Call me Hermione (hehe!). I'm 39 and live on the Eastern Seaboard. I work for the gov't (le sigh), am married to Ron and have one kid, the 7 year-old UberBoy. I love make-up, New Beetles, loud music, magazines, and bed.

My make-up store story...we lost Sephora in Norfolk in 2002 I believe. Devastating! Luckily we have Nordstrom but there was no place to buy Benefit locally. But New Years Day 2006 found me driving through Newport News, looking for the new Trader Joe's...when I stumbled upon Ulta! I was so stunned I almost started crying! Ulta is a whole different experience from Sephora but I can spend hours in there fondling the Urban Decay and L'oreal.

I'm bad about collecting lipsticks and nail polishes. At my desk alone I have OPI in California Raspberry and Shootout at the OK Coral (personal favorite, orangy-pink with a blue shimmer undertone. Awesome for toes in the summer! but it's discontinued and that blows). As for lippies at work:

MAC Lipglass in Viva Glam VI
Boots No7 High Shine in Berry
MAC lipstick in Odyssy
Clinique sample, A Different Grape
Some French brand gloss I can't spell (Bourjois?) 3D in Rose Symphony
Lipsmacker!
Burt's Bees lip shimmer in Guava
Chanel Glossimere in SUmmer Plum (purse)
MAC TenderTone in Take a Hint (purse)

I have tons of OPI and have started branching out into Zoya and Essie. I'm like a crow attracted to shiny objects...don't give me shears and pastels. I want bright, bold, and sometimes obnoxous!

I like dept store and drug store stuff. Give me Chanel lipgloss and Olay fragrance-free face wash!

Thanks for starting this thread! It's nice to learn some background info about y'all and your beauty routines!

Ok, so I'm Hannah. (Curtsey) Glad to meet you guys! I live in New york city and am 27. I study and teach here, so I have a remarkably boring and monkish existence compared to most New Yorkers! I live alone, I guess by necessity, though I have an adorable 2 year old cat. When I get bored of studying, I teach her tricks! When i'm not studying or goofing off, I am a vegetarian, and LOVE to experiment cooking different cuisines. Lately, I'm in an indian food phase, and have been introducing myself to a ton of new tastes and spices. If I didn't live in Manhattan and had a bigger apartment, I'd love to have big meals for all my friends, but, alas... there's hardly room for me in here!

Likewise, I have a pretty boring daily routine. I just switched from Cetaphil to Neutrogena extra gentle cleanser, and I'm very happy with it. I also use Paula's Choice BHA (or whatever those initials are) and occasionally a moisturizer and acne medication. I'm pretty lucky, despite being an occasional (that's an understatement!) smoker, to still look pretty young for my age. It's all the days locked away in the library, I suppose, I'll never get wrinkles! I have very fair skin that breaks out easily, but I've finally gotten it under control. I also have very long, fine hair that I get highlighted at a training salon here in NYC. Yep, that's right. I let students who are training to be stylists do my hair! They always do an awesome job!

I usually go for the natural look (ha! I've had many boyfriends who spent our whole relationship under the illusion that I wore no makeup at all. AS IF!). I used a tinted moisturizer and either Clinique mascara or sometimes Fiberwig. I also really like these eyeliner/eyeshadow pencils that Stila makes! If you haven't tried them yet, check them out! They are very good for a natural look.

I'm Elaine. I'm 45 and I live in SE Connecticut with my husband and our 2 sons. There's not much there in the way of shopping -- that's a lie, there's no shopping at all -- but I work in Framingham MA where there's lots and lots of shopping! I've been obsessed with makeup since I was about 8. My first purchase was blue mascara, to which I was wildly allergic. That was quickly replaced with Almay blue mascara and I been purchasing makeup at alarming rates ever since. I love lip gloss and nail polish and have far more of both then I could ever use in a lifetime. I'm also a fanatic knitter, which unfortunately doesn't go well with nail polish but somehow I get by.

Hi, I'm Olivia and I'm a 28 yr old web designer from Ann Arbor, MI. Like the rest of you, I love make-up and beauty products in general. Although I'm a grown-up (hah!), my skin still breaks-out like it did when I was 13 (not fair!), so my skin care regimen revolves mostly around battling acne and trying to keep my skin happy. I'm a fan of Paula's Choice products, especially the BHA 2% lotion, blemish fighting solution, and anti-oxidant concentrate, but I typically use Olay Sensitive Skin Foaming cleanser and Neutrogena sunscreens.

