Published: 28 February 2026 · 6 min read · Luxe Glow UK Editors
Rimmel and L'Oreal are two of the most iconic names on the UK high street. Both are affordable, both have cult-classic products, and both are stocked here at Luxe Glow UK. But which one should you actually be adding to your makeup bag? We have put the two head-to-head across six key categories.
The quick answer
- Best for bold, fashion-forward colour: Rimmel
- Best for grown-up, skincare-infused formulas: L'Oreal Paris
- Best value overall: Rimmel (typically £1–£3 cheaper per product)
- Best for mature skin: L'Oreal (the Age Perfect range is unmatched)
Head-to-head comparison
| Category | Rimmel | L'Oreal Paris |
|---|---|---|
| Average price | £4–£8 | £6–£12 |
| Top strength | Eye products and nails | Lip care and complexion |
| Shade range | Wide, trend-driven | Considered, classic |
| Finish | Bold, pigmented, matte-leaning | Balm-like, luminous, hydrating |
| Best for | Teens, twenties, trend lovers | Thirties plus, skincare-first shoppers |
Eyes
Precision felt-tip, up to 24-hour wear, £5.49 at Luxe Glow UK.
Rimmel has a decades-long track record with eye products. The Exaggerate Liquid Eyeliner and Scandaleyes Kohl are staples you will see in most UK makeup bags. L'Oreal counters with the Air Volume 30H Mascara — arguably the UK's best-selling drugstore mascara of the past two years.
Our pick: Rimmel for pencils and liners, L'Oreal for mascara.
Lips
This is where L'Oreal pulls ahead. Their Color Riche range offers five different finishes (satin, matte, Glow Paradise balm, Couture, and Magnetics) with formulas that feel more like lip treatments than old-school lipsticks. Try the Color Riche Matte in 430 Mon Jules for a comfortable long-wear matte.
Rimmel hits back with the Oh My Gloss Plump range, a favourite if you like a juicy, tingly plumping gloss.
Our pick: L'Oreal by a clear margin on lips.
Complexion
A luminous, skincare-infused base developed for mature skin.
L'Oreal's Age Perfect Firming Balm is unmatched for mature complexions. Rimmel's strength is more about budget-friendly everyday bases rather than a dedicated mature-skin line.
Our pick: L'Oreal for complexion.
Nails
Rimmel's nail line is broader and includes the eco-conscious Kind & Free range (8-free, vegan, up to 73% plant-based). L'Oreal has stepped back from nails in the UK.
Our pick: Rimmel, no contest.
Price
At Luxe Glow UK, Rimmel sits in the £4–£8 band and L'Oreal in £6–£12. If you are kit-building on a budget, pound-for-pound Rimmel wins. For lipstick and complexion — where quality matters most — the small extra spend on L'Oreal is usually worth it.
The verdict
You do not have to choose. A smart UK makeup bag has Rimmel for eyes and nails and L'Oreal for lips and base. Both are authentically stocked here at Luxe Glow UK with free UK delivery over £25, so you can build your whole routine in a single order. Start with our Sale edit or browse the full brand collection.