I’m a beauty guru & it’s easy to get luxury makeup for cheaper than ever before – here’s my favourite £4 buys

RESTOCKING your beauty bag doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg. A make-up expert has shared why you can now get luxury buys for cheaper than ever. Appearing on the Nip, Tuck, Not Giving A... podcast, beauty journalist Sali Hughes revealed how the quality of products has changed over the years and her favourite budget brands.

According to the pro, "you absolutely don't" need to splurge on cosmetics. In fact, there's even less reason to fork out on high-end brands nowadays. "When I started my career there was much more of a difference than there is now between high end and low end," Sali explained.

"Nowadays, the fact is, something in Superdrug is better than a luxury lipstick 15 years ago.". She credited technology, research, and development for the improvement in product quality. Sali pointed out that is now almost impossible to find low-quality make-up.

"It might be something that isn’t right for you but it isn’t totally rubbish," she said. She described the standard of modern cosmetics as "high across the board". "A luxury product 15 years ago is about the same quality as a low-end product now, if not worse than," Sali added.

She explained that the only reason people are spending big money on products nowadays is because they’re "buying into the brand". Sali also revealed the buys worth spending extra pounds on if you're so inclined. "If you were going to have a mix of products, I personally would ring fence the highest spend on things like foundation, primers, concealers, those sorts of things," she said.

"I would also say blush, if you’re into textures like I am.". On the other hand, she recommended "scaling back" on products such as pencils and lip liners. Hayley Walker, Beauty Expert at Justmylook spoke exclusively to Fabulous about the big beauty trends for 2025.

Haircare. Hair gloss treatments are a must-have as beauty enthusiasts love the salon-quality shine and enhanced colour delivered by the trending treatment. Hair glosses are multifunctional as they nourish the hair while offering a vibrant, healthy-looking finish, combining 2025’s core trends. This treatment is perfect for those seeking an affordable, at-home glow-up.

2025 will focus on skin repairing and texture-enhancing treatments. Skincare. Rejuran treatment, a celebrity-endorsed procedure, will see a rise in demand this year as many seek to enhance the skin’s appearance. The procedure entails injecting polynucleotides derived from salmon DNA to enhance skin texture and elasticity. “Rejuvenation is expected to dominate 2025 skincare trends as many seek to a achieve flawless, youthful complexion.

Skincare routines will also include back-to-basic products for a simplified routine. Ginseng cleansing oil and panthenol cream are among the trending products for 2025. The cleansing oil is excellent for dissolving makeup and impurities without clogging pores and is enriched with nourishing properties to leave the skin feeling and looking refreshed and radiant.

Makeup. Makeup trends will follow suit to achieve youthful and radiant looks. Under-eye brighteners will be sought-after products for delivering coverage while enhancing natural radiance. This beauty tool will complement natural beauty while improving and brightening dull skin.

Makeup looks will be bigger and bolder in 2025 with cluster lashes expected to surge this year. These lashes bring the glam to glamorous looks as they deliver dramatic volume to enhance everyday or special occasion looks. Peel-off lip stains circulated the beauty industry in 2024 and are expected to dominate in 2025. The growing popularity of this product is due to its ability to provide long-lasting, transfer-proof colour to lips, enhancing a natural aesthetic. Additionally, cherry-coded aesthetics are expected to be everywhere this year as the deep, rich hue can be achieved using peel-off lip stains or bold lip looks for a dramatic effect.

2025 will be another year of countless, show-stopping nail trends. Goddess Nails and Aura Nails deserve an honourable mention as these designs channel an ethereal, celestial aesthetic for bold, self-expressing nails. The expert named her favourite brands for budget-friendly lip liners.

"NYX, they’re the best and Morphe are good, Rimmel is great, Bourjois is great and you can get it at Superdrug," she told listeners. "The thing about NYX, they have the best shades, they’re the most carefully considered shades. "The shades are spot on in the NYX line up and they’re only £4.".

Sali also explained to hosts Ashley Stobart and Lauren Harris why high-end brands such as Charlotte Tilbury and Pat McGrath can be worth the investment on certain products. "The blush and bronze are gorgeous, great quality, and some definitely do stay on a long time and sometimes you do get what you pay for," she said.

Mascara is such an indispensable product to the biggest number of women that companies invest very heavily in it. "I think by and large with a pencil, you’re looking for a great colour and something that stays sharp and firm enough without being scratchy.".