From the £4 essential beauty tool to the new L'Oreal Paris SPF that makes wearing SPF on the daily even easier, oh and it costs under a tenner. Here are all the brilliant beauty buys the team are loving this month and they all come with a budget price tag too.
We love luxe items as much as the next person, but the brilliant thing about the beauty world is that you don't have to spend a fortune to get your hands on a product that works and feels wonderful to use too. That's why every month we bring your our pick of some of the best budget-friendly beauty buys hitting the shelves. And we have a bumper edit for you this month. From the new lash-lengthening mascara from Maybelline to the light, but seriously hydrating, gel-moisturiser from Vichy. There's also newness from Lanolips with a sheer balm that feels perfect for spring as well as an instant body bronzer from Skinny Tan as we all start to peel off the tights and jeans and begin to flash our legs in the sunshine. Everything is £20 and under so you can shop away and still have change leftover for a coffee. Enjoy.
The perfect daily SPF: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical Anti-UV Fluid, £9.99
“We all know we should be wearing a daily SPF and this new one from L’Oreal makes it even easier to do so, because it can slip into your regular skincare routine so easily. It’s hydrating enough - it contains hyaluronic and glycerin - that if you have oily skin (like me) you can just pop it on over your regular serum but drier skins can pair it with a moisturiser too without it feeling like you’ve got loads on your skin. It contains vitamin C to get to work on brightening your skin and it truly does work on all skin tones leaving zero white cast.” SJ Corfield-Smith, GTG Beauty Director
The x: Neals Yard Skincare Boosters: Rosehip, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, £18-20
"I’m always surprised at what great value Neal’s Yard Remedies products are given their organic and ethical credentials and the lovely glass packaging. These new boosters will last your last for three months for the Hydrating and Brightening boosters and up around six months for the Rosehip booster, if you use one to two drops either neat or to up-level your moisturiser. Together, they cover three of skincare biggest hero ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vitamin C (in the form of kakadu plum) and rosehip oil (which by the way, is a favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge) rich in vitamin A. My favourite is the rosehip oil…if it’s good enough for Kate…" Victoria Woodhall, GTG Editorial Director
The false lash effect: Maybelline Extension Mascara, £11.99
"Looking to elevate your lashes without spending a fortune? This new mascara may be for you. Its lengthening formula delivers a natural effect whilst still packing an inky black pigment punch. My lashes looked long and separated, there was no clumping at all and it didn't smudge or flake at all. Definitely a contender for one of the best budget mascaras I’ve ever used.” Amy Rostas, GTG Beauty and Social Media Assistant
The sensory experience: Fruit Works Whipped Body Souffle, £10
“As soon as the seasons change my skin dries up and needs a shot of hydration and this is what I’m turning to. It has a gorgeous almost mousse-like consistency that sinks in without feeling greasy or heavy but it’s also super moisturising thanks to it containing shea butter and coconut oil. As you might expect from a brand called Fruit Works, the scent is fruity and fresh making it perfect for spring and summer and the best bit is all the products are £10 or under.” Christina Callaghan, GTG Commercial Director
The instant skin transformer: Skinny Tan 1-Day Instant Tanner, £9.99
"I hate the hassle of fake tanning but I love the results and how it makes me feel. Making this 1-day instant tanner the best of both worlds. It delivers an instant bronze glow to the skin, is easy to apply, streak-free and the quick-drying formula doesn't transfer onto clothes so you can put it on and get dressed straight away. I love that it contains vitamin E, shea butter, and almond oil,, it feels like a body lotion - one that happens to make you look tanned at the same time. The formula stays on until you wash it off with warm water so if you want a low-maintenance and natural-looking tan, then this product is definitely worth trying." Jemma Thompson, GTG Design and Social Media Manager
Nail power: Protein Formula for Nails, £15
“Like hair, nails are made up of keratin (a protein) which you can sort of temporarily replace to put the strength back – but use too much and it can actually make your nails (and hair) brittle and prone to breakage. So this clever system offers four formulas with the right level of vegan protein and amino acids for your issue, so you can avoid overdoing it. There’s Maintain, Grow, Hydrate and Strengthen, each with a clear description of what your nail would look and feel like to need each formula. And apart from the protein, there’s biotin, panthenol, AHA’s, glycerin and more for all-round nourishing and fortifying nail and cuticle care. Paint your clear treatment on by itself or use it as a strengthening base coat.” Ingeborg van Lotringen, Contributing Beauty Editor
The springtime sheer balm: Lanolips Jellybalm, £8.99
“If you are a crack lip sufferer and a fruity lover then I’ve some very good news for you. The hydration experts Lano Lips have launched a new range of Jelly Balms, a trio of fruity-flavoured lip salves with deep transparent tints. You can choose from strawberry, watermelon and the most delicious cherry, my number one fruity favourite. These award-winning lip balms heal, hydrate and look very pretty. I find the winter months especially harsh on my lips and as we head into spring, this extra TLC is most welcome. As well as a high lanolin content, these balms contain vitamin E, shea butter, and have an SPF 30 to help nourish, repair and project. Our lips lack oil glands making them especially susceptible to dying especially when it’s cold. The Jelly Balms have been formulated as a great alternative to lipstick too. They are non-sticky, glossy with just the right amount of pigment for a natural finish. Sweet tasting and good value at £8.99 a pop.” Marie Louise Pumfrey, GTG contributor
