The Beauty Team’s Favourite Products For All Budgets
The Beauty Team’s Favourite Products For All Budgets
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The Beauty Team’s Favourite Products For All Budgets

Amid hundreds of new beauty launches, it can be tricky to know where to spend your money – and where to save. To help you out, Jenn, Sapna and Orin have rounded up all the products they deem worth the splurge, as well as the affordable options that punch above their weight…
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All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

MAKE-UP

Jenn's Favourites

Gluta-Hya Lip Serum Gloss, £9.99 | Vaseline

“I’m a lipcare addict but this one is so good it’s made it into my desk drawer. I’m really impressed by the colour pay-off and the softening effect.”

The Sun-Kissed Natural Healthy Glow Powder, £51 | Guerlain

“The Guerlain Terracotta scent really sets this line apart, with the sun-kissed powders being a real standout. This limited-edition packaging is next-level. It had all of us in the SL office fighting over the different colourways.”

Orin's Favourites

Telescopic Extensionist Lengthening & Curling Mascara, £13.99 | L'Oréal Paris

“You can easily save your money on mascara – and L’Oréal Paris is always a safe bet. Panorama is one of my favourites but I’ve recently been swayed by Telescopic Extensionist. It delivers the perfect balance of curl and lift, but also separates the lashes in a way that makes you look fresh and wide-awake.”

Lovenude Lip Blusher, £40 | Yves Saint Laurent Beauty

“I live for a blurred lip. Before it was huge, I used to soften the edges using my ring finger but now you can buy dedicated products to get that coveted, gently-diffused finish. New from YSL, this is beautiful – less committal than a lipstick but with a velvety, comfortable feel. ‘Taupe Flirt’ – an easy terracotta – is the shade I’m wearing on repeat.”

Sapna's Favourites

Superstay Teddy Tint, £11.99 | Maybelline 

“I’m always on the hunt for lip products that balance colour with comfort and this one really delivers. The formula feels surprisingly balmy for something with this much pigment, and it leaves lips looking smooth and slightly plumped. I love that it has the pay-off of a lipstick but the hydrating feel of a treatment – perfect for everyday wear.”

Liquid Super Loaded Illuminator, £53 | Westman Atelier

“If you like that glossy, lit-from-within glow, this is such a beautiful product to have in your make-up bag. The texture is creamy and melts seamlessly into the skin, so it never looks glittery or overdone – just healthy and luminous. I like tapping it onto cheekbones and the bridge of my nose for that effortless ‘good skin’ finish.”


SKINCARE

Jenn's Favourites

Skin Renewing Peptide Cream, £30 | CeraVe

“The texture of this cream feels so rich yet it’s not greasy at all, and it sits beautifully under make-up. Personally, I use it more at night, slathering on a generous layer to wake up to soft, plump skin.”

Black Rose Concentrate Serum, £198 | Sisley Paris

“Sisley’s Black Rose Mask is a staple for many a beauty editor and the cream is a personal favourite of mine. I’m really excited about this serum which, on first impression, feels so silky and hydrating – and leaves an instant glow.”

Orin's Favourites

Cicaplast Balm B5 Multi-Purpose Repairing Balm, £11 | La Roche-Posay

“Recently, I woke up covered in hives, having reacted badly to a mineral SPF. Not great timing as I was heading off on a work trip. I carefully massaged this into my sore, stinging face and by the time I’d arrived at my destination, my skin was feeling much calmer and I was even able to apply a light layer of make-up over the top.”

Rénergie C.R.x. Triple Serum Retinol, £90 (was £120) | Lancôme

“This has to be the most sophisticated, cosmetically elegant retinol I’ve tried; it honestly feels like silk. I cannot get over how gentle it is – if you’re wary about dryness and purging, this is the vitamin A formula you want in your corner. I’ve also found my skin is looking brighter and dewier, thanks to the added peptides and vitamin C.”

Sapna's Favourites

Nordic Hydra [Lähde] Aqua Hydration Serum, £24.50 | Lumene

“My skin can get dehydrated really quickly, especially when the weather changes, so I’m always looking for lightweight hydrating serums. This one is brilliant for the price – it’s full of hyaluronic acid and feels instantly cooling and refreshing. I use it under moisturiser in the morning and it leaves my skin looking plump and bright.”

