Features

Supermarket Sweep

10 March 2014

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You'll be amazed at the incredible health and beauty finds nestled on the shelves of your local supermarket. Alongside regular fruit and veg (which double up as great-for-you hair and beauty boosters), you'll find a plethora of hardworking beauty products that offer salon results without a hefty price tag. Supermarket shopping never seemed more appealing!

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Bananas
For a quick, lock-boosting snack on the go, make sure you pick up a bunch of B-vitamin and zinc-rich bananas. Low in calories, high in hair-beautifying vitamins and minerals. Job done.
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Walnuts
Nuts in general are fantastic sources of hair-enhancing vitamins and minerals, but walnuts are considered among the very best for nourishment. This is because they contain a potent blend of omega-3 fatty acids, biotin, protein, vitamin E and copper, which protects hair against the harmful rays of the sun by acting as a sort of shield.
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Oats
Oats provide your body with slow-release, natural energy throughout the day. This can lower your cholesterol and help to maintain a healthy metabolic rate. You can also mash them up with yogurt and honey as an exfoliating face mask.
Hair Mask
Organic Head™ Detox Masque by Daniel Galvin Jr, £4, Available at Morrisons stores nationwide
A deep conditioning, colour-reviving treatment, Organic Head Detox Masque not only leaves hair smooth and soft, it also adds volume by deeply cleansing the hair to remove product build up. At £4 a tube, we'll be dropping a couple of these into our basket.

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Pomegranates
Amazing at fighting off those pesky free radicals – and a lot easier to get hold of, we might add. Each jewel-toned seed contains high levels of antioxidants called ‘flavenoids’, as well as vitamins A, C and E, folic acid and iron, which supports the blood in transporting oxygen around the body. Because of these nutritional benefits, pomegranates are famed for improving skin quality. Can’t get hold of fresh ones? You can buy concentrated pomegranate juice from most supermarkets.
Body Scrub
Mandara Spa Island Paradise Intense Body Scrub, £7, Sainsbury's
Give your body a salon-worthy exfoliating treat in the comfort of your own home with this beautifully scented intensive body scrub from Mandara Spa.
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Lentils
As well as containing high levels of protein and complex carbohydrates, lentils are a good source of the mineral molybdenum, which can help to maintain active energy levels. Feel beautiful inside and out.
Dry Shampoo
Andrew Barton Shiny Happy Hair S.O.S Last Another Day No Water Needed Dry Shampoo, £3.90 or 2 for £4, Asda
Pop celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton's hair range into your trolley and let the results speak for themselves. We're hooked.

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Yogurt
Low fat Greek yoghurt is full of strengthening protein, calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B5 (which you might find in the ingredients list on the back of your haircare products, cunningly disguised as pantothenic acid).
Yoghurt also works well as a cooling face mask.
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Brown Rice
A portion a day provides a rich source of B vitamins, protein, manganese, selenium and magnesium as well as several potent antioxidants which are thought to help protect against disease, as well as boosting the skin’s vitality and supporting healthy body functions.
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Water
The supermodels favourite beauty go-to. In order to help your body rid itself of pesky toxins, it is essential that you drink plenty of fresh, clean water. Water makes up 70% of our bodies, helping not just to keep our brains hydrated and fully functional, but also to replenish water in the cells throughout your body. Be sure to drink your recommended eight glasses of water a day, and remember to drink more if you exercise.
Foundation
BD Barbara Daly Facelift Foundation, £7, Tesco
For a make-up treat that won't cost the earth PLUS delivers the great coverage and results you would expect from a premium make-up range, you won't be disappointed with Barbara Daly's beauty offering.

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Kale
Wonder food green kale is not only a fabulous source of fibre and folate, but contains a myriad of detoxing antioxidants, including vitamins A, B6, C, K, as well as beautifying calcium and pH balancing potassium. Talk about a beauty boost.
Nail Polish
Boutique Nail Polish, £5
Give your nails a flourish of colour with Boutique's range of polishes, available at Sainsbury's stores nationwide. Go on, slip one into your basket.
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Sunflower Seeds
If you’re looking for an ideal snack food to sculpt your body and boost your beauty at the same time, sunflower seeds are it. Packed with protein, vitamins and fibre, grazing on a handful in-between meal times will be beneficial.
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Apples
The fibre-rich fruit is full of skin-boosting vitamin E, folic acid and vitamin C, among other natural antioxidants.

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Blueberries
Blueberries help to boost skin firming collagen in the body. Remember, a whole handful of berries contains under 100 calories, so they are a great mid-day snack too.
Bath & Shower Gel
Treacle Moon My Coconut Island, £2.99, Tesco
Bathtime bliss in a bottle.
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Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, which helps to keep the skin firm and taut by aiding collagen production. They also contain lycopene: the red pigment which not only gives them their bright red colour, but also stimulates skin circulation.
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Beetroot
They might stain your fingers, but the skin-clearing properties of beetroots are well worth the effort. The purple roots are particularly high in vitamin A, as well as potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin E, which is essential for epidermal health and healing. Combined, these nutrients make a powerful all-round body cleanser, helping to eliminate toxins from the body and lower cholesterol too.

Face Mask
The Lacura Nutri Build-Up Face Mask, £3.99, Aldi
Once you've unpacked the groceries, treat yourself to some 'me time'. Run a warm bath and apply Lacura's good-for-you face mask. Hello happy skin.
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Ginger
If you’re feeling a bit run down, ginger is a great remedy. It's anti-inflammatory, can help to boost your metabolism and speed up your body’s natural detoxification process. Beauty inside and out.
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Green Tea
Drinking anti-oxidant polyphenol-rich green tea will improve your skin and boost your beauty. Who can argue with that?
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Oysters
Oysters are packed with skin-clearing nutrients for relatively few calories. Expect to find everything from vitamin A to zinc and selenium in these bite-sized sea-dwelling beauty bombs.

Eye Cream
Skin Therapy Perform & Protect Eye Cream £10.99, available at Sainsbury's stores nationwide
High-performance beauty does exist in the beauty aisles. Try Skin Therapy's Perform & Protect eye cream on for size.
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Red Meat
Red meat is often thought of as a huge diet don’t, but eating a couple of portions of lean beef a week can do wonders for your locks. It contains many of the vital minerals needed to enhance lustre, strength and hair health as well as being one of the best sources of protein available.
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Carrots
The vitamin A contained in carrots helps the scalp to produce sebum oil, an important fluid that provides natural hydration to dull, dry locks.
Night Cream
Pro Formula Radiance Night Cream, £3, Tesco
A tub of nourishing night cream for just £3? Count us in.

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Broccoli
Broccoli is a real hair hero, as it's rammed full of essential vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, zinc and calcium, which is an important nutrient for growth and strength.
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Dark Chocolate
There are many reasons why you should say, ‘yes’, to eating chocolate – particularly if it’s the antioxidant-rich, dark, high-cocoa variety. Need another one? The protein, iron and B-vitamins it contains are fabulous for your hair.