20 Beauty Buys Under £20
Garnier Ultimate Blends 3-In-1 Hair Mask, £6.99
Garnier do some of the best affordable hair masks and their latest ‘Watermelon’ iteration is no exception. It works wonders on dry, dull or brittle strands, using a blend of coconut oil and shea butter to condition and nourish, all without weighing fine hair down. You can use it as an intense conditioner, too – just leave it on for five minutes longer than you normally would before rinsing it off in the shower. Extra points for the 98% biodegradable formula that doesn’t interfere with sea life.
Available at Superdrug.com
L’Oréal Replumping Micellar Cleansing Water, £5.33 (was £7.99)
Here at SL, we love a micellar water, even more so when it comes with a multitude of benefits. Cue L’Oréal’s latest launch, which is brimming with hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture long after you’ve rinsed it off. As you use it to cleanse, it penetrates the deeper layers of skin to hydrate, plump and soothe – ideal for this time of year when skin is prone to dryness and tightness.
Available at Boots.com
BREAD Beauty Hair Wash Gentle Milky Cleanser, £18
New haircare brand BREAD is not only aesthetically pleasing, it’s effective and gentle, too. The whole line has been streamlined to equip you with all the right tools and necessities – from shampoos to oils and scrunchies. Whether you’ve got afro, fine or damaged hair, they have something to suit everyone. We love this gentle milky hair cleanser which is suitable for those with sensitive scalps. With a light foam, it removes grime and build-up without leaving your strands stripped of their natural oils. We love the added argan oil, too.
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk
E.L.F. Cosmetics Putty Blush in Turks & Caicos, £6
The easiest way to bring dull, lacklustre skin to life is a cream blush and our current go-to is this one from E.L.F. The coral-toned shade suits everyone, while the texture is extremely malleable, so you can build the colour at will, keeping it sheer, or amping it up for more of a visible flush. The best bit? It dries down into a powder, so you don’t have to reapply it every two hours.
Available at ELFCosmetics.co.uk
Erborian Pink Blur Stick, £18
Large pores and uneven skin tone are no match for this clever blur stick. Harnessing the benefits of white willow bark extract, just a small amount scribbled onto the face delivers a rosy-toned glow while simultaneously smoothing and brightening the skin. It’s ideal as base make-up, but it can also be worn solo if you just want your complexion to have a hint of ‘something’. The hydrating squalane is a huge plus, too – expect skin to feel moisturised and softer post-use.
Available at LookFantastic.com
Bondi Sands Self-Tan Foaming Water in Dark, £14.99
Bondi Sands is one of the most trusted tan brands on the market, selling one product every 20 seconds globally. Now, they’re adding to their cult range with a new eco-conscious line that uses 100% recyclable packaging. Our favourite is this dark, foaming water, which is not only easy to use, it also develops into a healthy, golden colour that looks completely natural. It’s non-sticky, too, drying down within minutes, so you won’t even know you’ve got it on. Meanwhile, the formula is seriously impressive – hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and E all come together to moisturise and strengthen, while also brightening any dull tones.
Available at BondiSands.co.uk
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Colour Drip Lip Cream, £17
Lip gloss is making a comeback – thankfully with new, slicker textures that aren’t sticky and are easier to wear. Fenty’s Lip Creams are one of our favourite ways to tap into the trend. With medium-to-full coverage, they’re full of juicy shine and easy to layer up for a more impactful, plump finish. Plus, they’re shimmer-free, so they never look too theatrical or twee. Available in five shades, there’s something for everyone, but we love Honey Waffles the most – a light, buttery brown that’s great for daytime. Lips get a hydrating kick too, thanks to a mix of shea butter, vitamin A and sunflower oil.
Available at Boots.com
Maybelline Superstay Long-Lasting Full-Coverage Foundation, £9.99
Maybelline are known for their long-lasting bases, and their latest launch has been built to go the extra mile. Designed for anyone looking for long-wear coverage, this new formula promises up to 30 hours of wear. Sounds impossible? We promise it lives up to the hype – 88% of testers agreed they needed no touch-ups at all. While it’s thick in texture, it doesn’t leave your skin feeling suffocated, either – instead, it melts in seamlessly and stays put, which is great news for anyone who’s prone to oiliness. Just remember, a little goes a way, and you’ll need a good buffing brush to really blend this into the skin.
Available at Boots.com
No7 Radiance+ 15% Vitamin C Serum, £20
If you want to try the brightening benefits of vitamin C but find yourself on a budget, check out this serum from No7. It’s potent enough to yield visible results, while remaining gentle for sensitive skin types to use. Start by using just a couple of drops once a week post-cleanse and gradually build up your usage. Even a small amount will help to brighten dark tone, and break down the appearance of dark, red spots. The gel texture makes it a joy to use, too, as not only is it lightweight, the thinner consistency never interferes with the rest of your routine.
