r/BeautyGear

Deep cystic pimples usually get worse when people attack them with harsh products or keep squeezing them every hour. The fastest improvement I’ve seen is actually keeping the inflammation down first.

Warm compress for 5 minutes, then ice for 5 minutes, repeat a couple times and always finish with cold. The heat helps soften the blockage and improve circulation, while the cold cuts swelling and redness so it doesn’t look as angry. Doing this twice a day can calm a cyst down surprisingly fast.

Hydrocolloid patches are also underrated, especially the microdart ones. They stop you from touching the area and help pull fluid out once the bump starts surfacing. If nothing is coming out yet, don’t force it. Digging at a blind cyst usually turns one problem into a scar that hangs around for months.

A thin layer of benzoyl peroxide spot treatment can help too, but go easy or you’ll end up with a flaky irritated patch on top of the cyst. Makeup honestly covers redness better than most people think, especially after icing.

I’ve had painful jawline cysts before important events and the biggest difference came from leaving them alone consistently instead of panic-picking every few hours. What actually works fastest for you when one of these monsters shows up?

I've been going back and forth between LED masks for weeks now, there's so many options and every brand claims theirs is the best. I've been comparing specs like wavelengths, irradiance, FDa clearance, session time, priceee. I just want something that works and isn't a waste of money. Has anyone here tried multiple Led masks and can compare? What did you end up going with and why? also is there a noticeable difference between the cheaper ones on amazon and the more established brands?

For me it honestly wasn't acids or strong actives. My skin got way better once I focused more on hydration and keeping my skin calm.

Curious what worked best for everyone else.

Before I got into skincare my face was mostly clear. Few pimples here and there but nothing crazy. I washed with water and sometimes used whatever lotion was around.Then I got into skincare. Started a 6 step routine. My skin EXPLODED. Purging I guess. Give it time they said. It's been 4 months and my skin is worse than it was before I started. I'm starting to think the skincare industry convinced me I had problems I didn't have and then sold me products that created new problems. Is it possible that some people's skin is just better off being left alone?

Cheap tweezers are one of those things that seem fine until you use a really good pair and realize how much time you’ve been wasting fighting with stubborn hairs. The biggest difference is tension and tip alignment. If the tips don’t close perfectly, they’ll just slide off fine hairs instead of gripping them.

Tweezerman keeps coming up for a reason. The slanted ones are great for brows, but the pointed version is honestly unbeatable for tiny ingrown hairs or short regrowth. I’ve had the same pair for years and they still grab hair on the first try without snapping it halfway through. Revlon’s black slanted tweezers are another surprisingly solid option if you don’t want to spend as much.

One thing people overlook is maintenance. Even good tweezers stop working properly if there’s product buildup on the tips, so wiping them with alcohol helps more than you’d think. And if your current pair used to work well, lightly running a nail file along the edges can sometimes sharpen them enough to bring them back to life.

I’d rather spend more once than keep buying random £5 tweezers that end up in a drawer after two weeks. Curious what everyone else uses because people get weirdly loyal about tweezers once they find a good pair.

I’ve been looking into lip plumping devices lately because I really don’t wanna go the filler route. My lips are naturally thin and uneven, and honestly it’s been messing with my confidence for a while now. I keep seeing ads for these suction/plumping tools claiming they give fuller lips naturally, but I can’t tell what’s legit and what’s just marketing bs.

I’m trying to find something safe that actually works without bruising or making my lips look weird after 10 minutes. The reviews online feel fake half the time, so I’d rather hear from real people who actually used one consistently.

Did any of these devices genuinely make a difference for you? Like noticeable results over time, not just a temporary swollen look. Also if you found a reliable brand that didn’t damage your lips, please share. I’m tired of wasting money testing random stuff.

I been thinking about getting one because my bathroom counter is always a mess and the cable situation is driving me crazy. But every time I check reviews, half the people say it’s super convenient and the other half say the holder got loose, fell off, or just couldn’t handle the dryer weight after a while.

I don’t wanna waste money on some cheap thing that looks good for 2 weeks then starts peeling off the wall. Also my dryer is kinda heavy so I need something actually solid and reliable.

If anyone here has been using one for months or years, was it worth it? Which brand did you get and does it still hold up good? I’m mainly looking for real experiences because online reviews feel fake as hell lately lol.

I seriously can’t get my foundation to look smooth no matter what I do. Every time I apply it, it ends up looking patchy, streaky, or uneven on my skin and it’s getting frustrating af. I’ve tried using beauty blenders, regular brushes, even changing skincare before makeup, but nothing seems to fully fix it.

Lately I keep seeing people say a kabuki brush gives a way better finish and blends foundation more evenly, but I honestly don’t know if it’s just hype or if it actually works. I’m tired of wasting money buying random brushes and products that people promote online just for them to disappoint.

