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You're doing it!

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A few years back I was in your shoes but instead of a baby, I was hit by a BMW (on a bicycle). Couldn't keep up, in and out of hospitals, dr appts several times a week, everything just fell. I fell hard. Had made great income to (now) living with family. It sucks.

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Oddly, reddit pulled me up. I started with education. Got the learning bug (once the seizures subsided enough). Then I started on skincare, books were my first and easiest route This is my fav. From there I could plot out cheap, effective skincare. Here's an all-over good book, please don't be put off by the title (I kinda was). You'll notice that these are cheap on kindle, but also check your library. Over the last year and a half I've been getting more and more back into makeup, haircare (also curly!), and as of the last few months I've been working on fashion. I joined something called the "style confidence collective" after taking the (free) 10-day workshop on body confidence (I've gained 70 lbs since bad driver happened). I'm sick so I haven't started the first one yet, the body confidence did a WHOLE LOT for me.

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My problem, I don't know if this is your problem, I think too much. I get all in my head and never pull the trigger. I'll sit and read, and read, and read with a cat on my lap instead of shop. There really is a power in being comfortable with the uncomfortable. I'm learning that... it sucks. It's also the best. Getting up, putting on a playlist, getting ready, feeling confidant just hasn't been me since people don't know how to stay off their cell phone and out of the damn bike lane. I've been living braless and in my PJ's. But if I can go out there and study fucking engineering after a head injury, I can get a grip on style. If you can form a fucking life and push it out of your body, you can do style! YOU GOT THIS! YOU KNOW THIS! DON'T OVERTHINK THIS!

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Now the actual advice:

Vo5 is curly girl approved! (99 cents)

Flaxseed gel, make it at home

Old T-shirts to dry and plop your hair

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Bianca Renee Today- youtube for curly everything

Tati- search youtube page for "best drugstore" or "best underrated" for makeup. Her wear tests are no joke.

Gothamista- search youtube for "best of under $10" as well as a "best of under $20".

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https://www.eshakti.com/ is slightly better than Target in quality, BUT for $10 you can get things CUSTOM to your body. This makes a huge difference. Huge. As an overweight woman with an 8+ inch hernia (thanks BMW), I can tell you this makes a difference.

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Style is about confidence. I'm not there yet but I do know it's a personal journey. Feel free to PM me anytime about anything.

I have thick but fine curly/wavy hair that is pretty much completely unmanageable most of the time and the BEST thing I ever did was purchase a Revlon One-Step Volumizer/Hair dryer. Its basically a hair dryer that is a big round brush and it gives me a smooth salon blowout every time. It makes my hair silky and straight and I never have to use a straightener and although after a couple days my hair will go a little wavy again the smoothness stays and makes your hair so manageable until the next time you wash it. I ordered mine off amazon but I think you can find them in walmart etc. I would suggest watching some youtube reviews of it to see how its used and the results, I got the hang of it quickly and found it easy to use. I also HIGHLY recommend pureology shampoo + conditioner..even though its pricey its 110% worth it and I honestly don't think I'll ever use anything else.

Hope this helps :)

Revlon Hair Dryer: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LSUQSB0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1542996286&sr=8-1&keywords=revlon+volumizing+hair+dryer

The twice a week wash is gonna do great, since the natural oils on your hair helps it grow. Still, I’ve also been trying to grow my hair as fast as I can so here’s what I’ve been doing: I do Castor oil soaks the night before I decide to wash my hair. I just rub it all over my scalp, put my hair in a bun and cover it with something while I sleep with the oil on. When I wake up I wash it (just shampoo, no conditioner since the oil conditioned it already) but I do have to warn you though, that castor oil is really thick so I use this to take it all out:

Hair Scalp Massager Shampoo Brush, MAXSOFT Scalp Care Brush https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074ZDXFL6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ka0zDbNK7H9H5

(Also helps with hair growth, since it helps blood circulation on your scalp)

I also take biotin and collagen, (collagen mostly for my skin) and brush it every night before bed, and avoid as much as I can heating tools.

You also wanna take a good look at which shampoo and conditioner you’re using, in the long run, it’s better to spend a few more bucks and get a better quality haircare kit.

