Paid off the £31,000! BUT - still scrimping!

Seasidegal58

Will do Cheeseface. I tend to go high end cosmetic wise as well - but I'm trying to gradually make MSE changes for the retirement. I must say I've changed over the years - at one time I was always buying lots of different cosmetics - but now I have narrowed it down to a few that I feel suit me. They have all tended to be high end - Clinique foundation and powder, Mac and Bobbie Brown eye shadows, cream blusher, and lipsticks. I used to use Lancôme mascaras then gave the Benefit They're Real mascara a go some months ago when it came out and find that this seems to have the best effect now that my eyelashes are not as thick as they used to be! However I did downsize recently to a Bourjois face powder and M&S Autograph lipstick and have been very pleased. I'm really nervous though of changing brands on my foundation and mascara as these are my building blocks. See if I have the nerve when I've run out!

I was going to go out today and get the food bits for Christmas. We're all over sis's for Christmas. DD and OH are cooking and bringing turkey, pud and some other bits. I'm getting the non-perishables as my contribution and sis is getting perishables later in the week. As I said I thought I would get them today at supermarket but then last night it seemed a better idea to order them online for today if I could get a slot. Luckily I got one for tonight between 8.00-9.00pm ( I had to put the Strictly Final on pause when the delivery arrived!). Only two things they didn't have so I can pop out tomorrow for them. Also got a few bits I need for the coming week and received a rebate in the order of £5.87 in the Tesco brand matching. So final bill with delivery charge was £76.34.

Had my pedicure this morning and now have nice festive red toenails!:D

Also spent £1.50 in the Strictly vote but I'm not commenting in case anyone hasn't seen it yet!

Cheeseface

My poor toenails get neglect in the winter. Beautiful finger nails but my toes are chipped ad growing out!

I could never get on with the Benefit Mascara either. I don't think it significantly cheaper though. I usually buy the double sets of Lancôme which brings the price down a tiny bit. I've got skincare down budget wise, that was a real downshift and my skin is much better too, win win situation.

The important thing is to still trust your products I think. I went out on Friday night and used my usual higher end bare minerals foundation and powder, and mascara. I used an MUA lipstick and Make up revolution eyeshadows. My face stayed put all night, even the lipstick. It's been a relief to wear cheaper lipsticks because I used to Chanel. Going from £20 to £1 is great. Last time I bought some (Candace from Bake off inspired lipsticks, I bought 3, on a 3 for 2 promotion. Two shades I wanted and the third was an experimental shade.
it didn't work. Ladies in their mid forties shouldn't wear black lipstick

brizzledfw

:rotfl: .. love that last comment cheeseface!!!

All sounding lovely SSG, well done and have a great Christmas.. put your feet up xx

in_need_of_direction

You all sound so glamourous. The types who won't be seen unless perfectly put together. I think filing a broken nail is an achievement. Maybe that's cos in my 40s, I have worn black cherry lip stick from Clinique!

HappyNow

Hello, finally read your diary from the start and caught up.


About your retirement pension, I'm just checking you know that there are options to 'buy' extra NINO contributions so you can draw full state pension? I will need to do this because even though everyone is contracted back in from this year, I don't intend working long enough to get full entitlement. It's WAY too complicated for me to understand or explain, but the lovely people on the Pensions Board will point you in the right direction if you don't already know. Start by registering via the Gov site for your pension forecast if you haven't already

JWPopps

I never used to be a stickler for particular cosmetics, largely because I've always been a total tightwad when it comes to that stuff... and then about this time last year I got a Groupon for a 6 month Birchbox trial and I developed a taste for some of their really luxe skincare stuff... including snail gel face cream :eek:

But honestly, my skin has never been so soft!

...I don't really buy it for myself though, I just hint heavily around my birthday and Christmas...

Cheeseface

JWPopps wrote: »

I never used to be a stickler for particular cosmetics, largely because I've always been a total tightwad when it comes to that stuff... and then about this time last year I got a Groupon for a 6 month Birchbox trial and I developed a taste for some of their really luxe skincare stuff... including snail gel face cream :eek:

But honestly, my skin has never been so soft!

...I don't really buy it for myself though, I just hint heavily around my birthday and Christmas...

Bleurgh! I don't think I could I do that.

Eltee12

JWPopps wrote: »

snail gel face cream

...

just coming out of lurkdom to say, eeewwwwwwwwwww!

JWPopps

:rotfl: Hahaha it's so gross! And slimy! And I feel like I've been duped by the cosmetics industry, but at the same time I love having fab skin!

My mum says I shouldn't have bothered repairing the cat flap so the snails don't keep getting in, I could have harvested my own! :rotfl: :idea:

Sun_Addict

Just to make you feel better JWP, I've used and loved the snail gel cream from beauty boxes. It smells of lemons and is very soothing if you have sensitive skin.