Glow Up Without Breaking the Bank

It’s one of the biggest beauty myths that great makeup needs to cost a fortune. Of course, I have my selection of high-end beauty favourites that I enjoy investing in but I’m also a huge fan of budget-friendly options too. When it comes to my everyday makeup, I like to focus on a handful of simple products with trusty formulas I know I love for a fuss-free beauty routine. My top picks for reasonably-priced brands include NARS, Hourglass, Laura Mercier, NYX, Anastasia Beverly Hills and, at the higher end of this price bracket, Charlotte Tilbury, MAC and Clinique. From everyday foundations to the cult-favourite contour sticks I love, let’s unpack my top picks for affordable makeup finds.

Foundation

Everyone knows that a good foundation can make or break your makeup for the day so choosing the right one is key. It’s all about a great formula that I know works well with my skin. The Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Liquid Foundation gives great full coverage without any weight to create a super soft and dewy complexion which is a big win … AND it’s on sale right now. The NUDESTIX Nudies Tinted Blur is another great option, especially when you’re feeling a bit lazy and just want something that’s super quick because it comes in stick format so easily glides on.

It’s not technically a foundation but another budget option for great skin is the Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment that’s especially great if you struggle with redness. It’s great to wear under foundation or simply on its own.

Bronzer and Contour

I’m a sucker for a great contour stick, even more so for one that doesn’t cost me the earth. It’s such an easy way to achieve that enviable sunkissed glow all year round, so it’s such a great investment for my makeup bag, especially one of the budget variety. Clinique’s Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour Stick is one of my favourites. And when it comes to bronzers, I love the Mini Laguna Bronzing Powder from NARS that gives such a silky, natural-looking shimmer.

Concealer

There should never be any underestimating the power of a good concealer. Whether you’re using it post-foundation to touch up those persisting blemishes and pesky spots or just dotting it around key areas instead of wearing a full face of foundation. Bobbi Brown’s Skin Full Coverage Longwear Concealer has great coverage but it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid to also make it super hydrating and creamy so your skin won’t feel dry. Also part of my top budget picks is the Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Serum Concealer – it really does feel weightless on your skin.

Blush

A rosy blush is a fun option to shop for, especially when it’s super affordable. You really can’t beat the NARS Orgasm Blush with its dreamy peachy-pink shimmer. I love opting for a two-in-one option with the Mini Blush & Bronzer Duo that comes with the Laguna Bronzing Powder, too. If you prefer blush that comes in the stick variety (I always find these so much easier to use) and are looking to invest a little more but still want something that’s reasonably priced, I’d go with Clinique’s Chubby Stick Moisturising Cheek Colour Balm.

Lips

When it comes to lip products, I personally think that drug store finds are underrated. NYX do some of my favourite lip liners of all time and if you’re looking for something super nourishing with a glossy-like finish, the Kosas Wet Lip Oil Plumping Treatment Gloss has my vote. I also love a good tinted lip balm for everyday wear when you don’t quite feel like wearing a super-pigmented or glossy option – Australian-based brand Lanolips does a great affordable one.

Eyeshadow

Eyeshadow palettes are one of those makeup products that can be so tempting to spend a fortune on. The best ones should last a while so they’re obviously an investment but if you’re fed up of shelling out quite a bit of money everytime you want to try some new shades, I hear you! MAC and Too Faced do some great compact palettes in gorgeous bronze, brown and pink shades that will be gorgeous for autumnal glam looks. And if you don’t want a full palette, I personally love the ease of Laura Mercier’s Caviar Stick Eyeshadow.

Mascara

The loyalty between a girl and her go-to budget mascara is unmatched. It’s usually those products we find young and then hold onto. I’ve had a collection of my trusty favourite mascaras for years now and definitely don’t want to gatekeep. I love the curved wand of Lancôme’s Lash Idôle Mascara to give an instant lift and the formula is super volumizing, too. Another top pick is the Laura Mercier Caviar Extravagant Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara (this one’s great if you love layering your mascara like me).

Brows

Everyone is so particular about their brows and I totally get it. There’s that age-old rule we all follow – “your eyebrows should be sisters, not twins” and I concur. Finding an affordable product that gets them looking presentable is one of my absolute beauty necessities! If you’re blessed with pretty thick brows naturally and just want something to hold them in place for a daytime look, you can’t beat the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze® Gel. And if you want a little more definition, the brand’s Brow Wiz Mechanical Brow Pencil is great.

Powder

I love using powder as a quick and easy method for controlling my shine and getting my makeup ready for all-day wear so I definitely like to have a few products on hand for this that don’t cost a bunch. My top picks are Huda Beauty’s Easy Bake Loose Powder (the travel-sized Baby Bake option is great to slot into your makeup bag for touch-ups on the go), plus MAC’s Studio Fix Pro Set + Blur Weightless Loose Powder (this is great if you have oily skin) and the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Light Catcher (it’s beautifully luminous and gives an almost airbrushed effect).

Brushes & Tools

And now for the brushes and tools used to apply. These are things in our makeup routine that we use over and over so it’s great to invest in good quality options but these don’t have to cost a fortune. Sigma beauty has some great value brush sets that are worth checking out and I also love investing in a mini travel selection of brushes for on the go, too. The sponge applicators from Beautyblender® are really reasonably priced and super easy to use and for loose powder, Laura Mercier does the best puff applicator. Clinique brushes are a little pricier but the quality is always great so I recommend investing in a few.