From the biodegradable fake tan correcting pads to the adjustable Max Factor mascara that’s gone viral on TikTok, we’ve rounded up the best new budget beauty buys under £20
Budget beauty buys just get better and better and so every month we rounded up some of the best new products that will make you look and feel great without busting your wallet, There’s the doesn’t-budge eyeliner that’s just as good as our writer’s regular (and pricier) choice as well as the £4.99 cryo eye masks from Garnier that deliver an instant hit of depuffing. Not to mention a brilliant high-strength vitamin C serum that will help get your skin glowing and a £10 body lotion that is a dupe for an iconic body lotion costing double the price. So if you’re looking for some new beauty buys this summer, keep on reading!
The easiest lipstick ever: Beauty Pie Shine Up Lip Colour Balm Stick, members price £12
"Yet again, Beauty Pie is one of my top budget picks, as you simply can’t beat it for value once you’ve paid the £59 annual membership cost (which, believe me, pays back in the saving you make, especially if you like to gift beauty or luxury scented candles. Not a member yet? Use our code GTGSENTME for £10 off the £59). These lip crayons take the form of highly pigmented balm, they last a long time on the lips and for the price, you can buy two or three to blend your perfect shade. French Red is that elusive red that will suit everyone." Victoria Woodhall, GTG Editorial Director
The adaptable mascara: Max Factor Masterpiece 2 in 1 Lash Wow Mascara, £10
“I truly believe that high street mascaras have far more innovation behind them than their designer counterparts. Case in point; this brilliant new mascara from Max Factor. It’s gone viral on TikTok thanks to the fact you can change the configuration of the bristles by simply twisting the end of the lid. When left untwisted the bristles are further spaced apart which is meant to lengthen and separate lashes. When twisted, the bristles are drawn closer together which is meant to add volume and length. I can’t say I noticed a huge difference between the two settings but it gave me long fluttery-looking lashes either way so I'm sold." SJ Corfield-Smith, GTG Beauty Director
The tan fixer: St Moriz Professional Self-Tan Remover Pads 60, £5.99
"These little wonders effortlessly tackle those dreaded tanning mishaps such as dark spots on elbows, streaks on hands and ankles or unsightly palm stains. Each pad is saturated in an exfoliating and tan-lifting liquid so all you have to do is lightly rub the area you need to correct and watch the excess tan disappear. They are fragrance-free and feel very soft on the skin plus they're biodegradable, making them a responsible choice for the environment. My only gripe is that I wish they came in a bigger size so I could use them to get rid of week-old tan all over my body." Amy Rostas, GTG Beauty and Social Media Assistant
The eye-soothing hero: Garnier Anti-Fatigue Hyaluronic Acid and Icy Cucumber Cryo Eye Patches, £4.99
"These biodegradable cryo eye patches are a must-have for combating tired eyes, especially during the heatwave! They provide a refreshing and cooling sensation, made even better when stored in the fridge. Not only are they super affordable, but they are also incredibly effective at hydrating, reducing puffiness, and soothing your under eyes in just 15 minutes. I’ll be stashing them in my carry-on this summer for an in-flight pick-me-up!" Jemma Thompson, GTG Design and Social Media Manager
The brilliant tinted balms: Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm, £12
"These tinted lip balms are the best! I gather they went viral and I can see why for a change. They make lips feel instantly twice as plump, and have just the right level of stickiness so as to last really long but without being too gloopy or tacky. The finish is that of a seriously glossy lip gloss but they feel like proper balms, with shea and cocoa butter to nourish and a thankfully very subtle vanilla flavour, which is said to be natural – it probably is because it’s not irritating my lips. The colours are wonderful – not too flimsy but still sheer, with a lovely red, grape, baby pink and fleshy pink in the mix, and a clear one too. Instant favourites." Ingeborg van Lotringen, Contributing Beauty Editor
The Bum Bum dupe: Q&A Ceramide Body Lotion, £10
"Affordable ingredients-led face care brand Q&A has branched out into body care with a range that includes scrubs, shower oils body cleansers and a salicylic body smoother – perfect if you have bumpy ‘chicken’ skin (keratosis pilaris) or bacne. This ceramide lotion is not only good for dry skin, helping rebuild the skin barrier, but smells fruity and nutty, not unlike summer’s favourite scented moisturiser Sol De Janeiro’s Brazilian Bum Bum cream. It’s not an exact dupe of course, but it you like Bum Bum and want an affordable slightly more subtle smell, housed in cheerful packaging, this is a delight." VW
The long-lasting lip: Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink in Awestruck, £9.59
