Disappointing Expensive Beauty Product

I was given a huge box of Clarins beauty products as a leaving present by my so-called best friend who bought on behalf of the staff. I expect she kept some freebies for herself as she adored these products.
The issue? I'm anosmic, have skin problems and hate "labels".
I severed ties with this woman later over other things, but this sewed the seed.
How could someone know me so little?

Sorry for typos in above message..list my reading glasses ....

Flygirl, Like you I live tropic products. My daughter introduced me to them earlier this year. I havecsensit8ve skin and made mistakes buying clarins in the past and tried many other products but the tropic ones seem to be the only ones not tp irrotaye my skin

Anything that promises to banish wrinkles. Nothing works.

I won some Elemis products on a web site. It’s lovely but will go back to Aldi’s caviar cream when finished.

Same here tinafl, I asked for the Clarins Double Beauty Serum one Christmas and was not impressed,
Another vote here for Nivea Q10 face and eye cream.

Bluesindy 1, I'm with you.. Tropic is fabulous and there's absolutely no nasties in it.

Dermatologist told me the only cream to use is E45. I shall continue my long loyalty to Clinique. Whether they have made any difference over the years is impossible to say!

Thanks for al the comments, as I said earlier I think I will be sticking to what I’ve been used to and won’t be paying (Or at least my husband won’t) a vast amount for any more skin products.
One that hasn’t been mentioned ( I don’t think) which I really like is Astral . I suppose it’s like everything find what suits you and stick with it.

Liz08, my beauty therapist neighbour tells people to change their moisturiser every three months as 'the skin gets used to it and it stops working'. She admits to me, though, that it's all commercial interests.

She keeps her face out of the sun (the most important thing), uses sunblock, good sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat if she has to venture out in it!

Liz08 Clinique is part of Estée Lauder.
There are two “Clarins” companies one is tested on animals “Clarins for me” is not.

I once asked a leading question to an aquaintance who is a retired Beauty Consultant', "What is the best face cream for older skins?" I said.
Her reply was that it depends on your skin but whatever you use, give it a few months to work - don't keep chopping and changing. I said "I'll keep on using my Aldi moisturiser then".
She just smiled and gave a slight nod .....

I can't recall which one but Clinique or Clarins is the same company as L'oreal.

The expensive stuff, including perfume is down to packaging and advertising.

Before you’re tempted to buy always ask for a sample. I have sensitive skin and would be very reluctant to buy a new product without trying it first. They assistants are usually helpful if asked nicely ?

I’ve a few favourite face creams, none of them super expensive, and I buy whichever’s on special offer when I need it. I’ve always had very dry skin that needs a mighty moisturiser and definitely can’t cope with soap and water. DH used to deal with a Swiss company at work many years ago and one Christmas they gave him a huge gift box of skincare products for me instead of the usual wine. It was gorgeous and probably very expensive, and definitely several cuts above anything I’ve had since.

I’ve wasted a lot of money over the years on various miracle haircare products, none of them have been worth it.

I spent £52 on products to help my thinning hair. It was useless. Xx

I had a patient on my ward many years ago. She was 105 and had amazing skin. Her 85 year old daughter was sent home (about 25 miles) to bring her Ponds Cold Cream in. She never went a day without applying it morning and evening.

My mother had fabulous skin and used Nivea all her life.
I, on the other hand, am a sucker for sales promotions and those painted assistants in the JL Cosmetics and perfume hall.
Lockdown has put paid to that thank goodness!

Oh, I should have said one EL product has an awful smell too. I wonder if some items have not been on the shelf for years.

I bought some Clinique moisturiser a couple of years ago in Boots when it was on offer. Hasn’t used this brand previously. When I opened it it smelt of rancid fish and petrol. I took it back and to my utter incredulity I was told that was the way it was supposed to smell. I did get my money back but have never been near the brand since. I swap between No 7, Estée Lauder, Elemis and Olay and sometimes M&S Formula brand. Think the cheaper ones I use are just as good, probably.

gillyjp pre menopause if I was tired I would apply a generous amount of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream to my face and elbows DH couldn't abide the smell............

I very stupidly bought an extremely expensive Claris moisturiser whilst on holiday in New York. I was totally sucked in by the sales hype,, forgot it was an import to the USA and therefore far more than it would have been in Europe and every time I used it I resented how stupid I’d been. I reverted back to my Aldi Special and quite honestly I really do prefer it. If all of these beauty lotions and potions really worked, there wouldn’t be any elderly looking women around would there!

One Christmas my OH bought me La Mer moisturing cream. It was over £100 then (Just checked and currently it is £240 for a 60ml jar!) I would never have spent even £100 on a moisturiser but he wanted me to have something that I had hankered after. Big disappointment. I used all of it but it was very thick and did absolutely nothing for my skin. Not even a nice smell either.

The other one I was not impressed with was Elizabeth Arden 8 hour miracle cream. The smell is too clinical and antiseptic. I still have half an unused tube somewhere.

I use The Ordinary products and really like them. I buy them all online

123kitty

I think I'm the odd one out here. I love expensive creams, my mind tells me they work. Just seeing their fabulous little pots in my bathroom sets my day off to a good start. I know it's all probably a waste of money, particularly as I'm not overly bothered how my face ages, my aim is a really strong healthy body. But to start the day feeling great can only be good for me.

Oh, I understand this 123kitty - there's nothing lovelier than indulging in some expensive face cream or bath oil, although we know deep down inside that it's no different from anything else!

I use a mish-mash of Boots, The Ordinary, and whatever takes my fancy, but I do have one expensive indulgence, Eve Lom cleanser and I love it.

If any cream or potion worked against wrinkles there would be no need for cosmetic surgery.