"Social Media/The Internet Made Me Do/Buy It!" (Buying, Trying, Visiting, and Doing Things You've Seen Online.)

[seoulsearch]

You brought up excellent points re these sites and another thing is the security risk, I read. I'll have to rethink before I order again, it's just so common for major store chains, like Walmart, to buy lesser quality items but cheaper from China. After I found out the frozen fish they sell is from China I couldn't buy it anymore. Some brands of spices are from China where they almost bleach out everything and redo it to make it look more appealing, yuck.
The nail files were a dozen but were so cheap the grain wears or falls of after one use. Gee, and I spent 99 cents for them, lol. Also I'm beginning to wonder how reliable their supplements are. I was trying to find out but it's hard to substantiate their quality. Sooo, I'll probably pray about it, all of it. Lord guide me here

It really gets tough to know who to buy from and what to buy.

As an avid fan of beauty products, I've listened to too many YouTubers who got bad reactions/didn't feel comfortable with the Temu cosmetics and skin products they ordered, so I'm going to have to pass on that, AS TEMPTING AS THOSE PRICES ARE!

I have a Christian friend who used to work for Nature Made and felt their products were high quality, so I've been trying to buy my supplements from them.

But there are stumbling blocks at every turn... I love a good shimmer in cosmetic products, but have learned that a lot of what is used (mica) is obtained through child labor (in small spaces only children can fit into,) thereby exposing kids to inhaling a lot of harmful particles, as well as endangering them during mining.

I try my best to make ethical purchases, but I'm sure even things like our utility companies have some kind of shady dealings along the way.

The best peace God ever gave me is when I believe He told me to just take my concerns to Him and to try to follow where He was leading. I believe He understands there are things we need to buy, and in some cases, even if the company is doing wrong, He can use this (the fact that His people are paying them their hard-earned money) to confront them and hold them accountable for what they're doing.

Blessings to you, Tabin!

I always enjoy hearing your point of view -- and thank you for all the time you spend greeting the new people here.

 

[CarriePie]

Snail mucin. I can't remember where I seen it online, but I wanted to try it. Supposedly, women in the ancient past went to spas (or whatever they called them in the distant past) to let snails scoot around on their face. This was supposed to beautify the skin.

Well, I ordered a glass bottle of snail mucin from Amazon. You know, it's easier than making some snails crawl around on my skin! I've ordered more since. I'm on my second bottle and I have 2 more on standby. Anyway, I don't know if anyone noticed in my Vegemite video, but my hands were flaky. My usual moisturizers weren't working. I actually bought the snail mucin for my neck. I'm at that time of life where I want to get ahead of aging skin. After I do my face exercises and gua sha, I put snail mucin on my neck. Then I rub any that's left in my palm all over my hands. This has solved my flaky hand problem! I didn't even get it for that lol.

 

[NightTwister]

My son and I were looking for a place to hike for his HS graduation present. We found a 35-mile hike in Iceland, which we completed in 3 days... carrying 40lb. packs and sleeping in a tent each night. Here is my picture from the top of the ridge on day 2.

 

[seoulsearch]

My son and I were looking for a place to hike for his HS graduation present. We found a 35-mile hike in Iceland, which we completed in 3 days... carrying 40lb. packs and sleeping in a tent each night. Here is my picture from the top of the ridge on day 2.

View attachment 274288

Your world travels sound amazing!!!

These pictures are stunning -- thank you so much for sharing them with us.

 

[seoulsearch]

I actually bought the snail mucin for my neck. I'm at that time of life where I want to get ahead of aging skin. After I do my face exercises and gua sha, I put snail mucin on my neck. Then I rub any that's left in my palm all over my hands. This has solved my flaky hand problem! I didn't even get it for that lol.

It's funny how many skincare remedies have been discovered by "accident".

I've read about several companies who, for example, have their origins in things like workers who tanned leather -- and noticed that their hands looked years younger than their faces.

I can't remember which particular company it was, but the tanning solutions were eventually developed into ones for the face, and voila, yet another expensive skincare brand was launched!

I'm glad to hear the snail mucin is working for you! I tried one iteration and it didn't seem to do much (bee essence was next, but that didn't seem to do much either.)

However, I'm not one to give up the quest for bottled youth so easily, and have at least 2 more snail products on the list to try this year!

 

[Lynx]

Snail mucin. I can't remember where I seen it online, but I wanted to try it. Supposedly, women in the ancient past went to spas (or whatever they called them in the distant past) to let snails scoot around on their face. This was supposed to beautify the skin.

Well, I ordered a glass bottle of snail mucin from Amazon. You know, it's easier than making some snails crawl around on my skin! I've ordered more since. I'm on my second bottle and I have 2 more on standby. Anyway, I don't know if anyone noticed in my Vegemite video, but my hands were flaky. My usual moisturizers weren't working. I actually bought the snail mucin for my neck. I'm at that time of life where I want to get ahead of aging skin. After I do my face exercises and gua sha, I put snail mucin on my neck. Then I rub any that's left in my palm all over my hands. This has solved my flaky hand problem! I didn't even get it for that lol.

