Beauty Products Archives - Fashion Voyeur

Categories: Beauty, Fashion, Uncategorized

Brow Maintenance 101: Home Products

Right, you can’t say I haven’t given you everything you need to get your natural brows looking fleeky AF. What with How to Grow Show Stopping Brows as your baseline, giving you actual magic which will grow hairs on your face, right through to The Science of Perfect Brows which hits you square in the face with the two main trends for brow shape, and how to determine the shape for your own face – you’re pretty well looked after Voyeurs.

Assuming you’ve read and acted, here’s a guide to what’s hot, and what’s definitely not, in the world of brow maintenance. Now as you know 2017 was the year that brows were compounded as a whole separate area of the beauty market. From waxes and transfers to stencils and pencils, the beauty shelves were awash with products claiming to give your brows added zing. But they aren’t cheap, and it’s a marketplace that’s difficult to navigate when every product claims to be amazing. so, you’ve put in the work, you’re sporting a bushy set of Fashion Brows. What now? Well a lot of those products, you don’t actually need and you’d be better off keeping that hard earned cash where it belongs – in your wardrobe.

Well, my baseline is always a brow tint. Go to a professional and ask them to use the HD Tint in a shade that’s just slightly darker than your natural brow colour. I use The Wax Bar in Newcastle but most beauty salons are au fait in tinting brows. When I’m done I ask them to take the excess off and leave whatever else behind which I remove myself at home. This makes a tint last a full fortnight but on the flipside you look like a crazy person and therefore must go immediately home from the salon and never, ever look anyone in the eye on the way home.

So, home use products for brows, it’s a literal minefield but here is everything you need to keep your brows in check and one to steer well clear of…

NOUVEAU LASHES CONDITIONING SERUM £19.99

Nouveau’s super conditioning Lash Serum is a staple beauty product. I have two tubes on the go at all times, one for lashes and one for brows, whilst Nouveau do produce a specific Brow Serum in a purple tube, don’t bother with it and opt for this one instead. When I’ve washed my face, toned, moisturised and my Lumigan has dried, I coat my lashes in this. It makes them look thick, lustrous and glossy and sets them in shape ready to be pencilled in. It’s super gentle and not at all sticky so there’s no risk of ending up with makeup stuck in your brows with this product.

TOM FORD BROW SCULPTOR £36

This cult brow shader is at the more expensive end of the scale when you consider that you can pick up a brow pencil at The Body Shop for just £7. Stop buying other brow pencils, this is the real deal and will change your brow game forever. Made of wax and sculpted into a blade shape, you can reach the areas under the hairs with ease and there are no tell tale signs or powdery finish like you get with some brow products. It has a built in blade rake style sharpener and a brow brush too making it a brow powerhouse. I’m going to make a bold statement here and say this one is even better than Anastasia Beverley Hills Voyeurs. Yes really. Once you try it you’ll never buy another brow pencil again, I have three; one in my car, one in my handbag and one in my bathroom. It’s worth every penny.

MAYBELLINE TATTOO BROW

Maybelline Tattoo Brow is just awful. The premise is that it’s a super temporary tinting product you apply at home, the reality is somewhat different. It’s messy, difficult to remove and tears out precious brow hair with it. That’s not even the worst part, the tint is on a red base meaning that it’s inevitable that at some point between applying the product and the tint fading some two to three days later, you will end up with ginger eyebrows and surrounding skin. Which might be fine for red heads but for everyone else it means spending three days inside or wearing a balaclava. This is a no go and for £12.99 it’s an expensive way of ruining your face framers. I was horrified after using this on myself and almost resorted to a Sharpie. Yes Voyeurs, a fucking Sharpie. Avoid, and Maybelline if you’re reading this, do better.

Pixie xo

Categories: Beauty, Pixie

The Secret to Growing in Showstopping Brows

This is the one you’ve been waiting for Voyeurs, the secret to my awesome brows…

I pick up a lot of compliments on my brows and with the hell I’ve put them through over the years they deserve every goddamn nice word they get. I was a motherplucker in the 90’s, I didn’t go to quite the same extreme as Kate moss or Pamela Anderson but I definitely veered into apostrophe territory and for some reason they ended up way shorter overall than they should have been.

