Reddit mentions: The best beauty accessories

Since /r/ladyshavers is a bit dead, i'll throw in my 2c here as a ladyshaver of a few years now.

Razor: You want to start her off with a long-handled, knurled razor, as both are more ideal for shaving limbs and other places in a shower or bath environment (read: wet, soapy hands). My go-to suggestion for new women DE users is the Merkur 23C, or something like it. As I mentioned elsewhere in the thread, the Parker 96R is also a commonly mentioned razor among women shavers, and their QC seems to have improved recently.


Shaving soaps/creams/sticks: I loved the hard soaps I was getting from Alphy and Becs (small UK-based shop) via their ebay shop, then I got my hubby into DE shaving and tried some of his Taylor's Sandalwood... man, you really can't go wrong with it, can you? It's a luxurious scent/lather experience, even in the shower, so I suggest you choose a scent she'd like from them, choose a scent she'd like from YOUR favorite soap or cream brand, and give her both. Bodyshaving goes through a lot of shaving cream in a shorter period of time, resulting in a much higher cost per shave than face shavers incur, so I mainly use hard soaps to keep costs down, but it's hard to go back to them after the ease and joy of a nice cream like Taylor's.

Shaving sticks are fantastic in the shower as well, though I haven't tried a large variety of them and wouldn't feel right recommending specific ones. Can't hurt to thrown a stick of Arko or EU Palmolive into the kit you're building for her, though. If she likes them but not the stick application, she (or you) can always grate them into a nice bowl, which also further customizes her experience, and might make the bathroom counters look nicer too--which will hopefully make her willing to get even more soaps! The more personal it feels to her, the more she'll be invested in DE shaving, and the more it will become something the both of you share as opposed to something she kind of sort of also does because you do it.

I'm assuming you're US-based, in which case I'd also recommend 2 small soap shops, Chagrin Valley (great people and soaps, but only 2 scents for shaving soaps. Worth giving their normal soaps a browse too, their products are top notch.) and Eva Nestorova's Etsy shop. (The specific soap I linked is supposedly almost identical to the much beloved Klar Kabinette.) Eva also has a soap sampler pack that's a great value, and your wife will almost certainly love at least one of the scents.

Bonus: any soap she doesn't like, you get! And you get to try out some of her new things as well, if she lets you. :D


Blades: Definitely get her a proper sampler pack, don't just buy a couple kinds that you think she'll like. Why? Because the experience and novelty of going through the pack herself over time to figure out what does and doesn't work for her is a part of the gift, and with it you're saying "this is a long-term commitment to this style of shaving, take your time and figure out what's perfect for you" and it will encourage her to shop around a bit before settling on a blade. And she may find that different blades work better or worse depending on how much hair growth she has. For instance, I hate Astras if I haven't shaved in a couple weeks, whereas they're fine when I just ask them to clean up leg stubble. And cleaning up leg stubble is a waste of my feathers blades, etc.

(Also, if she really gets into it, you might want to have her consider a separate razor--or at least blade--for shaving her ladybits, if she chooses to. I'm to the point where once my latest order arrives, I'll be using 2 different razor and blade combos-- 1 mild combo for shaving legs, arms (yes), and stubbly armpits, and 2nd, more aggressive setup for my land down under and seriously overgrown armpits. Both because my particular ladybits laugh at mild razors, and because it means my blades in the first setup last about 5x longer if they don't have to deal with coarser pubic hair as well. That might not be something all women are interested in investing in, but this is a hobby for me like many of the men in this sub, so I don't mind. :) )

Alum: If she's prone to razor burn, this is a must. If she's shaving her ladybits, this is a must. If she has sensitive skin.. you get the picture.

Styptic: I just rub my alum block on the nick until the bleeding stops and don't bother with a pencil, but she may prefer a styptic pencil as it's more aggressive in stopping the bleeding right away.

Brush: Silvertip's extra softness is not beneficial for body shaving, don't waste money on it. Regular badger is fine, boar is fine, and overall I personally think brushes with slightly more backbone are better for body shaving. If she wants a synthetic, I've heard that the Ecotools Bamboo brush, available in many cosmetic shops and drugstores, is absolutely fantastic. I've just ordered a Spanish horsehair brush myself, I'm excited to see how it works out. Ultimately, since we're not using them on skin nearly as sensitive as our faces, brushes (blasphemy!) are much less of a factor for ladyshavers. I suggest buying a decent mid-range non-silvertip brush from wheverever you're getting most of her other kit supplies from.


Other possible accessories: A razor and brush holder, or a double model, a gorgeous wood lather bowl, or frilly antique scuttle, a more practical scuttle, etc (Note: These links are from my wishlist and ladyshaver friends of mine. I haven't tried them out yet myself. But hopefully they're a good starting point.)


Bonus points: Some great lotion to slather over herself after the shave, and clean and crisply scented candles because women love candles. I don't know why, but we do. Well, I love candles because my husband is a fart-machine, but YMMV. Suggestion: A candle that's both candle and massage cream.

TLDR: Merkur 23c, Taylor's Sandalwood/Coconut/Rose, any decent boar or badger brush, alum, razor holder, pretty lather bowl/scuttle in a style she'd like. Sampler pack. Candles and lotion are bonus points for creating a total-package spa-at-home gift experience.

(Edit: heh maybe not the best choice of a first picture to go along with a post titled "tons of goodies", oh well lol)

So I picked up a bunch of stuff tonight and I’m super excited! I wanted to share all the goodies I got, and I’d love to hear any comments that you might have on anything.

Image 1

Picked up some Pixi Glow Tonic, L’Oreal True Match in Light Ivory W2, and WnW Photofocus foundation in soft ivory. I’m not 100% pleased with how my Revlon Colorstay is sitting on my skin, so I wanted to try a few more drugstore items before jumping to something higher end. I’ve heard great things about the glow tonic, but tbh I’m a little nervous to start it!

Image 2

Got a few items from Amazon, this brush set that has a 4.8-star review with over 6,200 votes (for only $14!) and this liquid nail tape to make painting my nails easier, since I’m getting into that a little more. I haven’t used the brushes yet, but they’re super fluffy and soft!

Image 3

On the third try, I finally managed to get the “buy 5 random shadows for $4” from Juvia’s Place last week. Can’t believe how quickly it shipped! I got Taj, Carlota, Nia (three shimmers), Empress, and Ethiopa (two mattes). I’m glad I didn’t get any duplicates, and while green isn’t something I’d normally wear, I think the colors are all pretty and I’m excited to try out the formula (this is my first time getting their shadows).

Image 4-6

I couldn’t resist getting the $20 mystery box from Too Faced last week. I got a sample of BTS mascara (already have one, unfortunately), a Perfect Eyes eyeliner, a Size Queen mascara (the picture doesn’t do it justice, the wand is flipping huge), La crème lipstick (in a neon hot pink lol), and the peanut butter and jelly palette. Given that the palette alone is $36, I’m pretty happy! I would have liked to have received the Just Peachy Mattes palette, but that one’s $46, so it might not even qualify. Plus I’d rather have the jelly palette than the honey one. 😊

Image 7

Ipsy bag this month – unknown brush (very fluffy!), INT cosmetics shadow in Goddess Gold (not magnetic?? Kind of a bummer lol), trufora triple action exfoliator, and a Tarte Sex Kitten liner sample. I see what people mean about black eyeliner and subscription boxes, I got one from Ipsy last month lol.

Image 8/9

Boxycharm this month – PUR eyeshadow palette (check out that blue!!), The Vintage cosmetic company smokey eye brush set, South Mane eye gel packs, Butter London double decker mascara (so much mascara lol), Pretty Vulgar blush in Blush Hush. I see what people mean (again lol) about Pretty Vulgar packaging; it’s cute, but pretty bulky!

Image 10

Colourpop – I’ve been hoping for a “sorry shipping took so long here’s a free gift”! The red metallic lipstick is pretty bright red for me, but it might make a pretty good topper. I wanted to take advantage of the “get 4 single pressed shadows, get a free magnetic palette” deal, so I got (from left to right) Snake Eyes, High Strung, Glass Bull, and Tea Garden. I also got the “Passing Notes” super shock shadows set, since I don’t have any SSS yet and it was on sale. They feel so smooth, almost wet!

Image 11

I was chatting with someone from another sub and mentioned that I’d only tried one foundation. I guess she had a bunch that she doesn’t use anymore, and asked if I’d like to try them. I of course gratefully accepted, but was SUPER pleasantly surprised when the box had a ton of stuff in it, in addition to the foundations!! I don’t actually have any contour products yet, so that palette will be fun to try, and I’ve been meaning to try the WnW setting spray. Most of the foundations look to be about the right shade, though a couple are too light or too dark, so I might try mixing though.

Yay stuff!!! Now that I have so much stuff I haven’t tried, I have NO reason to buy anything else…no reason at all… 😊

When I was in grad school I was super poor, like grad students tend to be. My supervisor came to work with this little pup she found wandering around the the road. He was so sweet, smiling and wagging his tail for us. We spent the day trying to find a home or a rescue organization for him while he hung out in the office with us. He seemed healthy, house trained, we thought maybe he might have a home already, but couldn't find any information. At the end of the day after we had no luck finding a home I told her I would take him home for the night. Well, needless to say, after that night, he found his home, with me. I took him to a rescue organization that offered discount vet care. The doctors there agreed he seemed pretty healthy other than some ear mites and potential mange because he seemed to be itching a lot, and ran some blood work and we played outside while the results came in. Much to our dismay...heartworms :( I've known this dog less than 24 hours and started tearing up. He's such a good dog! So sweet, so loving. We decided to start treatment. Because it was a rescue orgainization they would do it for half price, but would have to cut corners. I had to bring him in to get the shots and then take him home for observation instead of leaving him at the hospital. I forget the details of his treatment, but I remember it was a series of shots into his spine. They were terribly painful and he got really sick during the treatment. Every time I would carry him out of the clinic, take him into work, and he would lay under the desk all day, barely moving. About the time he would feel better it was time for another shot. The doctor kept warning me that there's always a potential of severe negative consequences to the treatment. After the last shot, though, he started getting stronger and stronger. Pretty soon he was back to his old self with a TON more energy. Ultimately, he had too much energy for me to keep him with my grad school schedule, it just wasn't fair. So I begged my Dad to take him in. My dad lives on about 60 acres of fresh air and sunshine. He begrudgingly said he would take my dog, but on the circumstance that I would take him back as soon as humanly possible. He "didn't need another dog." Ok, Dad, ya ya, he's a great dog, you'll love him. So I take Brink (dog's name) on the 10-hour road trip to my Dad's. I tell him he loves to stay outside, but maybe just at night Brink could come in and sleep. My dad gave me the side eye and told me not to push my luck, but thankfully, I'm daddy's little girl. So soon I heard through the grape-vine that Brink was allowed in anytime he wanted, but only into the mud room where he had a fine bed and bowl set up for him. Well, one night, about 10pm my Dad was in his easy chair in the den, and here comes Brink, bed in tow. Brink laid his bed down by my Dad's chair and laid down and went to sleep. That was about 5 years ago and that's where Brink's bed still is. My dad secretly fell in love that night and they have been inseparable ever since. We joke he's the most expensive stray ever, and to be honest, my rent was late the month I paid for his heart-worm treatment, but it's the best money I ever spent. I love that freakin' dog and I think he found his perfect forever home at my Dad's place :)

My FAVORITE vegan food is this Ethiopian vegetarian sampler with Gomen, rice, lentils, all my favorites from a local restaurant called Desta.

Eco Tools Brush Set

Thanks for the contest, you're super awesome! Sorry my story is so long :) hugarabbitday

How awesome are you! The big question is: what's your budget!?

A couple reactions to your list: honestly if she is just starting out, this brush set is OK (not great, but OK). It does seem to have a lot of eye/detail brushes and not a lot for base. The thing is, she won't know what brushes she's in love with until she tries out a bunch. If she's into it, then she might want to buy better quality brushes in the kind she likes. I'm saying this also because I'm a mua and I use brushes kind of unconventionally and I find a lot of mu enthusiasts/pros are the same way (example--it might say "crease" brush, but I'll use it for buffing out concealer or smudging eyeliner). She won't know until she tries a bunch of different kinds, so I think getting a variety of inexpensive brushes isn't a bad idea. It also depends on the face she's working on?

You might want to splurge on one kinda decent set, too, though if you're saving a ton of money getting a more inexpensive set. This one might be good to start BUTTTTTTT if you have a TJMaxx near you DEFINITELY go check it out. You can get surprisingly decent brush sets there for a great price--you also might be able to feel them before buying to check them out. I got that RT eye brush set for, like, $7.99 or something.

The brush/sponge cleaner--If I were you, I'd save some $$ by just getting a baby shampoo or Dr. Bronner's soap. (Not to say that Eco Tools one is super pricey, but if she's washing her brushes as much as she should, she may run out quick). In my kit, I use Parian Spirit or Cinema Secrets, but it's kind of $$$. If I'm running low, I'll use baby shampoo because it's super gentle. For lip brushes or special fx makeup stuff, I'll even use Dawn. The silicone brush cleaner is a cool gadget, but be warned it can wreak havoc on brushes (esp. cheap brushes!)

The organizer is a good idea and it's cute, but the only thing is that type are kinda tricky in that they don't really hold that much. If she is really getting into it, maybe something more versatile? I'm obsessed with Muji organizers, but $$$. WAIT, just checked and they're having a sale: http://www.muji.us/store/health-beauty/makeup/makeup-storage-box.html

They are wonderful because they are SUPER versatile and all kind of fit together, so you can make your own little set up.

What about a cute vanity mirror? https://www.amazon.com/Daylight-Detachable-Magnification-Convenience-Definition/dp/B06XDNCV4M/ref=pd_sim_201_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=KZM8NMHW9YNTDREEHZDN

Brush holder? https://www.amazon.com/Quality-Acrylic-Makeup-Cosmetic-Holder/dp/B0098TKSLU/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1505883877&sr=1-4&keywords=makeup+brush+holder

An amazing book that still has an insane amount of relevant information even 20 years later: https://www.amazon.com/Kevyn-Aucoin-Making-Faces-1st/dp/B00HTJY1KU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1505884083&sr=8-4&keywords=making+faces

I use this guy for if I know I'm only doing one client. Would be great for personal use, too: https://www.amazon.com/Travelmall-Professional-Cosmetic-Organizer-functional/dp/B01ELDCK9A/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1505691979&sr=1-4&th=1

OK, I'm going to bed, haha! Have fun, you are an amazing sister and whatever you get her will be cherished.

Its really hard to tell what your makeup looks like in this shot because of the downward angle and the hair over the face. I'd recommend posting one where there are less shadows and we can see the eyes and eyebrows more since it will allow everyone to see things better to give you better feedback. Eyebrows in particular are essential for framing the face and one of the hardest things to get right but with the hair in the way there's no way to see them well to really give good feedback. The little bit I can see looks very light so you might want to look into getting into brow products to darken it up and shape it. For a cheap starter brow kit to practice with the ELF brow kit is really good and only $3. I still use that one because my brows are dark enough that I don't need too much but if you have lighter/sparser brows you might like something better. Right now the contrast between the light brows and dark hair is pretty stark. Here is a good tutorial for filling in/shaping brows for someone with fair skin and dark hair.

