Have you noticed the slow decline in availability of beauty products. I usually buy a couple maybe 3 or 4 products a month, I have been a victim participant in and of the lipstick effect, women who buy a lipstick as a pick me up when other more expensive desires/wants are out of reach like the latest high tech skincare reveal or a new brand influencers are talking about.

And yet more and more times than not I go into boots, NK Space, Flannels thinking they probably won’t have what I want and if not what am I going to get instead.

I’ve made a load more mistakes lately because of this phenomenon, what I want to replace something used up I love, I cannot get leads me to something else which 9 times out of 10 isn’t right. Since Covid and the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran and now pretty much the whole of the Middle East, Make up brands don’t say something is discontinued or no longer available, they leave you up in the air just having to wait, guess when something will become available.

I have found building great relationships with the beauty consultants on the counters in the shops I go to the most, Boots, Flannels, John Lewis and NK Space has really served me well. When testers become unavailable to most people because of people selling them online I felt like I was placed in a privileged good customer category for my loyalty.

It’s been an absolute blessing because instead of having to invest in new products I still get to try before I buy. The disappearance of testers is something so many of my friends are moaning about. The masses have ruined this amazing brand generosity for the few by creating a secondary market and selling instead of trying.

These two new products Double Serum from Clarins have been a blessing delivered in sample size.

At £92 for 50ml the price makes it a luxury product for me but boy does it feel amazing on the skin and I have actually had a couple of people ask me if I’ve done anything (I guess they mean Botox) recently. I haven’t incidentally.

This product was awarded the Best of The Best for anti aging serum in the Bazaar UK Beauty Editors Choice awards 2024 so others in the business clearly liked it too. I’ve been using the Complete age defying complex in conjunction with the Double Serum for eyes. This one costs £62 for 20ml and it was recommended I use a very small amount around the eye socket, not on the thin skin directly under the eye as that is where product can build up and make the eye look puffy. This was a mistake I was making and when I changed the routine my eyes are way brighter and more open with darker pigmentation appearing reduced.

I really like these products. Having the tester converted me into a customer. I’ve even used the double serum on my chest decollate area which I know is a big area to cover but it’s worked a charm there too.

If you have tried the youth bomb from beauty pie and been like urghh, not that it’s bad I just didn’t love it. This double serum from Clarins is the same kind of thing, similar texture except less sticky and soaks in better and the feeling of the skin even after a few days is worth investing in.

Oh and if you want to save a bit of money I’ve seen Clarins Double Serum on Brand Alley recently for half price.

As you know I was a big fan of the pink diamond lifting oil from Mrs Rodial but have been unable to find it anywhere so had to eventually bite the bullet and try something new. It is back in stock now on the Rodial website at £125 for 30ml and I do like it better than the Clarins Double Serum but hey it’s a lot more expensive.

When I need a new anti aging serum all things being equal and budget permitting I would probably go back to Mrs Rodial but in the meantime I am definitely enjoying using the Clarins Double Serum. In this case, not always the truth when it comes to beauty and skincare you do get what you pay for.

I’ve added the brand alley discounted link which I know doesn’t align with promoting my stay loyal to your beauty consultant ideology however I work on a purchase from my consultant first and then if I happen to see a great deal elsewhere like online or sometimes in TK Maxx I don’t feel bad topping up my supply or buying a gift for a friend at the cheaper price. Trying to keep things real and balanced.