Coffee Break: Anna Pump

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1. I’m planned a milestone birthday trip to Puerto Rico for this weekend, but the earthquakes are making me nervous. What would you do?

   1. Cancel

   2. I would still go but I lived in California and am not that fearful of earthquakes.

      1. I thought power was out to the whole island?

         1. Oh, I thought the OP was fearful of aftershocks. If the concern is existing destruction, I would just check with the hotel you were supposed to stay at about how things are there. There wasn’t really any damage in San Juan, from what I understand, other than power outage due to damage to power plants in the affected area. I assume the major resorts and airport have generators? If not, she probably wouldn’t even be able to get there, so it wouldn’t really be her choice about whether or not to cancel her trip.

            1. Our hotel has power, but I’m concerned that everything will be closed and our activities will get cancelled. Our airline has change waivers, so I’m trying to decide if we should play it safe and make a last minute change to go somewhere else.

            2. I would ask your hotel concierge what they think about activities and restaurants, etc. being shut. We have good friends in the San Juan area currently (visiting family, not staying at a resort) and they seem really unfazed. My impression is that it just isn’t that big a deal except near Guayanilla where the earthquake was centered, but I could be wrong.

      2. I would go. The earthquake is over, and Grandma Leyeh says an earthquake it is kind of like passing wind. Until the first quake passes, there is alot of pent up energy, but after the quake, all of the energy is over, much like gas you have expelled can no longer cause problems. Grandma Leyeh taught Dad everything he knows, Dad says, and even tho that is not true, he is VERY smart! YAY Dad!

2. Does anyone have any suggestions for really severely chapped lips? I’m at my wits end. My lips feel like they’re burning as I sit here typing this, and of course, it’s not a cute look to have red chapped lips.
   I’ve tried googling and am struggling, since I’ve tried most of the things they recommend. Here’s the types of lip balms I’ve tried: Aquaphor, Chapstick, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter, Palmers Coconut Oil Balm, EOS, O’Keefes, Nivea medicated.
   I sleep with a humidifier next to my bed, and drink lots of water. I also tried a sugar scrub to remove some of the flaky skin, but it didn’t do much.
   Anyone have any other remedies they would suggest? I’m down to try literally anything!

   1. I like the Neosporin overnight treatment for lips.

      1. yes! lifechanging!

   2. Drink a sh*tton of water (above and beyond the “lots”). If that doesn’t work, talk to a dermatologist since that sounds like an extreme level of dryness for ordinary life (as opposed to when you’re mountaineering or something).

   3. You can get ni**le cream with high-test lanolin in it at most chain drug stores and target. I used it for chapped lips and it works. Lansinoh is the brand I used but there are others.

      1. This. I started using Lanolips about 8 months ago and have never looked back. It’s amazing. Put it on at night before I go to bed and my lips are basically never chapped anymore and they look great. If I forget a couple of nights I can tell.

   4. Try lanolin.

      1. +1. Perpetually dry lips here even with a humidifier and drinking lots of water. I bought lanolin and it’s even too heavy for me.

      2. +2 I slather on lanolin before bed and it’s made a huge difference.

   5. You may have angular cheilitis. When I have a flareup, the edges of my lips feel chapped and burning. I smear a little anti-fungal cream around the outside of my mouth, but not directly on my lips, and it goes away in a day.

      1. Agreed

      2. From looking at pictures, this looks pretty similar to how the corners of my mouth look! Two questions:
         1) Do the rest of your lips hurt (not just the corners)?
         2) Any particular brands you recommend?

         1. Yes, all of my lips hurt. Since I started using the anti-fungal, the corners of my mouth no longer break out, I can stop a flare up before it gets to that point. I have a prescription fluorouracil cream, and a generic store-brand clotrimazole cream. My dentist said anything that’s used for yeast infections would work.

         2. I would investigate this and allergies. Try switching toothpastes and using the antifungal and see what happens. My son gets this fungal thing when he has a cold.

      3. I’d see a dermatologist. If it’s fungal more moisture may make it worse and if it’s allergic more products may irritate. I had skin under my eyes that was super dry no matter what I did!for weeks. Turned out I needed a steroid cream, which cleared it up in a couple days. Since it’s your face I think it’s worth calling in pros rather than continuing to experiment.

   6. Yes, a dermatologist – perhaps you’re allergic to one of the ingredients.

      Have you tried Neutrogena’s Norwegian Formula Lip Balm? It’s the only balm I’ll use and I have very sensitive skin.

