As a beauty editor, there are lots of different brands that land on my desk. The truth is, these days there are just so many new beauty launches to keep up with. It seems like there is a new celebrity skincare/makeup/fragrance launch every week, and that’s on top of the many pre-existing beauty brands who are already offer so many options. It can be a real minefield to navigate what products your skin needs, how to build a skincare routine and what products are actually worth the money. After all, there is nothing more infuriating than throwing your hard-earned money at an over-hyped or expensive product that ends up not fulfilling its promises.
However, there’s a little-known beauty industry secret that you might not know about. Typically, when you see a new beauty product launch, the price tag won’t just factor in the formula within its packaging. Take a moisturiser that retails for £130 for example. It won’t actually cost that amount to produce in the factory. A cut will be factored in to go to marketing the product via advertisements, a cut might go to a celebrity ambassador, a cut for the retailer’s margins, and the list goes on. That moisturiser might only cost £10 to produce, but the retail price will be bumped up from the middlemen involved in between bringing it from the factory and into the store.
There aren’t many brands that I would call revolutionary, but when Beauty Pie launched in 2016, beauty editors were all in agreement that it was something very unique, which isn’t a term we throw around lightly in this industry. Beauty Pie’s Founder, Marcia Kilgore (who is also the brains behind Soap & Glory, Bliss and FitFlop) saw the opportunity to bring you the incredible formulas direct from the factories, without the mark-up of the middlemen. The savings are passed straight on to you, so that moisturiser that costs £130 can be yours for around £10 mark. Beauty Pie effectively works like Netflix, but for beauty. From £10 a month, you have access to buy skincare, makeup, hair care, body care and candles at factory prices. Beauty Pie work with some of the best suppliers from around the world, so you can guarantee that Beauty Pie’s formulas are among some of the best in the industry. If you want in and want to know what some of the best Beauty Pie products are, I tried its best-sellers to see how they stack up against my favourite products that I’m currently using. Plus, if you want to see the Beauty Pie products IRL, a pop-up Beauty Pie warehouse has opened up in London’s Covent Garden, where you can sneak in behind the closed doors of the beauty industry, get to know Beauty Pie’s products and learn more through consultations. It’s open until 10th July, so don’t miss out!
I reviewed the best-selling Beauty Pie products below.
Price shown is member’s price. Standard value is £70. If you’re new to retinol this is a great product to try. Retinol works by plumping wrinkles and fine lines, and is one of the only proven ingredients to work against these. It also has antioxidants vitamin C and ferulic acid, which brighten the skin and reduce pigmentation. This formula contains shea butter, which is intensely hydrating, so it’s a great option if you have dry skin.
Price shown is members’ price. Standard value is £60. Niacinamide (or vitamin B3) is one of those wonder ingredients that gets on with every skin type. It’s soothing on the skin, but it is particularly good if you have oily or combination skin and are prone to breakouts. Niacinamide works to minimise the look of pores, too, and Beauty Pie’s trials found that 84% saw less breakouts after four weeks, which is pretty impressive.
Price shown is members’ price. Standard value is £60. A hyaluronic acid serums go, this is one of the best (and is a beauty editor favourite). Hyaluronic acid works by intensely hydrating the skin. This formula contains multiple molecular weights of the ingredient which basically acts like an all-access card to get into certain layers of your skin, so you get long-lasting hydration. I was seriously impressed with how this hydrated my skin, and the addition of skin-fortifying ceramides are brilliant at calming and repairing stressed skin.
Price shown is members’ price. Standard value is £50. Beauty Pie’s body care is incredible, and this body cream has a loyal fanbase—including me. While my complexion is combination, the skin on my body is forever parched and most lotions don’t cut it. The ones that do are typically really expensive, so I love that this comes in at a more affordable price point while delivering on its promises. Seriously, when I twisted open the cap I gasped at home luxuriously thick this body cream is. Not only is it intensely hydrating (thanks to shea butter and nourishing oils), but it isn’t over perfumed, which my sensitive skin rates.
Price shown is members’ price. Standard value is £24. If you’re not currently using an under-eye corrector, then please allow me to get you onto this. I’ve been loyal to a premium under-eye corrector before, but I would always wince at the price whenever I go to re-purchase. This one is pretty much the same. The balmy-cream texture melts into the skin to colour-correct my dark circles. When I use this, I find I can use less concealer, which also leads to less creasing. It comes in two shades (pink to counteract blue-toned underage circles on fair skin colours, and a peachy-brown hue to disguise brown-toned dark circles, which are typically found in darker skin tones).
If you have darker skin and brown-toned under eyes, then this shade is idea to brighten and conceal.
Price shown is members’ price. Standard value is £25. I was first introduced to this cleanser by one of my best friends who has incredible skin, so I was eager to try it—I wasn’t let down. It has a gel-to-oil-to-milk texture, so it makes light work of melting away makeup and leaving skin cleansed, but not uncomfortable. And I can confirm that it even melts away waterproof mascara and it won’t sting your eyes either.
Price shown is members’ price. Standard value is £40. If you want skin that looks like you’ve downed two litres of water and just emerged from a fancy facial, then check this out. This serum instantly plumps and moisturises skin, leaving it looks luminous and radiant. It does have a slight oily-like consistency which is lightweight, but may be more suitable for dry or mature skin types looking for intense hydration.
Price shown is members’ price. Standard value is £35. I struggle to find that SPFs that work for my skin. They either feel way too heavy on my combination skin, sting my sensitive eyes or won’t sit well under makeup. This one passed with flying colours. Not only is it true to its name of being lightweight, but the formula has liquid lotion-like texture, which is great alone or underneath makeup. It’s not overly dewy and not matte either, it’s sits within a happy medium.
Price shown is members’ price. Standard value is £185. This is one of Beauty Pie’s latest innovations which was developed with world-renowned Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Andrew Markey, and Beauty Pie liken this product to the expensive doctor-led brands on the market. It contains 15 active ingredients to achieve a 15-prong approach to anti-ageing by firming, brightening and hydrating the skin. You only have to look at the 5-star reviews to know its good.
Price shown is members’ price. Standard value is £100. This is such a hard-working moisturiser. It contains hydrating hyaluronic acid and leaves skin so soft. It also has actives and antioxidants to defend against pollution, leaving skin shielded and protected throughout the day. It sinks in easily and makes a great base for makeup too.
Price shown is members’ price. Standard value is £25. There is a certain sellout highlighter that looks very similar to this one, and this one is just as good. It instantly adds radiance to cheekbones without any glitter—just an expensive-looking sheen.
Price shown is members’ price. Standard value is £35. Silk scrunchies are the best and gentlest on lengths, but they can be expensive. These are the best-value ones that I’ve found, with six in a pack for less than £20.
Price shown is members’ price. Standard value is £60. Don’t let Beauty Pie’s candles pass you by. They’re seriously good. This one is a fan-favourite and is aptly called Clean House, with notes of lavender, freesia and clean cotton sheets. It’s also made in Grasse, France, which is essentially the fragrance capital of the world.
Price shown is members’ price. Standard value is £22. Many compare these eyeshadow sticks to other premium versions. This shade is so flattering on everyone and is crease- and smudge-proof.
Price shown is members’ price. Standard value is £80. A silk pillowcase is a great investment for your hair, leaving it less prone to breakage and frizz. Beauty Pie’s version makes it a great way to invest without breaking the bank. Become a Beauty Pie member and visit the Beauty Pie Pop-Up Store in London between 30th June-11th July.
