20 Beauty Buys Under £20
Bamboo Short-Handle Bath Brush, $19 | Baudelaire
There are plenty of great body brushes around, but we like this one from Baudelaire right now. With a long handle and rounded head, it allows you to cover a wide surface area, while the bristles don’t cause too much inflammation. Use it two to three times a week to boost sluggish circulation and keep skin free of any bumps or ingrown hairs.
Available at Baudelaire.com
Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss, £20 | Lisa Eldridge
Forget sticky, traditional lip glosses – these new ones from Lisa Eldridge are full of softening oils and butters to make them extra nourishing. They immediately alleviate any feelings of dry, tight skin, while the sheer colours softly plump lips, leaving behind a wash of colour that lasts for hours. We love the flattering red of ‘Dragon’, while ‘Affair’ is a suits-all neutral that’s great for daytime.
Available at LisaEldridge.com
Perfect Heels Rescue Balm, £16 | This Works
This thick, velvety balm makes light work of dry, cracked heels thanks to a potent blend of botanical oils and flower extracts. The latter work together to seep into your skin’s barrier, providing it with long-lasting hydration. We recommend slathering on a generous layer then putting your feet into bed socks, letting it absorb as you sleep for softer, smoother feet come morning. Even if your heels aren’t too dry, this is a real treat and makes your feet feel lighter somehow.
Available at ThisWorks.com
Build-A-Brow, £12.99 | Maybelline
If you’ve never tried a brow pen before, we recommend trying this one from Maybelline. Not only is it more affordable than others on the market, it has a brilliant, buildable texture that doesn’t budge or transfer. It’s quite wet, so you have time to work with it to fill in any sparse areas. The pen also has a flexible micro-brush tip that lets you go lightly for the best results. You’ll find a gel with a spoolie brush the other side to seal in your colour, and keep your brows slick and in place all day long.
Available at Boots.com
The Crown Scalp Scrub, £14 | Arkive
Scalp scrubs are everywhere these days and, while some can be aggravating and harsh, this one from Arkive won’t cause any irritation. A blend of gentle oils and fruit enzymes breaks down dirt and dissolves build-up on your scalp, freeing blocked hair follicles to promote better growth. Once you’ve rinsed it out, you’ll find hair has better bounce and shine. We love the added menthol for a satisfying, cooling tingle.
Available at Boots.com
Pro Eyelash Curler, £5 | E.l.f.
With a padded cushion built in, these lash curlers allow you to get right up close to the lash line without any tugging. They’re also perfectly curved to help you hug the contour of your eye. Tilt your head back slightly, look down into a desktop mirror – this helps you get the curlers right down to the root of your lashes for maximum impact – then pump slowly two or three times to get a full, smooth and even curl.
Available ElfCosmetics.co.uk
Serum In Concealer, £17.50 | Lumene
There’s no miracle cure for dull, lacklustre skin, but this serum-concealer hybrid can certainly help. Full of vitamin E and hydrating Nordic willowherb, it floods skin with moisture, boosting glow and smoothing uneven tone for a more refined appearance. The texture is sheer but breathable, offering just enough coverage without feeling cake-y or heavy. It’s particularly good for brightening up the under-eye area.
Available at UK.Lumene.com
Stellar Love 2 In1 Eyeshadow & Eyepencil, £10.99 | Kiko
These double-ended liners from Kiko house a pencil on one end and a crayon at the other. A great option for eyeliner novices, they eliminate all the guesswork with an easy-to-blend formula and pretty, wearable tones that last for hours. Buff the colour out with your fingers or a brush – there are several to choose from and each one offers something a bit different.
Available at KikoCosmetics.com
2-In-1 Cleanser and Shave Gel, £6.67 (was £10) | Gillette
This effective two-in-one gel from Gillette guarantees a smooth shave every time. If, like us, you normally just use a wash or a conditioner, you may think it’s unnecessary, but trust us, it makes all the difference. It’s a gel too, which means it doesn’t clog up your razor blades. It also provides a cooling sensation as you go, tackling any irritation you might get from shaving.
Available at Boots.com
Bright Reveal Dark Spot UV Fluid SPF 50+ Niacinamide, £19.99 | L'Oréal
L’Oréal is often ahead of the curve when it comes to SPF and its newest one has hit the mark again. Full of niacinamide and vitamin E, its silky formula tackles and reduces dark spots, while exfoliating dead skin cells to prevent dullness. Add to that factor 50 UVA and UVB protection, and you have a brilliant anti-ageing essential. Lightweight, it suits all skin types and blends nicely with an invisible, non-greasy finish that doesn’t interfere with make-up.
