I’m doing this giveaway to thank you old readers for staying with me these past few months, and to encourage new ones to do the same! I’ve been going through a traumatic personal situation these past few months and I needed some good news. Fortunately, Nicki from FutureDerm.com asked me to join her team as a Weekly Contributor! It’s exactly the kind of lift I needed. As you guys know, FutureDerm is on my Link Loves List and is one of my favorite blogs to visit! Damn, that girl has impeccable timing! Haha! So I decided to have a giveaway with some BRUSHES, since with this exciting news, I plan to BRUSH away some of my problems and sadness. Hopefully you guys will use these BRUSHES to BRUSH away some of your own!
MAKE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN TO THE VERY BOTTOM TO CLICK THE “HERE” LINK IN ORDER ACCESS THE RAFFLECOPTER WIDGET!
The list of Brushes Include:
(1) Complete Set of Crown Brushes.
Here it is rolled up.
Here it is opened up.
Contains what looks like a large and medium powder brush, an angled blush brush, a synthetic foundation brush, and a concealer brush.
Contains what looks like an eyeshadow “packing” brush, a crease brush?, a large and small blending brush.
Contains what looks like a small “packing” brush, a pencil brush, a liner brush, an angled liner brush, a fan brush, and a dual-ended eyebrow brush and comb.
(1) ELF Powder Brush
(1) ELF Complexion Brush
(1) ELF Eyelash and Brow Wand, (1) Sigma Travel Size E25 Blending Brush
(1) Clarisonic Replacement Head-Normal, (1) Clarisonic Replacement Head-Delicate
Delicate on left; normal on right.
Please note that several of these brushes have been used sparingly on myself. I’ve probably used each around 1-5 times. These include the Crown Brush #1, #2, #4, #13, and #15 (from left to right according to the second picture), as well as the Sigma E25 Brush. I’ve washed them down with soap and alcohol and they are in good condition. If you think receiving these items would be unsanitary, distasteful, etc.. simply don’t enter the competition.
Also, note that the larger crown natural brushes, like the powder brushes, do bleed a bit when washed. They don’t shed that much though. Again, if you don’t need/want them, why enter? Haha. But everything else has not been used and were purchased brand new!
Just like the last giveaway, because WordPress.com does not allow for Javascript code, I have to host the giveaway on my Facebook page. But that’s all good! Click HERE to go to the contest page. All rules, requirements, and details will be displayed on the contest page.
*I realize that Facebook cuts off part of your view when you click “Use Your Email.” Don’t worry, it’s working. Just type in your name and address, making sure you type in the right letters. Everything else should go smoothly. Let me know if you guys encounter any issues.
The Triple Helixian 
I would maybe like to see posts about less pricey products, maybe drugstore. But its a great blog!
Posted by Grace | May 11, 2012, 4:05 pmSure I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for commenting!
Posted by John | May 11, 2012, 10:31 pmI’m a big fan of reviews. 🙂
Posted by Sophie Anne | May 3, 2012, 11:24 amThank you Sophie Anne!
Posted by John | May 3, 2012, 11:40 amI can’t think of too much to improve.. except seeing more posts as always 😀 Perhaps including photos would help so it doesn’t appear with as much solid text and add interest. More product reviews would be lovely.
Posted by mildlyaddictive | May 2, 2012, 12:54 amWill do! There will definitely be more photos. And if you have product review requests, please let me know. I want to review things that you guys are interested to see.
Posted by John | May 2, 2012, 1:49 pmDefinitely! I will try to think of some specific products 🙂 thanks!
Posted by mildlyaddictive | May 2, 2012, 9:18 pmSure and no rush.
Posted by John | May 2, 2012, 9:39 pmI woulsd love these for my daughter-in -law who is studying to be a make up artist
Posted by Bonnie | April 29, 2012, 2:12 pmThanks!
Posted by John | April 29, 2012, 8:46 pmI liked your first post on Furture Derm well enough to subscribe to your feed!
I can’t think of five mistakes I’ve given people re: skin care. Five mistakes I’ve made myself: Not starting to use sun screen early enough, Ditto using retin a, Falling for too many skin care gimmicks, Not keeping up with my IPLs.
Posted by Elyse | April 26, 2012, 8:26 pmWell thank you kindly, Elyse! It’s fine, I’ve clearly made mistakes as well. It’s great that you own up to them. Congrats on becoming a TripleHelixian! Rock on!
