Expectations VS Reality!

Apr 20, 2016

Kitty K.

I've noticed a lot of users claiming products to be miraculous and thought it'd be fun to discuss expectations vs reality!



Some questions for you guys;

Do you have a basic or advanced routine?
What products or DIYS you felt were over hyped once you tried them out?
Anything that exceeded your expectations?
Have you had any professional treatment?
What do you feel is more cost effective in the long run?
How important is a product review to you?

Apr 20, 2016

Sabrina K.

What a great thread kitty! I always love hearing all your great advice about skincare!

I feel like I have a pretty basic skincare routine - but I do do more then most of my friends.
In the morning I cleans, tone, serum, spf, moisturizer.
In the evening I double cleans, tone, night time serum, moisturizer.
Twice a week a use a aha treatment.

I never been a fan of diy - I don't think they have ever really done anything for me... maybe I just haven't tried the right ones! I'm curious to know what your favorite diy's is and what they are good for - maybe I will find some to try!

This year I have dedicated to skincare and therefore I have also started going to a professional to get treatments and I'm addicted, I really love it. I feel like it really makes a difference in my skin and also feels like my skincare "works better" after a facial!

Cost effective that's hard!! I'm sure the professional treatments is way more effective then my everyday products - but I don't think you can do one without the other. I mean if you don't do any skincare, just a professional treatment once ever 4-6 weeks then I don't think they will do much.

I read reviews, not so much to hear how they liked the product but more to get a feel of how they used it, what made them buy it, the texture of the product and so on. In my country getting samples is very rare and there is no return policy of a product doesn't work so I feel like I have to do as much research as possible before buying a product!

I'm curious to see how all the other beauties on here will answer your questions!

Apr 20, 2016

Kim M.

My skincare is pretty basic. I wash morning and night with Dove Beauty bar, use Arganistry Organic Argan Oil after I wash both morning and evening. I use a physical exfoliater twice a week. Argan oil definitely exceeded my expectations. I'll never go without it. it's definitely part of my ever day routine. I think a lot of acne products out there are overhyped. my face didn't clear up until after I stopped using them.

Apr 20, 2016

Kitty K.

That's awesome Sabrina! Your routine is a bit in-between!

When I think of basic routines I usually think of cleanser and moisturizer.
Your routine is sweet and simple, I've seen some Korean routines with up to 18 products just woah! They use serums or 'essences' however they don't aim for multi functional products. They aim for targeted treatments at that point I have to question is that really cost effective?

The only DIYS I've been okay with are honey, yogurt and oatmeal. I find a lot of DIYS involve ingredients that are irritating and unfortunately a lot of consumers that feel because it's natural it should be fine. Well I'm sorry but poison ivy can be used as a natural blush but I don't see anyone doing that haha!

It's good to hear you are getting professional treatments! What treatments have you been getting? I personally enjoy chemical peels and sometimes I'll do a mild microdermabrasion when I feel like my skin is too congested. It does help products absorb better cause all that dead skin is off. I agree they both compliment each other well, especially if you like wearing make up. A good facial can be like the ultimate primer 😉

I've always wondered how other people determined a products effectiveness based on reviews. I once read a review on how the Paula's Choice Serum was dubbed ineffective because it did 'nothing'. After reading the entire essay this person wrote it turned out they were trying to use it to get rid of their freckles! I doubt any serum can do that! 😜

Apr 20, 2016

Kitty K.

Kim what results did you yield from Argan Oil? And what results were you getting from your acne products?
I love using oils, they act like such a great boost to any routine. I am in love with Squalane oil, I wish it was more readily available. I found it to not only hydrate but help even out my complexion. I definitely notice when I don't use it.

Apr 20, 2016

Emma R.

My skincare routine recently had an overhaul, I have acne and I was using such harsh chemicals on it. So I decided to use a gentle cream cleanser from Liz Earle, then I use a vitamin c serum for moisture and texture improvement (it's made a huge difference to me!) in the morning. Evenings I use the same cleanser, and alternate between the mario badescu buffer lotion and drying lotion or my vitamin c serum depending on how my skin is looking. Every single night without fail I use castor oil (pure, organic, cold pressed) on my brows and eyelashes to condition them after mascara and to encourage growth (which I think it has!).

I used to use diys all the time for acne, and the only ones I'd use are honey and oatmeal ones. Sometimes it gets too complicated and there's no way to guarantee results (usually they're a long term thing).

I've never had a professional skincare treatment, but I'd love to indulge in one!

A good cleanser is the most cost effective thing you can buy. No use putting on all these expensive treatments if you're cleanser is stripping or not removing makeup properly!

I look at product reviews all the time, because if I can't test out a product I need as much information as I can get

Apr 20, 2016

Jackie S.

