The beauty industry is, by its very nature, an indulgence. Of course, we can kid ourselves that it’s a case of ‘need, not want’, that a new makeup product will bring about a radical change in our lives. While I’d never deny the transformative power of, say, a pillar box red lipstick or a coquettish flick of eyeliner, fundamentally we’re really talking about coloured products that we rub onto our faces – wonderful, creative, and liberating as they're, they are not life’s essentials.

So perhaps you, like me, are reluctant to shell out masses of money on extravagant beauty products when student life is bringing you enough expenses of its own (read: wine; dry cleaning your gown following a bread and butter pudding incident related to said wine; enough Starbucks Christmas drinks to fuel your weekly essay crises). Well, in my view, ‘tis the season to be decadent, so here are a few beauty products worth lusting after this Christmas.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

I think finding a concealer that really works is one of those unforgettable moments: a few swipes, a bit of blending and suddenly all traces of ill-advised trips to Cindies, 9am lectures and late-night library sessions are erased. This one’s got the light-reflecting properties needed to illuminate the under-eye area, plus the coverage to tackle even the angriest of spots. At around £22, it’s an investment, but, for the promise of flawless skin, a tempting one.

Lancôme Hypnôse Mascara

I struggle to justify the price of even the most impressive mascaras, given that they need be replaced every three months or so. £22.50 for this make would amount to an annual expenditure of £90 on my eyelashes alone! That said, an amazing mascara is a cornerstone of anyone’s makeup arsenal, and I’m still searching for the dream formula to give me the fluttery, doe-eyed look I crave. Lancôme’s offering is frequently lauded as a ‘holy-grail’ product, so it could be a serious contender.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

Paired with a good mascara, eyelash curlers are the secret to ‘look-at-me’ lashes and have an instant brightening effect. But can the £20 cost of something resembling a medieval torture instrument really be justified? For the sake of Bambi-esque eyes, maybe.

Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Icon

Truly a femme fatale lipstick if ever there were one, this colour makes a statement. Hourglass is a relatively unknown brand in the UK, but its lip products really seem to pack a punch (and, for £23 a tube, so they should!) This one’s renowned for its pigmentation and staying-power; if it could last me through several rounds of pennying at formal, I’d be seriously impressed.

Urban Decay Vice Palette

Urban Decay reigns supreme in the eye shadow world, and rightly so. Its buttery-soft formulations and achingly pretty range of shades are practically unrivalled. I’m a huge fan of their Naked Palettes (probably the best selection of neutral colours in the market), but I am keen to branch out and explore something a little more brazen. From electric purple to grass-green, this palette’s sixteen opulent shades should satisfy even the boldest makeup enthusiasts.