Fight back against over-priced cosmetics! Post your cheap but outstanding discoveries

angel81uk

Babe1 wrote: »

I have a small beauty background and have trained at College but have yet to do anything with my knowledge except using on family and friends. I have a particular love of feet and hands and especially natural nails.....

I have been looking for some time to replace my college brushes that came in my kit ....

It's good to see you here Babe! My makeup training was severely lacking in the skin care side of things so I'll follow your posts with interest!

With regard to replacing your brushes I'd say go for it. I was about to recommend upgrading them to the badger series if you're planning on using them in professional capacity but I've not tried them myself. Then I thought to myself, well, why recommend them then? I bought the studio brushes originally to test them out as I got them cheap at a trade show and thought that if I liked them I would upgrade to the more expensive, longer lasting ones. But a year on and my "cheap" brushes are still going strong! So now I've realised again that cheap doesn't always mean poor quality and it's just a temptation to spend money unnecessarily I've given myself a slapped wrist! lol

Babe1

angel81uk wrote: »

It's good to see you here Babe! My makeup training was severely lacking in the skin care side of things so I'll follow your posts with interest!

With regard to replacing your brushes I'd say go for it. I was about to recommend upgrading them to the badger series if you're planning on using them in professional capacity but I've not tried them myself. Then I thought to myself, well, why recommend them then? I bought the studio brushes originally to test them out as I got them cheap at a trade show and thought that if I liked them I would upgrade to the more expensive, longer lasting ones. But a year on and my "cheap" brushes are still going strong! So now I've realised again that cheap doesn't always mean poor quality and it's just a temptation to spend money unnecessarily I've given myself a slapped wrist! lol

Hi there Angel81

I very much wish now I had gone on further with my training and taken the next course of photographic/wedding makeup, but at the time I was so pooped from the first course that I had to have some rest.

My brushes are still going strong too; our kits were originally from BeautyExpress and have been fabby. I fancied buying some new ones and especially need a couple of kabuki brushes; thought the CrownBrushes site prices were very good. After what you have just said Angel why indeed buy more when what you have got are doing the job; slap wrist for me too

My makeup kit is still going strong but rarely gets used; the eye colours are pretty much all I use now and they have been only handled with powder being scrapped out and put into a colour wheel to use. Our tutor was fastidious for Health and Safety but she was right as my makeup has all lasted well.

I wish I had more of a beauty background but instead at 17 going to Beauty College and I started working for a bank and stayed 18 years!!! I am now trying to learn about what I have loved doing all along.

I shall follow your posts also with interest as my makeup techniques are very lacking, and even though I scrapped through I know I did not feel confident in my skill :rolleyes: .

Great thread ..... have very much enjoyed reading everyone's posts so far :T

Geena

Having worked at boots for 2 years I find all bargains these days.

I love time delay facial scrub and make up wipes.

We did used to do the Boots Skin Kindly range which was amazing, they did the nicest serum, that range has now changed to Boots Expert range, but the serum is now unavailable, annoying.

Im also a great fan of Rimmel (curl and lift) Exaggerate Mascara, but thats also very hard to get hold of now, with me having to travel 30mins to superdrug to get it.

Boots own Coconut & Almond Oil Shower Gel, is gorgeous and makes your skin so smooth.

Also a great fake tanning product, after trying nearly all on the market (tan addict i know) ranging from £5-£50, i now use the best one ive found, Boots own soltan tinted tanning moisturiser.

EagerLearner

Went and bought Boots Expert sensitive face wash, SPF 12 moisturiser and cleansing lotion yesterday on the 3 for 2 offer. I was so excited but I don't think I can use them - after the face wash I put the moisturiser on and my face is now red and blotchy, a bit shiny too, although soft. I guess something in the ingredients of either the wash or moisturiser isn't working for me, any ideas what could cause this?

Nikiya

Great thread!
I would like to recommend:
Botanics lips and eyes correction serum. Moisturizes without leaving that "greasy" effect some of the cheaper products have. This is my first Botanics product and I am very happy with it.
"Topicrem" is a French pharmaceutical body moisturizer. Don't think you'll find it here but if you go to France, buy it at the chemists or, even better, the "parapharmacie" section at hypermarkets. Look for the offers (two together, the second half price or similar).
To me, it beats every other body moisturizer I have tried.
My skin is very dry but I hate the "greasy" film some creams leave.
I would also like to recommend a site to read and publish reviews on make up and skin care. They also have great home treatments, like the "aspirin mask" for skin break ups. You have to register but it is free.
https://www.makeupalley.com

Butternut

Well, my Collection 2000 light diffusing concealer arrived today, couldn't help but try it straight away and it knocks spots off my AVON one - a million times better. So that gets my vote straight away - it looks like a little is going to go a long way, so will probably last ages.
Someone mentioned that the ones on ebay were in the old packaging, and it is definately different to the ones in Superdrug, but it seems to do the trick, so I'm not that bothered for now.
:money:
I would have never tried this brand without your recommendations.

ames100

Does anyone know of a really good or what they think is a really good conditioner? I have tried loads in the search for the 'one' my problem is i get very bored easily and so colour my hair from blonde to brown and back again although i am now determined to leave it as it is before it falls out! and i really want to get the condition back into it.

I have midlength, wavy hair which is quite fine if anyone has the same and has found the answer? :A

p.s love reading this thread, great advice and lovely people x

StompingOgre

i like the loreal elvive conditioner ... the pink one ... works well on my mid length wavy hair ...

harryharp

Just wanted to say thank you again for everybody's great recommendations- I'm really enjoying collating them and am itching to try quite a few...to the extent that I'm wishing that I could finish the more expensive products I already have on my shelf a lot quicker so I can try your recommendations- even finding myself using more than I should so I get through them quicker! How daft is that?!!

Unity

ames100 wrote: »

Does anyone know of a really good or what they think is a really good conditioner? I have tried loads in the search for the 'one' my problem is i get very bored easily and so colour my hair from blonde to brown and back again although i am now determined to leave it as it is before it falls out! and i really want to get the condition back into it.

I have midlength, wavy hair which is quite fine if anyone has the same and has found the answer? :A

p.s love reading this thread, great advice and lovely people x

Botanics Volumising Leave In Conditioner works really well for me, here in the U.K.;) When I lived in the Gulf, I found the same sort of thing by Body Shop worked well despite the heat - so much so that all my friends started using it too. My hair is short and coloured.