Utterly shallow, but I *miss* lovely shampoos and moisturisers...

[Pruni]

We have no money at all and so have cut back on luxuries - not complaining at all, that's as it should be (esp as it was my decision to give up work, hence the poverty).

But I am horrified to find I really deeply miss Shampure, Aveda moisturiser, Dermalogica body cream etc. Dr Hauschka and Clinique

Is there any way I can buy these cheap? I've had a look at ebay but it all looks just a pound or two cheaper and there are so many ebay-shops, I have no idea what's dodgy and what isn't.

Thanks

Know exactly what you mean. I tried so many cheapo moisturisers and conditioners but none really worked and my skin actually looked dry and lined. So now I save up housekeeping money and buy a good moisturiser and conditioner and if we have to eat beans on toast and make a chicken last 4 meals now and then I reckon it's worth it! But I do feel guilty.

I know what you mean! You could try searching Ebay for less well-known brands being sold as 'unwanted gifts' rather than by professional sellers. Can usually get some good bargains that way.
Alternatively, strawberrynet.com does bigger brands at cheaper prices and with free shipping.

My skin is like that, and my cheap shampoo is turning my hair to straw.
I just can't justify £30 on a moisturiser, though.
I've tried to suggest people get me the things I like for Xmas but they always get the wrong thing.
I am an ungrateful, spoilt, flaky-faced cow, obviously.

No really helpful suggestions, I'm afraid, except for the Xmas presents one - I've started telling people that since having kids I've developed an allergy to certain types of skincare/toiletries, so am very specific about exactly which brands my skin can tolerate. It's actually true, but worth a try! Long time till Xmas, though. Have you tried Avon stuff? I haven't but have heard good things about it.

Look around for the Clinique Bonus Time offers. This is the only time I buy it and the free stuff keeps me going for ages. It seems to last for ages too. I am not averse to asking for samples either as my skin is extremely sensitive - the Clarins samples are enormous.

We ought to see what free samples we can all get, and then swap! I know in our local boots they will happily give you samples if you bring your own little pots in! But obviously you can't try it too often!

olay multi radiance is fantastic and doesn't cost the earth, \link{http://www.olay.co.uk/olayproducts/com-c-multi.jsp?4&pagesection=prod\here}

otherwise, i think liz earle products are v. high quality and good value.

or run a price comparison on pricerunner or kelkoo for the products you like - you should be able to get a few quid off that way.

kerastase shampoo is wonderful - it's about £12 - £14 per bottle but lasts months. really cheap stuff seems to run out much more quickly.

I'm in Germany Pruni - Dr Hauschka might be cheaper to get here. I know a shop where they have a lot of Dr H stuff - shall I have a look for you?

fit -
Quince facial moisturiser is the one I love.
Can't remember what it is in German but it's a lovely word...
I am prunepruni at hotmail dot com
I would be soooo grateful!!

i can't live without decent moisturiser, had you tried virgin vie?? middle of the range price, and if you host a party you get freebies (that's what i do!)

Quince is Quitte, I think - I'm prob passing by there on Fri, so I'll have a look for you :)

I always buy products when they are giving away the freebies,clinique bonus time etc and then works out reasonably good value.

Also have tried the boots no 7 stuff recently (usually use decleor, clarins etc) and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was, and they are giving a gift away with samples in if yu spend £15 at the moment

i know this sounds bollox pruni but i have actually fallen for Cuticara Cucumber Miracle Moisturiser which i get at the local chemists's for £1.49 a tube.

xmas - gift vouchers. do not muck about.

or you could make them yourself (laughs hollowly at prospect of loads of time to do this) a friend of mine used to do this and she did make fab stuff. i think the moisturiser she made started with shea butter, there are loads of catalogues which would make it not too hard.

shoplifting?

Acutally I use Vaseline DermaCare Lotion (the white one) as moisturiser, I have never found anything that is as good and believe me I have tried

I posted alink under Style for cheaper Dr Hauschka from a German website.

I've bought from the website and they ship fairly quickly - think it was EUR6.95 for up to 5 kgs and they lots of "natural" German brands too eg. Weleda

Google Alegria Naturkosmetik and check the prices.

CD, I never would have pegged you for a vaseline kind of girl. Would have thought Clarins was more your style. MN is just full of surprises.

I had to do this recently.

I cut my list of must-haves right down to

Cleanser
Toner
Moisturiser
Shampoo
Conditioner
Foundation

Everything else can go by the wayside or be Boots cheapo stuff.

I swapped from Clarins face stuff to Liz Earle (not that cheap but you can buy in bulk and it is less than the likes of Clarins, Clinique etc).

I have stuck with my shampoo & conditioner - seems expensive but I worked out a big bottle lasts me 6 months.

IMO a few good quality products to make you feel like you are not missing out, & ditch the rest.

I use Clarins cleanser, toner, eye gel, beauty flash balm, eye balm

I hate their moisturisers though

"A powerful non-perscription, dermatologically tested treatment that provides effective relief for problem dry skin. Healthy skin contains natural lipids which hold in moisture, but dry skin contains less of these lipids. DermaCares formulation with natural lipids not only nourishes and protects the skin, but also penetrates the skin where dryness starts, allowing the skin to repair itself from within."

Beat that!

pmsl @ perscription (sic)

Oh, poor you Pruni. There used to be a fab website I used for this stuff but it's long since defunct. Strawberrynet come from HK so you can be stung for awful duty charges if you're not careful.

I hate to say this, but have you tried any Superdrug knock-off moisturisers? They do several around the fiver mark and some are really good (and this from the woman who tried Creme de la Mer...). Natural High is good, and there's another whose name I can't remember. There was an article about them a few years back and they pretty much use the same ingredients as much more expensive creams. Most of them come as day or night or whatever. I realise this will all sound much less convincing since you have actually seen the state of my skin....

Is anyone you know going abroad, and could get you some duty free - is that still cheap these days?

Oh, and \link{http://www.hqhair.com/code/preview.asp?PageID=90\HQHair} seems cheaper than most department stores for Aveda.