A great big list of products that are cheaper but just as fab versions of their expensive counterparts.

[Thandeka]

Hello,
I just discovered that Baylis and Harding Handwash (Mandarin and Grapefruit) smells EXACTLY like Molton and Brown and is a fraction of the price (£1.93 for 500ml in Sainsbury's compared to £14 for 300ml Molton Brown).

Having already shared in Chat - I just thought starting a thread in Products where we could list all the things we discovered that are just as fab (and cheaper) than the posh versions and save us money.

(If this thread takes off Thandeka thinks definitive proof that Mumsnet is firmly middle class and not upper middle class/upperclass as per other debate!) If it doesn't- then it's just me the happy cheapskate.

Another vote here for:

Collection 2000 liquid eyeliner - best replacement for a discontinued Clarins one

Tesco value tortilla chips

Sainsbury's Spanish black pitted olives

BIG thumbs down though for Baylis and Harding handcream though. Way too watery.

I love Nivea Body lotion for very dry skin and even use it on my face

Great thread.

Yes - how long before it appears in a newspaper?

just found touche eclat for £14.60!

I was googling to see if it could be used on black skin and came back with this website!!

The other thing about Approved Foods is the great cheesy ads you get through on email after you have ordered. After my first order when I had ordered a load of cous cous, they obviously got another job lot in. I got an email with the title:

'notyummy! If I said 'cous cous' and 'cheap' - would YOU be interested ?'

Made me giggle!

John Frieda Frizz Ease - I used to get through loads of this, as I have fine albeit frizzy (aka CRAP) hair. Someone says that a small blob of handcream does the trick just as well. This is true - any old handcream is just as good.

Will probably buy the Baylis and Harding creams to fill up by Molton Brown bottles when they run out. To be perfectly honest, I will probably not notice any difference in quality as I only bought the MB stuff to look poncy in my bathroom

Agree Basics/Value tin foil is ace - doesn't usually come in a box so I reuse the box from the expensive stuff.

Have tried Lidl nappies before and they are very good - similar to Pampers Baby Dry IMO with cute pictures on

Tesco Value Breakfast Marmelade is very good.

Tesco own brand diet cola cans taste ok if no offer on for pepsi/coke.

Generic paracetomol/ibruprofin is always tons cheaper than brand names and exactly the same!

Surely it should be cheap at twice the price? If it was half the price it would already be cheaper.

I have never understood that 'cheap at half the price' saying.

It's like 'Ne'er cast a clout til May is out' means having to wear a vest until June (according to my Gran, anwyay).

As you were.

I've been using Avon skin solutions range its very good and not too expensive also avon tend to have BOGOF a lot and sales

right, i just bought those tesco tortilla chips you were all talking about.

and they are GOOD! yay!

after years o using chanel foundation... i am not hooked on tesco barbara .... (cant remember her name) oil free liquid foundation .. it is gorgeous

that meant to say NOW hooked !!!

I did a blind taste test of diet colas at work years ago and M&S diet cola came out almost equal with Coke and Pepsi. Some people preferred it, especially those who felt that they usually preferred Coke over Pepsi. I don't know if they've change the formula over the years as I hardly ever drink the stuff now, but it's probably worth a try.

Getorf, it actually means don't take yer vest off until mayflower is out [ie blossoms].Not a lot of people know that.

Jammie Dodgers (cheap brand 23p from Tesco) are much nicer than branded ones.

Use Fairy Liquid to clean the bath/shower/basin - good for cleaning and much cheaper than specific cleaners.

M&S natural window cleaner is FAB! Vinegar is good too but quite smelly. As are their stainless steel wipes (for when you are in a ruch to clean cooker).

Avon foot cream is brill - their AHA foot cream is the business. Avon anti-ageing hand cream is great too.

Use natural lip balm (Balm Balm or Say Yes To Carrots for massaging into nails to encourage growth, reduce splitting, make them nice and shiny and smooth) 1 product with lots of uses saves you £s on nail accoutrements.

I buy moist toilet tissue refill packs 70p for 70 to use for wiping DDs bum - you can flush away and wipe better/works out cheaper than baby wipes.

Second Lidl's Formil laundry liquid (non-bio) and if you have a stain on somthing I have had blood and bolognese sauce a tiny bit squidges onto the stain and it comes out no bother. I have tried some of these new gels and honestly for the price this gives them a good run for their money.

I use a rip of fake tan from Semi Chem called St Moritz £2.99 for a mousse and it is as good as St Tropez although maybe needs 2 coats to one but goes a long way and is a bargain.

There are heaps of things on here i'm going to have to try.

I always swear by a bit of surgical spirit on a cotton bud dabbed onto a mouth ulcer.

IMO it works so much better than rip-off pricey Bonjela or similar.

It does really hurt for the first second after application but then goes numb and will usually be gone by the next day.

I also never buy branded painkillers (Neurofen, Panadol etc) and get the cheapest ones from the chemist. Usually about 16p a pack

Right, I am going to Superdrug to try some of this legendary Collection 2000 eyeliner. Will report my findings tomorrow.

I am staying away from the approved foods website though, the last thing I need is MORE biscuits in the house.

non feeing paying schools

Love that one, Chevre!

Best overnight handcream? Olive oil (with some cotton gloves so you don't end up with greasy sheets). Dh finds it highly amusing.

Tesco own toddler toilet wipes are BETTER than Kandoo. They also fit perfectly into the Kandoo box.

Where is this Semi Chem of which you speak?

I have been using Collection 2000 Black eyeliner pencil for yonks. Tis good.

Has anybody tried the Lidl swiss roll? They are over a foot long and proper luuuuush. 89p each.