Jackanory, like others I can totally relate to your post. I used to buy loads of beauty TSVs and must have spent a small fortune but now resist entirely as I now I only buy from cruelty free brands – these are my current substitutes for products I’d previously used from QVC:
Facial Wash – Neals Yard Frankincense facial wash, or Faith in Nature rejuvenating facial wash instead of Philosophy Purity
Hot Cloth Cleanser - Tropic Skincare or Natroma hot cloth cleansers instead of C&P (though Liz Earle is still cruelty free).
Cleansing Balm – the Emma Hardie one was heavenly though I used it only occasionally, now use Neals Yard Wild Rose Balm instead as an occasional treat.
Facial oil – I only occasionally used Decleor Neroli under a moisturiser at night. Now if I feel the need to use an oil, it's either Balm Balm Little Miracle Rosehip Serum, or M&S Formula Age Repair Treatment Oil.
Moisturiser – I regularly used Liz Earle Skin Repair but recently discovered M&S Formula Age Repair Day Cream (spf 15), or for a gel cream texture more like Elemis PCMC I use Tropic Skincare Skin Revive.
Exfoliator – my favourite was Elemis skin buff but equally like the clean smooth skin feel from Neals Yard Orange Facial Polish.
Masks –occasionally used whatever came in a TSV, usually Elemis now now slather on a Montagne Jeuneusse (only £1!) one if I'm having a bath.
Primer – Smashbox (best of a bad bunch), LG Spackle (hated it) and Philosophy Supernatural (just ok). Much prefer M&S Autograph anti-aging primer for an even base (onto my second pot).
Mineral Foundation – never a fan of BE, it emphasised pores and their brushes were scratchy. Now use Everyday Minerals mineral foundation with their flat top brush.
Liquid foundation – didn't try many of their liquid foundations as I found it hard enough to get one pale enough from a store let along off TV. I did like their Models Prefer Hands Free Foundation though. I'm currently trying Superdrug ‘B.’ Flawless Finish foundation - supposed to last 16 hours - not sure about that, but still reasonable finish on me with little shine by mid afternoon which is better staying power than the Estee Lauder Double Wear I tried years ago.
Powder – mostly used Models Prefer yellow powder, now BM Beauty Finishing Powder does the job (reminds me of Prescriptives Magic Powder).
Blusher – most of the Laura Geller ones were too brown/orange/shimmery. Currently my daily blusher is M&S Autograph in ‘Pale Blush’.
Eye primer – nothing QVC sold worked, my eyeshadows always turned to an oily slick by lunchtime. Now use Urban Decay Primer Potion which is brilliant.
Eye liners – tried Smashbox, Bobbi Brown and Mally - no particular favourite. M&S Autograph do a gel liner much like the BB ones, but I prefer a creamy pencil – either Lily Lolo or Urban Decay.
Eyeshadows –favourite was Smashbox. Now use matte shadows from Urban Decay or M&S.
Eyebrows & Lip Liner – loved and still using up Models Prefer pencil and Smashbox browtech on my brows, and Models Prefer spice or Ariane Poole on my lips.
Lipstick – Smashbox were my favourite, now trying M&S & Superdrug B.
Shampoo – I fell for the Aveda & MOP hype – replaced by Faith in Nature Pomegranite & Rooibos (Paraben & SLES Free).
Soap & handcream – did I really spend ££££s on b***** L’Occitane soap? Coop or Sainsburys in the kitchen, M&S in the bathroom now.
Showergels – I used to stockpile Molton Brown TSVs, falling for Jill Goldsmiths 'balmy nights speel'. Now love M&S Cowley Manor and White Scents (Jo Malone-esque) ranges, they're gorgeous.
Body scrub –Philosophy Salt Scrub was effective but scratchy. M&S Formula body polish applies to dry skin before you get in the shower (without scrubby bits falling onto the floor).
Bodylotion/cream – instead of Molton Brown or Liz Earle, now use whatever catches my eye in M&S.
Nailcare – OPI was my fave above Nails Inc & Leighton Denny; I now buy either M&S or SpaRitual.
Probably my longest ever post (sorry!), my excuse is I’m an animal mad self-confessed beauty/makeup addict.