If anyone here actually struggled with uneven foundation and found a kabuki brush that genuinely helped, please share the brand or your experience. I just want something reliable that works in real life, not influencer marketing bs.

hey, kinda awkward question but I’ve been thinking about this for a while

is a nose hair trimmer for women actually worth it or just another gadget that ends up useless?

I’ve been struggling with this for a bit because I keep getting those annoying stray nose hairs that are honestly embarrassing, especially in bright light or up close. I’ve tried trimming with small scissors before but it feels sketchy and not very safe tbh, and I always feel like I might mess it up or go too far.

I started looking at nose trimmers but there are so many brands out there and half of them have mixed reviews. some people say they work great and are super gentle, others say they pull hair or break quickly after a few uses.

I’m not trying to spend money on something that dies in a month or feels uncomfortable to use. I just want something simple, safe, and actually reliable.

if anyone here has real experience, especially with ones that don’t suck or feel harsh, I’d really appreciate recommendations. what actually worked for you long-term?

But Does Anyone Else Feel Kinda Guilty Spending $$$ On “Good” Shampoo Like I’ll Stand There In The Shower Convincing Myself It’s An Investment For My Hair Health And Not Just Me Getting Influenced By Pretty Packaging Lol

I Keep Seeing People Swear That Salon/High-End Shampoos Are Sooo Much Better Because They Have Less Harsh Stuff And Make Your Hair Healthier Long Term… But Then Other People Say Drugstore Shampoo Works Basically The Same And You’re Just Paying For Branding

For People Who’ve Actually Switched To Expensive Shampoo Did You Notice A Real Difference? Like Less Breakage, Healthier Scalp, Shinier Hair, Whatever? Or Was It Mostly Temporary “My Hair Feels Soft For A Day” Vibes

I Have Kinda Dry/Frizzy Hair Btw If That Matters

Anyone here actually tried those crystal hair erasers that are all over TikTok and ads lately? I keep seeing people say they remove hair “painlessly” but I honestly can’t tell what’s real and what’s sponsored anymore.

I’ve got pretty sensitive skin and shaving has been a nightmare for me. Razor bumps, irritation, random cuts, and the hair grows back crazy fast. Waxing hurts like hell too, so I’ve been looking for something easier that won’t destroy my skin every time.

The problem is every brand claims they’re the “best” and reviews online feel fake asf. Some people say the crystal eraser works amazing, others say it caused burns or dark spots after rubbing too much. That’s the part that got me worried.

I’m not looking for influencer hype, just real experiences from actual people. Does it really remove hair smoothly without pain? Does it work on thicker hair? And is there any brand that’s actually reliable and safe for sensitive skin?

Would appreciate honest feedback before I waste money on another useless product.

Hey everyone, I’ve been trying to get into doing my own gel nails at home because salon prices are getting way too expensive lately. The problem is I keep seeing mixed opinions about UV/LED nail lamps. Some people say they’re absolutely necessary, others say there are safer or better alternatives, and now I’m honestly confused.

I already wasted money on a cheap polish kit that chipped super fast and barely cured right, so I’m trying not to make the same mistake again. I don’t want to keep buying random stuff from brands that look good on TikTok but end up being trash after 2 uses.

For people who actually do gel nails at home regularly, what’s been your real experience? Is buying a proper UV/LED lamp worth it, or are there legit alternatives that work just as well? Also if you know reliable brands that actually last and don’t destroy your nails, please share. I’d rather spend more once than keep wasting money testing garbage products.

Short hair dude here and I’m honestly confused about these waver irons. Every video I see is mostly people with medium or long hair, so I can’t tell if this stuff actually works on short cuts or if it’s just marketing.

My hair is thick, kinda stubborn, and I’m tired of buying tools that barely do anything except burn my hair or make it look weird for 20 minutes. I just want some texture and loose waves without needing salon-level skills every morning.

Been trying to find a reliable brand but reviews are all over the place. Half of them sound fake or sponsored. Some people swear by certain wavers, then other people say they only work if your hair is longer than a few inches.

So yeah, if anyone here has genuinely used a waver iron on short hair, did it actually work? What brand did you use and was it worth the money? I’d rather hear real experiences before wasting cash again.

I keep seeing these vibrating facial rollers all over my feed lately and I honestly can’t tell if they actually help or if it’s just another hyped skincare thing. My face has been looking super tired and kinda puffy recently, especially around my jaw and under my eyes, and I’ve been trying to find something that actually helps without wasting money again.

The problem is every brand claims theirs is “the best” and the reviews online feel fake as hell. Some people say it helps with tension and makes your skin look more awake, others say it does absolutely nothing besides vibrate on your face lol.

