FOUND - Beauty Buys, 2nd-Hand to Boot(s)

I find beauty products wildly enticing but often disappointing, not to mention expensive. I've 5 cheap and cheerful winners - one that I even picked up recently in a charity shop. 

DRY BRUSHING - This a time-honored way of exfoliating. An invigorating way to start the day, you'll experience increased circulation and smoother skin. Body brushes are widely available and far more economical than jars of goopy, gritty exfoliating products. Dry brush your pins before shaving for super smooth, glowing limbs.

PALMERS COCO BUTTER - A luscious cream that comes in any number of formulations, I prefer the super concentrated stuff. Palmers does what it claims and smells like a Butter Fingers candy bar, a favourite sweet that I stock up on when visiting the ole' USA.

L'OCCITANE SOAP - When did soap become retro? When over-perfumed, wasteful shower gels hit the market. Nothing makes me smile in the shower more than a newly unwrapped cake of bubbles. I stock up on preferred brands - L'Occitane and Claus Porto - when I find them on sale. Soap lasts and lasts, making it highly economical. The 2 tiny brand new bars here were actually found in the Cat Charity Shop on Pitshanger Lane in Ealing for 50p. Talk about pre-owned pleasures!

FLORIDA WATER - This 19th century invention was made for men and women, so its scent is spicy, citrus and fresh. It's what was once referred to as an After-Bath-Splash, and is particularly refreshing in summer after being cooled in the fridge. The name refers to the fabled Fountain of Youth said to be located in Florida. I found this at the Ealing AfroEuro Hair & Beauty Shop at 209 Uxbridge Road (available on Ebay and Amazon too).        

HOLLYWOOD FASHION TAPE - These double-sided pre-cut strips do one thing really well. That bra-revealing gap in your button-up shirt? This keeps it closed, letting your shirt lay against your bosom flat and happy. I buy loads when I'm in the US but it's easily located online too.