10 best make-up products under £20, from palettes to foundations

I’m starting to lose count of the amount of times I’ve raved about this lipstick. After naming it the “best overall bargain beauty buy” in my round-up of the best budget-friendly cosmetics guide, I’m going to sing its praises yet again as one of, if not the, best product to pick-up if you’re after an affordable lippy.

Available in 20 shades, this creamy, extremely potent lipstick has a shade to suit everyone and lasts for an incredibly long time once on. It’s easy to apply and includeds squalane and jojoba esters that moisturise and soften for a seriously impressive finish. I currently own it in five shades, which probably goes against the budget buying mentality, but at under £10 a pop, it’s hard to say no.

My favourite foundation of all time is a fairly costly find from Chanel, it’s lightweight, has a flawless finish and is packed with skin-boosting ingredients that hydrate while evening out skin tone and texture. But, when my budget doesn’t allow for this skincare-meets-make-up splurge, this Max Factor foundation comes in at a close second.

Costing just under £15, it really is an impressive beauty buy, offering a lightweight coverage that evens out my complexion while boosting skin from the inside thanks to the inclusion of skin brightening vitamin C and moisture boosting hyaluronic acid. It’s pefect for those with dry or “normal” skin types and is currently available in 20 shades, although I would love to see more.

Blush has the ability to transform any make-up look. The rosey hue can instantly perk up dull, tired-looking faces, make a lipstick shade standout even more and leaves a natural, healthy-looking glow on almost every skin tone and type, and applying it in stick form makes it even easier. Available in both blush, highlighter and contour colours, these handy sticks are a great essential in any make-up bag. Although I really wish there were more shades to play with, the creamy formula efforlessly blends into the skin, taking mere seconds to apply, and a little really goes go a long way thanks to the potent pigment.

While potent formulas, good ingredients and impressive shade ranges are all important when choosing make-up, having the right tools to apply the products with can make a big difference in how well they work. However, this can sometimes cost a small fortune. Luckily, bargain beauty tool brand Brushworks is here to help with a wide range of brushes that sit very nicely within budget, such as this four-piece travel set now coming in at under £7.

Although it’s called a travel set, the brushes are actually rather large. In fact, you wouldn’t want anything much longer or else they may not fit in your make-up bag. Fully synethic and vegan-friendly, they’re silky soft, apply products perfectly and are easy to wash too.

Lipgloss girls are sure to be well aware of this bargain buy. Created by high street beauty brand Maybelline, many have dubbed it a similar find to the much more expensive Fenty gloss bomb (£18, Fentybeauty.com). It’s incredibly hydrating, makes lips super soft and leaves a long-lasting shine that stays put for around two hours.

With 15 shades available, there’s something to suit every skin tone and style and my personal favourite shade, 004 silk, leaves a soft pink hue that sits somewhere between a shiny gloss and more potent lipstick. It also tastes and smells quite wonderful too, and although no lipstick should be actively licked off, having it taste so pleasant certainly is a plus.

As Collection Cosmetics USP is all about affordable beauty, I’m adding another one of the brands budget-friendly finds to this round-up and it’s a real standout star for those who like a sharp lip. Not only is this lip liner already a bargain coming in at under £3, but it also includes an innovative sharpener sat in the lid so it’s always ready to go – a big difference from the last-minute panic of trying to fish one out from the bottom of my make-up bag.

The liner itself is soft enough to be easily applied with no scratchy feeling, lasts almost all day and also includes castor oil and vitamin E to prevent any excess dryness. Again, like a handful of other products in this round-up, I only wish it was available in more shades.

When it comes to creating long lasting make-up looks, I’ve always counted on Urban Decay’s all nighter setting spray (£28, Lookfantastic.com), a must-have product in any make-up lovers arsenal. But, after spotting many a beauty buff comparing this bargain buy to the bestselling Urban Decay option, I knew I had to try it and was not left diappointed.

The lightweight mist (although smelling a little like hairspray) will keep your make-up in place for hours, no matter how hot and sweaty you may get. It effortlessly glides on without any sort of wet feeling and after a minute you’ll forget you even sprayed it in the first place as all sticky feeling will subside leaving a flawless face of matte make-up behind.

Elf, like Collection Cosmetics, is another famous bargain beauty brand quickly rising up the ranks of popularity amongst beauty buffs. Not only are its products incredibly affordable but they’re also potent, long-lasting and a real joy to use. This 10-pan eyeshadow palette is a great example of what the brand does best, curating a shade range perfect for creating a smokey eye for every occasion. Working out at just £1 per colour, it really is a no brainer buy and the colour payoff is just as good as palletes that are much more expensive as well.

If it’s dark under eye circles that you’re looking to hide, you may want to put down the concealer for just a minute as an under eye brightener could actually be the product that boasts the results you’re searching for. Working as a colour correcter, the peachy hues cancel out any blue-toned darkness, instantly brightening up the area without caking on too much concealer, it really is a gamechanger. Including ingredients such as vitamin E and cherry seed oil, this one also works to reduce signs of inflammation and moisturises the sensitive area.

My third (and final) Collection Cosmetics addition to this guide is the new mile high mascara. While it isn’t the most lengthening or volumising mascara I’ve ever tried, it is one of the most consistent, softly coating lashes in a deep black colour without too many clumps or a spider leg effect. It’s straightforward, simple, and works incredibly well as an everyday addition to accentuate your natural lash without any worry of flaking. Bamboo extract is also included to help nourish lashes while wearing the mascara, although I’m yet to notice a big difference in lash health since using it.