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Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Why that super-sized shampoo bottle isn't so super-sized after all: We've all long suspected that we're being hoodwinked - so are ANY actually filled to the top? SARAH RAINEY investigates...
Have you ever opened a new bottle of shampoo, jar of face cream or tube of suncream only to find it's far from full to the top? You're not alone; tens of thousands of unhappy shoppers have taken to online forums to vent their frustrations about part-empty containers in the beauty world. Toiletries are among the worst offenders, with super-sized packaging often giving customers a misleading impression of just how much they're getting for their money. Some leading brands use opaque bottles or labels, so you can't see what's inside, while others have double-walled sides, large lids or false bases that can make quantities appear bigger than they are. So why do manufacturers put their products in such big containers? And why don't they fill them to the top? 'They use bigger containers so it looks like you're getting more for your money,' says Ariane Young, a celebrity and media make-up artist. 'Ingredients, labour and marketing are more expensive but customers are less willing to shell out on new products every month, so brands are finding ways to cut corners.' There may be a practical reason in some cases. Kyle Frank, a beauty expert, cosmetics formulator and founder of Frank's Remedies, explains that some products need extra 'breathing space' so that the bottles and tubes reach customers intact. 'Product packaging can expand due to temperature changes and rocky movement during transit,' he says. 'Depending on the formulation of the product, this may cause more air to be produced. This is known as thermal expansion.' Such expansion could cause leakage, or make containers burst open, so leaving a little space at the top of the bottle or jar ensures it reaches customers in one piece. So how much product is there in your everyday toiletries and are you being fooled by the size or shape of the packaging it's sold in? We conducted an experiment, comparing the amount of liquid, gel or cream in beauty products (stated on the packaging) against the total volume of the container (in millilitres). We did this by squeezing the product into a glass measuring beaker and filling the empty container with water to see how much it could hold when full. The results will make you think twice on your next visit to the beauty aisle. Unilever and Procter & Gamble, makers of the products we tested, were approached for comment. Garnier Vitamin C Nutri-Glow Body Cream, (£10) Jar holds: 530ml Actually contains: 380ml Difference: 150ml Percentage full: 72 per cent This jar of deliciously-scented body cream looks like a very generous size - enough to last several months. But when I unscrew the lid I'm disappointed to see it's only three-quarters full; the rest is empty space. There's a whopping 150ml difference between the amount of product inside and the total volume capacity of the jar. Simple Gentle Cleansing Shampoo (£3.25) Bottle holds: 460ml Actually contains: 400ml Difference: 60ml Percentage full: 87 per cent This large white bottle stands out as one of the bigger ones on the shelves, but all is not as it seems. Our experiment shows there would be room inside for another 60ml of product, nearly a fifth more liquid than what is in the bottle. CeraVe Foaming Face Cleanser (£12.50) Bottle holds: 285ml Actually contains: 236ml Difference: 49ml Percentage full: 83 per cent There's a large pump inside this bottle of face cleanser, so less room for liquid than you'd expect. But even accounting for that, there's capacity for another 49ml of product - that's 21 per cent more than you actually get. Garnier Ambre Solaire Soothing After Sun (£6.99) Bottle holds: 410ml Actually contains: 400ml Difference: 10ml Percentage full: 98 per cent This bottle feels pleasingly heavy and, looking inside the cap, I can see the white after sun lotion filled very close to the top. For a large, family-sized bottle, there's impressively little empty space inside - just 10ml. Dove Moisturising Hand Wash (£1.49) Bottle holds: 300ml Actually contains: 250ml Difference: 50ml Percentage full: 83 per cent The hand pump fills up a whopping sixth of this bottle. But when I tip it out and fill it to the top with water I find there is enough missing for 10 to 15 more hand washes. Nivea Sun Protect Suncream Factor 30 (£6.79) Bottle holds: 205ml Actually contains: 200ml Difference: 5ml Percentage full: 98 per cent At this time of year, we go through bottles of suncream weekly - so it's important to know what you're getting (and how long it will last) when you stock up. Impressively, this 200ml bottle is almost full to the top; there's space for just 5ml more liquid inside. Sanex Expert Soothing Bath Soak (£3) Bottle holds: 505ml Actually contains: 450ml Difference: 55ml Percentage full: 89 per cent This big bottle of bath soak feels weighty, so I'm hopeful about the amount of product inside. When I open the cap, it looks like it's almost filled to the brim - but looks can be deceiving. When decanted from the container, you could still fit another 55ml liquid in there. