/fa/ - Fashion

No one can tell you how to shave - however, I am about to.
The best, closest and quickest shave with the least amount of irritation is achieved by using:
-A 5 blade cartridge razor like that of Gillette Fusion is best but do not buy into the swivel ball handle
-A heavy duty oil which is relatively waterproof such as Taylor of Old Bond Street (there's probably an oil blend out there just as thick with no sandalwood oil)
-An antibacterial, antiseptic lightly lathering shave cream which contains ingredients like lactic acid and tea tree oil to help exfoliate (chemically) and provide a clean (as in sanitary) shave.
-A good BHA exfoliant like that of PC 2% BHA which will prevent ingrowns, redness and other irritation without alcohol or irritants
-A good moisturiser
Your routine goes like this:
-Take a shower, or, if doing the shave when you don't shower, use a face towel soaked in hot (as hot as you can stand) water and press it against the face, repeat several times
-Apply your oil to the area to be shaved, make sure to massage it in
-Do something for 5 minutes or so (brush teeth, get dressed etc.) to give the oil time to soften the hairs
-Wet hands with warm-hot water and lightly rinse face (this way the oil does not clog the blades but has stuck to the skin and hair) to remove excess oil
-Apply shaving cream and let sit on the face for 2 minutes or so before moving onto the shave
-Shave your face it small strokes and only do small segments at a time, making sure to rinse the blade frequently and thoroughly to prevent clogging (You can do this against the grain because the skin will be prepped so well)
-Lightly rinse face before cleansing the skin (whichever cleanser you prefer)
-Pat the face dry and apply your BHA product (it will sting slightly even though there is no alcohol - you're applying an acid to tender skin, this is not bad for the skin)
-Follow with the rest of your routine which should include a good moisturiser

There is no better shave.

>>12340808
(cont.)
[5] Trüeb R. North American Virginian Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana): Based Scalp Care and Protection for Sensitive Scalp; Red Scalp; and Scalp Burn-Out. Int J Trichology. 2014;6(3):100-103.

>>12341039
Lip care? Exfoliate -> Moisturise -> Protect (SPF)

>>12340808
Witch hazel is a commonly used plant extract that can have potent antioxidant properties and some anti-irritant properties. However, witch hazel’s high tannin content (tannin is a potent antioxidant) can also make it irritating if used repeatedly on skin because it constricts blood flow. The bark of the witch hazel plant has a higher tannin content than the leaves. Producing witch hazel water by steam distillation removes the tannins, but the plant’s astringent qualities are what most believe give it benefit. [1, 2, 3]

Alcohol is added during the distillation process, the amount typically being 14–15%. [4] Witch hazel water is distilled from all parts of the plant; therefore, you never know exactly what you’re getting, although the alcohol content remains.

Depending on the form of witch hazel, you’re exposing your skin either to an irritating amount of alcohol (which causes free-radical damage and collagen breakdown) or to tannins, or both. Moreover, witch hazel contains the fragrance chemical eugenol, which is another source of irritation. [5]

[1] Hughes-Formella B, Filbry A, Gassmueller J, Rippke F. Anti-inflammatory efficacy of topical preparations with 10% hamamelis distillate in a UV erythema test. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol. 2002;15(2):125-32.
[2] Choi H, Choi J, Han Y, Bae S, Chung H. Peroxynitrite scavenging activity of herb extracts. Phytother Res. 2002;16(4):364-7.
[3] Masaki H, Atsumi T, Sakurai H. Protective activity of hamamelitannin on cell damage of murine skin fibroblasts induced by UVB irradiation. J Dermatol Sci.. 1995;10(1):25-34.
[4] Thring T, Hili P, Naughton D. Antioxidant and potential anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and formulations of white tea; rose; and witch hazel on primary human dermal fibroblast cells. J Inflamm (Lond).. 2011;8:27.

>>12338967
Yes, did mean mpb

>>12339249
This feeling is what overrides all struggles with acne - everyone can get through it

>>12339335
Not really, they blur (pun intended) the line between makeup and skincare because they're more or less a tinted moisturiser/foundation depending on coverage and ingredients. I personally don't use/need foundation because I think having naturally flawless skin shouldn't need to be covered.

>>12339353
I don't like the /fa/ trend of safety razors. At least for me, they perform much worse than a good cartridge. in saying that, the only brand I've tried is Wilkinson Sword which is not as sharp as feather but most certainly not blunt.