My "can't live without" make-up products are mascara (I have a few brands I like, but I switch it up pretty regularly) and Sonia Kashuk Beautifying Blush in Royal Flush. It's awesome and it looks great on anyone. I should also say I'm a sunscreen freak, not just because I would like to stay as unwrinkled as I can, but also because my skin just looks healthier in general when it's protected.

And I'm always on the hunt for the perfect lip gloss. It's a total compulsion and I think it's possible that someday I will have tried every lip gloss known to man. :-)

Hi...I just found this site and think its so great to have a site with a group of women to be able to discuss female issues. I live upstate NY. Work as production coordinator for video production company that produces tv commercials. Looking forward to reading all your posts and maybe adding one or 2 of my own. Always have questions to ask.

Hey everybody. I'm Moxie, I've been commenting for awhile but I just joined the forum.
I live in NJ, I'm 24, and I'm a freelance writer/artist.
My daily beauty routine includes:
-Clinique Super City Sunblock (I love this stuff!)
-Benetint lip balm
-Benefit Dandelion blush or High Beam
-Max factor 2,000 calorie mascara
Oh, and I never forget Neutragena Ultra Sheer SPF 45 spray sunblock.
My favorite makeup brand is actually Anna Sui but I've had a hard time finding it since they stopped carrying it at the 34th St. Sephora's.
At night, I use either BeeCeutical's Gentle Facial Wash or Biore's Salicylic Acid Scrub, with Olay moisturizer.

ozinn, thanks for the tips. You make some excellent points. Unfortunately, we know a lot more about Beauty Science than we do about Computer Science. I'll try to figure out how to change the text color.

Hello!

I am "Anonymous Blonde" and I live in Southern California.

I have dry skin that is prone to becoming blotchy. Luckily it is easily covered with a toch of concealer and tinted moisturizer.

I currently use:

Olay AHA face scrub
Boots Restore and Renew
Boots moisture mask
Vaseline AHA lotion

Laura Mercier tinted moistuizer
Maybelline translucent powder
neutrogena blush
benefit babycake eyeliner
ulta brand eyeshadow
dior show mascara and/or CG mascara
benefit hollywood glo
Anastasia brow grooming kit
benefit boing concealer
sally hansen airbrush foundation (for special occasions not everyday wear)

Hi, my name is Cate (yes that is with a 'C'). I am 31 years old and live in Langhorne, PA. I am a full-time nanny--love my job, but need to decide if it is in the stars for me to have kids in the next few years. I love love love make-up. I don't like to go crazy with it though.

I don't really think I have a routine. I wash my face in the shower. I don't use moisturizer (I break out even with the 'non-oil' ones)--I know sacralige. I have extremely dry Celtic skin in the winter (which I do try and moisturize) and super oily skin in the summer. I rarely get break outs unless I am stressed out.

My one I can't live without product is Bare Minerals powder foundation. My world was rocked when I bought it! I will never use another foundation ever again!

Hi, all!

I'm Mactans, 42 y.o., living on the coast of central California.

I love makeup, skin care, and playing with "girly stuff", which balances out my less girly pursuits like motorcycle riding (driver) and 4x4 off-roading (passenger).

My skin care regimen is really basic:

- morning -
Paula's Choice One Step Face Cleanser normal-oily/combination
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid
BananaBoat Sport Sunblock Lotion SPF50

- evening -
Paula's Choice One Step Face Cleanser normal-oily/combination
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid

If I have dry patches (mileage varies with weather and hormones), and for my hands, I use a drug store brand moisturizer as needed.

I wear makeup when the spirit moves me - I'll go weeks without it, then I'll wear it everyday for months. Usually I simply go with shadow, liner, and lipcolor; sometimes I go all out just 'cuz I feel like it. My primary requirements are that products have no scent and stay where I put them until I'm ready to take them off.

