How to look fab for under a fiver - follow these tips

If you want to look and feel your best, but are on a strict budget, these seven tips can help you sparkle for under a fiver.

1 DIY hair and facemasks

Don’t fork out for expensive hair and face masks. Make your own. Simply blend bananas and honey together, then apply to your hair for a nourishing mask. The result is shiny, smooth hair which smells delicious.

2 Apply for samples

Many big beauty brands give away free samples of products for testing or market research. Look for offers on social media and sign up to mailing lists. Some will send vouchers while others will mail small samples.

3 Recycle old products for new replacements

Keep hold of empty make-up packaging. Some companies encourage customers to bring old products into store for recycling. In return, you can get new products. Check out brand policies first.

4 Dye your hair at home

Many hairdressers charge a fortune for colouring your hair, so grab a kit from your local chemist or supermarket and do it yourself. There are some excellent quality hair dye kits available, for £5 or under.

5 Get freebies from magazines

Women’s mags give away mini mascaras, face creams and nail varnishes each month, all for free with a magazine purchase.

6 Try own brand items

If you switch to own brand for products like cleansers and toners, the only difference you will spot is the price. Formulas are similar to expensive ones and own brands usually come in larger sizes, so last longer.

7 Watch for codes and cash-back deals

Voucher code websites like NetVoucherCodes.co.uk offer daily deals on hair and beauty goodies, and sometimes big beauty brands offer a new product on cash-back sites for new customers to try for free.

A spokesperson from Net Voucher Codes, who compiled the list, said: “Watching your beauty budget doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to a new hair-do or pampering facemask - you just have to learn how to be savvy about it.”