(Part 3) Top products from r/AskWomen

Face masks! My favorite at home mask is honey and crushed banana. Makes your skin feel super smooth plus you can eat the leftovers.

Once a week I deep exfoliate and then moisturize my entire body with one of these. They're cheap and they leave my skin baby dolphin smooth.

https://www.amazon.com/pcs-Asian-Exfoliating-Bath-Washcloth/dp/B004C8DR1U/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=36E12CLARSC6U&keywords=korean+scrubbing+mitt&qid=1554829779&s=gateway&sprefix=korean+sc&sr=8-4

Nails and eyebrows can make a huge difference. Take some time for maintenance. I always feel put together after I have my nails and brows done.

Drink plenty of water

Cut down on alcohol!

Hit the gym hard! I feel amazing after a great workout.

Sunscreen!!!! Skincare is essential! your dermis is the largest "organ" you have! Moisturize more than just your face! Take care of your hands, neck, and chest!

Hot herbal teas really add something extra to my down time.

Make sure your cloths fit. I find really great pieces at thrift stores and have them tailored so they fit. My four dollar blazer is from the loft and fits like a glove.

Meal planning I'm less frazzled when I don't have to worry about what I'm going to eat on top of everything else. Plus it saves you money and makes it easier to eat healthy.

Take care of your feet and titties by investing in quality bras and shoes, your back will thank you later.

When it comes to makeup only highlight one main feature at a time. Going bold on eyes? Go more natural/neutral with your lips. And vice versa.

I guess it's "normal" in the sense that there have been other people who have felt this way but I don't think that it's "normal" in the sense that I don't think viewing your 'virginity' as a thing that you 'lost' which makes you less than is a healthy way to think about it.

Virginity is a bullshit concept to begin with. Placing importance on it only sets people up to feel less than for engaging in something perfectly normal and healthy and natural. Having sex when you feel ready is as positive a thing as not having sex when you don't feel ready.

Edit: a day later and i'm still so angry that you have to unlearn 21 years of worth of internalized slut shaming and I feel like maybe I didnt say enough. I grew up Christian and, as a teen, went to all these talks and heard all these speakers talk about how women are either a lamborghini (something prized because having one is rare) or a ford (a car that's heavily advertised, everyone owns, and no one is impressed by) and how we should protect our "treasure" and how disrespectful it is to our future husbands to have sex with anyone but them. These speakers would talk about how we should pity women who felt the need to engage in sex and how holding onto our purity was really something to be proud of. And, shocker, none of that was ever aimed at the dudes in the crowd. (For reference, I'm only 23 so this shit didn't happen that long ago.) Though my parents never fed me any of that kind of shit/we're as sex positive as they could be with a teen who didn't want to talk to their parents about sex and I thank the universe every day that I escaped those years without buying into that stuff. I'm not saying you were militant about it or that you were trying to wait until marriage, but you obviously bought into some of that and those ideas can be really hard to escape- and they're hurting you. It's really really toxic for those ideas to be perpetuated. They lead to so much judgement and shaming and pain and confusion that can be completely done without. I remember feeling liberated when I had sex for the first time- glad to do away with a label that I felt like people were putting so much unnecessary importance on.

I highly suggest you read The Purity Myth: How America's Obsession With Virginity Is Hurting Young Women by Jessica Valenti. And maybe from there, some other sex-positive writing.

Lazer is best. Waxing or something is great. Shaving is most affordable and realistic.

For those of us who are stuck with affordable - I HIGHLY RECOMMEND switching to a safety razor - specifically The Lady Gillette - you will save mountains of money. It costs $20-$30 (can be found on eBay), and then the blades cost actual pennies. Example, less than $10 for 100 blades - you could easily use less than 1 blade per week, making this last 2+ years. TEN DOLLARS EVERY TWO YEARS. You can stop buying those overpriced cartridges that were only invented to make you spend more money.

I do my bikini line with that razor and let me tell you, you can do a perfect clean-up in whatever shape you prefer (I just lightly trim top and sides), then I suggest an electric trimmer for whatever you keep, or even tiny manicure scissors - your preference.

Plus, the shave is superior anyway, and it's convenient. It's so nice being able to take the razor out mid-shave (say, if I let things go and it's a little clogged) and hit the blade and the head with water and go back with a perfectly unclogged blade. I've been using mine for over a year, and made my girlfriend buy one immediately and she has never looked back either. Seriously my friends, worth it - happy to answer any questions.

