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

[botemp]

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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.

Olli I've just googled it and found it, thank you x

Oh crap it's out of stock

Mint I just use my foundation, Nars TM to cover my eyelids and powder over the top. My eyelids have always had a purple tinge to them.

Pupsie, the eyelash curlers are on my to buy list too. Supposedly they're amazing, Lisa Eldridge is a big fan. A store started carrying the brand here recently so I'm going to try them out first if I can and try to not go spending mad, the length of my lashes at the moment have been making it harder to curl with my existing Shu Uemura and Kevyn Aucoin curlers.

Thank you @Pupsiecola @botemp and @SallieSallow that's great information.

I'm going to have a trip in to the local pharmacy, they are great in Ireland for stocking LRP and Eucerin so will be able to do a quick stock up of some of the recommendations.

@SallieSallow I think you are right with focusing on the night time routine, especially the cleansing. I've started using a very light foundation (chanel vitalumerie aqua) but haven't really started cleansing properly, so need to get on top of that.

Will also be having a mooch at the Paula's choice website for a retinol, and possibly getting some of that lanolips balm, the rhubarb colour looks perfect.

Glad we were helpful Rosie and yes definitely try to get your night time routine sorted, I'd suggest doing the various steps in between whatever chores etc you normally do in the evening if you can rather than leaving till just before bed as a) you're more likely to stick to it if you're not too tired and just want to collapse into bed and b) it gives the products chance to absorb.

I think Bo is right, if your primary concern is ageing then look for a retinol initially, if you see one you like the sound of post here and we can share opinions and reviews. You could always add a BHA later on just to use at the time of the month you get blackheads, but I wouldn't add it alongside the retinol for now as the combination (even used alternate nights) can cause irritation.

I've not used an eye lash curler for years as never found they made much difference, I should probably look into it again as sounds like there are much better ones out there now.

I like the look of the boy brow. I'm using a no7 eyebrow gel atm and it's ok but the odd hair does end up dropping down past the rest and it can clump hairs together if not careful. Mine are pretty long though so maybe eyebrow gels just can't cope.

I realised today why I like buying skincare and makeup more than clothes. I have to shop online 90% of the time and customer service for clothing stores is appalling. I spent a stupid amount of money on clothes this week and half of them haven't turned up despite paying extra for guaranteed delivery, then they don't reply to emails or answer the phone, and half of the things that are here are damaged or were screwed up in the packaging. It's decent brands too. Style over bloody substance. It's infuriating.

Whereas you order make up and it comes well packaged, on time and is very rarely damaged.

It's mainly the lack of communication and bad customer service though. There's no excuse for it.

Hi Rosie 👋🏻

Sallie I love eyelash curlers. They make a huge difference to my face even with no make up on. Think mine are Tweezerman ones.

Thanks @SallieSallow

I'm thinking of ordering from either Look fantastic or cult beauty.

LF have trial versions of Paula's choice, I'm tempted by the CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment, and will ease it into the routine 2-3 times a week to start. But not sure if it's going from 0 to 100 too quick, and whether I should go for a lower %?

I would be welcome to other suggestions on retinols on those sites, like The Ordinary maybe.

As I don't spend a huge amount on make up etc, I am happy to invest, but will get trial versions first. Do not want a repeat of the hives

I'm going to have a read through of the previous threads too, and maybe throw a few extras into the basket.

@FallingForRosie : why not try a retinol night moisturizer? I use Clinical 1% and I tolerate it well but it's potent and it's not the first retinol I used.
This is available in travel size.
www.paulaschoice.co.uk/resist-anti-aging-barrier-repair-moisturizer-with-retinol-m7610.html?dwvar_m7610_size=fullsize&cgid=

Paula's Choice also have a retinol booster which can be added to any moisturizer or serum.
www.paulaschoice.co.uk/1-procent-retinol-booster-m7870.html?dwvar_m7870_size=fullsize&cgid=#q=Booster%2Bretinol&lang=en_GB&start=0&top=1326

mintmagnummm: I just got this from bareminerals and it seems to work well. I got the darkest shade so I use it as eyeshadow.
m.lookfantastic.com/bareminerals-gen-nude-eyeshadow-primer-various-shades/11792158.html

@botemp: Thank you. I saw the hyaluronic powder reduced on allbeauty, and the eyeshadow pencils do look nice.

