Gone are the days when drugstore makeup meant tacky, strange-smelling products that did no favors for your skin. Fortunately, we’ve witnessed a remarkable shift toward efficacy and clean formulations in the world of affordable cosmetics. It’s a revolution worth celebrating!
Of course, not every budget-friendly product lives up to its promises. That’s where our tried-and-tested list comes in – a compilation of products that mirror the quality of their high-end counterparts but won’t break the bank.
So, are you excited to discover our top picks for affordable makeup that deserves a spot in every beauty bag? Let’s dive in and check out the beauty steals that offer quality without compromise.
The perfect concealer for fresh-looking skin
E.l.f. Hydrating Camo Color Corrector
Price: £4.00
The Camo Color Corrector is a hydrating, lightweight solution for concealing discoloration, dullness, and redness. Offering a wide range of shades to cater to diverse color-correcting needs and skin tones, this long-lasting and crease-resistant formula provides full coverage with a satin finish. Infused with hyaluronic acid, it not only masterfully camouflages imperfections but also ensures hydration. Ideal for oily, normal, and combination skin types, this color corrector is designed to layer seamlessly under foundations and concealers, making it a versatile and effective addition to your makeup routine. By the way, users say it’s almost an exact dupe to The Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi Use Concealer for a fraction of the price!
Our favorite foundation for a flawless look
L’Oreal Infallible Foundation
Price: £12.99
The Infallible 24h foundation features a cutting-edge formula designed to deliver a fresh, flawless complexion that lasts all day. It’s so good you might mistake it for Armani Luminous Silk Foundation! Its unique blend of sebum-absorbing and moisturizing agents ensures radiant, shine-free, and comfortable skin. With Oxygen Technology, the fluid and ultra-stretchy texture allows for buildable coverage while maintaining a barely-there feel, letting the skin breathe. The result is smooth, soft, and natural-looking skin, and the transfer-proof formula ensures it stays put throughout the day. Additionally, it provides SPF 25 UV protection for added skincare benefits.
A glow up in one package!
E.l.f. Primer Infused Bronzer
Price: £7.00
The long-wearing bronzer is formulated with primer powder, ensuring a sustained bronzed glow throughout the day. With a smooth and easy-to-apply texture, it adheres to the skin for lasting wear. To achieve the desired sun-kissed look, simply dab a large, fluffy blush into the pan and gently buff onto the cheeks, forehead, or any desired areas. Works, looks, and feels just as good as its high-end counterpart from Charlotte Tilbury!
Never smoother and silkier
NYX Professional Makeup Pore Filler
Price: £14.16
A vitamin E-infused formula designed to minimize the appearance of pores and prime the complexion for smooth makeup application and longevity. This super-light primer creates a soft cushion between the skin and makeup, with a transparent finish suitable for all skin tones, particularly ideal for oily skin. Formulated without oil or talc, it serves as a go-to face base. To achieve a silky-soft finish and the perfect canvas for makeup, apply a small amount in circular motions after moisturizing and before foundation, or wear it alone for a refined look.
Pssst, you won’t know the difference between this primer and the iconic Benefit Porefessional one and you’ll also save big time.
Smooth, velvety, and vibrant
Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Lipstick
Price: £7.94
Color Sensational The Mattes by Maybelline is a matte finish lipstick makeup that provides crisp, vibrant lip color while keeping lips smooth and supple. Some say it’s an almost exact dupe to Huda Beauty Power Bullet Lipstick and we agree! The creamy-matte formula is infused with a caring oil, delivering sensational color with a rich and comfortable feel. With a wide range of shades in nude, pink, red, and plum, this lipstick collection offers options that are rich, warm, and ultra-flattering, ensuring a sensuous and sensational look for every style.
Gorgeous length, zero clumping
Wet ‘n Wild Mega Length Mascara
Price: £4.29
For those yearning for long, luscious lashes, the Wet n Wild Mega Length Mascara is the answer. This mascara fulfills your lash dreams with perfect precision, delivering the length you've been fantasizing about. The highly pigmented, vitamin-enriched formula provides increased definition with just one swipe, resulting in longer-looking lashes. The lash-defining comb brush meticulously hugs and coats each lash, ensuring that your lashes not only reach new lengths but also turn heads with their captivating appearance. So why spend tons of money on Bobbi Brown, when Wet ‘n Wild gives you the same results!
Brows for days!
Maybelline Brow Ultra Slim Defining Eyebrow Pencil
Price: £8.99
Maybelline Brow Ultra Slim Eyebrow Pencil is designed for ultra-precise, natural-looking brows. The pencil features a smooth, break-resistant formula and comes with a built-in spoolie brush for precise filling. It's the revamped version of the original Maybelline Micro Pencil, offering the same great product in new packaging and available in four shades.
An eyeliner that stays
Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner
Price: £6.29
Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner is a long-lasting and waterproof eyeliner that glides on easily, adding drama and definition to your eyes for up to 16 hours. The formula won't smear, smudge, or fade, and it comes in a variety of bold shades. We’ll let you in on a secret – although this pencil costs mere £6, it’s almost the same as Chanel Stylo Yeux!
A primer that doesn't fail you
E.l.f. Power Grip Primer
Price: £10.00
E.l.f. Power Grip Primer is a gel-based, hydrating face primer that serves a dual purpose by smoothing the skin and enhancing makeup adherence. This primer features a gripping gel formula, providing a soft-focus effect for a flawless finish. Enriched with hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, it offers a translucent finish suitable for all skin types and tones, just the same as its high-end counterpart, Milk Makeup primer would!
A liquid eyeliner for the sharpest cat eye ever
Maybelline Hyper Precise Liquid Eyeliner
Price: £6.99
Maybelline New York Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner takes eye design to an ultra-refined level, offering the sharpest point and the most precise line for a variety of looks. Its exclusive felt tip ensures a consistent application that never dries or skips, while the ultra-thin 0.4mm brush provides smooth, even lines without mess or excess. Featuring ink technology for super-saturated pigments, a spring cap to keep the formula fresh, and a promise of the most precise line for lasting intensity, this eyeliner is safe for sensitive eyes, ophthalmologist-tested, and contact lens safe. Some say it even compares to the iconic KVD Beauty Tattoo Eyeliner, and we definitely agree on this one. Maybelline is just as excellent!
A must-have in any beauty bag
TARTE Tartelette Toasted Eyeshadow Palette
Price: £33.60
Tartelette™ Toasted Eyeshadow Palette by tarte™ is a cult-favorite warm-toned eyeshadow palette featuring 12 versatile shades in both matte and metallic finishes. Arranged for three easy coordinated looks, these shadows are powered by Amazonian clay for maximum pigment and long-lasting wear, ensuring they won't crease or fade, even on oily lids. Perfect for everyday use, this palette offers a blend of warm, toasty hues for stunning eye looks. And the best part is – it’s absolutely affordable.
