Niamh Morrin

Teenagers spend money on make-up and hair products because of the ads. All the people advertising are famous and very beautiful. There is a lot of peer pressure to try to compete and look good, at this age it feels like looks are the most important thing. I would buy products like Maybelline because I like Buffy and Sarah Michelle Gellar looks really pretty. I spend about £5 a month on make-up.

Elaine Coyne

I BUY products to impress other teenagers but also to boost my own confidence and self-esteem. Sometimes the products that you see on television don't end up being as good as you would think. When you see the models putting on mascara you think it must give you really long, curled lashes, but when you put it on it isn't quite so impressive. I spend about £10 a month on beauty products.

David Meany

I ONLY use hair gel - BrylCream actually. What would influence me to buy a certain product isn't the celebrity using it - I mean, David Beckham would put me off it more than anything. I buy things because I think they are the best or work well for me. I spend about a fiver every couple of months on products, but I'd rather spend money on clothes or a hair cut. I don't like the New Man image of men's cosmetics.

Clare Stapleton

THE whole hype to spend loads on beauty products is encouraged by the media. It's all about creating this image of beauty and confidence while you try to conceal your blemishes. I don't really like wearing make-up much, so I only spend about £10 a year. Buying foundation, I browse and ask advice from the staff. Things like perfume I usually get for Christmas or birthday presents.

Louise Tutty

I EARN money in a part-time job, so I spend about £30 a month on cosmetics. There is so much pressure to look good. I buy products like no.7 for its young image or Le Roc because it is good for your skin. The advertising and packaging make it look as if it's very natural. I wouldn't wear lipstick - it looks too grannyish. Jennifer Aniston did make me buy L'Oreal Elvive for a while.