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    Just 17 Products That Have Saved Me A *Lot* Of Money

    If saving money is your love language, look no further!

    Valeza Bakolli
    by Valeza Bakolli

    BuzzFeed Staff

    1. This ionic shower head softens the water, so I can build a proper lather while using significantly less hair and body products!

    Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

    The mineral beads filter the water as it runs through, removing impurities like chlorine, heavy metals, and rust. The softer water works wonders for my skin and hair, AND causes less limescale buildup in my shower over time! If that wasn't enough, the micro pinhole design on the nozzle makes the water pressure feel higher while actually using less water – genius!

    Price: £11.04 for the shower head, extra bead replacements, and a spare rubber plate.

    2. I haven't bought a single coffee shop brew since getting this mini electric whisk!

    Valeza Bakolli / Via BuzzFeed

    I feel like a proper barista using this lil' contraption! I mainly use it for whisking my morning matcha green tea (which is extremely lump-prone without the proper equipment). It also works wonders for blending iced coffee and frothing milk for the ultimate ~creamy~ latte.

    Price: £3.59

    3. Who needs an expensive spa trip when this shiatsu back and neck massager feels like your own personal masseuse?

    Valeza Bakolli / Via amazon.co.uk

    Full disclosure: I bought this as a present for my mum, but we both loved it so much that it now has its own calendar set up on the fridge so we can fairly book slots to use it. The rotating nodules feel like a real masseuse is kneading your tight muscles, and the arm loops allow you to apply as much or as little pressure as you need, making it perfect if you're as bruise-prone as I am!

    Price: £32.29

    4. Instead of buying a whole new home office table, I spruced up my old one with this chic marble contact paper.

    Valeza Bakolli / Via BuzzFeed

    It was surprisingly easy to use – even for a DIY novice like me! I simply had to peel off the backing and smooth the adhesive side onto the clean surface of the table, using a hardcover book to make sure there were no air bubbles. Shout out to the gold tape I used to seal the edges and give the marble design an extra luxe-looking finish.

    Price: £6.99 for a 30x200cm length of the contact paper, and £2.95 for a 15mmx10m length of gold tape.

    5. While lockdown had a big part to play in me avoiding expensive haircuts for half a year, at least this 'No Haircut' cream kept my hair looking luscious and healthy in the meantime!

    Valeza Bakolli / Via BuzzFeed

    The leave-in conditioner keeps my ends looking healthy and full for ages between trims. It has even increased the time I'm willing to wait between haircuts and treatments now that salons are finally open again!

    Price: £3.96

    6. Applying this jumbo-sized hair mask feels like an expensive hair treatment but only costs a tiny fraction of the price!

    Valeza Bakolli / Via BuzzFeed

    You'll get a HUGE 1.2 litres of product for under £12! I apply a generous amount to the lengths and ends of my wet hair, leave it in for a few minutes, and then rinse it out to leave my locks feeling nourished and silky smooth. I occasionally leave it on my hair for about an hour before washing for a more ~intense~ moisturising treatment. I've been using it for months and am still yet to make much of a dent!

    Price: £11.90

    7. Who needs a fancy facial when I have this cult status clay mask to draw out any impurities and make my skin feel ~revitalised~?

    Valeza Bakolli / Via BuzzFeed

    Now, I'm the first to admit that I'm a DIY facial fiend and own a fair few masks already, but I have to say I'd still be tempted to invest in a ~proper~ facial once in a while were it not for this powerful clay. I'm not kidding when I say this stuff is intense – I can feel my face actually pulsate while the formula dries, and my blackheads are all but gone once it's wiped off. It comes in clay form (so has a far longer shelf life than 'wet' clay alternatives), and you can mix it with whatever you like. I use apple cider vinegar, but you can opt for water if your skin is super sensitive.

    Price: £7.98 for the clay mask, and £6.80 for a 473ml bottle of apple cider vinegar.

    8. I'm so glad I bought Dishoom's cookbook last year. I practised my culinary skills throughout lockdown, and even though the iconic restaurant is open again I can still satisfy my cravings for a fraction of the price at home!

    Valeza Bakolli / Via BuzzFeed

    Not to brag, but my homemade Chicken Ruby pretty much tastes like the real thing.

