2018 new finds

[lyinginthesundrinkingbubbles]

This New Years' resolution was to not just think that premium brands/spending lots of money is best so I have tried lots of new things. Somethings I've hated but others have been great! It has really me rethink my brand loyalty.
Here is just some stuff I've discovered this year.

1. Uniqlo cotton base layers/T shirts and knit wear are better quality than Jigsaw (my previous go to).
2. Coach is better than any previous Mulberry I've bought. Not cheap either but about half the price.
3. Sainsbury's cotton knickers are better than M&S
4. Aldi facecream is better and feels lovely- better than any other I've tried (and I've tried most premium brands in the last 20 years).
5. Rimmel nail polish is better than Chanel.
6. I still think you can't beat l'occitane almond shower oil as everything else I've tried is drying.
7. There is no point in buying expensive shampoo- all the supermarket ones are just as good. It's the conditioner which is more important to me.

Anyone else want to share things that they also think are better than more expensive options?

Retinol and acids - all the low priced retinols are fab and just as good as the dear stuff.

www.boots.com/pantene-pro-v-foam-conditioner-repair-and-protect-for-fine-damaged-hair-10222185

Pantene mousse conditioner - it’s much lighter than cream conditioners so my fine hair doesn’t go greasy after one day. It also rinses out in an instant. This was a revelation, I’m a total convert.

I was just thinking this yesterday - I was in JL wit her a gift voucher burning a hole in my pocket and every high end product I saw, I thought of an amazing cheap version.
This year, MUA and Revolution have been a revelation for eyeshadow, blush, highlighter and candlelight powder.
Etude House is amazing for lip water tints - never going to wear standard lipstick again.
Etude House and Mizon sheet masks and collagen eye pads - remarkable and waaaay better than anything Elemis or Clarins did for me.
Collection 2000 lash surge mascara amazing also.

I think my biggest discovery is that I’ve started buying fewer clothes but better quality and thinking about how new items would fit with my existing colour palette. I buy maybe one or two things a month but I LOVE them and it’s made me feel much more thoughtfully put together.
Other finds:
Maybelline fit me concealer- perfect dupe for Nars creamy concealer
Tropic skincare generally - I was super dubious about this as it’s a MLM type situation, but the products are well formulated and lovely to use. Still feel a bit conflicted about it tbh but the aha serum is lovely.
Gel insoles from Amazon- make my boots a lot comfier!
Heated rollers (mine are BaByliss)
M&S thermals

I am a convert to Primark big knickers.

Primark pjs too

I agree about thermals from marks and Spencer.

Aveeno moisturiser instead of my usual Soap and Glory - not a massive difference price wise, but much better for my skin

Baby shampoo to strip away the silicones in my usual shampoo/conditioner

I do still like Lrp for my face but also use Boots traditional Glycerin and Rose toner

Men's deodorant gel (not the strong smelling ones!)

Eco tools make up brushes from TKmaxx instead of Real Techniques (though I still have some of those)

Clear mascara to tame my brows

Agree with the Rimmel nail polish

No longer need hand cream now I use Aveeno

Clothes wise - charity shops for me and bags from eBay

I now use Boots no7 Beautiful skin oily skin moisturiser & my skin doesn't look shiny like it did!

I get it when there's £5 off no7 skincare so I only pay £9 for it.

But I do like to put Clinique Smart Repair serum underneath - I got given my last bottle for my birthday, hope to get some for Christmas!

I'm now trying Nexxus shampoo & conditioner from Boots instead of expensive salon products, too early to say if I'm a convert yet.

Ooh! Remembered another one: Aveeno cream oil for scaly shins (attractive no?) - it’s amazingly good and smells like marzipan! About 1/10 the price of posh L’Occitane almond body cream and more effective..

I like the M&S thermal vests