I’ve had a long affair with Elemis, from working on a magazine where I was first introduced to the Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm by the Beauty Editor, to using the Japanese Camellia Body Oil on my baby bump, it’s a brand that really knows skincare. I have tried quite a few products over the years and have rounded up my top 4 iconic products, I also have a 25% off discount code (to be used on full-size products) FRUGALITY25 which you can use online:

1.

Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm – we all know (and have probably tried) the famous, Award-winning Elemis cleansing balm, but have you tried the rose version? It smells heavenly (with 9 essential oils) and is a dream to use, melting into an oil on your face as you cleanse, there really is nothing like a balm to remove make-up. A little really does go a long way and my cleansing balms last ages.

2. Superfood Cica Calm Hydration Juice – this gel serum glides on my skin and is cooling as well as hydrating, cica is one of those amazing ingredients that helps target redness and feels calming on my skin almost instantly.

3. Balancing Lavender Toner – I love a multi-tasker and the spray means I can use this on my (reusable) cotton pads but also use as a day mist for when my skin needs a little moisture and pick-me-up. This comes in Ginseng too but I am always drawn to lavender (it’s one of my favourite flowers, we used it as petal confetti for our wedding!).

4. Superfood Matcha Eye Dew – I have only tried this recently, as a relatively new convert to eye creams, this matcha-infused product has a gel-like texture which feels cool and tingling which I love, you also don’t need much so it will last you well.

You probably have your own favourites from the range, hope these are helpful if you need some tips or something new to try! Code FRUGALITY25 can be used online for 25% discount until 1st October 2023. Further terms and conditions below.

This post was in collaboration with Elemis, all words and photography our own.

(25% off full sizes valid until 1st October 2023 at 10am. Offer valid on selected products featured on page https://uk.elemis.com/featured/special-promotion. Use code FRUGALITY25 to receive 25% off selected products. The 25% off promotion excludes First Class Advent Calendar, Festive and Selected Collections, Travel, Supersizes, Product labelled New, Candles, Selected Collections, Pro-Collagen Ultra-Smart Range and Gift cards. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offer or codes and cannot be redeemed retrospectively. No cash alternative available. Price adjustments will not be made to previous purchases. Only one promotional code can be used per order. We reserve the right to change and/or cancel the promotion at any time. Whilst stocks last.

In partnership with Beauty Pie

Whenever I receive my ‘new in’ email from Beauty Pie, I get so excited and this Christmas is no different. The site is brimming with new, festive products that are both a joy and delight to give and receive.

Not only is their signature packaging always gorgeous (I love sending those pink boxes to friends, knowing they’ll love what’s inside), the new products are divine.

Beauty Pie is the first luxury beauty Buyers’ Club. Members can shop iconic products from the world’s leading labs without the huge markups. Started by Marcia Kilgore in 2016, she wanted to give buyers the same experience she had from finding amazing products direct from labs (they have skincare, vitamins, make-up, accessories and more!) by cutting out the middleman.

So what’s new? If budget allows, the Beauty Pie x Pati Dubrof ‘The Smoky Kit’ is perfect for partywear – the celebrated make-up artist has hand-picked her go-to shades for her red carpet looks.

Beauty Pie Plus membership is £59 for a year (but don’t forget to use the code THEFRUGALITYSENTME for £10 off new membership sign-ups, working out at £49 for the year), which is such an amazing deal – it’s one of the few memberships I will be renewing in the new year. I can’t live without the Liquid Eyeliner (in ‘Black Cat’), Everyday Great Skin Foundation (in Buttermilky) and The Unlipstick (in ‘Jenna) in my makeup bag at all times. Plus it’s great for gifting: I have given candles and skincare to friends and bought a membership for one!

New fragrance includes Limited Edition La Poesie de Chiffers (available in a gorgeous body cream, candle and an eau de toilette with top notes of lemon, mint and marshmallow) and I love the Fir, Balsam, Sandalwood and Sweet Orange as an alternative festive candle scent.

I already use the Une Balade en Foret eau de toilette (it has a hint of bonfire and forest walks and I LOVE it) so am excited to try the body wash this season.

And the best bit? Beauty Pie is cruelty-free.

This post was in collaboration with Beauty Pie, all words and art direction my own.

Looking for a sunscreen for your face that won’t break the bank AND works with your make-up? Team Frugality has been busy finding the best SPFs for your budget that really work for your skin, too…

Saffie, Social Media Assistant

“I have heard good things about Bondi Sands sunscreen line. The price ranges from £6 to £11 and I tried the Hydra SPF50+ Face Fluid.  As a dark-skinned woman with oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin, I have a lot of boxes to check when purchasing an SPF.

Bondi Sands has really hit the mark with this one. No fragrance or alcohol, the face fluid is lightweight and enriched with algae for deep hydration without feeling greasy or clogging your pores. The light formula makes it ideal for wearing under makeup and blends seamlessly, even on darker skin tones. So far I’m impressed. My only concern is the size; between the 40ml bottle and the recommended two-hour reapplication, this sunscreen would not last long on my bathroom shelf.” 

