Beauty Products to Save On
After 15 years in the beauty industry, editor Anita Bhagwandas shares insider knowledge on where to save and where to splurge. Some products, like mascara, cleanser, body cream, face moisturiser, body wash, soap, and sunscreen, can be bought cheap without sacrificing quality.
Mascara
Mascara should be replaced every three months, making affordable options ideal. Makeup artist Zoë Moore says, “Most makeup artists tend to use cheaper mascaras because we get through so much of it, and they’re just as good as the expensive ones.” The brush and formula matter more than price. Budget brands like Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky Tubes and L’Oréal Paris Telescopic offer excellent performance.
Cleanser
Cleansers rinse off, so luxury versions aren't necessary. Affordable options like DHC deep cleansing oil (£14), The Inkey List cream-to-milk cleanser (£10.40), and Youth to the People superfood cleanser (£14) provide effective cleansing without the high cost.
Body Cream
For dry skin, ingredients like ceramides, glycerine, and colloidal oatmeal matter more than price. CeraVe moisturising cream (£11.62), Boots Oats daily moisturising lotion (£4), and Naturium Bio-lipid body lotion (£18) are effective and affordable.
Face Moisturiser
Moisturiser seals in hydration and doesn't need to be expensive. Look for ceramides. Aestura Atobarrier 365 cream (£26), Dr Althea 147 barrier cream (£19.79), and Yepoda the Day Light (£23) are well-formulated options.
Body Wash and Soap
Since body wash is rinsed off quickly, simple formulas suffice. Dr Max’s olive oil soap (£8.49) and Space NK Nordic Wilds body wash (£8) cleanse without stripping.
Sunscreen
Strict UK/EU standards ensure affordable sunscreens are effective. SPF30+ and broad-spectrum protection are key. La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAir SPF50+ (£20), Vichy Capital Soleil SPF50 (£16.50), and Elf Skin Suntouchable SPF30 (£11.42) are reliable choices.
Beauty Products Worth the Money
For heated hair tools, foundation, eyelash curlers, fragrance, hand wash, serums, face masks, and highlighter, spending more often yields better results.
Heated Hair Styling Tools
Cheap tools can damage hair due to poor heat control. Hairstylist Sally Brooks advises using heat protectant. GHD Speed Ionic hair dryer (£299) and Dyson Airwrap Origin (£299.99) offer even heat distribution and ionic technology. K18 HeatBounce conditioning heat protectant (£24) shields up to 232°C.
Foundation and Concealers
Shade match and longevity justify higher prices. Estée Lauder Double Wear (£29.63), Clarins Double Serum foundation (£39.20), and Armani Luminous Silk (£32.90) provide long wear and better undertone options. Concealers like Milk Hydrogrip (£26), Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Blur (£31), and Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Awakening (£28) offer crease-resistant, natural coverage.
Eyelash Curlers
A well-fitting curler prevents pinching. Koji curving eyelash curler (£15.80) suits East Asian eye shapes, Kevyn Aucoin (£17.60) fits most, and Suqqu (£18) works for deep-set eyes.
Fragrance
Luxury perfumes contain higher oil concentrations and complex ingredients. Glossier You Soie (£70), Frédéric Malle Contre-Jour (£170), and Byredo Bal d’Afrique roll-on oil (£58.50) offer longevity. Apply to moisturised skin and store away from light.
Hand Wash
Well-made hand washes add luxury. Byredo Lost Rose (£47), Commune Seymour set (£149), and Diptyque softening hand wash (£59) offer refillable options and lasting scents.
Serums
Stability and delivery systems matter for active ingredients. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic (£169) brightens skin, Medik8 Crystal retinal (from £45) uses retinaldehyde, and Dr Barbara Sturm peptide serum (£185) supports collagen.
Face Masks
Higher concentrations of hydrating ingredients justify cost. Reome Hydra-Plasma veil (£88.20 for 5), Omorovicza Ultramoor mud mask (£63.75), and Sisley Black rose mask (£145) provide noticeable results.
Highlighter
Better highlighters use fine pigments for a natural glow. Chanel Baume Essentiel (£32.30), Kosas Shiny Objects (£25.60), and Rare Beauty Positive Light liquid luminizer (£20.80) blend seamlessly.