Kate Moss holding her ponytail over her haid looking sideways, early 90's

90’s Kate Moss

Pamela Anderson on a beach, early 90's wearing double denim

90’s Pamela Anderson

Now if you know anything about the laws of hair then you will know this: The hair you want never grows, and the hair you don’t want grows at a rate of knots unless you intervene. Ergo, the hair on my head is never as long as I would like, my eyebrows never grew back on their own, and my bush sprouts like wildfire. In terms of growing back lost eyebrow hair, they definitely need an assist.

The arrival of Cara Delevingne on the modelling scene sparked a whole new trend for brows and changed the beauty industry completely. With her thick, grown in brows that blew the “Facial Measuring” rules out the water, suddenly a new brow shape was king and with that trend came a new division of the beauty marketplace.

Brow gels, palettes, powders, waxes and serums flooded the shelves and overnight, brows became big business. Next came the brow growth products from serums to ‘stickers’, there was a whole new range of products aimed at 90’s motherpluckers like me, claiming to be able to grow your brows back to their former glory.

Up until a few years ago my brows were thin and kinda looked ‘stuck on’, my efforts to grow them in over the years had been futile. For every small amount of growth I’d get, some trigger happy Beauty Therapist would wax or tweeze it back off despite my protesting. When you’ve waxed, tweezed and plucked for so long, you’ll know that any brow regrowth you’re lucky to see is different than it was before, it’s not uniform, the colour is different and the hair is more translucent due to damage to the follicles. I spent a small fortune on RapidBrow, from the makers of the hugely successful Rapid Lash which claimed to grow back and also darken brows with regular use, in as little as three months. Eighteen months down the line my brows showed no difference and at £37 for a tube that lasts a month, it’s a hefty investment to get nothing back from.

So I did a little research, and there’s some science behind all of this so take a seat and settle in. Why should you listen to me? because I grew back the most awesome pair of brows from pretty much nothing. Ready? Here comes the science:

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH RAPIDLASH & RAPIDBROW?

If you used the product from the beginning then you’ll know that it used to be pretty effective. Not any more. Why so? Well, RapidLash used to contain an active ingredient called isopropyl cloprostenate. It’s an ingredient which has some molecular similarities to a medical active ingredient called bimatoprost. Why am I telling you this? Bimatoprost is an ingredient used in medication for the treatment of glaucoma, after extensive medical trials it was discovered that one of the side effects of its use in an eye drop formula was that it caused eyelashes to grow longer and darker in participants. Something cosmeceutical manufacturer Allergan jumped on and harnessed in a product developed for the US aesthetics market called Latisse.

Still with me? Allergan successfully brought a case against the makers of RapidLash outlining the similarities between the molecular makeup and performance of the two ingredients and used the years and years of patient trials as evidence which detailed benefits, side effects and potential risk factors. RapidLash put forward a limited defence which contained no actual human research, all of their testing is, or had at the time, been done on animals. Case closed. RapidLash were ordered to remove isopropyl cloprostenate from all products in their line up. However, and here’s the rub for any of you still using RapidLash, despite still being marketed in the same way, RapidLash and RapidBrow are little more than expensive conditioners and serums. Ouch. Still think shelling out £41 is a good investment for a product with no active ingredient? Then consider this, RapidBrow came so much after the original RapidLash product that it never actually contained any active ingredient at all.

MIND BLOWN! SO WHAT DO I USE INSTEAD?

Well remember that potentially active ingredient Bimatoprost i told you about? It’s available in a product in the UK designed to grow lashes, but because of it’s medical licensing and cosmeceutical benefits, it must be prescribed by an aesthetic doctor or nurse. It’s not something you can just go ahead an buy on the web, but then nor do you need to be diagnosed with a medical condition to get it. Let me explain…

Lumigan is a product that’s been crafted for the UK aesthetics market and it comes in two different formats. The first is an eye drop bottle, the second is as individual eye droppers in a pack which lasts 2-3 months depending on how you use it. The intention and the way it’s marketed is for growing eyelashes and it works, my lashes were ravaged by my addiction to lash extensions and I was at one point left with none at all. Lumigan helped me grow them back quickly, however it’s also suitable for brow growth too. I use it on both my lashes and brows – obviously this means I get through more of it in a shorter space of time but trust me, it’s worth it. Apply with the brushes which come with it, leave to dry et voila. Well, not quite et voila but it doesn’t take long to see results.

