This post takes inspiration from Rachel over at The Minimalist Mom who recently posted about her own minimalist make up (and it ties in nicely with my feel good week)
I’ll start by saying that I’ve never really been a make up person, a lick of mascara and a light foundation is about as far as I go. However in the past I’ve not been immune to buying the latest skin care product to hit the shelves, only to throw it away a few months years later. I’ve learnt my lesson though and these days stick to buying my favourites only.
Here are the only products that I use all the time;
- Clinique Super Balanced Foundation
- Clinique All About Eyes Concealer
- Maybelline Colossal Lash Mascara
- Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream
- Lee Stafford Messed Up Hair Gunk (which I probably don’t need)
- Body Shop Coconut Body Butter (my favourite ever product)
I also keep a small tin of vaseline in my handbag (for my lips), and up until recently I was using Olay Total Effects Day SPF Moisturiser, but it ran out and I haven’t replaced it yet…..although I may do when I have enough Boots points* to pay for it – my favourite way to ’buy’ beauty products! I have a couple of other things that I’m currently using, but they were gifts.
Spending: I don’t want make and beauty products to be a major part of my budget, but I’m not ready to go totally product free. I think annually I’m spending around £60 – this year I’m going to track it properly to see if I’m about right with this amount. I always buy the body butter on sale (and through a cash back site), as it’s usual price is £12.50 (it’s currently selling on sale for £6.25), last year I ended up paying around £5 a tub. And I’ll buy a foundation when I’m in NY because it’s $23 there and £21.50 here! The hair gunk will last me all year anyway, but I do need a new hand cream.
What about you? Are you trying to cut your make up and beauty spending? Do you have a favourite make up product?
*I just checked my Boots points and I have £9.16 to spend in store. Yay!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I too love the Bodyshop’s coconut body butter it just smells devine! Have you tried their hemp hand cream, it is one of the best that I have found.
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laura Reply:
January 26th, 2012 at 8:14 pm
Hi Fran, no not tried that! Coconut butter smells like holidays!!
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I did a post not long ago about decluttering my makeup drawer. I use Avon and Clinique products, and I like the Maybelline mascara too, but haven’t bought it in a while. I love the Mango body butter but only buy it once a year as a treat. (This time I gave it to my daughter for Christmas and bought none for myself).For moisturizer I use the el cheapo big bottle of Home Brand Sorbeline and Glycerine cream, but I like the Avon moisturizers and buy them for when I travel.
I agree that it’s much cheaper to buy Clinique in the U.S. It costs double the U.S. price or more here in Australia!
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laura Reply:
January 26th, 2012 at 8:18 pm
My Clinique foundation would last a lot longer if it wasn’t for teenage daughters!!
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I couldn’t live without my Burt’s Bees Carrot cream & Royal Jelly eye cream. $50 for both jars… But it’s all natural, & works amazingly!
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laura Reply:
January 26th, 2012 at 8:21 pm
I’ve heard good things about Burts Bees..the hand cream is on my birthday wish list….hint hint family
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I’m also “not a make-up person” but the one product I do use is the Clinique Super Balanced Foundation! Here in Australia, it costs $50 AUD for the 30ml bottle! (That’s £33.85!!! or $53 US dollars!!!)
I hadn’t even thought of buying it from the US. I have a sister-in-law who regularly flies the Sydney-LA run, so I’m putting in my shopping order with her right now!!!
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Laura @ move to portugal Reply:
January 27th, 2012 at 8:23 pm
Wow that’s expensive! I should definitely see how much your sister-in-law can buy it for in LA!
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The 3 I can’t live without are not on your list. Face moisturizer with SPF 15, lipstick and eyeliner. Mascara makes me tear up. I’ve given up on it, even though it looks nice on.
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Laura @ move to portugal Reply:
January 27th, 2012 at 8:28 pm
I need to get some moisturiser again – my mum is horrified that I’m not currently using any!
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I’ve used pretty much the same make up brand for a while now – Revlon, it’s reasonably priced, I like it and it’s easy to get at our local stores. I tend to try new lipstick colours and nail polish but always revert back to old favourites, so that is my goal for this year, not to buy anything that is just a fad or want!
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Laura @ move to portugal Reply:
January 27th, 2012 at 8:35 pm
I would often get tempted to try different things, only to go back to my favourite – the make up counters are so tempting!
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I have a bag of makeup that I hunt out once a blue moon as I never wear makeup. So basically I should throw all my makeup out as it is no doubt out of date and icky……..
Gill in Canada
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I don’t have a lot of make-up products. And I use the same products everyday for work then I’ll just change my eyeshadow/smokey eye for going out. Everyday I use, Garnier BB Cream as a base then Mac Powder to set it, bronzer as a blush, taupe/brown eyeshadows, mascara & a slick of eyeliner if I feel like it. Then I just put on Burts Bees gloss.
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