| How to Use a VPN Posted: 20 Apr 2021 05:00 PM PDT When you use a VPN, your internet activity is sent through an encrypted server that protects it from others on the network. This means your ISP, as well as other people using the same Wi-Fi network as you, can't see what you're doing online.[1] VPNs are also used to access networks that are normally inaccessible when connected through your regular ISP, such as your work or school network. If you're not using a VPN for work or school, you can select from a variety of paid and free VPN providers, most of which can be run on your computer, phone, or tablet. This wikiHow teaches you how to get started with a VPN. [Edit]Getting a VPN - Check with your employer, school, or organization. If you've been told you need to use a VPN to connect to your company or organization's network, you'll need to gather some information from your organization. The information you'll need varies by network, but you'll typically need to install a special app or program, for which you'll need a unique username and password. Your IT department will determine if your computer is compatible with the VPN software, help you make your computer compatible if it is not, and help you access to the VPN.
- Your IT department may give you a default VPN password then allow you to set your own. Use a password that is unique, but easy to remember and do not write it down or stick it anywhere near or on your computer. Avoid using birth dates, the names of close family members or anything that someone else might be able to guess.
- Contact your IT department immediately if you have to reinstall or upgrade your operating system or restore your computer to an earlier point. You may lose your VPN settings.
- Decide whether to use a free or paid VPN solution. If you're using a VPN for personal reasons, such as for online anonymity or to access sites in other countries, you have many options. There are both paid and free VPN services available, and both have merits:
 - Free VPNs are usually only free because they tend to limit the amount of data you can use, throttle your network speeds, have ads, and/or can only be used on one device at a time. They can be handy if you only need a VPN once in a while, such as when you're using public Wi-Fi at a café or library.[2] Most don't require you to provide much information, and you won't have to make a payment commitment. Some popular free VPN options you can check out are ProtonVPN, WindScribe, and Speedify.
- If you are looking for a solution that hides your activity from surveillance, gives you plenty of data without throttling your speeds, and is more reliable, go for a well-reviewed paid service. And just because a service costs money doesn't mean it will be expensive—some great services have payment levels as low as $2/month. The New York Times' Wirecutter's does extensive VPN reviews. Their top VPN suggestions are Mullvad VPN Mullvad and IPVN. Some other highly-reviewed services are TunnelBear, Encrypt.me, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN. [3]
- Search for reviews and experiences. If your goal is to protect your data and stay safe online, you'll need a VPN service you know you can trust. Before signing up with a service, search the internet for its name and "reviews," and try to find out about peoples' personal experiences with the product. Reddit is a great place to search for honest reviews.
- You may want to check out VPN services that don't log your activity—the problem is, it's hard to know which providers are really telling the truth. ExpressVPN is a service that was proven to not log customer data when Turkish authorities raided their data center in search of customer information.[4]
- Sign up for an account. Once you choose a service, you'll generally need to sign up for an account and make your first payment (if using a paid service). Once you're signed up, you can download the VPN provider's software onto your computer, phone, and/or tablet.
- Install your VPN software. Go to the website for the VPN service you're using and follow their instructions for installing their software. If the service you're using supports smartphones and/or tablets, you can download their app from the Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone/iPad).
- If you're using a PC, double-click the file you download from the website (usually ends in .exe), and then follow the on-screen instructions to install the software. Once you have installed your VPN, launch the application from your Start menu.
- On a Mac, you will typically launch the .dmg file and be asked to drag the application into your Applications folder. If your computer is password-protected, you will be asked to input your password upon first launching.
- On your smartphone, launch the app from your home screen. You will be asked to log in with your account or create one if you don't have an account already.
[Edit]Using a VPN - Open your VPN software. Once you have downloaded and installed your VPN, it's time to start it up. If you're using a Windows PC, you'll find the software in your Windows menu. If you're using a Mac, it'll be in your Applications folder. Smartphone and tablet users will find the icons for their VPN services in their app lists.
- Sign in with your account. When you sign up for most VPN services, you'll create a username and password. You'll often only need to enter this information the first time you log in, although more secure services may prompt you for a new login each time.
- If you are using a company's VPN, or most personal software, this will grant you secure access to your network. You may see a new window that looks like your desktop at work, also known as a virtual desktop, where you can access your company resources. Or, you may need to launch your web browser and enter a secure web address where you can access your company's resources.
- If you're using a VPN service that restricts how much data you can use or how much time you can spend using it, only activate it when you need to secure your IP address.
- Read the terms of use. If you're using a VPN for personal use, make sure you read the terms of use. Some VPNs, especially free ones, might install third-party applications or display ads. Make sure you are educated on what your VPN is providing you, what it is requiring of you, and what kind of information it collects.
- Most free VPNs are sufficient for general privacy when not at home on a secure server.
- VPNs do not make your HTTPS connections any more secure than without a VPN. A good VPN can significantly improve privacy.
