Even More Fantastic Skincare And Where To Find It

[botemp]

Thread 1

Thread 2

For those who are taking a peek and wondering whether thread 1and 2 are worth reading we mostly discuss a bit of advanced skincare here with a perspective of seeking out the right ingredients for our particular needs. Distinguishing the acid toners from the actives whilst avoiding the truly unimpressive and harmful ingredients with a hope to achieve a bit of anti-ageing, alleviate irritation and sensitivities with some idle chat in between deviations on this thread are mostly my fault.

If you're in need of some advice coming to grips with your skincare routine please don't hesitate to ask, we don't bite, only occasionally sting with a bit of Biologique Recherche P50 now and then . Just make sure to state clearly what your concerns and needs are, skincare is highly individual and a random recommendation for a 'good' product will be completely different from one person to the next.

If you want help, have read through the previous threads, but if you still have questions use the following form to make life easier on us. We generally answer up to two people a day on a first come first served basis. Not everyone will have answers and sometimes we can't answer you at all. We're only a bunch of amateurs that can respond by suggesting what we would do in your place, for any severe conditions please seek out professional help.

Skin type:

Approx age (range):

Primary skin concern:

Routine :

AM :

PM :

Makeup : eg. no/light coverage/medium coverage/heavy coverage

Occasional treatments:

Things I've tried in the past with disastrous results:

Things that are really working well for me now:

Any dietary/health concerns/pregnant:

What I'm willing to spend on a single skincare item: eg. >£10, £10-20, £20-50, £50-100, no limits.

I specifically [want help with/am looking for a product to/am curious about trying]:

Does anyone else find that in some mirrors they look ok but then in another look really shiny??

Enid yes of course. Send me a message and I'll stick one in the post once my pots have arrived.

Enid by rice oil I meant the one from the supermarket. Bo has been using it. Maybe that is one to try? Olive oil? One of two drops of tea tree oil?

Aurora Oh ok, that sounds interesting. I have a supermarket locally that has a huge aisle full of fancy oils (for cooking!) they're bound to have some rice oil. Thank you. Tea tree is an excellent idea. Will get some of that in too.

Pupsie Thank you so much. I'm ready to test acids now.

Smooth, Nabootique How many DC do you have left to trade?

I saw that email from Victoria Health today too, and am pleased to hear about the NIOD SPF. I think they mentioned it would launch around March. Would have preferred if it came out under TO but maybe someday. That inhibitif range has been around for awhile. I looked into it once but most experiences described it as expensive and not that performing as promised. It sounded ideal though.

Interesting thing about that detox kit is the inclusion of Alpha Lipoic Acid in the supplement regime which I just started on to use with the Inositol (sp) thanks to Wilting (?) for PCOS management. I didn't realise it was helping with sugar craving too, just assumed it was there to boost the Inositol.

The Surratt blushes last a really long time, Enid. Well over eight hours with me but they are very subtle.

If it's post inflammation marks make sure to use SPF on them, it helps make them heal quicker (just add an extra blob on them). Also Vit C but am assuming you don't have that at hand.

Original Beans have a 100% bar now too, Aurora. They're crazy expensive too though totally had some Belgian chocolate today, rules don't count across the border

mint, you have to clean the mirror on occasion it's more likely the way the light hits it.

I don't use ricebran oil from the supermarket . I just know they also sell it (as I used to cook with it) and it's probably the same stuff but haven't tried it. I'd try it on my hair (for which rbo is brilliant) first before attempting the face though.

I hardly bought a thing in Antwerp, I'm a shadow of my former self

I can't find a copy of "That Sugar Film" that works - they all freeze? Other Youtube films are ok. Could someone recommend a specific link so I can watch it (DH says he would like to watch it roo - a big plus as he's got a bit of a sugar problem). We have Android or Windows devices but no Apple...

Sorry I misunderstood re the rbo

And obvs sugar rules do not apply over the border, especially in Belgium and France

Speaking of the Inhibitif range I want to buy a Phillips Lumea. Does anyone have one? Opinions? Which model?