>>12339381
The only thing I notice is the sparseness on the outer of the brow compared to the inner. You could fill them in but unless you do a good job (using something thin like the Anastasia Brow Wiz) it'll be very noticeable. Otherwise you could pick up a clear mascara/brow gel which will give the illusion that the brow hairs are thicker and also keep them in place. Unless you're going for a feminine look, stay away from threading/plucking (except for the centre, unibrow aren't good).

>>12339585
What country?

>>12340144
Pics or it didn't happen

>>12340785
>>12340856
The GOAT (IMO) for lip balm is Blistex SPF 15 Conditioning Lip Balm (in the stick form). It literally does not stop moisturising no matter how much you eat/drink/smudge/rub your lips. You want to be exfoliating lips frequently and following with heavy moisturisers like vaseline/lanolin. In any case, exfoliate, moisturise and protect with SPF.

>>12338738
You sound like you have really sensitive skin and as such I would heavily advise avoiding abrasives including scrubs, brushes and face towels. Stick to moisturising and your acne treatments - remember you can only kill acne with kindness.

>>12338754
Yeah that sounds very weird. I'd try letting the cream sit for 10 minutes and then wash it off. The increased sensitivity of the skin combined with hot water might also be a problem, so make the initial part of the shower much cooler than you normally would.

>>12338785
What's your skincare routine?

>>12338797
>>12338798
>>12338801
Out of curiosity, has your hairline possibly receded since you were younger or has it remained the same for the last few years? It's potentially early onset MBP. To help with the forehead increases, daily sunscreen application is non negotiable, as well, antioxidants combined with hyaluronic acid will help to plump, soften and decrease the appearance of these lines - this will stop the lines from getting worse. To completely reverse the effects, botox is really the only answer unfortunately.

>>12338806
BHA after shaving and everyday will stop ingrowns in their tracks. Also avoid irritants and, if all else fails, don't shave against the grain.

>>12338870
Mostly genetics, middle-eastern and continental europeans don't typically find it difficult. Otherwise min and fin are always options.

>>12338503
What sort of exfoliator/cleanser? What sort of toner? Be more specific. As for BP, applying it to spot treat is useless because by the time the spot has formed, killing the bacteria is moot. A spot treatment with salicylic acid, however, will actually work well in this regard.
>I have combination type skin
If you have combo skin, you'll find a benefit from layering moisturiser (i.e. apply toner allover, follow with a moisturiser on only the dry parts of the face and then finish with SPF all over). As for your age, acne is treated in the same way to begin with, so it doesn't really matter.

>>12338507
Retinoids can be a pain to use, once you find one that works for you though, you'll thank yourself for sticking with it.

>>12338514
That was a ride I'll admit

>>12338521
No point of having active ingredients in wash-off products

>>12338667
Only ingredients like finasteride and minoxidil will help to grow new hair, otherwise you won't eve have a full beard unless you grow it out like >>12338671 mentioned. Although seeing that you're 25 and the photo is of a month of beard growth, I can't say there's a lot of help for you.

>>12338212
What specifically are you using? If you cleanse your face, apply toner/serums/cream/moisturiser and then finish with a humectant (like Vaseline, lanolin etc.), that will help to seal in moisture to avoid flaking. Ask your dermatologist if you can introduce BHA into your routine as this will help your skin to more naturally shed rather than relying on abrasives frequently which can seriously injure skin.

>>12338309
It's possible they are already using a retinoid and, as such, adding another might cause harm rather than good.

>>12338466
It might have been that you let the cream sit for too long? Some brands have higher dosages which means a shorter time for the product to work, but a high risk of irritation occurring. You could possibly try a brand that is not so strong but is left on longer.

>>12338495
The whole hard/soft water thing is very anecdotal but it is certainly possible that a build up of minerals could break you out in theory. It could also be coincidence - does this always happen? Have you changed a product? If neither of these are an issue, potentially try a thermal water (From the likes of Avéne or La Rosche-Posay) after cleansing and then use a cotton pad to swipe off the water after letting it sit for a minute or two. If you notice a difference it could definitely be your water quality. And if it is I would suggest investing in either a water filter for your water supply or a water-filtering jug and splashing your face with the filtered water instead of using tap water (Avéne and LRP are expensive BS but their thermal waters are good to test this).
>Lastly, wouldn't a lack of masturbation...
This is more or less the same argument for the whole dairy thing - there's little evidence and the stuff that exists simply shows a change in hormones which can or may affect skin, again, probably nullified by a good skincare routine.

