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🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Hot Snails, Summer in the City - Now with added shelf porn!

999 replies

botemp · 07/08/2017 19:14

Thread 1 Thread 2 Thread 3 Thread 4 Thread 5 Thread 6 Thread 7 Thread 8

I am very slowly working on consolidating the gathered information from previous threads into easier to read formats but it’s slow going. In order to make use of the below form and join in I would suggest reading thread 1 and at the very least the following info sheets (provided they apply to you):

Where to Start

Basics of an Actives Routine

Skin Types vs. Skin Conditions Info Sheet

Anti-Ageing Info sheet

Adult Acne Info Sheet

NEW ADDITIONS since last thread:

Do I Really Need to Wear Sunscreen Every Single Day of the Year?

Understanding Which Sunscreen(s) to Buy

For those who are taking a peek and wondering what this all about, we mostly discuss a bit of advanced skincare here with a perspective of seeking out the right ingredients (rather than the latest new shiny product and all its empty promises) for our particular skin 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. Newcomers are always welcome but please note the following:

Questions and asking for help on this thread is encouraged, however, we can’t give you a specific routine to follow and hope it works out for the best. There are no overnight miracles in skincare whether it be in the form of products or techniques. It’s about perseverance, understanding your skin, assessing its needs and responding to that in a diligent manner.

These threads were created to help those who want to learn for themselves. We’re a group of interested and invested skincare nuts happy to offer tea and sympathy and dole out advice. Everyone’s journey with skincare is different, what is universal and binds us is that through actually learning about the different active ingredients it helps us get to know our skin and help us adapt as it will change many times throughout our lives - with seasons, hormonal changes, ageing, genetics etc. It's in everyone's best interests to get to know their skin and to keep reviewing those changes with the confidence that comes from the gathered knowledge here. We really encourage you to spend the time reading through previous threads and linked info sheets that the many contributors have taken the trouble to share.

By no means are we experts, we're only a bunch of amateurs that can only respond by suggesting what we would do in your place, for any severe conditions please seek out professional help.


If you pose a question and we need more contextual information to answer properly we may ask you to fill in the following form. Please only use this form when asked, unsolicited forms will be deleted. Responses to the form can be found here


Ahem, and finally a little note on spending. I'm well aware these threads cause many to reach for their wallets and spend with wild abandon. There can sometimes be a bit of a frenzy surrounding the excitement around a newly discovered product or on the back of great improvements when someone reports back. This is all great, it doesn't however, mean everything that's a sudden miracle for one will be it for you. Usually, it's a light bulb moment for connecting the right skincare ingredient with an individual experiencing a specific problem. Take your time to mull over decisions and question whether it's right for you too. Skincare is highly individual, it's a slow game that should cost mostly in patience, input, education, and perseverance. Please don't make it cost you financially needlessly.

AUGUST 2017: Sunscreen is pretty much non-negotiable at the moment (not that it’s ever not Wink), RL bumps have been met in the road for some, unfortunately. Grief sucks but we do our best to offer a bit of comfort even if it is just something as inane as skincare chat Smile. Some of us are lucky enough to be nerding out in French pharmacies whilst pretending to do that holiday thing, the Shelf Porn Off is still on…

I can't believe we're on thread 9 Shock

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botemp · 09/10/2017 09:42

Thanks, banana. For reference prescription generic tretinoin here is €15-30 depending on the pharmacy. I think the Obagi is special order only here, so significantly more expensive but I'm not actually sure how much. Sounds like you had a lovely time and I'm super jealous you got to hang out with Mary Greenwell, hope I'm not massively off but I think she's in her sixties but she definitely looks 20yrs younger to me. I know she's been longtime vitamin C junky too so makes for the perfect skincare inspiration besides being an amazing MUA.

Tsmummy08, I've never had to pay import tax on Korean items. IME they all mark down the value to under $20 (which only affects the Danish and the Swiss) or mark it as a gift. Though I've never used it myself you could try Stylekorean, a lot of people from the UK use them and as far as I'm aware don't ever have to pay taxes. They also always have special offers and volume sizes with a significant discount as well as lots of codes. If you get the sample sizes on eBay you'd probably be under the threshold though, think the UK is something like £20. I'd normally rec Jolse as they mark down everything automatically but I don't think they sell Belif.