SOLD! HOW CAN I GET IT?

You need to book a consultation with an aesthetic doctor or an aesthetic nurse with a prescribers license. Once they’ve checked you over for any contra-indications and given you the lowdown on how to administer the product, you’re good to go. You’ll find it marketed as Eyelash Growth Serum and the formulation and dose are the same whether you’re purchasing the product to use on brows or lashes.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

That’s a good question. Depending on which aesthetic practitioner you choose (not all of them will prescribe Lumigan as one of their products), and whether you opt for the 0.1mg/ml or 0.3mg/ml strength, it ranges from £40 – £120 and a lot of this is to do with the name of the practitioner, or the repackaging the clinic has done to make the product look prettier. My advice? If you’re serious about growing back your brows, find and buy the 0.3mg/ml product if you’re starting out & the 0.1mg/ml version for maintenance, at the cheapest provider. You’re not buying expertise with the product, you’ll administer it yourself at home and throw the packaging away. If you’re talking filler, wrinkle relaxing or any other type of aesthetic procedure which requires an injection then always choose expertise over cost but in this case, cost is king.

Personally I get mine on a private prescription from Dr Steven Land at Novellus Aesthetics in Newcastle where it retails for £65 and if it’s in stock, is dispensed the same day where it can be collected or shipped to you at your home address. Remember it’s a prescription only medication (POM) so there are guidelines with this, it requires a proper consultation with a Doctor, Steven talks through what the product is (it’s for lashes and brows as an aesthetic medicine), how to use it and what to do if you have an adverse reaction – I’ve never had one but some people using it for lashes have reported a minor change in the colour of their iris.

Lumigan 0.3mg/ml

Lumigan 0.1mg/ml

WHAT DO I DO WITH IT?

Paint it sparingly on to your brows, or the parts around the existing brow shape where you want the hair to grow and leave it to dry before putting on moisturiser or makeup. It’s that simple. Using it for your lashes? A very small amount along the lash line, any more is just waste.

HOW LONG BEFORE I LOOK LIKE CARA?

I saw a big difference to my brows within three months but everybody is different. Trials for Latisse in the US reported participants seeing results to their lashes in as little as 4 weeks. Persevere, it’s something that’s been proven to work and we all know that brows are big business that require commitment!

To complement your new brows, you’re going to need some products to keep them in check, look out for my Best Brow Products post so you can tame your face framers and be the envy of everyone you know…

Pixie xo

Categories: Beauty, Uncategorized

Bio-Essence 24 k Bio-Gold Night Cleanser & Miracle Finisher

If like me, you have sensitive skin, then wearing makeup and removing it after can be something you dread. Admittedly most of my days are spent makeup free but I always indulge in a little face paint if I have an event, show or night out in my schedule. I’m particular about makeup, I tend to steer clear of highstreet makeup ranges and use something more high end, for no reason other than past experience tells me they treat my skin better. If I get it wrong I can end up looking like I’ve been burned by the time it comes to removing it and it can often spur on a breakout in the days following.

My makeup regime is pretty simple: I use YSL Primer, it’s the best thing I’ve found and gives a flawless finish. I follow this with a blend of two or three foundations depending on my colouring at the time, but my faithful products to make my custom shade are by Tom Ford, Chanel and Creme de la Mer. Total that up and that’s one seriously expensive foundation, cue cringe face emoji. I’m hoping my trip to the Fenty Beauty Influencer event during London Fashion Week will solve this once and for all and give me one awesome foundation that will give me that RiRi glow.

I use a Tom Ford bronzing stick to give a light contour, and a Rihanna x MAC Diamond highlighter directly above it, which I top off with a Topshop metallic blush and I’m good to go. I never wear mascara but I do give my lashes a good heavy coating of Nouveau’s Lash Conditioner which gives the appearance of added length without weight. I have pretty long lashes already so LVL Lash treatments stand me in good stead. I use Tom Ford eye palettes for a pop of colour and a slick of DHC liquid liner for a feline flick, but generally I’m pretty low maintenance. I always use Tom Ford and Nanshy brushes to apply my makeup, there’s no competition. I’ve had cheaper brushes and more expensive brushes but these give the best combination for the style of makeup that I wear and I always have a selection of each brand in my arsenal.

