Best multi-tasking beauty products from £8 to save you time and money

It’s the new face of beauty in a cost of living crisis. Why pay for two things individually when you can combine the benefits of both in just one workhorse product – and if you’re lucky, you might even squeeze out a third use too at no extra cost?

Hard-grafting beauty is “having a real moment in 2023,” confirms Boots beauty trends guru Grace Vernon. “Multi-use products are convenient, cost effective and space saving, and we’re seeing lots of launches across the market.” The best multi-purpose beauty products really can save you time and money, and the great news is there are more to choose from than ever before.

It's not just obvious multi-purpose benefits on offer either. No doubt you're used to a lip tint that does double duty as a blusher, or an eye cream that blitzes both bags and dark circles. But what about dry shampoo that strengthens hair bonds, SPF that locks make-up in place or root concealers that add volume too? Here’s my pick of the multi-talented ones to watch…

The dual root booster

Dealing with root regrowth is a proper whack-a-mole problem. As someone with ghastly greys, I find many temporary cover-ups create their own issues, whether it’s a greasy finish or a speckled forehead. Clairol, though, has done something clever with its Touch Up Colour + Volume 2 in 1 Spray, £8.99 here. Not only does it give decent coverage, the formula has the added bonus of “Colorfill Technology’’ which mixes the pigments with tiny volumisers to add lift AND coverage to roots. It’s my new essential to tide me over between dyes.

The double cleanser

Garnier’s original micellar water is already an icon, but now a new version combines two skincare steps in one. A lazy girl’s dream, Micellar Gentle Peeling Water All-In-One, £7.99 here, includes glycolic acid, PHA and papaya enzyme to cleanse and exfoliate skin in a single sweep. And if you think daily exfoliation sounds like a reaction waiting to happen, you’ll be relieved to hear that it’s specifically designed to preserve your skin barrier. Many exfoliants make my face flare up but I’ve had no issues with this one.

The collagen-drink tan

It’s no secret that the active ingredient in fake tan dries skin out, and for years brands have been shovelling in moisturisers to counter that shrivelling effect of DHA. However St Tropez Self Tan Luxe Body Serum, £35 here, takes it a step further. It glides on like posh body care, and as well as serving up a double dose of hyaluronic acid it contains a collagen-enhancing complex for supple, stronger skin. I woke up with soft limbs and a subtle golden glow: think gentle spring lift rather than a jump-scare shade shift.

The ‘satin pillow’ perfector

If pores and shine are your bugbears, I think you’re going to love Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops, £36 here. The instant effect is a soft matte, romantically described by celeb make-up artist Adeola Gboyega as “like light reflecting off a satin pillow”. (A bit less poetic but I did a half-and-half application on my face and my husband identified the correct side as “nice… less blotchy”.) The serum then locks down shine for eight hours, and extra benefits kick in over time. After six weeks, 100% of testers saw less congested skin, a reduction in pore size AND an improvement in lines – so a bit of something for everyone.

The strengthening dry shampoo

Dry shampoo tends to be a guilty secret rather than something you actually expect to be doing any good (beyond buying an extra half hour in bed). But that’s all up for revision thanks to Olaplex No.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo, £28 here, which promises far more than a disguise for dirty hair. The brand says you’re also spraying on its famous bond-building technology along with actives to declog the scalp. Not being armed with a microscope, it’s hard to give a scientific opinion on the structural strength of my hair and the health of my scalp, but I can say everything looks and feels cleaner, so I’m happy to go with it.

The suits-all hybrid

Hybrid skincare isn’t new but when it’s something that rolls two of your spendiest products into one, you have my attention. Okay, so MAC Hyper Real Serumizer Skin Balancing Hydration Serum, £58, isn’t cheap but you won’t need a separate serum and moisturiser with this. It ticks the box for “suits all serum” with Japanese peony for barrier strength and niacinamide for balance, and it nails the moisturising element with hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Bonus multi-tasking points for the subtle pearly pigments that cheat a ‘lit from within’ look.

The all-round face saver

Finally! SPF is being seen for what it truly is: the year-round cornerstone to future-proof skin, and not a summertime-only afterthought. But for those still not quite with the programme, e.l.f. Suntouchable! Whoa Glow, £14 here, makes a persuasive case for daily application. As well as being a non-chalky SPF30, it doubles as a glowy make-up primer, which in turn encourages sensible, full-face coverage. I imagine even grudging SPF users would wear this daily for the instant radiance and long-lasting foundation grip.

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