🐌 Fantastic Skincare: The Snailaversary and Winter is Coming, Luckily, we're Part Sheep 🐑

[botemp]

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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

NEWish since previous threads:

Understanding Which Sunscreen(s) to Buy

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

NEW since the last thread:

A Damaged Skin Barrier - Now What?

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.

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.

OCTOBER 2017: It's our snailaversary ! Our baby ripe toddler skins are about a year old now, or rather getting together on these threads about a year ago. I can't believe we're all still finding things to chat on about between the hair disasters. I know I always encourage a bit of catching up at the beginning of the new thread with how everyone's skin been progressing over the last couple of weeks/months but now I'm demanding more and would really like to hear how everyone is doing a year on now, or however long you've been with us. Basically, pledge your undying love for these threads

NB: I've removed the form from the OP as I felt there really wasn't a need for it anymore. I think I've also answered enough of those forms in their previous incarnation for a lifetime so it may just be a selfish decision but it's been made

Tsmummy I love the mascara! How do you remove yours tho? I usually have no trouble removing tubing mascaras but this one is tough.

I don't think I can help that much with specific shampoo and conditioners Mint as my hair is very thick and it like silicones and oils. But the Garnier Ultimate Blends range is very good, particularly for the price. Also I think you need to use a clarifying/detoxing shampoo either every other wash or once a week. I think it was you who recommended one to me actually. So you prob already know that.

And a microfibre hair turban to wrap you hair in for half an hour before blow drying is weirdly good at reducing frizz.

Bo Alice Vandy... in the past, I've got them from dancewear companies but decided to branch out :) They look fun - but we'll see how they fit... I'm definitely not their target market!

A random NBR related question: for those that tracks their macros, do you use a particular app?

I don't know what NBR is, but for macros I use MFP. When I first started tracking macros it was a bit of a pain though as you're working to percentages not adding numbers like with calories so it's difficult as everything you log can change it completely. I found it easiest to create meals and meal plans that had the macro ideal ratios I would aim for throughout the day and then it was easier as snacks (unless you eat loads) didn't really impact the final outcome all that much. But like Pupsie mentioned before, tracking macros brought out the overachiever in me and I didn't find it 'healthy'. If you add in a calorie deficit as well I think it could potentially be quite toxic. These days I just aim for a minimum protein threshold and without even trying the macros sort of end up with ease where I was obsessing about getting them to that point before.

NBR "not beauty related"... I'm making up my own abbreviations now :)

Thanks for that Bo, I've started a more serious weight training programme and want to take a fairly flexible approach, so will look at daily patterns rather than individual meals.... I'm using MyFitnessPal which tracks kcal primarily but you can follow macros as well.

Any recommendations for hypoallergenic lipsticks? Is Clinique still the best or are there other brands out there? Nothing drying or too matte, I think, as my lips are naturally dry and I usually wear lip balm.

I always have a very dry/rough patch above my lips but (fingers crossed rapidly) it has been showing signs of improvement with a new routine which seems to suit my skin. If the skin above my lips isn't so red/rough I'd like to be able to wear lipsticks again. The natural pink of my lips seems to have paled as I age - and I've been reading the red lipstick Paris thread - so help is needed Thanks.

Isn't Clinique allergy tested rather than hypoallergenic? Not that either of those terms mean anything as they're both marketing terms that have no requirement to be labelled as such. Is it Fragrance or something else that means you can't use most lipsticks?

Problem is I have no idea what causes the problem! I think the skin barrier is probably v damaged from years of nose blowing (hay fever/sinus/coldy person) and then perhaps overusing steroid cream to calm it down when at its worst.

I'm really just trying to avoid anything potentially irritating - especially if I end up spending more than the £5-7 that's my usual budget. I'll look for sample sizes of anything recommended.

Kiko would be in that budget roughly but they may be just be above it in sterling these days. Chanel counters usually have little sample sets for lip colour, they're free and colour choices are limited and you have to use a brush with them but not really an issue if you're testing the formula. Kiehl's might be an option, less a full on lipstick but somewhere between lip balm and lipsticks but with a bit of pigmentation, they have a refund policy in place for allergic reactions.

Bite beauty lipsticks are meant to be good ingredients wise. Lots of oils and fairly 'natural' stuff. They aren't in the UK but you can buy them through USA Sephora.

If the red dry patch is right next to your lips I would try applying Lansinoh lanolin (nipple balm) to it every night and see if that helps. It's a miracle worker in chapped, sore lips.

