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Good-quality make-up has never been so affordable, writes Elisabeth King.

Foundations, lipsticks and mascaras from popular mass-market brands have long been priced over the $20 mark. But now a new generation of players is offering wallet-friendly beauty buys that allow you to play with colour and texture across a full range of categories – from eyes to nails – without retail regret. Many follow trends as closely as their high-end competitors for a fraction of the cost, while maintaining the quality we’ve come to expect. Check out our favourite picks:

1 Bourjois Palette Les Nudes ($28) Portability, value and convenience have kept make-up palettes on trend for decades. But gone are the days when eyeshadow sets featured a couple of wearable colours partnered with shades best suited to a Halloween party. This eight-hue line-up boasts a buildable cream/powder formula that allows you to opt for a natural or bold look.

2 Natio Smooth & Rich Lip Colour Palette ($13) Use one of the three complementary brushes (or just your finger) to dab on a creamy dollop of long-lasting colour. The two innovative palettes – Berry (pictured) and Primrose – showcase Natio’s most popular lipstick shades, from pale nude to deep plum. Each can be used alone or blended to create a customised colour; all contain the formula’s nourishing Argan, jojoba, grapeseed and olive oils.

3 Essence The False Lashes Mascara Dramatic Volume Unlimited ($6) These days, few mascaras are priced under $10, let alone one that promises a false-eyelash effect. This high-performing wonder-worker delivers thicker lashes for less than the cost of two lattes. If you’re looking to tighten the belt further, this German brand offers just-off-the-runway trends across all the make-up categories for similarly modest sums.

4 Designer Brands Brilliant Skin Blush & Illuminator Duo ($15) This Australian brand has become a success story by offering high-quality, fashion-forward make-up at affordable prices. Its products, all vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, are blissfully free of nasties. This doubleduty blush and illuminator lights up the face with a healthy glow. It contains hyaluronic acid, chamomile and aloe vera to boost hydration and smooth the complexion. Choose from Rosy Glow (pictured) or After Glow.

5 Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Powerful Pinks ($15 each) A limited-edition collection of six new shades billed as contemporary neutrals. The vibrant coral and raspberry colours look chic, while the pale and vintage pinks are ultra-feminine. In a single application, this all-in-one polish delivers the benefits of a base coat, colour, strengthener, growth treatment and top coat, with high chip-resistance and gel-level shine.

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Ulta3 Perfect Balance Foundation ($10) Another Aussie brand with tiny price tags, Ulta3 ticks all the boxes for budget beauty. While some like to splurge on foundation, there’s no need to if you want a lightweight, oil-free base packed with antioxidants such as vitamins C, B3 and E. For a light glow, go sheer with a single application; to mask fine lines or imperfections, apply several layers and achieve full coverage. Available in Ivory, Beige, Natural (pictured) and Golden.