If your budget is tight, or you fancy a change to your daily routine, there’s always a host of new launches to consider - everyone loves a cheeky beauty buy, right? From the latest balm-like lip gloss, a multi-purpose skin healer and a natural heat-protecting hair spray. Here are our affordable favourites, says editor Trudi Brewer.
Image BeautyEQ
Rimmel is having a moment. They are smashing it with super-affordable formulas that deliver on their promises, including this versatile hybrid concealer. The large soft-touch wand delivers a generous dollop of colour to perk up dull, lifeless-looking skin that comes in an ultra-blendable high-coverage formula. It’s crease-proof, transfer-proof and waterproof, so good under the eyes. You can use it for a targeted cover, worn alone for a hint of something, or over and under makeup.
If you have coloured hair, you need to look after it, starting with how you brush it. This clever tool is designed to groom wet or dry colour-treated, delicate or fragile hair. That’s due to the clever two-tiered, soft-flex teeth that glide from the roots of the hair to the ends without creating fall. No pulling means less breakage, so you can detangle your hair knowing it will not shed. There are two colours: Pink Dawn and Mint Violet, pictured here.
If you heat style your locks, they need a protector like this. The polymer technology coats each strand with a protective shield, which stops heat from damaging your hair and helps eliminate frizz, smoothing each strand while boosting shine. How? It’s a vitamin-riIt'sormula crammed with seaweed, coffee seed, and fruit extracts. It's vegan-friendly, natural haircare at a great price.
The latest collection from OPI is a DIY polish formula that delivers a salon-like gel finish without the need to cure the polish under light. The three-step system (base, colour, and top coat) promises eleven days of endless chip-free, shiny colour. It glides on your nails with ease and is a streak-free, stay-true colour—a DIY masterwork. This vegan formula comes in 14 fabulous colours.
A fragrance-free skin healer that soothes all irritations, from dry, itchy, cracked skin associated with eczema to the most intimate areas, for post-hair removal, even nappy rash, within 48 hours. So why is it so great? Avène's mineral-rich Thermal Spring Water is the base and hydrating glycerin, amino acids, and anti-bacterial agents, including copper and zinc sulfates, to help heal inflammation. At the same time, magnesium sulfate draws water to the dehydrated skin to help limit sensitivities. It’s a winter skin warrior —and we’re never without it.
MECCA MAX Lip Lock Balmy Stain, $28.
Mecca’s makeup home brand has some brilliant beauty buys. This newbie is another triumph. A balm that stays on the lips like a tint and shines like a gloss. There are six fabulous colours, including pink, red and cocoa. But why do we rate it? It’s not a non-sticky that hydrates the lips while you wear it. Pictured here is Tickled Pink.
Here’s why it’s a summer essential.