Kate, Office Manager

“I chose to test grüum’s SPF 50 sunscreen, a Manchester based brand I hadn’t previously heard of.  They have great environmental principles which really appealed, plus it’s such good value for money at £6 for 50ml.  I have been so impressed by it; it goes on smoothly, absorbs quickly, leaves no white residue and there’s no pilling when I apply my makeup over the top. It’s fragrance free and hypoallergenic, so great for anyone with sensitive skin, and has a lovely moisturising texture without being greasy. 

Don’t be put off by the small size of the bottle, the brand insists on not using oversized and under-filled bottles to help save plastic and transportation emissions, so it may look smaller than other 50ml bottles on your shelf but has the same 50ml of product inside.  I will be nudging my favourite fluid SPFs out of the way, especially on those days when my skin feels a little dry as the texture feels more nourishing than a fluid.  I would highly recommend trying it out – currently you can get a free 50ml bottle for just the cost of the postage via the grüum website”.

Alex, Editor

“Woah is Next’s vegan friendly skincare range. This Daily 30 SPF is £10 for 50ml and I liked this SPF for the price.

It’s probably a little on the greasy side for me (I would leave it a while before applying makeup – but good for make-up free days), but my main issue is that the pump didn’t work every time and often came off with the lid. I probably wouldn’t rush to purchase again once this one runs out” 

THE BEST OF THE REST

In partnership with Beauty Pie

Mother’s Day in our house is often a casual affair: maybe an egg sandwich in bed and, if I’m lucky, a wonderful treat suggested by myself. You see, I am not one for gifts that won’t be used, as unromantic as that sounds. And I like to think that I give gifts that are useful, too. That’s why I have compiled a Mother’s Day guide of really useful items that will be truly appreciated. And I believe that’s a great way of showing my appreciation to the recipient, too (thanks for everything, mum!).

I pretty much do all my gift shopping at Beauty Pie nowadays as they have everything (skincare, haircare, make-up, vitamins) and you can access luxury products without the major retailer mark-ups (read my last post explaining the joys of Beauty Pie here) . Plus it’s all cruelty-free. Not a member? You can get £10 off Beauty Pie Plus membership with code THEFRUGALITYSENTME.

My mum loves to receive a box of beauty products but she is also not really a serum and huge skincare user. As much as I’d love to introduce her to AHAs and retinol I would rather her enjoy easy products that she will use everyday without a thought. I have opted for:

Super Healthy Hair strengthening shampoo (£8.77, typical price £25) and Daily weightless conditioner (£8.68). I have gifted this SO many times to friends, my sister and my mother-in-law too! It’s a great gift because who doesn’t love to receive good shampoo (that also looks amazing in a bathroom)?! I use this at home myself and also love the elastic repair treatment conditioner a couple of times a week to leave my hair stronger post maternity.

Happy Face extreme relief cica moisture cream – my superficial self is in love with the packaging but I know my mum will love this cream. Made in Japan and for dry skin, this is a skin staple and easy to travel with (£12.50, typical price £60).

Plantastic hand cream – the super retinol hand cream has served us well so this time we are trying the Plantastic nourishing shea butter hand cream with aloe vera and chamomile extract (I promise I did not make my decision based on its ultra chic packaging alone).

Uber volume boost velvet formula mascara in super black – because again, who doesn’t love a mascara? I have read great reviews on this one (maybe it will convert me from my favourite ‘Massive Fan 360’ mascara?).

And then for the final flair I will package them in the iconic Transparent makeup case in pink (£13.45, typical retail price £25). I have one of these and it is brilliant as I can easily see all my products, it’s wipe clean and the shape is easy to find in my bag. Plus this makes it easier to wrap!

And for me? Well it’d be rude not to….

The ‘Orange Absolute’ eau de toilette (£21.55, typical price £100) smells incredible and a lovely fresh spring fragrance. If in doubt? A candle will never disappoint (Bergamot and wild basil, if you’re asking) – they make perfect gifts for loved ones, pals and hostesses too.

Still don’t know where to start? I would also recommend Beauty Pie founder Marcia’s top picks for beginners here. You can get £10 off Beauty Pie Plus membership with code THEFRUGALITYSENTME.

This post was in collaboration with Beauty pie.

We asked a Make-up Artist (Julie), Creative Fashion Director (Emily) and an Architect and Content Creator (Sade) to give us their honest opinions on three cult affordable beauty brands. Here’s what they had to say:

Sade Akinsanya (@inmysundaybest)

Architect and Content Creator (www.inmysundaybest.com)

For the last few weeks I’ve been trialling out some of Versed products and putting them to the test with my dry and dehydrated skin. Versed have built up a bit of a cult following over in the US where they’re known for effective products that don’t break the bank and do what they say on the tin. I personally love that skincare has become so accessible, gone are the days of shelling out £100+ on a singular product only for it to be lacklustre in performance, now you can go to your local Boots or Superdrug and choose from a seriously large range of products.

