The beauty aisle is full of products ranging from £3 to £300 (and more). Let ELLE Beauty Editors guide you on where to save, where to splurge, and create a routine that’s easy on you and your wallet.
Katie Young: Moisturizer vs. Serum
Many of us save a fortune on skin care. In the UK, we collectively rack up claims of £1.6 billion a year. Most of the time I’m fine with that. Why spend so much money on makeup to cover what’s underneath? It’s much better to start from the basics.
Some skin care is basic. While serums are complex, moisturizers are understandably very simple. Only a few ingredients play a role, such as a humectant to retain water and an emulsifier to improve slippage. That means no hidden extra additions or costs. The dermatologists at Outspo-ken go one step further and say that normally functioning skin doesn’t need moisturizer at all. But my past experiences with long-haul flights, the first signs of perimenopause, or cold winter days tell me otherwise. They make my face feel thirsty and begging for hydration.
In such a case, a generous drizzle of Cerave or Avène cream (both under £10) is all you need.
Skinceuticals CE Ferulic
CeraVe moisturizing cream
Avène Cicalfate + Repair Protection Cream
Sarah Chapman Skinesis Age Repair Serum
Medik8 Hydr8 B5™ Intense
Serum is another matter. Its water- or oil-based nature allows smaller, more active molecules to penetrate the skin. That’s why most brands are crazy about serums, putting the best research, ingredients, and best prices into their little bottles. It’s easy to think that serums are your biggest investment in skin care.
When shopping, keep an eye on the Big 5. Consider serums with hyaluronic acid for hydration, vitamin C for dark spots, niacinamide for conditioning, vitamin A for fine lines, and glycolic, azelaic, or salicylic acid for breakouts. Some contain two or more ingredients in one, which can save you a few pounds, and you can even save money if you shop wisely.
Use reputable names (my favorites include SkinCeuticals, Estée Lauder, and Medik8) and know your percentages. Start with 10% vitamin C and no more than 0.25% retinol. With a serum strategy in place, you won’t have to spend money on moisturizer at all.
Jennifer George: Shower vs Bath
As for my bathing habits, I set up showers at practical camps and consider bathing to be a once-a-week reward. Probably more in the winter and less so in the middle of summer. My morning showers are usually a hectic affair, focused on washing my hair and hitting the snooze button multiple times, so I’m not really interested in fancy body washes that come on and off in seconds. However, this does not mean that we neglect texture. At the risk of sounding childish, I’m a big fan of foaming gels (Rituals products have a particularly luscious lather that leaves my skin beautifully nourished). If you’re too smart to throw a foam party alone, Caudalie’s shower gel area is available from £10. My favorite is Soleil des Vignes, which smells like a sunny summer holiday.
Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil
Sisley Eau de Campagne Phytogel Bath & Shower Gel
21% off now
Rituals Ritual of Karma Foaming Shower Gel
Kodaly Soleil des Vignes Shower Gel
On the other hand, a bath is a luxury, so we want the products we use to reflect that. I always make a cocktail with salt, foam, and oil while the bath is filling up.My favorite is
Eau de Campagne bath and shower gel scented with Sisley’s bergamot and basil. When I say this lathers, I mean use it with care. It is like a blob of bubble world and grows to a gigantic level. I would normally hesitate to recommend the £63 Bubble Bath, but I’d say it’s closer to Radox considering the cost per use, as the lather quality is excellent. Before I sink in, I apply Aromatherapy Associates bath oil to my body. And yes, I apply it directly to the skin. Because, unbeknownst to most people, that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Warm the oil to release its soothing effects.
Medina Azharuddin: Bass vs Brasher
By working with some of the best-dressed people in the industry (hello, Jen!), we know that an impeccable wardrobe is a combination of impeccably tailored, high-quality essentials mixed with fun accessories. It turns out that it is. It turns out that this equation also holds true. Especially when choosing a makeup bag, it all adds up to beauty.
The intense concealer and foundation duo is the makeup version of “quiet luxury,” delivering a polished, well-groomed finish every time.Find a formula that stays on your skin all day long, looks naturally radiant, blurs redness, keeps breakouts at bay and keeps your skin looking gorgeous. and Matching my olive undertone is a tall order. That’s why I’m willing to spend a little extra for “that one.”
Merit’s clever sticks come in 20 thoughtful shades, double as concealers, and have enough pigment to even out your complexion. The creamy texture provides the most natural finish without being too moist or matte. It also builds easily throughout the day without looking heavy and doesn’t seem to cause any blemishes. All of this makes it easy to blend the formula using your fingers. Similarly, By Terry’s translucent powder leaves skin velvety soft and leaves no trace of stickiness. I use both daily and the girls are better from a wear cost perspective.
Terry Hyaluronic Pressed Hydra Powder – £42
Benefit the Minimalist – £40
Bourjois Little Round Pot Blusher
Blush is where I do most of my experiments. I love the idea of mixing my own bespoke colors with an artist’s palette and experimenting with exciting shades like tangerine and soft lilac. The high street stocks an impressive range of blushes in a variety of shades, textures and finishes, so you can build your blush wardrobe without going over your credit card limit. My favorite is ELF’s cream formula. Its pigment is more elegant than the price tag suggests, making it a classic bourgeois pot. The swirl revitalizes the complexion and lasts all day long.
Katie Withington: Shampoo vs. Styling
This year, I’m reevaluating all of my shopping habits and hair routines. If we use cost-of-wear metrics to justify our shiny new loafers, shouldn’t the same be true for our beauty spending? From bond-building conditioners to sensual hair masks, I’m a big fan of luxury packaging. I was regularly splurging in hopes of getting the latest formula. However, I can use up a bottle of shampoo every two weeks with her, so the habit of taking luxurious showers is not sustainable for me. Instead, I directed my more luxurious spending elsewhere: on styling products.
A high-quality styling mist is essential to achieve a “salon-like finish.” I like to have a selection of professional standard products on hand. Sam McKnight’s aptly named Cool Girl Texture is my favorite. A quick spray on either side will make your hair look like it’s blowing in the wind, like a French model in a perfume ad. He comes in a close second with R + Co’s luxurious Bleu series. Don’t skimp on dry shampoo either. While more affordable sprays can leave a thick residue on your scalp, Living Her Proof reduces traces of oil from your roots without leaving your scalp looking cold. The best part? It is effective in small doses, making it cost-effective in the long run.
L’Oréal Paris Elviv Hydra Hyaluronic Shampoo with Hyaluronic Acid
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo
R+Co Bleu Lifestyler Volume & Texture Spray
Archives Allday Everyday Shampoo
Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Girl Texture Mist
It’s worth noting that the ‘skincare-ization’ of hair products has trickled down to the high street and that low-cost shampoos have improved over the years. Brands like L’Oréal Paris harness the power of salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid to target everything from oily roots to dry, damaged ends with a single, nourishing foam. For a salon-standard conditioner at a wallet-friendly price, I reach for Adam Reed’s Archive His Hair Wash. You can replenish guilt-free without compromising on colour, texture or fragrance.