The problem I have is when it comes to removing makeup. I’ve used No.7 cleanser which left my face tingling and my lips swollen, as well as a million other high street cleansers which leave my face feeling tight and dry. It’s really difficult to find something that will do the job as well as it needs to be done. Enter Bio-Essence 24k Gold. I was asked to review this budget to mid priced range which is available in Superdrug and I read up on it in advance so I knew what I was in for. At first glance it looks lovely, the packaging plays on the 24k gold theme and is holographic so instantly it looks a lot more expensive than it is. It’s definitely one to be displayed proudly on the bathroom shelf.

Now just as a point of note, I get asked to review a LOT of products, some of which don’t make the grade. I don’t like to give a scathing review of something just for the sake of it, so you’ll tend to find that the things I publish are positive reviews about products that i’ve really enjoyed using and had some great results from. The Bio Essence 24k range is one of those ranges. I used the 24k Bio Gold Skin radiance Night Cleanser and Miracle Finisher literally until the tubes were empty and then was gutted once they’d been used.

Bio-Essence 24k Bio Gold Skin Radiance Night Cleanser £12.99

This cleanser comes with a pump dispenser, it’s creamy in consistency and has a metallic gold finish. It’s been designed to avoid stripping moisture from the skin and adding radiance which works whilst you sleep. You’ll know from experience that finding the right cleanser for your skin type can be tricky as they can often leave skin dry and tight, this one doesn’t. You don’t get that instant pull after using it that makes you want to reach for your moisturiser in seconds. It’s tough – it removes all traces of makeup, but it’s kind to skin leaving it feeling clean and soft. I’ve been following this up with Murad‘s Moisturising Toner which comes as a handy spray, then using my Peach Fox Marine Collagen Eye Gel and a new facial oil from Lumity Life.

Superdrug is your best friend for this product as it’s often on offer, click here to shop it.

Bio-Essence 24k Bio Gold Miracle Finisher £19.99

CULT PRODUCT ALERT. This is a divine product. It’s difficult to describe exactly what this product is, but Ill try anyway. It’s the very last step of your skincare regime, so no matter what your routine is on a morning, you apply this at the very end. It’s super lightweight in texture, almost like a serum, but it’s thicker and feels like velvet on your skin. I guess it’s like a second primer, it finishes the skin in preparation for makeup, or you might choose to wear it on its own if you’re hitting the gym. It’s literally flawless. it closes pores, mattifies, smoothes out imperfections, blurs lines and gives you a glow that wasn’t there before.

That’s just the aesthetic benefits, this product works to form an invisible barrier over the skin to protect it from pollution and other nasties that might be in makeup. It prevents pores from clogging, blackheads from forming and ultimately reduces irritation from any outside element.

My makeup sat better, stayed longer and had a better finish with Miracle Finisher underneath. For only £20 as opposed to a high end primer which costs an average of £42 in the UK, I’d say this product is well worth a punt no matter what your skin type. My advice would be to save this one for day use only, sure it makes you look amazing but it’s a waste of awesomeness if you’re just going to sleep on it. You can shop this product here.

Yes, it’s just skincare but if you’re reading this then it’s probably a topic you’re interested in. For something that is essentially a highstreet beauty product, this is a good, solid, does what it says on the tin range, with a little bit of flair and a whole lot of style. Buy it, try it and glisten like the star that you are, because everything is better in gold.

Pixie xo

Categories: Beauty, Uncategorized

Peachy Fox London Skincare

I love trying out new beauty products, I love that the technology in beauty is constantly evolving in line with what men and women both want and expect from skincare. We all have our own issues with our skin and all wish we could turn back the clock. In a market that’s filled with great quality products from leading skincare brands like Murad, Decleor and Image Skincare, as well as amazing high street products from L’Oreal Paris, Olay and Simple, whilst there’s always going to be something out there that suits your particular skin type, it can be hard (and expensive) to do the leg work.

I was contacted by organic beauty brand Peachy Fox London with a simple request: try our products and leave us a short Amazon review. The brand is an all natural, all organic beauty company with no hidden nasties in any of the products. With skincare these days there are so many ‘tribes’ of consumer to appeal to that it’s difficult for a brand to tick all of the boxes. Peachy Fox London has a good try. The product lineup is small and that’s because research takes time, the brand are working to increase their lineup and are taking feedback from consumers into consideration – hence the review request. Each is available to purchase with free next day delivery via Amazon Prime.

