20 Beauty Buys Under £20

20 Beauty Buys Under £20

From a popular new skin tint, to clever tools and hard-working beauty staples, we’ve rounded up the 20 best buys under £20 this month…

Kopari Natural Aluminium-Free Gardenia Deodorant, £12 

Good ‘natural’ deodorants are hard to come by, which is why we were thrilled to find this one from Kopari really works. Formulated with 100% plant-based ingredients, it’s gentle, while still being potent enough to ward off any bacteria that causes unwanted odours. A blend of coconut water, sage oil and amino acids hydrate too, so skin under your arms stays hydrated throughout the day. The best bit? The uplifting holiday scent (it’s coconut based) actually goes the distance – you’ll still be able to smell it on your skin come 4pm.

Available at Revolve.com

Kitsch Microfiber Make-Up Towels, £18

It’s no secret make-up towels and reusable cloths are one of the easiest ways to make your beauty routine more sustainable. We love these ones from Kitsch. Incredibly soft, they absorb every little bit of dirt and grime without ever being too abrasive or harsh. There’s something quite slick and stylish about them, too. Use them with water or your skincare products to give your complexion a thorough cleanse. The towels will last at least three years, plus, unlike others the market, they don’t require you to keep going over the skin to get rid of stubborn traces of make-up.

Available at BeautyBay.com

NYX Bare With Me Luminous Tinted Skin Serum, £13

Tapping into the ‘skin-minimalism’ trend, this new, silky base from NYX is perfect for the warmer months ahead. Bridging the gap between a serum and a medium-coverage foundation, it has a sheer texture that’s breathable, with a self-adapting colour, too. A little goes a long way – all you need is three to five drops. Apply it with a buffing brush for best results as this will allow you to push the formula right into the skin for a healthy, dewy glow. The secret ingredient (tremella mushroom) works to hydrate and boost radiance throughout the day, warding off any dullness or grey residue that might sit on the skin with thicker foundations.

Available at LookFantastic.com

Kosas Air Brow Clear Lifting Treatment Gel, £19

We’re yet to come across a Kosas launch we don’t love, and their latest brow gel is no exception. Not only does it keep wayward hairs in place with a glossy, laminated finish, it also uses biodegradable plant-based fibres to boost and stimulate growth. The results won’t be instant, but with regular use, you’ll start to see more hair coming through. As there’s no alcohol in this formula – just hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 – you’ll find there’s zero stickiness either. Expect a fluffy, full effect that doesn’t feel crispy or flake off. 

Available at Revolve.com

Make-Up Artist Academy Flat Top Buffer Brush, £8.25

If you’ve never tried Make-Up Artist Academy Tools, we recommend you add them to your wish-list pronto. Utilising the best quality bristles, they offer a seamless blend every single time. Our newest find is this Flat Top Buffer Brush. The densely packed bristles latch onto product and glide over the skin for a flawless finish. Use it with creams, liquids and powders. We love it with liquid foundations, as it helps the formula melt into the skin for a smoother-looking complexion.

Available at BeautyBay.com

No7 Hyaluronic Acid & Camellia Oil Capsules, £20

Single-dose skincare capsules are seriously popular right now. Using buzz-worthy ingredients – like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C – their ability to preserve their own potency helps deliver optimum results over time. No7 have now launched their own version, and our favourites are the Hyaluronic Acid & Camellia Oil capsules. Designed to keep skin hydrated and plump, they work hard to keep dryness and tightness at bay. The fatty acids in the camellia oil help maintain skin’s moisture long after they’ve been applied to the skin, too. You’ll see smoother, more even-looking results after just a few uses, and don’t forget to check out their vitamin C and E capsules if you want a brightening boost.

Available at Boots.com

SAIE Dew Blush, £20

Cult brand Saie are expanding their concise range with a glow-giving blush, and we can confirm it lives up to the hype. Creamy and dew-boosting, it has a watery, gel-like texture that’s not only easy to apply, but weightless and hydrating, too. Tap it onto the skin with your fingers for a subtle look, or layer it on with a brush for a more intense wash of colour. The shades are unbeatable, too – from fresh pinks to deeper reds, there’s a colour for every skin tone, with each one guaranteed to add a youthful warmth to your complexion. Bonus points for the skin-loving ingredients – think evening primrose and elderberry which brighten and hydrate.

Available at CultBeauty.com

Versed Acne-Calming Cream Cleanser, £15.50

Suffering with random breakouts? Ditch your usual cleanser and try this one from Versed. With 1.5% salicylic acid and exfoliating apple fruit extract, it gently unclogs blocked pores, getting rid of dirt and a build-up of bacteria as you massage it in. While this combo might sound quite astringent, the apple fruit is the opposite. It actually balances out the drying effects of salicylic acid, too, thanks to its moisturising and calming qualities. A must-try for anyone suffering with inflammation, or those wanting to calm angry, red spots. The lack of silicones means your pores won’t get clogged back up again either. Expect skin to feel smoother and look more refined after just a few uses. 

Available at CultBeauty.com

Typology Nourishing Body Scrub, £19.60

If you suffer with sensitivities but still want to give your limbs a good exfoliation, try Typology’s newest scrub. With small – but effective – buffing beads, it unclogs blocked hair follicles and swiftly removes dead skin, while also hydrating with sweet almond oil. It’s great for KP (keratosis pilaris – aka chicken skin) but also ingrown hairs and uneven tone. You’ll find skin is far smoother and suppler post-use. Try using it on dry skin, starting from the ankles upwards, then slough the excess formula off in either your bath or shower. The eco-friendly packaging means no throwaway guilt either – just tip this into your normal recycling when you’ve finished.

