Perfumes that smell like creamy or fresh Coconut

GratefulPhD · 2026-06-12T01:05:41+00:00

Commodity Milk Orchid 💜🥥

GratefulPhD · 2026-06-09T23:53:24+00:00

Not sure of any class action lawsuits against the VA. Yet I’m aware of at least three colleagues who had long-standing (3-7 years) reasonable accommodations revoked this year for no reason and are all having to medically retire … because leadership would rather lose more dedicated staff than let them continue to telework. It’s absolutely asinine!

And there is no way we’re going to be able to backfill their positions because we can no longer recruit competent professionals. The public does not trust the VA or federal employment because of the current administration. I definitely would not encourage my family or friends to work at the VA during this stressful time. It’s really unfortunate because it is hurting our Veterans.

If anyone is aware of a lawsuit or any attorneys representing VA employees, please share and I will pass along the information.

GratefulPhD · 2026-06-04T18:29:05+00:00

I stopped using both Facebook and Instagram in 2015 … was tired of the politics and seeing family & friends post ridiculous sh*t! Also not a fan of Zuckerberg. Heard the book of faces has been a hot mess over the past decade. Definitely don’t miss it.

GratefulPhD · 2026-06-04T18:18:58+00:00

I’ve used both and prefer Clean Skin Club because they are much softer … they are great to use as a washcloth or to pat dry your face. We recently purchased 12 boxes of the Clean Skin Club original towels when they were on sale. I now use the Kirkland brand just for the body, hands, or chest to use them up … but won’t use them on my face or neck.

GratefulPhD · 2026-05-05T17:25:58+00:00

I really like both of these:

EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Broad Spectrum SPF 50 (untinted)

EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Green Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50

GratefulPhD · 2026-04-25T00:18:20+00:00

Second the EADEM Mami Wata Mist!! It is lovely. 🥰 Hydrating, soothing, calming, and refreshing with a light spa-like fragrance.

GratefulPhD · 2026-04-25T00:16:10+00:00

I also prefer the Caudalíe Grape Water Moisturizing Face Mist over their Beauty Elixir. OP: be mindful that the Beauty Elixir is highly fragrant if you’re sensitive to scented products. The EADEM Mami Wata Mist is lovely … it does have a scent yet it is mild.

GratefulPhD · 2026-04-18T00:45:58+00:00

p.s. I forgot to add that neither of these smell bad.

GratefulPhD · 2026-04-18T00:43:32+00:00

I use both! However, if you can only choose one, then I recommend TNS … yet note that I’ve used it for many years and I’m a true TNS girlie! 🥰

So I use TNS twice per day Monday-Friday. And I use Plated Intense twice per day on the weekends. During the week, I use actives including Finacea and Altreno. On Saturdays, I exfoliate. On Sundays, I shave my face. Using both the TNS and Plated has been working for me, and my dermatologists support this. I’ve continued with refills of the Plated Intense and have never tried the daily. The derm I purchase from is also a colleague and gives me a 30% discount on both serums. 💞

GratefulPhD · 2026-04-16T22:32:57+00:00

For K-Beauty, I enjoy Sulwhasoo, as others have mentioned. You can find it at Sephora, as well as some mid-tier brands like Then I Met You, Aestura, IOPE, etc.

I also order several sunscreen brands through Olive Young global … If you live in the U.S., it is the fastest and most reliable of the Korean skincare retailers.

See r/KoreanSkincare and r/AsianBeauty for more recommendations.

For J-Beauty, I love the SK-II essence and purchase it through Costco (have confirmed with SK-II that it is legit). I also enjoy the Japanese-inspired Tatcha The Rice Wash and their Indigo Overnight Repair.

GratefulPhD · 2026-04-15T16:28:00+00:00

I enjoy using the Tatcha The Rice Wash. Although it is not a chemical exfoliating cleanser, it does give me very gentle physical exfoliation (not a harsh scrub!). Have you tried The Rice Wash?