So.
Many.
Questions.

Will mucus from other species do the trick?
How can you be sure it is from snails instead of from some other species?
Why does regular old skin moisturizer not work?
Does Mucinex know about this?

I have other questions, but that will do for now.

 

[seoulsearch]

So. Many. Questions. Will mucus from other species do the trick? How can you be sure it is from snails instead of from some other species? Why does regular old skin moisturizer not work? Does Mucinex know about this? I have other questions, but that will do for now.

I don't have the answers to all your questions, but as a bit of a self-professed skincare junkie, I shall try.

1. The reason snail mucus is used is because it's seen as having healing and rejuvenating properties. Scientists believe snail mucin plays a big part in how snails are able to heal and recover from all the sharp things they slide across (after all, even grains of sand are pretty abrasive to a poor little snail.)

If there is anything in nature that's seen as healing or rejuvenating, you'd better believe companies will bottle it and try to sell it as the latest aging-backwards miracle. I also used a serum with bee venom, as it's believed to have similar properties, as well as stimulate collagen and elastin (key ingredients in keeping skin young.)

2. You asked a really good question -- it's hard to know if you're getting an authentic product. There's numerous stories of fake and counterfeit products being sold. People will often buy authentic product bottles, dilute the original or fill them with something else, then sell them on ebay.

As with most things, the best thing you can do is buy from a reputable seller or company site directly, which is more likely to be selling the real thing.

3. Different people's skin and various skin conditions respond differently to different ingredients and formulations. What works for one person might not for another, and people might also need to change products in different climates or seasons.

Moisturizer alone is usually not enough for my skin. Years ago, right here on CC, a very kind professional esthetician suggested I start adding a moisturizing toner to my routine, and it made a world of difference. It adds in another layer of liquid moisture that my skin seems to absorb. Regular moisturizer mostly just sits on top and doesn't really change my overall skin's condition. Now all I have to do is keep finding products that work for me and aren't always being discontinued -- the bane of my existence.

4. To my knowledge, Mucinex is not made with mucin, snail or otherwise. I also don't know of any lawsuits going regarding the similarities of the names (Mucinex vs. mucin.)

Yes, I know it's a joke, but it was fun playing along!

It also helps me justify the vast amount of time and resources I've invested into skincare!

 

[Lynx]

4. To my knowledge, Mucinex is not made with mucin, snail or otherwise. I also don't know of any lawsuits going regarding the similarities of the names (Mucinex vs. mucin.)

I was thinking more like, this looks like a job for Mucinex! Seems like it would be right up their alley, combating mucin.

 

[Mem]

Four out of five dentists agree... That the fifth one really needs to just chill out. I mean really, he disagrees with everything!

I think it's this guy...

 

[Mem]

Some years back, I went into a GNC to see what they had any seaweed. I mean, how is the most abundant plant on earth not available in any stores near me? The clerk led me to a bottle of Miracle 2000 and I was impressed enough with my first trial that I looked it up to find out more about it and found the Century Systems website that offered an extensive write up about their product. I've looked for that particle article since, but I can't find it anymore (I don't know if that's due to the search engine being overwhelmed with potential relevance or that it no longer exists). Anyway, the article told of the characteristic of seaweed absorbing every color of the rainbow because it is near black and about Ponce de Leon looking for the fountain of youth and coming upon a people that looked unnaturally young that lived in the vicinity of a pool of water which had seaweed growing in it... and also some mention of the Japanese I think...
So, to make a long story short, it wasn't so much the advertisement that compelled me to buy the product as much as that it was believable because I actually tried it first. I still make sure I have a bottle of it in stock, for comfort's sake as well in case of a necessity for that certain 'quick up.' It contains other ingredients along with Spirulina algae (even though I'm not sure if that variety was what I had actually been initially searching out).

 

[Magenta]

His infomercials were like a mini-sitcom on their own!

What about that Shamwow guy?

Billy Mays is mentioned after the 2 minute mark (2:09) in this one:

 

[NightTwister]

Your world travels sound amazing!!!

These pictures are stunning -- thank you so much for sharing them with us.

Here's one from Verona, Italy

 

[Suze]

All I know is , if I've had a glass of wine I do not under any circumstances take my bank card out of my purse .

 

[Djowlee]

One thing the internet pushed me into was double-checking people’s profiles when something felt off. Using Search Social Media by Photo actually helped me figure out if someone was real or just using stolen pics, which saved me from getting fooled. On the fun side, I’ve tried tons of recipes I spotted online; a few were flops, but some became regulars in my kitchen.