>>12337987
>>12337987
Depending on the brand that you're getting it from (I assume SheaMoisture), some of the ingredients (like the base [you don't know what you're getting], some of the essential oils [again unlisted] or even the iron oxides [for the colour]) might irritate and/or clog the skin, this is typical of bar soaps. As for a toner, DO NOT use one with witch hazel like >>12338010 recommended - you would be doing more harm to your skin than good. As I mentioned, Neutrogena, PC or Clinique are some of the few companies which make irritant-free toners. As for your face masks, Lush is notoriously bad for including harsh cleansing agents and irritants - I would stay far far away from the brand.

>>12338010
No. Bad. No.

>>12338101
>>12338107
>>12338111
From the looks of your hands, you have thin skin and dryness at the tips which is evidence of eczema to some degree. Try a hand cream medicated with a cortisone at night and, of course, SPF during the day.

>>12338117
>>12338126
Actually coconut oil earns a bad rap for clogging pores. When regarding your choice of moisturiser, you should go on texture (obviously it needs to irritant-free) rather than most other things. If someone has very dry, dry or combo skin, using coconut oil in those areas is vary viable. Coconut oil contains lauric acid which has been found to be antibacterial against acne-causing bacteria - however there is to solid research to say that coconut oil itself will have the same effect. As the other anon pointed out, argan oil is less heavy and as a result is less moisturising, again, it depends on your skin type.

>>12337329
For some people, biotin can screw around with hormonal levels which can then affect the skin, if you stop taking the supplement and notice that you stop getting any congestion, you'll know.

>>12337331
I've never used either - I'll make that a mental note

>>12337512
If it's a scrub, there's really no need to let it sit on the face (unless it has some sort of exfoliating acid which would more than the scrub ever would). You would apply it to the skin with gentle circular motions and then wash off, it can act as your cleanser if you don't wear makeup or sunscreen (which you should be using - the sunscreen that is). If you find that it is stripping the oils of your skin too much, it's possible that it is too harsh of a cleanser or possibly a different consistency than your skin needs, you might benefit more from a lightly foaming cream cleanser which will be more gentle on the skin than a gel.
>Should I still use the moisturiser of I get a toner
You should use a toner in combination with the moisturiser, there are few brands which offer toners free of irritants yet provide good ingredients, the best I can think of is Neutrogena's alcohol-free toner or any of the toners from Paula's Choice or even some of the gentle (you don't want colour or ingredients like witch hazel or citrus oils like mandarin or orange) toners from Clinique, can't think of any specific one from them because I find it to be overpriced for what you get.

>>12337881
Hang in there anon

>>12337889
Follow your shave with a product containing BHA to stop ingrowns/irritation/bumps/redness from occurring in the first place - this will also help with existing bumps. Do not put apple cider vinegar on your face - it's a meme - eat a tablespoon of it a day if you want but dear god don't put it on your face. There's no research to say it does anything and the irritation from its pH can irritate the skin.

>>12336605
I would seriously recommend using Rogaine and/or Fin before your thinning gets any worse, I know that it's 'unnatural' and all that but you have to understand that these are the only two proven hair regrowth methods (apart from some laser treatments) and that anything else is a waste of money. In order to disguise your thinning, consider Toppix or a tinted dry shampoo (Batiste is GOAT) to have fake fibres cling to the hair to give a full appearance.

>>12336533
>Enough sun, go outside.
UV exposure is the biggest factor to ageing skin - 10-15 minutes of exposed sunlight or vitamin D supplementation is fine
>f you live in a polluted town (or polluted area of town) you're screwed either way.
Water and air quality actually have little impact to your skin, at most one might notice more/less congestion but even that can be nullified by a good skincare routine.

>>12336562
Castor oil is fantastic for the overall health of hair however I'm not entirely certain that it can help regrowth, sounds like snake oil. Minoxidil and Finasteride usage are the only two ingredients scientifically backed to work for hair regrowth. You could potentially use castor oil as a serum for the face as it is rich in vitamin E as well as Omega 6 and 9, as well its antibacterial and anti fungal properties - however, you might find (if you have combo/oily skin) that it might increase breakouts because of its density and nature as an oil. YMMV, but I'd stick to a nice lightweight anti-oxidant rich (this way you get a cocktail of antioxidants) serum which will be less likely to clog pores.
>castor oil would be a good oil cleanse
If you're not a heavy makeup wearer, oil-cleansing is unnecessary, especially on a daily basis and especially if you have dry/combo skin. Most people don't need to cleanse their skin twice as it can be excessively drying.
>what should I mix it with to apply to my hair?
You can apply it straight to the hair to add gloss, moisture etc.
>water it down
Water won't mix with oil well
>mix w/ some coconut oil
Also an option
>Isn't it hard as shit to wash out too?
Probably not anymore so than regular sebum buildup or unless you add excessive amounts. Also if your hair is naturally oily this would only make the situation worse.

