Budget beauty products seem to be everywhere at the moment and with the credit crunch it couldn't come at a better time.
Mascara for a pound and lip gloss for under a fiver seems perfect but how well does it actually work? Are cheaper products just as good as their more expensive counterparts or is some stuff just worth splashing out on?
Female First hit the make up counters to find out how products up and down the price scale compare.
Today we look at powder.
Elf Pressed Powder, £1.50, is nice and lightweight but that does mean that it takes quite a lot to cover the skin. It lasted a good few hours before it needed reapplying so at such a low price it is brilliant value for money.
Aldi's Lacura Compact Powder, £2.49, is easy to use and gives really effective coverage but it does need to be rubbed in really well to avoid tide marks around the edge of your face. It felt nice and light on skin and was quite long lasting.
Moving up the price scale, No 7's Perfect Light Pressed powder, £11.50, gives a flawless, natural look, leaving the skin looking lovely and soft. A little goes a long way with this product so it will last for ages.
Benefit Dandelion Powder, £22.50, promises to give youthful, radiant skin without looking too chalky and it really does. It feels lovely and light on the skin and lasts all day and gives a great flawless look.
Great products from every price range today, all well worth their money. We couldn't fault the No 7 or Benefit powders, but we think we'll give No 7 the edge since it is a whole £10 cheaper than it's rival. No 7, we salute you!
That brings us to the end of our Budget V Luxury feature. We've had mixed reviews up and down the price scale but hopefully we've saved you some pennies along the way!
FemaleFirst - Jessica Watson