Best beauty buys: makeup

Mascara

Best waterproof mascara

Rimmel Extra Super Lash Waterproof Mascara, £4.49

Lash-building without clumping, this mascara stays on through long days, nights out, humid weather and every other situation that might make lesser mascaras smudge and run.

Best voluminisng mascara

Christian Dior Diorshow Mascara, £18.50

Layer on a few coats of this classic mascara and your lashes will be longer, thicker and blacker than black. It also gives a great curl, so no curlers required.

Blusher

Best liquid blush

BeneFit Benetint, £22.50 

Originally created to give an exotic dancer pretty pink nipples, Benetint is a liquid stain that provides a natural glow. If you have an olive skin, try new Posietint with a softer finish.

Best powder blush

Bourjois Blush, £6.25

This classic has been around since 1863. It gives a soft flush and is easy to use over any base.

Lipstick

Best long-lasting lipstick

No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick, £10

An enduring lipstick that doesn't dry out your lips and feels comfortable and hydrating. Available in 16 shades.

Best lip gloss

Lancôme Juicy Tubes, £13.50

Everyone's favourite lip gloss, Juicy Tubes come in a huge array of colours, from nudes to brights, and are shiny without being gloopy.

Foundation

Best anti-ageing foundation

Max Factor Age Renew, £11.95

Look up to 5 years younger in a flash! This
illuminating foundation smooths away lines and dark shadows for a glowing finish.

Best lasting mousse foundation

Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse, £6.99

A whipped cream texture makes this a pleasure to apply and feels velvety-smooth on skin. It gives medium coverage and lasts throughout the day.

Best lightweight foundation

Bare Escentuals Mineral Foundation, £17.50 (Selfridges).

Your favourite mineral powder foundation, this
is lightweight yet provides great coverage and gives
a fabulous luminosity.

Best eyeshadow

Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow, £13.50

The silky, matte texture of this shadow makes for a really smooth application and great finish. The colours are truly wearable, as you'd expect from a brand created by a make-up artist who knows how to make real women look fabulous.

Why not find out what other beauty buys readers recommend:

Best for skin - cleanser, moisturiser, skin perfector, body lotion, organic

Best anti-ageing products - day cream, serum, night serum, eye cream

Best for hair - shampoo & conditioner, styling, colouring, hair straighteners

Best finishing touches - nail polish, scent