Currently, I'm just trying to use the products I have. However, my routine is strictly night time aimed. I will wash my face with CeraVe (if I'm wearing makeup I will first use neutrogena light oil wash). Then I'll use Josie Marans creamy Argan oil and then CeraVe moisturizer. When I want a deep clean/when my face is looking blah, I will use either my Aztec clay or Freeman's antistress mask and follow with PTR anti wrinkle pads.
Once I am able to, I want to get a facial to better clean away dead skin etc. but for now... 😝

Apr 20, 2016

Sabrina K.

18 products, holy cow, must take them an hour to get ready for bed ;) I'm slowly upping my routine - I want to be an expert haha (its my new year's resolution) but 18 products - hell no haha!

I heard such good things about honey in diys so I guess that's what I would try if I was to try anything! I think I'm pretty lucky and don't have trouble skin, the minor problems I get can easily be solved with my basic skincare.
Haha I just spilled my coffee at your poison ivy comment! That was funny ;)

The treatments I have been getting was a collection of things my salon put together as one of their facials, they cleaned, then the did an extraction, then a microdermabrasion with a diamond tip thingy, then some sort of aha/bha (they call it a fruit acid treatment but I'm not sure how it translates to English but its like a aha/bha) and then a calming sheet mask with some aloe and a serum to end it! it was super great but I have had a reaction to the microdermabrasion so next time I'm trying another facial :)

Haha yes reading reviews is always fun, you have to read a lot of bs - but unfortunately I find it to be necessary to get some knowledge about the product before buying, hopefully by the end of the year I will just know what works and what doesn't just by looking at it haha ;)

Kim I never heard about using bar soap for the face, doesn't it strip your face and dry it up a lot?

Apr 20, 2016

Ivette H.

I think I my routine is basic, however compared to my friends and family I do more. The only diy I feel I have actually stuck to is coconut oil and sugar as an exfoliator, and coconut oil as a hair mask.
I have never had a professional tratment done but I would love to in the future. As for reviews, I always like to read reviews on a product before I purchase it, I like to learn as much as possible about that product, however I keep in mind that what may work for someone may not work for all.

Apr 20, 2016

Deborah S.

I have really exceeded my skincare routine in the past 2 years, so I'd say it's a bit more than basic now. In the morning I cleanse, tone, use vitamin c eye cream and a moisturizing spf. At night I double-cleanse, tone, use a charcoal mask once a week, use a BHA, then serum and moisturizer or a sleeping mask.

I've never tried a DIY, I keep wanting to but it seems so messy!

After nothing really helping with the blackheads on and around my nose (which in hindsight might just be sebaceous filaments), I got some great advice from Rozberry and tried the Paula's Choice BHA 2% Salicylic Acid and not only did it get rid of the blackheads but it has really transformed my skin, it's so much softer and I am even starting to get the impression that my pores have tightened or at least have become less visible. That for sure exceeded my expectations! Another one is the Body Shop Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask, after using it the skin feels so soft and hydrated all day, I couldn't stop touching it during the day after the first few uses lol.

I wanted to go for my first facial last month and had it all picked out and was excited but then I got really ill for like 3 weeks so I couldn't do it. I really hope I'll get around to it though in the near future, not only for how I hope it will make my skin better but maybe to get some advise from there what I can do better at home.

I sometimes read reviews, but mainly to detect whether there is a major problem with a product e.g. stings in the eyes, with the positive ones I don't even always trust whether they are real tbh. Instead, I really like browsing this forum to see what members are using, as least I know it's real people here. :)

Apr 20, 2016

Kitty K.

I agree Emma a cleanser is very important and is overlooked a lot. Too harsh of a cleanser and you ruin the skins barrier. Too delicate of a cleanser and you ruin your skin with left over dirt and grime. I'm a big fan of double cleansing since I have dry skin. Anytime I run out of my cleansing balm I freak out.. It does such a good job at removing make up and sun block which allows me to follow up with a gentle cleanser afterwards!
DIYS can get very messy. When I was at home and had all the free time they were so fun to do and package! It felt so cute and customized and the assurance of knowing what's going on your skin. Now I barely find time to keep up with a store bought face mask. I really recommend getting a nice facial, they spend an hour cleansing your face and it feels so clean and soft afterwards. Makes you wonder if you had crocodile skin.

Apr 20, 2016

Kitty K.

Jackie I've heard that it's very good to have a night time based routine because your skin isn't dealing with the pollution and sun damage in the day and it allows the treatments to work better. I need to find the article on it as so many believe that it's because our skin 'sleeps' but that's not true at all! I love Aztec clay but I try to reserve it for when I skip out on facials. I like to mix it with Manuka Honey so that I don't get the redness afterwards and that dry sensation.

Apr 20, 2016

Jackie S.

I think I do my night routine because I'm too lazy in the morning to have one! Lol. I usually lather my face and in the AM my skin feel great. I love the Aztec clay! I was mixing it with water because I didn't think I had apple cider vinegar and it was just like really thick and clumpy. Lo and behold I found out I had apple cider vinegar and I've used it with that and oh my gosh such a difference! I just make sure to really moisturize after!

Apr 21, 2016

Kitty K.