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Intensive Body Lotion (£3.25) Bottle holds: 275ml Actually contains: 275ml Difference: 0ml Percentage full: 100 per cent This thick, luxurious lotion is incredibly hard to get out, and I resort to hitting it on the end like a ketchup bottle. It would be much more user-friendly in a jar. But rest assured; the results show the quantity of product inside fills the bottle right the way to the top. Dove Body Love Self-Tan Lotion (£3.99) Bottle holds: 450ml Actually contains: 400ml Difference: 50ml Percentage full: 89 per cent This gradual fake tan lotion comes in a tall, sleek bottle, but the beige packaging makes it impossible to see how much is inside. Our experiment showed there's room for another 50ml - or one sixth of the total liquid already in the bottle - in there. Oral B 3D White Luxe Mouthwash (£1.99) Bottle holds: 540ml Actually contains: 500ml Difference: 40ml Percentage full: 93 per cent When I take the cap off and look inside, this bottle of mouthwash looks remarkably full. But the results show there's room for 40ml more liquid (mostly inside the narrow neck) if it were completely full. Nivea 2 in 1 Cleansing Milk and Refreshing Toner (£4.60) Bottle holds: 198ml Contains: 175ml Difference: 23ml Percentage full: 88 per cent Though it's a small bottle, this feels light in my hands, and the product doesn't feel like it's filling the container. So I'm not surprised to find you could fit 23ml more (or 13 per cent of the quantity of liquid listed on the bottle) inside. Nivea Men Energy Shower Gel (£1.70) Bottle holds: 424ml Actually contains: 400ml Difference: 24ml Percentage full: 94 per cent It's not only women's products that come in part-full packaging, men's toiletry brands are just as guilty of giving customers less than they bargained for. This luminous blue shower gel comes in a bottle that could hold 24ml more than it does. Herbal Essences Dazzling Shine Shampoo (£1.95) Bottle holds: 455ml Actually contains: 400ml Difference: 55ml Percentage full: 88 per cent This is the tallest, thinnest bottle in the test and, though the packaging is bright green, when I hold it up to the light I can just about see the product inside. There's a clear inch without any liquid in it, and the results show this is equivalent to 55ml shampoo. Head & Shoulders Classic Clean 2 in 1 Shampoo (£2.49) Bottle holds: 268ml Actually contains: 250ml Difference: 18ml Percentage full: 93 per cent There isn't a huge difference between the amount this Head & Shoulders bottle could hold (268ml) and the amount of product that's actually inside (250ml). The spout is quite wide, with a flat cap so it's easy to get almost every bit of shampoo out. Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner XL (£5.89) Bottle holds: 580ml Actually contains: 470ml Difference: 110ml Percentage full: 81 per cent Promising to turn 'parched locks to fabulously refreshed' ones, this bottle is deceptive because it's nowhere near full. Our experiment shows that there is enough room for 110ml more conditioner in here. As the product is thick, it's tricky to get it all out so customers will get even less value for money. Palmolive Naturals Coconut Milk Shower Cream (£1.62) Bottle holds: 542ml Actually contains: 500ml Difference: 42ml Percentage full: 92 per cent This super-sized bottle of shower cream looks ideal for a family, but there's less product inside than you would expect. My experiment showed you could fit another 42ml of liquid in there if it was full - enough for 8-10 more showers. Baylis and Harding Goodness Natural Body Wash (£4) Bottle holds: 542ml Actually contains: 500ml Difference: 42ml Percentage full: 92 per cent While lots of body wash products come in clear containers, this one is in an opaque black bottle. At 500ml, it's one of the bigger sizes around and certainly one I'd buy to last the family several weeks. But it's not as full as it appears, there's space for another 42ml. Lynx Africa Body, Face and Hair Wash (£1.49) Bottle holds: 230ml Actually contains: 225ml Difference: 5ml Percentage full: 98 per cent In its distinctive black container, with an opaque red and green label, this body, face and hair wash contains 225ml of product. When full to the top, the bottle - which is squat and wide, with a narrow bit in the middle - could squeeze just 5ml more inside. Bulldog Original Shave Gel (£3.75) Tube holds: 190ml Actually contains: 175ml Difference: 15ml Percentage full: 92 per cent This clear shave gel comes in a squeezy tube, which is white so you can't see how much is inside. There's just 15ml difference between the amount of liquid that could fit inside the tube and what's in there when I buy it - not too bad. Vaseline Healthy Hands and Stronger Nails Hand Cream (£2.85) Bottle holds: 209ml Actually contains: 200ml Difference: 9ml Percentage full: 96 per cent This little bottle of hand cream doesn't have much surplus space inside; you could squeeze just 9ml more inside. It might seem more expensive per millilitre than a big bottle but you're getting more for your money and less empty space.
