20 Beauty Buys Under £20

Moisture Maker Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum, £12 (was £18) | Versed

Versed is a brand you can rely on for results on a budget. Its latest serum is one of the best we’ve tried for hydration. Full of different levels of HA, it penetrates some of your deepest layers of skin to pump it full of moisture. You’ll see a difference immediately – think softer, suppler skin with better bounce and glow. It layers nicely with other skincare thanks to a thin texture that absorbs fast and doesn’t turn sticky. There’s also snow mushroom extract in there, which is proven to reduce inflammation and redness.

Available at Boots.com

Glow Up Face & Body Highlighter | Kiko

This liquidy highlight is ideal for enhancing your skin – both on the face and body. With a soft, metallic sheen, a little goes a long way. Start with a pump or two and work it over areas you want the light to hit for a healthy sheen – think cheekbones, bridge of your nose, your eyelids and across your chest. You can use your fingers, but we recommend buffing this on with a brush to really work the formula into your skin. Waterproof, you’ll find it doesn’t budge no matter the heat or humidity.

Visit KikoComsetics.com

Colour Correcting Tanning Mousse In Medium, £6.66 (was £9.99) | St. Moriz

For affordable tanning products, it’s hard to beat St. Moriz. It’s recently expanded its range and this mousse is our favourite addition. Quick to develop, it allows you to see a guide colour at speed, so you know whether to layer up or pare things back. It also smooths your skin tone, concealing any redness or dullness for an even appearance. Added hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 bolster moisture levels, so limbs never feel dry or tight.

Available at Boots.com

Classic Liplux Oil, £19 | Coola

Lip oils are everywhere right now. Offering hydration and a glossy finish – often with a tint – they tick all the right boxes. This one from Coola is ideal for those who want a soft sheen and some UV protection. Containing SPF30, it shields against harmful damage, while jojoba oils and vitamin E keep hydration topped up throughout the day. It has a soft, golden tint that’s nice worn solo, or on top of other lip products to enhance the colour.

Available at SpaceNK.com

Bright Stripe Eyeliner, £19 | Flavedo & Albedo

Flavedo & Albedo is a brand to keep on your radar. Promising impressive make-up but without contributing to landfill with endless plastic, it houses its products in sustainable packaging. These eyeliners are made with a soft wax that glides easily and blends smoothly, allowing you to create a variety of looks – from sharp flicks to soft smokey eyes and a wash of colour across your lids. They are budge-proof too – once these set, they really do stay put, so you need to work with them relatively quickly.

Available at Selfridges.com

Relax Bath Salts, £14 | Floragy

The perfect addition to any bath, these soothing salts provide on-the-spot grounding with a soft, rose-based scent that instantly clears the senses. They transform your tub into a milky oasis and soften your skin while gently exfoliating it. That’s all thanks to pink Himalayan salts which also alleviate aches and tension within your body.

Available at Floragy.co.uk

Quick Dry Solution, £12 | Gitti

Fed up with your polish smudging and streaking? Pipette a few drops of this solution onto your colour and it will dry in half the usual time. Quick to absorb and non-sticky, seeing is believing, but they do really work. Let it settle for at least a minute, but they will then start to feel dry. The formula offers plenty of hydration and nourishment to both your nails and cuticles, thanks to macadamia, almond and kukui oils.

Available at Niche-Beauty.com

Ambre Solaire Invisible Face Serum, £9.33 (was £14) | Garnier

Hydrating and with factor 50 protection, this sunscreen serum is ideal for those looking to streamline their routine. Full of ceramides, the formula keeps moisture levels high and skin supple, while the UV protection stays in place for hours – though you will need top-ups every two to three hours. Its thin texture wears well under make-up, never causing any pilling or streaking. Extra points go to the hypoallergenic formula that’s suitable for sensitive skin and never irritating.

Available at Boots.com

Miracle Hair Treatment, £18.50 | Eleven

Billed by many as a ‘tall glass of water for your hair’, this innovative treatment is a restorative mix of hydrating glycerin and fruit extracts. Just a single pump applied to damp hair instantly helps to soften strands, minimise frizz and bolster shine levels. Regular use helps conceal the appearance of split ends too, while boosting overall volume, body and bounce. It protects against UVA and UVB rays too – in short, it does a bit of everything at speed. We recommend slathering it on before swimming as it’s proven to shield against any discolouration from chlorine.

Available at Eleven-Australia.co.uk

Beauty Dry Brush, £15 | Esker

This is the perfect size for dry body brushing. Its small, chunky handle is easy to use for controlled buffing. As for the bristles, they’re firm but not too abrasive, allowing for gentle yet stimulating exfoliation. Expect softer skin post-use that’s more even in tone. It’s soft enough to be used on the face too – just take a light-handed approach and always use deft, quick motions.

