🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Bear Shaped Pseudo Face Vibrators, Don't Ask us What They're For(eo) 🐻

[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

One of the youtubers I like posted a video where she compares the LE highlighter with other popular ones like flawless filter and auric.
It's worth a watch if interested:

@BabyPigeon Yes I got the Muse lip kit (included a lipliner and gloss) and the gloss formula is great. Sadly mask-wearing this year meant there wasn't much chance to wear it. I've also got Skyscraper Rose in the saturated formula, which is stunning, but again it hasn't seen much action!

Yes, I have two of the lip glosses but they're not seeing much use but from tomorrow no more masks required anywhere here (except public transport, I think, but I don't really use that much) so I'm finally able to wear them. The few times I've worn them I did like them a lot though.

Shame about glitter in the highlighter, kind of glad I didn't buy any (and I'm sorry but the YouTuber's voice was too annoying for me to watch more than a few seconds). Blushes sound really good though so I'll order some when they're back in stock.

Not sure I'm a customer for the other lip formula, but I wasn't really interested in those anyhow. Would the cherry not be easier to apply by dabbing it in with your finger?

Thanks for all the feedback and enjoy your loot both

@Tsmummy08 - Which Ultra Violette is the one with a dropper?

The days of working exclusively at home are nearing an end and my line manager says at the end of July, it will be 2/3 days in the office .

Think all my makeup is in storage, but looking for a light SPF...

Any experience with Surratt lipsticks? They look quite long lasting and matt.

Which ones, I have a lisplique, I think and the one that comes with a sort of sponge powder thing. But I think there's more lip products than that.

MrObama The dropper one is the Queen Screen, which was oily and heavy - there are a few negative reviews on the SpaceNK website saying the same thing but you have to dig for them.

The weather's been so crap I've been using my lightweight "winter" SPF (Skin Aqua super moisture gel) when stuck indoors. Has anyone tried that Ambre Solaire one that's been promoted by CH and others recently?

@Tsmummy08 yes, I have the anti ageing one (blue label) and I like it. Haven't tried under makeup but it doesn't sting my eyes so it's a win for me being so cheap!
I like the look of the LRP b5 SPF gel too

Queen Thanks! I'll give it a whirl then :)

@Tsmummy08 I started to use mine at home as lipcare now, they are better than my lipbalms and are too nice to waste (they will expire as I got them at the previous release).
@botemp it's funny you can't stand her voice, I think one of the comments under the video is that she has a soothing relaxing voice that makes them fall asleep. I's funny how opinions on her voice can be totally opposite. But she's a nice person that discourages overbuying and does not review every release and her voice does nothing for me either way so I follow her.
It's easy enough to apply the cherry lipstick because the tube is pretty rigid, but the end result doesn't look very even on my lips (maybe because the formula is semi-sheer). It leaves a slight stain behind and conditions the lips somewhat so I will use it as lipcare.

I'm sure she's lovely but she has that SoCal vocal fry that's just really grating on me and makes people's mouths look completely asymmetric when they speak as they sort of only talk with half of their mouth as all sentences sort of taper out to one side. Also, she tried to sell her pj shirt that she just got gifted so that wasn't helping either.

@botemp

Serenster, I must admit I've looked at the UFO several times and am still clueless as to what it does. I think you can use it with a sheetmask as well? If I'm in the market for another gadget I'm probably thinking LED mask next but I have a feeling the current ones have been around for a while and prices are dropping so a new and improved technical step up must be on its way so I'm holding off for a bit.

@BabyPigeon have you received your Lisa Eldridge goodies yet?

So, I have now used it twice - it’s basically a device that accelerates the process of using a sheet mask, with some extra bells and whistles.

Rather than putting the sheet mask on your face, you put a round fabric circle soaked in the product on the device (there’s a ring that you clip over it to hold it in place) and then move it over your face. Depending on what the mask you use requires (you pick the relevant one in the app) the device heats up, vibrates, flashes various LED lights onto your skin and/or gets cold. The whole thing takes about 2 minutes.

I like it so far - I love the idea of using sheet masks but genuinely never get around to suing them, so the speedy nature of this device wins for me. I life the effect of the masks I’ve used so far, too. The downside if that of course you need to buy their masks, but I am sure that I could figure out how to replicate one - it’s not that complex!

@botemp - yes, that's the Surratt I'm looking at, although I also have a So Cal accent, but am fairly sure my mouth doesn't go into contortions.

@Tsmummy08 - is the Ambre Solaire the one that has something like a 20 PPD?

The lisplique? That's pretty much as the name suggests, you just slick it on and it's very comfy not overly pigmented but more than a semi sheer. It doesn't last for very long as a trade out, I mean, it holds up fine but a meal or hot drink will make it disappear.

