Honestly do you ever wish you could just fuck off into the wilderness for like a year or two (preferably two) and then emerge?

Because like I kinda don't want anyone seeing this kinda awkward HRT starting phase, I wish I could just disappear until all the surgeries are performed, until my fat redistributes, my voice drops even more, the acne gets a little less severe (I know that it usually lasts until your 40s but guys have told me that it usually gets at least a bit better when the hormone levels get a bit less fucky, just like during cis guy puberty) and the T face chub disappears (I still don't really get why this happens tbh? But a lot of guys have said that even when you don't gain weight some of your fat moves to your face and neck for a while before it disappears around the 14 months on T mark? I'm not sure if I noticed anything like that on myself, I may just be getting paranoid from reading such things lol). Mostly I wish I could do that because it's like...when we go through puberty during teen years, people expect us to look different later. They think "Oh you look like shit but it's okay because during puberty everyone looks like shit and you'll look better later". But nobody knows that i'm essentially going through a second puberty, so everyone who meets me now or doesn't know about the course of HRT will think that I just look and sound this shit and honestly I'm not a fan of that. And also I want to finally be free of my chest. It's very hard to hide even with a binder (I'm double D and pretty skinny with a small ribcage) and I don't want anyone to even look at me while I have them.

That's such a mood 😭😭😭.

I started transitioning medically my last year of college and it was definitely weird. Thankfully, the results happened fairly quickly for me.

I think the best way to know how T is gonna work is to look at the men in your family. The men in my family get symmetrical facial hair that tends to focus on the neck before going to the rest of the face, they don't get super low voices, their faces get kinda rectangular, awful acne, etc. So that's more or less what I was expecting and it's more or less what I got. My face didn't get fatter, but it did get more rectangular. When paired with a haircut that complimented that it looked really good.

So advice for the neck fat and everything you mentioned is definitely look into hairstyles that actually work well with your facial structure. Cuz that makes a HUGE difference.

Thankfully acne didn't get too bad for me. I never got any acne the first time I went through puberty, so this time it was a mild to medium amount. It's pretty mild now. I got really lucky with my genetics.

I don't have much advice on the chest binding. I only wore binders for a month and then had to stop because of breathing issues (even when I went up in size). But I had a very similar size and body shape as you. This is what I found helpful:

-larger button down shirts with designs on them. Small graphics all over the shirt. Not so big that it's feminine but enough that the designs distract from my chest.

-puffy vests in the winter. I don't know how to describe them, but they basically look like a winter coat but as a vest. They are kinda puffy so they can help hide chests and curves.

-vests in general are good at hiding curves. Depending on how you wear it they can make chests look smaller. They can come off as feminine still, but at least it helps chest dysphoria.

-layers. I used to wear t shirts with a long sleeve flannel worn like a sweater.

-distracting hats that make people look up instead of down.

^^^^ none of these will necessarily help you pass. But they helped me with dysphoria at the very least.

On a last note tho. Time goes by fast. I was on T for about 8 months before I had top surgery. As soon as I got the surgery I was able to pass just fine. Less than one year on T and no visible chest was all I needed. I'm almost at 2 years now and still having no issues. It felt like I started T yesterday. Time went by really quickly. It's definitely weird going through the second puberty and it's awkward having others see you in that stage. But most won't even remember it as you start to develop further.

Literally tho, I have people who knew me before my name change that have completely forgotten my old name-- despite that happening less than a 5 months ago. My own girlfriend and her best friend have known me since we were 12 and they BOTH forget sometimes that I wasn't always a man. Once you get past the awkward stage people get normalized to how you are, and they really start to forget everything else.

What's your beauty routine/approach? :)

I’ve always been a big proponent of using sunscreen, and it’s served me well. I’m twenty-eight now, and facially, I recently got mistaken for a high school graduate thanks to taking care of my skin. I mostly chock that up to applying sunscreen religiously since I was twelve, despite having cystic hormonal acne due to endometriosis.

Both my grandmother and my mother are very pale and Swedish/Scottish, and both had skin cancer issues from lying in sun back in the sixties when sunscreen protection wasn’t a big thing. So my mum was always a really strong supporter of sunscreen and staying out of the sun (even though I play beach volleyball competitively (when not in a pandemic), I’m always the weirdo wearing long sleeves and more layers than necessary/reapplying sunscreen). I don’t want to be a victim of skin cancer either, since it obviously runs in my family, so I’ve always been very strict in terms of just sweating it out in more layers of clothing, rather than wearing a bikini or a sports bra to the beach (unless it’s 30+- then my Canadian ass can’t handle it and it’s hat and religious application all the way (including hands) xD).

Besides that, as I get older, really you learn that less is more, and too much bad makeup application can age you negatively. Especially with COVID-19 and people only seeing half your face at any given time, I really just focus on a good skincare routine that doesn’t flair up my sensitive, acne-prone skin, and is free of unnecessary fragrances and irritants. I tend towards K-Beauty and French beauty (glass skin), as well as more traditional Swedish beauty (think Ingrid Bergman), because all three culturally focus on creating a solid base and treating the skin, and letting your skin and your natural beauty shine through.

That’s why the one thing I do splurge on in terms of cosmetics is Dermalogica’s Special Cleansing Gel. It’s 53 dollars from Sephora in Canada, which is expensive, but it’s the only face wash I’ve had that completely neutralises my endometriosis-driven hormonal acne (along with antiseptic medication and birth control pills), and a little goes a long way (I can nurse a 53 dollar bottle for three months. Presuming you’re washing your face morning and night times thirty-one days, sixty one times three, that’s 183 washes for 53 dollars, which pretty much works out to 30 cents a wash. A solid investment in my books.

I also use both Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion for zits (cheap and the best for zits), Benton’s Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel for a moisturiser (propolis is used as an antiseptic so it’s great for acne-prone skin), and if I’m feeling fancy, Klairs Midnight Blue Youth Activating Serum. I’m only twenty-eight, but I’m a big believer in preventative skincare. (Another great moisturiser I used in the past and sometimes use as a body moisturiser besides just plan aloe gel is Clinique’s gel moisturiser for your face. It’s light, a mid-priced moisturiser, and you get a ton of product for a mid-line price).

The other thing I focus on spending more money on is sunscreen, although there are some great cheaper buys in the K-Beauty field. I’ve used the Innisfree No Sebum sunscreen in the past, which is anywhere from 8-12 dollars depending on where you get it- it’s leaves a slight white cast on my face, so it’s probably not the best for POC, but I can usually blend that out with makeup or a slight bronzer. I’d honestly rather look paler than I already am and have solid sun protection that doesn’t make me break out, than not have protection at all.

I also just purchased the Bare Minerals fragrance-free Complexion Rescue which is a great alternative. It’s another Sephora purchase, so it’s more expensive, but I bought it at the beginning of the year when the sunscreen I usually use was weirdly making me break out, and I mix it with NYX’s Bare with Me Skin Veil to create a naturally glowing look that is a little less than foundation (the Complexion rescue honestly doesn’t cover up scarring or pigmentation super-well, so that’s why I mix the NYX in with it- but it’s an easy one step for SPF in the morning). It also comes in several shade ranges, and has SPF 30.

Lastly, the sunscreen I use for my body is Bioderma Photoderm SPF 50+. It’s great, a thin layer of sunscreen, and doesn’t provide a cast. And makeup removal is Bioderma’s Micellar Water in Sensibio if I’m wearing heavy makeup (which I usually never do anymore). Otherwise, I just wash it off with the Dermalogica.

In terms of makeup in quarantine, I really look for double-duty products, or keep it to a super-light bronzer so I have some colour to my face, but I don’t look like I’m trying too hard. Maybelline’s City Bronzer in 100 is a great bronzer that’s super-cheap at eight bucks, not orange, and honestly I find it better for my super-pale skin than anything comparable at Mecca or Sephora (and trust me, I’ve always been a fan of a light bronzer- Too Faced or any of those more expensive brands have nothing on this in terms of looking like a natural outdoorsy slight ‘healthy’ tan). I also just ordered Wander Beauty’s Double-Date Cheek and Lip Tint as an easy double duty product for the next couple of months.

(Oh, and if you want a holy grail foundation/concealer, the best options are Laura Mercier. Also fragrance-free, and although more expensive, you can mix a bit with your Bare Minerals if you want a bit more coverage and it goes a long way. I recommend their radiance foundation, as well as their moisturising foundation, even for people with more acne-prone skin. If I want to actually wear foundation, Laura Mercier covers any lingering acne brilliantly, and actually looks like skin, rather than covering it up with horrible layers of product.)

I have a skincare question if you don't mind. I don't wear makeup but I figure I should have some sort of skincare routine? I'm pretty clueless when it comes to this stuff and wanted to see your thoughts about what I should be using. I am 23F with what I think is normal to maybe dry skin. I have little to no acne, mostly a white head a handful of times a month. What should I be doing to my face? Morning? Night? I appreciate your advice!

ok so there are four steps to a basic skincare routine: cleanse, treat, hydrate and protect. spoiler alert: you’ve lucked out in the sense you currently don’t need to treat! i’m gonna break it down so it’s simple for you to understand, since i know the sheer amount of products people use can be really scary lol

cleanse: pretty self explanatory. you do need to clean your face everyday because technically, you should be wearing sunscreen everyday. (more on that in a bit!) also, every single day your skin goes through one little step of its natural renewing process, meaning everyday there will be dead skin on the outermost layer of your face. that dead skin mixes with the natural sebum your skin produces + the dirt that gets deposited from the environment ur in + whatever it is you put on your face everyday, be it makeup or sunscreen or other forms of product. when that’s all mixed it can clog up ur pores and oxidize inside and that’s when acne is formed, which is why it’s important to be consistent with cleansing. consistent doesn’t mean aggressive, though - it’s really important that you find a cleanser that is as gentle as possible, since you’re gonna be doing it everyday. it should have a pH of between 5 and 6.5 because your skin is in that pH range - if you google “pH balanced cleanser” there should be lists upon lists of appropriate gentle cleansers, they’re actually quite easy to find when you know what you’re looking for. then there’s also oil-based cleansing but that’s honestly a step i believe is not entirely necessary unless you suffer from blackheads, which you said you do not, so for a start i don’t think you need to bother. you can google double cleansing if it interests you tho!!

treat: this is usually where you’d use a product to treat whatever your biggest skin concern is, be it acne, pigmentation, redness, anti-aging, etc. since from what you described i understand you don’t actually have a big issue you need to tackle, you can comfortably breeze past this step. i think everyone could potentially benefit from a chemical exfoliator or some antioxidants in their routine and this is where they’d usually come in, but i believe having solid products in the other three categories is more important. if you want to add something in this category, you can do it once you’ve got everything else figured out.

hydrate: again, pretty self explanatory! but maybe not. there are basically two kinds of moisturizers: hydrators and occlusives. hydrators, like hyaluronic acid, actually hydrate your skin, which means they attract water to it. (hyaluronic acid can attract up to 1000x its weight in water, which is pretty freaking bonkers if u ask me!) these tend to be lighter in texture. occlusives, like oils or oil-based creams or butters, act like sort of a barrier which traps water inside your skin. they tend to be pretty thick in texture (best example is vaseline). it follows that you should have both in ur moisturizer, especially us dry skin folk who have less oil, therefore less occlusives, on our skin, which leads to more transepidermal water loss, which is fancy talk for “water evaporates more from our skin.” these are how moisturizers are classified but they’re actually not usually separate like this - most products have a mix of both types, which makes sense! depending on what texture you look for you can look for specific components in ur moisturizer - if you don’t like the sticky feeling of creams you should start with something lighter and less occlusive, or if ur like me and ur skin is like the sahara and you want to bathe in vaseline, look for more occlusive-based products. actual straight up vegetal oils, like rosehip or grapeseed, work wonders in this sense too!!

protect: arguably the most important step in my opinion. imagine u paint this great masterpiece but don’t use sealant - everything’s gonna rub off! it’s the same idea with sunscreen. i’m constantly going around giving sunscreen to my friends bc that’s how passionate i am about it lol. uv light exposure can lead to premature aging, inflammation that leads to redness and possible aggravation of acne, not to mention frickin cancer! it’s important to wear it everyday, even if it’s not sunny - uv light is still there, no matter if cloudy or not, and in fact, snow reflects sunlight even more than normal soil, so even if it’s snowing you gotta have sunscreen on!! if you’ve ever felt like you’re allergic to sunscreen, you might have gotten acne from it before, you sincerely just haven’t found one that works yet, but i promise it’s out there. once you find one that’s comfortable just stick to it and as long as it works, it doesn’t matter the fps or the components, just as long as you feel inclined to use it and do so consistently!

PHEW that was long but i hope i helped!! feel free to ask if u have any questions bc this is straight up my fav subject to talk about (clearly lol)

Something Domestic: Chapter 1

A/N: Hey y'all! This is a new TRR AU I’ve been working on. This story is told in first-person narrative, from Riley’s (MC) POV. There will likely be smidges of canon in this, but not too much. Thanks for reading, and please leave feedback, and/or if you would like to be tagged.

Thanks to my guardian angel and internet best friend forever, @burnsoslow. I appreciate you, boo! 😘

Synopsis: When Riley Brooks takes a new job as a nanny for the affluent Rhys family in New York’s Upper East Side, she assumes she’s just going to care for the children of the couple who hired her. But instead of just school pick-ups and afternoon snacks, she also finds herself spending time with Liam, the handsome divorced dad. Can Riley control her feelings for Liam while still performing the job she was hired for?

All characters are the property of Pixelberry Studios. Thanks for allowing me to borrow them.

Chapter Summary: Riley meets her new employers.

The city zooms by as I stare out the tinted windows of the town car I’m riding in. I’m on my way to interview for the nanny position for one of the most upscale families in New York and my palms are damp. What if the kids don’t like me? What if I don’t like them? Or the parents for that matter. What if the father tries to seduce me? Will the mother have me fired because she thinks I’m sleeping with her husband? Thoughts invade my mind as I try to calm myself. I’ve never nannied for a family of this stature before and I don’t know much about them, other than who they are. Depending on how this job goes, it could make or break my career.

The car stops in front of a luxurious penthouse. I crane my neck to scale the height of the building. 60, maybe 70 floors. Who knows? The driver opens the door for me and I exit the vehicle, making my way to the entrance. I’m greeted by a well-dressed doorman.

“Good afternoon. Can I help you, miss?” he says, smiling.

“Riley Brooks. I’m here to see the Rhys family,” I reply, fumbling with the untucked hem of my blouse, quickly tucking it back in the waistband of my skirt. He nods and steps aside, holding the door open for me.

I walk through the magnificent entry vestibule and enter the double-height marble lobby. The view makes me stop in my tracks. This place is incredible. It rivals the lobby of a five-star hotel. A cream-colored banquette round settee sofa sits in the middle of the room, with two circular metal end tables on each side. A gold metal-framed coffee table with a clear beveled glass top sits next to two upholstered grain Italian leather high back chairs. Strewn across the surface are copies of Robb Report, The New Yorker, and DuPont Registry. A crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling, illuminating the room in a warm glow.

A single receptionist desk presides on the left side of the room, where a short, middle-aged woman with chestnut brown hair sits, thumbing through the latest issue of Trend Magazine. When she notices me, her head shoots up and she tucks the magazine under a stack of papers.

“Welcome. What can I do for you today, miss…?” she pauses, studying my face. “Are you a resident here?”

“I’m not. I have an 11 a.m. meeting with the Rhys family for their nanny position. My name is Riley Brooks.”

She eyes me incredulously. “You seem a little young to be a nanny,” she huffs, then flips through an appointment book. “Ah yes, Miss Brooks. The Rhys are expecting you. Take the elevator up to the Penthouse level. Someone will be there to let you in.” She nods her head toward the elevator on the right side of the room and returns to her magazine.

I make my way through the lobby and step onto the elevator. I take a deep breath and press “PH,” my hands trembling slightly. The car jolts and begins its ascent to the top floor. I pull out my phone and shoot off a quick text to my best friend and roommate Hana, filling her in.

I smile, tucking the phone back into my purse as the elevator car arrives at the top. The door glides open and I step out into the foyer. As I walk through to the main part of the penthouse, I’m immediately blown away by how elegant this place is. The main floor is a massive open cellar with impressive double-height ceilings. The interior has a fresh and modern style, flooded with natural sunlight coming in from the floor-to-ceiling windows. A set of heels clicking on the marble tile breaks me from my trance and I turn to see a stunning woman with a shoulder-length blonde bob coming in my direction. She’s around my height with a slim build. Her black polka dot blazer and red pants hug the curves of her body. Her emerald green eyes are piercing as they look me up and down.

“Ah. You must be the new nanny. I’m Madeleine Karlington,” she says, extending her manicured hand. I take it in mine and give her a hearty shake. “Come. Everyone else is in the living room,” she says, pulling back her hand before turning and heading back in the direction she came. 

I follow behind her, taking in the penthouse. She leads me through the large eat-in kitchen with imported counters and top-of-the-line appliances, to the living room. A wood-burning fireplace adorns the only wall without windows. Three large floor-to-ceiling windows give me an unobstructed East, South, and West view showcasing the East River and every iconic landmark midtown building in the city. The sun casts a warm glow through the already bright room. There’s no way a family with children lives here. The room is all-white-everything. 

I turn away from the windows to my left and see a tall man with sandy blonde hair rise from the plush white sofa. Good lord, he’s an Adonis. He’s at least six foot four, his thick blond hair is parted slightly on the left side of his head, his high cheekbones shape his beautiful face. His sapphire blue eyes glitter, making any woman who looks into them weak in the knees. His soft pink lips frame his straight white teeth, making his smile to-die-for. He’s wearing a maroon sweater over a white dress shirt, and dark denim jeans. Through his sweater, I can make out the outlines of his muscles. He definitely works out. I’m pulled from my daydream to see a young boy and girl both with platinum locks staring me down from their hiding place behind their father’s legs.

