From beetles and parasites to whale vomit: the disgusting ingredients in cosmetics

We must recognize that most of us, do not read what is on the list of ingredients on cosmetics, or we do not understand the meaning of all those words. If we had enough knowledge, we would be surprised at what we really use.
The expensive perfume contains feces and whale vomit
Ambergris is a yellow, waxy, solid substance that is produced in the whale's intestines to protect them from the sharp objects they sometimes swallow. It is often called "sea gold". Just half a pound of feces or whale vomit can be worth up to $ 10,000. Whales either vomit the substance or eliminate it along with their feces.
Most lipsticks contain broken parasitic beetles
Cactus beetles (Dactylopius Coccus) are small insects that feed on cactus plants in Central and South America. Cochineal female beetles eat the red fruits of cacti, so when the beetles are crushed, a very strong red dye is produced.
Cochineal dye has been used for centuries and is very safe for most people, so it is commonly used in lipstick, ice cream, candy, yogurt and eyeshadow. In fact, Starbucks admitted a few years ago that they used a red cochineal dye in some of their drinks, which turned out to be a big problem for their vegetarian fans.
Animal fat in lipstick, eyeshadow and soap
Seoul is a common ingredient in many cosmetics. It is present in: eyeshadows, lipsticks, foundations, shampoos, shaving soaps, moisturizers and skin care products. Seoul is made from animal carcasses.
Seoul is made from animal fat, which means boiling carcasses to create fat products. Dead animals used to make tallow come from many sources, including laboratories, slaughterhouses, zoos, shelters, and yes, animals killed on the road are also used.
Bull semen in hair products
Due to its high protein content, bull semen has become a popular ingredient in hair products. Used mainly for dry or damaged hair, the semen is mixed with a plant called Katera and applied to the hair in expensive beauty salons. The process takes about 45 minutes, costs about $ 90-120 dollars and has been described as "Viagra for hair."
Snail secretions in moisturizers
Snail exudate is collected and used as an ingredient in many famous moisturizers. Glycolic acid and elastin in snail secretion protect the skin from wounds, bacteria and UV rays, making it a great source of protein that removes dead cells and regenerates the skin. It is also useful for removing scars, stretch marks and curing acne.
Infant foreskin in anti-aging products
The recovery complex marketed by TNS SkinMedica claims to use cells derived from human infantile foreskin (NouriCel-MD) in a "revolutionary" line of anti-aging products. Using a combination of soluble collagen, antioxidants, natural growth factors and proteins, they claim to slow down the aging process and encourage the growth of new cells for a younger complexion.
Many companies have already announced that they have given up some of these ingredients, opting for "more pleasant" alternatives, but others, given their effect, will not do so too soon.

“No parabens” is the motto of people who are used to reading the list of ingredients carefully. Are they right when they avoid this component?
Sometimes a broad discussion of the action of certain ingredients is a significant phenomenon that helps people maintain their health. We have already understood the beneficial and harmful properties of silicones. This time, let's talk about parabens, among the "victims" of such discussions. Everything is not so simple, and before passing a verdict on them, it is necessary to study the properties of these substances in more detail and get acquainted with the opinion of scientists on this matter. How can parabens in cosmetics be harmful, and are they harmful at all? Let's figure it out right now, but at the same time, we'll see if it's worth choosing natural paraben-free cosmetics as a replacement.
About parabens in cosmetics
Parabens are chemical compounds (to be more precise, we are talking about esters of para-Hydroxybenzoic acid) that are famous for their antiseptic properties and have been used as preservatives for a long time, both in the food industry and in the pharmaceutical and beauty industries.
Parabens can be synthesized or obtained from plants in the laboratory - yes, there are natural parabens found, for example, in cranberries, lingonberries, and sour.
In the composition of medicines or cosmetics, parabens allow you to extend their shelf life by preventing the growth of bacteria.
Why are parabens dangerous? This is where the controversy begins. The trouble with parabens began when scientists studying breast cancer discovered high concentrations of parabens in tumors. And some have linked it to cosmetics containing parabens (such as deodorants that are applied to the underarm area).
So far, it has not been possible to accurately confirm that cosmetics affect the development of this type of cancer. Still, even a hypothesis was enough for many people to take up arms against parabens.
Properties of parabens in cosmetic
Parabens are considered the most popular preservative today. What is the reason for such a choice?
