Our beauty team has spoken: These are 5 buys that are not worth parting ways with your money for

While it can be nice to splurge on a luxury beauty buy, the price tag doesn't always reflect how good the formula is.

Collectively as a beauty team, we test hundreds of products every year, from the best mascaras to the best hair straighteners, meaning we're well-versed in knowing what products are worth your money.

We spend a lot of our time sharing our tried-and-tested reviews of the products that are worthy of being on your radar. However, we're flipping the script and taking a moment to de-influence you on the 5 beauty buys not worth your money – and what you should buy instead.

1. Products claiming to 'get rid of' pores

If you were to take a piece of advice from Beauty Editor Fiona McKim's, she warns you to be cautious of products that claim to 'get rid of' pores. "I’d love to tell you which skincare will close or even get rid of large pores - trust me, I’d be all over it - but they simply don’t exist because, like dogs and regrettable tattoos, pores are for life. They don’t have the muscles to ‘open’ or ‘close’, and you certainly can’t get rid of them," she says.

However, all hope is not lost, as Fiona adds: "But (always a but in beauty!), you can definitely work on the things that make them appear smaller. That’s mostly excess oil, which clogs them up and can be shifted with salicylic acid. Collagen degradation is another culprit, as when skin loses structure, pores can look wider. Halting that is more of a preventative play, with peptide and Vitamin C serums, but pro treatments like Ultherapy and microneedling can help rev things back up a bit."

2. High-end moisturisers

One thing that's not worth the money, according to our Beauty eCommerce Editor, Aleesha Badkar, is a really fancy high-endmoisturiser. "With the amount of really high-quality skincare out there these days, you can get a moisturiser from pretty much anywhere that does the same thing as the fancy stuff," Aleesha notes.

"I would even say that I find some of the more expensive ones less effective, as they will often come with a lovely silky, velvety, luxurious feel, but the nourishing factor wears off after a couple of hours." Instead, Aleesha recommends opting for an affordable alternative: "Save your money for the expensive, results-focused serums - they'll do a lot more than a fancy moisturiser."

3. Expensive body lotions

A rich, expensive cream is lovely for an indulgent self-care evening, but day-to-day, you'll be better off finding a cheaper one – especially if you do use it daily. This is something that Naomi Jamieson, Digital Beauty Writer, agrees with all too well: "While it pains me to say it, because I do love a luxe, scented body lotion that looks just as pretty on your bathroom shelf as it smells on the skin, most just aren't worth the spend."

For those that don't want to be restocking a lotion for £40 a pop every month or so, Naomi says: "There are so many inexpensive options out there that are incredibly hydrating and nourishing. I'm someone who moisturises from head to toe every single day, and the only body lotion I actually use consistently is the £5 (but usually £2 at Amazon!) Vaseline Cocoa Radiant one."

4. Pricey mascaras

You don't have to splash the cash on a mascara to be able to get standout results, according to Digital Beauty Writer, Sennen Prickett: "With many of us using mascara daily, we can often quickly work our way through a tube, meaning you might not want to part ways with a lot of money on a lash-enhancing formula."

"Thankfully, there are plenty of impressive mascara options available on drugstore shelves, particularly formulas from L'Oréal Paris and Maybelline – many of which you can bag for £10 and under. Whether you prefer volumising or lengthening, these buys rival their top-shelf competitors," Sennen notes.

5. Large eyeshadow palettes

"I’ll admit that huge eyeshadow palettes do have their appeal - like a grown-up’s Polly Pocket with their rainbow of colours and tactile click," says Fiona, but are they really worth your money? If you're anything like our Beauty Editor, the answer would be no: "In all honesty, how many of those shades are you actually going to use? If you’re anything like me, two, maybe three max. Probably the neutrals, which get worn down to the pan while the others sit there unbothered by a brush, a stark reminder of your lack of adventurousness."

To make better use of your money, Fiona suggests cutting down on the number of shadows: "It makes a lot more sense to invest in a couple of solo shadows in shades you know you’ll wear, or a quad of complementary colours that you can pick and mix from (Charlotte Tilbury and Chanel both make excellent ones). Spend your savings on a shimmery eyeliner for the occasional razzle dazzle moment at parties, and you’ll be golden."