Best Budget Beauty Buys under £12

As you all know I’m a professional makeup artist, Media Makeup Tutor and blogger and am completely independent. My blog posts and Social Media are not sponsored or paid for and I don’t receive free products to review therefore all opinions are my own and correct at the time of posting.

As a woman and a makeup artist I like to have high end makeup and skincare products in my professional makeup kit and also my personal makeup bag however over the years some high street products have become much, much better and therefore there is now a time and place for these products in our lives, both personally and professionally.

I’m based in the UK and so we unfortunately don’t have shops such as Walmart or Ulta Beauty however we do have Boots and Superdrug which stock a range of products at different prices as well as websites such as Beauty Bay, Feel Unique, Look Fantastic and Cult Beauty.

Here is a list of my favourite budget buys that I think are definitely worth the money (all under £12) and are a must for your beauty routine.

MUA Pro Base Primer Oils £4

These products are excellent value and are in my makeup bag (and professional makeup kit). Having used many different facial oils in the past, mainly from high end cosmetics companies I have personally decided that the MUA 24K gold oil and their Pro Base Oil Stick are amazing. For clients or anyone with dry skin including myself they not only ass moisture to your skin but also provide a base for your makeup to grab onto and give you a flawless looking application.

The Ordinary Coverage Foundation, £5.70

This is one of my go-to foundation for those days where I don’t feel like I need a lot of coverage. I would say it’s a light-medium, buildable foundation that’s better suited for normal to dry skin. It lasts 6-8 hrs on my skin and it’s really hydrating, so it doesn’t cling to any of my dry patches. The colour match is also AMAZING. I use the shade 1.2P and other than MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC15 I’ve yet to find another foundation that matches my skin tone just as well. It’s definitely a natural to dewy foundation so if you like the natural look with good coverage, this is a great foundation.

Revolution Pro 4K Blush Palette in Pink, £8

Different looks call for varying shades and levels of blush, and this colourful quad doesn’t disappoint. Blend, mix or isolate to create your perfect tone. These blush shades are highly pigmented so a little goes a long way and this palette also has a beautiful highlighter/blush topper. I am light – Medium skin toned, and all of the shades look lovely on me and would definitely suit a light skin tone.

Max Factor Masterpiece High Precision Liquid Eyeliner, £8.99

As you all know, I love my Gel Eyeliner Pots but sometimes you just need a quick and ready-to-draw alternative. You have two options with this unique paddle-shaped tip: keep it classic or dial up the drama. This eyeliner glides on smoothly use after use and is a quick and easy way to switch from thick to thin line.

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal, £4.99

A fail-safe favourite among smoky-eye fanatics, this blacker than black liner won’t run or smudge, fade, melt off, or dent the wallet when it comes to replacing it. This soft, precision Kohl Kajal liner glides on smooth and creamy. The waterproof formula withstands tears, sweat, humidity, rubbing – and whatever else the night might throw at you!

L’Oreal Castor Oil-Enriched Paradise Volumising Mascara £11.99

This mascara is my holy grail mascara and has replaced Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara and Tarte Lights Camera Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara in my personal makeup bag and professional makeup kit. The formula is lovely, not too thick but makes lashes look naturally long and thick without clumping. This mascara has a nice smooth texture and it won’t smudge during the day and is also easy to remove.
The only downside is that it must be replaced every 6-8 weeks as it dries out quite quickly but at this price, it won’t break the bank.

Maybelline Color Sensational Mattes Siren in Scarlet £6.99

These lipsticks come in 37 shades and don’t disappoint. Maybelline’s Color Sensational Loaded Bolds give dramatic depth and bold colour intensity, even with their nude shades. They have single stroke coverage with impact that is truer and crisper on every lip tone.

Batiste Rose Gold Dry Shampoo, £4.99

This scent is exclusive to Superdrug and is so much more than a grease dissolver. This beauty favourite adds volume and has a lovely fragrance, but most importantly, facilitates an extra 30 minutes in bed! What more could a girl want in the morning?

Garnier Micellar Water Oil Infused Dry & Sensitive £6.99

If you are looking for an efficient, yet gentle cleanser that removes all makeup, even waterproof, and also cleanses the skin of dirt and impurities whilst leaving your skin feeling nourished, then this is the cleansing product for you!
This cleanser is especially suitable for dry, and sensitive skin and I use it every day. Don’t be put off by the oil in the product as it doesn’t clog pores or cause breakouts, but adds enough essential oils to hydrate your skin, eliminating any dry patches.

Garnier Nutri Bomb Coconut and Hyaluronic Acid Tissue Mask £2.99

Everyone knows that I love a good soak in the bath with a book and a face mask however I have a new favourite treat. I have dry skin, sometimes with eczema and this mask gives my skin an intense hit of hydration. This milky sheet mask is packed with a milky serum enriched with coconut milk & hyaluronic acid, what’s not to love about that combination for your skin?
I also like to use the excess serum in the package as a moisturiser for my face and neck when I get out of the bath.

As with all my blog posts this is my opinion and is not sponsored or paid by any brand and none of the links are affiliates. They link to the brand’s Instagram accounts.

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Thank you for reading 💋

Claire xx

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