Happy to help! What's your budget? I'm on mobile - let me see if I can grab links to what I would recommend based on what you want to spend


Edit: these are the markers I have and I love them. A bit pricy but worth it if it's in your budget: http://www.amazon.com/STD334SB20A6-Staedtler-Triplus-Fineliner-Pens/dp/B0007OEE7E
(There is actually a bigger set you can get from JetPens.com I think)

For a coloring book, I have a couple I like:
This one (and the other ones by this author/artist) is great: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1780671067/ref=pd_aw_fbt_229_img_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0C8DWW0SZ6WKWXY2EX4N


This one also looks nice. I don't have it but one of my friends does: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1941325122/ref=pd_aw_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=61DETogR%2BIL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL100_SR100%2C100_&refRID=1NJH3VAEG30BFHGYWTF4

• These socks are the softest, comfiest socks I've ever owned.
  
• These leggings are fleece lined and super warm
  
• This is just the best dress ever. CowCow has a lot of great prints, and the dresses are great quality.
  
• This hat, just because.
  
• This so you never have to smell poop again.
  
• The best shower head ever.
  
• This hairbrush, because it gets tangles out like magic and doesn't even hurt while doing so.

Proper form cannot be practiced from reading a book alone - please hire a ppowerlifting coach with years of experience to learn from or watch videos on [Exrx.net] (http://www.exrx.net) - it is an excellent resource!

Also, lifting and macronutrients (protein, carbs, fat) are essential to your progress! Please read [The New Rules of Lifting for Women: Lift Like a Man, Look Like a Goddess] (https://www.amazon.com/New-Rules-Lifting-Women-Goddess/dp/1583333398) - the best book on this topic that will help you understand both accepts!

It's a horrible trade-off to make!

Here is the air purifier and I highly recommend getting both the suggested filter and pre-filter. The pre-filters get all of the pet hair and are cheaper so that you only replace those every so often instead of the entire filter. Once the pre-filter gets gray I replace it, about every month, but the actual filter only needs to be replaced a couple times a year in my experience. It depends on how much dust and other things are actually making it through.

Life has been much better with this and if you just need a dog-free space like the bedroom, it'll be even more effective because the space is smaller. :)

Edit: Also, I've had it since December of 2015 and it still works very well!

The Staedtler Triplus Fineliner is my all time favorite. I'm all about porous point pens because they don't smear and for whatever reason make my handwriting infinitely better than any other pen. I followed a bunch of study blogs on tumblr when I was in school and all the people that had the best handwriting and cutest notes swore by these pens. I especially love how many colors they have and the convenient carry case that turns into a stand.

Use your mother's words against her. If she wants to say those things, then here mom, I need these products.
Elf products are cheap, that blemish roller is 2 or 3$. They also have other great face products, not just makeup, at amazing prices. You can check them out online https://www.elfcosmetics.com/ . Witch hazel is about the same as the roller.
You can go to the dollar store and get the face wash. The moisturizer, I used to use clean and clear acne/blemish control, whatever it was called, moisturizer. It is a grey bottle with a purple top and purple lettering.
On the slightly more expensive side, yet lasts long as a moisturizer, Garnier gel moisturizer. 24hrs. Yes. Kept you moisturized for 24hrs.

https://www.amazon.com/Garnier-SkinActive-Moisture-Rescue-Moisturizer/dp/B003RF82UK?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B003RF82UK&th=1

Dam that's a good price!

https://www.amazon.com/Clean-Clear-Moisturizer-Medication-Non-Greasy/dp/B001E96LQS/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1EZ4VLGK0AU35&keywords=clean%2Band%2Bclear%2Bmoisturizer&qid=1554472666&s=gateway&sprefix=clean%2Band%2Bclear&sr=8-3&th=1&psc=1

Ok, the price for that is for 3. The regular price, Walmart, runs about the same as the gel.


Don't use soap, unless that's a first step to get extra crap off your face.

My hooded eyes look awful with eyeliner applied above upper lashes/below lower lashes as is conventional, so I always/only use eyeliner on my waterline. To prevent raccoon eyes later in they day, here's the tips and tricks I've cultivated over the years:

1. Aim for the part closest to the lashes/avoiding the inner part closest to the eye, because the moisture from your eye can make it run. I use a pencil or pencil-like liner, but cone-shaped kohl kajal sticks are tailor made for this; you just have to stick it between your closed lids and rub back and forth, perfect if you're a little eye-squeamish.
   