SoCal accent isn't the issue it's the SoCal+ vocal fry that sets my unconscious bias alarm bells ringing. I know it's hugely unfair, but can't help it really. Luckily I only have to hear you type

Ah Serenster, yes I remember now. It's similar to a Japanese gadget from Panasonic, that ones also does heat, I think. Cult Beauty sold it for a while, that you used with a cotton pad and something like a hada labo lotion, the whole spiel was that it penetrated your skin deeper/better.

So which ambre solaire is it, the sensitive one or the anti age one, or another one?

@botemp this one but there's also a pink label one which I think it's the same but has glycerine

Ah good as I liked the look of the inci on that. What's the texture like, tube always equals heavy goop in my mind... But the inci suggested siliconey.

Not silicone at all but not heavy like traditional sun cream. It's somewhere between a lotion and a cream

Pic

@botemp CH also recommended the pink label one (labeled "anti-dryness") on IG, just to be confusing.

No idea about the PPD rating @ilovemydogandmrobama2. I saw some reviews saying it was a 4 star (rather than 5 star) UVA... not sure.

I've come to the conclusion that SPF is a total crapshoot in terms of suitability. When you find one that you like, stick with it. Still struggling to follow my own advice though as I've got a few on the go at the moment - and can't resist trying out new ones! Argh....

@Tsmummy08 - agree, although feel a bit lost as developed an irritation to Altruist face fluid which worked. It didn't have the, 'wow,' factor but liked it enough to use everyday.

what are you trying out SPF wise?

For whoever might be interested, Escentual is running the "up to 1/3 off french pharmacy" promotion this July.
Off topic, I know it's not skincare, but has anyone tried the blind perfume trial sample box? I find it interesting so far.

@botemp and anyone else who feels similarly, has anyone started to feel down about their skin?
I'm feeling really down about it. It's actually starting to affect my social confidence.
Two main issues:

• I've been through a host of mineral sunscreens (as I'm using Tret from Dermatica). All of them look awful. Looking through this thread, it seems that lots of us are struggling to find the ideal one.

I'm thinking of giving up with the mineral and just using a chemical spf 50 suitable for sensitive skin. *@botemp*/anyone, should I stop the Tret, if I do this? I'm prepared to do this.

• When I started with Dermatica, I had one small patch of hyperpigmentation. I've been on it since Feb, on various Tret (now 0.1), Azeliac Acid, hydroquinone, then off the hydro, now back on it. I now have 6 large, visible patches. Dermatica aren't being too helpful (or to be fair to them, maybe they can't). So I've booked to see a Dermatologist, maybe for a laser (I've had this a few years ago and it worked) or for a better prescription.

It's all money I need never have spent if I hadn't started with Dermatica. I'm reading conflicting things on google (obviously I have no expertise to discern good info from bad) - some saying that the patches do get darker before they get better, others saying that it's a sign your skin can't cope with hydro. I'm sorry for the gloomy message, I'm just really down about this. I know others have had brilliant results from Dermatica, but I honestly wish I had never started with Dermatica or mineral sunscreens and just accepted the aging process :-( Would be grateful for any words of wisdom

Hi, @popularinthe80s, I'm sorry to hear you're feeling down about your skin. I think we all have our moments and I'm fairly sure all the lockdowns have taken a toll on most faces (from my observation of random people on the street anyhow) but your situation is different in that it does seem you're not responding well to hydroquinone and I don't know why Dermatica keeps pushing it despite adverse effects. But I'm not qualified to make that call, personally I wouldn't continue with something that doesn't feel right.

It doesn't sound like Dermatica is being very helpful at all. Mineral is the easiest thing to advice for them but it's not the be all and end all of getting a good broad spectrum protection. If you go for chemical then choose one that's marketed for anti ageing and/or pigmentation, that'll give you as good, if not better, protection than mineral. I think we already discussed hats, etc. and pretty sure you were already doing that.

I have noted before that Dermatica is a bit of a one size fits all approach and their aftercare just isn't good enough for those who struggle for whatever reason. I'm sorry you've experienced this and are having to spend more in the end

@botemp, thank you for your lovely and empathic response. You're right that lockdown exacerbates things. But comparing photos of before and after, I definitely have a lot more hyperpigmentation now.
I'm going to dump Dermatica. (No offence to anyone who is really benefiting from it). I will check in with my Dermatologist and then perhaps try Skin and Me, as from reports here, it seems there's more hand-holding.
I think I have uploaded a photo to show the damage - I had no hyperpigmentation here at all before I started Dermatica.

@ilovemydogandMrObama Sorry for the late reply, I've attached a pic of the SPFs I'm using in rotation at the moment - I've also tried and enjoyed UltraViolette Supreme Screen and would like to buy but it's OOS.

It's really only those Ambre Solaire ones discussed upthread that are left on my (current) wish list to try...