Find a new but inexpensive look

In today’s effort to stay fashionable on a budget, makeup and other beauty products are the easiest way to experiment cheaply.

Why not play with a new eye color or smooth those fine lines with high-tech foundation?

For a fraction of what you would pay for an outfit, you can have a new look with a stroke of a brush.

InStyle magazine beauty director Amy Synnott-D’Annibale says women are spending less, but they want more value for their money. They also want products that do multiple things, she said.

So the magazine showcases 2009’s best beauty buys in its April issue, which is now on stands, with actress Salma Hayek on the cover.

“Are you going to spend money on yellow shoes? Maybe not, but you can get a $5 yellow nail polish and still be fashionable,” Synnott-D’Annibale said.

“It’s not expensive to play with makeup, and it gives us an opportunity to fun our look.”

More than 100 experts — in makeup, skin care, hair and nails — reviewed hundreds of items to reveal the best new and tried-and-true products.

InStyle editors also weigh in on their favorites.

Among the drugstore brands, L’Oréal received the most awards.

Here are some of the winners:

•Inexpensive lipstick: Revlon Super Lustrous, $8, Walgreens

• Inexpensive lip gloss with best color range: Maybelline Shine Seduction, $8, Wal-Mart

• Inexpensive mascara: L’Oréal Voluminous, $8, various drugstores.

• Inexpensive concealer: Max Factor Erace Cover Up, $5, various drugstores.

• Inexpensive foundation: L’Oréal Paris True Match, $11 at various drugstores.

• Inexpensive brush line: Sonia Kashuk, $2-$13, Target

• Eye makeup remover: Lancôme Bi-Facil, $26, various department stores.

• Inexpensive night cream: Olay Regenerist, $19, various drugstores.

• Daytime moisturizer with SPF: Neutrogena Healthy Defense SPF 45, $13, various drugstores.

• Green makeup line: Cargo Plant Love, $16-$30, Sephora.

If you have a favorite Recessionista beauty product, I would love to hear about it.