20 summer beauty picks for under £5 – according to our editors
Olivia Perl
Sun & holiday
Reading time: 9 minutes
Looking for some genuinely good beauty buys on a budget this summer? Our editors share their favourite picks
Run out of your summer beauty buys or last year’s products have expired? When it comes to stocking up for the warmer weather, it can feel like a big shop.
But it doesn’t need to. Our team have cherry-picked their favourite beauty products on a budget and come up with 20 beauty buys that you can get for a fiver or less. Bring on summer.
Jo Hoare, senior editor, Boots Health & Beauty
A beauty bargain is only good value if you’re going to get use out of it – I’ve often fallen for the dopamine hit of a cheap and cheerful nail varnish or eye palette only to realise I never really paint my nails or wear eyeshadow! But there are also plenty of options out there that can be make-up bag mainstays.
A clear lipgloss, such as W7 Clear Lipgloss Wand, only costs a few pounds but will totally transform all of your existing lipsticks and make you feel like you’ve got loads of new options.
When it comes to lashes, Collection used to rule the roost as creators of cult high-street mascaras and, although other brands might get more attention on social media these days, the Max Curve Curling Mascara more than holds its own for curl and volume.
In the past, I used to find that some dry shampoos felt powdery, itchy and left my hair feeling sticky. That is, until I discovered the Batiste Naturally Dry Shampoo Green Tea & Chamomile. It leaves hair feeling soft and touchable, as well as fresh and free of oil.
When I think of skincare, for me, nothing prompts that ‘pamper’ feeling quite like a sheet mask. Easily elevating a boring midweek evening and making you feel like you’re treating yourself, the Garnier 2 Million Probiotic Fractions Repairing Face Sheet Mask is my fave, as it calms my rosacea and feels gorgeous on my skin. There’s also so much serum in the sachet that I pop the mask back in after one use, seal with a peg and use it a second time.
Jo’s picks
Try: Batiste Naturally Dry Shampoo Green Tea & Chamomile
• Size: 200ml
• Sulphate-free
• Invisible finish
• Delicate scent
• Vegan-friendly
Think of dry shampoo and Batiste will likely come to mind. This option, among its wide-ranging line-up, uses 100% natural green tea and chamomile extracts for a quick hair refresh.
Try: Garnier 2 Million Probiotic Fractions Repairing Face Sheet Mask
• Suitable for all skin types
• Vegan-friendly
• Cruelty-free
• Compostable
Perfect for a pamper evening, leave this face mask on for just 15 minutes. Once you’ve taken it off, massage in the excess serum that hasn’t soaked into the skin, with fingers or a roller, to make the most of the skincare goodness.
Ayesha Muttucumaru, associate digital editor, Boots Health & Beauty
Come summer, my priorities often turn to saving space in my suitcase and giving my make-up some welcome staying power when the inevitable heat wave strikes. With that in mind, my hot weather staples range from on-the-go shine control to small but mighty minis that pack a punch at a purse-friendly price.
When I need to straddle the fine line between dewiness and upper lip droplets (which for me, is a very fine one), Soap & Glory's Blot Right Now Blotting Sheets are the ideal addition to my most impractically-sized clutch bag. Paired with a morning spritz of NYX Professional's Dewy Finish Make-Up Setting Spray, I can rest assured that my base will stay put in the face of everything from a sweltering wedding to a sweaty commute.
As for my upcoming Bank Holiday weekend plans, I plan to pack a little smarter than previous years (I am that friend who wants to stuff the contents of their entire bathroom into a holdall) with the use of this nifty Boots Travel Set. It’ll challenge me to be more curated with my cosmetics, while a stealthy coat of Revolution Plump & Shine Gel Top Coat will hopefully help keep my at-home manicure chip-free until I’m back home, and help me resist the urge to take all my polishes with me.
Ayesha's picks
Try: Boots Travel Set
• Contains:
• 2 x 100ml squeezy bottles
• 1 x 60ml spray bottle
• 1 x 60ml pot
• 1 x toothbrush cap
Find it tricky to streamline your toiletries? This handy travel set was made for you. Simply dispense your can’t-leave-home-withouts into its containers to clear space in your carry-on.
Olivia Perl, digital writer, Boots Health & Beauty
For summer, I’m all about a glowy look, so I like to use products to boost that as much as possible. Lipgloss is one of the easiest ways to give off a fresh, dewy appearance but I’m very particular with the ones I use. It can’t be too sticky, or my hair will spend the day stuck to my lips, but it does need long-lasting shine. The Goldilocks of lipglosses, Revolution Pout Bomb Plumping Gloss in Candy, is a nude that can be used on its own or over other lipsticks.
