My mother was a fan of Cliff Richard and Donny Osmond, she liked their teeth. And I remember her introducing me to flossing at a young age. It seemed very American to me, nobody in my class at school did it and then when Julia Roberts in Pretty woman came out and told the world “you need to take care of your gums” I felt like I was all of a sudden ahead of the beauty game.

I’ve been enjoying reading snoopers sharing there 10 essential beauty items and when I just emptied my supposedly minimised make up back, I have a lot of other beauty and make up products, not in the make up bag and counted 29 items I thought yikes this is harder than I thought.

So my criteria for my 10 most critical make up items are firstly the things I do use every day without fail and then the things I’ve had for ages I’d be absolutely gutted if I lost. Things that sure are replaceable but would never quite feel the same.

There are loads of different dental floss products and interdental brushes available but I like Dentek brushes and Interprox. The reason they don’t bend, they appear a bit sturdier than other brands and give a better result, a brush head works better for me than dental floss products. They come in different sizes and cost about 40p each. Not only are they one of the cheapest options but they are also the most eco friendly version of interdental brushes I have found, completely plant based, no plastic and vegan so cruelty free, all things I buy into.

Interprox do the same good job for me but are a bit more expensive and don’t have the same plant based credentials.

The other products on my list of essential beauty products are things I mostly had for ages and would be gutted if I lost. The first is a plastic hair clip, I don’t even know the brand but it is the most sturdy claw hair clip I have ever owned. Whilst so many have come and gone, the spring popping out or the plastic eventually snapping this one has lasted and lasted, I check it to see if it’s branded in anyway. If I lost it I’d be gutted. Along with the grotty, dirty, old pink wide tooth comb in the picture. It’s the perfect comb for my thick unruly hair a hairbrush won’t go through. I use it every day to get rid of tangles.

Next is my cheaper than cheap small magnifying mirror I keep close to hand for tricky jobs like eyeliner.

And my real techniques bronzer blusher brush. Again not expensive but brilliant. I use it every day, had it for years, doesn’t shed, washes well, the dream make up brush. Mine is size 003 and it works so well for me.

That’s 5 including my Denteks.

Number six has to be listerine but I am not brand specific. I like my mouth to feel fresh and clean and I use it everyday.

I don’t wear a lot of make up (I know I have 29 items in my make up bag) so my last four beauty essentials would be skincare.

Sonsie lip balm, Clarins Body Fit anti cellulite cream I am addicted to. I absolutely love the feeling when it goes on and it use it two to three times a week on my hips, stomach and thighs. Have no idea if it makes any difference what so ever but feels like it’s doing something. Two more, Optrex eyedrops and my acicolvir cream always on hand and absolutely essential whenever a coldsore appears, fortunately not too often but most likely for me when skiing or in any bright sunshine, so at the worst possible times when you most want to look your best, on holiday.