Versed products clock in at under £20 and pride themselves on being the ‘cleanest’ drugstore skincare brand. They’re also Vegan, cruelty free and climate neutral certified, all while boasting to be high performance skincare with purpose. So how did this all fair with my skin?

Day Maker Micro crystal Exfoliator (£15.50):
This creamy style polish uses super fine microcrystalline (a 100% biodegradable plant based micro bead alternative) to gently buff away dead skin cells. I found this to be ok, but personally I prefer a little bit of a harsher scrub (skincare guru’s please don’t fight me!), I like to really get in there, especially on places like my nose and either side of my nose where I get congested very quickly. My skin felt smoother and marginally brighter, but I think this product would be perfect for those with more sensitive skin.

Skin Soak Rich Moisture Cream (£16.50):
I am a harsh critic when it comes to moisturisers as I’ve found most high street products just don’t cut it for me in terms of how moisturised I want my skin to be. Now that I’m in my 30’s, I find that half way through the day my skin tends to feel tight and looks dull if I’ve used a moisturiser that is just ‘ok’, but this little pot of dewy goodness surprised me and I’ve been using it both day and night (and have even repurchased it!). With ingredients like squalane (which my skin loves!), vitamin e and algae extracts, it’s no wonder it’s a little powerhouse of rich and nourishing moisture. Really good for these cold grey days.

Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum (£18):
Vitamin C has had a bit of a moment this year and whilst the Stroke of Brilliance serum has a bit of a lower percentage of vitamin C in comparison to some other brands, I do think this is a bit of a gem especially for the high street. I use this in the am on my face and neck and it definitely does what it says on the tin brightening wise. I’d highly recommend for beginner vitamin c users (make sure to use SPF after!)

Baby Cheeks all-in-one Hydrating Milk (£16.50):
I didn’t think it was possible to add another holy grail to my skincare shelf but this hydrating milk is everything your skin wants and needs if it’s as dry and as dehydrated as mine. From the nifty packaging to the dewy plump finish it gives me – I really like this product and it was my favourite out of the bunch. You can use it as a makeup remover, essence or as a last step as it’s a bit of a multiuse product that gives the most bang for it’s buck out of everything I’ve tried.

Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum (£20):
Retinol was another huge buzzword this year and rightly so. The changes retinols have done to my skin has been incredible. This product is a much more gentle retinol, that I think would be perfect for beginners or those with sensitive skin and I actually really liked using this one as I occasionally flare up when I’ve used my stronger retinoids for too long without a break. I used this nightly with no irritation at all and would awake with a smoother texture on my skin and refined pores.

Emily Fitch Miller (@emilyfitchm)

Creative Fashion Director, Stylist and Content Creator (www.emilyfitchmiller.com)

I am a beauty and skincare product obsessive! I am always interested in new brands and product developments and am continually adding to my beauty arsenal.

There are however a few products I repeat buy and after discovering the Q+A skincare range and buying their hyaluronic acid facial serum, it is now a firm favourite.

For affordable skincare it doesn’t get much better in formulation and efficacy and this product works as well as any far pricier hyaluronic serum. So I was really keen to try other products from this UK based, cruelty free, vegan-friendly range.

Q+A (which stands for Questions and Answers) aim to demystify and simplify skincare through their unique skin concern Q+A checklist which you take on the website and then suitable products and a regime for your skin is suggested to you. As a 53-year-old my skin concerns are dehydration, skin firmness, and brightening so I was keen to try the products that help hydrate, boost collagen, and skin brightness.

I loved the Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating cleanser (£7.50), it is a clear gel formula and leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturised rather than tight and dry as some facial cleansers can do. This is a gentle but effective cleanser suitable for all skin types, I highly recommend it.

The Vitamin A.C.E Warming Gel Mask (£9) was also very moisturising. A product to get used to with it’s very thick, honey like texture that once applied to the skin warms up slightly. Once removed with warm water after 10 mins my skin looks visibly plumped up, glowing and nicely hydrated. 

For a hit of skin collagen boosting and to minimise signs of aging I tried the PEPTIDE Facial Serum (£9.00) and the 5-HTP Face and neck cream (£12.00). As with the hyaluronic serum the Peptide serum is a lovely formulation that sinks in easily and has been a nice addition to my evening routine leaving my skin feeling more rejuvenated. The 5- HTP cream is a good moisturiser used in conjunction with the peptide serum, on its own I actually found the formula left my skin a little stiff and tight. 

