I'd hesitate to call myself mean when it comes to splashing the cash, but lately I've been feeling a bit Scrooge McDuck about shelling out for (or recommending) expensive beauty treats.

'Parsimonious' is the genteel word I think I'm looking for, and I also reckon I'm not alone. Irish magazine Prudence tapped into our newly austere buying habits recently when it launched its first beauty awards. The magazine stood out in a market saturated with advertising-driven and exclusionary beauty gongs, in that each of the 15 categories featured an overall prize for a product that performed at a decent price.

It's what a lot of us are looking for, and beauty companies can commission all the research they like to say differently, but us gals want reliable buys right now, and we're not just spending the way we used to. It seems over-indulgent to hand over your plastic for a €50 body cream, and anyway, you really shouldn't have to.

It's not just us civilians who are trying to hold on to our hard-earned euro at the moment either: I have it on good authority that Rimmel's keenly priced SunShimmer bronzing line is a firm fave of the Xposé girls.

So, let's think about that €50 we would have spent on one product last year. Is it possible to hand over the same amount, but buy a pile of stuff to satisfy most beauty-related needs? I reckon so, but there's a caveat, I'm going to insist on an exception. Foundation. Because it's quite literally the base for the rest of your make-up, foundation has to look natural and skin-toned, so you don't resemble an Oompa Loompa. In general, budget brands don't have the complexity of shade choices and formulations to make them convincing buys, but if you've found one that does the trick, then by all means, stick with it.

That aside, what else is out there for lemonade money that'll satisfy champagne tastes? Lots, as it turns out. Read on!

1 FOR BLUSHER

Just because you're on a money-saving mission doesn't mean you have to miss out on bagging brand new launches. Barry M's blushers are perfect for anyone who can't resist the lure of those box-fresh buys we all like so much. Don't be put off by the shades in the pan -- these babies are sheer, meaning you can build the colour to the intensity you like, and they're available at Superdrug and Boots stores.

2 FOR LIP COLOUR

While Aldi's Lacura make-up line can't compete with the big boys for shade and formulation choices, the tiny prices and corresponding surprisingly good results make the Lacura lip gloss worth a try, especially for day-wear. Available in five subtle shades, the packaging is quite cute, too.

3 FOR MASCARA

It's had a makeover, and Collection 2000 is now a budget brand favoured by tons of beauty bloggers -- and they're not shy about slagging products if they don't pass muster. Magi-Length Mascara can be found at chemists and is the one to try for girls who adore long, separated lashes.

4 FOR BODY

Considering the amount of product you need to slather on to hydrate your hide, the cash you drop on body lotion can really add up, so it makes sense to pick wisely. Jergens Naturals is a new line from a trusted US beauty behemoth, and the €7.49 cost is excellent considering the formulation and care the brand have gone to, but it might be just a tad spendy for our strict budget. So I'd go for Lidl's Cien Body Milk instead. Cheap as chips, this product consistently impresses for the tiny price.

5 FOR HAIR

I never thought I'd say this, but Myleene Klass' swishy locks in that annoying piano playing ad have swayed me towards supermarket brand Pantene. She's the face (or should that be hair?) of the Smooth and Sleek range, and indeed, this shampoo is a great budget buy that does tame manes and leave hair smelling great.

6 FOR MOISTURISATION

Provided you've got fairly normal skin and don't suffer from any particular concerns, then I'd highly recommend Nivea Visage Natural Beauty Radiance Boosting Moisturiser. It's nourishing, hydrating and blemish-masking, thanks to pretty reflective particles contained in the formulation. It's easy to get hold of too, and you'll be able to pick it up at the supermarket.

7 FOR CLEANSING

I'd normally turn my nose up at cleansing wipes, but Bourjois's Express Cleansing Wipes are really rather good. Containing 25pc more cleansing product than yer regular fellers, these are very moist and sweep make-up off a lot more effectively than you'd expect. Even so, you'll still need to use a couple to remove all traces of slap. Find them at chemists from October.

8 FOR NAILS

Here's a little tip, if you invest in decent top and base-coats (try Jessica Nails pricey but excellent offerings as a payday treat), then you'll get away with spending less on brightly coloured and on-trend polishes. Dunnes carry the Essence brand, who do wee bottles of neons and fashion-forward shades for about €2, and another good 'un is 17's Fast Fix with its 13 chip-resistant shades, which are available for a pocket-friendly price.

9 FOR EYE MAKE-UP

Cheapo brands have come a long way and budget spends aren't necessarily the talc-filled disaster areas they used to be. But if you're in any doubt, use the testers in-store -- that's what they're there for -- as they'll give you an idea of colour pay-off and pigmentation in the shadow you're looking to buy. Particularly impressive are 17's reformulated eye-shadows which come in 12 fashion-forward shades, so are a good pick for anyone missing their MAC fix. At Boots.

TOTAL: Phew! That's a lot of beauty products, so let's tot 'em up. Have we gone over? No! You'll bag these nine budget buys for €48.19. Not half bad, eh?

- Kirstie McDermott