Again its hard to tell about eye makeup but it kind of looks like you've done some smudgy soft brown liner but again the angle makes it hard to tell. I can see that your eyelashes appear really light so I'd definitely recommend a black mascara. Maybelline has really good mascaras if you are looking for something cheap to start with. Curling eyelashes and applying mascara does a lot to open up the eyes and make your whole face brighter, especially if you have very light eyelashes (mine are blonde so I know the struggle).

It looks like you have a hooded eye shape which means that when your eyes are open most of your lid is hidden and tucked into the crease of your eye. Mine are slightly hooded so my eyelids don't show much. Its a bit tricker to work with but you can still do a ton.

Here's a good easy every day tutorial for a similar eye shape. I love the Shade and Light Eye palette that she uses in the video but its a more expensive item and while it is well worth it you might want to look for similar colors from the drugstore. But this should give you are visual for something you could do.

Liner is tough for your eye shape. I find that it makes a big difference on me but you have to be able to apply the line very thin or it will take over the entire lid space that is visible when your eyes are open. This just takes a lot of practice.

Having a good set of brushes helps too. I am in LOVE with this set from Lamora Beauty. They're cheap but great quality and have just about every type of basic eye brush you could ever need.

Your skin looks really beautiful. Only suggestion would be a bit of blush and maybe some color to your lips. The first youtuber I posted has similar coloring to you. She wears kind of mauvey tones for her more natural looks so you could try and find something similar to this, I think that would look nice on you.

If you like something more colorful then go for that too but its always good to master a neutral basic look and then branch out. Hopefully this helps.

UNDER-EYE AREA + CONCEALER

• PUFFINESS: If your eyes are puffy or something you can hold something cold over them (a spoon that's been in the fridge for a bit is a popular choice) to reduce the puffiness.
  
• CONCEALER: I am lazy and just put a bit of BB cream on my dark circles and call it a day, but if you want to make the extra effort I've heard good things about this Maybelline Dream Lumi Concealer although I've never actually used it myself.
  
  CHEEKS + BLUSH
  
  
• REDNESS: I have a ton of redness on my cheeks and I'm not fancy enough for a tone-correcting primer, so after using my regular old ELF Studio primer I dab a bit of this Maybelline green concealer on my cheeks and blend it in with a sponge to cover up the redness.
  
• BLUSH: Blush comes in a variety of forms including pressed, baked, cream, tint, liquid stain, etc. I have no idea how to use blush because my cheeks are already tomatoes but a lot of the gals who ARE into blush on this subreddit have been talking about Sleek blush palettes (because they're nicely pigmented). Again, I don't really understand blush but Robert Jones does so here's his video AGAIN (there's also a little summary about blush if you scroll down which you can read quickly as a little refresher).
  
  LIPS
  
  
• THINGS YOU CAN PUT ON YOUR LIPS: There are a lot of options for lips including balm, tinted balms, glosses, stains, lipsticks, etc. There are also a lot of different finishes especially with lipstick. Remember how eyeshadow how satin and matte? Lipstick does too, and there's a whole slew of other categories which you can see here if you scroll down a bit to the "details" section. MAC has some labels that are unique to their brand, but you get the idea that there are tons of finishes.
  
• MOISTURIZE: Whatever you choose to put on your lips, or even if you choose not to put any color on them, keep them moisturized. You can use Vaseline, Chapstick, Rosebud Salve is pretty popular (it's a tinted balm essentially), etc. Lips look pretty gross when they're flaky and stuff, so do this. Elemis Lip Revive is rather expensive but I love it (they give it out in spa packages if you fly business class on British Airways or else I'd never have discovered it!).
  
• LIP PRIMER: So there's also lip primer, but I just use chapstick instead because I'm not fancy. Just letting you know it exists, though!
  
• LIP LINER: The purpose of lip liner is to define the lips and prevent lipstick from feathering or traveling. It depends on what lipstick you're using (sometimes you won't need to use it), but there is an awesome tutorial on how to use lipliner here. She talks a lot about how to make thin/uneven lips look a little fuller, which is a bonus too!
  
  HOW TO GET ALL OF THIS ON YOUR FACE
  
  
• FINGERS: I just use my fingers for primer and BB cream. It's recommended that you use your fingers for BB cream. Not sure about primer, but again, I'm not fancy.
  
• SPONGES: So there's this thing called the BeautyBlender and a lot of people like it. You're supposed to use it wet (soak it in water, squeeze, then wrap a paper towel in it and squeeze, then use). There are a lot of cheaper dupes on Amazon, and I have a set of four and I think they're okay, but apparently the Beauty Blender really swells up in size when it is wet as you can see here and the knockoffs I have totally do NOT change in size whatsoever when wet, so it's probably not quite the same. What the real thing is supposed to do is give your foundation a really nice finish.
  
• BRUSHES: Brushes are a big frickin' deal, okay? Once I started using the right brushes for the right things (instead of a little concealer brush for everything) my makeup looked a lot better. If you're looking at drugstore options, I use RealTechniques and I like them, but I find them a little bit on the larger size. I know a lot of people like EcoTools and ELF Studio, but if you want to invest in brushes from the get-go you could try looking at a Sigma set. They're on /r/makeupaddiction's HG list for mid-range brushes, especially the Mrs. Bunny set. Considering with the Mrs. Bunny set you get 12 brushes for ~$108, that comes out to essentially $9/brush. Drugstore brushes tend to be about $7-8 a piece, so if you have the money it might make more sense to invest in a nicer set to begin with. I personally have never used a Sigma brush so I can't speak to how good they are, but I just buy everything off HG lists on /r/makeupaddiction and they haven't led me astray yet! There are also a lot of great tutorials on how to use brushes (explaining their different purposes and doing looks with them) on the RT website here and even if you don't use the RT website I think it would still be helpful (since even if you buy Sigma or EcoTools there's still going to be a blush brush, tons of little eye brushes, liner brush, etc.).
  
• FOAM APPLICATORS THAT COME WITH PALETTES: So if you buy a mini eyeshadow palette like a trio or a quad or whatever, you'll likely get a little foam applicator like one of these. Just know, that you can do better than a foam applicator (use brushes!).
  
• CLEAN WHATEVER YOU'RE USING: The Beauty Blender sponge has this "blender cleanser," if you know how to use the internet you should know how to wash your hands, and here's a how-to-clean-your-brushes tutorial.

For acne, I recommend:

a. Whole Foods 365 glycerin soap with vitamin E (that's one of the glycerin soaps they offer), $2/bar, as a pre-shave beard wash. Wash beard at the sink using your hands, then rinse partially with a splash and apply lather.

b. Rinse razor head in high-proof rubbing alcohol before and after each shave.

c. After the final rinse ending the shave, glide a dry alum block over your wet skin, then set block aside and clean up around the sink, put stuff away, etc., with the alum on your beard. After a minute or two, rinse the alum off, dry, and do your usual aftershave. This step is particularly helpful: alum is a mild antiseptic.

d. Use a fresh towel for every shave. You can buy thin, 100% cotton, lint-free towels called "barber towels" or "bar towels" for under $20/dozen. They're easy to launder and a fresh one for each shave helps a lot. Here's an example. A wet towel is a microbe incubator.

e. Buy a bunch of pillowcases from a hotel supply house and use a fresh pillowcase every night.

These are some basic tactics. I have a whole section on acne in my introductory guide to DE shaving---look at the reader reviews to decide whether it would be helpful for you.

Avoid shaving against the grain in areas in which you get ingrowns, though you can shave XTG in both directions for smoothness.

Look at this sub-$50 beginner kit for some ideas. A good start up:

Razor: either the Sodial razor ($2.30 including shipping) or one of the Maggard Razors ($16) or one of the Edwin Jagger DE8x series---the DE86bl (faux-ebony handle) is about $30; prices vary by handle, the heads are all the same. In general, quality increases as price increases, but the Sodial is a good razor and I continue using mine.

For a pre-shave soap, I recommend a high-glycerin soap: wash your beard at the sink, using your hands, rinse partially with a splash, and then apply lather. Here are some good ones: Musgo Real Glyce Lime Oil soap (MR GLO), $6.50/bar, or Whole Foods 365 brand glycerin soap, $2/bar, or Dr. Bronner's liquid or bar soap, or Clearly Natural glycerin soap.

Jlocke98 came up with the idea of adding 2 tsp of lanolin oil (liquid) to 1/4 c Dr. Bronner's liquid soap and using some of that as a pre-shave beard wash. It works quite well.

Try samples of shaving creams and shaving soaps: Garry's Sample Shop or Wet Shaving Sample Shop or All Lathered Up all offer samples of mainline products, and the artisanal soapmakers sell excellent products at modest prices.

Here are some brush possibilities, in ascending order by price:

The Ecotools Bamboo Finishing Kabuki brush, which makes a terrific shaving brush; you can pick it up for $7.50 in the cosmetics section of (e.g.) Walgreens.

In the $8-$14 range, any of the Omega boar brushes would do a good job, and those are available from many sources. I prefer the brushes without the dyed band---the plain white brushes---but both work well. Read this beginner's guide to boar brushes on proper use. These are soaked before each use: just wet well with hot water and leave it sitting while you shower. I really like the Pro 48 (10048); it's large, but I still find it comfortable for face lathering.

The Omega 11047 boar/badger brush, which you soak for boar content, but then acts like a badger---and makes a good travel brush as well as an everyday brush. $17 plus shipping, but you can buy something in addition for little or no extra shipping charge.

One of the HJM black synthetic brushes from ConnaughtShaving.com for $25, including shipping. (US residents do not pay VAT.) This is a supeb brush, as gentle as any silvertip and quite efficient at lather creation.

The Whipped Dog silvertip badger: $26 including shipping with your choice of resin handle. The 22mm size is the best all-round size.

For afterhave, try samples from Saint Charles Shave aftershaves and The Shave Den Shop: pick those that look interesting, then get a full bottle of the one(s) you like.

You didn't ask about blades, but that's probably because you think they make sense. They don't. Read this post for more info. Use the first brand that works for you for at least two months. By keeping the brand of blade constant, variation from shave to shave is (probably) due to prep and technique, so you can focus more on perfecting those by not changing the razor or brand of blade. Also, after two months, you'll really know what that brand of blade feels like so when you try a new brand the differences are highlighted.

Here are artisanal soapmakers whose products I've found to be good (by buying and using them):

• Al's Shaving
• Barrister & Mann
• Bathhouse Soap
• Em’s Shave Place
• Ginger’s Garden
• Green Mountain Soap
• The Holy Black
• Honeybee Soaps
• Kell’s Original
• Mama Bear (also at Amazon)
• Mike's Natural (lather requires more water than you expect)
• Mystic Water
• Nanny’s Silly Soap Company (in the UK)
• Prairie Creations
• QED
• Queen Charlotte Soaps
• Saint Charles Shave
• Scodioli
• The Shave Den
• The Strop Shoppe

Heya, welcome to RAoM!! I hope you enjoy it here :D Also, happy birthday c:

I'd definitely recommend picking up the NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk -- it's a great base that really makes colors pop! It's also really creamy, so it blends out easily.

I also love my Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains. I have Rendezvous (a very orange-y coral) and Lovestick (bright pink), which are perfect for summer. I also have Romantic (pretty true red) and my sister has Crush (a darker plum), which are great for fall. These are really easy to wear because they feel just like lip balms, but they're also very nicely pigmented.

If you want to play around with a lot more colors, I would say go for the Coastal Scents 88 Original Palette -- I use at least one color from this every time I do my make-up! It's not too pricey, but it gives you a lot to experiment with :)

I think it would be a pretty great time to pick up some brushes. Since you're just starting out, I'd probably go with ELF brushes because they're super cheap. Here are a few of my favorites (although I'd recommend looking in store at Target, because the white brushes are only $1 and the black ones are usually only $3; they might be cheaper on the ELF website too):

Eyeshadow Brush -- great for packing on the color
Blending Brush -- because everyone could use a nice blender!
Contouring Brush -- really great for applying color in the crease
12 Piece Set -- I don't actually own all these brushes, but it looks like a great set to start with, especially for only $12!


As for something I'd like...well, I'm currently obsessing over this lipstick in Black Cherry, because it is the PERFECT color for fall, and I don't have any other dark lip colors :3

Oh yea, and Summer Fun !

No pics since I'm not at home.. but here's what I've gotten recently with reviews!!

• ELF Cream Eyliner in Black - This liner is AMAZING!! So pigmented, creamy, easy to use, and lasted all day. I was actually able to make a decent wing with this..which is a big deal for me!
  
  
• bareMinerals Eyeshadow in Nude Beach - This. Is. The. Most. BEAUTIFUL. Eyeshadow. Ever. Seriously amazing..wear it every day now!! IN LOVE GO GET IT NOW!
  
  
• real Techniques Starter Set - These brushes, like everyone says, are amazing. Great quality, super soft, no complaints at all!!
  
  
• NYX Makeup Setting Spray Dewy Finish - I used an Urban Decay MSS before this, but this one seems just as good as sooo much cheaper! I have dry skin, so this is great to keep my skin moisturized and not have dry, patchy areas.
  
  
• Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey - Since everyone and their mom has raved about this I thought I'd try it, and it is really great! The color is gorgeous and you can get so many looks from it. It looks really natural on me and not like I'm wearing anything on my lips at all, more of a stained look. I'm not a fan of the scent though..
  
  
• MUFE Aqua Eyes in Champagne 23L - This was a dud for me..not a fan of the color (very, very light..doesn't show up on my eyes at all), not very creamy, so I really have no use for it. Will be returned unfortunately!!
  
  
• Maybelline Great Lash BIG - I know people are 50/50 on this but I've always loved the regular Great Lash for bottom lashes or for very natural lashes! I really love this one..for me it works like Bad Gal Lash but about 1/5 of the price! Will keep wearing this! I also got Clump Crusher but haven't opened it yet :)

I think my best advice would honestly be to work on honing your skills. I used to be able to do pretty okay shadows cause I never really learned about blending and pretty much stuck to one colour shadow at a time. But now I live for blending. It honestly makes such a difference. Even with just one shadow, blending out the edges makes it look so much better. I like really fluffy brushes that really blur things dramatically, but it's really up to you. The Real Techniques eye set of 4 brushes is good for "tighter" blending brushes. The fluffy one I love is from a coastal scents 22 piece brush set, they don't sell it individually and it does not have a name printed on, unfortunately.

So yeah, I'd suggest working on skills more than anything. But I will try and answer what you actually asked for haha. My fave palettes are the too faced chocolate bar and naked basics 2. I also love inglot shadows because I like the customization they offer (you buy the shadows in singles and can build your own duos or palettes), and they make really good, blendable mattes. Mattes are notorious for generally being harder to blend than shimmery or glittery colours sort of across most brands, but the inglot matte ones are very good. Naked 3 palette might work really nicely for you as well, but I think the semi-sweet chocolate bar palette would be the best. Nice shadow quality, nice range of shades, but I think they would look especially nice with brown eyes and your skin tone. I would recommend naked basics for the purpose of having a nice set of strong, basic (ha ha) matte shades. But yeah, semi-sweet chocolate bar!

