Cheap 'must have' skincare essentials for under £5!

I'm really not one for spending loads of money on beauty or skincare items. I much prefer shopping in places like Superdrug, Savers and Body Care and finding 'the bargains!' Maybe if I tried some high-end products that worked miracles, then I might be converted but I've had a few experiences in the past when I've splashed out on something 'high-end' and the product hasn't lived up to expectations or its price tag! Also, maybe it's just me but I'd rather have, say 10 different 'cheaper brand' lipsticks in different colours instead of ONE really expensive one. Or a giant tub of moisturiser that I can slather on instead of a teeny tiny tub I feel guilty using up. 

There are a few bargain skincare products that I've been buying for years (and some I've just discovered) that really are 'must haves' for anyone who doesn't want to splash the cash but still look and feel great. 

Skincare essentials

Vaseline Lip Therapy - £1.99 - Superdrug

This little tin of Vaseline has been a firm favourite of mine for years, and it's all I use to keep my lips  in check! (the aloe-vera version is also fab) Not only can you use it as a lip-balm, it can be used over groomed brows to keep them in place, to perk up lashes without any mascara or on stubborn dry bits of skin!

Germolene Antiseptic Cream - £2.15 - Superdrug

Over the years I've spent loads on 'spot fighting, zit zapping, blemish blasting' products in an attempt to reduce the appearance, and occurrence of blemishes on my face. Hardly any that I've bought in the past have made a difference but the one thing I've found that actually helps is traditional old Germolene! It might smell like the stuff you got covered in when you were wee and had chicken pox,  but the simple Antiseptic formula works wonders on the spot-fighting front. 

Sudocrem - £3.50 - Superdrug

Although there's not much chance this happening in Scotland, if you've overdone it in the sun then Sudocrem is brilliant for relieving the pain/redness of particularly OUCHY sunburn. 

Superdrug Vitamin E All Over Body Cream - £2.99 - Superdrug

Less than £3 for a massive tub (475ml) of this great moisturiser from Superdrug is one of my best buys! It smells lovely, isn't greasy,  rubs in well and is inexpensive so you don't feel bad about using loads of it to cover yourself after a bath or shower!

Boots Essentials Cucumber Eye Gel - £1.50 - Boots

I don't always remember to use eye cream, but it's something that I'm going to try and use more in the future! This little eye gel is great for refreshing tired eyes and reducing puffiness. Keep it in the fridge for an extra cooling treat!

Boots Epsom Salts B.P - £1.25 - Boots

Although more traditionally used for ahem, digestive problems Epsom salts are an absolute bargain for a multitude of uses!

To combat cellulite and bloating add a couple of tablespoons to a bath, soak for 15 minutes then wash it off in a shower. The magnesium soaks into the skin to draws out excess water, and removes toxins from muscles. (also great for relaxing muscles after the gym!)

You can also add some of the salts to a cleansing cream for a gentle facial scrub, or add some olive oil to a larger amount for an exfoliating body scrub.


Connect to my blog to make sure you don't miss the 'must have' beauty products for under £10 coming soon! 

What's your 'bargain' skincare essential?

Thanks for reading, Melissa x


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How to get the perfect blow-dry: big, bouncy and volumised!

One of the things I love the most about going to the hairdressers is when they blow-dry your hair into the perfectly coiffed bouffant, darling.  It's amazing how much difference it makes to my hair when someone takes the time and effort to blow-dry it properly, instead of my usual routine of towel rubbing, an upside-down shake and a quick comb through. Unfortunately this usually leaves me looking something like this guy...(before the GHD's come out, that is)

I definitely can't afford £20 a week or however much it would cost for blow-drys every time I fancied them, so in an attempt to mimic the salon effect at home and negate the need for straighteners, I've tried: various lotions and potions;leave in rollers (OUCH!); those foamy sausage things; salt spray for a more beachy look and I can't even remember what else but I'm sure the list goes on! None of these methods gave me the desired effect.

Recently I visited the Rainbow Rooms Training Academy in Glasgow after getting a brilliant deal through itison.com (highly recommend!) .The stylist did such a good job that I left filled with a new found enthusiasm to never let my hair look a mess again!

I bounced (mostly my hair, maybe a bit of thigh) to Superdrug on a mission to stock up on an artillery of hair products to keep my tassels tamed!  

After reading a few things online, and trying to remember the magic my stylist worked at the Rainbow Rooms, I got to work and attempted to get my hair looking fabulous again. I was pretty happy with the results (see obligatory selfie below) so here are some tips for trying it yourself!

Use the right products. I tend to find that volumizing shampoos and conditions leave quite a lot of residue in your hair, so just use a Shampoo + Conditioner that works for you. I love this 'Raspberry and Macadamia nut' range from Superdrug which really bring out the different colours in my hair.

Tip: Avoid putting conditioner on the roots of your hair as this will make it look greasier more quickly. 