Antibacterial properties
Thanks to parabens in jars and tubes with cosmetics, there will be no active reproduction of bacteria and fungi. This means they can be used safely for longer without fear that the skin will react with irritation or inflammation.
Ability to stabilize the formula
Another plus of parabens is that they perform a stabilizing function in the formulas of products: their presence in the procedure maintains the desired consistency and allows all components to coexist harmoniously.
Parabens, unlike other preservatives, are effective in small concentrations. Manufacturers who emphasize the natural composition of their cosmetics can use natural preservatives. They are needed in much larger quantities to keep the product fresh for a long time. Organic acids and essential oils are potent allergens. There is a high risk that these products will cause an adverse reaction in the skin.
The downside is that parabens can cause allergies. But the long-term practice of their use shows that the risks are more diminutive in the case of parabens. They are used in the food industry. International standards ensure maximum safety. The creators of cosmetics use these substances in a limited amount.
What cosmetics contain parabens?
Parabens are needed primarily in the composition of funds with a liquid, cream,m or gel texture. In a word, in cosmetics that contain water. A humid environment is favorable for the reproduction of bacteria, and parabens prevent this.
Foundation
Due to the presence of parabens, tonal foundations “live” from six months to 1.5 years. The expiration date,e in this case, is affected not so much by the concentration of preservatives as by the texture of the product - for example, the fluid will serve you less than a thick and dense foundation.
Mascara
Mascara cannot be made without parabens, but its shelf life is the shortest compared to other beauty products: it is recommended to use mascara no longer than 3 months after opening the package.
Concealer
Parabens extend the shelf life of this product to about six months.
Lip gloss
With these tools - the same story as with the category of concealers: you can do makeup with them only for about six months. But without parabens, this period would be even shorter.
Liquid shadows, highlighters, bronzers, lipstick,s and other water-based products also contain parabens. The most common areethyl parabenss andmethyl parabenss. They are safe and resistant to external influences, including thermal. But dry shadows will last you a long time and without parabens in the composition. True, by the end of the expiration date, they will likely no longer fit perfectly. But from the,m it will be possible to make lipstick of an unusual shade. Just follow this video guide.
How are parabens identified in cosmetics?
We have already discussed the general rules that will help you quickly check the composition of cosmetics here. Since parabens are a whole group of substances, you will have to remember a few bare names and symbols to recognize them on the packaging. Parabens that are often used in the manufacture of cosmetics include methylparaben (it can be found in the list of ingredients under the codes E218 and E219), ethylparaben (E214), propylparaben (E216), butylparaben, benzyl paraben, isobutyl paraben.
In addition, among the designations of parabens are met again, propagation, nipagin, and nipazol. They can even be combined under the general name "hydroxybenzoic acids, without specifying the details.
Are there cosmetics without parabens?
Today, the list of brands that produce cosmetics without parabens and sulfates is quite extensive. In the absence of these ingredients in the composition of their products, many manufacturers use them as an advertisement. Therefore it may seem that such beauty products are becoming more common. However, statistics show the opposite: more than 75% of cosmetics still contain parabens.
Cosmetics
Those who are not going to give up cosmetics with parabens completely, but are still afraid of this controversial ingredient, should pay attention to thorough skin cleansing.
What is the best way to remove paraben makeup? One of the leading "working" means micellar water - the features of its production allow you not to use sulfates and parabens. The same applies to many hydrophilic oils.
Micellar water
It's good that cosmetics lovers have a choice. Science is not yet able to provide accurate data proving that parabens in cosmetics are harmful and cause life-threatening diseases. But for those who want to eliminate any risks associated with parabens, products labeled paraben-free can be preferred.
Cosmetics without parabens
It is essential to understand that the absence of parabens does not always make cosmetics 100% safe. So, substitutes for parabens arepropanoll,quaternion-15, butyl hydroxy anisole (E320 or BHA), and butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) - and these substances have been proven toxic and carcinogenic. However, they are found not only in cosmetics but also in food.
About natural cosmetics, manufacturers of natural beauty products also use paraben-free labels. They use vitamins E and C, tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, propolis, and grapefruit seed extract as preservatives. The last component has gained particular popularity as a natural disinfectant and preservative.
Grapefruit seed extract
In the case of natural cosmetics, the question arises, how effective are the preservatives used in it. If methyl and ethyl parabens in cosmetics, as a rule, are no more than 0.4% of the composition, natural substitutes will be required in much higher concentrations to compare with them in terms of strength. Do not forget that many natural ingredients that can increase the shelf life of cosmetics can cause allergic reactions.

