your cheap as chips beauty secrets....

Madame Razz · 11-08-2008 09:20AM #1

So this is a very girly thread, but particularly apt given 'de recession'!! I've started using Boots coconut and almond oil replenishing hair mask recently, they have it on offer, 2 tubs for 3 euro.

Anyway, it is amazing; probably the best deep conditioner i've ever used; And so cheap compared to the ridiculous prices I've paid for ones in the past.

Which got me to thinking. Sometimes you just find products(make-up/body whatever) that are dirt cheap but work brilliantly, and become staples on your bathroom shelf.

So Ladies, 'fess up your cheap as chips beauty secrets here:

Mine are:

That Boots mask

Witchhazel and rosewater as a toner

Ponds cold cream for a deep cleanse, nothing better, esp if you have evening makeup on!

All I can think of for now...

Over to you.....

The Sweeper · 11-08-2008 10:02AM

Moved to FAP because it's more relevant in this forum.

spaceylou · 11-08-2008 10:04AM

Wow that is good for a hair mask I might check it out. How much is in a tub???

Alternatively (and what i currently do) when my hair is getting a bit dry, I put olive oil in it, avoid the roots, turn on the hair dryer on a low setting for a few minutes just to warm it a wee bit, and then wrap in a towel - best done 30 - 60 mins before having a shower, and then just wash hair as normal. Nice soft hair again

Dinxminx · 11-08-2008 10:24AM

Really? Isn't it hard to get the oil out of your hair?

spaceylou · 11-08-2008 10:47AM

nah, i mean I don't drown my hair in the oil but it comes out easy enough. It isn't really an different (except in price) than the hot oil treatments you can buy in boots etc.

Just thought of another trick for soft hair (its a constant battle), if you are swimming, put some of your usual conditioner in your hair before your swim. It a protects in from the chlorine in the pool and b gives it a mini hair masque because in your swim cap it gets nice and warm and the conditioner gets plenty of time to work.

Glowing · 11-08-2008 11:07AM

I'll second the Witchhazel and Rosewater!!! I LOVE it!

2.66 a bottle in Boots, takes all your makeup off, and doesn't dry out your skin, leaves it soft and clear - you can't beat it.

all the stars · 11-08-2008 11:28AM

when stuck the odd time, mix sea salt in with shower gel for exfolliant (on body not face)
works great.....

boogle · 11-08-2008 11:45AM

I have curly hair and use a leave-in conditioner spray after I wash my hair. Whenever I run out I just put a blob of normal conditioner in a spray bottle with some water, shake it up, and Bob's your uncle. It does a grand job.

Madame Razz · 11-08-2008 01:06PM

spaceylou wrote: »

Wow that is good for a hair mask I might check it out. How much is in a tub???

400ml, it really is amazing stuff, hair feels great after it!!

I think the Palmers body lotion range is great too, all the lotions work really well, and their coconut body oil is simply divine, much better than any other kind I think. And its all very reasonably priced!

Boots do omega 3 fish oil capsules also, they're in a blue and gold box, and they have exactly the same ingredients(slighgtly more in fact) as another brand, except they're a lot cheaper.

Oh, and i am quite impressed by tesco own brand mouthwash also, mundane i know:rolleyes:

Sugar Drunk · 11-08-2008 02:25PM

- lidl face wipes they are brilliant and cheap! I also bought their toner yesterday
- E45 moisturoiser its great much better than expensive creams I used to buy
- baking soda for whitening teeth (dip your toothbrush and paste in it or just apply with a face cloth)
- Montague jeneusse face masks - i really like these. Only 2 euro and they do the trick
- essence make up. soooo cheap. their glitter eyeliner is on par with urban decays but its only 2-3 euro

- sea salt and shower gel to make body scrub
- coffee granules and shower gel to make cellulite busting wash
- pigsback.com I have the credit card you get points when you spend anything i have been racking up points for ages and just cashed mine in for 80 euro worth of boots vouchers!!

unreggd · 11-08-2008 02:49PM

Where are these cheap chips u speak of?

im gettin ripped off!

lubie76 · 11-08-2008 04:50PM

Simple - Conditioning eye makeup remover lotion

Non oily but still removes the most stubborn eye make up better than any of the expensive ones.
Have to say though I think when it comes to moisturisers and stuff, you generally get what you pay for.

deedee lepoopoo · 11-08-2008 04:51PM

Rosewater as eye make-up remover.
Vaseline for the eyes and lips.
Neem Soap for bumpy skin and dandruff.

ncmc · 11-08-2008 05:02PM

The day and night cream in Lidl (I think it's called Siana), €2.99 each and is just as good as a lot of the spendsy ones.

