my favorite beauty products

today on kelly's korner show us your life series is favorite beauty products.
last time she did this, i got some really good information for different products, so i thought i'd show you a few of my favorites!

first up is my favorite skin care.

my skin has always had problems! even now at almost 38, sometimes i feel like i have the skin of a teenager--oily & prone to breakouts.
i went a long time using various products from the grocery store & nothing really ever helped me.
at the recommendation of my sister, i decided to try origins and i LOVE it!
it's pricier than grocery store stuff, but to me it is so worth it--and after the initial investment, it lasts forever. you only have to use a tiny amount of each product.

clear improvement--it's a charcoal mask that i use in the t-zone area about once a week. the charcoal is supposed to draw out impurities. only downside--as you might imagine with charcoal--is that it is a little messy.

modern friction--it has rice in it that is a natural dermabrasion. my skin feels so smooth after i do this. supposed to do it 2-3 times a week.

both of these i got last march & they are almost full--they will last forever!
checks and balances--this is my face wash & i love it. i only use a pea-size amount and it froths up to clean my whole face. i have had this tube since last march & there is still a ton left in it!

purifying tonic--i've wondered if i really needed this. but when i don't use it i can tell a difference, so i guess i'll keep using it. if you've ever washed your face and it feels real tight, then you probably need a toner to help restore the ph balance in your skin.
a perfect world white tea skin guardian--this stuff is amazing! this feels like silk on your face. it helps protect your skin from early signs of aging.

a perfect world moisturizer with & without spf--one i use at night & one for day. this is a great moisturizer. at first it seems like it's going to be too greasy for oily skin, but then it just kind of disappears on your face. really makes my skin soft.

gin-zing eye cream--this has lasted forever too. i've had it since march of last year too and it's just now about to run out. really refreshes your eyes & makes them a little brighter.

i currently am out of this--being winter and all--but will be getting more soon. i think it is the best self-tanner i have ever tried! such a natural, golden tone & it smells so yummy!


now on to make-up:

i am a bare minerals girl. (no offense to dr. oz--but i will not stop using this make-up because of the lung risk!!) i love just about every product i've ever used from them. (i did not care for their lip gloss) i have heard from some people with dryer skin that they did not like bare minerals, but i have oily skin and it works great for me!

i think their bisque (concealer) is one of the best products on the market--it is, by far, the best concealer i have ever used.

i think the best thing to do with bare minerals is to get a kit from sephora or even qvc and then replace items as needed. qvc will sometimes have AMAZING deals for huge kits!

ulta eye shadow--i do love bare minerals eye shadows but i got these the other day with a coupon & have really been liking them.

blush--ok, this is one thing i bought after reading everyone raving over it last time. it's nars brand blush. the color, of course, is orgasm. it feels kind of weird walking in to a store and asking someone if they have nars blush in orgasm! i asked the lady at sephora what was the deal with this blush? why does everyone love it? she said that no matter what your skin tone is, it looks great. and i have to agree. this has lasted me forever.


eye make-up remover--love these little remover pads. as much eye make-up as i wear, i can usually remove all the make-up off both eyes with one pad! i usually get them with a coupon from ulta, but you can get them at wal-mart or target too.


on to hair products:

shampoo/conditioner--bought this the last time i had my hair cut & colored which was in november i think. love the smell.
(interesting tidbit: i had a hairdresser tell me that pantene was one of the worst things you could put on your hair and that if you are going to use cheap shampoo, just use suave. i don't use pantene, but i had been using herbal essences & he said the build-up & smell on my hair was so strong he couldn't get it out!)

other hair products:
i really don't like to try a bunch of stuff. i just want to find something that works well on my hair & be done with it!

paul mitchell thicken up: really works good & makes my hair look like it has much more body than it does!
suave hairspray: for a cheap hairspray, this is my favorite.
tresemme heat tamer spray: this has been working really good for me.

kenra: i love all their products, but have run out of everything but the mousse.

fragrance:

burberry brit sheer--i am loving this! it can't be too strong or i will get a headache. this sheer is just perfect!

bath gel:
i love most stuff from bath & body works. all winter i've been using twilight woods and secret wonderland. about to start using this orange sapphire & the new carried away. (got to have the gel & matching scented lotion!)


other random stuff:

pink--love any pink stuff. really liking the fresh & clean scent
lancome bronzer--i use this on my face & think it looks really natural
duwop bronzing moisturizer--i got this as a freebie at sephora & really like it. it colors your skin instantly & then comes off when you bathe. the only bad thing is that it will come off on your clothes if you don't let it dry or if you get hot & sweaty! i speak from experience.
palmer's cocoa butter--this comes in a tube too & it is great. really shines your skin up & is so soft.
hope my little review helps if you're thinking of trying any of these things. i love it when i hear how someone likes a certain thing!

the only thing i didn't show was lip glosses. i have had a terrible time with my lips for some time now & have only used vaseline or burts bees gloss but i am waiting on an order from sephora for some stila lip glosses--can't wait to get those & see if i like them!