Fight back against over-priced cosmetics! Post your cheap but outstanding discoveries

EagerLearner wrote: »

Hi all - I am considering buying Boots Expert Sensitive items whilst there is an offer on - any recommendations/warnings/notes on this range?

I really like Expert anti-blemish cleansing foam, works well without being harsh. Seems to me very like the equivalent Clinique product which I have also used.

I didn't like Expert sensitive gentle eye make-up removal lotion, too greasy. Should have looked at the ingredients before I bought it, the main ingredient is paraffinum liquidum, i.e. mineral oil. No better than using baby oil.

saving-grace wrote: »

I really like Expert anti-blemish cleansing foam, works well without being harsh. Seems to me very like the equivalent Clinique product which I have also used.

I didn't like Expert sensitive gentle eye make-up removal lotion, too greasy. Should have looked at the ingredients before I bought it, the main ingredient is paraffinum liquidum, i.e. mineral oil. No better than using baby oil.

Thanks SG - as my skin is sensitive and also dry, I have to be careful... wondering if the Boots Expert anti-blemish cleanser is more suited for oily skin? Like you I am also trying to stay away from mineral oils (petrol derivatives? ) and use natural oils more...

Yes the anti blemish foaming cleanser is for oily skin. It has salycylic acid in it like the Clinique products to help exfoliate.

I have been buying the Expert sensitive bodywash for my mother. Last week I paid £1.49 for it. Looked at it yesterday in a different branch and it was over £2.00! Didn't know if it had jumped up in price or if it had been mis-priced so I didn't get any - will check in another branch.
Was tempted to get the Expert sensitive handwash instead though as the ingredients seemed the same, only difference seemed to be that it came in a pump bottle, and it was £1.49

Love, love love this thread HarryHarp :beer: . Well done you on starting such a fabby and informative place to come to. Many thanks.

Many thanks also to Angel81 for the great posts that you have left .... :j

I have a small beauty background and have trained at College but have yet to do anything with my knowledge except using on family and friends. I have a particular love of feet and hands and especially natural nails.....

I have been looking for some time to replace my college brushes that came in my kit .... thanks for posting up the link to CrownBrushes, Angel81

I have been a beauty junkie in the past and have recently become a Boots junkie ... I am trying to get that one under control

I think I have pretty much come full circle since starting to use cosmetics in my teens; I am now nearly 46. I no longer feel that the most expensive is best either and we are duped pretty much with advertising etc. I am still a sucker though for some items but I think tha is partly down to a "feel good factor" on my part.

I am now using Boots No7 cleansers and face masks ... once used up I am going to start using the OCM. I am also using Lidl Foam cleanser in the shower; good and great really for the price.

I am using Aldi's Day and Night creams ... love them both. Not sticky/greasy in any way and I feel I am getting a good result with them. Price is pretty fabby too.

Using Siana Hand Cream ... again I feel it is good as L'Occitane and in fact age spots are less noticeable.

Loving No7 Heavenly Hands ... have this as it was a pressie at Mothers Day but have bought another. You can easily get the same result thought with Epsom Salt and some oil, but this is so much nicer next to the sink and does a nice job.

Love Champneys Skin Glowing Mask ... smell is lush and result is lovely too. Maybe too harsh for a really sensitive skin. I have a combination skin and makes my skin a little tingly if left on too long.

Burts Bees Lemon Cuticle Butter ... love this and have them dotted around the home. Normally buy from US Ebay but can be found on UK Ebay for about £3.00 I think. Multi purpose product and I use on hands, nails and lips. Great texture and not greasy. Brill for work as no residue left after applying to nails.
Alos love the Hand Salve in the same range, but it more greasy but again does the job.

Solar Oil ... normally can pick this up in Salons and on Ebay. Buy the pinkie bottles; think they will sell for about £1.00 or so. Lovely oil and can be used as a multi tasker on lips, hair and skin. Also works well I have been told on bites, burns and stings. Good holiday product.

Boots Botanics Superbalm .... love Liz earle Superbalm but dont want to pay those prices ... just found this in the past month and it is working brilliantly on my dry cuticles. £4.99 and is included in the recent 342 on Boots Skincare. Have also used on my face and lips. Little smell but shall be buying this one again at the weekend as it is still on offer.

Boots Meditterean Bergamot Body Butter and Scrub .... the smell is so yummy. Very fresh and does what it says. Also use these products in my pedicure routine as they work so well.

Epsom Salt/Tidmans Bathing Salts ... I have been using Tidmans for a number of years after being recommended to me by a SA in Holland & Barrett. Not sure where else you can buy this salt from but it is worth every penny if you have regular pain. I started using Epsom Salt as a cheaper alternative (Boots £1.35, I think) The Epsom salt can be mixed with essential olive and a base oil to make a body scrub. The Tidmans I found is a much thicker texture of salt but works as a great exfoliant before holiday and any sunworship; as the salt does all the work for you and gives you a nice clean base for tan. Both also work very well for pedicure or for just a lovely foot saok.

Cling Film .... soak your weary feet, exfoliate with a body scrub, rub in a thick body butter/cream and wrap with cling film. Cover with a warm towel. Leave for as long as you want and relax. The warmth of your feet and the warm towel will aide absorbption of product. Remove clingfilm and rub in an excess. Easy and cheap alternative to a visit to the salon for a paraffin wax treatment. Also use the same way with your hands, although it helps if you have someone else to wrap them

Boots Expert skincare range .... I have finally found something that works on my DS skin. He is 20 but has learning difficulties so I am still giving him facials/cleansing/shaving him. Trying to fin something that A) he could eventually use himself ie open the products, pour product etc and that I could see a result with. We have tried so many ranges with little success but I am very happy with what have used so far in this range. We are using the Blemish Foam, 3in1 Scub and Mask and the Sensitive Moisturiser. I have been back and bought them all again as they are on the 342 at Boots. The Mask in particular is great in that it is a fine scub and then we leave on while my son has a soak in the bath. He tells me it doesnt sting but I cannot be totally sure of this, but it leaves his skin looking really soft, clean and glowing.

Gosh .. I think that is it .... I probably shall think of some others but that is the ones off the top of my head. Sorry for the super, long ramble :rotfl: , but hope that it has been of help to some of you.

Keep up the Good Work, HarryHarp .... :A