Just wondering what sort of skincare ...including the guys please,as there are ranges for men about...and/or make up people use.

Are the expensive ranges worth the money or are the cheaper ranges just as good?

Do you find soap is sufficient or do you go to the other extreme?

I have experimented over the years and have found the more expensive ranges better combined with a few cheapo ranges.

My skincare regime is a cleanser...currently Elizabeth Arden that is washed off with water...purchased on Ebay,a cheapo toner...Evian...99p from home bargains at the moment ( the expensive ones are not worth the money- plain rose water with perhaps witch hazel that can be made up in the chemist is good too ) followed by expensive moisturiser. That's it really.I don't bother with night cream. I just use make up wipes before I go to bed. My skin isn't too bad for my age,but I've done this since I was a teenager.

Make up: I never skimp on foundation...the expensive brands are the best...I tend to stick with YSL or Chanel Vitalumiere.Elizabeth Arden isn't too bad and you can pick EA up in these cheap shops or even market stalls.

Eye shadow:Still occasionally using one I've had since aged 20! Having recently had a peep at the prices of this,I'm very surprised that the cheaper brands are rather expensive.For instance,Boots No7 is about £8.50 for one.

Chanel...yep...it's not that expensive....do a 4 in 1 for £30.50. I currently have two of these...purple tones and pink/grey tones... and I'm saving up for brown tones...then you can mix and match and have all the palettes you need.I think this works out cheaper given they last years.

Pencil Eyeliner: Guerlain or YSL.I have two Lancome for years,so again this works out at great value.

Eyebrow pencil: YSL..last for years.

Mascara:The best is Lancome Keracils,but YSL is good. Chanel is not too impressive.Also it's worth using the samples as mascara dries up,so it costs you nothing.

I don't bother using blusher.

Lipstick:Anything goes.Even the expensive brands don't stay on. Boots 17 is a brilliant brand and dirt cheap.

I also use body lotion every day.

Ok Ladies.What do you do?

I don't wear make-up except for a little bit of eye-liner (brown, Rimmel, I think.) I never use anything more than that, except on the odd occasion a touch of lipstick, but I hate the stuff so I only usually use lipsyl as a lip moisturiser.
As for skin-care, I use soap and water to wash, and Boots Time Delay Rejuvenating Day Care Cream, or something like that. Occasionally I'll use a facial scrub to exfoliate, but I keep things simple usually! Something's working anyway, as I recently saw a couple of people I haven't seen for maybe 5 years, and they hardly recognised me - said I looked younger! (Mind you I've also grown my hair long since then which might also have made a difference.)
Once in a while I'll go the whole hog and put make-up on properly, but most of the time as I'm out walking the dog in the wind and the rain, there's not much point, as I'd only get a streaky face! And if my contact lenses are getting dry my eye make up smudges as I blink more often so if I wear less, there's less to smudge, if that makes any sense!!?

For skincare, I use the Nivea Visage Young set (cleanser, toner, exfoliator, moisturiser). I don't wear much makeup but when I do, I go for the cheap stuff. Rimmel, L'Oreal, Maybelline, No7.

I never used make up at all,unless I was going out,until about 5 years ago.Must be because I'm getting older.

I do find it amusing when I see much older ladies with the dyed black hair or alternatively,bleached blonde with roots showing,black eyebrow pencil,loads of blusher and foundation...usually not blended in and ends round the jawline coupled with face powder that sinks into their wrinkles and red lipstick slashed across their mouth. They look 'orrible.

Don't use make-up or hair dye. Mainly because I have very sensitive skin and they tend to cause immense irritation.

Chiefly I stick to water (with non-irritant soap and shampoo as required). And I drink gallons of the stuff.

Result - my complexion is still OK, and people often assume I'm a fair bit younger than is actually the case (38).

Cheer

Katyjay

I mainly use a mixture of calrins and chanel for clenser, moisturiser, toner and foundation. I have found that tea tree oil is GREAT for your skin....so every night and day I sweep it over my face. It really works!!! Make-up wise....I use Boujour Paris eye shadows...the colours are great and they can be subtle as well as bold. I think at the moment I am usindg a No 7 eyeliner, although I have so many knocking around! I do not bother with lipstick, I have very sore lips general through the year, so I dont see the point in putting on lipstick, as most of them dry my lips out, and when I put on on vaseline or lip balm it all comes of...so no point!!

Most things vary from time to time - except I haven't used soap on my face for years - can't remember when, it's so long - body shop face wash or similar.

L'occitane moisture cream (with spf).
Tinted moisturiser, if I feel pallid, rather than foundation.

