🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Jump through flaming hoops, repeat, 'Beauty is Pain', and acces to this thread will be unlocked

[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

Well classic Greek sculptures have slightly downturned mouths at the corner but that just may be down to that we see them at an angle that wasn't intended (those victorious men on horses you see in most cities look really weird when they're eye level).

Can't say I've ever been that observant (well done Bo!) but also those relate to Ancient Greek which I know had some different sounds to modern Greek. I will have a look at modern Greek mouths

The only thing that I can think of with modern Greeks is that the nasal labial folds are quite apparent (not in a bad way or ageing related) so that would suggest a wider mouth movements to me. I do fear I'm beginning to sound like one of those nutters overly obsessed with race and their distinguishing features and keeping things pure now

I do fear I'm beginning to sound like one of those nutters overly obsessed with race and their distinguishing features and keeping things pure now

I like it though! As long as we don't start measuring skulls ...

I do think it's interesting though, soft spoken women were traditionally seen as more feminine and therefore attractive and on YouTube it's very monetisable too as people find it really soothing to listen to even if the content doesn't interest them. I do wonder if that makes for a softer face. Also what things like the vocal fry could do to a face or a baby voice but maybe it takes a few generations?

You're making me laugh Bo. So I'm looking for prominent naso-labial folds and turned down mouths??

And what have you observed about the English??

The English are too difficult as there's such large variation in accents as well as language and I'm really not familiar with who goes where.

I'm also left wondering if the elongated eeeh sounds means people have good necks (or maybe elongated ones) as that also contracts with those sounds. So check for those too

my "threads I'm on" showed a sentence beginning 'The English are too difficult as there's such large...'

What could this be, I wondered?

@botemp thanks too for your reply above! I agree- I phrased myself badly, as what I intended to say was that I would continue to use my serums separately to using the bear. I’d only use proper water based serums with the bear (I.e their own brand serum or the aloe Vera ones I’ve seen mentioned).

Now waiting for a slightly lower price, Cult Beauty and Space NK are both full price right now. I won’t die in a ditch over it but do they fairly regularly come up in offers or should I just go for it (like it only gets reduced on Black Friday or something)?

I have a personal SpaceNk 20% offer at the moment, they've been sending them to me quite regularly. I'm a member though so it might be that, so worth signing up to their program, I've also not bought anything there since forever so it could also be that. Lookfantastic also sell it and they frequently have 20% off codes and Currentbody have it on a discounted price all the time. With cult beauty, if you haven't done it yet, you can fill in your profile and get 15% off. I also saw it mentioned that you can use a cashback site to bring the amount down further.

And currently, NEW10 gets you 10% off with Net A Porter, not the biggest discount but from all the companies above if anything ever goes wrong with it, they have the most helpful customer service IME. Skincity might also be worth keeping an eye on.

That made me laugh Apileofballyhoo

Long necks added to the list bo !! (but I'm not sure greeks have long necks). I have quite a long neck though

I have prominent nasio labial folds and and a droopy mouth, I’m 100% Irish (though grew up in the U.K.) and have never been to Greece

Still really want a bear 🐻 as I’m hopeful if it works well that I wouldn’t need my droopy mouth fillers or Botox anymore so would be a big saving in the long term, but I’m in the final throws of moving (ie absolute chaos!) so making myself wait.

I never got round to making lab muffin Vit c either, I bought a couple of the small sizes Vit c from skin pep, seems to be ok though bit sticky side but as I’m not wearing much makeup right now they’ll do to tide me over. Skin pep also sent me a load of freebies which I’ve shoved away somewhere (!) and not got round to trying.

That’s it now for skincare and beauty purchases till I’m settled in my new place.

I’ve been watching a lot of Nadine Baggot on YouTube lately as I like her and she makes me laugh, does anyone else watch her and what do you think of her recommendations? She uses a garnier SPF 50 that she really rates, has anyone tried it?

www.boots.com/ambre-solaire-ultra-light-sensitive-face-fluid-spf50plus-40ml-10274049

I should probably not start with sentences berating the English on a British site

But did you always have prominent naso-labial folds, Sallie?

