We asked 12 beauty experts to spill on their favourite beauty buys – some cost £450, others just £2
IN the wise words of Jessie J, it's not about the money where beauty buying is concerned.
In fact, more than a third of Boots Advantage Card members shopped for both budget-friendly make-up and premium cosmetics in 2024, focusing their attention not on how much products costs but on what really works - not something that's always easy to work out.
To find out where we should be spending our money, and what products we can save on, we asked 10 industry experts for their favourite budget beauty product, and the one they will shell out for.
Tara Ledden, Beauty Editor
32
I'm a huge fan of high street beauty, as there are so many brilliant products lining the shelves today, you really don't have to spend loads to arm yourself with hard-working products.
However, if I'm going to splurge, it's almost always on skincare.
BUDGET BUY
BUY NOW
I talk about ARKIVE The Prologue Hair Primer, £ 4.50, on an almost daily basis. In fact, when I told Beauty Writer Mia that I was going to make it my budget pick, she replied: "I knew it!" immediately.
It's super lightweight, yet it still dissolves tangles and manages to leave hair noticeably softer and more shiny - while also protecting it from heat - without leaving any residue behind.
It's impossible to use too much, so if you have fine hair like me, you don't need to worry about it feeling dirty or limp.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
Tatcha The Silk Cream, £123
BUY NOW
I discovered Tatcha The Silk Cream, £123, in the Fabulous beauty cupboard over two years ago and started slathering it on my face.
Within days, I was getting compliments on how good my skin looked, including one from a fellow beauty editor well versed in my history of acne, who exclaimed: "Your skin looks like porcelain!" before we'd even said hello.
I'd used it for a week before I googled the price, and I instantly started using a tiny pea-sized amount to try to make the tub last longer, thinking I'd never be able to justify a repurchase.
Unfortunately for my bank balance, I've not found a cheaper moisturiser that compares, and have since re-stocked multiple times.
Jamie Genevieve, make-up artist and founder of V ieve
32
As a make-up artist, it doesn't get more fun than testing and trying new make-up launches.
BUDGET BUY
Byoma Hydrating Serum, £12.99
Everything from Byoma is simple, effective and fuss-free, with a super-accessible price point.
Byoma Hydrating Serum, £12.99 gives skin a hit of hydration, making it great to use ahead of applying make-up.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
I love my luxurious facials with facialists Olivia Francesca and Nichola Joss, whose clients have included Gwyneth Paltrow and J.Lo.
I go to KMP Skin in London and Age Refined Glasgow for medical-grade treatments.
Dr Christine Hall, aesthetics doctor and pharmacist
32
One product I never spend lots of money on is a cleanser, as you really don't need to.
BUDGET BUY
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF 50, £15.50
The textures and finishes of Korean SPFs are unrivalled because they're so lightweight and non-greasy, plus they're often hybrid products.
, offers premium protection and doubles up as a moisturiser.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
Skinceuticals Silymarin CF Serum, £165
Skinceuticals Silymarin CF Serum, £165, is formulated with oily skin in mind and was genuinely a game-changer for me in terms of clearing my skin of breakouts.
Mollie Burdell, beauty journalist and make-up artist
32
You don't need to spend much to create an exceptional skincare or make-up routine, but I'm also a real sucker for glitzy tools and gadgets.
BUDGET BUY
e.l.f cosmetics Soft Glam Satin Foundation, £8, is one of my favourite bases because it gives the most natural glow-giving coverage with minimal effort required, and works beautifully on all skin types.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
32
Dyson Supersonic r Hairdryer, £449.99
I first experienced the new Dyson Supersonic r Hairdryer, £449.99, at Larry King's salon, and I immediately knew I needed one for myself.
It's nifty, lightweight and an absolute joy to use.
Emily Lansley, celebrity manicurist, facialist and tanning expert
32
When adding to my beauty kit, I always keep prevention, protection and good gut health at the forefront of my mind.
