I loose hair grips and bands daily, for that reason it is foolish for me to pay over the odds for something that will only be used once or twice. I'm also not all that fussy when it comes to shampoo and conditioner. I know I probably should be given the nature of job but I do tend to purchase whatever is on offer at the Supermarket and save splurging for hair masks and leave in conditioner. I've also readily spoken about my love for Baby Shampoo, especially when it comes to washing my make-up brushes. You can also dilute it down to create a make-up brush cleansing spray should you wish.
Unless it is a nail polish you are going to wear daily (and even then some of the pricer options have not lived up to expectations), I say be open to high street brands - especially for fun shades. One brand that deserves a lot more recognition for their nail lacquers is NYC. Budget friendly, readily available within the UK and with a great range of shades both classic and fashion forward too. As a side note, I seldom purchase expensive nail polish remover because I have yet to find an expensive option that delivers better results than Cutex Nail Polish remover.
I also feel similarly in regards to lip and eyeshadow shades that I am not completely sold on - i.e bright colours. I would rather drop big bucks on an everyday lipstick that will get a lot of love, than one I may only wear once. In my opinion Rimmel have the budget lipstick market locked with their brilliant shades, texture and of course price point. Although fairly limited in shade range Rimmel's Exaggerare lip pencils and eye khol pencils are not to be missed.
Now don't get me wrong, I love Jo Malone and Diptyque candles as much as the next guy but you really do not need to shell out big bucks to create a little ambience. Brands such as Yankee Candle, Bomb Cosmetics and my personal favourite Voluspa Candles, all offer great and affordable home fragrance options. While we are on the topic of fragrance, Zara is where to head for sweet smelling, cost effective eau de toilette and perfume options.
Now help a gal out and tell me where you scrimp in terms of beauty products and why?
I love the Wilko Maxi Oval Cotton Pads (50 for 50p) for removing makeup as they're much bigger than the standard one, and super cheap compared to places like Boots. I've also really been loving Boots Botanics All Bright Hydrating Night Cream recently (usually £5 but on half price at the minute), and would definitely repurchase as a budget night cream because it works just as well as the higher end ones. Another thing I'm happy to buy on the budget scale is Mascara because high street stores have such great ones. I'm like you with bright/non-neutral eyeshadows - I don't wear them very often so the Sleek Palettes do the job for me. I had never thought about making a spray for brushes by diluting down baby shampoo (usually I just run my brushes under water and scrub - for want of a better word - them with baby shampoo), so I might have to give that a whirl in the near future.
ReplyDeleteSophie x | Essential Twenty
I am totally the same as you with this!! Youve just got to treat yourself though
ReplyDeleteCharlotteSamantha // www.charlottesamantha.co.uk
I'm such a stinge (scottish for cheap) lol. I will save money whenever I possibly can. But there is a few products I would outright refuse to buy high end.
ReplyDeleteHair bobbles and kirbies are definitely one, showergel (I wont buy anything more than £1.50 because it's always on offer somewhere) shampoo & conditioner has to be on offer.. Nail Varnish definitely not spending more than £7....
Lipstick, foundation, skincare and eyeshadows are mainly the things I cannot skrimp on, but I will still try to get them on a points offer, or 10% off.
I highly recommend TK Maxx for a good bargain in Nail Varnishs and skincare. I bought a butter london one yesterday for £3.99, and their candles too are fab for a fraction of the cost.
If you are after a good bargain I posted one today on my blog. Bold Metal Brushes are on sale:
http://makeerinover.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/boots-sale-real-techniques-bold-metal.html
Definitely hair ties and clips. My hair destroys them! I also can't be parted from my maybelline mascara.
ReplyDeleteI'm forever scrimping on shampoo!!
ReplyDeletehttp://fullfacedbeauty.blogspot.com
I scrimp on everything every time I can. I almost never buy things in full price. Always wait for a sale! Be it skin care or makeup. Don't shop for the shake of the sale though. It's pointless if you do it that way. Other than waiting for sales, I'm pretty much the same as you. Shampoo and conditioner that are readily available at supermarkets. My hair oil too. I use one from Loreal, and it pretty much does the job. No bright shades for me too.