Tant which powder do you use on your eyelids?

Baby I've got a bare mineral 5 in 1 primer shadow thing (think it's called bb primer??) but it irritated my eyes (surprise surprise lol)

@mintmagnummm Oh no, I love that one and I'm still annoyed that "divine wine" was discontinued. The one I linked is pretty similar to be honest.
I see that Urban decay have a few shades for their eyeshadow primer that could dub as eyeshadow.
www.urbandecay.co.uk/en_GB/eyes/eyeshadow-primer/eyeshadow-primer-potion/UD515.html

Rosie, have a read through of the Retinol guide that's linked in the OP. It also has recommended products in there.

Due to the abhorrent behaviour of the CEO of The Ordinary I won't discuss or recommend any products from TO or the Deciem group.

I'm using ketrel in 0.5 at the minute

I agree, eyelash curler a make a huge difference although I've only been using them for a year.

Rosie LRP Redermic R is a good starting point, but do read Bo's advice as mentioned. And start slowly!

I'm in London. I went to a Sweaty Betty live event. I walked past The Ordinary store in Spitalfields. And I have a goodie bag from the event. Some stuff I won't use so will put on eBay. Notably a Murad Nutrient Charged Water Gel which seems to sell for 50 quid.

Yes definitely have a look at the guide Rosie I'm the same as Bo & won't be using or recommending anything from The Ordinary or any Deciem brands due to the behaviour of the CEO. But even prior to that, most of us here had decided TO was overhyped and not that great anyway.

I'm going to investigate eyelash curlers, will have a look in boots tomorrow as think they do tweezerman.

Enid I'm like you & order pretty much everything on line as apart from the odd pootle round Boots or Primark (if they're not busy) I dislike in person shopping intensely. I agree that ordering makeup & skincare is much less stressful but I guess a lot of that is because you're usually not that desperate for it and you don't usually need to return unless damaged or you have a reaction so it's just a much more pleasant experience overall.

What I'll often do (with stores that offer it) is order on line & collect in store, I sometimes try on in the store too if I can face the changing rooms & hand back/sort out the refund for whatever I didn't want to keep there and then.

I don't know what Sweaty Betty is Pupsie but sounds like a great (& profitable!) goody bag.

I've got the Kevin aucoin lash curlers but am not impressed at all for the money they cost!

It's expensive but great quality fitness wear Sallie.

Pupsie fitness wear = explains why I've never heard of it

Mind you I'd never heard of over half the clothing brands discussed on here before MN, I thought Cos was a lettuce

sallie I really like shiseido eyelash curlers. They were recommended on makeup alley many years ago and they’re still going strong. You can buy replacement/refill as well for the bit that curls the lashes. Always heat up with a hairdryer first, it sets the curl.

Hi 👋 Rosie. I’d steer clear of anything from TO, as others have said, and also swerve the 1%retinol from PC. A bit strong for a first time retinol

Thanks all for the heads up on TO, I've had a Google of the CEO and will be avoiding their products.

I've struggling with reading the advice docs on my phone, so will boot up the laptop later to have a read through them properly.

Sali Hughes' Guardian column today is on Vit C. She says DE is launching in Space NK next month!! About time. GOW Vit C gets a mention too...

Thanks Pupsie I'll check that article out as I'm currently on the VH website swithering about buying the GOW Vit c.

I've also found this hand cream Enid which could be a good replacement for hand chemistry

www.victoriahealth.com/product/Intensive-Hand-Treatment/12681