Best budget buys - accessories / clothes / make up?

[Mandy21]

It is official, I am not allowed to buy any more expensive (well, expensive for me!!) clothes (that end up being pulled in every direction by 3 x children fighting for my attention), accessories (that end up strangling me when pulled, broken, or in DD's jewellry box) and make up (that ends up at the bottom of my handbag stuck to raisins / snotty tissues / bits of pencil crayons).

I can't completely blame the children, I don't tend to look after things as I should but I am trying. I am also trying very hard to be stylish, well, make an effort at least!

Would like any tips on your budget staples - whether that be clothes, make up or accessories.

I'm a would-be 28yr old trapped in a Size 10/12 40yr olds body so have made a resolution at my big 4-0 to make more of an effort but don't have much disposable cash to spend on myself.

Any tips gratefully received.

bump (please?!)

Think about what you wear most and spend invest a bit more on these. For example I have a toddler, so spend a bit more on cashmere jumpers, jeans etc, but not on dresses and nice shoes which I would love to buy, but don't have the occasion to wear.

Try and get the best possible deal for everything you buy, look out for online codes and use a cashback site like Quidco.

For beauty products you can get some really good freebies in magazines at the moment. I am using a liz earle cleanser and clinique moisturiser at the moment that were both on the cover freebies. This website keeps a pretty good roundup of offers.

Don't discount really cheap shops like New Look and Primark, if you keep it simple you can get some really nice things here that last a decent amount of time.

HTH

Didn't want to not reply, although perhaps you should be more specific on what you are looking for. Is it work clothes, casual, going out?? I found that in recent years I have really worked out what suits my shape and personality and that has made buying clothes, etc much easier.

I am a great eBayer - both buying and selling. I get loads of clothes there and some cosmetics too at great prices.

On the High Street, I'm really into H&M at the moment for clothes, and of course have shopped at old faithful Primark since I was a teenager. However, to really pick up good bargains, I find you have to be in and out frequently, as things sell out quickly. I've recently started following some style blogs too to get some ideas and it might be worth looking into some of them. Mumsnet of course is a great source of inspiration

I used to budget buy make-up and cosmetics, but find that now I'm in my mid-30s, I need to be a bit more careful about what I use in order to look half decent. I have invested in slightly more expensive skincare (well, more expensive than I used to use, but still not dear compared to some!) and it's made a real difference - people have even commented. The big thing for me with it, is that I've discovered I use much less of it, so I'm getting good value for money with it.

I am definitely not the best person to be advising you here, so hopefully others will add their thoughts soon too.

Don't forget eBay. I am wearing a top shop tunic today which cost me £2.20. It was listed as size 12 but very slim fit and had barely been worn for that reason. I'm an 8-10, went for it, can see it would never have fitted a 12. Annoying for someone else but a bargain for me! Other recent bargains include brand new H by Hudson boots RRP £170 for £65 - some I specifically wanted, still current stock. Will probably not wear much til Autumn but will wear to death then and a bargain to buy out of season.

I do think to get the best out of eBay you need to be quite hooked on shopping. I weigh up the shops and trawl online sites and then scour eBay for similar or the same. The top shop tunic was spotted in a search for something like a Breton but narrow and scoop necked for instance and I had looked at some v odd striped garments before I spotted it!

And, don't forget the charity shops. Years ago, I'd not have shopped in them. I do now. If you're savvy, you can pick up some nice stuff. Today, I'm wearing a Sandwich (no, NOT two slices of wholemeal with cheese and pickle) dress I picked up in a local charity shop. It was £5 and still had its label tags on it so, never worn. It's original price, still on the label, was £56.

Thank you for the advice so far.

I'm a bit wary of Ebay - only because I've bought things previously that haven't fitted / don't look how I expected, and then I can't return them. Will definitely take the tip of looking for things you've spotted / tried on in the high street on Ebay seeing if you can get a better deal.

I do also look in charity shops and have found a couple of things for work (suits / blouses - have to be formal) but never Sandwich - jealous!

I'm just on the look out for tips really on how to avoid becoming a frump / set in my ways. I like scarves / beads to accessorise (always think it looks like you've made slightly more of an effort) but I never really have enough time to properly browse the high street / online so I end up paying more than I want to for something that is just OK. I need to be following more style tips I think!!

I've spent more on jeans and knee high boots in the last couple of years as I tend to live in those most winters, but as far as clothes are concerned, are there any budget brands than seem better quality than others? I know I should have a capsule wardrobe and spend more on that, but I've never quite worked out what a capsule wardrobe should be!!!

Thanks again

Apart from the packaging, and the scent ( ie more expensive make up smells more expensive ), I don't think there is a massive difference in high end and high street make up.

For what it does, it stays on your face for a few hours and then you wash it off, honestly, cheap High Street stuff does the job just as well, Even foundations. I've had just as much luck with High Street foundations, than High End ones. It's just about looking at reviews and finding what works for you.

Bourjois, Rimmel, Revlon, L'Oreal. I've tried foundations and Mascara's from these brands that are pretty good. My favourite Mascara at the moment is a £6 Barry M one.

As for lipsticks, blushers and eyeshadows, super cheap brands like Natural Collection and Superdrug's MUA are pretty good. £2 and £1 an item.

I prefer expensive skin care though, has to be said.

I think Uniqlo is pretty good quality for not much money and so good for clthing basics though not madly exciting. Can't really think of any other dirt cheap shop that impresses.

I used to despise Primark and the one nearest to me in a small crap northern town is stereotypically hideous. However if I go to a big one (often Manchester or Meadowhall for me) they are really good for accessories that are so cheap it really doesn't matter if they don't last.

TK Maxx is your friend and the best part is that they have loads under one roof.

For example four double ended lip glosses were £6.99 (Rimmel). They also get high end beauty stuff. You can get quality branded names for the same if not less than you'd pay on the traditional high street.

You do need to set some time aside for a good browse but it can be worth it!

Today I got a Playtex bra RRP was £30, original TK price £6.99 reduced to a fiver.
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Not much to add that hasn't been said before but I rate Bourjois for make up, Aldi for moisturisers - I think it's a myth that premium brands are better for your skin. Used to use Jo Malone and my skin has not deteriorated one jot since moving to Aldi.

Uniqlo for basics, quite pleased with Dorothy Perkins this season, use Quidco for cashback and trawl the net for discount codes, TK Maxx have some great bargains - I particularly love the Osprey bags and purses,

Astral cream as a moisturiser, Boots Natural Collection for mascara and blusher (usually 3 items for £5) honestly as good as any of other other more expensive makes and keep an eye open in Poundland and Savers.

Another vote for Uniqlo for basic clothes, they're fantastic.

Wallis recently seems to have some great accessories, I really rate them. They regularly have 50% off and I pounce

Thank you, have never heard of Uniqlo so will get googling. May well be off to TX Maxx too :-)

Mandy can't believe I forgot to mention THE Vasaline lip balm thingymabob it's a small round red tin and called "rosy lips" (I think) and it a great lip gloss with just a bit of a redish tint - really brill for only £2

Ooh thank you