IN AN age where celebrities think nothing of splashing out hundreds of pounds on the latest beauty fad, it's surprising to learn that the golden oldies of the cosmetics world are flying off the shelves.

Take Elnett Hairspray. It's now 45 years old, but last year Superdrug reported a 22 per cent jump in sales of cans, which typically cost £1.99 each.

Then there's Carmex Lip Balm. Created in 1937, it was designed to soothe chapped lips and cold sores. Sales rose by 32 per cent in 2009.

Great-grandmother Maureen Brammer, aged 70, of Priorfield Close, Longton, and her 24-year-old granddaughter Nicola Ferrari, spent a week trying out a range of moisturisers, cleansers and make-up essentials which won't break the bank.

But do you only get what you pay for?

"There are a few tips I've tried to pass down the family," says Maureen, who recently celebrated her Golden wedding anniversary with husband Kenneth.

"One of the pieces of advice I've shared with Nicola is to always take her make-up off at night.

"Even if I'd got the money to buy very expensive products, I still wouldn't because I think it's a waste. People get too caught up in packaging, but you should look beyond that."

Nicola, a nursery teacher at Whitfield Valley Primary School, agrees.

She has recently made the switch to less expensive brands.

"I've read quite a few articles recently that have said there isn't much difference between expensive and cheaper products in terms of effect," says Nicola, of Cedar Grove, Blurton. I used to have L'Oreal face creams but I now use Aldi's Siana skin care range after reading a recommendation. The day cream costs £1.89 a pot and it's brilliant.

"My nan has got good skin for her age and I have learnt a lot from her. She's taught me that it's important to moisturise day and night."

How the budget busting products fared...

CARMEX MOISTURISING LIP BALM £2.49

Maureen: "This is fine if you want to waste your money on lip balms, but you can really achieve the same results with a little blob of Vaseline and that only costs about 99p for a tin."

Nicola: "It's in a little handy tub so it's easy to carry around. When you apply it, it has a lovely texture. I'd definitely buy this for myself."

Maureen: 7/10

Nicola: 10/10

ASTRAL ALL-OVER MOISTURISER 200ML £3.49

Maureen: "The results you see from Astral are good, although it is a little bit greasy. I haven't long since come back off holiday and it's great as an after-sun. It was quite soothing and good for your arms and hands, but I would only use a tiny bit on my face."

Nicola: "I'd only use this as a body lotion and not as a face cream because it is quite thick. A little seems to go a long way. But it leaves your skin really soft and it's not heavily scented."

Maureen: 8/10

Nicola: 10/10

ANNE FRENCH DEEP CLEANSING MILK 200ML £3.89

Maureen: "I was really pleased to see Anne French on your list, because I used to use it years ago, when I was in my 20s. It does the job but I'd be careful using it around my eyes. It's nice and light and a bottle would last quite a long time."

Nicola: "This has got a really watery texture. When I first applied it, it went everywhere because I wasn't expecting it to run out of the bottle like it did. It's not good for around the sensitive eye area because it stings. I had to use my own face wipes to remove my eye make-up."

Maureen: 9/10

Nicola: 5/10

MAX FACTOR CREME PUFF (NOUVEAU BEIGE) £4.99

Maureen: "I've stuck with this one for years. I think it's a real must in your handbag. You can get it quite cheaply in the market. I'd use this on top of nicely cleansed skin."

Nicola: "It's lovely and has a soft, creamy texture on your face. It's really breathable and it doesn't feel as though it's caked on. I wouldn't use it on its own though. I'd use it on top of foundation as a finishing powder. The only drawback is the puff that comes with it. It's quite scratchy so you might want to use your own brush to apply it."

Maureen: 10/10

Nicola: 9/10

BOOTS TRADITIONAL SKIN CARE COLD CREAM 200ML £2.37

Maureen: "Pond's Cold Cream, another traditional product, was a lot lighter than this Boots own brand. You used to smear it on your face at night then in seven days you were supposed to be beautiful. This, however, is too heavy to use as a cleanser."

Nicola: "It is far too thick and greasy to use on my face, but it is nice to use on my hands. With being a nursery teacher my hands are in water all day, so it would be useful to combat the dryness from that. I wouldn't use it as a cleanser."

Maureen: 7/10

Nicola: 7/10

RIMMEL HIDE THE BLEMISH CONCEALER £4.29

Maureen: "I've never really used concealer so I'm not too sure about this one. It's not the type of product I would have bought as a young woman."

Nicola: "I think this is quite expensive as a concealer. I use Avon and that only costs a couple of pounds. I would apply it on top of foundation and not underneath otherwise it wipes off. However, it's got a lovely creamy texture and it lasts all day."

Maureen: 7/10

Nicola: 8/10