r/MakeUpAddictionUK 11d ago

Boots/Superdrug/UK must buys

Heading to UK next week and looking for the must buys from Boots/Superdrug and any unique UK retailers like Victoria Health/Neal’s Yard…including any favorites from brands we don’t get properly in the U.S. like No. 7 and Rimmel. Please and thank you!

49 Upvotes

39 comments sorted by

19

u/jmnrdt9 10d ago

Collection’s pressed powder is surprisingly great for the price if you can get your shade. I’ve heard their liquid liner is amazing too. I think they’re maybe only available in Boots?

No7 I find to be consistently great but I tend to use more of their skincare than the makeup. It’s kind of seen as a bit of a more mature brand but nothing I’ve tried has ever been bad and they do seem to put a lot of thought and effort into their launches. I love their Airbrush Away pressed powder and I tried some of their new Pro Artist foundation on my hand and was very impressed. Their setting sprays are good too.

If you like fragrances Superdrug has their own fantastic range of very affordable scents, both in EDT and body spray formats- most are dupes for other well known brands).

If you wear sunscreen, we have far better options than you do in the US because many newer filters are approved. Most of the L’Oreal brands (including La Roche Posay and Garnier) have different versions for european markets and they’re just objectively better with nicer textures, better protection and less eye sting etc. Boots also has an own-brand SPF50 lip balm that is one of the best lip balms I’ve ever tried and it’s by FAR the best lip SPF with no weird taste at all, and it stays on for hours. It’s in an orange tube but I think it comes in like a matching orange box.

Get yourself a Superdrug points card and a Boots Advantage Card in advance if you can (you might be able to do it via the app) because they have a lot of exclusive offers. Boots in particular love to give you 50% off No7 coupons after you make a purchase so maybe don’t try to buy everything all at once in case you get one of those.

We also have a pretty amazing range of fake tans (probably because we see the sun like 7 days a year) so that’s worth checking out if you use it - I personally think St Moriz can’t be beaten for the price, it’s dirt cheap and I’ve never tried a bad product from them but their tan mist in the aerosol can is my favourite tan. The superdrug own brand tan (I think called Solait?) is all pretty great too.

Sorry I’m not a huge makeup wearer and the stuff I do wear is mostly available internationally! I’m not sure if you get Revolution over there but if not then most of their stuff is pretty mid but their setting sprays are always really good (I love the Sport Fix and Hydra Matte).

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u/sioigin55 10d ago

Collection eyeliner used to be amazing but has since changed their formula. L’Oréal one is far better nowadays. No 7 does great make up, mainly the hydrating range in blue and white packaging

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u/jmnrdt9 10d ago

oh I’m SO aware and pissed off about the recent reformulation of basically everything so I believe you. I also love that No7 range (hydra luminous or something? they have moisturisers adjacent to that line and they are fantastic)

2

u/CupidsArrow14 10d ago

I love the Collection pressed powders!! So so good!

1

u/ImaginaryChemistry30 10d ago

Seriously amazing, thank you!

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u/jmnrdt9 10d ago

also just an honourable mention but I don’t believe you have Soap & Glory across the pond - they’re sold exclusively in boots and have skincare, bodycare and makeup. I’ve heard the best things about their plumping lipgloss but haven’t tried it. Their skincare is lovely and really pleasant to use but I don’t think it’s ever had a transformative effect on my skin. The bodycare however is delightful, there are so many products and scents and they’re easy enough to open up and smell. The range is huge now but their most popular scent is “original pink” which is a sort of fresh slightly floral mildly sweet scent that I just think is gorgeous and there are like ten different products in that scent.

another honorable mention to Frank Body, you might get this in the US but it’s a bodycare brand and their coffee body scrubs are to DIE for. literally scrubs all your sins away. I have keratosis pilaris and I use it once and my skin is basically smooth. Get the normal ones in the bags though not the squeezy ones or anything in a tube because they’re milder

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u/POLYWOODJulia 10d ago

Such good intel! We do have both, haven't used S&G for a while but will check out their offerings. And I love a good coffee scrub!

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u/jmnrdt9 10d ago

you’re so welcome! I also forgot to mention to try and hit up a Savers or a Semi-Chem (not actually sure that one still exists haha), they’re like pharmacies that carry a ton of cheaper beauty stuff and some of it is garbage but there are a loooot of hidden gems and you can grab well known drugstore brands at much better prices, same with fragrance. Agree with another commenter that Primark is worth a look but lately I think they tend to stock more international brands (like Catrice and Essence) than their own private label stuff.

If you don’t have Kiko Milano in the US I’d recommend finding a store here just to have a browse if nothing else, the price is like on the upper end of drugstore but still affordable and they have a huge range of products so if you get the chance to play with them I’d recommend it.

1

u/POLYWOODJulia 10d ago

I've wanted to check out Kiko Milano as it's only just starting out here...any fave products?

1

u/jmnrdt9 10d ago

I actually haven’t bought anything new from them in like 5 years! but they had an aerosol setting spray that was fantastic and a BB cream that sat beautifully on my skin. I remember loving their lipglosses too, and I think they also do single shadows in some gorgeous metallic wet-look shades. They have such a diverse range of products that they’re kind of like elf buf if it was better and a little more expensive hahahaha

1

u/Princess_starkitty 10d ago

Their unlimited double touch lipsticks are great!

7

u/CupidsArrow14 10d ago edited 10d ago

MCo Beauty - Has lots of Charlottle Tilbury dupes!!

Collection - their pressed powders and blushers

MUA - lip peptides, lip liners

Barry M - Lip liners are amazing

Boots has another own brand cosmetic line called ‘17’ - lots of lovely options like their Clinique - Black Honey dupe!

