20 Beauty Buys We Love Under £20
Bardot Lift & Volume Spray (50ml), £20
Cool, new haircare brand Bardot doesn’t disappoint – especially with this volume-boosting spray. It gives hair that salty, beachy texture we all crave. No dryness or sticky residue, just a nice, full bounce. Suitable for all hair types, mist it through damp strands, then blast them with a hairdryer for the best results. You’ll love the tousled, twisty effect it gives. We also recommend Bardot’s impressive shampoos and conditioners.
Available at Houseoffraser.co.uk
BareMinerals Mineralist Lip Gloss Balms, £20
Lip glosses have come a long way in the last few years. With slicker textures and formulations, they do so much more than plump. Take BareMinerals’ latest launch: designed to add shine, lustre and glow, it delivers all the traditional benefits of a gloss with the added feel – and hydration – of a balm. Cold-pressed fruit oils work to nourish and smooth, as well as boost the longevity of your colour. The best bit? Results are in to prove it works – tests showed it delivers up to 50% smoother lips in just one week.
Available at Boots.com
& Other Stories Perle de Cocoa Glow Body Lotion, £11
If you want your body to have a real, reflective gleam, look to this body lotion from & Other Stories. Its silky texture readily absorbs into the skin, while the glossy texture gives limbs unbeatable luminosity – as well as hydration. Ideal if you’ve not had the time for fake tan, it scores extra points for the delicate, holiday smell of coconut, warm vanilla and caramel.
Available at &Otherstories.com
Fenty Beauty Bright Fix Eye Brightener, £18
Like all of Rihanna’s products, this squeezy Eye Brightener delivers multiple benefits. Whether you want to add luminosity, colour correct or smooth, this will help in one quick sweep. With a thin, lightweight texture, it’s similar to YSL’s cult Touche Éclat, only with more coverage. It completely hides dark circles, but also general imperfections that may bother you. Brimming with jojoba oil, it hydrates too, so you never have to worry about clogging up pores in this delicate area. Available in 16 shades.
Available at Boots.com
Pixi EyeLift Max, £12
Easy to use, these long-wear shadows can be built upon and mixed at will for a soft-focus, 3D effect. Pigment-dense but blendable, start with a simple sweep across your lids, then keep playing to suit your needs. We love the Sunset shade for its warm, champagne tones that catch the light beautifully and suit all skin tones.
Available at Cultbeauty.co.uk
Frank Body AHA Exfoliating Scalp Serum, £16.95
Healthy scalp = healthier hair, which is why Frank Body launched this new serum. Brimming with exfoliating AHAs, it has a water-based formula that gently breaks down dirt, product build-up and flakes to boost stronger, glossier strands. It’s full of prebiotics, which work to balance out the skin on your scalp. A must-try if your hair is looking or feeling out of whack as a result of harsh, dry water or products. Squeeze it into your parting, massage it in, then leave for 10 minutes before rinsing. You can also leave it on all-day if you want a longer, more nourishing treatment.
Available at Cultbeauty.co.uk
Gaiam Cold Therapy Massage Roller, $9.98
With ‘cold gel technology’ this clever roller stays icy for 20 minutes and the feel of it is so satisfying. Designed to ease tension and get right down deep into your muscles – both on the face and body – it glides effortlessly for some instant relief. Use it as is, or pop it in the freezer for extra cooling benefits and to further stimulate blood flow. Focus on areas that feel tender, rolling the tool over each area for 30-45 seconds using upward strokes.
Available at Gaiam.com
Hair Gain Nourishing Miracle Treatment Mask, £14.50
From a brand that’s beloved for its hair-growth vitamins comes this nourishing, softening mask. Utilising organic pea shoots and exclusive ‘AnaGain’ technology, the formula works to strengthen strands, while making them visibly more vibrant and shiny. Don’t be put off by the green texture – as you massage it into your hair, it absorbs fast and doesn’t stand out, or interfere with your existing colour. Leave it on for 10 minutes, then wash out as you would a normal conditioner. Over time, regular use will help to keep humidity at bay, as well as split ends and colour fade. Another benefit? The squeezy tube is completely recyclable.
Available at Cultbeauty.co.uk
Kiko Dolce Diva Glam Cushion Highlighter, £9.09 (was £12.99)
A great dupe for Charlotte Tilbury’s Beauty Light Wands, this brand-new launch from Kiko offers a similar gleam with the perfect amount of shimmer. You can use it everywhere: over your cheekbones, just above your cupid’s bow, and on your eyelids. A little goes a long way, so start small then gradually build. As the texture is so silky, it’s easy to blend and smooth out across your skin. We recommend applying it pre-foundation – you’ll find the soft sheen breathes through beautifully.
Available at Kikocosmetics.com
Kitsch Eco Friendly Adjustable Headbands, £13
A good headband is a crucial part of any beauty regime. We love these new ones from Kitsch which push all hair back from the face, without ever tugging or feeling too harsh, thanks to the breathable cotton they’re made from. Use to secure your hair from your face while you sleep, cleanse or even work. Extra points for the adjustable size that makes for a comfortable fit.