Posted by John | April 26, 2012, 9:47 pmWell, as you know I’m a new reader so I haven’t read all the posts yet. Taking that into account from what I read I think it would be nice to have a more variety of brands reviewed, but once it is a fairly recent blog I think you’ll get there soon. I would also like to see some more generic posts, for example: I really liked the post you wrote about the various stages of acne on Temptalia, it would be nice to do follow up posts for each group of ingredients with a list of products you recommend (basically a more extensive version of the recommendations part in your post).
It’s hard to say much more on this subject once I liked the posts I read and your scientific approach.
Posted by Ana Tomás | April 22, 2012, 10:33 amHi Ana,
Thank you! Yeah, I will be going more in-depth about what I said in that Temptalia post. It’s just that the site is incomplete right now, so there’s many aspects of it that are missing. But yeah, hopefully things will start falling into place. I’m glad to see that I’ve earned a new avid reader! 🙂
Posted by John | April 22, 2012, 6:08 pmHi,
I am new to this so I don’t know what problems have clouded your life but I can say that all things pass. Keep up the good work and don’t listen to others’ negative comments.
Terry
Posted by Terry | April 17, 2012, 6:19 pmMy problems are just about the situation that I’m stuck in. It has nothing to do with other people really… well, mostly haha. Thanks for the encouragement, Terry!
Posted by John | April 17, 2012, 8:08 pmOh, I am so sorry to hear that you are going through a tough time in your personal life. You are such a wonderful person, I hope things get better soon!
And, WOW, this is a really nice giveaway, John!…I am trying to think of something you lack, but it’s hard. Do you only want content/article suggestions? Could I suggest a little more color in the design on the homepage? I think some of the text (especially TITLES of articles) could be a little bigger and brighter, as well as the tabs/headers at the top. I think you could get rid of the calendar (the month thing in the upper right), since isn’t very helpful right now for finding things–at least, for me, since I tend to remember articles by title/subject and not by date (but maybe that’s just me). Blogger has a ton of options for design, but I don’t know about WordPress.
Oh, by the way, I had to give it some thought, but I think the monthly recaps of skincare routines is a good idea; at least for newcomers to your blog, and as you start having more and more of them. But maybe instead of a monthly recap, you could start a separate header/tab for it, and keep the links and quick recaps/summaries of the routines there, so people can look through and find the one(s) that is/are closest to their own?
Oh…I have one more suggestion (wow, sorry, I am probably way overthinking all this) is that, I know you put in new versions of your skincare routine with updates….I was thinking though, that instead of just the updates, could you copy and paste the whole routine and then highlight (maybe with a different color font, or something) the changes that you made, with the reason? I just ask because I usually open up the original next to the update and go back and forth, and while I don’t mind it (I LOOOOVE tabs in my browsers!), it might be more trouble for some people.
Those are just suggestions…I guess the only thing I might like to see more of is to hear your thoughts on some other powders/concealers/foundations (i.e. the makeup products that you DO use).
Posted by kayley123 | April 12, 2012, 1:52 pmAnd now I feel very silly since I now realize the person before me made a couple of the same comments but I didn’t go back to read them after I finished writing my own long comment! Sorry!
Posted by kayley123 | April 12, 2012, 2:13 pmNo, no I want to hear everyone’s opinion. If more than one person suggests the same thing, that only further validates the particular issue discussed. So please do so in the future! Like I said in a previous reply to you, never hold back! xD
Posted by John | April 12, 2012, 2:17 pmKayley — great minds think alike! 😀
Posted by BooBooNinja | April 12, 2012, 2:32 pmIndeed they do!
Posted by John | April 12, 2012, 5:18 pmThanks kayley! I’m trying my best to hold on and stay positive! You guys are definitely part of that optimism!
And know that I love ANY and ALL suggestions. I’m always trying to find ways of making my very wordy blog more accessible to everyone. I will take your suggestions very seriously. I have been thinking about removing the calendar since it’s bulky and quite useless. Another reader suggested I have a topic “cloud.” What do you think about that? I’ll also try to make titles larger and to add some structure to my posts just so that it isn’t just a block of text! Maybe finding more pictures will also help! Hm, for the Come Out series update, the idea of having a separate tab for it has never crosssed my mind. Simply because it’s a “series” rather than a “page.” Furthermore, there’s no room left on the top line anyways. However, what do you think about replacing the disclaimer with it? I can always just copy and paste the disclaimer into the “About” section. Let me know what you think. I value your opinion!
