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Original poster

Face Peel/Resurfacing Serum v Exfoliator

29 replies

MissFoodie · 03/03/2012 18:41

Can anyone recommend a face peel mask/ serum that actually contains glycolic acid but no crap please? (eg parabens, silicones, etc)

so far ren, elemis and elemental herbology are the only ones I can find, are there any others? and has anyone tried any of these with success? or am I better off just continuing with an exfoliator?

I cant seem to get rid of flaky skin round nose.....

Many thanks

OP posts:
mrsmartin · 03/03/2012 20:31

elemis papaya enzyme peel is fantastic - you'd need to check out the ingredients (Call me immoral but so long as they don't test on animals I'm happy) but it will get rid of your flakiness no probs. It goes on as a cream (like a mask) and just sits there for 10 mins. Remove with a hot cloth and voila...no flakes. It won't stimulate your oil glands or cause any redness. And you can get the full size for £11 on ebay too...

jalopy · 03/03/2012 21:01

Alpha H liquid gold lotion is good, apparently.

mrsmartin · 03/03/2012 21:09

Alpha H is good - smells very chemical and it works while you sleep so no good for a 'quick fix' but great as a 3times a week treatment to smooth skin in general.

Original poster
MissFoodie · 03/03/2012 21:21

mrsm

yes, elemis keeps cropping up, but i read a review whereby ren glycolic mask was app better than the elemis????

have you tried the ren one?

and how often do you use the elemis one?

OP posts:
mrsmartin · 03/03/2012 22:15

I haven't tried the ren so can't comment....glycolic is great but not overly pleasurable to choose - you can always smell it it the products ime.

I use the elemis one once a week (on spa sundayWink) but it can be used everyday without any detriment (you wouldn't need to though). When dh get's pots and then picks them (he won't listen) and they go scabby I pop a smudge of it on him and it is super smooth 10 mins later.

I've seen 15ml samples of the papaya peel on ebay for the £4 mark - maybe get a sample and see what you think...then you won't have spent a load of money on something that doesn't work for you. I think the main plus point is you can pop it on while you are in the shower and then wipe it off when you get out - it is just really convenient to use.

Original poster
MissFoodie · 03/03/2012 22:27

thanks :)

while you're here: any thoughts on water mist over bare minerals foundation?
and eyelash curler?

:o

OP posts:
mrsmartin · 03/03/2012 22:37

I've used those eviam water mists over my BE in the summer and they have been fine - might be worth keeping a brush handy just incase it does seperate the make up though (I have been caught out in heavy rain before and just rebuffed the minerals - everyone I was with was very jealous!)

I have a lancome metal curler - no different to a cheapie one (it was a freebie) but I warm it with a hairdryer and do lots of little 'pumps' from the lash to the tip. I then apply my mascara straight awayand hold the wand on the tips so that the mascara dries in an 'up' position (hope that makes sense!). My mally mascara is the only one that keeps that shape all day...I use a no7 one as an 'off duty' look and it only holds for about 2hours (keeps the curl, just drops forward a bit). I used to spray my mascara wand with hairspray when I was younger but don't think it was very kind to my lashes...worked thoughBlush

Original poster
MissFoodie · 03/03/2012 22:40

many thanks -got my new bm foundation and to cover up by nose have to apply quite a bit which then ends up looking a bit cakey so thought the water mist trick might help

OP posts:
mrsmartin · 03/03/2012 22:58

Ah no - what you need for that is their max coverage concealer brush, (there are some private auctions at about £2 atm but don't know what they will go up to). That brush is how I do my nose, chin and around my mouth...it will make a HUGE difference and save you £££ in the long run as you will use less of the powder overall...

Original poster
MissFoodie · 03/03/2012 23:05

i have that and the other 2 brushes! :)
so i should be using that first on nose then all over with the big brush?

OP posts:
mrsmartin · 03/03/2012 23:10

Ah so did you buy the starter pack? I tend to apply my BE with the kabuki brush (It's softer and because it gives more coverage I find it quicker too), then I go over the top with the max coverage brush to really refine the nose area etc - if you have visible pores that brush lets you fill them in.

The BE head of training says that you should be buffing for the same amount of time it takes to sing happy birthday twice - then if you need to add more you can but the more you buff, the stronger the coverage.

