Economising - how to step down a level Make Up wise?

[OwlMother]

As part of a general tightening of purse strings I am attempting to work out where I can make savings in my make up bag. I don't use a lot, standard is touche éclat, bb cream, mascara and a touch of eyeliner (can't break that habit!). Usually also use a nude ish lip gloss too.

Unfortunately I have run out of everything at once, and am about to go away on a girls weekend and am ashamed of the state of my make up bag! To add to this I have had an accident which has resulted in my being housebound for weeks so I am feeling particularly unspecial!

I would appreciate suggestions as to what would be good alternatives to my usual options. I normally use a YSL bb cream, or Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser and MAC eyeliner and Mascara. Skin tends towards combination. Given that I have pretty limited mobility it would be great if I could buy things in a decent sized, but not enormous Boots. Thanks for any and all suggestions!

What type of eyeliner?

When I left London/Cambridge and moved to the sticks I switched to No7 for everything, not for economy but for convenience as I am not that keen on shopping and can buy it in my local town rather than driving for 60 mins.

Absolutely fine in all respects. I still use it 7 years on even though I travel into a city three times a month.

I can't do liquid liner, so either a pencil or at the moment I am using a little MAC pot with a brush.

lavendersun That's interesting, I have heard good things about No. 7. Is there anything you'd particularly avoid / recommend?

I am not a big make up user/like a natural look but like their tinted moisturiser and intelligent colour foundation. Use this on occasion

www.boots.com/en/No7-Instant-Illusions-Airbrush-Away-Primer-30ml_1496503/

This is my regular mascara

www.boots.com/en/No7-Extreme-Length-Sensitive-Eyes-Mascara_1273403/

No7 Sheer temptation lipstick in Caramel Kiss which looks nothing like the on screen photo. Mac quarry eyeshadow and Mac loose powder (used it for 20 years so just buy that online) completes my collection!

Whenever I have needed to make a saving on make up I've googled the brand/item I currently use and the word dupe. Usually comes up with lots of options. Its worth reading reviews of the products you normally use too as often people mention ones they prefer/have found as good for less money

I like my olay bb cream or cc cream and I also buy bourjoir gel foundation which is incredibly light, blends seamlessly and you only need a dab to have amazing skin . I bought it because it got rave reviews in the beauty press. My make up artist friend recommends l' oral mascara which I use too.

I bought an eye liner pencil from no 7 recently which is a kind of chubby stick. Rubbish waxy thing that drags nothing like as good as my clinique quicklime for eyes

Thanks lavendersun - I'll have a look at those in Boots this week. Sounds like we have a similar approach to make up. I don't really want to look like I am wearing any, just want to look like a more polished me!

olympicsrock Thanks for the suggestions - you've reminded me that I read something about Bourjoir lately too. And good to know what to avoid.

I'm going through duty free on Friday so if I get some cheaper bits I could still get a couple of essentials from the MAC counter!

mangofizz sounds like a good plan - I tend to get a bit bamboozled though! Do you have any hero products you could suggest?

I've also had some quite good buys eye liner and mascara wise from Ocado in the past, it was a good place to buy a few things when the DCs were really small and even a trip to boots was a bit tricky.

If you're using a gel liner, the maybelline one in a pot comes with a little brush and is maybe £8? It's fab, really pigmented

And seventeen HD falsifye mascara is excellent, you'll get that and the maybelline gel in boots

I know someone who used to work for Lancôme, she raves about Loreal.
She says that Loreal is owned by Lancôme, and Bourjois by Chanel so some (not all) of the products can be very similar.
I don't know how true this is but she uses Loreal.

Boots natural collection bronzer is very good. I've also heard good things about the body shop version of touché eclait.

I'd agree with hollinhurst on both her suggestions, the mascara is amazing and i've never heard a bad report about the eyeliner either.

I like a heavier foundation so no advice on bb creams. My favourite foundation at the moment is loreal infallible 24. Bourjois City Radiance is nice, I like that for a bit less coverage

That's brilliant, thanks everyone. Lots of ideas to go to Boots with when I can persuade someone to drive me.
backinpurple Thanks for the suggestion but Ocado still haven't made it far enough north for me. Hopefully one day....

No7 do the best mascaras of any brand, IMO - I'd actually choose them over Clinique or Estée Lauder, both of which I used to use. I am also wedded to the L'Oreal version of Touché Eclat - it's called something like Radiant Touch.

just because they are OWNED by one company doesnt make the product the same

Lancome is owned by Loreal (as is vichy, biotherm, clinique, etc etc?

Not a fan of No.7 on the whole but Bourjois and Revlon are very solid quality high street brands.

I can definitely recommend Boujois for bb cream. Im quite pale and this is very natural and easy to blend.

Oh and maxfactor 2000 calorie mascara - best 'cheap' mascara ive tried - i buy it again and again.

I get mineral foundation but put it on with a small brush and blend only over areas that need concealing. Then I uses Boots Natural Collection powder (very cheap) over my whole face.

I actually decided to try giving this method a go because I thought my foundation was making my skin appear 'flat' in photos. I have been very pleased with it though, wears much better with no colour 'slide' when face has sweated.

^ the powder mineral foundation lasts ages this way.

I love lily lolo moneral foundation. Light but decent coverage. Rimmel do the best liquid eyeliner - exaggerate waterproof, and eyebrow pencil for a few quid. I love max factor 2000 calorie mascara. Bourjois great for powder, blush etc