Are you addicted to beauty products? If so, please join - we are "Beauty addicts anonymous" 💜

[Experiment627]

This is "Beauty addicts anonymous", a wonderful community of beauty product addicts & we have been going a hot minute... some may say we are enablers... many would say that they are much more intentional about their stashing and usage since joining this sisterhood.

Gosh what’s a Russian pedicure? Is it advisable in current circumstances?

Welcome to @peaceanddove. You really don’t have to justify your addiction here. You’re amongst your peers. Would be brilliant if you explained the Russian Pedicure though. (Never heard of it!)

@daisyjgrey… I would suggest keeping your retinol (if you tolerate it) for neck & dec, and switching to prescription tretinoin. (Go straight to 0.05% strength.) I have been using it since my 20’s (with breaks for pregnancy and several years living in a country where they didn’t prescribe it). I attribute tretinoin and religious sunscreen application to why my complexion looks significantly more youthful appearance than other women my age (50 this year). While I’m not averse to Botox or subtle fillers later on, I haven’t felt the need yet. I also live in Australia, and have zealously avoided that big, burny MF in the sky that wants to kill people.

If you do swap out to tretinoin, I suggest that you introduce it to your routine in a very gradual manner to avoid “purging” and sloughing. I certainly wouldn’t start using it just prior to any event either.
I always recommend that people use a pea-sized amount (no more) on clean, dry skin as per the instructions, but only 2x per week for the first month. Then increase monthly to 3x p/w, then every second day, then daily. (That first tube will last you forever!) You can happily apply most serums on top, but obviously would avoid retinols on areas you have used retinoids. Broad-spectrum sunscreen is non-negotiable. Preferably 50+. (Am a massive fan of Korean and Japanese ones for their skincare benefits and texture.)

I fell off thread. Also still not getting emails through!

Been abit lazy with my skincare at the mo. Off work now so had a morning doing masks, nails, lashes and brows. Feel amazing again!

4 empties as ive been lacking.

82/100.

• Cien micellar water (Lidl) Dont use it often but it does the job when im lazy!

• Optrex heating eye mask. Always get a great night sleep with these! Even though it says dont sleep with them on, you do end up nodding off!

• Honey sheet mask

• Frank sleep scrub and soak. Wasnt impressed with this. Didnt scrub rnough for me, and didnt wow me as a "soak" pretty poor tbh!!

This is your over-spending Aussie friend here. I have made a permanent NC for personal reasons. I am still here!

uh oh... just seen that The Ordinary now has haircare...

Thanks @Justilou1 that's really helpful! I've seen that you can order it from Dermatica in the UK but not sure how legit that is. Need to look into how I can actually access it without spending £200!

oopsie! When I was getting caught up earlier I missed a whole page of messages!

Welcome @peaceanddove - great name BTW!

Nice to have you with us @Fraaahnces

@daisyjgrey - it’s me again with a name change. I would look into Dermatica, etc…. I genuinely think that if we had something here with all of my favourite actives (and at strengths I want) Inwould potentially save heaps of money having it all mixed into one formula. There’s no way that any pharmacist or dermatologist would sign off on the thermonuclear treatment I give my face though. (I think nothing of whacking tretinoin over the top of AHA/BHA toner, smearing vitamin c like marmelade and litres of collagen, hyaluronic acid and fermented rice (sake) enzymes over the top until I look like a glazed, Krispy Kreme.

@Fraaahnces hahaha you sound like me. I use the Paula's Choice every night along with hyaluronic acid, then retinol and then it all gets sealed in with LRP Cicaplast...I seem to be quite hardy and in my defence it's made a legitimate difference. I do layer SPFs as well though so hopefully that helps!

I'll look into dermatica, it just looked a bit too good to be true but I'll give it a bash if it's legit!

@Fraaahnces I too go to bed looking like a glazed doughnut...I've no intention of backing down now!

[quote daisyjgrey]@Fraaahnces hahaha you sound like me. I use the Paula's Choice every night along with hyaluronic acid, then retinol and then it all gets sealed in with LRP Cicaplast...I seem to be quite hardy and in my defence it's made a legitimate difference. I do layer SPFs as well though so hopefully that helps!

