#it was literally only a dollar on amazon which is why i got it

[emiliosandozsequence]

my mother couldn't find my copy so i got myself a copy of one of my childhood fav fantasy novels

[chisungie]

.

[classicanalyzer]

Fallout Series Thoughts and Reflection

"Everyone wants to save the world. They just...disagree on how." Maximus

It's one day until one month since this amazing series was released and I have a lot to talk about Fallout!

A Vault Dweller (Lucy MacLean), a Brotherhood Squire (Maximus), a Ghoul Bounty Hunter (Once a human called Cooper Howard)...and a dog (Dogmeat) travel the Wasteland in pursuit of their goals. In doing so, all four will change the Wasteland for better or worse, and discover more sinister secrets. And as Siggi Wilzig, an Enclave defector, asks Lucy in their first encounter,

"Question is will you still want the same things......when you have become a different animal altogether." Siggi Wilzig

The opening (The End) was perfect. The tension reminds me a lot of TLOU’s opening. We look into the eternal 50s culture United States in the 2070s. Cooper's reaction to the first bomb dropping is just acting perfectly. He at first tries to assure his daughter, Janey, that it's just a fire...only to see the smoke turn into a mushroom cloud. His reaction then just turns into one of pure horror that conveys how this is the end of society. That shot of him and Janey looking at the mushroom cloud and the ignorant American families watching TV says everything. As the rich family hides out in their bunker (the father punching his friend which is a foreshadowing moment of humanity's desperation for self-preservation), we see Cooper and Janey ride on their horse as Lose Angelos is bombarded with the title card popping up (Each episode has a unique variation of the title card based on what's going on).

The show captures the dark comedy and the satire of 50s America, Capitalism, and the Cold War. When Wilzig talked about how the cyanide pill (which tasted like bananas too!) was the most humane product Vault-Tec ever made (it really is), that was Fallout humor alright. We even have a pre-war bit where Sebastion Lesie sold his vocal rights to RobCo for their Mr. Handy bots for around $186 (I know it could be 186 thousand but I love the possibility he only got literally 186 dollars). Another is when the "execution" of Lucy by the inhabitants of Vault 4 which was very elaborate to set up death by beheading... turns out out to be death to the surface (as the Overseer is trying horribly to cut off the rope). A funny meta joke is how the teaser joker poked about Amazon Prime being the company with 2-day shipping in the teaser trailer. Then the show was released 2 days earlier than its stated release date (The show came out on April 10th, 6 PM PST when its original release date was April 12th).

"The future, my friend, is products. You're a product. I'm a product. The end of the world is a product." Sebastian Leslie

The attention to detail in this show is also amazing. In the first episode, the radio mentions the President not present at the White House. That follows the lore of the President moving to the Poseidon Oil Rig. I also love how in Episode 2, Maximus mentions Tidus' Power Armor having Tempered Lining and Lucy brought it up too in Episode 5. In Episode 8, The Ghoul mentioned the weakness of the Power Armor suit just below the chestplate. It further explains why Maximus didn't die to the Ghoul since the Ghoul was trying to aim for that but due to that modification, Maximus was able to survive. They also brought back the hacking mini-game when Norman was hacking into the Overseer's computer.

There's also the question of how to rebuild humanity. Each faction (Vault-Tec, NCR, BoS, Enclave) has its own vision for the Wasteland. Maximus perfectly described the setting perfectly well in his quote at the top.

Lucy’s (Positive Karma) naivety and optimism really show her as the heart of our main trio. Even by the end where she gained a lot of cynicism, it’s still her underneath it. I also appreciate her character so much when she doesn’t follow the “character’s bond with another is broken because they lied” trope. I like how the folks of the Wasteland can't stand Vault Dwellers because of their nativity, self-centered attitude, and how it was really for the rich and privileged who could afford to go to a Vault. However, she proves herself to be an earnest character who truly wants to make the Wasteland a better place, and adapts to survive... but doesn't lose sight of who she is unlike the Ghoul. I cannot wait to see how S2 takes her character. Her relationship with Maximus is also pretty sweet as they both help each other out and bring out the best in each other.

"I just doused an innocent man's face with acid, and I've only been up here two weeks. The wasteland sucks." Lucy MacLean

Maximus’ (Neutral Karma) character development was nice to see. He still has a long way to go but he’s starting to understand what being a “hero” is about rather than just having physical power. A hero knows to sacrifice your desires (The Power Armor) to help others (giving back the fusion core). He wants a life beyond the Brotherhood and is clearly disillusioned with the organization. When his friend thought he killed Moldaver and declared him a Knight, his face tells another story of how he felt about this.

The Ghoul (Evil Karma) may have been a cruel bounty hunter who believes in the worst of the Wasteland...but there are moments of his former self still inside. His taking a liking to Wilzig's dog (whom he eventually named Dogmeat) and granting his Ghoul friend Roger a mercy kill reveals there might be hope for him yet. His former self, Cooper Howard. is nothing like his current self. I love how the show made it clear he was once this human who couldn't initially bring himself to kill someone... even if it was for a movie! Even when he tries to initially deny the evils of Vault-Tec and buys into American Cold War propaganda, it's clear he still values his friends (even if they're supposedly "Communists") and eventually starts to really question what the hell is going on.

"I'm not a Communist, Mr. Howard. That's just a dirty word they use to describe people who aren't insane." Lee Moldaver

The reveal that Vault-Tec was responsible for dropping the first bomb (or at the very least planned to do so) was genuinely one of the most shocking bombshell reveals ever. You feel the nervous breakdown of Howard Cooper as he’s trying to process his own wife advocating this insane genocidal plan. I wonder if the shadow figure overseeing the meeting of the corporations is from the Enclave. I also really love the detail that Mr. House is the only one questioning the logistics and the proposal (Daily note that Mr. House is just as bad as everyone in this room, it's just that he sees less value in causing the end of the world). It shows why he decided to go against this insane conspiracy plan as we see the fruits of his preparations in New Vegas. I also love seeing Frederick Sinclair (Also New Vegas), the owner of the Sierra Madre Casino, Leon Von Felden (Fallout 1), the mad scientist behind the FEV and the Mariposa Military base, and Julia Masters, the chief financial officer of REPCONN Aerospace who sold out the company to RobCo.

"It's a fun idea. There's a lot of earning potential with the end of the world. But we're talking about making a significant investment based on a hypothetical. How can you guarantee results?" Robert House

"By dropping the bomb ourselves." Barbara Howard

Moldaver is no saint (she did let raiders massacre Vault 33 and almost killed Lucy, her friend's daughter), and it shows how far the NCR has sunken to achieve its aims. However, a lot of her actions are based on the horrors and crimes against humanity she witnessed. She wanted to rectify them and give the Wasteland hope, no matter the cost. She had seen her failures to stop the old world from being destroyed, and she would not stop until she could make the Wasteland better, even if that meant the NCR not living to see that better world.

Lucy's quest to rescue her father is like a twisted Fallout 3 narrative where the Lone Wanderer's quest was to find their father. But instead of her father being a scientist who wants to further heal the Wasteland, her father is responsible for destroying one of the most developed nations post-war because they weren't Vault-Tec. It's also implied it might've been out of jealousy since the show hints that Moldaver and Rose MacLean were more than just friends.

The collapse of the NCR was something I knew would happen based on the state of it in NV, but the final nail in the coffin being at the hands of Vault-Tec was something I did not see coming. I love that the last action of the NCR Remnant was to restore Shady Sands's power with the cold-fusion reactor. Even when the NCR is gone, whatever arises from the NCR will not only do the job better but now benefit from infinite energy. This is in comparison to the US government whose last action was to nuke the world and for the Enclave, leave the American populace to die.

The West Coast of the Brotherhood took advantage of the NCR's collapse to reestablish itself and with the help of the East Coast's BoS, they're now the largest military presence in California. The final battle between them and the NCR Remnant is a mirror foil to an event mentioned in New Vegas with the Helios Power Plant. We see how Maximus grows disillusioned with how far the organization has fallen and its own Knights not being the heroes he looked up to, even his superior agrees about how the Brotherhood is not what it once was.

Vaults 31-33 may not have an extreme experiment as the other Vaults and in this case, Vault 4, but the experiment is still horrifying. Vault 32-33 are meant to be breeding pools for Vault 31, full of Vault-Tec personnel in cryogenic pods (which I think is how maybe Lee Moldaver survived), to create the "best" Vault-Tec personnel. Vault 4 is a vault where scientists govern the people...which went as well as you might expect (The experiments going berserk and the Vault Dwellers revolting). I also love how the Gulper we saw in Episode 4 is one of Vault 4's experiments (also explaining the human-like finders inside its mouth) and who also ate the Overseer. I wonder what Norman will do given how Bud puts in him a seemingly impossible situation.

