Beauty on s budget

[RoseMartha]

Not sure if this is money matters or beauty as falls into both sections, apologies if in wrong forum.

When you have a tight budget what toiletries do you use . I am struggling to see how I can go any cheaper than I already do . I have fairly sensitive skin so some products are no go.

Shampoo and conditioner I am using Alberto balsam and get 2 for £1.80 on special offer.
Shops own brand hand wash for about 60p a bottle
Face wash cheapest olay £3 a tube which lasts about four months as only use pea size each time.
I use soap to bathe/shower with as cheaper than shower gel
Olay cheapest face creams and get on offer abt £5 a pot which last about four months
Make up usually Avon on offer although did buy foundation from Poundland which is pretty good. I don't wear a lot of make up a bit of foundation and touch of eyeshadow and lipstick as a normal day.
Body lotion from Avon 400ml lasts ages about £2.25 a bottle. Need this as dry skin on legs and arms but don't use everyday.
Suncreams from primark or Wilco or Aldi and abt £3 tube/bottle
Handcreams I have a stash of about 10 from Avon that I got on offer so don't need any for some time.
Deodorant usually £1 Poundland

Has anyone got any tips or good ideas to get this down more?

Do you have an aldi near you. I like their suncream which is about 2.50. Their face cream is 1.60 for the day and night cream. Deodrant about 50p. Shampoo and Conditioner around 70p . I use all these and m really happy with the results. If you like more expensive brands ask for birthday and christmas and use through the year.wilko is also good for handwash and other bits

Great thread!

I also have sensitive skin I sometimes buy simple when it's 3 for 2. At the moment I am using wilko face wash which is fine, and Sainsbury's day and night cream which I like. I like a nice thick cream rather than lotion.

I found the Poundland make up and natural collection doesn't last the day on me, but Collection is pretty good. I loved Seventeen but sadly that's been discontinued!

Superdrug. Very rarely get a bad own brand product from them.

Aldi body lotion is 85p for 400ml and glycerine based which is meant to be the best for moisturising.

Tesco hair serum in the red bottle for £1, brilliant product.

Thanks some good ideas I will have to try

Lidl, Aldi and Wilko have helped me slash my budget - they have shampoo / conditioner which seems to be identical to Alberto balsam for around 50p a bottle (decent size bottle, I like the raspberry and the apple smells), roll on for for around 50p (lime scented one is fresh), Q10 day and night creams from ludl which have never set off my sensitive skin . For face wash I actually use a Murad renewing cleansing creme (£25/tube but I am still using up 2 tubes I bought in 2016 so monthly it works out cheap). I've heard good things sbout the Aldi and superdrug hot cloth style cleansers.

I've just discovered Waitrose own brand bubble bath - only £1.50 and the packaging looks a lot more expensive!

Nivea moisturiser.
L’Oréal true match foundation. I got it on special offer €7, so I bought 4. Wet n wild bronzer and blushes are great. Essence mascara I 💙 extreme are brilliant. Collection fast stroke eyeliner is excellent. I love aveeno moisturiser and always get it on offer.

The only beauty product I have bought in the last few years is Boots cleansing lotion for a about £1.50.

I have a ploy. I save all my Boots points (calpol, car seats, nappies, clothes etc) and then once a year I buy No 7 foundation on offer (2 for 3 which is £30 worth of points). I get given the bronzer I like annually as a present and I tend to get given nail varnish and other odd bits by people and so stash them. However I also don't use a lot of make up etc. Boots also do a freebie pack of mascara and eyeshadow etc when you buy something else and so I get given this too when I ask for say nail varnish for a birthday present. I mostly just try to utilise what I'm given. I'm sure there are many things I'm missing out on so I'm keeping qn eye on this thread.

I get a lot of stuff from poundland. They have branded stuff in clear packets I've had nails inc varnishes, loreal lipsticks and eyeshadows, loads of good stuff. Recently got burts bees tinted lip balm from there.

I really rate Aldi products. Their sensitive facewash is very good for about £1. Their clicky under eye concealer is as good as touche eclat.

Another thing I do is look out for which magazines have a free beauty gift. I dont often buy mags but for instance this month I got my fave benefit mascara in a mini version (worth £10) for the £4.50 price of the magazine. Have done the same with rodial cleansers, eye liners, balance me products, neals yard hand lotion so it is always worth a look if the product is worth more than the cover price.

Check out markets or discount shops for 'low code' products ie where a company change the packaging or discontinue a product so sell of the existing bulk.

The best tip ever though is perfume parlour. I learned about it on here and the products are amazing. Dupes of perfume for very cheap and fast delivery. I like the Jo Malone dupes, currently on earl grey and cucumber and had lots of compliments.

Aldi toiletries and face cream are great and cheap.

No-one needs make-up. We have all been fed a ridiculous lie.

Exchange haircut/waxing costs for help with hairdresser/beautician childcare. My hairdresser still refuses to charge me more than a fiver and our DCs are in their 20s - she argues that without me she would have struggled to work a lot of the time when her boys were newborn/toddlers.

Mirena coil can almost completely stop your periods so no costly tampons.

Share outfits with friends. Swap when you get bored. Only ever buy in charity shops and car boot fairs. Adopt a friend who is a magician with a sewing machine.

School uniform is in the supermarkets now - cheap work trousers in black/grey/navy. The sizing is HUGE!!!!!! and they last forever.

Shop around for better deals on glasses/contact lenses. Don’t stick with the same optician - it’s a real con.

If you have prescriptions - see if you would save money with a pre-payment arrangement.

I am a total tight-arse - I’m sure I’ll think of more ......

Aldi face wash with scrub, its only about 69p but its brilliant for removing make up.

Aldi day and night creams 1.69 each, just as good as the branded ones.

Poundworld make up

Lots more good ideas thank you

Lidl is cheapest for shower gel
39p a bottle, still in nice citrus scents etc

Poundland isn’t always cheapest