Beauty Knowhow: My favourite budget basics 

Beauty Knowhow: My favourite budget basics

No need to fork out a fortune – here are five bargains for under £11 

Let’s talk make-up. Specifically, good make-up that you can pick up for under £11 (I really can’t say fairer than that on the price front). Not all inexpensive make-up is created equal and, of course, you’ll usually have to sacrifice on fancy packaging. But that aside, if you want something that does a good job and doesn’t cost a fortune, then here are five products to know about.

Morphe is an LA-based brand that’s all about good quality at low prices and I like its Happy Glaze Lipgloss (£10, uk.morphe.com) – I think I’m craving a little shimmery glamour at the moment. This is not too sticky, lasts well and my favourite shade, Can’t Wait, gives just a mere hint of pale pinkness. Also great is its Brow Crush Tinted Brow Gel at £7 (that’s a whole 99p cheaper than my long-term bargain favourite in this category, the L’Oréal Paris Plump & Set Brow Artist). It comes in five shades and adds a slick of colour and volume to eyebrows that looks natural. (Both are part of the Morphe 2 line which is all about creating a glow-y but natural look.)

Maybelline New York’s new Color Strike Cream-to-Powder Eye Shadow Pens (£7.99, superdrug.com) are easy to use, come in seven metallic shades and have an easy cushion-tip applicator. They last well and though there’s a good pigment payoff these colours are not too overpowering so they dress up the eyes without saying ‘let’s disco’.

Volume is, apparently, the most requested mascara effect and L’Oréal Paris Air Volume Mega Mascara (£10.99, nationwide) was tested on curly, short, sparse and straight lashes to ensure it delivers. It also looks natural (a friend asked if I’d tinted my lashes).

For a good powder blush try Lottie’s Ombré Blush (£5.95, lottie.london). I like Red Hot but you don’t need much to add colour so tap off the brush before applying.

Beauty assistant: Alice Robertson

 

Spa treats for those in most need

I’m often asked to recommend a spa that can deliver treatments to cancer patients but finding one should now be much easier. Susan Harmsworth MBE (founder of Espa and a leading spa designer) has created a new training standard to ensure safe and inclusive spa treatments: SATCC accreditation (Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care). Visit satcc.co.uk for more information and a list of spas taking part.

 

The new age of facials

I went for my first post-lockdown facial: the Diamond White treatment at the Natura Bissé treatment room at Harrods (£160, redeemable against purchases). It’s a great facial, includes a glycolic peel and some cranial and body pressure-point massage; I practically floated out. If you’re feeling nervous about facials I must say I felt totally safe. Face shields were worn and the therapists put on gloves for added protection (I couldn’t tell the difference in touch, just heard the odd rustling sound). For details, visit bit.ly/2S3aIaz.