If your bank balance dictates your beauty spending habits, don't despair. Read on for our essential budget skincare and cosmetics guide

Today, more than ever before, you don't have to splash the cash to buy into brilliant beauty products, as many cheaper ranges now invest just as much technology into their formulations as the posher brands.

And don't forget, with the Diors and YSLs of this world, you are often paying a premium for the fancy packaging. Anyway, I once heard that Bourjois products were made in the same factory as Chanel's (but shhh, don't tell anyone else).

So ladies, if your bank account doesn't stretch to creme de la licence-to-print-money, what are the best budget beauty brands and cult cut-price products you should be searching out?

E45

What's new: A must-have beauty staple for celebs including Keira Knightley and Emma Bunton, E45 has been working with dermatologists for over 50 years and is the UK's No.1 for dry skin. Its new range of body milks and creams, Endless Moisture, from £3.99 for 200ml, are suitable for all skin types, and will keep skin continuously moisturised for at least 24 hours.

Dove

What's new: From a modest bar of soap to a modern range of affordable beauty basics, Dove's new offering, Supreme Cream Oil Body Wash range, £2.89, features three indulgent products containing a unique blend of emollients, creams and oils that moisturise while cleansing. Choose from Luscious Velvet, Sleek Satin and Fine Silk variants.

Johnson's

What's cult: The first product of its kind on the market, when Holiday Skin, £4.99 for 250ml, launched in 2005 it caused bidding wars on Ebay with people paying up to £41. In 2006, 6.6 million bottles were sold of this multi award-winning self-tanning product.
What's new: Holiday Skin Lightglow Body Lotion, £4.99, has been created to enhance your skin's natural colour even more gradually and level it off as you reach the perfect healthy glow. Plus, the wonderful fragrance ensures that no one will guess you've been fake-tanning at all.

Rimmel

What's cult: This budget beauty cult item has been found nestling in most people's make-up bags at some point or other. Rimmel London's best-selling concealer, Hide the Blemish, £3.69, has a creamy stick formulation that has proved such a hit that one is sold every 30 seconds in the UK.
What's new: 60 Seconds Nail Polish, £2.99 (available from 26th March), is a budget beauty winner you'll be dying to get your hands on. Choose from 24 rocking fashion shades for perfect coverage in one fast-drying coat.

Vaseline

What's cult: Vaseline has been around since 1860, and in 1969, a light, non-greasy lotion called Essential Moisture, £2.49 for 200ml, was created, and has changed very little over the past 38 years. Over 12,000 bottles are sold nationwide everyday, bought by the products' celebrity fans including Scarlett Johansson, model Alex Wek and rapper 50 Cent, as well as many of us mere mortals.

Palmers

What's cult: As countless A-listers and models know, Palmers is the deliciously scented way to get soft and smooth skin. Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Cream for Stretch Marks, £4.99, has been voted the UK's No.1 most effective product for stretch marks in a consumer test on Channel 4's How To Look Good Naked, while it was also considered to be a Top 20 Beauty Must-Have.

St. Ives

What's cult: St. Ives Apricot Scrub, £3.99, is the best-selling facial scrub in the UK, with one selling every 20 seconds (this includes each of the variants: Invigorating, Blemish Fighting and Gentle). Nell McAndrew is a fan of the Scrub, which contains fine pieces of real apricot kernel, combined with micro beads and Swiss botanicals to gently exfoliate and reveal healthy skin.

Nivea

What's cult: Nivea has been around since 1911, when Nivea Creme (you know, the one in the blue tin) was introduced to the market by researcher Dr Isaac Lifschutz. Today, Nivea Visage Anti-Wrinke Q10 Day Cream, £6.79, is the world's best-selling anti-wrinkle product, with a pot sold nationwide every second.

Splurge or Scrimp?

Splurge on: Foundation
Because of the shade selection and coverage choice you'll get by investing a few extra pennies Scrimp on: Tinted moisturiser
When your skin's good, you'll just need a touch of coverage and a subtle healthy glow

Splurge on: Eyelash tint/dye
Well worth the investment as it will prevent post-swim panda eyes on holiday and you'll even save on mascara
Scrimp on: Mascara
When you want extra flutter power, length or thickness, you'll need a mascara, and you'll easily find a great one for under a fiver

Splurge on: Dark nail varnish
If you want even, shiny coverage that lasts and lasts, save up and invest in a pricier polish
Scrimp on: Nude nail varnish
When you're keeping it subtle you can afford to save a quid or two

Splurge on: Face powder
To avoid that mask-like talc effect, opt for a finely-milled (and more expensive) loose powder that will glide over your skin and stay put forever
Scrimp on: Blotting papers
Ideal for budget babes and so handy too, these clever papers cost pennies and will blot away a shiny complexion in seconds

Splurge on: Eye cream
Two words: crows feet (need we say more?)
Scrimp on: Eye make-up remover
Many cheaper brands are just as effective at wiping away your war paint and even work on waterproof mascara