Then there's the Enclave and the pre-war Corporations. The Enclave really only shows up for a flashback sequence for Wilzig but, interestingly, the show glosses over them. What interests me the most is that Wilzig knows about the Vaults 31-33 experiment and Lucy's full name. Obviously, the Enclave still has observations of the Vaults, but as I mentioned before, that shadow figure observing the corporate meeting might be them. Speaking of the Corporations, we see the results of unchecked Capitalism with no regulations in this franchise and this show. We see the insane troll logic that these mega corporations will win the "great game of capitalism" by outliving everyone. Mega corporations have no logic other than their insane troll logic that what matters is they survive regardless of who suffers or dies in the name of profits.

"So, the U.S. government has outsourced the survival of the human race to Vault-Tec. Vault-Tec is a private corporation that has a fiduciary responsibility to make money for its investors. And how does it make money? By selling vaults... The cattle ranchers are in charge, Coop." Charlie Whiteknife.

You can tell how much Nolan and his team love Fallout by the work they put into this show. They did such an amazing job that Tim Cain, one of the OG creators of Fallout, praised the hell out of this show for bringing Fallout to life. I cannot wait to see what S2 will bring us.

"War never changes." Barbara Howard and The Ghoul

[lonesomedreamer]

The Rings of Power Liveblog: “Shadow of the Past” (Episode 1)

Two years late, curiosity got the better of me, and I decided I had to see this thing for myself ahead of the second season premiere…spoiler: I didn’t hate it.

I’m not going to gripe about these children looking decidedly human (or at least not Elvish), because I understand the limitations of using, you know—actual human children as actors. But I will question the notion of Elvish children being smug bullies.

But baby Galadriel definitely looks the part.

“It’s not going to float, it’s going to sail.” Not off to a strong start with the dialogue…

Oh, the Elf children are…throwing rocks at her paper boat? All of them? Why?? I know the behavior of Elves in the First and Second Ages tended to be less detached/noble and whatnot, but little Galadriel is literally about to punch this Elf boy…

I have so many questions about this hairstyle choice.

“We have no word for death.” Somehow, I doubt that. This is the Second Age, right? Elves had definitely already experienced death.

Why does this seem like a slightly retooled Minas Tirith design? Is this supposed to be VALINOR??? (Actually, this would be a decent Amber design…)

A very underwhelming depiction of the destruction of the Two Trees…this is what Amazon spent amlost a billion dollars on? I know they can’t accurately depict what happened because, you know, no rights to The Silmarillion, but it still underwhelmed me.

This sequence is just all so obviously CGI. While I’m no fan of the original Jackson films (sorry, I know—boo, hiss), a lot of it looks real.

“See, it’s just like that Game of Thrones spinoff you like, but with terrible CG!”

It would be so helpful if Galadriel’s voiceover told viewers that Orcs were created as a mockery of the Elves, or hinted at why Morgoth created them/why he hated the Elves. Unfortunately, this is what happens when you try to adapt a work to which you don’t have all the rights.

She is very, very pretty.

“What devilry is this?” Is that a word in Middle-earth?

Lots of Galadriel confidently assuming she knows things she can’t possibly know (for the sake of hurrying the story/journey along, I guess)…if only the streaming services didn’t limit themselves to eight or ten episodes and gave their stories room to breathe!

Anyone watching who’s never read The Silmarillion (or even the trilogy): who the fuck is Morgoth? What are the Trees?? What year is it??? What’s going on here??!? Again, the huge problem of adapting a larger story/universe when you only have partial rights…

Insert obligatory video game-esque troll battle that’s also a callback to the Moria scenes of the FOTR film. You can use the bathroom here and miss nothing.

Some proto-Hobbits, because why not? I did like the “hidden village” reveal thing, though!

I kind of love them?

There’s a lot to be said for the charm and appeal of the Shire from an audience perspective, the comfort of it (which is why the Scourging of the Shire is so thematically important and excising it was an irredeemable sin…but I digress), so I actually 100% understand why they included these guys. TTT is by far the bleakest book of the trilogy, my least-favorite, and the lack of the Shire is a huge reason why.

23 years later and I’m still not over the utter miscasting of Hugo Weaving. Visually, this Elrond isn’t really better. Why is Elrond so damn hard to get right??? And his hair is described as black!

The best costumes a billion-dollar budget could buy?

“Elf-lords only.” Such a dignified, Elvish thing to say…

Yes, Elves could be haughty and unkind; just ask Bilbo! But Elrond is an Elf-lord. Hmm.

Also…Elrond and Galadriel appear to be approximately the same age. It doesn’t matter that Galadriel is actually much older (and his eventual mother-in-law!), because TV is such a visual medium.

This is actually a larger overall problem. Because most of The Lord of the Rings takes place over the course of one year, an adaptation doesn’t need to hold the audience’s hand regarding the passage of time. But in this case, as Galadriel’s narration too-briefly mentions, events are taking place across hundreds and even thousands of years. Elves like Galadriel are significantly older than others, like Elrond, but unless you tell the audience that, they won’t know, and the story loses something as a result.

Even though this design is clearly based on Rivendell in the Jackson films, it is quite lovely.

Pretty!!!

How do Galadriel and Elrond know each other? They seem close. Inquiring minds want to know!

The content and context of this scene is meaningless, but I don’t care—it’s just so pretty!

Even though I know they get worse, for now I don’t really mind the proto-Hobbits. They’re obviously not Tolkien, but they’re an homage, and they’re fun/visually appealing.

The casting director gets a D+ for the male Elves. (Then again, they were poorly-cast in the Jackson films too.)

“And as a reward, you will all be exiled!” lmfao. Being shipped off to Valinor doesn’t seem like much of a punishment, though. Where do I volunteer?

Still, it makes sense that Galadriel, who (correctly!) believes Sauron to still be alive and a threat and who wishes to avenge her brother, would be upset about this. They’ve changed her backstory/motivations—which I hate—but her attitude does track with those changes.

Nuns??

This set design is magical, no notes.

Luthien??

She really is perfectly cast.

Elrond, one of the wisest and kindest of all the Elves, is being written as some smug royal enforcer. Just like the Jackson films wrote him as a grumpy, condescending overprotective dad. Sigh.

“[Evil] waits. And at the moment of our complacency, it blinds us.” I mean…yeah, that’s basically how it goes down in Middle-earth. Repeatedly.

Not Elrond mansplaining about Valinor to someone who was literally born there…

None of these people look like Elves.

“I’m going with you!” But why?!? This lady is a healer with a youngish son still dependent on her at home!!!

I really hate them saying “mum” instead of “ma” or “mama” or something similar. (I’d also hate it if they were saying “mom,” to be clear. It’s just so modern-sounding and breaks any immersion they’ve built so far.)

Wow, the hilt of a broken sword with Sauron’s symbol on it… Generic “halfling” characters I can enjoy as a homage. This is lazy writing. And see? I knew her son needed adult supervision. (It’s also a ripoff of Pippin and the Palantir.)

(muttering) None of these people look—oh, forget it.

Elves don’t age as Men do (or age extremely slowly/imperceptibly), so what’s going on with this dude?

Gorgeous, all.

Ents???

Galadriel jumping off of the ship and just…floating there in the middle of the sea is as silly as the naysayers said it would be. However, I thought the scene leading up to it was fairly well-executed, though I wish they’d done a better job animating the rain of silver glass that leads into Valinor…that image has always resonated with me.

The Good:

Many absolutely stunning visuals thanks to great set design (with Valinor of all places somehow being the least-impressive!) and, apart from some cheap/underwhelming looks, costume design that varies from good to great

A solid score that seems to be trying a little bit too hard to mimic Howard Shore’s from the films

Morfydd Clark, in her entirety; the writing for Galadriel might be awful in upcoming episodes, but her casting was inspired

I find the Harfoots whimsically charming, at least so far, especially Nori.

The use of Tolkienesque maps to indicate location changes

An attempt was clearly made, in this episode if nowhere else, to pay homage to the source material, even the source material they don’t have the rights to use outright (the Two Trees, Morgoth, perhaps Luthien)…it’s better than nothing.