There's not a single makeup wearing person out there who didn't have to practice their eye makeup a LOT before finally getting the hang of it, so don't give up yet!! I have a few tips to offer that helped me improve my own eyeshadow skills. First things first, investing in a good quality set of eyeshadow brushes will make a big difference. There's absolutely no need to buy the most expensive ones available, just look for brushes with synthetic fibers and a set that offers a decent range of sizes and shapes. (an ideal starter set should at least include a medium/large fluffy blending brush, a crease brush, a lid brush, a shader brush, an angled blending brush and perhaps a small liner brush) I've bought great brushes on Amazon for super cheap that I happen to like even better than some of the more expensive ones I own. Morphe also has really nice brushes that are pretty affordable. Good brushes make applying eyeshadow effortless, and with a little practice and trial and error you'll be a pro! Next, make sure you're using something to prime your eyelids before applying any shadow. I find that a thin layer of concealer on your eyelid/brow bone, set with a little translucent powder, works great for this purpose. It's not really necessary to buy a primer just for eyeshadow, in my opinion (unless it's glitter based, you'll need a specific primer for that). Make sure you're starting with the lightest shades first and ending with dark shades. Apply a only little bit of shadow at a time with very light pressure, and blend, blend, blend it out good using small, circular motions. I like to clean my brush off on a dry towel before applying each new shadow color to prevent the shades from becoming muddy. While thorough blending is the key to gorgeous shadow looks, it is very possible to blend your eye makeup too much, so be mindful to not overdo it. You want each shade to look seamless among one another, rather than just solid blocks of color on your eyelid. I would try out some simple eye looks that use just 2-3 basic shades, and once you've mastered those, start experimenting with more adventurous shadow colors and textures. Now, on to eyeliner. It's important to know what styles of liner will flatter your eye shape the best. I, for one, have never been able to make winged liner work with my eye shape, despite many attempts (sadly). Try out different eyeliner formulas, like liquid, pencil or gel to figure out what you like the best. Always take your sweet time while applying eyeliner, rushing may result in uneven and shaky lines which are hard to fix without messing up the rest of your eye makeup. Lastly, just have fun with it. Makeup is all about creativity and self expression! Hope these tips help you, keep trying and I promise you'll see improvement!!

The engine is nearly leak proof, but it is not a particularly good flavor atomizer, you can probably do better. Also, you might want to look at a single coil atomizer, if you're really beholden to the idea of the OBS Engine, look at the Nano, it's the same tank with a single coil deck, which will help you stay around 40-50 watts rather than needing to max out your mod at all times.

You can build your own coils, buy spools of pre-made clapton wire and just wrap them around a post yourself, or buy premade coils, all up to you. I believe Advanced vapor supply and Lightning Vapes are two very solid options for pre-made coils, Demon Killer and UD make coils out of china as well. You probably want either simple clapton coils or fused claptons with that tank, it performs well at higher wattages and the already somewhat diminished flavor will really suffer with round wire. Even if you're buying premade coils you will need to make sure they heat evenly by fiddling with them a bit, most of us recommend using ceramic tipped tweezers as they are non-conductive and you can tweak the coils while you're firing them.

Cotton, Cotton Bacon is a fine option, if too expensive for what it is. I bought this giant bag of generically packaged organic cotton pads on amazon, they are pretty good pads, and it's a near lifetime supply for under 10 dollars.

Watch videos on how to work out the hot spots on your coils, it will help you going forward. It's a pretty straightforward process, but it's going to be easier to see it. Also, you're probably going to want to get a set of coil building tools now, it's just going to be easier to have the right tools on hand, and in general the kits are cheap enough to not squabble over spending a few extra dollars now to have everything you need later. Make sure that it comes with good flush cutters and ceramic tipped tweezers, beyond that a good coil jig will be helpful now for seating your coils and a godsend later if you're building your own.

I would also recommend looking into other RTAs, whether it be the Serpent Mini, the SMM, or another option there are going to be ones that are just as good for your purposes while providing better flavor at the same general price point.

My recommendations for a starter kit:

Category | Products
---|---
Foundation | this is very dependent on skin type but there're good options in the drugstore for any, the big brands being L'Oreal and Maybelline; I have dry skin and prefer the True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous from L'Oreal
Concealer | Tarte Shape Tape OR the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer - the Tarte Shape Tape is more expensive but a much better bang for your buck
Bronzer | Physician's Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer
Blush | Luminoso by Milani OR a Tarte blush
Eye Primer | Milani Eyeshadow Primer
Eyeshadow Palette | Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye (neutrals are best for a starter kit, but you could also get an eyeshadow palette from Juvia's Place or ColourPop)
Gel Eyeliner | Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner
Mascara | L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara or Lash Paradise
Brows | Anastasia Beverly Hills - this brand is the brand for brow products; I prefer their dipbrow but they have powder and pencil products
Highlighter | ColourPop Super Shock Highlighters (Lunch Money, Glazed, Flexitarian, Wisp, Monster are best-sellers); Essence Pure Nude is also a very popular highlighter now
Lipstick | ColourPop Ultra Satins or Lippie Stix
Lip Liner | ColourPop Lip Liners
Beauty Sponge | Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge; two is more than enough
Eye Brushes | I will never not recommended this Lamora brush set. It's what I mostly use on my eyes.
Face Brushes | brand-wise, Real Techniques and EcoTools
Makeup Remover | hands-down, Pond's Cold Cream; for spot cleaning, Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water
Brush Cleaner | EcoTools Makeup Brush Cleansing Shampoo


In regards to what you're thinking about buying - do not buy a silicone sponge. Silicone beauty blenders have very poor reviews - search 'silicone sponge review' on YouTube and you'll find a pretty concrete consensus that they're terrible. They do a poor job of actually blending out your foundation and they make your foundation "sit" atop your skin in a pretty unflattering way. Stick with a regular beauty blender, they're fantastic multitaskers (blend foundation, concealer, cream blush, cream bronzer, liquid highlighter, etc).

For makeup bags, does your sister travel a lot? If not, there's really no point in buying her a makeup bag since it's going to sit in her bathroom gathering dust until the off chance that she needs it. A lot of brands provide complimentary makeup bags with your order (Glossier and Milk Makeup come to mind) so there's really no immediate need to get her a makeup bag unless she travels often.

Congrats on getting into makeup! It's going to change your life!

Since you're just starting, I would go and get my brows cleaned up a little so you know what shape you're working with. Read reviews of brow places and such before you go - I personally prefer threading over waxing, and make sure to communicate that you don't want them thin, just cleaned up. I can't tell from the picture, but you may also want to get your lip threaded if it's noticeable. I like to have a clean look in this regard because then the makeup looks even better.

I would also look into a quality moisturizer and facial cleanser if you don't have those already. Also makeup remover and makeup brushes. All that good stuff. I recently bought [this set of brushes] (http://www.amazon.com/Coastal-Scents-Piece-Brush-Set/dp/B005UBN5AQ) from Coastal Scents which are pretty good quality in my opinion.

When I really started getting into makeup techniques I watched a bunch of youtube tutorials. I lurked MUA as well for product recommendations inspiration, but watching videos made it easier for me to get the techniques down. At first it will be a lot of trial and error and figuring out what's "too much," etc, but you'll develop the skills over time with practice and feedback. Don't get discouraged like I used to. It just takes time. Luckily it will take less time with the right resources, which I unfortunately never looked into years ago!

I included a few links to some youtube tutorials below. Not saying you should replicate any of these particular looks exactly, but they will help you get used to what you should be doing. I'm not sure which foundation is best for your complexion, so I can't really give advice on that. I have been using Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation for years because it just seems to work for me. I also like the Hello Flawless powder from Benefit. For eyeshadows, brow powder, and liner, I first tried those out with cheaper makeup, from ELF or the drugstore, and then researched and bought the better ones once I got the hang of it and had more of an idea of the right colors for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvKymDP85JI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC0NiHiZ3n8

https://www.youtube.com/user/MichellePhan/videos?sort=p&view=0&flow=grid

Hope this helps!

Edit: formatting

yeah like someone else said, i’m not super sure what look you were going for. personally, if ur just starting w makeup i’d just start w a bb cream as foundation (depending on what level of coverage u need), mascara, and a lip colour. unless ur in a transphobic or homophobic area, definitely don’t be afraid to go to a local drug store and ask whoever’s at the makeup counter for help finding a good foundation shade!! they’re usually really friendly. unlike another commenter, i wouldn’t recommend trying contouring. it’s really hard to get right, especially if ur inexperienced. eyebrows can be tricky too bc going too dark can be very masculinizing. in terms of eyeshadow and eyebrows, watching some youtube videos or, if you can afford it, getting just a half hour makeup lesson can be really helpful. you can look up the definitions cuz it’s hard to describe without pictures, but ultimately all you need is a transition shade for your crease, a shade to go on your eyelid, and a darker shade for your outer “crease” if you want to deepen the look. (a n eye primer can be very helpful for blending out your eyeshadow and getting the brightest colour. the last i’ll say is remember that the way ur face looks in the lighting of ur bedroom is not how it’ll look outside in the sunlight. i’d recommend doing ur makeup in the brightest light in ur home. finally, if the time comes that you want a full-ish brush set, i’ve heard this one is really good if ur on a budget. sorry if this is wayyyy too much. makeup can be intimidating at first, but youtube will be ur best friend for the first little bit. the most important thing is to practice. hope this could be of some help :). ultimately makeup is about having fun, feeling confident, and expressing yourself.

This is just what I do so obviously you don't have to listen to any or all of my advice.

If your looking for good brushes but not super expensive then I'd recommend this Real Techniques brush set. It's on sale right now on Amazon or I think Ulta is doing some type of buy 1 get 1 50% off something or other. If you want individual brushes I'd go for Morphe or Coastal Scents. For simple looks I think an all over lid brush, a crease brush, and a blending brush is great to start with. I feel like with those three you can use them for a lot of looks until you're ready to build up your collection.

For shadows you can pick up E.L.F, Coastal Scents, Nyx, and BH Palettes are nice starters. Some shades aren't the greatest quality but if your practicing and don't want to spend a lot then it'll go far. They have palettes for several different styles depending on what color you want to go. Or if you don't want tons of shades and want singles you can try MakeupGeek or Coastal Scents. They sell single pans so you only have what you want in your collection. I'd also pick up a primer if you have the funds. You can get Nyx eyelid primer for about $7.00 and it'll help your shadows stay on your lids without creasing.

For eyeshadow tutorials I feel like picture tutorials are best. Videos for me are awful because I hate pausing to finish my step to get to the next step because they're faster than me. Picture tutorials are great because I can pull it up on my phone in my bathroom zoom in on the step and move onto the next one. Not saying I only use picture tutorials because I watch Youtube videos to learn blending techniques etc. You can always search Pinterest for picture tutorials

Typically what I do for the pics you linked is:

(For this example let's say I'm using Twilight, Prom Night, and Sensuous from [This MakeupGeek swatches]) for hopefully an easy follow through)

1: Prime the lids and let it sit for a moment unless it states otherwise. Some things like glitter glue etc need to be tacky.

2: Take a crease (or similar brush) and take a light color like Twilight and put it in your crease. I'd swipe the brush back and forth on your crease until you've reached the opacity you like. You can always bring it higher than your crease if you like that look as well.

3: Take an all over lid brush (or similar) and put another color such as Prom Night all over the lid but not above the crease. Again put on as much or as little as you want until you've reached the opacity you'd like.

4: I like to go back with a crease brush and apply more Twilight to the crease and blending them together so there's no harsh line.

5: If you want to take the look further you can take the crease brush once more and apply Sensuous to the crease from the outside of your eye towards the inside until about halfway or your desired spot.

6: Blend it out so there are no harsh lines and apply more Twilight to your crease if necessary.

I hope you find what your looking for and hopefully this helped a little bit!

Tools: Coil Master kit - all the tools you'll need to get started. The coil master jig itself is great and those scissors are really sharp, I've been looking for more of them to buy as backup and to leave around my house/car for various needs. But seriously, just buy that kit. All the tools in it are good quality and I use almost all of them every time I do a build. You can also find it on Amazon for a slightly lower price. The only tool that I use all the time not included in that kit is this screwdriver for the hex bits.

You'll want to get wire and cotton, no word yet on whether those will count as a tobacco product, but you can stock up for cheap, I've started buying from Lightning vapes via Amazon, hard to beat a 250ft spool for ~$10. Get some Nichrome (NI80), Kanthal and Stainless (SS316L).

Start with 24 gauge kanthal and 26 gauge nichrome and SS. Get 50-100 feet of each - it's cheap and will last a long time. Use Steam-Engine's "coil wrapping" tool to figure out how many wraps and what diameter you'll want, for example if I have 24ga Kanthal, dual coil, and I want around 0.5 ohm resistance and 2.5mm diameter, it says I should do 12 wraps. Reality might differ a bit, but it's a good guideline.

As for cotton the 3 most recommended ones are Koh Gen Do, Muji, or Puffs. I've been meaning to try Rayon as well - yes, that's really the stuff you want to buy. Almost everything marketed to vapers is a gimmick and is often the same products as these, repackaged and marked up. Any performance difference won't be worth the price.

You're probably going to want a new mod since that 40 watts won't be enough for most RDA builds. There are always tons of threads here about the best mod and batteries. Basically for 18650 batteries you can only trust LG, Sony and Samsung batteries, and there are many fakes. Two trusted vendors are IMRBatteries and Illumn. I wouldn't trust vendors selling through Amazon, or Chinese vendors. They aren't always selling fakes, but the risk is higher and there's less recourse if you do get fake batteries. You should also get some spare battery wraps and positive terminal insulators to have on hand in case you tear one of your battery wraps. In a few months, those too may be regulated as tobacco products.

Chargers are often overlooked, I think the best you can get right now is an XTAR VP4. People also like the Nitecore D4. Both will show you your batteries capacity and charging status and let you adjust the charging current, and will stop charging the battery when it is done. The VP4 has independent charging slots as well so there's no risk in mixing different batteries.

Everything you need to know for building has been explained better than I could, visually, countless times on YouTube, just look up videos explaining how to build coils on RDAs. Once you start doing it, it gets relatively easy. It requires a lot of patience and can be frustrating at times but it's also satisfying because once you've made some beautiful coils you get to enjoy the fruit of your labor.

i strongly suggest going over to /r/HoodedEyes. there are some good techniques there, and practice every day an eye look. I HIGHLY recommend watching this Wayne Goss tutorial on hooded eyes: the straight line technique. I think this will be especially beneficial to your eye shape.

I'd also highly recommend that you learn tightlining. That's actually a pretty simple technique to master but will make your eyes pop.