Also, great suggestion about posting the entire routine to the updated history list. I understand that some people might not like going back and forth. And I have considered talking about the makeup that I used and posting up my entire list and ratings of foundations, concealers, and powders that I’ve tried. But then, I thought maybe I should feature those items whenever I decide to make a Youtube Channel for this blog! But maybe it’d just be easier to read that information. I’m still not sure what I’d talk about, if I do decide to create a YT channel.
Thanks for all the fantastic (overthought) input. I love it! Never hold back haha.
Posted by John | April 12, 2012, 2:16 pmYes, stay positive! We’re all rooting for you!
I’m not sure what a topic cloud is/looks like. I do really like that you have your tags (“filed under”) at the top. Those are essential!
Yes, it’s just the stuff like “Latest Post” and “Featured Posts” that I think should be a little larger.
Instead of the Disclaimer would be all right. Maybe the top line could be split into 2 top lines? I like all the tabs you already have up there, but I wish the text could be larger (so if it was in 2 lines, each tab could be bigger/have larger text).
A YouTube channel would be great; but I usually have more time to read than to listen and watch (and I really hate having to put in earphones for 10 minutes or longer to listen so I don’t bother my roommates), and I think things are a little clearer when written. That’s one reason I really like Allura’s blog, since she does videos (which I watch when I have time) but her written reviews have a lot of the same information. It also depends on how comfortable you are speaking on camera–I find I can’t watch a lot of bloggers because there’s so much “um, ah” and so many disjointed thoughts and sentences/thoughts that trail off into nothing, though of course that can improve over time.
I also feel like it’s easier to find certain passages/parts in a written review than in a video, since if you say something in a written review that I want to re-read, I can scan and find that sentence, but in a video, I probably didn’t notice the time / and only know vaguely how far into the video it was. Though now that people are putting in more time stamps (“____ starts at 6:32” in the video) that is less of a problem. And of course, for application tips and notes about how a product applies (smoothly, patchy, etc.), a video is great! (That’s the reason I do usually end up watching Allura’s videos, since I can see how much product comes off the brush/finger after one stroke, and such. Though of course a well-worded description would do as well; but the video “evidence” helps me remember it.)
Posted by kayley123 | April 12, 2012, 3:37 pmOops I meant to say a tag cloud. Sounds like it will be quite useful. Yeah, I wish I could make the latest posts and featured posts larger. However, the template that I’m using doesn’t allow for that. I’ve looked through all the available free templates, and this is the most appropriate for my needs and stuff. But I agree, if I could make them larger, I would.
For the 2 lines on top, I tried to make everything fit in one line. I find that that smaller text looks more elegant, but I’ll experiment and see if I can make it work.
Thanks for the YT advice. I’d like to think that I’m quite, I don’t know, eloquent? At least I can piece sentences together haha. I’ll gladly file all your suggestions into my considerations file.
Loving your responses!
Posted by John | April 12, 2012, 5:26 pm🙂 I’m sorry for making a lot of suggestions that you’ve already tried/considered! (I would be happy to watch if you did a YouTube video, btw.)
Posted by Lisa | April 22, 2012, 11:39 pmLike I said before, that’s fine! If there are repeated suggestions, that’s only goes to show that the suggestion should be taken more seriously. Validation and corroboration are important!
As for the YT channel, I think I figured out a thing I can do. That’s to have casual Q and A session! I think that would be the most useful, rather than me just reading what I already typed in a post. What do you think? Also I can incorporate more beauty based things. For example people have asked me if I could go through my daily makeup routine, which just baffles me, since there are a million and one beauty gurus on YT. But I guess they’re curious haha!
Posted by John | April 23, 2012, 5:25 amI think a Q & A session would be great!
Posted by Lisa | April 23, 2012, 7:54 pmCool. Thanks!
Posted by John | April 24, 2012, 3:04 amOk, I’m back to fulfill my post for the contest giveaway.
