We’ve tried and tested the very best budget friendly products available at our favourite beauty retailer, Cult Beauty, and it’s safe to say they will leave your skin, face, body, hair looking and feeling better than before. Perfect for gifts and filling up your beauty shelfie!
The Inkey List Bakuchiol (30ml), £9.99
A gentle yet potent alternative to retinol, The Inkey List’s Bakuchiol is a plant-based alternative moisturiser that helps to stimulate collagen, improve skin’s elasticity and diminish fine lines and wrinkles. The inclusion of ultra-hydrating and nourishing squalene as well as Omega 3, 6 and 9 rich sacha inchi oil which helps strengthen and maintain the skin’s moisture barrier, this potent multi-tasking moisturiser is a must-try for any fan of retinol or The Inkey List wanting a gentle yet effective formula they can rely on time and time again.
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone (30ml), £5.75
Want to brighten your skin and defy signs of ageing (we’re talking discolouration, fine lines and dark circles) overnight? You need The Ordinary’s Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone. In its pure form of L-Ascorbic acid, vitamin C is an effective antioxidant that has been shown to visibly brighten skin and reduce signs of ageing when applied topically. This waterless formula provides skin with a very high concentration (30%) of pure L-Ascorbic acid that remains completely stable due to the absence of water. The addition of very light silicones means that this formulation feels gorgeously smooth on the skin, although a strong (but non-irritating) sensation can be expected during the first 1-2 weeks of use until the skin’s tolerance to a high concentration of vitamin C is improved (the formula can be mixed with other creams and serums to reduce this sensation if needed). Ideally applied at night, this fabulous formula works hard while you do the opposite, leaving you with smooth, bright and even skin when morning comes around.
ALPHA-H Triple Action Cleanser (30ml), £5.00
Finding a cleanser that removes every last trace of make-up (even waterproof mascara) while actually improving your skin is a tough task, but that’s exactly what Alpha-H Triple Action Cleanser does. This light gel contains antibacterial thyme extract to minimise excess oil and acne breakouts, plus soothing, hydrating aloe vera and calming cucumber. It’s free from foaming agents, detergents and sulphates and will restore skin’s natural pH balance. The formula is available in a full (185ml) and travel size (30ml), so you need never be without!
KNC BEAUTY The Eye Mask, £4.00
Tired of waking up to puffy, tired eyes? Banish puffiness with The Eye Mask from KNC Beauty. In just 20 minutes these hardworking yet insta-friendly sheets deliver all-natural yet hardworking ingredients to the eye area that promise to refresh, hydrate, smooth de-puff and brighten eyes. Infused with rejuvenating retinol (to smooth and promote blood flow), plumping collagen and reviving ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, gold, liquorice root extract, aloe and rosemary extract, prepare for results you’ll absolutely adore.
Paula’s Choice Clear Cleanser (30ml), £5.00
Helping to reduce breakouts and prevent future ones, this excellent cleanser from Paula’s Choice is perfect for easily congested skin types. Gently removing pore-clogging debris, impurities and excess oil, the refreshing gel cleanser lifts away daily build-up to leave your complexion feeling clean and purified. The key ingredient is BHA salicylic acid, which removes dead skin cells both on the skin’s surface and within the pore to reduce blemishes and blackheads. To ensure skin does not feel ‘stripped’ or dry after use, the clever formula also contains skin-replenishing glycerin and panthenol (vitamin B5) to ensure your visage remains hydrated and soft. The cleanser is available in both full (177ml) and travel (30ml) sizes – perfect for those on-the-go, or for trialling before investing in a full size.
Caudalie Anti-Wrinkle Face Suncare SPF50 (25ml), £9.50
A must-have all year round, Caudalie’s brand new Anti-Wrinkle Face Suncare SPF50 is a lightweight and creamy formula that is water-resistant, non-sticky, doesn’t pill, produce any white cast or ashy tones beneath your make up.
Enriched with Caudalie’s renowned organic grape water, not only does this protective formula block UVA/UVB rays from skin it also moisturises and soothes sensitive skin, keeping it in tip-top condition. Thinking this can’t get any better? This intelligent formula is also highly biodegradable and non-toxic to the marine ecosystem so you can use this worry-free. Suitable for sensitive skin, this is free from any nasties you wouldn’t want in your skin care or sun care and is also non comedogenic, alcohol and silicone-free as well as using a very selective system of filters, this is free from any chemical filters suspected of being toxic to the marine environment.
PIXI Shea Butter Lip Balm (4g), £8.00
Pixi’s super-cute Shea Butter Lip Balm allows you to nourish and protect lips while adding a sheer, beautifully delicate wash of colour. Packed full of beneficial ingredients, this multi-tasking miracle contains Shea butter and vitamin E to moisturise lips, while the rich yet lightweight formula glides on with ease, offering immediate soothing relief and long-term nourishment. It comes in five pretty pink hues, from subtle, dusty rose shades (‘Honey Nectar’ and ‘Natural Rose’) to vibrant pinks (‘Ripe Raspberry’ and ‘Pixi Pink’) via the slightly deeper, fruity-hued ‘Sweet Peach’. Each shade will leave lips kissed with a sheen of colour (which can be layered up for increased intensity) and a plumped-up and protected feel.
Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm (19g), £7.50
Boasting a spellbinding spa-in-a-jar aroma (that’s eucalyptus and clove leaf oil – not artificial fragrance), this hard-working balm-to-milk cleanser melts away makeup and impurities without stripping moisture from your skin – thank you, vitamin E.
Perfect for a deep-cleansing first cleanse, Versed’s Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm is a gentle yet hard-working cleansing balm that effortlessly melts away make up and impurities on contact. As you massage it into your skin with wet fingertips, the oil-based formula softens to create a light, gentle milk that rinses clean with no oily residue. Don’t forget to wash into your hairline and along your jawline!
NYX Professional Makeup Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Contour Concealer (3.5ml), £8.00
Proof that great things really do come in small packages, this overachiever lives up to its name – it Won’t Stop for up to a solid 24 hours *gasp*. The long-lasting formula is oh-so blendable and lightweight, granting that well-sought after ‘second skin’ effect without skimping on coverage – that would be a medium-to-full coverage FYI. With a matte finish, it’ll keep T-zone oil at bay and resists slipping from forehead to chin, whether you’re covering blemishes, brightening cheekbones or sculpting your face. Available in 24 shades, the versatile formula is suitable for a spectrum of skin tones.
Caudalie Grape Water (75ml) £6.00
Harnessing the powers of 100% organic grapes during the grapevine harvest, this gorgeous mist hydrates, soothes, tones and refreshes all in one. Revitalising tired, dry and dull complexions while calming irritated, stressed-out skin, this is the perfect way to ‘freshen up’, whether that’s at your desk, on-the-go or during the afternoon slump. With only three ingredients, the game-changing formula contains no chemical nasties (*cough* parabens *cough*) and is totally vegan and cruelty-free. What’s not to love?