The Bad

Every single male Elf is miscast; yes, I said every single one, from Galadriel’s brother to Elrond to the OC Arondir. Gil-galad and Celebrimbor look like they’re in their late 40s/50s, at best, and idk…there’s nothing “Elvish” or “ageless” about any of the male actors playing Elves. (Full disclosure: I don’t remember being impressed by the male Elves in the Jackson films, either.) I also saw someone say that Gil-galad looks like Liam Neeson in a mullet, and now I can’t unsee that.

Some really clunky dialogue

Lack of adequate backstory/exposition…but exposition in an adaptation like this is hard, because most of it is contained in The Silmarillion, for which they don’t own the rights.

Building on that theme, I appreciate the idea of “showing not telling,” however…did they ever tell us Galadriel’s brother name (Finrod)? Or that “the king” is Gil-galad? Or even suggest that there are a variety of different Elves in Middle-earth? A lot of people know these things, because we know Tolkien. But I’ve got to assume that a lot of others don’t. Heck, it took them until almost the end of the episode to name one of their OCs (Bronwyn).

Some worthless scenes, like Galadriel’s company fighting the “ice troll” in the mountains. Actually, the entire sequence in the mountain lair was badly-written.

I don’t care about the “forbidden romance” subplot between the OCs Arondir and Bronwyn…if they’d spent longer than a few minutes in the first episode establishing their relationship/characters, maybe I’d be more invested. (See my earlier complaint about unnecessarily short seasons—some stories need room to grow!)

Even though my criticism outweighs my praise, even though I’m a self-identified Tolkien purist, I thought this was…fine. It’s an absolute feast for the eyes, truly gorgeous to watch (even with all those woefully miscast male Elves)—visually, apart from a few moments of obvious CGI, it’s what I would expect/want from a Tolkien adaptation! My expectations aren’t high for the rest of the series. There are upcoming plot points that I know will disappoint, infuriate, and disgust me. But considering that I went into this episode expecting to loathe it, I was pleasantly surprised.

Besides, I’m going to keep watching no matter what to see more of Nori and Morfydd’s face. This also makes me want to finish The Silmarillion, which I have been starting and then “saving for later” since I was a small child.

[ivycrowned]

SO! ‘If you can’t afford to buy it the author wouldn’t have gotten the money for the book anyway’ is technically true, sure.  however, pirating their book can still seriously harm their career!

For example, if you are reading the pirated books on a kindle, this will then cause amazon to ping that the version of the book you’re reading is not from their store! If they’re an author utilizing kindle unlimited, this can get their novel pulled from the amazon store and cause the author themselves to have to pay a fine! Because in order to be a kindle unlimited author you have to be exclusive to amazon. there are other issues of this nature -- pirated copies can tank an authors numbers, which can hurt their chances of getting contracts, etc.

so if you CAN’T AFFORD IT. GO. TO. THE. LIBRARY.

Book piracy in concert with already pathetic pay rates in the publishing industry is the number 1 reason why I will literally never publish anything. It is not worth it.

Books cost thousands of dollars to publish! If you’re paying for things like an editor, an isbn, a cover, etc. I believe you also need to pay to copyright it. So. Again.

And that’s just indie publishing! WHICH YOU SHOULD NOT BE STEALING FROM! Indie writers are the mom-and-pop stores of the publishing world! Not walmart! Books in general (outside textbooks) fall under this! 

Do you know how much money the traditionally published number 1 NYT bestseller that got a movie deal, Iron Widow made the author? Something like 6k. Total. And before you go ‘oh wow, lotta money!’ That is half as much as someone who makes minimum wage will make in a year! Less than, actually! Books take at least that long to write!

DO NOT. PIRATE. BOOKS. YOU WILL FUCK OVER THE WRITERS.

The only exception here is, again, text books.

Do you think harper collins was on strike for months because they were getting enough money to live on?

[cleoselene]

I might have gone a little nuts at Amazon this month but THAT'S OKAY, IT'S MY BIRTHDAY ON THE 14TH, THESE ARE TREATS FOR ME.

Actually it's mostly stuff for the house. I'm redecorating my living room and got some stuff we just NEED for that purpose and for general house use. Like we've never had many cups so I ordered a bunch of decent sized plastic cups. I got a stepladder to help with redecorating, and some more hanger hooks. I got 12x12 frames to put up record inserts/sleeves that are artistically appealing. Going to put a section of the wall devoted to family and dog pics, the rest is records. Aside from my Rothko and my framed Leighton Meester + Check in the Dark Poster. but I probably pulled 45 framed pics off the all (I told you I went maximalist XD)

also ordered a couple of surge protectors and some new fairy lights for the living room. For the longest time we lived on fairy light only illumination and it was pleasant, but our light set died. I got 66 feet and it can change color by remote. Hopefully it's enough, but it was only like 7 dollars so if I need to order another 66 feet that's no big.

and really, THIS one is happy birthday to me: I ordered the special limited edition clear version of VNV Nation's Empires. I still need Automatic, Noire, and Transnational on vinyl to round out all their available albums, and I *do* want them all but most of them are shipping from Europe which is EXPENSIVE. This one is from the UK but for some reason only charging 7 pounds for shipping, so it'll probably take 10000 years lol. Or maybe it's just their version of media mail and that's why it's so cheap? Media mail is dope man, as a vinyl collector I double plus love it.

I think the roommates are probably getting me COWBOY CARTER on vinyl for my birthday >_> I strongly hinted to them that the blue vinyl would be a GR8 birthday gift hahah

also my mom owes me some money so I am not BROKE broke. If they don't get it for me I can afford to order it. And I already paid for TTPD (The Black Dog version) on vinyl so that's covered. I wanna get it on CD too, and probably the same for TTPD so I can listen to them in my car. It's been my tradition since I became a fan of Taylor's to buy the CD for my car but that was before I became a vinyl collector (literally my first ever vinyl was a signed copy of Midnights that a friend sweetly bought for me, thus the addiction started) so I'm not sure. I don't like buying things twice. We'll see how much I love TTPD? I think COWBOY CARTER is worth buying twice, I love it that much. TTPD might make me feel the same way, but either way, i wouldn't get the same version? Like I got Black Dog for Vinyl, I would get one of the other variants for CD. Maybe I'll wait to see which of the songs I like best and order accordingly.

also, Beth Gibbons' first solo album in May T___T she is probably my favorite living female vocalist (no one can touch the late great Whitney). She's been working on this album more than a decade I know it's going to be SO good

[cleverhottubmiracle]

