Top products from r/FeminineNotFeminist

REQUEST

I've been using Can Make Mermaid UV Skin Gel for a while now and ADORE IT. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. It's a hydrating SPF emulsion that hydrates, has no white cast, and is sooo lovely to use. I'm spoiled, and now that warm temperatures are on and ten thousand layers are off, I want a similarly luxurious SPF for my chest/arms/legs/feet for day to day wear. No white cast, no SPF smell, hopefully that's also hydrating. The Mermaid gel isn't expensive... but it will be if I use it everywhere (I want to use it everywhere.) I'm not trying to get spendy here.. but I can probably be convinced :) Also, if you haven't tried this sunscreen, what are you doing? I feel for you. It's the best. Especially if you are prone to breaking out!

REVIEWS

• Khiel's makes this mud mask that I feel confident is helping to deep cleanse my pores, decreasing their apparent size. It tingles just a bit, which I don't mind. This is my first clay mask, so I'm not sure what to compare it to, but it seems to do it's job! I'm open to trying other ones for sure. There's some Australian made clay mask that I keep seeing on Instagram which has caught my interest.
  
  
• Dr. Gross's universal peeling pads are not bad, oh, at, all. They leave my skin feeling really really clean and ready for the next steps without adding tightness. They do add about five minutes to my routine, since you're supposed to use the pads all over the face until the pads are dry. But I really think these, and my clay mask, are to thank for the drastic decrease in pore size.
  
  
• After patch testing, I've used The Ordinary peeling solution once so far but it's pretty great! It's a fun product to apply.. very viscous and bright raspberry in color. Doesn't tingle or burn at all, and I noticed a lot of dry skin coming up around my forehead and temples which is new for me so success!
  
  
• The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane made me peel the morning after use, and is SO GENTLE. No tingling or redness at all! I'm in love.
  
  
• The Ordinary Vitamin C in HA is definitely a tingly product, but it's amazing. My skin is looking so much more refined and even in tone, IMO. It's a gritty suspension so I only do this at night. But highly recommend it!
  
  
• The Ordinary Marine HA is another great one. It's a very watery essence step that instantly moisturizes... I feel like it hydrates deeply, and it also absorbs rather quickly as well! So in love. Love love love. It does smell like algae and sea organic matter, to be expected. It feels amazing but smells kinda gross.
  
  
• The Ordinary HA Moisturizing Factors is lovely. It's so lightweight and fluffy... it's a surprisingly luxurious experience for such a low cost. I notice I do value the Khiel's day oil in combination with this for some added festivity... but I can't go without this stuff!
  
  
• I got a sample of the Rosette ceramide gel and quite like it as a replacement for the Dr. Jardt gel moisturizer I'd been using. It's got a nice ingredient list, and that shows :) Macadamia nut oil seems to be a good thing for my skin.
  
  
• I bought the Dermaflash device when I went to Nordstrom and just tried it yesteray! I don't assume it is as effective as a professional dermaplaning service, but if you'd like something to tide you over between professional services, to test out the concept of dermaplaning, or if you're disinterested in actual dermaplaning! I didn't realize just how much dead skin was clinging to my face! My products really are absorbing sooo much better already, I love not using Nair to remove the peach fuzz on my face. It's awesome! I had to charge a few times during the process, which wasn't ideal, but all in all? I'd totally recommend this. I used it on my chest as well and love how soft all my skin is now :) I love this thing! Excited to try actual dermaplaning to determine the difference :)
  
  
• I've been using the Laura Mercier blemishless primer and think I love Laura Mercier primer like u/theartnomad always said I would... but I don't like this one. It says it prevents breakthrough shine, and it DOES, except I want my breakthrough shine as a bright spring with dry skin perpetually on the hunt for a dewy glowing complexion. It's even a bit too matte for when I want to be more professional in terms of skin finish. I'm not sure if I want the radiance primer (it adds a pearlescent finish... which I like, but I'm wary of white cast, which I think the bronze might help with) or the hydrating one? I'll get some samples at Sephora soon :)
  
  
• Christophe Robin makes a volumizing hair line and I am obsessed. The spray was lackluster for me, but I haven't experimented thoroughly with it. The scalp scrub feels AMAZING, dissolves completely, and the conditioner is so hydrating (makes detangling very easy) and my hair is visibly thicker and fluffier and shinier after use. I'd like to get the non-scrub shampoo as well to add in for my third weekly wash. Highly recommend.
  