A good primer should smooth out skin imperfections on the face and keep the make-up in perfect condition for as long as possible. We have collected the most effective makeup bases - read and choose the one that is right for you.
Facial primers are a controversial product. Today there are a huge number of them on the market and it is not so easy to find a quality makeup base. It is not always clear whether it is needed at all. Let's try to figure it out, and at the same time, we will tell you about those basics for makeup, which, in our opinion, are worth paying attention to.
What is a makeup base?
Primers solve several problems at once:
- Mask imperfections, age spots, uneven tone.
- Makes skin texture smoother.
- Improve the properties of tonal products and increase the durability of makeup.
- A primer cannot replace either foundation or skin care creams, it has a narrow, limited functionality. The basis for makeup does not have to be in a woman's cosmetic bag. However, you can’t do without it if you need impeccable and persistent make-up.
It is important to know that many makeup bases necessarily contain silicones, so due to frequent use, skin pores can become clogged, which will provoke rashes on the face. To prevent this from happening, thoroughly cleanse your skin every evening and, if possible, use a make-up base, not every day.
How to choose a primer according to skin type?
Today, the beauty industry offers a large selection of makeup bases. You need to choose those products that are most suitable for the type and color of the skin.
Normal skin
For normal skin types, a brightening make-up base with sunscreen is ideal. A primer with reflective particles is also suitable.
Dry skin
For dry skin types, it is recommended to use light moisturizing makeup bases with a creamy or oily consistency. To give the face visual moisture, use a product with a shimmer.
Oily skin
For oily skin types, a make-up base is best suited to mattify and mask pores. It will control the appearance of oily sheen throughout the day. The primer can be either water-based or silicone-based. If the skin has inflammation and redness, use a base with a green tint.
Combination skin
For combination skin, you can take a mattifying makeup base and apply it only to problem areas. On other "dry" areas, use a moisturizing primer.
Sensitive skin
For sensitive skin, you will need a makeup base, with the function of protecting against toxins, toxins, and negative environmental factors. Look for fragrance-free products. If redness and inflammation often appear on the skin, choose a color-correcting primer with a green pigment.
Is there a difference between budget and luxury makeup bases?
Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer here. Choosing a good makeup base requires personal experience. The most important thing in any cosmetic product is how it suits your skin. Hence the relativity of rankings - what has become a panacea for a thousand lucky ones, for you may turn out to be a waste of money.
When choosing a primer, pay attention to the following:
- how effectively it evens out the complexion, hides skin imperfections;
- how long does it keep makeup in perfect condition;
- what type of skin is suitable for.
To make it easier for you to navigate, we have compiled a list of 19 good makeup bases, one of which is potentially suitable for you.
Face Primer Urban Defense Complexion Primer SPF 30, Urban Decay
It is a pleasure to apply it on the skin: the delicate gel texture does not leave any stickiness or film feeling! And the composition itself makes the skin smooth and prepares for the application of foundation, minimizing bumps and pores. You can be calm about the skin, especially in spring and summer: with this primer, care and sun protection are provided.
The basis for the perfect complexion Le Blanc de Chanel Multi-Use Illuminating Base, Chanel
This makeup base is indispensable for creating a flawless look, because it is suitable for any skin tone, hiding visible imperfections and gently illuminating the face. In addition, the product contains caring elements (witch hazel extract, licorice extract and a moisturizing complex) that help preserve the beauty of the skin.
Multifunctional primer Naked Face Balancing Primer, Holika Holika
This tool pleases even externally: inside the bottle there are capsules of three different shades, which, mixing when the dispenser is pressed, give a base that adapts to skin color. The mixture is dense enough to even out the microrelief of the face and last for several hours. Another plus is that you will need significantly less foundation, because the primer provides the necessary undertone.
Cellular Performance Glow Makeup Base Brightening Make-Up Base, Sensai
This base immediately deeply moisturizes, smoothes and brightens the skin, giving firmness and radiance - so that wrinkles and unevenness become less noticeable. A special complex of apricot essence, OH-neutralizer, hyaluronate and collagen stimulators helps the base to fight the first signs of aging. They prevent loss of tone and neutralize pigmentation.
Pore-covering makeup base Master Prime, Maybelline New York
This primer from Maybelline perfectly evens out the texture of the skin, giving it a delicate glow. And at the same time pleases with a very affordable price!
