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

No, chain is not the translation of circuit...

oops - thought that's what you meant

I don't think Clinique skincare is that good tbh and some of the cheaper ranges are actually more effective. Instead of the 7 day scrub you could try the Olay thermal polisher or the 7 signs wash off cleanser with refining beads (or something!) - both are pretty good and around £6.50 iirc. John Frieda Frizz Ease or weather works are both good, or maybe even the Dove pro-age stuff (although I hate the scent of Dove products so won't use them). Instead of the moisturiser, Olay do a radiance moisturiser which is pretty good, about £7. Or if you can wait until January Origins usually do bargain sets of their White Tea range, which is really lovely.

I tried for a year to not buy Superbalanced make up and probably spent more than what the foundation cost trying to find an alternative so now I always stick with it. I tend to buy Clinique when it's their Bonus Time as i'll get the foundation and moisturiser and then get a bag full of stuff free with it, it usually has a mascara and face scrub and that all lasts a year.

I do like Liz Earle but i'm not sure that it's any cheaper than Clinique...although it is nicer. If I want a scrub I just use those St Ives Apricot scrubs as they are just as good and don't make my skin sting as much as the Clinique ones do.

if you really want to stick with Clinique, why not try Ebay? you can often get sample sizes for not many £s.

Alternatively, L'Oreal is a good brand - I am currently using their cleanser after running out of REN (£16 a bottle), and they have loads of moisturisers to choose from, and so is Rimmel and No & for make up- or B Daly at Tesco.

Another vote for Barbara Daley makeup at Tesco - the oil-free foundation is great, I use it when I can't afford Chanel.

I've been experimenting with Q10 day moisturiser from Aldi - I am quite impressed so far, I use it when I can't afford Clinique Superdefence moisturiser (although wear with makeup with an spf, as Q10 is only SPF 4)

For face scrub, adding a tablespoon of ordinary table salt to your regular soap or cleanser is a good substitute.

Can't help with the shampoo, I buy whatever's expensive but on offer.

I really like Boots No 7 Perform and protect foundation - really nice and £15 but they often have £5 off No7 vouchers when you buy other stuff in Boots. Or you can use points?

I like the Boots Time Delay scrub.

i heard that expensive face scrub is the biggest waste of money, i buy boots own brand cucumber scrub,
but moisturiser is a different story

On the shampoo front try Tresemme - I used to use Aussie but Tresemme is REALLY good (I use the moisturising one) and good value.

I like olay thermal polisher,use it in shower every few days.
Foundation wise,I love Bobbi Brown or Mac,but actaully am using Loreal lasting finish long stay stuff atm!

Thanks so much for all your replies, lots of lovely products to try. Just need to make sure I don't go overboard and get them all!

Make up - I think I will stick with the superbalanced foundation, it goes on so well and when I've tried others in the past I've not got on with them. Not thought of looking on ebay so will investigate this.

Skincare - I've been told my skin tends to be "dehydrated" (which is not the same as dry apparently). My current regime is to cleanse with cotton wool, water and a dash of any not-too-harsh toner. Then moisturise. Once a week I exfoliate and use Clarins Thirst Quenching Serum (I have a new bottle of this so not looking to replace right now).

Will look into the scrubs suggested. I did try a Neutrogena one once but it contained menthol and stung! I'll also look out for L'oreal/Olay moisturiser deals at the supermarket as they often seem to have money off there - not sure they are that much cheaper otherwise as a big bottle of clinique will last me ages.

Haircare - I use the Frizz-Ease finishing creme at the moment so would consider the shampoo/conditioner as well.

Have you tried Strawberrynet for Clinique?

I've heard that you can make a good face scrub by adding baking soda to cleanser, but haven't tried it.

Kerastase and Loreal are both owned by Lancome and a lot of their products are very similar.

Anna8888 - is the much-lauded sensifluid a cream cleaner, or does it wash off? I need a new cleanser but prefer the soapier (?) ones as otherwise my T-zone doesn't feel cleansed.

i find all frizz-ease stuff really harsh and drying. have fine curly hair. i use waitrose super strength conditioner and aussie shampoo, aveda styling stuff as it works out cheaper as use less.

last year I switched from Lancome moistureiser to No7.. No7 is as good and much cheaper..

more and more I find myself swaying towards No7 and I used to be a make-up/skincare SNOB.. No7 in the last year or so seem to have really picked up.. excellent imvho.. Mascara is a bit to gloopy for me so I tend to stick to lancome.. also recommend the "scrub your nose in it" No7 also do a good clay mask for semi-regular use which is good.

All over body moisturisers, I've stopped using Origins etc and started using E45 which is fine though I still use my Lancome Flash Bronzer every couple of days

erm.. will have another think. Def fond of No7 though.. I have stuck to my guns with my foundation though and eye cream, they both Dior

I think soap&glory have nice stuff and are extending their range, the scrubs are great

also some number7 stuff but I find the moisturisers too thick for me Time Delay from Boots is better for me
I also use a very cheap moisturiser from Boots Amie which is very shine free and goes well under make up for the evening

can't afford Clarins any more but still stick to Chanel foundation
make up between Benefit and Bourgeois

PerkinWarbeck - it is a no-rinse vaguely creamy cleanser. But no worries - I have an oily t-zone and it has made it much better, with no rinsing.

thanks Anna .

This is an interesting article about good value cosmetics.

I also love Liz Earle cleanser, but I'm currently using Akamuti cleansing cream which I've been recommending to just about everyone I know. I use it the same way as the Liz Early (smooth on, rub off with muslin soaked in warm water). Liz Earle is lighter so I'll probably go back to that when the weather is warmer and my skin is more hydrated naturally.

I can't help with a moisturiser as I can't find anything at all that I really like, although I do use a tiny amount of Waitrose baby bottom butter as a night cream. In the summer just that at night and a good sunscreen in the morning is enough without moisturiser I find.

I didn't like Lush Ultrabland at all, I just couldn't get it off my skin, it was really sticky.

Aussie products are fab for hair, and only moderately expensive.

Actually, I probably have very different skin to the OP as I can't use Clinique products at all. Feel free to ignore my recommendations.

l'oreal - same lab research- different packaging

I think Simple is a good brand - also Boots Time Delay range, which is a good alternative to their more expensive No 7 range - some of the products have very similar ingredients. It's also worth finding out what brands have cheaper brands - eg Chanel and Bourjois; Lancome and L'oreal/Garnier; and use a lot fo the same technology and ingredients.

I also like Liz Earle - not cheap but not too expensive and you always get free samples too.