We love swatching, testing, and reviewing the best beauty buys, and are determined to share elegant formulas that rival those higher-end counterparts, amid these fiscally challenging times.
After all, the savviest beauty shoppers know that accessible, affordable makeup, skin, and body care is the backbone of any great routine, right? By editor Trudi Brewer.
Image BeautyEQ
No7 is the UK’s top-selling skincare brand, and for good reason. This cleanser is a great example of that; it’s a two-in-one brightening cleanser and exfoliator. Packed with the most researched antioxidant, vitamin C, from fruit extracts, while apricot seed powder gently buffs the skin, re-energising and unblocking pores. It’s a great way to start the day. Massage into a damp face, then rinse with warm water.
I have been raving about this micellar water for longer than I can remember. Why? It’s far superior to anything else on the market for its gentle, unique, all-in-one cleansing and hydrating power. First, it removes every scrap of makeup, and it’s packed with vitamin A- and E-infused capsules that burst on contact with the skin to nourish deeply. I would not be without it.
For prepping skin, setting your makeup, or just drenching it with a moisture hit after a long day, this skin mist is brilliant. Brimming with hyaluronic acid and natural oils including propolis, avocado, evening primrose, macadamia, aloe vera, and rose flower, it’s become my morning and evening go-to for getting that instant dewy glow.
This K-beauty brand’s new burst-gel ball technology is an anti-ageing powerhouse. It melts on contact with the skin, releasing a surge of hydration that sinks in within minutes. Use the white probiotic-collagen-infused balls in the morning to strengthen and protect the skin’s barrier, and the yellow cica, green tea-infused balls at night to calm and hydrate. Or blend both balls for a daily anti-ageing boost. You can also apply just the gel (in which the balls are suspended) for a refreshing hit of moisture anytime your skin feels parched - it’s great under makeup #genius.
If your skin is dry and sensitive, the soothing ingredients in this lightweight cream will nourish instantly, including jojoba oil, evening primrose, apricot kernel, and shea butter, soothing aloe vera, cucumber, and colloidal oatmeal, as well as hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. It’s the pick-me-up tired eyes need, thanks to the addition of caffeine as well. Super nurturing and very affordable.
Makeup
Revlon PhotoReady Instant Blur Liner, $30
The new makeup innovations at Revlon keep wowing us, case in point with this new lip liner. Made with clever blurring technology that gives lips a soft-focus effect in a satin finish, but that’s not the only reason we rate this liner. The domed tip hugs lips perfectly, allowing the hydrating formula to act as your liner and lipstick in one. There are eight shades, pictured here: Lazy.
With 12 gorgeous shades, eight new, this gloss has been a staple in my beauty bag. Updated with a doe-shaped applicator, you get just the right amount of colour to dress your lips. The hydrating jojoba seed oil also adds nourishment and unrivalled shine. Pictured here: Hot Seat.
Makeup with skincare benefits, this is the perfect on-the-go highlighter. Infused with microfine pearls, niacinamide, and centella asiatica, the bouncy gelée-like formula glides on the skin, leaving a cooling, skin-soothing glow wherever your skin needs a touch of shimmer. There are four shades, pictured here: Rose Spritz.
Mascara is one of those desert island beauty buys, and this lifting, plumping wand has been in our beauty bag for months. It promises six times more volume on bare lashes and 24-hour wear. The hybrid wax adds texture to fine lashes and delivers weightless volume. Did we mention it's smudge- and transfer-proof, too? The best news is that you can pick this wand up at the supermarket while doing your weekly shop.
To add a hint of colour, correct redness, conceal blemishes, and condition the skin, you can’t beat a CC cream. This pure mineral SPF50 option is also packed with great skincare benefits. Like marine collagen and niacinamide, it doubles as your all-in-one sunscreen and foundation. There are eight shades.
Body
MOR Vanilla Bloom Perfume Mist, $25
Meet a body mist infused with good-for-the-skin ingredients such as vitamin E and aloe vera. Ideal for scent layering and light refreshment for dry skin. There are three scents: MOR’S famous fragrance, Marshmallow, Lychee Flower, and our favourite Vanilla Bloom. It’s the perfect comforting floral with Lily of the Valley, violet, and freesia, rounded out by vanilla, sandalwood and musk.
A dollop of this new zesty citrus cream will transform dry skin. That is thanks to the delicious ingredients, including shea butter, orange, mandarin and sweet almond oils, as well as rose extract. Found here in New Zealand, a Body Shop flagship store has recently opened in Nelson.
If your life is hectic and you are uber-active, the makers of gentle deodorant have created an all-over body option when and where you need it the most. Subtly scented, it's a deodorant cream for armpits, feet, and beyond. Offering 72 hours of odour control, the formula is invisible and dermatologically tested, and contains no aluminium salts. Infused with vitamin B3, this is a go-to for a little extra body confidence.
One of our favourite laundry brands, Bosisto’s, now has a divine hand wash. Enriched with Australian native essential oils, desert lime, and eucalyptus (what the brand is famous for), and coconut-derived ingredients to cleanse. It’s also free from nasties like palm oil, SLES, and parabens, is vegan-friendly, and is not tested on animals. Another great beauty buy you can get from your local supermarket. There are seven scent options.
For super-dry hands and cuticles, this creamy overnight mask repairs skin while you sleep. With pure grade sheep's lanolin (which mimics human oils), ceramides and hyaluronic acid, your hands and nails will be rejuvenated within just a few days.
Skin, makeup and body care.