Yeah, you kind of gently rub is against your skin. It pinches, which is what essentially does to pull the hairs out. The little metal "teeth" (i dunno what else to call them, they look like teeth lol) open and close really fast and snatch the hairs when they close. It's best if it's it's against your skin so it pulls closest to the root, other wise you might just break the hair off.

If you gently just rub your skin with your hand, like after an itch to calm it, that's how much pressure it would use.

I bought this one off of amazon and it has a video. Check it out and let me know if it still boggles your mind! XD

Mad props on being so proactive! I see people outside working all the time and I can tell they aren't using sunscreen. Where I live currently in Iowa, farmers are always at my derm's office getting things removed OR bring diagnosed with melanoma.
If your face is dry an hour after washing it, it could be because you're not using moisturizer. Try adding waste your riser and then once it dries, apply your sunscreen. Or hopefully you can find a sunscreen that has a moisturizer in it. Cervae AM is nice and light.
I have extremely sensitive skin and it's also dry and this is my favorite non-tinted sunscreen right now. Isehan Mommy UV Aqua Milk 50g https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZF5JY7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_wBM.BbS2S9DKW

If you're willing to give the chemical sunscreens I try, this one is very good. Shiseido Senka Aging Care UV Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ (Pack of 2) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O6DXICO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_sCM.Bb9R64Y10

I'm not sure if you have sensitive skin. It sounds like you have combination skin, but the dryness could just be because you're not using a moisturizer.
If you get really in the afternoon, wipe your face down with a wet paper towels and reapply your sunscreen.
Hope this helps!
If neither one of these sunscreens appeal to you, I have other recommendations, but I gave you three options to start you off. All budget friendly. ;)
Tell your SO that they are lucky to have a guy who is protecting his skin! :)

I am super addicted to sunscreen so I use several. After I moisturize in the morning I use Sheseido SPF 50, it is a liquid and is super smooth and feels like a great supplement to my moisturizer:

Shiseido Senka Aging Care UV... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O6DXICO?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I just ordered some canmake mermaid gel though, it seems very popular.

I’ve also really fallen in love with bare minerals spf stick, its reminds me of a stick of deodorant but it’s tiny and is easy to carry around, and I just swipe it over my cheeks, nose and forehead very two hours

Bare Republic Mineral Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen Stick (.5 oz) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072813NK8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_u8XBCbN9E37BV

They have a tinted stick, but I didn’t choose it. The white cast is pretty severe upon application but it rubs in nicely.

I find your advice with being comfortable with your genital region very important. Even shaving in the anal region well I sit in good lighting and put a towel under me get out the shaving cream and use a razor. It's the only way to get everything if you are worried about it. You notice you miss a lot generally in the shower to be hairless. Also around the anus go with the the grain of the skin not the opposite direction.

If anyone here doesn't want to wax...
I use an electric razor, this one. Cheap and effective.

Panasonic Electric Shaver for... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018A32XS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I use it for the pubic patch area (courser hair) and I never get ingrown hairs and razor shave the rest of the crotch area and the bikini line. Another good thing if you use this razor on the patch area just buy a dry brush like this

Dry Skin Body Brush - Improves... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LIBEBTG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share.

You can make the tiny hairs under the skin come out before shaving and you are smooth. You don't even have to shower first to get a smooth shave. I usually wait 2 days maybe 3 to do it again.
Also I never wear underwear unless I'm on my period. This helps a lot with ingrorowns. I never have any.

Would love to try waxing though. Just hate letting it grow out that much.

1. Not moisturizing makes your skin produce even more oil to compensate for the dryness. Properly moisturizing your skin will eventually help it be less greasy. I strongly recommend pure jojoba oil, since it's inexpensive, non-greasy (despite what you might think), and helps control oiliness. You only need a drop or two for your whole face. It's best used immediately after washing, when your face is still damp.
   
   
2. Don't use super harsh cleansers on a regular basis to get your face grease-free. That'll backfire on you. I suggest plain Cetaphil or something else that's advertised to be non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) and gentle. More expensive doesn't necessarily mean it'll be better.
   
   
3. Toner isn't a necessary part of cleansing. If you still feel like there's grime on your skin after washing it, then try swiping it with a cotton pad with witch hazel on it. I've also had good experiences with heavily diluted apple cider vinegar and lemon juice.
   
   But again, these things can be drying. So be sure to moisturize after cleansing and/or using these things to tone.
   