My favorite products are MAC eye colors - give me the rich, saturated tones, thank you! - and CoverGirl Outlast All day Smoothwear Lipcolor. I have way better things to do all day than keep putting my face back on. :)

Hello everyone! You can call me Nuclear or NuMo. :) I'm a 22-year-old from the St. Louis area. I found the Beauty Brains by way of the Long Hair Community (www.longhaircommunity.com).

I have to admit I am pretty low-maintenance when it comes to beauty. I wear makeup on special occasions, and usually just use plain water to wash my face with, along with a homemade (not by me) soap for my body. I do splurge on my hair, on the other hand. I use products by Nature's Gate and a few other health food store brands, and I use henna for color. Absolutely love the results I get with it, too!

I look forward to joining in more discussions now that the Brains have opened up a forum. :)

~NuclearMosquito

Hello Everyone – My name is Karen. I decided it was only fair that I introduced myself since I’m reading everyone else’s info and enjoying it. I also enter into the discussions fairly often. I’ve been lucky enough to have the Beauty Brains answer a few of my questions. (Remember the Q&A about TNS Recovery Complex and The Brains clever new advertising slogan for it: “Foreskin….for skin!”? So funny! And more recently, product expiration dates.)
I also join in regularly in the Comment section when the urge strikes me. I love this website. I visit it every day and look forward to everyone’s questions and “The Brains” informative answers, and of course, those crazy pictures! People’s comments are always interesting to me. I also really enjoy this section. We’re doing a pretty good job of making each other smart, aren’t we? And beautiful!
My beauty info: I won’t say my age since it’s just a number. While it’s been said “Beauty is only skin deep”, I’m not ready to take the focus off my skin just yet! I am committed to finding and using anti-aging products that make sense. That’s why I love this website. Lucky for me, no one ever guesses my age. And I mean no one. Even dermatologists and their staff are amazed and I get carded regularly. I’d say it was due to those bottles of TNS Recovery Complex I’ve used but The Brains said maybe not so it might come down to genetics. I just don’t wrinkle. I’ve never had any procedures done except a laser used once by a dermatologist to remove mild redness near my nose that may be due to rosacea and I’m amazed at how many of us are dealing with that problem. More than anything, I’m frustrated right now with freckles and some age spots from careless tanning and not using sunscreen. DUMB! I’m currently using a non-prescription 2% hydroquinone product called Porcelana (only $6 a jar and it works reasonably well) before I spend the big bucks at the dermatologist for laser treatments. For anti-aging, I like SkinCeuticals Vitamin C & E Ferulic and Hydrating B5 Gel. I also still like my TNS Recovery Complex. I go back and forth in hopes that I get the benefits of both.
As for the products I love and use:

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil followed by Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Neutrogena's The Wave to exfoliate
DHC Rich Moisture all over my face and Atopalm Moisturizer for the dry flaky areas around my nose and chin; also Caudalie Cream-Mask Face and Eyes
Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum & Pond's age defEYE anti-circle anti-puff Eye Therapy AND Teamine Eye Complex that removes fine lines around my eyes
Revlon Color-Stay Stay Natural foundation to cover areas that are red and a great tinted moisturizer all over: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer Sheer Tint with Retin-A 
MAC eyeshadows in the neutral color palette (I have severe allergic reactions to colors on my eyelids)
MAC eyeshadow used as an eyeliner with their slanted tip brush and Paula's Choice Constant Color Gel Eyeliner for nighttime eye drama
Maybelline Define-a-Lash mascara & Prestige Lash Matrix mascara
Benefit's Benetint blush & lip tint combined with Benefit High Beam; Benefit Dandelion; Benefit 10; Tarte Natural Beauty stain
Caudalie Lip Conditioner and too many lipsticks and glosses to list!

I have curly hair but go back and forth between wild & crazy curl and using my flat iron to straighten it. It all depends on my mood. (I don’t analyze that too much…LOL) While it’s nice to have the option to do either, the downside is that I have a cabinet full of products for both. (Trust me: I have to!) I have my hair colored and highlighted so I always like information related to that topic, as well.