Available at Typology.com

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& Other Stories Bryggeriet Scented Candle, £17

We love these new candles from & Other Stories. Pared-back and chic, they’ll add style to any bathroom shelf, while the potent fragrances linger for hours – long after you’ve blown them out. This scent ‘Bryggeriet’ is our favourite. With woody, spicy notes, it’s masculine but with a feminine element too that’s incredibly clean and uplifting, thanks to lavender and white suede. The ceramic jars only add to the luxury, too.

Available at Stories.com

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The Body Shop Eau de Toilette White Musk, £16

The Body Shop’s iconic White Musk may not be brand-new, but the clever packaging is. Now completely recyclable, it’s had a revamp so you can feel less guilty when it comes to throwing yours away. You can still expect the same nostalgic scent, though, with layers of jasmine, other florals and of course, cruelty-free musk. Look out for their new, affordable Fragrance Toppers, too, which work beautifully on their own, or layered on top of ‘Musk’ for extra depth and potency. Hydrating birch, organic sea buckthorn and soothing organic chamomile combine in a silky soft texture that’s not sticky or greasy, just a pleasure to apply. We love that each tube is fully recyclable, too. A great gift for you or a friend.

Available at TheBodyShop.com

Babyliss Diamond Detangle Brush, £9.99

Babyliss do some of the best high-street hair tools, including this detangling brush. With soft bristles and nodules, it gently breaks down knots and tangles without ever snagging the hair. The longer handle makes it easy to style with, too – think holding the hair taut and steady as you blow-dry it. Great for all hair types, but especially those prone to frizziness or anyone with fine hair that tangles easily.

Available at LookFantastic.com

Bjork & Berries White Forest Hand Cream, €15.95

Hand creams just got that bit more exciting thanks to Swedish brand, Bjork & Berries. Not only are the three fragrances second to none – think clean, uplifting and totally unique – the formulas are brimming with moisture to get rid of ragged, dry hands and cuticles. Great for your handbag and on-the-go, the recyclable tubes are an added bonus. 

Available at BjorkAndBerries.com

Centred Altered State Solid Shampoo Bar, £20

If you’re on a mission to cut down on plastic and make your routine more sustainable, give this solid shampoo bar a go. Combining form and function, it is brimming with flower water, aloe vera, caffeine and apricot kernel oil, so you still get a satisfying lather, as well as a thorough cleanse that gently exfoliates, too. It takes a while to get used to, but you’ll be pleased with how smooth and clean your hair feels after using it. Expect your scalp to feel calmer and less irritated.

Available at CultBeauty.com

Collection Multi-Use Balm, £3.99

Everyone needs a good multi-use balm – even more so when it costs less than £5, like this new formula from Collection Cosmetics. Created with vitamin E and sunflower seed oil, it locks in moisture where needed – think dry lips, cuticles, elbows, and flaky patches of skin – while lending a glossy sheen, too. Use a small amount with a spoolie brush to tame or smooth wayward brows. We love applying a dab on top of eyeshadow for a wet-look finish.

Available at Superdrug.com

Diego Dalla Palma Green Ballet Eyeliner in Forest Green, £14.50

Coloured eyeliner is having a moment in 2021, and you don’t always have to use bright, vibrant shades to nail the trend. Cue this one from Diego Dalla Palma which is a rich, smokey green. It has a hint of metallic to it that catches the light well, but it’s the tone we love. Eye-enhancing and warm, it’s subtle yet still impactful – ideal for those who want something different, without going overboard. Plus, the tiny, fine nib makes application seamless – even for liner novices.

Available At LookFantastic.com

Dots For Spots Acne Patches, £6

If you get the odd spot but not full-blown breakouts, these clever pimple patches are worth a try. Affordable – but still effective – they’re sealed with hydrocolloid, which promotes faster healing without drying out your skin. While they won’t get rid of spots entirely overnight, they will take down redness and inflammation at speed. What’s more, they’re thin and transparent, so you can get away with wearing during the day. They also seal the spot, preventing you from scratching and making the problem worse.

Available at UrbanOutfitters.com

Erborian Red Pepper Pulp, £19

Dubbed ‘an energising recharge’ for your skin, this popular gel-crème is seriously hydrating – not to mention soothing, too. It’s full of calming niacinamide, as well as liquorice root extract, which is proven to boost dullness. A little goes a long way, so go easy with the application, but you’ll find it sinks in fast, boosts moisture and leaves your complexion feeling bouncier and plumper. As the texture is quite thin, it sits well underneath your make-up, too. A must-try for spring and summer – you’ll love how lightweight it is.

Available at Erborian.com

Kester Black Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover, £15

Kester Black is the nail care brand to have on your radar. Vegan and cruelty-free, their formulas don’t contain any unnecessary ingredients, so they never strip the nail of its natural essential oils. The same goes for their cult remover, which has proven hugely popular since its launch. Laced with almond and jojoba oils, it boosts hydration, leaving nails looking and feeling far healthier. Unlike other polish removers, you’ll find nails feel stronger, too – think of it as a remover and nourishing oil in one. We love that all the packaging is completely recyclable, too.

Available at LibertyLondon.com

Kiko Mood Boost 3-In-1 Mascara, £12.99

We all need a good, affordable mascara, and right now we’re loving Kiko’s latest launch. Double-ended, it allows you to create either a subtle, daytime look (think freshly tinted lashes), or a full-fat voluminous effect, thanks to the wider brush on the other side. The jet-black formula looks expensive, too and belies its affordable price tag, while the tiny fibres latch onto lashes for a fuller-looking finish. Expect minimal smudging, as well – this locks into place without sliding around come 4pm. 

Available at KikoCosmetics.com

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