Available at Boots.com
RADIAL Brush 2, £19 | MD London
Experts will tell you that, when blow-drying your hair, you should use a spiral brush to lift it at the roots and create extra volume throughout. This is one of the best we’ve tried in a while – the bristles don’t snag or pull, and the brush has little vents that allow warm air to flow beneath the brush as you style. Easy to manoeuvre, the long handle helps you work fast with a good grip.
Available at HarveyNichols.com
Dew Blush, £20 | Saie
These new blushers have the kind of satiny texture we love. You only need the smallest amount – the colours are very pigmented – to brighten up your cheeks and give them a bit life. Brushes work well, but you’ll find tapping them on with your fingers helps the product melt into the skin for a well-blended finish. Our favourite shade is ‘Rosy,’ a soft peach that fakes a healthy glow, while ‘Spicy’ has darker undertones that are great for softly sculpting skin.
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk
Sun & Done Smooth-Gliding Bronzer Stick, £12 | Morphe
Containing zero shimmer, this buttery stick is designed to sculpt and define the skin. Oil free, it offers a long-wear finish and is available in several shades so there’s something for all skin tones. Ideal for those who are afraid of getting bronzer wrong, the sheer texture is easy to build up. Glide it over bare skin or over the top of foundation to add shape and volume to the hollows of your cheeks, along your jawline and any other areas you want a bit of warmth. Neat and compact, it’s great for on the go.
Available at Uk.Morphe.com
Cuticle Oil, £12.50 | Townhouse
Our favourite nail bar Townhouse has launched its own collection of affordable products. The line-up is concise, with just a handful of essentials, and it’s the Cuticle Oil we love most. It contains squalene, sunflower oil and exfoliating bakuchiol to keep skin soft and hangnails at bay. Use it daily to prolong the life of any manicure. Vegan, cruelty free and recyclable, it’s ideal for keeping by your bed for regular use.
Available at ShopTownhouse.co.uk
Essential Moisture Day Cream, £9.95 | No7
This is for those in need of a reliable day cream. Doing exactly what it promises, it contains vitamins E and F to strengthen skin over time, while also providing a hefty dose of hydration. Dermatologically tested, it suits all skin types, while the fragrance-free formula never causes any irritation. We love that the nourishing, whipped texture makes it feel far more expensive than it is.
Available at Boots.com
Rice Pure Clay Mask To Foam Cleanser, £16 | Thank You Farmer
Combining the benefits of both a mask and a cleanser, this multipurpose buy from Thank You Farmer is a game-changer for anyone looking to streamline their routine. It breaks down even the most stubborn, waterproof formulas thanks to the creamy texture that latches onto everything, while oat shells and quinoa seeds gently exfoliate at the same time. There’s centella asiatica inside too, which is proven to reduce redness and boost skin’s moisture levels. Afterwards, you’ll find your complexion feels squeaky clean, as well as soft and smooth to the touch.
Available at ThankYouFarmer.co.uk
Lip Liner, £19 | Sweed Beauty
If you’re after a creamy, smooth lip liner, we recommend these ones from Sweed. Easy to work with, they make sculpting and defining lips a doddle thanks to in-built jojoba seed oils that keep hydration locked in. Extra points go to the brush, which you’ll find on the other side – it’s ideal for buffing out the colour for a more natural-looking finish.
Available at SweedBeauty.com
BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2%, £19 | Naturium
Skin looking and feeling a bit lacklustre? This BHA exfoliant helps to lift away dead skin cells for a fresher glow. You only need to use it once or twice a week to see results – expect fewer bumps, blackheads and more even tone overall. Unlike some exfoliators, it’s incredibly gentle, with salicylic acid and bioactive fruit acids that never cause any irritation. It isn’t sticky or greasy either, so you’ll find it plays well with your other products.
Available at SpaceNK.com
Body Firmeza Massage Tool, $20 | Sol De Janiero
Designed to ‘scrape’ away dead skin cells, as well as massage skin for better blood flow, this tool takes a multi-pronged approach. Use it right after you’ve taken a hot bath or shower while skin is still damp, so you can get a smooth glide. Use a moderate pressure and gently move the tool across your skin in upward motions – as if you were shaving your legs. Doing this regularly will boost your lymph drainage and stimulate your muscles, getting rid of tension and any tightness.
Available at SolDeJaneiro.com
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