From a $228 serum to a $28 foundation: You Beauty's ultimate spendy and savey recommendations of 2021.

It's that time of year again: You Beauty's ultimate round-up of absolute favourite beauty products for the ENTIRE year.

Both Kelly McCarren and Leigh Campbell have chosen three 'spendys' and 'saveys' each, so that only the best of the best is recommended!

"I decided to recommend things I only discovered this year, and I chose products that might not necessarily have excited me the most, but have consistently impressed me the most," Kelly said on the podcast. 

Leigh noted, "Mine are also all from this year. I basically asked myself: 'What do I keep reaching for?' So that was my criteria, and what would I personally spend my money on?"

So without further ado, let's get into it!

Watch: You Beauty Q&A. Post continues below.

Kelly and Leigh's Spendys.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum - 30ml, $228

Leigh recommends this SkinCeuticals serum. "Yes, it smells like ham and is over $200, but it is a beautiful, high-quality vitamin C serum," Leigh said on You Beauty.  

"It's been around for years and I got back into it this year! I do purchase it with my own money, especially when Adore Beauty has a sale. Not all vitamin C products are made equal, and this one stands out."

Use it in the morning on fresh skin, and follow it up with a gel-based moisturiser and then some SPF.

Image: SkinCeuticals/ Adore Beauty.   SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF 30ml, $228

Kelly's recommends a SkinCeuticals serum as well, opting for the Silymarin. "This serum is more suited to combination, oily or acne-prone skin," Kelly said on You Beauty. 

"By two days into using the product I was hooked, and I love the glow."

Image: SkinCeuticals/ Adore Beauty.  

Vida Glow Marine Collagen, $70

Leigh also recommends some good 'ol collagen for internal beauty, specifically the Vida Glow marine collagen. 

"You get 30 sachets in a box for $70, and I do buy these in bulk. I bought six boxes when there were sales earlier in the year. I either get the pineapple or the peach flavour, and it has honestly made such a difference to my hair, skin and nails."

Image: Vida Glow/ Adore Beauty.  

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Vitamin C Rich Hydration Cream, $93

Kelly recommends this fabulous hydration cream, saying she has been reaching for it all year. 

"I would use this every day over the SkinCeuticals vitamin C serum. And the glow when I do! It is thick, but makeup works well over it. I often don't like thick creams during the day, but it's a very impressive product," Kelly said. 

Image: Sunday Riley/ MECCA.  

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Brow Wiz, $43

Leigh is quite the brow-aficionado, so it makes sense she would recommend a great brow pencil.

"This one is by ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS and it's a cult favourite among many. I love that it has a very fine tip, meaning you can make feathery strokes across the brow: it applies beautifully. This range specifically also has some ashy brown tones, which is what I always like to go for."

Plus, many say it's super creamy and not chalky at all: sounds like a win!

Image: ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS/ Sephora.  

Il Makiage Infinity Long-Wear Matte Lip Cream in Geisha, $39

Lip products can be a bit of a minefield, given just how many there are on the market. But this one has made a lasting impression on Kelly. 

"I chose it because every single time I wear this, I am always so impressed by the longevity and the fact it's not drying. Whenever I wear it, I get lots of compliments and it's a shade that is universal: a true red that would suit anyone," she said.

Image: Il Makiage.   

Kelly and Leigh's Saveys.

Now onto some more budget-conscious beauty products that still pack a punch!

Listen to You Beauty, Mamamia's podcast for your face. Post continues after audio.

MCoBeauty UltraStay Flawless Foundation, $28

When it comes to makeup, Leigh recommends this budget buy foundation from MCo Beauty.

"I wore it during a shoot for the brand and wore it to lunch directly after the shoot, and literally everyone complimented me on my skin and was raving about it. Between this foundation and another one, I don't really wear any other foundation product at the moment," Leigh said. 

It's a high-coverage and relatively matte/velvet foundation that lasts all day.

Image: MCo Beauty.  

MCoBeauty XtendLash Mascara, $24

Keeping with the MCo Beauty trend, Kelly also recommends trying the XtendLash Mascara. 

"This year I finally tried it, and I haven't looked back. For the price, it is my absolute go-to for daytime mascara. It doesn't go anywhere which so perfect, especially in the humidity. Plus, you'll rarely pay full price as it's often on sale!"

Image: MCo Beauty.  

Loungeface Lash, $37

Leigh also has a mascara in her recommendations list, opting for the Loungeface Lash. The brand is founded by Aussie beauty YouTuber and content creator Lauren Curtis.

"Even though it's $37, I'm putting it in my saveys list as you get a lot of bang for your buck. It's such a premium formula and is beautiful to use. It's also still tubular which I love," Leigh said. 

Image: Loungeface.  

Paula's Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, $38

Like so many beauty discoveries this year, Kelly found out about this product via Tik Tok, where everyone was raving about the Paula's Choice exfoliant. 

"She doesn't make crappy products: they're well researched and formulated, plus you don't need to use much, a little goes a long way. I don't use it every day, probably twice a week."

Image: Paula's Choice.  

TANGLE TEEZER Wet Detangler Millennial Pink, $23.99

Leigh's final savey is a product she uses every day: the iconic TANGLE TEEZER wet detangler. 

"It glides through the knots in my hair without being damaging. I always use it on wet hair, and if I ever forgot to pack it if going away somewhere, I'd be upset," Leigh said on You Beauty. 

Image: TANGLE TEEZER/ Priceline Pharmacy.  

Ardell Aqua Lashes 341, $12.99

As for Kelly's final savey, she couldn't go past a classic fake lash: and in comes the Ardell Aqua Lashes. These ones are a bit special as no adhesive or glue is required. 

"I can't stand the magnetic ones, so when I found these ones I was thrilled. The Aqua Lashes you just dip the spine strip in water for 10 seconds, give it a shake, smack it onto your lash line and you're done. The product and the innovation blows my mind," Kelly said. 

Image: Aqua Lashes/ OZ Hair & Beauty.   

Share your spendys and saveys for 2021 in the comments below!

Feature Image: Mamamia.

Love to snack? Complete this survey to go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher.