The beauty buys I refuse to live without — from just £3

This interminable costof-living crisis means that, at 53, i’m as strapped for cash as when i first moved to London a quarter of a century ago. Only this morning, i found myself putting not Prada, nor even Primark, but peanut butter on the credit card.

still, some beauty products are nonnegotiable, however low funds go. Below are my must-haves.

SKIN

CLeanser is stuff that washes away down the plughole rather than lingering on your face, so the theory is ‘go cheap’. however, i’ve found that serious scrimping can upset my reactive midlife complexion.

This means that — however destitute i find myself — a non-irritating make-up remover remains vital. step forward, Bioderma’s sensibio h2O Micellar Water for sensitive skin (from £5.49, superdrug.com).

For your second cleanse, pick your texture. For me, it has to be a nourishing oil, Bioderma atoderm Cleansing Oil For Very Dry To eczema-Prone skin (from £18, boots.com), and/or a milder lotion, namely avène Tolerance extremely Gentle Cleanser for sensitive skin (£14.50, boots.com, now on a three for the price of two offer).

SPF

sPF50s abound, but not all make beautiful make-up bases. aussie smash hit, Mecca Cosmetica To save Face sPF50+ superscreen (£16, meccacosmetica. com) — designed with makeup-wearers in mind — is not only competively priced, but acts as the perfect primer, helping one’s slap last hours.

FOUNDATION

FOUnDaTiOn is an area in which i have found no bargain option, however stalwartly i’ve strived. i want my skin to look impeccable and will shell out for this, if nothing else. This means Glossier stretch Fluid Foundation (£34, ukglossier.com) —a ‘bouncy’, skincare-rich, gel base that fuses seamlessly with skin rather than languishing masklike on top of it — plus the stretch Balm Concealer (£22) that inspired it. invest in them together for £50.

COLOUR

The only other make-up musthave is a lip colour that suits its wearer perfectly, whatever its cost. This is ‘The One’: your ultimate, ultra-flattering lifterupper, making your eyes pop, your skin glow and your heart gladden. it will suit you with, or without, anything else on your face, and will also look amazing brushed onto your cheeks as blush.

it took me until my 40s to discover mine — and it is Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte revolution Festival Magic, which is a rather beauteous berry hue (£ 28, spacenk.com).

HAIR

i haVe to have a can of Batiste Dry shampoo & Volume (£3, ocado.com) about the house or i panic. There’s a reason why this great British booster sells two cans every second. There’s nothing like it for refreshing lank locks, or eking out a blow dry.

BODY

The body product i keep coming back to is Dove Pro age Body Lotion (now £3.50, boots. com). Face cream-inspired, it descales, plumps and reduces age spots. another essential is Mitchum Women Triple Odor Defense 48hr Protection Deodorant in Unscented (£ 9.90, amazon.co.uk) — an unbeatable shield with no naff reek.

AROMAS

iT is possible to concoct your own bath oil with essential oils from holland & Barrett, from £6, plus olive oil from the kitchen cupboard. however, when i am flush, i will wallow in aromatherapy associates Bath & shower Oil (£58 for 55ml, aromatherapy associates.com); or Chanel’s paean to vetiver, sycomore Les exclusifs de Chanel eau de Parfum (from £215, chanel.com).

skimp, when needs must, but be aware of the luxuries that make life worth living, too.