Because I’m worth it!

Good for you, Abcdefg! It's been my perfume of choice since 1970 when it was bought for me. I was 20 then and still love it now.

Here's a good example of inflated prices because of the brand name. Keyrings made from paracord sell for £4.50 each on Etsy. However if you buy similar from Miu Miu they're £400 each.

I use fewer face and body creams than I used to.

For the last 6 months I have drunk a tablespoon of high quality olive oil every day. After about 3 weeks I noticed the difference to my face and hair - skin was softer and hair shinier. I no longer have dry flaky skin on my legs.

The olive oil has to be a good quality, extra virgin, grown on volcanic soil. The one I use costs about £23 per bottle, which is pricy but costs a lot less than the face creams /skin creams I used to use.

I still wear Youyh Dew every day. My girls say it's old lady perfume, I don't care I am an old lady

I found a lovely light moisturizer at the RHS Gardener's World Exhibition a few years ago. It's made with all natural products and it's light on the skin, absorbing well. It's not cheap but it's not ultra expensive either. I used it everyday and a pot lasts for ages. I continue to buy it online.

SORES

Years ago! I recall Estee Lauder being interviewed, asked
why her make up, perfumes were so expensive, her candid
response was that she believed if it was all more costly than
any other, customers would believe it to be superior and buy
for the snob value.
EL products were of consistently good quality but you are right, a marketing con, which worked, heard here straight
from the source.

Does anyone remember Youth Dew? My glam paternal gran would spray it lavishly, ‘to no avail’ as Mum would murmur waspishly.

OMG, Youth Dew! In my house-sharing days there was a girl who used to douse herself in the stuff every time she was just nipping to the shops.
Enough to give anyone a raging headache!

Not too much washing, bathing or showering is better for elderly skin as well as moisturising.

I use aqueous cream for moisturising- very cheap and works for me

I love my Dyson hairdryer - it’s definitely takes significantly less time to get a nice smooth finish on my bob, which always looks shiny and well conditioned. It is light too. I will buy another if this one packs up because I think it’s paying for itself.
But I definitely wouldn’t pay more for a toothbrush that then wants to link itself to an app to monitor my brushing! I bought one from Suri when there was an offer, because of their sustainability policies. I generally like to look at the science behind new/higher priced products.

I really dislike excess packaging on premium products. It doesn’t make me think that I’m getting better value - more that I’m wasting money on the packaging. And the cosmetic industry is way behind with double wall jars, and boxes.

Years ago, someone I knew who was training to be a nurse and was very interested in geriatric care described the problems that the older people often had with their skin. She said that we should care for our skin like we care for any other organ in our body and should never think that moisturising is a luxury. I have never forgotten that and always moisturise after the shower. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but I do prefer products with more natural ingredients. And it’s always nice to have a luxury one with a lovely smell for when I’m going out - they are permanently on my Christmas present list!

My friend has a kettle cradle, because of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, she can't lift the kettle properly and safely when it's full.

She went online as they don't sell them in the local hardware store, and she doesn't drive, and found one for about £9.00, a basic type. When it arrived, the flimsy box was battered... not known if it was the cradle company or somewhere in the post ... but it turned out to be a good cradle. But others came up for almost £1,000 just for one!

I totally understand what you're saying. Quizzer!

I have a middle of the road hairdryer (Remington), however having used a DiL’s upmarket all singing and dancing Dyson one to dry GS’s hair I am rather tempted to treat myself…

NotSpaghetti

This has morphed almost entirely into a cosmetics thread!

And that's the power of the iconic slogan in the thread title!!

This has morphed almost entirely into a cosmetics thread!

I'm a fan of L'Occitane products too for daily use. I am happy to pay that bit extra for smells that evoke nostalgia, summer or just happy days.
I also use NUXE. Their skin products are luxurious, but a bit oily.
I would say middle priced is me, and if I like something, I'll decide convice myself that "I'm worth it" and gleefully carry on.

M0nica

I believe in starting at the bottom and working up. Buy the cheapest product that does the job, and if it doesn't do it well, then go up a grade until you find one that does, then stop.

Good strategy, M0nica

Don’t use any apart from a bit of light makeup (Rimmel or what’s on offer) only ‘beauty product I use are Savers face wipes 99p a packet
Haha
I m a lucky lady my dad had great skin and kept all his hair and most of his teeth until he died at 92 Its all genetics and the luck of the draw
(However I haven’t been lucky in other walks of life )

butterandjam

M0nica

I believe in starting at the bottom and working up. Buy the cheapest product that does the job, and if it doesn't do it well, then go up a grade until you find one that does, then stop.

I don't put anything on my bottom. It's lasted pretty well, still as soft as a baby's.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

As I have combination to greasy skin, I need to use light products. Avene suits me. Middle priced and also just right for my skin type. I like Elemis too but it can be pricey. The price, for me, does reflect the quality.

Oh Helena Rubinstein. In my different life I worked in a large store in the training department and treated myself to some HR skincare. I shared a house with 2 other girls and after a party one night my HR products I kept on the bathroom shelf had disappeared. I was so shocked as I knew everyone there.

That was a lesson learned at 20.

I would love to know the product PP above says to avoid because of the chemicals. I use mostly Boots, Aveeno and Cerave moisturisers. And currently not a lot of make up. I must make an effort as I look better with some light foundation. Normally Boots.
One DD spends a lot on a particular brand, but she has a sensitive skin and it seems to suit her.
In my kitchen drawer I have a tube of L'Occitane hand cream. More expensive than others, but very good and I need such a little squeeze.
I have noticed that some women I know who have smoked a lot have very wrinkled skin. So smoking can be added to the list of what to avoid with sun damage at the top.

NotSpaghetti I completely agree - and this includes cosmetics and skin care products.

For about 30 years or more I used a Boots basic moisteriser, then it was discontinued. Unfortunately I have a sensitive skin and get an adverse reaction to many chemicals used in mainline skin products, so after a few unsuccessful attempts with mainline products I began a search online for organic based products and finally found a small company in Cornwall.

There products are not the cheapest and the raw meterials they use have rocketed in price recently. It comes in clear plain glass jars with a label stuck on, no other packaging and it comes scentless.

I have been using it now for about 20 years, the price has risen, but nothing in it causes skin rashes and soreness so I will continue to use it.

Not always Quizzer.
Some textiles and woods, for example are definitely worth paying more for.

Artisan products are usually more expensive than the mass manufactured ones it's true but the reflect the hand of the maker and tend to have a longer life (obviously not edible ones!)

Hand-blocked wallpaper, small batch hand made cheeses, bespoke jewellery, small batch coffees.
Handmade furniture, rugs, textiles, art...

They are unique, traceable and enrich our lives.

AGAA4

I have never paid a lot for skincare as I think your genes and diet play a bigger part than creams and potions.

The beauty industry is I big con making people believe spending their hard earned money on expensive products will make them look younger.

This. My Dad, and other paternal family members, still had great skin into their 90’s. I’ve got good skin on my face, although as a now 8 stone woman, having halved my weight, sudden weight loss has caused chaos with the rest of my skin 😳

I’ve never used cream in my life. 🤷‍♀️

the best hand cream is nivea soft. I think it is about £2.25 and you can use it on your face as well

I used to love Ponds vanishing cream. Sadly it's now vanished

butterandjam starting with the bottom it’s all in the jeans!
Love your humour.