Sodmething that’s missing from this blog… hmmm…
Rather than say what’s missing, I think I may frame this in terms of suggestions for improvement:
1) Your skin care routine — I find it challenging to figure out what you’re using at the moment. I have to jump between your original post to update to update, and then I sort of give up because I get overwhelmed by all the text. I keep telling myself that I should devote an afternoon to reading through it all, but I spend so much of my time reading/studying/researching/working that I keep putting it off. Also, it doesn’t help that I’m a visual person who plays well with flow charts or even tables.
Don’t get me wrong. I love that you explain why you’re dropping a product for another (so good for my own knowledge! so good to validate what I do know!). I have a scientific background myself and I appreciate and look for evidence-based rationale (it’s why I like Paula Begoun too). Your rationale is what sets this blog apart from others and is a big reason of why I’m a fan.
Ok. This is getting long-winded. Sorry!
My suggestion: Do you think you could maybe list your full, current product list either: a) on your sidebar; b) in a post that you continually update (minus the rationale — keep that in your detailed update posts); c) in a different colour at the top of each detailed “My Story & Routine Update” post?; or d) if you like keeping your updates detailed and don’t like the idea of (b) or (c), perhaps you could list your products in a table format with headings like “Product Type” (cleanser, toner, exfoliator, etc), “Purpose”, “Why I chose Product X”, “Why I am giving up Product X”, “Why I am now using Product Y”.
2) For some reason, this comment box gets really small when I click between my Firefox tabs and return to write more. I can’t see my entire comment and I have to type “blind” for several key strokes before the box goes full-size. Is this a glitch in WordPress or is it a glitch on my computer? Or should I write less next time? 🙂
I think I have more suggestions.. but I don’t have much time left on my break. I hope you don’t take my comments as harsh, denigrating criticism. They are meant to be constructive. I want you to succeed!
p.s.
3) Oh yeah, this isn’t a suggestion for improvement, but I was wondering about something you posted on Temptalia’s sunscreen post. I remember reading that you wait quite a bit of time in between applying your skin care products. (Your routine sounds like it takes quite a long time!) I was reading on Paula’s site about waiting in between products and she states that you really don’t have to wait unless it’s after sunscreen or if you notice that your layers ball up. Why are you waiting so long in between your layers?
Gee… in looking at the length of my comment, I wish I could be as focused with my papers. 😦
Posted by BooBooNinja | April 12, 2012, 12:45 pmps I’m crossing my fingers for the Sigma E25 brush. I’ve heard it’s quite good and I like short-handled brushes. I’ve never tried Sigma before. How do you like them?
Posted by BooBooNinja | April 12, 2012, 12:49 pmI love Sigma! But I can’t speak for most of their brushes, since my makeup routine is so simple; it only involves a few brushes. I use either the F80 or F84 for foundation. The F30 or F45 for powder. And then the E65 for brows. THey’re all excellent, though the F45 tends to shed a bit. But for the cost, I’m very satisfied. In comparison, I have owned a few MAC brushes that I ended up giving away to a friend just because I didn’t find myself reaching for them anymore, after using the Sigma ones. Hope that helps.
Posted by John | April 12, 2012, 1:48 pmHaha you are hilarious! And very thoughtful! That’s why I’m so in love with my dedicated audience!
1) Well on the “My Story & Routine” Page, nothing ever changes except for the list of products used. I’m not sure if you were re-reading the entire page everytime. But I can see the difficulty of trying to find that section each time since the page is so wordy. I don’t think I’d be able to use a table formated that you suggested in (d) since the reasons why I use a particular product are too numerous and too difficult to condense, without writing something general and mundane. However, I like the idea of using a different color, or having my routine listed in the sidebar. I’ll definitely consider these. Thank you very much!!
(2) I’m not really sure about the Firefox issue. I’m assuming the problem is on your end because, while I use IE, I used to use Firefox and still have the browser on my computer. When I use Firefox to view my site, it looks perfectly fine. I’m guessing it might be a setting issue. Make sure Firefox is completely up to date? I find that I have to manually update the browser since the auto-check function doesn’t seem to work. Also have you tried shrinking the text in the “view” section? Let me know if you are still getting this issue after doing some troubleshooting. I’d be happy to contact WordPress.com to see if they can be of any help.
