7 Makeup Items You Don't Need to Spend a Lot on ...

1. Mascara

One of the makeup items you don't need to spend a lot on is mascara. It's a waste of money to buy an expensive one if you won't use it up before it expires (mascara can get contaminated with bacteria if kept too long). A cheaper mascara can be just as good as a pricey one; the key issue is how good the brush is, as a good brush will allow for a better application.

2. Blusher

You don't need to spend a lot on blusher either. Expensive blushers will have better pigmentation, but cheaper ones will do just as well if you apply it carefully. Pick the right shade in a cheaper range and apply with a blusher brush; build up the color rather than applying with a heavy hand.

3. Lip Gloss

Lip gloss tends to get wiped off very easily and so is reapplied frequently. This means that it's not worth spending a lot on. Buy a cheaper gloss and touch up as and when you need to. It's worth spending more on your perfect lipstick that you wear a lot, but you can economise on a lip pencil to go with it.

4. Nail Polish

Cheap nail polishes chip very easily, so it's worth avoiding very cheap brands unless you like changing your color a lot. But premium brands aren't necessary for your manicure to last; you can buy some good budget polishes. Just use a base coat and top coat to help it last.

5. Pencils

It's not necessary to splash out on an eye pencil or liquid liner. One of my favorite eye pencils costs less than a couple of dollars, and it lasts all day. Keep your pencils sharp, and apply in tiny feathery strokes rather than a long line. This helps it look more natural.

6. Eyeshadow

Do you like experimenting with eyeshadow colors? Then pick your colors from the budget ranges, so that if you don't like it you haven't wasted a lot of money. There are some great budget palettes that have lots of different shades in them. You only need to splash out on a lovely neutral that you are going to use a lot.

7. Powder

If you wear powder just to set your foundation, then a budget powder will do just fine. It's worth splurging if you want a color-correcting powder or one that brightens your skin. Otherwise a budget powder will take the shine off your skin just as well as a more expensive one.

Of course, you can spend as much as you like on makeup items; the packaging of luxury brands makes them a pleasure to use. But if your budget is limited - as is the case for most of us - it makes sense to economise on cheaper products that serve their purpose, and spend a little more on the few items that are worth splashing out on. Are you a budget beauty or a luxury lovely?