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But Beardbrand's Utility Oil is on this list because it works beautifully in the beard.Sure, it's a touch heavier than some other oils—but that also makes it a terrific pre-shave lubricant. It's important to note that no matter which “flavor” you choose, this oil has a strong dash of fragrance. They're all good, but I'm partial to the brand's new Bold Fortune scent, which oozes a sexy combo of leather, oud, and tobacco. (And pro-tip: The brand's utility wash has the same come-hither scent, if you want to double down.)Best Natural Beard Oil: Horace Lemon & Mint Beard OilHoraceLemon & Mint Beard OilWhy We Love ItHorace's beard oil will make a lot of you happy, though for different reasons. For those overwhelmed by scents—particularly artificial ones—you'll appreciate that its got the subtlest of aromas. I'm partial to the Lemon & Mint one, which reads as “fresh" and never overwhelms.For those looking to stay away from chemicals, Horace's formula is 99% natural—and the 1% is a synthetic grapeseed oil, not something with 12 syllables, which I'm fine with. The brand gets bonus marks for its easily-understood ingredients labels, which break down these details and err on the side of much-appreciated transparency.Finally, if you're on the fence about beard oils, Horace will make you a believer. It absorbs fast, gives a pinch of shine, and makes just enough difference in terms of taming, moisturizing, and softening that you'll see why a beard oil makes sense.Most Nourishing Beard Oil: Jack Black Beard Oil with Kalahari Melon Oil & Vitamin EJack BlackBeard Oil with Kalahari Melon Oil & Vitamin EWhy We Love ItIn the grooming world, Jack Black (the brand) has earned its own fanbase, thanks in large part to one product —the signature Jack Black beard oil. Apply just a few drops and it immediately goes to work softening coarse and brittle facial hair, and without an overpowering fragrance that will distract you all day long.It's one of the most popular beard oils on Amazon, but don't hold that against it. While it softens and adds shine, this oil also delivers a dose of antioxidants and vitamins from natural ingredients such as brown algae and rosemary. It also uses a unique blend of oils with the subtlest whiff of melon fragrance. Instead of the usual suspects (jojoba, avocado, sunflower seed), this product uses Kalahari melon oil, marula oil, and plum oil, which moisturize your facial hair and skin on contact. Because these oils are all fast-absorbing (my beard hair soaks it up like a sponge), they make this product much less greasy than other beard oils, giving it a more premium feel.Best Budget Beard Oil: Pura d'Or Beard OilWhy We Love ItI test literally hundreds of grooming products a year, and I'm so intimately acquainted with brands new and old that I often think about them based on their best product. For Pura d'Or, it's this organic beard oil.It's the best value on this list, at $3 per fluid ounce. Given how quickly you can go through beard oil—just think, if you're applying up to twice a day, that dollar-per-ounce math becomes important. So, in addition to being my budget pick, this also gets my recommendation as the best beard oil for big beards.Of course, it's only important if the formula measures up—and here, it does. There are two carrier oils, argan and jojoba, along with a bit of grapefruit peel and some sandalwood essential oil for both a natural scent and a touch of antimicrobial powers. It's a great beard oil for anyone, no matter how big your bank account, but if you're bearding on a budget, you'll appreciate how much goodness Pura d'Or packs into a few bucks.Best Beard and Face Oil: Blind Barber Beard OilWhy We Love ItBlind Barber's tonka-tinged oil is wonderful for the guy who wants to moisturize skin and whiskers with the same product. It wears extremely light—so much so that my oily skin barely registers its presence—and I find its carrier-oil-centric and shea-butter-forward formula especially comforting on the skin. It should be noted that this formula includes artificial perfume, so fragrance-averse individuals should steer clear. But for those of us who want a special scent, a flake-free beard, and soothed skin, Blind Barber's beard oil does it all.Best Fragranced Beard Oil: Fulton & Roark Formula 5 Beard OilFulton & RoarkFormula 5 Beard OilWhy We Love ItSometimes, a beard oil smells so good you don’t even care how well it works. It makes you want to skip cologne altogether and just slap it on instead. Sure, beard oil is supposed to serve a practical purpose, but it’s also an extension of your overall fragrance profile, which is what we love most about Formula 5 from Fulton & Roark. This is the boutique brand that proved solid cologne could be more than a novelty, and now these complex and masculine fragrances are available in beard oil form. Fortunately, this oil’s also good for your beard, otherwise it wouldn’t be here.Formula 5 isn’t a pure oil blend, but it does contain soothing natural oils and botanicals such as sunflower seed oil, apricot kernel oil, olive oil, and lychee fruit extract. While these oils soften and smooth your facial hair, the musky, woodsy fragrances will make people want to lean in closer for a second whiff. Our only complaint? We wish it came out of the shaker bottle a little easier, but at least this will stop you from over-applying.Best Beard and Hair Oil: Aesop Shine Hair & Beard OilAesopShine Hair & Beard OilWhy We Love ItWhile I'd use most of the above options as both a hair oil and a beard oil, Aesop's is one where I think of it as a hair oil first and foremost. It brings control without making things look greasy, while trapping moisture and stopping frizz. I'll use it in short hair to tame down the sides, in medium lengths (mixed with a cream or clay) for added shine, or in long hair to prevent split ends. Source link

[norajworld]

I only use Honest Amish on my beard, largely because I'm not a fan of using any essential oils on bare skin—I particularly find that pumpkin seed oil (a key ingredient here) can be slightly pore-clogging on acne-prone skin. That said: I count myself as acne-prone and haven't had issues with Honest Amish, so I'm probably being over-cautious. It's really just that good.Best Multipurpose Beard Oil: Beardbrand Utility Beard OilBeardbrandUtility Beard OilWhy We Love ItDespite the name Beardbrand, this company's product line covers the whole body, with a focus on multi-tasking grooming products like dual washes, all-purpose balms, and this utilitarian oil. You'll catch me using it on my hands, elbows, and hair—whether for a dash of shine (to offset a matte hair product) or a protective coat against frizz and humidity. But Beardbrand's Utility Oil is on this list because it works beautifully in the beard.Sure, it's a touch heavier than some other oils—but that also makes it a terrific pre-shave lubricant. It's important to note that no matter which “flavor” you choose, this oil has a strong dash of fragrance. They're all good, but I'm partial to the brand's new Bold Fortune scent, which oozes a sexy combo of leather, oud, and tobacco. (And pro-tip: The brand's utility wash has the same come-hither scent, if you want to double down.)Best Natural Beard Oil: Horace Lemon & Mint Beard OilHoraceLemon & Mint Beard OilWhy We Love ItHorace's beard oil will make a lot of you happy, though for different reasons. For those overwhelmed by scents—particularly artificial ones—you'll appreciate that its got the subtlest of aromas. I'm partial to the Lemon & Mint one, which reads as “fresh" and never overwhelms.For those looking to stay away from chemicals, Horace's formula is 99% natural—and the 1% is a synthetic grapeseed oil, not something with 12 syllables, which I'm fine with. The brand gets bonus marks for its easily-understood ingredients labels, which break down these details and err on the side of much-appreciated transparency.Finally, if you're on the fence about beard oils, Horace will make you a believer. It absorbs fast, gives a pinch of shine, and makes just enough difference in terms of taming, moisturizing, and softening that you'll see why a beard oil makes sense.Most Nourishing Beard Oil: Jack Black Beard Oil with Kalahari Melon Oil & Vitamin EJack BlackBeard Oil with Kalahari Melon Oil & Vitamin EWhy We Love ItIn the grooming world, Jack Black (the brand) has earned its own fanbase, thanks in large part to one product —the signature Jack Black beard oil. Apply just a few drops and it immediately goes to work softening coarse and brittle facial hair, and without an overpowering fragrance that will distract you all day long.It's one of the most popular beard oils on Amazon, but don't hold that against it. While it softens and adds shine, this oil also delivers a dose of antioxidants and vitamins from natural ingredients such as brown algae and rosemary. It also uses a unique blend of oils with the subtlest whiff of melon fragrance. Instead of the usual suspects (jojoba, avocado, sunflower seed), this product uses Kalahari melon oil, marula oil, and plum oil, which moisturize your facial hair and skin on contact. Because these oils are all fast-absorbing (my beard hair soaks it up like a sponge), they make this product much less greasy than other beard oils, giving it a more premium feel.Best Budget Beard Oil: Pura d'Or Beard OilWhy We Love ItI test literally hundreds of grooming products a year, and I'm so intimately acquainted with brands new and old that I often think about them based on their best product. For Pura d'Or, it's this organic beard oil.It's the best value on this list, at $3 per fluid ounce. Given how quickly you can go through beard oil—just think, if you're applying up to twice a day, that dollar-per-ounce math becomes important. So, in addition to being my budget pick, this also gets my recommendation as the best beard oil for big beards.Of course, it's only important if the formula measures up—and here, it does. There are two carrier oils, argan and jojoba, along with a bit of grapefruit peel and some sandalwood essential oil for both a natural scent and a touch of antimicrobial powers. It's a great beard oil for anyone, no matter how big your bank account, but if you're bearding on a budget, you'll appreciate how much goodness Pura d'Or packs into a few bucks.Best Beard and Face Oil: Blind Barber Beard OilWhy We Love ItBlind Barber's tonka-tinged oil is wonderful for the guy who wants to moisturize skin and whiskers with the same product. It wears extremely light—so much so that my oily skin barely registers its presence—and I find its carrier-oil-centric and shea-butter-forward formula especially comforting on the skin. It should be noted that this formula includes artificial perfume, so fragrance-averse individuals should steer clear. But for those of us who want a special scent, a flake-free beard, and soothed skin, Blind Barber's beard oil does it all.Best Fragranced Beard Oil: Fulton & Roark Formula 5 Beard OilFulton & RoarkFormula 5 Beard OilWhy We Love ItSometimes, a beard oil smells so good you don’t even care how well it works. It makes you want to skip cologne altogether and just slap it on instead. Sure, beard oil is supposed to serve a practical purpose, but it’s also an extension of your overall fragrance profile, which is what we love most about Formula 5 from Fulton & Roark. This is the boutique brand that proved solid cologne could be more than a novelty, and now these complex and masculine fragrances are available in beard oil form. Fortunately, this oil’s also good for your beard, otherwise it wouldn’t be here.Formula 5 isn’t a pure oil blend, but it does contain soothing natural oils and botanicals such as sunflower seed oil, apricot kernel oil, olive oil, and lychee fruit extract. While these oils soften and smooth your facial hair, the musky, woodsy fragrances will make people want to lean in closer for a second whiff. Our only complaint? We wish it came out of the shaker bottle a little easier, but at least this will stop you from over-applying.Best Beard and Hair Oil: Aesop Shine Hair & Beard OilAesopShine Hair & Beard OilWhy We Love ItWhile I'd use most of the above options as both a hair oil and a beard oil, Aesop's is one where I think of it as a hair oil first and foremost. It brings control without making things look greasy, while trapping moisture and stopping frizz. I'll use it in short hair to tame down the sides, in medium lengths (mixed with a cream or clay) for added shine, or in long hair to prevent split ends. Source link