I'll look into dermatica, it just looked a bit too good to be true but I'll give it a bash if it's legit![/quote]
Dermitica is legit, as is skin and me

@Whiffle77 amazing, thank you!

Another empty for me today, this was a lip balm. I liked it, has an unusual fragrance, it’s not quite the same as the bum bum cream fragrance but nice anyway. The only thing with it is that it’s really wide, it’s the same size as a mini pritt stick which felt strange at first because it’s much larger than other lip balms in this sort of packaging! You get used to it though. Currently still plodding my way through a lip sleeping mask thing from laneige but would consider buying this again.

Welcome to @peaceanddove. You really don’t have to justify your addiction here. You’re amongst your peers. Would be brilliant if you explained the Russian Pedicure though. (Never heard of it!)

Phew, so nice to find my tribe. I had my first Russian pedicure last Saturday and it was phenomenal. It took nearly 2 hours and they pay a lot of attention to cuticle work. My technician was meticulous in her preparation of the nail. She used the same electric files that technicians use for acrylic nails etc, but with much finer points, to clean up the cuticle and hang nails etc.

Then I had Shellac, and she got it so much closer to the cuticle because they use a very fine brush to virtually sweep it slightly under the cuticle. The finish is just so precise and perfect. I will never go back to a normal pedicure now.

Sounds amazeballs @peaceanddove but two hours!!!

@peaceanddove, haha! I’m the same, beauty products are my downfall. Enjoy your holiday, I’m very jealous!

I felt quite proud of myself today. I started to make a list of products I want to buy eventually but will hold off from buying until I have used up a lot more of my stash. I previously would have just bought them anyway. I.must.refrain.

@MarmiteLover101 I'm starting to build up a list of things to purchase too...dangerous territory.

Thanks for the explanation @peaceanddove… I very much doubt that I could sit there for that long, but the results sound amazing.

I really understand. Beauty products are my downfall too. I went to the chemist yesterday for a prescription and for the first time ever, I didn’t buy some cream, shampoo, perfume or make-up at the same time. Major progress for me!

I laid out all the products I have and have stored them in one drawer. I’m hoping to work through them all before buying anything new

That is what I call strength @Nouveaunew - well done!

I have an empty:

• Herbal Essences bio:renew deep repair manuka honey conditioner: cheap as chips and also really surprisingly good! Conditioned well plus did not leave my oily roots greasy. I am so impressed will defo repurchase once used up my stash and The Ordinary stuff I ordered yesterday

Tried and finished yet another eye cream, No7 Restore and Renew, a light cream that didn't particularly impress.

Also finished Paula's Choice discolouration repair serum. This is a light serum and pleasant but I can't say I've noticed a big improvement in my pigmentation.

I think this does make for smoother hair but I find the whole leaving it on wet hair a bit of a pain. The best thing I discovered for avoiding frizz in my hair is the hairbrush. I recently bought an Aveda brush and find it brilliant.

Forgot this one. It's fine in terms of moisturising ability but it smells vaguely is vomit so won't be rp'ing. Luckily the smell disappears as soon as it's rubbed in.

I'm also using a REN night cream and that also smells similar. Think they need to get someone new I charge of perfuming.

A load of empties!

I haven't posted my empties for a few weeks but am still working my way through them.
Highlights of my last few weeks are -

Dermalogica Daily Microexfoliant - I love this, don't use it daily, just a few times a week. Haven't bought another one yet, as I have a few exfoliaters in my stash, but will get again soon.
Dr Barbara Sturm anti aging body cream. I really liked this, lovely scent and not greasy, but very expensive so won't be buying.
Biossance Squalene omega repair cream - I really liked this. Rich, but not greasy, got another pot that I'm working my way through
Clinique Superbalanced Foundation - I've been using this for years. Every couple of years I try a new foundation, but never finish the bottle as this suits my skin. Always have a spare and RP as soon as I break into the new one.

Managed to add to my stash this week with the John Lewis beauty box, but more is going out than is coming in (I think!)