[Edit]Warnings - Using a VPN service to change your location so you can watch streaming content may violate the service's terms of use, and sometimes, local laws.[5]
- If you're doing anything malicious, it may still be subpoenaed by law enforcement even if you're using a VPN.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Care for a Brow Lamination Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:00 AM PDT You've got the full, defined brows of your dreams, so how do you keep them looking great? Since the lamination process basically perms your brows in place, there's actually not a lot for you to do. The most important thing is to keep your styled brows dry for the first 24 hours. After that, you just need to keep them conditioned and brush them. With a little care, your brows can look great for up to 8 weeks! [Edit]Aftercare - Keep your eyebrows completely dry for the first 24 hours. This might be the most important thing you do after getting the lamination treatment! During the procedure, your technician spread several layers of chemical relaxer cream and shaped your brows. If you get your brows wet after the process, your brows don't have a chance to set and the style won't last long.[1]
- Some technicians recommend keeping your brows dry for at least 48 hours, so ask your technician what they advise.
- It's completely fine to get your brows wet after the first day! If you get them wet within the first 24 hours though, you may want to talk with your technician about setting them again.
- Resist the urge to touch your eyebrows. This is really hard, we know! Unfortunately, when you touch your brows, you introduce oil from your fingers and this can clog the pores in your brows.[2]
- Try to distract yourself if you keep reaching for your brows. Pick something to do that keeps your hands busy, like a craft project, playing an instrument, or cooking something.
- Skip makeup for 24 hours after getting your brows done. It can feel challenging to go makeup-free for a day, but remember, it's worth it. You want to avoid makeup since it can be oily and might clog your pores.[3]
- Your skin is also sensitive right now so give it a chance to recover from the procedure.
- Wait 2 days before you wash your face so your eyebrows don't get wet. This is probably one of the hardest things about laminating your brows! As tempting as it is, it's not a good idea to wash your face since your brows will get wet. Instead, use a cleansing wipe to clean your face so you don't have to splash it with water.[4]
- Once you've waited a few days, it's totally fine to wash your face. Just try not to rub your brows when you do it.
- Avoid swimming, showering, or sweating excessively. Again, you don't want moisture or oil anywhere near your brows for the first day after the procedure. This means no swimming, saunas, steamy showers, or intense workouts.[5]
- It's totally fine to do these things a few days after getting your brows done. By then, your brows will be set and it's okay to get them wet.
- Try to sleep on your back so you don't press on your brows at night. This might seem like weird advice, but if you usually sleep on your side, the pillow presses against your face and you might bend a few brow hairs. For the first night, try to sleep on your back. You might put bolsters or body pillows on your sides so it's harder to turn on your side while you sleep.[6]
- Can't sleep on your back? Don't stress! Just check your brows first thing in the morning and try to brush any bent hairs back into place.
- Avoid using exfoliating products or retinoids around your brows for 3 days. If your brows feel extra-sensitive for a few days after the procedure, it's totally normal. The chemicals in brow lamination can also dry out your skin a little, which is why you shouldn't immediately use products like retin-A, alpha hydroxy acid, or harsh exfoliants that peel away the top layer of your skin. Wait at least 3 days and remember to keep the product away from your brows.[7]
- If your brows still feel really dry 3 days after the procedure, you may want to wait until they don't feel sensitive before you use a retinoid or exfoliate.
[Edit]Everyday Maintenance - Dab brow conditioner or nourishing oil onto your brows every day. Since dry skin is a common side effect, moisturizing your brows is important. Wait 2 days after your procedure and then soak a cotton pad with brow conditioner from your technician. If they didn't give you any, don't worry! Get a super-nourishing oil like castor, coconut, argan, or avocado oil. Then, dab the cotton pad into your brows so the hairs absorb the oil. Do this every day to keep your brows looking their best.[8]
- Shape your brows twice a day with an eyebrow brush. Laminated brows are super low-maintenance since they hold their shape on their own. If you spot any stray hairs, just use a brow brush to comb your brows in the direction the hairs are growing.[9]
- For example, brush the brows up towards your forehead and then brush them towards your temple as they taper.
- Brush on clear brow gel to give them a slight sheen. If you're going for a dewy, youthful style, clear brow gel can finish your look. Just brush the clear gel into your shaped, laminated brows and you're all set![10]
- Don't have time to apply brow gel? No worries. It's totally fine to skip this step since your brows are already set in place. The gel just gives a little extra shine.
- Apply brow makeup as usual if you want to darken your brows. As long as you've waited a full day for your brows to set, you can totally use your favorite makeup! Fill in your brows with a brow pencil, powder, or cream, depending on whatever you usually use.[11]
- Don't be afraid to wash your brows. As long as you've waited at least 24 hours after the procedure, you can wash with your favorite cleanser.
- Always ask your technician to give you their maintenance recommendations. If you want to get your brows laminated again later, you may want to set up your next appointment, too.