When you have more time, if you’d like, please give any other suggestions. They are ALWAYS welcome! And I never take anything as harsh, because I myself am quite harsh when it comes to being honest. Never hesitate. 🙂
As for the sunscreen issue, Paula is usually right, but certainly not always. I disagree with her on several issues, but I digress. I find that I need to wait that amount of time (about 5-10 minutes) before application, when I’m doing a full face routine. Because my of my product have cyclic silicones, which are supposed to evaporate, as the main carrier fluied/base, I give it some to to do just that. Because I have super oily skin, I can’t afford to have layers upon layers still present on my skin. Furthermore, because I use a mineral-based sunscreen, I can’t risk it moving around when I apply foundation, since its mechanism of action is to reflect light. If I accidentally remove the “barrier” with foundation application, before it dries, well then I’m not getting adequate protection. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Between those times though, I’m doing other stuff like eating breakfast, brushing my teeth, doing my hair, putting on my contacts, etc… So it’s not like I’m just sitting around.
I hope that cleared a few things up. Let me know!
Posted by John | April 12, 2012, 2:02 pmOh John, I’m glad you’re able to see some brightness in your situation. I hope the trauma has passed and things are getting a whole lot better. Take care of yourself — I know we don’t know each other (I wonder if you know what my Twitter handle is — I try to keep my accounts separate, but I think I told you in the past…anyway…enough with this tangent) — but I have a sense that I’ve been under similar pressures as you and can empathize. Then again, I may be projecting…
*Anyway* The reason I logged on today was out thinking if you and FutureDerm knew each other! And here you go, talking about collaborating with her. 🙂 I respect your knowledge and I know others do too! In the comments section of Temptalia’s recent post on Best Sunscreens, one of the readers said she always pays attention to your comments. I’m happy to see you’re getting recognition. Take care.
Posted by BooBooNinja | April 12, 2012, 12:12 pmThank you so much! You’ve been with me from the beginning of this blog, so that definitely is something we share! And I really hope things pick up; I can only hope and do my best.
But yeah, I’ve very happy to join FutureDerm and my first post, like I said in my twitter comment, is up now!
Posted by John | April 12, 2012, 1:46 pmWow, I didn’t know I had been with you from the beginning. I feel so coooool. 🙂
I just put in a great big Paula’s Choice order to take advantage of the RESIST line sale. I should send you my routine to critique.
I thought that you might like a heads up on a super deal that eversave (an online flash sale company) is having. I think it’s $15 for $30 worth of product. If you enter the promo code “SURVEY” into the eversave voucher box, you save an additional $2. I’m not in the States so I can’t take advantage of this offer 😦 but as you can tell, I researched it and really tried to make it work. I don’t work for eversave or know anyone who does. I just like to do a quick search for coupon codes prior to making online purchases.
Posted by BooBooNinja | April 12, 2012, 2:36 pmThanks for the info. I’ll make sure to check it out. Who doesn’t like saving money?
Posted by John | April 12, 2012, 5:18 pmI always enjoy a tag cloud on blogs, maybe it’s just me, but I always find it easy to sift through blogs if I’m looking for specific information with that. Beyond that, I think your blog is pretty complete. Thanks for the giveaway!
Posted by sblinde | April 12, 2012, 6:49 amHey sblinde,
Thanks for the input! I’ve considered adding that, but I never thought people used it to access a blog. I find the appearance of a cloud quite disruptive? Haha. But I’ll consider it again, since it seems to be a good starting point when it comes to site navigation. Great job!
Posted by John | April 12, 2012, 1:44 pmI think what this blog might lack is the opportunity for guest posts. Also, more reviews on products that are not on Paula’s choice, especially drugstore products and perhaps some common, popular high-end products, e.g. Shiseido products and Clinique products.
Posted by Med School Girl | April 12, 2012, 6:34 amThank you for the kind words! I hope so too. I really do. And I have quite a few non-PC product reviews. It’s just recently I’ve been reviewing her products. But if you look in the “Product Review” category, there are 15+ non-PC reviews. Hope that helps! Let me know if you can’t find it.
Finally, I’m happy to take review requests; that’ll probably be easier so I can better help you guys.
Posted by John | April 12, 2012, 1:43 pmI’m really sorry to hear that life hasn’t been kind to you lately 😦 I wish you all the best, I really hope things start to pick up for you.
Posted by Lucia | April 12, 2012, 2:49 amThank you! That means a lot! I hope so as well.
Posted by John | April 12, 2012, 2:44 pm