As for colors for your eyeshadow, i think you'll be most happy with a light base plus one or two darker brown colors, just enough to give the illusion of an eye lift, but nothing terribly dark to make you cringe years later after you have mastered the technique. I personally like to use a light beige base color plus another brown that is basically a contour color because that basically contours the eye in a pretty nice shape but is not noticeable.

As for tools, I was really impressed with this set as a beginner's set. The blending brush is definitely nice.

Now, as for the other stuff, your eyebrows are very nice. They're pretty neat as it is, so it's no big deal. You probably don't even need anything done with those.

As for foundation... honestly, go to sephora/nordstrom/ulta as many times as you can and get color matched. Get samples. Test at home, ask for opinions both IRL and on here, if desired. Go again, and try to get different color matchers each time. Also, avoid that stupid Sephora IQ gimmick device. If you have any redness at all, it'll match you to an incredibly dark color.

To help you answer your questions about tone... ask yourself what colors look best on you. It's a bit difficult for me to get a decent idea of your tone with one photo. But wearing different colors and seeing how your skin looks can give you a decent indication. If you have trouble figuring out what tone the clothing is, you can probably google it and see what others say.

But... going off the one photo, you look more warm.

Hey dude, thanks for your interest. Put simply - if I were paying eight bob for five coils on the combo, I'd feel thoroughly ripped off :)

In my head - tanks like the baby are perfect for people who want minimum fuss, but drippers like the combo are perfect if you want to save money and vape -exactly- the way you want to. I'll admit that building coils can take some getting used to, but there are so many products out there to help you with that.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Makeup-Facial-Cotton-Unbleached-180pcs/dp/B00VHA3ZXQ/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1480017983&sr=8-1&keywords=muji+cotton

This bag of cotton plus a few spools of wire will easily last you for a long, long time. My coils tend to last a couple weeks before I want to change them (not including re-wicking the cotton, which I might do three times over a coil's life).

Spools of wire are, obviously, pretty cheap too. About a fiver for three metres on crazywire, or if you're not fussed about ordering from china gearbest sells wire too, which I've not had problems with.

So yeah - if you're interested in building, I'd steer away from RTAs and toward RDTAs - home made coils are cheap as anything, and I personally think the vape is far nicer anyway and definitely worth the time spent learning how to make coils. :)

For starting off, I'd recommend a Tobeco Velocity clone as it's cheap and easy to build on. The two-post design (Velocity-style) has been copied by pretty much everyone else so you'll be familiar with the deck when you fall further down the rabbit hole.

A coil jig (Coilmaster, Youde, etc.) is very nice to have. The kits are usually a good value as they include an ohm reader, the jig, ceramic tweezers, and flush wire cutters, among other things and all in a handy carrying case. The ohm reader is especially important for your safety so you can tell if a build is shorted before putting it on your mod. The ceramic tweezers are nice because you can play with the coil to get even heating (for contact coils like Kanthal builds) while pulsing it without fear of shorting it or getting a shock.

For wire, 24g or 26g Kanthal is a good place to start for wattage builds. A common build is a single coil 6 wrap 24g Kanthal around a 2.5mm giving a resistance of about 0.5 ohms. The Velocity can handle single coil builds by having the coil set in between the posts as opposed to on one side of the posts. Alternatively, a dual coil 6 wrap 26g Kanthal around 2.5mm gives about 0.37 ohms and is another simple and effective build.

If you delve into temperature control, I'd recommend SS316L if your mod can handle it or has a TCR setting. It's easier to work with than Ni and Ti and you can dry burn it if you want without any harmful effects. It also works in both temperature control and wattage modes in case you feel like switching it up without building new coils. I like to shoot for 0.4 ohms with SS316L, so a single coil 6 wrap 26g SS316L around 2.5mm works perfectly. You can explore other gauges and wire materials once you get a handle for how temperature control works.

For those more exotic wires, twisted and claptons are fairly easy to make if you like to DIY. Otherwise, there are some manufacturers that have premade twisted and claptons on rolls and some have premade exotic coils if you just want to try some of those out. I stick to the simple builds because I mainly run temperature control, but will occasionally throw a clapton into my RDAs for fun.

As for purchasing things, you should be able to find RDAs and coil kits from your favorite vendors. Lightning Vapes is a good place to go for wire. The one thing is most of the wicking sold by vendors are a bit overpriced, considering you can get the same stuff in 150-200 piece packs for like $7-15 on Amazon (Labo/Puff, KGD, and MUJI cotton pads), so keep that in mind.

For resources on building, Steam Engine has nice tools (Ohm's Law, Coil Wrapping, and Wire Wizard) that can help take the guesswork out of coil building. You can play around with the settings to figure out how to build something that meets your needs.

Also, consider watching some Youtube videos and reviews of whatever RDA you choose to get a general idea on how to build and wick it, as each RDA or RTA or whatever may have its own quirks.

tl;dr - Get a coiling kit from your favorite vendor, it'll have everything you need to get started. Pick a wire and use Steam Engine to get the ball rolling. Watch videos specific to whatever RDA you choose for a quick start. Don't worry about the nuances and extreme variety as you'll eventually come across those in time.

I think the best way to think about your theme is, just the things that make us feel pampered, loved, and beautiful. What gifts can you buy that could put self-love back into someone's life? Maybe it's just giving someone a few things to alleviate stress, like some nice bath products or a subtle candle scent. Or maybe you could just look for items that accentuate femininity and grace, like a embroidered handkerchief! Here is a list of things that will give the ladies in your life some help giving back to themselves:

1. Soap miniatures
   
2. Face masks
   
3. Elf brushes:
   e.l.f. Cosmetics 12 Piece Brush Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001HKR6WM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_GqlDwb1AXC858
   
4. Coconut oil samples: Found some at World Market in those wood bins in the food section
   
5. Miniature shampoo/conditioner: found in the travel sections at most any store like Target or Walmart
   
6. Facial exfoliating brush (non-electric) or sponge:
   Konjac Sponge (3 Pack) Activated Bamboo Charcoal. Facial Cleansing & Exfoliating Beauty Sponges https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WFSBHO8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_thlDwbXZ3YMEQ
   
7. razors and a nice shaving cream
   
8. loofa and body wash
   
9. Stud earrings: Authentic Freshwater Cultured Pearl Set of Five White,Grey,Peach,Pink,Peacock Pearl Earrings with Stainless Steel Backs (6-6.5mm) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OZVCRBA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_6xlDwbMKZ8A0K
   
10. Small makeup bags: you can also get these for like 1-3 bucks at the discount bins in Target and Michael's or at paper/pen stores. Set of 4 - ZICOME New Cute Candy Colored Travel Theme Memories Pastorable Style Pencil Case Coin Makeup Bag Purse Case https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0181YIDXC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_sDlDwb6JHV8YT
    
11. Chocolates (because they make us feel good)
    12 discount panties (like 6 for 20.00 or less at target
    
12. Pumice stones, foot file, pedicure set
    
13. Bath bombs, bath salts, bath pearls
    
14. Aloe Vera socks
    
15. Burt's Bees miniature set:
    Burt's Bees Fabulous Mini's Travel Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V0XQAU0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_yXlDwbYEBEK56
    
16. A pack of tea (so good for you) and tea cup!
    
17. Summer's Eve Cleanser or cleansing wipes: Hail to the V y'all, cause this stuff is AMAZING!!!
    
18. Oil blotting paper or face cleansing wipes
    
19. Nail polish remover pads:
    6 LA Colors Nail Polish Remover Pads Aceton Free Fruit Scent 6 Different Ones (Total 199 pADSs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007TXJKES/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_WdmDwbNM22R2N
    

You need some brushes! Real Techniques is a great brand to start with. They have some nice kits for eyes or face and great single brushes like the expert face brush and blush brush. EcoTools is another inexpensive brand for good quality brushes. Have you tried a lipstick before? Try the brand NYX. I'm around your age and I honestly used to think lipstick was for older ladies (sorry!), but I'm digging it now. Like others have said, primer, concealer, and color tattoos would be good items to add to your collection as well. Update us on what you end up choosing and happy birthday!

Summer Fun

edit: For the prize, if I do happen to win, you can surprise me. =) Thanks for hosting!

After you have read up on this stuff, watched coil build videos, learned ohm's law, etc. I have some gear reccomendations.

Sigelei 100W+ box. The plus version is what I have. Dual batteries in series (that means it has an input voltage of 8.4V) and output from 10-100W. Floating pin (meaning you don't have to adjust it for different sized atomizers). It also comes with a silicon sleeve if you are butterfingers like me. That should run about $100 from most retailers, give or take $10. If you're handy and have some time, you can build your own box mod using a few different chips (DNA30/40, Yihi SX350, etc).

That brings up my second piece, batteries. DO NOT skimp on batteries, you need good ones. You need 2 18650 batteries that you keep together and only use in this mod. Switch the positions of them each charge. I recommend Samsung 25r batteries. High continuous amp limit (if you exceed it then the battery might fail), but they aren't really pushed up that far on a Sig 100W. That is more important with a mechanical mod. You also need a charger, the Nitecore D2 is a great one.

Then for an RDA (rebuildable dripping atomizer) I suggest a CLT V2+ like others here. It won't break the bank (about $35, or $12 clone from fasttech.com). Easy deck to build on because of the block centerpost. Good airflow, and you can restrict it as much as you need. You can also get an RTA (rebuildable tank atomizer) like a kayfun, fogger, or orchid. I have had bad experiences with these, mostly because I fucked up when building. That pretty much ends up with the full tank of juice emptying in your lap. But it can be done. I prefer RDAs for simplicity and the ability to change flavors if I don't want a whole tank.

You also need wick and wire. A-1 Kanthal is what most of us use. Its cheap, and 28 or 26 gauge is a good starting size. Higher gauge means smaller wire and higher resistance. For wick, I use rayon and japanese cotton. Any of these will last you a long time.

You don't need a resistance tester if you get a sig 100W, but it will be more precise than the box. You also need something to cut cotton (it is way harder than it sounds) like tiny scissors and something to snip wires like small flush cutters. Tweezers to squeeze those coils and make them look nice and purty are also nice to have. A small screwdriver set is perfect for wrapping coils. "Coil Jigs" are overpriced and necessary.

I would buy all the stuff I linked through Amazon, its cheaper there than most vape websites. For batteries and chargers, use Illumn or Lightning Vapes. Wire, resistance testers, and tweezers are also fairly priced at Lightning Vapes. There are a few places to get the Sigelei 100W+ and the CLT v2+. Fasttech is amazing and I love China. This site carries cheap clones of other devices. Good place to get RDAs if you are willing to wait for shipping and read the reviews/discussions. There are so many things I would never purchase because they are out of my budget that Fasttech made available.

The Griffin 25 can be a bit finicky with wicking but is an amazing tank imo however I would strongly suggest looking into the Griffin 25 Mini, I really do like the improvements they made both to the deck and to the wicking system and with its reduced chamber/small chimney you should get noticeably better flavor when compared to the original 25'. As for your other question, down below I will link some quality building tools that are very effective and are quite inexpensive.

Wire cutters: https://www.fasttech.com/product/1243300-plato-170-flush-cutter-for-rebuildable-atomizers (3$)

ceramic tip tweezers for squeezing coils: https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10005391/2134901-vetus-heat-resistant-stainless-steel-tweezers-for (3$)

needle tweezers : https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10005391/1431601-vetus-stainless-steel-tweezers (1.50$)

cotton (puffs, labo): https://www.amazon.com/ORGANIC-Cotton-Makeup-Puff-Medium/dp/B000TCD51A/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1467837978&sr=1-1&keywords=cotton+puffs (6.50$ for like 200 sheets or something)

coilmaster jig: https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10012320/3721500-coil-master-v3-6-in-1-e-cigarette-wire-coil-winder (7.50$)

alternatively you can spin your own coils with this jig: https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10010836/1986902-vaping-coil-winding-jig-tool-for-rebuildable (2$)

cotton cutting scissors : https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10002881/1215700-precision-stainless-steel-thrum-scissors (1.50$)

wire-cutters: https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10003258/1243300-plato-170-flush-cutter-for-rebuildable-atomizers (3$)

pliers: https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10003268/1244207-wlxy-mini-professional-long-nose-pliers (3.50$)

Remember when ordering from fasttech either use e-packet or DHL unless you want to have to wait like a year to get your stuff lol. You can also get wire from fasttech however I would Strongly suggest getting all your wires from Lightning Vapes, they have very high quality stuff for cheap also their premade 26x2/36 fused clapton spools are phenomenal. Hope this all helps sure you can just buy a builders kit but know you will be paying about 15x the amount you would if you just bought them separately however it is definitely really convenient. Hope some of this helps.

http://www.carolinaxtract.com/ - http://www.vaperstek.org/ - https://www.nudenicotine.com/

In that order because you never want to cut corners on nicotine ever. Everybody talks about the pepper taste but I've never had that because I went through those three. Nudenicotine actually will give you a free 15ml sample with $2 shpping.

With PG/VG they are 99% all the same so don't get trapped into any gimmicks or anything. Just get the Essential Depot's PG/VG from Amazon which is around $10 for a quart.

While you're there you might as well pick up some cotton which like PG/VG don't fall into all the BS because it's all pretty much the same. Get: https://www.amazon.com/ORGANIC-Cotton-Makeup-Puff-Medium/dp/B000TCD51A/

If you don't have Prime and need something to get the free shipping you might as well pick up the scale now: https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-LB-501-Digital/dp/B005UGBG20/ -- Those 4 are what the majority of us use by a mile. Just pick up some pipettes and bottles and you are actually pretty much 100% set for DIY, it's that easy. By the time an average person rolls their coil and wicks their tank I could bust out a gallon or 3 of e-juice.

http://www.bullcityflavors.com/ - http://www.ecigexpress.com/ - http://gremlindiy.com/ - You're all set now.

I've been DIY for a year now and still have 1/4th of the VG and 3/4th of the PG left doing around a 65/35 VG/PG mix. The cotton is a different story however, that bag honestly will last about 7 years which is conservative and 10+ wouldn't shock me. It was probably my best purchace ever and it's so nice to never have to worry about cotton again so I can focus that energy on buying way way too many vaping hardware and supplies. My pantry is pretty much dedicated to vaping and I have to admit that I'm an addict.

It's a fun hobby coming from a background where I was building 386's as a kid so it's up my alley and it saved my life. I don't care care about the death part but more of my lungs hurting when I wake up, had no energy and killed any cardio to the point of running up stairs was an issue. The worst is the smell though, especially if you haven't been around it for a while. I let somebody smoke two in my apartment a few weeks ago in the open and not out the window. My F'N GOD, for the next 3 days I was spaying so much shit, washing every damn thing that was washable, to even scrubbing my walls because I couldn't even sleep waking up in the middle of the night with that distinct sweet horrible smell that lingers like crazy.

