IN the wise words of Jessie J, it’s not about the money where beauty buying is concerned.
In fact, more than a third of Boots Advantage Card members shopped for both budget-friendly make-up and premium cosmetics in 2024, focusing their attention not on how much products costs but on what really works – not something that’s always easy to work out.
To find out where we should be spending our money, and what products we can save on, we asked 10 industry experts for their favourite budget beauty product, and the one they will shell out for.
Tara Ledden, Beauty Editor
I’m a huge fan of high street beauty, as there are so many brilliant products lining the shelves today, you really don’t have to spend loads to arm yourself with hard-working products.
However, if I’m going to splurge, it’s almost always on skincare.
BUDGET BUY
This multi-tasking spray is a hair saviour[/caption]
ARKIVE The Prologue Hair Primer, £4.50
I talk about ARKIVE The Prologue Hair Primer, £4.50, on an almost daily basis. In fact, when I told Beauty Writer Mia that I was going to make it my budget pick, she replied: “I knew it!” immediately.
It’s super lightweight, yet it still dissolves tangles and manages to leave hair noticeably softer and more shiny – while also protecting it from heat – without leaving any residue behind.
It’s impossible to use too much, so if you have fine hair like me, you don’t need to worry about it feeling dirty or limp.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
This moisturiser is worth the splurge[/caption]
Tatcha The Silk Cream, £123
I discovered Tatcha The Silk Cream, £123, in the Fabulous beauty cupboard over two years ago and started slathering it on my face.
Within days, I was getting compliments on how good my skin looked, including one from a fellow beauty editor well versed in my history of acne, who exclaimed: “Your skin looks like porcelain!” before we’d even said hello.
I’d used it for a week before I googled the price, and I instantly started using a tiny pea-sized amount to try to make the tub last longer, thinking I’d never be able to justify a repurchase.
Unfortunately for my bank balance, I’ve not found a cheaper moisturiser that compares, and have since re-stocked multiple times.
Jamie Genevieve, make-up artist and founder of Vieve
As a make-up artist, it doesn’t get more fun than testing and trying new make-up launches.
BUDGET BUY
This serum is instantly hydrating[/caption]
Byoma Hydrating Serum, £12.99
Everything from Byoma is simple, effective and fuss-free, with a super-accessible price point.
Byoma Hydrating Serum, £12.99 gives skin a hit of hydration, making it great to use ahead of applying make-up.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
I love my luxurious facials with facialists Olivia Francesca and Nichola Joss, whose clients have included Gwyneth Paltrow and J.Lo.
I go to KMP Skin in London and Age Refined Glasgow for medical-grade treatments.
Dr Christine Hall, aesthetics doctor and pharmacist
One product I never spend lots of money on is a cleanser, as you really don’t need to.
BUDGET BUY
This SPF has a lightweight texture[/caption]
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF 50, £15.50
The textures and finishes of Korean SPFs are unrivalled because they’re so lightweight and non-greasy, plus they’re often hybrid products.
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF 50, £15.50, offers premium protection and doubles up as a moisturiser.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
This serum is worth the investment[/caption]
Skinceuticals Silymarin CF Serum, £165
Skinceuticals Silymarin CF Serum, £165, is formulated with oily skin in mind and was genuinely a game-changer for me in terms of clearing my skin of breakouts.
Mollie Burdell, beauty journalist and make-up artist
You don’t need to spend much to create an exceptional skincare or make-up routine, but I’m also a real sucker for glitzy tools and gadgets.
BUDGET BUY
This foundation gives pricey formulas a run for their money[/caption]
e.l.f cosmetics Soft Glam Satin Foundation, £8
e.l.f cosmetics Soft Glam Satin Foundation, £8, is one of my favourite bases because it gives the most natural glow-giving coverage with minimal effort required, and works beautifully on all skin types.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
This innovation is a game-changer[/caption]
Dyson Supersonic r Hairdryer, £449.99
I first experienced the new Dyson Supersonic r Hairdryer, £449.99, at Larry King’s salon, and I immediately knew I needed one for myself.
It’s nifty, lightweight and an absolute joy to use.
Emily Lansley, celebrity manicurist, facialist and tanning expert
When adding to my beauty kit, I always keep prevention, protection and good gut health at the forefront of my mind.
BUDGET BUY
You’ll love this beauty bargain[/caption]
Boots Glow Gua Sha, £8.50
A gua sha, like Boots Glow Gua Sha, £8.50, is one of the best things you can use at home for lymphatic drainage – you’ll see instant tightening results.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
Slimyonik AIR Bodystyler treatments, from £99, is a body contouring and lymphatic drainage device. It supercharges your metabolism, reduces inflammation throughout your body and improves your skin and gut health from the inside out.
