40 best high street beauty products under £30, according to GLAMOUR editors
When it comes to the best high street beauty products, you really are spoilt for choice these days. For starters, everything spanning skin, makeup, hair and more is under one roof, tightly packed onto shelves close to overflowing. Purse-friendly skincare formulas have come on leaps and bounds, so it's not unusual to find the same transformative actives in a serum for £20 as you would in a luxury product. And finally, the high street is embracing makeup brands with shade ranges that are inclusive for all.
Take Boots, for example. In the last couple of years alone, it's transformed its shop floors to create discovery zones that encourage exploration. Even better, it's accumulated must-have brands, like Fenty, Huda and UOMA that were previously hard to come by. It's brought us American exports like the top-selling skincare brand CeraVe. And it's challenged beauty parameters, making it broader, more inclusive and all-encompassing (which means your mental and sexual wellbeing also gets a look-in).
Legacy makeup brands like Maybelline, Max Factor and L'Oreal have stood the test of time, building upon their formulas to bring us foundations, mascaras and brow stylers that stand up against luxury labels. And skincare innovators like The Inkey List, The Ordinary and BYBI have joined the ranks, too.
Marks & Spencer's beauty emporium has also undergone an overhaul. Alongside cool new fashion collaborations, you can also pick up trailblazing hair products from the likes of Aveda, Living Proof and ColorWOW (which hairstylist Chris Appleton swears by on his celeb clients, JLo and Kim Kardashian). There are well-being brands such as Neom and This Works and forward-thinking, conscious choices like REN and L'Occitane.
Essentially, our high street and its online portals are a gold mine for high-performance beauty products that rival high-end brands, just without the whopper price tag.
We asked our beauty team to sift through some of their absolute favourites to whittle down an edit of the best. One that, despite all the tests and trials, clearouts and culls, has secured its spot in their beauty cabinets for the long haul.
We've considered your entire beauty regime, starting with skincare, to find the gentle cleansers, the broad spectrum SPFs, the intelligent serums and the nourishing masks set to transform your skin. We've rifled through haircare to source the at-home hair dyes to tide you over until your next salon appointment, as well as the must-have dry shampoos. We've cherry-picked nourishing body moisturisers and multi-tasking balms to clear up all types of skin concerns. We've also considered the best makeup formulas, from the precision eyeliners and eyeshadow palettes to see you through every occasion to the plumping and colour-popping lipsticks.
The final picks include beauty secrets that have been passed down through generations, cult creations that sparked success overnight, and praise-worthy newbies that actually live up to the hype.
So, enjoy our edit of the very best high-street beauty products, all available for under £30...
Our acting associate beauty director's top pick
Revolution x Sali Hughes Placid 5-Acid Daily Exfoliant, £13.99, Superdrug
This gentle exfoliating toner is charged with salicylic, tranexamic, lactic and glycolic acids to decongest skin, even out tone and leave it looking infinitely brighter. I love how easy it is to reap the benefits simply swipe on with a cotton pad a two to three times a week for the most transformational results.
Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR Acting Associate Beauty Director
Imbue Coil Rejoicing Leave-In Conditioner, £8.99, Superdrug
Celebrate your curls! Formulated with coconut, cupuaçu and baobab, this leave-in conditioner restores moisture, bounce and definition to 4A-4C curls.
Carbon Theory Charcoal and Tea Tree Oil Break-Out Control Facial Cleansing Bar, £6.19, Boots
It may look like a soap bar but it is anything but. This solid cleanser contains organic charcoal to gently draw out bacteria and excess oil with vacuum-like precision; the organic tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic that reduces inflammation while shea butter prevents any dryness.
With one swipe, this creamy formula imparts a soft hint of colour; two dials up the pigment for one of the most realistic flushes we've come across.
Embryolisse Hydra-Mat Emulsion, £18.72, Superdrug
French pharmacy products have reached cult status for two reasons: efficacy and the purse-friendly price point. This creamy gel is no exception. It absorbs excess sebum and rebalances oily skin for hydration that never translates as greasy.
Avène Soothing Eye Contour Cream, £9, Boots
Sore, irritated skin around the eyes is instantly calmed and nourished with just one blob of this paraben-free product.
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, £24.99, Superdrug
Infused with antioxidant-rich olive oil, this oil melts away even the most stubborn makeup before transforming into a milky emulsion on contact with water. Proof that innovative K-Beauty doesn't have to come with a hefty price.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50, £19, Boots
So lightweight and silky, you’ll struggle to believe this fluid is infused with SPF50 protection. Just you try, premature wrinkles.
BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream, £29, Boots
Transition through the seasons flawlessly with this tinted moisturiser. Wear it solo or mix with your favourite foundation for extra coverage with a glow.
La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5, £7.50, Boots
Irritated skin on your face and body is soothed, nourished and repaired. It’s great for adding a glow under foundation, too.
Our associate beauty director's top pick
Max Factor False Lash Effect Volumising Mascara, £11.99, Boots
This never fails to make my short, blonde lashes look long, full and lustrous! Plus, it's waterproof so there's no chance of smudges. Lottie Winter, GLAMOUR Associate Beauty Director
Our beauty editor's top pick
Long Lasting Eyeshadow Stick, £8.99, KIKO
This eye crayon is a dream for simple daytime shadow or a simple smoky look. You literally just scribble it on and blend with fingers. There's loads of shades to choose from and it easily stands up to the high end alternatives. I'm addicted.
Elle Turner, GLAMOUR Beauty Editor
Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow + Volumizing Eyebrow Gel, £19, Boots
For an instant power brow, this teeny tiny brow mascara contains microfibers that create the illusion of thicker, fuller eye framers.