Vitamin C is a hero ingredient of mine and I have tried many variations of Vitamin C products so I was keen to try the Q+A Vitamin C Brightening Serum (£9.00). Unusually for a Vitamin C serum it is quite a thick, white formula as it is billed as a serum/moisturiser hybrid. I did not love it..I found its thicker consistency strange and wanted it to be lighter. I also would like to know the percentage of active ingredients contained – an important factor in a Vitamin C product for its effectiveness.

Overall I really think this is a brand worth discovering. There are some excellent, affordable products and as a British company using natural ingredients with ethical practices and sustainability at its core it deserves to be on your bathroom shelf.

Julie Jacobs (@juliejacobsftf)

Make-Up Artist (www.juliejacobs.com)

The first time I went to an Ordinary press event I was shocked (at the low price point); surprised (by the vast range) and VERY impressed (by the knowledge of the staff member who walked and talked me through the Deciem collections, The Ordinary, Niod and Hylamide).

I’m fifty-five years ‘young’ and I have a normal skin type with slight dehydration. I still produce
‘excess’ oil (I had acne till my early thirties). But as I don’t have blackheads or uneven texture I see it more as preserving my skin underneath. My skin was a little messed up just before starting The Ordinary regime as I was using a retinol a little too often. So with this in mind I was advised to stop the retinol and to try the Buffet peptide serum daily (£11.85) and AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution (£6.25) once; maybe twice a week instead.

The ‘Buffet’ serum targets multiple signs of ageing at once, it didn’t aggravate my skin but soothed the irritation and tightness.
Now the AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is the show stopper and not because of its bright red colour. This is the one product I researched most (it’s very well rated amongst dermatologists). I’m not one for following instructions but I very much listened to the experts and did not leave it on for more that the ten minutes stated. Yes, there is a slight tingle and yes, I do look like I’m in a slasher movie, however my skin felt refreshed without distress.

I’d heard a lot about the Squalene Cleanser (£5.50) and was excited to try it. It left my skin slightly taut which I was not expecting but it did cleanse well and there was no need to cleanse twice when wearing foundation.

And even though I was concerned about the only moisturiser – Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA (£6.50) – not ‘feeling’ nourishing enough it still worked nicely. As the weather has turned bitter-cold and I’m sitting in central heating my skin is drying out a lot more, so I feel the need for a change to something more hydrating.

As for the Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density (£15.80); I have not noticed any difference but also acknowledge I probably need to use it over a longer period of time. But truthfully, I live in hope (or la la land) as I’m menopausal and have observed my hair getting very thin – it’s distressing. So I have to admit this was very much a fantasy pick…I fantasised about waking up one morning having my pre-menopause hair back.

As I mentioned, the low price point shocked me for a brand so well researched. However, I found I went through most of my selection within three to four weeks. The Ordinary is definitely a range I direct my clients towards particularly if starting retinols or acids, I know they will receive sound advice and it’s not too costly for first-timers.

In partnership with Beauty Pie

I was probably first introduced to Beauty Pie via The Frugality readers, so many recommended it and I’ll admit, it is worth the hype. The first membership based beauty brand (founded by Marcia Kilgore) offering amazing skincare, fragrance, haircare, makeup (and more) direct to the consumer.

Home to iconic skincare and sell-out products (manufactured in the world’s best beauty labs), browsing the Beauty Pie website is almost like taking a tour of the Beauty Hall of Fame. And the brand have recently just announced BEAUTY PIE PLUS – a yearly membership (£59) with absolutely no monthly spending limits (previous memberships offered monthly shopping with spending limits that renewed every month). Basically, they realised that most people didn’t want a spending limit as there are too many great products to be had, so they sorted it!

All Beauty Pie products are cruelty-free. Yay.

Through a Beauty Pie membership you get access to high-tech skincare and luxury beauty without the middlemen and costly retailer mark-up on products, which means you can shop innovative products without the high pricetags – for instance, this ‘Love’ Eau De Parfum (my everyday go-to) costs just £20.88 for members but would usually cost £125 if bought at retail price.

Through this post I wanted to highlight my favourites items that I have been trying and using recently (some for a few years). All whilst showing you my everyday low maintenance makeup routine (talk about multitasking!).

Firstly the Super Healthy Hair Repair Treatment is a must (I even just bought it for my sister’s birthday!) costing £6.10 (typical price £34). I use the shampoo and conditioner as my default routine and then this Repair Treatment once a week to help strengthen my damaged hair from post partum and hair colouring. I usually do this in the evening once the kids are asleep and apply the Awesome Bronze Sun-Kissed Glow Self-Tanning Drops (£8.69) and the Super Healthy Skin Deluxe Moisture Body Creme (£15.11).

The first step to my morning routine are the Superdose Vitamin C oxygen boosting moisturizer (£12.54). If you are after an SPF then I can also recommend the Ultralight UVA/UVB SPF25 (they do SPF 50 as well but I have only tried this one!).

