Need to stop wasting money and go back to basics

Citygirl1

Do you think that you can spend too much money on stuff that doesn't live up to the hype?

I use hair products from my hairdressers, she always recommends I use a treatment every time I wash my hair so thats what I've been doing. The most recent time I went I bought a new Clynol range which is supposed to keep your hair straight for days, it worked at first but now just makes my hair feel greasy and my scalp itchy.

So I was in John Lewis tonight and saw the Liz Earle range of hair care. I like her Cleanser so asked the assistant about the hair care range. She said she used to be a hairdresser and she would never advise someone to use a treatment after every wash, she said how gentle the Liz Earle stuff is so I bought the shampoo for £8.00, said I'd try it and if it works I'll go back for the conditioner. Well I've used it tonight and it doesn't seem to be doing anything more than any other shampoo I've used, maybe I need to give it time?

As I said I like the Cleanse and Polish and I like the Liz Earle moisturiser but that is £20 so I am thinking of using the C&P cleanser but a cheaper moisturiser, would that work? I don't find the cleanser too expensive but the mosturiser is.

I really need to decide on a simple regime for both skin care and hair care and make up and stick to it and not get taken up with the hype. How do I do this?

floss2

Firstly use up what you have, before spending any more cash!

Generally hair only needs 1 shampoo each wash, using a 50p size blob. Conditioner - same amount, more does not mean softer hair.
Products for styling / smoothing - use a small amount, and accept that some won't be right for your hair & lifestyle. For example, my best mate swears by Frizzease 3-day straight and her hair looks fab, whereas it makes my hair lank & horrid.
Treatments - use once a week or even once a fortnight, as a treat for your hair.

Above all, remember that the hairdresser will probably get commission on the stuff she sells you, so she may always try to sell you something pricey unless you tell her you've already got plenty of stuff & no cash left!

[Deleted User]

I have a little trick I use sometimes to stop me spending money - I picture myself standing in front of someone in say, Africa, who has fled from their country or who is struggling with a lost crop following a drought and I imagine how I would explain to them that it really is worth the extra £5 or whatever for one bottle of shampoo over another because it makes my hair look so much better. And I picture the look of total confusion and how I would react to that!
What I'm saying is that in reality, we probably all spend needlessly on products and things we don't need. Somehow we just we just have to find the limits that we're comfortable with. First world problems

judpudding

I am also a fan of the Liz Earle C & P but ind it too expensive (I just gratefully recieve it as gifts at xmas)... I have found a replacement at Superdrug. It's a hot cloth cleanser and so far so bloomin' good! Give it a trial run- it's £2.99 currently on half price offer. If you like it, then stock up- u could get a years worth for the £20 you usually spend on Liz Earle!

Citygirl1

Thanks for your replies. Sometimes I think you get what you pay for but then again that can't always be the case. I have a friend who only uses cheap make up like Boots natural collection and she cleanses her face with baby lotion and her skin looks great.

I've had a look at the Superdrug hot cloth cleanser but it says not to use it on your eyes. I thought the whole point of these hot cloth cleansers was to remove all your make up and not have to use anything else for your eyes?

notanewuser

I had years of this, OP.

Now I stick to the stuff I know I like and don't bother buying the other stuff. It's a waste if you don't like it, and it clogs up bathroom cupboards if you keep it.

I don't buy cheap stuff, generally, but save by sticking to what I know!

Citygirl1

That's what I think sometimes, its better to stick to what you know but some cheaper stuff is a good at the more expensive, depending on what it is of course.

Philippa36

I tend to spend more on moisturisers than cleansers. If my make-up is removed I'm happy although even with Liz Earle's C&P I end up using wipes to get the last of my mascara off. It seems silly to me to pay a lot for it. I like Lush's face wash - Angels on bare skin. I do however spend more on moisturisers both for day and night time as I hope they're working magic on my skin and stopping me ageing too quickly. (Wishful thinking?!)
I've never been seduced by shampoo as I figure the hairdressers skills are what makes my hair look so good not the products! Although I have read you should change your products occasionally to prevent build up but that could just be good marketing.
However if it makes you feel good then its probably worth it.

Citygirl1

Do you use wipes to remove your make up? I always used to use them but then heard about them not being too good for your skin if used regularly. I find taking my eye make up off difficult as I wear black eyeliner and even wipes don't seem to get it off, nor do all in one cream cleansers, the oil based eye make up removers seem to work so far.

What about make up? I love Clinique but thats getting more expensive by the day so I am trying to stick to my second favourite, Boots No7.

Ben84

I find a lot of products start off well and get worse with use.

Shampoo that coats your hair with silicone makes it feel great the first few washes, then it builds up and seems heavy and bad feeling.

Acne washes that dry out the skin start clearing up the spots for a week or two, then they overshoot the mark and make for dry irritated skin that gets more spots.

Diminishing results over time are just part of how fast working products often work - that is they're too heavy handed. I prefer simpler less 'instant' things that take time to see a difference, but once you get there don't keep going and overdo things. Meanwhile, those rapid acting products that are so heavily advertised do encourage sales as confused customers bounce between extremes and buy ever more products.

MrsE_2

I love Lush Big Hair shampoo, I rarely use a conditioner & if I do, its on the ends only.
Its about £11, but lasts ages, I double shampoo & I use a regular priced shampoo for the first shampoo.