    Price: £17.63

    9. This soap saver basically does exactly what it says on the tin, so you don't have to throw out a bar soap prematurely because it's gone mushy.

    Valeza Bakolli / Via BuzzFeed

    While the clever contraption might look like a packet of dried noodles, the firm sponge structure keeps your soap elevated while the holes allow water to drain through. This means your bar of soap won't get soggy or dissolve more quickly than it needs to!

    Price: £3.98 – it also comes in white and grey.

    10. I originally bought this portable safe to use while on the beach, but have found it also works well for picnics and general outings too. The investment is definitely worth it when you consider how much replacing valuables can cost!

    Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

    It's a great way to keep your goods safe while out and about! It's lightweight (but large enough to hold multiple phones, wallets, and other small valuables), and has a handy hook which you can attach to any sturdy chair or table.

    Price: £19.99

    11. This fast-drying top coat is to my DIY manicures what a dash of sriracha is to any meal – basically, it makes them about 100 times better.

    Valeza Bakolli / Amazon / Via BuzzFeed / amazon.co.uk

    Not only does it have a ~smoothing~ effect over the nail polish beneath (giving it a gel-like finish), it sort of bonds each layer of polish together, making the mani dry in a matter of minutes and last for up to two weeks chip-free (read about how I put it to the test here if you don't believe me)! It has saved me so much money on professional manicures and I wouldn't be without it.

    Price: £6.10

    12. While we're on the subject of at-home manis, this cuticle remover gel has made mine look far more professional with minimal effort required!

    Valeza Bakolli / Via BuzzFeed

    I simply apply the gel to my cuticles, wait for about a minute, then wash my hands – after that my cuticles can be scrubbed away with ease! Getting my cuticles to look ~pristine~ was often my biggest reason for getting them done professionally, so this lil' gel has definitely made me more likely to save the money and do them myself instead! If you want a step-by-step guide on how to use it, read about me trying it for the first time here.

    Price: £4.69

    13. And these versatile nail pens have convinced me that nail art might actually be my *thing* – so I have yet to splash out on getting a pricey design done in a salon.

    Valeza Bakolli / Via BuzzFeed

    I've always been reluctant to try nail art out on myself, but these brushes made it super easy! They each have a ball tip on one end and a brush tip on the other, and come in different sizes to suit any kind of design.

    Price: £6.99 for a set of five double-ended brushes.

    14. I used to spend LOADS on getting my lashes lifted professionally...till this lash lift kit came along, that is!

    Valeza Bakolli / Via BuzzFeed

    I'm not exaggerating when I say that this kit gives me the same results I used to get in the salon! It's great for a little pick-me-up, and now that the sticky summer heat has officially set in, having my lashes lifted has the same effect as mascara without any smudges.

    Price: £18.98

    15. Since I live in a hard water area, I don't like drinking water straight from the tap. This BRITA filter jug has been invaluable and means I don't have to splash out on bottled water!

    Valeza Bakolli / Via BuzzFeed

    I can't tell you how many bottles of water I've avoided buying thanks to this lil' guy!

    Price: £15.00

    16. Okay, confession time: I recently got a pretty high-maintenance haircut on a whim before realising that I'm too lazy for regular blow dries at the salon! Thankfully this rotating hot air styling brush makes it so easy to do at home.

    Valeza Bakolli / Via BuzzFeed

    I run this through my hair in sections while it's still slightly damp. The brush rotates both ways which is excellent for achieving that ~naturally wavy~ look! It smooths my locks and gives them volume, and I like to put my hair up in a bun straight after (while it's still warm) to give it an extra wavy boost that holds throughout the day.

    Price: £34.99

    17. Finally, these self-holding hair rollers also save me trips to the salon by giving my temperamental fringe that perfect finishing touch.

    Valeza Bakolli / Via BuzzFeed

    I have been known to sport this stylish lewk throughout my working day at home, so my fringe stays fluffy and suitably '70s while I'm out and about. The rollers hold a firm grip to my hair without needing to clip them in, and they're so lightweight I often forget they're on my head!

    Price: £8.99 for a pack of ten.