Waterproof face primer You better work! Gym-proof Primer Essence
Thanks to its special waterproof formula, this primer not only hides skin imperfections, but also prevents makeup from "floating" from sweat or heat - ideal for holidays or active workouts, if it is important for you to look "on parade". Bonus: UV filter with SPF 20.
Leveling face primer Prime and Fine Pore Refining Anti-Shine Base, Catrice
The lightweight texture of this primer ensures perfect pairing with any foundation and extra hold. No unwanted shine and enlarged pores!
Makeup base, concealing redness, Base Full HD 16 hours, Eveline
Worried about redness, vascular network and manifestations of rosacea? Then you need the Full HD Base 16 hours from Eveline - the perfect camouflage tool. By the way, she also mattes.
Makeup base Prisme Primer Color Correcting, Givenchy
This makeup base has a light, velvety texture, easy to apply and blends well. The coating is quite dense without the "mask effect". Moreover, this primer not only masks imperfections (it is especially good at fighting dark circles around the eyes), but also gives the skin elasticity over and over again due to vegetative
x extracts in the composition.
Face primer with reflective particles Perfect Glow Primer, Thalgo
Marine spring water and verbena extract, together with reflective particles and color-correcting pigment, give a stunning effect. Firstly, the caring ingredients really take care of the skin - and its natural color evens out over and over again. Secondly, the tone becomes radiant, as if glowing from within.
Primer for flawless skin Smooth Affair Facial Primer & Brightener, Jane Iredale
A sheer, mineral-based soft pink, this primer is virtually invisible on the skin, but that doesn't stop it from effectively tightening pores, unifying skin texture, and giving it a luxurious matte finish. In addition, the formula of the product is enriched with plant components that have an anti-aging effect. Namely - extracts of grapefruit, apple, green and white tea, algae and olive leaves.
Prelude in the Clouds Aqua Base, Rouge Bunny Rouge
This moisturizing foundation is 70% water and literally hydrates the skin for the whole day. Ideal as a make-up base! It contains extracts of sea buckthorn and Florentine iris root, bisabolol and vitamins A and E. With regular use, you will notice that your skin has become softer and more elastic, and inflammation and irritation have decreased.
Face primer Encre de Peau All Hours Primer, YSL Beauty
This base makes it easier to apply the foundation, makes it last longer and helps to keep the matte finish until the evening. Instant perfection for the whole day!
Mattifying base for makeup, masking pores Instant Poreless Pore-Blurring Matifying Primer, Clarins
Despite its light texture, Instant Poreless mattifying base erases pores like an eraser! Thanks to the universal shade, this tool can be used as a base for makeup, or solo. In any case, you are guaranteed perfectly smooth porcelain skin.
Makeup base Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Smashbox
With this primer, you don't need Photoshop or Facetune, because it not only prolongs the durability of makeup, but also visually fills pores and wrinkles, evening out skin texture and tone.
Leveling and illuminating makeup base Radiant Boost Face Base, Kiko Milano
This base visibly improves and refreshes the complexion due to its delicate pinkish tint. The lightweight formula helps the product absorb quickly, smoothing imperfections and giving the skin a slight shimmer.
Makeup base UV Master Primer, Giorgio Armani
Ideal if you are concerned about enlarged pores and uneven skin texture in general. The base will smooth out unevenness and give a soft natural glow, as if you just returned from vacation. Speaking of vacations, this foundation will also come in handy there, because it contains UVA and UVB filters that provide sun protection with an SPF 40 factor.
Aqua-fluid for the face Moisture Genius, L'Oreal
Innovations on guard of your beauty! This product, enriched with aloe juice and hyaluronic acid, immediately turns into a liquid upon contact with the skin and is instantly absorbed, moisturizing the skin, normalizing the hydro-lipid balance and preventing the appearance of oily sheen. Amazing combination of moisturizer and primer!
Moisturizing cream primer for face Hydro Priming Cream InBetween, Blithe
This tool is not just a primer, but a complete care that is suitable for both morning and evening use. Thanks to its elastic formula, this cream is suitable for any skin type, effectively smoothing its texture, correcting tone and mattifying. Bonus: nice lavender scent.

Applying makeup during filming is not a quick process. Mainly when not only the image of the character depends on it but also on the film's overall success. The Deadpool actors must endure many hours of sitting in the make-up chair and all their manipulations, sometimes reminiscent of “torture.”
Changed beyond recognition! What makeup can do to actors
Bemorepanda found examples of what actors go through to make their on-screen characters stand out and memorable. For example, make-up for 8-9 hours. And this, it turns out, is not the most challenging thing that they sometimes have to face.
