Adeola’s Affordable Beauty Buys Of The Year
Plump Ambition Lip Oil
£11.99 | L’Oréal Paris
I’ve collected more than a few of the L’Oréal Paris Plump Ambition Lip Oils at this point – there’s one in my gym bag, one in my make-up bag and several floating around my professional kit. Since their launch earlier this year, they’ve genuinely become my go-to lip product. What sets them apart is that they deliver that juicy, high-shine finish but without the stickiness you’d normally expect from a gloss. The formula is infused with hyaluronic acid which draws moisture into the lips and tripeptides, which support a smoother, fuller-looking lip over time. With nine shades to choose from and costing just £12, they easily hold their own against higher-end lip oils.
Available at SUPERDRUG.COM
The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Butter
£22 | Naturium
One bodycare range I’ve loved this year is Naturium’s Glow Getter collection and the body butter is now a staple in my routine. The formula is designed to nourish and rejuvenate the skin, making it perfect for anyone chasing that soft, healthy glow. It’s rich and plush, and contains ultra-moisturising ingredients like shea butter and squalane to lock in long-term hydration. It also contains plant-based peptides to support skin firmness, leaving everything feeling smoother, suppler and more radiant. Plus, the vanilla and coconut scent is so addictive.
Available at SPACENK.COM
Extensionist Lengthening Black Mascara
£13.99 | L’Oréal Paris
I’ve always said a great mascara doesn’t need to come with a luxury price tag and the newly launched L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Extensionist Lengthening & Curling Mascara proves it. With mascara, the brush is really important – it’s what determines how much lift, separation and definition you actually get, and this one has a sculpting wand with over 300 precision bristles that are designed to separate and curl each lash individually. My lashes aren’t naturally full, but this mascara makes them appear longer, more defined and far more dramatic with minimal clumping – or effort. And let’s talk about the colour: it’s a true black – deep, rich and intense. Honestly, it ticks every box.
Available at BOOTS.COM
Anthelios Anti-Dark Spots Fluid SPF50+ Sunscreen
£22 | La Roche-Posay
La Roche-Posay makes some of the best sunscreens on the market, especially for deeper skin tones. The formulas blend in beautifully without leaving a white cast behind, which is crucial if hyperpigmentation is your main concern – you’ll only wear sunscreen religiously if you actually enjoy it. This one is designed not only to shield your skin from UV damage but also to provide extra protection over the areas that are prone to darkening. Powered by a patented active ingredient, Melasyl, it improves overall radiance by reducing the appearance of existing pigmentation and supporting a more even skin tone. The fluid texture absorbs quickly, leaves the skin more hydrated and has an undetectable finish, making daily SPF application feel effortless and, more importantly, effective.
Available at LOOKFANTASTIC.COM
Colour Correcting Concealer
£9.99 | Maybelline
If you ever feel like your make-up isn’t sitting quite right or your complexion doesn’t look as flawless as you’d like, it might be time to introduce a colour corrector into your routine. Correctors are brilliant for tackling specific concerns – like darkness, redness or dullness – so your base looks perfect without the need for layers of foundation or concealer to get the coverage you need. This year, Maybelline expanded its iconic Instant Anti Age Eraser line with a collection of colour correctors, and they’ve quickly become a make-up-bag essential. Available in three targeted shades, each one works to visibly neutralise discolouration, dark spots, under-eye circles, redness and lacklustre areas with minimal effort. Once applied, it creates a smoother, more even canvas and helps your make-up look fresher for longer. It’s one of those small additions that makes a surprisingly big difference.
Available at MAYBELLINE.CO.UK
Skin-Loving Santal Antiperspirant Deodorant
£4 | Gem
For years, deodorant was something I applied on autopilot – strictly functional, nothing more. Then I tried the Gem Skin-Loving Santal Antiperspirant Deodorant and suddenly underarm care became a small, everyday luxury. After seeing it go viral, I finally grabbed one for myself – and now I completely understand the hype. The formula blends hyaluronic acid, shea butter and vitamin E to keep the area smooth and comfortable, while still delivering reliable, all-day freshness. The Santal scent is a standout: soft and woody, it genuinely smells like a high-end fragrance. Crucially, it doesn’t just mask odour – it helps you stay fresh from morning to night. The best bit? It’s £4. A chic little upgrade that feels far more premium than its price tag.
Available at BOOTS.COM
Halo Glow Powder Filter
£15 | e.l.f.
