The credit crunch is affecting make up bags up and down the country with ladies having to cut back on their beauty spending.

We know some things are considered essential and a good foundation is like the holy grail, whatever the price. There are some things though that you can cut back your spending on.

FemaleFirst has raided the beauty shelves to help you decide what to budget buy.

Buy the cheapest eyeliners you can find. Rimmel's Soft Khol Kajal Eye Pencil is just £2.99 and works just as well as the more expensive brand. And lets face it you're just going to loose it on a night out anyway so it's cheaper to replace.

If you're anything like us, you never make it through a full nail varnish bottle before moving onto a new colour. By the time you fancy that shade again its gone all funny. Save your pennies by buying smaller bottles like the Mini Bourjois Nail Polish, £2.95. It comes with just the right amount of polish and by the time it runs out you'll want a new shade anyway.

Swap expensive body scrubs for a pair of exfoliating gloves, just £2.95 at Asda. They do the job and they're reusable - bonus!

Waitrose Baby Bottom Butter flew off the shelves when it's skin softening power hit the headlines. At £2.49 it's probably cheaper than you're regular moisturiser and if reports are to be believed, will do a better job. Hurry to Waitrose before they sell out again.

Once you've saved your money on these beauties you can afford to splash out on a cheeky luxury product! Treat yourself!

FemaleFirst - Jessica Watson