Makeup of the day. Flatlay

AM Routine

Wednesdays morning routine. Hydration + Protection.

Emma Hardie Moringa cleansing balm, The Ordinary "Buffet", Hydraluron, Alpha H Absolute Eye Complex, The Prdinary NMF and Ultrasun face spf30.

Is it too weird that I am really enjoying the accents of pink in this photo? To see more photos of my skincare routines and more, follow me on Instagram (@beautycomparisonsite)

The Ordinary "Buffet" serum review

Apologies for a grainy image!
Sigh, after a month of use, I don't know what to say about this serum!

The Ordinary's "Buffet" is a multi-technology peptide serum that targets multiple signs of ageing at once.

The technologies are Matrixyl 3,000 peptide complex (with palmitoyl-pentapeptide 35), Matrixyl Synthe'6 peptide complex (with palmitoyl tripeptide-38), Syn-Ake peptide complex (with dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate), Relistase peptide complex (with acetylarginyltryptophyl diphenylglycine), Argirelox peptide complex (with acetyl hexapeptide-8, pentapeptide-18), Probiotic complex (with lactococcus lactis lysate), in a base of 11 skin-friendly amino acids and multiple hyaluronic acid complexes. The total concentration of these technologies in the formula by weight is 25.1%.

It is a gloopy liquid that is slightly milky in colour. 3 drops are typically enough for my entire face and it sinks in fairly quickly but the skin is left slightly sticky. I don't mind it much. It layers well with other serums and doesn't affect makeup. No smell. I haven't noticed any irritation or negative effects on my skin. However. It's not hydrating, even though it has got HA in its' ingredients list. I still have to use a hyaluronic serum on top of it. To be honest, I haven't noticed any effect on my skin at all. Now, I am only (ha!) 30 years old so you might say I don't have a mature skin. But I am a mother to a toddler and haven't slept properly for the past 3 years, I enjoy my chocolate and coffee and an occasional cocktail so the tone and condition of my skin is not the same as it was in my early twenties. I just wish I saw any kind of improvement. But alas, nothing.

I will continue using this serum as prevention is good enough for me and I will post an update if/when I see any results.

This is the most expensive serum (except for one vit C) in The Ordinary range and it's £12.70 for 30ml.

March Favourites

L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil Low Shampoo: just got it last week, but I love it. Gentle, non foaming, hair feels super soft. I think I'm done with SLS for good.

Next sunglasses: self explanatory. Dior inspired.

Pixi Glow Mud Cleanser: This is an oldie but goodie. Gentle but effective, I like using this as a morning cleanse, the skin feels instantly brighter and soft, but not tight or dry.

Hydraluron: A staple in my routine. The best hyaluronic acid serum I've tried so far.

The Ordinary NMF. Good basic moisturizer. See review below.

Charlotte Tilbury eyeshadow quad in The Sophisticate. I don't like palettes in general because I never use them up but this one has a nice selection of basic colours that are nearly matte. Great quality.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA. A rave.

I, like many of us, typically assume that a really cheap product will not be great. The Ordinary moisturizer has proven me wrong. I actually really like it!

It comes out of a tube as a thick white cream but becomes runnier on the skin and sinks in quite quickly. Instantly, the skin is left feeling hydrated and comfortable. There's no leftover residue and my skin didn't look shiny, but it wasn't matte either, it looked plump and hydrated. Some moisturizers feel great but leave a residue on top of the skin that never quite sinks in.
If memory serves me right, this moisturizer is very similar to Ren Ultra Moisture Day Cream. Actually the sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid) sits much higher on the ingredients list in the Ordinary NMF which means there is more of it than in the Ren Unltra Moisture.

No natural or added fragrance. Doesn't smell of anything. The packaging is simple but effective.

I found that I reached for this cream in the morning as it was perfect under makeup and I left richer face creams for the night time. I have read some reviews that the moisturizer made the spf and makeup roll off the skin during day time but I never found it to be the case.

I would like to hear about it more from people with combination or oily skins and see what they think, but if you believe that moisturizers should be quite simple and that most of active ingredients to treat skin concerns should come from serums, emulsions, essences and masks, this might be a moisturizer for you. And after all, the Ordinary NMF is not so simple:  It contains 11 amino acids, phospholipids, alpha/beta/gamma fatty acids, triglycerides, sterols and sterol esters, glycerin, ceramide precursors, urea, saccharides, sodium PCA and hyaluronic acid.

The best bit? It costs £4.90. Not even a full fiver! You can put the money you save towards a fancier serum!

I have been using the Ordinary NMF + HA for a month now and I will update you on whether I will repurchase when it goes into my empties pile.