20 New Beauty Buys We Love Under £20
Aroma Active Laboratories Muscle Recovery Balm, £12
Feeling a bit weary or tense? This soothing balm uses anti-inflammatory turmeric and arnica to provide instant relief. Ideal if you’re suffering with aches or pains, the comforting scent provides some speedy, on-the-spot grounding. Massage a small amount into the areas you feel need it most, using a firm, circular motion to boost circulation and relieve tension.
Available at Boots.com
Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Toner + Serum, £9.99
If you ask us, this is a great dupe for Paula’s Choice’s best-selling BHA Liquid Exfoliant. A toner and serum combined, it uses BHA (salicylic acid) and soothing niacinamide to purge pores of dirt, then smooth and tone skin for a more even complexion. It never irritates either, as zinc and cica work together to calm any sensitivity. You’ll love the quenching texture that feels plumping and hydrating – plus, the pump-and-go bottle keeps mess at bay.
Available at Boots.com
Frank Body Buff Marshmallow Body Scrub, £7.95
We’re suckers for a Frank Body scrub and its latest version could be its best yet. Made using 100% natural, vegan and cruelty-free ingredients, it exfoliates, moisturises and leaves skin with a great glow. It’s less messy than some other scrubs, making it far easier to use. Expect smoother, more even looking skin after just one use – great if you suffer with issues like body acne or under-the-skin bumps.
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk
Garnier Vitamin C Anti-Dark Spot Serum, Coming Soon
A first for Garnier, this new anti-dark spot serum is one of the best we’ve tried at this price. Brimming with vitamin C and decongesting salicylic acid, it gradually resurfaces uneven skin tone for a brighter, smoother appearance – trust us when we say the glow is second to none. If you’re prone to sensitivities, don’t worry, niacinamide keeps skin in check, making it ideal for those who suffer with redness or inflammation. Even more impressive, testers said their skin felt fresher, softer and looked more refreshed after just three days.
Available at Garnier.co.uk
Glossier Eye Palettes, £19
Glossier’s new shadows have been quick to cause a stir. Available in slick and refillable eco packaging, there are ten shades to suit everyone – from glossy pinks to bronze-y browns and vivid shimmers. Each one also comes with three different finishes – matte, shimmer and satin – so you can layer and build as you go. You can also remove the included mirror if you prefer, while the palm-sized tin makes it great on the go.
Available at Glossier.com
Good Light Cosmic Dew Water Cleanser, £17
If you like foam cleansers, you’ll love this one, which quickly transforms from a silky gel. Cruelty and fragrance-free, it’s incredible gentle – not to mention pH balanced so the skin’s delicate barrier is never compromised. Brilliant for melting away the day’s make-up, it hydrates as it goes, so it never leaves you feeling stripped or tight. Meanwhile, laminaria japonica is known for destroying toxins and plumping up lacklustre skin. A must-try.
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk
Ikoo Deep Caring Mask Detox & Balance, £15
We love this innovative, thermal hair wrap. Designed to feed hair with moisture, it’s brimming with vitamins and antioxidants to penetrate strands and boost their strength – in turn, preventing premature breakage. Work it into damp hair post-shampoo. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes for best results, or longer if your hair is in desperate need. Added oils will boost shine and softness, as well.
Available at LookFantasic.com
Jillian Dempsey Kohl Eyeliners, £18.50
Make-up artists love these silky eyeliners and it’s easy to see why. Not only do they last for hours, they also provide intense, rich colour, while the in-built smudger allows you to smoke out the look with ease. A great option for eyeliner novices, it eliminates all the guesswork and is available in some beautiful, deep tones. We love both navy and black for a classic smokey eye.
Available at Naturismo.com
Kitsch Moisturising Heel Socks, £15
We’re big fans of moisturising socks here at SL. Never tried them before? Give these affordable ones from Kitsch a go. Made using an insulated gel lining, they gently warm your skin and soften it simultaneously, smoothing cracked heels and uneven bumps. You can use them on their own, but we recommend applying a cream first for best results. They’re brilliant at reducing puffiness and swelling, too.
Available at FreePeople.com
Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator, £16.50
Liz Earle’s formulas are some of the gentlest around. Its latest exfoliator is one of the kindest we’ve tried, thanks to cocoa butter, jojoba beads and sweet almond oil which work in tandem to alleviate dry patches and boost cell turnover for a brighter, less congested complexion. We were especially glad to see purifying eucalyptus on the ingredients list – not just for the uplifting scent, but also for its ability to refine both pores and blackheads. A great buy for those new to exfoliating, or anyone with sensitive skin.