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JDSTER · 09/10/2017 10:18

Banana can I make a cheeky request ShockBlush-when you see Dr Emma next, would you mind awfully asking her what she thinks of TO products? Whenever there's a video on YouTube by Dr Sam people always ask in the comments below but I've yet to see an answer! I'm just interested in whether derms think TO products are good, I get the feeling they don't!

Tsmummy08 · 09/10/2017 10:59

I'm off to the States on holiday at the weekend and wanted to know if there are any recommendations for a vitamin C product that's shelf stable and not in a glass bottle i.e. travel-friendly?... My current Active Formulas needs to be refrigerated, which is probably not sustainable while I'm away, but I might chance it...

botemp · 09/10/2017 11:08

Tsmummy08, sorry, yesstyle not Stylekorean.

I'd be curious about a derm's opinion too but I suspect it isn't all that favourable as the pointed silence around it would demonstrate, if you can't be nice and all that. Their slogan of, 'made with clinical integrity' would probably, rightfully so, piss of anyone who actually has a clinical practice. That along with their sciencewashing of unsupported ingredients, the use of many unknown ingredients WRT comedogenic properties as well as a system line up that encourages the uneducated to 'play' dermatologist and overuse of products that could be more likely to do harm than good without the proper knowledge, etc. are unlikely to charm many derms.

It's only been a year since it was launched and I would be a curious a to where it stands now in terms of sales and customer loyalty. I was initially excited about it as an alternative to cosmed brands like SkinCeuticals and Medik8 but integrating those brands back in again it's pretty clear to me that it's an apple v. orange situation. TO is an affordable way to test out ingredients but it sort of ends there for me, I've yet to come across anything truly extraordinary and there are a few too many products that are problematic. They mostly seem to be building their business model on pushing the next it item to whip a frenzy around before moving on to the next.

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botemp · 09/10/2017 11:09

Tsmummy08, the only one coming to mind with those criteria would be Drunk Elephant, Sephora sells little trial kits too.

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JDSTER · 09/10/2017 13:00

Tsmummy could you not take TO Vit C 23% or 30% as a travel friendly option or do you not get on with them?
Bo I suspect you're right on all the points you so eloquently made.

Tsmummy08 · 09/10/2017 13:11

Thanks Bo, I've been curious about DE so might add that to my Sephora list

JDSTER Haven't tried any of TO's vit C - talk of silicones put me off initially but might have a look again.

JDSTER · 09/10/2017 13:37

TSmummy 23% with HA is silicone free so for the price, worth a try. Definitely travel friendly if nothing else.

yongnian · 10/10/2017 20:06

Hello all, I'm back.....slowly catching up with everyone and will check in again shortly...

Ollivander84 · 10/10/2017 20:28

Hi 👋🏻 yongnian! Actually thought of you the other day when my horse managed to slam my knee into a metal loop on a gate (while riding), then drag me along it. Very impressive bruises Grin

In other news the past few years I have moaned every winter about trying to do makeup at 6am in rubbish light. I have bought a new shiny mirror to fix the issue

🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Hot Snails, Summer in the City - Now with added shelf porn!
JDSTER · 10/10/2017 21:12

Nice mirror olli but I'm actually trying to check out all your products next to it Grin

JDSTER · 10/10/2017 21:14

Ooh nearly at the end of another thread. I think it'll be more of a case of hibernating 🐌 for the next one.

Ktown · 10/10/2017 21:18

Sleb dermatologists won't like the ordinary because it is the same ingredients as high end stuff and they get paid by obagi to flog their stuff. Prescription
Tretinoin/retin a can be bought for 5 euros in Greece so it isn't an expensive ingredient and obagi knows it.
Powder vit c or niacinamide b3 isn't expensive either.
Most chemists would be able to read and compare ingredients so companies like the ordinary are shaking things up a lot.

Ollivander84 · 10/10/2017 21:22

Messy but I know exactly where everything is! This is stuff I use often, other stuff is in the drawers of a storage unit

🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Hot Snails, Summer in the City - Now with added shelf porn!
🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Hot Snails, Summer in the City - Now with added shelf porn!
miffy2 · 10/10/2017 21:47

Oh Olli that mirror is perfect. Can you let me know where you got it? I too have to get ready in crappy lighting in the spare room and would love something like that !!

