Product Junkies "R" Us!

Awhile ago, I asked some of you to share your beauty secrets with me. Many of you were more then generous to divulge your personal tips for looking great. One thing is for sure, and I'm sure you will agree, most of us probably don't need much for basic maintenance. However, I'm a sucker for pretty packaging and the promise of wrinkle-less, ageless, pore-less, fabulous skin. I am equally enamored with hair, nail, and body products, and all that they claim to offer. It was a relief to know some of you were as crazed (or more so) then me about using countless products. There were others that stick to a specific regime and use only a few products. The lesson for me is to keep doing whatever makes me feel my best. It seems all of you are doing the same. Read on to see what everyone had to say about their must-haves and what they absolutely cannot live without. Mom, Wife, Blog-Queen, Super Agent L'Oreal Pro Manicure Nail Polish-The color Satin Sheets is my favorite because it adds a natural shine that looks like a freshly buffed nail. Juice Beauty Products, including soothing serum, cleanser w/ jojoba beads, and cleansing milk- These are natural products without unnecessary chemical additives for when I'm feeling a bit granola. Lorac Red Carpet Ready Bronzer/Blush Duo and Trio of Eye Color- because I attend so many red carpet events, NOT! Oil of Olay Quench Body Lotion - This adds a bit of sparkle to your skin, feels rich and buttery, yet sinks into skin with a non-greasy feel. Body Time Anti-Oxidant Mask and Cleanser - You can leave this on while you shower, remember when a mask becomes dry, it is no longer working, only preventing you from smiling. Body Time Firming Renewal Cream - Is my face firmer after using this? I'm not sure, but I do on occasion, get asked for my ID when purchasing alcohol. Weather Works by John Frieda Smoothing Cream - Tames my frizzy hair, is lightweight in texture, and has a nice fresh scent. Lipgloss- How can I choose a favorite? I have more then one go-to brand. I would have to write a whole separate entry for my lip-gloss preferences. At the moment, I'm favoring a Sweet Pink gloss by Burt's Bees. Biore Enliven Cooling Eye Gel- Store this in the fridge for added cooling sensation. Its the closest thing to putting cucumber slices on your eyes without using salad fixins' on your face. Cultured Gentlemen So, as a man I am proud to say that I use very few everyday products. However, the ones I use and could not do without are: Kiehl's Multi Purpose Facial Formula for men- it comes in a four ounce bottle and sells for $25.00 ( which to my way of thinking is expensive- all the women I know have assured me that compared to many women's moisturizers this is actually reasonably priced). It's made with clays which absorb excess oil and contains several powerful antioxidants. Since I started using it I rarely have breakouts. Though it comes in a small bottle, like most Kiehl's products a little goes a long way. Been using it for about 4 years now and don't see myself messing with anything else. Kiehl's Leave-in conditioner and grooming aid- nice smelling stuff that can be applied after showering. Doesn't make your hair all crunchy. Once again a little goes a long way. Though a sixteen ounce bottle is $28.00 it lasts me between 4-6 months. Burt's Beeswax lip balm- very natural stuff. Gives the nice tingly feeling. Usually goes on sale at places like Walgreen's and you can just stock up rather than paying like 4 bones for a tube. The Thymes- This is a great overall brand for things like hand and body lotions, great scented candles, soaps and other products. They are a womyn owned and operated company out of Minneapolis. If you check out their website it's very Female-empowered. Some of their great scents include their: Fig Leaf and Cassis, Frasier Fir ( which is awesome around the holidays), and Mandarin Coriander. That's it for this gentleman. Hollwood Producer, Poet, and a Crazy Cool Chick Boots Matifyiing Make Up Base It's thick like paste but it really cuts the shine off! Especially good when you are down South or