Bank Holiday beauty buys: Last-minute essentials you need in your basket by the weekend
After a sweltering summer of heatwaves, having some time off to enjoy the August Bank Holiday feels long overdue.
Whether you’re heading to a festival, dancing the night away or still making plans in the group chat, it’s likely you’ll need some long-wearing beauty buys so that your make-up doesn’t budge.
We’re talking waterproof mascara, hardworking primers and setting sprays that’ll see you through rain or shine. It might be forecast for wet weather, but no amount of rain is putting a dampener on our Bank Holiday plans.
There’s still loads of discounts to browse from the summer beauty sales, and with payday coming up, what better time to add them to your basket? If you’re looking for some last-minute beauty bits to buy this Bank Holiday, here’s what actually deserves a place in your basket.
Best Bank Holiday picks shortlist:
• Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, WAS £27, NOW £19.90 at Amazon
Advert
• L’Oreal Paris Infallible 3-Second Makeup Mist, WAS £10, NOW £6 at Amazon
• Sculpted By Aimee HydraTint, £24 at Boots
• BedHead by TIGI Hair Wax Stick, WAS £8, NOW £6.79 at Amazon
• NYX Professional Face Glue Gripping Primer, WAS £8.99, NOW £6.99 at Amazon
SHOP: Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, WAS £27, NOW £19.90, Amazon
Color Wow’s Dream Coat is practically magic in a bottle. Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner even swear by the hair spray. Its anti-frizz and anti-humidity formula gives the hair an enviable, glass-like shine. It’s also water-resistant, coating the hair with an invisible waterproof shield, meaning droplets will roll off in a light shower.
SHOP: Amazon 9PCS Face Gems, WAS £9.99, NOW £6.83, Amazon
Zara Larsson is bringing back glitter and face gems in a massive way. With maximalist make-up on the rise and colourful gems adding ‘whimsy’ to everything, sparkly face gems are the key to any festival look. Yes, we’re officially bringing them back for 2026.
SHOP: L'Oreal Paris Infallible 3-Second Makeup Mist, WAS £10, NOW £6, Amazon
The Infallible 3-Second Makeup Mist from L’Oreal is a must have in any make-up bag. Like hairspray, it firmly locks your make-up in place, but without irritating sensitive skin or causing pesky breakouts. Incredibly affordable, especially in the sale, this setting spray has been used by countless celebrities - including Maura Higgins.
SHOP: Sculpted By Aimee HydraTint, £24, Boots
A skin tint is so ideal for summer months because it offers a light, natural coverage, making it endlessly comfortable to wear. The HydraTint by Sculpted By Aimee gives off a gorgeous glowy finish that looks like your skin, but better. It serves as a tacky, long-wearing base that makes layering a dream, meaning it’ll hardly move all day.
SHOP: BedHead by TIGI Hair Wax Stick, WAS £8, NOW £6.79
Creating a slick back or going for the laminated brow look? If you’re heading to a festival this Bank Holiday, this wax stick is a must for your suitcase. The multi-purpose stick is compact and easy to apply. It helps tame flyways and frizz, style baby hairs and edges, and you can even use a spoolie to brush out your brows. Sleek hair incoming.
SHOP: NYX Professional Face Glue Gripping Primer, WAS £8.99, NOW £6.99
Everything starts with a good primer. The more effective the primer, the longer your make-up is going to last. It’s likely you will have seen this viral sensation all over the internet. This tacky primer is the secret to a long-lasting look, no matter the weather. Don’t be fooled, though, its gel formula still provides hold without a sticky feel.
SHOP: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Waterproof Mascara, £12.99
One of the most popular mascaras in the business, the Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara also comes in a waterproof edition. Although it may take some extra effort to remove during cleansing, this smudge-proof staple has been hailed for serving fluttery, voluminous lashes that actually last.
Where are the best summer sales to shop?
The summer sales are still in full swing, and some retailers are even running special Bank Holiday offers on skincare, haircare and make-up. Before you stock up on your beauty favourites, it's worth seeing if any of your go-to staples are currently discounted. Or, if any of the viral products you've always wanted to try are on sale right now. It all goes a long way in being kinder to your bank balance.
Boots: Save up to 50% off on Bank Holiday offers
Allbeauty: Up to 50% off on summer savings
Lookfantastic: 22% off in a deal drop, using code FLASH22
Abbott Lyon: 2 for 1 or 20% off sitewide
Debenhams: Up to 75% off in the Bank Holiday event
If you're seriously considering deal hunting for beauty products this summer, we recommend taking a pause before buying the first deal that you see. Consider the products you'll actually get the most use out of, and which discounts are actually worth it. A bit of browsing can make all of the difference in how much you save.
With that in mind, it might just be time for a payday treat. If you're after a little glow-up or a feel good product to add to your summer beauty bag, the beauty sales have everything you need. No matter your plans, whether you're heading abroad, camping at a festival or hitting the town for a night out, bring the month to a close the right way. After all, you've earned it, right?
Samantha Price