Is there a sane woman alive who really believes that all the scrubs, balms, oil, wraps and unguent pushed so relelentlessly in women's magazines will make any bleeding difference whatsoever??

[moondog]

Just flicking through my latest copy of Red (yes, it's shit and I've just cancelled my subscription-Geri Halliwell bleating about Botox heralds a nadir).

Who in the name of God is going to spend £30 on a scrub??????

Fucking hell.

That No7 thing was Lesley Regan's programme, and I don't think it was very thorough science! Did sales no end of good though.

SPF is apparently the big deal.

well, all the hype did work for me. Used most of the stretch mark creams and didn't have any stretch marks....

My MIL bought ME some anti wrinkle face cream, Grrrrrrrrr
Will stick to nivea.

ilovemydog, if you'd just done your left side with creams and then left the right alone, that would have been a test.

where's your sense of civic duty?

The thing that works is sun lotion. And staying in the shade is better.

I think there might be some science behind retinol actually. And pentapeptides. And possibly vitamin C. But that might be just colds.

OMG - an opportunity missed!

Thing is, friends would ask me which ones worked, and I'd say honestly that I had no idea as I used them all!

when I make an effort to body brush, massage and cream after a shower my skin is much nicer than otherwise.

I use Eve Lom and love it for my face.

When I have REN shower produucts or Elemis Wild Lavender I feel much happier and therefore they are worth every penny imho

(blows exfoliated raspberry)

wouldn't an exfoliated raspberry just turn to mush? or puree?

no I am a buffed and toned hairless raspberry

be afraid

I just can't be afraid of a hairless raspberry.

sorry - just can't do it. you're just all mushy. But very sweet.

I tried Eve Lom and Liz Earle and they both gave me spots. I used them from 2 months aswell so it wasn't because of the 4 week period it takes for your skin to get used to a new product.

I changed instead to use Lush Ultrabland which is about £5 or Botanics cleansing balm which is about £6 and they were both much better.

I have just started the oil cleanising method and I bought a bottle of almond oil, avocado oil and coconut oil for about £2 or £3 each.

menacingly advances toward habbibu

realises that she looks like a children's fruit yogurt or cereal character

runs off for fear that she will be used in the next series of the Apprentice

Eve Lom is genius.
I will not be swayed although I simply smear it on like axle grease in the shower whilst scrubbing myself as though an extra from "How Green was my Valley"

FYI this mascara comes off with just warm water.

I got no stretch marks either and just used normal cheapo lotion like always...

Got LOTS of sexy varicose veins though, so don't be envious!

I'm starting to believe that a good basic cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen are all you NEED for soft skin. However, using something a bit posh and luxurious is a great little boost.

I was recently given a pot of Guerlain Orchidee moisturizer (about £220!!!!). It was OK. However, my 70 year old mum used it and thought it was the best thing ever. So I gave it to her.

Liz Earle stuff did dreadful things to my skin. Eve Lom was lush, but the oil cleansing thing is giving me exactly the same results for a fraction of the price. I feel liberated .

Nothing has worked for me and I've tried a lot of products. I have oily skin, blackheads, prone to regular breakouts. I recently tried creme de la mer, the hypiest of hyped up products, not to mention one of the most expensive. I couldn't believe it, it worked! No other product ever has. I don't believe it works for every one, and I think if you have pretty good skin anyway, it's pointless. I'm getting a bit wrinkly now too ( mid 30's ) and I don't think it's made any difference to those, but it's cleared up my blackheads, closed my open pores, I no longer get acne breakouts and my skin feels and looks great. So, for me, this particular product is worth it. The change happened within a couple of days.

I hate womens mags and celeb crap, I also don't buy into the wrinkle cream crap. Ageing is normal. But this industry thrives in women feeling insecure about their looks and ageing women are the biggest market!

i used to spend quite a lot of money on face beauty products [pre children]
I have realised that my skin looks much much better when i use absolutely nothing on it at all - including soap [i use soap elsewhere obviously]
Your skin has its own protective barrier and my skin is much thicker and softer since i started using....Zilch.

I do find scrubs and moisturisers make your skin feel and look nicer but don't spend masses on them generally.

Was an eve lom devotee but have started using the waitrose baby bottom butter as a cleanser on my face (washing off with water) and its fab and sooo much cheaper.

Hated the sample of creme de la mer i got though.

Do quite like estee lauder moisturisers if i'm feeling rich/mad.

Agree though spf and retinol creams seem to be the main thing.

Wish i could do the fringe thing but they just make my face look fat.

ah but yes i do use green people sunscreen. And eye make up remover [foundation bad for skin]

sleep (as much as you need)

sunscreen

don't overdo the alcohol

they are key.

I don't get enough sleep.

Only use sunscreen if it's 25 degrees +

overdo the alcohol

and look like nelson mandela (god bless him) as a result.

You can buy perfect skin and thin thighs in a bottle
You can.. you can.. you can

Tracybath - secret is to have a narrow fringe with hair full or chin length either side slims face immediately. A fringe is the only thing I know that can take 10 years off your appearance. 36yo DD has recently re-instated her fringe and looks like my wee girl again. Cannot speak personally because I have almost always had one.

I have been a 'nothing but water' on my face person since I was 16 and a beauty advisor told me I had 'peach bloom' skin and should never tamper with it. Water should be luke warm, neither hot nor cold. Really works for me. Honestly, I have only once had an outbreak of spots and red patches and that was after I had a birthday present facial which I really enjoyed. It took 3/4 weeks for my face to get back to normal. I use very little make up and only for special occasions. I dye my very fair eyelashes to avoid mascara problems.

Reckon it is all one big money extracting con. Once you start with beauty products you constantly need others to put right the damage the previous one has done

The best thing you can do is keep out of the sun and use a sunscreen- I am a fan of Clinique Super City Block and have never left the house without it for over 15 years.

On top of that, get exercise- it does really boost blood flow to the skin, drink less alcohol ( it dries it out), and eat well.

I always use foundation and full make up every day, in subtle colours, as I believe it does keep the skin protected to an extent.

$30 for a scrub- well, no, but it's alovely treat for a present for anyone. You are really paying for the name, or the perfumes etc in it.

I am ...err ancient, but people who don't know me think I am early-mid 40s .