o Dust blusher over your eyelids as an instant subtle eye shadow. It's quick to apply and will give your make-up a natural look.

o Rub a dab of petroleum jelly around the neck of your new nail varnish bottle; this should then stay easy to open for the entire life of the product.

o Turn ordinary mascara into the lash lengthening variety by dusting your lashes with loose translucent powder first.

o Put your lip and eyeliners in the fridge before sharpening. It makes them easier to sharpen and less likely to break.

o Use your lip liner to fill in your lips as well as outline them. Then apply a coat of lip balm for a long lasting natural look that is cheap on the pocket.

o Sharpen blunt eyebrow tweezers by rubbing sandpaper along the edges.

o Neutral make up colours are a better investment than brighter or fashion orientated ones because they can be worn day or night whatever the time of year.

o Massage oatmeal onto damp skin instead of a commercial face scrub.

o Make sure you store all your beauty products and fragrance in a cool dark place to ensure they last longer.

o Eye-shadow can double as eyeliner by applying it with a damp cotton bud.

o To boost the shine of dark hair rinse with diluted vinegar. For blond hair use lemon juice. They act by sealing down the cuticles of the hair, which means it will reflect light more effectively.

o Dampen cotton wool first with water so that it doesn't soak up too much toner.

o Add a drop of nail varnish remover to old nail polish and shake well to revive it.

o Brush your eyelids with translucent powder before applying your eye shadow. This will absorb any surface oils and keep your eye make-up crease free and fresh looking.

o Brighten dull elbows by rubbing them with half a lemon, this is a natural bleaching agent but don't forget to moisturise them well afterwards.

o Turn foundation into tinted moisturiser by adding a small amount of your foundation to your daily moisturiser, great for the summer.

o Add a drop of witch hazel to your foundation to turn it into a medicated one, good for oily or blemished skin.

o If you have run out of translucent powder, use a little un-perfumed talcum powder instead.

o Clean ink and stains from your fingertips by using a nail brush and some toothpaste.

o To repair a split nail, tear a small piece of tea bag or coffee filter and glue it onto the split using nail glue. When it's dry buff it smooth and then apply nail varnish.

o Mix two or three lipstick colours together on the back of your hand to create a new shade for free

o A drop of olive oil massaged into your nails at night will help them to grow long and strong and is much cheaper than buying expensive manicure oil.

o Make a cheap nail polish last longer by sealing the coloured coat with a clear top coat.

o If you don't have time to wash your hair before going out sprinkle a little un-perfumed talcum powder onto the roots, gently massage in then brush out.

o Calm down an angry blemish by holding an ice cube on it for a few seconds then apply your usual concealer.