What are your favourite "cheap" products?

[ColouredPolkaDots]

I'm exhausted but struggling to sleep so got thinking about all the pennies I've hopefully saved by finding good, or very good, cheaper products, often better than much more expensive brands.

This year I've found:

The Ordinary face wash/oils/moisturiser. I was previously using Liz Earle so this has saved me a huge amount and my skin looks better.

Sainsburys Sensitive Shave Gel in the purple can. I used to use Venus Olay (the gold cans) and would STILL get a rash from shaving. I used the Sainsburys one once over a year ago and have never switched back as I get no rash and feel great for it.

Alberto Balsam 24hr fragrance range, the relax/restore ones. I used to only use Aussie and whilst I loved the smell, it's not the cheapest. Since switching to AB, my hair still smells great but feels so much softer and is less damaged than it has been in years (though that could also be post-baby hair).

So please, help my purse and give me your best cheaper alternatives that you love! I love finding these sorts of things and find more joy than is probably rational when cheaper products work better than high end ones.

I came onto this thread to mention The Ordinary skincare but you beat me to it!

There are some things, like pasta and tinned plum and pulped tomatoes I wont skimp on. But tinned chickpeas, haricots etc., I will buy own brand. Also tend to go to Asian supermarkets for spices, sauces and herbs. Massive savings to be had. Stuff like ginger and garlic can be prepped and frozen then popped into whatever you like and last ages.

I use make up from poundland

Handwash from aldi or lidl

I use bar soap instead of shower gel. Buy when multipack is on offer.

Still use olay but a cheaper range than I used to and only buy when on offer. Think about £6 a pot of day or night cream. I havent found another brand that is cheaper which suits my skin.

Boots do a great sensitive toothpaste for about a pound a tube.

Boots also do a really nice shampoo for about 75p a bottle.

Moisturiser/hand cream/bubble bath I get Avon's when they are selling their big bottles for 3 for £5 or 5 for £5 or buy 1 get 2 free.

The cheapest shampoo - it’s usually apple scented and about 80p for a huge bottle. My hair loves it!
Lentils - not really a product, but so cheap and great for soups, curries and vegetarian cottage pie.

@Keeoe Sorry! I found it through MN but didn't mean to steal it!

Superdrug skincare. Particularly the naturally radiant range.

Sainsbury's Apple shampoo £1 and brilliant.
Boots sensitive eye make up remover £1.75 a bottle and much more effective than the expensive ones I was previously using.
Nivea Soft cream in a tube about £1.50 and us a wonderful luxurious moisturiser.

@RoseMartha Is Poundland make up any good? I need to get into make up again!

I use the cien night time moisturiser from Lidl. Lovely and thick.

@Lavendersquare I'll have to pick up the eye make up remover! I hate using washes around my eyes but have yet to find a good make up remover for all the eyeliner/mascara when I do, very rarely, wear make up.

I found the Nivea soft hand cream made my hands itchy and didn't moisturise that much, or am I missing something?

@WireBrushAndDettolMaam Yes to LIDL stuff! I love it, especially their antibacterial wipes! Another discovery I made this year!

@ColouredPolkaDots It is better than I expected it to be. At the moment it is all I can afford. I use the foundation, concealer, lip products.

Still using up some Avon mascara and eye shadow.

Poundland have good brands like Rimmel, Bourgois, Maybelline.
They aren't always the best colours though.

I got a lovely Burgundy nail varnish for a wedding, don't usually wear it.
That was Bourgois.

Aldi Lacura eye cream - fantastic

Waitrose for their Essential range, especially plum tomatoes.

Zoflora from Home bargains as it dilutes in old spray bottles and costs very little per diluted bottle, add in a squirt of washing up liquid and it cleans too.

Home bargains for rice noodles and occasionally decent coffee.

Lidl for copycat shampoos. They perform well.

Large supermarket foods from around the world. I use all the big ones. Asda seems to have the most variety and I can pick up ingredients in the world isle very cheaply.

Aldi chocolate, nicer than Green & Black.

Aldi samosa, not found any better or cheaper. Have tried, Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Tesco.

Aldi washing powder. The green box. We only use it now and saves a fortune.

Vosene shampoo - £1 in most discount stores. I’ve always struggled with product/hard water build-up in my hair. Washing my hair would often leave it sticky, dull and greasy. This stuff leaves it squeaky clean, soft and shiny. I’m just annoyed I only discovered it this year, after spending so many years battling my hair.

And instead of buying shower gel, I now buy bubble bath and pour it into a smaller bottle. It works out much cheaper. For instance the cheapest Sainsbury’s shower gel costs 12p per 100ml, whereas the bubble bath is only 7p per 100ml.

I use baby oil as eye make-up remover and baby lotion as make-up remover - that's about as cheap as you can get, and they work perfectly.

Hada Labour hyaluronic lotion. It’s about £9 from Amazon and you only need about 4 drops so it lasts for ages. It’s supposed to go under moisturiser but my skin doesn’t seem to need it.

Hada Labo. Darn autocorrect

Pomegranate perfume from Home Bargains....£3.99 for 100ml and is an absolute Jo Malone copy! Smells gorgeous.

Where do you buy The Ordinary skincare?

Phoera foundation from amazon £9. Better cover than double wear for my dry skin

Vaseline as a moisturiser

Aldi and Lidl have own-brand versions of Head & Shoulders, and Aussie shampoo and conditioner. Both ranges are amazing and incredible value.

Pink razors from Poundland are brilliant, but can only be used about 3 times at most if used in intimate areas as well as legs. I love them, they’ve saved me a fortune.