Published: 8 March 2026 · 8 min read · Luxe Glow UK Editors
Building a makeup collection from scratch can feel intimidating — and if you take TikTok at face value, very expensive. Here is the good news: a genuinely useful everyday kit can be built for around £60 using branded products from L'Oreal, Rimmel, Maybelline and Max Factor. Here is exactly how we would spend it.
The golden rule: buy where it matters
Not every product needs to be premium. In fact, only a handful really benefit from paying more. The trick is knowing which categories to splurge on and which to save on.
- Save on: Eyeshadow palettes, eyeliner, brow products, nail polish, lip gloss.
- Spend on: Mascara, foundation, concealer, lipstick.
- Always buy genuine. Every product on Luxe Glow UK is sourced from official UK wholesalers.
Your starter kit: £60 spent smartly
| Product | Shop | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mascara — L'Oreal Air Volume 30H | L'Oreal | £12.99 |
| Liquid eyeliner — Rimmel Exaggerate | Rimmel | £5.49 |
| 10-pan palette — Collection Urban Jungle | Collection | £4.99 |
| Brow pen — Rimmel Brow Pro Micro | Rimmel | £6.49 |
| Base — Maybelline 4-in-1 Perfector | Maybelline | £12.99 |
| Concealer — Revlon ColorStay Skin Awaken | Revlon | £8.99 |
| Lipstick — L'Oreal Color Riche | L'Oreal | £8.99 |
| Total (incl. VAT) | £60.93 | |
Spend £25 or more and we cover delivery anywhere in the UK. Your whole kit arrives in two to three working days.
Where to save (and why)
Ten shades, matte and shimmer, under a fiver.
Eyeshadow palettes are where budget shoppers win biggest. A £4.99 Collection palette gives you a full week of looks. The pigmentation and blendability are genuinely strong for the price.
Brow products, eyeliners and nail polish all perform nearly identically across price tiers — save your budget for the big hitters below.
Where to spend (and why)
Mascara is the one product we urge customers not to cheap out on. The difference between a £3 mascara and a £12 one is dramatic: better wands, smarter formulas, and proper 24-hour longevity. The L'Oreal Air Volume 30H is our single most-repurchased mascara.
Foundation and concealer sit on your skin all day, so shade match and formula matter. The Maybelline 4-in-1 Perfector is unbeatable value for a primer-BB-concealer-powder combo.
Smart shopping tips
- Shop the Sale page first. Our Sale collection runs up to 35% off RRP on genuine branded products.
- Bundle to unlock free delivery. Spend £25+ for free UK shipping — usually cheaper than buying one product elsewhere at full price plus postage.
- Buy duplicates of hero products. When a staple goes on sale, stock up. You will always use it.
- Try the New In edit. It surfaces recent launches our buyers have approved.
Ready to start?
Pop all of the above into your basket and you are looking at under £61 for a starter kit that can take you from office to evening. Every item is authentic, sourced from UK wholesalers, and backed by our 30-day returns policy on unopened products.