back East when the humidity is a killer and you don't want to look like you've been washing your face with Fried Chicken Grease. Best used under a tinted moisturizor or light foundation, unless of course you are the actual color white. Lush-Angels on Bare Skin Facial Wash It's organic. It's divine, which is probably why they named it after Angels. It's sea kelp green and a light exfoliant that's great for keeping your skin healthy especially during those break out prone times of the month. Vaseline Coco Butter Oil It's like Lip Glass for the skin. Need I say more? Need to beat Summer dryness, this thick Coco Butteresque Oil will keep your skin from getting ashy all day long. It's cheap, it's Vaseline which we know is the miracle for dry skin and it smells great. But make sure you give yourself a minute before you put on silks because like I said...it's Vaseline! Film Director, Model Hottie Your articles are chic and authentic- what fashion and beauty is really about, right? I hope this isn't too late, but my fav products are...Water, girl! Be it san francisco tap or bottled designer, no skin product can get the glow like the daily 8 cups of water. I love the peppermint body balm by Warm Spirit. It makes my skin so smooth and rivals a baby's booty. And let's not forget beauty bag staple Dior Show Mascara. The Parisians know sexy starts with the eye, so of course they make the best mascara in the universe. Skincare Fanatic and Expert Waxer Here is that list of products that help me beautify my bod. Shampoo-twice a week I use Kerastase: Bain Miroir and Crome Reflect the other days Rusk:Full Shampoo with Rusk:Calm Condish Body Wash-The Body Shop: Cream Shea Johnson's: Soft Wash Melt Away Stress Aveda: Smoothing Body Polish L'Occitane: Cherry Blossom shower gel Shave Cream- Skintimate Baby Soft Face Wash- my mom is an esthetician as well and has our whole family on her products. She has a mini lab set up in my brothers old bedroom, everything is custom blended. Its actually very pretty and peaceful, quite different from when my brother occupied the room. The line is called Only Your Rx. There are several steps, in the AM: in the shower I have a hydrating mask followed by a chamomile scrub, spray toner, hydrating gel, SPF 30 then I mix some moisturizer in that, all the custom blend line. PM: hydrating yummy face wash, toner again, gel again and moisturizer, all custom blend line. The one thing I use that's not from my mom is an eye cream that I can't live with out. The line is called Eminence Organic Skin Care: herbal eye contour cream. I'm addicted to this stuff. For the break outs- Mario Badescu Skin Care: Drying Lotion Maintenance- Sonia Dakar: Omega 3 repair complex (this is the best smelling stuff ever)! I use it to battle my eczema and dry spots. Masques-Aveda: Intensive Hydrating Masque & Eminence Organic Skin Care Stone Crop Masque Hair Spray-Garnier Fructis Style: Full Control Act: Restoring mouthwash, cool splash vanilla mint Bumble and Bumble: thickening spray And now the makeup~ Mom custom blends makeup as well: Photo Cover Custom Blend Foundation and Concealer Eyeshadow- Stila Cosmetics: Della Way Mac: Sweet Lust The Body Shop: # 32 Stila: Double Duty Day-Night Grey Palette (I have a container full of colors, but these are the ones I use for work, day time) I used to be a makeup artist, it would take too long listing them all. Blush- Stila: Tutu and Cameo cheek color Lips-L'Occitane:Cherry Blossom lip gloss Burts Bees: beeswax lip balm The Body Shop: #04 Mascara- Maybelline: Volume Express Eyeliner- Avon: Liquid eye liner Sephora: pencil in grey, black and brown "Mouscar" Winning Actress, Professional Ebay Shopper Extraordinaire Benefit HighBeam- gives extra stage presence, no scent, sheer, dab w/ brush and rub in Nars Stick in Orgasm - a cream blush that goes on so sheer and gives a pinch of color. Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara -Thickens and spreads lashes w/out clumps Cover girl Wetslicks Pencils - a great eye pencil for a touch of color on the lid Burts Bees Lip Balm - under lipstick throughout the day. The Brit of the Bunch, Killer Fashionista Cristian Dior "Show" Mascara Clean And Clear Astringent using since 15 years old Tend Skin for after waxing or shaving Touche Eclat pen from YSL for highlighting brow bone and anywhere else you need it. Jan Marini Transformation Cream for day and night moisturizer anti-inflammatory, repairs and assists skin in stimulating circulation, plumper skin. Super Cuts, Gorgeous, Modern Mama Murad Day Cream w/sunscreen and Night Cream helps to banish dark circles under eye area Dr. Brandt Sunscreen Juicy Tube lip gloss Dior Black Out Mascara Bare Essentials Powder Foundation Med Tan Mineral Make-up Dior Highlighter Pen OPI Nail Polish in the color Bubble bath (great for models nice color for shoes/shoots) Pores No More-Face Cleanser - a toner for night & day moisturizer for oily, acne prone skin Dr. Kang(Serendipity Med Spa) The Giggler, Modern, Single "Sex In The City" Sister PANTENE PRO V SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER This is one of the only drugstore brands that is affordable yet still feels close to salon quality. I especially like the Full & Thick shampoo with the Daily Moisture Renewal conditioner. I've got colored flat fine Asian hair, so the shampoo gives it the body it needs and the conditioner provides the moisture my hair so badly wants from all the coloring. MABELLINE GREAT LASH MASCARA I know this is an old standby, but I still swear by it. It's affordable and does the trick. The wand is easy to use and the mascara gives my lashes just the right coat to pop. What more can you ask for? Hippie Chick At Heart, With A Hint of Urban Chic Vitamin E/Rose oil mixture - nightly routine for fab glow by morning. Weleda Rose Eye Cream and Day Cream - just yummy for that skin of a certain age. Jane Carter Hair Butter - use it for Ella's locks and my own - takes out the frizz and revives shine I Need: Organic foundation/powders in colors for those of us with darker skin tones! Everything has pink undertones - gimme a break already! I need a 'clean' concealer; just love Bobbie Brown, but the chemicals gotta go. Super Model, Super Cool i am def a prod junkie!!! lol!!! i have to have my la praire silver skin care kit(eye cream,serum,daily moisturizer w/ spf,and night cream). its about a G for the whole kit. i could go on forever about products!!! lol!!! Yoga Master And The Smartest I Know Okay, lets see... I love Avalon Organic Botanical Lavender Lotion from Trader Joe's. It smells soooooooo good. Its hypo allergenic and it goes on like butter without being oily like butter. Rose Hydrosol from Body Time- I actually made Pay stop on our way to the hospital to have Maceo after being in labor at home for like 15 hours. I really felt like I needed it to have my baby. Marie-Veronique Affirmative Facial Firming Spray and the Ultra Renaissance Skin Renewal Formula. This shit is the real deal. The woman who developed this line of products is a local Berkeley woman. She's like 100 years old and she has zero wrinkles. No joke. I get it at Elephant Pharmacy.Those are my current pleasures. Nana Banana Rossi Spumonti OPI is the ONLY nail polish I use. After trying many different nail polishes from the cheapest to the hi end, it is the only one that does not chip or peel within a couple of days. Of course Maybelline mascara, it is affordable AND it is the one that most make-up artists use and I think has been on InStyles top list for years. Hawaiian Punkie Beauty Tangerine Sugar Scrub from TRADER JOE'S (I keep this in my shower and use it on my feet, legs, elbows and arms.”There’s nothing uglier than a beautiful woman with chapped up elbows” My Grandma Marge told me that) Make up remover wipes from Trader Joe's (Unscented and they are soft) CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP Banana Boat SPF 80, with Aloe Vera …. It has a nice fresh scent and keeps the wrinkles away. I'm pleased to see that you all have such varied products that you swear by. It looks like I have a little experimenting to do and perhaps a few more products to add to my crowded bathroom, counter-top. Please feel free to add more to the Comments Page.