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

supersol

`I use rosewater as a toner. Not only is this very good, but it was just on offer at Tesco at 2 for 1, only 99p. It is on the shelf for world food, so it must be good enough to eat.

anguk

fitorbust wrote: »

Off topic I know but - especially as Davina's Mum died last year or the year before , and they weren't speaking at the time, so I think the scene where she is supposed to be talking to her Mum is particularly bad taste!

Davina has been asked about this and the "mum" she is speaking to in the advert is actually her step-mum who she is very close to.

beautyscientist

harryharp wrote: »

I was wondering what you all thought about toners- ie. does anyone use them and are they really necessary?

For ages I didn't bother, but yesterday on a whim I bought Time Delay Daily Brightening Toning Water as I had a voucher! (I did look for the other T.D. one that someone else had recommended but couldn't find it). I think I was persuaded that it would 'tighten my pores' as it claims on the bottle (oh dear, momentary lapse into my old ways- see above...!:o ), but I think I've probably wasted my money.:rolleyes:

Reading the ingredients, the 3rd on the list is Alcohol Denat- which I feel will be quite harsh...

Any thoughts?

I have always been mystified by why people buy toners with alcohol. They continue to sell well so somebody must be getting something out of them - but as you say they are drying.

harryharp

beautyscientist wrote: »

I have always been mystified by why people buy toners with alcohol. They continue to sell well so somebody must be getting something out of them - but as you say they are drying.

What I'm wondering is are they actually necessary at all- ie. do they have any benefits? If someone who was used to doing the 3-step skincare routine just left out the toning part, would they notice any difference?

RooBee

Originally Posted by xXHaloXx

Can anyone recommend me a good body moisturiser? I have incredibly dry skin (i suffer from Echzema - and though it's not 'active' at the moment, it causes my skin to be very dry), i've tried all sorts, from moisturisers recommended by the doctor like E45 and a few others that i can't remember the names of to cheaper moisturisers availble in places like Boots such as Johnsons, Vaseline, various body butters including most of The Body Shop ones, mosturisers from Lush and more expensive ones like the Dermalogica rich moisturiser and am currently trying Elemis Frangipani Skin oil and i've also tried the bath milk (which can be applied neat on to the skin) but they still cause tightening to the skin within a few hours and make me very uncomfortable. My skin is dry and ashy looking and tends to flake alot, i've managed find the perfect combo of products for my face but i'm still struggling with body moisturisers. As a rule, i've found lotions are no where near moisturising enough and think creams are better, the hemp body butter by Body Shop was ok but i'm a bit of a hippie and have ethical issues with them ebing taken over by L'Oreal and won't shop there anymore, can anyone recommend me a good body moisturiser? I am flexible pricewise but would draw the line at about £30 unless i'm garunteed thata it will be excellent

I also have eczema and have tried many of the creams you mention but I keep going back to Ultrabase for body moisturising which I get on prescription from the doctor. I think you can buy it over the counter too but a prescription works out cheaper. It comes in a 500ml pump dispenser. It is so good that many of my friends now use even though they don't have eczema.

suki1964

harryharp wrote: »

What I'm wondering is are they actually necessary at all- ie. do they have any benefits? If someone who was used to doing the 3-step skincare routine just left out the toning part, would they notice any difference?

Anything with alcohol in it will not just dry your skin - it will, increase oil production will will in course clog the pores making you prone to spots, greyness, yucky looking skin.

The only use that a toner has is in removing all traces of your cleanser - and as you know thats what we use the hot water and muslin cloth for when it comes to the OCM.

When i used to use Liz Earle daily I never needed a toner as once again the water and cloth done the trick.

But the Liz Earle (alcohol free) is a scrummy product in its own right and used as a spritzer leaves your face feeling lovely and fresh

Unity

harryharp wrote: »

What I'm wondering is are they actually necessary at all- ie. do they have any benefits? If someone who was used to doing the 3-step skincare routine just left out the toning part, would they notice any difference?

Hi Harry,

I personally have only used a toner very infrequently - and not for years until I found the Evian one going cheap through Direct Cosmetics. It felt quite refreshing, but I can't honestly say it worked any better than the home made one I used in my teens, basically one part Witch Hazel to two parts Rosewater. These days I use L'Oreal DeMaq make-up remover which lathers up nicely with a muslin cloth, followed by a spot of Comfrey ointment before bed. It works for me and I think that's all anyone can say really - we are all beautifully unique :T.

In the morning I chop and change, depending on how my skin feels - either a 'Clean and Clear' foaming face-wash, or some lovely olive oil soap I bought in Crete - again using the muslin cloth and rinsing well. I follow this with Boots Protect and Perfect serum and their pore refiner. I'm not so sure about this stuff, it's okay but pricey - but I got it as a third item on a 'two for one' offer to give it a go. Following this, my Elemental Beauty mineral foundation, blusher and finishing powder, plus or minus eye shadow and liner - depending on where I'm going, a quick spritz with Body Shop Vitamin E spray - lipgloss and away. Almost quicker than Clark Kent's phone box changes! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

It's good to see this thread continuing - I can't see it ever stopping to be honest, so thank you so much!:T:T:T

red

i have so far tried so many products it is untrue. i love them but have now tired of the marketing gimmicks...i have found myself looking for two things - firstly and most importantly, a product that works and increasingly i am more bothered about natural products. my favourites are- philosophy and ad skin synergy. i have also tried a totally new natural range - natural elements...i am even thinking of becoming a reseller of their products i am so far that impressed with them!

Unity

jojo2004 wrote: »

Yes you are and quite rightly so - but can I make a stand for Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream - yes it's a little pricy, but if you get it in duty free, it lasts forever and does EVERYTHING. I first used it when skiing as i had awful sunburn and chapped lips - two days later and I could smile without feeling as if my skin was going to tear! Also it seemed to prevent any long term damage. It's amazing on chapped lips and spots and dry patches on hands etc. My only expensive beauty buy - and I wouldn't be without it.
Otherwise, love the thread - am going to be going even cheaper from now on!
xx

You'll often find this going very cheap at Direct Cosmetics and it really is very good. My daughter packed a tube of this prior to going on a Raleigh Expedition to Chile a few years ago. They were living in tents for three months, building a medical centre and repairing footpaths through the national park - needless to say her hands suffered :eek: - but not as much as they would have without this stuff. She used it as a moisturiser and a lip balm as well.

fraz_babe

Hi all hope this is the right thread to post. I was looking for some cheap alternatives if possible.

Im looking for a eye primer (to keep my eyeshadow on). A foundation primer. A pencil eyeliner (waterline) and a concealer for under my eyes and my spots. And maybe a mousterisier (sorry cant spell it)

I spent 111 pounds 3 weeks ago on MAC products. And i think it was a waste of money !

Also just a quick cheap item for eyeshadow. I have never tried it but heard so many good reviews - highly pigminted etc its called coastal scents 88 palette its an american website that delivers to UK look for great britain (UK) if you want to order. And its 22 dollars, and then postage. Not sure how much postage is sorry. But theres 88 colours and when i have some money i will be ordering it ! http://www.coastalscents.com