Before anyone can speak, Madeleine introduces me to her family. “This is Riley. She’s here to interview for your new nanny. Please be respectful.” She motions me to the center of the room where the sofa and a matching loveseat and chair are sitting in a semicircle with a glass-top coffee table in the center. Liam and the children take a seat on the sofa. I sit down in the chair and smile at the kids. Madeleine sits down on the loveseat and turns to me.

“So, Riley. Tell us a little bit about yourself,” she says, leaning forward to retrieve a martini from the coffee table. She then sits back and takes a long pull from her glass.

I take a deep breath. “Well, I’m 25. I’m originally from Brooklyn, I have a BS in Early Childhood Education from NYU Steinhardt. I was going to become a teacher, but I took a job with the nanny agency to pay for school and ended up falling in love with it. I’ve been a nanny full-time for two years now, and I’m really looking forward to getting to know all of you,” I smile, turning towards the kids, who are curled up next to their father on the sofa. My eyes travel up to his face, and his blue eyes sparkle as he smiles at me.

“Riley, it’s so nice to meet you. I’m Liam, and this is Charlotte and Phillip. Charlotte is six, Phillip is four,” he says, wrapping an arm around each child, snuggling them close to his body.

As he speaks, I catch myself fantasizing about him. I imagine those blue eyes staring into mine as I rip off his sweater and run my hands down his broad chest. My pulse races as I think about kissing those lips. My eyes travel down the length of his torso to his hands as they rest on each child’s shoulder. His hands are just as perfect as the rest of him, long fingers ending in short, clean nails. I pause at how big they are. He’s a tall guy, so I’m not surprised by their size, but I’m shocked at just how big they are. My mind reverts to that old saying, “Big Hands, Big Feet…” and I feel a blush creep up my face. Stop it. He’s your potential boss.

Shaking the thoughts from my mind, I focus my attention on the kids. Charlotte, the six-year-old, has her mother’s stunning emerald green eyes and a head of platinum blonde hair pulled into two pigtail braids that rest on her shoulders. Her pudgy cheeks are tinted a rosy pink and her nose curves up at a slight point. She’s wearing a light green dress with a blue bow and white sandals. Judging by how her mom looks, she’s going to be a knockout when she grows up. Phillip, the four-year-old, has a mess of sandy blonde hair atop his head, and the same sapphire blues as his dad. His pert nose sits on his face, nostrils caked with a thin-layer of snot.

I straighten up and turn my attention back to Liam and then Madeleine. “So, tell me more about yourselves,” I say. Madeleine looks to me, then Liam, then back to me. “Well, I work in PR for Fydoria Communications and Liam is CEO of Cordonia Enterprises. We’ve lived in this penthouse for about seven years. Liam spends about 50/50 time between the office and here, so occasionally, you’ll see him around the house, but he’ll be working, so you’ll need to tend to the children full-time. I work from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., so I’m usually here around six to relieve you of your duties. We won’t require you to work on weekends unless something comes up where both of us are unavailable, and we’ll try to give you twelve hours notice.”

“Okay,” I reply. “Can you tell me about what my duties with the kids will be?”

Liam chimes in. “Charlotte is starting first grade at Stormholt Elementary in a few weeks, and Phillip stays home so you’ll be with him full-time while Charlotte’s in school. We’ll need you to drop her off at 8 a.m. and pick her up at 3:30 p.m., as well as help her with her homework and handle snacks,” he says.

I nod. “Do you have a vehicle I can use for pick-ups and drop-offs? I don’t drive.”

Madeleine answers, “We have a town car and a driver at your disposal. You can use them any time you have the children. The driver lives in an apartment here in the building and he’s on-call during work hours, so you can just call him and he’ll take you where you need to go.”

I listen intently, absorbing every bit of information about the job. Take the kids to school, pick them up, feed and tend to them until their parents get home. Seems easy enough. “Will I be required to cook or clean anything while I’m here?” I ask.

Liam chuckles and shakes his head. “No. We have a cleaning service that comes on Saturdays, and our personal chef Mira comes on Sundays. The only cooking and cleaning you’ll need to do is to prepare snacks for the kids and pick up any mess you or they make.” 

Charlotte starts tugging on his Liam’s shirt, “Daddy. I’m bored,” she whines, while Phillip rubs his eyes and stifles a yawn. He looks down at the children, then across to Madeleine, whose expression is unreadable. “The kids are getting fidgety which means it’s almost naptime. Do you have any questions for Riley?” he asks her.

She downs the rest of her martini and sets the glass on the table. “We’ve already done an extensive background check on her through the agency, so I know she’s not a criminal. I also have copies of her resume and college transcript, so I know her credentials are legitimate. If you don’t have any other questions, I think we’re finished here.”

Liam’s lips curl into a grin and he turns his attention to me, “I have just one more question. When can you start?”

Patch Has Issues: Dungeon #2

Issue: Dungeon #2

Date: November/December 1986 (Pretty sure my Christmas haul that year was full of dope toys from The Transformers movie/show.)

The Cover:

(Use of cover for review purposes only and should not be taken as a challenge to status. Credit and copyright remain with their respective holders.)

Ah, Clyde Caldwell. He, Larry Elmore, Jeff Easley, and last issue’s Keith Parkinson were the mainstays of TSR’s amazing stable of artists. I have a soft spot for Caldwell. He did the covers for the D&D Gazetteer series, which means his work emblazoned some of my absolute favorite books from my middle school years. (At the time I had the whole series except the two island books, GAZ 4 & GAZ 9 (which I’ve since collected), plus the Dawn of the Emperors box set. My favorites, for the record, were GAZ 3, 5, 10, and 13. I...may like elves...a little too much.) And even as I sit here, other covers demand to be named. The very first Dragonlance adventure, the iconic Dragons of Despair? The Finder’s Stone trilogy? The first Ravenloft box? Dragon #147? Yep, he did those covers too. He was amazing.

But hoo-boy, we also have to talk about the not-amazing parts. Once Caldwell settled on a way of doing things, that’s how he did them. Points for consistency, but man, he had tropes. Even his tropes had tropes. He had a way of painting dragon’s wings. He had a way of painting swords and boots. He had a way of painting jewelry, and belts and coins—ovals upon ovals upon ovals.

And his way of painting women was with as few clothes as possible. Everything I said about Parkinson last entry? Yeah, that goes double for Caldwell. He never paints pants when a thong will do. His take on the reserved and regal Goldmoon—thighs as long as a dwarf and bronzed buttcheeks exposed—reportedly left Margaret Weis in tears. Magic-users (God, I hate that term) famously couldn’t use armor in D&D and AD&D, but Caldwell’s sorceresses pretty much stick to gauze just to be safe. And the Finder’s Stone trilogy I mentioned above? Yeah, the authors of Azure Bonds took one look at Caldwell’s cover art and literally had to come up with in-text reasons why the heroine Alias—one of the most surly woman sellswords in existence—would wear armor with a Caldwell boob hole.

Don’t get me wrong, I love cheesecake as much as the next dude. (Actually that’s not true; I came up in the grunge ’90s—our version of cheesecake was an Olympia brunette in three layers of thrift store sweaters reading Sandman while eating a cheesecake. Hell, that’s still my jam.) But context matters. The sorceress from “White Magic,” Dragon #147’s cover, may barely be wearing a negligee, but she’s also in the seat of her power and probably magically warded to the hilt—she can wear whatever she damn wants; it’s her tower. So no complaints there. But this cover’s pirate queen Porky Piggin’ it seems like an unwise choice. (The friction burns alone from clambering around the rigging…)

It’s clear from reading The Art of the Dragonlance Saga that TSR was trying to turn the ship around when it came to portrayals of women in fantasy, however slowly. And in Caldwell’s defense and to his credit, he definitely delivered women with agency—in nearly every image, they are nearly always doing something active and essential. They just tend to be doing it half-dressed.

Which is all a way of saying I dig this cover—the explosion, the churning sea (even if it does more look like snow drifts than waves), the sailors all running to the rail to look—but yeah, that pirate captain needs to put on some damn pants.

The Adventures: Before we get started, I have to note that though we’re only an issue in, already the magazine feels more noticeably like the work of editor Roger Moore. This is 100% a guess, but it really feels to me like Dungeon #1 was made of adventures that the Dragon office already had laying around, whereas Dungeon #2 was composed of adventures that Roger Moore and the new Dungeon team had more of a hand in sifting through. (He also has an assistant editor this time in Robin Jenkins, which had to have helped.) Even the cartography looks better. Again, I have zero confirmation of this, but the feeling is strong.

“The Titan’s Dream” by W. Todo Todorsky, AD&D, Levels 5–9

PCs visiting an oracle accidentally walk right into a titan’s dream and must solve some conundrums to escape. What an awesome concept this is! (Spoilers for “Best Concept” section below.) It’s a shame I don’t like this more.

First of all, dreamworld adventures are really hard to do well. And for them to work, there usually need to be real stakes—and not just “If you die in the dream, you die in real life!”—and/or a real connection to the PCs in your campaign. The latter, especially, is really hard to pull off in a published adventure; typically it’s only achieved through tactics that critics deride as railroading. (For instance, @wesschneider’s excellent In Search of Sanity does a great job of connecting the characters to their dream adventures...but it does that by a) forging the connection at 1st level, and b) pretty strongly dictating how the adventure begins and how the characters are affiliated. It works, but that’s high-wire-act adventure writing.)

Being a magazine adventure, “The Titan’s Dream” doesn’t have that luxury—it’s got to be for a general audience and work for most campaigns. That unfortunately means the default “Why” of the adventure—a lord with a child, a wedding, and an alliance at stake hires the PCs to chat with a wise titan—is little more than that: a default.

On top of that...I cannot get excited about anything Greek mythology-related. To me, just the fact I’m seeing it is a red flag.

Look, Greek mythology is why I got into this hobby. Hell, it’s why I got into fiction, period. (For some reason I somehow decided I had no use for fiction books targeted to my age, with the exception of Beverly Cleary. Then in 4th(?) grade, I got a copy of Alice Low’s Greek Gods and Heroes, and the rest is history.) But Greek mythology is often the only mythology anyone knows. When people think polytheism, that’s where most people’s minds go. Which is why, if you ever played D&D in the ’80s, I pretty much guarantee your first deity was from that pantheon. (In my first game, my first-level cleric pretty much met Ares and got bitch-slapped by him, because that’s what 4th-grade DMs do.)

So to me, putting Greek deities or titans in your adventure is the equivalent of putting dudes riding sandworms into your desert adventures—you can do it, but you better blow me away, because that is ground so well trod it’s mud. And this one doesn’t do the job.

The format is three dreams, each with five scenes. Parties will move randomly—a mechanic meant to represent dream logic (or lack thereof)—through these scenes, until all the scenes from one dream have been resolved. This is actually kind of fascinating, and I wonder how it would play at the table—I have a feeling observant players will dig it, but others may find the mechanism’s charm wears off quickly, especially if they have difficulty solving the scenes or get frustrated with the achronicity of events. I also like that every scene has a number of possible resolutions, so the PCs aren’t locked into achieving a single specific objective like they were stuck in a computer game.

But...I can’t shake the feeling of weak planning and execution (or even laziness?) that stayed with me throughout the adventure. Like, okay, the first adventure is a cyclops encounter out of the Odyssey. Cool! But then...why does the Titan follow it up with pseudo-Norse/Arthurian encounter? Did the Odyssey not hold the author’s attention? (Nor the Iliad, the Aeneid, or Metamorphosis? Really?) And then why is the third dream “drawn from the realm of pure fairy tale”? Like, were you out of pantheons? Horus didn’t return your calls? Or be more specific—why not German fairy tales, or Danish, or French Court, or Elizabethan? It feels like a class project where one group was on point, one group got the assignment a little wrong, and one didn’t even try.

Again, it’s not even that this adventure is bad—I honestly can’t tell if it is or not; I’m sure a lot of its success is determined at the table. And I could totally see throwing this at a party if I was out of inspiration that week or we needed a low-stakes breather before our next big arc. But the instant I think about it for more than a second, it all falls apart for me.

Have any of you tried this one? Let me know what you thought. And for a similar exploration into dream logic/fairy tale scenarios, I recommend Crystal Frasier’s The Harrowing for Pathfinder.

“In The Dwarven King’s Court” by Willie Walsh, AD&D, Levels 3–5

Willie Walsh is a name we’re going to see a lot more in issues to come—he’s a legendarily prolific Dungeon contributor, delivering quality, typically low-level, and often light-hearted or humorous adventurers issue after issue after issue. His first entry is a mystery with a time limit: A dwarf king is supposed to make a gift of a ceremonial sword to seal a treaty, but the sword has vanished. Brought to the king’s court courtesy of a dream, adventurers must find the sword and the surprising identity of the culprit before the rival power’s delegation arrives.

At first I was going to ding this adventure for its “What, even more dreams this issue?” hook...but here’s the thing with Walsh—never judge his modules until you reach the final page. Nearly every time I’m tempted to dismiss one of his sillier or more random adventure elements, it turns out that it makes sense and works just fine. In this case, the cause of the dream is haunt connected to the mystery, and I feel dumb for being all judgy.

So anyway, the PCs are given leave to search for the stolen object and the thief, but of course it turns out there is a whole lot of light-fingeredness going around. As Bryce (see below) puts it, “It’s like a Poirot mystery: everyone has something to hide.” This castle has as much upstairs-downstairs drama as any British farce, with nearly every NPC having either a fun personality and/or a fun secret (and with the major players illustrated by some equally fun portraits) that should make them memorable friends and foils for PCs to interact with. Not to mention the actual culprit is definitely a twist that will be hard explaining to the king...

GMs should be ready to adjust on the fly, though—a) it’s a lot of characters to juggle, and b) since the PCs are 3rd–5th level, the right spells or some lucky secret door searches could prematurely end the adventure as written. You may want to have some last-minute showdowns, betrayals, or other political intrigue outlined and in your back pocket if what’s on the page resolves too quickly.

Overall though, I’m a big fan of this adventure, and look forward to the rest of Walsh’s output. Also, given the dwarven focus and the geography of the land, this adventure could be a very nice sequel to last issue’s “Assault on Eddistone Point.”

“Caermor” by Nigel D. Findley, AD&D, Levels 2–4

Look at this author’s list of writing credits! Findley was amazingly prolific, and his work was pretty high-quality across the board, as far as I know. I particularly loved the original Draconomicon, one of the first and only 2e AD&D books I ever bought as a kid. I also loved his “Ecology of the Gibbering Mouther” from the excellent Dragon #160, and some of his Spelljammer supplements are currently sitting upstairs in my to-read pile, recently purchased but as yet shamefully untouched.

Now look at his age at the time of his death. Life is not always fair or kind.

(Speaking of unkind, man is the bio in this issue unfortunate in retrospect: “[H]e write for DRAGON® Magazine, enjoys windsurfing, plays in a jazz band, and manages a computer software company in the little time he has left.” As Archer would say, “Phrasing!”)

Anyway, this adventure is simple: An otherworldly force has been murdering the locals. The locals have pinned the blame on a handsome bard from out of town, and their own prejudices and general obstinacy are sure to get in the way of the investigation—that is, if the true culprits, some devil-worshipping culprits and and an abishai devil, don’t get in the way first.

All in all, this is a tight, well-written adventure, so I don’t have much to say about it, other than that if you like the idea of sending your party to help out some young lovers and save some faux-Scots/Yorkshiremen too stubborn to save themselves (and maybe slip in a valuable lesson about prejudice and xenophobia as well), this is the adventure for you.

One thing that does jump out to a contemporary reader, though, is the comically overpowered nature of the baddie pulling the strings in this adventure: Baalphegor, Princess of Hell (emphasis mine). Overpowered, you-won’t-really-fight-this-NPC happens with a lot of low-level adventures, when the writers want a story more epic than characters at the table can handle or are trying to plot the seeds for future evils. But still, any princess of Hell would already be a bit much...but an 18-Hit Dice, “supra-genius”, the Princess of Hell? Like, what the f—er, I mean, Hell?

If you use the adventure as written, the only way to have Baalphegor’s presence make sense is to eventually reveal that the area is an epicenter of some major badness. (Maybe that explains the lost nation of evil dwarves in the adventure background.) For a good model on how to seed early adventures in this matter, Dungeon’s Age of Worms Adventure Path and Pathfinder Adventure Path’s Rise of the Runelords AP, both from Paizo, are exemplars of small-town disturbances that eventually have world-shaking implications.

It’s also fascinating in retrospect to note Ed Greenwood’s massive impact in the hobby. Any article that appears in Dragon has the sheen of being at least semi-official, but it’s clear that Greenwood’s content was a cut above even that. In this case, an NPC from a three-year-old article of his is not just treated as canon, but also supplies the mastermind behind the adventure! It’s no surprise that in the following year his home campaign, the Forgotten Realms, would soon become AD&D’s newest and then its default setting.

Two final thoughts: 1) There’s some fascinating anti-dwarf prejudice in this article. Nearly every mention of dwarves paints them as exceptionally greedy and/or villains. And 2) how did one even begin to balance adventures in those days? This adventure is for “4–8 characters of 2nd–4th level.” There are a lot of difference at the extreme ends of those power scales…

“The Keep at Koralgesh,” by Robert Giacomozzi & Jonathan Simmons, D&D, Levels 1–3

One of the problems of BECMI D&D being known as “basic D&D” is that writers often assumed the players to be basic (that is, younger/new) as well. Which probably accounts for some of the early suggestions to the DM we get at the beginning of this adventure—like some pretty patronizing advice along the lines of not immediately announcing to PCs what the pluses are on their magical swords.

Fortunately, after that the article settles down and gives us Dungeon’s first real D&D adventure. In fact, not just real, but massive: 20 full pages of content—nearly half the issue! It’s a fully fledged dungeon crawl that has the PCs taking advantage of the summer solstice to open a shrine door that will lead them inside a long-ruined keep said to hold great treasure.

