Thebeauty landscape has changed in recent years. Time was when a woman had her regular face creams, her tried-and-tested cosmetics, even her signature fragrance, and nothing new that appeared on the market could drive her off course. Now, in an era of countless scientific advances and new product launches, the cosmetics industry is so crowded that brands jostle for our attention by enticing us with limited editions (a solution that can frustrate as much as excite when you can no longer get hold of a favoured “for three months only!” product).

ESTEE LAUDER
Signature Product Advanced Night Repair Protective Recovery Complex. Launched in 1982, it is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.More than 1.3m bottles are sold globally each year and the formula has been updated over time.
Price: £32.
Bestseller Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Make-up SPF10. This is a long-lasting, lightweight foundation that provides up to 15 hours of coverage. Launched in 1997, more than 466,000 bottles a year are sold.
Price: £22.50.

Most overlooked Youth Dew perfume, introduced in 1953 and recently relaunched by Tom Ford under a new name, Youth Dew Amber Nude .
Price: £35 for 30ml.
www.esteelauder.com

ELIZABETH ARDEN
Signature product Eight Hour Cream, which was launched in the 1930s and originally used to heal the legs of Arden's beloved racehorses. When she discovered that it also helped moisturise and smooth the hands of the horse's grooms, she went to work refining it for customers' use. Nowadays, one tube is sold every 30 seconds worldwide.
Price: £20.

Bestseller Ceramide Plump Perfect Moisturiser with SPF15. Price: £42.
Most overlooked Ceramide Ultra Restorative Capsules, an anti-wrinkle cream with “plumping benefits”. First sold in 1991, these capsules are meant to promote a firmer appearance of the skin.
Price: £25.
www.elizabetharden.com

AVEDA
Signature product The first product to be launched by Aveda was Clove Shampoo (£21). Nowadays, its Damage Remedy Intensive Treatment – which contains natural, plant-based ingredients that strengthen hair – has become equally synonymous with the brand.
Price: £19.

Bestseller Shampure shampoo and conditioner. These complementary products were launched in 1989 .
Price: £9.50 and £10.50.
Most overlooked Pure Abundance Hair Potion, relaunched and reformulated in June 2006, a dry shampoo.
Price: £16.50.
www.aveda.com

BOBBI BROWN
Signature product Her Eye Brightener, for under-eye coverage, £21, and Creamy Concealer, £15, which is packed full of vitamins,helps counteract dark circles under the eyes
Bestseller Shimmer Brick compact in bronze – a brush-on powder that gives a sun-kissed glow. So popular, it is rarely in stock.
Price: £27.
Most overlooked Long-wear eyeliner – a gel with the precision of a liquid.
Price: £13.50.
www.bobbibrown.com

BENEFIT
Signature product Lip Plump is one of the company's original products. It produces32 tubes a minute.
Price: £14.50.
Bestseller A lash-lengthening, eye-widening weapon for eyes, Badgal mascara sells 500,000 units a year worldwide .
Price: £14.50.
Most overlooked The new California Kissin' lipgloss has an aqua-blue sheen to make teeth appear whiter, while freshening breath.
Price: £12.50.
www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk. Stockists: tel: +44 0808-238 0230

CLINIQUE
Signature product Dramatically Different Moisturiser is the final step in the brand's renowned Three-Step skincare regimen and is set to celebrate its 40th birthday next year.
Price: £15
Bestseller Dramatically Different Moisturiser, and the new Anti-blemish Solutions Clearing Moisturiser, £15.
Most overlooked Launched 30 years ago, the Aromatics Elixir remains a bestselling fragrance.
Price: £17 for 10ml
www.clinique.com

DIOR
Signature product Rouge Dior Replenishing Lip Colour.The original Rouge Dior was launched in 1955 and relaunched in August 2006.
Price: £16.50.
Bestsellers Rouge Dior sells 3m units worldwide a year, as does Diorshow Mascara.
Price: £18.50.
Most overlooked L'Or de Vie skincare. After the first days of using L'Or de Vie, wrinkles and fine lines are apparently reduced.
Price: L'Or de Vie Extrait, £250; L'Or de Vie Crème, £230.
www.dior.com

LANCOME
Singature product Mascaras – all of them. Hypnose, launched in July 2004, is the bestselling one
Price: £18.50.
Bestseller Bi-Facil Non Oily Cleanser for face and lashes. About 20 an hour are sold in the UK.
Price: £17.50.
Most overlooked The other bestseller, Teint Idole Ultra, is a long-lasting liquid foundation that is still successful two years after its launch.
Price: £25.50.
www.lancome.com

MAC
Signature product Strobe Cream. Launched in 2000, this mix-in cream can be added to moisturiser or foundation to give a subtle glow. It is much favoured by make-up artists.
Price: £19.50.
Bestseller The Spice Lip Line Pencil. Created in 1998, this quickly became a supermodel staple; it sells more than 25,000 per year.
Price: £9
Most overlooked Other top sellers are the Eye Kohl, in Smoulder..
Price: £11.
www.maccosmetics.com]

NARS
Signature product Nars The Multiple. The cream-to-powder formulation, launched in 1995, is a cream stick used as a blusher or highlighter, as well as on eyes and lips.
Price: £27.
Bestseller Since its introduction in 1999, Nars Orgasm Blush has reached cult status for its subtle, shimmering colour that complements every skin tone.
Price: £18.50
Most overlooked Nars Body Glow has a rich, chocolate shimmer and vanilla essence that gives the skin a natural glow and sultry scent.
Price: £43.

YSL
Signature product Touche Eclat. Launched in 1992, this under-eye concealer was quickly hailed as a make-up essential. One is sold every 20 seconds worldwide.
Price: £22.50.
Bestseller Touche Eclat.
Most overlooked Perfect Touch brush foundation, launched this year.
Price: £28.

RIMMEL LONDON
Signature product Hide the Blemish concealer. Launched in 1967, this has become a cult product, with one being sold every 30 seconds.
Price: £3.69.
Bestseller Soft Kohl Eyeliner in black, championed by Kate Moss (and, apparently, not just because she's paid to do so as the face of Rimmel since 2001).
Price: £2.99.
Most overlooked Colour Mousse Eye Shadow. Even though these products are not advertised, their smooth texture ensures they sell well.
Price: £5.49.
www.rimmellondon.com

CREME DE LA MER
Signature product The renowned moisturiser was launched in October 2000 exclusively to Harrods but now can be bought elsewhere. It is still the number one selling beauty brand in Harrods.
Price: £160/60ml.
Bestseller As above.
Most overlooked The company's Cleansing Fluid, made with sea salt, pearl powders and sea algae essences to deeply cleanse and nourish the skin.
Price: £50 for 200ml.

CLARINS
Signature product Clarins Beauty Flash Balm.
Price: £24.
Bestsellers Beauty Flash Balm, and Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream, £16.
Most overlooked Contouring Facial Lift, £33, and Energising Leg Emulsion, £20, to encourage lymph drainage and soothe tired legs.