The everyman moisturiser: Vichy Mineral 89 72H Boosting Cream, £16.50
“This just makes it into our budget buys because it’s currently on sale and under our cutoff £20 price limit and thank goodness because it’s a great hydrating cream that suits everyone and every skin type. Following on from the overwhelming success of the serum of the same name, this is packed with hyaluronic acid, squalane and vitamin B3 all of which work on delivering hydration to different levels of the skin. Oily skins like mine won’t find it overbearing and drier skin will drink it up.” SJCS
The hydrating mattifier: Nyx Professional Makeup Bare With Me Blur Tint Foundation, £9.99
”Packed with skin-calming ingredients like matcha powder, this drugstore foundation performs like a far more expensive product. It delivers semi-full coverage and a blurring effect that evens out skin tone and covers blemishes. Ideal for oily to combination skin but I’d still recommend powdering your t-zone to prevent any slipping throughout the day. It also comes in an impressive 24 shades.” AR
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The self-care treat: Dr Paw Paw, Your Gorgeous Skin Hydrating & Nourishing Sheet Mask, £4.99
“Dr Paw Paw has recently launched its highly anticipated new skincare line, Your Gorgeous Skin and I think this hydrating sheet mask is the standout product. It’s infused with a blend of natural ingredients, such as aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, which work together to deeply hydrate and plump the skin. It’s simple to use, has a bargain price point and feels amazing on the skin. There are 9 products in the range, all are super affordable and include a new trademarked ingredient papayaluronic – a combo of nourishing and soothing papaya extract with 8 types of hyaluronic acids that sink to deeper layers of the skin.” CC
The budget beauty tool: Truyu Easy View Slant Tweezer, £4
"I'm always in need of a good pair of tweezers in my beauty arsenal, but I'm not willing to break the bank for them. These tweezers from Truyu are a stellar budget-friendly option for anyone in search of a high-quality tweezer. The slanted tip and precision alignment offer great control and accuracy when removing unwanted or fine hair. They are made of stainless steel, which is pretty durable and will last you through quite a few years — not bad for four quid!" JT
The purifying mousse: Avene Cleansing Foam, £14.75
“Cleansing foams are underrated and misunderstood, I believe. Mild liquid cleansers in the bottle, they are pumped through a nozzle which is what turns them into a dense, fine foam, hair mousse-style. So you get millions of tiny bubbles that aren’t formed by sulphates but by air, and these get between layers of makeup and grime to break them apart before rinsing them away. It works brilliantly, even for waterproof eye makeup, without ever drying your skin. This one is scented which I find disappointing, but it’s thorough and effective.” IvL
The one brush does it all: Kiko Milano 4-in-1 Brush, £16.99
“Genius for travelling or if you do your makeup on the go; meet this clever 4-in-1 brush. It starts off with a fluffy attachment for bronzer, blusher and powder at one end and a flat brush that’s ideal for foundation at the other. Take them off and inside you find two smaller brushes for eyeshadows, the flatter of the two is great for getting colour on and the tapered option is perfect for more precise application, blending and applying powder eyeliner.”
The protective glow: The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen SPF30, £14.99
"If you're on the hunt for a hydrating daily sun cream that delivers a gorgeous glow without breaking the bank, look no further than this SPF 30 from The Inkey List. Thanks to polyglumatic acid it provides extra hydration whilst protecting your skin and leaving you with a luminous complexion that's just the right amount of glow. It doesn't leave any white cast or residue and is perfect for all skin types - if you have oily skin you won’t need an additional moisturiser underneath. At this price point, it's a no-brainer for those wanting an affordable, effective SPF that gives your skin a little extra oomph." AR
The dry skin saviour: Byoma Hydrating Replenishing Oil, £13.99
"Byoma's brand ethos is all about protecting your skin barrier and over the years I have definitely compromised mine with strong acids and actives that were too much for my skin to deal with. I wanted a range where I could basically start fresh and this is that and the facial oil is a great product to start with. It contains hydrating and soothing squalane as well as nine antioxidant-rich botanical oils to rebuild the skin barrier. The packaging is really informative, not only telling you how to use the product but also where it slots into your routine - this is a brand that’s really trying to make skincare as straightforward and simple as possible." CC
The foot soldier: CCS Foot Care Cream, £7.99
“If I would just be more consistent with foot cream I would have really great feet. The right cream, applied nightly, can make a huge difference, getting rid of gnarliness and callouses altogether and also leaving nails pink and healthy, with neat and supple cuticles. AHA’s, and in particular lactic acid, are essential for resurfacing rough foot skin, while urea is potentially the best hydrator – apart from being a great moisture-trapping humectant, it has its own gentle exfoliating action. This thick, luxurious cream may not look very sexy, but your feet will be.” IvL
"If you're on the hunt for a reliable, long-lasting, gentle and effective deodorant, then look no further. Despite its very affordable price point, this deodorant does not compromise on quality. The roll-on applicator glides smoothly onto the skin, and the deodorant dries quickly, leaving no residue. I found that it provided long-lasting protection against sweat and odour, even throughout a mammoth bank holiday decorating / DIY stint. It contains no alcohol so it's great to use post-shave, and includes moisturiser so my underarms felt smooth and hydrated after use. Plus, the passionfruit scent is divine and reminds me of a pornstar martini - always a good thing!" JT