Get it dry. Towel dry your hair by patting it with a towel (no rubbing!) to get as much moisture out of it as possible before you even look at the hairdryer. If possible even let it dry naturally for a while. 

Heat defence. I find serums and mousses leave your hair either feeling sticky, greasy or crunchy so if I'm going to use anything on my hair before blow-drying then it'll be a heat defence spray. Right now I'm using the '"This One: is for when the heat is on" blowdry spray but I've heard quite good things about the Tresemme one so might go for that next! Spray or rub it into the mid-ends of your hair and remember to lift sections up so it's not only the top layer of hair you get the product on.

Blow-dry time. Divide your hair into sections (top, medium, bottom and front/back) and start at the bottom taking each section of hair and wrapping around a big barrel brush - lifting it up as you do.  Point the hair dryer downward and hold it close to the hair (not touching) then pull down. Whilst the hair is still coiled round the barrel blast it with cold air as this will help to set the shape and also close your hair follicles which make it smoother (or so I've heard)

Finishing touch. Once you're finished blow-drying you might find you have some bits that aren't sitting quite right, or are still a bit frizzy- it's normally the very top of my head and around the fringe area. Go over these bits with straighteners bending them slightly so you're not actually straightening the hair but just reshaping and smoothing it a bit. Pick any hairspray that works for you and tip your head back then give it a light blast from about 30cm away. 

Tip: If you tip your head forward then hairspray it you really will end up looking like that caveman up there!


Voila! >>>

Thanks for reading, do you have any tips for getting that 'salon look' at home?

Melissa x

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MUA Power Pout in Rendezvous review!

I was excited to try MUA's latest offering of 'Power Pouts' after seeing a lot of hype about them online!

I've bought a few things from MUA before and you can't really go wrong as the products are so cheap but I've always been happy with what I've bought! (I'd thoroughly recommend their highlighting powder!!)

There are 6 colours in the Power Pout range and I opted for 'Rendezvous' which had a kind of browny/nude coloured packet. When applied the product goes on more of a light pink/nude colour rather than brown (like the packaging). It has a nice minty flavour and glides on easily leaving a glossy finish (but no stickiness) 

The product is described as being a 'tint and balm' but I'd say it goes on more like a very moisturising lipstick. For £3.00 it's a definite bargain and I think I'll pick up another one next time I'm in Superdrug....possibly 'Runway' which looks a cool bright coral colour!

Price - £3.00 (buy here)

Colours - Rendezvous: goes on a light pink/brown colour

Finish - Glides on, not sticky, glossy look.

Staying power - Need to re-apply after eating and drinking.
Plus point - Easy twist up design and minty flavour!

Overall - 4.5/5

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Review: St.Moriz fake tan mousse

 The past few days I've not had to scrape ice off my car in the morning, and Mr.sun has made a few rare appearances so I'm well and truly declaring it time to get the old pins tanned up again! 

I've been using St Moriz fake tan mousse for years and swear buy it. It gives you a nice natural colour, and doesn't break the bank! When applying it you'll definitley want to use plastic gloves or a mit to save your hands getting a bit of a leathery look - I've been buying ones like this from ebay.

You can buy a 200ml bottle of the mousse in Watt Brothers, Superdrug (I think) for around £4.99, but you can get it in Semi-Chem for £2.99!

I've tried the spray mist in the range too, but it was a bit messy and I ended up giving the walls/floor/wardrobe more of a bronze glow than myself. You can also get a 'dark' colour, but by dark....boy do they mean dark!

I'll definitely be using this in Summer 2013, I'd also be quite interested to see a gradual tan/summer skin type product from them!


Price - £2.99

Colour - Medium - natural golden brown once washed off (brown guide colour shows you where it's been applied)

Texture - mousse that rubs in quite liquidy

Smell - not too bad at all

Staying power - lasts 2-3 days (also re-applies well)
Downsides - goes on darker at dry bits (knees, elbows)

Overall - 4/5

Review: Miss Sporty Perfect Colour Lipstick

Miss Sporty - Perfect Colour Lipstick 'I poke' - Buy here

How exciting, this is my first ever post for 'Beauty and the Bargain' 
I was in Superdrug the other day having a nosey and came across the Miss Sporty stand which was looking very colourful with it's new spring collection. It's not usually a brand I would buy, but I noticed the bargain prices and couldn't resist. I picked up a lipstick for £2.59 and couldn't be happier with it. It's a gorgeous peachy/pink colour, goes on really smoothly and has a nice fruity taste - I'll definitely be going back to see what other colours they have. Do you use Miss Sporty products? -  Leave a comment below!

Price - £2.59

Colour - peachy pink/coral

Texture - glides on and feels nice & smooth

Taste/Smell - fruity!

Staying power - Needs topping up after eating/drinking

Overall - 4.5/5 a lovely lipstick for the bargain price!