Inflammation update - my shoulder arm and hand are getting so much better, it's amazing! On New Year's Day DH and kids came to the cryo sauna with me. Kids lasted about 90 seconds . DS1 wants to go back

2016 likes - makeup and perfumes

Makeup (only newish stuff from this past year which I will RP)-

Lancôme Grandiose Noir Extreme - best intense mascara ever on me. I'm in love....
Chanel VLA
CHANEL lipstick in Adrienne
Guerlain TERRACOTA Jolie Teint - a wonderful perfecting powder to get some glow on dull skin days. It's paramount to get the right shade to see a difference, though. I have shade 3.
MAC eyeliner in Powersurge
KIKO eyeshadow sticks
Sisley concealer- pure magic
Hylamide photography foundation- don't use this every day, just when I want some extra glow. Was GWP and it's so concentrated I think it'll last me for at least 10 years.

Perfumes -
Balenciaga Florabotanica - really enjoyed it but won't RP at the moment as I just got given the Chanel.
Chanel NR 5 L'Eau
Diorissimo - have used this on and off for 20 years. Just RP a big bottle.
(Other regular is Chanel Coco Noir).

I'm on iPhone but this seems to work-

Do they do family rates?

I've looked into the Lumea too but the likelihood is that I won't bother with it every two weeks and it only really works as long as you use it, it's not a permanent solution, though it becomes less work eventually. (I've had something similar in the past and it does reduce and slow hair growth but it took forever and it was hard to do it properly and get everywhere. The cartridge ran out and I can't be arsed to buy it at £££). Anyhow the difference in the freehand models is mostly the attachments for face and bikini area that are included or not. Then the difference between those and the cheaper models is the number of flashes you get so it'll last longer. Amazon.de sometimes do offers on them and Philips incidentally do a cashback deal.

I came to the conclusion to go with professional lasering (but have yet to start) as I hardly have any dark hairs on my upper legs so it only works out slightly more expensive than a Lumea. Having experienced it on my face I know it'll be a lasting as permanent as you can get result for me so it makes the most sense.

I think you need to pay for that film to view it, Lego. €2.99 on my end but if you know how to download with torrents, it's on the Piratebay

Re the Lumea.

They work. On legs etc, definitely. On facial hair, of which I have a little less than my DH not so good.

It takes quite a while a) to take effect - should notice bare patches after about a month & decent smoothness within about 8 weeks. b) to use on each occasion. Depending exactly which area of the body you plan to use it on (just the face, just the legs etc). Probably about twice the time of home waxing without the pain. (Mostly. Feels a bit hot on the highest setting.)

Can't use on light hair / very dark skin. So no good if you have a Santa beard, as I saw on a recent thread...

The battery apparently dies if you don't use the unit for 3 months.

The battery doesn't last long enough for me to do more than 1 full leg at a time. Several hours to recharge.

Must keep to a regular schedule of re-treating areas (it's not permanent) or the hair grows back. Even a week late will throw the schedule out. So holidays would be a pain...

The basic unit only comes with 1 "head", which is supposedly not for facial use. However I've used it on my sideys, no problems. (Although minimal reduction either.) The facial head is rather smaller so would be better for facial contours though. The facial head is not available to buy separately & if you go for the model with the facial head, it's a lot more money.

Would I repurchase? No. I wear trousers a lot anyway & DH doesn't care if I resemble a gorilla underneath. Didn't work on my face. Great for the legs though - if I had more time or inclination to wear skirts it would be fab.

Have been reading through the thread and am now also signed up to Victoria Health and can see how I could become hooked and end up buying a load of products! So far, the only purchases I have made to date are the TO caffiene serum and the Keihls Vit C eye cream. I haven't seen an improvement yet, but that's probably because of the Christmas booze and sugar binge, coupled with a few too many late nights! Am going to gather my thoughts on what I think I need and then will come back for a bit more advice.

I have a specific question, if anyone can help? I was using castor oil mixed with avocado oil for facial cleansing but are there any better oils/alternatives that you would recommend?

bo I thought it would just be a nice thing to do together for the New Year as DH had been too chicken till now and we were on our way somewhere. It turned out they had a free day so no one had to pay that day. Was very busy and merry!!! Though they did turn ppl with high blood pressure away.

Lego thanks for the Lumea info. I would use it mainly on legs, maybe on armpits. In summer I like to wear skirts, shorts etc but hate the hair removal process. I've been epilating for many years so already have bare patches. I'm not so so hairy, so don't need it for arms or face. After the initial period how often would you say you need to use it to maintain results?

Doesn't the YouTube link work? I can play it directly from the thread??

Oh my goodness I got lost in the three threads about beauty bloggers - wow how naive I've been!

Then I've had to catch up with you lovely lot!

