£ Vs £££ What’s worth paying more for and what’s not?

[Britpopbaby]

In other words where can you cut costs to spend on more expensive items?

I’ve seen lots of beauty bloggers say that cheap eye shadow is just as good as the pricey stuff.

Sali Hughes rates L’Oréal and Maybelline for affordable mascara due to their huge R&D budgets that higher end brands can’t always match.

Are you talking clothes/accessories or beauty?

@happyshineyperson everything!

I would second Maybellene for mascara, and also Zara perfume!!!

For me, vest tops and t shirts are a cheapy purchase. Primark or such. I was told years ago to spend big on things you wear regularly (black work trousers /jeans etc) and to spend cheaply on one off wears (party dress/ heels you'll wear to one event)
I've stuck by this and I think it's right

I think I read here once that it’s more sensible to buy the cheaper products that will just be washed away (shampoo, conditioner, face wash, etc) and spend more on products sitting on your skin all day (serum, moisturiser, perfume etc).

No clue whether this is right, but it makes sense to me.

Worth paying more: shoes, trousers, coats, a belt. Generally things that you're going to be wearing over and over, day after day, are going to be things worth spending more on, as long as they're durable.

Not worth paying more: socks, knickers, soap or shower gel.

Obviously, for everything look at quality and composition. Above everything, look at your own usage and see what you actually get a lot of use out of.

Not really. Cheap shampoos and washes can be very stripping and contain no nourishing ingredients. They can leave your skin and hair ravaged

I think supersug own brand cosmetics are great

Spend on serum, save on moisturiser and cleanser

This stuff

I’d definitely invest in:
Coats, belts, bags, shoes, running trainers, good jewellery.
Investing in these can elevate your look, and of course you want to protect and look after your feet if you are a runner for example.

I would spend less on:
Socks, every day basic underwear (M&S for me), PJs (again, M&S are good), camisole tops, vest tops.

Cosmetics:
I would spend less on soap, shower gel, bubble bath. I wouldn’t compromise on shampoo and conditioner however as like others have said they can strip and dry hair. I do however alternate between Aussie and higher end products such as Davines & Kerastase. Skin - I have problematic skin so I use Medik8 but I do sometimes use Simple facial wash when I’ve run out of my Medik8 cleanser.

£ - cleansers, underwear, mascara, lip balm, moisturizer (facial oil and serum and essence), eyeliner, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, t shirts, socks, brow powder, razors, deodorant,

££ (don't go for the cheapest but go for a mid range option usually korean brands for makeup )- spf, primer, bb cream, liquid blusher (daniel sandler), face powder, liese hair dye; exercise leggings, dresses (boden/seasalt/joules), M & S tights, jumpers

£££- backpack, foundation (ysl/suqqu) highlighter (charlotte tilbury), blusher (suqqu), eyeshadow (mac), urban decay setting spray, decent leather loafers, hermes perfume (tutti fruitti twilly), nars concealer, coat.

As a rule of thumb, it generally is better to pay more for base makeup/colour makeup as the colours are nicer but i find that expensive skincare is disappointing so I just make sure I wash my face and moisturize well. I also find clothes quite disappointing so revert to a basic uniform of floral dress paired with tights and jumper in autumn/winter. but i don't go too cheap as i find clothes in places like primark unwearable but I would buy second hand if I can (though I don't often find stuff I like second hand). I would pay for good shoes though.

I always buy good socks. I am an 8 and suffered years of too small womens socks. Now I buy Falke in my size. Bliss.

You can always spot fake leather. If you choose it for ethical reasons that’s up to you, but don’t buy it thinking it will look as good as the real thing. It won’t.

I normally spend less on shoes because I always wreck them (although I do get them resoled and reheeled). Less on tops because, however good the quality, well...sweat. Less on occasion outfits because the lighting will be shit, most people too pissed to notice and photos equally bad.

If I spend more it's often acting on instinct. I should probably add that not all my instincts are good.

I'll also spend more when I've tried to buy something on the cheap and it hasn't worked.

I never buy expensive perfume or makeup, the cruelty free stuff is cheaper which suits me fine. Also skincare, as long as you are cleansing and moisturising and it's alcohol free.
I'm a believer in the motion not the potion.
Worth spending on:
Proper waterproof winter coat
Footwear
Jewelry
Watch
A nice handbag
Something I will wear to death