Of course you have heard of The Ordinary skincare brand. I mean who hasn’t? (No need to be embarrassed, a quick summary: a fantastic new skincare budget brand using the same chemicals and materials a number of pricier brands use but for a much lower price). I started out with their retinol product and the Vitamin C serum. Then went onto get some more of the products. I have now been using their products for at least six months of so and well, here are my thoughts on the ones I have used.
Advanced Retinol 2% (now called Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion)
Quick summary of what Retinol does: retards the decay of collagen in your skin. Collagen is what you need to look younger – its gives your skin the elasticity that is found in younger skin.
I decided since I am no longer in the under 30 age bracket its time for me to start using this. I am now on my second bottle.
Things to note: The issue with this product is you have to be a little careful. You cannot go out in the sun wearing this and need to remove it before you go out. You should also start with it gradually and not use it everyday.
How I use it: I use it just before going to bed. I take a little bit on the dropper, spread it on my palms and over my face. I use night cream on top. But even after using it for so long, I am extremely careful and make sure I only use it every alternate day/ 2-3 times a week.
Has it helped? What would have helped is getting a picture of my face before I started using it but who thinks of this stuff? (Every other blogger but nevermind.) Now do I look like a 14 year old? No. But I do feel my skin is clearer. Now this can just be a placebo effect and me wanting to make sure my hard work is paying off but I am not going to stop using this for now. I will take a picture of my face now and compare in another month or so.
Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
This was recommended by one of my favourite beauty people Sali Hughes so I got it. Now I can definitely see it makes my skin look brighter. BUT two issues:
- It is quite oily and makes your skin shiny. Its fine for use in winter when I pile on cream after cream just to make sure my dry skin does not flake off my head completely but its too oily for use in summer. Using eyeliner after using this is pretty much impossible. Its completely runs. Like I dont have enough problems with eyeliner already.
- It stings like crazy! It gets better with use but the first few times, it stings like hell.
Where do I stand on this? I am very conflicted. I like what the product does but I don’t think there is a realistic way of using it since it’s so oily. And then the stinging. I know no pain, no gain – in this instance I am happy to sacrifice the gain. I will not be buying another tube once this one runs out (but I am cheap enough to ensure I finish using the one I already bought instead of just chucking it out).
When I went to the Deciem (the umbrella brand that owns a number of brands including The Ordinary) store in Spitalfields and told the shop lady it stings, she suggested getting a lowed intensity serum. So in case you want to try this out, I would suggest going for lower intensity to higher intensity instead of bumbling along like me.
100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil
I am not really sure why I bought this but it was 100% argan oil and extremely cheap, I was at the store, I liked the look of it and wanted to be one of those women who use oils on their face.
Reality: its a good product. You can use it on your hair to calm fizzy hair and use it on your face. I have not had a lot of luck with it on my hair – it makes it too oily but its been a great success for my face. I am one of those people who come out of a shower and can’t even smile – my face is so dry I feel like its going to crack. This oil is perfect for that after shower moment.
Bottomline, will I buy again? Honestly, I might not because I want to try rosehip oil next. But would I recommend – yes! The Ordinary sells Moroccan oil (and the other facial oils they stock) for about half the price most other brands do.
Hylamide Photography Foundation
I bought this product on an Easy Jet flight. Yes, I am one of those people who shop at the inflight shopping mall on a low-cost airline. I think even the lady pushing the trolley full of forgotten perfumes was surprised when I stopped her.
So honestly, this is the first time I have actually ever bought something on a flight. And it was The Ordinary’s new foundation which was just out and about 4-5 bucks off. (The full price product is about £20 so come on!)
This foundation did not make a good first impression. Maybe because I wasn’t sure how to use it. The first time I used it like foundation. That was not successful. I basically looked like I have put highlighter all over my face. So second time, I put a tiny drop and mixed it along with my normal foundation. I looked into the mirror eagerly – zero difference. Third attempt, use about half of this foundation and half of the normal foundation. I looked fantastic. Even with the healthy levels of confidence I posses, I was surprised at how fantastic I looked.
But there is a but. Now this product looks great on someone with my colour – fair with a yellowish tinge. I am not sure how this will fare on someone darker – I would recommend trying it on before buying it. I just think it will look quite odd on someone darker since its a very light colour foundation and from what I could see, they don’t seem to make this in any other colour so I am not sure its works for normal Indian skin or other non-white skin tones. (Also if white readers have used this please let me know if this works for you? I was wondering if it works for fair complexions with a pink tinge.)
I will definitely try and update the post whenever I get a new product or see some change. Please let me know about your experience with the brand.
Also, you may have noticed we haven’t posted in awhile and this post is after a week and a half. Satarupa and Bidisha want to make sure I tell you this was totally my fault since I was gallivanting in India. I have a lot on right now but I promise, its back to business again!
Thanks for reading!
– Anisha
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