CD eye-colour ( little palette I've had for ages, seemed expensive at the time ...) no7 mascara, Aveda eye-liner in a wonderful greeny-slatey-grey shade called Sargasso that's like nothing I've found anywhere else, tinted lip-gloss rather than lipstick although sometimes a botanics one for a bit of colour.

Currently Clarins remover and toner - but I used the wet tissues in the sachets on holiday this year and might change to them when I've used up what I have.

Always on the look-out for skin-care products that
1) are not tested on animals, and
2) contain fewer parabens, (preferably none at all, but this is rare, as I understand they are used as preservatives).

In studies parabens have been given a dubious reputation - and they are in most skin-care products, shampoos, sun-creams (so you can't win!!) hand-cream etc etc. Listed on the label as butylparaben, methylparaben, etc etc. Some products have as many as 4 or 5.

Hardly ever use make-up, but getting to a stage where I'm wondering if I should?

The very rare occasions I do it's rimmel eye pencil, mascara and shadow(bronze) with Max factor lip-finity (and it really lasts on me). All of which I've had years.

Never used cleanser, toner, moisturisor, foundation etc. Wash with shampoo (head n shoulders, which I use all over).

Don't use hair products at all other than shampoo.

BUT I'm now 46 and I think I'm entering the menopause, skin and hair texture are altering too so what comes next who knows?

Bourjois products are suppose to be made by Chanel!

Talking about the menopause.I'm 40 and I'm pretty sure I've started it. I've noticed the same as you. Only had 2 you know what this year and having hot flushes.They are very uncomfortable and I usually have to take my bodywarmer off. Then I go cold again.In summer I had to put the fan on.

Maggie...Clarins products are good.

Oh we've got 2 wonderful ladies here in our town who die their hair vivid red colour and wear tonnes of make-up including blusher and bright lipstick and vivid green eyeshadow!! They remind me a bit of Barbara Cartland when a young boy is reported to have whispered rather loudly to his mother 'Mummy is that a man in drag?'

well - I buy them from time to time when I'm feeling not quite broke AND they have one of their sample offers on - and I've always got on rather well with them, (although if you read the list of ingredients it sounds like somebody's chemistry set ...!)

Soy products are supposed to be good for you at a - particular time of life - I got used to soy-milk as a drink when I was in the far east, and quite like the taste, or you could eat tofu if you like it. You might find it would help with the temperature problem. Waitrose do a soy-milk sweetened with fruit juice if you don't like the taste of the plain.

CD - wonderful! out of the mouth of babes!

I like the L'Occitane range of soaps and shampoos, which work well and smell nice.

In the bath, I like Neal's Yard Exotic Bath Oil .

I shave with Nivea for Men Sensitive Foam (not Gel).

I don't do makeup

L'Occitane shower products are great. Sorry to quote Ebay again,but I got a great deal where I purchased 5 different gels and I'm on the last one now.

I believe hair conditioner is good for shaving too!

Nice to see a man contributing to this thread. What aftershave(s) do you use?

Ah! A topic on one of my favourite things!

I tend to chop and change my facial products although I recently found a product that I think I will keep buying until they discontinue it - and that is the 'Angels on bare skin' exfoliator/cleanser from Lush. Its a natural product and smells lovely. I generally dont like using water on my face at all as it dries it out but this stuff is great! I can even use it every other day!

For moisturiser I have been using No7 (yellow one -i think its for normal skin) but have just finished that (which is a shame as its great) and am about to start on a pot of 'Dear John' from Benefit (a present from my fella!)

I really like the Lancome eyemake up removed but at £15 a bottle, its a little too pricey. althouguh saying that it lasts AGES!

MASCARA - Maybelline Great Lash or Lancome Definicils - both excellent despite price difference.

Benefit - BENETINT for cheeks. AMAZING and despite using it EVERY SINGLE DAY for over 2 years there is still loads left! Its like food colouring and you put it on with a little brush and rub it in

LIPS - well, i have so many lip glosses etc but generally I like to just wear a neutral gloss by anyone really. Got a YSL beige lipstick as a treat but i dont want to use it all up so i use it sparingly!

I dont wear foundation as it feels funny on my skin. Saying tha tI still buy a different one every year for the sake of it...i dont know why! :huh:

"I dont wear foundation as it feels funny on my skin".

Yes.I experience this too,so that's why I stick with the more expensive brands.I tried Bourjois but gave it to one of my pupils.

I bought the Maybelline dream matte mousse foundation (or whatever ridiculous name it has!) and this is actually ok. Except I dont think I really need to wear any foundation at all. My skin is generally even anyway. although sometime si use it if my skin is playing up!

I couldnt live without mascara and lip balm though! I HAVE to have them!

