batiste Dry Shampoo: Celebrity hairdressers might add pricey dry shampoo to their ranges but none is as popular as Batiste. A travel essential, half of Batiste’s charm is in its kitsch packaging.

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm: Surgery in a tube, Beauty Flash Balm plumps wrinkles, makes cosmetics endure and de nes the face and jaw, used under foundation or as a mask.

Some beauty products have been around for years and are still as popular as ever. Here, we take a look at some of the most iconic beauty buys.

While fashions come and go and times change, there are certain items that every woman has, at some point or another, had in her beauty bag.

Chanel Rouge Noir: Ever since Uma urman waved Rouge Noir-ed nails across the screen in Pulp Fiction this polish, the colour of dried blood, has been iconic. No other colour has lasted in minds and hearts so completely.

YSL Touche Eclat: Finding it’s way in to every make up bag, the pricey Touche Eclat is worth every penny, banishing signs of tiredness and re ecting the light, making lips fuller and skin glow.

Bene t Benetint: Believe it or not Benetint was rst designed for an exotic dancer to keep her nipples pink. Now a favourite of make up artists the long lasting formula and natural colour has become cult.

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara : It seems not to matter what other cosmetics brands do, no mascara comes close to Great Lash for popularity. In garish packaging and featuring an old fashioned brush it’s nonetheless a must for beauty on a budget.

Lancome Juicy Tubes: With the dawn of the gloss age the colourful Lancome Juicy Tubes appealed to our inner girl. ere are few better formulas; no wonder 11 tubes are sold every minute.

Nivea Cream: From granny’s dressing table to celebrity Birkins, Nivea Cream is found everywhere. Still unique in its ability to totally smooth and freshen skin, this is the ultimate cheap and cheerful icon.

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but not necessarily the dentist.

Did you know that some of the healthier foods you consume can also be disastrous for your gnashers? Yes, that’s right, that apple a day might not always be good for you. Healthy foods can cause erosion to teeth too as it turns out. But there are a few simple ways to avoid it.

“Most of us know that chocolate is bad for teeth, due to sugarrelated tooth decay. However, acid erosion is one of the biggest threats to tooth enamel this century and, as the research shows, people are far less aware of how they can best protect teeth from this condition.”

Nutritionist Anita Bean, an expert in acid erosion

So, acid erosion is the issue at hand here. But what on earth is it and is it as bad as it sounds? Acid erosion occurs when acid from certain foods and drinks comes into contact with teeth, temporarily so ening the tooth’s hard enamel surface. When we then brush our teeth, the enamel can be worn away more easily and become thinner over time. It is indeed as bad as it sounds and it can happen to your teeth if you partake in too many acidic foods.

Research shows that most of us are, in fact, at risk of developing acid erosion due to our dietary habits. Acid erosion in teeth is mainly caused by acids found in common food and drinks. e majority of people are aware that zzy drinks could cause damage, but many can be unaware that other drinks usually thought of as healthier options could also cause harm. You may be forgiven for not knowing that, for example, fruit can pose a risk to your teeth, as well as the vinaigrettes o en used as salad dressings.

And there’s more bad news. Apparently, it’s not just what we eat and drink that can cause problems, but how we eat and drink too. Consuming acidic drinks without a straw, regularly covering food with sauces and dressings, such as acidic balsamic vinegar, are also bad. But before you panic and start to wonder what on earth is safe to eat and drink then, there are a few simple habits you can adopt that means you won’t have to give up your healthy ve-a-day just yet:

When having an acidic drink, use a straw angled towards the back of the mouth to help keep your teeth protected.

- Drink water a er eating or drinking anything acidic, this will help to wash the acid away or chew gum to stimulate the production of saliva, which can neutralise the acid.

- A er an acidic meal, consider eating some enamel-friendly foods such as low-fat cheese or nuts, as this will help to restore the pH balance in your mouth.

- A er consuming acidic food or drinks, wait at least an hour before brushing your teeth. is hour is when enamel is at its so est and so most at risk.

- And nally – visit your dentist regularly, because, in the end, only a dental professional can properly diagnose acid erosion.