Now, I imagine in the coming installments it’s going to seem to many of you like I’m grading D&D adventures on a curve, because of my love for the system and the Known World/Mystara. That’s a fair accusation, but a better way to consider it is that I’m reviewing D&D adventures for what they are—adventures from a separate system, with a more limited rules system and palette of options than AD&D. You don’t go to a performance of Balinese shadow puppetry and compare it against Andrew Lloyd Webber; you look at it for what it achieves in its own medium. Since they appear side-by-side in the same magazine, comparison is going to be inevitable, but that’s with the understanding that AD&D was the kid coloring with the 64-crayon box of Crayola, while D&D was getting by with just eight.

On its own terms then, “The Keep of Korgalesh” is a decent, if not superlative, success. I love that it’s practically module-length and that we get three complete levels—a far cry from the previous issue’s side-trek-at-best, “The Elven Home.” We also get two new monsters, which absolutely fills my inner BECMI D&D player with glee. And I like that what starts as a dungeon crawl/fetch quest evolves into a “kill the big bad thing” and “find out what really happened to this city.”

There are issues, though. If the whole city was destroyed, getting to see some of it besides the keep would have been nice. Some of the ecology for the dungeon inhabitants is questionable. There pretty much wasn’t a single pool or fountain in this era of D&D adventure design that wasn’t magical, and this adventure was no exception. One of the new monster’s names makes no sense except that “tyranna” and “abyss” are cool words (I mean, I guess you could read that as “tyrant of the depths,” but still…) And there are painfully obvious borrowings from other works, especially Tolkien—a door that only opens at solstice, a lake monster, an orc with a split personality that is clearly a Gollum homage, etc.

What this adventure really needs is stakes—just something to give it a bit more oomph beyond the dungeon crawl. (Finding a blacksmith’s lost hammer is the hook offered in the adventure but it’s pretty flimsy.) Perhaps the PCs are some of Kor’s last worshippers, and clearing out the dangers here and resanctifying his temple is one of their first steps toward returning him to prominence. Maybe the PCs’ grandparents were involved in the city’s demise and restoring Koralgesh will restore the families’ honor. Or you could keep it simple and have a band of pirates or a rival adventuring group also trying to clean out the keep, turning it into a race (with the tyrannabyss causing the scales of fate to wobble at appropriately cinematic moments).

So the final analysis is this is a decent dungeon crawl upon which you can build a good adventure. The real reward of this module isn’t treasure; it’s finding out just what happened to Koralgesh. But for that to matter, it needs to tie into the PCs’ pasts, futures, or both.

BONUS CONTENT FOR KNOWN WORLD/MYSTARA NERDS: Kor is almost certainly a local name for the sun god Ixion. The chaotic deity Tram is probably a local version of Alphaks, though Atzanteotl is another strong candidate, especially since deceit was key to the pirates’ success. Koralgesh could be located somewhere on the Isle of Dawn, the northern coast of Davania, or an Ierendi/Minrothad Isle that those nations haven’t made it a priority to rebuild.

Best Read: “Caermor.” Nigel D. Findley was a pro.

Best Adventure I Could Actually Run with Minimal Prep: “The Keep at Koralgesh,” as a well-written, straight-ahead dungeon crawl. Every other adventure here relies on a pretty strong handle of very mobile NPCs and their motivations, or a Titan’s dream mechanics.

Best Concept: “The Titan’s Dream,” as noted above. It’s a great idea very worth exploring, even if I wasn’t about the execution we got in this case.

Best Monster: This was actually a monster-light issue. Despite some awesome art for the tyrannabyss, I have to go with the epadrazzil, a scaly ape from a two-dimensional plane of existence that has to be summoned via a painting. All of those details are just so wonderfully and weirdly specific it has to win. (Extra points for anyone who noticed the thoul—a classic D&D monster (though it did make its way into AD&D’s Mystara setting) born from a typo.)

Best NPC: Since this is a role-playing-heavy issue, there are a bunch of contenders, and the final verdict will go to whoever your party sparks to at the table. Obviously King Baradon the Wise should get the nod for [spoiler-y reasons], but I also really like the opportunity the executioner Tarfa offers, thanks to his incriminating goblet and how it might bring the PCs to the attention of a far-off assassin’s guild at just the right level.

Best Map: All together the maps from “The Keep at Koralgesh” form an extremely appealing whole. But for best single map I have to go for the palace of Mount Diadem—that is a bangin’ dwarven demesne.

Best Thing Worth Stealing: Jim Holloway’s illustrations of dwarves. Good dwarf, gnome, and halfling art is hard to find, and even the good stuff often leans stereotypical. While Holloway’s art is often humorous—I have a feeling he and Roger Moore jibed really well, though that’s totally a guess based purely on what assignments he got handed—his dwarves, especially in this issue, are fresh, specific, and unique. You could identify them by their silhouettes alone—always the sign of good character art. If you need an image of a dwarf NPC to show the players, “In the Dwarven King’s Court” is a great first stop.

Worst Aged: Female thong pirates on magazine covers. Also using the actual names of actual mental illnesses in game materials.

What Bryce Thinks: “This seems to be a stronger issue than #1, although half of the adventures are … unusual.”

Bryce actually almost likes “The Titan’s Dream,” confirming my loathing of it. He in turn loathes “In the Court of the Dwarven King.” Like me, though, he is pro-”Caermor” and sees potential in “The Keep at Koralgesh.” (Also credit where it’s due: I might have missed the condescension at the start if he hadn’t called it out.)

So, Is It Worth It?: If you’re a Clyde Caldwell fan, this issue might be worth searching out in print. So much of Caldwell’s work from this era was dictated by product needs, cropped and boxed up in ads, or shrunk down to fit on a paperback cover. So to get this cover in full magazine size, with only the masthead tucked up top to get in the way—that could be well worth a few bucks to you.

Also, if you’re BECMI/Rules Cyclopedia-era D&D fan (or know someone who is), again, this one might be worth having in print. “The Keep at Koralgesh” is a legit, proper BECMI D&D adventure, spanning 20 whole pages and with two new monsters to boot. I would have practically have cried if someone had given 7th-grade me this.

Beyond that you can probably just rely on the PDF. But both “Caermor” and “In the Dwarven King’s Court” have strong bones worth putting some modern muscle and skin on.

Random Thoughts:

The Caldwell cover painting was also used for the Blackmoor module DA4 The Duchy of Ten. PS: I’m not trying to tell you what to do or anything, but if you do happen to run across a physical copy of The Duchy of Ten or and of the DA modules, holla at ya boy over here.

Since this is our second issue, we now have a “Letters” column. Turns out Dungeon had been announced in Dragon #111 with a really detailed set of writer’s guidelines; most of the correspondence is questions re: those. In the process of answering, we get some surprisingly frank talk about payment. The $900 for a cover seemed low until I converted it to 2018 dollars, and ~$2,000 does seem right to my ignorant eye. I then made the mistake of converting my current salary to 1986 dollars and felt a lot worse about myself and what I’ve achieved.

Apologies this took so long to post. I had the issue read by early October and most of this review written with the next week or two after...but then I got involved in dealing with a 4.5 week hospitalization and aftermath...and then a second still-ongoing hospitalization...and even though I only had about four paragraphs left I just couldn’t find time to put a bow on it.

Notable Ads: The gold Immortals Rules box for D&D. (I also still don’t have that one yet, and Christmas is coming. Just saying, guys, if you happen to find one in your attic.) ;-) Also an ad for subscribing to Dungeon itself, starring “my war dinosaur, Boo-Boo.” No, really.

Over in Dragon: Beneath a glorious cover, Roger Moore is the new editor of Dragon #115, three authors (including Vince Garcia, who I like a lot) share credit on a massive six articles about fantasy thieves, a famous article proposing that clerics get the weapons of their deity (people were still talking about it in the “Forum” column when I was buying my first issues two years later), and a look at harps from the Forgotten Realms (notable because behind the scenes Ed Greenwood’s home setting was being developed for the AD&D game for launch in 1987.) A photographic cover and a 3-D sailing ship are served up in Dragon #116, along with maritime adventures, more Ed Greenwood (rogue stones), and articles for ELFQUEST, Marvel Super Heroes (Crossfire’s gang), and FASA’s Dr. Who game (looking at all six(!) doctors). (Incidentally, I had an Irish babysitter around this time who first mentioned Dr. Who to me—I wish I’d explored more but I was too young to understand what I’d been offered.)

PS: Yes, I’ve heard about the upcoming Tumblr ban. It is a terrible idea that will affect way too many of my readers. It shouldn’t affect me much (and I have all my monster entries backed up at the original site), but I will keep you posted as I learn more, particularly if I find you, my readers, packing up and going elsewhere.

TWC: Detective Personality + Quirks and Interests + Dectective’s History and Relationships

!!( I went sooooo overboard )!!

Basics:

Name: Caroline Urizar

Age: 24

Height: 5′5

Ethnicity: Mexican American or Chicana

Personality: 

♥ Tries her hardest to make the best out of every situation. (Keyword:Tries) 

♥ On rare occasions,she gets super frustrated and overwhelmed (Because she bottles everything up) that she lashes out, even though she immediately regrets it.

♥ ^ Apologizes ASAP after she sorts her thoughts out, ususally out of an immense sense of guilt and wants to be held accountable for what she does. 

♥ A mother hen to her friends and mother. She wants the best for them.

♥ She’s pretty loyal to people she’s close too. Even more so if they have the same morals as her.

♥ Besides the occasional lashing out part, she’s kind of got a dog like personality. (Faithful, Selfless, family oriented, and protective). 

♥ Crybaby™ Her first response in hard situations is to cry. Also cries at the silliest of things out of joy or just because something is just so adorable. An example of this, is that she once cried at a ladybug falling off of a leaf onto the sidewalk and helped it back up. Tina probably laughed. 

♥ Try hard optimist, but sometimes reality slaps her in the face. She usually responds by isolating herself for a bit and cries it out. Then comes back with renewed hope. (It’s a pretty weird cycle)

♥ Since she’s seen as the ‘mom friend’, she doesn’t like to bother others with her problems. She prefers to work them out herself, if she can’t, she’ll pretend that she’s stronger than she is and continues forward. Ususally trying to bury it deep in her mind. Not very healthy, but that’s her.

♥ Most of her issues are with her own image. The biggest being her self esteem. She’s pretty self destructive, but if it comes to someone else, she’ll put all her effort into reassuring them and helping them however she can. 

♥ She’s not the brightest. She tries really hard to be her best self, but dear god sometimes she’s really dense. Border line slow. But she eventually catches on! (I’m sure some of the department questions how she was made detective and it came as a surprise to her too). 

♥ She blows her own mind which is a hoot to watch. She was amazed at the thought of how your heart has to beat constantly to run blood through your veins. It might be really stupid to others, but from this she comes to appriciate things more.

♥ Compassionate. Often makes the mistake of trusting or believing the wrong people. 

♥ She’s worked very hard on refining her People skills (a trait inherited from her mother) and tends to be very talkative. 

♥ She tends to be cautious as a detective. (Double checking areas, facts, or work. Preparing for the worst while hoping for the best when in delicate/dangerous situations.) But, let’s her guard down a bit in her personal time. 

♥ Likes to avoid confrontation and would much rather find a middle ground. Which often let’s others walk all over her until she eventually has no choice but to speak up for herself. 

♥ Patient to an extent. The extent varies with different types/ages people. 

♥ A hopeless romantic, but scared of picking the wrong guy. She’s also scared that she’ll put too much pressure on him by her ideals of love and run them off. She’s sort of clingy and would feel awful if her partner felt suffocated. 

                                 So basically, she’s trying her best!

Some Quirks + Facts:

☀️ Twirls her hair around her finger without knowing it at times

☀️ Can’t go to sleep if she thinks her feet are dirty and washes them if she feels they are. Don’t ask. 

☀️ Daydreams about cute relationship scenarios often. She also thinks of them to help her fall asleep

☀️ Has a bad habit of biting her nails

☀️ Plays late 80′s and 90′s pop aloud in her office on Pandora if she’s doing paperwork

☀️ Doodles all over sticky notes and has a stack of them on her desk near her monitor. She does this whenever she catches herself almost drawing on her paperwork. 

☀️ Chews Trident gum a lot and keeps a few packs of them in her desk. Her favorite flavors are Tropical Twist, Watermelon Twist, and Trident Layers Strawberry + Citrus

☀️ Also keeps a Burt’s Bees lip balm on her at all times in the tint Rose

☀️ Replys to Tina’s messages with reaction pictures 60% of the time

☀️ Her photo gallery is mostly screenshots of outfits, memes, and things she wants to draw later

☀️ Spends a little too much time on Instagram at home

☀️ Talks to herself (sometimes even argues with herself) 

☀️ Even though she’s half Mexican, she doesn’t know the language that well due to Rebecca’s and her father’s absence

☀️ Loses small pieces of jewelry all the time

☀️ Refuses to leave the house without concealer, mascara, and her eyebrows done

☀️ Straightens her hair almost everyday and when she doesn’t it’s in a side bun. (She has wavy hair)

☀️ Loves the winter and likes partly cloudy days the most

☀️ Uses the word ‘like’ a little too much to express herself + lots of hand gestures

☀️ Still has her childhood stuffed animals on her bed and can’t sleep without her suffed dolphin named Alfred Willy

☀️ She likes to wear a simple necklace everyday and her trademark piece of jewelry would have to be hoop earrings (Sliver or gold)

☀️ Doesn’t like to binge watch TV shows or movies unless they really catch her attention. Otherwise she only watches one or two episodes at a time. 

☀️ There’s a chance she has some of her K-pop posters in a shoe box under her bed and most definitely has some albums on her bookshelf

☀️ Actually did very well in school and graduated from high school with a 4.2 GPA 

☀️ Runs her fingers through her hair a lot, mostly when she’s got a strawberry face from receiving compliments or when someone flirts with her 

Interests:

🌸 Likes to draw, though she doesn’t get to do it as much as she’d like to

🌸 Her music taste is mostly 2010-2014 or 80′s and 90′s American pop, K-Pop, and some dashes of older Reggaeton or alternative songs. 

🌸 She likes to travel and watches blogs of people who go to countries she’d like to go one day

🌸 She makes doilies (usually when she watches TV) and gifts them to her friends and her mom

🌸 She likes to plant and has a window box garden outside her windows in her living room

🌸 Recycles and attends events to pick up litter and help sort out recyclables

🌸 Collects shells, sand dollars, and rocks that look pretty

🌸 ^ Crystals as well

🌸 Dances around her apartment often, like hairbrush microphone dancing. Far from professional. 

🌸 Shopping and trying on outfits is one of her favorite things to do. She prefers simple outfits and owns a variety of coats and jewelry. 

🌸 Does calligraphy and takes classes for it online

🌸 ^ She’d like to try pottery one day

🌸 Her favorite food joint is McDonalds 

🌸 ^ Chinese food is at the top of her favorites too

🌸 Whenever Rebecca was around, she’d cook meals for her. She’s been trying to recreate them since those times, but something always tastes off. 

🌸 She loves cats, but doesn’t have the time to take care of one

Personal/Detective’s History + Motives:

🌟 She joined the force in hopes of following in her father’s footsteps and to help protect the people of WayHaven

🌟 She loves Rebecca with all her heart and cherishes the time she spends with her

🌟 ^ Looks up to Rebecca and has always seen her as a role model. She wants to make her proud

🌟 She has a scar on her right knuckle from where she was washing dishes and accidentally broke a cup upon hearing that Rebecca wouldn’t make it to one of her birthdays.

🌟 Accepted Unit Bravo and the supernatural pretty quickly, although the thought still blows her mind

🌟 Wants to protect humans and supernatural from danger

🌟 She misses her father and often tries to recover whatever memories she can of him

🌟 As she was growing up, her bestfriend was a female grey and white cat named Michi. She died when Caroline was 19. She kept her collar and stored it away in a special place. (A wooden chest full of heartfelt memories, old sketchbooks, photo albums, and other trinkets). This loss triggered memories from her father’s funeral.

🌟 Unit Bravo might have an easier time identifying her due to an innocent heart murmur she was diagnosed with when she was 17 

🌟 Has terrible seasonal allergies

🌟 Bobby was her second boyfriend and her most serious relationship. Which ended messily due to his lack of interest in their bond. 

🌟 Tina is her best friend. She’d wouldn’t know what to do without her. 

🌟 She quickly became friends with Verda when he first arrived and shares a close companionship with him as well. 

🌟 Maintains a polite and respectful relationship with the Police Captian Sung

🌟 Tries to avoid Mayor Friedman at all costs. But when she can’t, she’s very polite. Avoids him due to the fact that he’s got an odd interest in her mother which makes her uncomfortable and a bit awkward. 

🌟 Douglas has an odd crush on her from the night she saved him outside the bar. She’s flattered, but it makes her uncomfortable as well. At least it gets him motivated for work. 

Unit Bravo Romantic Relationships:

When pursuing Adam:

💖 Totally doesn’t think he looks like a 90′s Vanilla Ice 

💖 Shy and discreet flirtation (almost like she’s scared of rejection or how he’ll react)

💖 Highly respects him as a team mate

💖 Attracted to his independance and authority

💖 Feels most safe around him

💖 Flushes involuntarily when he’s around

💖 Keeps the conversation friendly and light

💖 Tries to see his side of the argument when they disagree (which isn’t so often surprisingly)

💖 She’s very worried she’ll say something stupid around him and have to deal with the embarrassment

💖 Sweaty palms

💖 Sometimes she’ll catch herself daydreaming about him and she’ll shake her head and furiously resume work before anyone notices the blush forming. 

💖 Calm and sweet on the outside but a nervous wreck on the inside

💖 She still recalls the scent and warmth of his coat and lowkey wishes she could wear it all the time

💖 Soft thoughts 24/7 (Hugging, kissing, holding his big hand, etc.) Even her thoughts make her want to hide her face. 

💖 Sometimes doubts his interest in her because of their different personalities

When pursuing Nate:

💕 Loves his honesty and kindness

💕 Appreciates that he’s open about his interest in her and smiles at the ground often when talking to him.

