The Affordable Products A Make-Up Artist Swears By
All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.
True Match Concealer Serum, £10.99 | L'Oréal Paris
“I am never without a tube of this concealer. It strikes the perfect balance between hydration and coverage. Great for every day, it also brightens and unifies your complexion. I use the shade ‘Vanilla’, but there are plenty to choose from. I love the chunky, doe-foot applicator too, which means you can cover a wide surface area in one go.”
Available at Boots.com
Skin Illuminator, £11.86 (was £13.95) | No7
“If you want to breathe new life into your skin, I recommend trying this affordable highlighter from No7. There are three ways you can use it – mix it into your foundation, apply a little on top of your base, or dab it just onto the highest areas, like your eyelids, tip of your nose and the cheekbones. I like to apply a light layer as a glowy base before adding concealer and foundation. It’s so luminous but never OTT.”
Available at Boots.com
Micro Brow Pencil, £10 | NYX
“Hands down, this is one of the best brow pencils I’ve ever used. I always keep the shade ‘Brunette’ in my bag. It gives you that really natural-looking finish, but it also wears well and is velvety smooth to apply, so you can really work with it to create realistic, hair-like strokes. Never leaving behind any harsh lines, it doesn’t create ashiness either, which I find sometimes happens with other brow pencils.”
Available at Boots.com
2000 Calorie Lip Glaze Full Shine Lip Gloss, £9.99 | Max Factor
“If you prefer a gloss, the 2000 Calorie Lip Gloss in ‘Floral Cream’ does a similar thing to the Elixir, but with a glossier, plumper finish. Never sticky or gloopy, it wears well as the day goes on and gives the illusion of fullness. I’m not usually a gloss wearer, but these have converted me. They look great on top of more matte tones, too.”
Available at Boots.com
Cicaplast Balm, £10.90 | La Roche-Posay
“This is a cult product for a reason, but it’s only recently I’ve come to understand why. I have had such dehydrated, dry, tight skin and this has completely reversed the issue. It’s a super-rich balm but feels just like the more expensive, heavy-duty creams on the market. It’s so quenching and gives skin a lovely soft sheen. I also use it on my children to help calm and soothe dry areas. It’s incredibly gentle, fuss-free and can used by anyone.”
Available at Boots.com
Colour Elixir Lipstick, £9.99 | Max Factor
“I love a Max Factor lipstick; I think they belie their price tags as the pigments are so impressive. ‘Toasted Almond’ in the Colour Elixir range is a great everyday neutral shade. I actually use it as a lip and a blush combo on days when I want something quick and easy. Its smooth and satiny texture means it’s easy to apply when you’re on the go.”
Available at Boots.com
Luminous Putty Blush, £7 | e.l.f. Cosmetics
“This is the perfect pinky, peachy cream blush. It’s so malleable and just a small amount gives cheeks the kind of full, healthy flush I love. Whether you use a brush or fingers, a little goes a long way, but it’s also sheer, allowing for foolproof application. There’s a tiny hint of shimmer inside to give skin a soft, subtle glow – it looks nice washed over the eyelids, too. One of the best I’ve tried under £10.”
Available at ElfCosmetics.co.uk
Ambre Solaire Sensitive Hydrating Face Sun Cream Mist SPF50, £8.67 (was £13) | Garnier
“I often turn to Garnier for SPF and this make-up setting spray has been a game-changer in my routine. It’s great for touching up your levels of sun protection, but also for those with oilier skin, like me, as it zaps shine. If you find your make-up doesn’t sit well on top of cream-based SPFs, I encourage you to give this a go. It’s also a very fine mist, so you forget it’s even on your skin.”
Available at Boots.com
For more beauty tips & product recommendations, follow @Ashleys_Edit on Instagram.
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@sheerluxe.com.