What is it about beauty ads on tv these days? Do advertisers really think I am going to buy their products simply because they use a few technical-looking illustrations and sophisticated-sounding scientific terminology (or pseudo-scientific babble-ology!)? I mean, do I look that stupid? Or that desperate?

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Nor am I impressed by many advertisers' array of supposed beauty experts, make-up artists or top hair stylists prepared to vouch for their treatments. I'm sure I'd be willing to endorse just about anything, if I was being paid a handsome sum to do so!

No, when it comes to choosing cosmetics or hair products, I'm far more likely to go for something I know actually works; that is something I've tried myself, has been recommended by friends, or, at a push, successfully tested out on genuine television programmes or in women's magazine articles.

So please don't insult my intelligence with fancy phraseology, trendy packaging, promises of cosmetics that completely stop ageing or other expensive gimmicks that might look neat but don't actually do anything new. The only thing I'm interested in is beauty products that are reasonably priced and really do work!