I went on a beauty shopping spree and M&S – and I was shocked at how many viral brands I could get my hands on
MY love of Marks & Spencer is becoming a bit of a running joke between me and my friends.
On any given day, I can be seen strutting into the office dressed head to toe in M&S – just like many of my Fabulous colleagues.
While we’ve all gone a bit mad over the brand’s clothes, M&S’s beauty offerings are a better kept secret.
The retailer has some fantastic own-brand beauty products, but now stocks many viral beauty brands, too.
Spanning buzzy skincare brands to make-up that’s blown up on TikTok, M&S Beauty has become a one-stop-shop for all things beauty.
I went on a Marks & Spencer’s beauty haul, and here’s everything I popped in my basket.
FLORAL STREET
Floral Street Wonderland Peony Eau de Parfum, £68
Wind the clock back a few years, and fragrance brands with sustainability at their core were few and far between.
Fortunately, this is no longer the case – but it does means that perfume shopping can be overwhelming, as there are so many options to choose from.
However, Floral Street ticks all the boxes, often at a fraction of the cost of some competitor brands.
From bright, floral packaging (it’s arguably the prettiest perfume on my dressing table), to the sumptuous, complex fragrances, the products are a real crowd-pleaser and make a brilliant gift.
On my trip around M&S, I reached for the Wonderland Peony Eau De Parfum, £68 – Floral Street’s bestselling EDP.
I’ve been keeping the 30ml travel size bottle, £28, in my handbag for a couple of months now, so it was time for a restock.
This EDP is the perfect daytime fragrance, and great for spritzing on before rushing out the door.
Moorish and sugary, it has notes of blackcurrant and candy floss, alongside zingy pink pepper.
It’s a fragrance that almost everyone will love, and doesn’t even require wrapping up if it’s a gift, thanks to its gorgeous, pink packaging.
THIS WORKS
This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, £21
As beauty’s most confidently named brand, This Works has earned its place as a brand that, well, works.
It was hard to miss the This Works display in M&S, as the retailer stocks more products than I’ve seen in any other store.
While the brand has some gorgeous body lotions, I reached for the viral This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, £21.
Touted as one of the most effective sleep mists on the market, it’s racked up a loyal army of supporters.
The mist is formulated with all-natural ingredients and essential oils, like vetivert, lavender and camomile, and is designed to help you drift off to sleep and wake up more refreshed.
The first time I used it, I genuinely had one of the best night’s sleep of my life.
I might have been unable to achieve such a great snooze since, but I definitely feel that it helps calm my mind when my head hits the pillow.
PIXI
Pixi On-the-Glow Blush CheekTone pH Reactive, £18
Pixi is one of those brands that teens go wild for.
From gentle, clever skincare products to shimmering highlighters and balmy blushers, there’s a lot to love about Pixi.
I was converted into a fan after trying the brand’s On-the-Glow Blush.
This blush balm is concealed in a transportable, mess-free windup applicator, meaning on-the-go touchups couldn’t be easier.
The formula itself is easy to blend and very pigmented, meaning building up your desired coverage couldn’t be easier.
I thought I couldn’t love it any more until the brand launched On-the-Glow Blush CheekTone, £18.
Now, I’m usually pretty sceptical of pH formulas – I’ve got TikTok to thank for that – but I’ve actually been very impressed with this one.
Rather than the green, brown, or grey formulas you see splashed across social media, this formula is a comforting pink, and can be used to build up a subtle flush on the cheeks.
BENEFIT
Benefit Fluff Up Brow Wax, £28
At nearly 50 years old, Benefit Cosmetics has become a household name.
It may have split opinions, but the brand’s Fluff Up Brow Wax, £28, seems to crop up in conversation again and again.
I have very thick, coarse brows that have a life of their own, and when I’m getting ready, I’ll brush my brows before I even brush my hair – which tells you a lot about my priorities.
I’ve tried so many brow products over the years, but so many are too sticky, heavy, or simply don’t keep my brows in place.
However, Benefit Fluff Up Brow Wax always keeps me covered.
Despite its white, creamy formula, the wax feels lightweight on the brows, shaping them without glueing them down.
As the name might suggest, the formula helps volumise brows for a gorgeous, ‘fluffy’ brow look.
CLINIQUE
Clinique Take The Day Off Facial Cleansing Mousse, £27
Recently the Clinique brand has had a bit of a facelift.
Over the past year or so, several innovative products have hit the shelves – the new mascara is particularly impressive – plus more products have been added to its existing ranges.
Clinique Take The Day Off, is one of the brands most loved skincare lines, best known for its Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, £34, which melts away a full face of make-up in seconds.
Earlier this year, the brand launched a new edition to the range – Clinique Take The Day Off Facial Cleansing Mousse, £27 – and I love it.
This cleanser has a whipped, mousse texture, so I like to think of it as a cross between a foam and cream cleanser.
I wear mascara nearly every day and find that removing it can be tough – or, at least, I did until I tried this cleanser.
It lifts away make-up, SPF and impurities, leaving my skin feeling clean and hydrated.
Formulated with glycerin and hyaluronic acid for conditioning and moisturising the skin, it’s oil-free, making it suitable for those, like me, with oily skin. Winning!
How To Save Money On Beauty Buys
IF your purse is feeling tighter than ever before and you're looking to save cash on your make-up routine, have you ever thought of trying out beauty dupes?
Here’s five of the best recommended beauty buys that are almost identical to the posh versions, but for a fraction of the price.
FACE BASE: If you can’t afford Charlotte Tilbury‘s £52 Magic Cream, why not try a dupe that costs just £5.49 from Superdrug?
TONE IT UP: If Drunk Elephant’s £62 Protini moisturiser is out of your price range, you’ll need to check out the new dupe in Home Bargains.
TINTING IT: With Fenty’s ‘game-changer’ skin tint costing an eye-watering £29, a popular supermarket’s affordable alternative might just be the thing for you.
GET COVERED: At £29 for a Tarte concealer, the new Primark dupe is much more affordable at just £3.50.
SPRAY YAY: For those wanting to smell fresh, without the price tag, Aldi’s new Prada and Chloe perfume dupes cost a fraction of the price.