      Is it possible that you are licking your lips? Even once or twice could set you up for chapped lips.

      Also I use Covergirl’s Outlast All day lip color to the office, and it wears like iron. You could try that and see if it stays on and protects your lips.

   7. I also have hugely chapped lips, basically year round. I drank a ton of water, used a whole variety of drugstore chapsticks regularly during the day, and exfoliated. Nothing helped.

      I broke down and got laneige (in the pink tub) at night and it seriously works. I’ve been using it for a week and my lips have dramatically improved.

   8. Blistex serum
      Cortibalm
      Neither is on your list, and I have found them more effective than anything that is there.

   9. I finally just had to give up on lip balms and only use Vaseline. After a couple days of Vaseline treatment, I’d feel 100x better. I just needed the protection to keep the moisture in rather than try to pile on.

      1. Vaseline works for me too.

         1. +1

            1. +2

      2. Same – I had bad lip irritation when I last got sick and it was better in a day using Vaseline.

   10. Used to happen to my mom sometimes – turned out she’s allergic to something in Colgate toothpaste, but not other brands.

       1. This just happened to me! It happened over Thanksgiving, and then over Christmas, and it took me an embarrassing amount of time to realize it was the small travel size toothpaste we were using on our trips. The Colgate in question had stannous fluoride in it, rather than the sodium fluoride in our normal Crest. That being said, it wasn’t just chapped lips – basically my whole mouth felt burned, and my lips swelled up like I had lip fillers. Once I stopped using it, it took a while for my mouth to heal, as I also developed ulcers. I did have chapped lips as I healed, but also the other symptoms. When I mentioned it to my mom, she said she’d had the same issue, so I don’t think it’s that uncommon, and I think it’s the stannous fluoride. May not be the culprit here, but something to flag for other people in case you develop these symptoms.

   11. EOS lip balm made my dryness worse. Bag Balm works well if you can deal with the smell, which is rubbery/gluey/industrial. It really helped though and comes in a lip tube.

   12. I would check with a dermatologist, as this can be an issue beyond “chapped lips” (red flag for me is that you are using moisturizers and humidifier and it is not getting better). I would remove everything with fragrance and menthol and SLS (check your toothpaste and facial cleanser) – all of these can be irritants. Then use gentle moisturizing cream (no perfume, but rich in glycerine, triglycerides and other skin-natural factors) and cover with a decent layer of occlusive cream/ointment/balm (lanolin/wax). I personally like to use my moisturizer (Cerave or Physiogel or La Roche) then follow with La Roche Cicaplast Lip balm and close with a layer of Burt’s Bees balm. Check also Dr Dray’s video on YT. She has a no non-sense approach.

   13. A&D ointment. Apply at night before bed. Should help lips retain moisture while you sleep, but super greasy looking so wouldn’t use during day time.

   14. I do Burt’s Bees original and I swear by it. Put it on thick and so widely around your lips that it is like clown makeup

3. I know we’ve talked about hair dryers before, but I have a request and an observation to share. Through my lovely stylist I bought the Dyson Supersonic. She thought it would be helpful as I have a ton of super thick, coarse and partially wavy hair (the entire underside is wavy – not the top, unfortunately). It is prone to frizz and I will forever need to flat iron it. She’s used the Dyson on my hair at the salon and it did cut down on drying time. I bought it. My hair absorbs a ton of water and I found that the Dyson mostly dried my hair by pushing the water out through the ends – which made my hair even frizzier! I am selling it to another of her clients and looking for a new dryer. I’ve used the BaByliss pro tourmaline titanium 3000 and it’s pretty good. I realize I am looking for the magic bullet that will dry my hair quickly, straight-ish and frizz free. Stylist said to try the Salono. Anyone else have any recommendations?