1. 8-9 hours, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique in X-Men
“It was a nine-hour make-up process. Throughout three films, we managed to cut it down to seven hours, but it was still... a lot. And I realized pretty quickly that this was my job, which was to apply all this makeup! — Rebecca Romijn, Looper
2. 8-9 hours, Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique in X-Men: First Class
In First Class, the filmmakers stayed accurate to Rebecca Romijn's original costume. But for Jennifer Lawrence, the body paint caused such severe skin irritation that she had to call a doctor. For the next film, X-Men: Days of Future Past, they switched to bodysuits. It also helped save all that time on set.
“I'm so excited because I'm going to wear a tight suit. It will be from the neck down so that it will cut time and blisters." - Jennifer Lawrence.
3. 8.5 hours, Jim Carrey as the Grinch in The Grinch Stole Christmas
The process of putting on makeup and costume took so long that the film producer brought in a CIA officer whose job was to help people endure torture.
4. 8 hours, Halle Berry as Jocasta Ayres (and five other characters) in Cloud Atlas
In addition to her role as Jocasta Ayres, Berry is also known as:
- Louise Ray
- Ovid
- Meronym
- Native woman
- Indian party guest
5. 8 hours, Christian Bale as Dick Cheney in "Power."
“In the old days, when we were sculpting foam fixtures, we would reshape the jaw and chin area a bit because it would compress a bit. But now, in silicone, we must accentuate the cheekbones and jawlines because his weight pulls him down. So it isn't easy. It would help if you had to know what you're doing." — Makeup artist Greg Cannom, Vox.
6. 7-8 hours, John Hurt as John Merrick in The Elephant Man
The make-up for John Hurt, resembling the real-life John Merrick, was created using the casts of Merrick's body in the Royal London Hospital.
7. 7 hours, Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna in Stranger Things 4
Take a behind-the-scenes look below for a closer look at the process.
8. 7 hours, Michael Dorn as Worf in Star Trek: The Next Generation
According to Michael Dorn, over time, the makeup process has become easier:
“Now it's not that weird because it used to be quite difficult because they used a lot of glue and makeup. It was just a natural process."
9. 7 hours, Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson in Deadpool
Seven hours is a very long time, and the makeup artists were uneasy when Ryan Reynolds once pranked them by ripping it all off after they were done.
Here's how it was:
10. 6 hours, Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze in "Batman and Robin."
For some close-up shots, Arnold had to put an LED in his mouth, and at some point, it became quite dangerous:
“When you put it in Arnold's mouth, Arnold's saliva seeps into the seams of this thing and attacks the batteries. Batteries begin to disintegrate, and battery acid may begin to enter Arnold's mouth." — Makeup artist Jeff Dawn, THR.
11. 6 hours, Gary Oldman as Mason Verger in Hannibal
Greg Cannom, who worked with Christian Bale on The Authority, was Hannibal's makeup artist:
“I knew we could get away with [Oldman] more than any other actor. He first said, "Can we open my eye?" It's disgusting. I showed people pictures of [Oldman as Verger], and they all just said, “Oh my God!” and left, which made me very happy.” — Cannom, The Guardian.
12. 5-6 hours, Doug Bradley as Hellraiser in Hellraiser
“The process started with Clive sketching out his ideas that we had to work through together, and then we came up with other ideas based on those sketches. Initially, Pinhead was not at all what he is now. He was much more like Nightbreed's Shunu Sassi character, with only needles sticking out of the top of his head. I looked at it and thought, "Clive [Barker, director], we can't do it with that budget." I knew this makeup would last six days, and we couldn't do it on such a tight budget. He said, "Okay, let's think about it." That's when we came up with this grid pattern on a lifecast to determine where we were going to insert what were originally supposed to be six-inch nails. Clive looked at the mesh and decided he liked its symmetry, so we left it in place." — Makeup artist Bob Keane, DailyDead.
13. 5 hours, Brad Pitt as Benjamin Button in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Greg Cannom ("Power," "Hannibal") is back in business:
“I had time to get it right, which I don’t usually do in a film. We did intensive tests for two weeks before filming started at every age and did make-up after make-up. The make-up had to work. Otherwise, the film wouldn't have worked." — Kann, Variety.
14. 5 hours, John Matuszak as Sloth in The Goonies
Back in 2019, 34 years after the release of The Goonies, test shots of the Sloth makeup were finally found.