“Most longwear lipsticks are exceptionally drying and if you have chronically chapped lips like me are the sort of product you steer well clear of. However, this may be an exception to the rule. It has a lovely creamy consistency and doesn’t dry as soon as it hits the lips giving you time to create the perfect pout. When it dries down it has a slight tackiness to it but it’s very easy to wear and it really does stay put for hours.” SJCS
The high vibes toothpaste: Hismile Watermelon Toothpaste, £6
"Who knew toothpaste could be so exciting? Not only is the packaging really fun (which really does make you realise how dull all other toothpaste look) but the flavours are genius. I tried the watermelon flavour and there's also mango sorbet, peach iced tea, coconut whip and red velvet so if you struggle to do your recommended two minutes of brushing morning and night, this may be what you need (or your kids if they are over the age of six).There is also a more classic smooth mint flavour too and all of them contain the recommended amount of fluoride and are suitable for sensitive teeth, so it is not a case of style over substance." AR
The brightening body wash: Fruit Works Bath & Shower Body Jelly, £8
"This delightful, refreshing shower gel comes with a gorgeous fruity fragrance and a unique consistency. It's like a thick serum that then turns to cleansing milk in the shower, It may sound a bit odd but it feels lovely and refreshing on hot days. It contains fruit-derived AHAs for exfoliation, giving your skin a rejuvenated look and feel without you really realising that's what it's doing. Additionally, calming aloe vera provides intense hydration, leaving your skin feeling incredibly soft " JT
The classic-but-better shampoo: Head & Shoulders Bare Soothing Hydration Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, £6.66
"To tackle dandruff successfully, you really need piroctone olamine, one of the few actives that can subdue the condition successfully. But you also need to make sure your scalp and its microbiome aren’t further thrown into disarray with harsh ingredients such as alcohol, strong fragrance and drying sulphates. That’s why I never understood why Head & Shoulders weren’t doing a sulphate-free shampoo, and why I’m very pleased they finally have! This one’s ultra-mild yet as effective (at least) as the classic version, and to top it all off, it comes in a special bottle that uses 46 per cent less plastic. Makes total sense." IvL
The high-strength vitamin C for sensitive skin: Pai Labs Stabilised Vitamin C Brightening Booster, £19
"Imagine this small dropper bottle of sensitive skin-friendly, high-strength vitamin C (20 per cent) several times its size and you’ll get a measure of what good value it is. It lasts longer than your average 30ml serum because you only need two to three drops blended with your moisturiser or other serum (it goes well with anything in our best hyaluronic acid serums edit). What’s more, as a strong antioxidant it will ramp up your skin’s defences against the sun. Pop this in your travel bag this summer!" VW
The makeup fixer: Morphe Continuous Prep & Set Mist+Spray, £19
"Need your makeup to last all day and night? Grab his setting spray from Morphe. Not only does the fine mist lock makeup in place it also doesn't create any wet spots or dreaded dripping when you apply it, as some can. It also contains ceramides to protect and strengthen the skin barrier and is so hydrating you can also use it as a primer as well as a final step. For on-the-go touch-ups, they also have a cute mini size that fits easily into any bag." AR
The summer-proof base: Revlon Colorstay 24hrs Longwear Makeup, £9.99
"Not a new product as such, but this whole foundation range has been reformulated to now include skin-caring ingredients such as hydrating hyaluronic acid and vitamin E for pollution protection as well as also now being sweat resistant, non-transferable and with amazing staying-power making it a great choice for summer weddings, parties or time around the pool. If that wasn’t enough, you can also pick a formula for oily-combination skin that creates a slightly more velvet matte finish or the normal-dry skin that leaves more of a naturally radiant look. It has a very fluid consistency that’s not cakey or heavy.” SJCS
The stay-put eye pencil: 3ina The 24hr Automatic Eye Pencil 123, £12
"Finding eye pencils that really do stay put is a bloody nightmare. It’s all nice and well when you have young, taut eyes, but once the lids get even slightly saggy, makeup gets put through its paces as colour starts moving around if it’s not entirely transfer-proof. I’ve tried dozens that say they are but patently aren’t, and the two I do love are quite expensive. So I’m delighted to have found, at last, reasonably-priced one that’s a solid ten for stay-put-ness, applies smoothly, and come in 12 shades that range from your (my) usual black and dark brown to pale pink and even red. Lifesavers!" IvL
The lip balm with benefits: Nivea Hyaluron Moisture Plus Lip Balm, £3.65
"Sometimes the best products can seem the most unassuming and that definitely applies here. Priced at just £3.49, this balm is packed with hyaluronic acid to keep lips hydrated and it effectively soothes cracked lips and eliminates flakiness. It has a slight cooling and plumping effect but without any uncomfortable burning or stinging. There is also a sheer rose shade which adds a subtle hint of colour." AR