How they are legal compared to other things that actually will improve your health to the point where it will actually shrink cancer tumors in THC/CBD. Dextromethorphan and Ketamine which is the only thing known that helps with my rare intolerable disease. Tryptamine drugs like DMT that would instantly reshape how society thinks and acts being the best method for us to grow as a species which could take tens of thousands of years still and it should be our #1 goal in life to get the ball running in our little Century.

sure fused Claptons are great! but thats gonna ohm out very low in dule coil, 0.3ohm to 0.2 mabey lower, can your mod/battery handle that? if the answer to that is im not sure... dont do it!!! first go read more about ohms law and battery's . i dont want you blowing your mod up ;)

ok time for many links

TOOOOOOOOLS!

hook nose/needle nose tweasers for wicking

ceramic tweezers for coils

more ceramic tweezers these ones come with a coil jig!

wire cutters you need to get flush cutters so you can trim as close to the deck as posible

coil jig

alternatively you can go for a tool kit with everything in this one is legit good and even comes with some wire and cotton, the other cheaper versions like the ones i own are knock off's of this one and while usable are just not as good.

WIRE!

ok so your all jazzed on fused claptons but as its your first builds that may not be wise so here are some options, remember the lower the number the bigger the wire and therefore the lower the ohm.

kanthal 24g plain kanthal nice thick gauge good for beginners!

clapton 26g thin higher ohm clapton

clapton 24g thicker lower ohm clapton

fused clapton 2x24g big huge super low ohm fused Clapton, looks kinda funky but thats just how premade fused comes, i usually spin mine in a drill with pliers to take the twist out and make it easier to wrap.

staple wire incorectly labeled as alien this is staple/faltpton wire also super low ohm, its stacked ribbon wire with a Clapton around it

WICK!

fast cotton

cheap cotton

ok so theese are the same cotton almost exactly the difference being the fast option will get to you sooner, the cheap option is a huge bulk amount for a vastly reduced price but it will take a while to get to you like maybe a few weeks.

once you've got all that shit together its time to coil n wick.

coiling is easy so i wont cover that.
wicks can be a little tricky

1. take a cotton pad and cut a 4-6mm wide strip following the groove in the cotton,
   
   its important to have enough cotton to be snug in the coils ( to help it stop burning and wick enough juice otherwise dry hits)
   
   but not enough to jam up the wicking holes in the deck stoping the juice flowing up and giving you dry hits ... its a fine line
   
   
2. remove the top and bottom lair
   
   
3. roll it into a tube between your fingers
   
   
4. pinch the end and roll into a point then insert it into your coils
   
   
5. trim the ends
   
   
6. prime the wicks and coils with some juice
   
   
7. push them down into the wick holes
   
   jobs done vape on!
   
   hope this was helpful if you have any other questions go nuts
   
   i actually really enjoyed this youve kept me sane through a very long shift at work ;)

If you're going through a shit ton of coils a month then I'd honestly look into getting an RDA. They give out 100% if not more flavour than a tank. You'll also use a hell of a lot less juice. You don't really need nic salts in them either which I personally prefer and consider safer.

Downsides though.

Everyone talks about the effort of building a coil but meh I bought a pack of 42 pre-made super fancy ones (coilology 7 in 1 kit) for 12 quid. A coil will last 1-2 months. Single coil RDA's are the best tasting ones too btw, dual ones just make more clouds in my opinion. Recommended ones are the Asmodus C4, Cthulu Cthulhu Mjolnir and the cheapest but somehow still really good Wasp Nano. Some of the RDA's are a bit restricted like the C4 but no where near as much as a pod kit. So google for reviews here on reddit for ones your interested in. They're usually pretty honest here.

You do need to rewick them. Some people rewick once a week some people everyday. It's a personal preference. However one pack of these organic Japanese cotton sheets should last you about four years if you rewick every single day. (That's not an exaggeration btw). Wicking isn't hard. You cut a strip about 3-5mm in diamater. peel the outside bits off. Roll it a bit in your hands then put it through the coil. Cut ends off and tuck into the "tank". You don't really need to fluff the ends if it's not an RTA.

Either you drip or spend more on a squonk mod. There's roughly three recommended dual battery squonks (second thread) at the moment. They're bulkier by about 50% to a normal battery mod because there's a bottle for eliquid roughly the same size as a battery on them. Singles pretty good but obviously you get half the battery life...

Personally I just drip though, you have to carry around a bottle of juice with you but hey who doesn't do that anyway. For that you just tip your bottle down your drip tip squeeze and go. Squonks are cool tbh though. If you decide to drip you can obviously use any mod you want as long as the RDA you picked fits on it.

RDA's are a bit more effort. However you use a ton less juice and you actually get that amazing flavour everyone else is talking about but somehow you never seem to taste...

Also you never have to worry about breaking the glass on an RDA, I drop my shit all the time and they're pretty resilient.

They aren't for everyone though, if you cba with the effort, extra weight and bulk compared to a pod system and all that. They aren't rocket science to use though if I can do it anyone can. You also don't really need a full coil making kit either (often it's easier to get them as a set though) and pre-made ones are cheap, bigger and better. You need a few parts. A coil jig is useful for when you insert your prebuilt coils. ceramic tweezers because when inserted you need to strum your coils to get rid of hotspots. Scimitar Tweezers because you too should accidentally stab yourself with the bastards like the rest of us and they're good for wicking. Wire cutters to cut the ends off your coils once installed. Oh and a pair of scissors to cut your cotton. You can get those cheap as chips on Amazon or on fasttech.

As said it's a bit more effort but you'll save a fortune in buying coils. Using an RDA and bottle shots as a lazy mans DIY vaping costs me pretty much nothing. About 20 quid a month at most. £15 quid on a 500ml bottle shot. About £2 worth or less of the 500ml bottle of 72mg nic (£36 ish) that you can still legally buy (just pinky swear you ain't using it to vape). Then about 1-2 quid worth of PG and VG. That lasts me 1-2 months.

You certainly are a smart shopper! It's good to know what you want, but sometimes it narrows down your search. That said, I think your options are thus:

| Siegeli| iPV3| Cloupor T8
---|---|----|----
Price| $99.99| $139.99| $139.99
Wattage| 100w | 150w| 150w
Dual Batt.| Yes| Yes| Yes
Magnet Back| Yes| No| Yes?
O-B Charger| No| Yes| Yes?
Flush 510| Yes| Yes| Yes
Silver Option| Yes| Yes| Yes
Black Option| Yes| Yes| Yes


Personally, I would go for the Siegeli. There's an option for an extra magnet back in place of screws that you can get here.

Aside from that, you're going to need:

1. Batteries: I recommend the Samsung 25-R. It can be found as an authentic quite easily and for a decent price, whilst maintaining specs comparable to VTC5s. Alternatively, I've also heard good stuff about the LG HE2, although it seems the 25-R has the edge.
   
2. Wire: I recommend heading over to ebay and buying some TEMCO brand kanthal in 24ga, 26ga, and possibly 28ga. You can usually get around 100 feet of each for around 6 bucks.
   
3. Wick: This is definitely a personal preference. I prefer using Japanese cotton pads, but many people stick with plain old organic cotton balls or rayon. You can find Japanese cotton pads on amazon. Otherwise, you can find organic cotton balls at your local CVS. You can also get a lifetime supply of Rayon for around $12 I believe, but I can't recall where. If you search /r/ecr a bit you'll find it.
   
4. Ohm-meter: A fairly important part of your setup, much more so for mechanical mods, but still good to have. You can find one for around $10 on Fasttech.

Hi, I have pretty similar coloring to you (very fair skin with strawberry blonde hair) to you so here's stuff I like to use:

• Urban Decay Naked Basics palette - I love this palette as the shades look beautiful on anyone. I use the Real Techniques Eye Brush set, I do a layer of Foxy all over my lid first (makes blending super easy), then Faint on my outer socket, then blend it in with Naked 2 over the rest of the lid. I finish it up with Venus under my eyebrow arch. Personally I love the Real Techniques brushes, I think the eye set is great as it makes smokey eye really easy.
  
• For primer I use Benefit Porefessional, however I'm pretty sure this L'Oreal one is a dupe for it and is half the price. However if your skin is oily I'd recommend No7 Beautifully Matte, my mum has super oily skin and this is the only one that works for her, it's almost chalky in consistency and really sticks to the skin. Primer makes the world of difference, I even wear it when I can't be bothered to do actual makeup as it smooths my skin out.
  
• I just bought some L'Oreal BB Powder and am loving it, it works with or without makeup. Everyday I use it over primer and it also makes foundation look natural over the top.
  
• I shape my eyebrows myself (it's turned into an obsession) and when I fill them in I use Benefit Brow Zings in light. It works amazingly well for my hair colour, however yours is a bit darker so you might want to look for a specific redhead brow product. If you are using a powder product I love the brow brush in the above mentioned Real Techniques Eye set.
  
• For blush I use Benetint, if you have reddish hair I think it looks amazing.
  
• Have you ever tried contouring? It's something that has changed my life. I use the contouring brush from the Real techniques core collection with Hoola. A lot of bronzer has shimmer in it which isn't great for contouring. I learn't how to do it via youtube videos, Pixiwoo and Lisa Elridge are the ones I seem to remember being good.
  
• I agree with the other comments about the lower lid liner, I think just the flick on top looks better. I say this as a former kohl addict. But if you want to continue wearing it i'd thicken the line a tiny bit so it's not just on your waterline.
  
• Lips wise there's a Nide range by L'Oreal, the Julianne Moore one is for redheads and is the only nude I've found that works with my hair.
  
  Hope all or some of these are helpful and i'm sure the other addicts here will have some great advice. Also I love your piercings, especially your septum, it's one i've always wanted but i'm not sure that my nose is a good shape for it. Yours looks rad.

So, honestly, I think you should gift /u/meowbabymeow.

I have a few reasons and here I will list them for you. :)

• She's smoking hot. I mean, hello?! Have you seen her?!
  
  
• She and I became friends on here- little did we know, we ended up living just minutes from one another and had never known of each other's existence.
  
  
• When I was in the hospital for 10 days just recently, she surprised me with flowers, a milkshake, and balloons! It was super sweet. Because my sister and I were bored out of our minds, she brought up board games for the three of us to play together. (She may or may not have whooped my butt once or twice- but I'll always claim to be the #1 winner.)
  
  
• She recently saved a lady's life. She stopped and made sure the woman received help before heading to her destination. Then, followed up with the lady and family to be sure that she was alright. In my book, that is pretty damn amazing.
  
  
• She's a 2 time cancer survivor.
  
  
• She's a total badass and I love her. I want her to be happy and have everything she could ever want in life or more. <3 <3 She deserves it.
  
  I would choose that it all goes to her- and with that said, this is what I'd give.

>Does quality differ a lot between clones and originals?

Depends on the specific model that was cloned and who cloned it. Personally the only time I was able to directly compare a clone and an authentic piece of hardware for an extended time, was with the Billow V2 nano. I own two authentic ones and no-name clones from FT. Aside from the O-rings, the missing logo and different colours, they are all basically identical. I guess the more complex a piece of hardware is, the harder it will be to clone. There are clones of entire regulated mods, which all seem to be absolute garbage. Then in few cases a clone can even improve on the original product and present a modified version, that isn't available as an authentic.

For the Kayfun 5 there are several comparison videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E28J7wZvYX8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX8crHEAdKs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1nKnJ3zG7I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXGYV_bg8hw

The SJMY, Tobeco and the SXK version seem to perform great, with the SXK mini standing out, because of it being one of those clones, that doesn't really have an authentic counterpart.


>Regarding RBAs, where can I buy the wire used to build coils? Do they sell it in local stores (as in, is it a regular product?) or do I have to order it on special vaping websites (they dont have vape stores here).

Some time ago I decided to cut out the middle man and started to import wire from Fasttech myself. If I would buy them from a German online shop or in my local vape store, I'd pay double and triple for the exact same product. But yeah, online vape shops in your country will very likely offer some type of wire.

If you want to get into building, 26 AWG - 28 AWG Kanthal wire would be a good starting point. Very easy to handle and not much to fuck up. Personally I like the wire from UD. Never had a problem with it.

https://www.fasttech.com/products/3033/10014903/2675200

https://www.fasttech.com/products/3033/10014903/4239303

https://www.fasttech.com/products/3033/10014903/2675100

Aside from that, Fasttech also offers an assload of pre-bent coils in all shapes and sizes, that you just have to install. Still way cheaper than factory coils.

https://www.fasttech.com/category/3033/wicks-wires

Even absolutely ridiculous stuff like this:

https://www.fasttech.com/products/3033/10025417/5520003

There is definitely a learning curve to RBAs/RTAs/RDAs, but personally I couldn't justify having to change expensive factory coils every few days anymore. It's worth it in the long run.


>And the cotton seems to differ too

Meh, overall not really. If we're staying in the realm of organic cotton pads, a lot of it is just for show. This gallery explains it well:

http://imgur.com/a/3UYZR

I use this: https://www.amazon.de/Cotton-Labo-ORGANIC-200pc-japan/dp/B000TCD51A/

Perfectly fits my needs.


>Its all so very complicated lol, Ive done research but there are so many opinions and things I just dont know where to start.

It can be overwhelming, but everyone starts somewhere. I started with the Kanger Subtank Mini RBA and later went to a full RTA. Looking back, the easiest way to learn building would have probably been to use an RDA, because if you fuck up or your build just doesn't work, improving or changing it will be a breeze.

If I had to do it all over, I would get the following:

• Derringer V3 clone
  
  Cheap, easy to build on and tastes heavenly.
  
  https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10012406/4567400-derringer-v3-styled-rda-rebuildable-dripping
  
  
  
• Velocity RDA clone
  
  Cheap, easy to build on and allows for beefy coils.
  
  https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10014538/3141900-velocity-mini-styled-rda-rebuildable-dripping
  
  
  
• Organic cotton
  
  Cheap and wicks perfectly.
  
  https://www.amazon.de/Cotton-Labo-ORGANIC-200pc-japan/dp/B000TCD51A/
  
  
  
• 27 AWG wire
  
  Because everyone starts with either 26 or 28 and I'm a hipster.
  
  https://www.fasttech.com/products/3033/10014903/4239303
  
  
  
• Steam Engine
  
  To calculate beforehand what I'm even doing.
  
  http://www.steam-engine.org/coil.asp
  
  
  
• Pre-bent claptons
  
  To see what all the fuss is about.
  
  https://www.fasttech.com/p/4152508
  
  
  The pre-bent claptons I'd use in the Velocity and the 27 AWG wire I'd use to make coils for the Derringer. Spaced coils, 5-6 wraps at 2.5mm diameter in a dual coil setup comes out to about 0.4 Ohms. Fantastic vape.
  

How much time do you have? I bought a ton of nail art supplies off of ebay that shipped from china that cost a couple dollars each. The quality is good but it takes about a month's ship time to get to the states.
Shapes
Tape - best for painting lines
Gold/Silver dots
Brushes for next level designs
Neon shapes
Glitters
Dotting tools
Fimo shapes
That's a lot of suggestions but you can pick and choose based on what she likes. Just searching for "nail art" brings up SO many things!
If you want makeup I highly suggest
Too Faced Neutral Eyes even if she's not great with makeup this is wonderful. It's got colors for day, fancy, and night.
Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stains are great for a girl who doesn't wear lipstick but likes chapstick. Feels like chapstick but gives all day color
Eco Tools Brush Set is great for beginners.
OR ELF brush set which I recommend more than eco tools. (I had to replace my Eco Tools fairly quickly, but you can buy them at the same place you get the Toofaced pallet and Balm stains).
I also really like their Eye Primer in Sheer
I hope these give you some ideas!

