So - this topic has totally been done a bunch, but I just typed this up for another blog and thought I would post here = what does everyone love using right now??


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Well, let's face it. I love beauty products. I mean, I have what amount to a serious problem and I always have. I blame my mother, and my sister a little. For Christmas we gave each other stockings which we would open on Christmas Eve. Unfailingly, each year we bought each other neat little products from the drug store - lipgloss, nail polish, sparkly powder, emery boards, etc. As my sister and I got older, and our jobs a little better, we upgraded to places like Sephora for more upscale girly things. Sadly, the stocking tradition has ended for many reasons, but my love of the drug store beauty aisle has not.

If I'm stressed, and need a little mental vacation, I walk into Bartell's, or whatever is nearby and peruse the shelves and shelves of lotions, potions and powder puffs for an hour. Yes, an hour; but that includes some serious time perusing magazines. Even if I don't need anything, and I'm at the grocery store (or co-op in my case) picking up yo-baby yogurt and bananas, I still am drawn to the shampoo aisle. I know my sister does the same thing, but she opens ALL of the shampoo bottles and smells each one; every time. Yeah, a little wacky I know, but thats how I know my habit is hereditary.

If I were to list each item in my linen closet, bathroom medicine cabinet, makeup bags, makeup baskets under the sink and shower, I would be here all day. But, some of my favorites of the moment? Here you go...

Phyto shampoo - daily clarifying for color treated hair and Phyto Sesame conditioner. I have a Rusk deep conditioner I use every week or so.

I wish I were more religious about washing my face at night, but I'm not. I aspire to be. I try. Lately I have been buying those Ponds or Neutrogena face wipes that are pre-moistened; like a baby-wipe for your face; and using that. Apparently the water and washcloth are too difficult?! If I'm really motivated I use some eye-makeup remover to take off my mascara; but it's not a daily occurance. I use Dermalogica face wash in the shower.

Vanilla organic sugar body scrub. It smells Yummy, not too oily and not too harsh on my skin. I have one of those long loofahs with the straps to get to my back.

DuWop Lip Venom, paired with a MAC *Spice* lip pencil or maybe some Bourjois or Neutrogena lip gloss if I'm feeling fancy.

Benefit *Maybe Baby* perfume. Or YSL *Baby Doll* or something in a blue/pink bottle I'm fond of right now but can't remember the name. Or a good standby of Moutain Ocean Coconut lotion. I love the smell of coconut or vanilla products - lotions, sun tan oil, all of it. I only buy them because they smell good!

The new Neutrogena spray-on sunscreen - SPF 45. $10 a bottle but, for BroadSpectrum it's worth it.

And, the one thing I don't leave the house without? Chapstick. All kinds are floating around my house, my purse and my desk at work. Seriously my world crumbles if I'm wihout one for very long.

Let's not forget nailpolish. I have pared it down to three or four bottles, but my toes haven't been unpainted since the early 80's.

You want to know the funniest thing of all? If you see me; out and about with my kid; I probably won't have any makeup on. Don't ask me why, but more often than not I have lotion and sunscreen on my face, chapstick on my lips and my Dad's old grey sweatshirt that I love wearing and whatever jeans fit me that day.

Someday I will be able to do like the oh so fabulous French women do it - have 4 products for my face, some eye cream, a small bag of makeup and one obscenely expensive bottle of perfume and call it good.

I have nothing to add, because I don't use any products, but I really like your username. that is all.

You don't use ANY products at all - what about soap and deoderant and hairspray (if applicable)? I'm mystified - no products? Wow, you must have so much extra space!

I meant like facial/hair products (except for shampoo etc, obviously). I'm too lazy to use them, and I've never noticed a difference between using them and not using them.

I found a whole load of shampoo and conditioner discounted to 1 dollar at Pak'n'Save (made by a reputable firm but, though I don't remember which one) and I stocked up big time. Not much conditioner, as I don't really use it, but at that price I thought I ought to get some. Smells of fruit. I like.

My most treasured beauty product is Aim toothpaste.

Shampoo and Conditioner- I use Dove
Face Wash- Neutrogena and I use Clean and Clear wipe things to keep my face from getting too shiny.
Lips- I just use chapstick
Makeup- I barely wear any, just some foundation and powder and when I really get dressed up I even put on mascara
Fingernail Polish- I always keep my toes painted too, usually red or pink.
Toothpaste- Crest
Deoderant- Degree

i love dermalogica

i heard about this stuff, isnt it crazy expensive?

Yes, but it lasts for a long time. I use the 'Essential Cleansing Solution', and for 8oz paid $28.50. I've had the same bottle coming up on 6 months now and still have plenty left to last me a while longer.

You can get it from a Dermatologist's office or order it online, but it's not sold in regular drugstores.

mask: clinique emergency sos mask
cleanser: clarins gentle foaming cleanser
mascara: body shop eggplant coloured lenghtening mascara
conditioner: fructis oil repair, john frieda sheer blonde leave-in spray
hair mousse: wella shock waves
lips: lancome juicy tubes, agatha ruiz de la prada kiwi-flavoured lip balm
eyeshadow: mac, lancome
eyebrows: body shop eyebrow powder in "blonde"

Aren't Juicy Tubes just the best!

how do you like the Clinique mask? I've heard their skin products aren't that great, and tend to be on the harsh side. Although, the glossy mascara is the best I have used to date.

juicy tubes is the best lipgloss

I like the clinique mask, yeah. The good thing about clinique is that they don't add a shitload of perfume and other unnecessary things to their products. I also like their foaming cleanser (in the tube), their 15 minute turnaround mask, their eyemakeup remover, their makeup line, etc.

I don't like the yellow lotion or the whole "3-step" regime though.

But I do think clinique has a lot of good products, and they get a lot of unfair criticism on this site.