Our Top Pick: Rimmel’s Under-£10 Buttery Lip Balm
Budget beauty products are affordable makeup launches and everyday essentials that deliver convincing quality, comfort and colour payoff without the premium price tag, making them smart choices for shoppers who want reliable performance under £20. For most people, the best place to start is Rimmel’s buttery lip balm: it wins because you get a plush, nourishing texture and flattering colour for under £10, in a formula that stands up next to much pricier balms from big-name brands. It is enriched with shea butter, squalane and avocado oil so it feels rich on the lips and helps reduce dryness while you wear it. According to one beauty editor, this under-£10 version stands up to higher-end formulas while coming in six flattering shades, which makes it easy to match both minimal makeup days and bolder looks.
Everyday Staples: Vaseline Lip Balm Original Stick
When you want under £20 makeup that you do not have to think about, a tried-and-tested classic is the safest choice. One assistant editor calls Vaseline Lip Balm Original Stick her “most-used lip product” and says she would lose her mind without it. At around four dollars (approx. RM19) from Chemist Warehouse, it is one of the cheapest lip care staples you can buy, yet it earns holy-grail status for daily use. The formula is gentle and hydrating, adding a natural sheen without overwhelming fragrance or colour, which matters if your lips are fairly sensitive or you wear a lot of other makeup on top. Compared with premium balms, this stick holds its own in comfort and moisture, proving that budget beauty products can be both simple and reliable for long-term repurchase.
Desk and Bag Essential: Mario Badescu Vanilla Lip Wax
If you like a lip product that feels a bit more pampering but still counts as under £20 makeup, Mario Badescu Vanilla Lip Wax is a strong buy. Priced at 10 dollars (approx. RM47), it delivers a more polished lip-care step without crossing into luxury territory. The formula uses beeswax, jojoba oil and vitamin E, so it has a cushioned texture that helps lock in moisture while adding soft shine, ideal for layering under a cheap lip stain or your favourite lipstick. One beauty editor picked it up during a small desk tidy haul and it has earned a permanent place thanks to that blend of nourishment and ease of use. In performance, it feels closer to higher-end lip treatments than its price suggests, which makes it an appealing choice if you want something that feels special but is still squarely a budget beauty product.
| Spec | Vaseline Lip Balm Original Stick | Mario Badescu Vanilla Lip Wax |
|---|---|---|
| Approximate price | Around four dollars (approx. RM19) | 10 dollars (approx. RM47) |
| Finish | Natural sheen | Soft shine |
| Key ingredients | Gentle, hydrating base | Beeswax, jojoba oil, vitamin E |
| Best use | Everyday basic lip care | Desk or bag essential with pampering feel |
How These Budget Picks Compare to Premium Alternatives
Affordable makeup launches often borrow textures and ingredient blends from premium lines, and these lip picks show how close budget beauty can get. The under-£10 Rimmel lip balm is explicitly said to stand up to pricier formulas from well-known brands, while still offering six flattering shades for everyday wear. That means you get comparable comfort and colour with far less impact on your wallet. In lip care, one editor calls the Tocobo Vita Glaze Lip Mask “a great dupe for the Tatcha Kissu mask” if you cannot bring yourself to spend 48 dollars (approx. RM225) on a single lip balm, highlighting how a cheaper option can seal in moisture with a similarly rich jelly texture. Together, these recommendations prove that under £20 makeup can match premium products in feel and finish, and are worth repurchasing when you finish the tube or pot.
Buy if / Skip if
- Buy the Rimmel buttery lip balm if you want budget beauty products with rich moisture and flattering colour for under £10.
- Skip the Rimmel buttery lip balm if you prefer completely clear, colour-free lip care without any tint.
- Buy the Vaseline Lip Balm Original Stick if you need a gentle, hydrating everyday staple at around four dollars (approx. RM19).
- Skip the Vaseline Lip Balm Original Stick if you want noticeable pigment or glossy, makeup-like shine from your lip products.
- Buy the Mario Badescu Vanilla Lip Wax if you like beeswax-based lip care with jojoba oil and vitamin E at a 10-dollar (approx. RM47) price point.
- Skip the Mario Badescu Vanilla Lip Wax if you dislike vanilla-scented products or prefer ultra-thin, barely-there lip textures.