Although I like to keep my make-up low key in the warmer months, I find myself reaching for a liquid eyeliner when I need to dress up for the evening. The e.l.f Precision Liquid Eyeliner is genuinely one of the best that I’ve tried, with an easy to control brush that glides along the lash line and deposits a rich black that doesn’t budge.
One of my biggest bugbears when the weather warms up is sweat because if I let it settle on my face, I can break out. Annoying. Enter the classic Garnier Micellar Water. This is the one to go for if you need to give your face a quick clean during the day or as the first step in your double cleansing routine. It effortlessly wipes away make-up (including mascara) and clears dirt and grime in a few swipes. There’s also a mini version for travelling, or slipping into your handbag.
For my body, I find Palmer's Coconut Oil Body Lotion really does the job when it comes to a moisturised glow. I slather this delicious cream all over my arms and legs to help hold on to any vague tan I might have picked up through my SPF50 sunscreen, and give my body a flattering and natural shine.
Olivia's picks
Andrea Leebody, associate editor, Boots Health & Beauty
Glowy, dewy skin was all over the catwalk this season, and the Collection Gorgeous Glow Stick is my BFF for getting the look without spending a fortune. For a healthy, sheer glow, I sweep the highlighter across my cheekbones and blend using my fingers. For a pop of colour, dot the blush on the apples of cheeks and blend using your fingers or a brush. It’s also buildable, so great for punchier summer evening looks.
Sticking with glam, let’s talk about red lippy. It usually finds itself in two camps – those who love it and those who think it doesn’t suit them. If you’re in the latter, I promise you everyone can wear red, no matter what your age or skin tone; it’s all about finding the right shade for you. The 17. Matte Lip in Chilli Red is a matte orangey-red that warms up my fair complexion, and looks even better against tanned skin. I apply a little lip balm half an hour before, which not only makes it easier to apply but also makes the colour pop.
Although I usually treat myself to a salon pedi before the holidays, Boots Coconut Oil Moisturising Foot Socks are great for in-between visits, keeping my feet smooth and sandal-worthy. Slip them on before bed, for 20 minutes, and after you’re done, massage in the leftover coconutty moisturiser to work its magic overnight.
I have bleach blonde hair and there are two weapons in my arsenal that I use to protect it from sun, sea and pool damage – coconut oil (smooth on hair before hitting the chlorine) and Charles Worthington Sunshine UV Protection Leave-in Spray Takeaway. This hero bottle UV spray protects my coloured hair all holiday for less than the price of a margarita, and at 50ml, it also fits in my hand luggage. Best sprayed on wet hair, I like to top up throughout the day from my lounger.
Andrea's picks
Try: Charles Worthington Sunshine UV Protection Leave-In Spray Takeaway
• Size: 50ml
• Suitable for coloured hair
• Vegan-friendly
Protect your strands from the summer sun with this easy to use leave-in spray. Specifically formulated for coloured hair, it makes sure blondes stay bright, whether hit by chlorine or UV rays.
Lucy Budge, content marketing manager, Boots UK
Anyone who knows me, knows I love a pop of colour on my lips. To really emphasise my lip shape and help my colour last as long as possible, I always make sure to use a lip pencil before applying lipstick or gloss. The NYX Professional Makeup Slim Lip Liner Pencil product is not only purse-friendly but also has great staying power.
Aside from giving my lips a pop of colour, I also keep them moisturised in the warmer weather. I apply the Burt’s Bees Pomegranate Lip Balm every night before bed as well as in the morning, before I begin putting on my make-up. I love that this lip balm gives a hint of pink, so it can also be used on its own for top-ups throughout the day.
Another staple product in my summer make-up bag is a cream highlighter and this 17. Light Reflect Liquid Highlighter creates a beautiful, dewy finish. Pair with a cream blusher for the final flourish in a summer beauty look.
My skin can get quite dry, so a sheet face mask is a real treat. I find that the Garnier Moisture Bomb Pomegranate Hydrating Face Sheet Mask for Dehydrated Skin is great for my skin type because it’s super hydrating. I use it around once a week as a self-care evening pamper, and love how soft and smooth my skin feels afterwards.
Lucy's picks
Try: NYX Professional Makeup Slim Lip Liner Pencil
• Available in 14 shades
• Buttery, long-lasting formula
• Cruelty-free
Get a sharp, defined line with this no-fuss pencil that glides smoothly over the lips with precision. Creamy but long-lasting, its buttery and budge-proof formula is a winner with us.