💕 Still shy and stutters a lot when she flirts

💕 Nate has a big, sweet presence that she wants to wrap herself in. He probably gives the best hugs. 

💕 He’s like a Disney prince and she can’t help but imagine him as one. + 1000 other soft thoughts too 

💕 He’s a welcomed change from Bobby, who didn’t give her the attention she wanted. So she’s beyond excited that he’s into her. 

💕 Her hearts beating a mile a minute 

💕 Relates to him due to their common traits

💕 She secretly likes having to look up at him

💕 She hopes he can teach her more Spanish 

💕 Attracted to his intelligence and strong morals 

💕 Could talk to him for hours 

💕 She feels that she could learn a lot from him

💕 She gets giddy from remembering all the sweet things he’s said to her 

💕 But, she feels like someone as amazing as him shouldn’t be with someone so dense and silly 

Pre-Summer ‘18 Beauty Game Changers

Okay, so it’s absolutely no secret that I’ve been a tad scarce around these parts. What can I say except, adjusting to motherhood means sometimes my little bundle of joy kicks my websites out of the priority seat! Anywho, I’m back with a much needed beauty story. Between last month and this one I’ve had a TON of beauty deliveries and also attended The Makeup Show’s press preview day. So, I will most definitely be giving a highlight on some of the cool products we were given - including a full sized Pat McGrath palette!!!

To get back into the swing of things, I’m kicking off my return to TAB with a beauty roundup of game changing items I’ve been using since mid April. As usual, I’ll let you know which items were gifted by the brand and which were bought by me. And yeah, I’ve been that busy for the last two months that most of these items were gifted by the brand. But as usual, my reviews are honest - even if I’m a brand ambassador. A big focus this time is skincare because thanks to postpartum hormones and a general neglect of my regular skincare regimen, my skin has been in sad shape recently.

1. Shea Terra Organics African Black Soap (gifted)

If you’re unfamiliar with African black soap, it’s often used to even out skin tone, help reduce excess oil and can be used as part of an exfoliation routine. So, one thing I’ve been dealing with for the past four months has been what feels like an excess of dry skin which leads to dull patches that come through even under makeup. What I love about Shea Terra’s version of African black soap is that it’s a powder that you can mix to the consistency level that you want. I can add a minimal amount of water to create more of a paste and strategically place it on areas that need more attention. Or, I can add water to turn it into more of a liquid traditional foamy soap for an all over wash.

2. Pixi Beauty x Weylie Hoang Dimensional Eye Creator 2-in-1 Liner (gifted)

Now this liner is actually part of an entire kit, but I’m only talking about the liner. Anyone who reads TAB regularly knows that I tend to be really critical of felt tipped “liquid” liners because I often don’t feel that they stand up to the same inky blackness and longevity of my tried and true liquid liner, Wet ‘n Wild megaliner in black. So, I went into this being skeptical and was profoundly and happily surprised. This is a dual ended liner that offers a fab inky black felt tip on one side for precise lines and a soft creamy kohl on the other for smoky eyes or smudged liner effects. I don’t really bother with the kohl side because often times creamy liners have a way of shifting and feathering out over the course of a day. But that ink liner...yes ma’am I’m in love! Although the finished look has a bit of a shine instead of the overall matte liner I prefer, I think Pixi hit it out of the park with this liner.

3. The Makeup Mitty & Mitty Blackout (gifted)

Now makeup removing cloths aren’t necessarily new anymore, but I love the shape and functionality of these particular cloths. The Makeup Mitty (blue) is shaped in a tear drop form so that you can use the rounded side to remove larger swaths of makeup say on your overall face or cheeks. Meanwhile the pointed end gets in for fine cleaning around the eyes. And if you’re heavy on eye makeup, The Mitty Blackout (black) is specifically just for taking off stubborn eye makeup. What I love is that these Mitties are specifically made to be used with your preferred cleanser, which is the only way I use makeup cloths these days as I find it gives me a more total cleansing experience.

4. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup 3-in-1 Wipes (gifted)

Whereas The Makeup Mitty is great for when I’m home and have all my cleansers with me, these wipes are ideal for when I’m on the road and am trying to minimize the amount of stuff I’m bringing with me. Although I don’t think these give me as thorough a cleansing as when I use a cleanser + cloth (mainly because I wear a full face of makeup and normally do a 2 step cleanse, so that’s a lot of damage to put on one disposable cloth), I do like that it can take off stubborn eyeliner and matte liquid lipsticks - which can be hard for traditional cleansing cloths to do. Also, my skin doesn’t feel dry and chafed afterwards.

5. Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Soft Peeling Gel (purchased)

If you’re a long time TAB reader, you know my holy grail of exfoliators is Cure Aqua Gel. But, over the last year I have been branching out to other brands, and Nature Republic does a great job of creating a less visual version of a top notch exfoliator. And by that I mean, you don’t get the gross white beads of skin. Whereas Cure’s exfoliator is a bit more liquid based, Nature Republic’s has a granular texture and is truly a stiffer gel. But most importantly, I instantly feel the results on my skin after washing it off. The only thing I don’t love is that this definitely has fragrance in it. It’s not intense, but if you prefer scent free skincare, this isn’t for you.

6. Erborian Waterlock Bamboo Moisture Mask (gifted)

I love that this mask can pull double duty as either an everyday moisturizer or as a moisture pack depending on how much you apply. I’ve definitely used this moisturizer as a traditional moisturizer after the cleansing step as well as a sleep pack where I add other light oils like my rose oil to give it a bit more longevity. What I love is that this gel, although lightweight, has some serious staying power. And although the packaging doesn’t say, I strongly suspect that the soft gel consistency is due to a healthy amount of aloe vera (plus it smells heavily of aloe).

7. Kevyn Aucoin Neo-Blush (gifted)

Now, it’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Kevyn Aucoin. But I do love this Neo-Blush which are basically ombre blushes with a hint of shimmer. The team at KA sent me their entire Neo-Blush collection but my personal favorite is the Sunset shade. (And P.S. if KA’s Neo-Blush is outside of your budget, NYX Cosmetics’ ombre blush is a great budget friendly dupe) The KA blush is perfectly milled and doesn’t settle into fine lines. Meanwhile, the color payoff is fantastic and lasts all day.

8. Kevyn Aucoin Neo-Elixir Weightless Beauty Oil (gifted)

Now this tri-layer beauty oil is a serious game changer whether you use it for just a skincare tool or as a pre or post makeup application tool - it seriously pulls double duty. I love that this oil is a lightweight and scent friendly castor oil based concoction. If you’ve stayed away from castor oil because of its heaviness and strong scent, you’ve got to try the Neo-Elixir. Unlike straight castor oil which can be too heavy for daytime use, this one is mixed with other oils that creates a durable oil that lasts all day without feeling greasy. Now, the website suggests you can use it as a post-makeup step to give yourself a dewy look - I don’t do that. I use it as a regular skincare oil and on occasion if my skin is super dry, as a pre-makeup step. I just don’t do “dewy” because it’s easy to err and mistakenly end up in greasy territory.

9. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Tinted Moisturizer in Deep (gifted)

Now everyone knows that my current favorite foundation is NYX Cosmetics Total Control Drop Foundation in Deep Sable. I’ve been using it for over a year now almost exclusively. But when the weather gets really warm, a strong foundation isn’t always high on my list of must haves. And it ended up that a few weeks ago I was in North Carolina during an early pre-summer heat wave. Every day was 90+ degrees. So, I had to find something that would help to even out some skin tone issues I’m having while not being too heavy. The tinted moisturizer does the trick in that department. Another bonus is that even though this contains SPF 50, it doesn’t stink. Full disclosure, I’m not 100% in love with this tinted moisturizer for the following reasons:

This moisturizer can easily verge on a greasy finish if you don’t use a setting powder. The amount of shine you get on this moisturizer from the minute you apply if you don’t know how to finesse it can be a turn off for some people. When I use this foundation, I have to use my Laura Mercier setting powder to tone down the shine otherwise I look like I’ve been sweating.

IT Cosmetics often falls into the brown foundation pitfalls of veering on orangish tones. In my case, it works out because for super warm weather it compliments my inevitable tan. But in the winter months I’d be hard pressed to want to use this because it’s so orange.

Deep is the darkest shade they offer so anyone darker than me has sadly been ignored in the shade range.

10. ELF Cosmetics Beauty Shield Daily Defense Makeup Spray (gifted)

So, this was also something I’ve come to love when I’m traveling. For me, this spray pulls double duty. Normally when I’m home, I spritz my foundation and concealer brushes before applying product so that I can create a soft touch flawless finish. But the spray I normally use is in a huge container and isn’t practical for when I’m traveling. So, this smaller alternative is ideal to keep the flawless finish without taking up too much space in my travel makeup kit. I love that the spray is even and not too forceful. Additionally, it is a great spritz for when I’m done with my makeup. Now in a head to head with my Skindinavia makeup setting spray, no this will not be as intense as that because ELF focuses more on hydration whereas Skindinavia ends with a slight sticky finish to lock in the makeup. But again, I took this with me to North Carolina a few weeks ago and my makeup stayed in place during the heat wave.

Full disclosure: I’m a brand ambassador for Kevyn Aucoin, IT Cosmetics, Pixi Beauty, Erborian and ELF Cosmetics. Occasionally I post affiliate links so I may receive compensation on some of my posts.

Arplis - News: GORUCK GR1: Review

GORUCK is an infamous name in the bag community. Bring it up and youll have flocks of enthusiasts at your door to sing the good word of GORUCK. Youll see this with some other makers, enthusiasts and critics included, but its few and far in between. Its rare to see this kind of emotion behind a bag maker, and when you do, you usually have something special.

Now, whats special to someone might not be special to everyone, but if youve never held a GORUCK bag in your hands, it might be difficult to get the cult following behind them. Were here to get into some of those reasons, and what makes the GR1 one of the most popular backpacks in the world.

Tech Specs

Imperial Metric Height 18 45.7cm Width 11.5 29.2cm Depth 5.5 14cm Weight 2.9 lbs 1.32kg Capacity 21L 1282 cu. in.

Measurements are for the 21L GR1

Primary Materials 1000D Cordura, YKK Zippers

Quality and Comfort

Quality is not something that is often argued over when it comes to the GR1. Some people have reported cosmetic stitching issues on US produced models, but they seem uncommon and are always covered by the bomb-proof Scars Lifetime Guarantee.

This specific GR1 is something a bit different for GORUCK its produced in Saigon. While we wont get into any of the politics around this decision (you can read about what founder Jason McCarthy has to say), we can say that Saigon has some of the best soft-goods factories in the world, and it really comes through in this bag. Its built to the exact same specification as any other GORUCK bag. Same materials. Same stitching. Same patterns. Et cetera. The build is impeccable, not a stitch out of place, and I felt confident throwing the bag around even with 30-40 pounds of iron weights stuffed inside.

Speaking of throwing around weights, the first way youll probably do that is by lifting up on the top grab handle. The handle is lightly padded, comfortable enough, and gives a feeling of confidence when using it. Underneath the handle is a hook-and-loop closure flap that acts as a hydration port if you run a bladder. Unlike some other GORUCK bags, this is the only grab handle on the bag. More recent additions in the bag world have made me appreciate side-handles on almost anything though. Its not necessary on the GR1, but would be a nice upgrade in the future.

The shoulder straps on GORUCK bags are usually a hot-button topic when it comes to our community. On one hand, they eventually work their way into some of the most comfortable straps on the market. On the other hand, theyre hard as a rock out of the box. Ive been taking mine on dog walks loaded up with 10-20lbs of weight, and its definitely not comfortable at first. However, I can attest that they do break in over time, and mine are on the verge of being there. If you planned on taking this for a trip or anything out of the box, Id recommend attempting to break them in first.

GORUCK and their fans know to do this, but the more casual buyer may not. It might be beneficial for them to include some light literature with the bag so new buyers arent potentially put off from the bags first impression.

The backpanel itself is well padded, like the straps, and made from the same 1000D material as the rest of the bag. Its slightly molded to allow some breathability, but in reality if you often get a sweaty back this wont really help. Otherwise, its comfortable.

Something to note is that users have complained about the harshness of the 1000D material on certain items of clothing. I havent experienced this myself, but its worth considering what you wear with this pack. Also, this is a small nitpick, but the GRI doesnt come with a sternum strap. For a bag that retails for $265 (more for the US version), I would really prefer for it to be included instead of sold for an extra $10. I used a spare I had on hand during testing, and found it much more comfortable with than without, especially during the break-in period.

GORUCK also sells a padded hip belt that attaches via the webbing on the side of the bag, but I didnt find it necessary.

Organization

While youre not going to find a pocket for every small cable in your arsenal, the GR1 has more going on here than youd be lead to believe, and its pretty easy to add more org if you need it.

The front slash pocket is the most accessible area on the pack, but it doesnt really have its own volume. If the bag is packed out, youre not getting anything in here that isnt already flat, like plane tickets or other paper items. Its also not quite large enough to fit the GORUCK Wire Dopp, which is what I naturally wanted to keep here, but something like a small Magpul DAKA works nicely.

Both the main compartment and this pocket have what are often seen as the best zipper pulls on the market just some paracord and heat-shrink tubing. Its simple, works well, and is easily repaired. The zipper channels also have a full double-layer rain flap that I tend to have a love-hate relationship with. While they do a decent job at keeping the muck out of your bag, they also make zipper manipulation, especially around the corners, a bit of a pain. I imagine these will ease up over time.

Below the slash pocket is a row of PALS that you can use to add some extra organization, or as is popular with the rucking community, some hi-viz strips.

On the backside of the bag, under the shoulder straps, is a bombproof laptop compartment. Its raised and well padded, and I never once felt like my laptop needed extra protection while it was in there, no matter how I handled the bag. My only complaint about this area is that the fact that it exists behind the shoulder straps makes it a bit of a pain to access. I dont think GORUCK would be compromising anything by moving access to the side or in front of the straps.

Worth noting is that some users have been known to place their ruck plates in this compartment.

Inside the main compartment, on the front panel, you have two zippered pockets. One, at the top, is a solid 1/3 pocket, while the lower is a 2/3 mesh pocket. The lower fits the Wire Dopp perfectly, and the upper pocket is great for those smaller quick-grab items. The zippers are also color coordinated with paracord, which is a nice touch.

The back side of the main compartment has two things going on. The first is a section of PALS webbing along the top which you can use for extended organization. Ive chosen to use a GR1 Field Pocket here, attaching it only at the top, like a hinge, so I can access the lower section. This gives me more than enough organization for the entire bag without really having to bring any of my own. Sidenote the Field Pocket is now one of my absolutely favorite pouches.

The lower section is a sleeve with some light side compression. You can fit a ruck plate here, another laptop, or something like the Wire Dopp.

Whats Perfect

The build quality is impeccable and the whole bag feels bomb proof.

The Vietnam made version brings the price down a bit without sacrificing any quality.

The zippers are buttery smooth, and the pulls are simple and easy to use.

Just enough organization built in, and plenty of ways to expand that.

Laptop compartment is well protected.

At home walking down the tarmac or rucking through the mud.

Whats Not

The straps and suspension are rock hard during the break-in period.

Laptop compartment is secure but annoying to access behind the straps.

Rain flap on the zippers can get in the way, especially around the corners.

Front slash pocket becomes borderline unusable when the main compartment is packed out.

Wrap Up

I didnt quite know what to expect when getting into the GR1. Im not big on overbuilt military style bags. But, the second I had it in my hand I knew I was going to love it. While overbuilt to a fault, the bag still looks slick, and doesnt look out of place in public like some other PALS covered bags. It also has enough consideration for the every day users, with pockets and extendability where you need it, and of course, one of the best laptop compartments on the market.

The break-in period isnt overhyped. It exists, and it might be uncomfortable while you do that. But, throw some weight in there, put a thick shirt on, and get to rucking. I took a little more time to publish this review just to see if the break-in period really came to an end, and Im happy to say that the straps are now some of my favorite.

The GR1 is available directly from GORUCK for $265 for the Saigon made version, or $295 for the USA made version in various colorways.

Editors Note: the GORUCK GR1 was provided as a sample for this review. The content of the review was not shared with GORUCK prior to publishing. Our reviews are unbiased and never edited to keep brands happy.

Arplis - News source https://arplis.com/blogs/news/goruck-gr1-review

How to Do My Summer Skincare Routine

This article may contain affiliate links. See our Disclosure for more information.

Summer skincare isn't just about sun protection.

For me, it's usually one of the most challenging seasons because I tend to break out more, especially near my hairline (thank you, sweat!). 

I also get a lot of pigmentation on the sides of my cheeks—even WITH sunscreen. 

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And of course, it's always hard finding the right products that keep you hydrated and protected, without looking like an oil slick.

That's why this might just be my best summer skincare routine yet!

Not to jinx anything, but so far using these products, my skin has stayed surprisingly clear, even and only slightly dewy, instead of shiny. (I'm not even wearing powder in this photo, and in past summers I wouldn't be able to get away with that!)

Keep reading to find out my skincare goals this season, and everything I'm using right now. And check out my previous routines for spring, winter and fall if you missed them!

My Summer Skincare Goals

My summer skincare goals include protecting my skin from UV and preventing pigmentation and breakouts.

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Alright, here's the lowdown on my skin priorities right now!

Sun protection: The sun is said to be responsible for 80 percent of skin aging, so obviously I'm all about the SPF at the moment. I can remember when I first started doing these mineral sunscreen guides, there were only a handful of high-zinc formulas to choose from, and most were quite heavy and occlusive. Now, there are a good number of lightweight options—so I think that's one reason why my skin is behaving better!

Fading and preventing pigmentation: In the spring, I was battling a serious case of post-acne hyperpigmentation after some Drunk Elephant products made me break out BADLY. That has mostly faded now, although I'm still working on it. At the same time, I'm being diligent about preventing new pigmentation. Sunscreen is half the battle, but so are the right actives. Niacinamide is what works the best for me, and I consider it to be an anti-aging treatment as well.