Rimmel London Super Gel Nail Top Coat, £6.99, Boots
Bid farewell to chipped manicures, courtesy of this hard wearing, gel top coat. Plus, you won’t need a salon appointment to take it off.
Weleda Skin Food, £12.50, Boots
Calming calendula, rosemary leaf and chamomile extracts are captured in sweet almond oil to create this rich, creamy balm for dry and rough skin.
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil Spray, £32, Marks & Spencer
Summer may seem like a distant memory, but this soft scent will transport you to dreamy Mediterranean sunsets, and the silky combination of plant oils (Borage, St. John’s Wort, Sweet Almond, Camellia, Hazelnut and Macadamia) keeps skin supple and hair hydrated.
L'Oreal Paris Pure Clay Glow Mask, £7.99, Superdrug
Love the oil-absorbing benefits of clay masks but suffer from dry skin? Here three clays combine with exfoliating particles and red algae extract, known for its brightening and hydrating properties.So you can lift away impurities and restore skin's glow without drying it out.
Batiste Original Dry Shampoo, £2.44, Boots
So much more than a grease dissolver, this beauty cabinet favourite adds volume and grip, but most importantly, facilitates an extra 30 minutes in bed.
Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Liquid Lipstick, £9.99, Superdrug
Over 20 shades of lightweight, long lasting, high-pigment lip colour that looks great and feels even better.
E45 Moisturising Lotion, £7.55, Boots
All skin types need hydration, but when it comes to sensitive, that becomes somewhat of a challenge. Luckily E45 can put concerns of flare-ups and reactions to bed.
Josh Wood Colour Blending Brush, £19, Boots
Can’t get a salon appointment until next week? This handy touch-up will tide you over until then. Simply brush the dye onto the roots of dry or damp hair and style as usual.
Collection Fast Stroke eyeliner, £2.99, Superdrug
Sorry – what? £2.99. Who cares if it doesn’t last 100 hours, this little liner will let you work that winged look six days a week (Sunday is a day of rest, people).
CeraVe Moisturising Cream Pot, £16, Boots
Fragrance free = great. Hypoallergenic = fab. Non-comedogenic (doesn’t block pores) = essential. Add in a skin-drenching splash of hyaluronic acid and our sensitive, dry skin is in love.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water, £8.25, Boots
If you’re going to use micellar water (and you definitely should) this is the one. A favourite among makeup artists, the liquid cleanser dissolves makeup and impurities without the need for a tap.
The Body Shop Shea Nourishing Body Butter, £6, The Body Shop
Feel good inside and out when you dip into this rich and creamy body moisturiser. Skin is softened, the scent is amazing, and each tub supports communities in Ghana.
Schwarzkopf Oleo Intense, £4.50, Boots
Gentle on the scalp thanks to the absence of ammonia, silicone and alcohol, it's loaded with an oil-infused formula and still packs a colour punch.
The Original BeautyBlender, £17, Boots
Makeup sponges became extinct the moment this applicator was created. And then we discovered its powers when damp! Our glowy skin is forever grateful.
The Body Shop Drops Of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask, £22, The Body Shop
When a product smoothes, hydrates and renews skin as you sleep, it’s easy to get on board. Add in the fact that it’s 100% vegan and we’re out of excuses.
Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo, £4.19, Boots
Oh, macadamia nut. Thank you for your nourishing oil, your heavenly scent, and for gracing our showers in an affordable bottle of shampoo.
Vichy Idéal Soleil Hydrating SPF50 Protective Solar Water, £19.50, Boots
Sticky suncream be gone! This hypoallergenic SPF50 water Yep, that’s right - water creates a light, refreshing veil of heavy-duty protection.
Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask, £2.99, Superdrug
To flood skin with moisture, simply lay back, drape one of these over your face and pop a warning on the door for anyone who spooks easily.
Real Techniques Everyday Essentials By Sam & Nic, £21, Boots
The makeup artist duo behind Pixiwoo have developed 100% cruelty-free makeup brushes for every single beauty need. Already obsessed? Join the club.
Benefit Porefessional Mattifying Primer, £29, Boots
Great for those who suffer from shine, this balmy primer helps to mattify skin and stops foundation from sliding off. If the oil returns, simply dab over your t-zone and watch the magic happen.
Indeed Labs Hydraluaron, £16.66, Boots
Dry, thirsty skin will be flooded with moisture the moment you add this hyaluronic acid-loaded serum into your skincare regime.
Garnier Summer Body Dark Gradual Tan Moisturiser, £9.99, Superdrug
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Once or twice a week with this gradual tan and you’ll welcome the opportunity to bare flesh wink wink.
OGX Quenching + Coconut Curls Shampoo, £6.99, Boots
If you want your natural curls to bounce (sans frizz), you’re going to need a whole heap of hydration. The incredible coconutty scent is just a bonus.
Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, £4.49, Boots
Strong nails start with soothed, nourished cuticles, and this lemony balm is loaded with almond oil, cocoa seed butter and vitamin E to do just that.
Dove Original Roll-On Anti-Perspirant Deodorant, £1.80, Boots
Maybe it’s the soft, power-fresh scent. Maybe it’s because we don’t like change, or maybe it’s the fact that this one actually works. Whatever the reason, this is the deodorant we keep going back to.
Wetbrush Go Green Oil Infused Treatment & Shine Brush, £11, Boots
Despite the name, this brush can be used on dry hair as well as wet. Its clever, flexible bristles are gentle enough for extensions, wigs, and little sisters, while the watermelon oil-infused cushion releases oil with every stroke helping to moisturise hair from root to tip.
Ole Henriksen Lemonade Smoothing Scrub, £27, Boots
Pimp your Sunday scrub with a gentle blend of ginseng, chamomile and walnut powder. The exfoliating, purifying and cleansing trio are nature's ticket to smooth, glowy skin.
