The best make-up under £15, from lipstick to blusher
There's a common misconception that the more money you spend on a beauty product, the better it will be. But in my 12 years as a beauty editor, one of the most valuable things I've learnt is not to judge a book by its cover – a quality formula can, and often does, come wrapped up in cheaper packaging.
Budget make-up is excellent nowadays – as I see on TikTok, where impressive routines made up of budget buys alone garner tens of hundreds and thousands of views. According to research by Mintel, 74 per cent of make-up wearers believe that affordable formulas work just as well as premium ones. We just don't really want to admit it because, despite this, 41 per cent still prefer to buy premium make-up.
In my view, there are certain formulas one can save on, and others that deserve a little extra budget set aside to pay for them. So, here's how I concoct my own make-up bag, a high-low affair that doesn't break the bank.
Mascara
Budget mascara formulas are incredibly good – and whether you want lengthening, volumising or both, there's something for everyone. I have long loved Rimmel's mascaras, and the new Wonder Bond Lash Filler + Hyaluronic Mascara is incredible at delivering a fan of fluttery lashes, plus it's infused with hyaluronic acid and a biotin bonding complex to nourish each hair. Max Factor's new False Lash Effect Supreme Recharge Mascara is refillable (the refill costs £9.99) and promises to ramp up volume, and L'Oréal Paris's Paradise Big Deal Mascara boasts a clever brush, which makes it easy to get in between lashes for optimal definition. All are under £15.
The best masacaras under £15
Brows
From finely-tipped pencils that make it easy to draw on hairs (see Elf's Ultra Precise Brow) to grooming gels that create a feathery 'lamination' effect (L'Oréal Paris's Infallible Brow Lamination), it's easy to get a really decent brow routine on the high street.
The best brow products under £15
Blusher
While I tend to spend more on complexion products, blusher is one product that I think you can get away with saving on. Lots of affordable brands have launched cream-based formulations in recent years, and the good ones melt into skin and leave a really natural, dewy flush. Maybelline's Cheek Heat, H&M Beauty's Do-It-All Stick and Max Factor's Miracle Pure Infused Cream Blush are all under £10 and impart a dewy, hydrated finish to the cheeks. For those that prefer a powder consistency, Nyx's Buttermelt Blush swooshes on, no cakeiness in sight.
The best blushers under £15
Lipstick
You really can't go wrong with a budget lipstick – mass brands invest in good quality formulations that are loaded with skincare benefits to hydrate and treat the lips while in situ, with the knowledge that lipstick is a big seller. Some favourites include No7's Moisture Drench Lipstick ('Blush' is a lovely rosy nude), Maybelline's SuperStay Vinyl Ink Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick (will not budge) and Morphe's Good Talk Blotted Matte Lipstick for a punchy matte pout.
The best lipsticks under £15
Eyeshadow
Unless you are a cut crease devotee and the latest bumper palette really excites you, then investing in premium eyeshadows doesn't feel worth it. There are an array of 10-shadow palettes available for £10 and under – see Elf, Revolution and Revlon – and inside them you'll find some great wearable shades. I also love L'Oréal Paris's new Paradise Le Shadow Stick because it's quick and easy to use – simply scribble onto lids and blend in with fingers.
The best eyeshadows under £15
The three formulas to invest in
Foundation
While you can get good foundations on the high street, your chances are a lot better when shopping from premium brands. Why? Well, they deliver a more imperceptible finish on the skin, thanks to clever skincare ingredients inside each formula. Dior does some of the best base products on the market – the new Dior Forever Hydra Nude Foundation costs £50 but you won't have to replace it often, plus it makes the skin look fresh and beautiful. Nars is also a go-to (try the Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation for medium-to-full but natural coverage) and so is Mac.
Bronzer
I have an affinity with good cream bronzers – and am yet to find a perfect one on the high street. The gel-meets-cream formulations that luxe brands, like Chanel and Charlotte Tilbury, do so well are worth the money you pay for them as they glide on, look seamless on the skin and are pretty much foolproof. Crucially, they're not glittery either.
Eyeliner
When it comes to eyeliner, there is more innovation in texture, pigment and longevity on the premium market. For example, you will simply not find a kohl pencil like Victoria Beckham Beauty's Satin Kajal Liner anywhere on the high street – both creamy and smudge-proof, it's a bestseller for a reason, even at £32. I also find that liquid liners with a fine tip and staying power are harder to find when shopping on a budget – I love Lisa Eldridge's Kitten Flick Liquid Eyeliner which, at £25, is worth every penny.
The products to invest in
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