 

[Lanolin]

Reading through ppls posts not really. I hate ads anyway, and facebook was full of them. Instagram is just facebook with pictures, why would I want to join a website that had nothing but ads and people advertising and being shills? (influencers). I don't like spotify and have ad blockers on youtube.

The only websites I really trust is the library catalogue, and google for some features like maps and google translate and gmail.

Trademe I have learned is just people flogging things they don't want, I have rarely bought anything quality from there. I'll look things up if can't find anywhere else, am always an honest trader, but you can't get refunds, you need to be buyer beware. Caveat Emptor.

I don't go on Amazon anymore, for book reviews I go on Goodreads. I have a good group there I've been chatting to for a few years. I've never bought anything from it though.

I don't really 'surf' the internet looking for things to buy, I know 99% of the time it's not what it seems, if a product is quality, I would have seen it in real life first. I used to go on ezibuy when I needed a new wardrobe but that's gone under too. They used to have paper catalogues, but scrolling through pages and pages of clothes is painful esp when don't know what you looking for. I would not recommend buying clothes online unless you have tried them on first.

And absolutely NO to online dating. There are groomers and dodgy people out there and they are mostly on dating websites.

 

[Lynx]

I don't really 'surf' the internet looking for things to buy, I know 99% of the time it's not what it seems, if a product is quality, I would have seen it in real life first. I

Maybe you and I are shopping for different things, but I have found lots of stuff online that I cannot find in local stores. Unihertz makes an adorable tiny smartphone that can do everything a regular smartphone can do, but you can use it with one hand easily. They also make a big honking phone with a battery about eight times the size of customary smartphones, and a light big enough to light up your whole church sanctuary when the power goes out.

I also get slip resistant over shoes online. Put them over your regular shoes and you can walk safely on greasy McDonald's floors. Sorry, macca's floors. Can't get those at our local walmart.

Don't get me started on the multiple port USB charger hubs. I never can find anything like that at local stores, but I can find it easily online.

I got my ego electric mower online. Wonderful thing. 56 volts cuts a lot of grass fast. I got an electric back wheel for my bicycle online. Turn any old bike into an electric bike by replacing the back wheel. I went online and found an earbud with a 14-hour battery life. Love it. Can't find any of these things at local shops.

 

[Lanolin]

Maybe you and I are shopping for different things, but I have found lots of stuff online that I cannot find in local stores. Unihertz makes an adorable tiny smartphone that can do everything a regular smartphone can do, but you can use it with one hand easily. They also make a big honking phone with a battery about eight times the size of customary smartphones, and a light big enough to light up your whole church sanctuary when the power goes out.

I also get slip resistant over shoes online. Put them over your regular shoes and you can walk safely on greasy McDonald's floors. Sorry, macca's floors. Can't get those at our local walmart.

Don't get me started on the multiple port USB charger hubs. I never can find anything like that at local stores, but I can find it easily online.

I got my ego electric mower online. Wonderful thing. 56 volts cuts a lot of grass fast. I got an electric back wheel for my bicycle online. Turn any old bike into an electric bike by replacing the back wheel. I went online and found an earbud with a 14-hour battery life. Love it. Can't find any of these things at local shops.

I never buy those sorts of techy things purely online without having tested them out first. I'm not really an early adopter. Some people are, and power to them if they can afford to spend money on things like that that haven't thoroughly been tested yet.

I do live in a city with a lot of shops/stores though...I get overwhelmed sometimes at all the things you can buy in them. If the deal is better online and free delivery, am in though.

 

[Lanolin]

People rave about temu now.
Ebay back in the day was a novelty - buying things from places you could never get to, and maybe cheap esp collectors items. It was an auction site, I've never attended a real auction, but an online auction for a rare collectable you could not find even though you've hunted everywhere for it or wasn't available in your country, was a special thrill back in the day when I collected things.

hah back in the day - I mean I don't really collect things anymore. Books I can just borrow from the library, plus I don't have the room or space for huge collections...or the money either. It goes on food/groceries, gas, and tickets to fun events.

 

[Lynx]

I never buy those sorts of techy things purely online without having tested them out first. I'm not really an early adopter. Some people are, and power to them if they can afford to spend money on things like that that haven't thoroughly been tested yet.

I do live in a city with a lot of shops/stores though...I get overwhelmed sometimes at all the things you can buy in them. If the deal is better online and free delivery, am in though.

Oh I'm no early adopter. I wait until there are quite a few unbiased reviews on amazon.

All the things I have bought online are very well and thoroughly tested.

 

[YouOnlyLiveTwice]

This might be off topic, but does anyone remember "The Cinnamon Challenge"?

Well, the internet convinced my "friends" that the cinnamon challenge would be a fun idea for us to try.

Pretty much every single one of us almost choked to death doing this challenge.

DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME (OR ANYWHERE)
You get a big spoon, dig a heaping spoonful of cinnamon, put it in your mouth, and try to swallow all of it. If you can swallow it, you win. 99.9% of the time, no one wins.