   Other things:
   
   

• Eating greasy foods won't necessarily give you pimples or greasy skin. Acne is still something of a mystery and there are lots of different things that could trigger yours.
  
  
• Keeping that in mind, I urge you to start a skincare diary. Keep track of what you ate that day, whether you exercised, whether you took any medication or supplements, whether you were stressed, etc. This'll help you start to narrow down the list of possible acne triggers. Sometimes it might not even be an outside thing--a lot of adults still experience hormonal acne (androgen is the culprit). Knowing what triggers your pimples is half the battle.
  
  
• Popping your zits can lead to scarring and hyperpigmentation, which can take months or years to fade. Try to avoid it, if you can. If you can't help yourself, always make sure your face and hands are clean before popping. And put tea tree oil or some sort of antibacterial on it afterwards to prevent the bacteria you've just unleashed from spreading. Treat the area with Neosporin or something similar to help it heal.
  
  
• There are a ton of different treatments for pimples. You have to experiment a bit to find what works best for you. Lots of people swear by benzoyl peroxide, but I get some sort of allergic reaction to it, so I stick with alpha hydroxy gel, Tazorac, pure tea tree oil, or crushed aspirin and clay masks. Again, what works for one person may not work for another. This is where keeping a skincare diary and educating yourself about skincare ingredients comes in handy.
  
  
• Gently exfoliating on a regular basis is important, since the dead skin build-up contributes to pimples. Don't get one of those drugstore apricot scrubs--they're too harsh and will make things worse. Queen Helene makes facial scrubs that are pretty good since the grit is like sand. You can also make your own scrub with sugar and lemon juice. Just be sure to gently massage the scrub into your face rather than rubbing away like mad. Don't exfoliate everyday. 1-3x per week should be enough for most people.
  
  HTH! With some patience and experimentation, you'll find a routine that works for you.

to be clear, this is not a plug: I came across an add for [this] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071KW9GTT/) a few weeks ago and decided what the hell, it's only 20 bucks.

It. Is. Amazing. You barely feel anything, it just vibrates pleasantly and boom, all the hair's gone. I'm always worried about hair growing back rough and this worked so wonderfully that i've ever started using it on peach fuzz on my sideburns and stuff. The fact that it looks like a cute little lipstick container is a huge bonus.

Look into buying the Little Book of Korean Skincare and the Skincare Bible. They're absolutely amazing books that will teach you a lot about skincare stuff, and are excellent, scientifically backed starting places.

That aside: I used to be self conscious about makeup and skin like you. I can promise you that absolutely no one is judging you; makeup is so incredibly normal in our society that people hardly bat an eye at it unless you're truly wearing something wild.

AlexandrasGirlyTalk has some great tips on shaving, she even did a bikini line maintenance routine video. I tend to wax my bikini line during the summer, but for more intimate areas like closely around my vulva, I like to use electric shavers. I use this one from Panasonic. It's ok, not super great but it is really quick (and cheap) and easy to use.

Amazon, really, they have the best deals. Something like that, with prime. Such a great deal. I just rubbed some on me before showering :).

You have got to try fanola no yellow shampoo!

https://www.amazon.com/Fanola-No-Yellow-Shampoo-350/dp/B00RWCDM4A

I kept reading about it on other subreddits, buzz feed and some random sites and didn’t think it would be worth the hype since I’ve tried many types of purple shampoo / conditioner and none of them worked very well but this stuff is the best!!! It makes a huge difference on my hair and it’s affordable you should check it out

Salux towel! http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000CSDDDG?pc_redir=1409200857&robot_redir=1

Try looking at your local Asian market first, but omg, I friggin love this thing. Obviously the scrubbing takes work, but tbh it's almost like a ritual...and then my skin is soooo smooth afterwards.

There are products designed to prevent nail biting that will help short term. Getting manicures is supposed to help too. It will really help if you can figure out why you bite your nails, though. That way you can deal with the root cause if it's something like anxiety, replace with something healthy if it's a habit when you're bored, etc.

Seconding Dr. Bronner's. Also try using a Salux cloth rather than a wash cloth/sponge/loofah.

It's like a slightly scratchy towel thing that exfoliates your skin as you wash and it's great for your back since you can hold each end in one hand and properly scrub your back.