And then for my quick everyday makeup routine I like to keep it simple and can generally keep it to a 5-7 minute task (I don’t get much more than that with two kids these days!):

Everyday Great Skin Foundation (I wear 200 buttermilky warm undertone – £9.91). Buffered using the Seamless Foundation Buffing Brush (£6.42). This foundation feels so light on the skin and really lasts, all day – the perfect everyday coverage.

Superbrow Angled Shaping Pencil (I wear shade ‘Perfect Brown’ and LOVE it £7.09).

Supercheek Elastic Powder Blush in Fever Peach – I find a coral rather than a pink really lifts my complexion (£7.92) and works well with coral/orange lip colours which obviously I love.

I then add a quick flick of Deluxe Precision Liquid Eyeliner (£6.85) – super easy to use and has good staying power.

Followed by Massive Fan 360 Mascara (£6.83) which is light and not clumpy but really elongates the lashes, Shine Up Lip Colour Balm Stick in ‘Super Juicy’ (£4.72) which is a colour pop without being overpowering and Triple Beauty Perfect Glowy Powder (£9.06). This and the colour balm stick are items I would keep in my handbag all day – ideal for touch-ups throughout the day.

Basically, you get luxury beauty products without the luxury price tag and I love being part of the club. The no nonsense description of ingredients and pricing transparency makes it a wholly enjoyable shopping experience and with new product launches always being added to its already extensive roster of products (I’m sorry to say I’m already thinking about Christmas presents!), BEAUTY PIE PLUS is probably the most exciting membership around. Did I also mention they stock incredible candles…?

If you include the code THEFRUGALITYSENTME you will receive £10 off your membership when signing up!

This post was in collaboration with Beauty Pie, all images and wording my own.

GARDEN OF WISDOM

Tested by Chloe Forde, stylist and co-founder of Ace & Prince

I am obsessed with beauty products, I think it stems from working on a magazine. Being emailed about an upcoming staff beauty sale was often the most exciting part of any month. My salary may have been low but my bathroom cabinet was heaving with overpriced face masks and creams promising goddess-like skin. That being said I’ve never been particularly loyal to any one brand or product so when I was asked to try the Garden of Wisdom (cruelty-free) products for a month, I thought it was a great chance to actually see what does and doesn’t work for my skin.

I have ‘normal’ skin, it’s not particularly dry nor particularly oily. I get the odd spot here and there but generally it’s on its best behaviour. I’m 32 years old and have a toddler who has only just mastered consistently sleeping through the night, as a result fine lines and dark circles are the thing I’d love my skincare routine to tackle the most.

The range is simple, there is a heavy focus on serums and oils, they specialise in having more active than inactive ingredients in their products and the ingredients list reads like the most gorgeous menu at spa. Oils range from cold pressed rosehip, pure prickly pear and organic argan.

My skincare routine has to be quick as time isn’t always on my side. The ‘Daily Cleanser’ (£12) is exactly what I look for when washing my face first thing in the morning, it’s foamy and feels like it really gets the dirt off. A spritz of the ‘Triple Toning Treatment’ toner (£18), and then a cream: GoW’s is called the ‘Daily Hydrater’. For me I need a cream that’s almost like whipped butter, I quite like the feeling of over doing it on hydration. I found that the daily hydrater wasn’t quite enough for me and without using one of the oils (I tried the ‘Prickly Pear Seed Oil’ (£20)) alongside my face would have felt far too dry. This isn’t necessarily a problem as I had no qualms about going heavy on the ‘Anti-ageing Multi Peptide’ serum (£20).

The ‘Pore Cleaning Powder’, reasonably priced at £12, has a pink kaolin clay base so it does that satisfying thing of drying on your skin making even a smirk feel strenuous. Once washed off my skin felt super fresh and tight which again ticks a box from me. Followed by another generous slathering of serum and self care is done.

Garden of Wisdom is brilliantly priced, serums starting at £9 feels like a really nice opportunity to maybe try a few out and see what works. The packaging is simple and chic with a nod to some of its far pricier counterparts.

BOOTS INGREDIENTS

Tested by Kate Milmo, at The-Frugality.com

I am a sucker for a good looking product and the box design for these is beautiful. The Boots ‘Ingredients’ range is a selection of 8 vegan & cruelty free serums and acids priced from £5 – £7.

I have (over 40) oily prone skin so chose to test the hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and salicylic acid.

The ‘Vitamin C Serum’ (£6), known for brightening dark spots and smoothing fine lines was lightweight & easily absorbed but I felt none of the tingling that I would with my usual vitamin C. Boots don’t give the percentages of the active ingredients in this range and vitamin C is an ingredient where you do need a certain percentage for it to be effective. I rather felt the same about the ‘Salicylic Acid Serum’ (£7). It’s a BHA (Beta-Hydroxy Acid) which is great for exfoliating the skin’s surface, helping with fine lines & dark spots but is also great for oily skin by helping to unclog pores. I had hoped it would help reduce the oiliness of my skin but there was no difference to my oil levels after 4 weeks of testing.

