What's the one beauty trick / item you never thought you'd try but now can't live without?

[ladybee28]

For me it's sheet masks all the way.

Always looked at them and thought they were a gimmicky waste of time. I judgementally cackled every time I saw one on instagram.

Now I'm running around the house in my charcoal sheet mask looking like Batman every second day – it's made the hugest difference to my skincare of anything I've done in years...

What did you never think you'd try but now swear by?

Youtube make up tutorials - I assumed they were for the young folk.

However, as a result of delving once, I am now very good at "tightlining" which I LOVE and wish I'd discovered years ago and I have a good trick for hooded eyes if I'm going to an event where I'm likely to be photographed (no, not the Oscars, more like family weddings before anyone starts wondering who I am!).

@MrsBosh: here you go !

What Retinol are you all using?

And do you use Retinol serum or cream???

Anyone have any remedies for forehead lines- non Botox?

Dontcall What's the trick for hooded eyes please?

Bareminerals Invisible Bronze in fair to light.
Never thought I'd use bronzer but found a very light cool toned one that works really well. Love the way it adds some depth to my face and brightens my skin up without any orange tones. (Pale white cool toned skin.)

Rapidlash eyelash serum.
Thought this wouldn't work but I'm addicted to it now. Bambi level lashes.

Bioderma Atoderm shower oil.
No more shaving rashes on my shins, no tight feeling skin after a shower. Gives my skin a glow.

Footner.
Been using for a couple of years now but was hesitant at first. It's brilliant stuff. Perfect looking feet with hardly any effort.

Vichy clay mask.
Clay masks used to break me out so I avoided them but this one is gentle and really clears up any blocked pores on my chin and nose.

My retinol is in a tube by La Roche-Posay, it's called Redermic R in a small tube. The Ordinary is supposed to be excellent and much cheaper. You need to start low % and gradually build up, I originally used it every other night and a little goes a long way, one tube lasted 8-9 minths. I haven't got many lines (luckily) but my forehead lines are noticeably less with it, along with some pigmentation from pregnancies/contraceptive pill.

EnidButton

It's this one - she goes on a bit but it does work! Although it sounds like she's updated it so I'll have to watch again... ah, she says this is a much shorter version (hurrah!).

EnidButton

If I haven't got time to do the whole malarkey, I just do a blended dot of brown in the middle of my eyelid. Even that's better than nothing.

Botox here too

ladybee28 thank you! Straight into my basket

That's brilliant DontCall Thank you!

Botox and fillers

If anyone goes to Spain, you can buy a Retinol cream in most pharmacies. I think it's about €10-12. Starts at 0.025%. I don't know if it's better/worse than other brands.. but I've seen a lot of ppl commenting on it.

@BagelGoesWalking I live in Spain! What in the world? How do I use this magic cream? *runs away to Google Retinol....

Anyone want me to post them out a few tubes?!

Can you use retinol with sensitive skin? Is it something you use to target areas or do you put it all over your face? I could do with some help on the wrinkle front but I also have sensitive/rosacea prone skin.

Sheet masks and lip fillers

Ladybee that's so funny! Why don't you join this group. https://m.facebook.com/groups/607073569665649 Really nice group and all your questions will be answered. I don't use as my skin is eczema prone/reactive and I think it would freak out. You have to start slowly, literally once a week, pea size on dry skin. Oils/moisturiser after, no other actives, and daily sunscreen is an absolute must. More info heree*

@DontCallMeCharlotte thanks so much for that link. I watched that clip and changed how I applied my eyeshadow this morning and my eyes look amazing! I'm rubbish with make up, but it's so simple!!!
My beauty items that I would never have tried but now love are MAC radiant pink primer and Dr Perricone No Blush Blusher. Both a bit spendy but both last ages and make such a difference. I'm quite minimal with makeup, so happy to save for a few good things that work...

Eyebrow threading. Loads of friends went on about how agonising it was which put me off, but I gave it a go one day and loved the effect. instant facelift, and no squinting in the mirror to try and spot stray hairs any more.

EnidButton and alphaechokiwi

You're welcome - it's a revelation isn't it!

Blusher. I gave it a wide berth since the 80s (stripy cheeks!) but recently some came in a pallette I got as a gift and thought "what's the worst that can happen". Makes me look much better (well, vaguely alive!).

Anyone have a good YouTube link for tightlining?!

Aaaaaah – for all those of you now trying sheet masks after we discussed them on here.... who's brave enough to try this one for the team?!

LVL lashes for me. I'm fairly lax about putting on makeup every day, swim regularly and wear contacts and they're a total game changer.

i just tried my first sheet mask - it was in this months birch box. i was underwhelmed and have actually cancelled birchbox....

should i stick with the masks? i laid down for 20 mins and just felt sticky...still feel sticky an hour later.....