A Few Favorites

Hi there!

This blog post isn't at all related to nail polish, but I thought it'd be fun to share some of my favorite beauty items. It's rather lengthy, so be prepared. With the exception of 1 item, they're all available at drugstores and/or stores like Walmart and Target. I feel the need to first let you know that these truly are my favorites and I purchased all of them on my own.

Clean & Clear Morning Burst, St. Ives Body Polish with Oatmeal
& Shea Butter, St. Ives Naturally Clear Apricot Scrub, and Caress
Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Body Wash.

► I keep the Clean & Clear facial cleanser in my shower. What I like most about it is the smell... it smells like lemon-y goodness! I've never had a problem with facial cleansers leaving my skin oily or shiny, so I can't honestly say whether it controls those- but the bottle says it does.
► I use the St. Ives Body Polish every 2 or 3 days. It's a sugar scrub that contains real chunks of oatmeal. It smells fantastic and it leaves my skin very soft.
► I don't use the St. Ives Naturally Clear too often. It's an exfoliating facial scrub that is supposed to control blemishes and blackheads. I use it when I feel that my face is either too oily or too dry. The beads help remove the oils and they also help remove the dry skin.
► I received a sample size of the Caress body wash as a promotion when it was first released back in 2008 (maybe early 2009) and I've been using it ever since. I ♥ the scent: Burnt Brown Sugar & Karite Butter.

Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips.

► I swear by these! I use a strip every 3 or 4 weeks, depending on how clogged I think my pores look. Some people think they hurt... where as I think they feel good. If you have sensitive skin, I recommend keeping the strips away from your under eye area- either by cutting the strips so they're smaller, or by just not getting that area wet (so the strip won't stick to it). What I really love is looking at the strip once I rip it off of my nose. Is that gross? ;-p


L'Oréal Hydrafresh Toner, L'Oréal Futur-e Moisturizer, L'Oréal
Hydra-Renewal, and Neutrogena Visibly Even Daily Moisturizer.

► I use the toner everyday. I had an average amount of acne off and on through junior high and high school and I feel like once I started using this, the acne became more sparse. I continue to use it because it leaves my face feeling fresh and smooth. It also helps that it's alcohol-free, so it smells nice.
► The Futur-e Moisturizer is what I use everyday. It's one of the few moisturizers that I can honestly say are lightweight and non-sticky. It has SPF 15 in it, so I suppose that's a plus.
► Sometimes I get dry patches of skin on my face that just can't be scrubbed away. That's when I use the Hydra-Renewal. I just use it in the problem areas- not all over my face. It has the same smell as the toner I use.
► I use the Neutrogena Visibly Even for the same purposes as the Hydra-Renewal. It used to be my daily moisturizer, but it's more on the thick side- so I switched to using it for problem dry patches. It smells great, and it leaves my skin with a glow. It has SPF 30.

St. Ives Soothing Oatmeal & Shea Butter Body Moisturizer, Body
Fantasies Cotton Candy Fantasy, and Vera Wang Princess.

► The first time I used the St. Ives lotion was an evening just before I went to bed. I rubbed it all over my arms, legs, and feet. When I woke up in the morning, my skin felt just as soft as a baby's behind! I must have 20 bottles of lotion, but this is my go-to. I even have a back-up bottle of it. It smells the same as the body polish, and it leaves my skin soft- but not oily.
► I use the cotton candy body spray after showers, baths, or even before bed. Basically, I use it when I want to smell something sweet. The smell doesn't last very long, but I like it.
► Vera Wang's Princess perfume is my go-to perfume. I have about 140 bottles of perfume, but I use this one the most. I even have a back-up bottle of it. I'm not able to pinpoint all of the top and base notes in it, though I do smell water lily and vanilla. It's a sweet smell that isn't overpowering, yet it lasts for a majority of the day.


CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Eye Concealer, Maybelline
Expert Wear Eye Shadow, ChapStick Peppermint, and Maybelline
Shine Sensational Lip Gloss in Cocoa Fever.

► I have pretty hard-to-hide under eye circles. They aren't from lack of sleep, it's just the way my eyes are :-/ I've tried MANY different under eye products in the past 10 years, and this is the one I'm most happy with. It feels thin, but it has full coverage and it's very easy to blend.
► I wear browns on my lids more often than any other color. I have a lot of browns, but Tastefully Taupe is the one I'm stuck on at the moment. It's applies smoothly and it doesn't melt into my crease.
► The Peppermint ChapStick is fantastic. I love the tingly feeling it gives my lips, and I love the smell. It makes my lips soft and smoochable :-) I keep one in my purse, one in my bedside table, one in the coffee table, and I have 3 back-up tubes!
► The Maybelline lipgloss smells phenomenal... it tastes yummy, too! I'm not sure I've seen anything quite like it before- it has holographic shimmer in it! I have pretty fair colored skin, and I honestly don't think this shade looks good on me. I just wear it when I know I won't be going out in public.

Cottonelle Fresh Flushable Moist Wipes.

► I never thought I'd use these, but I had a coupon for a free box of them (I'm a sucker for freebies). I'm hooked. I've tried other brands, but they smelled funny and they weren't as sturdy. These are very fresh smelling and they're nice and soft.

Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Cuticle & Nail Moisture Treatment Pen.

► I just didn't feel right not including something related to nails. I've been using this pen for at least 5 years. I use it when my cuticles look dry, and it seems to make them instantly rejuvenate. I also like it because a little goes a long way, so I feel that I get my money's worth.

Well, that's a wrap. Do you use any of the products I listed? What are your favorite beauty items?

Until next time...