Over the last 18 months I’ve talked about and recommended A LOT of beauty products. And I won’t advise you should purchase something on these pages unless I’ve tried it my self and think it’s amazing. But the REAL test when it comes to cosmetics and skincare is if it’s so good you’ve bought it again. And again.

For those of you that don’t know, I have fine, dry and sensitive skin however, that’s not to say my bathroom essentials are not suitable for all skin types. This lot is also under a tenner (more like a fiver if you consider the various discount promotions and 3 for 2 offers they continually have on many of these brands at Boots) and as much as I love a budget bargain, the reason I stockpile these fixer uppers is because they are ace. Not because they are cheap.

Soap & Glory Smoothie Star Body Milk £10.00 : This has artificial perfume in it which I generally avoid but I was completely won over by the delicious brown sugar-esque scent, plus I know from experience that many of the ingredients such as oats, honey and almond work well for my dehydrated epidermis.

I have no idea what a “waterlock moisture trapping matrix” is that the bottle promotes but this stuff makes my limbs all sheeny and dewy and lush and lovely. I haven’t had any kind of adverse reaction to it and I’m now on my third lot, in fact my eczema has been fairly under control since I began applying this body milk after every shower.

If you’re not a fan of your sheets becoming fragranced with (albeit very expensive) granola then I would also recommend Vaseline Intensive Care Advance Repair Body Lotion “fragrance free”. No where near as fun but does the job of keeping flakes at bay. Plus it’s only £5.49 for a similar volume.

NIVEA MEN Sensitive Protect 48H Anti-Perspirant Deodorant Stick £2.95: Yes it’s targeted at blokes but it works. And it’s non irritating and the faint fresh aroma of your underarms won’t clash with your Chanel No.5. I’ve use this for years. If Nivea ever discontinue it I would throw a full on tantrum.

Max Factor Clump Defy Extensions False Lash Effect Mascara £11.99* : You can read my full review of this purple tube of awesome here. I have tried many mascaras, too many to remember to be honest. And I have several on rotation at any one time because they provide different looks, from fluttery and natural to long and glossy to full on falsies. The lash extensions is my most reached for on a daily basis, it doesn’t flake or smudge and you can layer it on in a jiffy. Which is important when you have a 17 month old hanging from your leg shouting at the top of their voice that they want a drinkie whilst simultaneously stabbing you in the knee with a crayon.

Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Liner Sweet Pink £3.99 : I don’t wear lip liner every day, but it’s one of those products that when I have time to apply, I always say to myself that I should make the effort more frequently – it really does prevent lipstick bleed and enhances the size and shape of your pout. This colour is a perfect kind of “your lips but better” hue, a pinky/beige/rose/mauve hybrid, and it doesn’t ever drag. A make-up artist introduced me to it about 6 years ago, around the time we launched Rock My Wedding and I’ve never looked back.

Boots Simply Sensitive Cleansing Lotion £2.79 : I must be on my 30th bottle. No word of a lie. I use this with cotton wool to remove make-up and then apply an additional dollop to remove dead skin cells and daily grime with a warm flannel. As it costs the square root of a bag of posh crisps I am fairly liberal with it. And I always always buy it on 3 for 2 or when Boots have some kind of own brand sale on. Which is basically all the time.

Aveeno Cream With Natural Colloidal Oatmeal £6.99 : This is the holy grail of my beauty arsenal. If I get even half way through a tube I get kind of itchy and have to buy a back up just in case I run out and there isn’t any stock left anywhere is the world (dramatic but real folks). A dermatologist recommended this to me after my twenty four year old self turned up to his clinic with a severe reaction to something or other, a face the colour of beetroot and everything else on the planet burned like hell. It’s so gentle sometimes I even use it on my eyelids.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer £3.99 This is one of those essentials I forget to mention. I guess because it’s not particularly pretty to look at. Besides, concealer isn’t exactly a sexy product is it? Well, this might not be as awe inspiring as my shiny balls but I haven’t found anything that covers blemishes and the red bits around your nose as well. I don’t use it on my eye area personally but I know some ladies with normal and/or oilier complexions that do and they swear by it for dark circle coverage that doesn’t crease.

Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Cream £7.33: You know how I was just saying concealer wasn’t sexy? Well this is even less so. But it is an absolute necessity as far as I’m concerned and has so many uses that I dedicated a whole feature to its greatness. True story. You should probably buy some.

Do let me know what your beauty bargains on repeat are, I bet we’ll find some real gems via the comments! And as always, please feel free to ask any questions on the products reviewed in this article.

*I know my mathematic skills are shoddy but even I realise £11.99 is not less than ten quid – I have never paid this much for this mascara, in fact, there is currently a buy one get one half price on Max Factor at Boots.

P.S I also realise the vast majority of the above link to Boots – that’s because it’s where I happen to shop and there is a huge one in a retail park a few miles away from where we live. Sometimes on a rainy Sunday afternoon I like to go there just to “have a look at the things…..”