First off, sorry, I'm on mobile.

Well, to get you started, the first thing you need to know is Ohms law. This will basically tell you the safe limits you can push a battery to. I wouldn't recommend a mechanical mod myself BUT it's always good to know. I would recommend a regulated mod so that you're relatively safe, at least at the start.

Unfortunately, to power big builds, you probably want a mod that does over 100W, even for some tanks like the TFV8, that's not much. The Smok R200 is a good choice and I used one for months and it was always reliable. The Temperature Control isn't the best but it works.

For an RDA, you want something with a deck that's easy to build on so something like the Mutation X V5 has a two post deck which is the easiest to build on. The side and top airflow means unless you drip too much liquid inside.

Batteries like the Samsung 25R are solid favourites so if you want to make sure you always have power, get 4 of them.

To charge the batteries, you probably only need a 2 bay charger. You'll always have 2 in the mod. Nitecore are probably the most popular. The Nitecore D2 will show you all the information you need to know about where they are up to with their charge, voltage, whatever.

To start with, rather than buying a full kit to build coils, you could try pre made coils. I started out with these pre-made Claptons and then when I knew I liked dripping, I bought this coil building kit and some kanthal wire.

To wick, you'll need cotton and this Muji cotton is kind of standard. Enough there to last for a very long time.

There are plenty of tutorials for how to wick on YouTube and the best method is probably the Scottish Roll. It's a good technique which lasts for a while. It will take you a lot of practice to get it right but it pays off.

That's a lot of typing so if there's anything else, just ask.

Ah love...what a wonderous thing. I have my own little love story....Once upon a time...wait, wrong story. Ok...

5 years Ago I met and fell in "love" with a man who I thought was the best thing since sliced bread...the cats pajamas if you will. About a year into the relationship i moved in and he started treating me like a slave, telling me when I had to go to bed, when I could come and go and then eventually began to hit me. Behind his back I was searching for a roommate so I could go somewhere else, and leave him far behind. I finally found a roommate and moved in soon after, he became my best friend, and showed me how to love again...we've been together for 5 years now and I adore every moment with him :)

Here is what I would love if I win...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00538TSMU/ref=aw_ls__7?colid=1VIZUF29KYEU&coliid=I20GIGS4X5Z9WR

Thanks for the contest :) LOVE YOUS TOOS!!

I'm not quite sure if what you bought from Amazon was real/decent or not, since I don't know the actual products you bought.

What I can say is, when I'm buying products on Amazon, I read the reviews and look at the seller. If many people in the reviews are saying that the product or the seller is shitty, than I will skip it altogether. I usually just buy products that are sold from Amazon.com (not to be confused with 'Fulfilled by Amazon').

Personally, I would suggest these Real Techniques brushes. I know you said you bought an Elf brush set, which is a great starter for you, but these brushes are relatively cheap and will last you a long long time. Many people on here recommend them and I have a bunch of them as well.

I'm not quite sure what your budget is, but I would definitely invest on a decent palette. In my opinion, it's better to go for higher end palettes that will last you a long time and are of better quality. You can find this palette here on Amazon, called the Lorac Pro Palette. Again, from Amazon.com, so no worries there. I bought my Lorac Pro on Amazon and had no issues with the shipping or anything. The eyeshadows are buttery, pigmented and there are many many color combinations with this palette, specifically neutral colors (if that's what you're into.)

Lastly, I would recommend looking into a lot of NYX products. They have a wide variety, which you can look through here. Many of their products are decent for the price and probably one (if not the best) of the best drugstore brands out there.

So basically, I would suggest looking at items that say "Ships from and sold by Amazon.com". In my opinion, that's the best way to know you're getting the real deal. If you want to take the chance, I would look up the sellers and at the reviews to see if what you're getting is good.

Read this pretty long post about DE shaving. The "HERE" link inside that post has good information as well.

Some comments about the products you have chosen:


> So I've been looking into buying a DE starter kit and looked at all the suggestions and I've sorted out this much so far.
Razor: DE86bl
Blades: Sampler
Pre-Shave Soap: Glycerine
Alum: Alum
Styptic: Clubman Pinaud

The Edwin Jagger is a very good razor.

The sampler comes only with 2 blades per brand, which could be enough but in my opinion 5 blades per brand would be better. Blade samplers in amazon are somewhat expensive.

Clearly natural is a pre-shave soap which is not necessary, but some people do find them helpful. You use it to wash your face before you lather your shaving cream/soap. You are missing the shaving cream/soap from your list.

Alum again not necessary, but some users like it.

Styptic pencil, do you bleed a lot? I ask because I hardly ever bleed, my blood coagulates really fast. So I have never seen a use for a styptic pencil.

> So for brushes it sounds like boar or badger, which I believe is preferred, hair is the way to go, but then the recommendation for the $75 level is bamboo and at the $100 one of the 2 recommended is synthetic.

The Ecotools bamboo brush is a women's makeup brush. Using it for shaving seems rather extreme. However I'm not sure how its making process differs from a shaving brush, do they use different glue or what. But I have seen threads posted where people say that the brush has died on them. If you are on a very tight budget and want a very soft brush that you can also find locally, then I think the Ecotools is a good option. That being said you can get Omega boar brush for about $10 from various online stores.

> I was looking through some of the threads and somewhere I found someone recommend this set which seemed nice, has a badger brush a little cup for lathering and a thing to hang the brush on to dry and comes with little starter shaving soap (although I have no idea if the soap is any good). So thoughts on that set and any inputs on brushes would be appreciated.

I don't think that recommendation had many upvotes. The brush is a pure badger brush and it's also prone to excessive shedding. The soap is nothing special. A brush stand isn't necessary. After you are done shaving thoroughly rinse the brush with running water from the tap, shake out the excess water, and use a towel to dry the tips of the brush, leave the brush standing on its base in a open space to air dry. The apothecary mug is not necessary either. It's mainly intended to hold the soap puck. However most shaving soaps will come in their own containers. The mug can also be quite small so when you are loading your brush you end up banging your fingers against the sides. I wouldn't recommend this set.

> And then lastly, how important are aftershaves? Are they just to smell nice or does it help you skin take a breather after threateningly rubbing sharp stuff all over it? My main mental picture of aftershave never having used it before is the scene from Home Alone, so feel free to educate me.

There are many different kinds of aftershave products; alum block, afershave splash, aftershave balm, moisturizing cream, moisturizing oil like jojoba oil, unrefined shea butter, and witch hazel. You pretty much have to try which works for you, but I'd start with a cheap aftershave balm like the Nivea sensitive aftershave balm (if you get satisfactory results with it you don't have to explore the other options unless you want to).

In the Home Alone he used aftershave splash. I'm not really a fan of these, the alcohol can be too drying for your skin and they are often more heavily scented which can irritate your skin. Some users do love them though, but I'd say they are for normal to oily skin. I like to use the other type of products, such as the aftershave balm, it soothes/heals and moisturizes your skin.

The brushes that are recommended are so for a reason, the VDH set contains a brush that is supposedly inferior to the ones recommended. Quotes from the two recommendations thread $75 and $100:

> HJM black synthetic brushes from ConnaughtShaving.com. (US residents do not pay VAT.)

>The Whipped Dog silvertip badger with your choice of resin handle (I like the octagonal best). The 22mm size is the best all-round size.



>Brush - $7.50 at Walgreens - The Ecotools Bamboo Finishing Kabuki brush is also available from Amazon.com, currently for $17 for two brushes. I suggest getting one locally in a drugstore. This cosmetics brush makes a truly excellent shaving brush---one that I use regularly. This brush is much better than the wretched Tweezerman and Escoli brushes. OPTION: For $19.64 including shipping the Vie-Long 11737C "Bombitoo" boar brush is an extremely good brush. While soft, it is an efficient lathermaker with excellent capacity. Wet it well before you shower, and it will be ready to go when you're done. Feels more like horsehair than boar.

Personally I'd recommend getting an Omega Boar brush which I find to offer good value for money :). I own two from the professional series and they're really good.
ShoeBox ShaveShop, Maggard razors and West coast shaving.

This is one of my favorite questions to ask people! My husband and I are big on paying it forward.

Last christmas, the Doc Mcstuffins doll was one of the hot toys. We were lucky enough to get one for our niece, but it turned out that she already had one. People were selling it on eBay and Craigslist for 3 times its worth because it was in such high demand. We decided to list our doll on cl for the price we paid ($50, I believe). The woman who inquired first seemed so happy to find the doll... When she showed up to pick it up, she handed me the cash. I handed it back to her and said, "No charge. Merry Christmas." She shed a few tears and thanked me profusely. It was awesome.

The items I'd most like to have are: Eco Tools 6 Piece Eye Set, Coastal Scents To Go Palette Beijing, or Sleek I Divine Oh So Special palette

Thanks For hosting... Great question! How about you?

Stalk her makeup collection to see what she already has, so you don't buy doubles.

If you want to go for fancy presentation, I think you should get a few types of product, like brushes, some lip things, and some eye things.

Real techniques brushes are great, and you can get them in stores or on Amazon; here's a couple [sets] (http://www.amazon.com/real-Techniques-Core-Collection-Set/dp/B004TSFBNK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1397668617&sr=8-3&keywords=real+techniques+brushes).

The Sleek palettes are well thought of and cheap, and I don't think she'd object to getting this.

Lipstick is based a lot on skin tone, so if you want to get anything like that you should try to figure out what her undertones are. Before you panic, an easy way to guess is if she wears

gold
yellows/oranges
warm, autumnal colors

She's probably got warm undertones. You can also take a peek at her foundation to see if it has anything on there like "warm" or "neutral" or "cool" - then you can maybe take a look at the lipstick labels and compare. If a red says "true red" it's may have some blue undertones.

Ideally, you'll be able to ask a sales rep somewhere, and maybe you can bring pictures taken in natural lighting for them to get a good idea.

If you don't want to do all that, a nice assortment of tinted lipbalms (people here seem to like the baby lips ones, and they're at basically all drugstores/makeup sections in stores that have makeup sections)

And you can't go wrong with a good primer. Go to Sephora or something and pick up one of the travel size Smashbox photo-finish face primers (the travel size is a better deal, ounce per ounce) and add a few things of chocolate for good measure.

Ok, here is the cheapest "good" cloud chasing set up I can think of. I'm not going to include tools, but you'll want to get needle nose tweezers, scissors, a small screw driver set (to wrap your coils on), wire cutters (can substitute them for nail clippers if you want to save money) and potentially pliers.

• Mod: Stingray X Clone. Link: http://www.fasttech.com/product/1795000
  
  
• RDA: TOBH Clone. Link: http://www.fasttech.com/product/1716603
  
  
• Battery: Samsung 25r (use code LV20 on anything from Lightning Vapes to save 20%). Link: http://www.lightningvapes.com/products/samsung-inr-18650-25r-battery
  
  
• Charger: eFest LUC. Link: http://www.lightningvapes.com/products/samsung-inr-18650-25r-battery
  
  
• Ohm reader: Generic ohm reader. Link: http://www.lightningvapes.com/products/cartomizer-and-atomizer-ohm-meter
  
  
• Wire: 24 gauge wire. Can choose between 25'-1000'. Link: http://www.lightningvapes.com/products/kanthal-a1-resistance-wire
  
  
• Wick: Organic cotton. You have some wiggle room here. If you want to save money go to your local pharmacy and get some organic cotton balls. Price ranges from $3-$6 and that should last you a long, long time. A lot of people (including me) like Japanese cotton pads since they are easier to work with and may give you better flavor and wicking ability. Link: http://www.amazon.com/Cotton-Labo-ORGANIC-Puff-200pc/dp/B000TCD51A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421292839&sr=8-1&keywords=Japanese+cotton&pebp=1421292845541&peasin=B000TCD51A
  
  Price before shipping and discounts: $92.61
  
  There's a lot of wiggle room in here, but this set up is pretty high quality, easy to work with and once you get experienced you won't get much bigger clouds without getting into high end regulated or mechanical mods.
  
  I'll say it again though: definitely do your research and if you do decide to change some of this make sure you don't skimp on good batteries and chargers.

You don't absolutely need to have brushes, they just greatly help over your finger. Try either a small set like this Ecotools one, which you can find at most Walgreens/Walmart/Kmart/etc. Alternatively, elf has many $1 and $3 eyeshadow brushes, some of which are excellent.

From elf, I would recommend the eyeshadow, blending, crease, and smudge (smudge brush not sponge!) brushes of their $1 Essential line, and the eyeshadow "C", small angled, contour, angled contour and flawless concealer brushes of their $3 Studio line.

Second, the main thing that you're going to need to do to make eyeshadow (applies to all makeup really) is:

• practice
  
• learn what color schemes you like mixed together
  
• watch youtube videos
  
• browse on here and its imgur site
  
• pay attention to what other people are doing if you like what they've done
  
• find out if you like certain eyeshadows applied wet or dry
  
• invest in a cheap primer that works for you. This will help your eyeshadow adhere to your lid much better.
  
• if you use brushes, make sure they're clean first
  
  Learn how much pressure you need to use to build color: start lightly at first, you can always add more. The "c" shaped eyeshadow brushes are great for patting color on. You want to use the blending/contouring ones in a windshield-wiping motion to blend across things like your crease or blend out a color line, so that it doesn't look harsh.
  
  It will all look very weird and harsh on you at first. That because you're not used to seeing yourself with that appearance. I know it's a lot to start with, but these are things that I wish I had known to ask in retrospect. I hope this helped, rather than overwhelmed you. Good luck and have fun playing around with it!

The first thing I learned about makeup is that you NEED to invest in GOOD brushes. Real Techniques is the way to go 100%.
Eye brush set.
Expert face brush.
The only other brush set I can recommend is Coastal Scents.

I think as far as lipsticks go, pinky MLBB shades are a good place to start. Wet N Wild has very cheap (but pigmented) colors to try and if she doesn't like them, then it's not much money wasted. I'd not want to buy a more expensive brand and her not like it. /: You know what I mean?

The ELF blush/contour kit. I've always heard great reviews of this little kit.

NYX Natural palette is a must imo. Very pigmented and all the nudes you need to pull off any natural eye look. Not to mention, the lightest shades can be used as a highlight and some of the darker shades can be used as a brow filler.

Hope this helps! Good luck to you and invite your friend here. <: SrslyGlammin

EDIT: Also. I great youtube channel for a lot of drugstore reviews (Don't buys and Do buys) is here and here. Same lady. Does awesome and informative reviews!

1a. Maybe start off on 28? I started off there and have tried 24 gauge, but I prefer the 28 because its easier to coil and build. (If you're daring I suggest trying a twisted 28. Good flavor, decent clouds, and juice is easier to deal with since I've found single coil to waste juice a lot more).