Preventing breakouts: Like I said, my skin has been unusually clear lately, thank God. But if I learned anything from my Drunk Elephant experience, it was not to get too cocky about that! So I'm keeping up my twice-daily acid routine. I think the niacinamide treatments I'm using right now are also making a difference, along with the lighter SPF and some new toners.

Confession: I fell off the wagon this summer with respect to all my gadgets (admittedly, I went a little wild with them in the spring!). I've just been TOO busy for anything more than an occasional Red Light Man treatment. But, I'm going to get back into using my ZIIP when I have some downtime in August (and yes, I plan to do a review). The microneedling I'm going to save for the fall, as you're not meant to do it after sun exposure.

Since I took you through my skin makeup last time, I won't bore you with that again here (I'm using pretty much the same things anyway).

As always, the majority of these products were purchased by me, and you can see how I scrutinize ingredients lists in this tutorial.

My Morning Skincare Routine

1. Cleanser:

Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser

My morning cleanser right now is Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser, which I was also using in the spring. This has become one of my favourite gel cleansers—it's sulfate-free, and I don't find it drying at all. (But it might be not be moisturizing enough for dry skin, so I think it's best if you are normal to oily.) While I'm only using it in the mornings, you could also use it at night as the second step in a double cleanse.

I'm also still using the S.W. Basics Cleanser on a Shiseido Facial Cotton on days when I'm not hopping in the shower right away. It's a three-ingredient cleansing water that's great for a quick, gentle cleanse. 

2. BHA:

COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid 

What a surprise, COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is next! I can't see myself EVER giving up this beta-hydroxy acid treatment that I've been using since 2017. As I explained in this review, it treats and prevents breakouts, exfoliates and brightens your skin, fades pigmentation and more. The texture is a liquid gel, and I use my fingers to smooth a generous layer all over my face (excluding the lips and eye area).

3. Serum:

GEORGANIC Propolis Care Acne Serum

Then I wait about 20 minutes or so to give the BHA time to work before I apply the GEORGANIC Propolis Care Acne Serum. Ignore the name, because this serum is not just going to help acne-prone skin, but also dry or sensitive skin and pigmentation. 

First of all, it's got 78 percent Centella Asiatica extract, which is an Asian herb that both moisturizes and strengthens the skin barrier. It also has 10 percent propolis (bee "glue"), which soothes and reduces inflammation, and two percent niacinamide, which has all of these benefits (including brightening). So it's doing a lot more than other serums—and with fewer ingredients! It has a lightweight texture and is highly unlikely to irritate you or break you out.

4. Moisturizer:

Truly Organic Glass Skin Facial Serum

In summers past, I usually skipped this step and went straight from serum to sunscreen, since moisturizer would make me too greasy. This time, I've been experimenting with Truly Organic Glass Skin Facial Serum, and it's not having that effect at all! (The sunscreen I'm using is lighter, too, but more on that in a second.) 

It's interesting that the brand is calling this a serum, because the texture is definitely a cream. It becomes more fluid once you spread it on your skin, so maybe that's why? Anyway, I absolutely love it. Who knew you could make a lightweight but nourishing cream out of soy lecithin, xanthan gum, aloe vera, coconut oil, cocoa butter and vitamin E?!

5. Eye Cream:

Truly Organic Doll Face Face Cream 

Instead of eye cream, I'm using Truly Organic Doll Face Face Cream right now. (I swear, this brand is one of my BEST discoveries this year!) Lately, I've been getting some irritation in my eye area, probably from some makeup I've been using, so I wanted to try a very basic cream that wouldn't cause any more issues. I find that I can't use a lot of eye creams because their ingredients lists are too complex, with too many potential irritants.

Like the Glass Skin Serum, this cream has a very simple, natural ingredients list—in fact, the ingredients are almost the same. Doll Face, however, has a slightly thicker texture and a pink tint (maybe from the seaweed extract?). It's perfect as an eye cream, and I also wouldn't hesitate to use it as a face cream, which I'll be doing once it gets colder. (I've already tested it all over my face, and it doesn't break me out.) Truly obsessed with this brand!

6. Sunscreen:

Ava Isa Pure Untinted Ultra Matte SPF 45 Sunscreen

For my mineral sunscreen this season, I've got a brand new tube of Ava Isa Pure Untinted Ultra Matte SPF 45 Sunscreen, which the company recently tweaked to create a creamier texture. (There's also a tinted version, by the way, and you can now find them in the US at Credo Beauty!) This is such a great SPF for anyone who hates heavy, greasy sunscreens. It's so light on the skin, and the protection from UVA rays (the aging type of rays) is incredible. 

I JUST received a PR sample of the new REN Clean Screen Mattifying Face Sunscreen SPF 30, so I'm going to be adding that to the rotation, too. It's not available yet here in Canada, but you can find it in the US and UK. You can learn more about all my sunscreen picks in this year's mineral sunscreen guide!

7. SPF Lip Balm:

COOLA Tinted Mineral Liplux SPF 30

As I mentioned in my recent review, COOLA Tinted Mineral Liplux SPF 30 is my top pick for an SPF lip balm. You're getting all-mineral protection in a moisturizing, water-resistant formula. It comes in a bunch of different tints—see my swatches here. My favourite is the coral shade called Tan Line.

I'm not wearing this in the photo above, though! (Oops!) That's Glossier Generation G in Crush with some Lanolips 101 Ointment on top.

8. Face Mists:

Tatcha The Satin Skin Mist, BIOeffect OSA Water Mist and Pai Rice Plant & Rosemary BioAffinity Skin Tonic

My last step in the morning (and throughout the day, actually) is face mist. I'm BIG on face mists in the summer. Tatcha The Satin Skin Mist is my latest purchase, a "liquid powder" that you shake and then spray on to mattify your skin. I've been experimenting with this instead of regular face powder, and it does a good job of taking away shine without making my skin look dry or dull. 

I also like BIOeffect OSA Water Mist, which I was using last summer, too. This one is also slightly mattifying thanks to the silica, and hydrating thanks to the glycerin and hyaluronic acid. The packaging is great to pop in your handbag.

And I just bought another Pai Rice Plant & Rosemary BioAffinity Skin Tonic, which I used two or three years ago and loved. This one is super juicy and refreshing, and is specifically formulated to help balance combo skin. 

My Nighttime Skincare Routine

1. Makeup Remover:

Darphin Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water

Moving on to evening... my first step is always micellar water, and I decided to try out another one to share with you, the Darphin Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water. If you feel like splurging, it does the job, with 94 percent natural ingredients (although BIOeffect's formula is technically more "clean"). It doesn't cause any irritation for me, but I'm also rinsing it off with the next step.

2. Cleanser:

Indie Lee Purifying Face Wash

There's nothing like a foaming face wash in the summer to get off all the sweat and grime that's been seeping into your pores all day—am I right? I finally got around to trying Indie Lee Purifying Face Wash, which I bought a while back but somehow forgot about (I have way too many cleansers!).

This has a unique jelly texture that turns into a light creamy foam once you massage it over wet skin. Honestly, it's great (just like ALL the cleansers from this brand). It's gentle, sulfate-free and doesn't leave my skin feeling tight. Keep in mind that it's more for oily and combo skin, though. If you are dry, I think the Indie Lee Rosehip Cleanser is better for you.

3. Cleansing Brush:

Foreo Luna 2 for Combination Skin

As usual, I pair my cleanser with the Foreo Luna 2 for Combination Skin, my favourite gentle cleansing brush. Summer is when I use this puppy the most, since sunscreens have a tendency to clog pores and I'm paranoid of leaving any traces on my skin.

By the way, a new version of this brush has just come out, the Luna 3. The main difference is that there's now an app, so you can customize the treatment intensity with your phone. I'm not sure if they are discontinuing the older one but I hope not! Personally, I feel like I don't need the 3 as the 2 already works perfectly.

4. Toner:

Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner and Pyunkang Yul Acne Toner

In the spring, I mentioned that I've started to incorporate a toner step in the evenings, after cleansing and before my acid. I was inspired by NYC facialist Christine Chin, who believes that skipping toner is the number one mistake most people make! My problem was finding the RIGHT toner. Most toners I've tried don't play well with the COSRX BHA for some reason, and my skin goes red, hot and flushed when I use them together. Then I got the idea to try Lotion P50 as my toner, and it didn't do that!

However, Lotion P50 isn't the most accessible product, so I wanted to find some other options I could recommend to you guys. Thank goodness for K-beauty. I found two more toners that are compatible with acids! Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner contains soothing aloe vera, hydrating snail mucin and 0.5 percent salicylic acid. Pyunkang Yul Acne Toner has willow bark extract (a natural BHA), niacinamide and Centella Asiatica extract. They're both quite cheap!

5. BHA:

COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid 

After the toner, I apply COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, same as the morning. In past routines, you might remember me using it only in the mornings, with another salicylic acid treatment at night. But since the spring, I've stuck with this twice a day, and I really notice that my skin is always clear now. Like, I can be walking around all day sweating, or going through PMS time, and not even have ONE pimple. This stuff is GOLD!

6. Serum:

SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense

As much as I love A313 (reviewed here), I'm taking a little break from retinoids for the next month or so. One, because I finished the tube and had to order another, and two, because I plan to be spending a lot of time outside in August. This paper talks about retinoids and phototoxicity, so I just like to be careful!

Instead, I'm applying SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense, which was also in my spring routine. I use this about 20 minutes after the acid. It has five percent niacinamide, which acts as an antioxidant and will help me combat any sun-induced pigmentation. There are also tons of studies about niacinamide's ability to repair radiation-induced DNA damage (see here for a few). Yes, I am obsessed with niacinamide and prefer it to vitamin C!

7. Lash Serum:

neuLASH Lash Enhancing Serum

In my last few routines, I've forgotten to include lash serum, so I wanted to let you know that I've been using neuLASH Lash Enhancing Serum for a while now. You just paint this along your upper lash lines, and it helps strengthen your lashes so that they hang around longer (and therefore look thicker). Coming from Latisse, I think this has helped me maintain those results!

8. Eye Cream:

Truly Organic Doll Face Face Cream 

Again, my "eye cream" right now is Truly Organic Doll Face Face Cream. No, it doesn't have any anti-aging ingredients, but it's keeping my eye area nice and hydrated. I wish more brands would take a cue from this company's ultra-simple formulas! With eye creams especially, the fewer ingredients, the better.

9. Lip Balm:

Lanolips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm

As always, my last step is some lanolin lip balm. All that's in Lanolips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm is medical-grade lanolin, which I think is the best thing for healing dry lips. Ever since I got onto this stuff, I NEVER experience chapping.

For a cheaper (but less cute) option, Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream is the same thing!

Conclusion

My summer skincare products from Pai, Benton, Darphin, Indie Lee, Ava Isa, Pyunkang Yul, Youth to the People, GEORGANIC, Tatcha, SkinCeuticals, BIOeffect and Truly Organic.

I hope you enjoyed reading about this routine! 

Even though I'd describe my skin as combination, I think a lot of these products would work for drier skin than mine, too. I can't say enough good things about Truly Organic in particular. The fact that they can make such incredible creams without a long list of weird synthetic ingredients is just amazing to me!

I hope you also check out GEORGANIC, because that's another one I'd recommend for ALL skin. It's a K-beauty brand, by the way (as are COSRX, Benton and Pyunkang Yul). I'm a bit late to the party but I'm working on a Korean "clean skincare" guide to share with you soon. Stay tuned!

Shop My Skincare Routine

Have you tried any of the products in my summer routine? Which skincare products are you loving lately?

How to Do My Summer Skincare Routine syndicated from The Skincare Edit

Even though cult-classic liners from beloved brands like MAC and...

Even though cult-classic liners from beloved brands like MAC and Charlotte Tilbury are often favorited by makeup artists and beauty editors, lip liners are one beauty staple makeup artists agree you can and should grab at the drugstore. Although liners aren’t essential, they can lend a helping hand where precision and durability are concerned—especially if you’re one to opt for a statement-making color. Celebrity makeup artist Ash K Holm, who counts lip-blessed beauties like Shay Mitchell and Kim Kardashian as clients, recommends this shape-perfecting pick from Maybelline.  “I would say lip gloss is something you can definitely buy in a drugstore,” celebrity makeup artist Morgane Martini confirms. “You can still get good quality for your money and are usually safe to use without having to fear allergies or skin reactions.” We’re big fans of this cheekily named number from Soap & Glory, and although the gloss only comes in three colors, the trio manages to look ultra-flattering on every skin tone.  Are you noticing a trend yet? All four makeup artists we talked to mentioned any lip-related beauty product is probably okay to shop for at the drugstore thanks to consistent and dependable quality. (Thrilling news as we love to have as many color options as possible in our collection.) Oh, and if you’re not sure where to start, Adele’s go-to makeup artist Michael Ashton has your back.  “Everyone should have the perfect nude lipstick in their makeup bag as it is a classic beauty look that’s perfect for daytime but also looks elegant with a smoky eye for the evening,” he tells us. He loves this line of lippies from Maybelline in particular thanks to the hydrating ingredients and shade range. Plus, if you’re in a pinch, he says you can use the ultra-moisturizing formula as an on-the-go blush alternative. That being said, if you don’t want to go with lipstick as your blush, Ashton says saving money on an actual blush is totally fine too. “When it comes to creating a natural looking flush to the cheeks, I prefer to work with cream blusher,“ he shares. "This bendable cream formula works well applied with either the fingertips or a buffing brush as it melts into the skin giving a seamless application of color."  Does it get better than a $4 blush that’s approved by the same man who’s behind Adele’s glow? We think not.  “Well-groomed brows frame any makeup look, and this gel brow gel is perfect for brushing brow hairs into place so you can see what areas you need to shape and fill,” says Ashton. As for his application MO, he likes to use a clear brow gel first, which gives your pencil something to adhere to and therefore keeps your brow game perfectly in place for longer. “I love Ardell individual lashes for my clients, and they are super affordable!” celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney exclaims. “Lashes do not need to be expensive to look amazing.” Martini is also a fan of getting lashes at the drugstore and says these handy multipacks from Kiss Lashes (which include five pairs!) are her go-to for creating a showstopping red carpet moment. All four makeup artists agreed that an amazing skincare routine is the at the heart of an amazing makeup look. And while they recommend investing in your serums and moisturizers (don’t fret, we’ll get there!), they say reaching for a less-expensive cleanser is an acceptable compromise. After all, it won’t stay on your face as long as products like serum and cream. Martini loves the facial cleansers from dermatologist-approved brand Cetaphil, and Ashton tends to reach for the above hydrating formula from La Roche-Posay.  “French pharmacy skincare brands are renowned for both quality and efficacy. What I love about this cream cleanser is how gentle it is on the skin while effectively removing makeup and impurities,“ he explains. "I always like to do a double-cleanse as the first wash will remove any product and pollutants, while the second cleanse allows the product ingredients to really penetrate and treat the skin.” Even though there are plenty of splurge-worthy mascaras makeup artists love (Ashton recommends Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara $29), many makeup artists also agree that mascaras don’t need to be spendy in order to yield super-fluttery results. "I love to own a great mascara for voluminous lashes, and the best part is that it doesn’t have to be expensive,” says Henney. This iconic tube from Maybelline has been an industry go-to for years, and Henney says it gets the job done perfectly.  We’re the first to admit we fall weak at the knees at the mere sight of a drop-dead and ridiculously high-priced eye shadow palette, but according to our team of makeup pros, cheaper alternatives can provide results that are just as mesmerizing.  “I love Colour Pop Eyeshadows, as they have brilliant pigments and are very affordable,” Henney shares. “As for application, I like to layer these on top of a cream product as a base, which will allow your eye shadow to last from day to night!” Remember what we said earlier about makeup artists prioritizing skincare? According to artists like Henney and Ashton, serums are one of the most important components for achieving flawless makeup.  “As for beauty investments,100% skincare products!” exclaims Henney. Definitely splurge on great serums with vitamin A. I can’t live without Rationale 1 and 2 serums to start my daily skincare routine—and I have never found two products that have helped so much with my acne and pigmentation issues. “For me, there are a few product categories that are worth their weight in gold, and you really do get what you pay for. I will always splurge on fantastic moisturizer,” says Ashton. “Having quickly become one of the favorite creams of the Hollywood A-List, this luxe moisturizer helps stimulate the skin’s cell renewal for a brighter and more youthful appearance. I love to use this as a base before foundation as it quickly hydrates and plumps the skin, creating the perfect base for foundation."  Even though $21 is a pretty penny where eyelash curlers are concerned, we spot this cult-classic curler in almost every artist-approved kit we snoop in. Ashton reveals why: "Not all eyelash curlers are created equal, and this one is the best in its class. Designed with a slightly wider and ultra-comfortable silicon pad, this will help you achieve the perfect curl to your lashes that will open up the eye shape."  Of course, you can splurge on bronzers and highlighters separately, but why spend the extra cash when you can get a makeup artist–approved pick that does both in one fell swoop?  "Charlotte Tilbury's Filmstar Bronze and Glow ($68) is a staple bronzer and highlighter I definitely recommend to invest in,” says Henney. “Additionally, Tom Ford's Shade and Illuminate ($85) is a brilliant creamy contour and highlight palette. Try applying the highlight with your finger and tap on the product to the tops of the cheekbones for a glassy skin–like sheen!"  "Investing in the right foundation for your skin type is so important for creating a flawless makeup look,” Holm shares. “Next to skincare, the foundation you wear is just as important. We all have different skin tones, textures, and skin types, so it’s important to be mindful of these things when choosing your formula. For example, if you have dry skin, you need a foundation that is going to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day. I’m in love with Dior Forever Skin and Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundations. This line ranges from a dewy hydrated texture to a 24-hour matte finish. Plus, there are choices for all skin tones.” Having the right tools to apply your makeup is also important, so Holm doesn’t recommend skimping when it comes to your brush selection. She says brushes with have soft fibers make for a more seamless finish. “Say Mé’s handcrafted brushes are the softest brushes I’ve ever tried. The fibers feel so soft and dreamy against your skin and make your liquid and powder formulas glide on across your face.” Last but not least, when it comes to getting what you pay for makeup product-wise, Ashton says investing in a high-quality eyeliner is one of the best things you can do for your eye makeup aesthetic.  “With an amazing shade range, these gel liner pencils have a fantastic formula that will give you great color payoff and long wear. Try using alone as an eyeliner or blend over the eyelid as a base before applying eye shadow.”. Next up, Victoria Beckham is obsessed with this exotic organic body oil, so I tried it.

