So I guess I will start of by naming my top ten products that I can't live without! (in no particular order). These are the products I am always trying to push on my friends!!
1.) Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals foundation
I was on a quest to find a foundation a few years ago that didn't feel oily, heavy and make me breakout! I was willing to pay out the butt for a good one being that I had tried every "oil free" or "skin clearing" foundation in the drugstores you can with no luck! I made my way to the department store brands. I tired Clinque (which usually has great skincare products) but it was soooo heavy and smelled like silly putty that I couldn't wait to get home and wash it off! Then I went into Ulta and found Bare Minerals and it was a made made in heaven!!
found here: http://store.bareescentuals.com/
Although I don't think it helped with the breakouts I don't think it was causing them either! I don't know I am not a dermatologist! It feels nice on your skin, makes you look refreshed and evens out my skin tone. The only complaints I have is that sometimes it can look cakey. I was using a foundation brush and not the Kabuki brush they sell with the starter kit (or separately) and I think that was the problem. Their Kabuki Brush is kind of stiff and feels scratchy! I got a different one somehow that is much softer and now I am completely satisfied! Also it contains SPF 15! Yeeeeeeey Sunblock!
#2 Clean & Clear Steam Soft in-shower facial
This little gem is rather new on the market. It contains Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (which I will discuss in a later post) and little scrubby exfoliating sand like particles that soften and brush away dead skin. They say to use it one to 3 times a week in place of your regular face wash. I use it almost once a day instead which I would not recommend if you have sensitive skin (I don't). The instructions are sort of weird they tell you to put it on your face with out massaging it in. It's kind of hard to apply it with out kinda sorta massaging it in. I guess they mean dab it on!!! I don't know!! Either way you leave it on in a nice hot shower and let the steam open your pores so the glycolic acid can works it's magic! After a minute you can start the massaging portion of the show and feel the fine exfoliating beads slough away the dead skin and polish the surface!! After you do that for however long you like, you can rinse it off and feel the nice cooling, refreshing, tingling feeling. I absolutely love it!!
Found Here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E96LYA
#3 AmLactin Moisturizing Body Lotion
Again this products contains an Alpha-Hydroxy acid 12% Lactic acid. I have Keritosis Polaris which is often and commonly known as "Chicken Skin". It's dry skin color bumps found on the back of your thighs, butt, and back of your arms!! My legs used to feel like gritty sand paper and looked like I permanently had goose bumps. I again tried millions of lotions, body butters, and oils in creation for years, and years and nothing would help. I did my research (god bless the Internet) and found out AHA's (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) are key to keeping this condition at bay. You can never completely cure yourself or get rid of it but you can definitely keep it under control.
The cons: It burns a bit after applying it (which I usually do immediately after the shower) especially after you shave your legs. Again if you have sensitive skin or do not like burning feelings you should apply it later in the day and maybe not as frequently. Also as with all AHA's it contains a sunburn warning. Apply sunblock or you will look like elmo! Also the price is a little high $15 for a 7.9oz. bottle and it's hard to find you can order it online or go to CVS (it's the only store I've seen it in) and download this coupon from their website! From a graphic design standpoint the bottle is ugly and generic looking but, it's what inside that counts right?!
#4 Alpha Hydrox AHA Souffle
Well it's funny how I discovered this one and I am not even sure exactly what category you'd put it in. It's definitely not a tasty souffle you'd eat at all! Again it contains an Alpha Hyroxy Acid (AHA I am getting sick of typing the whole title now!). Glycolic Acid again which is mostly found in expensive skin care/ anti-wrinkle creams. It's expensive about $15 for a tiny little jar of it but much cheaper then other products that contain the same thing and claim to give the same results. I apply it when I get out of the shower and after I wash my face at night. They say to use their moisturizer on top of it which I choose not to do because their moisturizer is not oil-free but this is!! Confused yet? Don't be! This stuff smooths away dead skin and chemically exfoliates your skin leaving it soft, refreshed and dewey looking. Again the AHA warning DO NOT GO OUT IN THE SUN WITHOUT SUNBLOCK while using this product. You will get burned!!! I learned the hard way! Then all the hard work you did will be undone and your world will come crashing down and you will fall into a deep depression!!! Not really but either way ever since I used this stuff my face has felt much better. It's cleared up and has become less bumpy!! It burns though if you have any open cuts or burns so BE CAREFUL!
found here: http://www.drugstore.com/qxp141163_333181_sespider/alpha_hydrox/aha_souffle_12_glycolic_aha.htm
#5 Dove ultimate visibly smooth Deodorant.
This deodorant is new and claims to soften skin and slow down the growth of you hair. As a deodorant/ antiperspirant I think it works well. As far as it's other claims.... the soft part has yet to be seen and maybe it's my imagination but my hair hasn't been growing back as quickly! I like it.
found here: http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=219716&catid=119318&aid=337953&aparam=dove_clinical_protection&CAWELAID=350153549
For some reason theirs picture isn't the same as the one I have. I have Ultimate protection this is "Clinical Protection". ALSO, don't buy into the "Clinical Protection" B.S.! I noticed that most deodorants contain anywhere from 14-19% of it's active ingredient (Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly blah blah blah) and their clinical brands contain 20% obviously (I know you are all smart and can figure this out but) that is only 1 tiny percent more and they cost almost $5 more then regular deodorant! $5!!!!! FOR 1%?? CRAZY!
