I have to admit to using very few true drugstore products. Although I’m not strictly a high-end only girl, I do shop at places like Lush and The Body Shop quite regularly, I am decidedly unadventurous when it comes to sampling the sorts of products on offer in Boots and Superdrug.

During my teens I certainly purchased cheaper skin care and make-up (Rimmel Heather Shimmer was my signature lipstick for years). Unfortunately, I never found a drugstore skincare regimen that worked… in fact I had bad experience after bad experience. Time has taught me that my skin, and especially that on my face, prefers gentle, natural products with minimal synthetic ingredients. Even drugstore ranges that market themselves as ‘natural’ or ‘suitable for sensitive skin’ rarely fulfil this expectation in my opinion/experience. Maybe I’m being too dismissive though… it’s a fair while since I tried anything new. However, I do think we have some really fantastic budget make-up ranges in the UK. Perhaps I just get more of a buzz buying something shiny from Chanel than I do from picking up a lippy along with nappys and breast pads in Boots.

Reading about favourite drugstore products on other blogs has certainly inspired me to sample a bit more of what’s on offer. That said, here are a handful of products that I already repurchase on a regular basis.

1. Dove Firming Beauty Fluid – This stuff is absolutely amazing. It really softens the skin, sinks in very quickly and has a pleasant fragrance (one thing I’ve found is that now, after years of using natural ranges like Neals Yard and Lush, anything with a synthetic fragrance smells kinda gross… I don’t seem to have this problem this with this cream). I also really feel a difference in the texture of my skin when I use this regularly. It’s not going to replace my need for a bit pilates or a few sit-ups in terms of sorting my post-pregnancy body woes… but it’s a step in the right direction.

2. Revlon nail polish, especially Cherries in the Snow, One Perfect Coral and Plum Seduction – I know the BarryM nail polish gets a lot of love within the blogosphere but I’m personally not sold on the formulation. The range of colours is amazing but I find that they chip so easily, usually within hours of application. BarryM is definitely a cheap fix but for a tiny bit more money you can get both beautiful colours and good staying power in the form of Revlon nail varnish. I own loads of these and I’m always finding new shades that I want/need. They may not make a lime green or fluoro pink, but I think they have a great range of both funky and classic shades. Right now I’m lusting after the gorgeous gunmetal grey/silver and the stunning petrol blue.

3. Boots No.7 Instant Radiance Concealer – This is a good dupe for YSL Touche Eclat. Don’t misunderstand me… it’s nowhere near as perfect as TE but if I can’t afford to splurge then this certainly does a decent job. It applies smoothly and brightens the under-eye area very well. It doesn’t seem to settle into fine lines and I feel more confident when I wear it (well… I feel less haggard anyway). It’s just not quite as luminous as the YSL version… but it’s sooo much cheaper and regularly on offer so I’m not going to complain too much.

4. Palmolive Nourishing Shower Milk – I rarely venture far from my HG LUSH Olive Branch Shower Gel but if I’m feeling a little skint then I know I can rely on this product. It smells wonderful, lathers nicely and leaves my skin lovely and soft.

5. Batiste Dry Shampoo – I don’t think I can say anything about this product that hasn’t been said already. If you have small children, a hectic life or would simply rather have an extra 10 minutes in bed than wash your hair this is an absolute must.I’m glad it’s cheap… I go through cans of the stuff.

6. VO5 Whipped Mousse (Volumising)- I can’t function without hair mousse. This looks like Mr.Whippy ice-cream when you squirt it from the can. It’s very light and creates fantastic volume without ever going crunchy.

7. L’Oreal Elnette Hairspray – I have used this for years and years and years. It can’t be beaten in my opinion. It gives great hold and you can never use too much because it brushes out really easily. I also find the smell really comforting!

Loveaudrey xxx