Boots SEVENTEEN collection is where you'll find budget priced, ahead of the trend makeup. They sent me some products to try out, so let's have a look at them. If you like what you see, then you're in luck as the SEVENTEEN range is on offer with 3 for 2 on the Boots website right now.

Firstly, there is the Skin Wow! Primer at £5.99. It's a three in one product with versatile usage you'll love. You can use it as a primer, mix it with your foundation, or apply over your makeup on your cheek bones to give yourself a luminous glow.

I tried it over my makeup that had been on half the day, and it really perked up my skin. It would be great to add variation to a matte foundation finish, or to keep in your handbag to use midway through the day to refresh your face.

Next is the Instant Glow Cream Bronzer at £4.99. I haven't actually used a cream bronzer before, only powder, so I was curious to how this would be to apply.

I was a little dubious as it looked quite orange when I swatched it on my hand. When I tried it on my cheek as a contour, it looked more natural. The great thing about it being a cream is that it's easier to build colour slowly to achieve the effect you desire. It's also very easy to blend.

Using Instant Glow as a light contour on cheeks

The third product SEVENTEEN kindly sent me is the Long Lash mascara which costs £6.99 and as with all the SEVENTEEN range, it's 3 for 2 right now.

It's the type of wand I prefer, with small, short bristles. It allows you to coat even the shortest lashes without making a hash of it.

I already had Boots No7 mascara on, but you can still see the difference Long Lash makes. I applied it to the eye on the left (my right).

With Long Lash       :    Without — With Long Lash : Without

Finally, the £3.99 Gel Colour nail polish with 30 colours to choose from, I was sent this pretty candy pink.

It's applies well for a light colour. I've a similar light pink from Barry M & it takes about four coats, whereas this only took the recommended two.

I'm not the best at painting my nails as you can see- but they do match my gaudy phone case! Bonus!

Technic Makeup range is a cheap & cheerful and should be an option to experiment with even for those of you are are premium beauty addicts. Their price points allow for a buyer to purchase something they might only use once, like glitter for a Christmas party, OR a product in a colour they aren't sure would suit them.

For example say you've seen a trend for a very smokey, dark eye, but you aren't convinced it would suit you, or if you could have the skill to apply it in their set place. Instead of spending £20 on your favourite premium makeup brand's smokey eye set, you can trial the effect with a little £4 Technic palette. Who knows? It might turn out you like the Technic product more than the £20 premium palette you've been using, because the price may be low, but he pigmentation and quality of the makeup is great.

Another thing Technic's pricing allows, it means they are the patron saint of forgetful travellers! If you've packed for a weekend city break and you've forgotten to bring your blusher or your eyeliner, then head straight for a Technic stockist and paint that bare face for less.

Technic kindly sent me their Lashitude Mascara to try out. It promises three things- volume, length and definition.

The wand is spot on the type of wand I like for mascara. A soft plastic end with bendy bristles that don't soak up and clog with mascara product.

It goes on well, makes a considerable difference and doesn't clump too much.

With Lashitude mascara : without Lashitude mascara

I used it for a week and it did the job, but personally I'll go back to my Boots' No.7 mascara for daily wear, and maybe keep it as my cheap and cheerful or handbag mascara.

Should you want to buy it and try it too this website has Lashitude for £1.65, a saving of £3.99 off RRP.