Introduce Yourself: New Member Monday

[TeamBIC]

Hello BIC! We are starting this thread and updating it the first Monday of every month to welcome all of our new BIC Members and show them some love. If you happen to see anyone who is new to the community feel free to share this thread with them!

Maybe you are new to the Beauty Insider Community and still figuring it out, or maybe you’ve been here for a while but haven’t had the chance to say hello! Either way, we want to welcome you into our beauty-loving family, so don’t be shy- pop in and introduce yourself!  We’re already happy to e-meet you. 🙂

New members! Please reply below to introduce yourself and tell us: If you could splurge on any beauty product for yourself this season, what would it be? Use the "#" symbol to tag it in your response. 😊

[Ashante0501]

Hello and happy new year, yasss, guh-bye 2020!  I'm divorced/single and 54. Now that my kids are grown, I'm splurging on skin care and make-up. I'm still dealing with acne, blackheads and oiliness after menopause. I used Drunk Elephant and Laneige samples for about 4 days, I was sold! So, just splurged on Drunk Elephant Protini™ Polypeptide Firming Refillable Moisturizer , Drunk Elephant Beste™ No. 9 Jelly Cleanser 5 oz/ 150 mL  and LANEIGE Hypoallergenic Cica Sleeping Mask. 

 

[AuroraDetroit]

Welcome!

[tjffc]

@Ashante0501 Welcome to the community.  Great splurge products.  

[WinglessOne]

Welcome to BIC, @Ashante0501 ! I'm glad you've found a cleanser and moisturizer that work well for you! They're the backbone of a solid skincare routine. 

I'm sure you've already heard this and have tried products containing some of these ingredients, but: BHA (salicylic acid), benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids (retinol, tretinoin, retinaldehyde, adapalene, etc.) are the usual go-tos for acne. Azelaic acid's another good option. I wouldn't use all of those at the same time... eh, I can't use benzoyl peroxide anyway, but applying that + BHA + a retinoid like adapalene (available OTC as Differin or La Roche-Posay Effaclar) + azelaic acid = overkill. If you haven't yet, you could try one or two products containing those ingredients. 

[Ashante0501]

Thanks for the information.  I've tried all the usual go to products.  I haven't tried Azeloic acid, yet. Currently, my breakouts are considerably under control,  fingers crossed it stays this way. 

[WinglessOne]

No problem, @Ashante0501 ! Azelaic acid's particularly good if you get PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, aka dark marks/"scars" left behind by acne): it can address those dark spots. It also attacks the same bacteria that causes acne, and it's an antioxidant. It's also a good option for folks who can't use salicylic acid (pregnant/nursing, or allergic to aspirin) or benzoyl peroxide (I'm allergic to that one). 

My only issue with it is apparently a common side effect: it usually makes me itchy for 30-60 minutes after application, even if I apply it only on the areas of my face where I'm acne-prone or have active acne. (I don't really spot treat acne, I "area treat": if I have an acne spot on my forehead, I treat my whole forehead.) Some folks experience itching or slight stinging for less time, but I have inflammation issues and finicky skin. Anyway, I alternate between Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster (also contains a bit of BHA/salicylic acid) and The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% Cream for Redness and Blemish-Prone Skin 1 oz/ 30 mL (contains no BHA), and they both work well. 

Hope your breakouts remain under control! 

[mpapa]

I would agree with all of these suggestions. The adapalene gel and salicylic acid should be alternated. I think the benzoyl peroxide would be overkill and think it is going to try out your skin too much. You don't want to compromise your natural moisture barrier. The Drunk Elephant Polypeptide moisturizer might be too rich for you, even with all of your acne issues. I would suggest something lighter, a get cream possibly Farmacy Honey Drop? It has a lot of anti-inflammatory ingredients in it. It is good for oil and acneic skin. 

[SportyGirly125]

@Ashante0501 Welcome to BIC!

[danielledanielle]

Welcome @Ashante0501 !  You look great.

Side note, adult acne needs to go buh bye, too 😑😒

[Ashante0501]

Awww, thanks for the compliment.  

[itsfi]

Welcome to BIC @Ashante0501! Isn’t that Laneige Cica sleeping mask wonderful?!

