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!

Double cleansing, Liquid Gold, acid toners and facial oils have really really brightened my skin.

Another one wondering what double cleansing is?

So good you do it twice suddenly !

For a good, no fragrances body moisturiser, try Aveeno. We started using it on dd2 for her eczema and I used to wipe off the residue on my arms and then discovered how soft it was making them. Someone I use it after having a shower and it is hands down the best body moisturiser I have ever used. Skin feels soft for ages afterwards and it has got rid of bumpy upper arms too. Comes in a handy pump bottle too.

Also try Boots no 7 silky leg oil. Apply to legs after shower (I blot away any moisture first) and it makes them soft and slightly sheeny but not sticky or oily. Great for the summer, esp when legs and feet have been ensconced in tights and socks for months and look a bit neglected and parched.

And I also love those Venus razors that have big blocks of moisturiser either side of the blades. No need for separate body wash or shave gel, makes running the razor over legs/underarms every day in the shower a breeze and easy to keep on top of re growth without it being a chore.

You can read up in mote detail about the double cleansing and acid toners etc on Caroline Hirons blog. Basically its done in the evening to get all your makeup/dirt off properly. She advises to use a balm or oil cleanser first, massage it on and wipe off with a warm moist flannel...that will help exfoliate as well and then after that first cleanse you go in with a second different cleanser like a milk or cream one to remove the rest of the residue. It sounds pretty basic but it makes your skin soft and clean, no need for harsh scrubs, just use an acid toner with the double cleanse

I don't even know what double cleansing is! THAT could be my life changer.

Balance Me Serum have always broken out with any moisturiser or serum but my skin loves this
Avaha SPF 30 mineral sun care. Non greasy, doesn't make me break out and doesn't leave my face shiny. I LOVE this product.

Place Marking

def the Urban Decay eyelid primer - before I found it I looked like Alice Cooper after about half an hour of crayonning on my eyes - now my eye makeup stays where I want it until I want to take it off.

For skincare, it has been Aesop Parsley Seed Serum - I have oily, dehydrated skin which is very spot prone and this serum really has improved my skin.

I've had hormonal acne and the Clinique Anti-Blemish 3 step system really helped me get that under control.

For makeup, it has to be cream eyeshadows like the Laura Mercier Caviar sticks, Mac Paint Pots and Chanel Illusion d'ombre - they just last so well on the skin.
And tubing mascara - normal and waterproof mascaras smudge on me within 30 minutes of applying. Tubing mascara is just brilliant.

Lush Angels on Bare Skin scrub - all others have been too harsh for me, but my skin is soft and happy all year round instead of red and flaky all winter. Spots reduced from being a regular occurrence to maybe twice a year at the most now and nowhere near as big and red.

Ah yes, acid toners- I was going to start a thread on these. I was always put off toners since my mum (when I was a kid), who used to be a beautician, told me that toners were no more effective than a splash of really cold water. So why are acid toners getting so much press recently?

Ooh place marking, i really need to start cleansing my face even once properly, maybe i could just make the jump to twice!

Are acid toners basically the same as exfoliating toners as per this Sali Hughes article? www.theguardian.com/fashion/2013/may/18/exfoliating-toners-sali-hughes-beauty

I'd never heard of them until recently but am going to try the Aveda one I think.

DidThatSeriouslyJustHappen have a look at the link below, all about wh. toners are good . Before toners were heavy in alcohol content and used to dry out the skin but now things like acid toners provide gentle exfoliation without having use harsh scrubs...they have changed my skin so much really and cheaper than the clinique 3 step I was wasting money on because it just made my skin worse.

www.carolinehirons.com/2010/08/beauty-mouth-basics-toner.html?m=1

Another vote for urban decay primer potion.

Also boots collection (used to be collection 2000) lasting perfection concealer which I use to hide dark bags under my eyes, costs about £3 which is fraction of my previous posh concealer and works way better.

Also a twiddly threading spiral thing for removing the lady 'tache - cost about 90p and I will never go back to veet wax strips and the resulting sore red face again!!
This is the thing I mean it's called an epistick - www.amazon.co.uk/Epistick-Epilator-Complete-Instructions-RazorBlades4u/dp/B004LNXA0Y

Boots No 7 Beautiful Skin Day Cream. It's luxurious and smells gorgeous!

Loreal matte morphose foundation. I use rosy sand and it's like real-life airbrushing for your skin. Magic!

My best friend sent me a jar of Neal's Yard Frankincense for my 50th birthday. There's a good reason why she's my best friend. It instantly makes my skin look better.

Double cleaning. So essentially washing your face then using a cleanser?!

Acid toners negate the need for nasty scrubs.

I agree about Aveeno cream. It's not sexy, it doesn't smell nice, but my God is it fabulous as an after shower moisturiser/body cream. Always used it on dd when she was little.

Also agree re the Collection concealer (it's not a Boots brand though, I buy it from Wilko) The brush doesn't go stinky malinky like the £££££££££s YSL does.

See lots of votes for Urban Decay eye primer - I was allergic to it, made my eyes run like crazy and my eyelids red.
I love Holland and Barratt Coconut Oil for my legs, especially as I'm swimming a lot more lately. Also their Dr Organic facial oil or the Ora-naturals one, used at night my skin has been so much better than with moisturiser.

DidThatSeriouslyHappen- there was a thread last week on acid toners, I bookmarked it. I'm going to try the Clarins one I think.