   1. I got this hair dryer for Christmas which looks like a Dyson knock off. It doesn’t get super hot but the dryer is much quieter than regular ones, dries my long wavy hair in under 10 mins and it comes out straight and not frizzy. The key is once it feels dry to the touch to dry it just a little more to get the frizz out. I didn’t think I’d like it because it came in such a cheesy looking 90’s style box but it’s actually pretty good. It has a really long cord which I like because I can use it in the bedroom instead of the bathroom. Only downside is it does not have the Test/Reset type plug (which means I’m not sure if it is legal in the US) but as long as you don’t use it around water or if your bathroom socket already has that, you are all set.

      https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Powerful-Constant-Temperature-Conditioning/dp/B07NRKH1F1/ref=asc_df_B07NRKH1F1/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=343776416074&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4197700925039059700&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1021903&hvtargid=pla-692174068507&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=69473254552&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=343776416074&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4197700925039059700&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1021903&hvtargid=pla-692174068507

   2. T3 and Rusk W8less have worked for me. I have similar but probably not as wavy hair.

   3. I know its not a traditional style “hair dryer” but I got a Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer for Christmas and I’m loving it!! It cut my drying time to 30 min, and I dont need a straightener after it (maybe just for second day touch ups). For context, I have long wavy-curly (type 2b) hair.

      1. +1 for the Revlon one-step. I have the same hair as the OP and it has cut down on drying time and it is not frizzy at all. It comes out very smooth! I also love that it only takes one hand, versus two when using a blow dryer and brush.

      2. +1 for the Revlon dryer. I have the same hair as OP and it has worked really well for me. It cuts the drying time down to less than 10 minutes and it is not frizzy at all. I also like that it only takes one had to use, for the most part, rather than two hands with a blow dryer and brush.

      3. I am a Revlon Volumizer evangelist – three other women I know have bought them and we all love them.

         1. The Revlon is life-changing. I have fine but frizzy hair and I can make it look presentable with little effort. I love it!

      4. My concern with the Revlon One Step Hair-Dryer and Volumizer is right there in the name – volumizer. Volume is the LAST thing I need. Saguaro, if your hair is the same as mine, do you find it poufs things up or smooths things out? I already have a pretty substantial undercut to remove the volume.

         1. I would say its a hair dryer. I have issues with volume at the top (though my curls are voluminous) and I didnt get any additional volume near the roots, but it really tamed down my volume at the bottom of my hair. If anything, my one complaint is I wish my hair had a bit MORE volume when I used it.

         2. It does not add volume, because as you know, we do NOT need volume! It just makes it smooth. I am not sure why it is called a volumizer; maybe if I read the directions it might explain a certain way to use it to get volume.

      5. Similar hair texture to OP, and I too caved and bought the revlon dryer. I’ve only had it a few days, so I’ve used it twice, but so far I love it. You put the volume where you want it, so if you don’t need extra volume, don’t poof up the roots too much.
         It leaves my hair shiny and smooth and tames my random waves well. Just need to find some new styling products to really silken things up, and I’ll be set!
         Besides, its like $30 and I could return it if I hated it- super low risk

      6. I’ll be the dissenting voice – my hair looks like straw after using this device. Looking to give it away to a friend.

   4. I find that the products I put in my hair make a bigger difference than the hair dryer itself. In particular, I really liked the 10-in-1 hair perfecter from Not Your Mother’s.

   5. Have you considered that the problem may not be in the hairdryer but in your technique (do you start with the roots rather than the ends, do you dry hair along the hair to smooth the hairshaft etc)? I would ask your hairdresser to observe your technique next time you are in the salon and then have her correct you. If technique is not the issue, I like Babyliss Caruso.

   6. I don’t have partially wavy hair, but my hair is super thick and coarse. I have a Parlux dryer, and I love it. It has cut my drying time at least by half, and now I never travel without it.

   7. My rec is not dryer related. Instead, spend the money and get keratin treatment done at a professional salon 3x or 2x a year. My hair is just like yours and kertatin is better than any blowdryer. No more frizz, still holds my natural curls and dry time is like 1/4th of what it used to be. I have heavy thick hair.

4. i recently inherited 3 IRAs that are held at 3 different institutions. i am not sure why the individual had IRAs at 3 separate institutions, but is there any reason to keep them at 3 separate institutions rather than combine them to be housed at the institution that already houses most of my investments?

   1. I’m sorry for your loss.

      I have zero regrets moving inherited retirement accounts to my preferred institution.

      Just fyi, the decedent’s institution failed to tell me of a small sum that popped up in the decedent’s account a year after death—I’m not sure if this is common or if the decedent’s institution was just especially bad.

   2. Nope, no reason to keep them separate. Roll for it. (Get it?)

5. What January challenges are everyone doing? This year: dry January, the low-sugar NYT challenge, also trying not to buy anything.

   Last year: 3 AM club, dry January.

