We may be in the middle of the worst recession since records began in 1955 – but that’s no excuse for not keeping up appearances. With a little research and some help from the high street, it is possible to look fantastic on a minimal budget.

A brand new wardrobe: Every woman knows that a successful clothes shopping spree can leave you feeling on top of the world. The good news is that you can still experience this high during the recession, as long as you budget carefully. Avoid impulse buys, and go with elegant, classic pieces that won’t go out of fashion quickly. Stick to high street stores such as New Look, which offer a great selection of women’s dresses in store and online, as well as shoes and fashion items, all at prices to suit the recessionista’s purse. It’s also worth shopping for discounts online, using comparison sites to find the best prices.

Picture perfect makeup: A recent study revealed that the average woman spends £8,000 on cosmetics over the course of a lifetime. If you’re keen to be on the right side of that figure then avoid high end products that claim to work wonders. Instead, go for combination makeup such as two in one eyeliner and mascara, or foundations which also double up as powder. However, don’t try to save money by squeezing out the lifetime of your cosmetics. Lipstick, foundation and mascara that is past its sell by date can breed bacteria and cause skin infections.

Starlet hair: Get that ‘I just spent the morning in the hairdresser’ look without spending a fortune by learning to look after your own style. Request an easy and flexible cut that won’t grow out quickly, and ask your hairdresser for advice on how to style it at home. With the great range of colourants and highlighters now available in the shops, it should also be possible to change your hair colour without huge expense.

Beautiful skin: Flawless skin is the epitome of natural beauty, and the good news is that you can get it without spending a fortune on facials and products. A recent Which? Report found no significant difference between top of the range skin care products and their budget equivalents – good news for the cash-strapped. If you want to go a step further, why not try making your own face care range? You can cook up anti-ageing creams from ingredients like avocado, yoghurt and evening primrose oil, and if you’re really on a budget then they make great Christmas presents too!