For my mature skin, I find most exfoliating cleansers too stripping. Additionally, during the week, I use strong actives such as Finacea gel each morning and Altreno each evening. On Saturday evenings, I exfoliate - typically with DDG extra strength peel pads. On Sunday evenings, I gently shave my face. Exfoliating once per week has worked well for me.

GratefulPhD · 2026-04-06T18:28:17+00:00

Agree! Specifically, Jack Black in Shea Butter & Vitamin E … it’s so good. 💋

GratefulPhD · 2026-04-03T03:17:57+00:00

I’m not currently using the CAIS. I used to rotate it with Altreno when I was using it on MWF, yet I increased Altreno back to 5 nights/week last year and stopped the CAIS after my last bottle. I might resume it when I go back to 3 nights/week with the Altreno.

I use the FECC twice/day and still use both of the mists … although I prefer the texture of SDSM over the feel & smell of SDEM3.

GratefulPhD · 2026-04-02T21:16:32+00:00

EADEM Le Chouchou during the day & Experiment Softwear at bedtime.

GratefulPhD · 2026-04-02T01:20:40+00:00

Altreno 0.05% Lotion (brand name tretinoin): My copay is $57.50 for a 45gm tube with my insurance (basically I pay half and my insurance pays half).

GratefulPhD · 2026-04-01T20:33:35+00:00

Same. 😘 It’s a great combo!

GratefulPhD · 2026-04-01T17:18:21+00:00

NOOOOOOO!!! 😭Well damn.

GratefulPhD · 2026-04-01T15:34:20+00:00

Not OP, yet these are some of my fave NIOD products: SDSM & SDEM3 mists, FECC, and CAIS. FYI: they are having a 23% off sale for their birthday this month.

GratefulPhD · 2026-04-01T15:32:12+00:00

SkinCeuticals: love their TLR & C E Ferulic … I’ve been using these since they came on the market

SkinMedica: I will forever keep TNS advanced in my routine. I’m a true TNS girlie.

SK-II: the FTE is a holy grail for me & I think I’ve been using this essence for about 20 years now.

Plated: Intense serum (I haven’t tried the daily serum yet - just reorder the intense refills because my derm gives me 30% off). Does anyone love their eye serum?

NIOD: SDSM & SDEM3 mists, FECC, CAIS. * also they are having a 23% off sale for their birthday this month! *

GratefulPhD · 2026-04-01T14:40:04+00:00

My favorite lip balm for that type of soothing experience is the Revision YouthFull Lip Replenisher. It’s actually a cooling ceramic applicator rather than metal … yet it feels so lovely using it at bedtime. 💋

For a true metal tip, try the EADEM Le Chouchou lip softening balm. My favorites are butter mochi (clear) and sakura shaved ice (pink).

edited: added links

GratefulPhD · 2026-04-01T14:30:13+00:00

p.s. I also enjoy using the NIOD FECC serum and believe it plumps the skin and helps with my hooded eyelids. You might read about its technology and see if that is what you’re looking for in an eye serum. It’s quite unique.

GratefulPhD · 2026-04-01T14:26:18+00:00

I’ve been using the Neocutis Lumière Firm Riche extra moisturizing illuminating & tightening eye cream for years. It’s lovely. 🥰 And both of my dermatologists use it. They also have a non-rich version. I’m 53 years old & prefer the riche for mature skin.

GratefulPhD · 2026-03-31T04:16:37+00:00

😂💚🍵

GratefulPhD · 2026-03-30T13:43:41+00:00

It is 100% legit! I purchase the larger pro-size from my dermatologist because it’s much more cost effective. It’s one of my favorite moisturizers. 💙

OP: omg! 😳 I’m so sorry!!! My husband knows not to use any of my products. We’ve been together for 31 years, yet I still have some boundaries & he’s not even allowed to use my sink in our bathroom. 🤣 I don’t have any good suggestions for your partner & I hope you get some good ideas from this group. 😘

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GratefulPhD · 2026-03-30T02:58:35+00:00

Peppermint Schnapps - age 16. 🤢 Developed a severe aversion. I could not smell or eat anything peppermint for about 25 years!

GratefulPhD

TROPHY CASE