I can’t claim that this is beauty news because I don’t really get sent new things. And even if I do they’re not always worth writing about, or I want to use them for a bit to see if they’re any good, by which time they are not new.
But there are one or two things I want to point out to you, which I have been sent and I think are good. So it’s more of a memo.
First, Beauty Pie Dr Glycolic Multi-Acid Micropeeling pads .
These have been very effective on my oily and congested skin. I have been using a REN AHA mild acidy peeling thing for a while and it hasn’t really been doing much. Three days using these soaked pads and the tiny, hard lumps around my temples and jawline have nearly disappeared. These are so good that if you think you need them but you are not a Beauty Pie member and don’t want to sign up, I would say just pay the non-member fee of £25 for them. Worth it.
You might recall that I have done some paid work for Beauty Pie in the past and now they send me any new product they have to try.
Second, Milk Make-Up Highlighter
I made a slight twit of myself on Instagram last week after I was sent a box of Milk Make-Up because I had never heard of them and assumed they were a new brand. In fact it is reasonably well-established thing in America and is now available on the always-reliable Cult Beauty. The products I tried were all good, (and they have great reviews elsewhere from other people who actually know about make-up), but this highlighter is something else, I’m really impressed. The difference between this and the one I have been using, (admittedly it was pretty cheapo), is huge.
This genuinely does what highlighter is supposed to do and gives a pretty, dewy finish, sort of lighting up your face and your eyes with even my cack-handed application. AND it smells like coconut.
I can’t remember who sent me this but I love it. As I get older it is increasingly important to me that if I have been bothered to put a face on to go out, (at night – I’m not Zsa Zsa Gabor), I don’t want it to slide off by 9pm. I have started to use an eyeshadow primer and then give myself a good spritz in the face with this and then off I go. I mean I still look sweaty and tipsy when I get home but at least my make-up is still basically still on.
… and a few old favourites…
These are still my favourite all-time make-up products:
1 BareMinerals Complexion Rescue
The best all-purpose foundation ever. You must go to a counter for a good colour-match though, don’t buy online. Plus, online a lot of their shades are always sold out. I know it can be hard to get to a counter from some parts of the country but it’s worth tracking down.
2 Origins Clear Improvement Clay Mask
I mean, I say this one – I’ve tried a lot of clay masks including that Sand + Sky one and they’re all pretty much the same. In terms of value for money I think this is the best because it lasts a long time. But you do have to find time to use them – I do at least once a week. My kids have got used to it and no longer cry when they see my face covered in thick mud and say “It’s horrid, Mummy, stop it.”
3 BareMinerals SheerBronze in Tan
No bad-face day can outsmart this and let me tell you my face has tried.
4 BobbiBrown Longwear eyeliner
I have tried many, many eyeliners and this one is still the best.
Now, look – you know what I think about buying new stuff… you probably don’t need any of this, unless you actually do need it. If you are happy with your current regime don’t rush out and buy any of this because you think it will change you life because it won’t.
Unless you’ve got the congested skin in which case the glycolic pads DEFINITELY WILL.
How about you? What is your favourite beauty product right now? Please leave a message in the handy box below.
Heliocare 360 fluid cream – SPF 50 but NOT claggy or mask-like and serves as a good foundation primer too.
Oh that sounds good. Does it leave a white cast on your face at all?
Sorry for late reply…No, not at all. It’s great. I use it every day, sunshine or not.
Thanks for this Esther, I do actually need a new foundation so will check out the Bare Minerals one. My favourite product is Dr Sam Bunting’s Flawless Moisturiser – it’s just really f*cking brilliant (she also has a Light version for oilier skin). No nonsense, excellent stuff 😊
Oh man I really want to try out the Sam Bunting stuff but I have just got so much stuff AND my skin is okay right now so cannot justify it. But I have heard such good things
Srsly I REALLY recommend her stuff (and no I don’t work for her!!), it’s bloody first class, no nonsense, no BS, just stuff that works. Top notch.
I am such a compulsive buyer of beauty products that it’s practically an illness. I’ve been meaning to try some Milk makeup stuff for a wee while now, so thank you, Esther. I will give the highlighter a whirl.
Recently I have bought and been enjoying:
e.l.f. Jelly Bounce Back Cleanser. This was recommended to me as being a dupe for my favourite Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, and I’m very happy to report that it is identical. I do love Glossier, but they are quite gimmicky, and this elf one is half the price and smells very nice, like coconuts. Plus it has a name less reminiscent of jizz (yes Daddy, give me that milky jelly)
I’m also really impressed with the Beauty Pie Japanfusion Transforming Cleanser, which is very gentle and softening. And it will only set you back £5.83 if you are a member.
MAC Extended Play Gigablack Mascara. I’m
really fussy about mascara because I have stupid dry eyes and also wear contacts. Plus my eyes are deep set and it’s very easy to get black stuff all over my lids. This one ticks all the boxes for me: it’s a tubing mascara, so it stays put and doesn’t have irritating fibres, and it has a long thin bristly wand, which is my favourite type for lengthening.
Kiehl’s Amino Acid Shampoo & Conditioner. I bought two massive bottles of this on holiday and it cost me like £40, and then I left it in a restaurant and had to go back for it the next day. Luckily it’s been totally worth it. I have fine, fluffy hair but loads of it, and this does a great job of taming the fuzz without making it greasy and leaving that horrible silicone-y layer. And it smells DIVINE. Coconut and vanilla and something else that to me smells just delicious and comforting, like a nice cosy jumper.
It’s the type of product that makes me excited to wash my hair, which is a strong statement from me. I usually have so much dry shampoo in my hair that it looks like an 18th century wig, one with mice inside, and I have to be physically hoofed into the shower with stern words and threats.