BUDGET BUY
Boots Glow Gua Sha, £8.50
BUY HERE
A gua sha, like Boots Glow Gua Sha, £8.50, is one of the best things you can use at home for lymphatic drainage - you'll see instant tightening results.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
Slimyonik AIR Bodystyler treatments, from £99, is a body contouring and lymphatic drainage device. It supercharges your metabolism, reduces inflammation throughout your body and improves your skin and gut health from the inside out.
Adam Reed, hairstylist and founder of Arkive Headcare
32
Creating and sticking to a routine is near impossible for my ADHD mind, so I make sure I keep things really simple.
BUDGET BUY
Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream, £2
I use Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream, £2, absolutely everywhere, and it's also a great base for making fragrances last.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
I take weekly visits to the nail salon for a mani/pedi. My job is aggressive on my hands, so I really take care of them. Townhouse nail salon is my go-to.
Katie Onyejekwe, aesthetician and skincare educator
My beauty routine is simple, results-driven and efficacious.
BUDGET BUY
BUY HERE
Rimmel Lasting Finish Lip Liner in Cappuccino, £3.99, is the perfect nude shade for my skin tone - once applied it really does stay put, which I find a lot of other liners don't.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
Pure Lift Pro EMS tool, £674
I use Pure Lift Pro EMS tool, £674, in my facials, and occasionally on myself. It visibly lifts and helps to drain away water retention, leaving you looking sculpted.
Iram Shelton, celebrity nail artist and lifestyle creator
32
I spend way more than average on beauty, but it's part of my job, so I see it as a business investment too!
BUDGET BUY
Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eraser Concealer, £9.99
BUY HERE
Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eraser Concealer, £9.99, blends like a dream and has been in my make-up bag since my teenage years.
Some things don't need to be expensive to work.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
Dyson Airwrap, £479.99
BUY HERE
My Dyson Airwrap, £479.99, was a major splurge, but it's the best way to achieve a salon-worthy blowout at home without frying my hair.
Plus, the time it saves me makes it 100% worth it.
Adeola Gboyega, make-up artist
I'm not into products that are all packaging and no performance.
If it doesn't get results or elevate my routine in some way, it's not worth the spend.
BUDGET BUY
NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Body Oil, £12.50 has a super-luxe scent for the price and I love how multi-use it is: body, hair, décolleté, even a few drops in the bath.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
I believe in complementing my skincare routine with professional treatments.
Injectables, chemical peels and laser treatments help with long-term skin health and make everyday maintenance so much easier.
Jules Von Hep, beauty expert & author of The Confidence Ritual
My beauty kit is brimming with different products dependent on season, day of the week, mood, age.
Essentially more is more, less is a bore.
BUDGET BUY
V05 Wet Look Gel, £3.50
V05 Wet Look Gel, £3.50, is no frills, and creates slicked-back hair every time.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
Matiere Premier Santal Austral, £165 for 50ml ED P
is expensive.
Estee Lalonde, content creator and founder of Mirror Water
32
Don't be swayed by trends – find what works best for you.
Shopping with a list helps me to avoid impulse buys.
BUDGET BUY
BUY HERE
Garnier Micellar Water, £5.49, is a ride-or-die for me.
It's perfect for all skin types and is always the first step of my evening routine to remove my make-up.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
I'd always say to splurge on a luxurious serum.
, is an all-time favourite - if my skin is showing any signs of stress, this highly concentrated formula instantly calms and soothes it.
Mia Lyndon, Beauty Writer at Fabulous
32
Never overload your skin with buzzy skin and make-up products - instead, invest time in finding products that work for you, regardless of how unsexy they may seem.
BUDGET BUY
32
Cetraben Cream, £4.84
BUY HERE
It's taken me a long time to find the right moisturiser for my eczema-prone complexion, but I've finally found it in simple and deeply nourishing Cetraben Cream, £4.84.