Interesting, I usually avoid Ambre Solaire SPFs because they're so heavily fragranced but that one doesn't have any. Going by the INCI it looks to be a good affordable dupe for LRP anthelios, it's all L'Oréal. I don't really get on with LRP anthelios so I probably wouldn't buy it but otherwise looks good for an affordable alternative.

As for NB, she does know her stuff but I can't warm to her for some reason. I'm not sure how transparent she is, she certainly talks the talk about disclosing but I do feel there are some grey areas and it's fairly obvious she pays her bills through brand relationships as opposed to views and I think that means she's never really saying anything overly critical when it comes to product reviews.

@botemp oh good point- I have the Space NK points thing so will look and see if using that brings it down.
Just looked- my N.Centive points get me the grand total of £5 off! Better than nothing I suppose..

It should get you a lot of points with SpaceNk, I suppose, they just keep emailing me personal 20% off codes or £15 off when spending X, it doesn't require any point to be used. If you recently received an email about 'a mystery offer awaits you' as the subject line if you click through it's 20% off automatically applied when you sign into your account. It may just be a drive towards EU based shoppers though, I'm sure like many (me included) they've stopped shopping on UK sites.

Bo no I didn’t but they appeared along with drooping and sagging in my late 40s. My dad had them but not till he was over 70 so no idea why I got unlucky think it may also be do with gaining/losing weight a few times since I hit peri menopause. I’m lockdown fat at the moment but it hasn’t helped pad them out

I think I’ve used that LRP before and been ok so might give the Garnier a try, I’ll be mainly using frezyderm in summer but sometimes want something a bit more moisturising as I don’t use a standalone moisturiser in summer.

I like NB as find her entertaining and she reviews budget and high street products. I have heard her criticise products (dyson airwrap!) or point out they’re only suited to younger people or if you have a certain skin type ie she wouldn’t use them herself. But same as all youtubers I do take it with a pinch of salt and certainly don’t rush out to buy all her recommendations. To be fair she does say herself not to do that and be mindful of your budget and not overspend etc.

Fair enough, but she does very much participate in this constant cycle of look at this new thing or ingredient, how exciting! She's more critical than most but in the influencer landscape that's not a very high bar. I enjoy the beauty hags episodes with Jo Jones as that's very unscripted and it does give a good overview of what nonsense is out now. I find her a lot more likeable in those.

I love the Beauty Hags and Jo Jones, that’s what got me watching NB. Definitely prefer her with Jo though

Was a huge fan of the Ambre Solaire 50 face fluid, until I realised it has 4 star UVA rating, so am back to using Altruist Face fluid.

The great thing about the Ambre Solaire Face fluid is that it did not make my eyes sting which is huge.

Well in fairness Bo, I did ask for your opinion on the English so perhaps I should have known better....!

Maybe some Greek ancestors way back when Sallie?! Went for a walk by the sea today and quite a lot of people around but totally forgot to examine their faces - everyone had masks on anyway. But seriously the bear might help Sallie. I have noticed a difference on my face. A friend of mine who lost a lot of weight also got prominent naso labial folds so maybe it is related to weight loss and gain....

I think you’re right Sophie about gaining and losing weight being the main culprit

I could well have Greek ancestry as my dear old Irish dad looked Hispanic/Mediterranean and I very much take after him though not quite as dark, Mum’s super fair skin has toned me down a bit

I bet you have a lovely skin colour Sallie with that combination of genetics.

• or "combination of genes" even

Mine are prominent as are my mums.. we are VERY different skin tones!
Mum is probably in MAC terms NC45 ish and I'm about NW10. She has v dark hair, dark olive skin and brown eyes
I did ancestry for our family tree and my mums great grandad was black which none of us knew, but explains my uncle/cousins kinky/coily hair and their skin tones