Page 2 | Recent beauty loves and disappointments tgread

TheSeedsOfADream · 03/10/2020 15:13

@Terralee

My Mum (aged 71) tried Boots No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Night Concentrate - she got it on offer for about £25... all I can say is don't go there unless you're prepared for painful effects !

She applied it all over her face & neck for 2 nights then applied her usual Boots No7 anti ageing day cream in the morning (not sure which one she wears).

She said her face began to really sting & peel off on applying her day cream on the 2nd morning, so I told her to stop using the retinol as I guessed it was the culprit!

All week her skin has felt awful like 'glass' & her neck was red & had strange vertical lines in it like it was very dehydrated.

So she's been trying to put the moisture back in her skin.

She went back to the No7 counter & the young woman was very defensive of the serum, didn't listen to what my mum said or offer her money back, just kept saying did she take a selfie of her skin - my mums 71 & doesn't do selfies.
I wanted to go in & get her money back but mum wouldn't let me.

I have no experience of retinol myself but I'm sure it's not a normal reaction that my mums skin had??

I've just looked up this serum. The active retinol in it is 0.3% (the 1.5 refers to its carrier ingredients which are the hydrating bits- lots of companies do this to make you think you're getting a stronger dose of retinol) so it's a pretty low concentration. But- you're still best to start very gradually with anything containing retinol- a couple of times a week etc. And never on your neck (I can't remember why) Retinol makes your skin very light sensitive so only in the evenings and still use a hefty SPF in the morning. It sounds like it could have been too much too soon (I've been using retinol for a year and am still on 0.25% and use it three times a week- used it last night and my skin feels tighter this morning)

All that said, I would absolutely complain about the poor customer service. The assistant sounds shocking. If you send Boots a DM on Facebook or a tweet you're more likely to get a decent reply.

MidnightFlit · 03/10/2020 15:31

@Terralee

My Mum (aged 71) tried Boots No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Night Concentrate - she got it on offer for about £25... all I can say is don't go there unless you're prepared for painful effects !

She applied it all over her face & neck for 2 nights then applied her usual Boots No7 anti ageing day cream in the morning (not sure which one she wears).

She said her face began to really sting & peel off on applying her day cream on the 2nd morning, so I told her to stop using the retinol as I guessed it was the culprit!

All week her skin has felt awful like 'glass' & her neck was red & had strange vertical lines in it like it was very dehydrated.

So she's been trying to put the moisture back in her skin.

She went back to the No7 counter & the young woman was very defensive of the serum, didn't listen to what my mum said or offer her money back, just kept saying did she take a selfie of her skin - my mums 71 & doesn't do selfies.
I wanted to go in & get her money back but mum wouldn't let me.

I have no experience of retinol myself but I'm sure it's not a normal reaction that my mums skin had??

Oh no, your poor mum. It does say on the packet though that you have to 'limit use to once or twice a week on non-consecutive nights, gradually increasing to every other night... it will normally take at least 4 weeks to reach nightly use.' And it also advises a minimum of SPF15 during the day because of skin sensitivity.

Othering · 03/10/2020 19:41

The new Olaplex No 0. It's truly amazing. The No 3 never really wowed me but I used the No 0 followed by the No 3, left it on overnight and my hair hasn't been as full and soft for, blimey, at least 10 years. Highly recommend it.

Bloodylovecheese · 03/10/2020 23:55

Just discovered nip and fab vit c pads ..they're amazing

Cordial11 · 04/10/2020 00:20

LOVES

Hourglass skin illusion - expensive but so so nice.
MAC Melba blush - only just discovered and I love it.

DISSAPPOINTMENTS

Too faced better than sex mascara - just OK . Not worth the price.

justilou1 · 04/10/2020 00:27

Hello! Can I play too? I’m also a bit meh about the Hada Labo (Japanese version, as I live in Aus, that’s all we can get) but I love their jelly moisturiser in the anti-aging line. It’s cooling, and was effective enough during winter, which surprised me. (I’m 48 and parched.) I like the blue line as well for pigmentation, but it takes mooooonths. I am loving the Maybelline Lifting Gloss. Lovely, grown-up neutral shades, and they’re full of hyaluronic acid and not sticky. While they are more perfumed than I’d like, it’s more of a coffee/caramel scent than the usual cake batter, so it’s not so bad.

justilou1 · 04/10/2020 02:26

Oooh another goodie is the Garnier gradual self tan (a Sali Hughes recommendation) with the apricots on the bottle. It’s idiot-proof, doesn’t pong and it doesn’t make me look like Big Bird either!

silverstorm101 · 04/10/2020 03:48

Loves :
Morphe skin tint, evens out my skintone but can still see my skin and don't feel caked in make up

Charlotte Tilsbury pillow talk mascara, love it but only for a full on evening look.

