Your bank balance will thank you for these guilt-free treats. Here’s the best new budget beauty and wellbeing buys, diligently tested by the GTG team
Any products in this article have been selected editorially however if you buy something we mention, we may earn commission
If you’re seeking to refresh your beauty and wellness regime this January but your bank balance is still recovering from recent festivities, we have good news: our team has been busy testing out the best new budget launches under £20. There’s a new soothing face spray that rescues winter skin in one spritz, a nifty supplement patch that can banish stress, and a long-lasting foundation that leaves you change from a tenner. Oh, and The Ordinary has just dropped a game-changing affordable serum. Let’s do this!
SARAH-JANE CORFIELD-SMITH
GTG Beauty Director
L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Eyeshadow Stick, £9.99
“Who has time for blending and buffing eye shadow, when a quick scrawl with this creamy, slightly shimmery crayon does everything you need? Plus, no brushes required. There are ten super wearable shades to choose from and I’m particularly enjoying Cloudy Rose, a warm copper-pink shade. You can easily blend two together, should you summon the energy, but one does a beautiful job.”
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Star Face Star Balm in Very Vanilla, £5.99
“Meet the latest addition to my lip balm stash – much to the chagrin of my ten-year-old who has been trying to steal it. This is a very simple balm (not that you need one to be complicated) from Star Face, known for their cute pimple patches, and it’s filled with nourishing shea and cocoa butter alongside coconut oil to keep lips soft and supple. Perfect for grownups and skincare-obsessed tweens.”
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E45 Hydrating Lotion Spray, £6
“E45 is a staple in my house of eczema-skinned kids and husband, and this new spray applicator makes soothing skin even easier. Plus, the formula is light and non-greasy so it sinks in quickly so everyone can get on with what they were doing, just feeling less itchy in the process.”
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Elf Cameo Bronzer & Contour, £7
“With certain parts of my face heading ever southwards, contouring helps me reintroduce structure and shape – so this Elf newbie has been a great addition to my makeup bag. Swipe it where you want (I favour under my cheekbones, each side of my nose and under my jawline) and then blend with a brush. Don’t be scared of the pigment when you first apply it, because it buffs out to a beautiful, slightly dewy, sheer effect. You can also use it as a cream bronzer but, for now, I’m sticking to cheekbone creator.”
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INGEBORG VAN LOTRINGEN
GTG Contributing Beauty Editor
The Inkey List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum, £15
“Unscented and very unassuming, the texture of Inkey’s latest moisturising lotion blows some of the fanciest luxury creams out of the water. Wrapping skin in a velvety veil that feels protective but not heavy, it’s powered by ectoin, a ferment of soothing things like oats. Anti-inflammatory, wound-healing and moisturising, it’s great for repairing flaring, reactive skin that needs its barrier patched up; really, it’s perfect for severe, freezing Januarys like this one.”
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“If you’re not a fan of knocking back capsules or health drinks, these supplement patches provide a rather brilliant alternative. Transdermal and biodegradable, they do not require any of the ‘filler’ ingredients that blight so many supplements, Plus, they bypass the gut to get absorbed directly into the bloodstream, arguably working faster and more efficiently than any oral option. The 22 ‘flavours’ (think Energy, Stress Down, Dream…) are blends of vitamins, minerals and herbal remedies to tackle your issues; just slap one on and feel the benefits.”
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Luna Daily the Everywhere (No)Soap, £14
“A solid soap-free bar you can use everywhere – including your face and lady bits – without causing dryness and irritation. It contains minerals, vitamins, lactic acid and prebiotics to soothe and condition the skin. Unscented, the mild cleansers in here don’t smell great (the scent is a bit chemical), but that’s a small price to pay for a deep cleanse that leaves skin this comfy.”
