Beautynomics

Balancing your beauty routine with a super tight budget? Here are some clever places to spend those last pretty pennies…

Maximum care, minimum cash

Superb skincare formulas for less than $20 a pop:

1. Garnier Nutritionist Daily Moisturiser SPF15, $16.49
Saving doesn’t mean skimping with this little wonder. Bursting with essential omegas 3 and 6 plus magnesium to stimulate cell metabolism, boost hydration and restore elasticity, this UV-filtering formula reinforces the skin against early ageing and sun damage.

2. Fabulous One Minute Manicure, $9.95
Featuring exfoliating sea salts and sugar crystals, softening soybean and nourishing wheatgerm with almonds oil, this flash-facial for hands also treats elbows, knees and feet.

3. Palmolive Pure Cashmere Exfoliating Shower Scrub, $7.99

A luxe-for-less blend of polishing mini pearls and pure cashmere that leaves your skin feeling smooth as silk.

4. Natio Moisturising Lip Balm SPF30+, $3.95
For less than a morning latte, this coats your kisser in reparative vitamin E, soothing aloe vera, subtle shine and water-resistant SPF30+ for up to four hours.

5. Simple Regeneration Defending Eye Cream, $16.95
Supercharged with green tea, sodium hyaluronate, oat beta-glucan, allantoin, ginkgo biloba and pro-vitamin B5, this smoothing cream packs the antioxidant and moisturising punch of something thrice the price.

6. Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturising Lotion (body), $9.95
With the soothing powers of colloidal oatmeal, this non-greasy, natural oil-rich lotion triples your moisture level within four hours, then locks it down for up to 24.

7. Yes To Carrots C The Difference Exfoliating and Soothing Mud Mask, $19.95
A miracle mud combining world famous trace elements and minerals from the Dead Sea with magnesium salts and vitamin-soaked vegetable juices.

8. Neutrogena Liquid Neutrogena, $11.45

This hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, sensitive-safe cleanser has been an all-purpose favourite of dermatologists since the ’50s. And it still sells for a song.

9. Dove Face Care Protective Tinted Moisturiser SPF15, $8.99
Fit for all budgets and skin types, this feather-light yet hydrating cover kisses the skin with summery radiance.

10. Clearasil Pimple Treatment Cream, $9.45
Zapping zits without tapping out your budget, this pore purifier kills bacteria and mops up oil for up to 12 hours. Available in vanishing or flesh-tinted formulas.

11. Olay Complete Defence Daily UV Moisturising Lotion SPF30+, $13.99
“I use this on everyone and everything!” says make-up guru Yolanda Lukowski. “First I slather my own face and décolletage in the morning, then I use it on every single person I come across. It’s approved by the Cancer Council… and it’s a steal!” If it’s good enough for the pros…

12. Nivea Hand DNAge Anti-Age Hand Care, $5.90

With a hi-tech blend of folic acid and creatine, this face-worthy cream promotes cell regeneration and suppleness while guarding against ‘age spots’.

More is more

These jumbo-size essentials dish out more beauty bang for your buck:

QV Gentle Wash, $29.35 (1L)
Soap-free for sensitive skin types, this budget beauty lasts up to 200 showers.

St Ives 24 Hour Advanced Therapy Lotion, $6.99 (532mL)
One rich, Swiss-made formula you can afford to slather on by the handful.

Tresemme Vitamin E Moisture Rich Shampoo & Conditioner, $11.49 each (900mL)
Squeezes sunflower, hazelnut and almond extracts into a mega bottle for salon-mimicking, wallet-friendly shine.