There’s a long-standing belief that anyone with dry skin should avoid powder altogether – or that it will automatically leave your make-up looking flat, dull or cakey. In reality, the right formula used in the right places can do the exact opposite. I picked up the e.l.f. Halo Glow Powder Filter as an emergency stand-in for one of my high-end favourites and was genuinely surprised by how well it performed. The ultra-fine, buildable texture softens pores, diffuses unevenness and sets make-up with a natural, soft-focus glow – almost like a real-life filter. It takes down excess shine without diminishing luminosity, and never looks heavy or dry. My pro tip: use a small tapered brush and apply it just through the T-zone or anywhere you’re prone to shine. It locks everything in place while still letting your skin’s natural radiance come through.
Available at BOOTS.COM
Good Intent Silky Jelly Lip Mask
£7.46 (was £9.95) | No7
If there’s one thing I’m passionate about in beauty, it’s lip care. I cannot cope with dry lips. Many balms rely heavily on occlusive ingredients, which simply sit on top of the lips and can make them feel drier over time, but the No7 Good Intent Silky Jelly Lip Mask has transformed the look and feel of my lips. Full of hydrating hyaluronic acid and nourishing shea butter, the soft jelly texture feels instantly comforting and creates a barrier to lock in moisture. I love wearing it throughout the day and it’s even better as an overnight mask.
Available at NO7BEAUTY.CO.UK
Ultimate Moisture Vanilla Body Wash
£1.50 (was £3) | Imperial Leather
My self-care routine is one of the few moments in the day that’s entirely mine – a small ritual to unwind, reset and feel grounded. Lately, this body wash has become a real highlight. Imperial Leather feels like a brand in the middle of a reinvention – it now delivers indulgent, grown-up formulas crafted by master perfumers and dermatologists. This one is a perfect example. The vanilla and white orchid scent is heaven – a comforting gourmand blend that instantly appeals to anyone who loves soft, sweet, cocooning fragrances. It layers beautifully with body butters and traditional fragrances, elevating your entire routine. The skincare element is just as impressive. Using moisture-lock technology, the formula is dermatologically tested, suitable for sensitive skin and enriched with nourishing oils and conditioners to support the skin barrier. The result is skin that feels soft, hydrated and subtly scented long after you’ve stepped out of the shower.
Available at BOOTS.COM
Lip Kit Edit
£22 (was £28) | The Beauty Crop x Aisha
Finding affordable lip products that genuinely flatter deeper skin tones is still harder than it should be. Too often, lip liners aren’t rich enough, undertones miss the mark or so-called “nude” shades simply don’t translate. That’s why the launch of The Beauty Crop x Aisha Lip Kit Edit feels so necessary – and long overdue. Aisha, known for her spot-on complexion matches and lip combos for deeper skin, collaborating with a brand rooted in inclusivity makes complete sense. The edit brings together a curated selection of deeper lip liners alongside the Glow Milk Lip Oil in ‘Coco Charm’ – a hydrating, rich nude-brown with a subtle shimmer that delivers the perfect glossy finish. Together, the shades create a dimensional, juicy lip that enhances deeper skin tones rather than competing with them.
Available at THE BEAUTY CROP.COM
Multi-Peptide Serum For Hair Density
£20.80 | The Ordinary
I saw a noticeable shift in the strength, condition and overall health of my hair when I started treating my scalp with the same care I give my skin. Adding a targeted serum made the biggest difference. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density is now a non-negotiable in my routine – especially with my naturally dry scalp. It hydrates while delivering an impressive blend of peptide technologies, plant extracts and caffeine to create the ideal environment for fuller, healthier-looking growth. Lightweight and quick to absorb, it leaves no residue behind and the pipette makes application precise and effortless. Over time, my scalp felt more balanced and my hair looked denser, stronger and visibly more resilient.
Available at BOOTS.COM
Bio Collagen-Real Deep Mask Sheets
£14.90 | Biodance
This mask has become one of my go-to treatments whenever my skin needs an immediate hit of hydration and radiance. As a make-up artist, I’m always searching for formulas that bring life back to my clients’ complexion and deliver that fresh, post-facial glow with minimal effort. Although it’s designed as an overnight treatment, I often leave it on for a few hours until it turns transparent – a sign the skin has absorbed exactly what it needs. It’s Korean skincare done exceptionally well: targeted, hardworking and genuinely effective. There’s no irritation, no residue and no heavy feel – just soft, hydrated, revived skin. It’s now a staple both in my kit and my own routine because it consistently delivers results.
Available at BOOTS.COM
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