Cleanser: "Angels on Bare Skin" by Lush (miles better than all the expensive brands I have tried, it's amazing stuff)

Moisturiser: Estee Lauder Daywear Plus, and Creme da la Mer when it's really dry

don't bother with toner

Foundation (when I bother): Lancome Colour ID

Mascara: Lancome Hypnose

Blush (when I need it, cos I am deathly pale): Benetint by Benefit

Eyebrow pencil: Elizabeth Arden (my eyebrows are invisible otherwise)

don't wear lipstick

Lipgloss (when I bother): Gold Lancome Juicy Tube

Fave scent: Clarins Eau Resssourcante, Antonia's Flowers

Yay! I like your make up style there Oboebunny! I agree with the Angels on bare skin and the Benetint! Excellent choices!

One thing I do find difficult is haircare! Lets start up a new thread! What shampoos and conditioners etc do people use?!
I quite like Pantene conditioner and Head an dshoulders shampoo. I dont really use any masques or anything else.

I don't wear make up.

Good god...you wear Creme da la Mer.That is really expensive...a bit like La Priarie. I once tried Benetint,but couldn't really see any difference.Ended up flogging it on Ebay and got more than I paid for it! I have seen this happen loads of time on Ebay.

OK...New haircare thread .....

Edit: Yeah...think I will order a few of these!!!!!

http://www.harrods.com/Cultures/en-GB/Prod...CACHEHINT=Guest

Creme de la Mer is great stuff, I bought one little pot when I got a bonus at work and it's lasted me nearly a year.....I don't use it often, but if my skin has really dried out it's fantastic for rescuing it. I wouldn't normally buy it though!

Dermalogica for the face, really have noticed the difference in my skin tone, Thalgo face scrub when I can get it on ebay! Sanctuary products for the body, Jessica for hands and nails, Scholl for feet, and a bit of Clinique lipgloss for when I venture out the door. Because I have pretty good skin due to the salon products I use and drink a fair bit of water I rarely use foundation or powder.

PS don't use all this every day!!

Various makes - most importantly, anything with a high factor sun screen as I have photosensitive skin, plus camouflage stick for any lupus rash which appears from time to time on my face - ugh - (otherwise very light make up - but I like lipstick!!!)

I use just about Rimmel everything: rimmel concealor, powder, mascara. i don't wear foundation because it made mt skin look strange. it was probably something to do with the way i was using it though lol!

what does drinking loads of water actually do for you? they say it's "good" for your skin but what does that mean? i use australian bodycare facial moisturiser - 1% tea tree oil!

i got it this time last year and it's still going, twas £9.95 for a 50ml tube thing but oh so worth it. i also use boots cucumber face scrub, it's so good!!! for mascara, i use rimmel london something or other, and for eyeliner i have black rimmel london again!

I don't really where much make up, and I certainly don't have a skin care regieme! I have some Avon make up, and various other bits and bobs!

I'm one of those people who spends 3 months talking myself into the fact that I really need to get a new lipstick, and of course the same sort as I got 2-3 years before that isn't available and then I have to choose a new sort. Aaargh.
At least 4711 cologne is always available. Thank goodness.

It's not just me, then....
None.
Mum buys me things to do makeup with, and once a year I attempt warpaint. Wash it off as soon as I get back from whatever function warranted it. I usually have to chuck products out when they go rancid.
In any case, my beautiful boxwood whistle would look odd if I used lipstick.
And if I were to do the rest of make-up without lipstick, I would look odd(er).
My daughter, on the other hand, would LOVE to slap loads of makeup on...

Skin is quite resistant to being hydrated - water tends to be used by all the internal organs, the digestive system etc. etc. before it is used by the skin. Drink plenty of water, and your skin won't be so dehydrated so will age slower .

I drink 4 litres of water a day in an attempt to stop my skin from drying up; aside from prescription medications, I've been known to use Vaseline Intensive Care - it has quite a nice 'milky' consistency to it, so is absorbed quite easily by the skin. I also use a non-fragranced shower gel by Simple with moisturiser in it to minimise the damage caused by bathing - the important thing I've found, though, is to apply moisturiser within a couple of minutes of getting out.

4 litres a day!! Wow!

I really must drink more water...I'll be getting wrinkles soon

Wow, 4 litres! I'm not drinking enough. I only have about 3 glasses at most during the day...

I bet there's a lot of guys not owning up to using SOME sort of skin product. I am 53 and YES, I do "exfoliate" and I do use a moisturizer and have been doing for some years, and I see no reason why it shouldn't be equally as important for men as for women. It's not a question of "beauty" treatment, it's just looking after what you have. Using a moisturizing shaving gel as a previous correspondant mentioned is not the same thing. You end up scraping it all off!!
I see no virtue in looking like a prune before your time unless you're into "rugged"

oh yes, AND I use a hand cream. Hands are the tools of our trade and I don't want any pupils watching mine and thinking that they look like a couple of old crabs.

