Downshifting makeup and beauty products - any tips?

chiefsfanuk

I like the Naturals range in Boots. They are about £2 an item and often buy 2 get a third free so for £5 I usually get a foundation, pressed powder and a lipstick. Bargain!
Home hair dye instead of salon is probably the biggest save I have made in this way, I buy Loreal so could go even cheaper but I think a reduction of £75 in a salon to £6-£12 (depending on offers) is a good enough reduction lol
Finally, I was given a home starter kit for gel nails for my birthday. Shellac style nails in a salon can cost about £15 a pop, I now do mine at home for free, they look great and last about two weeks so works out cheaper than 'normal' nail varnish even when I need to top up my supplies

flea72

daisystar wrote: »

Poundland??!!! How did I not know this??!! I normally scoot through straight to what I need as I've always got the toddler with me, so I've never realised they do makeup. This is brilliant news!!!

Its in little plastic bags, hanging up on the wall, usually near hair bobbles, etc. its a bit hit and miss what they have tho

BlueCow1975

I know it has been said already but I have also converted to Lacura skin care from Aldi and I am very very happy with it. Previously used estee lauder and clarins and have to say my skin has not noticed ANY differene since changing 2 years ago and I have never looked back. My mum is also in her late 50's and was a real premium brand facecare fan using YSL and such like and has also swapped to Aldi Lacura range for skincare and she raves about it (although there is no budging her on the make up front!).

Bella73

I used to use loads of shampoo but now decant into a pump dispenser, like the ones you get for hand wash and I know that two "pumps" gets my hair lovely and clean and is about a quarter of what I used to just squeeze into my hand. Might be worth a try?

hettiecarro

Don't know if you have one in your area, but Home Bargains sell branded products at a fraction of the cost of other shops. They are particularly good for cleansers and moisturisers, and do a fabulous 3D face mask which leaves skin feeling great - for about £1.00.

chickennoodle

If there is a product you really don't want to change to get cheaper....
For me this is maybelline bb cream ( it just works for me) so I do Boots buy 2 get one 3 and buy 3 in a go- use boots points too if possible.

I think makeup downgrading is similar to food. If you don't notice the difference great, go for it, but if you do prob not worth it.

Vintagefool

My absolute favourite site for makeup is Makeup Alley, where people rate and discuss their makeup/ hair products, etc. If you go to the product reviews, and rank all the results (eg for 'Mascara') by number of reviews, you will get a good idea of what people are buying, and the average rating they give it. If you run your eye down the list, and see something with at least a 4.0 rating from a cheap makeup range, you can bet it's good! Mostly American, but lots of UK stuff is rated on here as well. Obvs a lot of expensive brands included, but you'd be surprised how often Collection, No 7 and Bourjois score highly.

If you're looking for something specific, just ask a question on the boards, and say you are looking for something cheap and available in the UK - everyone is very helpful and there are plenty of people who are looking for cheap alternatives (also known as 'dupes') to Lancome / Chanel / Dior, etc.

It won't let me put in the link, but just google 'makeup alley' and you'll find it.

Diamond_Mon

I found that by being a member of the MSE forums has enabled me to get cosmetics and toiletries that I thought were expensive, either cheaply or for free.

I know that everyone does not have the time or stores near them to get these deals but with a bit of organization and keeping your eye on MSE forums it is possible.

I ask friends and family to print extra coupons if the offer is one per customer.

Also if there is a new product launched I ask for a free sample from Boots, Debenhams and House of Frazer I have got free samples from Clinique, Lancôme, Olay and YSL which I use when traveling to save space.

Here are some of the items I got last year from posts by the lovely people on MSE.
· 2 Body shop hand creams, 2 Vouchercodes vouchers, free
· 2 Body shop lip balms, 2 Vouchercodes vouchers, free
· 2 Body shop vitamin E soaps, voucher Metro Happy Bunny promotion free
· 1 L’Occtaine travel size Shampoo and 1 conditioner with Facebook voucher free
· 2 packs L’Oriel Facewipes with 2x £2 l’Oriel vouchers free
· 4 Mum and Me baby lotion with 4 Cussons vouchers 2p each
· 1 Nails Inc nail varnish and 1 body shop vitamin E soap from December Glamour Mag £2
· 2 OPI nail varnishes and 1 Models own lip gloss with Glamour Mag subscription for £1
· 3 Calvin Klein lip glosses with Sun subscription £1
· 3 Colgate Max toothpaste with Boots advantage 25% off vouchers £1 each
· 3 Sure deodorants with Boots advantage 25% off vouchers 75p each
· 2 Mini Benefit mascara with Tesco promotion Elle Mag £2 each
· 2 Travel size L’Elemis flash balms with Tesco promotion Elle Mag £2 each
· 1 Ren travel skincare set with Tesco promotion Red mag £2
· 3 Boots essential moisturizers with Boots Glitch 50p each
· 3 Boots essential eye make-up remover pads with Boots Glitch 50p each
· Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream, lip balm and mirror gift set £5.50 - Tesco Boost vouchers.

I'm happy and a big thank you to all that post on MSE :T