#6 Proactiv Repairing lotion
Ok so the deal with Proactiv. I tried it. I joined their stupid club (cult) that they suck you into about 4 years ago. Hey if it's good enough for Diddy it's good enough for me? He can't be that hard up for cash that he needs to do Proactiv informecials? Anyway I ended up with way more proactiv then I knew what to do with. I cancelled the membership after a while because I couldn't use it as fast as it was coming and I didn't really find it to be working for my skin any better then any store brands I've used. I still have some and the repairing lotion works for me. If you get a pimple and squeeze it or you feel one on it's way you apply this stuff (at night) and it will be either gone or severely smaller the next day! I swear maybe it just works for me but I stand by my word! The cons: You can't just buy it in the store. I don't have time to go on with my hate-affair with Proactiv the company, but in some malls they have kiosk stands that I'm pretty sure you can buy just the one product and not get suckered in to the whole club thing. Also this company Acne-free is available in almost any drugstore or "fill-in-the-blank mart" stores and it's a fraction of the price and I think works just as well. It has the same active ingredient Benzoyl Peroxide. Also be careful this stuff will bleach towels, bed linens and clothing!
Proactiv Brand
#7 Cover Girl Lash Exact Mascara
Who ever invented this brush with the little rubber bristle things needs to win a Pulitzer Prize for cosmetics! It's the best thing since sliced bread. Although unsliced bread is also delicious the sliced bread is more convenient and not as messy. So this is the sliced bread of mascara! It comes in many different versions such as Lash Blast. Go to the Cover Girl website and check it out! The only complains I have is that I noticed it dries up quicker then regular mascara. If you regularly wipe off the threads where you insert the wand it may help. I have never tried but it may help. I don't have time for stuff like that!!
#8 Revlon colorstay nail polish
I probably own over 100 different brands of nail polish but this one is my favorite. It stays on the longest, never really gets thick and clumpy and as a bonus it comes with it's own bottle of clear coat!! I'm not going to say it doesn't chip. That will be impossible to assume that a nail polish can exist that won't chip. Unless you have some weird life where you never have to utilize your hands to do things, never have to wash a dish, or never take showers, then maybe it would be possible. As far as staying put with a medium amount of hand activity for normal girls who do not work in a sign shop having to peel adhesive vinyl all day and used their hands, this stuff stays put! The only con is the color selection. There's not a wide array of colors to choose from. Most of the colors are boring and they discontinue them a lot!
Found here: http://www.revlon.com/productcatalog/ProductDetails.aspx?CategoryID=1&ProductID=91&SubCategoryID=2
#9 Neutrogena MoistureShine Gloss
Now when it comes to my lip gloss I am a complete fanatic. I plan a future post all about it! I think half no, make that 85% of my bag is filled with lip gloss! It has become a problem!! I may need rehab for it. Maybe my family and loved ones already have an intervention of sorts planned! I have many different kinds but this is one of my favorite. It's light, creamy and comes in nice shades. Does it stay long? No it's like the one night stand of lipgoss but much like one of those spikey haired, popped collar, eyebrow waxed, fake tanned guys at the clubs, no lipgloss stays around too long so I'm not mad at it. It's just one of my favs so I'm sharing it with you!
Found here: http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=73078&catid=98641&cmbProdBrandFilter=1149&aid=336119&aparam=neutrogena_moistureshine&CAID=485f252d-1595-4a3e-a4c5-d84c30a96b06
#10 Rockaholic Dirt Secret Dry Shampoo (made by Tigi the same makers of Bedhead products)
Being a girl who loathes waking up in the morning to the sound of a blaring alarm clock and loves hitting the snooze button I find myself in a rush on many a morning without time for a shower! Ok ok I'm not gross I like to shower at night most of the time!! Being that I have all odds working against my hair, i.e., I'm Italian so I produce a lot of oil and I have thin, fine, limp hair . Sleeping on my hair over night and not washing it go together like chocolate and onions! So thank god for the folks at Tigi who created this wondrous modern marvel of a product. You shoot it on your roots (after you drink your first cup of coffee and wipe the crust out of your eyes!) and it sprays out this kiwi-ish, lemony, smelling powder like substance on your hair that immediately soaks up all of the disgusting oils your hair accumulated while you were dreaming about sunshine and rainbows You have to comb it out a bit if you have brown hair otherwise you will look like you jumped into a bag of zeppoli's head first!
The cons: $18 a pop and sometimes the can likes to empty itself over night while your sleeping!! For some reason the bottle gets clogged and the nozzle gets stuck. Just make sure when your done you listen for a hissing sound. ( I just realized how strange and crazy this sounds.) If it does empty itself out, no worries. You can either return it to the store in which you purchased it or write a complaint letter to Tigi and they will be more then happy to replace it for you at no cost! That's what I did. They claim they have "resolved the defect" but I'm not sure. I have heard mine hissing like a snake a few times after I was done using it. Guess there's a few more kinks to iron out. It's still rather new to the market so it's hard to find. I have seen it at Ulta or online.
Found Here: http://www.tigihaircare.com/Consumer/en-US/rockaholic/rockaholic-products.asp?product=dirty_secret&categoryID=
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