Which product should I spend on?

[onlyconnect]

I'm in the lucky position of going to London shopping next week for the first time in ages. I've saved up a bit and want to get a foundation, a serum and a face moisturiser. I can spend about £120 in total on all three.
I'm mid 59s with dryish but quite good skin.
Which would you spend most on? I could split it roughly equally or splurge more on one.
Any thoughts in this first world luxury "dilemma"?
I quite fancied a Bobbi Brown foundation because I like their tinted moisturiser but I guess that'd be £££

Serum. Then foundation but not necessarily.
Nadine Baggott, Sali Hughes and Caroline Hirons all say if you want to spend, spend on "extras" like serums, not on cleansers that go down the sink after 10 seconds, or moisturizer that just needs to moisturize.

However, it's also so lovely to treat yourself every now and then, and I'm the first to say I feel fabulous whether I look it or not if I'm using my lovely Lancome hydra Zen night cream and my Clarins double serum rather than my Nivea and my Superdrug own brand despite knowing deep down that one is probably not better than the other!

I have the Bobbi Brown serum foundation and it's lovely, though not my favourite. (That's actually N7 Hydraluminous)

Have a lovely time!

I think I would save on the moistureiser tbh as I've found some cheaper ones work just as well as the pricier ones tbh.

I think foundation wise it's all about getting the right shade for you so might be worth going somewhere that can do one of those services that find it for you?

Personally I'd get some nice night repair moistureiser, skip the primer and try find a 'colour match' foundation and stock up on a few. Max factor used to make a true match (automatucally adapts to the colour of your skin) but I have not seen it in a while.

Then I'd spend the remainder on a cute handbag or two :)

Have fun!

Thank you both. I think as much as anything I'm excited and just want to chat about it.
I had heard the Boots No 7 foundations are good so will take a look.

Not sure why going to London has any baring? Do you live extremely remotely from any Boots/Superdrug stores?

Larger boots offer colour matching. I too have dry skin, and they recommended boots lift and illuminate- which comes in multiple shades. I used to use No7 protect and perfect, but can't say its any better than the cheaper moisturisers.

I'm not sure if a night oil and serum are the same? I got a sample of Garnier organic restoring hemp sleeping oil. You only need a drop, it doesn't leave me oily and feels really nice on the skin. Sometimes boots have 3 for 2 offers, or you get a voucher at the till, so keep a eye out. Have a great time.

@onlyconnect

Thank you both. I think as much as anything I'm excited and just want to chat about it. I had heard the Boots No 7 foundations are good so will take a look.

Remember No7 often have vouchers (and free gifts) so check for those before you go. Sometimes they have them at the till and give them when you pay so you could buy a bottle of water first and see what vouchers you get.

And check your boots card for offers too, you can do it on the machine in store.

Will you be having lunch too?

Eleoura I mentioned Ali sin because it means there'll be Plenty if options if someone suggested something.

Yes we probably will be having lunch. My daughter is coming too.

Lovely 😊 do you know where you'll go?

No, I'm not sure yet. It'll need to be a fairly light lunch because we're eating a big meal that evening. I will need a proper sit down though.

Definitely take advantage of being in the shops to get a good colour match on the foundation. And I agree with the above posters serum is probably the best one to spend more on.

Oooooh I like this post! With your spends+dryish skin I'd go for...

Nivea blue pot moisturiser £4.39 (it apparently beats many of the pricier brands in the blind tests)
www.boots.com/beauty/skincare/skincare-all-skincare/nivea-creme-200ml-10000734

Clarins double serum (30ml) £58
www.boots.com/clarins-double-serum-30ml-10236668

Then spend time finding a foundation in the perfect shade with the kind of coverage you like. There's a foundation thread at the moment with loads of recommendations you could look at.

Then if you have anything left at the end I'd grab a retinol serum too... this one is a good starter one if you haven't used retinols before...
www.boots.com/beauty/skincare/facial-skincare/serum-and-treatments/the-inkey-list-retinol-serum-30ml-10271177

I definitely would save on the moisturiser. People rave here about Aldis Caviar one, Cerave cream and Nivea Soft. I'd try those before buying an expensive one.

I would probably splurge on a serum. I've always fancied the look of the Clarins double one but too pricey for me!

But would go easy on Foundation, there are loads of amazing cheaper ones in Boots. I always loved the Rimmel ones.

Can I pop on and ask a similar question from you lovely ladies?
I'd like to add something to my routine, and I'm not sure where to start.

I use a cleanser and moisturiser. I have two serums that I use as and when, a lacura one and the yellow pineapple Korean dupe.

