Look super luxe for less: 10 great beauty buys for £30 or under

We don’t need to be told that ultra-glowy, perfectly pampered, ‘status’ skin is a trend – it almost goes without saying that we all want our complexion to look as though it’s had time and attention lavished on it (even when that couldn’t be further from reality). In fact, who doesn’t want the whole premium package? That understated je ne sais quoi the French exude when they wear – strategically applied – makeup or that five-star, straight-out-of-a-salon swish that uptown Manhattan women pull off with aplomb.

Here’s the good news: skin that looks as though it’s been born from daily spa treatments or well-heeled hair is actually within the realms of most budgets. All you need are some choice products (we’ve pulled together our favourites for £30 or less) and expert tips to carry it off.

When it comes to makeup, looking refined is generally a case of less is more, although that’s not necessarily true in terms of the number of products used. Some imperceptible highlights can infuse skin with a deluxe radiance and a little subtle sculpting can feign aristocratic contours, but in reality it’s more about going easy with the products you do apply (blanket coverage is a definite no-no).

‘To keep your makeup looking chic, be sure to powder areas that are too glowy,’ says makeup artist Dani Guinsberg. ‘The T-zone is generally a good place to start: shine should be kept to a minimum and left only to areas such as the tops of cheekbones and brow bones. A chic face will always have the lips perfectly lined and filled in, be it with a neutral tone or a red.’

And if you find yourself having to reapply in public? Opt for cosmetics that have cachet (or at least ones that look as though they do).

According to skin expert Fiona Brackenbury, getting plump, dewy, luxe-looking skin is down to four key skincare tricks: 

1. Liquid exfoliators: ‘Otherwise known as “the Cinderella effect”, leave-on liquid exfoliants are one of the quickest and easiest ways to get your skin looking priceless,’ says Fiona. ‘Light bounces off skin when you use liquid exfoliants and creates an almost lit-from-within glow. Lines appear lessened, skin texture seems smoother and the skin achieves the "Cinderella" look, where it appears like glass.’ But a word of warning: ‘Although the results are addictive, skin generally doesn’t like strong liquid exfoliants all the time. Which liquid exfoliant you should go for depends on how quickly you need to achieve this flawless finish. A daily PHA (polyhydroxy acid) is perfect if you have a week to get the look, as it tends to be milder, but if you want to fast forward the results without the investment of time, choose an overnight AHA peel.’   
2. Cryotherapy: ‘Bringing cold therapy to the skin can work wonders for the complexion,’ says Fiona. ‘If you’re battling with redness, the humble teaspoon can come to the rescue. Pop a few in the fridge overnight, then, in the morning, use them to massage outwards from the chin, nose and forehead. The result of this at-home cryotherapy session is skin that looks firm, clear and rested – and all without forking out any cash.’
3. Intensive hydration: ‘Introducing the seven-skin method, which is where you layer an essence or toner seven times,’ says Fiona. ‘The key is to apply another layer of hydration before it evaporates or is fully absorbed. This technique of “gorging” the skin with maximum moisture really plumps up the very top layer to smooth the appearance of lines and wrinkles and leave the complexion looking radiant. However, before you rush to use this method, make sure you exfoliate to remove the dead skin cells first.’
4. Facial massage: ‘Cheating your way to a post-facial glow is easy with facial massage,’ says Fiona. ‘When you massage your skin, you help increase blood flow, which boosts oxygen and nutrient levels for a spa-like texture, tone and radiance. What’s better, it’s completely free. But if you struggle to get to grips with sculpting and lifting to rejuvenate the skin, grab a Gua Sha or similar massage tool and follow the facial contours.’

‘Anti-ageing hair treatments are essential to achieving expensive looking tresses,’ says Elena Lavagni, owner and founder of the perennially chic Neville Hair & Beauty salon in Chelsea.

‘Volume is also a key component to having lustrous-looking hair, as we tend to lose body as we get older,’ she says. ‘So, for an in-salon treatment, I always recommend tape hair extensions, which won’t cause any damage and can create volume. Using the correct shampoo and conditioner for your type and texture will also enable you to achieve your best-looking style, with shampoo in particular being vital to good hair days.’

In addition to volumising and fortifying products, Elena also notes that a good cut and colour can do wonders for feigning luxe locks: ‘We’ve developed a face-framing colouring technique called the “money piece”, which highlights the hair around your face to help bring out your features and give a more expensive feel.’