source https://gothify1.tumblr.com/post/182262546625

Even though cult-classic liners from beloved brands like MAC and Charlotte Tilbury are often favorited by makeup artists and beauty editors, lip liners are one beauty staple makeup artists agree you can and should grab at the drugstore. Although liners aren't essential, they can lend a helping hand where precision and durability are concerned—especially if you're one to opt for a statement-making color. Celebrity makeup artist Ash K Holm, who counts lip-blessed beauties like Shay Mitchell and Kim Kardashian as clients, recommends this shape-perfecting pick from Maybelline.  "I would say lip gloss is something you can definitely buy in a drugstore," celebrity makeup artist Morgane Martini confirms. "You can still get good quality for your money and are usually safe to use without having to fear allergies or skin reactions." We're big fans of this cheekily named number from Soap & Glory, and although the gloss only comes in three colors, the trio manages to look ultra-flattering on every skin tone.  Are you noticing a trend yet? All four makeup artists we talked to mentioned any lip-related beauty product is probably okay to shop for at the drugstore thanks to consistent and dependable quality. (Thrilling news as we love to have as many color options as possible in our collection.) Oh, and if you're not sure where to start, Adele's go-to makeup artist Michael Ashton has your back.  "Everyone should have the perfect nude lipstick in their makeup bag as it is a classic beauty look that's perfect for daytime but also looks elegant with a smoky eye for the evening," he tells us. He loves this line of lippies from Maybelline in particular thanks to the hydrating ingredients and shade range. Plus, if you're in a pinch, he says you can use the ultra-moisturizing formula as an on-the-go blush alternative. That being said, if you don't want to go with lipstick as your blush, Ashton says saving money on an actual blush is totally fine too. “When it comes to creating a natural looking flush to the cheeks, I prefer to work with cream blusher," he shares. "This bendable cream formula works well applied with either the fingertips or a buffing brush as it melts into the skin giving a seamless application of color."  Does it get better than a $4 blush that's approved by the same man who's behind Adele's glow? We think not.  “Well-groomed brows frame any makeup look, and this gel brow gel is perfect for brushing brow hairs into place so you can see what areas you need to shape and fill," says Ashton. As for his application MO, he likes to use a clear brow gel first, which gives your pencil something to adhere to and therefore keeps your brow game perfectly in place for longer. "I love Ardell individual lashes for my clients, and they are super affordable!" celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney exclaims. "Lashes do not need to be expensive to look amazing." Martini is also a fan of getting lashes at the drugstore and says these handy multipacks from Kiss Lashes (which include five pairs!) are her go-to for creating a showstopping red carpet moment. All four makeup artists agreed that an amazing skincare routine is the at the heart of an amazing makeup look. And while they recommend investing in your serums and moisturizers (don't fret, we'll get there!), they say reaching for a less-expensive cleanser is an acceptable compromise. After all, it won't stay on your face as long as products like serum and cream. Martini loves the facial cleansers from dermatologist-approved brand Cetaphil, and Ashton tends to reach for the above hydrating formula from La Roche-Posay.  “French pharmacy skincare brands are renowned for both quality and efficacy. What I love about this cream cleanser is how gentle it is on the skin while effectively removing makeup and impurities," he explains. "I always like to do a double-cleanse as the first wash will remove any product and pollutants, while the second cleanse allows the product ingredients to really penetrate and treat the skin.” Even though there are plenty of splurge-worthy mascaras makeup artists love (Ashton recommends Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara $29), many makeup artists also agree that mascaras don't need to be spendy in order to yield super-fluttery results. "I love to own a great mascara for voluminous lashes, and the best part is that it doesn’t have to be expensive," says Henney. This iconic tube from Maybelline has been an industry go-to for years, and Henney says it gets the job done perfectly.  We're the first to admit we fall weak at the knees at the mere sight of a drop-dead and ridiculously high-priced eye shadow palette, but according to our team of makeup pros, cheaper alternatives can provide results that are just as mesmerizing.  "I love Colour Pop Eyeshadows, as they have brilliant pigments and are very affordable," Henney shares. "As for application, I like to layer these on top of a cream product as a base, which will allow your eye shadow to last from day to night!" Remember what we said earlier about makeup artists prioritizing skincare? According to artists like Henney and Ashton, serums are one of the most important components for achieving flawless makeup.  "As for beauty investments,100% skincare products!" exclaims Henney. Definitely splurge on great serums with vitamin A. I can’t live without Rationale 1 and 2 serums to start my daily skincare routine—and I have never found two products that have helped so much with my acne and pigmentation issues. "For me, there are a few product categories that are worth their weight in gold, and you really do get what you pay for. I will always splurge on fantastic moisturizer," says Ashton. "Having quickly become one of the favorite creams of the Hollywood A-List, this luxe moisturizer helps stimulate the skin's cell renewal for a brighter and more youthful appearance. I love to use this as a base before foundation as it quickly hydrates and plumps the skin, creating the perfect base for foundation."  Even though $21 is a pretty penny where eyelash curlers are concerned, we spot this cult-classic curler in almost every artist-approved kit we snoop in. Ashton reveals why: "Not all eyelash curlers are created equal, and this one is the best in its class. Designed with a slightly wider and ultra-comfortable silicon pad, this will help you achieve the perfect curl to your lashes that will open up the eye shape."  Of course, you can splurge on bronzers and highlighters separately, but why spend the extra cash when you can get a makeup artist–approved pick that does both in one fell swoop?  "Charlotte Tilbury's Filmstar Bronze and Glow ($68) is a staple bronzer and highlighter I definitely recommend to invest in," says Henney. "Additionally, Tom Ford's Shade and Illuminate ($85) is a brilliant creamy contour and highlight palette. Try applying the highlight with your finger and tap on the product to the tops of the cheekbones for a glassy skin–like sheen!"  "Investing in the right foundation for your skin type is so important for creating a flawless makeup look," Holm shares. "Next to skincare, the foundation you wear is just as important. We all have different skin tones, textures, and skin types, so it's important to be mindful of these things when choosing your formula. For example, if you have dry skin, you need a foundation that is going to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day. I'm in love with Dior Forever Skin and Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundations. This line ranges from a dewy hydrated texture to a 24-hour matte finish. Plus, there are choices for all skin tones." Having the right tools to apply your makeup is also important, so Holm doesn't recommend skimping when it comes to your brush selection. She says brushes with have soft fibers make for a more seamless finish. "Say Mé's handcrafted brushes are the softest brushes I've ever tried. The fibers feel so soft and dreamy against your skin and make your liquid and powder formulas glide on across your face." Last but not least, when it comes to getting what you pay for makeup product-wise, Ashton says investing in a high-quality eyeliner is one of the best things you can do for your eye makeup aesthetic.  "With an amazing shade range, these gel liner pencils have a fantastic formula that will give you great color payoff and long wear. Try using alone as an eyeliner or blend over the eyelid as a base before applying eye shadow.”. Next up, Victoria Beckham is obsessed with this exotic organic body oil, so I tried it.

pharah/mercy/genji !

A large spider has gotten into the house/apartment. How does each person react?

Fareeha tries to get it with a concussion blast. It doesn’t work. Genji throws some shuriken at it. It...doesn’t work. Angela gets out of bed because she’s trying??? to sleep??? and just like picks it up and dumps it outside. She then makes the other two clean up the messes they made because of the spider.

What are their sleeping arrangements? Do they get multiple mattresses, several rooms? Line a floor with mattresses and then make the entire room a bed? Who are the blanket hoggers? The ones who flail?

They have one Big Ass Bed that they share-- maybe kind of like those pillow nest beds? but a fuckin huge one. Angela hogs the blankets which is okay because Genji probably radiates heat, and Fareeha is the squirmiest of the bunch.

How do they celebrate the holidays? What are the favorite holidays in the household for each person? Are there ever any disagreements about which holiday is the best? Do any of them go all out with decorations and participation in events? Does anyone ever suffer in silent agony that they’re being forced into holiday sweaters or fed too many holiday foods, but out of love they keep their mouth shut?

They celebrate with great enthusiasm. Angela likes easter, Genji is a fan of Halloween, and Fareeha loves Christmas. Genji and Fareeha tend to gang up on Angela because “you only like easter for the chocolate” but it’s all in good fun.

Fareeha is like 900% any charaty for helping underprivilaged children during christmas-- shoebox gifts, toys for tots, stuff a bus, things like that. Angela gives out the most elaborate easter baskets. Genji, despite being asked not to by Winston, makes a huge ass haunted house on the watchpoint every halloween.

The only one to suffer is Fareeha because Genji won’t take off his halloween sweater itS CHRISTMAS GODDAMNIT

How do they all keep house? Do they assign chores, and if so, does anyone ever slack? Does anyone ever say, “let’s clean” and (most?) everyone suddenly hops off the furniture and pitches in?

Fareeha and Genji both agreed that Angela does not do chores because she’s busy keeping everyone alive. That being said, they have to drag her away from the kitchen because she’s washing the plates that gENJI WAS SUPPOSED TO WASH THREE DAYS AGO...

Something contagious is going around! How will each of them handle being sick? Who are the ones who insist on working even when they’re not well? Who are the ones who stay away when they’re healthy? The ones who play nurse?

Angela is the WORST when she’s sick-- Constantly trying to get up and do work, and pretty much forcing either Fareeha or Genji to sit in bed with her to keep her from trying to do anything. Genji likes to fake cry that he’s dying, but is decent at actually listening to Angela and Fareeha and stays in bed. Fareeha sleeps for 48 hours, drinks a gallon of soup from Ana, and is the first one to get well no matter how much vitimin C Genji takes.

The mess that is deciding where to eat out and what to order.

Genji makes things difficult, but they manage by checking to see if places have good portion sizes or soup. He always wants sushi or ramen when they go out, but there’s only so much of that the other two can eat. Fareeha likes spicey food and god forbid you take her to a place where the only seasoning is salt.

Angela usually orders in pizza for herself, ramen for Genji, and makes Fareeha pick her food jsut so they stop arguing about where to go.

One or more of them comes across a stray animal. How do the family members each react? Who tries to find the previous owner? Does anyone want the others to mind their own business? Do they end up keeping it?

Genji and Angela would both look at a stray and pick it up immediatly. Fareeha as well, but she’s be more into checking the surrounding area to see if the owner is just awol first. Between the three of them they have the area littered with “IS THIS YOUR ANIMAL” posters, even though Genji loves the cat now, look, “they bonded with me agree with me Angela”

They don’t keep it because of the nature of their work, but if they can’t find the original owner, they find a suitable person to take it in. Genji cries as it leaves.

They take a trip to the zoo. What is each person’s favorite animal, and who gets excited about seeing theirs? Who downplays it? Who is willing to wait while the other drags everyone off to their favorite animals, and who tries to tell everyone they’re going to stick to the set path from beginning to end, and everyone will get to see their favorites soon so calm down?

Fareeha is going to live in the bird area okay and no one can stop her. Angela is a fan of the sea life-- balugas, manatees, seals. Genji has decided that he’s going to live in the monkey exibit, okay guys?

They’re all hype about seeing their faves, and they dash all over the place to look at them and to pull each other away because “Fareeha I know. the birds are great. it’s been almost an hour and Genji is dying from heat stroke let’s keep going--”

Describe everyone going on a camping trip. Who enjoys it? Which one(s) set up the tent? Who would get lost in the woods but is only a few feet away from a gas station?

Angela loves camping-- she’s all about getting that tent up and getting a fire started and BEING OUTSIDE. Genji also likes it. Fareeha isn’t a fan of the bugs, and worries about bear attacks.

“Fareeha weren’t you supposed to go get some stuff from the gas station” “I got lost” “It’s litterally right over there”

Who tells the ghost stories or watches the ghost stories, and who are the ones who need a cuddle sandwich to get through the night every time they encounter anything the least bit spooky?

Genji likes to pretend that he’s tough. “haha i already died once nyah” and all that. But when he’s watching a ghost/horror movie with Fareeha he is not as tough as he thinks.

Angela looks at ghosts and laughs.

Who steals everyone else’s clothing? Who can’t tell their own clothing from other people’s anymore?

Genji steals all their clothing. He leaves the room in Angela’s pants and one of Fareeah’s “I’d flex but the sleeves’d fall off” shirts. One of Angela’s scrub tops and a pair of Fareeha’s army pants.

One of them starts singing. Who joins in? Who absolutely refuses to join in? If any of them can’t sing, does everyone roll with it, or do they stop and beg that person to stop as well?

Angela starts singing, but clams up the minute anyone else joins in because she didn’t want them to know she was singing. Fareeah refuses to sing because she doesn’t like her voice, but it’s probably fine.

Genji gets hit with things when he sings because he hams it up and it’s hard not to laugh.

Who is the warmest to cuddle with? Who is always cold? Who wants the heater up, who wants the heater down, who wants to save money but is cold as fuck and piles under layers of clothing and blankets in the house? Who dies in summer? Who wants to turn up the AC and wait out until winter?

Genji is a furnace-- once it gets cold Fareeha plasters herself up against him. Angela doesn’t mind the cold, but she’ prefer to stay warm, so they keep the heat up a little higher. Angela can’t stand the heat-- she overheats once it gets too warm, and Genji si a fan of the AC ebcause it keeps his own internal cooling from overworking.

They both like to sit and watch Fareeha in the summer though because she wears a lot of tank tops and is usually working out and mmm muscles.

When grocery shopping, who budgets and makes lists? Who happily throws things into the cart and figures it’ll work out? Who estimates their general spending as they pick up items, but they throw in a couple of splurges? Who oversees that the splurges don’t go too far and tells the other(s) to put some or all of the items back on the shelf?

Fareeha makes the lists, Genji throws in whatever he wants (and what he thinks they want as well), and Angela keeps to the lists, but adds a few extras (do we really need this much swiss chocolate?)

Both Angela and Fareeha poke and prod Genji until he puts back the 25 pack of instant ramen.

Something broke down! Are any of them handy around the house with fixing things? Who thinks they can do it on their own and what level of success do they have? Who breaks down and calls a professional out?

Genji fixes a lot of stuff, second is Fareeha. They don’t let Angela try because even if she does repair it she still calls in a pro to double check her work and that can get expensive. Genji usually never has issues after fixing things, Fareeha has a few because sHE WANTS IT FIXED AND FIXED NOW, and Angela just calls someone after a while

Best Gun Belt: In-Depth Buyer’s Guide for 2020

Most gun enthusiasts will spend time and plenty of money searching for the perfect gun holster, when they should be investing their cash in the best gun belt. Too many people tend to skip looking for a gun belt altogether and will go with a belt they already wear, regardless of whether or not it’s a good match. This is a big mistake for a variety of reasons. If you’re researching belts and holsters and you’re not sure where to start or whether or not you even need a gun belt, then my in-depth buyer’s guide is a must read. It will educate you on exactly why a gun belt is a must, the many benefits it has to offer, and how to pick out the perfect model. I’ve also tested out several of the best-selling belts, and I’ve narrowed it down to four must-have models that every gun enthusiast will love. Below, you’ll find a comparison chart that lists each of these models, how they rated, and the top features they have to offer.

Gun Belt Comparison Chart

ProductMaterialSize OptionsColor OptionsRatingThe Ultimate Steel Core Gun Belt Shop On Amazon!Leather82WOLF TACTICAL Belt Shop On Amazon!Nylon52POYOLEE Leather Gun Belt Shop On Amazon!Leather103Hanks Gunner Gun Belt Shop On Amazon!Leather195

The Ultimate Steel Core Gun Belt

Our Rating: (5/5)

This is a handmade leather belt that comes with a lifetime warranty. It’s earned a reputation as one of the toughest models on the market, thanks to its spring steel core that’s designed to make the belt stiff enough to handle even the heaviest handguns. The manufacturer claims this belt will not sag or stretch out, offering the type of secure and strong platform for your OWB and IWB holsters. This model is one and a half inches thick and made out of genuine leather.

Pros

Eight sizes available

Genuine leather

Lifetime warranty

Works for both OWB and IWB holsters

Cons

Price

Conclusion

Built tough, covered by a lifetime warranty, and equipped with a steel core stiffener, this is a belt that can handle any model of handgun, and without causing your pants to sag or the holster to protrude. The fact that it’s covered by a lifetime warranty will give every gun enthusiast incentive to buy. Considering the quality of the leather and the thickness, not only is this model durable, but it will also significantly improve user comfort.

Shop Now On Amazon!

WOLF TACTICAL EDC Belt

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This belt is designed for concealed carry. It’s made out of two-ply nylon webbing and can support IWB and OWB holsters. This model is equipped with a quick release buckle that’s made out of metal and makes adjusting your holster fast and easy. The Velcro loop and hoop secures the running end, ensuring the belt remains tightly cinched and will not sag or slip. The double layer nylon is rip-resistant and measures in at one and a half inches thick. This model is very comfortable to wear, so you’ll find yourself relying on it daily. It’s also highly adjustable, so you can ensure you get the perfect fit. Unfortunately, it’s only available in five size options.

Pros

Double layer design

Adjustable

Works for concealed carry

Designed for IWB and OWB holsters

Cons

Only five size options available

Conclusion

This comfortable, thick, durable belt will be able to support the heaviest handguns. It’s a great buy if you’re looking for a comfortable and highly adjustable alternative to leather. It’s also priced affordably so it’s a good option for the gun enthusiast on a budget.

Shop Now On Amazon!

