The "bloody hell, that's actually good" beauty thread.

[Emeralds23]

Hi,

So obviously I'll start. Was quite disappointed to see that the YSL Youth Liberator foundation, which I really loved, is being/has been discontinued. Story of my life! Every time I find my go to product (usually beauty) they always get discontinued!

Anyway, I've just recieved the Armani Luminous Silk and it's really gorgeous 😍 I know it's expensive, but I'm quite used to being disappointed and not usually getting what you pay for, but this really is, well....bloody good 😂 Also managed to find the perfect shade match, which is hit and miss when you're buying online.

Now to hear the news it's being discontinued in the new year 🤣

So what are your best beauty finds, which have surprised you?

Nuxe lip balm-plumps and makes lips soft and with no glossiness. Best I’ve ever tried.

Luseta Black Jamaican castor oil shampoo has transformed my hair.. Also if you're lucky you can occasionally get it in Tkmaxx for a lot less money.

I'm going to invest in some Fenty tinted moisturiser, a woman at work has radiant skin and told me today she uses it.

Slightly off piste but... a proper curly hair cut (if you have curly hair). I was prepared to be meh-ed after seeing the IG transformations but I trekked off to a specialist and my hair finally looks 'right' after years and years of frizz and bad hair cuts. Bounce, volume, shape - amazing.

Plus, Revolution Miracle Cream is a fabulous pre-foundation base for dry skin; Revolution x Sali Hughes Vitamin C serum really seems to brighten and smooth too.

I started using Caudalie Vinoperfect brightening serum a few years ago and would not be without it now. Fades dark spots and prevents that redness around the eye area and just generally makes my skin look fresh and dewy for late fifties!

Also loving YSL Touche Eclat Blur Primar. That stuff is amazing for under make up which I only wear on a night out really. Truly does blur the pores and lines.

Can I please ask where you went for your cut? And is your hair very curly or more on the wavy end of the spectrum? Asking for a friend. Thanks.. 😊

Bobbi Brown face base makes my makeup go on like a dream and smells gorgeous.

I'm using UKlash serum, still have my lash extensions but trying to improve my lashes before taking them off, and my lash tech has commented on how much they've grown, and I can see a big difference on my bottom lashes already

@saturnspinkhoop I went to Nuala Moray salon in Bristol - other curly specialist salons do much the same thing across the country. I've got fine, Type 3a/b perimenopausal hair that always swung between Crystal Tipps and a frizzy Rachel from Friends. Am now somewhere between a cool 1970s Art teacher who might be in a band at the weekend, and Shirley Temple. The technique* is to cut the hair dry to see where the curls go, rather than using the wet cut angles that work for straight hair only for the curls to bounce up randomly when dried. And then there's a routine of combing product through to get curl clumps, shaking, diffusing, etc, to get that lovely tumbling curl effect so beloved of Instagram reels.

Bit of a faff but my hair's never looked better.

• according to the stylist. IANAhairdresser.

Another vote for fenty foundation. It's the best thing I've used since ELDWL was discontinued a few years ago. The coverage isn't as good however, it doesn't exasperate my fine lines and pores. Lasts really well if used with a primer. It also feels light and not cakey on the skin.

Also tubing mascara. I'm using the clinique lash power and no more panda eyes! Wipes off really easily and the tube lasts ages before drying out, unlike some other tubing mascaras I've tried.

I had to google wtf tubing mascara is! I was like, doesn't all mascara come in tubes... 😆

@taylorswift1989 I did the same thing when I read about it on here 🤣 I'm very glad to have made the switch. I used to use benefit mascara, but would always end up with panda eyes at the end of the day. Even when using waterproof. It's wonderful stuff.

Cool @QueueTee I'm going to check it out. I love a good product!

Thank you @TItanicTea . It’s always good to get some feedback from someone who has had a curly cut, especially as they aren’t cheap. Glad you’re so happy with it.

Another vote for Kevyn Aucoin curlers. I've tried loads and cheap ones aren't worth it. I had Shu Umera for a while but the KA ones 'fit' better.

For me - I know not for everyone - LVL lash lifts make a huge difference (my expensive curlers go unused for 6 weeks when I get them done!)

I've also tried all sorts of eyeliner pencils - premium brands, cult brands, the lot. The best is Soap and Glory Smoulder Kohl. Sharpener is a bit of a pain but it's the best I've tried.

Following to go through these at leisure and no doubt purchase some haha

Ren Overnight Recovery Balm - I recently had a very sore chapped face, every time I put moisturiser on it stung as though I was allergic. I had a pot of this balm in a beauty box so gave it a go. My face was back to normal within two nights. Brilliant stuff.

Is it specifically for chapped face? Or would it in more general terms give me a miraculously better face?

Hairstory products are helping me handle this weird menopausal wavy, frizzy grey, which is changing the texture of the straight, heavy hair I'm used to. I faffed around with co-washing, acv rinse etc for ages but this is so much better.

Just people talking about tubing mascara- the no7 one lasts the whole day of a runny about retail job BUT I take an eyelash with me every time I clean it off 😭 So love it but it really isn’t good for me- am back to my le Roche posay- really conditioning but gone by 11 in the morning!!!

How were you removing the tubing mascara? It usually doesn't lift easily with an eye makeup remover as it's meant to be removed with warm water, either soaking a cotton pad or flannel and holding it on your eye will remove it with ease.

Someone already mentioned farmacy green clean but that is my absolutely favourite product. Pricey but clea s so well and I love the smell.

Left field one here - bio oil is the nicest bath oil ever. A squirt in the bath and I come out feeling smooth and all over moisterised.

I have been using the new bourjois double balm mascara and its really good.

Do lash serums really work? I have pathetic and useless eyebrows so maybe I should try one of the ones recommended on here....

I also loved the Ordinary vitamin c in silicone - found it smoothed my skin beautifully but I can't buy it anywhere so think it's discontinued.

Clarins smoothing face peel is brilliant. I tend to only use it about once a month but should do it weekly. My skin looks fabulous after and make up looks amazing.

@AngryBirdsNoMore It is formulated for sensitive skin to repair the skin barrier but is essentially super moisturising. Anything I put on my sore face made it sting and react but this worked wonders and I'm now back using my regular products with no bother.

It isn’t cheap but I can see there are samples for sale on ebay so maybe worth trying that first.

botemp
that could be the problem, I used eye make up remover and it would come off easily but with one or two lashes coming too!

K18 hair mask. Truly amazing stuff that has managed to make my damaged frizzy mop more manageable and (almost) sleek! Colour Wow did nothing for me and this was recommended by a SA in SpaceNK. Expensive but a little goes a long way.

I'm ever so sorry but I looked at all sorts but the one thing they had in common was / clamp them for 15 seconds at least.

I'd always done that "pumping " action thing but now i clamp for 15 (if I can bear it as the urge to close my eyes at 10 is irresistible!) do the other eye then both again,

And it's made a noticeable difference

I've also gone back to Nivea plain old night cream or, if it's in stock, the Aldi equivalent.

I've recently started using Pai's Retinal (not retinol) which I think is making a difference. Love their products I've tried so far and they have a 90 day money back guarantee