We asked our very own Editor Amanda, to share some of her best beauty buys - and each one is under £25.
One of my very first few blog posts on www.gingermumstyle.com was on affordable beauty products and I still use those brilliant buys to this day. I wanted to share these gems with you - I’ve done the hard work and have sieved out the gremlins, after trialling lots of products over the years!
First up, let’s start at the top end of the scale with my holy grail. Willowberry Skincare is the most wonderful concoction of antioxidants, vitamins and essential fatty acids, blended seamlessly to soak into your skin and nourish to perfection. I was introduced to the brand by the amazing Caroline Barnes, who has represented Max Factor as their celebrity make up artist for the past ten years.
We were at a Coty event at The Ivy – yes, I know, swanky or what – and these little mini oils were part of the recommendation in our make up/skincare regime advice from Caroline.
At the time I wasn't a fan of oils, but I took it home with me, alongside my other swag.
One evening, unable to find my usual ill thought-out choice of night cream, I used this and have never looked back. Non gifted, always paid for, I go back for refills time and time again because my skin simply loves it. That’s the best recommendation I can possibly give to you.
The smaller sized potions come in at around the £14 mark and the larger sizes just a tad over the £25 threshold.
Next, let me delight you with my favourite mascara, which is fast becoming a mainstream must have – but please, don’t buy too many because I won’t be happy if I can’t get my fix!
I have long lashes by nature – albeit I have to tint them so the rest of the human race can actually see I have any – it’s a ginger daily struggle people! – but lashes can never be too long! So, this excellent elongator from Marc Jacobs, is a highly desirable must have for my peepers. Coming in at a very reasonable £20 for both a designer nod and a magic mascara rod, it’s a winner I promise you!
Right at the bottom of the price chain is this little miracle from T-zone, at the bargain price of 99p from The Range, Bodycare and other budget chemists. I cannot tell you what a lifesaver this little gem of a gel is.
Pop it on a problem area and within a night, maximum of two, pimple begone! There isn’t much more I need to say about this one, does what it says on the tube. Job done.
Now if you didn’t think of bicarbonate of soda (aka baking soda) as a beauty must have – think again! That is if you have a penchant for self-tanning products as I do.
A natural, inexpensive and harmless-to-skin remover, I even pop some in my bath to expedite the process. Simply take a quantity of the powder, pop it in a bowl and add a little water to make a paste. Rub on the skin and whilst the tan will not quite disappear like magic, this will absolutely speed up the process and break down that patchy fake tan.
Talking of tans, one of the most frequently asked questions I get, is which self tanning products do I use? Well, having painstakingly trialled most brands on the market, checking for coverage, wear off and longevity, my favourite has to be independent brand TanyaWhiteBits – great name eh?
Founded by a Welsh boss babe, this brand is an Instagram hit and priced at a very reasonable £16.99. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
I’ve been using it – and keeping abreast of other brands - for around three years now and would say it sits on a par with the St Tropez range but at almost half the price. You can find them on Instagram @tanyawhitebits
So there you have my 5 under £25 faves, do you use any of them already?
Let us know of any other gems the team at Life and Soul should be trying out.