Frequently asked

What does "texture-first" actually mean?

It means finish and feel are the primary sorting dimension of this site. Reviews open with where a product sits on the finish scale — matte to glossy, weightless to rich — before brand comparisons begin. Texture is the part of a formula you live with every day; it is the most useful way to organize a beauty library.

Do you test the products you write about?

No. The desk works from public evidence: labels, manufacturer specifications, regulatory documents, named published reviews, and aggregated buyer feedback. That means we never claim lab results or panel testing we didn't do — and it is also why every piece says where its numbers come from.

How does the site make money?

Some assessment pages may later carry affiliate links, marked with a visible disclosure on the same screen. Guides carry no commercial links. The desk does not publish sponsored posts, paid placements, or deal roundups — coverage decisions are made by the same standard regardless.

Why don't reviews show star ratings?

Ratings only appear when they trace to a specific, countable public source. If a rating can't be verified to a source, it is omitted rather than approximated — an empty rating is more honest than an invented one.

Can I suggest a category or product for assessment?

Yes, and it works: assessment choices follow reader decisions in part. Write to the desk at the address on the contact page — label questions and category requests get answered fastest.