15. 5 hours Dave Bautista as Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy
“Drax started with a five-hour make-up, and gradually the time began to decrease, as expected. Such extensive makeup is a real challenge for the team because it is so complex.
“Every day, a plastic mold was offered that was the exact shape of David's body, with perforated holes indicating where the prosthesis begins and ends. Through it, a drawing showing a map was applied to rice paper.
“All teams had different tasks in this sequence. Some begin the application of paint, while others complete the shading of the dentures. We added subtle layers of browns, reds, and greens to the base gray to break up the tone and spice it up before the final color unwrapping.
"The whole body is then sealed with a retainer so that it can withstand daytime shooting." — Makeup artist David White, Business Insider.
16. 5 hours, Zoe Saldana as Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy
“This time, I was picked up at three in the morning - my dog was not even happy about it. I had to sit for five hours for five months. It was crazy, but it paid off. The film is fantastic." — Zoe Saldana, US Weekly.
17. 5 hours, Jeff Goldblum as Seth Brundle in The Fly
“Yes, Chris Wallace got an Oscar for it. And Stéphane Dupuis put me in the dentist's chair for five hours and used this thing. And then another hour after we finished… well, you know, labor, labor, labor… took it off. This suit is a little tight... the rubber suit... so I look so... ugly. And then prosthetics. — Jeff Goldblum, Yahoo.
18. 6 hours, Arnold Schwarzenegger as Terminator in Terminator 2: Judgment Day
“Maria walked onto the set in the midst of filming Terminator 2. And then she saw me - when half of the face disappeared, and the eye lit up. All this weird makeup... So she started screaming and crying on set because she didn't understand why dad looked like that." - Arnold Schwarzenegger.
19. 5 hours, Marion Cotillard as Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose
Marion Cotillard didn't mind the five-hour make-up because she's a big fan of Edith Piaf and wanted to give her credit:
“It was very stressful, but she was a powerful person. I love tragedy. Not in my life. But I love to play a tragedy. It allows me to express so many things. At the same time, I feel empty and full of emotions; I feel alive." — Marion Cotillard, Under the Radar.
20. 5 hours, Tim Curry as Lord of Darkness in "Legend."
“We had terrible negotiations about what parts of me would be visible. I fought and begged to have my own eyes… My eyes were solid contact lenses, like wolf or cat eyes, which were very painful to install because they took a cast of your eye and inserted it into your eye. If it hurt, they scratched him a little until he stopped hurting.” — Tim Curry, Legend commentary.

Life does not stand still, and professions change along with it - some go into oblivion, and some, on the contrary, appear. But with all the current diversity, there are very strange jobs and occupations that most of us have probably never heard of. Meanwhile, some of these activities pay very, very decently, although they are not in the top of the prestigious, highly paid professions that everyone hears about. Be that as it may, since they exist, it means that there is a demand for them. And if there is demand, then there will be supply.
45 people who have such professions that you either get pumped up or grab your head.
We at Bemorepanda were curious about what kind of professions they were, and looked at the RhodyRex branch on AskReddit, where users shared their experiences of a strange, at first glance, work. Look, it's unexpected.
1. “I maintain hiking trails in our national forests. When camping, I remove fallen trees from the trails with chainsaws, miter saws, build bridges, retaining walls, drain water from the trail, fix landslides, cut down large trees, etc. Almost everywhere I go hiking with my team, although we we use horses and mules to transport camping equipment. Some places can be reached by ATV, while other places can only be reached by boat or plane.
I love my job, I get paid $16.50 an hour, I can live in nature almost all year round, and I really don't have much time to waste my money. I work for the USFS (United States Forest Service), my title is Wildlife Trail Technician, and you can apply for jobs like mine. Look for wildlife technology, recreation technology, or trail technology." — slick519 / Reddit
2. “I am an orthoepist! I work at an audiobook publishing company where I learn the correct pronunciation of people, places, things, and foreign languages so that actors reading books sound like they know what they're talking about. As far as I know, there are only two of us in the country.” — Daupo/Reddit
3. “I'm a travel coach! I teach people with learning disabilities to use public transport on their own. It's amazing work." JabberW / Reddit
4. “I deal with the eyes of the dead. I am an eye bank specialist; I surgically remove corneas and whole eyes from donors for corneal transplantation and research. I think most people don't want to know about my work." — zzimcal / Reddit
5. “For work, I have to break into hospitals and steal things. This is called a "physical penetration test". This is an integral part of the risk assessment required under HIPAA Section 164.308.