  
• Christophe Robin's moisturizing kit is also nice, but I simply don't need that much moisture. Can't comment on the styling product as I'm allergic to the almond oil included. This is a great option for a deeper conditioning, or any one with breakage/damage I'd imagine, but it left my hair very sleek, if my goal weren't huge massive voluminous hair I'd be a happy camper!
  
  
• u/littlegoosegirl recommended the Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo and it's AWESOME. Leaves my hair feeling totally perfectly squeaky clean! Not drying or damaging either, it wouldn't appear. I use this to remove the deep cleansing product I treat my hair with I've reviewed in the past, and it's a dream.
  
  
• I've long been in love with Khiel's Midnight Recovery Oil but am now entirely in love with the day version of this oil. Totally recommend. It's a drier, faster absorbing oil that lays fabulously under makeup. The warm citrusy scent is absolutely a plus.

Love this! The Bombshell Manual of Style and Your Beauty Mark are two of the best beauty books I’ve ever read!

The Westmore books ~ Westmore Beauty Book -- A Complete 1950s Guide to Vintage Makeup, Hairstyling and Beauty Techniques ~ are great too, written by some of the most prominent makeup artists of Old Hollywood. It’s fun for beauty history buffs and there are some interesting concepts!

I also like The Elegant Woman by Eunice Leong, and her blog by the same title >> The Elegant Woman .

The Madame Chic ~ Lessons from Madame Chic: 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris ~ books are great too. They’re all on Amazon, you can get them on Kindle. Any books that laud elegance and charm are must-reads for me. I’m always looking to upgrade in this department in every novel way I can. 💖

(Sorry for the weird editing; I’m new to Reddit and still learning the format! :)

Ok, ready yourself for product review bombardment! Also, I thought a fun Christmas idea this year would be to give stockings to my close girlfriends with my favorite new products I've tried out this year.

Tend Skin Aftershave - I actually just recommended this product on the post asking about razor bumps. I will never go without this product again in my life. MY GOD it burns! And it smells like pure rubbing alcohol, but it delivers as promised. I've been using in conjuctions with...

Cerave Renewing SA Cream - I use this all over my body because I get crazy razor bumps AND I have keratosis pilaris (chicken skin) on top of a thyroid problem (so I get dry as the desert skin).

Aquaphor - I realize for some people this is an obvious, but I've always had chapped lips, nonstop, and this seems to be keeping them moisturized better than anything I've tried. It's also helping with my psoriasis on my elbow, when I remember to apply.

Stila Stay All Day Lipstick - I don't know who this stays all day on. I can't even make it to lunch without being lipstick-less. Do I need to set it with something?? I've tried applying different amounts to see if that changes the outcome but nope. Sadness.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation - This one I'm kind of on the fence about. I don't hate it. It hasn't broken me out. It's not oxidizing. I still have a nice enough complexion when I take it off at night. But there's just something...thick? pore-y? about it. When I look at myself close up, I see 'bad skin' instead of flawless finish that I want to see...And I don't even feel like I really have bad skin, so much as I just have dry skin.

Shea Moisture Intensive Hydration Shampoo/Conditioner - sigh. I wanted to like this. I needed it to be my holy grail shampoo/conditioner. Sadly it's not anywhere near. My hair somehow managed to feel dry and greasy at the same time after using. Only my hair could accomplish that!

Aussie Moist Conditioner - Frankly I don't know if this does anything good for my hair, but it gives it good slip and it smells AMAZING.

Tresemme Flawless Curls Mousse - I decided to give this a shot for my coarse, dry, wavy hair because I read that alcohol-free mousse helps when you have wavy hair and air dry. SIGH. My hair seems to be...frizzier on top of my head now? I don't know how this happened. The first time I applied, I did just from about my ear/shoulder level down - no good. The next time I did full hair length - no good. Next I waited just a bit so my hair was a little more air dried (not long, maybe 5 minutes longer) - no good. This product is just not for me. Also it leaves a gross residue that doesn't scrunch out.

NEXT UP, I'll be trying out Loreal Air Dry It Spray to see if I can tame the beast!

I also just ordered Joico Ironclad Heat Protectant for when I give up on the poofy beast and straighten it.

