Although there are plenty of new beauty products flooding into the Who What Wear UK offices every day, from fancy perfumes to luxurious skincare, there are a few staples that you’ll find us editors buying on repeat. They’re not the flashy or expensive kind, however. While we love an investment beauty purchase, the products that excite us the most often come in at a really affordable price point—think a really good deodorant, or exfoliating foot socks that actually rival a salon pedicure. And while they might not be the ‘sexy’ kind of products you’ll see us proudly displaying shelfie-style in our bathrooms or on our dressing tables, they’re the backbones of our beauty routines that you’ll find stowed away in a drawer or hidden at the back of our bathroom cupboards.
After seeing creators share the ‘unsexy’ beauty products they swear by on TikTok, we felt compelled to share the Who What Wear UK team’s all-time favourite mundane beauty products that are effective yet affordable—but not sexy. And when I posed the question on our work Slack channel, the recommendations came flooding in. From the £4 body wash that smells like Aesop to the deodorant we all swear by, we have some great picks to share that come in at £15 and under. Scroll ahead for our genuine editor recommendations that you’ll always find us repeat-purchasing a shouting about.
Affordable Beauty Products That Actually Work
(Image credit: Who What Wear UK)
Footner
Exfoliating Foot Mask Socks
Regular pedicures can be costly, but these exfoliating socks are just as good—trust me. Simply pop them on for an hour and over the course of the next 7-10 days all your dead skin will shed. I won’t lie, it’s a gross process, but hugely satisfying when you’re left with silky soft feet. It takes a couple of days to take effect with shedding beginning after 2-3 days, so plan accordingly if you’re planning to have your feet on show while.
2. Vaseline
Vaseline
Vaseline Lip Therapy – Pack of 2
Out of all of the bougie lip balms we’ve tested, so many of the team still count this as their ride or die lip balm. “She’s not sexy, but Vaseline is the onnnnly lip balm that works for me,” says acting affiliates editor Florrie Alexander. “I have one by my bed, one on my desk and one in my handbag at all times!” Sometimes you can’t beat a reliable classic.
3. Nivea Firming Body Lotion Q10
Nivea
Nivea Firming Body Lotion Q10 + Argan Oil
Assistant social media editor Annie Wheatland-Clinch has sold me on this super affordable body moisturiser. It’s marketed as ‘firming’, but that’s not why we like it. “Nivea Firming Body Lotion is my forever—also big love for the tinted version,” she says. It leaves skin so soft and moisturised without being sticky, making it great to throw on if you’re rushing out the door. It really rivals body moisturisers ten times the price.
4. Nivea Body Lotion Firming + Tanning Q10
Nivea
Body Lotion Firming + Tanning Q10
This one has the addition of a gradual tanner if you want to give your skin a sun-kissed glow with all the hydration of the OG. Unlike other gradual tanners, this one doesn’t come with an offensive smell, and it can be layered into a believable glow without clinging to dryness, so you’re always left with a streak-free tan. At under £10, it’s pretty impressive.
Scholl
Velvet Smooth Electric Foot File
Ok, this one is more expensive than £15, but it’s currently on sale at a really good discount. Foot files are particularly unsexy, but this one really does the job—it even won a Who What Wear Next In Beauty Award for its effectiveness. “It’s a joy to use,” says editor in chief Hannah Almassi.
6. Aveeno Body Oil Spray
Aveeno
Skin Relief Body Oil Spray
When I asked the team what their body care favourites are, everyone said Aveeno. “The body oil is super moisturising, non-greasy and smells so good,” says affiliate manager Jerrylyn Saguiped. The Aveeno Body Wash (£8) is also a team favourite. The brand is amazing for those with skin conditions such as eczema thanks to it’s skin-soothing formulas that leave your limbs feeling hydrated and comfortable. As an editor with eczema-prone skin, I always return to Aveeno’s formulas during flare-ups.
7. Blistex Lip Balm
Blistex
Lip Balm, Pack of 3
The girlies with chapped lips swear by this lip balm above all others. “This lip balm is great for chapped lips and the cream texture hydrates while adding a sheen—I sometimes like to wear it with my lip liner, says senior fashion and beauty editor, branded content, Rebecca Rhys-Evans. I’m picking up a pack of three to have on standby in every bag.
8. Batiste Dry Shampoo
Batiste
Dry Shampoo Original
Sometimes, you just can’t beat an OG reliable favourite—case in point with Batiste’s dry shampoo, which we always come back to despite having access to expensive dry shampoos in our beauty cupboard. This one is pretty impressive for its price point. You’ll need to give it a good brush to remove the residue—especially on dark hair—but it really does disguise grease to tide you over to hair wash day at a very affordable price.