Perversely, I think the likely low levels of active ingredients are exactly what led me to fall in love with the ‘Hyaluronic Acid Serum’ (£5). I’ve never got on well with hyaluronic acid, I’ve always found it to be too sticky but this was light, my skin felt really hydrated and my SPF and makeup went on smoothly over the top. Due to hyaluronic acid’s ability to hold 1,000 times its weight in water, it’s an ingredient that can still be super effective even at small percentages and in this case at a small price point as well. I am definitely adding this to my regular routine, it would be excellent for travelling; small and lightweight enough for hand luggage (no heavy glass bottle), great for in-flight hydration or for after a day in the sun.

It’s a great value, entry level range for teens or young adults, gentle enough not to irritate and reasonably priced so that if you find you don’t like the product you’re not left with an expensive mistake sitting on your bathroom shelf. But it’s a shame a range called ‘Ingredients’ doesn’t state the percentages.

THE INKEY LIST

Tested by Alexandra Stedman, at The-Frugality.com

I had heard good things about this cruelty-free brand, especially when lamenting the hyaluronic acid from The Ordinary (too sticky for me!) on Instagram stories. This brand came up again and again in the recommendations so I was excited to give it a go.

And the products were…nice. Not the most amazing products I have ever, ever used (sadly I am spoilt from being in the industry perhaps!) but I would repurchase a few. The bottles look chic on a shelf and start at £4.99 – a no brainer.

I personally would give the ‘Oil and Water Double Cleanser’ (£9.99) a miss, mainly because it ruined most of my reusable cotton wool pads and I didn’t feel many benefits in exchange. But the ‘Turmeric Moisturiser’ for £7.99 smells very satisfying, and I would recommend as an easy everyday lotion (turmeric can apparently help acne and reduce scarring and this feels very soothing) – you only need a tiny amount so it lasts a good month, considering the small bottle.

The ‘PHA toner’ (poly-hydroxy acid – £9.99) felt quite basic and doesn’t have a scent which I kind of missed but I liked how the ‘Polyglutamic Acid’ (which can hold 4 times as much moisture as hyaluronic acid) felt on my skin – it went on almost matte and my skin felt primed. And then the ‘Collagen Booster’ (£8.99) is a great skin pep which I definitely felt I needed as I approach my forties with a toddler in tow.

Even though I wasn’t wowed by the entire range, I felt that there were definitely a few products that worked for me and it’s a price point I can get behind. I’m still intrigued to try other products, too – the ‘Caffeine Eye Cream’ is apparently excellent and I’d love to try their vitamin C.

We photographed this a few months ago now, and amidst lockdown, building work and Peggy at home, I never got round to uploading it. I’ve been wearing and using more and more cruelty-free make-up lately and I’ve come to realise that there doesn’t really need to be a compromise, both in terms of quality and price. And a lot of make-up artists agree, so I asked my good friend Julie (whom I met a few years ago on a commercial fashion job, when I was a stylist) to show two different make-up looks using cruelty-free products.

Julie Jacobs is a London based Make-up Artist and has worked in the fashion industry for twenty-two years, creating and designing looks for runway shows and international publications from Japanese Vogue to ID magazine and is also Contributing Beauty Editor at CENT Magazine. Julie began her career as a qualified Beauty Therapist working in Harrods and on cruise liners.  Upon her return from travelling, she pursued her dream of being a Makeup Artist and began assisting established professionals on runway shows such as Alexander McQueen, Prada, Miu Miu and Givenchy. Julie has developed a distinguished reputation within the fashion industry building her client base from Dolce & Gabbana; Shiseido; Clinique; Rimmel; Suqqu; Superdrug and IPC Media. Her work is recognisable for its fearless creativity, always accompanied by a flawless complexion.

We have used a range of products for these shoots to show how many amazing cruelty-free brands there are out there, and hope that some might convince you to shop these brands going forward and try some new products. As always, this post is to inspire, not a prescriptive list of items you must buy.

Now, as always, there is a disclaimer with these kinds of articles.

We have used Peta to certify which brands to be used in this post, however, there are many that don’t agree with ‘cruelty-free’ if the brand is still owned by an umbrella company that owns any product which tests on animals. Which is fair enough and where this is the case, we will let you know. We have researched as thoroughly as we can and hope to provide an informative and still creative post supporting as many cruelty-free brands as possible.

Julie used brushes by Zoeva for both the looks created.

LOOK 1

The ‘natural’, everyday look. Basically, the no makeup makeup look which always seems to acquire more products than you think!

Julie looked at my skin and worked with products that she felt could amplify what I already have. She also used products she had tried before and brands she trusted from her experience within the industry.

Julie would tend to use powder (eyeshadow, blush, bronzer) for a stronger look, as it lasts longer without moving or being absorbed.

