(Part 2) Best products from r/FeminineNotFeminist

... I so feel you, except my impulse purchased were more researched and thought out, but not gonna buy because they're expensive and I'm in school. Yeah. Bought. I guess I'd rather have nice hair than anything else haha
anyways I got this hair oil and this hair oil/heat protector spray


Other purchases made recently (I know, I put myself on a no-buy haha):


about four cute floral dresses from this instagram store for summer and to supplement a teacher wardrobe. I honestly love everything I got from there, and if you buy on sale I think its a good deal if those are your style!


this lunch box, because I lost my last one in the move and buying lunch every day is expensive! It s coming in the mail today, so hopefully it lives up to its price and my expectations haha :)


This swimsuit! It was cheap and fun, I bought a size up and its actually pretty cute, although definitely more for lounging than anything else! I don't think it would hold up to rigorous athletics but for chilling its perfect :)

Lastly, nude sandal wedges (mine were very similar- just a buckle instead of buttons, from nordstrom rack) for a wedding I'm in this weekend. they are so comfortable, and a perfect staple nude heel that filled a hole in my wardrobe!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

For reference, I started going to an esthetician in 2012. In 2013, my favorite esthetician moved and I decided to get my own kit. She recommended these products to me, although I believe she probably used an Aveda oil instead of the one I found. I've got a sewing-sized bag I use to store the burner, waxes, applicators, and muslin strips for my Gigi wax. I do recommend not double dipping.. even though it's just you, that's nasty. I get the wide and narrow applicators and break a bunch of them in half to get more use and cut waste.

Depending on how long your hairs are, you may want to trim them or shave it clean off. Waxing with hair that is less than 1/4 inch is usually ineffective while waxing hair that is longer than 3/4 inch is usually quite painful. For me, about 2-3 weeks growth is optimal but everyone is different so YMMV.

This product is applied to clean skin before waxing. It makes a huge difference... it smells nice, moisturizes a bit, and most importantly keeps wax from adhering to the skin. Be sparing, if you apply too much the wax doesn't grip the hair but it's no problem to just wipe some off. This one bottle has lasted me four years. For reference, I wax my pits and bikini twice a month, full Brazilian once a month. It's probably expired, but it works well. https://www.amazon.com/Gigi-Pre-Epilation-Oil-4-Ounce/dp/B0006Q01BQ

Here's my favorite wax for Brazilians: https://www.amazon.com/Cirepil-Blue-Refill-28-22-Ounce/dp/B008L0AI3U/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1496021722&sr=1-1&keywords=cirepil+hard+blue+wax

Here's my favorite wax for my underarms (the hairs grow in baby soft now that I've been waxing them and haven't shaved in four years.) https://www.amazon.com/GiGi-Azulene-Wax-13-Ounce/dp/B0030ZRS9S/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1496021822&sr=1-1&keywords=gigi+azulene+wax

As wax heats, cools, heats, cools, I find it doesn't work quite as well. Especially hard waves which seem to become brittle and less effective to rip off. I tried a few Honey hard waxes that were probably expired and had to use an exacto blade to carefully cut the wax AND hair away from a very important piece of anatomy. Horrifying. I've never had this issue with the Cirepil wax, so don't let this horrific anecdote scare you away from waxing!!!

To remove the wax, I just use whatever coconut/olive/carrier oil I have lying around. I get in the shower and let the oil and warm water do their thing.

I haven't yet found a specific product to prevent ingrowns/sanitize that I like but the Mario Badescu glycolic acid I used to use on my face (it's a little to harsh for my rosacea but it works just fine on my less tender.. tender bits) gets the job done just fine! Apply right after showering and every 5-7 days after to prevent ingrowns.

If you can, wax when you're ovulating. Take some ibuprofen/acetaminophen, and wear clothing that won't constrict or abrade the area. I like putting silk undergarments in a ziploc bag in my freezer to wear afterward. Super soothing.

Technique is really important. Experiment, does it work better when you apply wax with/against the grain and when you rip the wax with/against the grain? I apply against and rip with, but it's different for everyone I wager. I lay down a big ripped open trashbag to catch any wax drips, cover most of my body in an oil in case the wax drips on my body, put my hair up high and out of the way.

Prop up an extra mirror (preferably a magnifying mirror that you can move around) to help make sure I get everything. There's a lamp in our bathroom on the sink I turn on to light from below to make sure no shadow from overhead lighting obscures the hairs.

Some small hairs are tough to get, so I keep two kinds of tweezers handy for post-shower clean up.

If your man is up to it, offer him your skills after you're sure you can do it well. I hear tell it's appreciated...

Happy waxing! Welcome to saving hundreds of dollars a year!

Update: added some clarification, since I just waxed tonight and forgot some things :)

Products I love!

• Alterna Bamboo Brilliance Cream. I put about a 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of this in my hair before blowdrying it, and the results are stellar! Smooth, soft, shiny. I’ve been using this for years per the recommendation of the woman who cut my hair when I lived in a different state, and I continue to be so impressed with it. Also, I don’t know if it’s just my hair texture, but if I put this in my hair and then blowdry it straight, it straightens out very well. I don’t even own a flatiron because this stuff + a blowdryer gets the job done.
  