POYOLEE CCW Leather Gun Belt

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This model is made out of top grain one hundred percent tanned leather. It’s designed for concealed carry and it’s designed to handle a heavy handgun and any other accessories such as a flashlight, holster, or mag pouch. The heavy-duty buckle allows you to easily and quickly adjust your belt for the perfect fit, without the risk of sagging or the holster sliding. The double layer design is expertly stitched, for improved durability. This model is also covered by a one hundred percent satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with this belt, contact the manufacturer for a refund.

Pros

Three color options

Ten sizes

Heavy-duty buckle

Double layer leather design

Cons

Figure something OUT

Conclusion

This belt is available in ten sizes and three color options. It will not stretch or cause your pants to sag and it does an excellent job of keeping your holster and other accessories securely in place. Versatile, top-quality, and designed to support handguns of any size, this model is built tough and a steal for the price.

Shop Now On Amazon!

Hanks Gunner Gun Belt

Our Rating: (4/5)

This belt is durable and thick and comes with a one hundred percent satisfaction guarantee. It’s made out of one hundred percent full grain leather that’s one and a half inches wide and features a design that will not allow the holster sag. Instead, it will remain securely in place. The buckle is removable and fastened with the help of Chicago screws for top of the line durability. This model is covered by a one-hundred-year warranty, which is pretty impressive, especially considering the low price.

Pros

One hundred year warranty

Durable

Removable buckle

Made out of full grain leather

Cons

Lack of stitching on top and bottom edge

Conclusion

The belt is also available in five color options, so you’re sure to find the perfect belt that will match your holster. It’s also available in nineteen size options, features a highly adjustable design, and it comes with a one-hundred-year warranty, so you know you’re buying a belt that’s designed to last. However, the top and bottom edge of the belt lacks any stitching, which can make many users question whether or not this model will sag under the weight of a heavier handgun. However, most buyer’s have had no complaints regarding that type of issue, and instead, claim this belt is one of the most comfortable on the market.

Shop Now On Amazon!

Gun Belt Buyer’s Guide

Even if you have an IWB carry, wearing a belt that’s specifically designed for the purpose of supporting the gun’s weight and storing ammunition, is a must. The right belt will easily be able to store spare ammunition and support the weight of your firearm, keeping it secure and stable. Without using a belt that’s specifically designed for this purpose, your firearm will not be supported properly or kept stabilized. You may also notice that you’re uncomfortable when you wear your firearm. Because of this, it’s important that you do some research to find a model that will work for your specific firearm, one that comes with plenty of storage options, and a model that’s durable and highly adjustable.

But before I dive into the features to look for, first, I’ll go over the many benefits that come with wearing this type of belt whenever you’re carrying.

Benefits of Gun Belts

A belt designed for firearm use will keep your gun secure and stable. If you wear your everyday belt in place of this type of belt, then your pants will constantly fall down and your gun will not be in the right position for a fast draw.

These belts are durable, affordable, and often come with storage compartments that you can use to store any extra ammo.

A good belt can significantly improve your carrying experience. If you already have a belt that you wear with your holster, then you may wonder why you need to purchase a firearm belt. The reason is that these belts are designed to specifically handle the weight of a handgun.

A traditional belt consists of just a single layer of leather and some low quality stitching materials. While it may be enough to keep your pants up, it’s not ideal for a handgun and holster. A regular belt will stretch, but a belt designed for firearms will not. A good model will not twist or stretch.

This type of belt will keep your holster in the proper place, in order for you to make a faster draw.

This type of belt will also make a great foundation for a personal security carry system, making practice and training more effective.

These belts last significantly longer than a traditional belt

Other Important Features

Now that you know more about the benefits of these belts, let’s take a look at how they work and what features to keep an eye out for.

Internal Belt Stiffener

This is probably one of the most important features in a gun belt. An internal belt stiffener will significantly increase the belt’s strength, which is one of the many differences it offers when compared to a traditional belt. The internal stiffener not only increases the vertical strength of a belt, it also improves the horizontal strength as well. Most traditional belts will only focus on horizontal strength. Vertical strength is very important since it’s what will support the handgun and the holster.

Durability

Search for a model that scored well in terms of durability. These belts are designed to last significantly longer than a regular belt. A model that comes with double stitching, high-quality craftsmanship, and an internal stiffener can easily last ten years or more.

Material

Buying a cheap belt that’s made out of low-quality materials is often the first mistake most new gun owners make. These models are usually made out of nylon, polyester, or leather. Leather models feature a double layer design and are available in a variety of grades. When you’re shopping around online, look for the two highest grades, which are top grain and full grain. The difference between a full grain leather belt is that it features a 3 to 1 ratio of top layer versus bottom layer. With a top grain leather belt, it’s much closer to an equal split. Bottom line, top grain and full grain are the only two grades you should consider if you’ve decided to go with a model that’s made out of leather.

Hardware

Purchasing a model that comes equipped with poor quality hardware is another common mistake. Avoid buying a model that comes with a soft metal buckle. If the buckle is too weak or it can easily be bent by hand, the belt is not going to last.

Stitching

A belt can have limited stitching and it will work just fine. Web belts usually come with limited stitching, and they still have a reputation as a durable belt. However, in most cases, more stitching is always a better choice. The belt you buy should feature plenty of stitching that’s strong without any loose frays. Make sure that the belt’s stitching is uniform and if possible, go with a model that features double stitching.

Price

The price of a good belt will depend on many factors, such as material type, stitching, thickness, and brand. Size can also have an impact since a larger model will require the use of more material. In most cases, you’ll find that models that are made out of leather are the most expensive, although, nylon can come in at a close second. You can expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $200 for a top of the line belt.

The Right Way to Use A Gun Belt

You may mistakenly believe that just because you’ve purchased a new holster, a belt, and a firearm, that you can just attach everything, and it’ll work out just fine. This is actually something many people do, but if you make this same mistake, you won’t be getting the most out of your carry equipment. Together, your holster and belt should feel comfortable. A holster and belt that are uncomfortable can significantly increase the chance that you’re not going to carry your firearm often. This is actually the most common reason that people tend to stop carrying their weapon or do so randomly. It’s usually the fault of the equipment that was chosen.

The wrong combination can be a total disaster. As an example, if you use a plastic tactical holster inside your waistband, then the odds are it’s going to get wedged against you and the sharp edges will dig into your skin. A leather holster is more comfortable, until it starts to get hot out, then it can cause excessive sweating. Adding a belt to the mix can eliminate both of these issues, but if you don’t choose the right model, your firearm will sag, making carrying less secure.

Try switching to an OWB holster and a gun belt. This set up is simple, affordable, and basically foolproof.

An OWB holster is usually attached using a couple of methods, either via a clip or a belt. A belt slide holster will work using a couple of slots in the holster or a loop that slides the belt through. Plastic and leather loops are both commonly used.

For a sliding belt holster, you’ll need to remove the belt from the loops, sliding the belt through the loops, then re-thread the belt through the loops on your pants and fasten the belt. Be sure that the holster is positioned where you need it to be before you fasten your belt. If you’ve chosen a good belt, one that’s designed to prevent a holster from sliding, then you’ll need to unfasten your belt in order to adjust the holster’s position.

An IWB holster is tucked inside the waistband and it requires you to get the placement in the perfect position before you fasten your belt. This is because it can be difficult to adjust after the belt has been pulled taut. I recommend putting the holster on the waistband where you want it positioned, then fasten your pants, followed by fastening the belt.

Like OWB holster, the IWB holster can be attached through loops or with a clip. Clip models are pretty popular, but they’re not nearly as secure as the loop style.

In the end, the best choice is wearing a holster and belt combo that will work for your lifestyle needs, the type of environment you live in, and even the season. Using a loop-style holster combined with a gun belt will offer the best level of protection and security, ensuring you’re able to be quick on the draw, while preventing the holster from sliding out of place and preventing it from sagging.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Thick Should a Gun Belt Be?

This is a heavily debated question, the answer of which can depend on the type of firearm you carry. However, in most cases, gun enthusiasts can agree that the belt should be at least an inch and a half thick, in order to properly support a firearm and improve user comfort.

Do Gun Belts Make a Difference?

Yes. These belts are designed to support the weight of your firearm and keep it in position. The heavier a firearm, the thicker the belt should be. A belt will prevent the holster and gun from sagging or protruding, which can expose your firearm. A holster that sags can also catch or twist when you sit down, especially when you’re driving.

What’s the Difference Between a Gun Belt and a Regular Belt?

The gun belt is specifically designed to support a holster and the weight of a gun, preventing your holster from sagging, while improving the user’s comfort. a regular belt consists of material that’s significantly thinner and usually only consists of a single layer. Traditional belts are meant to hold up your pants, they’re not designed to support any added weight.

What Makes a Good Gun Belt?

This can depend on the type of material the belt is made out of. Leather is often the go-to choice since it’s so durable and also looks attractive and matches well with most types of holsters. In terms of a leather model, you’ll want to pay attention to how thick it is. A thicker piece of leather offers more holding power compared to a thinner once, and all without needing to be cinched even tighter. This type of thickness will allow the belt to provide a tighter hold since the thickness will create more friction once the belt has been secured.

Final Thoughts

Using the best gun belt is essential. It’s a must if you’re using a concealed carry and need to conceal your firearm inside your waistband. A regular belt will not work well since it isn’t designed to support the weight of a firearm. This is exactly why you need to use a belt that’s specifically designed for this purpose. Not only will it make wearing your firearm more comfortable, but it will also keep your firearm supported and secure, which will allow you to easily and quickly draw your gun. This guide and my top four product recommendations are designed to help you choose the best possible model based on the type of firearm you carry, your comfort needs, and your budget. The products I’ve tested all scored well in a variety of areas, so you should have no trouble choosing the perfect model from my lineup.

source https://readyandarmed.net/best-gun-belt/ from Ready & Armed https://readyandarmed.blogspot.com/2020/07/best-gun-belt-in-depth-buyers-guide-for.html

Best Gun Belt: In-Depth Buyers Guide for 2020

Most gun enthusiasts will spend time and plenty of money searching for the perfect gun holster, when they should be investing their cash in the best gun belt. Too many people tend to skip looking for a gun belt altogether and will go with a belt they already wear, regardless of whether or not it’s a good match. This is a big mistake for a variety of reasons. If you’re researching belts and holsters and you’re not sure where to start or whether or not you even need a gun belt, then my in-depth buyer’s guide is a must read. It will educate you on exactly why a gun belt is a must, the many benefits it has to offer, and how to pick out the perfect model. I’ve also tested out several of the best-selling belts, and I’ve narrowed it down to four must-have models that every gun enthusiast will love. Below, you’ll find a comparison chart that lists each of these models, how they rated, and the top features they have to offer.

Gun Belt Comparison Chart

ProductMaterialSize OptionsColor OptionsRatingThe Ultimate Steel Core Gun Belt Shop On Amazon!Leather82WOLF TACTICAL Belt Shop On Amazon!Nylon52POYOLEE Leather Gun Belt Shop On Amazon!Leather103Hanks Gunner Gun Belt Shop On Amazon!Leather195

The Ultimate Steel Core Gun Belt

Our Rating: (5/5)

This is a handmade leather belt that comes with a lifetime warranty. It’s earned a reputation as one of the toughest models on the market, thanks to its spring steel core that’s designed to make the belt stiff enough to handle even the heaviest handguns. The manufacturer claims this belt will not sag or stretch out, offering the type of secure and strong platform for your OWB and IWB holsters. This model is one and a half inches thick and made out of genuine leather.

Pros

Eight sizes available

Genuine leather

Lifetime warranty

Works for both OWB and IWB holsters

Cons

Price

Conclusion

Built tough, covered by a lifetime warranty, and equipped with a steel core stiffener, this is a belt that can handle any model of handgun, and without causing your pants to sag or the holster to protrude. The fact that it’s covered by a lifetime warranty will give every gun enthusiast incentive to buy. Considering the quality of the leather and the thickness, not only is this model durable, but it will also significantly improve user comfort.

Shop Now On Amazon!

WOLF TACTICAL EDC Belt

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This belt is designed for concealed carry. It’s made out of two-ply nylon webbing and can support IWB and OWB holsters. This model is equipped with a quick release buckle that’s made out of metal and makes adjusting your holster fast and easy. The Velcro loop and hoop secures the running end, ensuring the belt remains tightly cinched and will not sag or slip. The double layer nylon is rip-resistant and measures in at one and a half inches thick. This model is very comfortable to wear, so you’ll find yourself relying on it daily. It’s also highly adjustable, so you can ensure you get the perfect fit. Unfortunately, it’s only available in five size options.

Pros

Double layer design

Adjustable

Works for concealed carry

Designed for IWB and OWB holsters

Cons

Only five size options available

Conclusion

This comfortable, thick, durable belt will be able to support the heaviest handguns. It’s a great buy if you’re looking for a comfortable and highly adjustable alternative to leather. It’s also priced affordably so it’s a good option for the gun enthusiast on a budget.

Shop Now On Amazon!

POYOLEE CCW Leather Gun Belt

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This model is made out of top grain one hundred percent tanned leather. It’s designed for concealed carry and it’s designed to handle a heavy handgun and any other accessories such as a flashlight, holster, or mag pouch. The heavy-duty buckle allows you to easily and quickly adjust your belt for the perfect fit, without the risk of sagging or the holster sliding. The double layer design is expertly stitched, for improved durability. This model is also covered by a one hundred percent satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with this belt, contact the manufacturer for a refund.

Pros

Three color options

Ten sizes

Heavy-duty buckle

Double layer leather design

Cons

Figure something OUT

Conclusion

This belt is available in ten sizes and three color options. It will not stretch or cause your pants to sag and it does an excellent job of keeping your holster and other accessories securely in place. Versatile, top-quality, and designed to support handguns of any size, this model is built tough and a steal for the price.

Shop Now On Amazon!

Hanks Gunner Gun Belt

Our Rating: (4/5)

This belt is durable and thick and comes with a one hundred percent satisfaction guarantee. It’s made out of one hundred percent full grain leather that’s one and a half inches wide and features a design that will not allow the holster sag. Instead, it will remain securely in place. The buckle is removable and fastened with the help of Chicago screws for top of the line durability. This model is covered by a one-hundred-year warranty, which is pretty impressive, especially considering the low price.

Pros

One hundred year warranty

Durable

Removable buckle

Made out of full grain leather

Cons

Lack of stitching on top and bottom edge

Conclusion

The belt is also available in five color options, so you’re sure to find the perfect belt that will match your holster. It’s also available in nineteen size options, features a highly adjustable design, and it comes with a one-hundred-year warranty, so you know you’re buying a belt that’s designed to last. However, the top and bottom edge of the belt lacks any stitching, which can make many users question whether or not this model will sag under the weight of a heavier handgun. However, most buyer’s have had no complaints regarding that type of issue, and instead, claim this belt is one of the most comfortable on the market.

Shop Now On Amazon!

Gun Belt Buyer’s Guide

Even if you have an IWB carry, wearing a belt that’s specifically designed for the purpose of supporting the gun’s weight and storing ammunition, is a must. The right belt will easily be able to store spare ammunition and support the weight of your firearm, keeping it secure and stable. Without using a belt that’s specifically designed for this purpose, your firearm will not be supported properly or kept stabilized. You may also notice that you’re uncomfortable when you wear your firearm. Because of this, it’s important that you do some research to find a model that will work for your specific firearm, one that comes with plenty of storage options, and a model that’s durable and highly adjustable.

But before I dive into the features to look for, first, I’ll go over the many benefits that come with wearing this type of belt whenever you’re carrying.

Benefits of Gun Belts

A belt designed for firearm use will keep your gun secure and stable. If you wear your everyday belt in place of this type of belt, then your pants will constantly fall down and your gun will not be in the right position for a fast draw.

These belts are durable, affordable, and often come with storage compartments that you can use to store any extra ammo.

A good belt can significantly improve your carrying experience. If you already have a belt that you wear with your holster, then you may wonder why you need to purchase a firearm belt. The reason is that these belts are designed to specifically handle the weight of a handgun.

A traditional belt consists of just a single layer of leather and some low quality stitching materials. While it may be enough to keep your pants up, it’s not ideal for a handgun and holster. A regular belt will stretch, but a belt designed for firearms will not. A good model will not twist or stretch.

This type of belt will keep your holster in the proper place, in order for you to make a faster draw.

This type of belt will also make a great foundation for a personal security carry system, making practice and training more effective.

These belts last significantly longer than a traditional belt

Other Important Features

Now that you know more about the benefits of these belts, let’s take a look at how they work and what features to keep an eye out for.

Internal Belt Stiffener

This is probably one of the most important features in a gun belt. An internal belt stiffener will significantly increase the belt’s strength, which is one of the many differences it offers when compared to a traditional belt. The internal stiffener not only increases the vertical strength of a belt, it also improves the horizontal strength as well. Most traditional belts will only focus on horizontal strength. Vertical strength is very important since it’s what will support the handgun and the holster.

Durability

Search for a model that scored well in terms of durability. These belts are designed to last significantly longer than a regular belt. A model that comes with double stitching, high-quality craftsmanship, and an internal stiffener can easily last ten years or more.

Material

Buying a cheap belt that’s made out of low-quality materials is often the first mistake most new gun owners make. These models are usually made out of nylon, polyester, or leather. Leather models feature a double layer design and are available in a variety of grades. When you’re shopping around online, look for the two highest grades, which are top grain and full grain. The difference between a full grain leather belt is that it features a 3 to 1 ratio of top layer versus bottom layer. With a top grain leather belt, it’s much closer to an equal split. Bottom line, top grain and full grain are the only two grades you should consider if you’ve decided to go with a model that’s made out of leather.

Hardware

Purchasing a model that comes equipped with poor quality hardware is another common mistake. Avoid buying a model that comes with a soft metal buckle. If the buckle is too weak or it can easily be bent by hand, the belt is not going to last.

Stitching

A belt can have limited stitching and it will work just fine. Web belts usually come with limited stitching, and they still have a reputation as a durable belt. However, in most cases, more stitching is always a better choice. The belt you buy should feature plenty of stitching that’s strong without any loose frays. Make sure that the belt’s stitching is uniform and if possible, go with a model that features double stitching.

