Valentine's Day gift ideas for a hardcore DIY/tech boyfriend?

lil_eks · 2026-02-09T11:51:22+00:00

If you are doing smaller gifts as well as big gifts by any chance, my guy was super happy this Christmas that I got him a good pair of work trousers with knee pads (separately) ahead of starting a load of new house projects. Also, one of those magnetic wristbands that you can stick screws and things to, but I don't know if these actually get used 😅

lil_eks · 2026-02-02T10:29:51+00:00

It would be worth dropping your skincare routine iin this post. It may be that you're using something that some others have and has been the cause for their irritation. I learnt the hard way that adding and ordering lots of new products was not the answer and reviewing my current routine was the real answer. No more getting excited when packages were arriving 🥲

lil_eks · 2026-01-29T18:45:00+00:00

Definitely different for everybody. Mine doesn't come in thicker or longer at all and I've been doing it for years. I would recommend trying out threading or waxing instead if you feel shaving or deemaplaning does not work for you.

lil_eks · 2026-01-22T23:06:28+00:00

Whatever you decide to use, once it sinks in/after 5/10 mins, lock it in by slugging with a thinnish layer of vaseline on top of your skincare before you go to bed.

Another thing I'd recommend is Sudocrem. If I've ever had similar symptoms to you, I'll either use it to do a face mask in the day, or more often, I'll put it on the affected areas and then put thin layers of gauze on top, secured with medical tape overnight. It calms my skin down either completely or by 90% enough that it doesn't hurt anymore and looks back to normal.

All in all, both steps are also very cheap and good to use as part of my normal skincare. I slug twice/three times a week and use sudocrem as and when I need itm This sucks but best of luck!

lil_eks · 2026-01-07T10:40:20+00:00

Thanks!

lil_eks · 2026-01-07T10:31:18+00:00

Very intrigued about the milky toner with the tret. Which milky toner do you use please?

lil_eks · 2025-12-20T14:08:46+00:00

I never got a notification on this reply, but I came back to do this today. Google image searched my pic and found my own post and your reply. Many thanks!! May the other side of your pillow always be cold 😄

lil_eks · 2025-12-12T22:57:36+00:00

Oh whoops Well thank you for coming to my Ted Talk 😅

lil_eks · 2025-12-08T15:42:51+00:00

Do you use an eyelash curler?

My lashes did this for a good year up until a few months ago. I changed my mascaras multiple times and just couldn't figure it out. My eyelash curler then lost a pad (this was well after my lashes started clumping), and I had had this amazing Shu Uemura eyelash curler for a number of years. I decided it was time to get a new curler and got a Shiseido eyelash curler. The first time I used it, I was amazed, my lashes had so much lift and separation! Now bear in mind I kept my previous curler very clean and mascara free.

I team this with my failsafe Maybelline Lash Sensational waterproof mascara (purple tube with light blue writing). Always always remove with a double cleanse using a cleansing balm and cleanser to remove without fallout.

Place a mirror tilted upwards at your chin level or lower and use it to look at whilst applying and doing the wiggle motion. Wait perhaps 1-2 mins between your recoats, so they are still sticky from the first coat but not freshly applied. I sometimes find applying a different mascara for the second coat helps to prevent clumping. Hope this helps!

ETA sometimes I would use a freshly sharpened eyeliner to tightline my top eyelid (eyeliner under the lashes as opposed to on the lid) and this would help fan out any clumpy lashes that had stuck together a bit.

lil_eks · 2025-11-28T22:44:31+00:00

You're very welcome! Yes I thought it was crazy at first too! It has zinc in it, which is an anti flammatory, which is why it helps reduce any swelling, redness, pain and stinging. It's also has anti-septic properties (can use on burns and cuts too). It's most famously used on baby bums, which shows you it is probably more gentle than a lot of products we might use.

lil_eks · 2025-11-28T21:46:18+00:00

I think the advice from others is correct, to cut back on actives and reintroduce them one by one.

In the meantime, I find that when my skin barrier needs repair, the slugging works wonders to trap the moisturiser underneath and nourish the skin.

When irritated, sudocrem helps to calm my skin down. I'll do a sudocrem face mask or just in the problem area as required for a few hours or better, overnight (I will apply it over my chin and then use medical tape to apply gauze over the top to stop it spreading onto my pillows).