I routinely crack locks and passwords, steal passes, pose as medical personnel, collect all kinds of data, including credentials, and use various social engineering tactics.
My official position is "Information Security Consultant". I have a degree in information systems management and CCNA, Sec+ and CISA certifications.” — The_MustardTiger / Reddit
6. “I run an adult literacy program. Most people think it's some kind of sophisticated book club, or that I'm wrong and meant to say that I teach children to read and write. Unfortunately, my work exists because one in six adults is illiterate (Editor's note: the author lives and works in Hawaii)." — gioottoismyhomie / Reddit
7. “I once applied for a job as a heritage specialist. This mainly includes visiting cemeteries, photographing graves and keeping a log of them.” — Athiri / Reddit
8. "I am a professional bra prosthetist for mastectomy women, usually those who have/have had breast cancer." — GreatCatsby_/ Reddit
9. “I'm in charge of breaking toys and writing reports about how they break.
This job is completely different from my previous job where I had to use online casino promotions to make a living and travel the world.” — ETA_was_here / Reddit
10. “I test toilet paper. I work for a contract company in a paper mill and test paper, paper towels and facial tissues with special equipment. In other words, I make your ass happy." — clever_redditor_name / Reddit
11. “I add music to movie trailers. Pretty awesome". — Dannyancient / Reddit
12. “My field is medical illustration. I specifically do medical legal work (i.e. for litigation purposes). In a good way: I know what you look like… from the inside.” — DillyaD / Reddit
13. "Physical hydrogeologist, I study the origin, conditions, composition and patterns of movement of groundwater." – RodriguezLob / Reddit
14. “I cook feed for pigs, they are fed not only corn. There is a lot of science involved here. Their diet changes almost monthly depending on the weather, so we are constantly changing the nutrients we give them.
One thing that drives me crazy. Pigs will naturally bite off each other's tails as a sign of dominance (as squirrels do). However, simply increasing the amount of magnesium in the diet will keep them from biting each other, for some reason this has a calming effect on them.” — forcefedlies/reddit
15. "I attach handles to coffins." — reddit.com
16. "I have a job that most people still don't know about - a projectionist on a 35mm movie projector." strtdrt/reddit
17. “I'm a juggler. Many times I heard the question: “Oh, can you make money with this? Like, enough money? “Yes, I can, and often I make a lot more than a lot of people.” — JuggleGod/Reddit
18. “I'm a sign artist for a famous grocery chain (convenience store). EVERYTHING in the store is hand-drawn/written, right down to the price tags on the shelves. I am the one who wakes up at dawn to do this. Pretty illustrations on the windows? Me. Stunning paintings on the windows outside? I. Funny cartoons and wall paintings? ALL I". — Sudsybutts / Reddit
19. “I jump on a pogo stick (pogo stick - a grasshopper) - a special device for jumping - in a clown costume. I was a professional jumper before I got this job. I've been doing this for 8 years now and my current boss found my Youtube video and offered me a job." linefly11/reddit
20. “I pretend to be a hospital patient. Basically, medical students train on me.” — hoboscout02 / Reddit
“With such patients, students practice much more than just examining patients in a hospital bed. We have a guy at uni who gets paid to have a group of medical students look for his prostate." memwad/reddit
21. “There are things in the world that can happen and cause civilizations to be turned upside down. I write these plans so that people follow them so that everything does not go wrong. I work for the Office of Emergency Management." — Cegrocks / Reddit
22. “I'm a YouTube channel manager. Basically, I get paid to monitor and support YouTube channels. By the way, when I was in college, such a profession did not exist in the world. — creatoranddistractor/Reddit
23. “I'm a forest firefighter. I fight forest fires, and although most people in the province where I live are well aware of the existence of such specialists, I have met many people who thought that all this was done by ordinary structural firefighters. Also, a lot of people don't really realize how many fires happen every year. According to statistics, still approximately 50% of them are due to human error.” — frozenburdy / Reddit
24. “I repaired books in the library for a while. I think most people think that when books get old, they throw them away and buy new ones, unless they're collectibles. Well, the composition of the books in the research university library is very different from what is in the local branch of the library, and almost everything that we had was collectible in one way or another. Not necessarily valuable in terms of monetary value, but often rare. Numerous early 1900s books on local economic policy, city council meetings, etc.
