Hey big (and small) spenders…

There’s a beauty star for every budget. These are the ones my bathroom shelves are loving right now

So the question this week is how high (or low) should you go when it comes to a price tag? The truthful answer is: whatever you like. You don’t have to spend a fortune – there’s plenty of great choice at the lower end of the price spectrum. Equally, occasionally you just want a bit of a luxury and sometimes top quality comes with top expenditure. But, honestly, don’t we all like a little of both, a great bargain and a haute option? Just as we do with fashion, it’s all about the mix, so here are my current high/low shelfie picks.

TOP SHELF

1. Susanne Kaufmann Essence Mineral Body Lotion (£97, susannekaufmann.com). Not an everyday lotion at this price, I grant you. But this is a nifty formula made with mineral salts to relax and potent natural ingredients to help with skin tone. It feels rich but sinks straight in and has a gorgeous fresh aroma.

2. Cartier Pur Magnolia

Eau de Toilette (£250, selfridges.com). Yes, even for modern high-end fragrance prices this is high. But, gosh, it’s an exquisite concoction created by Cartier’s in-house nose Mathilde Laurent. Rather than being about a complex, knock-em-dead formula, this is very pure (and pure class), simple and totally splendid. It’s fresh and clear, like walking past a magnolia plant.

3. Sisley Paris Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid (£108, sisley-paris.com). An extension of the brand’s popular and brilliant Black Rose range (the face mask is an eternal favourite). There are far cheaper eye creams but this has a wonderfully light texture. I’ve found it has really helped with fine lines and even dark circles, and the applicator tip stays cool, which is great for de-puffing.

4. 320MHz Age Rejuvenation Bio-energetic Yuzu Cleanser Serum (£78, 320mhz.com).

This British organic and vegan brand eschews mass production believing it damages the plant powers they want to harness. They also support the biodiverse regions where those ingredients are farmed. And this stuff elevates a daily cleanse

You don’t need to spend a fortune but sometimes you want to

with luscious-smelling rose otto and a blend of seed oils, so it hydrates as it goes. I love it.

5. Westman Atelier Eye Love You Mascara (£58, net-a-porter.com). This is like the mascara version of your finest lace underwear rather than a big-night-out push-up bra. In other words it’s great and elegant but understated rather than in your face. So it gently coats and gives lashes a lift but is more about making what you’ve got look great than trying to fake anything. It has never clumped with me, lasts well and one coat does the trick. Plus it’s made from 96 per cent natural ingredients and comes in seriously swanky packaging.

BOTTOM SHELF

6. Dove Derma Spa Summer Revived Body Mousse Gradual Self-tan (£4.90, superdrug.com). This gives a very natural hint of sunkissed colour to skin, but on my pale complexion I had to apply it over three consecutive days to build up to a noticeable level. Doesn’t rub off on sheets and has just a faint self-tan smell.

7. NYX Professional Makeup Epic Wear Waterproof Eye & Body Liquid Liner (£9, boots.com). They call this a waterproof eyeliner and, boy, they really aren’t kidding. Keep eyelids lowered for a few moments after application so it doesn’t transfer, but once this dries (it takes seconds) it isn’t going anywhere. You’ll need an oil-based cleanser to remove.

8. Typology Lab-1002 Vitamin C 11% (£11.80, uk.typology.com). A great little radiance boosting serum from this cool French brand, which is also vegan and fragrance-free. Has a slight tackiness after application.

9. L’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Lip Crayon (£9.99, boots.com). Even my dry lips loved this. It gives good coverage, lasts well and the creamy formula isn’t dehydrating. Comes in 14 shades.

10. Altruist Dermatologist Dry Skin Repair Cream (£5, amazon.co.uk). What’s not to love? Formulated by a top dermatologist, this contains ten per cent urea, which is great for repair without irritation, and works wonders on dry skin.

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