Budget Skincare - Waitrose Pure Range

I am constantly asked for budget friendly items and I love finding them, but they have to actually do something, not just 'be cheap' in order for me to recommend.

I hadn't looked at the Waitrose Pure range properly in a while, and when I saw it instore today, I figured it was time to revisit.

While they won't win any prizes for innovation, and the packaging gives new meaning to the word 'basic', you could do a lot worse than to check these four out if you are looking for skincare and your budget is your priority, or, you simply refuse to spend a lot of money on skincare. Fair enough.

The name of course, is a stretch, you can call it "pure' all you want, it's not going to turn this into an organic range. It is however, fragrance free, vegan, everything is recyclable etc - so it's ticking a lot of boxes that more expensive brands don't even attempt.

Performance-wise, again, as expected, it's basic, but it's a lot better than brands that claim to be simple in their formulations and are actually anything but. 

Standout products for me are the four above. 

I would avoid the eye gel if you have sensitive eyes as despite saying it's for sensitivity, it contains a little menthol - which is unnecessary and odd in an eye cream. If, however, you suffer from tension headaches. migraines, work in schools/hospitals etc, if you apply a little after your moisturiser (back to front), you may find it gives light relief to the area.

The hand cream is non-sticky and perfectly adequate for all but the most dry of skins.

The moisturiser contains shea butter but is actually extremely light to use - to the point where it may not be enough for really dry skins, but normal/combination should be ok.

The facial oil is your best bet. It's not completely pure, it's not 'green', but if you are young and want a starter oil, are watching the purse strings, or just like collecting different products to dabble in and out of, try this out.

There are other products, including a face wash and face wipes, which I would still avoid, but then we know that. :)

The price points are beyond affordable - and at the moment they're 50% off, meaning that the average price is £1.49, so you could buy all of the above for under £6.00.

Pure Face Range is available from Waitrose.com and Ocado.com (the offer is not valid on Ocado. They're a whopping £2.99 each.)

Winter Skin - Clarins Blue Orchid Oil - bargain alert

I've mentioned the Clarins Rebalancing Oils numerous times on here, but during appointments this week I discovered that Escentual.com has them for significantly less than the official stockists at the mo.

The above oil has an RRP of £33.00 but is selling for £24.00 on Escentual. You may want to get yours now before the promised 'Siberia' (see: Mother, previous posts) presents itself.

Escentual.com 

Aveda skincare - it's not all about the hair you know!

My recent stint in Liberty reminded me of how much I used to love Aveda skincare and what a gem it is.. The counter is opposite the Queen Mary room (fancy!) and I headed there for at least one item after nearly every consultation. Usually the original line..

The exfoliant is another alternative to the P50, Pixi Glow Tonic and Clarins Exfoliating Toner.

 The hydrating lotion does exactly what it says on the bottle. Light, non-clogging action.

The cream cleanser doesn't dry out the face..

And the spray toners are amazing. 

Here's the thing: It's kind of hard to go wrong with Aveda for good, basic, affordable skincare. I haven't delved too much into the other lines - I'm fond of this original line - I'm not one for faff and this does the job.

Here's the best thing: the pricing and the sizes. All of the products shown in Aveda's 'botanical kinetics' line start at £17.00 for 150ml.

Them's crazy prices. I forgot about you Aveda skincare. I'm sorry. Remedied. Go try it. 

Available at all Aveda stockists and online at www.aveda.co.uk 

*Purchases - no affiliates.

Clarins Extra-Comfort Cleansing Cream

As promised I'm trying to review as many of my favourite (and not-so-favourite) cleansers pretty much consecutively.

First up is Clarins Extra-Comfort. I've probably been using this on and off for nearly 20 years. It's a go-to staple in my collection and the first one I pick up if I'm feeling unsure about my skin or just - you know - tired and unable to make a decision. You know what I mean - when you go to wash your face and think 'urghhumpf'. This is that cleanser.

It comes in a big fat pot which I love. It's listed as being for dry/sensitive and whilst it IS great for sensitivity - its perfectly acceptable for normal/oily skins. It contains shea butter so although normally I would advise steering clear if you are acne prone, this is a cream consistency - it's not rich - not a balm and not thick - if you wash it off correctly with a flannel it shouldn't cause you any problems at all. If anything, it will calm the redness that comes with spots et al...

Suitable for 1st or 2nd cleanse - takes makeup off no problem.

Also contains jojoba, soapwort and palm oil. Pretty perfect to be honest.

Available from www.clarins.co.uk  and is £19.00 for 100ml. The Eve Lom equivalent is £55.00. *rests case*

*Purchase. No affiliate.

Pixi Glow Tonic - a P50 dupe.

(old packaging - updated 2013)

I found this Glow Tonic at Pixi last week and my eyes immediately zoomed in on the ingredients. They are incredibly similar to P50 and I am really enjoying using it.

Pixi skincare is definitely no-frills, which I REALLY like. Anyone else sick of throwing away a heavy box that added £1.50 to the price of your product? I know I am.

Petra's sister Sofia trained as an aesthetician in Sweden to degree level, she was based in Stockholm and was a facialist with a little black book of Sweden's A list. She wanted to create a line that she could use in her bespoke facials in Stockholm.

Sofia wanted to develop a range for Pixi that was based around purely: simplicity and efficacy, the skincare is hand made in small batches and packaged simply and priced sensibly as she wanted to encourage people to use the best quality skincare at a price they could afford. (TOTAL WIN)

The skincare is 'spin' free, over 12 years old and still is hand labelled/filled and very much anti-hype. There are no added fragrance/colour/fillers, with some products that are AMAZING for even hyper sensitive skins. It is definitely a results-driven range.

The Glow Tonic is an oil-free, alcohol-free, gentle but astringent toner. Heavy in aloe vera, it also contains witchhazel to tone and firm, smooth the appearance of the skin and soften the texture. Ginseng is a natural supplier of oxygen to the cells and horse chestnut stimulates the skin and circulation. 

Glycolic loosens the excess accumulation of dead skin cells and thus exfoliates. It says for normal to dry and older skins but this will help all skin types in my opinion. 

You can use 2 x day as a toner - will help diminish signs of sun damage and reduce fine lines.

AND: it's £16.00. SIXTEEN POUNDS. For 250ml. 

And wait for it: I just called the store to fact check the price and Pixi is currently on a Buy One Get One Free promotion.  

What it DOES have in common with P50 is that it not available online - you need to call the store on 0207 287 7211 or email storemanager@pixibeauty.com for mail order.

Glow Tonic is available from www.pixibeauty.co.uk/skintreats

By far the BEST BOGOF offer I've seen in a long, long time. 

(product reformulated in 2013 - this is 2012 formula)

You should also check out their masks. I'm working my way through them and in light of the promotion will move them up the list to review!

* PR Sample, but I'm buying this offer. No affiliate links and I have no business links to Pixi.  Unfortunately ;)