[ellajme0]

I only use Honest Amish on my beard, largely because I'm not a fan of using any essential oils on bare skin—I particularly find that pumpkin seed oil (a key ingredient here) can be slightly pore-clogging on acne-prone skin. That said: I count myself as acne-prone and haven't had issues with Honest Amish, so I'm probably being over-cautious. It's really just that good.Best Multipurpose Beard Oil: Beardbrand Utility Beard OilBeardbrandUtility Beard OilWhy We Love ItDespite the name Beardbrand, this company's product line covers the whole body, with a focus on multi-tasking grooming products like dual washes, all-purpose balms, and this utilitarian oil. You'll catch me using it on my hands, elbows, and hair—whether for a dash of shine (to offset a matte hair product) or a protective coat against frizz and humidity. But Beardbrand's Utility Oil is on this list because it works beautifully in the beard.Sure, it's a touch heavier than some other oils—but that also makes it a terrific pre-shave lubricant. It's important to note that no matter which “flavor” you choose, this oil has a strong dash of fragrance. They're all good, but I'm partial to the brand's new Bold Fortune scent, which oozes a sexy combo of leather, oud, and tobacco. (And pro-tip: The brand's utility wash has the same come-hither scent, if you want to double down.)Best Natural Beard Oil: Horace Lemon & Mint Beard OilHoraceLemon & Mint Beard OilWhy We Love ItHorace's beard oil will make a lot of you happy, though for different reasons. For those overwhelmed by scents—particularly artificial ones—you'll appreciate that its got the subtlest of aromas. I'm partial to the Lemon & Mint one, which reads as “fresh" and never overwhelms.For those looking to stay away from chemicals, Horace's formula is 99% natural—and the 1% is a synthetic grapeseed oil, not something with 12 syllables, which I'm fine with. The brand gets bonus marks for its easily-understood ingredients labels, which break down these details and err on the side of much-appreciated transparency.Finally, if you're on the fence about beard oils, Horace will make you a believer. It absorbs fast, gives a pinch of shine, and makes just enough difference in terms of taming, moisturizing, and softening that you'll see why a beard oil makes sense.Most Nourishing Beard Oil: Jack Black Beard Oil with Kalahari Melon Oil & Vitamin EJack BlackBeard Oil with Kalahari Melon Oil & Vitamin EWhy We Love ItIn the grooming world, Jack Black (the brand) has earned its own fanbase, thanks in large part to one product —the signature Jack Black beard oil. Apply just a few drops and it immediately goes to work softening coarse and brittle facial hair, and without an overpowering fragrance that will distract you all day long.It's one of the most popular beard oils on Amazon, but don't hold that against it. While it softens and adds shine, this oil also delivers a dose of antioxidants and vitamins from natural ingredients such as brown algae and rosemary. It also uses a unique blend of oils with the subtlest whiff of melon fragrance. Instead of the usual suspects (jojoba, avocado, sunflower seed), this product uses Kalahari melon oil, marula oil, and plum oil, which moisturize your facial hair and skin on contact. Because these oils are all fast-absorbing (my beard hair soaks it up like a sponge), they make this product much less greasy than other beard oils, giving it a more premium feel.Best Budget Beard Oil: Pura d'Or Beard OilWhy We Love ItI test literally hundreds of grooming products a year, and I'm so intimately acquainted with brands new and old that I often think about them based on their best product. For Pura d'Or, it's this organic beard oil.It's the best value on this list, at $3 per fluid ounce. Given how quickly you can go through beard oil—just think, if you're applying up to twice a day, that dollar-per-ounce math becomes important. So, in addition to being my budget pick, this also gets my recommendation as the best beard oil for big beards.Of course, it's only important if the formula measures up—and here, it does. There are two carrier oils, argan and jojoba, along with a bit of grapefruit peel and some sandalwood essential oil for both a natural scent and a touch of antimicrobial powers. It's a great beard oil for anyone, no matter how big your bank account, but if you're bearding on a budget, you'll appreciate how much goodness Pura d'Or packs into a few bucks.Best Beard and Face Oil: Blind Barber Beard OilWhy We Love ItBlind Barber's tonka-tinged oil is wonderful for the guy who wants to moisturize skin and whiskers with the same product. It wears extremely light—so much so that my oily skin barely registers its presence—and I find its carrier-oil-centric and shea-butter-forward formula especially comforting on the skin. It should be noted that this formula includes artificial perfume, so fragrance-averse individuals should steer clear. But for those of us who want a special scent, a flake-free beard, and soothed skin, Blind Barber's beard oil does it all.Best Fragranced Beard Oil: Fulton & Roark Formula 5 Beard OilFulton & RoarkFormula 5 Beard OilWhy We Love ItSometimes, a beard oil smells so good you don’t even care how well it works. It makes you want to skip cologne altogether and just slap it on instead. Sure, beard oil is supposed to serve a practical purpose, but it’s also an extension of your overall fragrance profile, which is what we love most about Formula 5 from Fulton & Roark. This is the boutique brand that proved solid cologne could be more than a novelty, and now these complex and masculine fragrances are available in beard oil form. Fortunately, this oil’s also good for your beard, otherwise it wouldn’t be here.Formula 5 isn’t a pure oil blend, but it does contain soothing natural oils and botanicals such as sunflower seed oil, apricot kernel oil, olive oil, and lychee fruit extract. While these oils soften and smooth your facial hair, the musky, woodsy fragrances will make people want to lean in closer for a second whiff. Our only complaint? We wish it came out of the shaker bottle a little easier, but at least this will stop you from over-applying.Best Beard and Hair Oil: Aesop Shine Hair & Beard OilAesopShine Hair & Beard OilWhy We Love ItWhile I'd use most of the above options as both a hair oil and a beard oil, Aesop's is one where I think of it as a hair oil first and foremost. It brings control without making things look greasy, while trapping moisture and stopping frizz. I'll use it in short hair to tame down the sides, in medium lengths (mixed with a cream or clay) for added shine, or in long hair to prevent split ends. Source link

[chilimili212]

