🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Hairmageddon looms...

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Thread 11

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.

I am very slowly working on consolidating the gathered information from previous threads into easier to read formats but it’s slow going. 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?

FEBRUARY 2018: The month of February sucks. Period. We’re sick of winter and the state of our finances, some are embracing frugality (in different shapes and forms) but water bills and car maintenance are ruining our buzz. Hair appointments need to be made despite the palpitations of fear that the mere thought incites. Oh, and skin texture. As you were...

enid so from the photos does yours now look like the first lot with a bit of curl (my favourites and I would give my left arm for hair like that) or the second lot poker straight?

Somewhere in between now I've dried it Tant. The first lot are what my hair used to look like before the last bad haircut. Like exactly like that.

It's ok. I'm going to look at it as step 2 to getting my hair back to how it was. The first an hardest step was growing the layers out. This will only take 4-6 months and the fringe is alright so fringe trims in between.

It's not as bad as I thought now it's dry. Maybe a bit short as I need length and weight for the waves to form. But it means all the layers were cut out.

Colour wise, it'll wash out and fade eventually. It's only a semi.

Plus DH loves it so that's nice. I'm just having a rough few days where everything seems like a much bigger deal than it is. I'm catastrophising (?) and super sensitive.

Long Sorry, missed you're good advice. Thank you. I have a BBH but don't get on with it at all. Think my hairs too thick, I keep meaning to sell it on eBay.

Thanks guys and sorry for being a drama llama.

*hair was long with wave. Exactly like first set of pics.

*your.

enid My thin straight hair was a disaster too after having layers put in it ages ago, now its always blunt cut the same length.

It's beyond annoying having to look at it everyday and wait months for it to grow out.

Oh Enid. I sympathise. With the colour, hair dye always fades so did she perhaps make have it a bit darker so after a couple of washes it will look the colour you want? Level 4 is really dark. I'm a level 6 and if I use a bit of 5 then it looks almost black. I guess if you're really unhappy then perhaps talk to another hairdresser about sorting it out but don't let them near it until they can satisfactorily explain what the problem is and how they can correct it (I had to do this with my DD recently).

Your actual hair type sounds gorgeous though!

Tant - as you're using the TO retinoid, how do you put it on? Do you put a bit on your hand and then pat on your face? Or use the pipette to put a few drops on your face in strategic places and then spread it around? It's quite liquidy and think I just used way too much.... waiting for it to sink in a bit before applying anything on top.

Oh I cross-posted as kept getting distracted and now my Enid hair comments are a bit redundant

Sorry Bo I was having a thick moment there. Here's the actual pic you asked for

Sophie I put 2-3 drops on my fingers and rub it in on the right side of my face incl forehead then put another 2-3 drops on my fingers and rub on the left side of my face.

Thats all I need to cover it all.

Sounds like you probably did use to much mine rubs in fairly quickly.
I leave it while to sink in before I add moisturiser.

I'm currently using TO 1% retinol in squalene, before that it was .5% retinol and started off with indeed surface reface.
I'd thought that the 1% retinol and 5% Retonid were the next step to prescription retinol.
Just looked up skincity, looks like a good site. Maybe it's just a gimmick but I filled out their questionnaire for a personalised product list. Filling it out has made me appreciate my skin even more. The only issues I have are minor age concerns and future prevention oh and fear of sagging skin cause I'm losing weight.
When I talk about reacting to something I mean it makes me a little dry or a bit red or I might get a spot. I'm going to attempt to make myself not get hooked in trying trying products I don't need.

Now I'm off to catch up on the thread haven't read since earlier but see it's been busy.

Sorry you don’t like your haircut enid. Your actual hair sounds glorious. I always admire thick lustrous hair on other women, having fine hair myself.

Thanks for medik 8 review bo

Re cerave cleanser- I’ve used it in the past. I’d describe it as a cross between LRP dermo cleanser and cetaphil. Better ingredients than cetaphil and doesn’t leave a film. Very economical now it’s available in Boots so a good one to leave on the sink I’d say and use as a morning cleanse or second cleanse at night.

pupsie I’m new to thermal water. Once I’ve completed cleansing stage I spritz then blot with a clean muslin. I use morning and night and there’s something very pleasing about this step in my routine. I even bought a mini LRP water for travel .

Oh Enid I don't blame you for having a moment. Love those first pics my hair is similar, a bit shorter since I decided on a stupid whim last year to go short but it's finally growing back. But mine isn't as thick and I can't do a fringe anymore (it won't style for me) so I'm very jealous.
I'd be more annoyed about the colour been too dark than the cut because at least a few weeks will see change in length but it's hard to reverse a colour without doing some damage. Would you try a clarifying shampoo, hairdressers often send clients with colour over load into where I work for them.

God bless you all for your patience with me. I appreciate it. Focusing on the positives. Colour wise I know it will fade and lighten up a bit by itself in 2-3 weeks. It's a semi so no root growth etc. I can live with it. I'll just use more blusher.

Cut wise, the ends are super healthy now. No damage at all. The ends feel very nice and smooth. It might look more like I want it with a few waves tonged into it. I'll experiment. Fringe will grow very fast (1-2 wks) so I can do the French sweeping thing.

It's not a disaster. It's actually a good well done cut. Those terrible layers are gone, so that's good. It's just not very me. I'm frustrated because I have had my perfect hairdo (those wavy long pics) for years before the bad cut last year. I just want that back but apparently don't know what to ask for.

It's just one of those weeks y'know. I've asked DH to bring chocolate home. I'd share it with you all if I could. 🍫

I'll quietly get on with working with it whilst it grows and promise I won't bore you allmoan about it again. Brownies honour.