The Independent
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Four summer make-up trends to try — and how to pull them off
A noticeable shift is underway in the beauty world as summer 2025 ushers in a lighter, more ethereal makeup mood. While 2024 saw a surge in heavy blush, ultra-skinny brows, and diamante eye looks, these trends have, rather predictably, not endured. This season, the focus has shifted toward freshness, with natural eyes, frosted finishes, and a rise in skincare-infused products. Here's what make-up artists say are their favourite trends that you should try this season. Tinted SPF Any dermatologist will tell you, the best thing you can do to prevent skin laxity and wrinkles isn't Botox or exosome treatments – but daily SPF. However, sun creams and SPFs have traditionally been either too oily, too chalky or too white cast to wear every day or sit comfortably under make-up. This is why virtually every makeup brand is now releasing its answer to the problem: tinted SPFs. 'One of the biggest make-up mistakes I see is people not wearing SPF under their make-up,' says CCO and founder of her namesake brand, Charlotte Tilbury. 'It is so important to wear SPF every day, even when it is not sunny outside, which is why we created the UV flawless poreless primer.' 'The rise in popularity of K-beauty this year has had an influence on our summer makeup trends. There is a lot of emphasis on skincare and 'skinimalism',' says celebrity and Strictly Come Dancing make-up artist Ariane Young. Tinted SPF, she explains, allows for 'minimal coverage [and] evens out your skin tone while also giving a hydrated glowy look.' Compared to BB or CC creams, tinted SPF is lighter and lends itself to the growing appetite for low-effort beauty. 'If you love that 'no make-up, make-up' look,' Young says, 'a tinted SPF is your best friend.' And unlike most bases, the more you wear it, the better your skin will look, preventing pigmentation and redness. Cool-toned eyes A nostalgic nod to early-2000s shimmer is making its way back into our makeup bags. Icy whites, sheer lavenders and frosted blues are back, only this time they're less Paris Hilton and more Hailey Bieber. 'While icy, cool-toned eyeshadows were incredibly popular back in the late nineties and early Noughties, they were often chalky, hard to blend and unforgiving,' explains Tilbury. 'We don't want it to look like the Tin Man!' says Young, 'the trick is to pick a focal point to avoid going too frosted with everything.' A single frost-toned eye against matte skin and a neutral lip keeps the look more mature. 'Blend and diffuse the colour all over the lid so you have a light wash of colour,' says Young, and if you're not confident with eyeshadow, 'you can always add a pop of colour with a fun eyeliner colour. This trend is all about having fun with make-up and is perfect for festival season.' If you're not used to icy tones, 'there are ways of incorporating cooler-toned make-up into your everyday staples by swapping out your warm eyeshadows and gold glosses for greyer inspired shades,' explains MAC Cosmetics senior make-up artist for the UK and Ireland, Carly Utting. 'This may sound scary if you're used to bronzes and warm tones, but a balance of both works wonders!' She loves pairing a cool-toned lipliner with a honey lipstick in a nod to the Nineties. Ghost lashes Subtle and almost imperceptible, the ghost lash has emerged as this summer's biggest trend. Wearing make-up without mascara may instil fear in most, but thick coats of mascara and showy falsies are no longer the go-to. Make-up artist Mira Parmar describes it as 'a minimalist, no-mascara or barely-there lash look,' one that's become a red carpet favourite for celebrities like Zendaya, Sophie Turner, Hailey Bieber and Lily-Rose Depp. 