by The cost of living is rising and households are facing the worst budget crisis in a generation. While you may be spending more in other areas of your life, you don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of money on your beauty routine.
The high street beauty bargain is nothing your beauty cabinet (or wallet) snubs these days. Product development has expanded a lot lately and continues to exceed all of our expectations. From designer-worthy formulas to enhanced complexion ranges, it’s about time we welcome affordable options to our beauty bags.
Here are our tried and tested all-time favorites that have been awarded the Telegraph beauty desk label of approval.
skin care saviors
Chamomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter, £11, The Body Shop
A brilliant cleanser that easily rivals more expensive cleansers and balms, apply every night and remove with a face towel.
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres, £6, looks fantastic
If you like extra shine and antioxidants to boot, include a vitamin C serum in your plan. This also includes hyaluronic acid serum.
Cerave Moisturizing Face Lotion SPF50 £12 Look Fantastic
This two-in-one sunscreen and moisturizer is a great option if you’re on a budget. It sinks in well and does not leave a white cast on the skin.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine Sun Protection Invisible SPF50+ Face Mist, £10.50, looks fantastic
A must-have in any skincare routine, spritz this skin-friendly SPF over your moisturizer for maximum sun protection.
Garden of Wisdom Vitamin C Serum 23% + Ferulic Acid, £10, Victoria Health
Another vitamin C we love, that won’t hurt your wallet. This version, with added ferulic acid, helps fight those stubborn fine lines and blemishes too.
Weleda Skin Food, from £8.25, looks fantastic
Well, if VB (Victoria Beckham to you and me) loves this moisturizer, it must be a good one, right? Feed her skin the botanical goodness of this formula to understand the hype after one use.
Vita Liberata Fabulous Gradual Tanning Lotion, £10, Boots
Wear it however you want, this mist is buildable and believable, and most importantly, it’s not orange.
Revolution Skincare x Sali Hughes Gel Quench Light Anytime Moisturizer, £14, Revolve Beauty
Ditch the rich creams for something lighter (and wearable) this summer. This hyaluronic acid gel should triple its price…
Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser, £9.99, Boots
Ideal for a second cleanse, this gel-like consistency can help remove excess makeup before bed.
Garnier Micellar Water Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin, £2.99, Boots
We love this generously sized jar as we test and change our makeup look throughout the day. No oily residue or irritation.
makeup miracles
Creamy luminous concealer £9.99, Zara
If you don’t like a heavy foundation, try this concealer where you need it. Leaves a semi-matte finish.
Do It All Stick, £8.99, H&M
H&M is often overlooked for its clever makeup products and formulas. This multi-purpose color, which comes in various shades, is a good example.
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, £5.99, Boots
This is one of the best-selling classic mascaras for a reason, and it remains one of our all-time favorites on the Telegraph beauty desk.
Boy Brow Eyebrow Gel, £14, Glossier
If you’ve ever been tempted to buy this Gen Z-loved brand, brow gel should be the first thing in your basket. Choose from pigmented or transparent, and your brows will stay in place, without the stickiness.
Bite Size Eyeshadow Palette, £4, elf
There’s no need to overcomplicate an eyeshadow palette; after all, how many shades do you really wear? Keep it simple, and still reap the accolades.
Rimmel Natural Bronzer, £6.99, Superdrug
Outline? It’s about ‘no touring’ this year. Simply choose a bronzer a shade (or two) deeper than your skin tone and sweep across cheekbones, nose, and forehead for a pre-holiday glow.
hair care heroes
Pantene Repair and Protect Hair Oil, £3.99, Boots
Nourish mid-lengths and ends with this smoothing serum, which works especially well on longer hair.
Klorane Daily Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk for All Hair Types, £6.66, Boots
You can really skip shampooing (and hide that you did) with Klorane’s dry shampoo, with no white spots in sight.
Almost Anything Cream, £12, Hershesons
Blow dry, control frizz or leave on as an overnight mask, this truly is an “anything” cream at its finest.
L’Oreal Paris Elvive Color Protect Wonder Water, £4.99, Superdrug
Hooray, a hair treatment designed for those who are short on time! Moisten hair, apply a small amount to lengths and rinse. Your hair will feel stronger and shinier with this nourishing treatment.
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