When Catherine Zeta-Jones revealed the contents of her bathroom cabinet earlier this week, many women balked at the idea of owning an eye-watering £2,000 worth of lotions, potions and cosmetics. But some were unphased by the mind-boggling array of products — and price tags — on show.

Here, five glamorous women open their bathroom cabinets to ALICE SMELLIE, and all of them put Zeta-Jones to shame . . .

WHAT BETTER TO INVEST IN THAN YOUR SKIN?

TOTAL: £6,023

Esther Fieldgrass, 65, is owner of a chain of aesthetic clinics. She lives in London with her husband.

Yes, my £6,000 worth of products may seem outlandish, but what better beauty investment than spending money on your skin?

Esther Fieldgrass, 65, is owner of a chain of aesthetic clinics. She lives in London with her husband

When I was a poor 20-year-old, I remember rubbing my face forlornly with Ponds cold cream one morning and thinking that surely there was something more exciting available.

I went to the chemist that day and blew my meagre salary on a pricey cream — and felt so glamorous applying it that night. From that moment I was hooked.

TEN PRICIEST PRODUCTS... Cellcosmet Cell-Lift, £365

Mesoestetic Crystal Cream, £350

Serum Complexe Royal, £286

Creme MSR-H, £235

Dermaquest: Stem Cell 3D, £220

3D Hydrafirm Serum, £220

3D complex, £220

AQ Serum, £209

Fluide VIP02, £187

Biologique Recherche, £180 AND TOP THREE BARGAINS: Dermaquest Zinc Clear, £32.94

Dermaquest Skinbrite, £28.36

Sunescape Tan, £20 Advertisement

It became rapidly clear to me that there was masses of variety out there, but that not all skincare is equal; women are duped by the industry’s marketing.

I’d never just buy any product — I research and look carefully at the ingredients before investing. That’s how I can justify my spending — and there’s no escaping the fact a £200 cream has far superior ingredients to a £20 one.

Skincare which works tends to look more like a medical product. You won’t find my favourites, such as Cosmedix or Dermaquest, in a High Street chemist — many are specialist brands and I get a few on professional advice as they contain such potent ingredients.

I’d never use fewer than six basic items every day: a good cleanser, an anti-oxidant, moisturiser, eye cream, SPF and night cream. I think skin gets bored. It needs to have variety in order for products to work properly. And I never get bored with trying new things.

I drive my husband mad. My products overflow on to his side of the bathroom and he barely has room for his shaving foam.

THERE'S NO EXCUSE FOR LETTING YOURSELF GO

TOTAL: £3,067

Television presenter Naomi Isted, 38, lives in Essex with her property developer husband, Haydn, and their two children, aged seven and two.

My bulging cabinet isn’t about vanity. It’s about work. Since cameras switched to HD, every spot and wrinkle shows up and is magnified on screen.

Television presenter Naomi Isted, 38, lives in Essex with her property developer husband, Haydn, and their two children, aged seven and two

Television is notoriously competitive, and I have to buy expensive skincare to maintain my looks.

I get up at 5am every day and work out. My toddler doesn’t sleep well, so I invariably have broken nights, and then I work all day till late at night — including attending around three industry events every week.

TEN PRICIEST PRODUCTS... Inanch Hair extensions, £500

Newa facial skin contouring device, £349

Fluide VIP moisturiser, £187

Rodial Dragon’s Blood Advanced Serum, £125

Skinade collagen drink, £105

Aurelia Probiotic Miracle Cleanser, £62

Aurelia Skincare Serum, £57

RegimA B-Complex face cream, £50

3D Bronzing, £49.95

Phytolium hair treatment, £45.50 AND TOP THREE BARGAINS: Revlon hairspray, £10

Masque Bar Brightening Sheets, £9.99

Rituals Happy Buddha Shower Gel, £8.50 Advertisement

It takes time and energy to make my skin look as dewy as I’d like. It’s naturally very dry, so I use lots of face masks and products by Niod — which are like little skin tinctures — to maintain the moisture levels.

Every day I take a collagen drink called Skinade, which I keep in my bathroom so I don’t forget about it — if I miss a few days I find myself feeling under the weather, even though it’s really about replenishing collagen in the skin.

My hair is naturally this length, but for nights out I have a hairpiece to hand, which cost me £500, and I’ve invested a great deal in hair products by Gold Class, which make an enormous difference.

My husband doesn’t mind in the least that I spend so much money.

He positively embraces the fact that I take care of myself rather than letting myself go.

There’s no excuse these days. I eat healthily and organically and exercise, and I expect him to do the same.

People judge you on appearances, and I’m more than happy to invest in mine.’

Is it worth it? Yes, I think I am!

I ADMIT IT, I'M AN ADDICT!

Total: £2,876

Rae Carr, 42, lives in Cheshire and is on a career break. She is married to company director Bill, 40, and they have an eight-year-old son, Brodie.

One of my fondest childhood memories is of going to the pharmacy in the village where I grew up, browsing through the lotions and creams and then handing over my saved-up pocket money in exchange for an Anne French cleansing milk or roll-on lip gloss.