Original poster
MissFoodie · 03/03/2012 23:23

i bought the kit 2 years ago, kept the brushes and chucked the powders....i thought they were too pale!
after trying lily lolo i'm back to bm foundation...
i like light coverage on cheeks and mid on nose/sides of nose....so should i do conceal brush first then rest of face or vice versa?
didnt like warmth, was too orange on me, debating whether to go foundation and blusher only, or try bm faux tan plus blusher....

OP posts:
mrsmartin · 03/03/2012 23:34

you can do it either way round - it doesn't really make a difference ime.

I find the warmth works best with a fan brush as you get the perfect distribution of colour - I have a snow white complexion (complete with raven hair) in winter and can still use it to contour with...try applying it before you put the foundation on (works v.well that way). Always wear blusher...bronzer is optional but blusher isn't. I havn't tried the faux tan but if you want a subtle colour and still don't get on with the warmth under foundation, try the tinted mineral veil (search ebay for the mini pot) - it gives a barely there hint of colour and it isn't shimmery (which the warm radience is).

Original poster
MissFoodie · 03/03/2012 23:38

yes, tried tinted mv instore and thought it was nice, better than warm radiance (which i currently have)

the next problem is going to be blusher as they have zillions of them...am currently trialling a jane iredale quad blush/brnzer thing which am not sure about...

i am fairly light in bm foundation, have freckles and redness....nice
hate powder under eyes as makes me look 90..
pale blue eyes
mousy blond hair currently henna'ed...

app peachy blusher is good for me, i just find them always veering towards pumpkin more than peach...lol

OP posts:
mrsmartin · 03/03/2012 23:53

I have a mini pot of BE's best blush for pale skin (imho it is anyway) called present. It is a powder pink and looks fab on everyone I've ever tried it on (I have 2 full size pots of it). If you PM me your address I'll post it out to you Wink

peach blushers are hard to get right - they often look too dusty and only really work in a cream formula (I find that anyway - though if you start a new thread someone will probably recommend a great one straight awayGrin).

Original poster
MissFoodie · 04/03/2012 00:04

what do you think of joyous jennifer and/or sorbet?
are ou

you sure about present???? :)

OP posts:
Original poster
MissFoodie · 04/03/2012 00:09

btw is present a limited edition? can't find it anywhere...bet i'd love it too!!!

OP posts:
mrsmartin · 04/03/2012 00:27

I think joyous jennifer is too dark (quite ageing as it has bronze in it and as bobbi brown says - you don't blush brown!!!). Sorbet is nice - probably the closest to present but present has a hint more colour to it - sorbet is barely there iykwim, whereas present is basically like a I had great sex an hour ago but now I'm at church kind of colour. I fear it may have been a qvc exclusive though as it isn't on the BE website. I will happily send you this pot in the post though if you would like it (I promise I am not a scary stalker - will adress it to Miss Foodie hehe).

mrsmartin · 04/03/2012 00:28

address Hmm

NannyPlumIsMyMum · 04/03/2012 01:39

MrsMartin Sali Hughes in her weekly column covered facial peels today ... She recommends the Fab Pore by S and G , apart from Elemis which you mentioned . I will go and re check and see if she mentions any others .,,

NannyPlumIsMyMum · 04/03/2012 01:43

Sali Hughes also recommends Sanctuary Youth Revolution .

NannyPlumIsMyMum · 04/03/2012 01:47

MrsMartin and MissFoodie I am getting you mixed up .
Am so sorry .
MissFoodie the recommendations are for you - but MrsMartin I'm sure wont mind my beauty blurb !

Original poster
MissFoodie · 04/03/2012 01:49

thanks, saw that, the problem is the others she mentions in her article contain ingredients I wont use, but thanks!

OP posts:
mrsmartin · 04/03/2012 02:16

haha...I'm always interested! Will be sticking with my elemis though...great stuff!

monkeysmama · 04/03/2012 06:45

I have the REN and Elemis peels though my REN one is targeted specifically at closing pores. I like & use them both on alternate weeks. If I had to choose one I'd go with the Elemis. Sali Hughes in yesterday's Guardian had a piece on peels.