  
• Kenra Platinum Silkening Gloss. This is one of the most highly lauded products over on r/redpillwives, thanks to QB. I haven’t had men trailing me in stores because of the smell, but I’ve been really impressed with the product! If I use this to blowdry my hair straight, I can usually get two “down” days and an updo day out of it! Definitely recommend.
  
  
• Coochy from Pure Romance. I will never tidy up my lady zone with anything else. This stuff is so good, my friend’s gynecologist recommended it.
  
  
• Pretty much anything from CeraVe, but namely this moisturizer (also known as “CeraVe in the tub), this cleanser, and this sunscreen/moisturizer combo.
  
  
• Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. My skin is smoother when I’m using this regularly. Plus this is such a good brand.
  
  
• Snow River Wood Oil. OKAY HEAR ME OUT. When I’m regularly oil cleansing with this stuff, my face is baby soft. It’s non-comedogenic, so it won’t break you out, and it’s a very neutral oil, so most skin types do well with it (but ALWAYS patch test). It’s also crazy cheap!
  
  Products I didn’t love
  
  
• Burts Bees Face Cleanser for Sensitive Skin. There was nothing wrong with this product, per se… it was just unremarkable. I didn’t really notice a difference.

Yay love this!!

• Lip color: I am obsessed with berry and also bright rose shades!
  
  
• Nail color: My nails are naturally very white so I look like I have them done even when I don't. If I am going to get a manicure I always get a French manicure, but not the super obvious and tacky type haha. My toes are perpetually tomato red!
  
  
• Bedroom color: Ideally cream walls, but the rest of the room would be very dark, moody, textured, and opulent.
  
  
• Accessory color: I need to learn the official name but it's like a raspberry/hot pink shade. My bullet journal is this colour so I'll link to it so you guys can get an idea. I pretty much buy everything I can in this colour! But maybe I'm misinterpreting what you mean by "accessory" here.
  
  
• General favorite color (like if a 5yo asked you what your favorite color is): PINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  
• Feel-good cozy color: White and also winter white!
  
  
• Do you prefer black white or grey?: I love all 3 but recently I've been loving black the most!
  
  
• Gold silver or bronze?: Silver definitely!
  
  
• Hair color (on yourself): Black! Like actual black not so brown it looks black.

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

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

I'm so glad you did a general write up about this, and included warnings about being overzealous. Athletic wraps (flexible, rubber like material with velcro) are used by many to keep certain areas warmed up, offer a bit of support and act as a reminder to keep your core engaged. They can be worn comfortably under clothes during the day as well.

I also have a corset similar to this latex shapewear piece. It's very comfortable, and has three different 'size' settings. I can wear it all day, and it gives me an extra boost of confidence. There's also an added 'reduction' that lasts longer and longer the more you wear the piece (at least, this has been my experience).

I notice my posture, and actively engage my muscles far more consistently throughout the day when I wear the corset I linked above. I am wary about doing any serious training however, because regardless of how 'safe' people claim it to be - you are still forcibly altering your body and physically changing your structure. This isn't an uncommon practice, and there are numerous variations of body alterations across the world (foot binding, elongating the neck, waist training, increasing the earlobe, expanding lips etc) and throughout history. It's just not something I am personally interested in pursuing.

In a way I compare it to ballet. Learning to control and move your body, focusing on flexibility and strength are all positive things. Jumping and spinning around on your toes however, is not. Light to medium waist training options can offer a myriad of benefits, intense waist training with the goal of permanently altering the rib cage/internal organs is just a bit too much in my book. That said, as long as people do their research, don't go to insane extremes, and are cognizant of their health - it's ultimately a personal decision with a bevy of pros and cons. Make informed decisions, and adjust your approach as needed.

Love this idea! Maybe once we grow a bit more we can do more specific threads, too. This sub has been a wealth of information already, I love it.


Hair
Description: I have long curly hair. My goal is to keep it voluminous on top, and not-frizzy with defined loose corkscrews on the bottom. Similar Similar I do the "no-poo"/Curly Girl Method method which eliminates sulfates and silicones.


Tresemme Naturals Moisturizing Conditioner: I used to be a firm believer in using expensive hair care products exclusively. I used Redken for many years, then wandered into DevaCurl territory when I started No-Poo. Nothing was able to detangle, soften, and moisturize my hair just right, until THIS!


Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner I use this as a leave-in conditioner. Gels and mousse have worked similarly, but my husband hates the crunchy feel. This holds my curls, yet keeps them soft and touchable.


Skin
Description: I'm 25, used to tan, but after noticing a sun spot, I stopped! Since then, I've been focused on anti-aging and taking good care of my skin.


Biore Sunscreen SPF 50 this is the product that changed my life and stopped my skin from aging. Not greasy, no whitecast, sits well under makeup. I can't recommend Asian sunscreen enough, and this one is my favorite!


Perfume
Elizabeth and James Nirvana White "peony, chic muguet, and tender musk for a feminine scent with dark sophistication" so lovely. The first perfume my husband stopped to specifically comment on! Honorable mention to Nirvana Bourbon as well. In fact, has anyone here tried the Nirvana Rose? I'm interested but unfortunately don't have a way to smell it for free where I live!