Cheapo products that are secretly amazing?

[Gmamaofboys13]

Following on from the Nivea soft thread (under £5 on Amazon)...what other hidden treasures are there that I don't know about?

I've found carmex original lip balm in a tub to be amazing. Costs under £3

L'Oreal dream lengths shampoo/conditioner has really sorted my hair out. On offer it was £2.75 for 500ml.

Garnier hand repair hand cream 75ml is so good, cost £2 from Amazon

Garnier hair food, I think I have the brown one with macadamia oil. £3.50 for 500ml

Sudocrem for acne and sunburn, recently bought 400g for £5.75

Any other suggestions?

@HashtagShitShop

E45 spray lotion for really dry skin. It's in an aerosol to be sprayed after shower etc. I accidentally used it on a wound whilst getting dressed and it closed it. Said wound had been open for quite a while and would not respond to other actual medical creams. Its since done the same for an irritating rash and a other wound. Fab stuff.

Just wanted to say a massive thank you for this. Picked up a bottle after reading this and it’s been nothing short of miraculous!

Glad to hear it my lovely! I didn't expect much but it was amazing!

@Qwaffee Aldi do a moisture surge dupe called moisture boost (I think it tends to be available in the summer months)

I used moisture surge years ago and loved it. Saw the dupe in Aldi last year and picked one up, then bought a Clinique one for research purposes to see if I could tell the difference. They're identical. You can buy 6 of the Aldi ones for the same price as Clinique.

Worth keeping an eye out as I reckon they'll be back in the specialbuys again soon! I've still got some left in my stash but will be doing a bulk order online as soon as I get chance!

Interested if anyone can link the Nivea Soft thread? I always end up going back to that after trying many different dupes and recommended creams here!

I love the Nivea 2 in 1 cleanser and Toner. Also the Simple purifying cleansing lotion.

Im trying to reduce plastic waste so have switched to shampoo bars rather than bottles, and they seem to do the job just fine. Last for ages too

Thanks Fresh - I actually saw a picture of the Aldi moisture boost for the first time the other day - googled it excitedly then realised it is available- fingers crossed it might be again. Really happy with the Neutrogena so far

@TruffleNoir

Interested if anyone can link the Nivea Soft thread? I always end up going back to that after trying many different dupes and recommended creams here!

I love the Nivea 2 in 1 cleanser and Toner. Also the Simple purifying cleansing lotion.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/4513380-Singing-the-praises-of-Nivea-Soft?msgid=116139991

@Qwaffee

Thanks Fresh - I actually saw a picture of the Aldi moisture boost for the first time the other day - googled it excitedly then realised it is available- fingers crossed it might be again. Really happy with the Neutrogena so far

I have the Neutrogena one on my wishlist just in case I can't get my hands on any from Aldi before I run out, so it's good to hear someone recommend it. I do like a gel moisturiser in summer.

L'Oréal Collagen moisturiser is very good.

Well I tried the Fibrology shampoo on here for my fine hair, after drying my hair was lankier than it has ever been. Disappointed on that recommendation, but I guess what works for one does not work for all.

Nooo! I've just bought both Fibrology products having read this thread! I won't expect miracles then 😒

I love The Ordinary's L-Ascorbic Acid powder, its the absolute best vitamin c product I've used, its v cheap and lasts ages. I mix it in the palm of my hand with my moisturiser before bed, makes a huge difference. I also mix it with my body lotion as it works better than any of the vitamin c body lotions.

I don't know why everybody isn't raving about the Boots Cucumber mask. It's £1.50 for a tube which gives you at least 5 masks. That's 30p per mask!

It contains white clay (among other ingredients) which is great for deep cleansing and softening. After going to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland I found the white clay made my skin really soft but Blue Lagoon masks are £50!

I have been using the Boots cucumber mask once a week for years and years. I put it on in the bath and take it off with a flannel. My skin always looks and feels much softer and brighter afterwards. It's such an effective and incredibly cheap product but I feel like I'm treating myself. I always include it in DDs' Christmas stockings.

I'm honestly not advertising it, just sharing my enthusiasm.

Calypso once a day sun screen, about £6 a bottle. The equivalent is P20 At about £20 a bottle! The calypso stuff has not failed me yet and I burn under a light bulb.

On the perfume front, I can recommend SJPs ‘Lovely’. Very cheap off Amazon, but smells much more expensive.

I can't be without a tub of vaseline,. I have been using it for over 60 years for a face moisteriser, The little tins of Vaseline are nice too, with cocoa butter, and aloe vera.. I am 79 now, and have very smooth , soft, and wrinkle free skin on my face.

Agree that Maybelline mascaras are the best cheap ones.

Love Nivea soft

@ByeByeMissAmericanPie

On the perfume front, I can recommend SJPs ‘Lovely’. Very cheap off Amazon, but smells much more expensive.

This. I wear it a lot and people often comment.

@NeedWineNow - my only complaint is that when someone says ‘You smell lovely… what is it?’

I reply ‘It’s Lovely’ and they go, ‘Yes, I know it smells lovely, but what is it?’
Argh. 🤣

Castor oil instead of brow and lash serums

Vaseline to take off mascara

Aldi eyeshadow palette

Revlon foundation - really good - on par with Laura mercier

There's some good recommendations on here. Will try the hydra luminous next.

@1forAll74
Some people use Vaseline on their eyelashes as they swear it helps them grow thick and lush.
I remember reading that it made hairs grow on your face.
Did you find that ?

Qwaffee Aldi do a moisture surge dupe called moisture boost (I think it tends to be available in the summer months)

• thanks for this, I will look out for it!

@meifly

Which inkey list moisturiser were you referring to, as seem to be a whole range of them? TIA x