Great hunt: Downshifting on beauty products

System

bbright wrote: »

I use coconut oil as a substitute for almost everything. I use it as a moisturiser, a conditioner, etc. If you buy one huge tub of the stuff it can last so long.

Yes, and I recommend buying the tub rather than the bottle, because it tends to solidify when the temperature is less than about 25 degrees :rotfl:

Fujiko

Physicsfiend wrote: »

I've been following the downshifting for a few years now - since I retired! but I recently was given some lovely Clarins makeup - I remember now why I used to spend money on this - it is fabulous and so much better than the cheaper stuff - sorry! not what you wanted to hear! I'll just have to use it less and stick with the posh stuff for special times!

With all these recommendations, I can only say that after a life-time of using nearly every one of the top beauty products nothing would tempt me to start mixing my own face masks, etc. Life is too short! Just remember, there is absolutely nothing that you put on your face that will stop ageing, so use what you like and have the pleasure of doing so. It is my experience that the more expensive creams are much more economical. and a great joy to use. Any dermatologist will tell you that the best face saver is to keep out of the sun as much as possible, ie in the middle of the day, which does the most damage and to always use a good sunscreen.

Bathory

My own bargain list as follows.

Tesco everyday value baby lotion: I use this to remove makeup, although I don't wear very much it seems to get the job done. 20p at the moment for a 500ml bottle.
Astral cream: Usually half price in places like superdrug, good for the winter months.
Bar soap: Not loyal to any particular brand but going through a pack of Waitrose pink grapefruit & orange which I think is £1.59 for 4 bars - smells yummy. I never buy shower gel.
Rimmel stay matte powder: Have used this for the last 3-4 years and find it very good.
Burts Bees lipbalm - not the cheapest balms out there but seem to be more economical on me as they don't require topping up every 5 minutes.

Shampoo, conditioner, roll ons etc come from either Aldi or Bodycare. Currently love the Aldi coconut conditioner which is 65p (I think).

salsaver

The Colour Story eyeshadow is great - it was easy to put on and lasted well. The Colour Moisture All About the Pout lipstick was OK - some good colours and it felt fine but it didn't last particularly well. The Plump Up the Volume mascara might do that eventually but it's rather thin and would need a few coats.

bossymoo

I like the Lacura concealer pen from Aldi, it's like touch! !clat. Also like their serums.
have tried CC cream and night cream from poundshop which are fab.
I'll try most things once, but I've found I do prefer Scholl foot cream to most others for treating hard skin.

MotheroftheKid

For frizzy ends I use a tiny bit of Vaseline.

beeskiss

There are so many very expensive and disappointing products as well as surprisingly good and cheap ones.I'm beautician and make up artist with years of experience so I know what I'm talking about.
If you favour natural cosmetics I agree with previous comments home made scrubs,masks,soaps,oils and other products can be as good as many expensive brands! Do some research there are many home made recipes online even make up or fragrance.It is fun to make also packed nicely they may be nice gifts.Just worth to remember that they have much shorter shelf life and some good to keep in the fridge.
My advice find right products for your skin type.I do not agree with comment before that baking soda and citrus fruits are bad for the skin as they can cause burns and damage just take it easy if you have very sensitive skin otherwise go for it especially baking soda is wonderful and very versatile product.Just remember to moisturise after.Also I highly recommend coconut oil.
Make up there are some gems in cheaper brands like wonderful makeup revolution or sleek also some good maybelline or rimmel. mascaras.I do recommend n-spa products in asda cheap very effective and they smell lovely also for wash dr bronner soaps and liquid.

Gizasmum

I still go high end on the items that really matter to me, but have downshifted on those that I consider to be the less important items.

I have used Lancôme for at least 30 years. I used to only use that brand, but when I took early retirement in 2010 something had to give. At the time I read that Aldi's serum had been voted top in beauty awards, beating expensive beauty houses like Chanel and Dior, so I thought I'd give it a try. I been using the Q10 serum (for mature skins as I'm 56), which costs £4.99, ever since. A bottle lasts around 6-8 weeks.

I also switched to L'Oreal for cleanser and toner, both under £5 each in Morrison's and quite often they are on special. L'Oreal is, after all, manufactured by the same company as Lancôme products so it stands to reason that both brands will be similar in quality.

I continue to use Lancôme Hydra Zen Eye Gel and Moisturiser. Both items cost around £70 when purchased together. However I always time it right and buy these from Boots when Lancôme has its goody bag promotion (about 3 or 4 times per annum). The moisturiser lasts a full 3 months and the eye cream lasts around 6 months, since I need to use very little of them both. I alternate buying the eye cream with a lipgloss, so that I always qualify for the goody bag deal. I also buy this at duty free when going on holiday, as it is a considerable saving.

My 80 year old Mum was just telling me tonight that she had read about a load of beauty products that had been tested by a panel. Items varied in cost from a £90 moisturiser to very cheap. One of the items was Aldi's £1.99 Q10 moisturiser, so she went out and bought it today. I'll await her report before I try it for myself, but if it's anything as good as their serum then I can see me saving a shed load of money. :T

Aussierachelroo

L.A. GIRL PRO HD CONCEALER is a dupe for MAC PRO LONGWEAR Concealer - it comes in lots of different shades. Creamy and highly pigmented with good coverage. Youtube reviewers & beauty bloggers rave about it. Purchased on ebay for around £5.


For cleansing of sensitive combination skin, try Simple Refreshing Facial Wash Gel - it comes in a mini / travel size from Boots for around a pound, so you can try it out before buying the full size version.

goldtop

Although there are a few beauty products I will buy ad hoc most I buy with my normal shop when their on half price / Bogof's etc. if I can match it up with a £10 off a £50 spend then all the better. Things like face cleanser which comes in a squeezy tube I decant into press top bottles so that I use less as well.