Sabrina I would imagine! I wait after applying my BHA for about ten minutes I wouldn't know what to do with such a large concoction of products.
I would imagine that your esthetician was using fruit enzymes as a natural exfoliant! I am looking forward to get a papaya based exfoliant from my dermatologist soon! I'm not sure if it's a physical scrub mixed with the enzymes or if it's a leave on but I'm excited to try it out!

Apr 21, 2016

Kitty K.

Ivette sugar and coconut oil on the body is delicious. I mix it with honey too for an extra hydration kick. Olive oil works great with it too!
The good thing with some websites is that you can filter reviews by age, skin type, etc. Very helpful as I wouldn't want to miss out on a good product for dry skin that wasn't meant for a oily skin.

Apr 21, 2016

Kitty K.

Deborah it's good to hear you're investing in skin! I remember when I first started using Paula's Choice 2% BHA and I stumbled across it. I still have the photos on my profile page from how much it improved my white heads. I'm glad to hear other users are finally looking into it after recommending it so long and spreading the word. It's a product I feel everyone should have in their routine even though it does bring a SPF responsibility with it. A lot of times sebaceous filaments are confused for blackheads. Usually an esthetician will extract but not all the way.. A tiny bit of pressure just to get rid of that excess. Extracting them all the way can cause some bleeding and it does hurt. Not to mention that it will come back as they serve an actual function and aren't just intruders to make us self conscious. I need to take a look into that mask, it sounds wonderful for dry skin. Is it fragranced at all?

Apr 21, 2016

Kitty K.

Jackie It sounds like your AM routine is working great for you. I just oil cleanse in the morning and try to stay a bit minimal as it isn't too great to wear AHA/BHA in the AM anyways. (Especially if you aren't too good at re-applying sunblock) Ugh I did make that mistake of using the Aztec with water and couldn't figure out why it was so hard to mix! It absorbs very strong so moisturizing is such a must after that mask! I try to really use it as little as possibly and when my skin feels like it's in disaster mode. I did come across a clay mask that was moisturizing but it was over priced. Will definitely stick to just mixing in my honey.

Apr 21, 2016

NiK I.

A good recommendation form my dermatologist means a lot I may be a little too close to her lol but when it comes to my skin I wanna know I'm doing the best I can at the moment I'm using proactive for about two months now and it's really working the only issue is I find it made my skin a little dry so I use
glameglow and I'm in love with it also loving this topic

Apr 21, 2016

Deborah S.

I agree, I wish I had started using that BHA years ago. At some point I did a lot of research on how to get rid of blackheads and even went to a store to get a consultation but I never came across BHA. I really wish it was a bit more "mainstream". It is also very helpful to know what sebaceous filaments are, it made me a lot less self-conscious about my poor nose! And I've realised that having to wear SPF every day is actually a big pro for me, like that I actually religiously stick to it and it made me realise how bad it was not wearing it daily before, I can really see signs of sun damage on my skin even though I'm only 25. :(

I got the mask as a gift and hadn't realised I never actually checked the ingredients, but now I've seen that it actually seems to be quite heavily fragranced. :( That's such a bummer, it works so well but now I'll have to think about whether I'll get it again, but thank you for bringing that up anyway, otherwise I might have never checked. :)

Apr 21, 2016

Kitty K.

Sounds good Niki, hydrated skin is very important especially when it comes to dealing with acne. Dehydration means an impaired skin barrier which is no good when dealing with acne.

Apr 21, 2016

Kitty K.

Deborah I've found AHAs and BHA's to be more readily available when it comes to higher end brands. Although they don't refer to them directly as AHA/BHA and more as the ingredient used!

Apr 25, 2016

Kat H.

Do you have a basic or advanced routine? I would say I have an "advanced" routine, meaning I use a lot of stuff! I like to try different things in different combinations, until I find something that seems to work. Right now, I'm washing my face with a Dove coconut soap, toning with apple cider vinegar, then using some Meaningful Beauty serums and creams. I have also been using the DermaFi moisturizer and eye cream at night. Other favorite products of mine include 80 Acres olive oil soap, body lotion and body wash - my skin feels so clean and moisturized!

What products or DIYS you felt were over hyped once you tried them out? A lot of mascaras don't work the way I expect them to. Right now, I do like the It Cosmetics mascara.

Anything that exceeded your expectations? Yes! using vegetable Crisco!! It's a "secret" of the women of the 1950's and hospital nurses suggest it for people with dry skin, as well. It's basically soy and palm oil and the cheapest way to hydrate your skin!

Have you had any professional treatment? No.

What do you feel is more cost effective in the long run? Well, at $3 a tub, definitely the vegetable Crisco! But if I find a product that I like that seems to work well, it doesn't matter how much it costs. Oftentimes, too, I find that something that costs $50 last a very long time because I only use a single dab of it for my whole face, so it evens out in the long run.

How important is a product review to you? I like to read at least 10 or 20, if not all reviews to get an overall sense of what people think; but if there is a big disparity, I'll probably try a sample size myself. Some things work for some people while others do not. I also prefer to see photos.