Recommendations for cheaper make up/skincare

skint_chick

I need some help with my make up - I don't wear that much but have been using the same brands for 15 years or so and need to make a change because I can't justify spending that much money anymore. So here's what I use, any suggestions on similar products would be great - I'm mid 30s with easily flushed sensitive skin.

Powder - Mac Blot pressed powder £16 at airport shop
Concealer - YSL Touche Eclat - £20 - for undereye area and the odd spot
Mattifier - Mac Prep & Prime skin refined zone £16
Cleanser - Ren Rosa centifolia cleansing gel £14 - doesn't have to be a gel
Moisturiser - Ren Vita mineral moisturiser £19
Eye cream - Ren Keep young and beautiful eye cream £26

So that's £111 every few months - ideally I'd like to halve my costs while keeping skincare to organic/minimal ingredients
I've managed to switch my Clinique mascara down to a 2euro drugstore brand I got in Germany - Clinique is not waterproof when it's snowing! I use Revlon Colorstay liquid eyeliner, Rimmel lipgloss and I have 2 MUA eyeshadows that I rarely use but like.

dippy3103

Do you use a serum? I only ask as if you do the moisturiser is less important.

I have very sensitive skin and bought one of Aldi's lacura ones on the basis that it was £1.99 and if I didn't like it then I'd re task it as hand cream. I used the entire pot with no problems. I also bought an NSPA cleaning gel which was fine.

Or there is good old Nivea. I know this is the D@ily M@il but have a read of this- tempted to try it myself

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2418153/Claire-used-1-Nivea-cream-half-face--105-Cr-la-Mer-The-results-VERY-revealing.html


I bought some of the B brand in Superdrug pressed powder for my handbag makeup bag (I carry a cheaper one in my handbag because it gets bashed about). I was impressed!

wannabeslim

Revlon as an alternative for the concealer, powder and primer, they also do excellent MAC/EL like foundation if you need that, Loreal for mascara, for skincare, Boots essentials in the blue and white packaging is excellent especially the eye make up remover pads and cleanser, moisturiser, Olay original beauty fluid, for colour cosmetics try MUA in Superdrug, also if you have a TK Maxx near you keep an eye in the beauty section, they had REN there recently

FizzWhizz

I honestly believe that Rimmel Stay Matte powder is the best I have ever used, even compared to some really high end stuff -- Nars, I'm looking at you! -- Only £3.99 so if you try it and aren't wowed it's not a bank-breaker.

I'm currently using the Superdrug Naturally Radiant skincare range (hot cloth cleanser, day and night creams) and I really like them but as a caveat I should say, I have super duper dry skin so they may be too heavy for you if you're prone to oiliness.

Aldi used to do a dupe for Touche Eclat but I'm not sure they still do. My daughter is using Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer under her eyes and it has a highlighting appearance, personally I avoid it as it just draws attention to my fine lines Collection Lasting Perfection concealer is also excellent value, full coverage and does a good job of hiding blemishes.

ETA: just read your link, dippy, and although I take anything in the DM with a LARGE pinch of salt, I too might be tempted to give good ole Nivea a whirl. I'm sure the purse pixies are rubbing their hands together at the prospect of a trip to Boots x

skint_chick

Fizzwhizz I remember using Rimmel Stay Matte when I was a teenager and it was good but it used to bug me that it didn't have a mirror. I'm tempted to give it a go now because I only repowder at lunchtime in front of a mirror so it wouldn't be an issue

Wannabeslim I tried the MUA primer, I only use it on my nose to keep shine at bay and it was terrible which is a shame because their eyeshadows and brow kit are fab and last really well

Dippy I don't use a serum I do sometimes use a bit of coconut oil if my skin gets dry. I think I should be using more anti-ageing stud but I'm also trying to cut down on chemicals as I have an autoimmune disorder and my hair routine is sorted and simplified so I'd like to do the same with my skincare. But I also don't want to look old!