Adam Reed, hairstylist and founder of Arkive Headcare
Creating and sticking to a routine is near impossible for my ADHD mind, so I make sure I keep things really simple.
BUDGET BUY
Keep it simple with this moisturiser[/caption]
Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream, £2
I use Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream, £2, absolutely everywhere, and it’s also a great base for making fragrances last.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
I take weekly visits to the nail salon for a mani/pedi. My job is aggressive on my hands, so I really take care of them. Townhouse nail salon is my go-to.
Katie Onyejekwe, aesthetician and skincare educator
My beauty routine is simple, results-driven and efficacious.
BUDGET BUY
This budget lip liner has gone viral[/caption]
Rimmel Lasting Finish Lip Liner in Cappuccino, £3.99
Rimmel Lasting Finish Lip Liner in Cappuccino, £3.99, is the perfect nude shade for my skin tone – once applied it really does stay put, which I find a lot of other liners don’t.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
Achieve a sculpted look[/caption]
Pure Lift Pro EMS tool, £674
I use Pure Lift Pro EMS tool, £674, in my facials, and occasionally on myself. It visibly lifts and helps to drain away water retention, leaving you looking sculpted.
Iram Shelton, celebrity nail artist and lifestyle creator
I spend way more than average on beauty, but it’s part of my job, so I see it as a business investment too!
BUDGET BUY
Iram loves this cult concealer[/caption]
Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eraser Concealer, £9.99
Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eraser Concealer, £9.99, blends like a dream and has been in my make-up bag since my teenage years.
Some things don’t need to be expensive to work.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
A Dyson Airwrap can be a great investment[/caption]
Dyson Airwrap, £479.99
My Dyson Airwrap, £479.99, was a major splurge, but it’s the best way to achieve a salon-worthy blowout at home without frying my hair.
Plus, the time it saves me makes it 100% worth it.
Adeola Gboyega, make-up artist
I’m not into products that are all packaging and no performance.
If it doesn’t get results or elevate my routine in some way, it’s not worth the spend.
BUDGET BUY
Elevate your bodycare routine[/caption]
NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Body Oil, £12.50
NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Body Oil, £12.50 has a super-luxe scent for the price and I love how multi-use it is: body, hair, décolleté, even a few drops in the bath.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
I believe in complementing my skincare routine with professional treatments.
Injectables, chemical peels and laser treatments help with long-term skin health and make everyday maintenance so much easier.
Jules Von Hep, beauty expert & author of The Confidence Ritual
My beauty kit is brimming with different products dependent on season, day of the week, mood, age.
Essentially more is more, less is a bore.
BUDGET BUY
Why splurge on hair gel?[/caption]
V05 Wet Look Gel, £3.50
The job of a hair gel is solely to firm up and hold in place, so why spend lots on it?
V05 Wet Look Gel, £3.50, is no frills, and creates slicked-back hair every time.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
This stunning fragrance is a great investment[/caption]
Matiere Premier Santal Austral, £165 for 50ml EDP
Fragrance is always worth the splurge – you smell expensive because it is expensive.
Douse me in Byredo De Los Santos, £150 for 50ml EDP and Matiere Premier Santal Austral, £165 for 50ml EDP.
Estee Lalonde, content creator and founder of Mirror Water
Estee Lalonde has these products in her bathroom[/caption]
Don’t be swayed by trends – find what works best for you.
Shopping with a list helps me to avoid impulse buys.
BUDGET BUY
This is a skincare staple[/caption]
Garnier Micellar Water, £5.49
Garnier Micellar Water, £5.49, is a ride-or-die for me.
It’s perfect for all skin types and is always the first step of my evening routine to remove my make-up.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
Soothe and balance stressed skin[/caption]
REOME Active Recovery Broth, £75
I’d always say to splurge on a luxurious serum.
REOME Active Recovery Broth, £75, is an all-time favourite – if my skin is showing any signs of stress, this highly concentrated formula instantly calms and soothes it.
Mia Lyndon, Beauty Writer at Fabulous
These are the products that Mia reaches for[/caption]
Never overload your skin with buzzy skin and make-up products – instead, invest time in finding products that work for you, regardless of how unsexy they may seem.
BUDGET BUY
This cream gets the job done[/caption]
Cetraben Cream, £4.84
It’s taken me a long time to find the right moisturiser for my eczema-prone complexion, but I’ve finally found it in simple and deeply nourishing Cetraben Cream, £4.84.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
Mia likes to invest in good handcare[/caption]
Molton Brown Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Hand Wash & Lotion Set, £47
Invest in great handcare – like Molton Brown’s fresh, aromatic Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Hand Wash & Lotion Set, £47 – and you’ll always be ready to have guests around!