Also, my Paula's Choice arrived today!
Though now not sure if I ordered the right one? (Whispers...bo?)

Aurora I've got a Lumea and it has been an absolute game changer for me. I've been seriously furry since an early age, needing to shave legs every 1-2 days, and I now hardly ever have to.

Yes it does take a few months of doing it every fortnight although I was rubbish at this but now I only use it every 6 weeks or so.

I have easily covered what I would have spent in waxing over the last year so definitely see it as a good investment, in both time and money.

Of course you do have to have the right skin tone and hair colour.

Hope your leak's been fixed Hollin

The link works, it's just a bit odd quality but good enough to view on my end (not an iphone).

tiger, I'm not the biggest fan of the Oil Cleansing Methof as you don't really have an emulsifier it's hard to really clean the face of the cleanser and some people end up clogging their face with dirt instead. I believe grapeseed oil and almond oil make for decent cleansing oils but I'd still prefer a formulated oil cleanser with an emulsifier in it (or DIY it, apparently not all that hard).

I had that issue with my sort of Lumea too, I could do one leg and then I had to stop as it would either overheat or claim some other malfunction and had to do the other (usually half a leg) the next day sometimes it happened sometimes it didn't.

aurora I have a Lumea but haven't taken it out of the box yet reviews are very good! (Mumsnet, not blogger)

hollin I hope it's sorted soon for you.

I can't believe those threads are actually legible with all the deletions.

At least we're shameless on here who we want free stuff from. Come on Sisley! Come on Stila! Come on Biologique Recherche! Come on Verso! Come on Paula's Choice!

Should be okay for you, Storm. Think we discussed trying that one since you mentioned suffering from blemishes/acne and possibly upping to extra strength if necessary.

Aurora - I found I needed to re-treat areas about every 4-5 weeks. My hair grows really fast, though - head hair as well as body. Every 2 weeks to start (I had to write it down in my diary & try to bring treatment sessions into sync with each other, so I wasn't stuck with doing different body parts on different weeks, or it just comes back). But for legs & underarms though, if you can afford it & have the time, go for it.

Tiger I agree with bo, and specially re those two oils which are very thick and heavy (I have them both). You can repurpose and use castor oil on brows and lashes and avocado on hair (mixing it with conditioner).

Fizzy thnx for the extra info. Yes I think I have the right skin/ hair colour combo. Light skin and brown hair... And that is what I'm aiming for - a situation where I only have to do it every six weeks, so no worries when it's a warm day and I want to wear a skirt, no hassle on holiday (we always go to the beach) etc.
bo I've actually looked at Amazon.de in the past and you are right they have great prices, as usual in Germany. I even ordered a tap for the bath from Germany when we had to replace it a few months ago. It was half the price. Was pretty expensive tap, but I wanted it to match with the sink and shower tap so the difference was in the hundreds.

And I think that with the way we have been flogging and decanting the P50 we deserve a first class trip to Paris for a luxe facial at BR, followed by visits at Sephora, a pharmacie etc.

Ooh, I meant to ask. If I've been ok with no reactions (albeit no actual results either) with the PC regular strength BHA 3x weekly, I should be ok to apply it every night, yes?

Also, I've been googling re my ingredients for my homemade back spray. Apparently witch hazel water is a good PH & supposedly a good base for things like this. So I've made up a small batch. Will try for a month or so, & report back.

I obviously wish I could have read them pre deletion messages but I have definitely had my eyes opened. There are a few bloggers on there I used to follow but stopped after they 'changed' but I couldn't work out why...
I was also on the other side when the CH stuff happened and remember her posts...

Great, thanks! Is this what I should introduce first or one of the TO products that arrived?

In terms of what I've enjoyed and not enjoyed 2016 ~ not a lot as I've chopped and changed so much. Hoping I'll have more to offer this time next year

I have lots of stuff I no longer will use or I don't think is suitable...stuff from Clut beauty boxes, liquid gold, tata Harper cleanser etc. Will keep an eye on requests! Have some sachet samples too.

Obviously CULT not Clut

Hi bo, no just cleanse with water in the shower then go over my face with a glycolic nip and fab pad.

Aurora - yes been under DERM all my life but I hate steroids. My eczema is generally diet related. I have a lot of food allergy that is hard to avoid. I would appreciate any advice and willing to try anything. My 3yo also suffers. I'm allergic to eggs, peanuts, latex, gluten and wheat.