Price

The price of a good belt will depend on many factors, such as material type, stitching, thickness, and brand. Size can also have an impact since a larger model will require the use of more material. In most cases, you’ll find that models that are made out of leather are the most expensive, although, nylon can come in at a close second. You can expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $200 for a top of the line belt.

The Right Way to Use A Gun Belt

You may mistakenly believe that just because you’ve purchased a new holster, a belt, and a firearm, that you can just attach everything, and it’ll work out just fine. This is actually something many people do, but if you make this same mistake, you won’t be getting the most out of your carry equipment. Together, your holster and belt should feel comfortable. A holster and belt that are uncomfortable can significantly increase the chance that you’re not going to carry your firearm often. This is actually the most common reason that people tend to stop carrying their weapon or do so randomly. It’s usually the fault of the equipment that was chosen.

The wrong combination can be a total disaster. As an example, if you use a plastic tactical holster inside your waistband, then the odds are it’s going to get wedged against you and the sharp edges will dig into your skin. A leather holster is more comfortable, until it starts to get hot out, then it can cause excessive sweating. Adding a belt to the mix can eliminate both of these issues, but if you don’t choose the right model, your firearm will sag, making carrying less secure.

Try switching to an OWB holster and a gun belt. This set up is simple, affordable, and basically foolproof.

An OWB holster is usually attached using a couple of methods, either via a clip or a belt. A belt slide holster will work using a couple of slots in the holster or a loop that slides the belt through. Plastic and leather loops are both commonly used.

For a sliding belt holster, you’ll need to remove the belt from the loops, sliding the belt through the loops, then re-thread the belt through the loops on your pants and fasten the belt. Be sure that the holster is positioned where you need it to be before you fasten your belt. If you’ve chosen a good belt, one that’s designed to prevent a holster from sliding, then you’ll need to unfasten your belt in order to adjust the holster’s position.

An IWB holster is tucked inside the waistband and it requires you to get the placement in the perfect position before you fasten your belt. This is because it can be difficult to adjust after the belt has been pulled taut. I recommend putting the holster on the waistband where you want it positioned, then fasten your pants, followed by fastening the belt.

Like OWB holster, the IWB holster can be attached through loops or with a clip. Clip models are pretty popular, but they’re not nearly as secure as the loop style.

In the end, the best choice is wearing a holster and belt combo that will work for your lifestyle needs, the type of environment you live in, and even the season. Using a loop-style holster combined with a gun belt will offer the best level of protection and security, ensuring you’re able to be quick on the draw, while preventing the holster from sliding out of place and preventing it from sagging.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Thick Should a Gun Belt Be?

This is a heavily debated question, the answer of which can depend on the type of firearm you carry. However, in most cases, gun enthusiasts can agree that the belt should be at least an inch and a half thick, in order to properly support a firearm and improve user comfort.

Do Gun Belts Make a Difference?

Yes. These belts are designed to support the weight of your firearm and keep it in position. The heavier a firearm, the thicker the belt should be. A belt will prevent the holster and gun from sagging or protruding, which can expose your firearm. A holster that sags can also catch or twist when you sit down, especially when you’re driving.

What’s the Difference Between a Gun Belt and a Regular Belt?

The gun belt is specifically designed to support a holster and the weight of a gun, preventing your holster from sagging, while improving the user’s comfort. a regular belt consists of material that’s significantly thinner and usually only consists of a single layer. Traditional belts are meant to hold up your pants, they’re not designed to support any added weight.

What Makes a Good Gun Belt?

This can depend on the type of material the belt is made out of. Leather is often the go-to choice since it’s so durable and also looks attractive and matches well with most types of holsters. In terms of a leather model, you’ll want to pay attention to how thick it is. A thicker piece of leather offers more holding power compared to a thinner once, and all without needing to be cinched even tighter. This type of thickness will allow the belt to provide a tighter hold since the thickness will create more friction once the belt has been secured.

Final Thoughts

Using the best gun belt is essential. It’s a must if you’re using a concealed carry and need to conceal your firearm inside your waistband. A regular belt will not work well since it isn’t designed to support the weight of a firearm. This is exactly why you need to use a belt that’s specifically designed for this purpose. Not only will it make wearing your firearm more comfortable, but it will also keep your firearm supported and secure, which will allow you to easily and quickly draw your gun. This guide and my top four product recommendations are designed to help you choose the best possible model based on the type of firearm you carry, your comfort needs, and your budget. The products I’ve tested all scored well in a variety of areas, so you should have no trouble choosing the perfect model from my lineup.

from https://readyandarmed.net/best-gun-belt/

from Ready & Armed - Blog https://readyandarmed.weebly.com/blog/best-gun-belt-in-depth-buyers-guide-for-2020

Road tested: Gear from Urban Helmets, Pando and Saint

This week, we’re looking at a high-end pair of riding jeans, an entry-level helmet, and a stylish military-style jacket that sits in between. Let’s dive right in.

Urban Helmets BigBore helmet

The basics: Retro full-face design; removable visor; DOT approved; $189.95

We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to retro helmets, with plenty of options at both the high and low ends of the affordability scale. Urban Helmets’ BigBore full face helmet won’t cost you an arm and a leg—but its premium look suggests a much higher price tag.

The general vibe is classic race helmet, with a narrow eye port and a high jaw. It’s close to Biltwell Inc.’s popular Gringo, but with more curves, and with a couple of extra details.

The narrow mouth vent, and round vent holes across the top, are more than just a little reminiscent of Bell’s Bullitt. And the removable visor is much like the one on the Nexx XG100—attaching to the shell via elastic straps, with press studs.

Out the box, the BigBore looks and feels great. The gloss black finish I opted for is downright classy, with a slick chrome trim along the eye port and bottom. It’s finished off with nifty details like an Urban Helmets logo up top, and faux leather trim just below it and at the back.

There’s even some contouring on the side that serves no purpose, other than to reinforce the throwback race helmet vibe. Compliments abound whenever I wear it.

A few flaws reveal themselves under really close scrutiny though. The chrome trim on my helmet isn’t perfectly straight in at least one section, a bit of plastic on the mouth vent hasn’t been trimmed properly, and the small dot-shaped vents up top don’t sit 100 percent flush. (And they’re just for show, since they don’t actually seem to let any air in.)

Popping the BigBore on reveals a plush interior and a true-to-size fit. It’s comfy out the box without any pressure or friction points, and cinches down with a run of the mill double D-ring strap. The liner features an neat contrast-stitched diamond pattern, and there’s a spare set of cheek pads in the box.

With that high chin bar though, anyone with a longer face is going to have their chin either flush with, or sticking out, the bottom. That’s me, but it’s really down to your personal head shape. (I have the exact same problem with the Biltwell Gringo.)

I do have one big gripe with the BigBore though, and that’s its visor. When it’s ‘on,’ it actually seals pretty well, thanks to a strip of rubber that runs around the eye port. No helmet of this type’s going to block wind noise on the open road, but the visor does make it a touch quieter.

Here’s the rub: it’s impossible to get the visor on and off with one hand, and when it’s off, there’s no decent place to put it. It seems natural to push it up like a regular visor, but after just one ride of doing that, the ‘vents’ will scratch the daylights out of it. And at any sort of speed, the wind starts picking it up. What’s more, I regularly have to re-align the rubber trim on the visor itself, which has a habit of popping off.

Without the visor attached, your only option is a pair of shades, because no goggle’s going to fit into that narrow opening. Granted, most of those issues plague any visor system like this. But I reckon this is one feature that deserves a little more time on the drawing board.

That aside, when you weigh the BigBore’s attractiveness and general comfort against its relatively low price, it’s worth considering. [Buy]

Pando Moto M65 jacket

The basics: single-layer, military-style riding jacket; Knox CE-approved shoulder and elbow armor; EUR379.

Based in Lithuania, Pando Moto’s forté is designing extremely stylish gear. But does their gear actually function well too? I donned their new M65 jacket to find out.

As its name implies, the M65 is inspired by the classic military field coat—but with a few moto-specific features. It’s a traditionally longer, four-pocket design, made from 16 oz canvas woven with Dyneema (an ultra-strong fiber that adds abrasion resistance).

Camo isn’t usually my deal, but it’s subtle enough here that I actually like the aesthetic. And while the jacket isn’t overly heavy, it does have a great, robust feel to it.

It’s really well made too, with some really slick details in the mix. The collar and cuffs are lined with a plush, corduroy-like fabric, and both the collar closure and velcro cuff adjusters are made from really heavy duty nylon.

The cuffs even include triangular flaps that are held back by a velcro patch, and can be deployed to cover the gap between your gloves and jacket. They only work well up until a certain speed, when the wind just pushes them back into place.

Branding is virtually non-existent, and the small inner pocket and velcro strip above the breast pocket (for attaching your name to) are both nice touches. Minimalism reigns supreme; there’s just one layer to the M65, with no built-in or removable liner.

It ships with Knox elbow and shoulder armor, which is quick and easy to pop in and doesn’t add much bulk. There’s a pouch for a back protector, but the actual pad’s not included.

Given the styling, I was expecting the M65 to be an oversized affair, like a camo parka. But it’s cut a lot slimmer than it looks. I’m what you would call ‘cuddly,’ so I picked an XXL based on Pando’s size chart. It fits, but it’s a tight squeeze; if Pando made an XXXL, I’d get that instead.

It’s not a problem if you’re in decent shape—but if you’re on the cusp of two sizes, carrying a little extra padding or want a roomier fit, check the chart, then go one size up.

Despite the sizing, the M65 was supremely comfortable in the shoulder area. That’s because Pando have included a feature we see way too little of: bi-swing panels. (They’re basically gusseted shoulder blade sections, with elastic bits hidden inside the jacket to increase mobility.) They’ve also added adjustment tabs at the sides to cinch the jacket down.

I wish the M65 came with better press studs though. They’re small and fiddly, and tricky to use with gloves on. I’d also build in hand warmer pockets, and I’d ditch the drawstring along the bottom. (The brass clasps on it have a nasty habit of jingling against your fuel tank.) I’d love to see Pando address those niggles, and maybe cut the M65 a little roomier.

But even as it stands, the M65 might just become my go-to for ‘tweener seasons—both on and off the bike. Provided I lay off the pies, of course. [Buy]

Saint Model 2 armored jeans

The basics: single-layer Dyneema chassis, CE-approved knee and hip armor, AU$350.

I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve been a long-time fan of Saint’s riding jeans. It’s true, they’re a bit on the pricey side—but their mix of style, comfort and protection is tough to beat.

The Model 2 is an upgrade on the Model 1 that I reviewed some time ago. It’s a subtle overhaul, but the differences are notable. The Model 2 still uses the same material; cotton woven with UHMWPE (basically, Dyneema).

If you want to run the numbers, Saint use 66 percent UHMWPE in high impact areas, and 10 percent in low impact areas. It’s a single layer construction that avoids the need for extra protective layers. And that means all-day comfort.

The cut is best described as a relaxed straight fit, similar to a good pair of work pants. I prefer slim, tapered jeans, but we all have different tastes—and the wider cut makes the Model 2s easier to slip over bulky boots.

I grabbed the same size as I would for any other denims, and the Saints fitted perfectly right off the bat. I wish Saint offered them in different lengths though; they only come in a 36 leg, which is long even for my six foot frame.

The Model 2 ships with CE level 1 knee armor, and level 2 hip armor. To keep things comfy, Saint have added accordion panels above the knees, and at the back, above the pockets. It’s a slightly different layout to the Model 1, but it cuts a much cleaner silhouette.

The knee pads slip into mesh pockets, with high and low settings. It’s not the best design I’ve seen—the armor tends to sit a little off to the side, and on really hot days the mesh eventually irritates my skin.

As for the hip pads, the pouches for those are made from the same hardy fabric as the regular pockets, which seems like a strange approach. A softer fabric in both areas would make a huge difference.

Admittedly, I’ve never been a huge fan of armored riding pants—even if they are safer. So having a pair on hand that can almost pass for regular denims in both look and feel, is a bonus. [Buy]

Images by Devin Paisley.

Sewing is not something I’m doing all the time, it’s a passion that can flail up, burn strong and then go back into dormancy. Really I’m more about the ideas than actually the actual cutting, assembling and sewing. Not to say I don’t enjoy it, there is a huge amount of satisfaction in seeing a project through from idea to completion. Inspiration is a fickle friend though and I’ve found it wise to act while it’s there, or else you’re left with piles of barely started or half finished projects. Projects that at some point seemed vitally important, but now sit there as a testament to failed initiative.

Inspiration can come from odd places though, like when I found a vintage Norwegian army tent at a thrift sale. Army tents have been re-purposed before, as in the case of the Monitaly parka, but looking at this fairly sizeable piece of green fabric, with all the buttons and buttonholes, did get me thinking. It’s an odd design to start with, being lozenge shaped with a hole in the middle. Very much a dual-purpose and clever piece of engineering, as you can wear it as a poncho, use it as a tent, or if you have a number of homies with their own pieces, button it together and make a multi-person tent. And handily the instructions for this are printed on the tent fabric.

A vintage and well-used Norwegian army modular tent. Ready for re-purposing and pacifist duty, Sir!

My initial idea was to make a parka, from a Japanese pattern book. I got a fair way down this avenue until I lost interest. Using Google Translate to translate the Japanese text proved somewhat baffling, and trying to work out which pattern pieces belonged to the jacket was far from easy (for efficiency they print several overlapping patterns on a single sheet of paper). So I reeled in that idea and went with my old theme song, the waistcoat. You’ll no doubt be choking on your Cheddar right now, muttering “He’s last project was also a waistcoat!” and you’re right. That was made from a pair of vintage army field pants though, so in every arguable respect totally different. You will agree that trousers and tents share few common features, right?

Buttons and buttonholes are plentiful to allow for storm flap function on the army tent.

Part of the tactical tent assembly instructions.

I’m a big fan of Maharishi’s “Pacifist Military Design” theme. Maharishi make lots of stuff I can’t understand, but repurposing army gear for pacifism rings true to me. Now I could have just made a simple waistcoat that might actually look like an army issued waistcoat, so it needed some extra features to demilitarise it. Hence full lapel and collar, and four functional double-welted pockets. If you’re wondering which pattern I’ve used, it’s one I’ve been working on for my own use, with bits copied from here and there. The advantage of this is that I know how it goes together and I know it’ll pretty much fit. Hence all the various bits have been transferred to old sheets to make the cutting of parts quick and efficient. Those flimsy pieces of paper are a nightmare to mess around with.

Reverse side of the welted pockets.

Welted pockets finished.

Merely to demonstrate that the pockets work!

What’s the tent fabric like, you ask? Well, probably thinner and lighter than you might think. To my mind similar to heavy weight Ventile and other tightly woven cotton fabrics. Definitely heavier than nylon tents, and by a fair stretch. It’s still pliable though and it has a nice, soft handle. Really, not a terrible fabric to re-purpose. Especially given that’s it’s waterproof. And has no end of funky buttons and ready made button holes.

Round about this point in time I realised my error. I hadn’t even considered how the buttons and buttonholes had to match up between the sides!

After cutting a new left hand side, with everything aligned, I could proceed. Notice new pocket welts in tent fabric instead of lining.

Sewing it isn’t a walk in the park though, you need both heavy grade needles and a sewing machine with extra oomph. I’d have liked to use one of my vintage Singer 201K’s, but I have to admit that I’ve not yet got any of them to sew really well. A case of adjustment and lubrication, no doubt, as they are built to last forever and are really powerful. The legend that they are made from melted down WW2 fighter planes makes it an even more attractive proposition, what with dealing in pacifist military design and all. At the end of the day though, we need tools to get the job done and I use an Easy Jeans machine by Janome, and the sturdiest needles available. Even then I can sense the struggle of punching through multiple layers of tent.

Just final assembly required at this point, i.e. sewing the sides together.

  The starting point of my design though was to reuse the buttons and button holes. Party because that saves the time needed to actually make holes and attach buttons, yet mostly because I’ve never seen a waistcoat anywhere close to doing this. Kind of a double-breasted look with super-utilitarian aluminium buttons, riveted together. Actually, those rivets caused problems, as from a sewing perspective it would have been really handy to have been able to remove the buttons while working on it. My efforts to drill out the rivets were met with resounding failure though, so I had to work around them. Cutting out all the pieces was easy though, a pleasant fabric to work with, and surprisingly it took to being steam pressed very well.

First trial in snowy Norway. I intentionally made this one a little shorter than usual.

Tent assembly instructions on the rear, for added interest and so forth.

To add to design interest I used the tactical origami instructions, aka how to assemble a big ton tent from many small, as the back piece. And used one of the rope loops for tent pegs on the front. And this time I took the plunge and learnt something new, double welted pockets. I’ve been dodging that one for ages, but as is often the case today, Youtube to the rescue and I found an authentic looking guy that taught me how to welt a pocket with very little fuss.. So the waistcoat has four pockets that both look neat and actually work. One minuscule step for most, a massive achievement for me. So add in the full lapel and collar and it could have been a rather smart waistcoat.

After I had made it, I found myself with a fair amount of tend fabric left over, so in keep with the concept I made a tie to go with it. Another first for me, but not a tricky project. The worst part was hand sewing the rear together. Pressing a needle through four layers of tent fabric took time and left me with sore fingers. The tie turned out pretty neat though, and it’s nice to have a garment with a story. I’ve jokingly mentioned that if you have enough of these ties you could make a tent, but like so many jokes based on obscure references, it didn’t make the room erupt in raucous laughter.

I will hopefully be able to lay my hands on more of these tents, so expect further projects! Then again, I also have a pile of savoury Harris tweed sitting on the shelf, just waiting for the right idea to come along.

Using a tie pattern from bragelius.com.

And the finished army tent tie! A tactical all-weather tie?

Making a waistcoat from a vintage army tent #vintage #armystyle #sewing #sewyourown #slowfashion #upcycling Sewing is not something I'm doing all the time, it's a passion that can flail up, burn strong and then go back into dormancy.