£10.2bn for smelling nice

Brits are forking out a collective £10.2 billion on beauty products every year, claims a new survey.

And it isn't just women who are guilty of making purchases to aid their image, men were also found to be spending money on toiletries.

Churchill Home Insurance points out that these items usually amount to an expensive beauty collection, and advises homeowners not to underestimate the value of their house's contents.

Churchill's head of Home Insurance, Martin Scott, said: " Homeowners should regularly check the replacement value of their belongings to ensure they have adequate insurance cover, which helps in the event of a claim."

One in five women revealed they spent £50 or more on anti-aging cream, and own more than ten bottles of perfume.

A quarter of men, on the other hand, admit to splurging on expensive products that are normally used by women.