🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Heatwave, schmeatwave, we've got our trusty SPF50 and are donning wide brimmed hats

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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

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?

NEW SERIES:

So You Want To Buy A Retinoid - A Guide

JULY 2018: Sorry, terrible title, I haven't been keeping up but I assume Dr.Sam’s new cleanser will have some fans on here.

Tantric I use Elasticizer once every three weeks' have done for almost a year now. It's made a huge difference to me. I also love the Bumble and Bumble Invisible Oil cream which I apply to mid lengths/ends before blow drying, or if I'm air drying. Winning combo as you say.

Anyone else doing empties?

All my empties are in the bin after my sort out waiting for the binmen to whisk them away tomorrow. So none I can remember for this month. Nothing new anyway.

I love elasticizer. Really like the B&B invisible oil too but never tried the cream. Will look at that once the oil runs out. Though I think it'll last ages.

Trying out Essie Bahama Mama. Think it's my new favourite. Perfect Autumn colour. It needs a better name. Also wore NYX lid lingerie in sweet cloud today, just a dab. Nice rose gold shade, slightly coppery. Good for bringing the green out in my eyes.

Hope everyone has had a good weekend. 🍪

I've had trays from the dentist JD. They do feel weird and I had quite shot of sensitivity. Sensidyne rinbed directly onto the ends (?? Can't think of the right word) of your teeth and left on really helps. Putting it into the trays afterwards is a good idea. It worked very well btw and this was 10 years ago so I bet it's even better now. I plan on getting some gel from my dentist next time I'm there and doing it again. Still have the trays.

Shot= bit

Actually feels like a “shot” of sensitivity on my lower front teeth Enid
Can you take a photo of your Essie nails?
You reminded me to let you know the twist top gel from Essie lasted 1 week without chipping. My nails are slightly stained from the red colour but I think it says to apply gel colour straight to nails. I’m not sure if a base coat would cause a problem.

Every 3 weeks Pupsie that's good to know as benchmark.

Enid and JDSTER would the bumble and bumble oil work for straight fine hair then do you think? Do you just use this or anything else on top of it?

I've got the oil for thick hair Tant but I think they do one for fine hair too. It's actually quite light anyway and has a lovely minty fresh scent that I really like. I haven't tried the cream.

Ah!! I've just looked and it's the Percy and Reed one that I have! Not bumble and bumble 🤦🏻‍♀️ Apologies. I bought B&B air spun spray a couple of days ago and must've got mixed up.

JD When I redo my nails later in the week I'll get a pic. (These ones off Pinterest are the most accurate ones colour wise imo. Some make it look lighter. I do use 3 coats though.)
I use opi Nail Envy as a bottom coat to prevent staining. Don't know if it would stop the gel ones from working so well.

Enid I have the Percy and Reed no oil volumiser stuff too although I prefer their Wonder on my hair.

Nice colour Enid I'm wearing Leighton Denny She's in Fashion nail varnish - it's a lot brighter than I thought but I like it.

JDSTER I used the Essie twist top gel colour and top coat on my toes over the summer, first time without base coat and it stained badly. After that I used base coat ( any old thing in the drawer tbh) and it didn't affect the finish or how long it lasted.

JDSTER The girl who does my manicures never uses a base coat with the twisty bottles. I haven't had any issues with staining.

Enid, Bahama mama is one of my favourite nail colours. We must have similar colouring as we seem to go for the same colours!
I think the second picture you posted looks most like bahama mama. The first photo looks a bit red-y.

I don't generally paint my finger nails. And gels seem to wreck them. Although I do have gel pedis for spring and summer.

I have one of those long wear colours in a very pale neutral colour for my fingers. Is Essie long wear?

Pupsie, the Essie which I use (twisty top) is long wear rather than gel. I don't like gel or shellac or anything like that because I have sensitive (for want of a better word) nails and gel etc just trashes them.

Thanks Sophie.

