Sometimes, a beauty routine flexes with the month — a well-timed payday treat here, a reliable staple there. But price point isn't always the deciding factor. Some of the hardest-working formulas sit quietly on the high street, while others earn their keep as considered investments. This week, our beauty editor shares six side-by-side pairings: one to spend on, one to save on. Each delivers – just at a different price.


Cleansers



Reome


3 Suns Balm Cleanser, £63
Three Suns Balm Cleanser

A lightweight creme balm with 12 bio actives, that melts away make-up and pollution, while encouraging cell renewal, hydrating and softening.

I picked up a tube of this in Liberty last week on a whim and it is one of the most comforting cleansers I've tried. My skin feels so soft and calm after using, a real hug for the skin



Inkey


Oat Cleansing Balm, £12
The INKEY List™ Oat Cleansing Balm 150ml

A go-to, every day no-nonsense cleanser. Rich in omegas, ceramides and colloidal oat to soothe and comfort dry, sensitive skin. A great, effective cleanser that doesn't irritate or strip the skin.


Dry Shampoo



L'Oreal


Air Volume Dry Shampoo, £5.45
L

With no white residue and a volume boost built in, this dry shampoo-styling spray hybrid delivers a lot for a fiver.

Living Proof


Perfect Hair Day Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo, £27
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PhD) Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo 198ml

The GOAT of dry shampoos, the technology in its formula actually cleans hair, rather than just absorbing oils, leaving hair actually feeling clean, not chalky.


Hair Mask



Olaplex


Rich Hydrating Mask, £39
Olaplex Rich Hydrating Mask Copy

An intense moisture hit for dry, brittle hair, to deeply restore softness, with long-lasting hydration and glass-like shine.

Garnier


Keratin Sleek Hair Mask, £10
Garnier Keratin Sleek Hair Mask, Up To 3 Days Of Sleek & Shine, With 13% Keratin Smoothing Complex And Argan Oil, 370ml

With nourishing Argan oil and a keratin smoothing complex, for super shiny lengths and frizz control.


Serum



Emma Lewisham


Skin Reset Serum, £88
Emma Lewisham Skin Reset Face Serum 30ml

Powered by a blend of niacinamide and vitamin C, this multi-active serum works to fade pigmentation and even skin tone, without upsetting the skin's natural barrier. Refillable and with intelligent science behind its nature-powered formula, it brightens, smooths and reboots skin with oomph.

Origins


Ginzing Gel Face Moisturiser, £25
Origins GinZing™ Gel Face Moisturiser 30ml

Another niacinamide/vitamin C combo, this time in a lightweight gel moisturiser, perfect for summer months to supercharge tired skin with a deeply hydrating glow.


Skin Tint



L'Oreal


True Match Plumping Tinted Serum, £15
L

A sheer tinted serum, with added hyaluronic for hydrating benefits, giving a luminous, healthy, finish - in 9 shades.

Ilia


Super Serum Skin Tint, £44
Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 30

A super hybrid formula - with SPF30 protection, niacinamide to even skin tone, squalane to soften and hyaluronic acid to hydrate. It melts seamlessly into skin, for a natural, radiance finish - in 30 shades.


Body Lotion



Byoma


Brightening Body Lotion, £13
BYOMA Brightening Body Lotion 400ml

This tri-ceramide complex nourishes as it gently exfoliates, with niacinamide to improve skin texture and azelaic acid to brighten - it packs a lot into its price tag.

Sunday Riley


Brighten Tighten Body Butter, £45
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Vitamin C Brighten + Tighten Body Butter 200ml

A light, whipped butter with a range of hydrating plant butters, packed with vitamin C to firm, brighten and oat lipids boost moisture and glow.