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.

Lidl Ciel day and night cream. £1.50 a pot. I'm allergic to everything but this stuff is amazing.

I bought some Aveeno Skin Relief with Shea butter because I got mixed up about what had been recommended to me on this thread.

I’m not exaggerating- it’s been life changing! My skin is really smooth and firm- my arms no longer look like they belong to a bingo playing octogenarian! (I’m 53).

Ive tried a million eye make up removers including some very expensive ones and nothing beats Simple IMO

I buy my Nivea soft (white tube) from Home Bargains - great as a face moisturiser and at £1.99 a tube from Home Bargains, I use it for my body as well if I'm away from home and want to pack light.

Came in here looking for a cheap as chips but effective hair conditioner. Any suggestions?

Alberto balsam conditioner is grear. The 99p one. My hairdresser uses it, and when my dd had longer hair it was the only thing that detangled it. She liked the raspberry one

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.

I use [whatever value range] conditioner to shave my legs. Last bottle cost about 60p I think.

But if you are set on shaving gel, look at the male ranges - they are often even cheaper for the same product.

I use (and re-use) cheap malt vinegar for descaling - have never bothered paying the extra for the white stuff, it works just the same.

Although my local "refillable" company does sell bulk white vinegar, so that's a reminder to see how the prices stack up vs bottles of malt.

Bar soap lasts four times as long as shower gel and makes you feel fresher for longer. I buy gorgeous soaps from TK Maxx.

Liha ose gidi soap for cleansing, I used to use Eve Lom or Liz Earle cleansers and this is better by far, plus £12 a bar and it lasts months and months. I regretted telling people about it, as it was very difficult to find somewhere that had it in stock before Christmas when I ran out

I love the MUA makeup range from Superdrug, it's really cheap, great quality and cruelty free. I stumbled across it accidentally but never looked back

Aldi Lacura concealer pen £2.99. Thank you MIL for including it in my stocking this year. I only need a little bit and a bit of blending but I love it. My pricey Charlotte Tilbury concealer ran out this week and I won't be replacing it.

@Snowflake9 which body spritz smells like Olympea? I need it!!

Asda's own mocha sachets. They're lovely and less than a quid for 8.

@Jenda here it is!! It's so good.

@Jenda , all of the Superdrug sprays are amazing! All meant to be dupes!

Really love this thread.

The only thing I'm really unsure of is using white vinegar to
Clean - my bathroom is pretty small and poorly ventilated but the stink of white vinegar lingers for days. I can't bare it!

Aldi Lacura Caviar face cream £6.99 - compared with my usual Elemis marine cream which around 10x the price!

Aldi Lacura body lotion - I forget what it's called but comes in a White sensitive option and Green one too. Only body lotion that doesn't dry my skin!

Maybelline 24 lipstick - may not be the very cheapest lipstick but you only have to apply it once and it lasts all day

Sainsbury lavender furniture polish - does the job, and smells lovely, and is only 60p

@honeysucklespeck I used to LOVE using soap bars but hubby and kids leave hair on it and it makes me boak so shower gel it is!

The Girlz Only dry shampoo at £1.50 a can is much better than any other I've tried, especially the ones they do with Argan oil in. I buy it from Tesco but I'm sure other supermarkets have it and it might be available at a better price in bargain stores

Simply pure miscellar water or toner from Superdrug, I have sensitive skin and moved from Clinique face washes, cleanser and clarifying lotion to this a few years ago, with no reactions.

Washable face pads, saves buying cotton wool, will take a while to offset the upfront cost though (£8-£9)

Using conditioner to shave my legs