From the new Arkive hairspray to the MUA lip oil that changes colour as it hits your skin, these are some of the best budget beauty buys we've found this month
We’ve said it before and will undoubtedly say it again: good beauty products do not need to cost the earth. This month in our curated edit of budget buys that the team have all tried, we give to you a new product from E45 that we predict will become a summer must-have, the most phenomenal eyeshadow palette from Morphe that tweens, teens and grown-ups will all love, as well as some fantastic shampoos that outperform designer haircare brands that cost three times the price.
The modern hairspray: Arkive Headcare The Veil Hairspray, £8.67
"Hairstylist extraordinaire Adam Reed just knows how to create great hair products and his latest is this heavenly scented hairspray (honestly, you’ll wish the scent came as a perfume). The spray is a fine mist that gives really good hold but it’s also really easy to brush out - no crunchy hair here. It also contains heat protection so can be used with styling tools so the possibilities are endless." SJ Corfield-Smith, GTG Beauty Director
The invisible sunscreen: Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV Invisible Serum SPF 50+, £14
"Garnier has made a USP out of invisible and non-sticky suncreams and its newest factor 50+ milk for the face continues this glorious tradition, without being greasy or drying. The finish is neither matter nor glowy, instead it's undetectable on all skin tones. It ticks the boxes for mature skin due to the addition of ceramides and well as oily skin thanks to the lack of shine. Plus the pump dispenser has a twist lock so you can bung it in your handbag too." Victoria Woodhall, GTG Editorial Director
The easy flossers: Grin Smooth Floss Pyxs, £4.49
"I recently discovered Grin when they entered our Wellness Awards, and their floss sticks are perfect for the lazy girl in me who hates using string floss but desperately wants to floss more, as we all know how important it is. The floss is incredibly smooth and gentle on my gums, making it perfect for people with sensitive teeth . I also love the build in toothpick on the end. But let's talk about the quality - it's top-notch. And the mint flavour? It leaves your mouth feeling so fresh and clean after every use. 75 floss pyxs for less than a fiver, what’s not to love?" Christina Callaghan, GTG Commercial Director
The innovative tan: Bondi Sands Technicolour, £18.99
"Whenever there’s a new tan launch I’m always excited but somewhat sceptical: is it really any different to the gazillion other tans already out there? But this one is doing something quite different. There are four options and you choose according to your skin tone rather than your desired shade . Each formulation contains colour pigments that prevent the tan looking either too orange on paler skins or too ashy on darker skins. The result is a gorgeous looking colour that really does look like you've spent two weeks in the Maldives rather than being Tangoed. Find your shade here." Amy Rostas, GTG Social Media and Beauty Assistant
The summer skin soother: E45 Itch Relief Gel, £9.99
“This is one of those products that isn’t sexy in the slightest but I predict will become a skin saviour for many. Anyone with dry or eczema-prone skin will know how you can rely on E45 to help soothe and calm skin - it’s a brand that feels like a safe pair of hands. And this is their new cooling gel that instantly takes the sting out of itchy and inflamed skin while making it feel slightly chilled at the same time. Perfect for prickly heat, random rashes, eczema, insect bites - all the things that summer brings. I’ve used it on my entire family already and won’t be without a tube from now onwards.” SJCS
The palette for all generations: Morphe 9C Matte Essentials Artistry Palette, £13
"According to makeup artist and brand founder Tricia Cusden, matte eyeshow looks incredible on older women because it’s better at masking the creases than shimmer finishes. While Morphe palettes are the thing my daughter’s generation queue for, this nine-pan collection with blues, greens and greys is perfect for me. They even work wet so with a fine brush I can apply liquid eyeliner in the deepest shades.” VW
The lip plumper: Catrice Cosmetics Plump It Up Lip Booster, £3.79