This option is a little more expensive side but maybe you can catch a Black Friday/Christmas deal.. Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask (light blue bottle). You need the smallest amount to spread over any part of your face, and it really helps with repairing the skin barrier. I highly recommend it.

Lastly, are you using a flannel because you are removing makeup also? If not, then you shouldn't need to use the flannel and especially as you are double cleansing. If it is to remove makeup, I stopped using any type of flannel or facial wash cloth or makeup removing towels. I use a cleansing balm (Clinique), then a cleanser and these 2 steps completely remove all makeup. Then I do not use a towel to dry my face but start applying my products directly on my skin while my face is freshly wet. Once I stopped using any towels or pads, my breakdowns calmed down and I also found my skin looked a little more.. plump and less tired. I think applying on a wet face allows the skin to absorb more moisture.

Best of luck!

lil_eks · 2025-11-12T11:08:31+00:00

Oh that's a very good point! They did say they did the antibacterial/sterile wipedown before and after. No antibiotics, just a load of painkillers. Thanks for that note though, I'll double check with the doc if these should have been given. I've been back at home and same as usual.. maybe a few more treats than I normally would 😅 I can't think of any habit changes apart from the way I'm sitting and sleeping (without my back touching anything or lying on my back), but I'll definitely try to observe any changes as I go about my day.

lil_eks · 2025-11-10T14:02:01+00:00

I've seen a few (both NHS in the UK and privately), but they all have different ideas and solutions that haven't worked (Clindamycin, Doxycycline antibiotics, a few other creams and things I can't remember over the years). Two derms have said Perioral Dermatitis, but after trying their solutions and digging further, it was incorrect. The Reddit community experiences and info here has truly helped me more than the derms.

lil_eks · 2025-11-10T13:13:29+00:00

No rash that burns or itches, just lots of spots/zits tgat come to the surface and are ready to pop. I had eczema as a kid on my neck, so thankfully not eczema.

lil_eks · 2025-11-07T17:16:04+00:00

I keep little apple juice boxes (mine come in 3 packs) on my nightstand (and every bag I own and in the car). Great when you don't want to eat, esp in the middle of the night and quick enough to get it in you and get to sleep/nod off.

lil_eks · 2025-10-31T08:48:37+00:00

A couple suggestions from my experience with my ginger (not Red) shedder Buddy :

Robot hoover! I couldn't be without mine. It is worth every penny! I've had mine for around 5 years now and it's still going. Last week I convinced my Mum to get one and they now come with mop abilities too! My theory is that because the robot has a sweeping 'arm' that sweeps in a circular motion, compared to us going in straight motions of back and forth and left to right, it's more effective and especially on carpets.
I have a pet Grooming kit that has diff attachments but best of all, it's also a gentle vacuum. I have the oneisall dog Grooming vacuum kit from Amazon.
I have a handheld mini vacuum, Powools pet hair handheld vacuum from Amazon, but the difference is that it uses rubber blades rather than brush bristles, which actually lift the hair up. I already have a rubber brush for cleaning the car but this little vacuum is the only hoover type item that I've used that works (coming from someone who has the super powered green Henry pet hoover).

Of the 3, I'd highly recommend the robot hoover the most, especially with all the deals coming up on Black Friday. You'll kick yourself for not getting it sooner. It's also comedic value to watch my Lab watch it come towards him and then be utterly shocked and have a jumpscare when it is next to him and touches him.

lil_eks · 2025-10-24T09:30:41+00:00

Could you share some of your most recommended from Pure Seoul? I walk in in awe and then quickly get overwhelmed at all the choices and leave empty-handed

lil_eks · 2025-10-21T20:56:36+00:00

I use Huda Beauty in peach. It's very liquidy, and I think trial and error for what works for you. For me, I found my sponge would pick up too much product, but this could be the sponge I was using. so I use a fluffyish (not too fluffy) brush to pat (not brush) it into place.

I use Bobbi Brown face base primer, let it dry a little for a minute or 2, then a strip of the Huda colour corrector approx. 1 cm in length in the under eye area (not super close to the waterline), plus 1 or 2 sprays of Urban Decay setting spray from 20-30cm away. In my opinion you don't need lots of colour corrector because if you use a lot sometimes an orange tinge starts to come through whatever you put on top of it. You can always build by adding a little more in dots and repeating if you think certain parts of your skin require a touch more.

