Do higher prices necessarily mean better results? Discover 20 beauty products under €20 that are game changers.

Hiya!

This post is for all the girls like me who are made believe that you must spend hundreds upon hundreds of euro to achieve the #instaworthy skin when in reality there are millions of reasonably priced products that will achieve stellar results for a fraction of the price.

After doing a quick survey in my college group chat to see how aware of their skin people are, I saw that, surprisingly, my respondents consisted of 54% male and 46% female with 62% saying that they would describe themselves as having ‘bad skin’ and 62% admitting that, like me, they would assume the higher the price the better the product. It also showed that the majority said that how their skin is behaving affects their mood. This is crucial to our wellbeing because if we can change little things to boost our mood then we are more resilient, happier and have more energy for the things we love. But if there is something destroying our mood or making us self-consistence then this takes a dramatic toll on our mental wellbeing (and physical!).

So, in an attempt to boost your inner confidence here are my sworn by, 20 beauty products under €20 that will hopefully boost your confidence and well-being!

Skincare

1. The Ordinary Squalane cleanser: At just €7 this balm like cleanser is AMAZING at removing makeup and daily grime from your skin without clogging pores and is excellent for my dry skin (thank you Irish weather!)
   
    
2. The Ordinary caffeine solution: this €6.50 serum is perfect for the girls who are just too busy to sleep.
   
3. Revolution Hyaluronic Essence spray: this wee spray is brilliant for getting hydration into your skin quickly. With the added bonus that the spray nozzle eliminates the use of disposal cotton pads (yayy environment!)
   
4. Revolution Caffeine Essence spray: €6.95 I use this during the winter months when my skin is looking dull and a bit :/ its is basically a little shot of espresso into your face and I find it really brightens my complexion.
   
5. The Ordinary Niacinamide and Zinc serum: €5.75 this little serum is a god send for the people with congested skin prone to a few blackheads and breakouts.
   
6. Lait Crème Concentrate Nourishing Moisturiser: Now this is my most expensive beauty product at €14.95. but its WELL worth the money. I use this in winter when my face feels basically like sandpaper and it is also an ideal base for your foundation.
   
7. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling solution: €7. Looks terrifying when you put it on cause of its deep red colour, but this can be used up to twice a week as a chemical exfoliate to remove any surface blackheads of spots.
   
8. ELF SuperCleanse with Niacinamide: €7. This is a great face wash when you feel like your skin needs a good clean. I tend to use it the morning after a night out or after a gym session. A little goes a long way and its not drying on the skin at all which I found unusual for a foaming wash.
   
9. ELF SuperHydrate with Squalane: €9 this is a jelly-like intense moisturiser perfect for those who do not like the creamy texture of typical moisturisers.. It is also perfect for after you’ve applied fake tan to your hand or face as its oil free. Also suitable for oily skin as its hydrating but non clogging.
   
10. Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Scrub: €13.99 this is my second most expensive product but I’ve been using it for yearssss and it has never failed me. I use this once a week as a physical face exfoliate before I put on tan and also to prevent spots and blackheads. It can be harsh so use no more than once a week and please, please, please! remember to put on SPF after as the glycolic acid can make your skin sensitive to the light.

Makeup

(These are for when your skin is just not co-operating or you want to enhance your natural beauty!!)

11. Revolution Conceal and Define concealer: It is lightweight, fantastic coverage, long lasting non-creasing magic at just €3.95. 
    
12. Revolution Matte base powder: €3. This is farrrr better than any high brand and also like 1/10 of the price. I get the lightest shade for brightening under my eyes and it sets may makeup in place for hours with no shine and no need for touch ups.
    
13. Revolution Ultra sculpt & Contour kit in shade ultra fair C01: Now this is a bargain. In the wee palette you get everything a girl could want on her face, bronzer, blush and highlighter all perfect complimentary shades non too orange or pink all in one convenient palette costing €3.95!!
    
14. Revolution Kohl eyeliner in Black: €3.50. It is just the perfect black liner!
    
15. Revolution Sports Fix fixing spray: €5.50. This has kept my makeup on through runs, gym classes and nights out. It is truly a MUST and even more so for the price!
    
16. Catrice Eyebrow Stylist: retailing at a whooping €2.79 (sarcasm clearly) this wee pencil with attached spoolie is perfect for define your brow.
    
17. Catrice brow colourist semi-perm. Brow mascara 030: this brow gel is a multitasker! Keeps hairs in place all day while looking full and fluffy AND also adding a slight semi permanent tint so you don’t look bald after you wash your makeup off! All for €4.30!
    
18. Essence Get Big volume mascara: €2.90 this mascara fluffs out your lashes adding serious volume and drama without smudging!
    
19. Urban Decay Vice Glide on lip liner in shade Liar: €19.50 one of the more expensive products in my makeup bag but definitely worth it for its easy glide on formula and long lasting staying power that doesn’t dry out you lips.
    
20. Bahamas Body tan by Terrie McEvoy in Dark: €10. THISSS is amazing. It glides on, moisturises the skin and fades so evenly which is unheard of for my dry skin. I also apply a little bit to my face, and it has never once caused a breakout while some of those special face tan send my skin into a meltdown! It’s buildable so when I have miss judged my tanning routine and need to put on a fresh layer for some event I just fire another layer on over the old layer and there’s no patching just a perfectly evening tan! I cannot recommend this tan enough. I use the shade Dark and apply a light layer for day time or for nightsout or events I am a bit more liberal.
    

So, there are my 20 beauty products for under €20!! Hopefully some of yous will have the same luck I did! As looking good on the outside makes us feel better on the inside! But it is extremely important to remember that people don’t notice your skin as much as you do so its never as bad as you think! 

Talk Soon!! Orla xx