I only use Honest Amish on my beard, largely because I'm not a fan of using any essential oils on bare skin—I particularly find that pumpkin seed oil (a key ingredient here) can be slightly pore-clogging on acne-prone skin. That said: I count myself as acne-prone and haven't had issues with Honest Amish, so I'm probably being over-cautious. It's really just that good.Best Multipurpose Beard Oil: Beardbrand Utility Beard OilBeardbrandUtility Beard OilWhy We Love ItDespite the name Beardbrand, this company's product line covers the whole body, with a focus on multi-tasking grooming products like dual washes, all-purpose balms, and this utilitarian oil. You'll catch me using it on my hands, elbows, and hair—whether for a dash of shine (to offset a matte hair product) or a protective coat against frizz and humidity. But Beardbrand's Utility Oil is on this list because it works beautifully in the beard.Sure, it's a touch heavier than some other oils—but that also makes it a terrific pre-shave lubricant. It's important to note that no matter which “flavor” you choose, this oil has a strong dash of fragrance. They're all good, but I'm partial to the brand's new Bold Fortune scent, which oozes a sexy combo of leather, oud, and tobacco. (And pro-tip: The brand's utility wash has the same come-hither scent, if you want to double down.)Best Natural Beard Oil: Horace Lemon & Mint Beard OilHoraceLemon & Mint Beard OilWhy We Love ItHorace's beard oil will make a lot of you happy, though for different reasons. For those overwhelmed by scents—particularly artificial ones—you'll appreciate that its got the subtlest of aromas. I'm partial to the Lemon & Mint one, which reads as “fresh" and never overwhelms.For those looking to stay away from chemicals, Horace's formula is 99% natural—and the 1% is a synthetic grapeseed oil, not something with 12 syllables, which I'm fine with. The brand gets bonus marks for its easily-understood ingredients labels, which break down these details and err on the side of much-appreciated transparency.Finally, if you're on the fence about beard oils, Horace will make you a believer. It absorbs fast, gives a pinch of shine, and makes just enough difference in terms of taming, moisturizing, and softening that you'll see why a beard oil makes sense.Most Nourishing Beard Oil: Jack Black Beard Oil with Kalahari Melon Oil & Vitamin EJack BlackBeard Oil with Kalahari Melon Oil & Vitamin EWhy We Love ItIn the grooming world, Jack Black (the brand) has earned its own fanbase, thanks in large part to one product —the signature Jack Black beard oil. Apply just a few drops and it immediately goes to work softening coarse and brittle facial hair, and without an overpowering fragrance that will distract you all day long.It's one of the most popular beard oils on Amazon, but don't hold that against it. While it softens and adds shine, this oil also delivers a dose of antioxidants and vitamins from natural ingredients such as brown algae and rosemary. It also uses a unique blend of oils with the subtlest whiff of melon fragrance. Instead of the usual suspects (jojoba, avocado, sunflower seed), this product uses Kalahari melon oil, marula oil, and plum oil, which moisturize your facial hair and skin on contact. Because these oils are all fast-absorbing (my beard hair soaks it up like a sponge), they make this product much less greasy than other beard oils, giving it a more premium feel.Best Budget Beard Oil: Pura d'Or Beard OilWhy We Love ItI test literally hundreds of grooming products a year, and I'm so intimately acquainted with brands new and old that I often think about them based on their best product. For Pura d'Or, it's this organic beard oil.It's the best value on this list, at $3 per fluid ounce. Given how quickly you can go through beard oil—just think, if you're applying up to twice a day, that dollar-per-ounce math becomes important. So, in addition to being my budget pick, this also gets my recommendation as the best beard oil for big beards.Of course, it's only important if the formula measures up—and here, it does. There are two carrier oils, argan and jojoba, along with a bit of grapefruit peel and some sandalwood essential oil for both a natural scent and a touch of antimicrobial powers. It's a great beard oil for anyone, no matter how big your bank account, but if you're bearding on a budget, you'll appreciate how much goodness Pura d'Or packs into a few bucks.Best Beard and Face Oil: Blind Barber Beard OilWhy We Love ItBlind Barber's tonka-tinged oil is wonderful for the guy who wants to moisturize skin and whiskers with the same product. It wears extremely light—so much so that my oily skin barely registers its presence—and I find its carrier-oil-centric and shea-butter-forward formula especially comforting on the skin. It should be noted that this formula includes artificial perfume, so fragrance-averse individuals should steer clear. But for those of us who want a special scent, a flake-free beard, and soothed skin, Blind Barber's beard oil does it all.Best Fragranced Beard Oil: Fulton & Roark Formula 5 Beard OilFulton & RoarkFormula 5 Beard OilWhy We Love ItSometimes, a beard oil smells so good you don’t even care how well it works. It makes you want to skip cologne altogether and just slap it on instead. Sure, beard oil is supposed to serve a practical purpose, but it’s also an extension of your overall fragrance profile, which is what we love most about Formula 5 from Fulton & Roark. This is the boutique brand that proved solid cologne could be more than a novelty, and now these complex and masculine fragrances are available in beard oil form. Fortunately, this oil’s also good for your beard, otherwise it wouldn’t be here.Formula 5 isn’t a pure oil blend, but it does contain soothing natural oils and botanicals such as sunflower seed oil, apricot kernel oil, olive oil, and lychee fruit extract. While these oils soften and smooth your facial hair, the musky, woodsy fragrances will make people want to lean in closer for a second whiff. Our only complaint? We wish it came out of the shaker bottle a little easier, but at least this will stop you from over-applying.Best Beard and Hair Oil: Aesop Shine Hair & Beard OilAesopShine Hair & Beard OilWhy We Love ItWhile I'd use most of the above options as both a hair oil and a beard oil, Aesop's is one where I think of it as a hair oil first and foremost. It brings control without making things look greasy, while trapping moisture and stopping frizz. I'll use it in short hair to tame down the sides, in medium lengths (mixed with a cream or clay) for added shine, or in long hair to prevent split ends. Source link

[oliviajoyice21]

I only use Honest Amish on my beard, largely because I'm not a fan of using any essential oils on bare skin—I particularly find that pumpkin seed oil (a key ingredient here) can be slightly pore-clogging on acne-prone skin. That said: I count myself as acne-prone and haven't had issues with Honest Amish, so I'm probably being over-cautious. It's really just that good.Best Multipurpose Beard Oil: Beardbrand Utility Beard OilBeardbrandUtility Beard OilWhy We Love ItDespite the name Beardbrand, this company's product line covers the whole body, with a focus on multi-tasking grooming products like dual washes, all-purpose balms, and this utilitarian oil. You'll catch me using it on my hands, elbows, and hair—whether for a dash of shine (to offset a matte hair product) or a protective coat against frizz and humidity. But Beardbrand's Utility Oil is on this list because it works beautifully in the beard.Sure, it's a touch heavier than some other oils—but that also makes it a terrific pre-shave lubricant. It's important to note that no matter which “flavor” you choose, this oil has a strong dash of fragrance. They're all good, but I'm partial to the brand's new Bold Fortune scent, which oozes a sexy combo of leather, oud, and tobacco. (And pro-tip: The brand's utility wash has the same come-hither scent, if you want to double down.)Best Natural Beard Oil: Horace Lemon & Mint Beard OilHoraceLemon & Mint Beard OilWhy We Love ItHorace's beard oil will make a lot of you happy, though for different reasons. For those overwhelmed by scents—particularly artificial ones—you'll appreciate that its got the subtlest of aromas. I'm partial to the Lemon & Mint one, which reads as “fresh" and never overwhelms.For those looking to stay away from chemicals, Horace's formula is 99% natural—and the 1% is a synthetic grapeseed oil, not something with 12 syllables, which I'm fine with. The brand gets bonus marks for its easily-understood ingredients labels, which break down these details and err on the side of much-appreciated transparency.Finally, if you're on the fence about beard oils, Horace will make you a believer. It absorbs fast, gives a pinch of shine, and makes just enough difference in terms of taming, moisturizing, and softening that you'll see why a beard oil makes sense.Most Nourishing Beard Oil: Jack Black Beard Oil with Kalahari Melon Oil & Vitamin EJack BlackBeard Oil with Kalahari Melon Oil & Vitamin EWhy We Love ItIn the grooming world, Jack Black (the brand) has earned its own fanbase, thanks in large part to one product —the signature Jack Black beard oil. Apply just a few drops and it immediately goes to work softening coarse and brittle facial hair, and without an overpowering fragrance that will distract you all day long.It's one of the most popular beard oils on Amazon, but don't hold that against it. While it softens and adds shine, this oil also delivers a dose of antioxidants and vitamins from natural ingredients such as brown algae and rosemary. It also uses a unique blend of oils with the subtlest whiff of melon fragrance. Instead of the usual suspects (jojoba, avocado, sunflower seed), this product uses Kalahari melon oil, marula oil, and plum oil, which moisturize your facial hair and skin on contact. Because these oils are all fast-absorbing (my beard hair soaks it up like a sponge), they make this product much less greasy than other beard oils, giving it a more premium feel.Best Budget Beard Oil: Pura d'Or Beard OilWhy We Love ItI test literally hundreds of grooming products a year, and I'm so intimately acquainted with brands new and old that I often think about them based on their best product. For Pura d'Or, it's this organic beard oil.It's the best value on this list, at $3 per fluid ounce. Given how quickly you can go through beard oil—just think, if you're applying up to twice a day, that dollar-per-ounce math becomes important. So, in addition to being my budget pick, this also gets my recommendation as the best beard oil for big beards.Of course, it's only important if the formula measures up—and here, it does. There are two carrier oils, argan and jojoba, along with a bit of grapefruit peel and some sandalwood essential oil for both a natural scent and a touch of antimicrobial powers. It's a great beard oil for anyone, no matter how big your bank account, but if you're bearding on a budget, you'll appreciate how much goodness Pura d'Or packs into a few bucks.Best Beard and Face Oil: Blind Barber Beard OilWhy We Love ItBlind Barber's tonka-tinged oil is wonderful for the guy who wants to moisturize skin and whiskers with the same product. It wears extremely light—so much so that my oily skin barely registers its presence—and I find its carrier-oil-centric and shea-butter-forward formula especially comforting on the skin. It should be noted that this formula includes artificial perfume, so fragrance-averse individuals should steer clear. But for those of us who want a special scent, a flake-free beard, and soothed skin, Blind Barber's beard oil does it all.Best Fragranced Beard Oil: Fulton & Roark Formula 5 Beard OilFulton & RoarkFormula 5 Beard OilWhy We Love ItSometimes, a beard oil smells so good you don’t even care how well it works. It makes you want to skip cologne altogether and just slap it on instead. Sure, beard oil is supposed to serve a practical purpose, but it’s also an extension of your overall fragrance profile, which is what we love most about Formula 5 from Fulton & Roark. This is the boutique brand that proved solid cologne could be more than a novelty, and now these complex and masculine fragrances are available in beard oil form. Fortunately, this oil’s also good for your beard, otherwise it wouldn’t be here.Formula 5 isn’t a pure oil blend, but it does contain soothing natural oils and botanicals such as sunflower seed oil, apricot kernel oil, olive oil, and lychee fruit extract. While these oils soften and smooth your facial hair, the musky, woodsy fragrances will make people want to lean in closer for a second whiff. Our only complaint? We wish it came out of the shaker bottle a little easier, but at least this will stop you from over-applying.Best Beard and Hair Oil: Aesop Shine Hair & Beard OilAesopShine Hair & Beard OilWhy We Love ItWhile I'd use most of the above options as both a hair oil and a beard oil, Aesop's is one where I think of it as a hair oil first and foremost. It brings control without making things look greasy, while trapping moisture and stopping frizz. I'll use it in short hair to tame down the sides, in medium lengths (mixed with a cream or clay) for added shine, or in long hair to prevent split ends. Source link