9. Compeed Blister Plasters
Compeed
Medium Size Blister Plasters
You know what sucks? Blisters. Which is why you’ll always find a couple of these in our bags as an emergency for when new shoes give you trouble. You’ll always find these in our editors handbags during London Fashion Week. [These are] an absolute essential—always have 10 on me,” says deputy editor, Maxine Eggenberger. The hydrocolloid patches are thick enough to shield the blister and prevent further rubbing while helping to absorb moisture to heal them quickly. Sexy? No. Effective? You bet.
10. Ultrasun Lip Protection SPF 50
Ultrasun
Lip Protection SPF 50
If you’re in the market for an SPF lip balm now that spring has arrived, this one comes highly recommended from our team. “This is so nourishing but also SPF for an often overlooked area,” says Eggenberger. We’ll be stocking up in time for our holidays.
11. Estrid Razor
Hair removal can be a total chore, but the right razor can be a game changer. The whole Who What Wear team are hooked on this chic razor which not only looks good in our bathrooms, but delivers a silky slip via the moisturising head for a clean shave each time. It’s more expensive than the cheaper multipacks of disposable razors you can get, but trust us: this will change your life. This starter kit includes the handle (which comes in nice colours) two razors heads and a wall holder.
12. TePe Interdental Brushes
TEPE
Angle Interdental Brushes
If you’re not yet using interdental brushes, or can’t get on board with floss, take this as your sign to try these. “Interdental brushes are not sexy, but they are necessary,” says ecommerce analyst Sophie Cookson. Looking after your teeth is one of the best investments you can make for your dental health, and these affordable interdental brushes make it easy to clean in between your teeth and help prevent plaque build up which can lead to costly dental work down the line.
13. St. Mortiz Tanning Mousse
St. Moriz
Professional Instant Tanning Mousse in Medium
When it comes to the best self-tans, this one is top of our list and costs less than lunch at Pret. The mousse delivers a streak-free glow that looks realistic and wears well without going patchy. “St Moritz tanning foam is my ride or die,” says Rhys-Evans, who has long been a fan of this great affordable formula.
14. Kitsch Dermaplane Razors
Kitsch
Eco-Friendly Dermaplaner Razors
As someone who has hair in abundance around their brows, these dermaplaning razors are great for tidying up peach-fuzz on the face, leaving skin silky smooth. I’ve even noticed that makeup going on smoother since making it a monthly haibit.
15. Neutrogena T-Gel Shampoo
Neutrogena
T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo Treatment
Itchy scalps, scalp psoriasis and dandruff can be a real pain to treat, but this cheap and cheerful medicated shampoo works wonders. “This is V unsexy but I can’t go without the T Gel dandruff shampoo,” says Saguiped. It contains tar which works surprisingly well at treating scalp concerns band reducing irritation.
16. VO5 Firm Hold Gel
From wet-look styles to sleek buns, this is a great hair gel to have amongst your collection when you require a sleek style with long lasting hold. At £5, it would be rude not to try it.
CCS
Professional Foot Care Cream
We have zero desire to spend a fortune on foot cream, but with sandal season just around the corner we’re wanting to look after our feet right now. Thankfully this one works really well to soften dry skin and cracked heels, and won’t make your bank account cry.
18. Mitchum Roll-On Deodorant & Antiperspirant
Mitchum
Roll-On Deodorant & Antiperspirant
People are very, very loyal to their deodorants. The team’s one of choice? Mitchum, hands down. It’s the most effective perspirant and deodorant we’ve tried, and it doesn’t leave white marks on your clothes. The team have convinced me to swap to this one.
19. Zeroderm Ointment
Zeroderma
Zeroderm Ointment
Sensitive skin? Listen up. This ointment makes a great hand cream to act as a shielding barrier for irritated skin. A must-have if you’re prone to eczema on your hands which is often flared up by irritants such as cleaning products. “Zeroderm handcream is basically one of the only things that doesn’t make my hands go red and patchy,” says Cookson.
20. Bayliss & Harding Shower Gel
Baylis & Harding
Goodness Men’s Bergamot & Clary Sage Natural Shower Gel
The best hack for smelling expensive? “I always buy ‘mens’ shower gel as it’s the closest thing to Aesop on a budget,” says Eggenberger. We’re following suit with this bergamot and clary sage option, which smells three times its price. You could even decant it into an Aesop bottle and no one would ever know it’s £4 a bottle.
21. Sally Hansen Nail Strengthener
Sally Hansen
Advanced Hard as Nails Strengthener
if you’re nails are weak, peeling or breaking, we implore you to try this nail strengthener to bring nails back to good health. The base coat helps to grow your nails healthy and strong and has a glossy finish.
22. Migraine Relief Cap
Gelpacks Direct
Migraine Relief Cap
Those on the team who suffer with migraines swear by this migraine cap which provides relief. The gel insert in the cap can be frozen or heated depending on your needs and pulled over the eyes to block out light too. I’m sharing this one with all my friends.