On average, women will spend nearly €9,000 in their lifetime on makeup products and 65% of women would not step outside of their front door without their makeup on (myself included).

There are quite literally millions of products on the market and many of us find it a bewildering, stressful and expensive experience when buying makeup. My aim with this column is to make life easier for all you ladies who love buying makeup and adore a bargain. This month, I’m going to share with you some of my most brilliant tried-and-tested, great-quality budget makeups, all of which can be purchased in Boots, Tesco or any good pharmacy.

(Remember that prices may vary between retailers.)

Rimmel Fix &

Perfect Primer

Not to prime is a crime, so it’s really important to apply primer after your moisturiser and before your foundation. Primer will help fill in fine lines, finesse your foundation and help your skin to look flawless for longer. Use a good size dollop and blend well over your face and neck – €8.99.

Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation

Bourjois, which was founded in Paris in 1863 and is now the sister brand to Chanel, has a wonderful foundation called Healthy Mix. This is a lightweight foundation with great long-lasting coverage that does not settle into fine lines or cling to dry patches. It leaves your skin feeling and looking lovely. Best applied with a brush or a sponge – €12.99.

Rimmel Wake Me

Up Concealer

This is excellent for brightening up around your eye area, covering up any annoying blemishes and concealing broken veins around the nose area. It would not, however, be the right consistency to cover up scars as it is a lightweight concealer. I find I do have to apply again during the day as it wears off slightly, but as it comes in a handy wand, it is easy and quick to apply – €6.99.

L’Oreal Double Extension Mascara

I use this mascara constantly for work because it really is long lasting and thickening – and it does not budge. Tears, tantrums and all-night partying are fine while wearing this mascara. It is so resilient and a must-have for everyone’s makeup bag. I always apply two coats – €16.99.

Revlon Colour Stay Eye Shadows

The eye shadow in these handy palettes stays on all day and is easy to blend. The colours are luxurious and won’t crease, fade or smudge – €10.99.

Bourjois Golden Rose Blusher

This blusher comes in a delightful little pot of rosebud pink with a twist of gold shimmer and is faintly perfumed. When applying, simply smile into your mirror and dab the blusher with a small rounded blusher brush on to the apple of each cheek (the fattiest part of the cheek is referred to as the apple). This little pot of colour gives a sun-kissed pretty glow. Please remember that less is more when it comes to applying your blusher – €9.99.

Bourjois Lip Contour Pens

Bourjois lip pencils are brilliant. It’s so important to line your lips, just on the outer edge, before applying your lipstick as this will make your lips look fuller and that in turn will make you look younger. A really useful, natural colour in this range is No12 – €7.99.

Essence XXXL Long-Lasting Lipgloss

A great find in budget lip glosses are those by Essence makeup, like the XXXL Long lasting Lipgloss found in most supermarkets and usually under €3. Velvet Rose is one of my favourites. The gloss has a silky, creamy texture and is very caring on the lips. I dab this gloss over my own light pink or coral-coloured lipsticks and the gloss makes my lips look lush and hydrated – €2.89.

Maybelline Super Stay 14hr Lipstick

Maybelline’s range of long-lasting lipsticks is full of really wearable colours. What you see on the applicator is as true as the colour actually is. Realistically, the lippy does not actually stay on your lips for 14 hours, but it will stay on for a good few hours. This lipstick does not dry out your lips. I often wear the Non-Stop Red, which is vibrant and glamorous – €9.99.