Skin was prepped with Ark Skincare SPF30 primer and moisturiser. Julie’s notes: “This has a good SPF that has no whiteness to it, it feels like a moisturiser. I like that it’s a small British owned company.” It is a vegan and cruelty-free brand.

Makeup used:

Weleda beauty balm tinted day cream in ‘Nude’. Julie applied using a brush but as it’s a tinted moisturiser “you can treat it like a moisturiser & just put it on with your hands. It gives the skin a bit of a glow and because it’s translucent it just softens any pigmentation & gently evens out the skin, without it being full coverage.”  Vegan and cruelty-free, Weleda don’t sell in China except for their cruelty-free toothpaste & bars of soap as these are exempt from Chinese rules about testing.

Milk makeup flex foundation stick in ‘light’. Vegan and cruelty-free.

It Cosmetics ‘Bye bye, under eye’ concealer in ‘medium tan’. It Cosmetics are cruelty-free but its umbrella company (L’Oreal) isn’t.

Pixi endless shade stick in ‘matte cognac’. Cruelty-free.

Inika long lash mascara in black. Vegan and cruelty-free.

Natural Collection brow pencil in ‘medium brown’. Cruelty-free.

Milk makeup lip + cheek stick – used as blush. Julie’s notes: “I used a more peachy colour as Alex has yellow golden undertones & this will harmonise with her under colouring, popping towards the sides rather than on the cheeks.  Do use a brush (even with a cream blush), I ‘stipple’ rather than swipe over.  Tip:  A looser brush will apply less product, a more compact brush will apply more product.” Vegan and cruelty-free.

Burt’s Bees tinted lipbalm in ‘Zinnia’. Cruelty-free but its umbrella company (Clorox) is not. Apparently Burt’s Bees sell in China but direct to consumer (online) which is exempt from animal testing. This article here, claims otherwise and is worth a read.

Kili liquid bronzer. Cruelty-free.

Becca Hydra Mist Set & Refresh Translucent Powder. Julie’s tip: “Use just down the t-zone as that’s where you shine a little bit more”. Cruelty-free but its umbrella company (Estee Lauder) is not.

LOOK 2

This is a bit more of a punchier look, using a signature bright lip.

Skin was cleaned and prepped with One Ocean Beauty mist cleanser (cruelty-free) and Elemis superfood kefir-tea mist. Elemis are cruelty-free but their umbrella company (L’Occitane) is not. Followed up by It Cosmetics confidence in a cream rosy tone moisturiser. Cruelty-free but its umbrella company (L’Oreal) is not.

Make-up used:

It Cosmetics your skin but better cc cream SPF50. Cruelty-free but its umbrella company (L’Oreal) is not.

Milk makeup flex foundation stick in ‘light’. Julie’s notes: “Make the foundation part of the skin, work it in, pat it”. Vegan and cruelty-free.

Milk makeup flex concealer in ‘light’. Vegan and cruelty-free.

Trinny eye2eye shadow in ‘Faith’. Cruelty-free. Julie’s notes: “Cream eyeshadows have got so much better over the last few years, they don’t sit in the crease of the eyelid anymore, I veer towards them now as they are so easy to blend & apply. “

Inika long lash mascara in black. Vegan and cruelty-free.

Natural Collection brow pencil in ‘medium brown’. Cruelty-free.

Kili liquid bronzer. Cruelty-free.

Bare Minerals barepro longwear lipstick in ‘Hibiscus’. Cruelty-free but their umbrella company (Shiseido) is not.

Lime Crime velveteen lip liner in ‘Drew’. Julie’s notes: “It’s worth spending the time if you are doing a strong lip, because it’s the ‘lip’ that is the look.  If you want the lips to speak keep everything else mono, so I’d use a bronzer instead of a blush.” Vegan and cruelty-free.

*Notes on animal testing within the beauty industry:

It has been illegal to test on animals in Europe since 2013 (this diagram is interesting), China requires animal testing from a brand for them to be able to sell on the mainland. So if a brand is selling in-store in China, animal testing has taken place (however, some brands get around this by selling online instead – they can still access the Chinese market without testing on animals). Also, certain products are exempt from this ruling about animal testing (toothpaste & bars of soap, for example).

Sites we found useful:

https://www.freethebunnies.com/cruelty-free-brands-2019/

https://www.natrue.org/our-standard/natrue-certified-world/

crueltyfreekitty.com

https://features.peta.org/cruelty-free-company-search/index.aspx

Peta has a searchable database of companies that don’t test their products on animals – there are more than 4,400 cruelty-free companies in the database.  They have very stringent requirements that include ingredients, ingredient suppliers, formulations and finished products.   The online version is updated regularly & the published version every six months.   There is also an app you can download to your phone – Bunny Free.