I once spent 4 hours pasting pictures of sad clowns into a book.” — dianeruth / Reddit
25. “Sports masseur of horses. Not quite my job yet, but I'm finishing my certification in May." — reddit.com
26. “I'm a certified music therapist! Music therapists are highly trained musicians who use music to meet the physical, mental, and emotional needs of a variety of populations. To be certified, you must have a bachelor's degree in music therapy, complete a 6-month internship, and pass a national certification exam. This certification requires continuing professional education, much like social workers/nurses, etc.
I like what I do. In my practice, I have used music to address issues such as pain relief, respiratory distress, socialization, cognitive stimulation, sensory stimulation, and emotional/creative expression in a variety of populations, such as adult/children's hospices, and addiction recovery." — SingingFree / Reddit
27. “When you skip your lecture and decide to listen to an online recording of it instead, I am the guy the university sends the recording of the lesson to so that I can make it easy for the audience to understand by removing irrelevant things, as well as interference in the form cotton/train stations across the country when they stop every 18 months or so. I go inside reactors, repair and test engine actuators on valves to ensure safe operating conditions.
In case anyone is wondering, there is nothing quite like The Simpsons. Yes, I'm exposed to radiation, and no, I don't glow at night. This exposure is constantly monitored and relatively safe. It's a very well-paid job, but somewhat dangerous due to security concerns." — Hippie_Gumbo / Reddit
29. “I make McDonald’s signs. We deliver to all McDonald's in the US! — Sirden / Reddit
30. "I make merchandise look nice for TV shows that sell merchandise on TV (shop on the couch)." — dtothe / Reddit
31. “I write installation instructions for various equipment. Even the people I work with don't know what I do.
“I receive technical drawings from engineers in the form of design drawings and create manuals based on them. Some instructions are simple "replace and paste" projects. Others require the creation of guidelines from scratch.” — 5howtime / Reddit
32. I work in the recording industry. When you watch a movie or TV show, almost all of the sounds you hear weren't captured by the microphones on set. In addition, approximately half of the dialogues have been added. We try to use as much production sound as possible, but it's not always possible. We can spend hours just working on a scene where two people are sitting at a table, adding the smallest details.
Last but not least, all the sounds you hear in police scenes (engine noise, helicopter blades, gunshots, sirens, maneuvers) are usually fake." — reddit.com
33. “I'm a ranger security officer. I walk endless miles back and forth across a firing line full of recruits with loaded guns and correct them when they do stupid things." — reddit.com
34. "I'm an ejection seat mechanic." — donuts22 / Reddit
35. "I edit skydiving videos" - reddit.com
36. “I write instructions for tanks. How to operate them, how to repair them, etc.” — we_got_caught / Reddit
37. “I manage a group of incredibly smart people - geeks. I'm not super smart myself or anything, but those who are are usually just hopeless at interacting normally with other people, getting work done on time, or generally following directions. They always need one “normal” person to keep them on the right track. Personally, I don't change the world, but they would never have done it without me." — nerdheroine / Reddit
38. “Forwarder for Permits; I receive plans from architects, sign contracts with contractors, and apply for permits to city or county planning departments. We are a nationwide company, but it is literally just me and my brother (mostly him) running it.” — heyivebeenthere / Reddit
39. “I'm a dairy nutrition consultant, formulating rations for dairy cows. I also prepare mineral supplements for them. Do you like extra cream milk? I can make sure you get it." — reddit.com
40. "I'm pulling tennis rackets." — reddit.com
41. “I work for a company that conducts online investigations using social media. Therefore, when a person claims that he is ill or could not go to work for other reasons, we try to convict him of a lie by monitoring his online activity. – garlicfox / Reddit
42. “I work in a supermarket and they send me to a competitor across the street in civilian clothes. I take a device, a PDA, on which a list of goods is stored. I find products and record prices. Every week". — HIJKay / Reddit
43. "I install fake safes in people's houses." — WhatWouldTylerDo / Reddit
44. “I'm a startup researcher. Pharmaceutical companies pay me to start drug trials. I comply with all legal, ethical and regulatory requirements and also find doctors for research. Until the patient gets the cure." — Shh_its_me / Reddit
45. “I graduated with a degree in Political Science and majored in Economics. I ended up becoming a compliance consultant for a registered finance firm. I spend all day regulating securities and making sure that our clients are not being scammed. It's a job that I really enjoy doing, has a lot of room for growth, and is pretty easy to get into (since not many people know about it and are interested in it).