Saving ££ without compromising

[Redmum22]

As we’re all feeling the crunch this year, what are your best tips for saving money without compromising on quality? Where do you splurge/rate higher end, but also where do you save money and buy cheap?

One of the tips I’ve picked up along the way is that shampoo matters but conditioner doesn’t. I always use a salon-quality shampoo but supermarket conditioner. I won’t (can’t?) compromise on using Double Wear as it’s the only foundation I can get a decent colour match with and it actually stays on my skin and covers my pigmentation.

I already buy a lot of second hand clothing and accessories, and try to be mindful about what I buy. Would love to know what’s worth the cash and what isn’t with regards to skincare!

I’m with you on the Double Wear foundation! Cannot manage without it and tbh a bottle lasts me months and months. With skincare I currently use Fresh’s Rose hydrating serum and face cream. When they run out I will use my Superdrug cheap stuff or possibly get good skincare on offer from QVC. They do excellent offers in Elemis sets.

I always swore by Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum, but in lockdown when counters were shut picked up an Inkey List one instead. It is £6 versus £50+, and I have never gone back. I decided to try out their moisturiser and cleanser which I now use at nights.

On the flip side, a couple of lockdown switches didn’t work for me. The Elf eye primer is no match for Nars, and their powder isn’t anywhere close to By Terry.

I’m trying out the Superdrug Vit E hot cloth cleanser as a replacement for Liz Earle and - touch wood - it’s looking pretty good so far; I prefer the LE scent but the texture is excellent. I picked up a Clinique Almost Powder instead of a replacement Bobbi Brown concealer and although not cheap it does the job of concealer, foundation and powder for me with a tiny amount - best new product I’ve tried in years.

Both trusty Mitchum and Dove deodorants have been giving me grief recently with dodgy caps and clumping, so I need to find a new reliable without wasting cash, ugh!

I can’t compromise on Vichy foundation or blanx toothpaste but I would like to find alternatives for almost everything else! I stopped buying clothes a couple of months ago and really can’t see that’ll I’ll have the chance to buy again until after my dcs birthdays and Christmas. No spare money!