The best beauty buys to stock up on in 2020
If, like us, you’re guilty of owning a stash of skincare and makeup products that you never quite seem to reach the bottom of, then this article is for you.
There’s so many options available to us these days, that it can be hard to know what’s best for your needs. So if you’re struggling to deciper the five-star reviews and wondering what on earth you actually should be using, read on, as we’ve pulled together a roundup of the best beauty buys that will help you be your freshest, most radiant self in 2020.
Skincare
REN Perfect Canvas Clean
Jelly Oil Cleanser
To melt away every last scrap of makeup, you need an effective cleanser that will be kind to your skin. Step forward REN’s new Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser, which uses sunflower seed extract and meadowfoam seed oil, in a three-phase formula (gel, then oil, then milk) to dissolve dirt and debris gently but effectively. It’s quick and easy to use, and ideal for all skin types too.
£25, John Lewis
Bioderma Sensiobio Micellar Water
The OG of micellar waters, this is the perfect second stage of your double-cleanse routine and will ensure skin is squeaky-clean. Soak a cotton pad and swipe over skin first thing in the morning, and last thing at night, for the easiest way to cleanse and condition your complexion.
£10.80, feelunique.com
Institut Esthederm Excellage
Contour des Yeux
A hardworking eye cream can make all the difference to how fresh and bouncy you look (and feel!), but with so many on the market, it’s hard to know how to choose. This one is a lightweight, fresh formula that works to instantly minimise the signs of fatigue and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.
£64, lookfantastic.com
Clarins Fix Make-Up setting spray
A great setting spray helps to lock makeup in place, especially if you’ve got a full day of ahead of you. Clarins’ light, refreshing mist is enriched with aloe vera, to instantly lock in your look and hydrate your skin at the same time. Plus, it’s small enough to fit into your handbag, for regular touch-ups during the day.
£24, Boots
L’Occitane Immortelle Reset Eye Serum
Good overnight skincare is a great investment - with next-to-no effort required, it can help enhance and even transform the way your skin looks overnight, so you wake up looking refreshed and radiant. We’re big fans of L’Occitane’s Immortelle Reset eye serum, which is an oil-in-serum formula that melts into skin, and works overnight to help relax muscle tension, smooth the appearance of fine lines and stimulate collagen for firmer, smoother skin when you wake up. A must for your bedside table!
£49, L’Occitane
Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation Perfecting Moisturiser
This lightweight, suits-all moisturiser is perfect for applying post-serums in the morning, and last thing at night once the rest of your skincare regime is completed. Using a comprehensive blend of fruit acids and antioxidants, in a light and fluffy formula, this non-greasy moisturiser sinks into skin instantly and supports the work of the rest of your routine.
£36, Boots
The ordinary glycolic acid 7%
toning solution
Congested skin types or those with dull, lacklustre skin will really see the benefits of this powerhouse toning solution. Simply sweep onto the skin with a cotton pad two or three times a week, to reduce congestion, blocked pores and blemishes, and uncover a more radiant, glowing complexion.
£6.80, deciem.com
Makeup
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base
Sitting somewhere between skincare and makeup, this versatile formula provides nourishment and hydration for the skin, as well as creating a smooth and glowing canvas, ready for makeup application. It feels great on the skin, smells amazing and delivers beautiful skin and stay-all-day priming power for your makeup.
£44.50, bobbibrown.co.uk
Rimmel Natural Bronzer
A great matte bronzer is a must for every makeup bag, especially in Scotland when we don’t see the sun too often… This purse-friendly bronzer from Rimmel is easy to find in most high-street beauty stores, and is a failsafe formula that’s even waterproof too (another must in our fair country!). Swirl a fluffy brush over the pan, and then sweep across the face to fake a healthy, fresh glow.
£5.99, Boots
Clarins Joli Blush
Perfect for spring, a sweep of blush will create a flush of colour to leave you looking bright and healthy. Forgo the cream formula and try this silky powder blush from Clarins instead - it uses hazelnut oil, so the powder glides across the skin for a sheer veil of colour. We love the shade ‘Cheeky Baby’, a fresh, cool pink that will suit most skin tones and give your complexion a lift.
£27, John Lewis
Max Factor Facefinity All Day Flawless 3-in-1 Foundation
We’re all busy, and we all need makeup that’s going to make our day run a little bit easier, and just that little bit faster. So a 3-in-1 formula, combining primer, concealer and foundation in one, is ideal when you need a speedy application. With a decent shade range, Facefinity will work for most skin types, delivering a smooth, flawless finish that covers dark circles, blemishes and imperfections - and lasts all day too.
£13.99, Boots
Lipstick Queen Saint Lipstick
In 2020, matte is flat - it’s all about bringing a bit of sheen back to the lips. We adore Lipstick Queen’s Saint range - a collection of moisturising, barely-there lipsticks that deliver a sheer wash of buildable colour. The shades are universally flattering, but we’re big fans of Bright Natural.
£22, Lookfantastic.co.uk
Fenty Beauty Full Frontal Mascara
We’ve only been using this mascara for a week or two, but already we’re sold. The fattening formula, combined with the two-sided brush, works to curl, volumise and thicken the lashes, giving them staying power that lasts all day, and a seriously fabulous flutter.
£21, Harvey Nichols
Benefit Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer
Finding a concealer that hides away the signs of late nights, early mornings, too much time spent indoors (and maybe a few too many glasses of Pinot Noir and takeaways!) is no mean feat, especially if you want one that melds to the skin in a natural-looking way. But we swear by this Benefit wonder-concealer, which instantly covers and disguises any and every imperfection, melting into the skin for a silky finish, with no creasing or cakiness, and stay-all-day hold.
£19.50, John Lewis
Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil
Heavy brows are so last decade, darling. This year, embrace the power of a natural-looking brow, and jump on the fluffy brow bandwagon. This Benefit pencil is seriously popular for a reason; it delivers fine, effortless strokes in a flash, filling in sparse areas without creating heaviness. Simply stroke on where it’s needed, and use the built-in spoolie to disperse the product for a fluffy finish.
£22.50, John Lewis
Hourglass veil translucent setting powder
There’s no need to be scared of powder when it comes to this incredible product. Beautifully sheer and lightweight, Hourglass’ setting powder lives up to its name, delivering a veil of protection for your makeup. It’s ideal for setting concealer under the eyes and around blemishes, and for keeping oily skins at bay - a tiny dusting is more than enough to keep you looking fresh and glowy!