*miracle for

I’ve just ordered some lansinoh as my lips get really dry in winter and I’ve got a sore, flaky nose thanks to this never ending cold I’ve got.

Not much to report here, I’m finally using and liking the Vichy Vit c, it’s a very small bottle though so not sure how long it will last.

Does anyone here take HA orally? Victoriahealth bulletin today says it’s their best selling supplement for anti ageing. Increases collagen production I think. What do you think?

I read that too JDSTER but no I’ve never tried them, and they are quite pricey so I’d want to hear some reviews from people I trust (ie us lot here!) before ordering. There are some cheaper ones available on Amazon.

Well I'm generally of supplements are expensive piss school of thinking unless you're using it to actually supplement something that you're deficient of, ie. you have blood tests saying as much.

There is some research around HA supplements though, it's used in medicine to help healing injuries through injections but if it actually works a supplement to aid collagen synthesis, I'm not so sure. It's very popular in Japan though and you can also get it from diet. This is a very old but still informative docu on it:

Speaking of that newsletter, I was quite curious about that Colour Wow anti frizz product that even continues to work after washing for a minimum of 3 days without build up. It sounds too good to be true, and if it's so great how come I'm only hearing about it now?

On the newsletter Gill talks about not wanting her face to start sinking and sliding and I’ve heard her use similar phrasing before on previous newsletters. Hmm...
I do feel my face is ever so slightly sliding southwards so any suggestions welcome.
I had to look at the newsletter again Bo and I’ve never seen that colour wow product before either.

I'm sure India Knight was singing the virtues of that Color Wow product a couple of weeks ago. Maybe they've all been sent some?

My eyes are feeling tight because I'm out of Kiehl's avocado cream and using Avene soothing contour cream which is fine but not rich enough. Eyecream is taking 5 days to get here for some reason (thanks Look Fantastic.) For such a small country you'd think postage would be quicker and cheaper. Some companies seem to send things out using snails.

I'm now 100% certain that wheat triggers my spots. Avoided wheat for ages, no spots whatsoever. Ate a proper mince pie two days ago and today, two spots on my chin. (Have tested theory few times before. Same thing.) Only took 25 years to work that out.

That said I do think the cherry juice is helping with overall inflammation. Muscle fatigue isn't quite as quick and less pain. So this could help my skin too I guess.

That was a big post saying very little.

Well I've just had a watch of a handful of the colour wow videos, all from professional hairdresser accounts. It probably isn't for me, there's a lot of faff with applying it in sections then blowdrying it jet straight with a round brush and a lot of tension (all videos seemed to emphasise the importance of that) then flat iron or curl with an iron. I'm fatigued by just typing that all out... It does seem impressive with warding off humidity but if it's only of interest to extremely heat treated hair styles rather than working with the natural texture, it's probably left to others. I think it's a bit like a keratin treatment but more affordable, maybe?

I've deleted it from my Pinterest board. Can't be doing with all that faff. Not very Parisienne is it?
Much prefer my hair with a slight wave and a bit undone looking.

Thanks for all your suggestions. So, Enid is the Kiehl's worth the money? It always gets rave reviews but it's very pricey (for me).

Although I've been using La Roche Posay products on and off for a few years, I'd never really clicked (doh!) that that they did makeup as well! Someone recommended their mascara - Respectissime Extension Mascara Black - and I like it very much. They have a few different types and all supppsed to be good for sensitive eyes/skin.

Actually, I think it was French Justine that recommended it on the Marais thread

Bagel Depemds What kind of thing you're looking for. The Kiehl's one, I doubt it does anything for lines or dark circles but I really like it as it sinks in quickly but is still rich feeling. So for me it's brilliant under makeup and stops my eyes feeling dry and tight. It has the slightest hint of green to it which brightens my eye area temporarily. For anyone who finds eye creams irritating, not moisturising enough or too greasy and wants something that will keep under eye make up in place then it's very good.

As far as I know, one with retinol in it would help with fine lines. bo (I think) has mentioned the La Roche Posay redermic r eye cream which, as well as retinol, contains caffeine that acts as a brightener by constricting blood vessels size making the dark areas are less visible and any puffiness is reduced. (Presumably that's a temporary effect.) It's around the same price as the Kiehl's one though (I get the 14ml pot.) Think someone else was using it on here so they'll be able to advise too.

If you want more than just a moisturising, soothing eye cream, look for caffeine, retinol, vitamin C and liquorice in the ingredients. I know lots of people don't think an eye cream is necessary at all.

Bagel If you can get to a Kiehl's counter they do sample sachets for you to try it.