'This effortless style gives your lashes a much-needed break from heavy products, looks naturally elegant, and saves time, making it a perfect match for the 'clean girl' aesthetic,' she says. But this isn't simply a fleeting fad, as Parmar says, 'It's more than just a trend, it marks a shift toward natural beauty and skin-first makeup, which is rooted in authenticity, minimalism and self-care.' Crisp, hyper-lined lips are out, and the messy, diffused, French girl lip is in. 'Creating the perfect lip shape is out, instead [people are] going for a more blended and blurred lip line,' says Young. 'There's a move towards a sheerer coverage plumped lip, enhanced by liner and filled with just gloss,' says Utting, who says natural lips with a slight sheen is a trend 'growing at a rapid rate.'
Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'Expert-approved face mask hack soothes my puffy hay fever eyes in seconds'
Pollen is high and temperatures are soaring but this expert-approved and TikTok-loved skincare hack is the best way to soothe inflammation and puffy eyes in seconds No matter how much you're enjoying the heat, a stuffy summer night in the UK is never a comfortable one, so finding ways to relieve yourself of the heat are key for getting through. While blasting your fan on max cold can do the trick, there's one handy hack that I always turn to - and it just so happens to double as a skincare treat too. My tried-and-true method involves putting my favourite sheet mask from the Garnier Sheet Masks Self-Care Collection into the fridge or freezer for 10-15 minutes before using it. Then, when it's time to apply the mask, it offers an immediate cooling effect. I've always learned that, in the long term, face masks should be kept in the fridge, hence why a mini skincare fridge like the StylPro Beauty Fridge is a great option to keep in your room. But your kitchen fridge is fine too, so long as you're okay with keeping your Garnier Sheet Mask next to your avocados. This TikTok-approved skincare hack is loved by industry professionals too. Strictly Come Dancing makeup artist and and Witch Skincare ambassador Ariane Young tells The Mirror that the hack offers "instant relief" in the hot summer months and can benefits your skin too. She says: "On hot evenings, applying a chilled face mask — like the Witch Don't Stress Face Mask — can help cool the skin, reduce puffiness, and calm irritation caused by heat or humidity. The cold temperature works to tighten pores and soothe the skin, making it a perfect pre-makeup prep or post-cleansing treat." Young adds that those with oily or combination skin can reap even more benefits as the cooling effect helps to regulate excess oil. "It's a small step that makes a big difference in how your skin looks and feels during the warmer months," she says. For more stories like this visit The Gulp or subscribe to our weekly newsletter for a curated roundup of top stories, interviews, and lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. Longevita's London-based medical aesthetician, Dr Gizem Seymenoglu, clarifies that putting your face mask in the fridge won't make the ingredients work any better, but the refreshing feeling can be just what the doctor ordered if you're suffering from inflamed skin or puffy eyes. "If your skin is inflamed, for instance, a chilled face mask can help calm redness. Similarly, it can help if your skin is irritated," she tells us. "You can also use this trick to treat puffy eyes and under-eye bags since it constricts the blood vessels and reduces swelling." Dr Seymenoglu warns that you must check the storage instructions on the packaging first to find what conditions the product is best stored at. For example, if it says 'best used around 20°C,' then it shouldn't be stored in the fridge. "That's because certain ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, retinol and even artificial fragrances, as well as astringents, can degrade in cold temperatures. So, essentially, it can alter the composition of the face mask and compromise its integrity," Dr Seymenoglu explains.