St Ives body moisturiser, not mega cheap but def one of the best body creams i've tried.

Johnsons Clean and Clear face wash, I've used Clarins, Lancome and Estee Lauder face wash and I always come back to this one.

www.strawberrynet.com for really cheap cosmetics, get them at US prices with free delivery. Normally a free gift with your first order and incremental discounts after that.

Twee. · 11-08-2008 08:23PM

Boots body creams are excellent. They come in a pump bottle (handy when your hands slippy covered in the stuff!) and often on 3 for 2. I use the coconut and cocao & mallow which just gorgeous. Makes you smell great!

LadyMayBelle · 11-08-2008 09:18PM

Wow,i must try that baking soda for whitening teeth. i always use boots brand eye makeup remover,the blue bottle. find it great. a recent lover of the tesco mouthwash.

jos28 · 11-08-2008 09:24PM

Baby oil or almond oil mixed with sugar makes a great body scrub. Its great for giving your hands a treat too. I use it on my hands after heavy work like painting/decorating/gardening etc, they feel great afterwards.

pookie82 · 11-08-2008 10:15PM

Gotta laugh at the OP's post. I was in Boots today looking at the almond oil and coconut hair mask but opted for a more expensive one (in my folly) thinking it wouldn't be much use! Damn it. I was wandering around the store for ages looking at all the two for one offers and buy one get one half price on really good stuff - definitely recession shopping destination from now on!!!

On topic, I have found in the past that a lot of boots own brand stuff is great, including their hairspray. It's really light but gives good hold. I love their 17 lip glosses too. Really cheap and much better than the Loreal and Maybelline ones which you'll pay over a tenner a go for. Tesco face wipes are just as good as most of the really expensive brands too, the ones in the blue packaging, and are only around 1.75! I also have really dry skin and used to buy every moisturiser under the sun but I've found that astral is by far the best. A lot of people think it's too greasy but I find it great and you get a massive tub for a fiver. H&M also do a gorgeous smelling body butter for only 2.50.

Madame Razz · 11-08-2008 10:59PM

Seriously, that hair mask is brill, deffo splash out on it next time you're in boots, i've used redken and bumble&bumble masks previously and they're not as good and ten times the price(literally...and for only one bottle!!!)

Oh, and for the keeping of the baking soda/coffee/seasalt/ almond oil sugar mix in the bathroom, Lidl have a set of 40 'tupperware' lunch/snack boxes for €9.99 this thursday....might be handy...i'm deffo nabbing me a set:D

pookie82 · 11-08-2008 11:28PM

manukahoney wrote: »

Oh, and for the keeping of the baking soda/coffee/seasalt/ almond oil sugar mix in the bathroom, Lidl have a set of 40 'tupperware' lunch/snack boxes for €9.99 this thursday....might be handy...i'm deffo nabbing me a set:D

lol. Quite the bargain hunter aren't you!!!:D
You should start a recession blog:)

Madame Razz · 11-08-2008 11:39PM

I know!! I sound so scabby!!! LOL:D

I'm actually not; in fact i'm actually bloody hopeless with money and am sucked in by every wild beauty product claim and also have quite a disturbing shoeshopping habit!!

I suppose recently i have forced myself to cop on a bit, all this talk in the papers got me thinking; and actually its quite addictive and strangely satisfying.

I wont be becoming a miser anytime soon, but its nice to have money staying in the pocket as opposed to constantly splurging!!

And hey, everybody loves a bargain;)

pookie82 · 12-08-2008 12:09AM

manukahoney wrote: »

I know!! I sound so scabby!!! LOL:D

I'm actually not; in fact i'm actually bloody hopeless with money and am sucked in by every wild beauty product claim and also have quite a disturbing shoeshopping habit!!

I suppose recently i have forced myself to cop on a bit, all this talk in the papers got me thinking; and actually its quite addictive and strangely satisfying.

I wont be becoming a miser anytime soon, but its nice to have money staying in the pocket as opposed to constantly splurging!!