I’ve been meaning to do this post for a few months now and typically, it now looks like Valentines content but for me: a red lip is all year round! Funnily enough, I never wore lipstick until a few years ago, I never felt it suited me and as I like to wear eyeliner and need glasses, according to a lot of the style and beauty dos and don’ts, a red lip would be too much. Obviously I have since discovered that’s nonsense and it has become almost my uniform – often even the first thing I’d reach for before mascara! As a mum, especially, I find it makes me feel done without much effort, which is the key to my beauty routine.

I’ve worn a few of the same ones over the years (namely Bobbi Brown crushed lip in ‘Sunset’ which has a lovely orangey hue to it) so thought this would encourage me to try some others. And I thought if I was going to call some in to shoot, then I’d go cruelty-free. I have picked a few which I feel are the best, in terms of colour, consistency, longevity but also pricepoints.

First up: Fenty Beauty Stunna lip paint in ‘Unattached’. This is probably my top one from this edit – personally I love the colour, it has a bright pop to it that I often miss in reds – it really lifts the complexion. It has a wet consistency, so it’s a good idea to air the ‘nib’ before applying but it dries super matte and STAYS (you’ll need a steady hand, though).

Next is ‘Rich Red’ by e.l.f. I’d seen this brand before and loved the lip pencil when I tried it, it’s a buildable colour which I like and it goes on like a lovely lipbalm, even thought it’s matte it’s really moisturising. This shade is quite a rich, darker berry red which I’d wear for a fancier occasion but the consistency lends itself to everyday. When I found out it was £4.50 I almost fell off my chair. I can’t recommend a lipstick worth the money more – plus it’s 100% vegan.

New brand on the block, vegan and cruelty-free Milk makeup has great packaging but it’s also good stuff AND it’s on sale reduced to £11 (from £22) on Cult Beauty. Sadly, the colour I tried ‘OG red’ is no longer available in the UK (it was available when I tested, promise!) but ‘Name Drop’ is another great alternative and the texture is the same. Definitely a brand to watch.

Lastly, I was going to share a Topshop lipstick (‘Tern’ is a great warm orange if you can find!) but it seems to have sold out completely online and with no sign of coming back (the beauty tab is gone from the website completely) so I’m hesitant to share at the moment. We filmed an IGTV showing the shades a bit closer, you can view it here:

Extra links:

Reusable cotton wool pads: Leave No Trace via Etsy (sustainably made).

Make-up remover: Botanics (vegan).

I haven’t worn eyeshadow since I was in a tap dancing show when I was about 6 years old. I was so excited to put on ‘grown-up’ makeup but I have to admit I have never revisited…it always felt too ‘done’ for me, and dealing with the creasing in the eyelids was all too much. But after attempting to get out of a bit of make-up rut, I tried a product sent to my office (Bobbi Brown ‘copperhead’ liquid eye shadow) and it felt refreshing to try something different. And it didn’t crease! (I did reapply once during the day to keep it feeling fresh, however).

But what if you’re someone like me, who doesn’t often do ‘fancy’? My advice? Don’t wait until you have a black-tie party to go to, wear it with your favourite jumper to dinner with friends or use it to jazz up your after work party look with your old jeans.

I’ve put together a little list of sparkly extras you can add to your usual wardrobe to help add some festive cheer without necessarily going all out, because let’s face it, chances are I’m going to be wearing my warmest jumper and slippers on Christmas day.

NAILS

I had so many queries about my Topshop sparkly nails this week (sadly the one I have is sold out), I rarely get time to paint my nails anymore but I love a sparkly nail at Christmas time plus a glitter one means that no one can really see any chips in it, so it lasts ages!

SKIN

Highlighter drops are a great way to add warmth and shimmer to your skin – I prefer them to bronzers often as they help keep a nice sheen to my skin, also great for holiday. The Beauty Pie strobing drops are great, but I also love L’Oreal’s drops here – you don’t need much, a little goes a long way.

But if budget doesn’t stretch, I can wholeheartedly recommend The Natural Collection’s range at Boots: cruelty-free and everything under £3 – the highlighter stick is great and the primer is a nice addition under your foundation, or use a bit as a highlighter.

Here I’m using a Topshop ‘Glow’ from a few years ago which is a little like Benefit’s ‘High Beam’ but sadly they don’t sell it anymore (like most products I adore!).

HAIR

There is no getting away from it being the season of the hair accessory, I always love Anthropologie’s but Asos and Accessorize often do afordable headbands as well as clips. My tip is to go for more classic styles (like pearls) rather than logos that might date, and go for hair clips rather than slides if you have thin hair as these tend to pull out thin, post-baby hair (this could be just me, though!).

EYES

I am a sucker for high/low dressing, so you will always find me in something cosy with a hint of glamour – a sequin skirt, a pair of jewelled earrings or a glitter eyeliner. I love Pixi’s bronze pencil for under my eyes (it doesn’t run, at all) or Urban Decay’s glitter eyeliner for my eyelids – it’s subtle and buildable, so you can keep it subtle and catch an occasional sparkle when you blink, which I love.

Slippers: just out of shot.