We asked 12 beauty experts to spill on their favourite beauty buys – some cost £450, others just £2
In fact, more than a third of Boots Advantage Card members shopped for both budget-friendly make-up and premium cosmetics in 2024, focusing their attention not on how much products costs but on what really works - not something that's always easy to work out.
To find out where we should be spending our money, and what products we can save on, we asked 10 industry experts for their favourite budget beauty product, and the one they will shell out for.
Tara Ledden, Beauty Editor
32
I'm a huge fan of high street beauty, as there are so many brilliant products lining the shelves today, you really don't have to spend loads to arm yourself with hard-working products.
However, if I'm going to splurge, it's almost always on skincare.
BUDGET BUY
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I talk about ARKIVE The Prologue Hair Primer, £ 4.50, on an almost daily basis. In fact, when I told Beauty Writer Mia that I was going to make it my budget pick, she replied: "I knew it!" immediately.
It's super lightweight, yet it still dissolves tangles and manages to leave hair noticeably softer and more shiny - while also protecting it from heat - without leaving any residue behind.
It's impossible to use too much, so if you have fine hair like me, you don't need to worry about it feeling dirty or limp.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
Tatcha The Silk Cream, £123
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I discovered Tatcha The Silk Cream, £123, in the Fabulous beauty cupboard over two years ago and started slathering it on my face.
Within days, I was getting compliments on how good my skin looked, including one from a fellow beauty editor well versed in my history of acne, who exclaimed: "Your skin looks like porcelain!" before we'd even said hello.
I'd used it for a week before I googled the price, and I instantly started using a tiny pea-sized amount to try to make the tub last longer, thinking I'd never be able to justify a repurchase.
Unfortunately for my bank balance, I've not found a cheaper moisturiser that compares, and have since re-stocked multiple times.
Jamie Genevieve, make-up artist and founder of V ieve
32
As a make-up artist, it doesn't get more fun than testing and trying new make-up launches.
BUDGET BUY
Byoma Hydrating Serum, £12.99
Everything from Byoma is simple, effective and fuss-free, with a super-accessible price point.
Byoma Hydrating Serum, £12.99 gives skin a hit of hydration, making it great to use ahead of applying make-up.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
I love my luxurious facials with facialists Olivia Francesca and Nichola Joss, whose clients have included Gwyneth Paltrow and J.Lo.
I go to KMP Skin in London and Age Refined Glasgow for medical-grade treatments.
Dr Christine Hall, aesthetics doctor and pharmacist
32
One product I never spend lots of money on is a cleanser, as you really don't need to.
BUDGET BUY
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF 50, £15.50
The textures and finishes of Korean SPFs are unrivalled because they're so lightweight and non-greasy, plus they're often hybrid products.
, offers premium protection and doubles up as a moisturiser.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
Skinceuticals Silymarin CF Serum, £165
Skinceuticals Silymarin CF Serum, £165, is formulated with oily skin in mind and was genuinely a game-changer for me in terms of clearing my skin of breakouts.
Mollie Burdell, beauty journalist and make-up artist
32
You don't need to spend much to create an exceptional skincare or make-up routine, but I'm also a real sucker for glitzy tools and gadgets.
BUDGET BUY
e.l.f cosmetics Soft Glam Satin Foundation, £8, is one of my favourite bases because it gives the most natural glow-giving coverage with minimal effort required, and works beautifully on all skin types.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
32
Dyson Supersonic r Hairdryer, £449.99
I first experienced the new Dyson Supersonic r Hairdryer, £449.99, at Larry King's salon, and I immediately knew I needed one for myself.
It's nifty, lightweight and an absolute joy to use.
Emily Lansley, celebrity manicurist, facialist and tanning expert
32
When adding to my beauty kit, I always keep prevention, protection and good gut health at the forefront of my mind.
