tell me your secrets! (the cheap ones)

[Faerieinatoadstool]

One day I want to be a fairytale princess whose only beauty routine I'd the occasional bathe in stream water scattered with rose petals but until then...
I have started to do the oil cleansing thing which is looking promising, so what else should I be trying (which is cheap and natural)?

[coffeeinbed]

Boots Botanics is brilliant as well.
I went through 3 pots of their sensitive skin moisturiser.
The rest of the line is nice as well.

[Aquelven]

Boots Essentials Fragrance Free range, only £1.50 each full price & often on 3for2! The eye makeup remover is brilliant & they've even introduced a calming lotion though haven't tried that so don't know how effective it is.

Also from Boots, their E45 knock off range called Derma Care, half the price & identical.

[madmomma]

Shitloads of nightcream,(any decent one) spf and facial exercises

[Bunbaker]

I agree about foundation. I only wear it if going out or going to work. I think your skin needs to breathe and agree that a little sun is good.

[Onefewernow]

Bun baker I do use sun protection in hot weather or if out all day but not otherwise. I'm convinced foundation ages people too. Your skin needs some sun, surely?

[Onefewernow]

Bun baker I do use sun protection in hot weather or if out all day but not otherwise. I'm convinced foundation ages people too. Your skin needs some sun, surely?

[Faerieinatoadstool]

Didn't think of looking in h&b.
I struggle with perfume, nothing seems quite right and I get confused about where the smell is coming from!

[Corygal]

Always wear scent. Even if you squirt the most expensive bottle daily, it only costs a tenner a year.

You will smell lovely to everybody all the time.

[cherryhealey]

Facial scrub Boots Botanics one- on dry skin twice a week skin really glows afterwards.

2.5 litres of water every day

Mudd mask once a week

Moisturise loads but with any old moisturiser.

Dye your eye lashes saves on mascara.

Tiny drop of hair conditioner every one uses far too much -size of your thumb nail on ends only.

[Bunbaker]

Do you not use anything containing SPF on your face or do you just wear a big hat when the sun comes out?

[Onefewernow]

I'm going to be contentious and say I'm not convinced about so called "beauty routines" at all.

I've never used moisturisers or similar, nor face make up. I use lipstick, eyeliner and mascara when I can be bothered.

I am 54 this year and I don't have lines yet.

BUT in the past whenever I tried moisturiser I noticed that my face felt crap without it after I had used it for a month or so. I think that what happens is that your skin gets used to the moisture and stops producing its own.

My younger sisters and other family members would disagree, but then they are pretty lined these days.

[1974rach]

to pp...I use the unscented palmers cocoa butter, I also don't like the smell!

[hollyisalovelyname]

Sunshinemum dies the body cream smell like Palmer cocoa butter? I hate the smell of Palmers

[coffeeinbed]

Also - the cheapest best way to look less bloated and more fresh - Clarins Methode Auto-Liftante.
It's on their website.

It works, really. Takes all of three minutes.

[Mignonette]

Splashing my face with cold water first thing and whenever I feel sluggish.

Not using foundation - I think it is ageing.

Smelling lovely. I love the smell of freshly washed hair when a person stands near me.

Cream blusher in a shade near to your natural flush is very flattering.

Clean shoes. Clean nails. No manky overly fake looking manicures or overlong nails.

I've been using Bottle O Butter for years and was utterly ticked off when supplies ran out due to the hype. I often buy my hair stuff and body oils from shops that sell products for black skin types because they are highly nourishing and smell amazing.

Udder Balm for hand cream is the best. Cheap as chips.

Yes to Cucumbers is the most amazing shower gel ever. Really vital and fresh first thing in the morning.

Health Food shops like Holland & Barrett are a secret Aladdins cave of amazing beauty products. They have the well known ones like Burts Bees (love Marshamllow face cream), Weleda, Dr Hauschka and Yes to Cucumbers but they also have less well known ones like Dr Bronner and niche Australian brands.

The best rocket fuel supplement is Femergy. I buy it from Amazon or Victoria Health and it is energy in a capsule. No side effects, no hangover, just a bit of life when you feel drained.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I don't smoke, drink or eat meat/fish/chicken

And (best tip but not much use to anyone else) I come from a family (on Dads side) who look years younger than they are

[Faerieinatoadstool]

I use henna for my hair, what do you do for make up?
No chance I'm giving up sugar, don't know how I would get through some days without it!

[bunnymother]

M&S Age Repair moisturiser for 40 year old skin

Maybelline mascara (waterproof Stiletto lash in brown / black - better for blondes than black - buy on eBay for £3)

Maybelline gel nail polish

Dye your eyebrows a shade or two darker (if blonde)

[Allthingsprettyreturns]

If something works for you don't fall for the hype of another product as it will potentially cost you and you will end up with something you will never wear .

I agree with another poster about knowing what to be thrifty on and know where to indulge.

Boots SPF moisturiser in the Botanics range is excellent and often on offer either money off or extra points or if you are lucky both!

[Theoldhag]

Olive oil, for moisturiser, make up remover, oil pulling.....cheaper than coconut oil.

Rose water as a cleanser.

Henna eye makeup.

Organic bicarbonate of soda for brushing teeth.

Lots of sleep, plenty of water and daily tea made with turmeric.

[FrankCarsonsDressingRoom]

Shea butter
Vaseline
Sudocrem (for zits)
Aspirin crushed for salicylic peel

[mcgilly]

Another vote for Revlon lip butter and chubby sticks.

Also boring but true - my skin has improved so much since I finally stopped eating lots of sugary treats. I put the money I would have spent on chocolate into a savings jar for beauty treats.

[Rummikub]

I have just used the aldi lacura face serum, it's very lovely. I will be checking out the body moisturiser there too.

E45 cream has been a staple for many years.
Vaseline too.