1b. Cotton is a little trickier since its your first time building, but I suggest looking around on some videos for tutorials and what not. I suggest Japanese organic cotton, don't have to boil, just wick and wet and you'll be ready. Here's what I use.

1c. This is a great tutorial about ohms and building.

2. Juice is really up to you and how you want it. I've heard that the best for the mini is 50/50? Could be wrong, but look around on /r/electronic_cigarette and there should be some stuff that answer your questions.

3. I suggest starting off on a RDA before you start building for the mini. Get something like the Dark Horse or Plume Veil. (again personal preference)

4. Buy yourself a charger with some batteries that will fit for your istick. Its a lot easier to just interchange the batteries rather than wait until the battery dies and then having to wait for it to charge.

Hope this helps!

If you want to get into squonking, just know that there is more of an upfront cost involved. You can always go cheap, like with the Pico Squeeze and Kangertech Dripbox but those are not the greatest. I would recommend the HCigar Inbox. It is a 75w DNA device that uses a single 18650. Stick with regulated mods for now. For attys I'd recommend going with the Wasp Nano. For the price its great, squonk compatible and it is single coil so it's great to learn on to build with.

• HCigar Inbox - $68
  
  
• Wasp Nano - $12
  
  
• 2x Sony VTC5A - $7 per. The VTC5A is my personal choice as it is a very good for high wattage and mechanical mods. If you want a touch more batter life go with the Samsung 30Q
  
  
• LUC 2 bay Charger - $20 I'd reccomend the LUC over nictecore because they can charge the batteries faster. There is also a single bay charger but the dual bay is nice for when you may get a dual 18650 mod in the future. Your choice.
  
  
• Any pre-built wire from Advanced Vape Supply - $12-15. Would recommend regular clapton SS316L wire. SS316L is great as it heats up faster than A1 or Ni80 so it doesn't require as much power. Plus I think it brings more flavor to the table.
  
  
• Puffs Organic Cotton - $5 and it will last you well over a year
  
  TOTAL: about $132 before shipping
  
  Note: stay away from the predator, alien, and gen 3 RX!! There are POS.

http://www.amazon.com/MUJI-Makeup-Facial-Cotton-Unbleached/dp/B00VHA3ZXQ?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

http://www.amazon.com/Graham-Professional-Cellucotton-Beauty-Rayon/dp/B018IYY3I4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

I've been wicking with those cotton pads and rayon for a while and I haven't died yet / think they both work well.

http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Bearing-Swivels-Size-230lb/dp/B00ROFQXSM?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

If you want to make claptons and have a vice (or want to rig up something to hold the bearings in place maybe with clamps on the edge of a table or something) in your work space you can keep the other end of the wire straight (while allowing it to rotate) with bearings, they help a lot, i think i have size 5. Just a thought, not a necessity.

Also consider 28g kanthal as well. It's pretty nice for twisted builds, and even a simple coil with a 3mm id and tons of wraps (like 12 to 14) has a lot of flavor from all the surface area. 26 is nice but I think it's a little warmer and has a little less flavor for me. I use 26 in some atomizers with more airflow though since the 28 can sometimes be too cool (I like 28 in a velocity though.. well I have some 27 as well I actually like that size but since the 28 seems to be my favorite for twisted I thought I'd recommend the 28).

I broke my coil master coil set tweezers (think the tips got brittle) and just replaced them instead of the tips with these and they are nice and flat and work well (and look cool)
http://www.amazon.com/Authentic-InnoVaper-Precision-Ceramic-Tweezers/dp/B018QRVWU0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

I use these airless pump bottles, and I love them. Prime shipping, convenient for travel and even just for at home. I find jars really annoying (esp. for products I use twice a day, every day) so these are a nice alternative for me.

I keep all my actives and second cleansers in their original containers. I generally don't bring actives when I travel. Occasionally, for longer trips, I'll bring my Dr. G Peeling Gel bc it's thicker (less risk of spillage), doesn't require wait times or a pH adjusting toner.

I decant my pH adjusting toner and FTE into spritz bottles from CVS, because I find it simpler and less drippy than trying to put liquid into my hand then onto my face. I don't use cotton pads because I feel it wastes too much product.

My Hada Labo, Mizon Snail AIO, and Scinic Honey are all in airless bottles. I also like that using bottles vs. jars "standardizes" my application. For example, rather than just putting a finger into the jar (bc I like to live on the wild side and also I lose spatulas like it's my job) and maybe getting varying amounts, I always use two and a half pumps of snail cream.

Of course, you could totally use flip caps instead for any of these... I just find the pump bottles simpler to use with less potential for mess. I will say, the airless bottles are easy to refill (especially with liquid products like the Hada Labo... coaxing my snail cream into the bottle takes a little more precision and a beauty spatula but I only have to do it like every two months) but more finnicky to sanitize than flip caps.

ETA: The only thing that should be super carefully protected from light / kept in a dark container is Vitamin C. Clear bottles should fine for everything else, provided you don't leave your products in direct sunlight, which you should never do with any skincare or makeup anyway.

You definitely don't have to go for a full face everyday. As stated below, most people here love makeup, so they tend to go all out for their FOTD. I, on the other hand, never wear any foundation/blush/bronzer/etc and only stick with concealer, eye makeup, and the occasional lip.

I find brushes make a huge difference for me in terms of makeup application, Real Techniques is a great affordable brand that you can easily find on Amazon. Their [core set] (http://www.amazon.com/real-Techniques-Core-Collection-Set/dp/B004TSFBNK/ref=sr_1_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1416153636&sr=1-1&keywords=real+techniques+brushes&pebp=1416153637537) has some good face brushes, and then the [Starter set] (http://www.amazon.com/Real-Techniques-RLT-1406-real-Starter/dp/B004TSFE28/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1416153636&sr=1-2&keywords=real+techniques+brushes) has a good variety of eye brushes.

For lips, Nyx is great, as are products from Revlon (particularly their lip butters and super lustrous lipsticks). I haven't found a good drug store product that doesn't need to be touched up every 3 or 4 hours though. I personally rarely wear lipliner unless its with a bright shade or a liquid lipstick, so I think if you're starting out with easy to use colors you can probably skip it for now. I haven't found a great drug store lip liner, but my holy grail is the [Sephora Brand clear liner] (http://www.sephora.com/universal-lip-liner-P379324) which is only $10.

For mascara, it is definitely up to personal preference, but some of the most popular drug store items are probably [Maybelline's the Rocket] (http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4950087) or [Cover Girl's Clump Crusher] (http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4690213).

As far as eyeliner, it depends on what kind of formula you want. The only drug store eyeliner I really use is [Revlon's ColorStay] (http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=VP10744) which is a basic twist up pencil liner.

As someone else mentioned, we can't really suggest any color products without seeing a picture or at least knowing you skin tone.

Thanks for the response! For brushes do you think just ordering something like this or this would be good? I have no idea what half of them are for but ~$1 per brush (+case on the one) seems like a pretty good deal. Like it looks like the case one has one of those little angle brushes which I think I've seen used with eyeliner goop stuff I think but the other doesn't. And for eye shadow do you think just getting a giant thing like this would be smart? It seems cheap and there are so many colors so I'd have no problem figuring out which ones I like hahaha.

Word! There’s definitely a bit of a learning curve with building RTA’s (at least there was for me), but they lead to a fantastic and more cost effective vaping experience in the long run. These cotton pads on amazon are awesome for rewicking and one package should last you a lifetime. My favorite coils for single coil builds are product # 9646622 on fasttech; they’re SS316 so you can use TC if that’s your jam, and they’re dead cheap, one package has 100 coils!

I’d love to hear how the Krylin treats you, I do love me a single coil RTA.

Hmmm, so I don't have an actual vanity and I am a HUGE scavenger/recycler. I basically use things that I already have and make them work for me. Here are some pics so you can better see the use of boxes and lids for organization.

I also use prescription bottles to hold all brushes, mascaras, etc. because I have A TON laying around. For the extremely brief period of time that I used a beauty sponge, I kept it in a prescription bottle cap or a metal cap from a fancy juice bottle.

The 2 boxes I've repurposed to store different make up items. One was a large mascara sampler box that is sturdy and has a nice magnetic closure so I decorated it using packaging to make a collage.

If you're not looking to buy anything new for storage/organization I highly recommend thinking creatively! Perhaps lids from jars (I use the cookie tin as a trash can and the lid as a mixing palette), shoeboxes could work, or with the upcoming holidays any boxes you may receive. Do you have baskets laying around or glasses/bakeware that are unused?

Not everyone wishes to go my route when it comes to organization so there are specific organizers like this one from Amazon and many you can find at TJ Maxx/Marshall's/Home Goods that are inexpensive. Always remember at those stores, things can be turned into storage or organizers! Particularly kitchen items like spice displays/racks or fridge organizers.

And depending on how you'd like to store your nail polish, wall displays are also nice and somewhat space saving. Here is an example from Amazon, but I believe Ikea and other stores have single shelves that you can purchase for much less and just install multiples of.

I love make up storage and organization (despite my set up being pretty wonky) so I apologize for the huge essay!!

Bare minimum you will need: cotton, wire, something to wrap around and something for compressing your coil.

For cotton: I would suggest buying something like this on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/MUJI-Makeup-Facial-Cotton-Unbleached/dp/B00VHA3ZXQ/ref=pd_sim_194_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=41cjwcCYTrL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0GR5E3FGJMNV5WKEV7CP

For wire: This will be dependent on your mod and what route you want to take. Does your mod support TC? Do you want to use TC? If yes to both of those questions, you'll have to do a little bit of research on what wire you think you'll prefer. I've never used TC so I can't be much help in that area. If you want to go with classic kanthal, I would suggest starting with 26g because it holds its shape well without being too stiff or too springy.

For a wrap: You can simply use a screwdriver as a bare minimum OR you can use a coil wrapping jig with makes it unbelievably easy but will cost you a bit more. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Original-Authentic-Authenticity-Japanese-InnoVaper/dp/B00ZPTE00C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1462901328&sr=8-3&keywords=coil+jig

For compressing the coil: You can use a set of pliers to pinch your coils together when you're positioning your coil but you CAN NOT have them touching the coil when you are pulsing it for even glow. With that said, I'd highly suggest using ceramic tweezers because you can use them while pulsing.

When I started building coils I went ahead and bought an all in one tool kit for convenience like this one if you so desire (though everything listed above will do you fine): http://www.amazon.com/Coil-Master-Authentic-Tweezers-Resistant/dp/B017RX4DJ6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462901516&sr=8-1&keywords=coil+master

Hope that helps you get started with building coils, feel free to ask any additional questions. For how to wrap coils I'd start with something on youtube like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxuE-WE17Fg

Depends on whether they're set up for rebuilding or not already. If they are, the only bit missing is a nice charger. I like the Nitecore D2, which can be purchased on Lightning Vapes with the batteries.

If they're not setup for rebuilding however, there's a few more things you'll need in addition to the charger. Those would be:

• Kanthal resistance wire - If you're only going to buy a single spool, I'd probably suggest 100ft of 27ga. It's only $6 because it's not nearly as popular as other sizes. If you're open to buying a couple spools, especially if they might end up picking up some more rebuildables, I'd suggest 100ft each of 26ga and 28ga.
  
  
• Cotton for wicking. Link goes to a big pack of Japanese cotton pads on Amazon. Generally one of the best wicks around these days.
  
  
• Flush cutters - An indispensable building tool. Makes snipping off leads easy as pie.
  
  
• Tweezers. For pinching/adjusting coils, etc.
  
  
• Kuro Coiler set. Totally optional, but for someone who is just getting into rebuilding these things are absolutely fantastic. Makes wrapping perfect microcoils as simple as can be.
  
  
• Nice sharp pair of scissors.
  
  
• Micro screwdriver set. Nice to have around for filling atomizers, wrapping coils around, etc.
  
  
• Small butane torch. Use it to torch wire before wrapping so it holds its shape better.

I bought the Coastal Scents 22 piece set from Amazon a while back and I really like it, great variety. I've never used high end brushes like Sigma so I can't compare but I haven't had a major problem with shedding or anything like that. Real Techniques is great too and they're on sale on Amazon right now. I also really like Sephora's Daily Brush Cleaner Spray, super convenient!

The Tip can be replaced with the Titanium tip. that is it.

You can vape hash, just need to buy some organic (Japanese?) cotton or some degummed hemp to put below your hash so it doesn't drip or melt down into condenser.

Only the top of the M and the Cap get hot, but they cool down extremely fast (especially the Cap), and after a few mins you can easily get the cap off with your fingers.

It is definitely worth a purchase imo. Is very efficient and easy to use. Just love mine.

Cheer up buttercup!

I know it's not ideal, and I hope you are feeling better, but at least it's still exciting news!!

Here are a few things I thought you would like:

Mom/Dad/Baby picture frame

New Mom mixology book

the BEST beauty makeup blender

Yoga workout cards

If cost isn't an issue, then one of the all-in-one kits should get you just about everything you need: Resistance meter, micro screwdrivers, pliers, coil wrapping tool/mandrels, scissors and some tweezers(Preferably ceramic tipped)

If you're tight on cash, there's a few routes to go. If there's a Harbor Freight nearby, you can get most of what you need there.

• Micro screwdriver kit: Most of these kits have screwdrivers in the most commonly wrapped coil sizes so that you can actually use the screwdriver as a mandrel for wrapping coils. 2, 2.4, 3 and 3.5 mm are all the most common size of coils, and I have found that I can wrap better coils than the kits can. Here's the set I use. You can find these on Amazon as well, and for not a lot of money.
  
  
• Scissors: Most of the "All-in-One" kits are lacking in some way, and it's usually the scissors. The little fold-out scissors that are included couldn't cut through a wet kleenex. A good, smaller size set of scissors can be found at WalMart, HB, or Amazon and bonus if you're left-handed! You can get a set made just for your backwards hands!(I'm a lefty. I hate trying to use regular scissors for precision work!)
  
  Resistance Meter: Also referred to as an Ohm reader (shudders). If you're ever going to get into mechs, this is a necessity. Hell, when first building, it's a nice thing to have to check your build for shorts before you slap it on your mod. You can spend as low as $5 usd, or $35-$45 dollars for a Tab unit that can actually fire the coil to work out hot spots.
  
  Finally, cotton and wire. This has been bandied about ad nauseum about which type of wire and gauge is best, and the debate on wicking materials still comes up from time to time. So, I'll give you my two cents and leave it at that.
  
  Wire: 26 gauge kanthal. Why? It's easy to work with, provides good flavor and doesn't need to be run at insane wattage levels for great results. If high wattage vaping is your thing, get some 24 gauge. Better still, get both! I like 26 and 28 gauge(Twisted wire YAY!), you'll find your preference as you go. I didn't care for 24 gauge as it made the vape a bit too warm for my liking.
  
  Cotton for wicking? I swear by Labo Puffs. No "Fresh cotton" taste, easy to work with and lasts for EVAR. I'm still using the 120 pad bag I bought over a year ago, and it'll still be another six months before I need more. Here's the Amazon link for the Prime eligible pads. There are cheaper sellers, but they are in Japan and it can take a week to get to you.
  
