🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Happy Snail Year, Bring Spoons!

[botemp]

Thread 1 Thread 2 Thread 3 Thread 4 Thread 5 Thread 6 Thread 7 Thread 8 Thread 9 Thread 10

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?

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.

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JANUARY 2018: Thread 11! we're getting old. A recap of The Snailies categories for those still meaning to get round to them:

🐌🐌 THE SNAILIES 2017 🐌🐌

The Well Hello There - newest and latest find that gets your motor running

The Flusher- money spent on this product would have been better put to use by flushing it down the toilet

The Jack & Rose- the product you’ll never let go of because there’s plenty of fucking space for the two of you on that piece of wood. Damn you, James Cameron, for breaking my poor little tween heart.

The LTB- it all seemed so promising, everything was going so great, then they turned out to be a narcissist gaslighting bastard

The Child Prodigy- that one product that’s annoyingly good and isn’t afraid to be smug about it

The Worker Bee- never the centre of attention but has been steadily chugging along like no other

The Troll- the one where you repeatedly asked, ‘Is this doing anything?’, but continued to use it anyway…

The Flabbergaster- that one product or technique that wasn’t really supposed to be used like that or delivered well beyond your non-existent expectations

The Sinner- oh, admit it because we’re all guilty of it, what did you do or use that wasn’t all that sensible like take an acid bath and had the disastrous results you really knew to expect

I appreciate frugal means different things to different people Bo. I am very pleased with the savings I made during January. They added up to a tidy sum, and I'm on track to repeat the figures this month, even with the odd skincare purchase .

Sophie I'm not sure. For me it gives me breakouts so I avoid it. Although there are different types of it I don't want to experiment so just avoid.

Thank you bo. Still unsure.

I'm still trying to place the Mimi Holliday order as they left a very apologetic message on my phone and were fixing the issue. Called back today to sort out payment, then they had to call me back, so I waited and just had an email in reply to the one I sent two weeks ago saying it had been refunded. I know!! They're now closed for the day. I am so confused.

Talking of overdoing Botox, Trinny has crossed the line I think. I don't want to get personal, because it's obviously her choice, but I feel like a little perspective has been lost.

I had fillers 14 months ago in my smile lines (can't remember proper name - nasolabial?). It's funny as I thought a I'd feel the need to have them done again in 6-8 months but I think they're still fine!

Sophie I wasn't keen on Vichy Vit c as it made me itchy but I suspect I may be intolerant to Vit c, though it's only the second brand I tried. The first was TO which made me VERY itchy, Vichy was better but still annoying.

I'm going to start trialling the active formulas one, if that makes me itch then I'll give up. I can't remember who recommended that to me now (need to start keeping a spreadsheet!) but does anyone know if it needs to be stored in the fridge once open?

And the online book club is a bit like us lot on this thread but instead of skincare etc we talk (supposedly!) about books, but it's a closed/private group so no-one can join in or read unless they are invited and accepted. We nominate and vote for the books over the course of a week, then set a schedule for reading and discussing for 6 months. Everyone just pops in and contributes when they can or want to, there's no set on line meeting time or anything, and we usually end up chatting about all kinds, not just books.

Hi Everyone

Spotted these threads in early Jan and whilst I haven’t read everything, the content has really helped me with my skincare routine, I had never heard of most of these brands.

So far I have my spf factor 50, LRP cleansers and moisturisers, Paula’s choice 2% BHA and have just ordered P50W lotion too. Next step is researching active ingredients to try.

Just wanted to say thanks for all of the great information. It’s taken some time to go through everything and decide what to buy but am noticing some great improvements already!

I have a facial tomorrow at a spa nearby - the beautician is a skin specialist so hoping for some advice on my skin type and what to do to improve.

Will keep reading!

Thanks everyone!

That's ok bo, yes I do try to apply base into hairline slightly as it's not the best colour match but fine once blended. Erm I think it was only on the damp part of the cotton pad?? 🤔.
I really feel like I need an eye product! My eyes are looking really tired, lined and puffy 😩

mint apparently a cold recently used teabag left on the eyes for a bit followed by a cold spoon from the fridge gently rolled around the under eye is meant to work wonders.

Back to chilly old UK after a week in the sun. Reading back some old threads, Bo there was indeed giant walls of text and lots of posters who had lots to add but we don’t hear from anymore. I had to laugh when you expressed your delight back in thread 1 when your first TO parcel arrived “eek” you said . How times have changed as we’ve experimented, evaluated and then moved on with many products.

I’ll check the links above, and thanks for link to eye serum earlier in week. Those facials where the therapist sticks their gloves fingers in your mouth are meant to be amazing- painful but then you’re left with a rested, uplifted face.

user did your IT Cosmetics CC powder arrive? If so what do you think of it, as I have been looking at getting it too.

I see that IT Cosmetics are bringing out a new heavier coverage CC cream. Will be interesting although I am happy enough with the regular coverage.

Ollivander would you mind linking me to the gorgeous M&S trousers that you got recently - slim fit, false zip front? At least I think it was you!! M&S have 20% off here in Ireland this weekend :)

miffy - I am the bearer of bad news but the bastards have discontinued them. Link anyway as may be some left in stores
http://www.marksandspencer.com/mock-fly-bi-stretch-skinny-leg-trousers/p/p60132197?image=SD01T595315F3XEC_90&color=DARKNAVY&prevPage=plp&pdpredirect

Thanks for the link; I am going to my local store tomorrow to return another pair of trousers so I shall have a good look while there.

ETA there appear to be some available via the link, so I will take a chance and order. Is the sizing regular or are they snug enough to go up a size?