And hey, everybody loves a bargain;)

Didn't mean to imply you were scabby at all!:) I think you're dead right, recession or not. it's a great thread. Everyone loves to find out about a great product that won't rip them off. I'm constantly searching for products that do the trick without emptying my wallet. i really don't believe in spending a fortune on cosmetics. The odd thing I'll splash out on - like Clinique mascara or really good perfume - but apart from that i think it's utterly ridiculous that we're supposed to fork out up to 15euro nowadays for an average lip gloss!!!! if i can substitute a really expensive make up brand for a just as good cheaper one, I will every time.

I'm pretty unadventurous when it comes to trying new products if they cost a lot, I prefer to stick to tried and tested brands unless they're discontinued or not in the shop some day I need them, so it's good to get a heads up first on what something is like - and if it's cheap to boot, that's even better! Just thought this thread was funny cos i was in Boots today looking at that hair mask and got suckered into thinking it's a bit too cheap to be any good!!!

Madame Razz · 12-08-2008 12:26AM

If i had seen those masks on offer ordinarily, i would have thought exactly the same thing, but a friend recommended it, so i cant claim full credit!!

It kind of got me to thinking that everybody probably has a cheap but brilliant beauty secret and that it'd be good to get tips from people and learn from their experiences!!

And you're so right, everybody likes to look their best, but its great if you can do it without breaking the bank!!

pookie82 · 12-08-2008 12:38AM

manukahoney wrote: »

If i had seen those masks on offer ordinarily, i would have thought exactly the same thing, but a friend recommended it, so i cant claim full credit!!

It kind of got me to thinking that everybody probably has a cheap but brilliant beauty secret and that it'd be good to get tips from people and learn from their experiences!!

And you're so right, everybody likes to look their best, but its great if you can do it without breaking the bank!!

Come to think of it I spotted some really cheap waxing strips today in Boots too..... ya know, might come in handy now and then for.... I dunno.... waxing guys' backs???

:D:D:D

Sorry, couldn't resist!!!!:P

Madame Razz · 12-08-2008 12:50AM

I could have crept up on him in the dead of night and ambushed him with said strips.....except that would have meant him being in my bed.....uuuuggggggghhhhhh!!!

and in fairness,they'd have to be industrial strength to tackle his back!!!:eek:

RxQueen · 12-08-2008 09:00AM

for dry skin , i use coconut oil from the health shop its about €1.20 a bottle , its realy cheap and most of all it works!, was suggested to me in another thread here glad i took up that advise

and defo 3rd the tesco mouthwash!

laurak265 · 12-08-2008 09:13AM

Revlon Flex shampoo and conditioner! Can be got in heatons and most pound shops and it is the only thing i use in my hair! Fantastic shine and really healthy and two big bottles for 4euro!

Whips egg whites and apply to your face! Natures face mask for free! Leave skin extremely soft!

Must try the baking soda for white teeth...cheers for that one!

Sugar Drunk · 12-08-2008 09:50AM

pookie82 wrote: »

Come to think of it I spotted some really cheap waxing strips today in Boots too.....

I bought the cheap boots waxing strips recently. Waxed my own legs and bikini line before going on hols - saved me fortune in the beauticians. You just warm them between your hands and go for it

Madame Razz · 12-08-2008 06:15PM

Heres another i thought of today... works very well also, especially if you use a lot of 'product'

As a clarifying/deep cleansing shampoo add table salt to your regular shampoo.

Very effective!!

445279.ie · 12-08-2008 11:08PM

I get the Boots own brand Cucumber cleanser and toner. It's brill and only about €1.50 a bottle. Been using it for years and it's the only thing that doesn't dry my skin.

Dee369369 · 13-08-2008 02:01AM

pookie82 wrote: »

Tesco face wipes are just as good as most of the really expensive brands too, the ones in the blue packaging, and are only around 1.75!quote]

I get the tescos orange vit e ones.at 1.50 and 33%off at the moment it does the job well.

charles worthington's leave in conditioner leaves your hair really soft and lasts for ages.it's bout 2 or 3 euro.

also boots nail varnish remover without acetone is great for your nails cos the acetone is what dries it out.bout 2 or 3 euro and iv had it for years can't get rid of it! :eek:

Also (got a few don't i )boots natural collection mascara is really good at 3euro.

I'm sure i've more but i'm interested to see what other people recommend as i do love a bargain!

your cheap as chips beauty secrets....

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