2. Using a small firm brush (I use a $1 elf concealer brush, works great), set in place using a similarly-colored eyeshadow or, even better, brow powder. I use dark brown eyeliner instead of black, so I use the one from my brow kit (Milani Brow Fix, can even double as a contour/highlight palette; a true triple-threat). I've found that brow powder has much less fall-out, I suppose from the matte-ness and staying power.
   
3. Stamp loose (face) powder right up under the lower lash line. I've found this is the best defense against late-in-day smearing/smudging/tranfer! I also brush it on my brow bone, because my hooded eyes/curly lashes will paint little mascara lines on my brow bone without it. I don't wear often eyeshadow, so I'm not 100% sure if it's compatible with that; might mattify shiny/shimmery ones.
   
   Not eyeliner-related: Using chafing gel for primer. Cheap and effective

Victorinox 8 Inch Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife which I got for my husband, we needed a better kitchen knife and this one was rated pretty well by america's test kitchen

Chooka rain boots I have thick calves and these rain boots are fantastic, they're a bit wide too so I can wear wooly socks with them.

My Asus laptop

This cat lounger my cats love, especially my chunky one

And my air purifier

Not affiliated with the amazon link, but Shisheido Perfect Whip.

I have dry skin and it is strong enough to get sunscreen off while at the same time not tearing up my skin. I buy it in bulk.

You only have to use a pea sized amount so a tube lasts me four or five months with twice daily use. It is just the right mix of gentle/gets my face clean.

These marker/pens are really nice and much cheaper on Amazon than in a store
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007OEE7E?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Also I got a silk pillowcase, it's fantastic
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LWWTACZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_bC3knUz3X1ttx

And these boots are pretty nice
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSJYJ75?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Strength training is an effective way to burn off fat. I've been doing it for 6 months along with eating pretty healthy and I've lost 30lbs, though I'm much bigger than you. Look at this book for a good routine.

Check out this book: The Highly Sensitive Person. It's wonderful.

I think if it were valued, people would be taught to not be ashamed of their sensitivity, would learn tools to use it for its best results, and become incredibly productive members of society.

How I shave is detailed below. The most important thing to do is a pre-shave scrub and to 'treat' the skin by putting unscented anti-persperant on the shaved skin, and also not to wear tight clothing for some hours after shaving, although loose cotton underwear should be OK.

Safety razor, good razor blades, soothing shaving cream, shaving brush. See below.

Have a shower. Scrub your crotch with a lemon-sugar scrub to remove all the dead skin and oil.

While you're still in the shower, put a dab of shaving cream on your wet shaving brush and work up a good lather on your crotch. Shave with the grain. Learn to use your razor on your legs before you take it near your clit. This isn't a venus, if you make the wrong movement with this razor you can slice your most sensitive of sensitives wide open.

Watch some tutorial videos. Safety razor shaving isn't difficult and men manage to shave their faces every day using them without incident. Go slow and take your time to learn the techniques.

I've linked some good starting products below. Your mileage may vary.

http://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Model-180-Handled-Safety/dp/B000NL0T1G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374443612&sr=8-1&keywords=merkur+safety+razor

http://www.amazon.com/Feather-Hi-Stainless-Platimum-Double-Blades/dp/B0022R947O/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1374443626&sr=1-1&keywords=feather+razor+blades

http://www.amazon.com/Proraso-Shaving-Eucalyptus-Menthol-Formulation/dp/B00837ZOI0/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1374443646&sr=1-1&keywords=proraso

http://www.amazon.com/Escali-100%25-Badger-Shaving-Brush/dp/B003WR3QSG/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1374443659&sr=1-1&keywords=shaving+brush

Quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking was nice. It doesn't treat introversion like social anxiety or claim introverts are inherently superior, it just talks about how introverts should try to stick with working styles that work for them instead of forcing themselves to love things like group brainstorming. It also discusses problems introverts have in the current "extrovert idealism" of a lot if workplaces.

I'm still working on this, but a book I have found helpful is The Four Agreements

At first I wasn't sure about it because it's based on the wisdom and spirituality of the ancient Toltec civilization's religion. I'm not religious or spiritual but the four agreements themselves make a lot of sense.

