Maria Kumar
Beauty and Grooming Testing Manager
Maria is our Beauty and Grooming Testing Manager, and since joining in mid-2022, she has managed the testing for mutiple categories including scalp scrubs, collagen supplements and retinol serums. In addition to her master's degree in chemical engineering and a diploma in cosmetic science, she recently received her MBA from the London College of Fashion, focusing on case studies within the beauty industry. Prior to joining the company, she worked within the global technical team at the Estee Lauder Companies for over six years, collaborating with the chemists and engineers to launch luxury beauty products at scale and to quality. She has also worked as a formulation scientist within the pharmaceutical industry and takes this evidence based approach into all her product testing.
The best products for smoothing frizzy hair, according to over 240 women
If you're off on a humid holiday this summer, these formulas deserve a spot in your suitcase
The best neck creams that genuinely soften and tighten skin, according to 150 testers
“My neck was so smooth and plumped!”
Fix patchy tans fast: The best fake tan removers that actually work
Shed your streaky skin with a fake tan remover
17 best LED face masks for firmer, glowing skin, tested on 170 people
“After the second use my skin feels more youthful, less saggy, less red and more evenly toned”
7 best facial cleansing brushes for declogging pores, starting from £30
These clever tools passed our tests, according to 195 panellists
The best shampoo, conditioners and treatments to reduce menopausal hair loss
The GHI recruited 570 perimenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal women to put them to the test
9 best scalp scrubs for thicker, healthier hair
Fed up with your itchy scalp, dandruff and thinning? Look no further than our expert-tested treatments
13 best body groomers for men, tried and tested
Tackle unwanted body hair with these trimmers
6 best razor subscription services for fuss-free shaving, tested on 165 people
You'll never use a blunt razor again
The best sulphate-free shampoos for a gentler clean, tested by 510 women
Keep your hair clean without this harsh chemical
9 best moisturisers for sensitive skin, starting from just £5
Slather on these tried-and-tested lotions and creams to keep skin calm this summer
We asked 266 panellists to test the best body moisturisers on the market
Here’s what they thought (spoiler: you may not have heard of our winner)
11 best curling wands, tongs and wavers for 2025, tested by over 100 women
Find out which hair tools our testers loved...
The best travel hair dryers for your 2025 holiday, tested by 60 panellists
The most lightweight and compact dryers to take on your travels, according to our experts
The best blue shampoos for eliminating brassiness in brown hair
“I’ve had more compliments than ever since using this shampoo.”
9 best hair growth serums for fuller, healthier-looking hair
Hair line looking a little worse for wear? These serums can help restore locks to their former glory
6 best epilators for easy at-home hair removal in 2025
Psst...some of these tried and tested tools are over £150 off right now
The best fake tans for a summer glow, tried and tested by 250 women
Sunshine in a bottle
The best blackhead removers and pore vacuums, tested on 65 congested noses
“This completely cleared my pores and minimised their appearance”
‘I’ve tried dozens of LED masks and Shark's £300 CryoGlow Mask is the only one I’ll use now’
Our beauty team have been trialling it for over a month and we’re seriously impressed
The best hair repair treatments for stronger, shinier hair, according to 200 women
Revive damaged hair with our panel and lab-tested bond-builders
Best glycolic and lactic acid toners to boost radiance and smooth skin
The best glow-boosting toners to add to your skincare routine
The best nail strengtheners to repair and protect against breakage
For when tapping them against the table all day isn't quite doing the trick...
14 best period pants and reusable pads, tested by 350 women
These sustainable sanitary products provide hours of protection and comfort
33 best Amazon Prime beauty deals to shop before the sale ends at midnight
Tried and tested favourites, including ghd, Medik8 and Colour Wow
The GHI guide to the best hair removal products for epilating, shaving and IPL
Whichever method you choose, the GHI has got the best tool for the job
9 best travel electricals, from hair dryers to electric toothbrushes
The must have tools for travellers, tried and tested
Can this LED helmet really help your hair grow?
CurrentBody claims its LED Hair Regrowth Device generates 126% more growth than topical, laser and supplement treatments alone. The GHI investigates…
9 best hair growth supplements, expert tested
Unhealthy or thinning hair? These vitamins can help replenish your locks
10 best shampoos and conditioners for curly hair, tested on 160 women
Keep your curls soft and bouncy with these curl-specific sets
9 best vitamin C serums for glowing skin, according to 270 women
Is the moody weather dulling your sparkle? Introducing the best vitamin C serums you can buy, expert tested
6 best nail supplements that actually work, tested by 130 people
Suffering from dry, brittle nails? Bid farewell to the flake with these tried and tested nail vitamins