Rae Carr, 42, lives in Cheshire and is on a career break. She is married to company director Bill, 40, and they have an eight-year-old son, Brodie

My mother, Gaynor, who is in her 60s and has incredible skin, always taught my sister and I to look after our complexions.

TEN PRICIEST PRODUCTS... Clarisonic facial cleansing brush, £180

Elizabeth Arden Prevage Serum, £165

Rodial 3 Steps Peel Kit, £130

Skinceuticals CE Ferulic, £129

Dr Obagi ZO Skin Health Eye cream, £115

Dr Obagi ZO Skin Health Hydrate, £113

Revitalash, £104

Elizabeth Arden Prevage Eye Serum, £95

Skinceuticals HA Intensifying, £83

Dr Obagi ZO Skin Health Brightener, £79 AND TOP THREE BARGAINS: Palmer’s Body Oil, £5.39

Lee Stafford Dry Shampoo, £4.99

Elnett hairspray, £5 Advertisement

She was careful to slather me in suncream and had me moisturising from the age of 12.

Clearly, that early teaching has stayed with me. I am forensic about my skincare, and apply up to ten products every morning.

You may call me a beauty addict, but I read up about the science — I don’t just buy randomly.

I think it’s worth investing in skin. Wearing lots of make-up as you get older doesn’t look good. I see it as an investment for the future and I feel it’s already worthwhile.

My husband and I have been together for 20 years, but I think he’s still puzzled by my need to spend ten minutes morning and night rubbing my skin with a variety of products.

He wouldn’t use anything himself, and that’s fine by me — I don’t want him stealing my lovely creams!

I HIDE THE PACKAGING FROM MY HUSBAND

TOTAL: £3,362

Events Manager Debbie Clarke, 53, lives in Ascot with her husband, John, who works for a golf club, and their 13-year-old daughter, Amelia.

My family understand my passion for beautiful smells and textures.

When I got home from work a couple of nights ago, my daughter Amelia had sprinkled lavender oil on my pillow and pyjamas, and lit candles in my room. She knew I’d appreciate it.

Events Manager Debbie Clarke, 53, lives in Ascot with her husband, John, who works for a golf club, and their 13-year-old daughter, Amelia

Many evenings are spent as a family watching a film, with my face slathered in a mask. It makes the cat jump, but Amelia and John don’t bat an eyelid. I’m sure it helps me look youthful.

TEN PRICIEST PRODUCTS... Orogold Eye Solution, £348

La Prairie Eye Cream, £237

Brilliance New York Thermal Heating Mask, £202

Brilliance New York Firming Eye Serum, £185.90

Brilliance New York Diamond Peptide Face Serum, £170

La Prairie Eye Complex, £113

Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask, £99. n Shiseido Whitening Formula, £85

La Mer Cleansing Gel, £70

Guinot Age Sun, £67.75 AND TOP THREE BARGAINS: Pennyhill Spa Mask, £6

Purcellin Oil, £5.99

Ted Baker Hand Cream, £5 Advertisement

In the same way my husband enjoys golf, or others like to watch TV or exercise, I enjoy beauty products.

I suspect that most of my friends are pretty much the same as me. A good friend recently moved house and threw away a bin bag full of beauty products. I said I’d have taken a few and she pointed out I have enough.

To be fair, almost all are open — I don’t buy them and then leave them in a bag.

But there’s nothing as satisfying as the moment you unwrap a new product and try it for the first time.

I read about new releases on social media or in magazines and then I might pop into town or order them online. I can spend hours at a beauty counter.

It’s also great way to bond with my daughter. She borrows my products and we go for manicures together.

I’m not sure John’s aware of the full extent of my habit. Often I throw packaging away quickly before he sees that I’ve bought another serum.

I DON'T FEEL GUILTY - I'M WORTH EVERY PENNY

TOTAL: £2,710

Clemmie Angus, 34, works for a contemporary art fair. She lives in West London with her partner and is expecting her first baby in July.

TEN PRICIEST PRODUCTS... Dr Sebagh Serum Trio, £694

Dr David Jack Trio £580,

Dr Sebagh Supreme Day Cream, £145

Elixir, £75

Studio 10 Miracle Effect Serum, £68.

Nars Skin Restorative Night Treatment, £65

Uma Anti-Ageing Face Mask, £60

Oribe Signature Moisture Masque, £57

Jo Malone Body Creme, £54

pH Advantage Moisturizing Recovery Cream, £54 AND TOP THREE BARGAINS: Medik8 Beta Cleanse, £17.95

100 Acres Body Lotion, £16

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, £14 Advertisement

I didn’t think twice about my skincare until I reached the age of 30 and saw my first line. Up to that point I was all about leaving my eye make-up on overnight.

Suddenly, my mother’s advice about make-up removal and rubbing cream into your neck started to make sense, and I’ve been diligent ever since.

That’s also the point at which I started to invest in skincare and luxurious hair and body products. Is it worth it? Yes, I think so.

I travel a great deal, and have just got back from three months in Hong Kong.

The air pollution and air conditioning can wreak havoc on your skin, but my trusty serums served me well.

I don’t feel any guilt about what I spend on my beauty routine — I deserve it.

But I am sure that when my baby comes along I’ll splash out on him or her instead.