Avon Anew plumping shots. Made a real difference to my skin.

Hates :

Boy brow, just a clumpy mess.

Better than sex mascara, flaked off all over my face within a couple of hours.

That paint on brow stain, you paint on and peel off and it's meant to last a week or so. Sorry I can't remember the name of it? Looked great for a day then went an awful green shade.

WinWinnieTheWay · 04/10/2020 04:59

Loves:
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette - I'm on my third.
Aurelia cleansing balm - smells divine and is a wonderful cleanser.
Max Factor False Lash mascara - non clumping and natural looking day time mascara.
Nivea Soft - great face and body moisturiser, I swear it prevented stretch marks.
Dove Beaty Bar - I bought this to stop the plastic of shower gel and it smells so clean and is so so cheap.

Disappointments:
Dove deodorant - after loving the soap I tried the deodorant and oh my - I smelt of onions. I have no idea what went wrong, but it didn't suit me at all.

handysandy · 04/10/2020 06:44

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OnlyConnected · 04/10/2020 08:01

I’ve just bought hemp oil shampoo for 99p in Home Bargains. My hair is so soft and shiny, way better than the more expensive shampoos I’ve been trying!

Thebeachismyhappyplace · 04/10/2020 08:15

Great thread!
My biggest disappointment was the Bare Minerals complete skincare package. Yuk.

I second the White Company beauty balm - just lovely - and Neom relaxing bath oil. Complete spa treatment! And indie brand Sofia Latif Oils. The face oil is gorgeous and the eye oil comes with a stainless steel roller. Amazing and visible results in just a few days.

sofialatif.com/product/eye-oil-10ml/

What is the deal with Beauty Pie? I need to replace a lot of everyday items - is this a good place to start, it looks great.

Original poster

Fiftysixthnamechange · 04/10/2020 08:22

Oh the paint on brow stain! I had a go with that too, tattoo brow I think it's called, great concept but faded to a bright orange after a day. Not a good look.
Thanks for the garner self tan recommendation, I'm so white during the winter I look ill.

OP posts:

NW2SW · 04/10/2020 10:29

@Thebeachismyhappyplace Beauty Pie is alright. You pay a membership and that gives you an allowance which you can then spend up to - higher your membership cost then the more you are allowed to spend.

Products are good quality at high street prices. It felt very treaty for me, lots of packaging. Boxes in boxes and you have no idea if what you've bought will suit you.

I think it's one of those marmite things. You'll love it or hate it. There was the odd product that I really liked such as the UV moisturiser, but the majority just weren't quite right for me and that felt massively wasteful. As far as I could tell it's no returns. There weren't enough products I liked or needed so often to justify a monthly subscription.

Their candles are supposed to be very good, but I'm not really a pricey candle person - anyone who is would prob get good value for money.

justilou1 · 04/10/2020 12:28

I meant to add that I found the Glossier Boy Brow was just as crap as every drugstore brow gel I’ve tried. I’ve given up, tbh. (My brows are blonde and virtually invisible. I’m okay with au naturale.)

KnightsofColumbusThatHurt · 04/10/2020 12:39

Loves: The Hada Labo HA (the Japanese 'premium' one) - it has to go on damp skin and a moisturiser on top to get the best effects and I think it's the bollocks!

Lisa Eldridge lipstick in Velvet Ribbon

Weleda Skin Food - it's probably not great if you have very oily skin but I use a little bit to lock in my hyaluronic acid and I love it. You can also use it for very dry elbows or feet, to sheer out lipsticks, very sparingly as a natural highlighter etc.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid toner - love it, use it every other day.

Bleach London Pearlescent Shampoo and Conditioner - only works if you have really light bleached hair, but gives a gorgeous tone.