[Ashante0501]

Yes! LANEIGE Hypoallergenic Cica Sleeping Mask is the real deal! It actually does what it says it will do, replenish and moisturize. 

[QueenDali]

Happy New Year everyone... If I could splurge it would be mascara, eyebrow pomades, and hair treatments. I don't  do a full face everyday but something about having your hair did, long lashes, and some shade on my eyebrows makes a girl glow. 

P.S I am a 27y.o single mom from Massachusetts. A girl mom, my daughter is 11y.o, we love getting facials. Currently in school Real Estate wont be long until I am licensed. Love makeup but I am a late bloomer so my eye techniques are mediocre. Love to see what others can do. My favorite eye look is a cut crease. Glad to be a member ❤️

[danielledanielle]

Welcome @QueenDali , congrats on your (almost) real estate license.  Also, eye looks are a variety, settle shades, cut crease, smoky, etc, do what you feel good in.  And, since we're indoors anyhow, look for virtual masterclasses to pick up additional tips.

[tjffc]

@QueenDali Welcome to BIC!  This is a great place to see what techniques are being used by other beauty insiders!

[WinglessOne]

Welcome to BIC, @QueenDali ! I hear you on simpler makeup looks bringing the glow, especially brow pomades. Brow pencil and lipstick are the only makeup items I absolutely won't leave home without—well, that was true until March 2020, when I stopped wearing lipstick and started wearing masks each time I left home. Anyway, I always buy my favorite brow pencil 2 or 3 at a time so I don't run out. 😂 

Happy new year to you and your daughter! 

[itsfi]

@QueenDali, that’s so great that you and your daughter have facial time together. Welcome to BIC!

[SportyGirly125]

@QueenDali @Welcome to BIC!

[GeorginaBT]

Happy new year everyone! 😊 If you're new to the Beauty Insider Community (also known as the "BIC"), you're in luck: today is New Member Monday! On the first Monday of every month, we like to celebrate any new members in the BIC and spend some time getting to know each other. Whether you're completely new to this community, or you've been lurking around on here for a while, we'd love for you to say hello! 

[Coleamale]

Hello, my name is Cole I am a Guy. I started getting into skincare after I recently turned 37 in September. I started to notice gray hairs and I wasn't passing for my 20s anymore. In a desperate attempt to stop aging I started buying the male line of Dior products "Homme". each of the items went for $100ish and I figure if I spent extra money it would force me to use them and to keep a routine up lol. After a few months of using these products I started watching YouTube and reading and learning more about the ingredients versus the brand name. I like to try different things and phase things in and out as I go. I no longer care if products are female intended, skin is skin and if it works it works. My biggest problem is I only have one face and so many cool products to try. My favorite products I have used are Drunk Elephant  vitamin C, Passoni Retinal and Hydrating serum. Armani Men toner and cleanser, Dior super potent serum (the Allure winner) l, L'occitane night repair. I like to use the Neutrogena retinal oil in the morning I find it refreshing and goes well with my other things. YSL night reboot pure shot is a good way to get ur Glycolic Acid and some cactus juice. I am currently comparing it to drunk elephants TLC Glycolic acid. If you have any advice or something you think I should try leave me a message thanks.

[WinglessOne]

Welcome to BIC, @Coleamale ! "I no longer care if products are female intended, skin is skin and if it works it works": I wish more folks would realize this! 👍 I'm also glad you're now focused on ingredients instead of brands. I find that's the best approach to skincare: identify specific skincare issues/goals you want to address, learn which ingredients can address them, and then find products that contain those ingredients. 

Do you use sunscreen? Minimum SPF of 30? Applied whenever your skin's exposed to sunlight (outside, in a car, indoors sitting near a window with open blinds/curtains, etc.), regardless of season or weather? Sunscreen's especially important if you're using AHAs, like glycolic acid, which increase your skin's sun sensitivity. 

I'll also recommend a thread you might find interesting: https://community.sephora.com/t5/Skincare-Aware/Skincare-Routine-of-the-Day/m-p/5146142#M148193 

That's where folks share their skincare routines. Feel free to join in!