From skincare staples to make-up marvels, get the lowdown on which products our Boots beauty buyer swears by…
Calling all beauty enthusiasts! Meet Alice Rafferty, a seasoned Boots beauty buyer, who’s here to spill the tea on her top eight holy grail products. She’s explored every shelf, checked out the offerings from over 500 beauty brands, and now she’s been hard at work to bring us her official guide to the best in beauty.
But for now, get ready to dive deep into Alice’s collection as she reveals the timeless treasures she consistently returns to for flawlessness in every swipe, dab and spritz.
Tell us more about being a beauty buyer at Boots
“I’m the director of luxury beauty and cosmetics which involves leading an amazing team of men and women who ensure that we have the best customer offering for premium beauty, salon hair and make-up. They work to have the best offers possible, exciting new brands and products and create plans to tell customers about them in an exciting way.”
How did you get into the role?
“I joined Boots on the graduate scheme nearly 13 years ago and have done a combination of buying and e-commerce roles. 12 out of the 13 years have been focused on beauty and that’s definitely where my passion is. In the most recent years, I have worked on the premium beauty category and have progressed in that area through a lot of growth-driving initiatives that we’ve done.”
What does a typical day look like?
“Not one day is the same. Leading the buying team definitely requires flexibility and the ability to adapt to what is needed. I spend a lot of time between our office in Nottingham and with our brand partners in London. When in London I am mostly building on relationships with brands to unlock the best plans possible for the Boots customer.”
What’s your favourite part of the job?
“This is hard to pick! I genuinely love my job and feel very lucky to get to work with such incredible team members and brands day in, day out. I think if I had to pick it would be seeing the new products and trends coming through. Now more than ever with the fast-paced nature of TikTok trends can change overnight and I love seeing how customers’ needs and wants change because of that.”
What’s your favourite beauty trend, & trend you wish would never return?
“I am a big fan of skincare, so I think my favourite trend is the double cleanse. I really enjoy the experience of taking my make-up off at the end of the day and feeling really fresh and clean. For trends that I hope never to return, it has to be the skinny brow. I am a big brow girl myself and always have been. I thought that was a curse at school but am so glad that I didn’t cave to the 90s overplucking. I hope the big bushy brows are here to stay!”
What are your top eight products you always repurchase?
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish™ Hot Cloth Cleanser
• Deeply cleanses to melt away impurities
• Gently exfoliates for radiant, clearer-looking skin
• Enriched with cocoa butter & eucalyptus
“Liz Earle’s Cleanse & Polish™ Hot Cloth Cleanser is my all-time favourite product. I just find the experience of using it very calming after a hectic day at work, and think it’s great they use naturally active ingredients that still deliver visible results. This is my most purchased product by far!”
ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
• Transforms into three textures
• Blend of nine essential oils
• Skin is left feeling deeply cleansed, soothed & soft
“This is my other favourite cleanser (I am a big fan of the double cleanse!). It smells incredible with ingredients including chamomile and lavender, and removes even the toughest mascara.”
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation SPF 10
• Available in over 60 shades
• Resistant to sweat, heat and humidity
• Dermatologist-tested
“This iconic foundation is a cult classic for a reason. The formula is lightweight, buildable and comfortable, but it covers imperfections really well and stays put for up to 24 hours, even in warmer weather. You can choose from over 60 shades to find the right fit for you, without worrying about grey undertones. It’s my go-to product for a flawless matte finish.”
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi™ Drops
• Can be applied anywhere you want a touch of bronze
• Promotes skin’s natural barrier function
• A bronzer with antioxidant benefits
“This is like a little miracle in a bottle. It lets you get that fresh-out-of-the-sun look, without the damage to your skin. You mix a drop in to whatever oil or moisturiser that you are using and away you go! An effortless bronzed look.”
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50
• Very high UVA/UVB facial sun protection
• Water, sweat & sand-resistant
• Invisible, lightweight texture
“SPF is so important. Gone are the days where SPF was an annoying must-do only on holiday. This is a daily essential for me to protect from any sun damage.”
No7 Future Renew Serum
• Reverses visible signs of skin damage in four weeks*
• Dermatologist-approved
• Supports skin’s natural self-repair
“I have been hooked on this since I tried it. After years of neglect when I was younger, I am giving my skin the love it needs now. The No7 Future Renew range claims to reverse visible signs of ageing and I really do think I have seen a difference since using it, especially around my eyes. As one tired mum of two young children I need all the help I can get!”
Now that you’re familiar with our beauty buyer’s top picks, it’s the perfect time to refresh your stash with a sprinkle of Alice's all-time favourites!