  What's left? Wire cutters, of course! Nail clippers work alright, but something like this works even better!
  
  There's my suggestions and whatnot. Take or leave what you will, and welcome to the world of building!

The Coil Master V3 jig/wrapping kit/tool/thing is really great. I've thoroughly enjoyed mine. MyVaporStore has it for only $12; great shop, ordered from them plenty and never had a problem. No need for trying to size out random screwdrivers; it has 1.5mm to 4.0mm posts ready to go.

Any little wire snips from the local hardware store should be fine (fingernail clippers can be used in a pinch). Also some ceramic tweezers are really useful for heating and testing your coils. Most vape shops online sell tweezers.

26 gauge has always seemed like a good go-to wire size for most applications

This cotton is cheap on Amazon and you get a bunch.
http://www.amazon.com/ORGANIC-Cotton-Makeup-Puff-Medium/dp/B000TCD51A?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Get Samsung 25r's

Get a Nitecore charger

Get an ohm reader!

Small screwdrivers, small round things (alen wrenches, drill bits, etc), wire cutters, scissors, small pliers/tweezers, and perhaps a magnifying glass will make your life much easier.

Start with 28g, twist it or run parallels if you need more low. Since wire is so cheap maybe pick up 28g and 24g from LightningVapes

http://www.steam-engine.org/coil.asp is your best friend

Wraps should be as close together as possible, or evenly spaced for a non-contact coil. Leave the object you wrapped it on in while you put it through your posts, tighten your screws when it's in place, then use the object to get it level/where you want your coil. After the resistance checks out pulse the fire button, gently squeeze your coil together, repeat until heating evenly from the middle of the coil. The more tidy and clean it looks, your vaping experience will likely be better.

Cotton should be snug, but not tight, only the cotton through the coil should be touching the coil (unless doing fancy wicking, but this works the best for a basic setup); slide the rest to the sides. More cotton does not equal more better; it should at least touch the juice well, but you don't need much more than that. Here is some good, cost-effective, cotton

Mechanical mods perform best <0.5ohms

Consider max vg, and consider dropping your nic level.

If you think you can get one more hit off of it, it's time to drip.

With those attys. Just grab some nichrome or stainless steel. 24 gauge wire is perfect for this use.


For these atomizers, use a 3mm post to wrap your coils and do 6 to 8 wraps. 20-35 watts will be perfect and you'll have yourself plenty of vapor and lots of flavor.


Go to lightning vapes website for wire.


You can get unbleached Japanese cotton for cheap here


https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MYXSRAQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1503808475&sr=8-5&keywords=muji+cotton


Most other cotton brands that are for vaping are too expensive and don't really offer anything special.


You may want a coil jig or something like that ... Search around for kits. Some people are against coil kits but I love mine and I think it's one of the best investments I've made in regards to vape gear.


Something like this would be fine


https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LT0KAEU/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1503808561&sr=8-8&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=coil+master&dpPl=1&dpID=51D8-aXSbML&ref=plSrch

This is Muji Japanese Cotton from Japan. This has very minimal flavor, and if you have a decent strength-flavored juice, then there is not a worry. This is 140 pads. You can obviously cut them, which i do, and can get up to 8 rewicks on dual coils (depending on how big the coils are). I love it and will NEVER go back to cotton bacon for anything but scottish or stovetop wicking. It is awesome. The only 2 drawbacks are that it comes from Japan and that the labeling is all in japanese. IMO, TOTALLY FKN WORTH IT!!!!!

I have tried the Koh Gen Do and Puff and they are very similar, but this is such a good product and a good deal for what you get that it is so worth it.

Also, I run my daily at about 80-100 watts and you can go 2-3 days b4 rewicking, but i do it every day to change harsher flavors. Had them since beginning of February and have barely made a dent. Love it!

http://www.amazon.com/MUJI-Makeup-Facial-Cotton-Unbleached/dp/B00MYXSRAQ?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

Kat Von D Lock It Tattoo Foundation - Simply amazing.
Equate Cleansing Towlettes (Thick and bigger than hand size makeup wipes) - Great for only $4 at Walmart.
Covergirl Clump Crusher - Cannot live without it.
MAC Coral Bliss - I LOVE CORAL LIPSTICK!
OCC Lip Tar in Stalker- Amazing, I need more of these.

Wishlist Item

I got 5 on it

I just bought this set from amazon, and I really like them. I don't own very many high-end brushes, so maybe I don't know what I'm missing, but this set has good variety and they're soft and easy to clean. Also, they cost quite a bit less than your budget and are eligible for super-saver shipping!

I also like the eco tools brushes from the drugstore; they're so soft and nice, and don't cost an arm and a leg :)

Thanks! I'm a big fan of the well-reviewed Amazon sets like this one. I like Coastal Scents' synthetic brushes. Real Techniques' whole line is fantastic. Sephora Collection does a really good job. On the cheaper side, I haven't had any problems with my ecoTools brushes after over a year. Also, around Christmas walgreens always releases a brush set from their Studio 35 beauty line. It's a six piece set, five brushes and a pouch. It's usually pink or orange, and those bristles are HEAVENLY SOFT. They're made of baby angel hair or something, and the set is like $10-$15.

Sorry for the delay in replying! So I got the brushes from this link: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I3VHKVK/ and this link: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EWBYUDU/ for a great variety of basic eye and face brushes. Paid about 16 bucks total, and that should still be the price! The bristles on the first set are so dense that I needed a separate dusting brush for brushing off loose powder/finishing my foundation beat, and luckily i already had one. If you don't, this one looks excellent: https://smile.amazon.com/EcoTools-Sustainable-Materials-Synthetic-Packaging/dp/B001KYVLSU/

As far as wigs are concerned, I look at wigs marketed to both white women and women of color, since they both have different, excellent attributes. If you want something silky and smooth that you can style yoursef, do a search for K'ryssma wigs and pay attention to the reviews! I got this one: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XJ3BGJC/, and it was gorgeous. Needed some work on the hairline (I plucked out some of the hair from the lace so the hairline looked more natural). K'ryssma wigs are machine made and come in a wide range of styles. The one I got had a LOT of hair, which was great! I was looking for a base wig to stack on and style myself, so the straight/slightly wavy style was perfect for me.

Many of the wigs for black women's hair have phenomenal texture (like straightened kinky hair) which gives them great body and fullness. Not as much movement, but not everyone needs that! The one I got for myself was the NEESHA wig (tons of YouTube reviews! this one is very popular) at this link:https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B3GZTBO/. Haven't tried to stye it yet, and the lace is quite stiff/hard but this wig has a TON of hair.

BEFORE YOU BUY A WIG decide if you are going to try to style it yourself or if you need one that's mostly good right out of the box. That way you can avoid ending up with a wig you can't use without buying a ton of other styling products. Check out onlinekyne on YouTube--he has a ton of styling and baby queen tutorials, and isn't so experienced that his stuff is intimidating to watch. I also watch Mr. Villberg's wig transformation tutorials for ideas.

That's all I have time for now, but I will try to get back to you later today with more info! Best of luck, and let me know if you have any other questions!

Some reading for you.

http://www.reddit.com/r/electronic_cigarette/comments/2dy5ev/what_i_wish_i_knew_about_rebuildables/

You'll need something more substantial than a "vape pen" if you want to get into rebuilding. The Aspire cf sub ohm battery is a good beginners device for building on. It performs like a mech, but it has built in protection so you won't blow yourself up on your first build. If you want to get more elaborate I'd suggest an ipv mini, but then you'll have to spring for batteries and a charger too. It is a far more versatile device though.

As for an atty, I really like my tobeco plume veil 1.5 clone. You can get one for $17 shipped from 101vape.

For supplies, go to lightning vapes and get an ohm meter and a couple different sizes of kanthal. I like 24, 26, and 28 gauge for various builds. Use the code LV20 for 20% off.

Go to Amazon for some Japanese cotton wick. It is the best wick you can buy in my opinion.

Once you've watched some videos and get a little knowledge under your belt, go to steam engine to play with your numbers before you build. There's loads of information on there, but pay close attention to the heat flux. You want it to stay green for your desired wattage.

Make sure you have some dough set aside for essential tools like tweezers, wire, cotton (I prefer this stuff personally: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TCEXOS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and above all else: an OHM READER IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!

Once you have the tools to build safely, the other stuff is personal opinion. I would suggest looking at review videos of the atomizer on YouTube, and basically reading the subreddit for more options.

Personally I would suggest looking into the Aspire CF Sub and CF Mod for your battery options. The CF Sub is pretty rad with a 40 amp limit and a built in battery that charges via an ego-style charger. I went for the CF Mod and I love it. It takes 18650 batteries, and with a decent charger like a Nitecore i2 I can keep a rotation of batteries going. The CF Mod is about 35-40 bucks dependent on where you get it, but I got mine from a local shop. Be sure to get some good batteries and build to their specs.

Another tank to consider is the new SubTank from Kanger. It has the option to go from pre-built coil heads like your protank, but also has a rebuildable section for when you want to wrap your own coils.

Have fun!

If you chose to go the rebuilding route this is what you need, and some atty suggestions at the end.

You need- wire- http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Lightning-Vapes-Kanthal-Resistance/dp/B00JVXVKB0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1413428261&sr=8-2&keywords=kanthal+a1

cotton- either balls or pads http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Cotton-Balls-80-Count/dp/B00CD8FCRI/ref=sr_1_6?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1413428355&sr=1-6&keywords=organic+cotton http://www.amazon.com/Cotton-Labo-ORGANIC-Puff-200pc/dp/B000TCD51A/ref=pd_ybh_5

drill bit set- http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-Drill-Bit-Set-13-Piece-45110/204590609#product_description

Tweezers- any pharmacy

Disposable butane torch- any gas station

ohm reader- http://101vape.com/meters/170-ohms-meter.html
(most regulated mods have a built in one, but a reliable and exact external ohm meter is very good to have)

rebuildables- tanks- kayfun https://www.fasttech.com/p/1605200 (google some kayfun build tutorial videos, stay under 20 watts while vaping on it)

drippers- magma https://www.fasttech.com/p/1718100
zenith https://www.fasttech.com/p/1770202

(both of those drippers are a good start because you can block 1 air intake and make single coils untill you are comfortable enough to build dual coils)

I own these drippers and that tank. They are the cheapest clones on the market but all work great. Shipping takes 3 weeks, chose first class china e-packet as shipping option

OPTIONAL- coil jig, no need for drill bits, MAKES COIL BUILDING EASY https://www.fasttech.com/p/1878301 (I've honestly never tried this, but I recently ordered one to try out, should have it in 2 weeks)

thank you so much for the reply! I think my blending is ok? I feel like I see other people blend on youtube and it looks smoother than my blending. I have to spend a long time on blending. It's good to hear a brush can help with that! I will look at that brush incase I ever catch the chance to buy it. I'll go look into the IT cosmetic brush line now :)!

edit: Are they these?: https://www.amazon.com/Makeup-Eye-Brush-Set-Eyeshadow/dp/B00MNMQKPC?th=1#customerReviews
They have amazing reviews!! I think I might have to get them if they have such a great quality for that price.

Not a product but I recommend these plastic eye droppers for liquids/serums. I have the 30ml size, which looks like it's currently out of stock. I also use airless pump bottles for my cream/gels. Note: I just realized the airless pump bottles are not currently available on Amazon.)

 

I transfer all my skincare into their respective containers right away just because I have a habit of dropping things like the glass bottles and some skincare items are pricey so I don't want to lose them due to being accident prone. I can also save shelf space since my medicine cabinet won't accommodate the size of things like my Hada Labo Hyaluronic Lotion Moist or Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. Now I can keep the larger bottles in a drawer/closet and keep the smaller items on the shelf. When it's time to travel I already have them in acceptable sized containers so I just toss them into the bag and I'm ready to go.

Edit: Added airless pump bottles not available :(

For makeup, I'd recommend just sticking to items sold directly from the company or sold and shipped by Amazon. theBalm Cosmetics is available on Amazon and I love their face products (Mary Lou Highlighter, The Desert Bronzer, Instain/Boy Blushes). Sleek Makeup is also available which is great since they're not readily available in the US. I recommend their eyeshadows, face products (highlight, blush, contour kit) and their liquid lipsticks.

I also like buying makeup tools and organizers from Amazon. A few that I've personally bought and love:

• Makeup Brush Tree
  
  
• Muji Facial Cottons
  
  
• Lipstick Organizer

• My defining moment of my life was definitely when I moved from Korea to America. It completely changed my life. I was 11 years old when I moved and spoke very little english. Being in America made me more confident, gave me more opportunities (i play the cello, work with rare moths and butterflies, etc). Although I have gone through hard times because of this huge shift in my life, I am thankful my family decided to move.
  
• I want this soo much. There's no way my parents will buy me this any time soon :(. If it's too pricey, this is wonderful too :)
  
• I_Define_Me
  Thank you for hosting this contest!

You're probably better off getting a regulated box mod. Ilumn.com is great for batters and chargers.

For your coils Coil Building 101 video will help you as well as this calculator.

Plume Veil 1.5 RDA is really easy to build on & Lemo Drop is great if you want a tank so you don't have to drip all the time.

Puff cotton is great cheap cotton. 28 gauge kanthal is what I use.

Not familiar with that brand, but there are more well known brands in that price range that would be a great gift.

I'd get:

this real techniques set

Along with this one

And maybe add their version of the beauty blender here

**I linked from Amazon UK since I'm assuming that's where you are. You can also get them in Superdrug.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00I3VHKVK/ref=mp_s_a_1_sc_1?qid=1450500276&sr=8-1-spell&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=bbsmall


Go for it! What's to lose?! It's life changing lol. The link I sent you is AMAZING. I've never tried "high end" brushes but bought these and they are honestly amazing. They're so soft & are definitely well made!

Not too much into drippers as I don't trust them not to leak in my pocket. If you want a rebuildable tank setup a la Kayfun/Russian, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Squape Reloaded clone by Ehpro. The original is something like $160, the clone is available on Eciggity.com for $40. I picked one up about two weeks ago and I'm still impressed. Super easy to build, quality is top notch - stainless steel + glass, and vaping it is better than any other tank I've used. Juice capacity is LARGE. This isn't something you need a 30W+ device for either, as it's single coil. An MVP2 or iStick would do you fine, as would any of the Vamo or SVD type devices. You will need to buy some wicking material (Cotton Labo has some exquisite organic Japanese cotton for not too much), and some Kanthal (I find that 26 or 24 gauge is best).

hopscotch! Well, my boyfriend likes to make funny faces. so here are two pics of us being silly together. I'd really like these brushes. I don't have good quality brushes at all, and since I just got some nice new eyeshadow it would be great to have nice brushes to use on it. :)

Wow! This is amazing of you, thanks!!

If I were to somehow win, I'd love this Too Faced milk chocolate bronzer and these brushes

I'm probably going to continue to job hunt this weekend. Maybe go see a movie and have dinner with my fiancé. I'm working on a couple art projects also!


1.21 Gigawatts