Beauty that will give you change from a fiver

Affordable cosmetics and skincare have never been better, says Hannah Britt. She asks the experts how to stock up without splashing out

The beauty industry has changed. Cheap is no longer a dirty word. Affordable cosmetics have never been better, and often have as much science behind them as their pricer counterparts.

“There are now some fabulous brands which are really affordable and uncompromising on quality,” says make-up artist Christiane Dowling (christianedowling.com).

“I’ve found hidden gems among brands like Kiko, NYX, Max Factor and Maybelline, which are a staple in my professional make-up kit.”

“There are plenty of designer brands with brilliant products, but some can be quite overpriced,” says make-up artist Roseanna Velin (roseannavelin.com).

“Premium brands also have premium packaging, which reflects in the price,” adds makeup artist Tamara Tott (tamaratott. com).

“It’s all about being savvy. We live in an age where you don’t need to pay top dollar.”

So what should you look for? “Think about the quality of pigment, the product finish and longevity,” says Roseanna.

“Before purchasing, know what you want to achieve, whether it’s smoky eyes, dewy skin or longwearing lipstick. Don’t get distracted by branding and packaging,” says Roseanna. “Get to know the product inside the pot by testing it on the back of your hand.”

“Notice the texture – is it silky, shiny, shimmery or matte? Does it glide on or take a bit of effort to blend? What is the pigment like – does it show up straight away or does it need to be built up? Beauty should be fun, so don’t take it too seriously,” says Christiane.

“One of the best things about a budget product is that you can take a punt on it.”

here we share some of the best budget brands and our top buys.

Make-up marvels

elf: Founded with the mission of making the best of beauty accessible to every eye, lip and face, Elf is a favourite of beauty editors for its high-performing products. Prices start from £3.

■ TRY: Elf Flawless Brightening Concealer, £5, elfcosmetics.co.uk

NYX: For great pigments at low prices, NYX is unbeatable. Its high-quality palettes and primers are a favourite with make-up artists and influencers alike. Prices start from £4.

■ TRY: NYX Born To Glow Illuminator, £4.50, Boots

skincare saviours

the ordinary: Want powerhouse ingredients for pennies? You can’t do better than The Ordinary, which aims to show consumers that a lower point is not reflective of efficacy. Its skincare starts from £2.75.

■ TRY: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, £5, Boots

lacura: Known for its cut-price takes on popular and more expensive products, Aldi’s beauty brand sells out as soon as it hits stores. From 55p.

■ TRY: Lacura Miracle Cream, £3.99, Aldi

Brilliant bodycare

Ps…: Prices start from a purse-friendly 50p for PS at Primark beauty products, which sees high-end ingredients contained in budget packaging.

■ TRY: PS... Vitamin E Hand Cream, £2, Primark

Palmer’s: Palmer’s wrote the book on no-frills skincare. From lip balm to body cream, products are reliable, get the job done and smell delicious too. Prices start from £2.50.

■ TRY: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Body Lotion, £3.99, Boots

Hot haircare

tresemmé: Salon-worthy hair can be yours for as little as £2 thanks to Tresemmé, with nutrient-packed products you can trust to deliver stunning results.

■ TRY: Tresemmé Pro Collection Keratin Smooth Heat Protect Spray, £2, Boots

Batiste: Many dry shampoos come and go, but few will beat this bargain brand. A staple of festivals, school-runs and desk-todancefloor makeovers. Try the travel size for just £1.50.

■ TRY: Batiste Dry Shampoo, £3.25, Boots

nifty nail art

rimmel: No make-up bag should be without Rimmel. This budget brand has products for as little as £2.99, which perform as well as their more expensive counterparts.

■ TRY: Rimmel 60 Seconds Super Shine Nail Polish in Caramel Cupcake, £3.49, Superdrug

Barry M: This fashionforward brand has prices from £2.49. The nail polishes are the heroes, with every colour imaginable.

■ TRY: Barry M Gelly Nail Paint in Lavender, £3.99, Superdrug