[majoringinsarcasm]

Venting on my blog about a tweet I deleted like six years ago that I wanted to vent about but not Talk About

Still in fact bitter about the reaction to a tweet I made years ago saying I wish fanfic writers could make money the same way fandom artists do

People were Not Kind about that and I ended up deleting the tweet. But I think what annoys me the most is that they assumed, probably bc of conversations before my time about fair use and copywriter, which one person rudely told me about so don’t worry I know, is that I wasn’t talking about big commercial sales. I didn’t mean putting it on Amazon or Etsy. I literally meant “if you give me ten dollars and DM me your prompt I’ll write your fic prompt for you”.

Like. Yes copywriter. Yes laws. Yes keeping fanfic safe and legal to write. But this was like 2018/2019 and I was so terribly insecure and was trying to think of an easy job I could have bc life and my aforementioned insecurities it this time “what if I’m too stupid to work a relationship job”. And I know artists fandom or big professionals don’t get work easily. I was under no impression ppl offering art commissions were making bank.

What I saw were people who had a skill and a community who Might pay for it for a personal drawing. I expressed my I guess frustration at the lack of that sort of thing for writers because fanfic can often feel. Lonely and like ppl consume it passively but somehow also Expect Others to provide it perfectly to their taste and if someone Does A Bad One they should be shamed or mocked or whatever

I didn’t want to ruin fandom. I was 20 and saw ppl who could draw offering to do so for money and went hey my only skill is writing maybe I could do that

The person who I say was rude also pointed out “artists who make chants and stuff have also gotten in trouble see see” and I’m like

But people still do it.

Please do not misunderstand me. I know there’s a grey area of making stickers and charms and prints of IPs you don’t own. I’m Not Stupid. It all depends on what you make and if the company sees it and then if they bother to make you take it down. It’s a lot of variables. But people still did it! They do it to this day! I’m currently trying to got up my art game so I can do it even if it’s just for me and not for sale

Zines! With fanfic inside of them! That get shared around the community have become so popular!

It was upsetting not because of the legal issues but the assumption that I was trying to Ruin things. That I was Stupid and was going to take everyone down with me. The fact that I was thinking small scale wondering if my followers liked my stuff enough that they would pay for a personal and specific fanfic that was tailored to them, and I was met with a lot of angry people who in saying what was Goofy information in the worst way possible.

“Hey that might sound nice but here’s the history of why we don’t do that” would’ve been just as informative rather than “you stupid idiot if you sell fanfic you’ll ruin it for all of us NEVER TALK ABOUT SELLING FANFIC. Artists also get in trouble the people who are doing shit at public conventions yeah they’ve gotten in trouble they still do it but it’s a risk. Fuck you”

And now I have several zines. With a least four fanfics inside of them created for the zine. That were sold For Money. Not all of which went to charity! For profit zines with copywriter characters being depicted in unofficial art AND fanfic

Again I want to get good at art to make cute shit. I want to make a personal zine bc it’s the closest I’ll get to a proper book bc I don’t yet feel I’m skilled enough to make original characters and worlds and stick to them.

Just makes me sad to think about past me who was feeling down and thought hey fandom likes similar things maybe this could work out. And to be so horribly misunderstood. Because I’m sorry if people can sell Link and Zelda and Ace Attorney and Sonic at PUBLIC CONS I could at least advertise probably underpriced fanfic commissions back in 2018 on my less then 300 follower account

[izzypoopypoo]

Ecuador

ECUADORRRR ONE OF MY FAVOURITE COUNTRIES!!!!! I'M SO FLIPPING EXCITED LET'S GO LET'S GO LET'S GO!!!!!

Day One

Finally arrived. Starting in my wintery hometown of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, I closed my eyes and crawled until my ice-cold heart felt supple warmth. That's how I landed myself in Ecuador, located smack-dab on the equator in South America.

I felt my lobo powers brewing stronger in me than ever before, likely due to Ecuador's closeness to the moon. No other nation is so near to outer space's embrace. FUCK I love this place.

When I did dare open my eyes for the first time in moons, I was immediately met by a council made up of a jaguar, monkey, iguana, anteater, green anaconda, spectacled bear, and a fuck ton of different birds I don't even wanna get into. Apparently, that wasn't even half of the council, too. Makes sense, seeing as Ecuador has the most biodiversity per square kilometre of any country.

I had wandered into the Oriente, the eastern side encompassing half the country, yet only 5% of its population. Basically, I was in the Amazon Rain Forest.

The spectacled bear shook my hand, a common greeting among Ecuadorians. "The council really fucks with the Ecuadorian government," He informed me, "They were the first to recognize the rights of nature in their constitution."

Then, the council's birds encompassed themselves around me, forming a bed around my weary body. They flapped tirelessly for hours, travelling high elevations, before dropping me off in the country's capital; Quito.

Immediately I sensed the presence of 2.8 million people. Most of which low-key looked like me — Latino. Not like in Minnesota SMH!!! But still, a diverse population consisting of lots of people mixed with white, black, and indigenous.

I also picked up on Spanish everywhere. I'm low-key Mexican, so I can work with this. However, Ecuadorian differs slightly from Mexican Spanish, as many of their words take influence from Quechua, the language of the Incan empire that originally resided here.

My stomach's grumbling managed to overpower the noise of the bustling atmosphere. I was #HUNGIESASF!!! I whipped out my phone and googled "places to eat".

"Somos Ecuador Restaurante"… literally translates to "We Are Ecuador Restaurant." Perfect! Couldn't get more Ecuadorian.

Not ordering empanadas while in Ecuador would be demented. I ordered the empanadas de seco de pollo because I love me some chicken. Also, seco de pollo is such an Ecuadorian staple. It translates to dry chicken, but it's low-key not dry at all.

YUMMY IN MY TUMMYYYY!

OMG… okay, and then I realized I only had my tip money on me from working at the creamery back home. I was like TF do they use here, pesos??? NO! My life is actually amazing because they do use US Dollars here, so I didn't have to dine and dash!

But then, the next dilemma… that was all my money I just spent on empanadas… where am I going to sleep tonight? I buried my face into my paws and was about to start sobbing until some random man sat down with me.

Why he kinda…

"My name is Andrés. 'Tis the ninth most common male name in Ecuador. I'm here to solve all your problems."

"Really? That's my father's name. He's from Mexico. That's kinda freaky though, so I don't want you like that no more."

"Girl what… I didn't want you in the first place like what."

"OMG… this really embarrassing, get the fuck out my face."

"It's okay… anyway, I can just tell by your battered clothes and unruly mane that you don't got no place to stay. You can come back home with me if you want." Andrés offered platonically.

So that's basically how I found myself a bed in the city of Quito. Ecuadorians are so helpful and open. My neighbours in Coon Rapids are Ecuadorian, and they gave my family a bunch of rocks.

You can really see the effects of Spanish colonization come through in the architecture. Pretty though.

Day Two

In 1978, Quito Old Town was the first city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I'd be crazy not to go!!! It's the best-preserved city from back in the day in all of Latin America, despite the great earthquake of 1917. It was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city. Shoutout to the Inca, my neighbours.

The historic district is very walkable, so I crawled everywhere. The stone beneath my paws was hot ASF, but I kinda like that.

There are churches EVERYWHERE. Like 30. And they're still in use! Everywhere you look, there are churches full of people. The churches were built with a combination of Spanish, French, and Italian aspects. These are Catholic churches, the religion brought by the Spanish during colonization.