She sounds like a classic introvert. Slowness is a strength is a tenet of one of my favorite books Quiet.

my security bar. the best 16 bucks i've spent for peace of mind.

I use a double sided safety razor. A pack of 100 blades is like $10 on Amazon (these). The actual razor was $10 (this one). My husband and I use a pack of blades in about 10 months with each of us getting one shave out of each side of the blade. There is a learning curve to using it but I get zero razor burn, I never cut myself shaving anymore, and it's a smoother shave. I use Cremo for shaving cream and that size lasts about 6 months for me.

I spend about $15 a year for shaving stuff and I get a better shave than multi-bladed razors.

edits to include links

Shiseido Perfect Whip. A tube goes a long way and cleans super thoroughly.

LOVELY. I can keep the place as clean or as dirty as I want, I do what I want with my time, and I get to decide who can and can't come over and when.

I had one of these in my last apartment, as it was in a high-crime neighborhood. I now live in a place with a sliding door out onto a patio, and even though I'm on the second floor I have a steel dowel (just a length of cut pipe, really) that goes down in the well where the door slides in order to keep it shut, even if it's unlocked.

Then there's the basics for being in the parking lot alone/at night: keep your head up, look extremely aware of your surroundings, walk with a purpose, don't be distracted. Don't advertise that you're a single woman living alone, and you should be OK.

From my parents/family: A new coat, already purchased. Since we're living in my in-laws' attic with 4 cats, a HEPA filter. We could always use Petco, Target, or Amazon giftcards too - litter and food for 4 cats is a big part of our budget.

From fiance: wireless Bluetooth speaker for our attic room. Also, for my birthday (11/29) and Xmas gift, he's paying for our winter photoshoot :)

A book I would recommend. The Four Agreements. Gives you some great perspectives on how to live a fulfilling life on your own terms.

Try reading this book, it sounded ridiculous to me that a book would help but a lot of people on reddit recommended it and it really did make it easy. It even tells you to keep smoking while you read it!

Jessica Valenti's The Purity Myth is a really good read. It largely focuses on purity balls and the concept of female sexuality (and how obsessing over virginity actually puts more importance on women as sex objects than just letting them do as they please).

My description doesn't really do the book justice, but it's summed up relatively well if you click the link!

Yes! Ladies, I highly, highly recommend using a spring facial hair remover if you don't already. The amount of time I save using this thing was well worth the $20 I paid for it. There are also much cheaper options, but I haven't tried them out, so I can't vouch for their effectiveness.

I use Shiseido's Perfect Whip foaming cleanser (it's like slapping marshmallow whip on your face, the foam is so thick) and I use Queen Helene's Mint Julep Mask.

I don't know how widespread negging is, all I can tell you is that the common explanation that it's a manipulation tactic with the goal of "lowering her self-esteem" doesn't necessarily apply. Personally, I like to tease girls in a fun way that gets both of us laughing, which I think is a pretty normal thing to do... But it probably could be construed as 'negging', even though my goal sure as hell isn't to make her feel bad.

And recently there was this thread, where most guys agreed with OP's mindset. The book by Mark Manson he's referring to is called Models: Attract Women Through Honesty and has become a huge trend recently.

Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking. I read the version that was called The Easy Way to Quit. He has a bunch of different versions now, but I've heard they are all pretty much the same. This helped me quit smoking after 18 years as a smoker. I'd tried multiple times before using a bunch of different quitting aids. Read this book and quit cold turkey almost four years ago.

I use this monistat chafing cream that really, really helps me! It’s available at Walmart next to the other monistat stuff. I think Lush carries something similar as well.

My korean body scrub mitt.

It's essentially just a super powered loofah, but I put some body wash on it and scrub myself like I can purge my sins about once a week. Keeps my skin super soft. It's really helped for dry itchy skin in the winter time.


One can find these at your local Jjimjilbang, "oriental" mart, or on amazon.

Question, since there is some discussion in here about razor use:

Have any of the women here tried using a safety razor, such as this one? I'm always trying to convert my fellow man friends, but not sure if these suit women's needs.

It's crazy inexpensive to refill these things with blades, and they provide a great shave. I can't imagine paying for commercial "Mach 3" type razors.

Just a plug for The Purity Myth which dismantles that whole phenomenon pretty effectively. Must read material!

