10 Under £10 : Makeup
I'll be the first to admit that my beauty buys do err on the side of luxe; for when it comes to makeup and skincare I will always allow myself to indulge. I'm a big believer in quality over quantity, but on occasion the drugstore does throw up an affordable gem which excels with a prowess far beyond it's monetary worth.
See below for the ten products which have earned themselves a place on my 'forever repurchased' list, can be found amongst the aisles of Boots, and can be picked up for a tenner [or less].
Bourjois Java Rice Powder A setting powder with a difference, for this has a serious glow-factor. A generous dusting of this finely milled powder serves to brighten the complexion and blur imperfections - a no fuss Instagram filter in powder form. What I love most about this powder is that it perfects the ability to keep shine and oiliness at bay, but does so without dulling or mattifying the skin.
Revlon Colourburst Matte Balm in Sultry A warm muted pink, perfect for everyday wear. Revlon are my go-to drugstore brand when it comes to lipstick, and the long-lasting highly-pigmented formula of their Matte Balms is unsurpassed in the aisles of Boots. I actually find the finish to be more satin than matte - there is definitely a slight sheen to the finished look, which I completely adore.
KIKO Longlasting Eyeshadow Stick in Golden Brown Whilst my all-time favourite eyeshadow pencils (Laura Mercier FYI) come in at a slightly higher price, KIKO's affordable alternative is a close second and boasts an incredibly similar formula to its high-end rival. The pigmentation and colour pay off is amazing, providing opaque coverage in just one coat. The formula itself is soft, light and buttery, with amazing durability - in short everything you could ask for [and more] from a budget purchase.
Seche Vite Quick Dry Topcoat A product which deserves its hype - nothing else keeps my polish intact for quite so long. It has quite a thick gloopy texture, which can feel quite heavy and present during the first 24 hours of wear, but has A+ results. It provides a truly brightening shine, and really does keep polish chip free for twice as long as the standard top coats I've previously used. A working/busy gal's dream.
L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara When it comes to affordable eye makeup, L'Oreal have my heart - and between this and their Volume Million Lashes mascara [my long-term favourite] the brand have ALL of your lash needs covered. Whilst VML is all about the volume, False Lash goes the extra mile and gives some serious length - falsie style [but more Bambi than Geordie Shore]. I actually find that this mascara works better a few weeks into use when it's slightly dry - so don't be put off if you find it a bit much on first use.
Burt's Bees' Tinted Lip Balm in Hibiscus Easy peasy lips; with no fuss, no nasties, and no bank loan required. I adore the light buttery formula of Burt's Bees' balms - they're always super moisturising but provide hydration and repair without leaving a thick greasy layer. I adore the warm muted coral colour of this particular shade - think 'my lips but better' but with a punch of colour.
L'Oreal Blackbuster Liner Meet the only eyeliner you need in your life - with a chunky nib which tapers into a fine but firm tip, this liner can be used for both subtle lash definition and for carving out a cat-eye wing in one single sweep. It's extremely pigmented and a true black [which can be something of a rarity]. I'm also always so impressed with how long L'Oreal eyeliners last. I've used several high-end liners which have dried up in less than half the time it takes for one of these to loose its mojo.
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer An old favourite which used to see a lot of blogger love but seems to have declined from favour in recent years - this is a near perfect dupe for Nars' Creamy Concealer, and costs about a fifth of the price. It's as long-lasting as the name suggests, and provides extremely good coverage and colour cancellation without caking or clinging to dry patches. These days I use a slightly more heavy duty concealer for blemishes but this will always be my under-eye concealer of choice - it's brightening capabilities reign supreme.
Miss Sporty Clear Mascara Setting my brows is an essential part of my morning routine, but buying a dedicated brow gel [especially a clear one] is pretty much a waste of money/gimmick when such a thing as clear mascara exists. If you've used one before you'll know that they become full of gunk after a few weeks of use and absolutely have to be binned - so splashing your cask on a high-end brow gel is a big mistake. I've tried a few different clear mascaras, but Miss Sporty's [what a truly awful name!] is by far the best. It has amazing setting power and gives instant and long-lasting lift to brows, as well as keeping powder application in place.
No7 Precision Lips Pencil in Nude I'm going to go into more detail in a future post but will suffice to say that this is the best lip liner I have ever [EVER EVER EVER] used, and if it were discontinued or reformulated I would bulk buy a lifetime's supply in a heartbeat. It's the perfect match for my natural lip colour - a nude-pink which perfects the pink/brown balance, and works perfectly with lipstick of any and every colour. I adore the formula - it's more crayon than pencil so applies with a light creamy texture and soft appearance - no harsh/obvious lines in sight.
What are your £10 and under makeup recommendations?
G x
To stay updated on future posts you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Bloglovin.