My favourite church was the Church of the Society of Jesus, known simply as La Compañía among Ecuadorians. My jaw actually dropped when I saw this place.

This is just straight-up the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen in my life. The vibrancy of the gold colour is ASTOUNDING!

Last photo I took before I fell through the time vortex.

[smokeybrand]

For The Drip

You ever notice how properly rich people don't wear designer sh*t? Cats talk about how Zuck has a closet full of $800 tee shirts, and that's true, but he has them made. Mans pays to have his clothes made custom. Some lady in a warehouse somewhere, sewed that shirt, specifically for, and only for, him. Motherf*cker ain't out here spending $400 on a Gucci belt or $1300 on Balenciaga sneakers. Poor people do that stupid sh*t to flex on other poor people. Louis Vuitton literally said that sh*t out loud once. Why the f*ck am i spending hundreds on some true Religion jeans, when i can get a three pack of basketball shorts from amazon for a tenth of that? I'm forty f*cking years old, who am i trying to impress? My chick would rather see me in a nice suit, brand recognition be damned. Tell me you got a Gucci belt on and I'm going to look at you like you're an idiot.

Seriously, that Gucci belt sh*t was killing me. Like, just the belt, bro? You saved up for that? A belt? I think teenagers are doing that nonsense, which is fine. teenagers are both poor and dumb. Let me see a motherf*cker my age talking about look at this Gucci belt i got. I know, for a fact, you ain't got it like you think, my guy. You ain't rich, you got to claim your someone's kid on your taxes. f*cking stupid sh*t. "Oh, but Ryan, what about the Rappers?" What about them? That sh*t is fake. It's a whole ass performance. Every old head rapper is out here dressing like grown men. No one is wearing Timbs on the block anymore, man. Once you get the loot and some maturity, decorum follows. Have you seen Method Man lately? 50 Cent? F*cking Eminem? I'd say Jay-Z but that n*gga's fake ass, Basquiat lite, headband headdress he be wearing, gives me PTSD.

This sh*t isn't a uniquely black problem, but it a problem that seems to originate in my culture. And i get it. We all clout chase because we all start off with next to none of that sh*t. I bought a five hundred dollar pair of Jordans because i wanted them when i was twelve. I did that sh*t for me, though. Don't even wear them. They've been in a box, in the back of my closet, for years. I bought them sh*ts for me, not to flex on some randoms out in the wild who have just as much, or less than i do. I'm not a hype beast and I'm kind of a terrible Hipster at this point. If your whole confidence level revolves around gate keeping and clout chasing, you're kind of pathetic. If your entire self-worth can itemized by how much you paid for that stupid f*cking GG belt buckle, you are absolutely destitute.

[finsterhund]

Baby beans update:

I now as of writing this have four confirmed scarlet runner plants. Got the fourth new sprout just today.

I had to prune a leaf off of my first and biggest and favourite because it got stuck to a pest trap on the window but it seems to be doing alright in spite of that. Has yet to start vining around supports despite me giving it one to try out already and attempting to coax it onto it. Maybe it's way too soon. I have multiple trellis styles for them to choose when they actually start wanting to anchor themselves.

Been on the hunt for plant rooting hormone with no success. I don't want to have to buy it off Amazon but looks like I might :( I want to get into propagating cuttings as it's more interesting to clone pieces of a plant than waiting for seeds to germinate (blame all the fucking parsley my roommate wanted me to grow for his rabbits. That shit is boring as fuck. Things still haven't sprouted. So much of my limited window space is dedicated to parsley. I can't wait until it sprouts so I can stick it on the patio and give sprouting real estate to something that doesn't go to hell and back before sprouting. Then when I finally get to go to a garden center I see they're selling already established parsley plants and for fucks sake... Oof... Should have just gotten one of those and tried to propagate it to grow it out more. I know for next time I guess)

I got a mysterious plant at the store. No clue what it is but my friends say elephant ear and I'm losing my mind at what are the chances!!! I hope it is because of that. No clue how to take care of it. The only words on it were the barcode that said "tropical" so I'm just winging it and hoping it likes what I do for it. Here's a photo if you think you can identify it

This mysterious plant looked sad and alone and fucked up like me so I rescued it. Repotted it and it seems to be doing okay considering I have no idea its care requirements.

My neighbor who's been super nice gave me random bulbs and seeds so I've got tulips I think. Roommate wanted to learn how to plant things so I let him plant one of the bulbs and it seems to be doing alright. Thinking about putting them on the patio in these little hanging planters I got from the dollar store. Not a flower man to be honest (blame my allergies and the fact that flowering can kill a potted Venus flytrap) so I'm less interested in having them in my room. But what I do like is daffodils. I associate them with my grade 3 teacher and I'm pretty sure the school planted a whole bunch of them in his memory so when I saw daffodils I had to get them. They're doing pretty good in a terracotta pot I got for them. I've been pruning off flowers and leaves when they dry out and it's been shooting up new ones.

I'm trying to propagate a blackberry cutting without rooting hormone and there's buds sprouting but no visible roots yet. Oof. I heard raw honey is a good rooting hormone alternative and I have raw honey so maybe I'll try.

I desperately want to propagate cuttings from beloved trees of my childhood. Since cuttings are clones it's like literally having part of that tree with me. But I'm so far away I can't collect cuttings. That's why I called my mom last night but she doesn't understand or know how to do it and didn't want to do it so that's a bust. Apparently willow is really easy to propagate and also really easy to make a bonsai tree so my immediate thing I will beeline to if I ever get to go back there is the beloved willow tree. Willow is so good at propagation you can make a steeped tea out of fresh willow growth and use it to propagate other plants! So if I ever get my hands on a clone of my beloved childhood willow tree I'll be doing that with the cuttings.

My mom might if I'm lucky passively try to get me acorns from one of my favourite childhood parks though so this is something at least.

Someday I want to do grafting!!?! Which is like propagating cuttings but more like a dark arcane abomination magic. It's where you take a branch or something from one plant and surgery it onto another plant. And it lives!!?? Yeah. Turns out that's how you grow fruit trees that don't suck. That's why my childhood attempts at apple trees never bore fruit (hahahahahahahaha look I made a funny) because especially with things like apples and avocados the seed you grow doesn't necessarily result in a tree that has those fruit. It's weird as fuck tbh. So you have to graft from a plant that does. Apparently there's possibilities for certain abominations. Aka different fruits on different trees. I think that's extremely cool but fucked up. kinda like if you got an organ transplant and it brought with it skills or talents or interests of the person the organ came from.

I want to get cuttings of the fruit trees from the Spot house also. So many places so many plants.

Mom also said there are oak trees in grandma's garden. More reason I want to go back there. What must the garden be like now? What survived? Hnnnn

I want to live in the farmhouse and restore the garden so bad. I'm more of a greenhouse guy so maybe I'd convert it into a greenhouse. Would be better in the long run for retaining moisture and overwintering.

Truly feel like I'm in my magic rock special powers era right now. Apparently I'm too focused on my plants and that I should be patient and that I'm expecting them to grow too quickly so hopefully the novelty will wear off to some extent so I can be more casual.

I'm looking for good full spectrum grow lights to use as bulbs for my main bedroom light. So far I've only found those weird purple grow lights. If I had sun emulation as my bedroom lights that'd mean I could grow plants anywhere in my bedroom and also it would probably help me. I just gotta make sure that having grow lights on all the time isn't carcinogenic, you know? I wish I could find one of those lightbulb splitters that's also a timer so it would switch from the grow bulbs to a normal bulb after a certain point. That would be the dream. Having my lighting situation automated without stupid smart bulb phone app stuff that dies after a year *glares at my previous setup*

Having bulbs that are enough for plants as the main light source of my room and being able to put plants everywhere would be nice I think. Imagining sunflowers and runner beans just all over the place. I'm having difficulty figuring out how to put hanging pots into my window but if I was able to grow plants anywhere I could just screw hooks from the ceiling and do that instead.

I wish I had so much more space. Like if I had an entire room dedicated to being a greenhouse. I want bonsai trees so much. Apparently the conditions I keep my bedroom make it more ideal for bonsai than people's homes which is neat. I also heard that if you plant a bonsai tree properly even after years it will grow into a normal healthy tree. So I could have bonsai of rare endangered or otherwise desirable trees and then upon my death they could be used in reforesting efforts. Or just put at my gravesite instead of a body.

It's sunny today. Happy because it's good for my plants.

[hershelchocolate]

Who knew buying myself a children's book would be so hard 😔 cant have shit on amazon