Although somewhat of a make-up / skin care fanatic I do not proclaim to be an expert, and lots of the products I suggest, whilst excellent for me, may not be suitable for more sensitive skin. I also endevour to describe products which are both wonderful to use and truly inexpensive. This is not a blog in which I will proclaim that a £24 moisturiser is a "bargain" even though as compared to a £150 moisturiser it may be... in reality if you are accustomed to spending £150 on moisturiser you really are insane, especially when the same results can be achieved for a fraction of the price.
Make-up
- Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer - Boots, Superdrug etc. £2.09
This concealer is, in my opinion and that of MANY beauty bloggers, the best on the market. It is well pigmented, a lovely texture and long lasting. I challenge anyone who starts to use this concealer not to fall in love instantly. - Maybelline Great Lash Mascara - Boots, Superdrug etc. £4.99
I am a mascara-aholic (who isn't?!) and over the years I have tried MANY. These range from the pound shop ones which smudge instantly and sting like mad to remove, through to the higher end, raved about products such as Benefit They're Real! (£19.50). Through this panda-eyed journey I have always returned to Maybelline mascaras, and whilst I love the Rocket Volum' Express (£7.99) the Great Lash is not only cheaper it is also the best mascara I have found for the wide-eyed look. The small brush makes it easy to apply to all lashes allowing you to achieve thick and full blinkers. - Natural
Collection Loose Powder - Boots £1.99 (although all Natural Collection
make up is almost permanently on 3 for £5, making a blow-out hoard even
cheaper).
This powder is a great powder for light coverage in the Summer or foundation setting in the Winter. I am truly yet to find anything better. However, it is worth baring in mind that this powder is LOOSE... so if you are clumsy, like me, perhaps opt for the Natural Collection Pressed Powder, also £1.99, which is less likely to cause a mess. - Natural Collection Sunlit Bronzing Pearls - Boots £1.99
These pearls are a marvel, easily creating a bronzed and highlighted look. If you like to be bronzed, these are all you will need, although again they are perhaps not the best choice for those of a clumsy disposition (I have dropped a whole pot of these on the carpet before and let me tell you... they are not easy to retrieve). I was once in possession of the No 7 Perfectly Bronzed Bronzing Pearls (£9.95), and whilst the packaging is slightly different, I am sure that the internal product is the same. - I-Divine Palette in Au Naturel - www.sleekmakeup.com £7.99
This product is slightly more expensive than the others I have recommended but, let me assure you, it is worth every penny (and I do not say that lightly). This eye-shadow palette contains TWELVE shades that you will actually use. Some are pearlescent giving a glamorous sheen without being glittery (a problem with many cheap eye-shadows). The product is long lasting, comes with its own applicator and is wrapped up in a little black box with a mirror large enough to use to put you whole face on, should you need to. This website contains many inexpensive products highly regarded by beauty bloggers out there, if you have your own sleek favorites, let me know in the comments below as I always love to receive to recommendations.
Skin Care
- Johnsons Baby Soothing Naturals Nourishing Lotion - Boots £2.25 for 250ml (although I have a more handbag sized friendly bottle which is 100ml).
I made this discovery in Spring this year (quite by accident) and have never looked back. Although not its official purpose, I use this product morning and night as a face moisturiser which not only smells heavenly but is easily absorbed and equally (if not more) nourishing as anything I have tried before. I have normal to dry skin and often find more expensive, "recommended" moisturisers to be greasy and, worse still, never absorb properly into my skin to work their magic. This product is completely different, it leaves my skin silky and has banished all of my dry patches. A miracle in a little green tube.
Perfume
- Suddenly - Madame Glamour - Lidl £3.99
I can not lie to you... I am in possession of, and in fact, in love with, a very expensive french perfume. It is a luxury, usually bought for me as a gift. A gift which I cherish and use sparingly. It is not an everyday perfume, and is saved for dates, holidays and depression days when my spirits need rousing in a way that only Chanel can fulfill. However, this perfume from Lidl is an astonishingly good every day substitute to throw in your handbag and lavish yourself with generously whenever the mood takes you. Does it last as long as its French counterpart? No. Do I get compliments when I wear it? Every time! At less than 6% of the cost of Coco Mademoiselle you can spray away with this Lidl find safe in the knowledge that your bank manager would not go into cardiac arrest were he to discover how much it cost. - Smell it in Duty Free, buy it in TK Maxx
Ok, I realise this is not a product recommendation, but it is a way of life so synonymous with the Wise Old Rabbit mantra, I feel I must include it here. TK Maxx often sell expensive perfume at hugely discounted prices (particularly around Christmas). The only issue is that you can not test the scents in store, you need to know what you like beforehand. The easiest way to do this is to venture around Boots, Debenhams, Duty Free etc. and spray away, making notes of your favorites as you go. (I am sure this goes without saying, but do use the tester strips, don't spray on yourself as if you don't love the scent, you will hate smelling of it all day.) Although endorsing a celebrity you don't particularly like may make you cringe, don't rule out celebrity fragrances as they often smell great and are usually cheaper than the branded perfumes. To illustrate this point I once bought Kate Moss Eau de Toilette for around £6 from TK Maxx, and although I have no interest in the career of Kate Moss, the perfume is lovely!
I am certain I could ramble on for much longer about the most economical way to fill your wash bag, but I will save the rest for another day. If there are any areas you are particularly interested in, comment below and I will divulge what I can.
Until next time... spend wisely, give generously,
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