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.

Jars of coconut oil. Good for everything.

Washable make up remover pads. No need to buy cotton wool.

Soap instead of shower gel

Half meat, half lentils in chili and bolognese sauces

@ssd there is a blog/ website called
Byrdie that lists beauty regimes using the ordinary products for different skin conditions including acne.

Mooncup. Not cheap - but a long term saving.

@managedmis was also going to say Vaseline as an all over moisturiser.especially face!
Used on body a few times too and it stays well moisturised for a day

Garnier Ultimate Blends botanical hair conditioner. A largr tub for £3.50 and it contains 98% botanical ingredients. A really good 3 in 1 cream (leave in/mask/conditioner) especially benefits CG friendly routine. My fave is the banana one.

Aldi goose fat frozen roast potatoes. Me, DS and DD near polished off the whole bag!!

Charity shop gold finds. Shouldn't really be on this list but honestly, when I find a golden find, I feel great for weeks after.

I love the Aldi Lacura (rip off of Nivea) and Rejuvelate (rip off of Loreal) day & night cream. You really can't tell the difference between the branded items.

Aldi's Caversham cream sherry is nicer than Harveys and it's only about £2.50 a bottle.

Aldi oven chips in the purple bag are the best I've ever had.

Beauty bay sell The Ordinary.
Carbon Theory is great for teenage skin. It's a decent price and lasts for ages.

Primark eyeshadow a and highlighter. Revolution blusher pallette. That's my make up.

Aldi for washing powder, washing up liquid and anti dandruff shampoo. Sanitary towels.from aldi around 50p a pack.

Body spritz from superdrug which smells exactly like my Olympea perfume. Only it's 3.99.

Big 400ml Nivea moisturiser with pump, lasts forever.

Aldi deodorant, and Superdrug own-brand skincare and charcoal toothpaste

Use white vinegar for household cleaning. No need to buy expensive and harsh cleaning products.

Rimmel nail varnish. £3, lasts such a long time without chipping, have been asked a few times if they're gel nails.
They have some excellent mascara too.
Recently started using Maybelline Urban Dream which is a light foundation that's supposed to protect skin from effects of pollution in the city. SPF is 30.

@Shockers @stoneroses

I buy from ASOS, they have great discount codes too and usually a little under the rrp without

I really like the cheap aldi marmalade that's about 27p. It's nicer than the expensive brands x

Alberto Balsam shampoo,, and Aldi night cream at about £3.00, better than more expensive brands.

I second what others have said about Aldi washing powder and fabric softeners. Also Rimmel nail varnish the £1 60 second ones are great.

Aldi washing tablets, moisturiser and manchego cheese

From Superdrug - MUA Matte Bronzing powder - £2.50 - lovely product, same with the Matte blushers. Last ages as well.

primark matte lipsticks are better than Mac. In fact all the primark makeup ive tried has been surprisingly good. I never used to get on with cheap makeup

For me L'Oréal Elvive (pink one) shampoo and conditioner. Easily the best supermarket shampoo imo

You can also buy the ordinary online from boots, we did pre xmas for black Friday as we had heard people raving about it so my mum and I clubbed together to get bits to try to see how it works on our faces. Going to start it now we are finishing the last 'usual' products 👍🏻

I have very fair brows. I used to use Mac brow pencil in the Fling shade. Looked great and never went orange but I have since discovered Catrice do an identical one called Slim'matic Ultra Percise brow pencil and have been using it ever since.

Nivea Soft : it moisturizes my skin really well!
Catrice nailpolish
Dove barsoap
The Ordinairy skincare

I wear full make up every day and now use baby powder instead of translucent powder. It works just as well, doesn't distort the colour of my foundation and a friend who owns a cosmetic manufacturing business said its pretty much what loose powders are anyway.

coconut oil - useful for dry skin, dry lips, dry hair, and cooking!

I'm allergic to lots of nivea and aldi beauty products - I stick to simple shower gel, alberto balsaam shampoo/conditioner, and coconut oil to moisterise. I have a very cheap beauty routine as I'm allergic to anything nice smelling!