The ‘Swap January’ #AldiChallenge

I’m a keen bargain hunter, I hate waste and don’t pay more for anything than I absolutly have too. Some would call me a cheapskate however I prefer the term frugal. When one of the PR companies dealing with the Aldi health and beauty ranges got in touch and asked if I’d try out some products as part of the Swap January challenge however I was dubious. I’m a bit funny about what health and beauty products I’ll use and generally speaking believed that in this department you get what you pay for.

I was wrong.

January is now over and the products I’d been sent have been very well tested and I have to say they are as good as, if not better than the more expensive non-Aldi alternatives I’ve been using to date.

Swap January from Aldi

 

The items I was sent included:

  • Lacura Expert Day and Night Cream, (RRP £3.99 each). These were real winners for me. I pay three times that amount for my creams (over three times actually) and the results are identical.
  • Lacura Roll on Deodorant – I don’t use roll-on usually however did for the purpose of testing out products and found this fine. At 59p it is considerably cheaper than the roll-on brands I would usually have chosen if roll-on was my thing.
  • Lacura 3 in 1 Facial Wipes – These are another great find. These are wipes which do more than tickle the skin, they offer a really good wet cleanse and one wipe is more than enough. At 89p (ridiculously cheap in my opinion) I would stock up on these.
  • Carino Hairspray – I pay nearly £2 for the same sized container and this worked much better at taming curls without that awful crispy feeling you get with some cheaper hairsprays. I’ve been robbed!
  • Lacura Cotton Buds – a bud is a bud in my humble opinion however I’ve been paying £1 for a container with approximately a third less in it. The Aldi option is most definitely the cheaper version and it would last longer.
  • Carino Shampoo and Conditioner – at 65p these are great. For everyday family use and 35p cheaper a bottle than my local supermarket’s closest alternative these are a fab price.
  • AquaV KickStart Shower Gel – 69p. This is absolutely lush! I was sent a honey and shea butter scented shower gel and the whole family loved it. My local supermarket’s cheapest shower gels are £1 rrp each and no-where near as nice.
  • The Lacura Q10 Daily Face Cream – £1.49, I’ve not tested this as much as the others as have been using the Expert Day and Night Cream however it seems on par with similar I’ve bought in the past at three or four times the price for the same size.

What can I say other than in my eyes this Swap January test was a big win with me. Sadly I don’t have an Aldi near to me so this was a real blind trial however it has certainly made me look differently at brands and whether or not it’s necessary to pay over the odds when there are clearly cheaper versions which are just as good if not better.

Have you used Aldi’s health and beauty products? What do you think?

We're going on an adventure

Luxurious Gift Buying Inspiration

lux2

At the beginning of the year I sit back, open a new, fresh and beautifully empty diary and start to fill in all of the special occasions. Every year it quickly dawns on me that I’m going to have to get moving as this week alone I have four birthdays (we have a big family, I have 5 siblings, Roy has four…). Thankfully shopping for special gifts no longer involves a stressful trek to a shopping centre and hours of frustrated buying (all hail the internet!).

There is nothing nicer than handing over a gift you know your friend or family member will love and I always try and look for something a little different, a little special. Living in a rural market town the shopping opportunities are few and far between, and with numerous other siblings all shopping in the same place moving elsewhere or going online is the online way to find something unique.

Finding Gifts That are Different

For the grown-ups on my list I try and find something a little luxurious, something that person would love and yet wouldn’t necessarily treat themselves to. Luxury at 1 offers a wide range of handcrafted gifts that tick all of my gift buying boxes perfectly (and I’m quite excited to have found it!). From ethically sourced Alpaca yarn items to Native World silver possum merino wrist warmers (these may be on the list titled “things Roy should buy Nicki”) and much more there are plenty of gorgeous items to choose from.

Thankfully this is one of those sites where I can find something for everyone, from the awkward to buy for blokes (At least one of my brother in laws will be getting one of the fabulous Russian hats Luxury at 1 have on offer for Christmas) to the much easier to shop for sisters.

Home Related Gifts

Not everyone wants clothing and accessories, bags or indeed anything fashion related. Personally I adore home related gifts (yes pretty or stylish ones) and so these make great choices for my family and friends. Quirky items like pretty soaps which can be used for display and use, gorgeous ornaments and even toiletries which look as great as they smell are perfect for my extensive gift list and the beauty of shopping at a place like Luxury at 1 is that the hard work in sourcing something a little different has already been done for me.

Gifts For Me

As Roy does from time to time read this blog, especially when pointed towards it I thought it only fair that I use this opportunity to let him know that this a site he absolutely may consider worthy of buying anniversary presents from and the likes. I adore the handcrafted nature of many of the items here and ethically sourced products are important to me and something I’ve written about before.


lux1

 

Enjoying The Shopping Experience

I’ll be honest, I hate shopping. The mad rush, the heat, the endless busy and stressed atmosphere; it really isn’t my thing. I really do appreciate being able to find what I want online without having to leave my home and am extremely grateful that finding luxurious gifts without joining the shopping hoards is no longer a dream, but a very affordable reality.