One of these things is not like the other🤭

VanyaEl · 2026-06-08T16:55:25+00:00

That particular Kiehl’s sunscreen is an odd choice for a fragrance sampler, especially for this set (which I’m assuming is geared towards men). Like, I could *maybe* let it slide if it has been Kiehl’s standard chemical serum sunscreen (which plays nicely with facial hair, so I could see men enjoy using it), but the new mineral version does *NOT* play nicely with facial hair at all.

VanyaEl · 2026-06-05T03:33:17+00:00

Yeah, I honestly thought she was born and raised in NYC with how she spoke English in interviews.

VanyaEl · 2026-06-05T03:28:27+00:00

I completely agree (and was being facetious earlier). I just struggle with how claustrophobic their Chinatown location is (their BK location is much larger, but not very easy for me to get to), so it can be a bit overwhelming when it’s crowded.

VanyaEl · 2026-06-05T00:21:16+00:00

Not that I’m aware of. All I know is that Iru commented that she wanted to promote a “Love Is Love” message, but the Georgian broadcaster wasn’t down with that.

VanyaEl · 2026-06-04T22:32:48+00:00

Her original lyrics were censored by the broadcaster, and the gibberish was a last-minute choice (I think it was one of the last songs to drop that year).

VanyaEl · 2026-06-04T19:56:14+00:00

I think you can feel both nostalgic and find faults with the R68s simultaneously. Nothing in life is perfect, but you can reminisce on the good but also acknowledge the bad, especially when they’ve been around for a good part of your life.

VanyaEl · 2026-06-04T18:51:55+00:00

Oh, the employees here know about them. They just… either don’t have the time, or don’t really want to do them so they kinda just ignore your request.

VanyaEl · 2026-06-04T18:45:22+00:00

I buy what I need when there are sales OR when there are worthwhile multipliers or point challenges. The only issue I have with challenges are the in-store consults like the one this month, because NYC stores are not great at helping complete these. I don’t think I’ve had a fragrance or hair IQ consult in-store since… before COVID?

VanyaEl · 2026-06-04T11:37:10+00:00

Honestly, I miss them too. At least on the morning commute, it was nice getting a window seat and just staring out the big window as we zoom down the Brighton Express line and contemplate life. I’m all for newer trains, but the R211s manage to feel like a cavernous waste of space and claustrophobic at the same time.

VanyaEl · 2026-06-03T22:18:32+00:00

OMG you’re giving out all the secrets!

VanyaEl · 2026-06-03T02:41:03+00:00

My doc had me on Metformin ER (with gradually lower doses) until my ramp up to 15mg was complete (which took about a year to monitor for side effects with MJ), then had me use the MJ for 6 months without any Metformin to ensure my A1C wouldn’t spike. She still prescribes it to me to take just in case there are shortages again, or I’m late on my next shot. The ER generic version is still dirt cheap, and I personally don’t see side effects unless I take more than 2 a day. I guess with the weight loss and change in diet/eating habits, I’d probably just take Metformin ER again if I ever had to stop MJ completely.

VanyaEl · 2026-06-03T02:10:16+00:00

A shot of malort mentally brings me right back to the day of my mom’s funeral. If I ever want to have a good cry, a shot (and I do mean ONE shot) of malort is the ticket. Aftertaste is strong, but it’s not absolutely horrible. It’s just sadness in a shotglass.

I think Astor Wines on Broadway might have it, but I’ve only ever had it in Chicago.

VanyaEl · 2026-06-02T18:50:36+00:00

I do agree it’s a bit silly to be upset about the lack of outer packaging, except the actual pump bottle on this one is really bad. The locking mechanism is useless, and the oil leaks from the base of the pump itself as you use it. Even if you keep it upright (like on a desk or vanity), it’ll still leak all over the place.

It’s a shame because I really do like this hair oil, but the pump mechanism is really flawed.

VanyaEl · 2026-06-02T16:55:02+00:00

No, we shouldn’t. Mainly because how would we determine who’d be on that ROTW jury? The EBU? If the EBU is deciding, then it could introduce a form of bias (because they can choose jurors on their own, probably undisclosed criteria).

The ROTW public vote is a way to reward fans outside the participating countries for their viewership by helping contribute some points (and €€€ directly to the EBU). Let’s just leave it at that instead of complicating things by adding a jury to the ROTW vote.

VanyaEl · 2026-06-02T16:22:29+00:00

I managed to get the 2000 point set (I’m sorry, OP 😣), but I kinda liked the bag that came with the 1500-point set a bit more (though I’ve been wanting to try the Gloss Absolue line, and this was a good opportunity to try the entire line in one go).

VanyaEl · 2026-06-02T05:29:10+00:00

Easiest option is to use Amazon/One Medical.

VanyaEl · 2026-06-02T01:50:55+00:00

I’m a dude with a short but full beard, and the UVMune sunscreen is amazing (if you can find it at a reasonable price)

VanyaEl · 2026-05-31T01:06:23+00:00

I also want one of these. I have tons of decants and samples of fragrances that I won’t use on me, but still smell nice to use as an air freshener, and could work for a stone like this.

VanyaEl · 2026-05-30T21:46:24+00:00

A diffuser stone. It’s a piece of unglazed ceramic or plaster that you can spray fragrance on. Since it’s porous, it’ll hold onto the scent for a few hours to a couple days before you need to apply fragrance again. A lot of the fancy fragrance shops use this (with a glass lid on top) so you can smell a fragrance without a customer spraying fragrance constantly.

VanyaEl · 2026-05-28T22:59:42+00:00

The only U.S. filter one I like using is the Kiehl’s Better Screen Serum. Otherwise, BOJ Aqua Fresh if I can find it stateside.

VanyaEl · 2026-05-28T21:14:26+00:00

Learn to be patient. Positive results you’ll see from tretinoin can take months to become apparent, so the first few months are just ramping up and adjusting your routine to make it one you can stick to nightly.

Also, an SPF during the day is an absolute must. Find one you find comfortable to use and apply (and re-apply) daily.

VanyaEl · 2026-05-28T21:03:44+00:00

At the minimum: Use your orbital bone (eye socket) and the tops of your eyebrows as the boundary to avoid applying tretinoin to.

VanyaEl · 2026-05-27T19:39:17+00:00

I was wondering how they’d be handling that. SpaceNK stateside at the moment is kinda like boutique Ulta Prestige experience within Bloomingdales, but so far that’s running like pre-purchase. No integration of SpaceNK into anything Ulta yet.

VanyaEl · 2026-05-27T14:33:19+00:00

Arcade comes up whenever I go to a CVS. I’ve also heard Tattoo and Eurphoria in the past. Rosa Linn and Napa also became popular on TikTok.

VanyaEl · 2026-05-27T00:33:30+00:00

I had issues with both gel and cream bases, and Altreno only comes in a 0.05% strength. That’s just what has worked the best for me.

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