I don't have any empties and my routine is the same as the last time I posted it, been very boring lately I'm looking at adding differin or tret and/or Vit c back in for winter. And still looking for a holy grail but not too expensive eye cream.

I love that colour Enid and am going to check out Essie. I use gel polish (have a home kit) as my nails are super strong and practically bullet proof, but it's such a long winded faff sometimes applying and removing especially as I often get a bit fed up of the colour (it lasts a good 3 weeks on me) and fancy a quick change.

I saw Kiehl's were launching a new eye cream with Retinol and Vit C (derivative, I assume) but I haven't looked into it yet and I doubt it'll be cheap.

I have no emptied either, unless toothpaste counts? Still trialling the Granions but I went really minimal last week as I was very low energy so have had to disrupt trial phase. The GoW premature ejaculator briefly turned into an old dripper for a bit, wheezing noises included a good clean and a poke with some sharp tweezers helped to restore it again. This is already there replacement bottle, so I'll leave VH alone for a newer one but I'll be curious to hear if that one leaves you satisfied, Pickled.

A little late but here is my July/August update. I stopped retinols and most acids for July and August just to give it a break. I have also changed up my routine a bit this month as I found it getting quite boring doing the same thing over and over (and still not really getting rid of my issues). I have increased and varied my acids too!

ROUTINE

AM
Cleanse: Dr Sam. Nice for morning cleanse (I find it does not fully remove my makeup but I also CBS massaging for a minute)
Vitamin C: Lixirskin c paste (apply before shower, rinse off after, so it is on 5 mins or so).
Acid: have been using P50 but now alternating with REN ready steady glow
Spritz: Missha first treatment spray
Serum: Hada Labo premium
Eyes: Olay ultimate eye cream
Cream: varies - DE Protini/Mad Hippie/Avene Hydrance - depends on skin needs
SPF: Currently back loving TBS skin defence, alternate with Frezyderm too

PM
1st cleanse: dermalogica pre-cleanse balm
2nd cleanse: dermalogica essential cleansing solution or Lixirskin cleanser
Spritz: Missha first treatment spray
HA: Hada Labo
Serum: almost finished my first bottle of Vichy aquaria thermal serum
Eye cream: Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery
Treatment: Lixir plus ‘night switch’ drops (I used the BHA/PHA for 3 weeks and have now started a week with retinol drops)
Extra layer: Cerave PM or DE Lala Retro (if I do my routine early and feel the need for more moisture before bed!)

EMPTIES for July and August
As you will see, most of my empties are repeats/HG products.
Clarins extra comfort foundation - dc’ed but found some on clearance so have backups
Bioderma micellar water - will always have some on hand, even for cleaning makeup brushes or removing eye makeup
Eucerin spf - bought a backup as I like it but currently switched to TBS
LRP tolerance hydrating gentle cleanser - decided I like this more than Cerave and will RP when I go to the US
Jergens gradual self tan - love this, have another half tube left, will RP in the US
Olay eye cream - have already RP. The first time in years I have actually finished a full eye cream. It suits my 48-y-old skin.
Native deo - I bought a sample pack and really liked them so have just RP 3 full size. Not for full on sweaty days but a healthy alternative to the Secret deodorant that I normally use.
TBS SPF - I got a family member to pick up 3 large tubes of this in Manchester airport (for the price of 2 all tubes here in Ireland) so I am set for about 6 months.
Kate Somerville cold cream cleanser - this was a total splurge for me this summer (even with 30% off). Used it up way too quickly, loved it but can’t really justify spending so much, so I probably won’t RP but will look for an alternative.
Loccitane almond veil body lotion - along with the shower gel this has bene a HG for several years. I will always have a bottle in the cupboard.
Alterna CC caviar cream for hair - i really like this, again it is rare for me to use up a full tube of anything on my hair, but this and Uniq1 are the best I have found. So I will RP at some stage, but will try and use up some others on the shelf first.