[Edit]Warnings - Although laminated brows are great for a lot of people, you shouldn't get the procedure if you have dermatitis or eczema.[12]
[Edit]References |
| How to Wash a Jacket in a Washing Machine Posted: 20 Apr 2021 01:00 AM PDT While you may assume that your winter jacket is dry-clean only, most jackets are machine-washable. You can wash them in an average washing machine without spending extra money on dry-cleaning. First, check the jacket tags and confirm that the jacket is machine-washable. Then, set the washer to a cold, delicate setting and use the same detergent you normally do. Dry it afterwards, and then enjoy your newly-cleaned jacket. [Edit]Checking the Care Instructions - Read the tag to confirm that the jacket is machine-washable. Clothing tags list specific washing instructions, if there are any. Before putting the jacket in the washing machine, check the tag for any washing restrictions. If it says, "Handwash only" or "Dry-clean only," then don't put it in the machine or you might ruin it.[1]
- Also look for any washing instructions. The tag may specify water temperature or detergent type to use. Follow any instructions provided.
- If you aren't sure about washing instructions, try contacting the manufacturer to see if the jacket is machine-washable.
- Handwash the jacket if the care tag has a bucket with a hand over it. Some care tags only have symbols rather than precise instructions. The handwash symbol is a bucket filled with water and a hand over it. This means the jacket is not machine-washable, so do not put it in the washing machine.[2]
- If you handwash the jacket, use a milder detergent that's designed for handwashing.
- Dry-clean the jacket if there is a bucket with an X over it. This symbol means that the jacket isn't machine-washable at all and getting it wet could ruin it. If your jacket's care tag features this symbol, take it to the dry-cleaner to have it properly and safely cleaned.[3]
- Wash nylon, fleece, and down-filled jackets in cold water on the gentle cycle. If there isn't a care tag, then a general rule is that these materials are machine-washable. Use only the cold water setting to prevent damaging the fibers in your jacket, and run the machine on the gentle cycle.[4]
- You can usually use normal detergent for these materials. If you aren't sure, check with the manufacturer.
- Machine-washing and drying can also help restore the fluffiness of a puffer jacket.
- Avoid putting suede, leather, or fur in the washing machine. These materials are usually not machine-washable. Even if your jacket doesn't have a care tag, assume that you can't wash your jacket if it's made with any of these materials.[5]
- It's best to bring these jackets to a professional dry-cleaner.
[Edit]Pre-treating and Prepping the Coat - Pre-treat stains with liquid laundry detergent or a specialty product. If your coat has stains, it's best to spot treat them before washing the jacket to ensure the stains come out. Rub liquid laundry detergent or a laundry stain remover directly over each stain and let the jacket sit for 10 minutes before putting it in the washing machine.[6]
- If you don't have stain remover, use a dab of dish soap instead.
- Zip up the jacket and pockets before loading it. The zippers on the jacket can get stuck on other clothes in the machine and rip them. Protect your other clothes by closing all the zippers on the jacket before starting the wash cycle.[7]
- Also remove any loose or detachable pieces, like detachable hoods.
- Check your jacket's pockets and empty them, if needed, before washing.
- Turn fleece jackets inside-out before loading them in the machine. This prevents the fleece jacket from getting damaged in the wash. Make sure fleece jackets are zipped or buttoned up completely and turned inside-out before you start the wash cycle.[8]
- Other jackets can be washed without turning them inside-out first.
[Edit]Loading and Washing the Jacket Correctly - Wash jackets by themselves to avoid damaging them. Best practice is washing each jacket separately. This way, you avoid staining or jackets getting caught on each other and ripping.[9]
- If you have a few jackets of the same type and material, then you can wash them together. Never mix jacket types and materials.
- Use a front-loading washing machine for down-filled jackets. These jackets are a bit more fragile, and the agitator in the center of a top-loading washing machine could damage them. Use a front-loader to protect your down-filled jackets.[10]
- Some top-loading machines don't have an agitator. In this case, you can use it for a down jacket.
- If you don't have a front-loading machine, you can wash the jacket at a laundromat instead.
- Turn your washing machine to the delicate setting. All jackets need a delicate wash cycle to prevent damage. Turn the wash knob to delicate before starting the machine.[11]
- On some washers, the delicate setting is listed as handwash or gentle.
- If you have a similar item that requires a different wash cycle, then don't wash it with the jacket.
- Set the machine to use cold water. Besides the wash cycle knob, the washing machine should have another knob for the temperature setting. Turn this knob to cold whenever you wash jackets.[12]
- Use your usual laundry detergent for nylon and down jackets. Most jackets don't need any special detergent to get them clean. You can use the same general detergent you use for your normal loads of laundry.[13]
- Confirm that the jacket doesn't have any specific detergent needs. Check the tag for specific directions.
- Use specialized wool detergent for wool coats. Wool is machine-washable, but normal detergent can damage the wool fibers. Look for special wool detergent in the laundry aisle at your local grocery or drug store.[14]
- If you can't find wool detergent in the store, you can order it online.
- Dry the jacket in the dryer using a low heat setting unless it's fleece. Once the wash cycle finishes, transfer your jacket to the dryer just like any other piece of laundry. Set the dryer to a low-medium heat and dry it normally. The only exception is fleece, which you should hang up so that it can air-dry.[15]
- Machine-drying is especially helpful for puffy jackets to restore their fluffiness after a wash cycle.
- If you're unsure about the drying process, then it's best to air-dry the jacket. Machine-drying can damage some fabrics.
[Edit]References |
Brow lamination or eyebrow lamination has quickly become a trend for girls around the world including the girls that come to Its All About Brows Brows.
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