Available at EskerBeauty.com

Fast Fader Dark Spot Corrector, £20 | Hers

This dark spot corrector has flown off shelves since launching and it’s easy to see why. With endless five-star reviews, it’s loved by dermatologists for its use of tranexamic acid, niacinamide and azelaic acid – all of which work together to smooth skin tone, minimise dark spots and reduce the appearance of scarring. The gel consistency is satisfying to use with a cooling quality we love. Dab the formula directly onto the area you want to refine both morning and night. Added allantoin and green tea will keep sensitivities at bay. It takes time to see results, but consistency is key. While it won’t remove dark spots entirely, it will fade their appearance and brighten skin.

Available at Revolve.com

Concealer Duo Brush, £20 | Iconic London

This double-ended brush from Iconic London is ideal for getting your concealer into all those hard-to-reach areas. It’s soft and fluffy, but densely packed for flawless application. Though it’s been made with base products in mind, we like to use it for eyeshadow and to blend out any kohl liners for a soft, smokey eye.

Available at CultBeauty.co.uk

Velvet Veil Pressed Powder, £19 | Sculpted By Aimee

Whether you want to set your make-up or keep oiliness at bay, this lightweight, translucent powder can help. You can barely feel it on your skin – just a small amount blurs pores and smooths your complexion. Don’t expect a chalky finish or any harsh flashback in photos either. Apply with a large fluffy brush for the best results, or use a pointed sponge to reach under the eyes and set everything in place.

Available at Boots.com

Flourishing Lightning Mascara, £15 | REM Beauty

If you’re after a new mascara, don’t miss this one from REM. The formula is jet black, so you’re guaranteed inky definition, but it’s the brush that stands out. Tapered, it’s wide at the base and thin at the tip, allowing you to lift from the root and drag back and forth easily for maximum volume. We love to use the smaller end for the inners and outer corners to elongate the eye. It lasts for hours too – there’s no smudging or clumping with this one.

Available at Sephora.co.uk

Mini Eau De Toilette, £14 | Outremer

We’ve been wearing these mini fragrances on rotation. Fresh, a bit different and long lasting, each one is the perfect size for travel. Bergamote is our go-to for zest with a spicy twist, while Oceane is exactly as you’d expect – salty and crisp with a green quality that feels unique. The latter has a touch of vanilla too, which provides sweetness without being sickly. We also love the fun, art deco-style bottles.

Available at Anthropologie.com

Face Makeup Blur Primer Stick, £12.99 | Kimuse

Often recommended by make-up artists, this versatile stick hydrates and primes skin with shea butter and jojoba seed oils. The latter forms an invisible film on the skin that seals in moisture, but also smooths the surface so anything you apply on top lasts and applies evenly. It’s ideal for zapping oiliness when time is of the essence. With a slight rosy tint, it looks nice worn over the lips and works hard to soak up dry, chapped areas of skin. A small but mighty tube.

Available at Amazon.co.uk

JuiceBalm Vegan Tinted Lip Balm Treatment, £15 | Tower 28

Great on the go, these balmy tints offer a subtle, dewy hit of colour that really goes the distance. They quickly restore hydration thanks to a blend of mango oils, vitamin E and vitamin C. Never sticky or tacky, they wear well as the day goes on and never bleed or feather. Scribble a little onto cheeks to continue the healthy flush.

Available at Revolve.com

Metallic Eyeshadow, £9.99 | Zara

These new eyeshadow pots are a fun addition to Zara’s beauty line. Full of pigment, they offer impressive staying power, while the creamy, smooth texture is easy to build up. Both the shades – Los Angeles and Rome – are wearable with the perfect amount of shimmer levels that look good day and night. Rome is our favourite for the pink, rosy tones that flatter every eye colour. We recommend applying these with your finger for the best results, or a damp brush to enhance the colour further.

Available at Zara.com

Beija Flor Rio Deo, £16 | Sol De Janeiro

If you are a Sol de Janeiro fan, you’ll love this new deodorant. Using only natural ingredients, it’s aluminium free and softens this delicate area with ingredients like mango butter and papaya enzymes, while citric acid and tapioca starch absorb moisture and minimise odour. Unlike some natural deodorants, this has a fresh, uplifting scent that doesn’t weaken as the day wears on. It dries fast, so you’re not left feeling sticky or stuck to your t-shirts.

Available at SpaceNK.com

The Perfector Salicylic Acid Body Wash, £18 | Naturium

Naturium is back with more bodycare and this time it’s a salicylic acid bodywash that’s generating buzz. It gets deep into your skin, dissolving dirt, dead skin cells and anything trapped inside hair follicles for a smoother, softer surface. Despite its ability to exfoliate efficiently, it never dries the skin out, thanks to nourishing glycerin and safflower seed oils. In fact, it’s so gentle you can use this on your face as well for the same benefits. You’ll notice a difference immediately – especially if you suffer with body breakouts or any under-the-skin bumps.

Available at SpaceNK.com