Fairly standard, I'm always a 14 in m&s and I got my usual size

Cool, thanks. I am always in between with M&S so have 12s in some styles and 14s in others. I will try in store first and then order if needs be. :)

Miffy yes it did, I ordered tan as they don't do my medium tan shade in the powder & was really surprised that it's actually pretty light, I'd definitely describe it as medium though luckily for me not pink toned. It doesn't give me enough coverage on it's own, it probably would if I layered it on but I don't want to look too powdery, so I'm using it lightly over the cc cream and really like it. It gives that bit of extra coverage without looking caked on and it doesn't oxidise or sit in pores or lines.

I'd definitely be interested in the heavier coverage cc cream, though maybe not for every day wear. I also saw on Beautylish that they have a non-silicone primer and a tinted sunscreen, they aren't cheap though so might wait & see if they come to Qvc so I can use their money back guarantee.

I just spotted them in stock in black online in my size. Bought! I have two in navy and one in black now but they're comfy and stretchy but smart enough for work

Nice one, Olli!

User I like the sound of that powder. I don't really get on with powder foundations but I would use it the same way you have, like a setting powder that gives a little more coverage.

They have them in my size too but I've noticed they don't have belt loops so probably won't work for me as I'm very pear shaped. I need to wear belts to keep most trousers up, otherwise I end up with a baggy bum and saggy crotch

Miffy I use their bye bye pores mattifying powder which is excellent but leaves a bit of a white cast on me, I'm still using that on my tzone then putting the cc powder lightly over the top of everything, seems to be working well and takes away the whiteness of the bye bye pores. I'm very pleased with it and thank you for recommending the beautylish site, I'd been waiting forever for Qvc to start selling it but now I don't have to

YW! I am interested in ordering the CC powder and the Bye Bye undereye concealer. I think it will work out cheaper and quicker than any other place. Pity my DH has no US trips planned for the next few months otherwise I would order via sephora or the US IT site.

No-one wants a saggy crotch.

Ok so bo a little more info about my skin...when I sweat (I seem to sweat easily although not smelly ha ha) my face sweats easily, and the sweat feels oily rather than like water which I've noticed on some people's faces if that makes sense? My pores look more noticeable when this happens and look like tiny pinpricks and some like tiny black dots (not black heads) my skin also feels very tight and the most dehydrated when this happens too and lots of redness. I'm having no adverse reactions to the products I'm currently using which is a major achievement for me as you know I react very easily, but just wanted to give you this info incase you think I'm missing something?! This all sounds like a lot of waffle so apologies

Could someone please give me some advice as to when I should apply my eye cream - I’ve read conflicting opinions.

If the serum is one that can be applied to the eye area, then presumably I put on eye cream after the serum?

If the serum isn’t for the eyes then would it be best to apply the eye cream and then the serum?

Botemp- fair point you make about Dermalogica. The brand can be very expensive. I always used to find the cheapest prices online. They have a huge range of products; I’ve used a fraction of them and have 2 or 3 I particularly like.

Hi Mint, I am interested in what you say because I suspect my skin reacts to something in products.
Could you possibly tell me the products you use? Sorry if you have already said but I'm travelling and my WiFi isn't working so well

I 'eeked', JDSTER? How mortifying. I think you can stop reading now, thank you very much before I die of shame. I completely forgot though that I had to wait a month or two longer than you lot as they didn't ship TO out here yet. A bit about the posters that have disappeared on us, RL mostly I think but I do worry for some as well who mentioned MH issues.

After some youtubing research, I've come to the conclusion that the Baccal technique should not be diyed and done by someone with medical training. So I'm just going to have to book in one of those 500 euro facials one day and see if it's any good. I just did a normal facial massage instead last night and forgot how restorative it can be, I should really do it more often.

JDSTER, Hot and flashy did do a new video on the Nuderm device attachment for eyes and nasolabial folds, I have to say quite impressed by the results she managed to get with that despite my continued scepsis around microcurrents.

mint, I think that's less a skin specific thing but possibly related to your hormones. At different times of the month pores look bigger and what you're describing sounds less like a reaction to product but more an irregular sebum production, the excess oils then oxidise black and appear to be blackheads but technically they're not. I know you mentioned being highly irregular on the menstruation front, so it may be that the constant fluctuating hormone levels are the thing contributing to this.

The advice wrt to eye cream is conflicting as the product itself is conflicting, Sophie. My general standpoint wrt eye creams is don't use them unless you have a specific issue there that requires an active (but you need a lower concentration as skin is more delicate and it needs to be tested to be safe for use in and around the eye), or you really can't tolerate anything but eye-specific products due to sensitivity, or skin is noticeably drier/oilier and different from the rest of your skin. In those cases you always put the eye product on first, regardless as you need it as a layer of protection from other products accidentally straying into the territory, it's also common practice to do this with retinoids/retinols/tret as well to protect the delicate eye area from too strong actives.

If you're just using an eye cream for the sake of it, because it's another product you think you need, then it doesn't really matter, you can put it on first or last, it's just preference at that point as none of the issues above apply.

Sophie, no offense meant (to mint), but it's probably best not to ask mint what irritates her skin as the list is long and complex and it'll leave you none the wiser. We frequently consult each other on what is and isn't working on this thread but it's all taken as anecdotal. Even if you miraculously found your skin twin you'd still have different reactions and successes. Figuring out what specific set of ingredients are potentially irritating to you is a long and arduous journey, going down to a core of basics and building out from that point with slow introductions of the product is a boring but reliable approach.

I can do it almost instinctually these days by reading an INCI but it takes a while to get to that point.

*on the eye not in