JDSTER · 10/10/2017 21:49

I spy a beauty blender. I've never used one. Do you use for foundation? Do I need one? I remember buying a foundation brush years ago from prescriptives (who used to make the custom blended foundation) I never really got on with it and preferred applying with my fingers so I've always been slightly put off buying any more blenders or brushes.

Pupsiecola · 10/10/2017 21:54

I'm going to catch up shortly. But it is my birthday today. Been spoilt rotten. Work got me a £50 voucher from Space NK. What should I consider?! (Feeling very spoilt).

botemp · 10/10/2017 22:12

Happy Birthday, Pupsie! Cake

I'd get the Chantecaille faux cils longest lash mascara but you'd have to chip in an extra £12 and be a weirdo like me to spend that kind of cash on a mascara. Still the best thing ever in my book.

Do you need anything specific at the moment? It may be worth holding out for the black Friday offers or January sale to see it go further. They just had a £15 off coupon when you spent 50 ( I think) but that ended yesterday or the day before.

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botemp · 10/10/2017 22:16

I like my beauty blender a lot, JDSTER. Only ever managed to get brushes to work as finishers, would have horrible results otherwise but the BB is both quick and be finish is better IME. You have to remember to use it wet though and I always wash it immediately after despite it being ok to leave it a few days. Think Olli's is the real techniques one, supposedly good but not as good as the original BB. I've heard the Primark PS pro ones are good as well, especially the baby sized ones for concealer.

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Ollivander84 · 10/10/2017 22:18

miffy - mirror is here, £12 Grin it's battery and USB charge, you can adjust the brightness too https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01JOELML8/ref=mpsa14ait?ie=UTF8&qid=1507651325&sr=8-4&keywords=light+up+mirror&dpPl=1&dpID=41dedLGj63L&ref=plSrch

JD - I like a blender, it seems to give me a more natural finish. I either use that or the real techniques expert face brush

userallusedup · 10/10/2017 22:43

Happy Birthday Pupsie Cake Flowers I think I’d do what Bo suggested with the voucher and wait for a sale or a discount code unless there’s anything you really need now.

JDSTER I love my beauty blender (I buy dupes on amazon and find them just as good as the original) it really does make a difference to the finish of liquid makeup, it gives me much more even coverage and helps to minimise pores.

The mirror is gorgeous Olli I’m very tempted as also hate doing my makeup on dark winter mornings.

GrimDamnFanjo · 10/10/2017 22:57

I'm another beauty blender fan - its a shame as I have tons of brushes but I can't get the finish with them. I have x3 Real Techniques and the primark versions too :)

GrimDamnFanjo · 10/10/2017 23:02

Heya, I'd really appreciate some feedback on my newish routine.
I have normal/dry/dehydrated skin with some sebaceous filaments on my nose. I use a mixture of french pharmacy and Korean brands in general.

Morning Routine:
Cleanser - Sum:37 Rose cleansing stick/Cosyrx good morning gel
Acid - Paula's Choice Resist
Vit C - Medik-8 CE-Tetra
Hyaluronic Acid
Moisturiser - Paula's Choice - SPF50
SPF - Skinceuticals/LRP Anthelios/Missha

Evening Routine:
Cleanser 1 - Hada Labo Oil/Bodyshop Balm/Banila Balm
Cleanser 2 - Sum:37 Rose cleansing stick/LRP Toleriene
Acid - BR P50W x3 a week / Liquid Gold x1 a week/ PC 1% Retinol x2 a week
Hyaluronic Acid
Serum - Ordinary Buffet/Su:M37 Secret repair
Moisturiser - Joseon Dynasty/Cerave PM/Toleriene
Oil - Rosehip Oil

Does this order work? Anything clashing?
xxxx

JDSTER · 11/10/2017 09:17

Thanks for all the blender recommendations. I'll pick one up next time I'm out. Is there a particular size I should get for foundation?

botemp · 11/10/2017 09:56

Just the normal/original size. They look small but they expand quite a bit once wet. Should point out that it does eat up a bit of product (some more than others) so foundation does go faster but I end up needing less because the distribution of product is better so it evens out but I'm guessing that won't be the case with all foundations.

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