>>12336517
Regarding your reaction to the face wash mentioned (Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, I imagine), it contains salicylic acid, is it possible that you are allergic to aspirin? If not, you might be having a reaction to the colour/fragrance in it, even if it is in a low concentration - otherwise it could be another product sensitising your skin. Is it possible that the pimples are actually ingrown hairs which resemble pimples? It sounds more like they could be caused by the rubbing of the glasses against your forehead in which case I would recommend cleaning your glasses frequently and only wearing them when required (e.g. for reading). I'll answer further in the next part.

>>12336520
As I mentioned, your cleanser contains fragrance and colours which potentially could be irritating your skin (is this what you mean by it dries your face?) and causing it to become dry, otherwise you might be having a reaction to the cleansing agents in the cleanser, in which case I'd simply suggest trying another brand (CeraVe is excellent) or another line from Neutrogena.
>I put the coal stuff on, then the moisturiser.
As in, you put on the coal scrub and then moisturiser and let it sit overnight? That's odd. Not only would I seriously discourage the use of a scrub everyday (1-2 times a week is the max you should be using one), but I would heavily advise using a toner/moisteriser with an acne-fighting component in it such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide (two best OTC). From your skin's sensitivity, I'd suggest a low dose of salicylic acid and avoid benzoyl peroxide (due to excessive drying) if possible.

>>12336533
>awful chemically made products that you shouldn't use daily and certainly not on something as delicate as your skin
Everything is a chemical, also every single dermatologist would disagree, thanks for your hippie nonsense.
(cont.)

Ones that won't irritate skin

>>12335783
(cont.) Professional laser or even at home laser treatments (the Trio is GOAT) require clean-shaven skin, so if you're looking in to that you'll still need to shave the area. Waxing in that area not only is temporary (as is shaving), but greatly increases the risk of ingrowns and irritation even when exfoliating creams are used (mens hair is more course) - not to mention it would hurt like a bitch.

>>12335845
Just from reading the ingredients, it's overpriced for what you get. The only upside is that it doesn't appear to have any ingredients (apart from a little honeysuckle extract) which could irritate the skin. If it was a gift, use it until it's done but I wouldn't recommend purchasing it again. Your bf mustn't know much about skincare

>>12335867
I don't get what the deal is with looking pale. I think pale flawless skin is the epitome of beauty

>>12335895
Tanning is horrendous for skin (unless it's artificial), I would stay far away from it. If you intent to spend even $1 on an anti-acing moisturiser in the future, you would thank your past self for avoiding sunlight.

>>12335912
Nair is really hit and miss it seems, did not work at all for me, anywhere on the body, just kind of made the tops of some hairs fall off

>>12336142
>>12336141
I'm pretty sure having a good skincare routine will do more than not masturbating ever will

>>12334371
Did not not know this - would still seek advice from a derm

>>12335335
Do you wear eyeshadow, concealer, foundation or something which could be drying out the skin there? That would be the first thing to look for - if it's just suddenly arisen it could be due to a change in product use. If not, try layering moisturisers instead of relying on one, so start with a toner (alcohol free is essential, irritant free entirely is better) and then a something rich in antioxidants (hyaluronic acid is gentle but very moisturising) followed by something lanolin/mineral oil/petroleum based which will act as a humectant to seal in the moisture. Sudden dryness if usually caused by something changing quickly, so look into that first.

>>12335452
Ingredients like niacinamide (nicotinamide/vitamin b3) and BHA coupled with sunscreen to prevent worsening of the skin is ideal for shrinking pore size. As well, avoiding things like pore strips and peeling face masks (which actually do more bad than good) will help to shrink pores.

>>12335502
PC Skin-Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner comes to mind

>>12335783
I've found the best way is to use a standard cartridge razor or better yet, a 5-blade cartridge razor (like that of the gillette venus range) and use an anti-inflammatory/antibacterial shaving cream (with something like tea tree oil). Begin by using a loofah/exfoliating mitt/salux cloth to gently exfoliate the area using a moisturising body wash, followed by the shave. As to the technique, squatting in the shower and doing one side/cheek at a time and, of course, taking your time works the best. For first timers, it's best to trim the area beforehand which makes shaving a whole (forgive the pun) lot easier. Aftercare should include a cream which contains salicylic, glycolic and/or lactic acid (as many as possible is best) to stop the formation of ingrown hairs. Superficial irritation can be avoided by using a heavy duty moisturiser like vaseline or aquaphor. (cont.)