Hi, I'm Brigit! I'm a grad student in pharmacology (with a bachelors in chemistry) in NY state. I love being girly --although sometimes in my field that's not a good idea --but whatever, it makes me happy. I simply love knowing how different compounds interact with our body, and I am compulsive in my usual quests on finding out how things work.
I don't really remember how I found The Beauty Brains (although I think it was through The Budget Fashionista a couple of years ago). I liked that they dealt with two of my loves: beauty and how things work !
I'm pretty low maintenance. My beauty routine is pretty simple and I really have very few brands that I'm loyal to. I know I use a foaming face wash from Olay, a scrub from clean and clear once in a while, and a spf 15 moisturizer from Dove. My make-up is just Definicils from Lancome mascara, black eyeliner and some lip gloss. For my hair I just look at the ingredients and buy whatever suits me (I actually don't even remember which one I have now).
I admit I'm a geek and anytime the Brains talk about chemicals I end up thinking about which type of reactions could be occurring =D
Oh, also I'm a big skeptic and I have issues with pseudoscience. There's nothing like good data and well thought-up experiments to back-up any claim.

Wow Tai - good for you! You HAVE to write back and tell us what happens with the new job.

When the guy called you "cute" what was his tone? You said he wasn't flirty, but was he trying to respond to something funny you said? Do you think he was being condescending? It's kind of hard to tell if it was good or bad without a bit more context. (Or maybe he really was coming on to you!)

Hi!
I am Sage, 51, female, married, and live in Colorado. I make my living doing tarot readings, numerology charts, and working with special needs students on a part time basis.

I am venturing into the world of tangible goods by selling mineral make up and specialty skin care ingredients. My website is slowly coming along and I am looking forward to getting things really going by the end of the year.

I hope to learn while I am here, while having fun, and hope to contribute where possible!

Good Luck Taiwanesegurl!

By the way ladies I think I jinxed myself since my introduction. So much for me not breaking out. Such a terrible acne attack right now....major life changes really REALLY suck no matter how hard you work on not getting stressed out or worried :sad:

I have exactly 8 days left of my job for the past 3 years. :cry:

I meant to do this a few days ago. Arg.

Anyway, hi! I'm Carla. I'm 20, and I live in Newfoundland, Canada. I'm in university and am an English major. I like writing, reading (you'd kinda figure that from my major, eh? XD), video games (current obsessions are Maple Story and The Sims), and listening to a very huge variety of music.

While I'm completely hopeless when it comes to fashion, I like to think I can make my skin look good. XD I like make-up, and like adding to my collection. I generally have pretty good skin, and only get breakouts once in a blue moon (but when I do, it's quite a bit to deal with). I'm pretty pale (as long as you ignore the incredibly rosy cheeks and such), but I can't seem to tan or burn no matter what I do. It's also a pain trying to find things like foundation that actually look right on me (but I'm pretty content with the Physician's Formula loose powder I'm using now - it's pretty much perfect in terms of colour, but a bit messy when applying. I have dustings of powder over everything). I also really like eyeliner. XD

I can't remember how I ended up visiting the Beauty Brains site, but ever since I found it, I've been visiting every little while. It's nice to see some good solid facts behind the stuff we put on our faces and bodies, and the Brains do a great job at explaining everything. It's one of my favourite blogs. :D

I'm so bad at this. I always end up sounding loony or conceited. So here's my Myspace page where I already have some things listed if anyone is interested: http://www.myspace.com/the_real_wombat_queen

I have dark blonde/light brown hair, fine to medium, wavy. I'm a total wash-and-wear kinda gal.

Don't wear makeup. I used to about 20 years ago. This is largely do to my stubborn side. If you don't like me as I came in the original package, too bad. And, I'm just lazy. I also don't have the dough for extraneous products. Plus, I've always thought that all that smooshing my face around applying foundation would cause wrinkles sooner. I have no scientific proof of this(hint, hint), it's just a feeling.

I have no interest in fashion. Or, what-some-yahoo-in-France-says-I-should-wear-to-be-fit-to-show-my-face-in-public. I like comfy clothes.

My only vanity is my hair. I refuse to cut it, although people have tried. Bwahahahaha, fools! I've tried for 30 years to find the perfect shampoo and conditioner. I found them-twice, and they were discontinued-twice. :cry: Oh well...

I suppose I'm a sideline pseudo-scientist. I wanted to be an LPN, then realized I really wanted to be a doctor. But I did not have the money for college, and am epileptic. But I love learning science facts(lalala). This site is awesome.

