@danielledanielle I’ve reread this article a few times now and I have… opinions. Ranty ones. They mostly orbit these two paragraphs: “Instead of focusing on the healthy, sustainable future of the company and meeting the needs of our loyal fan base, I rode a temperamental wave of appraising investors — some of whom seemed to have an attitude toward equity and “betting big on inclusivity” that changed its tune a lot, to my ears, from what it sounded like in 2020.Almost six years after Ami Colé first lived in my head — and four years after we officially launched — the world feels upside down. We’ve got this president, climbing tariffs, and marketing costs that are brutal for small brands like mine. And while my story isn’t unique, it still hurts to watch an industry preach inclusivity while remaining so unforgiving.” Cannot convey in words how fed up I am with investors and ad trends using inclusivity as an empty marketing ploy. Without equity, there is no inclusivity. Small businesses (in any industry) don’t just need an “equal playing field” to compete with big corporations; that’s how small biz gets chewed up on the field. They need an equitable field. Especially many small BIPOC businesses. I know Sephora’s program is supposed to help fill the equity gap, but is it doing a good job at that? And there are probably other things that could fill that gap, like lower marketing costs for small brands. Even without an ad firm or “in-house” marketing person/team, that stuff’s not cheap. Ever seen the fees influencers charge for product videos? Kinda crazy. Small brands don’t need investors pressing them with big corp profit expectations, driving them into a deep marketing hole. Small brands also don’t need this current administration (does anyone?)—but I’ll try not to rant about that right now so… Back to investors: that leap from “nondescript with niche audience” to “deserving brand of the future,” and all it took was public outcry over the murder of a brown-skinned man, which investors translated to “oooo now this is a great financial opportunity”… yeah, I think that sums up my feelings about investors and advertising in general, while sparing everyone the flood of bad words I wanna use. I have big-mad opinions. I wish I could give Diarrha a hug in person.

@lmaster She couldn't get enough financial backing, I think- the article is in the Beauty News thread.

@PrettyPaint No worries. 🙂 I pick on poor avobenzone a lot, but it’s really not a bad UV filter. I mean, ascorbic acid, kojic acid, and retinol are also very photo-unstable ingredients; like avobenzone, they just need helpers to keep ‘em from breaking down in sunlight (if they’re in products meant to be used during daytime). It’s all in how products are formulated. The newer UV filters have an advantage there, but that just helps folks who are skin-sensitive to avobenzone or its stabilizers. I could get extra nerdy about avobenzone vs. other UVA filters’ peaks and ranges of UVA2 protection, but I’ll spare you. 😅 You can find various charts/graphs that show that info. I’ll just say, don’t focus only on the peaks; notice how some filters drop off as the UVA2 range increases, vs. others that extend deeper into that range. The FDA approval process is kinda ridiculous, partly because sunscreens are regulated as drugs* instead of cosmetics in the US—and partly because the FDA’s often slow as a sloth in molasses. (Possibly even slower nowadays, thanks to the current administration.) The FDA put together a pdf that kinda summarizes the process… lemme go find it again… SpoilerScreenshot of FDA Approval Process pdf, page 1…….and here’s page 2.L’Oreal has gone through this process to get their Mexoryl 400 UV filter approved. (That’s filter’s in La Roche-Posay’s UVMune line of sunscreens, available in Europe.) I don’t know the latest on that though… I remember hearing the FDA actually approved one of the UVMune sunscreens… this reminds me to find out what’s going on with that. If L’Oreal, of all companies, can’t get a new filter approved—considering the amount of research & dev they always do—then I dunno who can. Screenshot of FDA Approval Process pdf, page 1…….and here’s page 2.L’Oreal has gone through this process to get their Mexoryl 400 UV filter approved. (That’s filter’s in La Roche-Posay’s UVMune line of sunscreens, available in Europe.) I don’t know the latest on that though… I remember hearing the FDA actually approved one of the UVMune sunscreens… this reminds me to find out what’s going on with that. If L’Oreal, of all companies, can’t get a new filter approved—considering the amount of research & dev they always do—then I dunno who can. *Fun fact: that’s why US sunscreen ingredient labels always list UV filters as “active ingredients.” Korean sunscreens don’t do that because they’re not regulated as drugs. UV filters are listed by their INCI names in the mix of all other ingredients on Korean sunscreen labels. One of the filters in BoJ’s Sun Relief sunscreen (Korean version) is “Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol” which is Tinosorb M.

i love this product so much!! ❤️

@makeitup305 you've got a good eye! I updated the post to include that I got it at Target.

Hi @Prize, my skin normally runs normal-to-dry for most of the year - more dry in the winter months and leans slightly more combo/oily (but still dehydrated) in the peak of summer (which is September/October where I live). Mini's or sets can be a good way to try different products. My skincare routine doesn't often include products from the same brand/line but here are a few sets that have some good product(s) for dry skin that may be of interest to you. For each of these sets, you will need you to supplement with a sunscreen in your day routine, as well as a exfoliating product to be used once or twice per week in your evening routine. If you have a sunscreen and/or exfoliating product that you like, awesome! If you need recommendations, let us know. Also, let us know if (a) for sunscreen, you have a preference between chemical or mineral sunscreen and (b) for exfoliators, if you prefer a chemical or physcial exfoliating product. $25 and under:The Ordinary The Daily Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum - if you live in an arid or very dry climate, the moisturizer in this one is hyaluronic acid based and may not be best for your skin in that climate - see the Biossance set, which is squalane based instead. This set does contain a squalane cleanser.Skinfix Barrier Buddies: Heavy Hitters hydration set for dry + sensitive skin - the cleanser in this set is excellent for dry, sensitive skin Between $25 - $50: AESTURA ATOBARRIER365 Mini Hydrating Best Sellers Kit - good for dry skin, damaged skin (compromised skin barrier) innisfree Green Tea Hydration Heroes with Hyaluronic Acid - probably better for normal-to-dry; if you're very dry, the Aestura or the Farmacy will be the better choiceFarmacy Farmacy Favorites - the moisturizer in this set is wonderful for dry to very dry skin - a go-to in the winter for me. Over $50: iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Firming Essentials Travel Skincare Kit - good for dry skin looking for extra moisture and firming. You'll need to pick up a separate cleanser for this set.Biossance Plump + Hydrate Bestsellers Routine Set - this brand is squalane based, which can be good for dry skin in dry climates. When you're introducing new products into your routine, I can't stress enough how helpful it will be to go slow when incorporating a product into your routine. Do a patch test first and if that's good, introduce products one at a time, and use that product for a period of time as directed before adding a new product to your routine. This will make it easier to decipher how the product is working for your skin, both in a good way or bad way.

@CynthieLu Yes, it's a cheap plastic saucer from Home Depot that I stuck under one of the drip lines for my tree. He was there again today taking a bath. I get quite a few crows, doves, and finches, but they've been coming around less since it's so hot.

Hiii! Thank you so much for the recommendations lol! I’m looking into them right now. I have one of the fwee blurring pudding pots and I really like them!!