Beauty on a budget

If you're the sort of woman who caresses your mascara wand and wants to put your anti-ageing cream on the mantelpiece, the idea of beauty on a budget might be enough to make you break out.

But if you need to make serious savings, beauty buys are one area where you can cut back. Whether you'll want to is a whole other psychological argument.

But buying your supplies alongside the groceries is hardly hardship - or unusual - and it doesn't mean a solely soap and water regime (though for less than a cup of coffee Dove does a sensitive skin beauty bar!).

Downshifting to budget brands costing under $25 for makeup means you can easily knock half to two-thirds off prices per item. Good skincare basics can also be found under $25, but for heavy duty creams and serums you'll generally have to exceed that amount by up to $20 more. That takes you well into respected ranges with some serious ingredients (and some seriously silly ingredient names).

A simple care routine and use of sunblock does most of the work in keeping your skin a picture of good health. While luxury brand extras can make extra impact, does quadruple the price actually make you look or feel four times better if your credit card is weighed down?

We found some perfectly serviceable cheaper lines - not all of which need decanting into nicer bottles.

Read labels carefully and try testers as the textures of shadows and creams can vary widely and colour ranges are limited. Do check the functionality of dispensers. And get used to going without those enticing gifts with purchase; the budget equivalent is the mailout discount coupon.

If you're not quite ready to get supermarket savvy, then explore the fertile middle ground inhabited by the likes of industry giants L'Oreal and Revlon. There's also a host of interesting boutique or homegrown organic and natural skincare brands tucked away in pharmacies, health, variety and department stores.

Best bargains

Eyes: Maybelline is the queen of mascaras. There are other good ones about, but you won't go wrong with a Maybelline formula and they all cost under $25, with America's top-selling Great Lash just $17.99. The company does a good range of liners and shadows, but there's competition here, especially for younger consumers, with fun colour options from the likes of Farmers' own brand Chichi, newcomer Bys and trusty English line Rimmel. Australis' multi-colour palettes are amazing value and a great way to experiment.

I'm also impressed with Za. The range isn't large, but includes useful items like a brow brush and coloured mascaras, though these have an unusually fine comb.

Foundations: Covergirl's choices are particularly good, including Advanced Radiance, offering good, moisturising coverage for mature skins. If you opt for the lighter Trublend range, then the shade of foundation you select will have a matching concealer and blush. It comes in a glass jar with a pump dispenser, like a more expensive product. Australis is one of few in this category to make a primer. If you've got the compact, then Moisture Mist's category leading Beauty Cake makeup refill at $27 is only just over our limit.