Need to beautify on a budget? Check out these thrifty new ranges
Jason Wu
There is something about the ‘mid-term’ feeling of October which – halfway between the carefree days of summer and the expense of Christmas – gives me the urge to tighten the old financial belt. So I’m thrilled that the latest budget beauty ranges are really rather good.
■ Bright, breezy and inexpensive, Eva NYC puts great hair at the heart of a collection that includes a smoothing Mane Magic 10-in-1 Hair Primer and Freshen Up Dry Shampoo (£10 each, urbanoutfitters.com).
■ The first make-up collection by Asos is also no-frills but lots of fun. Along with a blusher, bronzer and mascara, there’s the Chubby Highlighter Stick in Flawed (£9), the Eye Liner Twist Up Pencil in Pushy (above, £5) and Matte Lipstick in brilliant red A’Game (below, £7). The collection is good quality and bank-account-friendly (all from asos.com).
■ The days of having the time and energy to varnish, remove and re-varnish my nails on a daily basis are long gone – yet salon gel manicure appointments stray well beyond the realms of a ‘necessary expense’. Even without the UV light, H&M’s new Gel Nail Polish in mauve Shadow Play or Taupe Notch (above, £5.99) plus the Gel Top Coat (£5.99) last longer than regular polish. So you get your fix without feeling an ounce of guilt. All available from hm.com.
This week we’re…
dry body brushing with fury to smooth our skin and increase circulation now that winter is coming. With its long handle to reach even your back, you can’t beat the Elemis Body Detox Skin Brush, £21, elemis.com
And for a fragrant escape
If scent is a snapshot of somewhere you would rather be, you should let Sailing Day from Maison Margiela (£95, selfridges.com) be your getaway. There is something about the aquatic notes, seaweed and amber wood that make me want to resist the October doldrums and dive right into the day.
Beauty assistant: Alice Robertson