Enid the french and non-French cuts look the same to me, it's just the non-French ones have been far too vigorously straightened are a bit shorter. So once it's grown a little bit and you are styling it your way then I think it will look French
The too-dark colour is annoying though, but hopefully with it being a semi permanent it will fade quickly, especially if you use a clarifying shampoo.

Thank you for the medik8 review Bo I can't afford it at the moment but will put it on my watch list. Do they offer a refund after 30 days if it doesn't work?

I used to use foaming cleansers all the time, I didn't know any different/better. I still like the cerave foaming cleanser, but don't find it actually foams at all. I haven't used it for ages as ran out and couldn't find it anywhere, might try the hydrating one instead especially as JDSTER says it doesn't leave a film

Ahem. So I tried an Elemis lavender oil capsule last night. Skin felt nice this morning and looked more nourished than usual first thing but I had a couple of small bumps. Will try the rose (day) one next.

Used the Papaya mask earlier. All over face except on nose and chin where I put the Vichy clay mask. Felt nice. Slight tingle. Skin looked firmer and brighter straight afterwards.

Still loving the Bioderma shower oil. It's perfect for this weather when you're going from icy cold outside to centrally heated insides. Skin has a glow from it. Highly recommend.

Thank you Sallie that's reassuring. Yes, I think I just need some more patience and it'll get there.

Olli I get you with nothing making a difference, my skin is definitely subtly better and much less problematic/breakout prone since I've got into a proper routine, but I've yet to find a really 'wow' product. That's why I'm wary about expensive stuff like medik8 and drunk elephant, as I don't really want to pay sort of money that for something unless I know it absolutely will make a noticeable difference. Though I do I think in my case I'm too impatient and expect results in weeks whereas in reality a lot of products take months to have an effect.

I remember having all those Elemis products Enid I went through a phase of buying the kits from QVC. Unfortunately I reacted to most of it - itchy rash/spots

I still love the bioderma shower oil too, thank you for recommending it

Thanks bo . Enid your hair sounds fabulous and gives me hair envy! It will probably fall into place in a week or so and how lovely of your DH to compliment you on it. 😘

Ah thanks Skinful. DH liking it was nice.

Sallie I used to get the Elemis face stuff off qvc too! Years ago when I was getting married I felt like I should up my game. I don't think my skin would get on with now. I really like the bath/body stuff they do as treat. Luckily the facial oil capsules were free and so know my DM will like them if I pass them on. I do like the papaya mask though.

I’ve somehow missed 3pages...enid your natural hair does sound fab and I love the French version. I can see how some hairdressers might think you want the Cheryl Cole...it’s a subtle but vital difference! I think others are right, let the cut settle and style your way...enjoy the choc...
In lurg news my cough-suppressing codeine have given me an almighty headache...eyeroll...but at least I did get a better night’s sleep last night due to not coughing so terribly...will just take one tonight to try for another decent sleep then stop taking them, it’s a listed side effect...and one I can really do without on top of everything else.
Not much opportunity to play with baby Whamisa - used it once so far and really like. Did start itching randomly under the chin and jaw but that could be the codeine too possibly.
Off to comfort myself by watching ‘The Lady in The Van’ and revel in Maggie Smith’s utter genius.

I have used CeraVe hydrating cleanser, in fact I am on my second bottle. I used it after hotandflashy Angie recommended it. I got one bottle off iHerb and the other in the US. I would put it in the same category as LRP cleansers and indeed the Vanicrem that I bought via Target recently. Quite a slippy texture - they don't exactly leave a film but they are different to the more creamy texture (that I love) of Dermalogica Essential cleanser. I would still highly rate it though. I also tried the SA cleanser from CeraVe but it was foaming and way too harsh for me.

Bo realllllly interested in your Medik8 review. Definitely keep us updated and it will go on my list of things to peruse in more detail. It sounds like Botox in a bottle :)

I am another fan of skincity. They made a mistake on my third order (small bottle of P50) as somehow the address I typed in got totally mixed up and my order went AWOL. They swiftly sent out another but again the address on the system is not the one that got put on the packaging. It eventually arrived, followed by the first package. They kindly let me keep both and included a bottle of a Codage serum as an apology. I guess the only problem I have with them is the address issue and I think it was because I was using the .se website so I could not create an account. They no longer shop P50 to UK/Ireland so that may be a non-issue for me going forward.

Oh! The inevitable happened this morning...my DE C serum ran out :(

I calculated I got 4 months out of the bottle using one pump every morning. So that would mean 3 bottles per year $$$. However as I am getting better at not buying every darn new thing that sparkles from the shelves I may actually end up with the money to buy it.

On that note I sampled the LRP HA serum in Boots yesterday and it is SO fragranced. Thankfully did not succumb to the 'Oh it's LRP, i will love it' like I used to.

And....I was thinking...as I purchased the DE serum (anyone else automatically and mistakenly type werum? Every time?Just me?) and the Tinted SPF from DE directly, I can take advantage of the amazing US customer service and return it within 30 days if I don't like it :D It would cost me a few € to return it but I would get a $30 refund.

Hope you feel better soon Yong and the codeine doesn’t make you constipated, to add to your problems!

I am getting better at not buying every darn new thing that sparkles from the shelves

Yong Hope you feel much better soon. Codeine headache sounds painful and a nighttime cough is one of the most annoying things.

Red mark on nose is from my glasses. I have sebaceous filaments on my nose that never go, my skin texture is odd, chin has either spots or marks from spots... photo with no makeup and no cleansing, first thing this morning. Let's not talk about the eye bags/veins/circles
On the plus side my forehead looks good!