Today I wanted to give a shout out to all the budget products that have been serving millions of beauty lovers for the past decade. With rising product prices in general, especially with newer launches, anything with rave reviews and an affordable price point is worth trying in my eyes.
So if some of these products are new to you then I highly recommend heading to your local supermarket, Boots or Superdrug and picking them up - I can almost guarantee you will love them and they won't break the bank!
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (£4.19)
If you are a fellow beauty blogger or long time beauty blog reader then you will most likely remember the endless hype around this budget concealer. Previously known as Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer this was the standout budget concealer that everyone owned and while over time there have been a few cheap-ish concealers that have rivalled it, it still remains a favourite for many.
The reason? Well, the price tag at only £4.19 is pretty great but it also boasts a really good coverage without being cakey or drying and it also lasts well throughout the day. Shade wise is it pretty limited without only 10 shades plus a few colour-correctors however that does seem to be a problem with most drugstore beauty brands. But overall if you can find a shade that suits you then this should be a loved concealer - I don't know a single person that hasn't liked it!
Honorary mention: Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer - the sponge applicator is actually helpful and it's simply one of the best under eye/dark circle concealer around.
Barry M Plumpy Topcoat (£2.99)
Out of all the clear top coats I've tried over the years the one I always go back to is Barry M's Plumpy Top Coat. The gel-effect really is just that, feeling thin and easy to apply but giving a gel-like appearance to the nails keeping them shiny and chip-free for longer, oh and it dries fast as well! It also isn't one to gloop up as I've had bottles last me over 18 months. A great at-home manicure essential.
Honorary mention: Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Diamond Top Coat (£7.99) is another amazing top coat that offers a gel-like finish to the nails and really does help colour last during the summer months/in the heat I've noticed!
Sleek MakeUp Blush (£4.99)
Over the years Sleek Blushers have been included on most beauty blogs I would say. Why? Because they're affordable, come in an array of shades and are flattering and pigmented. They are kind of the Nars blushers of the high street!
My own personal favourite shade has to be Rose Gold (it's a good Nars Orgasm dupe), along with Life's a Peach as it's perfect for a coral makeup look. Sleek also do handy blush trios perfect for travel.
Honorary Mention: While nothing else stuck out to me in terms of a range of budget blushers I couldn't not mention L'Oreal Blush Powder in Lifes a Peach. It is £8.99 so it's not the cheapest single blusher you can find in the drugstore but this peach toned blush works just as well on the eyes as it does on the cheeks, making such a flattering eyeshadow/crease colour. This is such a summer favourite of mine!
NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream (£6.00)
For the past 10 years NYX's line of soft matte lip creams has gone from strength to strength, being super affordable and in the largest range of shades to cater for all needs and tastes. For me these are the most comfortable matte lip creams, looking perfectly matte without pulling or drying out the lips and some of the shades are beyond vibrant!
Whether you want to find a new lip shade on a budget or you haven't found that perfect matte formula yet then look no further than these.
Honorary Mention: Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Liquid Lipstick - another comfortable matte liquid lipstick find here that lasts really well on the lips and comes in an array of nude, pinks and berry tones. I have quite a few of these all in similar pink-y nude toned shades and they are amazing for quickly throwing on without needing to be neat.
Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Palettes (from £2.95)
Over the past 10 years I've tried many a cheap eyeshadow palette and while my love went from Sleek to Revolution palettes (both I highly recommend) the eyeshadow palettes that stand out the most for me are ones by Wet n Wild. Not only are these some of the softest formulas I've come across but they blend the nicest and the mattes really are as good as the shimmers which is rare when it comes to the drugstore. Along with good pigmentation and always the right complementary shades in each palette, these are just amazing if you are on a budget! Side note: Wet n Wild also do the most amazing powder highlighters worth checking out!
Honorary Mention: As I mentioned above, Revolution palettes are pretty amazing for the price and there are just so many to pick from! Every single palette offers superb pigmentation with buttery soft formulas. Whichever Revolution palette you pick up you know you'll be happy with it for the money but right now the amazing Fortune Favours The Brave Palette has been reduced to only £5 which is just such a bargain!
Real Techniques Brush Sets (£19.99)
While I still maintain that endless amazing brush sets can be found on eBay for under £5, if you are looking to pick up some fairly budget brushes while out shopping then you can't beat that of Real Techniques.
Cruelty-free, soft synthetic fibres, long lasting handles in a range of shapes for every need, Real Techniques brushes really have evolved over the years. I personally still think the best value for money is in their brush sets, especially when they are on special offer, as they generally focus on the eyes or face offering an array of essential brushes you will use every time you apply your makeup.
However favourite brushes that come to mind from Real Techniques that I've used for years are the Setting Brush as it's small and simply the perfect size and the Sculpting Brush which is beyond soft and is perfect for everyday bronzing and contouring.
Honorary Mention: I'm not going to lie, it was tempting to put Morphe brushes as my first choice, however, it's a brand that's really only fully emerged in the past year or so in the UK, although it's been known through YouTube for much longer. Single brushes start at only £3.50 on Cult Beauty and while brush sets are well priced I find Morphe brushes are best when bought individually for an exact purpose. Their eye blending brushes are second to none especially the M441.
L'Oreal Foundation (from £7.99)
Searching for the right foundation for your skin type can be tricky, especially on a budget. However, time and time again L'Oreal have both catered to different skin types, coverage preferences and finishes.
From their True match range to their matte formulas, a flawless finish is pretty much guaranteed with any L'Oreal foundation, along with great staying power. L'Oreal is also a brand that I've noticed have kept their prices down so you can always pick up a new foundation from them from only £8.
Let me know if you agree with the products I've mentioned as some of the best budget beauty products in the last year! I would love to also know your own long-term budget favourites.
Fee xo.