Yes, “elf jelly bounce back” sounds much better Leona. Festive, too.
It does sound festive! Like they’re at Santa’s annual Christmas party and they’ve hired a bouncy castle.
That sounds perfect for my hair – thanks Leona!
the IT Cosmetics CC cream is brilliant if, like me, you do your make-up in the car on the way to school or work. You can slap a bit on where you need it then rub it in with a brush and it does concealer/foundation and spf all in one. My kids are now used to me piling my make-up on the dashboard tray and doing it in the traffic jam. If you aren’t a Beauty Pie member then a good alternative for the pads is Nip and Fab Glycolic pads which you can do at night and are often buy one get one free in Waitrose. There are no bumps at all on my skin since I’ve been using them.
Oh and also the absolute number one thing to get is the StylePro Brush cleaner from Amazon that was invented by Tom who won the Apprentice. It is a game changer and would make a brilliant Christmas present..
After Leona’s comment about jizz OBVIOUSLY I read “and spf all in one“ as “spaff all in one” and am now sniggering like a teenager. Especially about rubbing spaff in all over on the school run. I’ll show myself out. Thxbye
Actually, I do have something to say about slap – after your Max Factor makeup tutorial, Esther, I went and bought some MF foundation and a foundation brush and it was a revelation. I apply makeup about five times a year, but now I do it more often and feel a lot more satisfied with the result now, so thank you.
My top tip for body lotion is simply ‘whatever comes in a huge pump bottle’, because you will use it daily if it takes 30 seconds, but if you are fiddling with lids and tubes and flip tops with greasy hands whilst children/dogs/husbands require you NOW then you won’t use it, no matter how fancy, and will be wracked (racked?) with guilt when it goes cheesy and you have to chuck it.
Spaff. Heheheheh
Under the skin bumps are the bane of my life. Shall try the wipes, but I was also wondering if anyone has a view on ‘natural’ alternatives. I’ve recently listened to a couple of podcasts with Tata Harper and am now para that my current regime is no better than slapping anti-freeze on my face. She’s this gorgeous Columbian, ex-industrial engineer, mum of three who manufactures eye wateringly expensive skincare products on her ranch on Vermont. I’m totally sold on her ethos (as are the Stellas & Gwyneths of the world), but I have to question if they’re worth the price tag? £146 for a serum anyone? Has anyone tried it out or can they recommend an alternative that will enable to make my mortgage payments?
my god what is it with serums whey are they so freaking expensive
I say ‘meh’ to Tata Harper products. They just never seemed to really do anything to my skin, which is incredibly annoying given their prices. I’ve just started using the Sam Bunting cleanser and I swear I look better for it already. Really reasonably priced as well (and safe in pregnancy, a current plus), so I’m all for it.
Omg that Milk highlighter is amazing. As is the luminous blue stick…x
I dislike wearing foundation generally and feeling like I have an extra layer on my face so don’t want to spend money on it, but I really like Rimmel Match Perfect (keeps correcting to Rommel – match perfect in “Desert Fox”). It goes on easily even after a gloopy moisturiser and only takes a few seconds to look done. It’s not too thick so can still see my freckles but just gives a blurry effect. I’ve got a Max Factor creamy powder thing if I want to look more finished. I have sensitive eyes and wear contacts and I’ve tried a couple of tube mascaras including Blinc but wasn’t that impressed with it – when those tubes get in your eye it’s no joke and I wasn’t keen on the look either. I ended up buying the Trish McEvoy again after being recommended it by Esther last year. It’s not maybe for you if you want a really dramatic heavy lash look but I like it and my eyes only water briefly when purchasing it.
I second Rimmel Match Perfect. I’ve tried a couple of fancier ones lately (MAC, Bobbi Brown) but they’re ten times the price and… to my mind not as good.
10/10 for a make-up/ Rommel joke.
I had a horrible deja vu once I’d written it that I’d made the same joke before when it happened, let’s hope I’m not that weird eh. I did step aside for my own reflection to come through a shop doorway earlier so all things are possible.
It would amuse me several more times, fyi.
Hahahahahaha! Thanks for the laugh Cindy. x
Wilko do the absolute best mascara. Any of the ‘Princess’ Range (I know, awful name). I’ve been using them for years and they’re miles better than any fancy ones. Annoyingly Nigella Lawson has just written a column about them being her favourites so I’m sure they’ll sell out. The Wilko tinted moisturiser is also really good and SO cheap. I’m a make up addict and have tried almost every brand but these two products are always the ones I come back to. Also the Clinique take the day off cleanser has a Body Shop dupe which is just as good and actually left my skin much softer and the Aldi vitamin c hot cloth cleanser definitely gives the Liz Earl one a run for its money. My best recent discovery is ‘fresh breasts’ on amazon, if you’re breastfeeding (or not) and get hot, sweaty boobs this is the absolute solution, just a cream that dries into a powder and stops sweat. Not glamorous but ridiculously helpful in the heat, on holiday, if you’re exercising etc.
https://www.superdrug.com/Naturally-Radiant/Superdrug-Naturally-Radiant-Glycolic-Tonic-5%25-100ml/p/729356 this is amazing as are all of Superdrug’s own brand skincare products….
To be fair to Kitty and Sam my husband practically cries and tells me to “stop it it’s horrid” if I put a face mask on! Will definitely be trying the micropeeling pads and primer xx
I’ve been using The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution after washing my face (before moisturizing) and it’s brilliant, plus it’s very inexpensive compared to lots of similar products on the market. Another product that I’ve just started using and LOVE is DR. JART+ Dermaclear Trans-Foam Clay. It’s a three minute clay mask so the time commitment is minimal, which is just as well as I tend to be quite lazy about involved skin care stuff at bedtime. My pores look so clean afterwards, especially around the nose area.