Budget beauty
From James Welsh’s online shopping hack to drugstore must-haves from Molly-Mae’s make-up artist
If you’re a beauty obsessive whose FYP is full of make-up reviews, you’ll know that opening TikTok is not only dangerous for your screen time, but also your bank account. While there are few things that bring greater joy than scrolling Sephora/Cult Beauty/Lookfantastic, with so much on our wish lists, we need to be a little savvier.
Beauty products are more expensive than ever, but with more brands and formulas at our disposal, your money will go further once you’ve finished reading these words.
This is where our experts come in – here to share their best budget shopping tips, along with their favourite affordable products. Think of them as beauty’s version of The Avengers, minus the spandex costumes. Which I guess makes me Tony Stark… Like the real Avengers, my army of experts is nothing but elite. There are MUAs to the stars, including Hannah Martin, and even internet icons such as James Welsh – plus many more.
So, buckle up as we get into our pros’ guide to beauty shopping on a budget.
Adam Reed, celebrity hairstylist, founder of Arkive Headcare
‘I always recommend shopping the three-for-two offers and stocking up on your favourite products to get the most of the promotion.’
Adam’s go-to bargain hair products: Arkive All Together Now Co-Cleanse, £13. ‘This can be used in place of your shampoo and conditioner. It’s designed to work with your natural hair.’
James Welsh, skincare YouTuber and reviewer
‘My best budget skincare shopping tip is to sign up to your favourite beauty website, add your products to your online shopping basket, but don’t check out. Usually, within 24 hours the website will email you a discount code to use at checkout.’
James’s go-to bargain skincare products: COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch, £5.99 for 24. ‘With so many acne patches on the market, COSRX’s are the only ones that really get the job done for me, flattening spots overnight, reducing redness and protecting.’
Rose Gallagher, make-up artist and beauty content creator
‘When allocating your budget, rank your products in order of surface area and usage. Your foundation, for example, covers the largest area of your face and is probably an everyday staple. This is where more of your budget needs to go, rather than on a bright lipstick that might see an outing every three weeks. Invest in the things you’ll use most and keep impulsive moments for your least-splurged-upon items.’
Rose’s go-to products: The Inkey List Redness Relief Solution 10% Azelaic Acid, £15.99. ‘As someone with two different types of rosacea, I can’t tell you how key it i
