When I posted my ‘What To Pick Up Beauty-Wise If You’re Heading to the US’ post, there were a tonne of requests for me to compile a similar list, but feature UK-only beauty bits that I’d recommend for those heading to these shores. So your wish is my command. Now it’s a little tough to know exactly what brands are stocked where and the big ol’ web obviously makes it easier to get your hands on some of these items, so I may be off the mark with a few things here and there – please do forgive me for those. But I reckon on the whole these mostly drugstore items are a little tricky to find overseas and are well worth the shopping trip if you find yourself in the UK. I’ve grouped them by where you should be able to find them to make things easier and if anyone has anything they feel needs adding then give ’em a shout out in the comments below…
SPACE NK: There a tonne of things that I’d recommend picking up in Space NK (more on that here), but one brand that I’m not sure of its availability worldwide is OSKIA, so of course I’d recommend bagging a bottle (or six) of their Renaissance Cleansing Gel – the only cleanser I’ve used for the last year or two.
SELFRIDGES: Again there’s a vast amount of beauty brands available here, mostly high-end, but the brand I’d recommend having a good rake through the counter of is Charlotte Tilbury. My top picks would be the Light Wonder Foundation and Iconic Liquid Eye Pencils – specially in the shades Barbarella Brown and Marlene Midnight. The one in London also has a Beauty Workshop situated to the back of the store where you’ll find more high-street ranges and hard to find brands. Stop by the Topshop bit and take a look at their Lipsticks which are rather fab.
BOOTS AND/OR SUPERDRUG: Ok, here is where the fun really begins. Real Techniques Brushes are d’bomb and I’d highly recommend picking up the Core Collection as a great starting point when it comes to base brushes (though I’m a big fan of the Miracle Complexion Sponge too). For makeup, Bourjois do some fab bits and their Rouge Edition Velvets and Heathy Balance Powder are both things I pick up fairy regularly as part of my daily makeup routine. Right now I’m really into the Barry M Speedy Quick Dry Nail Paint in Eat My Dust, so obviously that’s going to be on the list and I love the Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in Lavish Mauve as a good everyday cheek colour.
SUPERDRUG: In the aisles of Superdrug you’ll find one of my favourite dry shampoos – the Colab Dry Shampoo in Rio. Give it a good shake and there’s no white veil when you spritz this on your locks. There are also the Tanya Burr Lipglosses, which have just the right amount of colour and shine to them. I find myself reaching for Lunch Date the most.
BOOTS: This is a bit of a weird one but the Boots-own Double Sided Cotton Pads are my all-time favourite cotton pads. It’s a thing. I’d obviously say to have a peruse of the Una Brennan counter and pop a bottle of the Vitamin C Brighten Skin Renew Cleansing Oil in the basket as it’s my go-to cleanser for travel. Finally head to the Soap & Glory display. There’s loads to have a play with there, but my favourite product of theirs is the Solar Powder, which is one of my most-used bronzers. Now go find a coffee shop and have a rest. Phew.
Comments