ReplyDeletexo,
Lenny C | Initial L
I do the same thing, especially with skin care. If you watch the products you like you'll see a pattern in how they go on sale and I've just grabbed 2 Vichy items of skincare at a huge saving by doing just this. I rarely pay full price for anything as the offers are so regular. Also watch your favourite items online as they often have online only offers, like my favourite Nip Fab glycolic toner pads for half price. Perfect time to order 2 and make a huge saving.
DeleteI love NYC polishes, my friend Gemma (missmakeupmagpie) introduced me to them a few months ago and I've bought a couple of the shine in a minute and a couple of the gel glosses and love them, they are so good for the price aren't they? I also bought a Primark blush a couple of months ago it was £2 and is amazing it's in gold packaging and is just called pink but I can highly recommend it :) xxxx
ReplyDeleteZoe ♥ MammafulZo
Cotton pads! :D I always split them so the package would last longer!
ReplyDeleteEmma xxx
wellemma.blogspot.co.uk
I am totally with you on scrimping on products that wont get used much. Before I buy anything I always ask myself how much I'll use it and if it is worth the price for the amount of use I'll get out of it! I dont tend to spend much money on hair grips, bobbles, shampoo and conditioner or cotton buds because i don't see the point!
ReplyDeleteMegan x / megaanalicec.blogspot.co.uk
Okay, well I'm sitting happy right now that you've just introduced me to the word 'scrimp' as I've only ever used 'skimp'.
ReplyDeleteI try not to skimp on anything as I like to make sure I treat my body with the upmost care it deserves. I will always pay extra if it does better. Who needs savings anyway... D:
http://baresome.blogspot.co.uk
I know it's naughty but I scrimp on skincare! To be fair I use body shop for my skincare - but there's always an online offer on so my haul is never more than £15! As for moisturizer I tend to lean towards Nivea - always provides so much radiance I haven't achieved yet with higher end brands.
ReplyDeleteI find the problem isn't that I lose hairties, but that my thick hair breaks them -.- all the damn time. I buy my hair ties from Sally's Beauty Supply (a chain in the States and Canada) because they're less than 4 bucks for a dozen or so hair ties for thick hair and it's magical. It's been a year now and I'm still on the same pack! Lost a few but hasn't snapped any yet :D
ReplyDeleteI used to care what shampoo, conditioner, hair masks etc to splurge on when I bleached my hair and went blonde (oh the breakage!) but now that I'm back to my natural black hair, eh, whatever is on sale will do.
I scrimp where I can but then I'll turn around and spend it all on something I will appreciate using everyday... like my mbp... and new duvet covers... and shoes. Oh the shoes.
Love your article,
Nancy
Whimsicalsoles.com
gosh I spend a fortune on the smallest of things, bobby pins being one of them!
ReplyDeleteHannah | Heyitshannaah
I'm exactly the same in that I really don't care much about what shampoo or conditioner I buy! I tend to go for what's fairly cheap and smells good!
ReplyDeletetrovesandroses.blogspot.ch
You are soo right with the Zara fragances!! they're great and cheap!
ReplyDeleteShampoo and conditioner I just get at the drugstore. Occasionally i splurge on other hair products.
ReplyDeleteOn thing I scrimp on actually is mascara. I have found that drugstore mascaras do just as well for me as high end ones. After buying a few high end ones (loved the roller one by benefit), I just couldn't justify it. Right now I am using one from wet n' wild and so far I have no complaints! I think its just because they only last for two months or so I just like going cheaper.
I save splurging for foundation, the occasional lipstick, and the occasional new thing at sephora i just can't pass up.
xox
lifewithmiriam.blogspot.com
Everything here is on my budget vs brand list too. Although big brand bathing products are nice (and it is nice to have shower gel and body lotion to match perfume) I save my spending for skincare and make up, and get all the basics from the supermarket.
ReplyDeleteThe hair bands from Primark are amazing! You get around 50 (I think) for £1, thick and thin! For Shampoo I go to Savers, as the things in there are a few pounds cheaper. If you have one near you, I would definitely recommend you going in there! :)
ReplyDeleteCharlotte ~ http://allthingsmakeupbeautyandlife.blogspot.co.uk/