According to new research from E.l.f. Cosmetics, over half of Brits would like to spend less on beauty products, and the good news is, I’m a huge advocate for budget beauty and have tried hundreds of products – so these are truly the best budget beauty products out there.
Skincare-wise, my biggest tip is this: don’t get conned into an elaborate 10-step routine.
If you’re trying to save money, all you need is a good cleanser, a serum to treat whatever your most pressing skin concerns are (for me, that’s breakouts and redness), a moisturiser and a great SPF.
For a cleanser, you can’t beat CeraVe, and my favourite is CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, £12.50
The creamy texture cuts through grime but doesn’t foam up, which is great for dry and sensitive skin.
There aren’t many moisturisers I’d choose over The Inkey List Omega Water Cream Moisturiser, even if money was no object.
It’s not too heavy but still feels hydrating and makes a great base for make-up.
Byoma Brightening Serum, £13
Byoma Brightening Serum is a great all-rounder for soothing and hydrating, while Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% is best for acne-prone skin – both brands have a great range of serums, so pick the one that suits you.
For sun protection, Garnier is my budget go-to – I love Garnier Vitamin C Daily UV Fluid SPF50+ Sheer Glow, which has a slight tint to avoid any white cast, and doesn’t irritate my sensitive eyes or leave my skin greasy.
When it comes to make-up, these are the cream of the crop – you’re unlikely to need them all, so pick and mix to suit your routine.
L’Oréal Paris Infallible 32H Freshwear Foundation, £13.99
I like a medium-to-full-coverage foundation, and have loved L’Oréal Paris Infallible 32H Freshwear Foundation and Revlon ColorStay Foundation for years, as they cover a whole manner of blemishes including my red acne scars and rosy cheeks.
But if you want something lighter, try 17 Second Skin Enhancing Foundation.
Concealer wise, there are loads of great options on the high street, but E.L.F. Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer never fails me.
It’s super blendable and buildable, so you can really tailor the coverage to what your skin needs on any given day, and it’s long-wearing so you don’t need to top up.
E.L.F. Cosmetics Halo Glow Setting Powder, £8
E.L.F. also has a great setting powder that comes in three shades, so if you need help keeping shine under control, I recommend E.L.F. Cosmetics Halo Glow Setting Powder.
Best beauty dupes
Fabulous' Beauty Editor, Tara Ledden revealed the cheaper version of your favourite beauty products that you should have in your cupboard.
“A huge 55% of us would like to spend less on our beauty routines according to new research from E.l.f. Cosmetics, so it’s no wonder there’s millions of #dupe videos on Tiktok.
“While some dupes are easy to spot given their look-a-like packing, they’re often lacking when it comes to the contents.
“In fact, some of the best dupes look nothing like the luxury product they’re a dead-ringer for – and, trust me, they’re the ones you want.”
REAL: Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer, £32.50 DUPE: Natural Collection Bronzer, £3.50 which is a saving of £29. The Natural Collection Bronzer comes in more shades, although it doesn’t have a mirror in the compact.
REAL: Milk Make-up Hydro-Grip Primer, £35 DUPE: E.l.f. Power Grip Primer, £10. These two share a similar green hue, as well as the same long-wearing, mattifying properties – although, E.l.f’s is so popular it’s just as hard to get hold of.
REAL: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lipstick, £28 DUPE: L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Satin Lipstick Beige A Nu, £8.99. The shades of these two lipsticks are virtually identical on the lips, although while Charlotte Tilbury’s is matte, the L’Oreal Paris Lipstick has a satin finish – which actually makes it more comfortable if you’re wearing all day.
REAL: Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation, £40 DUPE: Collection Lasting Perfection Matte Foundation, £6.99. While they don’t look alike from the outside, the formula, consistency and staying power of both foundations is pretty similar – unfortunately, the Collection only comes in 20 shades vs Estee Lauder’s 60 options.
REAL: Glossier Boy Brow, £20 DUPE: Essence Make Me Brow Gel, £2.50. There’s a whole reddit thread dedicated to this dupe, so you know it’s got to be good. They both have a waxy consistency and added fibres to make brows look fuller. I have to say, the shade range is far better with Boy Brow, but if you’re brunette, there’s plenty of Essence shade options to try.
Until recently, it was near-impossible to find good cream cheek products on the high street, but I can now vouch for Max Factor Miracle Pure Moisturising Cream Blush, W7 Bronze Chic Bronzing Balm, and Sephora Collection Cream Contour Stick.
They’re all you need for perfectly chiselled cheeks.
Wet N Wild Ultimate Brow Retractable Pencil, £4.79
My most recent find that I’m over the moon with is Wet N Wild Ultimate Brow Retractable Pencil, for filling in sparse spots – it’s 10 times cheaper than the slimline pencil I was using before, which is a huge win, and the staying power is exactly the same!
To hold hairs in place, NYX Professional Makeup The Brow Glue, works brilliantly.
Once it dries, it doesn’t move, but it stays sticky long enough that you have time to shape your brows.
L’Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama Mascara, £12.99
I’m a tricky customer when it comes to mascara, but I got to try L’Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama Mascara, before it launched earlier this year and I’m already on my second tube.
It lengthens, volumises and, most importantly, does not smudge.
Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Eyeshadow, has been a mainstay in my stash for more than a decade.
You can apply it with your fingers, so it’s fuss-free, and the formula lasts years before it goes dry in the pot (though don’t tell anyone I said that!).
Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick, £8.99
For lips, Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick, is part-lipstick, part-gloss, giving comfy, hydrating and shiny but gloop-free coverage.
Or if you want to hop on the lip oil trend, you can’t go wrong with Rimmel London Oh My Gloss! Lip Oil.
The – you guessed it – oil-based formula hydrates lips and provides a glossy finish without being sticky.
PS… Lip Liner Pencil, £1
Finally, PS… Lip Liner Pencil, remains the bargain of the century – stock up next time you’re near a Primark store.
Some quick maths tells me the most expensive make-up options here come to just over £100, and us Brits spend on average £214 on our make-up bags, so even if you buy all those, it comes to less than half the price.
I think that’s a job well done!