So, what’s in the range?

Marine Collagen Eye Gel £13.97

You may have already seen my full post about this product (if not you can read it here). I have real problems when it comes to skincare that’s suitable for my sensitive eyes, my mum has a super rare condition in her eyes and judging by my symptoms, I’m starting to wonder whether I have it too. Anyway, I’m always very skeptical when it comes to trying or buying eye products. This one is a thin gel consistency with no perfume, it glides on easily and is so gentle it can be used right over the lid, as well as around the orbital bone. In a nutshell: I’m a convert. I can’t praise this eye product enough, it’s not greasy, it’s not drying, it doesn’t cause any irritation and it gives my tired eyes a boost. I’ve started carrying it with me and using it with me on the go. If you’re interested in adding an eye product to your regime then go read the full post, this is one you won’t want to miss out on.

Anti-Redness Facial Cream £14.99

First up, I don’t have rosacea or anything quite as serious as that in terms of redness, however I do have very sensitive skin and am prone to ‘flare ups’ of redness. My skin is particularly red and tender after I’ve worn makeup, hence not wearing it that often. It’s a super easy to use product, it’s not green or lilac like you might expect, it’s a basic white cream. It applies easily and doesn’t have an instant effect but once it’s fully absorbed it has a calming effect on your skin and evens out tone, flattening the areas which stood out and providing the perfect base.

This one is a dual product, often with anti-redness creams you need to top them up with a moisturiser, this one is both – however use sparingly as it can be a little greasy. The only thing you need on top is an SPF product and makeup if you’re wearing it. It takes a little while to fully absorb so factor this in if you’re applying makeup over the top. It has a lovely fresh cucumber smell to it too. Bonus.

Aloe Retinol Serum £13.97

If you’re starting out using retinol then go read this post which is your guide to retinol. Retinol sounds scary to a lot of people and it comes with some guidelines, but with safe use, it can be your best friend. This particular product is heavenly, I bloody love it. It’s fresh root ginger smell is amazing and you only need one pump to cover your face (any more than two and you’re using way too much). It’s a serum so it’s designed to go under your night cream to enhance the benefits and it’s gentle enough to use around the eyes. You experience and immediate tightening after use and skin feels amazing the next morning. Remember, never use retinol products if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Collagen Retinol Moisturiser £13.97

Another retinol product which comes with some guidance and application of common sense. Whilst it states that this product is suitable for use during the day, guidance suggests retinol products should only be used at night – otherwise your skin can age faster than normal when exposed to sunlight and nobody wants that. This one is another cream, I use two pumps per application and it’s a tricky one to get used to due to the consistency of retinol. This one should be patted rather than rubbed, once you get the hang of it it’s super easy to use.

I love the look of my skin after using this and it feels incredible in the morning, smooth, even and it definitely looks better in terms of appearance. If you’re looking to fight the ageing process, this should be in your arsenal. Again, never use retinol products if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Dead Sea Mud Anti-Aging facial Mask £12.99

The newest addition to the Peachy Fox line-up, this mask is thick, luxurious and a real treat to use. Packed full of anti-ageing ingredients and the same ‘no nasties’ policy as with everything in the range, this mask packs a punch. It’s not drying like other mud masks of the same texture can be and it has a fresh, minty smell – something that’s quite surprising when you open the post for the first time. It’s thick and green but very smooth to the touch so you don’t end up with lots of it stuck to the side of the sink when you rinse it off. It almost part absorbs into the skin and part dries leaving the excess on the surface, and you can really feel it tingling and working on your skin. Once removed skin has a visible radiance and feels “bouncy’ to the touch.

The perfect weekly addition to your skincare routine and one that you’ll really see the difference with.

The Verdict

I’m a fan. I like the products and I like the fact that they’re organic and natural. More and more men and women are becoming savvy about what they put on their skin and keeping it natural is a nice touch. If you’re using Peachy Fox London beauty products then I’d advise using a city block on top, but that goes totally against the all natural vibe given the number of scary chemicals used to create the SPF ‘veil’. SPF by it’s very nature is a chemical, one that is absorbed by the body and is measurable in blood and breastmilk, but given the damaging effects of the sun, you need to weigh up which is the lesser of two evils. Personally, I cover my face in sunblock every day, I think it’s absolutely essential when using retinol products on an evening.

