To wonder whether everyone accepts that beauty products don’t work?

[SinkGirl]

I don’t know about anyone else but I’m so used to beauty (and especially) hair products not doing what they say they do that I’m often really shocked when they do what they say they will. I spent a brief spell in marketing for an insurance company and everything we said was so tightly regulated. Beauty companies can say whatever they like it seems, digitally manipulate images, do a “trial” on 11 women and then proudly state that almost 90% of women said it worked... 🙄

I hadn’t spent a penny on make up or skin care for years until a few months ago when I bought a few bits which were okay but nothing staggering. Got an event coming up tonight and I went a bit mad - I bought heaps of stuff: hair care, make up, skin care etc.

Most of it is absolute crap and doesn’t live up to its claims. I generally just accept this in a way I wouldn’t with other things but whenever they work it’s always a nice surprise (will list the few things I’m happy with below in case anyone is looking!)

I find it strange that we are so (rightly) hot on false advertising but this is an entire industry that seems to get away with it. I realise everyone’s skin and hair is different, but if you buy something that’s meant to volumise fine flyaway hair, which you have, but does absolutely nothing, surely that’s a bit ridiculous? And these things are always no returns so even if what you’ve got is basically scented baby oil, you’re scuppered.

These are the things I’ve tried that work as advertised this week - three out of over 30 products (yes, I splurged!)

• The Ordinary AHA BHA peel - have used loads of acid peels before so I was a bit blase about this one. Ended up burning the skin off my cheekbones after only a few minutes 😳 It’s very effective though!

• Estée Lauder powerfoil night recovery mask - got one of these in a lot of mini EL products. Used it last night and my skin this morning is absolutely amazing. Not greasy at all but softer, smoother, lines reduced, calmed the burnt cheeks... it’s amazing. Shame it’s so expensive (cheapest I’ve found is about £55 for 4 and you’re meant to use 1 a week but I’m considering using one every month / couple of weeks maybe)

• The Ordinary coverage foundation - I bought a few foundations as my skin changes quite a bit during my cycle and this one is awesome. Lasted all day even while running around, sweating etc. And it’s onlh £6 so you can buy a few shades and mix if you find it hard to get a colour match.

My husband would consider himself a very manly man and he buys and uses his own facewashes and moisturiser (always with an SPF). He colours his hair, loves a facemask and gets me to tame his eyebrows too.

Sorry, posted too soon

You need to see an independent make up artist, one who isn't on commission, who will take you through a proper skin care regime and show you products suitable. You already found a face pack that you know works, therefore, it is possible that brand would be good for you.

It is pointless us recommending anything for you as we are not your ethnic mix, skin type, we don't have the same diet as you, we're not the same age, not had similar exposure to the elements.

This is a brilliant thread!

I'm taking some hints off here next time I'm buying any products.

Has anyone got any recommendations for frizzy hair that actually work? I'm talking major full-on frizz...so imagine frizzy hair, then multiply that by 10.

TIA

Everyone is who doesn’t need anything is very lucky!

I’ve had adult acne for years and treatment has left me with huge brown melasma patches - upper lip, under both eyes and my forehead that I cover with thick cover up for work

I never use expensive moisturisers or make up ever

I use the same shampoo as DD who cannot use SLS. It is expensive and very very annoying to try to find SLS free products that don’t cost a fortune

My go to’s
Clinique take the day off cleansing balm - does the job and really soothing at the same time - my skin is too sensitive for peels etc
Clinique dramatically different moisturiser - brilliant - light, non greasy and absorbed quickly
Palmers cocoa butter daily skin therapy - brilliant body moisturiser (and smells vaguely chocolate!)
Soap and Glory foot care products

Frizzy hair- L'Oréal Extraordinary Oil,put on while wet then blow dry. Fab stuff.

If it doesn’t work then I complain to the company and get my money back.

It’s why I turn to bloggers for their recommendations rather than falling for advertising too. If I’ve seen something on Instagram that isn’t #ad #gifted then I know it’ll usually work for me

men do fuck all ‘skincare’ and their skin is completely fine

My husband slaps on Nivea cream every day. Yes he's got a few 'laughter lines' as he calls them but in general he has lovely skin, especially on his body, not a single blemish the sod.

Totally agree about the Nip & Fab No Needle Fix and it's shit.

My favourite product is is Clarins Instant Smooth.

Is this an ad for The Ordinary make up? Sounds like it.

I want one of those magical washing powders that removes everything from sweat to beetroot to blood from a particularly brutal murder.

I've bought a few products from The Ordinary,they live up to their name imo.

Is this an ad for The Ordinary make up? Sounds like it.

Where?

One thing I've only just started is blending my under eye concealer with a brush, so much better than patting it in with my finger. Wish I'd clocked on to that a while ago.

Whitening toothpastes are all crap too.

Totally agree. I used to be a product junkie and spent loads of money on make up and personal care products. Seen the light now.

One big change for my skin was proper cleansing rather than a wipe or micellar water. I don't hot cloth cleanse because it gives me broken veins, but I double cleanse with a milking cleanse and finish with toner. (The toner is superfluous but a nice thing to end with.) my skin cleared and brightened considerably. I use micellar water in the morning.

Avenue Skin Recovery cream is my go to if my skin is playing up sensitivity wise. That works. Normally in the winter. I like to keep a tube of Nivea
Soft for face and a bigger tub for a body moisturiser.

Eye creams, using an expensive one but will downgrade to a basic moisturising one next. They don't get rid of shadows or circles so no point in doing anything other than moisturising.

Ultrasun face 30 is my spf, which can double as a moisturiser. It's a once a day product that works. Similarly their body versions are great.

Primark nail polishes are better than a lot of high end ones.

It's a largely female problem, so society doesn't give a fuck.

I am with you OP. I bought Touche Eclat once and was very disappointed cos it didn't live up to expectations. I bought a Barbara Daly for Tesco concealer and it was much better. I just use a simple cheap intensive moisturiser from Morrisons which I found to be better for my skin. Other more expensive brands just left my skin feeling dry.

Men often have thicker skin which produces more sebum (one of the effects of testosterone) so they are less prone to dry skin, fine lines, etc.

There is also a very different standard applied to men - they are not expected to maintain at all times the dewy perfection of a sixteen year old model.

But with all that said, many of my boyfriends have "let" me do my skincare routine on them (nothing fancy, clinique clarifying lotion and moisturiser) and then decided that this is a fun game we should play every morning :)

I have started letting my natural grey come through and buy all my make up in Wilkos. It is a revelation!

I would be grateful if anyone can recommend a cheap shampoo and conditioner which will allow me to get a comb through my birds nest hair. My ends are having bleached and genuinely a comb gets stuck in it after washing.

Wilko make up is great!

@BarbarAnna

Have you tried a tangle teezer type brush? Makes a huge difference on wet hair and is more gentle than tugging a comb or regular brush through.

Superdrug Vit E or Radiance hot cloth cleansers are brilliant and usually on some kind of reduced/bogof deal.

I swear by the Clinique Anti-Blemish range. If I stop using it I come out in the most horrendous breakouts. It has helped dramatically.

Can anyone PLEASE let me know what to buy from the ordinary ......way too complicated.....58yo wrinkles & sun spots.....thanks !

The ordinary vit c works too.
As does L’Oréal’s thickening shampoo and conditioner.