I want to be a better girl, tips please! But I am easily confused :(

[TwosaCrowd]

I'd like to be like "other women" and have a skincare routine and know what products to use!

Currently I wash my face with a scrub, put Dior serum on, then Dior star BB cream, then a generic blusher, eyeliner that I rub my finger over to make it a bit more blended, and max factor mascara, and an eyebrow pencil. The Dior serum is just a little sample bottle I got when I bought the bb cream. I also have the Dior star foundation but haven't used it yet.

What do people recommend pre-foundation? I have quite dry skin, so would like a decent night cream. I used to have a BRILLIANT eye wrinkle reducing cream that worked really well by No7 but I don't think they make it anymore. I am prone to spots, although my skin isn't oily, I think it's probably because more often than not I go to bed with make up on!

What are highlighters? How do they work/where do you put them? And yes, the Dior woman said something about a serum that goes on under your moisturiser but I was already confused by that point (hence panic buying BB cream and foundation!)

Oh and im 27, if that helps

I think it would be better to use the scrub once or twice a week rather than every day, as it would be quite harsh on your skin and not help with the dryness. Use a more gentle cleanser every day - and double-cleanse (i.e. use it twice) which will help prevent breakouts.

Using a moisturiser after your serum and before your BB cream would be a good idea, especially if your skin is dry - BB cream isn't really all that moisturising.

I'm sure lots of people will be along to help with the more technical questions!

I meant double-cleanse at night (to remove make up and then any other grime(!)) rather than in the morning.

If your skin is dry and a bit spotty then the scrub type stuff might be doing it no favours.

I did scrubs and routines and things on and off for years and I have just found in the last couple of years that my skin is happiest if I keep it basic and treat it really gently. There are various "routines" and remember that different ones will work for different people with different skin types and of course it is in the interest of the cosmetics companies for you to buy lots of lotions and potions! So experiment is my recommendation, I have found what suits my skin finally in my 40s! and it is cheap and cheerful and not what is prescribed generally but it works for me

I know this isn't directly answering your question BUT I have rosacea and have found Clinique redness solutions to be really really good. Also I've always had a scaly, bumpy forehead and the redness solutions has improved that loads too.

I know this isn't answering your question either but what's with the ditsy girl routine in the title?

I'm sure you are a perfectly good woman.

I recently visited Kiehls for a consultation, I thought I had dry skin but apparently I have combination skin which is dehydrated. This means that I need to use products that focus on hydrating the skin, as water isn't produced naturally by the skin. Sounds to me as if you could have dehydrated skin. Also drinking lots of water helps. You sound as if you are doing well with your skin care routine, maybe go to some of the concessions in department stores and ask for advice. I have only just got my skincare sorted out and I am 40 btw

You might find this other S&B thread useful too:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/2355311-Had-my-first-your-skin-looks-amazing-comment-THANK-YOU-Caroline-Hirons

Was going to recommend that thread too!

I'd suggest:

No scrub. Scrubby particles don't really work and won't be helping your dry skin. You sound like your skin is combination rather than dry as you have a bit of everything.

Nice bland non-foaming cleanser eg Cetaphil or one of the balm cleasners CH recommends
Acid toner - will do wonders for your spotty bits and dry bits. Again see CH's top 10 list
Serum - make sure it focuses on what you want it to help with eg hydrating, wrinkles, whatever
Moisturiser - am you should be adding SPF, night you want one with retinol in.

As a general rule use makeup companies for makeup and skincare companies for skincare - Dior for me would be makeup only. Have a look at La Roche Posay, Avene and Vichy.

Highlighters are to draw attention to the high points of your face so cheekbones, eye brows, top lip etc. if you use liquid foundation then you might want a powder one otherwise it might ruin the foundation. Just dust a small amount on with a brush to catch the light

My best girlie tip is....moisturise the skin all over your body. Brush or scrub in shower and then nice smelling moisturiser and also fake tan on body. Just takes the edge off.

See, this is what I mean, people say don't use a scrub cleanse your skin, I thou I was cleansing it! What does "cleanse" mean? To me I ju use a scrub/soap/face wash to take make up off, put moisturiser on, then foundation on top. What is a cleanser?! I've never heard of most of these brands, I n something I can find in boots

You can find Cetaphil in Boots or any pharmacy. It's often hidden as it isn't a sexy brand so you may have to ask. Bigger Boots have Avene, Vichy and La Roche Posay. In a smaller Boots there will definitely be Cetaphil and look through the Neutrogena range for a non-foaming cleanser. I think you can also Click and Collect for Boots so you can order what you want on line but might be wrong

Soap and anything foaming are usually too harsh and strip all the natural oils off you face - bad for dry skin but also bad for spots as it makes your skin make even more oil. So no soap and no foaming face washes.

Scrubs usually contain particles or beads in them. The beads are pointless and an environmental hazzard. The particles don't exfoliate deep in your pores where you really need them to but do rub against you skin - so at best they are pointless, at worst they are harming your skin (and the fish).

Oh :( my skin is quite flaky and I re liked this scrub as it gets rid of all the flakes, especially my nose which just gets covered in dead dry flaky skin

Hi Twosa I'm not very knowledgeable about beauty routines either, but I have had dry flakey and spotty skin in the past which has really improved now.

What seemed to help was a combination of things.

For the spots I bought benzoyl peroxide cream from the chemist. You can buy it OTC, it's less than a fiver if I remember correctly. I was prescribed it for acne when I was a teen. I think it's sold under a brand name that I can't remember but if you ask for benzoyl peroxide they should know what you mean. If there is a choice ask for the weakest strength.

The spot cream is very drying on your skin so if you're more concerned with dryness maybe leave that out for now!

The other thing I did was every night I'd cover my face in olive oil and use a cloth (muslin type) and hot water to take it off. Sometimes I'd leave oil soaking my skin overnight. This helped with the flakes.

The other thing is now I never ever leave make up on overnight. (Partly because I don't really wear much anymore). But it's so bad for you to leave it on. Your skin can't breathe! Even if you just use a babywipe to remove it in bed, do that!

In the morning I tend to just splash my face with water. Put on some of the spot cream if I need it (sparingly) and wait for it to dry, then put a high SPF face cream on top. Then I'll add make up if I wear any.

I'm not too sure about serums. I think it's supposed to go.. Serum, moisturiser, then bb cream or primer then foundation. I don't think you really need all that. As for highlighters I imagine it's to highlight things you want to stand out? Cheekbones maybe?

What are you easily confused about?

I'd start by ignoring what brand things are.