The brand is cool and youthful and will appeal to millennials everywhere given it’s organic credentials. Looking to make the move into natural skincare? Peachy Fox London is worth the hype.

Pixie xo

Categories: Beauty, Fashion, Uncategorized

Retinol – What is it & Why Should You Be Using it?

If there’s one ingredient that can pimp up your skincare routine and tackle all those niggling little issues you have, it’s retinol. Praised for it’s ability to combat the signs of ageing and stimulate cell turnover, retinol is one of those ingredients that people either rave about, or are terrified of. Well I’m here to tell you that retinol is nothing to be scared of, in fact quite the contrary, embrace it, use it, love it and reap the benefits! Sure, there are some guidelines to follow, but as long as you’re using it correctly there’s no reason why retinol can’t be incorporated into your routine effectively. I LOVE retinol, like most Dermatologists I’m of the opinion that retinol should be a regular part of our regime and after having tried a gazillion retinol products from ‘budget’ to ‘blow the budget’, I’m going to share my favourites with you, and a little more on how and why you should be using them.

Firstly, what is retinol?

Basically, it’s Vitamin A and it’s super effective and scientifically proven to improve the appearance of your skin. Retinol is a weaker and more readily available version of a prescription only product called Tretinoin. Tretinoin is strong, hence only being available via prescription. It can’t be tolerated by everyone because it can be drying and can cause irritation. Retinol is much weaker, it works in a similar way to Tretinoin but it’s more tolerable.

From dullness to firmness and everything in between, this super ingredient really packs a punch; but it’s best known as an anti-ageing product. Walk into any branch of Boots and you’ll find the shelves brimming with anti-ageing products, in an off the shelf product, retinol is the only ingredient worth looking for when it comes to turning back the clock. There’s no magic wand, we’re not talking ‘Death Becomes Her’ here but Retinol stimulates cell turnover and collagen production and results can be seen in as little as 4 weeks with the right product.

Who can use retinol?

It’s not suitable for everyone and it won’t agree with everyone’s skin. The difficult thing with retinol is finding a product with the exact measure that your skin can tolerate and with so many products available, there will be one out there for you. Advice from the US states that whilst there is no evidence to suggest that retinol is harmful, products containing retinol and retinoids should not be used when pregnant or breastfeeding and this relates to the amount of vitamin A in your system at any one time. Also, if you’re going on vacation to somewhere sunny, I’d recommend you stop using any retinol product 7 days before you leave to ensure you’re not more susceptible to sunburn.

What are the benefits to using retinol?

Where do I start? Retinol boosts skin’s natural collagen production, it stimulates cell turnover which evens out discolouration and it works a treat on blocked pores and acne or breakout prone skin. It’s hailed by many Dermatologists as a wonder ingredient in skincare and more and more retinol products are hitting the shelves every month; it’s a super effective and scientifically proven skincare ingredient – when used correctly.

When should I use retinol?

Retinol is perfect for a night time skincare routine. If you already use a specific night cream before bed, then consider replacing this with a retinol based cream or serum 2 – 3 times per week or as a sleeping masque once a week. There are some products that state that they can be used during the day but you need to check the dose, retinol encourages cell turnover and this delicate new skin needs to be protected when exposed to sunlight. Most retinol products are intended for night time use however there are a few creeping through for day time use too, personally, I only use it at night.

How do I use retinol?

There are LOADS of retinol products readily available. You can pick up a retinol product on the high street from as little as £10 and prices can go right up to £250 for something from an aesthetic specific company. It’s a very personal choice, one not so much determined by your budget and more what your skin can tolerate. I’ve tried lots and lots of different retinol products and narrowed it down to my favourites, the ones I use over and over and can see visible results with, without irritation.

Once you’ve selected your product, start using it once a week on a night on clean skin. I wash my face with a simple Clinique soap, tone with Murad‘s spray bottle toner, I use Peachy Fox Marine Collagen Eye Gel (literally the best eye gel ever, read my review here) and then use my retinol product right before I go to bed. Once you’ve gotten used to your product you can think about increasing the frequency to maybe 2-3 times per week, depending on its potency. contrary to what you might think, retinol is particularly effective around the eyes.

