What have been your 'game changer' beauty products?

[frankietwospots]

I'm always keen to try out new beauty products but am fed up of spending good money on products that are a bit meh. What have been your real 'game changer' beauty products? Which products have really made a difference? For me, applying Estee Lauder Double Wear with the Real Techniques stippling brush was a lightbulb moment. I just wish I could replicate that experience with skincare products!

I would be interested to know if any of the semi medical ones are worth trying - eg ones with retinol etc - which you need to get from specialist suppliers? Or are they only for people with skin conditions which require treatment by a dermatologist?

Facial razors. My skin is so much better now.

Probably loads but recent ones ...

Philosophy Miracle Worker Retinol pads... Like these! A bit spends at £62 but it goes a long way! They advise that you tip the whole Retinol liquid into the pots of pads but I just soak a pad as I use it - lasts twice as long then!

I love the new long handled Real Techniques make up brushes . I've got the blusher brush (£24 ) and the eyeshadow brush (£10) both really nice- dense bristles that pick up colour nicely and don't moult!

The new BareMinerals BareSkin foundation is worth a look at. Gives a glowy non heavy finish and the coverage is build able.

Re: the RT blusher brush - my current one is too fat. Is the new one a bit slimmer? I always end up a bit Aunt Sally when I use my fat one!

What are the retinol pads supposed to do?

Double cleansing has been a game-changer for me. I use the Superdrug cheapo Vit E hot cloth cleanser with soft flannels (muslin irritates my skin) and double cleanse at night. Has made my skin so much smoother and less prone to break outs, and (can't believe I am saying this) has been better than Eve Lom for my skin (and purse).

Also using a facial oil and giving myself a facial massage at night. Really relaxing and definitely improves the appearance of those very fine dehydration lines. I rate Trilogy rose hip oil, but I know some people find it a bit meh.

Oh, and CC cream! I didn't understand the hype about BB creams, but I tried Bourjois CC cream a while ago in place of the drawer full of not-quite-right foundations and tinted moisturisers I have...and its perfect. Light but effective coverage, doesn't feel cakey on but really evens out my skin tone and hides redness. Love it! And so cheap! Bye bye Chanel Vitalumiere

Double cleansing here too. Excellent news that Superdrug VitE is a good cleanser as that's on my list to try next

Face powder - I have dry skin and was terrified of looking washed out and chalky, not to mention flaky. But it just makes me look much more groomed and less shiny. I use Bourjois Healthy Balance, cost less than a tenner

Body scrubs - thought they were one of those ridiculous products like celulite gel but scrubbing 2-3 times a week makes my dry skin softer, less flaky, and has pretty much got rid of ingrown hairs on my waxed bits

Paula's Choice 1% BHA exfoliating lotion - the only product that makes any difference to my rosacea, apart from antibiotics.

prep n prime mac spf50

I'm looking to replace my foundation. Can you wear cc creams over serums and heavy moisturisers? Or is that too much? Not really sure what cc creams do. How's their colour range?

I put on serum, wait 5-10 mins, then mix the Bourjois CC cream w some Olay sensitive moisturiser (w SPF) and put that on top. I love Bourjois foundations and CC cream. The best ones I have tried.

I often link to I Covet Thee, but that's as I pretty much always agree w her drugstore makeup recommendations : www.icovetthee.com/2015/01/drugstore-make-up-favourites.html.

I put on a SPF moisturiser (always whoring around trying different ones -currently a cheap one from Aldi ), wait a few minutes, then apply the CC cream.

I don't think Bourjois have a massive range of shades which could be a problem for some, but I found a great match for my skin tone. its like a light, evening-out sort of foundation on me. And very smooth and silky (but matte).

YY to mac prep n prime spf50. It is amazing just wish it didn't come in that silly tube that its impossible to get the last bits out of.

Hot cloth cleansing. Currently double cleansing baaaa baaaa with a Boots botanics oily balm and then either Elemis pro radiance or Liz Earle.
Neal's Yard Frankincense is my holy grail of moisturisers and oils.
Still looking for HG foundation.

My clarisonic and rosehip oil. I have an age spot under my eye and its disappearing after a week of use.

Sangria try Mac face and body- water based, build able, comfortable, they'll give you a sample. Feels like you're wearing nothing and very flattering.

Bioderma Hydrabio Riche moisturiser. I had dry, rough, flaky skin on my face for 25 years. I tried everything. This sorted it out in three days

I have normal skin now. Life changing.

Urban Decay eyelid primer. No more oily eyelids with eyeshadow sunk into creases.

I have used Estee Lauder Daywear moisturiser for dry skin for 20 years. I love it.

I have very dry skin on my body , especially on my legs and knees and I have that pimpley thing on my upper arms. Have done for years. The best body moisturiser by far is the cheapie Flexitol moisturiser for legs which has either 5 or 10% urea. It is very heavy duty and a little goes a very long way. No more pimpley arms or legs so dry that fake tan clings to it in patches.

I also really rate the urban decay eyeshadow primer. I buy very cheap eyeshadows now (the MUA 12 colour pallettes for 3) and it keeps my eyeshadow in place, properly pigmented, all day.

La Roche Posay toleriane range of moisturisers for combination skin - I no longer have spots and dry patches (used to have both - infuriating).
Bobbi Brown stick foundation - I love that I've found a colour match and the coverage is perfect; not cakey but enough to even out colour patches.

Another rave review for the Urban Decay Primer Potion. Wonderful stuff - keeps eyeshadow in place all day long, even with cheapo eyeshadows. I use it every single day and a tube lasts me well over a year, so its a bargain too.

A glycolic toner, double cleansing, and facial oils. Finding out about Caroline Hirons blog on mumsnet has helped get my oily breakout prone skin all calm and glowy

espa balancing moisturiser. Had a facial as part of a spa day in October and haven't looked back since. Why did it take me until I'm 35 to find a moisturiser I can wear without breaking out big time? Even better, it cleared up my scarred, spotty pregnancy skin and I finally have soft, dewy skin - pity it's expensive but seems to last months at a go so not bad when you break it down :-)

What's double cleansing then? Sounds like I need to try it.