Can't afford to replace my normal products (clinique etc) - anyone suggest cheap alternatives?

[cyanarasamba]

I am a SAHM who until recently did some contract work. This has now gone out the window so I need to cut back!

All of my usual products are running low - can anyone suggest cheaper alternatives that might come close to doing the same job? I've tried cheaper products in the past but am often disappointed and end up wasting money.

I am in need of:

Clinique superbalanced make-up
Clinique dramatically different moisturiser
Clinique 7-day scrub cream
Keratase Smooth-it down shampoo & conditioner

I'm not a big fan of Clinique's moisturiser or scrub myself and I reckon they're no better than much cheaper high street brands like Simple. I'd try a Simple light moisturiser if I were you.
The shampoo and make up might be a bit harder. Kerastase is very good. Elvive is sort of packaged in a way that looks like it's trying to look like Kerastase IYKWIM. They do a smoothing one. Might be worth a go?

Not sure about the foundation...I always find foundation the one thing that it's really hard to skimp on. The pricier ones do tend to be better. Can you cut back on the other stuff and get someone to buy you the foundation for xmas?

ask for them for Christmas

but I thought the Clinique scrub and moisturoser were poor too - I use Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish which is very gently exfoliating and not at all drying so I don;t actually need a moisturiser afterwrads

I don't think you'll find anything cheaper with comparable quality when it comes to the moisturiser and make-up; like you whenever I try any cheaper brands, they don't work for me and are thus a false economy
Can you get someone to buy you these for Christmas?

7 day scrub cream - try tesco bnatural energising scrub

Kerastace - I know Kerastace is totally ace, but Aussie stuff is pretty good and much cheaper (look out for deals in Boots etc)

Yes, I like the Liz Earle C&P too. Or any creamy cleanser with a muslin cloth. Much better than scrubs/exfoliators IMO.

Superbalanced make up - try Barbara Daly at Tesco. Moisturiser - I'd say that if your skin really likes this economise by getting some imported stuff off ebay - or some trial sizes - and use E45 liquid every other time.
I don't know anything about 7 day scrub cream. I use tesco coconut shampoo and conditioner with friz ease serum and hair smoother and this suits my hair very well - the serum and smoother last a good 6 months so it is a god cheap compromise - might not suit everyone though.

I have yet to find a cheaper moisuriser I'm happy with (I like Clarins). I can get by for a while blagging samples.

Rimmel foundation is ok.

Exfoliator - I don't pay extra for these anymore - Sainsbury's do a good own brand one.

Shampoo, not sure - Boots Botanics range maybe?

Blagging samples is a good idea if you're broke. And ebay as someone else suggested. Superdrug often has offers on brands like Clarins and Clinique. Debenhams has got 10% off all cosmetics and beauty stuff at the mo I think.

You might need to think beyond these products and go for a whole new range. 7-day scrub cream is part of the Clinique 3-step skincare routine - are you still using that?

Personally I also think Clinique is wildly out of date - there are lots and lots of lovely new products out there for skincare.

What kind of skin do you have?

John Frieda and Aussie hair care ranges are the best of the mass market.

Anna - good point about John Frieda. In the dim and distant past when I coulod afford to have my hair done there, I noticed that they seemed to use the same products as you see on the shelves at Boots. However, being a bit of a cynic I was never quite sure that the ingredients were 100% the same. Also, that may have changed now.

i used to use the 7 day scrub but have found that "scrub your nose in it" by Soap and Glory is great and half the price

Olay is a reasonable moisturiser

Is a tinted moisturiser a good compromise?

I'm using John Frieda at the moment, as it is sold in my DP's shops and so I get a lovely discount . I love it.

Before that I used to import Aussie from England (I know, I know a bit barmy when my DP has more than 70 shops in France stacked with hygiene & beauty products).

Yes boots botanics moisturising shampoo and conditioner - I have them atm - work well and smell nice.

neutrogena daily exfoliating pads are very good.

Nivea oil free moisturer is great - swear by it. And I have used clinique/clarins in the past but really don't think that they are any better

This is the best cleanser I have ever used (and I have tried zillions) - I've recommended it on MN before and had positive feedback.

Oooh Anna - you're nothing to do with Sephora are you?

Very sore they don't ship to UK.

No, not Sephora - another distribution channel (and therefore different product ranges). What do you want from Sephora that you cannot find in the UK?

I don't mean "channel", I mean circuit but cannot think of the English for that

I got some eye makeup remover there once because I'd forgotten to pack any, and it was wonderful.

Their own brand? Or just some other French brand that you couldn't find in the UK?

body shop vit e stuff

No it was their own brand. Generally a great shop I thought

Chain, anna

It's quite fun. Sometimes I go to the one on Champs-Elysées but DP gets a bit miffed if I spend too much money there. But the make-up he sells is crap. I like Stila and Benefit