One thing to remember when using any retinol based product is to wear sunscreen during the day. I use a specific facial SPF40 product from Elizabeth Arden’s 8 Hour Cream range but any city block with SPF 30+ will do the job. You’ve spent time and money investing in your skin, now look after it!

How do I select a retinol product?

Again, it’s a choice you’ll make based very much on your particular skin needs and it may take a few tries to find your personal blend but there are a few things you should be looking for when you’re scanning the shelves. Retinol and other vitamin A derivatives break down rapidly when exposed to the elements. Skincare products containing retinol should be in an opaque or completely covered tube or tub and should always come with a pump dispenser, they typically have a shelf life of 6 months or less before they lose their efficacy.

Ready to give it a try? Here are a few of my favourite retinol products, some of them I’ve only just discovered and some of them I’ve been using for a long time. None of these are top budget products although I have used more expensive retinol products from Exuviance and Skinceuticals which really didn’t work for my skin, they left it feeling irritated and red despite the £200+ price tag. Most importantly though, nobody has paid me for this review or to choose their product over another, this is an unbiased and personal review based on my own skin, some of the products in there were gifted to me in the first instance and some were purchased.

1. Peachy Fox Aloe Retinol Serum £12.97 Amazon

This is a lovely product to use, it has a lovely fresh and natural ginger scent and you only need one pump for your face. I concentrate on using it around my eyes and then distribute what’s left around my face. As with any retinol product, it can break up if you rub it too harshly so pat it gently until it’s soaked in. In Spring and Summer I use this three times per week although the directions state that it’s suitable for daily use given it’s concentration. This organic skincare brand is becoming a firm favourite amongst Bloggers and Influencers.

2. Retinol Youth Renewal Serum £65 Murad UK

This serum packs a punch and it comes in two different sizes so this one is great for travelling. Use it once a week and use it sparingly as a little goes a long way (overloading on retinol products can cause redness), this has a lovely smoothing consistency and skin looks fresher and visibly renewed the next morning. It’s light enough that you can use your usual night cream on top once it’s soaked in.

3. The Ordinary Retinol Emulsion £6 Beauty Bay

I’d finished and thrown away the tube by the time I came to writing this post so don’t have a picture but the packaging is clean and simple and so is the product. At 1% it’s a decent amount of retinol and the tube lasts for ages, this is a great budget buy that packs the same punch as some of its more expensive rivals. It’s a lovely smooth product and you can see a visible difference after around 8 weeks of use.

4. Image Skincare Ageless Total Overnight Retinol Masque £80 imageskincare.com

This is a must have when it comes to retinol – it’s one of my favourites for a reason! It comes with a “press & pump” dispenser so there’s no mess and no fuss, one pump does your whole face and it’s thicker in consistency than the other products as it’s intended as a moisturising masque. Skin feels more plump and renewed and you can feel the difference when you wash your face the next morning. This one is safe to use three nights per week but I’d recommend you start with one night per week if you’ve never used retinol before. You don’t need a night cream on top of this one, you get the anti-ageing properties and a hit of hydration in one awesome product. (read about the Image Skincare O2 Lift Facial here).

5. Peachy Fox Collagen Retinol Moisturiser £12.98 Amazon

Another one from all natural and organic, cult skincare brand Peachy Fox, this moisturiser is deemed suitable for daily use and also for use morning and night due to the more tolerable retinol strength, however my personal preference is to stick to night time use (I know other Influencers who use this product during the day and have never had any irritation or issue). This one is tricky to get to grips with when you first use it but persevere. It has a different consistency than most skincare products but once you figure it out it really is a lovely product. You tap this one all over your face and then very lightly pat it into skin, it needs to be fully dry and absorbed before you put anything else on your face otherwise it can pill and ball, if it does – you haven’t used it properly. This one delivers an immediate glow after use, you’ll notice a difference in your skin from the first time you use it.

So now you know all about this must have skincare ingredient, go, armed with this knowledge and treat yourself to something that will compliment your existing skin regime and when the compliments start rolling in, pass it on and share the joy!

Pixie xo