Luxe for less: 10 make-up products under £10 we can’t get enough of
Jazzria Harris
Beauty & skincare
Reading time: 7 minutes
Meet the purse-friendly products here to refresh your make-up routine – all for £10 or less
If you’ve looked into your make-up bag recently and found it’s in need of a restock, you’ll undoubtedly have been plagued with a little pang of worry (and not just because your favourite blush is about to run out).
With the hashtag #budgetbeauty having received over 200 million views on TikTok, many of us are increasingly looking to be more discerning and mindful about our spending habits in these cost-pressured times and find ways to stretch our beauty spend as much as possible.
Saving has become the new splurging according to our Boots 2023 beauty trends report, whether through finding the best deals (hello, Boots Advantage Card*), discovering hidden gems or making more affordable beauty swaps that still deliver the same look and feel as your high-end products.
Looking for inspo? Luckily, we’re on hand, with a whole host of hardworking beauty buys that will keep your costs down without compromising on quality. From double duty concealers, ideal for those who like to multitask, to false lashes so good you’ll be skipping your salon appointments, here are the Boots-approved make-up must-tries every savvy shopper needs on their radar.
The glow-getting base
Try: 17. Base Glow Illuminating Primer
• Size: 30ml
• Vegan-friendly
• Dermatologically tested
Great make-up needs good foundations and that means starting with a hardworking primer. This lightly tinted formula from 17. is ideal for giving a radiant, glowing complexion (which we all want, of course) and also helps minimise the appearance of pores and fine lines to create a smooth, even base for any make-up you follow it with. Apply with your fingers, gently pressing it into your skin for a flawless finish.
The colour-pop blush
Try: Sleek Makeup Blush by 3 Palette
• Size: 20g
• Shimmer and matte finishes
It’s official, blush is firmly back in our make-up routines thanks to celebrities like Hailey Bieber showing off their rosy-cheeked selfies on Instagram and TikTok’s cold girl make-up trend. This palette from Sleek Makeup is great for blush experts and newbies alike, offering three super pigmented shades in one. Simply swirl a fluffy blush, like Real Techniques Blush Brush, in your chosen shade and apply to the apples of your cheeks, pulling the colour upwards towards your temples for a modern feel.
The cult-classic concealer
Try: Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer
• Size: 6.8ml
• Available in 13 shades
• Vegan-friendly
Maybelline’s Eraser Eye Concealer has long been loved by beauty editors, make-up artists and make-up obsessives alike. Available in a wide shade range, it features a handy sponge applicator for a crease-proof finish, while the creamy formula will ensure blemishes and dark circles are covered with ease. Want to get even more bang for your buck? You can even double up and use this concealer as a contour wand depending on your shade choice.
The skin-loving foundation
Try: Collection Cica Foundation
• Size: 30ml
• Available in 15 shades
• Medium coverage
• Satin finish
• Vegan-friendly
Nowadays we expect more from our foundation than simply giving us a flawless base (although it’s definitely still important). This clever foundation from Collection offers just that, not only giving great coverage but also protecting and hydrating skin with cica, an ingredient known to calm and soothe. While it’s great for all skin types, those with sensitive or redness-prone skin will really reap the benefits from this comforting formula.
Learn how to apply foundation like a pro in our easy-to-follow step-by-step. Watch our tutorial below to discover the insider tips, techniques and tricks for achieving a natural-looking finish.
The high-shine gloss
Try: Maybelline Lifter Gloss
• Size: 48g
• Available in 18 shades
• Contains hyaluronic acid
This is hands down one of the best tinted lip glosses we’ve ever tried. It gently plumps the lips thanks to hydrating hyaluronic acid, giving the appearance of a fuller-looking pout without any gimmicky tingling. Plus, the impressive shade range comes in everything from barely there nudes to punchy pinks and reds, meaning there’s a tone for all moods and styles.
The tinted balm
Try: No7 HydraLuminous Lip Balm
• Size: 2g
• Available in five shades
• Sheer finish
Tinted lip balms are a huge trend right now offering a hint of colour without any unwanted dryness and with lots of lip-loving ingredients thrown in for good measure. This one from No7 is a winner, giving lips a sheer sweep of colour while nourishing hyaluronic acid and vitamin E ensure they look and feel soft, plumped and hydrated.
The natural-look lashes
Try: Eylure Naturals No.003
• Three-quarter-length lash
• Latex-free glue included
• Lasts up to five wears
• Cruelty-free
We all want to achieve that full, fabulous flutter when it comes to our lashes but, let’s be honest, salon trips and lash-lengthening serums can be expensive. These three-quarter-length lashes from Eylure are a great alternative. The clear band blends effortlessly with your lash line, while the staggered lash lengths will give a full yet oh-so-natural look.
The lash-lengthening mascara
17. Extreme Extension Lengthening Mascara
• Size: 12ml
• Available in three shades
• Ophthalmologically tested
• Vegan-friendly
• Cruelty-free
This mascara is a true triple threat. Featuring a super pigmented colour, the wand lengthens for ultra-long looking lashes and separates to prevent unwanted clumping. As if that wasn’t enough of a reason to add it to your basket, Boots customers can’t stop singing its praises. This mascara delivers a high-end experience for a fraction of the cost.
The ultimate eye palette
Try: Revolution Reloaded Palette in Velvet Rose
• 15 shades
• Contains mattes, metallics and shimmers
• Cruelty-free
Every hard-working make-up bag needs a great nude eyeshadow palette and this one from Revolution fits the bill perfectly. Featuring 15 shades that all work together, you can create many different eye looks to suit all kinds of occasions. We swear by a wash of a peachy-toned matte shadow for everyday, while the shimmery gold tones make the perfect night-out look.
The miracle tool
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
• Boots Beauty Award 2022 winner
• Vegan-friendly
• Cruelty-free
It’s said a work person is only as good as their tools, so set yourself up right with Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. Winner of the ‘Best Beauty Dupe’ category at the Boots Beauty Awards 2022, it gives more expensive sponges a run for their money. Simply wet the sponge (or we like to spritz it with a setting spray for added hold) then use it to buff in your favourite foundation for a seamless base.
