Every few months I go through my medicine cabinet and vanity to do a little haul. I replace old products, add new ones and get rid of anything I’m not using or items that aren’t working for me anymore. The beauty market can be a scary place – it really is a jungle out there. I can spend hours in the drugstore reading the ingredients on packages, wondering if they really work. Then I become so puzzled that I end up leaving with nothing. So in taking this little survey, I was able to compile a list of amazing trend-hungry beauty buys that will work for you and your wallet.
1. Argan Oil
Argan oil is a lifesaver for damaged hair and also great for maintaining its health. Depending on how long and thick your hair is, a little bit can go a long way It’s used to tame frizz, add shine and nourish broken ends. I work a dime-sized amount between my hands before running it through damp hair, concentrating on the ends and then distributing it through the rest. My favorite brand has always been Orofluido ($29.99). It allures your with an aromatic amber scent.
Argan oil has become more popular and widely used. Many beauty brands have put out their own version of the product but be careful! Argan oil isn’t something to go cheap on. When looking at bottles, you want to look for the words pure argan oil. If you purchase any other, odds are you won’t reap the benefits that it’s promising and end up with a greasy and gross coif. That is why most of the pure brands are usually priced around $30. Trust me, you do not want to skimp on this one. For skin, try Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil, (mini size only $16!).
2. Baby Oil
In the past I’ve had a problem with dry skin on my legs. I’m fine everywhere else; I just couldn’t seem to keep my gams glowing and moisturized. Enter the oldest moisture remedy in the book, baby oil. I like to use it in the shower.
While the conditioner is still in my hair, I take the baby oil and slather it all over my legs. I don’t use a ton, but enough so the leg is covered (be careful, it’s slippery!). I wash my hands, then while rinsing the conditioner out, allow some of the water from the showerhead to hit my legs and remove any excess product.Once I’m out of the shower I then massage the product into my skin and then towel dry myself off like normal.
Johnson’s Baby Oil with Shea & Cocoa Butter ($5.29) is my product of choice. It’s mild, has a nicer smell, and the shea and cocoa butter are two ingredients known for their skin nourishing and conditioning properties.
3. Face Wipes
Every girl should have a pack of face wipes handy. Perfect for the late nights when you’re too tired to wash off your makeup or when you accidentally smear your winged eyeliner while applying. They make our lives just a little bit easier. I remember when wipes hadn’t really caught on as a beauty product and you only found them in the baby section of the drugstore. Slowly they began to pop up and now almost every single makeup and beauty brand has a version of their own. They’re also available to a wide variety of skin types. Whether you have acne, dry skin, or dark spots; there’s a face wipe for that.
I use two different kinds – Yes to Blueberries Cleansing Facial Wipes ($5.99) and Honest Wipes ($4.95). I use the blueberry cloths after washing my face in place of an astringent. They contain apple, blueberry and lemon, which are great for vitamin C and brightening your skin. I only use the Honest wipes for my lazy moments.
Occasionally, I’ll have a long workday or an event that runs late. By the time I get home, the last thing I want to do is go through my cleansing regimen. It can take up to 20 minutes sometimes, so on those long days I’ll use an Honest wipe. My face is very sensitive so I opt for minimally scented, all-natural and cruelty-free products when they’re available and both of these brands fit the bill. Other wipes can leave you with acne and greasy skin, so look for the right wipe for you. You may have to try a few brands before finding your perfect match.
4. Body Scrub
A great scrub is an essential in the shower. As we get older, it takes our skin longer to regenerate. Body scrubs help speed up the process to fresh skin by helping remove the dead cells, leaving behind soft and supple skin. The scrubbing motion plays a part too and increases the circulation of blood to the surface of the skin.
I use JR Watkins Sugar and Shea Body Scrub ($12.99) in lemon cream. There isn’t an abundance of sugar in the formula, so it’s very mild on the skin. No scratching or irritatating if you’re sensitive. The citrus scent is so refreshing and invigorating that you’ll want to use it every day. On mornings when its particularly hard to wake up, using this product helps.
5. Beach-Wave Spray
Beachy hair is the best accessory for warm weather This style is relatively easy to pull off given you have the right product. Since the early 2000’s the popularity of this style has increased intensely. We can go to our favorite salon and ask for a ‘beach wave’ and they will create it.
Before 2005, you couldn’t really do that without having to bring a picture to show your stylist. The beach wave has become a universally-understood style. My old faithful to attain beach waves is the Bumble and Bumble Surf spray; it never fails me and it’s effortless. After washing my hair, I spray it into my hair, let it air dry and voila! I look like I’ve stepped out of the ocean. I realize that for its small size, it is a little pricy. If I run out and can’t get my hands on a new bottle, I use Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray ($5.99). It doesn’t work exactly like the surf spray but it’s extremely close for a fraction of the cost.
These are all products that I’ve tried and remain faithful to. I hope you’ll try some of them out for yourself. I love product referrals from friends because your comfort level is raised immediately and you feel secure in making a new purchase. Please share your favorite beauty buys with us! It’s always fun testing and trying out new products.
