Your make-up call

We all have cosmetics and toiletries we swear by. If we were to be castaways on a desert island, these are the goods we would pack by the caseload. Whether it be a nightcream that takes years off as you sleep or a deodorant that doesn't smear

your clothes, most of us have a favourite product we would happily recommend to others.

So what do the beauty experts recommend? To find out, we asked four women from York's leading cosmetic outlets to reveal their five must-have products...

Elizabeth Wright,

Cosmetic buyer

Browns, Davygate, York

Clarins Double Serum 38, £40

This is an advanced anti-ageing treatment, recommended for mature skin. I use this at night in winter to combat the effects of central heating. It gives your skin a real luminosity. It also smoothes out fine lines and softens the skin. It's suitable for all skin types and one bottle will last me for six months.

Estee Lauder's Triple Creme, £24

An instant moisture boost for stressed skin. Put it on for ten minutes if you are going out after a hard day at work. It leaves skin looking wonderful, rehydrated and glowing. Possibly the best hydrating mask on the market. It is suitable for all skin types and gives about 12 applications.

Lancome Re-surface, £37.50

This is the best new product on the market. It contains retinol, which is a natural component in skin. I find it does exactly what it says: it reduces fine lines and gives the appearance of much younger skin. My skin feels soft and in very good condition. Using morning and night after cleansing, a bottle should last about a month.

Lancome Definicils mascara, £15

This high-definition mascara defines lashes and separates them and gives the impression of length. I'm also a contact-lens wearer and I find this does not irritate at all.

Clinique Soft Polish Body Exfoliater, £12

A very nice product and reasonably priced. You massage it all over your body and shower if off. It's a must before you apply any fake tan.

Dawn Taylor,

Cosmetics supervisor

Superdrug, Market Street, York

Vaseline Lip Balm, 99p

This comes in a great handy little size and is very trendy and a very good price. I use it for my lips, although you can mix it with a powder blusher and rub it on your cheeks.

Superdrug Cleansing Facial Wipes, 40 in a £1.99 pack

These are an all-in-one wipe: they cleanse, remove eye make-up, tone and moisturise too, and they are very handy: you can take them anywhere. They are suitable for all skin types.

Revlon Everylash mascara, £6.95

Makes your lashes look thicker and it comes with a little brush so you can brush your lashes - or even your brows.

Revlon Colorstay liquid lip, £5.95

Leaves your lips feeling really soft. This comes in a tube with a wand and you apply it like a lip gloss. It's really moisturising and comes in six colours.

Handbag sized brush, 99p

This is our best selling product! Everyone in York must have one. It is so handy because it fits into your bag - and you can't go wrong at this price.

Tracy Carr,

Assistant supervisor for sales

Boots, Coney Street, York

Vaseline Intensive Care deodorant, £2.29

I use this all the time because it works. Also it doesn't leave any stains on your clothes. It smells nice too.

Tweezers

My favourites are the little ones you find on a Swiss Army Knife because they don't grip your skin.

Boots Travel Compact Mirror, £3.25

Essential, so I can see what I am doing when I pluck my eyebrows!

Soltan Suntan Lotion, £8.79 for 200ml

If I was really on a desert island, I'd take this as it smells really nice and doesn't feel greasy. It also acts as a moisturiser.

Wilkinson Sword Extra II razors with aloe vera, £1.99 for pack of five

These are great because they don't cut your legs and leave them feeling really smooth. All these things are more important to me than makeup - can you imagine smelling and having hairy legs and armpits?

Rebecca Elcock,

Cosmetics buyer,

Fenwick, Coppergate, York

Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Eight Hour Cream, £17 for 50ml

What the top models keep in their handbags because it is so versatile. It is fantastic for dry skin, but you can use it as hair wax, a lip gloss, for scrapes or sunburn or for softening your cuticles. It's brilliant for that red, sore area around your nose when you have a cold. A tube will last about a year.

YSL Radiant Touch, £20

This best-seller is a pen which highlights your face and brightens up your complexion. Use it on dark circles under your eyes, or on lines, to make your skin look brighter and fresher. Suitable for all, Naomi Campbell uses it. Expect around 200 applications per pen.

Christian Dior, Mascara Parfait, £14

Contains cashmere which helps thicken lashes yet keeps them soft. It also has a fantastic brush which ensures each lash gets coated from root to tip. I have short lashes and this lengthens and thickens them. Contact lens wearers can use it too.

Lancome, Flash Bronzer Leg Gel, £15 for 125ml

Just fantastic! If you are going to a party at the last minute, you can use this for leg or body to get instant colour. It also has a shimmer in it which is great if you are wearing strappy dresses and sandals.

Issima Midnight Secret by Guerlain, £68 for 30ml

This is the best night cream I've ever used. It is 12 hours sleep in a bottle. Only use it if you've had a late night or have an important occasion the next day and want to look your best. You wake up with a glow - you might not feel it, but you will look fantastic. I'm hooked!