Credit: Best high street make up
Make-up
The Stylist team’s favourite new and affordable make-up products under £20
By Kitty McGee
10 months ago
All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article
5 min read
Shop the most exciting, effective and affordable new make-up from all of your favourite brands, as recommended by our editorial team.
Affordable and effective beauty is the holy grail for many of us, but with hundreds of thousands of products on the market, it can feel overwhelming working out where to start.
Our beauty team is privy to all of the developments and excitements in the make-up world, from new shades and textures to innovative formulas and often the most exciting are from high street brands.
In April this year, Boots welcomed the Natural Collection brand back to its shelves with a fresh new look and over 100 new beauty products – including sheer lip balms and glosses, low-maintenance eye shadows and mascaras – all of which are made from a minimum of 90% natural origin and cost £5 or under with recyclable packaging. Jenna Whittingham-Ward, head of beauty reinvention at Boots, said: “Natural Collection has always been a brand that champions simple products and natural ingredients, and I’m thrilled to see this legacy continue into 2024. With a fresh new look and new product formulations, we have ensured the range stays true to the accessible price point our customers expect without compromising on its natural credentials.”
From September Revolution will start increasing it’s shade range which will double the shades on its bestselling Skin Silk foundation from 20 to 40 shades by February, covering each shade family, tone and undertone. The descriptions have also been updated to represent undertones, a result of extensive complexion focus groups and working closely with make-up artists and market research.
Beauty-insider favourite Kiko Cosmetics launched its haircare range earlier this year but is simultaneously celebrating its make-up icons, including its bestselling 3D Hydra lip glosses and its Hydra Pro Glow, which is an excellent primer that works as a lightweight tinted moisturiser too.
Hydrating, glow-enhancing products are in season and L’Oréal Paris’s newly launched Lumi Glotion is formulated with shea butter and the hydrating ingredient of the moment, glycerin, for 24-hour hydration.
Here we share our beauty team’s favourite and most-used make-up products, all of which are £20 or under and available now.
Hanna Ibraheem, beauty director
L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion
If you’re always searching for that lit-from-within dewy glow, you need to add this to your make-up arsenal, ASAP. Formulated with a luminous glow that mixes with a subtle colour tint (I wear 903 Medium Glow) for a natural finish, there are so many ways to wear it: under your foundation, mixed with your foundation or as a highlighter. It blends out seamlessly with just your fingertips, too.
Jazmin Kopotsha, executive editor
Revolution Makeup Skin Silk Serum Foundation
Foundation is one of the trickiest things to shop for but I’ve become a big fan of Revolution’s new Skin Silk Serum foundation. They’re about to add 20 more shades to their range of tones and I love that the foundation doesn’t feel too heavy on the skin – it gives a light and glowy finish if you use just a little at a time (perfect for those balmy summer days out in the sun) but can be built up to medium coverage quite easily.
Meena Alexander, associate editor
Kiko Cosmetics Long Lasting Eyeshadow Stick
Kiko Cosmetics Maximal Mascara is a great everyday option but it’s the brand’s eyeshadows and longlasting eyeshadow sticks that keep me coming back. The eyeshadow stick I wear is shade 63 Bronze. It’s so easy to apply (and to transport without risk of breaking) and it’s long-lasting, which is really important – particularly when you’re at smart evening events. It’s just really good value for money.
Kitty McGee, executive fashion and beauty director
L'Oréal Paris Magic BB cream
Minimal make-up is my go-to: I like a lightweight base, a brown mascara and a balm. This lightweight, hydrating BB cream from L’Oréal Paris ticks all the boxes for me. I wear a medium and it provides the perfect level of coverage: it looks dewy, shows my freckles and doesn’t dissolve in an instant.
Sophie Boyden, social media lead
Sculpted by Aimee’s Brighten Up Concealer
“I started using Sculpted by Aimee’s Brighten Up Concealer ever since a beauty editor colleague I worked with recommended it to me. It’s been one of my favourites ever since. It really does live up to the name and brightens under my eyes with a nourishing, lightweight texture that hasn’t yet creased on me. The coverage is quite light but it’s easily buildable, so still a solid option if you’re running on only a few hours’ sleep.”
Lucy Reber, fashion director
Soap & Glory Glow & Dew It Skin Illuminating Base & Primer
I love this primer. It really does what it says, giving the best glow and illumination to my skin. I mostly wear it under make-up, but it’s great solo on hot summer evenings too. Highly recommended for anyone chasing that perfect dewy glow.
Shop Soap & Glory Glow & Dew It Skin Illuminating Base & Primer 30ml, £11.50
Amy Beecham, senior writer
Max Factor Masterpiece 2-in-1 Lash Wow Mascara in Midnight Black
This intense lengthening and volumising mascara is easy to use, it includes caring ingredients that condition lashes and is flake-proof and clump-free.
Holly Bullock, features writer
Beauty Pie Supercheek Cream Blush
I love the subtleness of a cream blusher. This creamy formula melts into your skin really easily, blends well with a matte finish, which I prefer over glossy for everyday wear. I apply it with my fingers (layered over foundation) and it lasts all day.
Hannah Keegan, features editor
E.L.F Power Grip Primer
My make-up routine is minimal but I find primer an essential for summer. This gel-based primer is hydrating thanks to an ingredient list that includes hyaluronic acid and the effective formula grips your make-up and keeps it in place all day.
Katie Holcroft, beauty manager
Soap & Glory Supercat Skinny Easy Precision Black Ink Eyeliner
This liner is particularly good for getting a precise and slim line – not always the easiest task – this is my weapon of choice. It has good staying power, too.
Shop Soap & Glory Supercat Skinny Easy Precision Black Ink Eyeliner, £7.99
Images: courtesy of brands
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