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!

frankietwospots- sorry to hijack but I love the Dior Glow Maximiser too. You can either a) apply before foundation b) mix with foundation/ CC cream c) wear on it's own or d0 dab on your cheekbones after everything, as a highlighter. I do option a and it really does improve the look of your skin. I was concerned that it wouldn't suit my oily skin, but it is seriously good. It makes my skin light up and look less sallow.

Other game changers for me:-

Superdrug's overnight glycolic and the glycolic mask
HCCing
Boots Number 7 eye crayons
EL ANR
Aspirin face masks - my goodness, the best 40p I have spent recently!!

How do you make an asprin face mask?

Is it weird that reading this thread is getting me all excited?!

*aspirin

Boring but essential- high SPF every day.
Years ago I had treatment for a skin problem and was told to block the sun during treatment so started using spf 25+ and have carried on since for 25 years. I am told I look at least 10 years younger than I am ( best friends will go to 15!) and I religiously use Clinique City Block spf 40 every single day under foundation.

Trying to look at the superdrug over night, peel mask, but for some reason I can't load the page. Is this happening to anyone else? Very frustrating. I love the Naturally Radiant range!

I'm another one for Clinique's redness solutions range. Anything else makes my face burn and flush and feel like I'm wearing a mask. Avene, la roche-posay and Roc all irritated my skin and brought out the little rosacea pustules.
The Clinique foundation is particularly good at covering up redness without looking like I've got a tonne of makeup on.

It's expensive so I have to budget for it and try to buy during bonus time so I get the free mascara and other goodies. I haven't bought mascara in 5 years due to always having a free sample on the go.

Some fab tips on here. I recently bought Asdas own brand Shea shaving foam. It is lush smells amazing lathers well and it a quid for a big one.

I know a lot of people use conditioner but whenever I do I slice my legs.

Also absolutely love the Bourjois CC cream! Much much better than other CC or BB creams I have tried.
Mascara wise - I find the Bourjois 1 second volume practically identical or even better than Chanel Le Volume.
I'm a bit of a skincare hussy though as I have yet to find my holy grail products although am definitely inspired to get more serious about double cleansing after reading these posts!

Over the years have tried many liquid eyeliners - Boots No7 used to be amazing but they've changed the formula and it's really claggy now. The very bestest is Lancome Artliner - goes on perfectly, smoothly and doesn't run or smudge off. They stopped doing it for a while but there was such an outcry they've brought it back.

Have recently bought Benefit They're Real mascara and thought it was absolutely rubbish - made my usually long lashes look like stumpy spiders. Anyone got recommendations? Am not into heavy looking make up, just want one that makes lashes look thick and dark. Also looking for game changer moisturiser now my (sadly) ageing skin is starting to let me down...

Can "double cleansing" be done with budget busting products? Some of the products suggested - though I confess I have not read the entire thread - seem quite pricey?

max factor masterpiece mascara - and I've tried loads

max factor grey kohl eyeliner

bourjois healthy mix bronzer

Nars schiap lipstick

ultra sun 50+ spf face as a moisturiser
lanacane anti chafing gel as a primer

Skin - Ponds cold cream
Make up - Stila 3-in-1 primer, MAC Studio Fluid Fix (I used to like Estee Lauder Double Wear), NARS Orgasm blusher
Eyebrows - Anastasia Dip Brow applied with a slanted brush
Hair - Tangle Teezer brushes and Umberto Gianani Backcomb In A Bottle

I like the Ultrasun face cream too but use it on top of normal moisturiser, it isn't very moisturising in itself.

Foundation/tinted moisturiser - Nivea tinted moisturiser day cream £3.66 @ Boots. Lovely colour, gives really good coverage, has an SPF of 8 and feels lovely and rich but sits on lightly.

Primer - Loreal Studio Secrets, about £15 so not a budget buy but often on 2 for 1 @ Superdrug. Great coverage, really creamy and covers over any dry/patchy spots.

Growth Product - Eyebrown Lipocils but Talika @ Space NK, expensive at £36 and I thought it was a bit of a gimmick, but considering my eyebrows had not regrown at all after an over plucking episode 8 years ago, it was worth a try. And it works, I noticed a massive difference almost instantly and really recommend it, although am aware it may not work for everyone. You do have to use it morning and night to get the full effect.

Eyebrow product - Benefit Gimme Brow, around £18 for a tiny tube so not the most cost effective but has absolutely transformed my eyebrows (along with the growth serum!). I tried a much cheaper alternative from Rimmel but found the paste too thin and gloopy and the brush too big for a decent application so went for the Benefit one instead. Small brush, applies neatly and has never run in the rain!

CloserToFifty- I just got dd the Effaclar duo+ cream for her forehead, she is only 11 but already depressed about spots, her forehead was covered. Literally overnight they started to fade and just become less noticeable. She's been using it a week, and they really are going.

Yes yes to Tangle Teezer brush. Changed my life (very fine hair, brushing and combing used to be agony).

I also found that Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating serum (Fragrance free) changed my life. I use it as my daily moisturiser, don't need anything else on top - glides on, really stopped wrinkles developing in my thirties I think, and is particularly good on my eyelids which are v sensitive and used to go red and sore with most moisturisers. It's 25-28 quid ful price but is usually discounted somewhere on Amazon to about 9.99. I have tried many expensive serums and moisturisers and none work so well. Also good to mix with foundation as a tinted moisturiser.

Tangle teaser is useless on my hair (thick and wavy) - it only smooths the surface layer and is awkward to hold.

Any reviews of products for black skin? I imagine most of these can be used on all skin types, just wondering if anyone out there has come across something super specifically tailored for darker Afro Caribbean skin types. I swear by raw unprocessed Shea butter which I use on lips, skin, hands and feet, as a hair conditioner....just about everywhere.

I have recently tried the Sleek CC cream. Boots and Superdrug now stock the range. Medium coverage, kept skin moisturised and photo-ready. Cheap and cheerful to boot.

I've been using a Konjac sponge for 4 weeks now. You can use it with or without your cleanser. It's not a miracle product but it is VERY good - it has made my skin much smoother overall and is tackling nose blackheads better than anything else I've encountered. I brought mine from a health food shop.

www.biggreensmile.com/products/konjac-facial-puff-sponge-with-french-pink-clay-for-tired-devitalised-skin/konfaclaypink.aspx?productid=konfaclaypink

Nothavingfunrightnow I switched completely to oil based cleaners after reading the CH blog a few years back. Boots Botanics do a great budget cleanser that is often reduced further or on 3 4 2 offers.

This is now my cleaner of choice: www.boots.com/en/Botanics-82-Organic-Softening-Cleanser-250ml_1262005/

Would someone be able to answer this please?
I have dry skin but if I use a night cream I come out in big sore spots.
I'm 34 now and really feel/look like I need something at night.
Would facial oil help?
I cleanse and tone with simple and use no7 day cream for dry skin and anything else makes my skin break out.

Hands - Burt's Bees Hand Salve has made my cracked, dry winter hands smooth and hydrated. And as a bonus has made my nails grow loads. It doesn't sink in as quickly as a cream but it's worth the extra moment or two of waiting while it absorbs in terms of top results. Recommended!

www.burtsbees.co.uk/natural-products/body-hands-and-feet-care/hand-salve.html

Cane and Austen Miracle pads.

Expensive ( although I only use one every evening) and they have made a fantastic difference to my skin.