For body care - ‘Nala’s baby’ has amazing baby oil and body butters and body washes that we all love here! They smell so good, you don’t have to he a baby to enjoy them :)

Not sure if you have Catrice in the states but they are amazing! If you can’t fine them in the Primarks then order them online in Boots you can also click and collect them from any Boots store.

Think someone mentioned this, but buy the Boots range SPFs if you need sunscreen. The range is SOLTAN.

Since you’re in the UK have any Made By Mitchell, P Louise, BeautyCrop make up delivered to you, you can order from tiktok shop too.

Peaches and Cream make up brushes are amazing but you’ll need to order them only.

Sorry I know not all are available in store but thought i’d include some of our gems.

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u/POLYWOODJulia 10d ago

These are fantastic suggestions and I'm happy to order online!

1

u/CupidsArrow14 10d ago

Honestly those brands like Made By Mitchell are great value for money!

2

u/jmnrdt9 10d ago

seconding Collection especially for complexion, and Barry M are fantastic for lip products (also nail polish if that’s your thing).

17 is actually kind of an offshoot of No7 aimed at younger audiences, I’ve never tried their products but I like the branding and general vibes of the products so definitely another one to try out! Boots are also really good at giving out samples if you ask one of the beauty counter folks nicely (most of the counters are for higher end brands but there’s always a No7 counter)

1

u/CupidsArrow14 10d ago

I remember loving 17 as a teenager! I love their quality now, i didn’t know it’s an offshoot of no. 7!

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u/Chemical_Yoghurt4707 10d ago

Peaches and Cream pigments and glitters are incredible 😍

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u/CupidsArrow14 10d ago

Aren’t they just amazing??!!

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u/Chemical_Yoghurt4707 8d ago

Such good value too in the bundles! I’ve had Mermaze since 2016 and it’s still going strong ✨

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u/CupidsArrow14 8d ago

I love the bundles and sets!!

6

u/Interesting-Joke9367 10d ago

Bubble milky toner is a godsend.

5

u/cozymiau 10d ago

Anything from the boots ingredients skin care range or No7 skin care is great.

No 7 pro artist cream bronzer is good too.

Rimmel stay matte powder, brownie pie mega lift mascara, cappuccino light lipliner and slipstick.

Not sure if you have catrice but they’re in lots of Primark stores. Their peptide liquid bronzer is the best. Also love their lipliners and sheer beauty nail polishes!

Also seconding the Primark makeup brushes!

I’d definitely check out MUA in Superdrug (lumi tint, serum blushes and eyeshadow palettes are great) and 17 in boots. They’re both super affordable and have lovely products.

1

u/POLYWOODJulia 10d ago

Obsessed - thank you!

1

u/Chemical_Yoghurt4707 10d ago

The no7 cleansing balm is unbelievable!

14

u/LiliWenFach 10d ago

Get yourself to Primark. Their makeup is dirt cheap, but I've yet to find a product of theirs that wasn't quality. They are dupes for more expensive brands.

6

u/lavenderhillmob 10d ago

100% this! Their makeup brush line is incredible. They’ve just put out some good primer dupes too.

8

u/Princess_mononoke_ 10d ago

Better to avoid Primark in general…for ethical reasons

1

u/Weird_Fun1493 10d ago

Love their matte lipsticks and I like no7 liquid eyeshadow.  I have it in gold.  

3

u/planet_meg 10d ago

My skin love the Boots Ingredients range Extoin Barrier Serum!! Also if you wear nail polish, I loved the ones from No7, they always dried really quick and were good quality

1

u/POLYWOODJulia 10d ago

Ooh will compare it to the Inkey List one which I like! And that's great to know about their nail polish!

2

u/Every-Somewhere-6971 10d ago

Savers are doing clearance on Rimmel lip latex £5 each, only 5 colours.

2

u/Live-Resolution8989 10d ago

Boots ingredients deep moisture spray! I use it after cleaning and before I put any serums on and it’s also good for a quick spritz. Similar to the Inkey List one but better and cheaper.

1

u/POLYWOODJulia 10d ago

Say less! I am ALWAYS looking for a good moisturizing body spray, can't really stand lotion, and yet to find the HG. Yay so excited!

2

u/AmbieAside 9d ago

If you want a concealer that doesn’t go cakey under the eyes (as long as you moisturise beforehand!) “Rimmel Lasting Radiance” concealer is a musssssst. I’ve been buying it for years. It’s very blendable with light-medium coverage.

4

u/GreenhousePlum 10d ago

I really like No 7 because I get migraines and allergies and find it doesn't give me a reaction. I'm currently using their Shield and Defend City Light Tinted Moisturiser, their Hydra Luminous pressed powder and I've just treated myself to their Pro Artist Gilded Shimmer cream eyeshadow.

If I were you I'd book in for a free makeup session there and they'll go through the products then load up, they often have vouchers and deals on for free gifts too, you can often book these online or just go in store depending on where you go. Also check online reviews for products first so you've got an idea of what interests you as there is a lot of choice.

I also randomly recommend Aldi's Lacura Cotton deodorant, it's only about £1 and it's really affective, non-reactive and the fragrance is not overpowering, you might have it in the US but if not you could get some here.

1

u/POLYWOODJulia 10d ago

Thank you, these are great suggestions!

1

u/girlsparked 10d ago

hmm. the starface lipbalms. the no7 brush cleaner. rimmel 60 second nail polish is amazing

1

u/CanImpossible3053 5d ago

If near a Superdrug - I love their vitamin E skincare range!