I’m not expecting some magic anti-aging fix, I just wanna know if anyone here genuinely noticed real results after using one consistently. Like less puffiness, better circulation, relaxing facial muscles, anything noticeable?

Also if you found a brand that’s actually reliable and not dropshipped garbage, please share. I’d rather hear from real people than influencers pushing ads.

Wet hair can be misleading. A lot of hair that looks clearly wavy right after washing loses definition once it dries because gravity, weight, and lack of structure take over. What you’re seeing is usually a soft 2A–2B pattern that just isn’t getting enough support to “set” as it dries.

Air drying without product is the biggest reason it falls flat. Water pulls the strands down as it evaporates, and once the hair is dry, there’s nothing holding that bend in place. That’s also why overnight braids work so well: the hair is held in a fixed shape long enough to dry and lock it in.

If you want to keep the wave, product choice matters more than technique at first. Lightweight mousse or gel on very wet hair gives structure without weighing it down. A small amount of leave-in on the ends can help if your hair is dry, but too much oil or cream will flatten it fast, especially with fine hair.

Diffusing helps because it removes water without stretching the pattern out. Air drying tends to “pull” everything straight unless you keep scrunching it while it sets. A soft cast from gel is actually a good sign—it protects the shape while drying, then gets scrunched out later.

Also, brushing dry waves usually breaks them completely, so that’s worth avoiding if definition is the goal.

There’s a bit of trial and error here, but once the right balance of hold and weight is found, the wave usually shows up pretty easily. What’s been working or not working for you so far?

Am I the only one who cannot find a “nude” lipstick that doesn’t make me look fully deceased every shade either turns orange, gray, or makes me look sooo washed out

Like how are y’all finding your perfect nude? Do you match to your lips? Your skin tone? Use liner first? I swear the colors online NEVER look the same in real life lol

Drop your fav combos/products pls because I’m tired of wasting money on lipsticks that give ghost vibes

NARS Light Reflecting still photographs beautifully, but the oxidation complaints are real. If your bottle is older or you’re wearing it for long days, that warm orangey shift can definitely creep in, especially on combo skin. A lot of people blame their skin type when it’s honestly just the formula aging or reacting over time.

Lately, the foundations that seem to keep winning people over are the ones that look thinner on the skin but still even everything out. Armani Luminous Silk keeps coming up for a reason because it gives coverage without that obvious “foundation” look. Dior Face & Body and Lancôme Teint Idole are also solid if you want something reliable that doesn’t feel heavy by hour six.

For combo skin specifically, application matters more than people think. Fingers give the most natural finish on lighter formulas, while brushes can make fuller coverage look too makeup-y fast. I’ve also noticed skin tints are having a huge moment because people are moving away from thick matte bases unless they’re super oily.

One underrated tip: if a foundation suddenly starts oxidizing more than usual, check how old the bottle is before changing your entire routine. I’ve tossed “holy grail” foundations that were just expired.

Curious what everyone’s still reaching for lately because foundation trends feel way more skin-focused now than full glam.

My hair snaps so easily now and I’m honestly tired of dealing with it. Every time I brush after showering, I end up seeing broken strands all over the sink and floor. I already try to be gentle, use conditioner, avoid heat most days, but detangling is still a nightmare. Especially when my hair gets a little tangled, normal brushes just pull like crazy.

I keep seeing people talk about bamboo hair brushes being softer on the scalp and causing less breakage, but idk if that’s actually true or just marketing. Are they really better for detangling fragile hair or is it basically the same thing as regular brushes?

Would really love real experiences from people who actually noticed less breakage after switching. Also if you found a reliable brand that actually lasts and doesn’t rip hair out, pls drop the name. I’m tired of wasting money trying random stuff lol.

I’ve had short hair for a while now and styling it every morning is honestly getting annoying. Straightener feels too harsh sometimes, regular blow dryer makes my hair puff up, and using a round brush on short hair is way harder than people make it look lol.

I keep seeing people recommend hot air brushes but most reviews online feel fake or sponsored. I just want something simple that actually works for short hair without frying it or taking 40 mins every morning.

My hair gets messy fast and some days it sticks out in random directions no matter what products I use. I’m trying to find a reliable brand that’s actually worth the money and not another overhyped tool that dies after 3 months.

Anyone here with short hair actually using one daily? Does it really make styling easier or is it mostly made for longer hair? Would really appreciate real experiences before I waste more money.

THE SECOND the heater comes on my skin gets sooo tight and dry like my face starts feeling crunchy after like 2 days lol.

what do y’all switch up in your routine during winter?? do you use heavier creams or add extra steps or what bc my regular skincare is NOT surviving this weather.