Cult classics
These affordable hair, make-up and skincare buys are well-loved for a reason, says Prudence
With the cost-of-living crisis biting and a tough winter looming, many of us are thinking of ways to save money wherever we can.
however, when it comes to saving money in your beauty routine, you don’t necessarily need to skimp on quality. in fact, some of the best-loved hair, make-up and skincare products of all time clock in at under a tenner...
The dry shampoo
Batiste Dry Shampoo Original Clean & Classic, £3.25, Boots
Sure, this might not be the sexiest beauty product out there – but you really can’t beat the usefulness of a good dry shampoo like Batiste’s. Perfect for those in-between days when you want to give your hair a bit of a refresh.
The mascara
Collection Next Level
Lash Surge Mascara, £6.49
Make-up artists love Collection’s Lash Surge Mascara – and now the brand has released the latest iteration of the cult product, Next Level Lash Surge Mascara.
Make-up artist and influencer Kate hayes says: “i struggle to find a mascara that gives both volume and length, but Next Level Lash Surge does just that. it’s perfect for my clients who don’t like to wear fake eyelashes, but still want a fuller, lifted lash look. The best drugstore mascara on the market!”
The cleanser
Cerave Hydrating Cleanser for Normal to
Dry Skin, £9.50, ASOS
Cerave has gained an army of followers for its simple, effective and wallet-friendly skincare. While it might not boast the prettiest bottles in your beauty cabinet, it will give you results.
One of its hero products is the hydrating Cleanser, used by celebrities like Poppy Delevingne. With the addition of hyaluronic acid, it cleanses your skin and leaves it feeling plump and fresh – not stripped.
The moisturiser
Weleda Skin Food, £5.74
(was £7.65), Boots
Ask any make-up artist how to best prep the skin, and chances are you’ll be directed towards Weleda’s Skin Food.
Once a makeup artist’s closely-guarded secret, it’s now made its way into the mainstream – thanks to celebrity fans like Victoria Beckham. Not only is it affordable, but it’s also multi-purpose. Use it on your face, elbows, hands, knees – wherever, and it will help banish dry skin.
The make-up remover
Simple Kind To Skin Eye Make-up Remover, £2.30 (was £3.45), Boots
There’s a reason so many of us have been using Simple products to remove our make-up since high school.
if you’re still buying single-use make-up wipes, now’s the time to stop. instead, invest in some reusable cotton rounds and Simple’s Make-up Remover, and you’re good to go.
The peel
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, £6.30 You know those products that always seem to be sold out? The Ordinary’s Peeling Solution is one of them – and for good reason. Last year, it made history on cultbeauty.co.uk, garnering the most sign-ups for a single product – 104,000, to be precise.
This is one to be careful with if you’re not used to applying acids – but can reap huge rewards, leaving your skin feeling more exfoliated, smoother and with a brighter texture.
The sunscreen
Bondi Sands Sunscreen
Lotion SPF 50+, £7.99, Cult Beauty Sunscreen isn’t always the cheapest addition to our beauty routines, but it’s arguably the most important. Enter Bondi Sands: one of the more affordable – and effective – sunblocks out there. it provides UVA and UVB protection, is water resistant and doesn’t leave a white cast.
it’s so well-loved, the sunscreen came in at highly commended in the ‘Everyday hero 2022’ category of The Beauty Awards 2022.