>>12334283
I would suggest seeing a dermatologist if possible before undergoing any potentially even more irritating topical products (retinol especially). They might give you a topical or other medication to help. But if you can't see one, introduce each ingredient individually if possible and asses how your skin reacts. Haven't heard of metronidazole, looks like it's an antibiotic? Can't imagine if/how it would help with rosacea.

>>12334319
They look like either closed comedones, milia or mild yeast bumps. If you aren't using a BHA on your face, start. Not only will it help the odd pimple here or there (you seem to have pretty good skin) but it will stop these from appearing. If BHA fails you (or if you're allergic to aspirin), try using an anti-fungal treatment like Nizoral 2% as a face mask to kill what potentially could be yeast build up.

>>12334204
>>12334206
>may be associated
>a positive association
I never said there was no evidence, just that it isn't solid, which it isn't - these studies conclusively prove that dairy influences the levels of androgens in the body which CAN or MAY lead to acne. If it were true that dairy causes acne then it would be physiologically impossible for someone who eats dairy regularly to have clear skin - this is not true. Therefore, more studies need to be done in order to conclusively prove whether or not dairy leads to acne - I said from the beginning that it cannot hurt to cut out dairy and see if it makes a difference for them. Also, beginning and ending your statements with 'Right' and 'That's that.' despite ignoring what I'm saying is evidence that you don't know what you're talking about.

>>12334208
Definitely - eczema and rosacea are in the same family of skin conditions

>>12334222
>Does the skin ever recover?
Kind of - steroid creams (especially strong dosages) thin the skin significantly which can cause the skin to look redder because veins are more visible. Time will likely not remedy this unfortunately, however, there are ingredients like hyaluronic acid and certain retinols which can aid in plumping the skin to effectively 'hide' the redness. As well, reducing topical irritants and increasing anti-irritants will help to stop any further redness from occurring.

>>12334080
You want things that hold multiple times their weight in water, ingredients like hyaluronic acid and lanolin are very good hydrating ingredients. Overnight you can try regular old vaseline, a humectant which stops moisture-loss from occurring - do this nightly after your regular moisturiser to seal in moisture overnight, do it every night and I can't imagine you'd get dry skin anymore.
Keep in mind, though, that if your skin is this dry, you could be doing it to yourself - ingredients which irritate the skin like alcohol (especially in your case), fragrance, colour and harsh cleansing agents (SLS, SLES as well in this case) can all dry out your skin, so make sure to stay away from those too. Hydration will bring radiance with it so once you have one, you'll have the other.
Also try and stay away from sources of intense hot water (i.e. wash face and shower in lukewarm water) to stop excessive moisture loss. Finally, make sure to apply your moisturisers immediately after showering so as to 'seal in' the water that your skin absorbs while showering. This advice goes to >>12334125 as well.

Regarding your choices for products, both Nivea and Jergens use fragrance in case your skin is sensitive/acne prone - so avoid that if desired.

>>12333844
You don't have to return to cartridges if cost is an issue/you just prefer it, but using a good shaving cream which is moisturising and antibacterial is like giving yourself an anti-acne/ingrown hair facial mask every time you shave, following that up with a BHA to further prevent ingrowns/acne is just the icing on the cake :)

>>12333748
You're right, there are two studies, the other one simply describes how acne can be caused by dairy, but, again, it doesn't prove conclusively that dairy intake leads to acne.
There are different types of dove bar soap, some of which use colour, fragrance and heavy conditioning agents which can clog the pores and irritate the skin of people who have sensitive, acne-prone skin

>>12333738
>it's typically not one that uses ingredients likely to clog pores.
>it's typically one that uses ingredients likely to clog pores.
fixed

>>12333642
The study cited in the FAQ refers to a case which simply sampled cases of people with acne and how much dairy they ate, it does not prove conclusively that acne can directly be caused by dairy consumption, which is why I said there is not a lot of solid evidence, because there isn't. Cite me the papers showing otherwise.

>>12333647
I actually considered editing my statement when writing it to say 'most' bar soaps but thought it was implied because when someone says they use a bar soap, it's typically not one that uses ingredients likely to clog pores.

good cartridge > everything else
there's a reason why it's mainstream

>>12333421
Don't tan yourself, pale > everything else

>>12333460
Do you follow up your shaving with something that will prevent ingrowns? I use a 2% BHA liquid after shaving (I do 1 pass with a 5-blade razor using a tea-tree oil shaving cream [aus only]) and have never had ingrowns/irritations if I follow with the BHA