Supercharged Glow Complex, £65 | DUAbyAB

“This is one of those products that makes your skin look better the more you use it. The formula is full of brightening and hydrating ingredients, so it leaves my complexion looking smoother, clearer and noticeably glowier. It’s a bit of an investment but if you want that healthy, radiant finish without the need for lots of products, it’s worth it.”


HAIR

Jenn's Favourites

Volume Texturising Mousse, £7 | MONDAY Haircare 

“I love the Monday line – it’s so impressive for the price. If you’ve been thinking about dabbling in volumising mousse (which is making a comeback) but don’t want to spend a fortune, this is worth a try.”

Masque Crème Hydra-Glaze, £51 | Kérastase 

“Kérastase really knows what it’s doing when it comes to hair health, whether you’re addressing loss, strength or colour care. This particular line is great if (like me) you suffer from frizz and the mask is so brilliant. I usually can’t leave my hair to air dry without it looking like I’ve had an electric shock but this left it instantly smoothed.”

Orin's Favourites

Wet Detangler, £16.20 (was £20) | Tangle Teezer

“I’m not one for a palm-held hair brush as I find they slip out of my hand like soap in a shower. But this tool, fitted with a proper handle, I can’t be without. After shampooing, I work a mask through my mid-lengths and ends then rinse it out while gently brushing. This glides through my hair with zero effort.”

Almost Everything Cream, £75 | Hershesons

“As the name suggests, this clever hair hero works overtime. Creams are consistently disappointing – always too heavy or greasy – but this is the outlier. Slightly magical in its ability to multitask, I use this mostly for taming flyaways, but also for breathing life and definition back into day-two hair.”

Sapna's Favourites

Ultimate Blends Hair Food Multi-Use Mask, £4.50 (was £8.99) | Garnier

“I’ve tried plenty of expensive hair masks over the years but this one from Garnier still holds its own. The aloe formula feels lightweight but still gives my hair a boost of hydration and shine. I love that you can use it three ways – as a conditioner, mask or leave-in – so it’s a brilliant multitasker for the price.”

Genesis Sérum Anti-Chute Fortifiant, £52 | Kérastase

“If you’re dealing with shedding or breakage, this serum is one I always recommend. It’s designed to strengthen the hair at the root and support healthier growth over time. I massage a few drops into my scalp before bed and it leaves my hair feeling stronger, thicker and generally in better condition.”


BODYCARE

Jenn's Favourites

Bridgerton Love & Meadows Body Scrub, £8 | Dove

“If you blind tested this, you’d never guess it was under £10. The scent is so beautiful (and expensive feeling), while the fine texture of the scrub gently buffs the skin. I’m seriously impressed.”

The Foaming Body Scrub, £37.40 (was £44) | AKT

“I’ve long been a fan of AKT’s deodorants, and its extension into bodycare doesn’t disappoint. I love how this formula polishes and nourishes in equal measure, leaving behind a real glow from head to toe.”

Orin's Favourites

Shave Duo Jade Set, £12 (was £15) | Estrid 

“I have to be extremely careful with my shaving technique, otherwise my skin pays the price. A quality, sharp razor is non-negotiable and I love the ease of Estrid. The subscription means you never get to the point where you’re accidentally shaving with a dull blade. Plus, I love the look of the jade colourway.”

Almond Shower Gel, £43 | L’Occitane

“A super-size version of L’Occitane’s Almond Shower Gel is the ultimate shower splurge. This makes a task as mundane as shaving feel seriously luxe and, dare I say, enjoyable, leaving your skin silky-smooth. This will not only last ages but the nutty, ambrosial scent is second-to-none.”

Sapna's Favourites

Whole Body Deodorant Spray Lavender & Chamomile, £4.20 (was £6.30) | Dove

“I love the idea of whole-body deodorants, especially in summer, and this one from Dove is such a good affordable option. The lavender and chamomile scent is really fresh but soft, and the formula keeps skin feeling comfortable without irritation. It’s a simple product but one I reach for constantly.”

Seymour Shampoo, £60 | Commune

“If you enjoy turning your shower routine into a bit of a ritual, this shampoo is such a treat. The formula is gentle but leaves hair feeling really clean, soft and glossy, while the herbal scent makes it incredibly spa-like. The large bottle also lasts ages, which makes the splurge feel a bit more justified.”

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