Cosmetics Old Style - Saving money on cosmetics etc

Bats

There are so many good tips on this thread - I reckon I've saved quite a bit as a result!

I'd like to contribute a couple of my own if I may:

When using toner, dampen one side of the cotton wool pad in tap water, then turn it over to add the toner; you use much less toner this way and get the same effect.

Scoop out the stubs of worn-down favourite lipsticks and put them in an empty compact, where they can be used with a lipbrush, or even as a blusher.

I don't think it's necessary to spend money on expensive moisturisers, but it is important to moisturise morning and night. I've never had much money to spend on myself, so I've always bought the cheapest ranges, yet my skin looks really good for my age, as I've been moisturising since I was 14.

lotto-dreamer

Have to share this -

I have found a superb, cheap, facial wash "Cuticura Sensitive Skin daily facial wash" and I am very, very impressed. And it's only £1.49 for 150ml (bought at my local pharmacy).

I have extremely sensitive eyes and sensitive skin and cannot rate it highly enough.

I am trying to wean myself off the likes of Clinique etc but I can honestly say the Cuticura is much, much better than the Clinique and Clarins ones I tried - not that they were terrible, but the one made my skin a bit too shiny and the other was a tad drying and they were both over £10. I do also like using "Simple" Cleansing Lotion but for a soap and water feel the Cuticura one is perfect. I've been using it a while now to test it properly and it's passed with flying colours

youngandreckless

Hi All,

So glad I've found this thread, I spend a fortune on make up, lotions and potions. Benefit, Mac, eve lom and bliss are particular weaknesses, but this has really opened my eyes. When I spent just shy of £100 on creme de la mer only to discover that I didn't actually like it, I knew I had to change my ways! Been weaning myself off ever since (as things run out etc).
Can recommend Barry M for nail varnish, they have all the trendy colours for about £3 and pots of glitter for the face which are uncannily like the mac ones....
Tesco make up mascara and concealer has been pretty impressive too, got both for half the price I'd normally spend on a mascara alone!
Currently using Clinique take the day of balm, which is very similar to eve lom but less than half the price (although at £18 I'll be seeking a much much cheaper alternative next time).
I suppose the moral of the story is that when it comes down to it, you probably pay a fraction for the product and the rest is packaging and marketing!
Thanks ladies, I've written a list of all the suggestions on here I would have no idea about to try.

Lalaladybird

OH kindly pointed out today that my hands felt rough :mad::rolleyes:....that and the fact that I ran out of conditioner this morning so substituted my daughters detangler spray;) got me thinking about rediscovering OS beauty treatments.

So, what have you got ladies?

What do you/did you use before all the expensive luxury items became "essentials"?

Pink.

Hi lalaladybird,

There's an existing thread that should give you lots of ideas so I've added your thread to it to keep the suggestions together.

These threads may help too:

Old Style Book - Skin care/Beauty Tips

Home Made Beauty Treatments

Beauty treatments old style

home made beauty products

Complete Makeup and Body Care Index

Pink

irishwexford

I have very dry mature skin and although I have a weekly facial at our local college my skin looks and feels taut unless I use expensive creams. Last week I was in Tkmax and noticed they have a large supply of different face creams for £3.99. They are all foreign makes so decided to buy three different ones to try. I first one I am trying is amazing, my skin looks and feels good all day long and foundation just glides on. I have another two to try but am going back to get some more of this one in case the other two are not so good. Its called Radiant recipes anti-wrinkle day cream, the three together are cheaper than Boots Refine and Rewind which I was using before.I have dry curly hair so will have a go at using cheap conditioner to wash.

SunnyGirl

Just seen this thread so thought I'd post my tip. I have very sensitive skin and find that creams that I've used for years can start to bring me up in blotches nowadays. I use Aqueous cream for my face, hands & body it's fantastic. No smell and leaves my skin very soft. It's about 2 pounds from any chemist. It was recommended by the hospital fracture clinic after my daughter has broken her leg & spent 12wks in plaster, her skin was awful having been covered up for so long. It only took 2 days of using the cream to sort it all out.

Also I saw a consultant dermatologist on This Morning years ago saying that it was actually illegal to sell creams in this country that can change the skin so people were better off using cheap creams more regularly than expensive ones. BTW I am 42 and am always been told that I don't look it and I'm a smoker. Hope this helps someone. Happy OS Christmas to all!

fabaroo

eyes lips face, put it into google to find the website, its a fabulous website. Most things are £1.50 and they are good stuff. so you can treat yourself for not a lot of money.

joyfull

Hello MS Beauties,

I've not used shampoo for about a year. My hair is just fantastic - soft & shiny! I DO wash it in warm water once a week, really giving the scalp a good clean & then final rinse with a litre of rain water collected from the water butt. I also brush really well every day and use a comb to stimulate / massage the scalp - this distributes the sebum and keeps the scalp free of skin flakes. The wiry grey hairs now stay smooth & silky & no more itchy scalp. My OH swears there's no 'unwashed' smell. I spritz the hair daily with a very dilute mixture of essential oil (patchouli, lavender, or geranium), water & a touch of cheap vodka to keep the mixture blended. I'll never go back to using shampoo.

My overall skin is really dry. After the daily ablutions I use non virgin olive oil to moisturise all over. Skin is now in good shape. The oil also make a good make-up remover.

I make my own perfume as OH is really picky about smells. Again a mixture of essential oil(s) and cheap vodka.

Oh, and bicarbonate of soda to whiten the teeth.

I also use a crystal deodorant (health food stores) & then use the essential oil spritz to add a yummy smell. It really works and has been well tested as I perspire loads due to menopausal hot flushes day & night.

It's been fun over the years to ignore the cosmetic company hype & discover a cheaper & more natural way to look after the body.

catgirl1979

Hi! I use the following tips to save on cosmetics
- I use ground coffee, mixed with shower gel, instead of scrub for body. Besides, coffee has anticellulite effect.
- I use Mumiyo mixed with usual body cream for curing my stretch marks.
- I moisture the dry mascara with make-up dissolving solution.
- I mix my nail polishes to get the new colors
- I use cheap eye pencils, as they are as good as expensive ones.
- when my hair fall out, I cure it with mask made of onion and egg.