ON TRIAL
Lixirskin - cleanser, vitamin C, moisturiser, BHA/PHA and Retinol night switches. I have been using for about 3 weeks now, and I am quite impressed. My skin looks fab and I have actually left the house with out makeup on several occasions (very rare for me). Will continue to trial
Missha first treatment mist and Pyunkang Yul mist toner. Both new, both seem good. Will probably use Missha in my routine and PY to top up if needed during the day when central heating kicks in.
REN ready steady glow

PLANNED PURCHASES
Maelove vitamin C
Sunday Riley Good Genes - have purchased the US version in the Sephora sale but won’t have it for another month or so
Neostrata retinol - looking into getting this at some stage, after I trial the Lixirskin and then finish up P&M oil
DE - I plan to get a few things in October in the US - can’t decide if I will RP the c serum as I am hoping that Lixirskin or Maelove will replace. Will RP Protini and probably buy the baby facial.

SPECIAL MENTION
IT Cosmetics cream. Back using this as I am back to work and it is the quickest foundation to apply in the early hours. I put it on at 7am this morning and just cleansed my face at 8pm. My skin looked really good and fresh all day. I am coming to the end of my 2nd tube and already have another one ordered. I may end up with just 2 foundations, this one and the Clarins as above.

Hmmm that's interesting Bo so far my replacement has been perfectly well behaved. The replacement they sent me is a completely different shape, style and colour to Mr Spurty-dribbler. Mr S-D was black with a silver pump, the new one is white with a white pump.

CBS??? That should read CBA (couldn't be arsed)!

Miffy I can't remember if you have oily or combo skin or not but IT cosmetics have launched an oil free version of their cc cream foundation. I'm quite keen to try it but have one on the go and one in reserve of the normal one. Though sounds like you have a stockpile as well

at the ejaculating Vit c turning into an old dripper Bo and glad the poke sorted it out. It does sound like they've completely changed the packaging though from what Pickled says so I might risk it and hope I don't get a Spurty Dribbler.

I've ordered 2 Essie gel polishes and the top coat from boots who had a 3 for 2 offer on them, will collect from store at the weekend.

I've also ordered a pair of fit flop Chelsea style boots in their sale after noseying at the thread MNHQ put up on here. High fashion they are absolutely not, but they look very sturdy and comfortable and I have RL friends who swear by the brand for comfort and some of my current boots are making my knees hurt. I don't really wear sandals and hate flip flops (squeamish about toe posts) so never paid much attention until I saw the boots.

Sallie I am neither :) - I reckon I have normal to occasionally dehydrated skin. I just love the IT CC although in summer the finish is a tad too glowy for my liking, which is probably why I didn't wear it much the last couple of months.
I am tempted by the matte version as I hear it is not terribly matte, I will definitely sample it in the US and maybe pick up a travel-sized tube if they have them then.

Pics of the old and new GoW Vit C. Curious now whether Bo got another old one as a replacement.

Lots of nip/fab, by terry, sukin, milk makeup on TK Maxx website

Oops! Perricone and the hero project also spotted

REN perfect canvas
https://www.tkmaxx.com/women/beauty/skincare/face-oils+serums/perfect-canvas-skin-serum-30ml/p/42118306

Thanks Olli I've just seen a Vit c on there from the hero project, I've never heard of them before so don't know if they're good, bad or indifferent as a brand, this is it

www.tkmaxx.com/women/beauty/skincare/face-oils+serums/ultra-brightening-serum-30ml/p/42489984

Miffy I didn't wear the IT cosmetics much during summer either, my skin has been pretty good so I've been fine with tinted frezyderm for every day. The matte version is very tempting though, it's available on the IT Cosmetics UK site, but no samples or travel size that I can see. I've noticed they've got a Bye Bye pores primer out too, I'm not much of a fan of primers but if it's as good as the cc cream I'd be tempted by that as well