BUDGET BUY
Boots Glow Gua Sha, £8.50
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A gua sha, like Boots Glow Gua Sha, £8.50, is one of the best things you can use at home for lymphatic drainage - you'll see instant tightening results.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
Slimyonik AIR Bodystyler treatments, from £99, is a body contouring and lymphatic drainage device. It supercharges your metabolism, reduces inflammation throughout your body and improves your skin and gut health from the inside out.
Adam Reed, hairstylist and founder of Arkive Headcare
32
Creating and sticking to a routine is near impossible for my ADHD mind, so I make sure I keep things really simple.
BUDGET BUY
Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream, £2
I use Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream, £2, absolutely everywhere, and it's also a great base for making fragrances last.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
I take weekly visits to the nail salon for a mani/pedi. My job is aggressive on my hands, so I really take care of them. Townhouse nail salon is my go-to.
Katie Onyejekwe, aesthetician and skincare educator
My beauty routine is simple, results-driven and efficacious.
BUDGET BUY
BUY HERE
Rimmel Lasting Finish Lip Liner in Cappuccino, £3.99, is the perfect nude shade for my skin tone - once applied it really does stay put, which I find a lot of other liners don't.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
Pure Lift Pro EMS tool, £674
I use Pure Lift Pro EMS tool, £674, in my facials, and occasionally on myself. It visibly lifts and helps to drain away water retention, leaving you looking sculpted.
Iram Shelton, celebrity nail artist and lifestyle creator
32
I spend way more than average on beauty, but it's part of my job, so I see it as a business investment too!
BUDGET BUY
Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eraser Concealer, £9.99
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Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eraser Concealer, £9.99, blends like a dream and has been in my make-up bag since my teenage years.
Some things don't need to be expensive to work.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
Dyson Airwrap, £479.99
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My Dyson Airwrap, £479.99, was a major splurge, but it's the best way to achieve a salon-worthy blowout at home without frying my hair.
Plus, the time it saves me makes it 100% worth it.
Adeola Gboyega, make-up artist
I'm not into products that are all packaging and no performance.
If it doesn't get results or elevate my routine in some way, it's not worth the spend.
BUDGET BUY
NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Body Oil, £12.50 has a super-luxe scent for the price and I love how multi-use it is: body, hair, décolleté, even a few drops in the bath.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
I believe in complementing my skincare routine with professional treatments.
Injectables, chemical peels and laser treatments help with long-term skin health and make everyday maintenance so much easier.
Jules Von Hep, beauty expert & author of The Confidence Ritual
My beauty kit is brimming with different products dependent on season, day of the week, mood, age.
Essentially more is more, less is a bore.
BUDGET BUY
V05 Wet Look Gel, £3.50
V05 Wet Look Gel, £3.50, is no frills, and creates slicked-back hair every time.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
Matiere Premier Santal Austral, £165 for 50ml ED P
is expensive.
Estee Lalonde, content creator and founder of Mirror Water
32
Don't be swayed by trends – find what works best for you.
Shopping with a list helps me to avoid impulse buys.
BUDGET BUY
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Garnier Micellar Water, £5.49, is a ride-or-die for me.
It's perfect for all skin types and is always the first step of my evening routine to remove my make-up.
BLOWOUT BEAUTY
I'd always say to splurge on a luxurious serum.
, is an all-time favourite - if my skin is showing any signs of stress, this highly concentrated formula instantly calms and soothes it.
Mia Lyndon, Beauty Writer at Fabulous
32
Never overload your skin with buzzy skin and make-up products - instead, invest time in finding products that work for you, regardless of how unsexy they may seem.
BUDGET BUY
32
Cetraben Cream, £4.84
BUY HERE
It's taken me a long time to find the right moisturiser for my eczema-prone complexion, but I've finally found it in simple and deeply nourishing Cetraben Cream, £4.84.
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BLOWOUT BEAUTY
32
Molton Brown Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Hand Wash & Lotion Set, £47
BUY HERE
Invest in great handcare - like Molton Brown's fresh, aromatic Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Hand Wash & Lotion Set, £47 - and you'll always be ready to have guests around!
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