Available at Boots.com
Real Techniques Easy As 1-2-3 Foundation Brush, £7.99
Update your make-up bag with this new brush from Real Techniques. Incredibly versatile, it can be used with powder, liquid and cream formulas for smooth, silky coverage. The firm – yet blendable – bristles allow for an even glide, while depositing just the right amount of product, too. A must-try for 2021.
Available at LookFantastic.com
Revolution Pro Extension Lash Lengthening Mascara, £8 (was £10)
We’re really impressed with this affordable mascara. The brush is chunky, with evenly spread bristles that catch every single lash at the inner and outer corners. You only need a few coats to see a huge difference – more volume, density and all with a jet-black finish that looks expensive and glossy. Plus, brittle lashes get some extra love, thanks to added vitamin E and argan oil – both of which condition, add shine and help to prevent breakage.
Available at LookFantastic.com
SAIE Brow Butter, £18
Beef up sparse, thinning brows with this satisfying brow butter. Oil-based, it’s more of a liquid formula that adheres to hairs crunch-free, giving a voluminous, feathery finish instead. The small, precise spoolie brush is ideal, too, as it clings to your arches, so you don’t have to constantly go back and forth – just one quick application is enough. We love the glossy shine it lends hairs, too, delivering that on-trend ‘laminated’ effect. Available in clear, blonde, medium brown and deep brown.
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk
SLEEK Make-UP i-Divine Eyeshadow Palette in Level Up, £8.99
You may not be wearing lots of eye make-up right now, but when the time comes, this palette is a must-have. Brimming with buttery browns, subtle metallics and soft rose golds, it’s all you need to create a soft, smokey eye. As with all SLEEK shadows, each one is easy to layer and blend for a multitude of different looks. Use a thin, fine brush to dip into the shades for a velvety, feline flick, or mix and build the tones together for more of an evening look – the options are endless.
Available at LookFantastic.com
Sunset Fleur Hand Sanitiser, £5.59
Hand sanitiser doesn’t get much chicer than this. New brand Sunset Fleur has launched these pocket-size sprays which use a host of gentle ingredients, while eliminating up to 99.9% of bacteria. Unlike others on the market, it’s brimming with aloe vera, so skin is never left dry or red raw after use. They’re refillable too, and they’re conscious of the ongoing water crisis, too, so for every one sold, the brand contributes 134 litres of clean water to rural communities in Africa.
Available at LibertyLondon.com
This Works Stress Check CBD Body Polish, £12
Just because your body is hidden under plenty of layers and heavy knits right now, doesn’t mean you should neglect the skin underneath. This Work’s Body Polish is a great way to treat and hydrate, without too much faff. Formulated with lactic acid, it gently exfoliates dead skin, red bumps and uneven tone, while hemp-derived CBD soothes redness and irritation. The result is smoother, softer-looking limbs that are free from rough patches. Great for anyone with body acne, too.
Available at MarksAndSpencer.com
Too Faced Peach Bloom Lip & Cheek Tint, £18
Dewy skin tints don’t get much better than this. With a sheer, liquid formula, it glides onto the skin and melts onto lips and cheeks for a long-lasting flush. Rich in colour, without being overpowering, it’s a great way to build a healthy-looking glow. There are four shades available, but Peach Glow is our favourite.
Available at Boots.com
FRESH Kombucha Anti-Pollution Cleansing Treatment, £19
Protect your skin while cleansing away dirt with this new treatment from FRESH. Formulated with kombucha (a powerful antioxidant) it’s been designed to get rid of pollutants (from environmental build-up) and surface dirt. The best bit? It doesn’t require any rinsing, so it works swiftly to remove grime and even the most stubborn formulas – think waterproof mascara and high-factor SPF. Expect skin’s texture and smoothness to be visibly improved after just a few days’ use.
Available at Fresh.com
Essie Treat Love & Colour Nail Polish, £10
These new polishes from Essie were created with DIY manis in mind. The new and improved formula (which contains collagen and camellia extract) promotes stronger nails, preventing any breakage and brittleness. What’s more, it has an in-built top and base coat, so you never have to worry about add-ons after applying your colour. The shade offering is impressive too, with plenty of sheer, cream shades that are both flattering and chic.
Available at BeautyBay.com
Boots Collagen Night Cream, £10 (was £12)
Looking for a new night cream? Boots’ new collagen-booster keeps skin plump and radiant with its hydrating formula. Despite its rich texture, it sinks in fast, with zero greasy residue left behind. A great find for those with skin that feels tight and dehydrated. You’ll find your skin’s tone and softness will be visibly improved by the following morning.
Available at Boots.com
Bad Habit Wake Things Up Matcha & Mint Morning Cleanser, £19
If you’re prone to breakouts or inflammation, this gentle cleanser should be on your radar. PH-balanced, it never irritates or causes aggravation. Instead, it softly foams up, taking with it all dirt and make-up. Detoxifying matcha green tea is a great addition, as is the aloe vera – both of which work to keep your complexion soft, supple and healthy-looking. Another benefit is the use of mint and neroli essential oils. Not only do they leave your skin feeling fresh and revitalised, they boost the senses, too.
Available at UK.Morphe.com
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