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 [Make-up](/beauty/make-up)

 /  17 September 2019  

#  7 Beauty Products That Should Cost More Than They Do  


So often when it comes to beauty products, we’ve been conditioned to believe that price equals proficiency. A slew of new formulations and ingredients means that’s no longer the case. Come and discover the best bargain buys.  


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You can spend a lot of money on beauty products. Sometimes that’s justified: if there’s a product that does something for your skin that nothing else can, it’s worth blowing the budget for. There are, however, a host of affordable products that now perform as well as the alternatives that can cost five times as much. Some of these purse-friendly items are packed full of active ingredients, while others are simple but effective. And you definitely don’t have to buy expensive makeup to create a luxe look anymore.

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/ujMR0iLzDMDXx0z6EpUNNjNoq8U=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F09%2Foridnary-buffet.jpg?itok=CCipSNPQ)

 

 ](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=5678&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%3A//www.asos.com/the-ordinary/the-ordinary-buffet-30ml/prd/7554573%3F%5D%5D) 

 

 

 

 

 

## The Ordinary Buffet Multi-Technology Peptide Serum, £13

Tucked within The Ordinary’s huge product range, there are some bargains that will work just as hard for you as their more expensive counterparts. Its Buffet Serum is full of skin-loving peptides and antioxidants – and only £13. Its no-frills Retinol 1% in Squalane does everything you’d hope for. If retinol causes sensitivity, give its Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane a go. Although granactive retinoid doesn’t have the clinical back-up of retinol, there is evidence it has the same effect but without the irritation. The Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution is a pep-you-up eye treatment that banishes puffiness and dark circles for just £5.80.  
  
Available at[ Asos.com](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=5678&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.asos.com%2Fthe-ordinary%2Fthe-ordinary-buffet-30ml%2Fprd%2F7554573%3F%5D%5D)

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/26TCTFtFFBA4URcV1vOyW8I7mBI=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F09%2Fceravae-lotion1.jpg?itok=JBOuzXUT)

 

 ](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%3A//www.boots.com/cerave-moisturising-lotion-236ml-10246703%5D%5D) 

 

 

 

 

 

## CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion, £9.50

For anyone suffering skin sensitivities, there are some excellent and competitively priced products that can help settle skin down. CeraVe’s daily moisturiser costs £13.50 and contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides. The cream is non-fragranced, suitable for even the most sensitive skin, and keeps the skin’s barrier healthy and happy. Feel free to use over serum and under SPF on a daily basis.  
  
Available at [Boots.com](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.boots.com%2Fcerave-moisturising-lotion-236ml-10246703%5D%5D)

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/I2hlIDgjYes4dLFu89BfMseXMOc=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F09%2Fla-roche-posay-cicaplast-baume-b5-soothing-repairing-balm-100ml.jpg?itok=1mCrWF6B)

 

 ](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2082&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%3A//www.lookfantastic.com/la-roche-posay-cicaplast-baume-b5-soothing-repairing-balm-100ml/11091815.html%5D%5D) 

 

 

 

 

 

## La Roche-Posay CicaPlast Mains, £10.50 (was £14)

Rival products might go for four times the price, but nothing we know makes hands feel better than this barrier-repairing CicaPlast Mains cream. La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios suncare range is also one of the best and has something for every skin type. Redermic R is a 0.2% retinol for sensitive skin that’s available for as little as £24.  
  
Available at [Lookfantastic.com](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2082&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.lookfantastic.com%2Fla-roche-posay-cicaplast-baume-b5-soothing-repairing-balm-100ml%2F11091815.html%5D%5D)

 

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/Kcz3v-1yNPA6ufKVVeCsSF0NwHM=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F09%2Fvichy-mineral-89-serum.jpg?itok=y79St8qN)

 

 ](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2082&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%3A//www.lookfantastic.com/vichy-mineral-89-50ml/11499284.html%5D%5D) 

 

 

 

 

 

## Vichy Laboratories Minéral 89, £25

Vichy is making waves with its Minéral 89, a fortifying and plumping daily booster. Loved by beauty experts across the land, this serum contains 11 ingredients including hyaluronic acid. It hydrates as well as giving the skin a glow. A steal at £25.  
  
Available at [Lookfantastic.com](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2082&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.lookfantastic.com%2Fvichy-mineral-89-50ml%2F11499284.html%5D%5D)

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/Yc_hf5rM42_893-sIfcGpxsaskU=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F09%2Fkiko-velvet-passion-lipstick.jpg?itok=qChDEMCb)

 

 ](https://www.kikocosmetics.com/en-gb/make-up/lips/lipsticks/Velvet-Passion-Matte-Lipstick/p-KM00201020) 

 

 

 

 

 

## Kiko Milano Velvet Passion Matte Lipstick, £6.99

When it comes to makeup, you can now get hold of amazing products for very little money. Kiko Milano lipsticks come in a range of shades. With a creamy, easily blended texture, they go on beautifully and are long-lasting. We’ve been converted.  
  
Available at [Kiko.com](https://www.kikocosmetics.com/en-gb/make-up/lips/lipsticks/Velvet-Passion-Matte-Lipstick/p-KM00201020)

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/46xMbB7G9WbU1fARhbWN6QfkrE4=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F09%2Fbourjois-blusher.jpg?itok=ZvSs8vTm)

 

 ](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%3A//www.boots.com/bourjois-little-round-pot-blusher-10004959%5D%5D) 

 

 

 

 

 

## Bourjois Little Round Pot Blusher, £6.49

Nothing beats a classic Bourjois blusher. Timeless, chic and always with that lovely little built-in mirror, it sits so softly on the skin. A baked technology formula ensures the blend is always impeccable.  
  
Available at [Boots.com](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.boots.com%2Fbourjois-little-round-pot-blusher-10004959%5D%5D)

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/CaW45aRqNTs8PmP57-MWEIym9Rg=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F09%2Ficonic-youth-serum-mermumaya.jpg?itok=17Wgxuyd)

 

 ](https://merumaya.com/products/iconic-youth-serum) 

 

 

 

 

 

## Merumaya Iconic Youth Serum, £43

This excellent-quality serum brims with expensive active ingredients – the ones that make a real difference to your skin. Merumaya founder Maleka Dattu is passionate about her brand and has gone to great lengths to ensure her products are brilliant but affordable. With an ingredient list including omega 3s, anti-inflammatory stearidonic acid, hydrating hyaluronic acid, plant stem cells, minerals (zinc, magnesium, iron, copper and silica), turmeric and deep-sea enzymes, it is worth a lot more than its price tag.  
  
Available at [Merumaya.com](https://merumaya.com/products/iconic-youth-serum)

 

 

 

*Wriiten by Nicola Bonn. Nicola hosts the chart-topping podcast Outspoken Beauty. Hear the episode with Nadine Baggott [here.](https://outspokenbeauty.co.uk/2019/07/20/nadine-baggott-beauty-without-the-bs/)*

 

 

 

 

  

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