Read More on The Sun
CHILD 'MURDER'
Woman, 37, charged with murder after boy, 4, found dead inside home
MY GUILT
Brit jet survivor says he'll feel guilt for life after not swapping seats with bro
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
32
Molton Brown Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Hand Wash & Lotion Set, £47
BUY HERE
Invest in great handcare - like Molton Brown's fresh, aromatic Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Hand Wash & Lotion Set, £47 - and you'll always be ready to have guests around!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
32 minutes ago
- BBC News
Birmingham's shrines to Black Sabbath and where to find them
More than 40,000 Black Sabbath fans will be making their way to Birmingham in July for what is being described as "the greatest heavy metal show ever", marking the last ever performance of the band. The gig will be the first time that the original line-up - Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward - have played together in 20 years. The day of metal will also see performances from Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Halestorm, Anthrax and of people without tickets to the Villa Park event are expected to be in the city to soak up the are some of the sights and sounds visitors can enjoy. Ozzy the very heavy metal bull Fans entering Birmingham via New Street Station will get an indication of the city's links to the musical legend in the form of what started life as a huge piece of metal. The giant mechanical bull, which was the much-loved centrepiece to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, was officially named Ozzy and endorsed by the frontman himself. The 10m (33ft) high beast on the Grand Central concourse is a draw for selfies, and was unveiled in its home by Ozzy's wife Sharon in was originally made of aluminium but rebuilt using fire-retardant plastic and foam to ensure longevity in his prominent home. A real treat is when Ozzy also moves his head and swishes his tail every hour, from 08:15 to 19:15. Bostin' Black Sabbath murals A few metres away from the station, Navigation Street is home to the latest piece of street art dedicated to the Prince of by artist Mr Murals, the 40m (130ft) work depicts Ozzy and the band throughout the past seven decades. While creating the artwork, he was even caught off guard when he received a surprise visit from Sharon Osbourne during a trip to the city. Another mural, dating further back, can be found in the Digbeth area of the city. Head for the short stay car park at the city's coach station on Rea Street to take in this view. Visit the birthplace of heavy metal The next unmissable spot on the Black Sabbath tour is The Crown pub on Hill was here in1968 that the band, then named Earth, played their first gig. Visitors are unable to enter the building, which the owners say they plan to restore, but images of the band have been displayed on the pub's exterior. "I don't think there's any doubt that Birmingham can lay claim to being the birthplace of heavy metal," said Jez Collins, founder of the Birmingham Music artists to play at the venue have included Robert Plant, John Bonham, Judas Priest and Thin Lizzie, he said."It has an incredible story and heritage to tell."Free exhibitions will also be on show at the city's Museum and Art Gallery as well as Victoria Square. Fans can also visit Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens where a microphone and recording equipment used to make Sabbath's first studio recordings will be on show. Trace the musical history From The Crown you can trace the rise of Black Sabbath by walking past other venues they played, including "one of the great buildings of Birmingham", the Town Hall, added Mr Collins. "They'd have played at the Odeon, which is now just a cinema, and ended up at the Town Hall, which is two minutes from The Crown," he explained. "So you can plot their journey from a very, very small, intimate gig with 120 people into a bigger hall of a thousand, into a bigger hall where Led Zeppelin and Bob Dylan played." Pilgrimage to the bench Carrying on to Broad Street you'll find another picture opportunity at the Black Sabbath bridge and bench."The really cool thing about the bridge for me is that most of the bands that you love and have played in Birmingham in recent years have made a special pilgrimage to it," said Birmingham journalist and metal fan Kirsty Bosley. Pantera, who are playing the Villa Park show dubbed "Back To The Beginning", are among artists to have posted images recently of themselves at the landmark. "It's a lovely photo opportunity and you'll be able to see all the tagged photos that other bands and artists, which is really cool," she added. Take the Ozzy tram In 2016 the frontman graced his home city to name a Midland Metro tram Ozzy, with thousands turning out to welcome the star. It is still running in the city, but West Midlands Metro said it