   1. No clothing purchases, or web scrolls, or catalog views. Not even clinking links on this board!
      It’s only been a week and I feel so, so free.

   2. What is 3 AM club?

      1. I was wrong it was 5 AM club – tells you how early it felt like to me. https://www.earlytorise.com/

         1. LOL. I thought maybe it was a twist on 5 am club, but I couldn’t believe anyone could get up that early.

   3. I’m still reeling from the post in the last thread about online returns going in the landfill, so I think mine is going to be “no online purchases if there’s any chance at all they will be returned.”

   4. Cook90!!!

   5. Not really a January challenge but after the second year I spent most of a day in December documenting my continuing ed, I vowed to be better about documenting it on the fly. (I’m an actuary- we have to do 30 hours per year and self document.)

      I have also adopted Cat Principles, from a meme, but I mean it:

      1) I am glorious above all things
      2) eat when hungry, sleep when sleepy, play when bored
      3) affection is given and received on my terms and only mine
      4) show displeasure clearly
      5) NO
      6) demand the things you want. If they aren’t given, demand them again, but louder this time
      7) if you are touched when you don’t want to be, say so. If they continue to touch you, make them bleed

      1. Stealing!

         1. Do it! I stole it too. :)

   6. Gosh none this sounds awful

   7. cutting down on dairy, finding where I can make swaps without loosing enjoyment. So far, I’ve made that butter chickpea recipe, even though I’ve modified the spices to match my go-to butter chicken recipe. And waddayaknow – turns out coconut milk and a bit of nut puree can totally replace a bunch of heavy cream and butter! I will probably go back to using a bit of chicken along with veggies, but that was quite a good start.
      Was a bit surprised when hubby suggested dry January, but it sure doesn’t hurt to cut those calories. He only recently started thinking at all about what he ingests, which happens to coincide with a new running hobby and the acquisition of a heart rate workout watch.

6. What’s everyone’s vacation budget for 2020?

   1. $0 — same as the last 3 years. It’s awful, but true.

   2. 6k as we’re planning a trip to Asia. And then likely doing staycations the year after to balance things out.

   3. We don’t have a strict budget but I expect that will spend ~$15k for our family of three. That will include one week in Europe, one week somewhere warm (probably Caribbean) and assorted long weekends and visits to family.

   4. not sure how PTO will shake out, but ideally $4k ish, mostly on one trip to see family involving expensive flights, and one or two short trips to national park hiking.

   5. $2000 Cruise (my share – hubby is paying for his 1/2), $5000 solo overseas trip, maybe $2500 golf camp if the dates line up right.

7. What are people doing these days for toenail polish? Historically I’ve been a red polish person, but that’s starting to feel outdated and loud on my middle aged feet. Is something nude more current?

   1. I’m a nude on the rare occasion that I now wear toenail polish.
      Went all of last summer polish free for the 1st time since 12 years old…..trust me it’s a very long time. I still had pedicures done, just no polish~like the men in the salon. Roar!

   2. I’m probably an outlier but in the winter, I tend to go dark on my toes. I use very dark gray or navy blue or dark purple.

   3. I’ve got a nice darkish grayish green right now. Sort of zombie chic.

   4. I wear nude on my fingernails usually, but for toenails, I’m the only one who sees it, so I feel free to do whatever I want! Currently I have a sparkly berry/red that felt festive for the holidays. I often will do blue or purple or green or hot pink or something else fun that I wouldnt ordinarily do on my toes.

   5. I’m red 4 lyfe, but I don’t wear toenail polish in the winter because I like to give my nails a chance to breathe and grow out the previously-painted nail. I get a no-polish pedicure every once in a while but I mostly skip it until sandal weather.

   6. I like nude colors on my toes best. i use OPI Barefoot in Barcelona and OPI Dulce de Leche most often.

   7. nobody sees my toes at this time of year but me, so I will do whatever makes me smile. I think I should put on a fresh coat of the super glitter confetti stuff!

   8. I think straight nudes are a little out of date, though more pearlescent nudes are in. But grey blue is also a popular neutral these days. Honestly, though, feet in January can be whatever you want — I have a sparkly pine green on now and love it.

8. Thanks for the suggestions on super hydrating facial treatments yesterday. I bought the Farmacy Coconut Hydrating Sheet Mask at Sephora on the way home yesterday and it was glorious. Some of the other products you guys recommended are winging their way to me now!

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