If you check the reviews there are multiple ones mentioning it helped them with bacne.

I use Seche Vite top coat and it works really well. It also has a ton of positive reviews on Amazon, so I guess it works for others too.

Seche Vite on Amazon

This is what I use, and it's really popular for it's price/quality.

Here is just one example of many threads on the subject. Additionally, you could type in "coconut oil hair" on YouTube and find videos. There is a ton of info out there on it.

You don't have to drench your hair, but yeah, cover it all enough so that you can feel the oil is evenly distributed. Some people do this dry, but I find starting with damp hair helps to spread it out when I comb.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B071KW9GTT/ref=sspa_mw_detail_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This looks close to the one I have (in South Africa so I don't know what other countries have) but if you look for an eyebrow trimmer it should help with something like this.

Seche Vite top coat works wonders and drys insanely fast. I think it’s cheaper on amazon than at beauty supply stores. seche vite

hehe, here you go dear Letting the Sun Age You Gracefully https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VLWB38F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0D9BDbYP96M41 it’s so helpful!

I have a lot of peach fuzz on my face too. This product removes hair very easily and doesn't hurt very badly. It's cheap and works well. Just roll the spring over your face and it removes the hairs, even the little downy ones.

I have really long blonde hair that gets brassy really easily. Someone suggested I try fanola no yellow shampoo. It’s definitely much stronger than regular purple shampoos. I use it 1-2x a week. Just be sure you’re using a good conditioner after cause it does dry my hair out a little but I use leave in conditioner and bumble and bumble oil after showers anyway so it’s never been a big issue for me personally.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RWCDM4A?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I've never heard of Kiel's...I really like Purpose face wash though, I started using a different brand a few weeks ago and I broke out like mad, when back to Purpose and it's going away. It's cheap, and you can get it at CVS.

And I agree with the moisturizer suggestions, if your skin is too dry it will overcompensate and produce too much oil. I like Cetaphil.

Spot treatments have never helped me unfortunately, so I don't have any good recommendations. I do like this stuff though, when I use it regularly on my entire face I seem to break out less.

I use aha cream for wrinkles and a good concealer makeup as well.

Cream

Concealer

The concealer I use is a lot like erase paste by benefit but much cheaper.

I use the Bellabe. It works great and pulls from the root.

I haven't tried it personally but I have heard good things about these

The Seche Vite top coat is by far the best. It's a little pricey depending on where you get it from, but man, it is so worth it.

UK link

US link

I use a shampoo brush when I wash my hair and it works better than I could have ever dreamed. I have been dealing with dry scalp and flakes for years and have tried several shampoos and tonics to make it go away. This works so well for my dry scalp, I have only noticed a flake or two after about 3 days without washing my hair. I use the same shampoo and conditioner as i did before but instead of lathering the shampoo with my hands, I use the brush. And at $6 it's a less expensive item to try than a $30 bottle of specialty shampoo.

Oh jeez, I'm sorry. was one of them the manual, spring-based one? That one has given me zero irritation, while the other two have given me some. Might be worth a try if you haven't tried it at all. (This one)[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001FXUTUM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_VXA0CbPEDNEE8] is the one everyone raves about, but I got the Tweezerman version for $3.99 st TJ Maxx and it works great.

Apologies if you've tried that too, I have too much brain fog to be able to tell. If you haven't and do pick one up, you can use it a tiny bit each day, and avoid aggravating your skin somewhat.

this stuff is the best

These scalp massagers do wonders!!

https://www.amazon.com/Shampoo-Massage-Brush-Assorted-Colors/dp/B0002RPTX4

I've been using this one for two years and it isn't too painful. Really the only areas that hurt me are my inner forearms and underarms when I can work up enough nerve to do them. Lol

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GS6OB4/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_vYA3wb13AWJW2

You can actually massage your face into a slightly different shape. I know that sounds hokey, but entire books have been written on the subject: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Japanese-Skincare-Revolution-Have-Beautiful/dp/1568364067

For you, it looks like one eyebrow is lower then the other, so I would take two fingers, pressing upwards on the lower brow, while squinting or furrowing your brow muscles downwards. If you do it every night for a few weeks, you'll notice a difference! or whenever you're on reddit :p

No problem!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LSUQSB0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DqpHDbVG4Q79A