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Every now and again I like to splash out and treat myself to a few high-end beauty products. However, this constitutes a very small portion of my makeup and skincare collection. Sooo many of the items I use on a daily basis are from drugstore brands.
One of the biggest beauty myths is that you need to spend more to ensure better quality. I mean, of course this is true in some cases. But for the most part, it really doesn’t matter how much a product costs as long as it works.
That’s why I’m sharing some of my favourite affordable beauty products. These are things that I have used throughout the years and have deemed worth the price. I am a firm believer that good makeup/skincare products shouldn’t cost a fortune. So here are some of the budget buys I love … and hopefully you’ll love them too!
1. The Inkey List Retinol Serum £9.99
I’ve been using The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid for quite some time. But when it sold out (and took ages to come back in stock), I thought I might try something different. I’m actually so glad I did because I think I’ve found a new skincare essential!
Though it’s a little more expensive, I find the consistency of The Inkey List Retinol Serum so much better. It’s also way easier to apply! I don’t notice any irritation when I use it and the results are super quick. Can’t recommend this enough!
2. The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% £5.50
The Ordinary’s Azelaic Acid is massively underrated. This is probably one of their best products but I never see anyone talking about it!
The texture is a little weird – probably due to its silicone content. Apart from that though, there’s literally nothing to complain about. It’s great for clearing up hyperpigmentation and brightening the skin. I also use it as a spot treatment whenever something comes up.
3. Barry M Lip Liner £2.99
I’ve tried so many lip liners over the years and the Barry M ones are still my standout choice. They’re so creamy and blendable.
I’ve seen loads of people hail these as a dupe for the Mac Lip Pencil and I 100% agree. I would say they’re just as good … if not better!
4. Lottie London Slay All Day Liquid Lipstick £5.95
I’m not usually a fan of matte liquid lipsticks, they can often be really drying on the lips. However, this one from Lottie London might have swayed me a little. It doesn’t smudge and it stays on pretty well (even after eating).
I usually apply a really light layer so it doesn’t look or feel too thick. And if I want extra hydration, I’ll just dab some lip balm over the top. This way your lip look has staying power AND shine. Win-win!
5. Mane Club Voodoo Oil $8.00
Weirdly, I can’t seem to find this oil for sale anywhere in the UK. But, if you can get your hands on it, I would highly recommend buying! It leaves my hair feeling so soft and silky. Plus, it smells sooo nice.
All Mane Club products are vegan and cruelty-free. And most, if not all of them, contain no sulphates or parabens which I love.
6. The Ordinary Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil £9.00
It was soooo hard not to flood this list with The Ordinary products. In fact, I’m impressed that I managed to keep it at a respectable two. I’m obsessed with this brand!
Their Rose Hip Seed Oil is one of those affordable products that everyone needs in their beauty collection. Tbh I don’t know what I’d do without this in the winter!
Whenever my skin gets a little dry, I put a bit of this on at night and when I wake up in the morning my skin is glowing. I actually like to apply this over the top of my retinol (or other actives) to mitigate any dryness/sensitivity before it happens.
7. Essie Nail Polish in Lilacism £7.95
I know Ballet Slippers is meant to be everyone’s fave Essie polish … and I do still love it. It’s the perfect subtle pink shade. But for spring/summer I like to brighten up my outfits with something a little more fun.
Lilacism is pretty and elegant without being too in your face. It does take a couple of coats to reach full opacity, but I don’t really mind this too much.
8. Rimmel Match Perfection Silky Loose Powder £8.49
I mentioned this briefly in my natural everyday makeup post, but I use it so much I think it deserves to make another appearance. The Rimmel Match Perfection Powder is so finely milled that it doesn’t look cakey or heavy on the skin at all.
It absorbs excess oil really well and helps my makeup stay shine-free all day. One pot of this lasts forever, so I feel like I’m getting more than my money’s worth whenever I buy one.
9. Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara £9.99
For a drugstore mascara, Maybelline’s Lash Sensational is pretty impressive. It instantly lifts and lengthens the lashes, requiring only one or two coats. Any more than that and it does start to get a bit clumpy!
The curved brush makes it really easy to fan out your lashes and keep them separated. It also adds a good amount of volume too. Love, love, love!
10. Tresemme Smooth & Shine Blow-Dry Mist £5.49
Since I’ve been at home more often, and haven’t really been going out, I haven’t needed to heat style my hair as much. I do still like to use a protective product whenever I dry my hair though.
This Tresemme Smooth & Shine Mist is a great product to add to your daily hair care routine. It helps tame frizz and prevents heat damage. My hair always feels super smooth and silky after using it.
Which affordable beauty products do you recommend? What are your drugstore must-haves? Let me know!
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