"As much as I adore smoothing lip oil, I'm always partial to plumping lip gloss, and this budget pick from Catrice Cosmetics ticks all the right boxes. The formula contains vitamin E and jojoba oil, which hydrates and nourishes your lips and menthol which helps to give a noticeable plumping effect that's not too dramatic, plus it has a nice tingling sensation which I love. It's a high-shine gloss with a slightly sticky texture. You can choose from nine shades; my go-to is "Fake It Till You Make It" (an appropriate name for a lip plumper), which is a gorgeous warm coral - perfect for springtime." JT
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The sleepless night saviour: Byoma De-Puff + Brighten Eye Gel, £12.99
“Want to look like you get nine hours of sleep every night? Look no further than this refillable hybrid serum-gel for your under eyes. (I love the lightweight texture of this but if you prefer a thicker texture here are the best eye creams on the market.) This targets puffiness and dark circles, with the help of brightening vitamin C and hydrating ceramides. There’s no need to spend your monthly savings on expensive eye cream when this genius product is only £12.99.“ AR
The bespoke haircare system: Function of Beauty Wavy Hair Shampoo, £9.60 & Deep Condition Booster,£3.20
"Function of Beauty's USP has always been about tailored and bespoke haircare that doesn't cost a fortune. You start by choosing your 'base' shampoo and conditioners based on your hair type; straight, wavy, coily or curly. You then choose up to three hair goal 'boosters' to tackle your main concerns such as hydration, de-frizzing or colour protection, which you pour into the shampoo and conditioner, shake up and then use.The affordability of this product is impressive, considering the personalised experience and high-quality ingredients. Plus, the sleek packaging and aesthetic of the brand make it a great addition to any shower shelf." CC
The vegan collagen shampoo: Pacifica Vegan Collagen Hydrating Shampoo, £13
"There is a lot of chatter around what is vegan collagen and whether it’s as effective as other collagen types. In this shampoo, it has been included to help mimic naturally occurring peptides in the hair that are the building blocks inside the hair shaft giving it flexibility and strength and reducing breakages. It is ideal for overly processed hair and works on all hair types from curly and coiled to fine and frizzy. It feels exceptionally nourishing and as well as being totally vegan, the bottle is made from 100 per cent post-consumer recycled plastic and it’s PETA approved. So if you’re looking for good, affordable haircare you can’t go wrong with this." SJCS
The instant flush: MUA Metamorphosis Colour Changing Lip and Cheek Oil, £3.50
"Gone are the days when a cheap lip gloss dried your lips to a husk, this lovely lip oil not only made my lips feel soft but went on clear and added a flush on contact. You can even use it as a blushing cheek gloss. In straitened times, this is one pick me up that goes the extra mile for less than the price of your latte." VW
The show-stopping nail kit: Blklisted Instant Acrylic Iced Out 30 Nails, £9.99
"I’ll never have an excuse to have plain Jane nails again thanks to this budget-friendly kit. Created by singer Ray Blk (who’s known for having the most fabulous tallons) this press-on acrylic kit is just what you need to achieve a professional-looking manicure at home. The set includes 30 nails in different sizes that are easy to apply and have a stunning icy pearl finish. They’re pretty long-lasting too, mine lasted just under two weeks without snapping off. They’re easy-to-remove as well without damaging your natural nails. The only drawback is they may not fit small nail beds properly. But overall, if you want skip the nail tech chair and save a few quid this is a great option." JT
The blonde brightening drops: Charles Worthington ColourPlex Ultra-Violet Toning Drops, £12.99
"I’ve been an advocate for Charles Worthington for years, and they recently launched their new Colour Plex Ultra Violet Toning Drops which have been great for my balayage bleached hair. Firstly, the affordability of the product is fantastic - it's a great way to refresh your colour without having to shell out for a salon appointment. The size is also perfect, as you only need a few drops at a time, so it should last for a while. The drops are incredibly easy to use - simply mix them in with your shampoo or conditioner and apply as usual. The results were noticeable after just one use, as the ultra violet formula helped to neutralize any brassy tones in my hair, leaving it looking brighter and more vibrant. In terms of travel friendliness, the small size of the bottle means it's easy to pack in your suitcase or gym bag, and you won't have to worry about any spills or leaks." CC