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LOOKING for beauty products that don’t break the bank? Our team has found the best new launches to help you shop smart this season
Replenishing your beauty stash is never cheap - but it also doesn't have to break the bank.
Our Beauty team has trawled shelves and shopping pages for all of the latest product launches worthy of your wallet - and they all cost under £20.
From petite press-on nails to hair scrunchies that look and do good, here's everything we're popping into our baskets this autumn.
Soap and Glory Thick & Fast Tubing mascara in Cocao bean, £11.99
Mia says: “A few months ago, when Tara tossed the black version of Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Tubing Mascara in Cocoa Bean, £11.99, onto my desk, calling it one of the best budget mascaras on the market, I wasn’t sold. But now the chocolate shade is out, I get it. The mascara lengthens, separates and curls lashes without smudging, flaking or irritating my eyes.”
Bouclème Silk Scrunchie, £12
Mia says: “Initially, I ignored the OTT scrunchie trend, swearing I’d never wear a hair accessory reminiscent of something I wore at school. Fast-forward a few months, and I’m proudly wearing a Bouclème Silk Scrunchie, £12 for two as I write, which keeps my hair in place without snagging.”
Kiko Milano Magnetic Nights Collection Twice The Tint Eye Pencil, £13.99
Mia says: “I recently gave my overflowing make-up bag a well-needed clear-out – it had become overrun with eyeshadow palettes and wands. Now that I’m more organised, I’ll be reaching for Kiko Milano Magnetic Nights Collection Twice The Tint Eye Pencil, £13.99, a space-saving, dual-ended matte eye pencil.”
IF your purse is feeling tighter than ever before and you're looking to save cash on your make-up routine, have you ever thought of trying out beauty dupes?
Here's five of the best recommended beauty buys that are almost identical to the posh versions, but for a fraction of the price.
FACE BASE: If you can't afford Charlotte Tilbury's £52 Magic Cream, why not try a dupe that costs just £5.49 from Superdrug?
TONE IT UP: If Drunk Elephant's £62 Protini moisturiser is out of your price range, you'll need to check out the new dupe in Home Bargains.
TINTING IT: With Fenty's 'game-changer' skin tint costing an eye-watering £29, a popular supermarket's affordable alternative might just be the thing for you.
GET COVERED: At £29 for a Tarte concealer, the new Primark dupe is much more affordable at just £3.50.
SPRAY YAY: For those wanting to smell fresh, without the price tag, Aldi's new Prada and Chloe perfume dupes cost a fraction of the price.
Raybalm Lip Screen SPF 50+, £5.99
Mia says: “Protecting my lips from the sun was never a concern for me — until I badly burned them on holiday. Just like the rest of your skin, lips are susceptible to UV damage so sun protection is vital. Raybalm Lip Screen SPF50+, £5.99, is lightweight with a sheer finish, plus it’s pocket-sized.”
No7 Radiance+Foundation, £16.95
Mia says: “I’m not a fan of thick, matte bases – I prefer sheer, dewy formulas that enhance my complexion, without masking it. Lucky for me, No7 Radiance+ Foundation, £16.95, strikes the perfect balance, cancelling out redness and dark spots, while hydrating and brightening, thanks to vitamin C and niacinamide.”
Botanics All Bright Vitamin C Glow Serum, £10.99
Mia says: “I use a vitamin C serum each day to get radiant skin, and I’m impressed with Botanics All Bright Vitamin C Glow Serum, £10.99. It’s half the price of my go-to and is packed with AHAs.”
CeraVe Oil Control Moisturising Gel-Cream, £16.50
Mia says: “I have combination skin, meaning my forehead is prone to oiliness, whereas my eyes and cheeks are susceptible to dryness – so finding the right moisturiser is no mean feat. Most products either leave my skin feeling greasy or fail to deliver enough hydration. However, CeraVe Oil Control Moisturising Gel-Cream, £16.50, stars hyaluronic acid and ceramides for locking in moisture while tackling greasiness.”
NYX Professional Makeup Buttermelt Blush, £8.99
Tara says: “I’m a cream blush devotee and haven’t reached for a powder formula in forever until I tried Nyx Professional Makeup Buttermelt Blush, £8.99. It glides on to skin, blends out effortlessly, even when applied on top of liquid foundation, and it’s super-pigmented, so the colour lasts all day.”
L'Oreal Paris Infallible Brows 24H Brow Lamination, £11.99
Tara says: “When it comes to brow gel, I’m incredibly picky. It has to be clear (my brows are already dark enough), it has to be easy to apply and it should last all day. Miraculously, L’Oréal Paris Infallible Brows 24H Brow Lamination, £11.99, ticks all the right boxes.”
17. Sculpt Define Contour Wand, £5
Tara says: “I’m no Kim K, but I do contour my face every day, and I could buy six 17 Sculpt Define Contour Wands, £5, for the same price as the one I normally use. It has a lovely finish, as well as sponge-topped packaging.”
Maybelline New York Super Stay Lumi Matte Foundation, £12.99
Tara says: “Foundation is my biggest beauty problem – it’s hard to find one that comes in my perfect shade, finish and formula. Maybelline New York Super Stay Lumi-Matte Foundation, £12.99, is the first base to break into my daily make-up in over a year. It’s not too shiny or too matte, and it lasts all day and night.”
Arkive The Immaculate Hybrid Cleansing Fluid, £14
Tara says: “Since it launched in 2022, haircare brand Arkive has been a permanent fixture in my shower, and its latest launch Arkive The Immaculate Hybrid Cleansing Fluid, £14, is no different. It removes any build-up (thanks, dry shampoo!) and excess oil to leave locks that are more volumised and stay cleaner for longer.”
Bubble First Class Oil Cleanser, £17
Tara says: “If you’ve got a beauty-obsessed teen in your life, you’ll be familiar with Bubble. But the brand is suitable for all ages, and Bubble First Class Oil Cleanser, £17, is the best oil cleanser I’ve ever tried. It doesn’t leave my face feeling greasy or irritated.”
Thayers Snow Mushroom Milky Toner, £16.99
Tara says: “Mushrooms are one of my favourite skincare ingredients, whatever product they’re in. They’re hydrating, soothing and tolerated well by all skin types (unless you’re allergic!). Thayers Snow Mushroom Milky Toner, £16.99, promises to moisturise skin for 48 hours, which is exactly what I need as the weather gets colder.”
Elegant Touch Petite Nails, £6
Tara says: “False nails have never worked for me because of my tiny nail beds – unless I wanted to spend hours trimming each one down so they’d fit, or resort to glueing them to my skin (which means they ping off within a few hours). If you’re in the same boat, Elegant Touch Petite Nails, £6, are specifically designed for small nail beds and will transform your DIY mani.”