I don't have a regimen, per se. I only wash my face in the shower, and no soap. I do use Queen Helene facial scrub once in a while. I started not washing my face about 25 years ago when I had to walk to work in freezing, snowing weather. I figured the extra oil helpedas a barrier. I do use vitamin e at night. Or I just use Queen Helene cocoa butter lotion if I'm too tired.

I've always thought my skin was like leather; keep it oiled and it'll stay supple. I posted somewhere on the forum about my lotion use.

I'm 45, but some people think I'm 35. I just don't care about aging. I have more important things to worry about, being perimenopausal and epileptic. Boy, what fun that is! I have *very* eclectic music tastes. Anything but gangsta rap. I love the Shaggs and The Residents if thats a clue. I think the last CD purchase was Leonard Cohen and Amy Winehouse.

So, hi :peace:

Welcome Wombat Queen! I love that you are a low maintnance if any at all kinda gal!

Sorry Tai that sucks! It'll happen for you. Keep your head up :)

Wee! I got a job at NGI. It's about a mile from my apartment, so I don't have to relocate! It's a big corporate company without the corporate stuffiness feel to it.

I'm just happy to get medical/dental/visual insurance. :P

Yes, congrats Taiwanesgurl on your new job!! Sounds like a good place. Sadly most of us work because of the medical benefits!!

Sorry about taking so long to respond, Right Brain. I've had no internet for over a week.

Let's see, some of the stuff I listen to (and this is just going by what's in my iTunes library) is: Rammstein, tobyMac, Abney Park, Relient K, the Gazette, Alice Nine, Corvus Corax, Danzig, Dope Stars Inc., Emilie Autumn, Entwine, Fall Out Boy, Epica, Groove Coverage, Hayley Westenra, HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR, HIM, Jars of Clay, Jeremy Camp, Kutless, Leaves' Eyes, Mandy Moore, Nightwish, OLIVIA, P. O. D., Unheilig, and Within Temptation. (I just went with the most repeated artists there. XD). I like having a variety of music to listen to - it makes things interesting. :3

I'm Lauri, a 44 yr old housewife soon to be a vet tech. I live in Texas with my husband and 2 kids: a beauty-obsessed...I mean beauty-conscious 16 yr old daughter and a 16 yr old son with a mohawk.

I don't have a beauty regime other than to wash my face with Ivory in the shower and use Dove 2-n-1 on my hair. My daughter, OTOH, uses any and everything and the more the better. I like the beautybrains simply because I don't have an inner child, I have an inner research scientist and like the background info they give, most of which is passed on to my daughter, all of which gets ignored :confused: I am not into music; really if it all went away, I'd be happier and the last book I read...well, in the car it was Nine Hills to Nambokhaha, in the bathroom Mental Floss magazine and I just started the last Harry Potter as bedtime reading.

Lauri

I'm LuckyGirl, a 44 year old videographer from Kentucky. (Wow, I don't believe I actually told my real age!) I'd like to have a regime I can stick with. My face is blotchy and oily. I thought that facial skin kinda dries out a bit as we age. I'm having a hard time finding the right moisturizer. I'm bouncing from Definity to Porcelana to Neutrogina's Even and Clear Line. I'm trying my best to get rid of my blotchy skin. I'm also into wrinkle prevention.

The Beauty Brains is the perfect fit for me, because I'm sick of being lied to by the cosmetics/cosmeceutical industry. There are women out there who are paying hundreds of dollars on products that don't deliver. I don't want to be one of those gals. I want to be informed.

My name is Lucia
I am currently working on my PhD in biology ( I do genomics if that means anything to anybody), I have a degree in Biochemistry as well
I am also a fitness instructor and a Pilates instructor
I've been almost obsessed with my skin since I have memory, and also with science, so I really appreciate the effort on finding real evidence for the claims on beauty products
I have to admit that while half of me is skeptical by nature, the other half want to fall for the claims, and cares more about texture and fragrance and the immediate satisfaction
of purchasing a new beauty product and taking it home (my left and right brains I suppose)
I've been on a twice daily clean/moisturize regime since I am 12, haven't found the perfect one yet
is there such a thing?
or am I after the holy grail of beauty?