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L’Oreal Paris Lumi Le Liquid Blush, £9.99
“Mess-free and easy to blend, just give both cheeks a little (these are pigment-rich) swipe with the wand and blend effortlessly into your skin. There are six shades and they all have a luminous finish, so you’re giving your cheekbones a flush, as well as highlighting them. Will work on lips if you’re caught short – multi-purpose indeed.”
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ISLA HUFFADINE
GTG Content Coordinator
Bubble Star Dew Hydrating Eye Cream, £14
“You don’t often find affordable eye creams, but viral skincare brand Bubble has done it again. Formulated with peptides, squalane and shea butter, it hydrates, smoothes and targets fatigue. Tap a small amount under your eyes twice daily – a little goes a long way. The lightweight texture feels instantly hydrating and plumping without greasy residue. It’s a great option for anyone new to eye creams who isn’t ready to splurge on a high-end option.”
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Sephora Collection Size Up Supersized Volume Mascara in brown, £14.99
“Inspired by SJ’s love of burgundy mascara, I’m embracing brown lashes this season: it’s a softer, more subtle effect – ideal for achieving that viral cinnamon roll makeup look. The thick, hourglass-shaped wand adds more oomph than my usual mascara, evenly coating lashes and delivering impressive volume with zero flaking. Plus, it comes in pink and blue if you’re feeling bold!”
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Q+A Collagen Hand Cream, £6.50
“This rich yet fast-absorbing cream is my latest winter handbag essential, to rescue dry cracked hands. It is powered by 100 per cent natural collagen, derived from hydrolyzed vegetable protein, and combined with iron minerals to deliver a hydrating boost while combating signs of ageing: a win-win. The fruity scent is delicious, too.”
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Catrice Cosmetics Invisible Cover Foundation, £6.95
“Budget-friendly foundations can be hit or miss, but they do exist. If you’re after more coverage than a tinted moisturiser, this newcomer provides a matte finish without looking cakey. It is packed with skin-loving ingredients like vitamin E, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera. Plus with 40 shades, there’s a match for every skin tone. I wore this on New Year’s Eve and was impressed by the longevity: no shiny disco ball vibe, post-dancing, hurrah!”
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FLORENCE SCORDOULIS
GTG Contributing Editor
Sol de Janeiro Delícia Drench Shower Oil, from £10
“Your favourite body mist now comes in a shower oil: so you can smell sweet from top to toe, with the cult ‘Cheirosa 59’ blend of gourmand vanilla, plum and sandalwood. The oil-to-milk formula turns into a silky soft lather that cleanses without stripping moisture, thanks to an ultra-nourishing blend of hibiscus, Bacardi butter and Brazilian oils to replenish the skin barrier. A little goes a long way, but you’ll have to sneak it away from any teens with whom you share a bathroom!”
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The Ordinary GF 15% Solution, £13.50
“The budget skincare trailblazers have done it again with this growth factor serum: these biomimetic peptides play a role in the skin’s natural repair but decline with age and environmental stressors. Usually, they don’t come cheap (think: Bioeffect’s cult EFG Serum, at £135 for 15ml) but this 30ml 15% concentration is super accessible. The watery formula gives you an instant glow with firming, lifting and smoothing benefits.”
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Lush Macaque Bubble Bar, £6.50
“A little of this limited-edition golden monkey can be crumbled under running water to create a bubbling bath of skin-soothing frankincense and anxiety-busting bergamot. But it’s also the first launch in Lush’s new keystone giving collection (which has replaced their iconic charity pots): 75% of sales go towards supporting endangered wildlife like this long-tailed macaque in Indonesian rainforests. So far the eco-loving brand has donated £100 million to grass-roots charities worldwide.”
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Elf Lip Oil Reviver Glimmer, £8
“Jump on the lip oil bandwagon with this affordably nourishing blend of jojoba, apricot, avocado and pomegranate oils, which keep the lips soft and supple – with added minty zing, zero stickiness. There are eight new shimmery shades (my go-to is the rosy Princess Cut). Plus, the plush, cushiony XXL applicator is strangely comforting.”
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