Available at Cultbeauty.co.uk
Kosas Brow Pop Dual-Action Defining Pencil, £21
We love this easy-to-use pencil which is brimming with castor oil for extra nourishment. Designed to fill in sparse brows and create hair-like strokes quickly, the creamy texture is far more seamless than other brow liners we’ve tried. That said, it sets fast, so you’ll need to work quickly, but it’s brilliant for a budge-proof finish. Use it in deft, upward strokes to create your brow shape. Always focus on the sparsest areas first – this will prevent your brows from looking overdrawn. Go lightly, using feather-like strokes towards the tail of your brows.
Available at Kosas.com
Lime Crime Glow Softwear Blush, £22
If you love a cream blush, but get fed up with it disappearing upon application, try this one from Lime Crime. A malleable, velvety texture, it quickly dries down as a powder with no budging. It’s smooth, soft and easy to layer up – either with a damp sponge or your fingers. The variety of colours available mean there’s something for every skin tone and preference. We love Flash Drive for its suits-all, peachy undertones, while the subtle levels of shimmer inside catch the light well and give a reflective sheen.
Available at Selfridges.com
Mario Badescu Super Collagen Mask, £16
We don’t buy into ‘collagen boosting’ fads, but this satisfyingly rich mask has turned our heads. While it doesn’t physically enhance your own collagen, it certainly works to firm and tone your skin, thanks to its pore-shrinking benefits. After just one use, you’ll feel your skin is much smoother and more refined in its appearance – you only need a thin layer left on for 20 minutes max. It’s ideal to use pre-make-up as everything adheres more smoothly post-use. Don’t worry if you suffer with sensitivities – the added azulene and oatmeal keeps inflammation at bay. Use at least twice a week to see the best results.
Available at Beautybay.com
Milani All Inclusive Eye, Cheek & Face Palette, £15.95-£20
We love this brand for its affordable offerings. The All-Inclusive palette is a must-try – especially if you want to streamline your make-up bag and have everything to hand easily. With seven different shades, there’s an eyeshadow, blusher, highlighter and bronzer to help you create everyday looks at speed. Each one is a powder texture, with pigments that are rich, long-lasting and smooth to apply. There is some subtle shimmer, but it’s kept to the minimum for a soft-focus effect. A great gift for yourself or a friend.
Available at Beautybay.com
Patyka Detox Cleansing Foam, €15.90
Gentle cleansers don’t get much better than this. Full of soothing aloe vera, it foams up on your skin – pulling and grabbing every ounce of dirt – without ever causing any inflammation or stripping feelings. The added organic moringa works to unclog dirt trapped in your skin, while the sulfate-free formula maintains moisture and keeps skin soft and supple as you cleanse. Great for all skin types, but especially those who suffer with oiliness. Expect your complexion to feel refreshed, balanced and smooth post-use.
Available at Patyka.com
Physicians Formula Organic Wear Lifting & Glowing Mask, £14.95
A 2-in-1 skincare staple, this luxe, gel mask removes product build up, while also boosting brightness and renewing better glow. Incredibly cooling, it’s ideal if you suffer with sensitivities or need a quick pick-me-up. Mongongo oil and aloe vera lock in moisture and keep it there long after you’ve rinsed this mask away, while natural meadowsweet acts as an exfoliator to keep your complexion bright and free of any dull skin cells. A great all-rounder – especially for dry, lacklustre skin.
Available at Beautybay.com
Versed Recovery Mode Advanced Night Cream, £19.99
We’re yet to try a Versed product we dislike. Its newest Night Cream has been a huge hit since launching, and it’s easy to see why. Made with vitamin-rich fermented ingredients, the texture is velvety and luxe, but absorbs fast and never feels too occlusive – unlike some night creams. Both fermented purple tea and green coffee get to work protecting the skin – they’re antioxidants – from issues like UV damage and free radicals that occur from daily pollution. The result? Smoother, plumper-looking skin that has more resilience and glow come morning. Ideal if you’re seeking a simple, hydrating solution for night-time.
Available at Versedskin.com
Sigma Beauty SigMagic Brushampoo, £12.50
This innovative shampoo is already well loved. It uses 100% virgin coconut and ethically sourced palm oil to dissolve all product build-up – be it creams, powders or liquids – at a satisfying speed. Use one or two pumps and gently massage it in from the base of the brush outward, before rinsing away the formula and reshaping your bristles gently. You’ll find your brushes and tools look as good as new.
Available at Beautybay.com
Hershesons Zhoosh Foam, £12
Hair pro Luke Hersheson has finally dropped his much-hyped Zhoosh Foam and it doesn’t disappoint. Merging the benefits of a volumiser, mousse and hairspray in one, it’s been designed to give your hair grit and effortless texture. You can trust its results – it’s been tried and tested on Luke’s regular clients including Victoria Beckham, Dua Lipa and Keira Knightley. Expect a shaving foam texture that quickly absorbs into the hair without any stickiness or crispiness. It can be layered up and scrunched in for a variety of looks. Apply it to dry hair and the thickening agents inside will quickly get to work enhancing lank, limp strands. You can also use it at the root of wet hair pre-blow-dry for extra volume.
Available at Hershesons.com
SAIE The Big Brush, Pre Order $25
If you’re after a brush that does a bit of everything, look no further. This new one from SAIE is multi-use and works to buff and blend every single texture – powders, creams, liquids or satin formulas. Ideal for blushers and bronzers, it really works to push products into your skin for a flawless finish. The bristles are soft, but densely packed so you never have any streaks or uneven application. It’s compact in size, so handy for travel or throwing in your bag when you’re on-the-go.
Available at Saiehello.com
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