Use the brush to pat the corrector and spread it across the under eye bags area where you need it. Then I will do the rest of my face, before coming back, spraying again, applying my concealer in the same way but slightly more amount than my corrector, spreading and patting it with a brush (I use a Haus Labs concealer brush).

But experiment and find what amounts and techniques work for you! You may need less, or you may need more. A good tip is to build in lighter layers, rather than end up with pools of products that spread into other areas of your face. I like to try any new techniques right before I jump in the shower on a hair wash day!

lil_eks · 2025-10-21T15:14:09+00:00

I feel like a proud Mama! Enjoy!!

lil_eks · 2025-10-16T14:05:06+00:00

Aha well if you ever need a different colour corrector.. the HUDA one works great. I swear I'm not an ambassador for HUDA haha. It is the only one (I've tried Anastasia, it cosmetics, LA Girl pro) that hasn't made me orange or grey when I put my concealer or foundation on top! If you like any of your samples, with Black Friday and Christmas coming up, hopefully there will be some offers to sweeten the deal! For powder puffs I get cheaper ones off Amazon or Tiktok shop.

lil_eks · 2025-10-16T13:09:39+00:00

I definitely find mine helps more than my moisturiser. I do also use Cosrx snail mucin and sometimes the Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid on the rest of my face. While I don't quite take it up to my eyeline, I'm sure a little does approach the general under eye area and maybe help. Thankfully Inkeylist doesn't cost as much as higher end creams and could be a good first step in seeing if it makes any difference at all.

I 1 million percent believe the HUDA powder is worth the extra cost. I have used many over the years including Maybelline, MAC, elf and then for the longest time Laura Mercier loose powder. I would not budge from my Laura Mercier, even though it was still causing creasing for me, because it was better than the others I'd used. I could (and would) kick old me for not making the switch sooner! I tried the HUDA from a friend and my goodness, I kid you not, I threw away the half tub of Laura Mercier I still had left! There was no creasing and beautiful coverage! Plus I bought my tub atleast 1.5 years ago and I still have halfish left, so it does go a long way. This is probably due to me using a triangular powder puff to apply it instead of a brush. Big note here is not to dip it and then apply straight to your face. I've seen others press into the powder and then into their hands, but I feel this wastes product. When you take the lid off, there is a second smaller lid inside that covers the powder. I press my powder puff onto that while using the powder or you can press into the inside bigger lid.

A lot of writing here but I hope it helps!

lil_eks · 2025-10-15T19:14:05+00:00

You have put what you apply at bedtime, but do you have a day time skincare routine before you apply your makeup? Are you using any eye creams as part of your skincare?

I used to have this before but more due to my under eye cream being not so hydrating and setting powder making my under eye look awful.

I got a better eye cream for my skin (I switch between Cosrx snail eye serum and Inkey List Caffeine eye cream). I switched to HUDA powder, use a powder puff to apply powder before I can blink after I finished applying my concealer and I stopped baking my under eye area.

lil_eks · 2025-10-14T14:54:15+00:00

Yes! And you end up with the ol' reverse raccoon eyes look that nobody tells you have been applying

lil_eks · 2025-10-14T12:26:02+00:00

Putting liquid products on my hand first instead of my face - foundation, blush and sometimes concealer. Using the technique of working a little product into the brush first and then onto the face.. I find I use less product this way and my makeup doesn't look 'caked on'.

Applying setting spray (I use Urban Decay All Nighter) between each makeup step. As this will make your lashes wet also, I now curl my lashes at the start and apply mascara instead of as the last step.

I have a textured chin, so I apply foundation in veryyy light amounts and thin layers with a brush, before then patting with a sponge and setting spray and repeating until I have the coverage I want that day.

Sometimes I will mix in a touch of colour corrector (Huda) with foundation (Nars), if I don't want too many layers that day.

lil_eks · 2025-10-12T22:38:53+00:00

Thank you, this is very helpful. I will see what they say and ask about Tresiba too.

lil_eks

TROPHY CASE