Disappointments -

Isle of Paradise tanning body serum stuff - did fuck all, even on my milk bottle skin!

Weleda Skin Food Body Butter - doesn't seem to actually moisturise that much, have a lovely solid buttery texture which I love but doesn't feel like it gives a lot of moisture.

The Garnier Banana Hair treatment - smells absolutely lush but didn't really make much difference to my hair

KnitFastDieWarm · 04/10/2020 13:12

joy:

aphogee two minute reconstructor: if your hair likes protein, this is THE BUSINESS.
seconding the guava plump and shine lipstick: i have a few of the other shades and they are really nice too.
glossier lash slick: i don’t always love glossier products but this stuff is perfect for everyday and looks ‘natural but better’

despair:

l’oréal lash sensation mascara: utter gloopy rubbish, impossible to apply without looking like malcolm mcdowell in a clockwork orange.
most things i’ve bought from beauty pie (with the exception of one powder wonder, which is fab)

Chottie · 04/10/2020 13:39

@justilou1

I meant to add that I found the Glossier Boy Brow was just as crap as every drugstore brow gel I’ve tried. I’ve given up, tbh. (My brows are blonde and virtually invisible. I’m okay with au naturale.)

Have you tried Benefit Gimme Brow shade No. 1?

I have very fair brows and my hair colour is naturally Scandi blonde and this works for me. If you do decide to try it, Boots sell a small travel size Gimme Brow which is cheaper.

justilou1 · 04/10/2020 13:47

I hated the lash sensation too. Meanwhile, the Maybelline one in the aqua tube is really lovely. (Can’t remember it’s name.)
I have been using a men’s rexona roll on deodorant in “Espresso”, and it’s lovely. Actually smells tropical and fresh. (Not at all like coffee.) Of course because we have what we call the “Pink Tax” here in Aus, the men’s things are cheaper. If I remember rightly, Rexona in the UK is known as Sure brand. (Cheap as dirt.)

justilou1 · 04/10/2020 13:50

@Chottie, I’m in Aus, so no Boots around here. I can get Benefit, so might go and try some. My brows aren’t unruly, more sparse and invisible. I think I probably need a pencil, but CBA. I have tried the pencil from Benefit, but looked rather Cubist.

Chottie · 04/10/2020 14:10

@justilou1

This is not a pencil, it's more like a mini mascara for brows. :)

justilou1 · 04/10/2020 14:22

Yes... I was saying I have tried their pencil... (gimme brow or something) I will try the mascara thing as it’s got to be less futzy than trying to draw on even eyebrow hairs on a wonky face.

AnaViaSalamanca · 04/10/2020 15:47

Thanks everyone for saving me the money that I wanted to spend on boy brow!

Loves - drunk elephant bronzer
hate - armani concealer, armani eyeshadow

OneFootintheRave · 04/10/2020 19:48

@Fiftysixthnamechange

Hi all, I just wondered what you've all bought recently that you have either loved or been disappointed by? I'll kick things off!

Loves:
Exuviance age reverse night repair. Sweet jesus, I'm in love with this stuff. My face is smoother than a millpond, I use it day and night as my skin is quite dry and it's just fabulous stuff.
Mutha scrubber, transformed my hooves into actual soft smooth feet, only a fiver and really bloody works.
A £2 brow gel from revolution that's better than my usual benefit one.

Disappointments:
Glossier boy brow. Horrible. Waaaay too dark, more black than brown, bitty horrible stuff, leaves tiny balls of the stuff all through my eyebrows.
Armani luminous silk foundation. Total waste of money, dry, horrible stuff that flakes and rolls off under my fingertips, read so many rave reviews but hate the stuff.

Over to you!

Just bought that Mutha scrubber.

For me it's Carmex lip balm. THE ONLY one worth using.

Touche Eclat. Overpriced and does nothing.

WettnWild · 04/10/2020 20:02

Love- Benefit Foolproof Brow stuff. I have hardly any brows and this goes on easily and stays on all day.
BECCA backlight primer

Hate- Drunk Elephant Balm cleanser. Saw it recommended for sensitive, dry skin. Made my face so sore!
Charlotte Tilbury Healthy Glow. Looks great when I first put it on but after an hour I’ve turned as orange as an Oompa Loompa. Gave it away to SIL (I do like her, honest! Just thought it might suit her more than me)