Available at LookFantastic.com
MILK Make-Up Bionic Blush in Teleport, £19
Available in four suits-all shades, these liquid-y blushers plump up the skin (thanks to plant-derived collagen and hyaluronic acid) with a fresh, radiant glow. Lightweight in texture, build them up for more vivid colour, or sheer them out for a simple wash – either way, you’ll love the glow they bring to the skin. Meanwhile, snow and reishi mushrooms promise to soothe and seal in moisture – think of it as a blusher with benefits.
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk
Nailkind Strengthener, £9.95
If your nails feel brittle or bendy, take a look at this vegan strengthener. Full of nourishing oils, just a few coats will help prevent breakage. It’s also a great way of creating a protective shield over the nail, reinforcing the natural barrier for a softer surface. Apply it as much as you like, although twice a week should be enough to see decent results.
Available at ContentBeautyWellbeing.com
NCLA Lipsticks, $16
NCLA is known for its 100% vegan and cruelty-free formulas. All its lip products use castor oil and vitamin E to prevent dryness and boost moisture, so you never get that tight, thick feeling often associated with other lipsticks. Semi-matte, they apply sheer and are easy to build up once they’re dry – plus, they’re totally budge-proof. There are plenty of colours available, but ‘Calabasas Queen’ is our favourite for a vibrant, wearable red.
Available at NCLABeauty.com
Marc Jacobs Poutwear Longwear Lip Liner, £14
Lip liners have come a long way lately, especially these ones from Marc Jacobs. They’re gel-based, so they have more slip and moveability to line, define and shape your lips. Alternatively, scribble the colour all over to fill everything in for an even finish. Once it sets, it doesn’t move, so there won’t be any bleeding or feathering of product once applied.
Available at HarveyNichols.com
L’Oréal Paris True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Serum, £13.99
At this time of year, most of us are looking for a little more coverage from our foundation, but that doesn’t have to mean it’s heavy or thick. L’Oréal’s new Plumping Tinted Serum includes 1% of pure hyaluronic acid for smoother, more even results. Plus, it lends a hefty dose of moisture and the kind of unbeatable glow to hide imperfections – think redness, dark circles and breakouts. A serum/foundation hybrid, it’s one of the best ‘skin tints’ we’ve tried this year, while the non-comedogenic formula makes it suitable for everyone. Extra points go to the self-adaptive shades which have been designed to work with all skin tones.
Available at Boots.com
Skin & Tonic Rose Mist, £13.50 (was £18)
Skin experts and make-up artists alike swear by rose mists for setting foundation in place. Our current favourite is this one from Skin & Tonic. Full of rose water, aloe vera and glycerine, it tightens pores and smooths their appearance, while providing a cooling, hydrating feel that’s unbeatable. Keep one in your bag, one on your desk and one in your drawer so you’re never without.
Available at HarveyNichols.com
Susanne Kaufmann Mallow Blossom Bubble Bath, £9
It’s bath season, so there’s no time like the present to stock up on some luxurious oils. Susanne Kaufmann’s latest Bubble Bath is one not to be missed – full of mallow and lavender, it has a beautiful scent that’s guaranteed to fill your bathroom for hours. The silky formula is gentle, but nourishing enough to have a real impact on your skin. Expect limbs to feel smoother and more hydrated, and your mind to feel calmed and soothed.
Available at SusanneKaufmann.com
Velour Lash Curlers, $19
Everyone needs a good pair of lash curlers, but reasonably priced ones can be hard to come by. This pair from Velour has a white silicone pad which allows you to see your lashes and where they’re placed as you curl. The benefit? You’re less likely to pinch them and cause damage. Easy to use, the smooth handle offers good control, while the gentle clamp provides great curl and instant volume from the root.
Available at VelourBeauty.com
WBCo Brow Pen, £18
West Barn Co (WBCo) is the brand that brought us fluffy, soap brows and now it’s launching a new pen. A must-try for extra depth and definition the fine tip makes it simple to use and allows you to mimic precise, hair-like strokes with ease. The key is getting the application right. Find a starting point where your brows are sparser, then use short dash-like strokes to mimic your natural hairs. You can use a powder on top for extra definition, but you’ll find probably find it’s enough on its own.
Available at WestBarnCo.com
Real Techniques Miracle Cleansing Sponge, £6.99
Real Techniques makes some of the best make-up tools on the market and its new sponge has proved hugely popular. Designed to gently remove dirt and make-up from the skin, the textured side buffs away dull, dead skin cells, while the smoother one helps massage in your cleansers and creams. Made with antimicrobial infusion and probiotics, it never upsets your skin or causes any aggravation.
Available at LookFantastic.com
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