I did use a couple of different Lush cleansers but both dried my skin out. Might try the Boots essentials skincare first

geri1965_2

I can't use the Nivea in the blue pot, it smells too strong. I use this one:-

http://www.superdrug.com/daily-essentials/nivea-visage-light-daily-moisturising-creme-50ml/invt/223296

It's pretty cheap and does not irritate my skin or eyes as other creams can.

Dazedandconfused

They Nivea express hydration primer. It's a moisturiser and primer in one. You have to let it dry though. It is bargainous

Or for moisturiser I also use 2 from superdrug both I would recommend
http://www.superdrug.com/superdrug/superdrug-vitamin-e-spf-15-moisture-cream-100ml/invt/239163

http://www.superdrug.com/superdrug/superdrug-naturally-radiant-cream-normalcombi-75ml/invt/516253?source=179_75

Cheaper touch !clat substitutes - have you tried clinique airbrush
http://www.clinique.co.uk/product/1596/5011/Makeup/Concealers/Airbrush-Concealer/All-Skin-Types/index.tmpl
It's not much cheaper though

For under eye if you have major dark circle issues I highly recommend this combo

http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/p-28-concealer-wand.aspx
With this over the top
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Collection-Lasting-Perfection-Concealer-Fair/dp/B008JG00ZW

Or beauty without cruelty
http://www.bwcshop.com/silver-range-liquid-concealers/
Although the colour selection for this isn't brilliant. It's not as good as the clinique one but it's ok

If you are ok with powder foundation I highly recommend lily lolo it's cheap but with really good colour selection lasts ages and is very good quality as are all their products.


I haven't found a cheap eye cream I like. Nothing beats dr hauschuka eye contour day balm for me but that's not much of a saving on what you are already paying

shandyclover

skint_chick wrote: »

Dippy I don't use a serum I do sometimes use a bit of coconut oil if my skin gets dry. I think I should be using more anti-ageing stud but I'm also trying to cut down on chemicals as I have an autoimmune disorder and my hair routine is sorted and simplified so I'd like to do the same with my skincare. But I also don't want to look old!

Skint_chick, I've heard you can use Aloe vera gel instead of serum, if you want to minimise chemicals. Also the 'oil-cleansing method' is a good way of cleansing with no chemicals at all. My oldest DD switched to both when she had an allergic reaction to stage makeup, and everything made her skin angry.

rachiibell

You could look into getting a bb cream (foundation and moisturiser in one) or a cc cream (same thing but also contains colour correcting pigments so would help with the easily flushed skin). I use one by max factor which gives good coverage and a little product goes a long way. Plus less different products = more money saving

skint_chick

I think I've made some decisions - which is pretty amazing for me!

Dazedandconfused - the Nyx concealer you recommended looks pretty good and my dark circles are getting a lot better now since I cut back on caffeine, drank more water and slept an extra hour. It's only £6 so less than a third of what I'm spending now : )

shandyclover - I'm trying the oil cleansing method because I think this might also help with not needing to moisturise other than a little bit of coconut oil - I'm going to use the oil I have, which was £4 for a jar that'll last about a year

Fizzwhizz's recommendation for Stay Matte has happened - I got some today as my Mac is almost finished, and I'm going to go without the mattifier since I only use it on my nose - an extra reapplication of powder isn't going to break the bank now!

I think since I saved so much money I'll stick with the Ren eye cream a little bit longer because any other ones I've tried have caused redness or stinging. I'll be saving myself at least £75 a time - I worked out that should be over £200 a year so I'm super pleased with that.

Thank you everyone

hieveryone

Not read the other replies so apologies if I duplicate.

Powder - Revlon Nearly Naked Powder - £7.99
Concealer - Boots Phwoarr Concealer - £5.49
Mattifier - Not needed/used
Cleanser - Superfacialist Vitamin C - £7.99
Moisturiser - Simple Protecting Moisture Cream SPF 30 - £3.99
Eye cream - Simple Radiance Brightening Eye Cream - £7.49

Total - £32.95


Edit - I can't recommend the Simple moisturiser highly enough. Gives a lovely 'glow' to the skin, nice and moisturising but not greasy. No sunscreen smell or allergens that I have found. SPF 30 for £3.99 is unbelievable in the skincare market.