Overwhelmed by the number of products on sale? Tempted to try a time-saving trick? Our beauty columnist shares her expert tips on what works – and what to swerve
• 50 best beauty bargains for under £20

I’ve been writing about beauty for almost two decades, and in that time my ardent pursuit of hacks and game-changing advice has had two goals: to make my routine faster, and to get a better overall effect.

Over the last few years, my weekly columns for the Guardian have taken that quest to the next frontier. I’ve tried every viral beauty trend going. TikTok, in particular, is awash with DIY beauty tips to make our lives easier.