was unable to give an exact timetable of where it was running during the weekend, but advised fans to look out on its social media channels for information nearer the time. Get up the Villa With or without a ticket, taking a trip to Aston itself would be valuable for fans wanting to soak up the football club's shop would be among those helping "dress the city" in Sabbath colours for the weekend. During a walk around the area fans could also visit the schools band members Ozzy was a pupil Prince Albert Junior School while Geezer went to Holte Grammar, Mr Collins said."And if you want to have a bit to eat you can stop at the Barton Arms which is opposite what was called Newtown Leisure Centre," he added. "That's where they rehearsed the first two albums, Black Sabbath and Paranoid, but they would leave their rehearsals and go into the Barton Arms, and sit and have a pint." See 'amazing little music venues' Ms Bosley urged visitors not to forget "amazing little venues" across the city that have supported the heavy metal scene and will be putting on events. The Flapper on Cambrian Wharf and Scruffy Murphy's on Dale End are among those worth a visit."Spend a bit of time there, spend a bit of money there and get a real feel for the very thing that connects us, which is in this case heavy metal," she added. Sabbath's original manager, Jim Simpson, has also programmed performances dubbed the Visit of Oz across the city in pubs, bars and even a canal boat. "The eyes of the whole world are going to be upon us," added Ms Boswell, "and it's going to be really special".She said the city's heavy metal community normally "operates in dark spaces" but the weekend was an opportunity to "come into the light and be championed". "The vibe is just going to be impeccable, I know it."
BBC News
33 minutes ago
- BBC News
Coldplay announce support acts for Hull and Wembley concerts
Coldplay have announced the support acts for their concerts in Hull and band are playing two nights at Craven Park in August and 10 performances at Wembley Stadium in late August and early them in Hull will be local artist Chiedu Oraka and Nigerian singer-songwriter Ayra Wembley gigs will see Starr, Beabadoobee, Tems, Elyanna, Chloe Qisha and Gustavo Dudamel and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela all supporting on different nights across the week. Hull-born rapper Oraka performed at last year's Glastonbury festival and has recorded many sessions for national and local BBC radio former teacher began performing at 16 and his music is about his life growing up on a council tickets and everything you need to know Tickets for both sets of concerts sold out quickly after they were released last said that Hull and London would be the only UK and European cities where they would be performing this band said that 10% of the proceeds from the shows would be donated to the Music Venue Trust, which supports grassroots venues and artists in the to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
BBC News
39 minutes ago
- BBC News
Preston North End fans knit giant scarf for community project
A 200m (656ft) long scarf has been created by supporters of Preston North End football club in a project designed "to bring people together". The Preston North End muffler has been hand-knitted by members of the local Lancashire community. About 800 sections of the scarf were individually created before being stitched together by volunteers and unveiled at Deepdale design was based on a scarf created in 1964, which celebrated the Lilywhites' run to the FA Cup final of that year. The scarf will be handed to the National Football Museum in Manchester and given to local charities to be made in blankets. In partnership with the National Football Museum, the football club distributed bundles of navy and white wool and knitting needles around the city for fans to knit their own were distributed to local libraries and "knit and natter" groups. Michael Barrett, co-ordinator for Preston North End's Invincibles Heritage Project said "a wonderful group of volunteers" worked incredibly hard to sew it all Broughton, participation producer at the National Football Museum, said: "The whole project was all about bringing people together, getting people to try something new and getting everyone to feel their connection to the town and to the club's history."The club is such an integral part of Preston's history and the most important thing was seeing people feel part of this community."Of the original 1964 design, Ms Broughton said: "We don't see scarves like that any more. "A lot of them are made by machines and then put into shops so it was a really good way of us being creative and having a little nod to the past."The club is also appealing to supporters to knit full scarves to be donated to the Foxton charity, which runs shelters for rough sleepers and women and youth services across Preston. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
