Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Make up: aibu to think there might be nice make up which doesn’t cost a bomb?

54 replies

SleeplessInSolihull · 29/09/2023 06:01

I usually buy expensive makes but fancy treating myself without the expensive tag.

AIBU to think there might be products which are cheaper on the market and reasonably good quality?

OP posts:
rhino12345 · 29/09/2023 08:12

BlueKaftan · 29/09/2023 06:03

I’ve found Number 7 from Boots to be excellent and affordable.

Seconding this. I wore their foundation for years and it's a really good quality (a lot better than some £££ brands imho). I've got some great eyeshadows with amazing pigment quality and lovely lipsticks too. I wasn't very impressed with their blusher though, but this is going back a few years since I last used it.

Hufflepods · 29/09/2023 08:12

For foundation I use Mac face and body. It’s not super cheap but you can get a massive 120ml bottle which puts it much more in line with cheaper brands price per ml wise.
It’s one of the best ‘foundations’ I’ve ever used and is great once you pass 30. Light, dewy and fresh.

phoenixrosehere · 29/09/2023 08:19

Use mostly Asian Skincare and makeup brands (Love Romand) and never looked back. Shipping can take 5-10 days but the quality and sizes are affordable and inexpensive, a little bit goes a long way and I only have to order products 2-3x a year.

Oddearslongnose · 29/09/2023 08:20

I swear by technic mascara in the metallic green tube , 2.99. It doesn’t budge in any scenarios , not in the gym, nothing! I’ve tried so many mascaras and none work like this one.
you have to layer it fast though as it dries like concrete!

AnnaMagnani · 29/09/2023 08:21

Barry M nail varnish. Cheap, loads of shades, lasts forever.

tintinandhisdogsnowy · 29/09/2023 08:22

I second Mac face and body. It's brilliant. I'm over 60 and have tried every foundation/bb cream there is. I love f &b as you can sheer it out by buffing it more or you can build it up. It's not dirt cheap but you don't need much and it lasts for ages.
I use maybelline sky high mascara and all the cheap makes previously mentioned
. I don't like no7 though. I think it's too expensive for what it is. It's a bit pedestrian and not wonderful. I'd rather go cheaper or higher.

iamthattree · 29/09/2023 08:26

I bought a Bobbi brown lipstick and a revolution one on the same day. I wear the revolution one much more frequently as it lasts better on me.

I am a great fan of Rimmel gel look polish. Lasts longer than any expensive brands I've tried.

WhatACluster · 29/09/2023 08:37

I have always been fairly impressed with the make up from primark - I don’t think I have picked up anything bad

RampantIvy · 29/09/2023 08:44

I'm over 60 and currently have Boots no 7 City Light tinted moisturiser. It is more light a light foundation than a moisturiser and suits more mature skin. I find at my age less is more.
I am also a fan of other no 7 make up.

I think my most expensive make up is a Chanel lipstick. I bought it because I liked the colour, not because of the brand. The quality doesn't feel any different to my no 7 lipstick.

Original poster
SleeplessInSolihull · 02/10/2023 06:37

KirstenBlest · 29/09/2023 06:03

When you buy the expensive brands you are paying for the packaging.
'Never mind the lipstick, feel the lifestyle'.
Boots No 7/17, Rimmel, Collection, Revolution are all fine without being £££

I actually disagree with this. There is definitely a difference in quality and even shades.

OP posts:
PaminaMozart · 02/10/2023 06:43

Ifulikepinacoladas · 29/09/2023 07:55

Another vote for Revolution.
Maybelline for mascara.

Same here. I love the Revolution CC cream and their primers.

Snowfalling · 02/10/2023 06:58

@TrainTrooper avon will be stocked in superdrug? You've made my day 🤗

KirstenBlest · 02/10/2023 07:06

@SleeplessInSolihull , there might be difference in the shades but there's plenty of choice. Some of the wallet-friendly brands are excellent quality.
The main difference is that the packaging is not as luxurious. I find that putting on some Mac lipstick might make me feel more special than a Rimmel one, but the way I look in the two lipsticks won't be.

BMrs · 02/10/2023 07:06

Honestly I never buy expensive makeup yet I think it always lol nice. Had a few things from ELF and revolution recently and they've been lovely

Polkadotjarmies · 02/10/2023 07:09

W7 eyeshadow pallets are fantastic and I treated myself to an urban decay one but still reach for the W7 tbh. The pigment is great and lots of shades

Ginmonkeyagain · 02/10/2023 07:15

ELF is great, I recently got a brilliant mascara from there. I am not a big make up wearer, so tend to spend the money on skin care and perfume.

&Stories has some great nail varnishes.

Menora · 02/10/2023 07:16

revolution for me is good for blush and bronzers
mascara - L’Oréal
Foundation is either No7 or IT cosmetics
nail Polish - always rimmel!

EvelynBeatrice · 02/10/2023 14:27

I bought numerous expensive powder blushers ( Bobby Brown, Chanel, Dior etc) and they were either the wrong pink or the pigment was lousy despite the expense. In the end I found the perfect one - I love the boots collection soft glow blusher in rose - probably made for teens, which I'm not! It has fantastic pigment and can even be applied on my fingers.
Also from Boots - I wear the No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED BB Facial Sun Protection SPF50 Fair 50ml daily under some foundation. Love it - golden glow and sun protection in one.
The other cheapie I love is the Rimmel French manicure and 60 second nail polishes. Great to just stick on a clear coat when you're in a hurry.
The NYX eyebrow pencil with spoolie at one end is great too

MrsHughesPinny · 02/10/2023 14:29

I use a lot of Nyx, E.L.F and Revolution and find them just as good as the higher end things I have.

Whowhatwherewhenwhy1 · 02/10/2023 14:35

I live the Note cosmetics range. The tinted Bb cream smooths and evens out my horrible perimeno face and feels light rather than like a heavy full face of makeup

Mistymist · 02/10/2023 14:57

I use Missha BB cream which I find better and cheaper than other expensive foundation that I have used (mac, makeup forever and lancome). Also, I find it is more gentle on the skin.
The only thing that I spend money on from time to time is eyeshadow palletes which last for years anyway.

LaBellina · 02/10/2023 15:01

Maybelline mascara and eyebrow products
L’Oréal foundations, concealers and lipsticks, Maybelline has excellent foundation as well.
Essence and Catrice nail polish
Bourjois eyeshadow and blushes

SnacksToTheMax · 02/10/2023 15:02

Boots No7, Elf and Revolution as others have said. Bourjois also - long time fan of their little pearlescent blusher compacts.

ciderhouserules · 02/10/2023 15:37

Well I recently found the Essence Mousse range in Wilkos. It's £3.75 and it is light, creamy, covers beautifully and it's cheap - and now I can't find it any more because Wilkos have gone bust!
I can see it on Ebay and amazon for £10 upwards for a 16g jar and I jsut won't pay that when I know it's £3.75. So I'm watching this thread for cheap ideas!

RampantIvy · 02/10/2023 16:33

I actually disagree with this. There is definitely a difference in quality and even shades.

I can't say that I have noticed the difference in quality between my no7 lipstick and my Chanel lipstick. I buy shades I like rather than brands, so I have no7, Clinique, Boots and l'Oreal lipsticks and they are all of similar quality.

Swipe left for the next trending thread