These are expensive times and something?s got to give. Fortunately, that?s not going to be your looks with these bargain beauty buys. If you have had to pass on the manicures lately, forfeit several trips to the hairdressers just so you can eat or have resorted to slicing open squeezy tubes to retrieve the last precious few drops of make–up, help is at hand:

White Tip Trick, £4.95, Ciaté

A nail whitening pencil is a must–have product ? simple to use and quick to apply, perfect white nail tips will be yours in a flash! And, if you have trouble growing your nails or keeping yourself from biting them down, this little gem will optically lengthen the nail tip too. Just wet the pencil nib and run it under the free edge of the nail.

Pout & About, £1.95, girl2go

Small but perfectly formed, this moisture enhanced balm comes in a handy slide–lid tin that is gorgeously girly to boot. Enriched with Vitamin E, Pout & About will leave your lips looking fabulously glossy and deliciously smooth. Pop it in your pocket and keep at hand to ensure your lips are looking kissable.

Shimmer Powder, £12.99, Bella Pierre

A truly multi–functional product, Bella Pierre?s mineral powder, available in a variety of gorgeous colours, can be mixed with everything from moisturiser to lip balm to instantly create a shimmer cream, a lip gloss and plenty more besides: add it to a drop of water for an eyeshadow or eyeliner. Use with clear polish for nail varnish or mix with clear mascara – the possibilities are endless!

Bblonde Hair Lightener, £5.49, leading supermarkets and pharmacies

Not only does Bblonde pride itself on producing a mess–free result with maximum blonding effect, but hair will be conditioned and shiny in the bargain – salon results indeed! The easy to use kit comes in two different variants, to suit light or darker brunettes, so it can be used by a wide range of people.