The say the thrill is the chase and for me that applies to budget beauty products. I enjoy nothing more than a quick trip to Boots or Superdrug, deciding what products to try next and often coming home with a handful of a handful of new launches with change in my pocket. Admittedly the budget beauty sector can be pretty hit and miss - I think as the years roll past (6 years of blogging and counting) there are more hits than misses- but when you do find that hidden gem, you can't help but feel a little smug. Perhaps it has been a while since you last stopped by a budget beauty counter, or maybe you simply need a little encouragement? Either way, I have 7 products that will impress and don't cost the earth...
MUA Skin Define Matte Perfect Primer £5 via Superdrug - link.
I have oily skin; I also have acne prone skin. This is not some beautiful equation, rather a nightmare of a combination for sourcing the perfect primer. I need - yes need - something that will not only sop up excess oil and gently blur my enlarged pores, but I also equally need - yes I am that demanding - something that won't irritate my quick to blemish skin. Admittedly on a budget, up until recently this has been a fairly big task but so far I have been really enjoying MUA Skin Define Matte Perfect Primer. Yes this primer does contain silicones so that it is instantly mattifying and of course smoothing, yet it is oddly lightweight and so far (I've been using this daily for close to two weeks) it seems to agree with my quick to react complexion. If you are a fan of blurring type primers (think Benefit Porefessional et al) then this is one to definitely put on the to try this.
Kiko Heart Shaped Lipstick £6.90 via Superdrug - link
Valentine's Day is right around the corner and as such you may be on the lookout for a red lipstick fit for the main event? Well they don't come much more suited to such love themed day, than the Kiko Heart Shaped Lipsticks - no your eyes do not deceive you, that is indeed a novelty moulded lipstick. Don't let the fun aspect of this lipstick fool you, as it is indeed a beautiful, moisturising matte formulation that will reached for, long after Valentine's Day has passed. I have the shade 05 Lively Amaranth - a deep almost red based pink that is slightly vampy, unusual - in that it is not your classic, run of the mill classic red - and yet surprisingly easy to wear.
Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner in Call Me Crazy £3.19/$3.99 via ASOS - link.
If you are looking for a true red - Valentine's Day related or not - I say skip lipsticks just this once and purchase Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner in Call Me Crazy. This is the bright, slightly orange toned red that dreams are made of; it brings just about every complexion to life, is long wearing, entirely matte, long wearing and comfortable to wear. It is a complete bargain and your stash, make-up bag and/or coat pocket needs it.
E.L.F Studio Blush Palette £7.50/$6 via E.L.F - link
Blush palettes tend to be pricey but man, oh man are they convenient - luckily as E.L.F Cosmetics now ships to the U.K once again, you can snap up the E.L.F Studio Blush Palette and enjoy four pretty, highly pigmented blushes in one palm sized compact. The E.L.F Studio Blush Palette does come in two colourways: Light and Dark, both of which are suitable for all skintones due to the level of pigmentation but as the name suggests one contains light and bright shades; the other deeper, almost autumnal toned blushes. Regardless of which colourway you settle on, the formulation remains the same: well saturated, firm yet easy to blend and fairly long wearing. Grab one (or two) and thank me at a later date.
E.L.F Studio Contour Brush £7.50/$6 via E.L.F - link
Are you a little heavy handed and find that contouring, especially if using a cream product is more laborious than you care to admit? Sometimes a workman can blame his tool. I was recently introduced to the E.L.F Studio Contour Brush and it has all but changed how I contour. The sharp, angled brush not only helps me to effortlessly mark out where I will apply the product, but the dense bristles of the brush effortlessly blend the cream product into the skin so that there is no tell-tale lines. This will change your contouring routine for the better.
Rimmel Magnif'eyes Keep Calm and Wear Gold Palette £7.20 - link
Why have just one high performance budget palette when you can have two? Recently I have been spending more and more money and time, at the Rimmel stand and for two reasons: the products are not only affordable but do exactly what they claim to and more often than not, each product line features shades for all skin tones, types and typically don't rely on dupe products to keep the brand relevant. For instance, for what seemed like the longest time, every neutral palette seemed hell bent on replicating one of the many Urban Decay Palettes, well not Rimmel. For once, we have a fairly original - well as original as a neutral palette can be - array of neutral toned browns, gold eyeshadows, ranging in finishes in one little kit. Sure we could all do without the foam applicators but when the eyeshadows blend and apply as well as the Rimmel Magnif'eyes Keep Calm and Wear Gold Palette, all is forgiven.
Boots Natural Collection Highlighter in Rose Glow £1.99 - link
One of this years biggest trends will be pastel toned highlighters, admittedly it is not something I can imagine I will embrace with open arms but there is a comprise - Boots Natural Collection Highlighter in Rose Glow. Yes it is light and slightly stark but the icy pink tone of this shimmer loaded highlighter is not at all scary - it glides on with ease, blends out to a bright, almost silver glimmer of light and compliments most, if not all pink blushes. A great way to embrace the slightly bolder highlighting trend without going all out and if you do find such shade does look odd on your cheekbones, I can attest that this doubles up beautifully as a cream eyeshadow.
What's your recent best budget beauty find?
If you need further budget beauty inspiration, this post charts 10 of the best under £10 products to hit the shelves in the last few months!
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