I've used Cali White Teeth Whitening Kit for two nights now, technically three, but I paused after the first night to wait for my remineralizing gel to arrive. I will review after enough time has passed to determine if it's working. I chose it because I have crazy sensitive teeth and it doesn't contain peroxide like most teeth whitening systems.

Let me know if you have any questions/want more detail about any of these products!



EDIT: I forgot about my new deodorant! I've been using Donna Karan Cashmere Mist for a few weeks now and love it! I feel so feminine wearing it instead of sharing my husband's deodorant. It works pretty well too cause I'm a sweaty, sweaty girl. It's a very firm texture compared to most solid deodorants, and the scent is sort of baby powder-ish, sort of old-lady, sort of moroccan amber (which is my new fave scent I found thru Nest home stuffs).

I have been getting really into cooking, and expanding my repertoire of recipes and specialties. I have always been skilled at cooking but I'm trying to amp up my abilities and start mastering more complex dishes. The Newlywed Cookbook should be in everyone's bookshelf. Truly, I have not made a bad recipe from this book. 10/10 would recommend!

I have also always been on the "alternative diet/food lifestyle" train, but my mother recommended "Nourishing Traditions" to me and reading it has been great! I am learning so much more about nutrition and ancestral cooking. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to increase their level of natural, personal wellness, and anyone interested in bone broth, home fermentation, and the like. Even if you don't subscribe to everything she says, there is still so much to learn and take away from this book!

I don't take a capsule. I take this kind, but I chose it because it had good reviews. I wanted something cold pressed and unrefined.

I was just looking in the mirror and I noticed that my skin does look better. Now, I've been outside in the sun a lot and that always makes my skin look better (with sunscreen and a hat) and I've also been eating really well, which also makes my skin look really good, so I don't know for sure what it is, but I'm hopeful this is adding to it.

Gloria Starr on Youtube has some neat videos as she has a finishing school. About half are publicity but the other half has good information. I also have a children's book from the "Princess Diaries" franchise called Princess Lessons that is actually very good, simple and to the point

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Princess-Lessons-Diaries-Books-x/dp/0060526777/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1497575940&sr=8-2&keywords=princess+lessons

Gear towards teens and with many references to the movie but overall quite good. I use the most the bit called "The princess' correspondence" for tips and templates for thank you notes, condolences cards and such things

Ahhh! I'm so excited! Season Two of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is coming soon! https://smile.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B07G9PHJJH/ref=atv_dp_season_select_atf

​

The first season was such an inspiration to me aesthetic wise. I LOVE her clothes.

You need to not expect miracles on low-spoon days (spoon theory for those unfamiliar with it).

Work out the basics of your routine & plan a modified, low-energy version. It might include:

• BB cream rather than day cream + foundation
  
• tinted lip balm instead of full lips
  
• make up remover wipes (you can get micellar ones) kept by the bed
  
• a hair dryer stand
  
• a couple of special accessories that make you feel good + are easy to put on - I like brooches, personally!
  
  

Info | Details
----|-------
Amazon Product | Yogi Skin DeTox Tea, Soothing Rose Hibiscus, 16 Tea Bags (Pack of 6), Packaging May Vary
>Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. By using the link above you get to support a chairty and help keep this bot running through affiliate programs all at zero cost to you.

What a great post! I want you to dress me.

On a related note, I have this book on my list. One of my favorite bloggers says it changed the way she got dressed.

I would recommend adding an oil to your nighttime routine!

Most health food stores will carry food-grade oils like this, or you can get an oil blend as a skincare product like this!

Some ideas of oils that work for dry skin: almond seed oil, passion fruit oil, jojoba oil, hemp seed oil

Could also patch test and try: coconut oil, olive oil

I use Rosehip Seed Oil and it does the trick but I have oily skin. I also only use it every once in awhile when I feel like I need it! It doesn't smell like roses or anything (sadly) ;D

Both the hubs and I have been loving this bath scrubber towel. It makes exfoliating your back a cinch!

I loved this one when I was living in a place without a water softener.

The only exfoliating cloth you will ever need.

Seriously. Read the reviews.

I also love Epsom Salt baths.

It's Yogi Soothing Rose Hibiscus! How is the vanilla cinnamon version?

Zippered corset

Underbust (not really underbust, sorry) corset (plastic)

Overbust corset (steel boned)

Underbust corset (steel boned)

NOTE: PRICES ARE JACKED WAY UP DUE TO VALENTINE'S DAY! Buy after.