Where to get skincare or make up advice?

[HateMyOwnFace]

I've never worn make up and used to just occasionally moisturise my face.

Unfortunately two babies later and with bad genes, I am now late 30s with the face of a 50+ year old.

I'm not even exaggerating, I can't look at pictures of myself and avoid mirrors as much as possible, it just makes me want to cry.

I just don't know where to start. Where could I get good skincare advice before I give my life savings to Botox in utter despair?

In the short term, it would also be quite good if I could use make up to feel a bit better on certain days.

The other day I attempted concealer and foundation (which I've had in my make up bag a few years) and it looked even worse. It sank into the wrinkles and made them even more visible. Can something be done?

Do I go to one of these make up counters in House of Fraser for advice?

Have a look at Nadine Baggott on Instagram or YouTube. Good no nonsense advice and won't recommend spendy products for the sake of it. Eg she is keen on some Superdrug products.

Or Caroline Hirons who knows a lot and has a skincare book which is very popular, but does like high end products.

I use The Ordinary skincare. Not sure if they still do it, but I filled in their online form and sent a picture of my face and they sent me a routine to try. The products are cheap and last for ages.

My mum had a make up session at Bobbi Brown, which she paid for, but was redeemable against products. They gave her a lovely, natural look.

For makeup, I really enjoy watching Lisa Eldridge videos on YouTube, she is excellent and has videos on all the basics with makeup and loads of other makeup looks etc, I think she's fine skincare videos too but more just on her own skincare routine and what she likes using. She uses a mix of budget and more high end makeup brands.

I would keep it simple but consistent.

Take some photos and upload to Dermatica they make you a formula depending on what you need. Tret is great for lots of skin issues but you do need to make sure you moisture and use Spf. Not optional. These 4 items are all you need.

The Inky List Oat Milk is a great non irritating Cleanser for any skin type.
The Ordinary, La Roche Posay, Inky List all do good moisturiser.

I can't help much on makeup as I don't wear it often but good luck with you skin.

Ps I'm sure you're being very harsh on yourself.

If you do want to try Dermatica this is a discount code

www.dermatica.co.uk/referrer/Y2K0NE

The big thing I would suggest if your budget allows, is to get a prescription with Dermatica. They are an online company of dermatologists who assess your skin through photos and then set up a monthly prescription tailored to your needs. It is supposed to be about £20 a month but a bottle lasts me 2 months easily so I just get it when I need it. My concerns were anti aging and hormonal acne so I am on tretinoin with niacinamide and azelaic acid. I use it about four nights a week.
Apart from this, for the uneven skin, blackheads, open pores etc, I recommend a BHA. Its a chemical exfoliant that you put on at night, maybe once or twice a week - you just put it on a cotton pad and wipe it over a cleansed face and that's it - no other products. I swear by Corsx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid. My skin feels so good the next day.
Not sure what your cleansing routine is but I would avoid any kind of physical exfoliant as they strip your skin and are way too harsh (stick to the BHA to exfoliate). I would use a cream cleanser, followed by some hydrating serum and then a moisturizer. Superdrug do an excellent range - their vitamin e cream cleanser is excellent and their simply pure hydrating serums are also great and all really cheap. I use cerave moisturizer (the big pot) which also is really budget friendly - I wouldn't spend too much on a moisturizer - it's what you put underneath it that matters. I also recommend hyaluronic acid as a serum (I like the Ordinary one) and I would also suggest a nice Vitamin C serum - I am using the Medic 8 one. I use a hydrating spray in between serums - I use the Sukin hydrating mist - it is amazing for adding moisture to your skin and making the serums work well.
Some nights that I am not using tret/BHA, I sometimes use a hydrating mask and an oil with vaseline at the end to seal it in - I like the NO7 hydrating mask and the Ordinary Rosehip oil.
Be careful of products that can clog your pores (vaseline does not, despite what people might think). I would advise against coconut oil for this reason and shea butter in moisturizers.
The cheatsheets on carolinehirons.com are great - I find her product recommendations can be good but always uber expensive - there are great, more budget options out there.

Just copied and pasted that from a post I made before!

For makeup, I would keep it simple - hydrating primer, cc cream or tinted moisturizer rather than foundation (IT Cosmetics are great and you can rub in with fingers) and cream blusher and lippie. Stay away from powdered and heavy products!

Also I think in Boots (big ones) there is a place you can get advice. I assume it is across different ranges, I am not sure.

@BryceQuinlanTheFirst Hope you don’t mind but I saw your post and used your referral code! Thank you!

@MissP2022
Of course not! It's good for me as I get £5 haha but I promise I would never recommend something I don't love myself. I've been using for nearly two years I think and I'm a big fan. Hope you like it!

Back to basics for you.

First exfoliate, get St Ives, and use once every two days and get all those dead skin cells off.

Get a decent Vitamin C serum. ASDA do a decent one.

Use hemp oil from Amazon on key areas to rebuild your surface texture.

Go on youtube and look up influencers and find who you like and go from there.

Pop along to boots and go to a counter that take your fancy

I wouldn't recommend boots or any other beauty counter as they are just there to sell products. It might seem like advice but it will be tailored to their products not your skin.

Caroline Hirons is one to look to, yes she does like higher end products but often also recommends from high street ranges. She also has her own range coming out on Tuesday. Her book will give you the basics and you can take it from there. You need to get advice from someone who is independent not who represents a brand.

@ithoughtisawapuddycat ·

I don;t mean go up to the counters in Boots but in the big ones there used to be an area when you got a skin consultation. I don't think they can strong arm anyone into buying if they don't want to!