Should I buy a gadget of some kind, or a retinol or what? I literally have no clue, and would appreciate a steer. I'm mid fifties, too. No particular skin issues.

@picklemewalnuts

Can I pop on and ask a similar question from you lovely ladies? I'd like to add something to my routine, and I'm not sure where to start.

I use a cleanser and moisturiser. I have two serums that I use as and when, a lacura one and the yellow pineapple Korean dupe.

Should I buy a gadget of some kind, or a retinol or what? I literally have no clue, and would appreciate a steer. I'm mid fifties, too. No particular skin issues.

I'm your age. Start with some actives, you don't need much. A Vit C serum in the morning, a retinol in the evening (build up usage- an entry level decent one a couple of times a week to start with, and remember retinol is a long game. You won't see results for a few months.) The Inkey List is a decent entry level retinol and not too expensive. My favourite vit C is Vichy LiftActiv. I do like the Clarins double serum but buy it from the Clarins website where you get 10% off for signing up and only when there are free gifts as well!

@picklemewalnuts if your main goal is anti-ageing, most skincare gurus will recommend retinol. You could try something "beginner" level to begin with like the Inkey List one and maybe work up to something stronger?

The Medik8 Crystal Retinal range goes up in strength: 1, 3, 6, 10. Lots of the reviews for 3 are from people who have upgraded from the Inkey List retinol serum. www.cultbeauty.co.uk/medik8-crystal-retinal-3.html

I don't have any experience with gadgets but if you have a look on here for the long running skincare thread (I think it has a snail emoji in the title) you'll find loads of helpful posters who know their stuff.

You could also try adding acid toners to your routine. Pixi glow / Alpha H liquid gold, etc. Aldi have their next beauty event starting this weekend and they have a glycolic toner, which is a pixi dupe. If you're a fan of Lacura products, they also have a rose facial oil in their upcoming beauty event which I've seen recommended LOTS of times on here but never managed to get my hands on. There's also a retinol serum, which has sold out online but due in-store soon. I think it's new so it won't have online reviews but you could give it a whirl?
www.aldi.co.uk/lacura-healthy-glow-glycolic-tonic/p/711135465250402

Superdrug also do a glycolic toner as well as glycolic pads, which seem to get great reviews.
www.superdrug.com/Skin/Face-Skin-Care/Cleansers/Face-Toner/Superdrug-Naturally-Radiant-Glycolic-Tonic-5%25-100ml/p/729356

www.superdrug.com/Skin/Cleansing-Pads/Superdrug-Naturally-Radiant-Glycolic-Acid-Pads-60/p/717523

I feel like this is quite a long reply but I'm quite excited about the Aldi beauty event and this is the first time I've had chance to get it off my chest 😁

That's really great, thank you! I think the yellow one is vitamin C, so I'll remember to use that in the mornings. I'll get the inkey one, for the evening.

I have the rose oil, it's lovely. Though I don't know what to do with it!
I'll try and get the new glycolic tonic from Aldi, and the pixie dupe.

What/when do I use the pixie, the tonic and rose oil?

Would it be glycolic tonic in the morning, after cleansing and before the vit c oil?
Pixie glow in the evening, before the Inkey List?

Thank you again!

Glycolic at night on the nights you don't use retinol. It's an active, along with the retinol and a vit C and generally it's best not to mix them iirc

Right, alternate then. Thank you!

Yes to medik8 Retinol.

Sunday Riley oils always feel like a nice treat.

Don't spend on moisturiser

Argh, I misread! Thought I was getting two things from Aldi, the pixie dupe and the glycolic toner but they are the same thing. Excellent.

I'd splash on the foundation and serum tbh. I use Aveeno for my moisturiser. Does a cracking job and only £12 for a massive tube.

I would 100% splurge on clarins double serum, get a mid range foundation and any reasonable moisturiser which suits your skin.

Personally I use glossier skin tint as i find less is more on mature skin, albeit I'm only in my 40s with good skin. I just think lighter, dewier formulations are more flattering.

I currently alternate between an inexpensive Avene moisturiser, one from Beauty Pie and my LRP sunscreen. None of which costs more than £15.

Enjoy your day out - I'd be looking forward to this too!

I love the Aldi Glycolic. Been using it 18 months or so. Loved their Nip & Fab pad dupes a few years back too.

l'ancome genifique is 👌👌👌 but will blow at least half of your budget.

A lot of people on here have mentioned sea magik bb cream (light coverage with spf) although I haven't tried it yet.

Mintd boxes are good, at least half retail price for mainly skincare but of course you don't get the shopping experience then!

I have had Lancome Genifique before but always buy it in gift sets just after Christmas when I can get it cheaper.