I find the choices of brands for make-up and skin cares vary according to age. When I was still a teenager, I learned make-up from shiseido and tended to use their products for some time as that was the trend for that age group. Those brands such as clinique, clarins, lancome, estee lauder were considered only for mature women. Nowadays, dhc, fancel and laneige are the most popular for teenagers.

However, I was a fool at that time that did not know or concern about that skin care is much more important than make-up. After reaching 30, I nearly stopped all cosmetics on make-up except clinique gloss and lipsticks till now. It was because I find the freckles on my cheeks accumulating. Since then, I have been trying to use any brands with products of skin care that pinpoint on whitening or boost to eliminate these freckles. Besides relying on clinique as main stream for moisturizing, have been switching around SKII, Borghese, shiseido, dermalogica for many years and am nearly giving up on searching for a one-off treatment by skin care product.

At 47 now, I do not have any wrinkles on my face and I think using cold tap water to clean it regularly do help. Besides applying moisturizer on face, I add a drop of camelia oil or rose oil when go to bed each night. I also agree with YAP that drinking a lot of water is good but 2 litres (8 cups) daily is enough.

snuglivixen, Semele, I think I am also running into menopause at my age but I cannot sense it. Semele at your age, it is still too early. May be the hot flushes arise from the materials of your clothing. Try to avoid those with nylon and polyester, choose some with silk and cashmere that can regulate your body temperature with a pleasant feel. And down or goose feather in outerwear that is lighter.

O_L

Diapason....I totally agree with you and well done for posting what you do. I think ALL men should have a good skincare regime.

Off_Lady....Yes it does seem too early. I do tend to wear as many natural materials next to my skin as I can and this also extends to my bedding! This still doesn't explain ( from one who started at aged 10 and up to a couple of years was regular ...early starter....late finisher,so they say ) why I've had only two this year...I must admit it's great though. I feel a bit embarrassed discussing this subject here and I don't think it's an appropriate site to do so...no offence...but something is definitely going on. If you have any ideas,feel free to PM me.

Do be careful with tea tree oil, for most people it's great but if you are sensitive to it (like, sadly, me) then it can wreak havoc. Especially if one accidentally gets it near broken skin or any small cut. Nasty use dilute or with care till you're certain it agrees with you.

I rarely wear make-up, so rarely that I couldn't even tell for sure what I now own, but as far as moisturisers/toner/lip balm/cleanser/hair products go I swear by Lush products which are the most effective and most natural I have found.

ps sorry I can't find the new way to subscribe and forgot to click the box, argh!

edit: OH wow my PS got added to the previous post... how clever!

Ok, I use rimmel black eyeliner, estee lauder mascara ( a minute amount, im one of those lucky people who has naturally long eyelashes), occasionly blusher, and for my skin i use clearasil rapid 3 day action cream - works wonders. All i need...!

for skincare:
nivea soft moisturiser
vaseline for the lips

make-up:
jean-paul gaultier 'le male' eyeliner

(way too much fake tan!)

eau de toilette:
paul smith ' extreme' (EDIT: no more - have run out of eau de toilette and money )

I get all my best skincare products out of my kitchen cupboard.

Red wine, honey, yogurt. I find that even a dollop of 14% alcohol red wine is gentler on my skin than the average commercial product. I'd most certainly bathe in it if somebody else offered to pay .

It's a pity that my skin knows it's not Japanese and rejects items like sake, as it's surprisingly good for skin, and apparently tofu-makers have the loveliest hands imaginable.

As for cosmetics...I keep a slightly tinted moisturizer and a cheap lipstick palette in a filebox at work, along with my coffee and aspirin! If I put on lipstick at home, family members immediately start looking for their shoes, assuming we must be going out somewhere.

I rather miss my panda days, but venture no further than a restrained wisp of dark brown smudgy eyeliner and a chic flash of ivory on the eyelid. Sigh. Good taste is so boring.

I use any think that works! Well I've got these neon eyeshadows but I don't know what make there are. Neither do I know about my liquid eyeliner. Then I have several pencil eyeliners cos I use them so quickly. I don't tend to wear foundation. Just lots of eye make up.

me too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 I thought Im the only one who use it !




hehe I dont really wear make up just nivea lip stick and a lip gloss oh yea I cant live with out my DAAAAARK eye liner
I dont care about its brand the only thing I care about that it is SOOOO DARK

Erm.... I don't use anything on my skin For which my mum moans at me. I forget!

I took a look at the tube of tinted base I have stashed at work, and discovered that it's called "Photogenic Veil". Only in Japan!