There’s no denying that your local Boots and Superdrug are harbouring a smorgasbord of amazing beauty products, but I’m here to let you in on a little secret: for some unexpected beauty bargains, you might just want to pop down to your favourite high street fashion store.
From Zara’s extensive range of high-end perfume dupes to affordable alternatives for luxury candles, high street fashion brands have been stepping up their game when it comes to beauty offerings.
This time, I’m shining a spotlight on one of my favourite minimalist high street brands: Arket. The pinnacle of capsule wardrobe goals, this store offers timeless pieces that can fit into any aesthetic, and its beauty offering doesn’t fall far from the tree.
While Arket is yet to expand into makeup or skincare (this is a beauty line I’d be here for, tbh), the brand does have a curated line of candles, bath and body products.
What’s more, each product’s packaging is designed to fit alongside the rest of the range, so you can easily elevate your bathroom decor with the addition of a few affordable products. Yes, they’ll even give Aesop a run for their money.
Ranging from £7-£35, Arket’s beauty line offers affordable bath and body products with a luxury look and feel.
The best Arket beauty products 2023
Want to know which are the best Arket beauty products to buy now? I’ve rounded up my six current favourites…
Arket Cade Candle, £35
Housed in a moss green glass vessel, this grown-up candle lends an air of sophistication to any space. The fragrance is a smoky and sultry embodiment of cade, a type of shrub that grows in the Mediterranean region.
In the woody family, it has a hint of sweetness and for me is reminiscent of old churches and burning incense. While it’s in the mid-range in terms of price, it does have a longer burn time of around 45 hours.
Arket Hand Wash, Verbena, £12
When it comes to hand wash, fresh, invigorating fragrances are where my attention’s at. Verbena is one of my favourites for room scents and body products, with a herbal and aromatic quality.
This hand wash contains a fragrance blend of verbena alongside lemon and pomelo for a zesty and uplifting scent that continues to linger on your skin for hours after. Plus, you can’t beat the look of that bottle, and each hand wash comes in a larger refillable option so you can get more of the good stuff for less packaging.
Arket Roll On Perfume Oils, £29
I don’t know why I slept on perfume oils for so long, but I’m here to tell you not to make the same mistake. This trio from Arket offers the perfect minimalist-perfume starter kit, with a line-up of three ‘concept’ fragrances based around one scent. There’s something for every mood, with Geranium (a green, rose fragrance), Neroli (a soft, sweet citrus scent), and Oakmoss (a woody, earthen perfume with a hint of spice).
You can wear them alone or layer them for a more complex scent. The size of these makes them ideal for popping into your bag for the day or night when you might want a top-up, and the rollerball means you’ll never waste or apply too much.
Arket Body Wash, Neroli, £17
Matching the vibe of its hand-wash range, Arket’s body washes are equally as cool and fragrant. You can match the scents to your hand wash or mix it up with a different option.
If you’re trying one for the first time and don’t know where to start, you can’t go wrong with Neroli. The soft, citrusy scent has a light and sweet finish that’s sophisticated, not sickly, and the body wash contains sugar beets and birch sugar to moisturise and hydrate the skin as you cleanse.
Arket Oakmoss Hand Balm, £7
Simple and chic, this hand balm is essential for any capaciously large (Succession-style), medium or small bag. A nourishing blend of shea butter and cotton seed oil, the balm will keep hands supple and moisturised. The Oakmoss fragrance smells ultra-expensive, and quite frankly that’s my favourite type of scent.
Arket Iris Hantverk Bath Brush, £19
Dry body brushing has soared in popularity due to its multitude of benefits, including helping with lymphatic drainage, promoting good circulation and improving the firmness and texture of skin over time.
There are some seriously spenny versions out there, so for under £20, this long handled bath brush is a good entry point to the dry body-brushing game. The bristles are made with soft horse hair, which allows for flexibility while still being good for exfoliation.
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