How to bag a beauty bargain

Now in my late twenties, lotions and potions promising to slow down the signs of ageing and quality every-day cosmetics are becoming increasingly attractive. I'm more likely to be drawn to £30 tubs of creams than a pot if £5 sparkly green eyeshadow, which is unfortunate, seeing as my budget is still very much in the £5 sparkly green eyeshadow bracket. But, a bargain-hunter/cheap-skate till the end, I've discovered a few ways of kitting out my bathroom, and my face, with expensive skincare products without shelling out full-price. And you'll be pleased to know that none of them involve shoplifting.


In-store events
Last week in Brighton's L'Occitane branch, I indulged in cupcakes, sipped from a champagne glass, enjoyed a mini facial and walked away with a goodie bag bursting with £45 worth of products, and all for just £10. Thus is the joy of in-store promotional events. I'd read about this one in Stylist magazine, and booked my place immediately. The goodie bag was full of luxury shower gels, face creams and moisturisers that will keep me going for a good couple of months. Check magazines and skincare retailer's websites for events near you.

Magazine freebies
With the women's magazine market so saturated, free gifts are a great way to tempt you to buy a particular title, and they seem to be getting better. Steer clear of the cheap t-shirts and canvas bags and focus on the cosmetic giveaways. Glamour has offered free Benefit, Nails Inc and Clinique gifts in the past year - all pricey products. Get a subscription to a magazine and the savings can work out to be even greater. You may even get an extra freebie for signing up.


Vouchers and offers
Boots is the Don when it comes to skincare savings. It's forever giving out £5-off vouchers that can be used to bag yourself some bargain beauty treats. And the brands in-store also give away excellent gifts - No7 and Clinique especially. Sometimes a sample serum tube can last for months. Also look out for Boot's two-for-one offers and make the most of the Boots advantage card - I used a double points voucher when I bought all of my wedding makeup and quickly amassed a tidy sum with which to treat myself in the future. Supermarkets can also be good places to look for offers on branded skincare.

Charity shops & car boot sales
Charity shops and car boot sale pitches are full of unwanted gifts, and these often include skincare sets, barely-used perfumes, hair products and plenty of other lotions and potions. Go rummaging just after Christmas to bag the best finds. Or hold your own gift and clothes swap after the holidays - you may be after just the thing your friend received with a fake smile and quickly hid in a drawer.

Oh, and one more top tip - check out ASOS.com for branded beauty products and perfumes in the sale, particularly post-Christmas.

Do you have any other money-saving secrets? Do share...

Second image by Flickr user SunShineCity.

Fabulous finds

As it was my hen do last weekend, I spent two days in a drunken stupor and two days in a zombie-like state, unable to speak, eat or even face daylight without experiencing pain. Clever, I am.

So, when I finally felt like a human being again, I thought I'd make up for these somewhat wasted days and throw myself back into my magpie habit.

It goes without saying that I picked up a flowery dress. I'd seen this lovely lilac and white Topshop number with bow-back detail reaching over £30 on Ebay on many an occasion, so was very pleased to spot it in Oxfam for £9.99, and in a size 12 too. How could I say no?


I'm not sure if I've mentioned on the blog before - I've banged on about it off-line enough - but my next project involves making candles in old tea and coffee cups. I've got a cupboard-full of odds and sods I've picked up from car boot sales, wax from a charity shop candle-making kit and wicks and a glue-gun from the net. So I'm all set.

I fear, however, that this may become another obsession, as although I can't fit any more cups in the cupboard, and I don't really drink tea or coffee, I now can't stop myself buying them. Hence, the arrival of the below in our flat this afternoon. Bought from Spiral charity shop around the corner for £3.


It's not just great clothes and homewares that can be found in charity shops. Ooooh no, then I may only spend one-third of my life in them rather than half. If you want named and quality hair and beauty products, it's well worth rooting around.

I found a new Toni and Guy straightening product set for £1 after Christmas (a great time to pick up unwanted presents) and today picked up an unused pot of No7 Lift and Luminate Day Cream (£20.50 new) for just £3.99. Result.


The last in my lists of finds I didn't buy - I very much doubt I'd be able to afford it. Bit I spotted this amazing HMV gramophone in the window of an odd little on the street adjacent to mine.

Oliver's Clock Shop on Cross Street never seems open and looks like someone's front room, yet it's full of amazing old clocks and, more recently, weird and wonderful antiques. I suspect it's a real treasure trove and really must bite the bullet and step inside. This beauty may be the item to make me do just that over the weekend, if only to take a better photo.