Edit to add a relevant quote: “Making women the sexual gatekeepers and telling men they just can't help themselves not only drives home the point that women's sexuality is unnatural, but also sets up a disturbing dynamic in which women are expected to be responsible for men's sexual behavior.”

Tweezers for me. Annoying but meh, the things we do for beauty I suppose. Or the uh, coil thingy

This is a great book : The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You

There are also companion books for relationships and parenting as an HSP

This is pretty much what Models by Mark Manson deals with.

The book called When I Say No, I Feel Guilty is really useful for learning to be assertive. A lot of it comes down to learning the tools and then practicing.

Also, the book "The Four Agreements" It's a quick read but really reinforces the points he made. https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319

Apparently this book is fantastic.

I'm not a smoker but a friend of mine read this book while trying to quit, he said the book really helped him and he hasn't gone back on them since.

Changed my life.

I suggest you read: http://amzn.com/0553062182

I usually use this one or sometimes this one

This book is for you:
https://www.amazon.com/When-Say-No-Feel-Guilty/dp/0553263900

Non-mobile:

• this one
  
• this one
  
  ^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?

Thinking she's talking bout one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-265DCCSEN-Dual-Function-Security/dp/B0002YUX8I

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B001FXUTUM?psc=1&smid=A1O0A90IPQUR57

I upgraded and got this one recently.

I used men's razors before switching to this safety razor.

It's a brand of brushes specifically for damaged/tangled hair. I didn't think a brand of brush could make a difference but they're practically magic! This is the one I have.

many, many people don't use enough weight. that last rep is supposed to be hard. don't force it with bad form, but don't dog it with Mattel weights either.

https://www.amazon.com/New-Rules-Lifting-Women-Goddess/dp/1583333398

Ah no sorry I should have included a link-- here!

He's reading the wrong parts of 'seduction'.

Point him in this direction

My wet brush. I used to have an epic battle with my hair every single day of my life in the shower, and now I swipe three times and my hair is smooth. I used to shed an entire matte of hair all over the shower walls and in the drain trying to take the knots out, which was thinning the top of my head; now I barely lose three strands of hair a day. This product I didn't know about until 4 days ago has already changed my life.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AGZEG4U

Am a dude but I know my wife would give the same answer.

She was going through razors insanely fast because she has sensitive skin and didn't like to re-use disposable razors. I bought a safety razor and got her to try it out. She was sold on it immediately and we haven't bought disposables or cartridges in years.

I bought a 100 pack of blades 2 years ago for 10 dollars and she hasn't ran out yet.

Edit* Should also say that the initial cost is high compared to cartridges. Probably around $75 to get set up. It's cheap as hell after that though.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QY8QXM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_SBVQBb013GAS5

It began when I really saw how my dad was taking advantage of my inability to say no to him. When I started expressing I was not comfortable with some of the things he was asking (for example, always being available by phone and taking things from my mother's house to sneak to him), he blew up on me. Tried every manipulative tactic in the book to get me to do what he wanted. It led me to a really dark time of depression and an over reliance on alcohol to cope.

I began to seek out help by going to therapy. My therapist was validating and that in itself was empowering. I started to learn how I had been conditioned to say "yes" out of fear of rejection, abandonment, or being perceived as "mean."

I read books like Your Perfect Right and When I Say No, I Feel Guilty. I loved the latter especially, though it felt somewhat outdated, it has concrete examples of what one can say when someone pushes back on "no."

I sought out healthier people to practice setting boundaries with. I practiced until it didn't feel like I'd have a panic attack simply over declining someone's request. It became okay to say no, and I felt stronger every time I did it. I learned to observe people's reactions to my "no" and see how and when they were behaving poorly in response. That helped me not take it personally or feel I had to "fix" things. I also had to learn to take other people's "no" at face value and not read it as a personal attack.

Becoming a social worker really helped solidify my boundaries because I could practice on clients I'll never see again. I don't care if they think I'm rude or something because I won't let them use my office phone or I won't fudge progress notes or lie for them. Today my ability to say no prevents a lot of uncomfortable situations for myself and prevents resentments from brewing. I don't do anything I'm not fully on board with voluntarily.

My mantra: "No" is not the start of negotiations, it's the end of the discussion. I don't owe anyone explanations or excuses if I don't want to do something. I don't have to apologize for it, and if someone reacts in an out of proportion way (rage, guilt tripping, silent treatment, etc), I know that's their problem to manage.