Obsessions

The best thing about getting ready at a friend’s house? Discovering new products. This allows for the uncovering of new beauty product loves, without the trial and error nightmare that is the normal routine. So at my age, I have gotten quite set in my beauty product ways. I'm devastated when one of my staples is discontinued. So without inviting you over for a slumber party, I thought I would share a few of my favorites... and therefore you may adopt them as your own (demand therefore keeping the supply healthy-- for me).

1) Bare Minerals Buxom Lip Gloss-- just the right amount of minty tingle and color.  I absolutely adore this lip gloss.  HEART IT!! It's worth every penny.  It also leaves its mark on your cup, glass, can, or water bottle... so, later when you pick up your drink... you feel a nice little tingle.  It also makes boys want to eat your face...

2) Neutrogena Anti-Oxidant Day Lotion SPF 20-- the only moisturizer that I can wear under my make-up that negates the "shiny" throughout the day.  The T-zone is my enemy.  If I wear any other moisturizer, I am oily.  NO moisturizer and I am oily.  This saves my shiny-bee-hiney- literally.

3) Suzy's Scandalous Sugar Scrub-- never heard of it?  This is because I make it... in my kitchen... in a mixing bowl with my regular old kitchen supplies.  I love a good sugar scrub, but don't love to pay for it.  $25 a jar?  Seriously?  Might as well shower in liquid gold.  So, I found a recipe online, and have developed and made changes to suit my own taste via trial and error.  I will give you the "rough" recipe.  I'm an artist... I measure nothing and just mix till it "feels" right.  I mix some turbinado sugar (rough, unrefined sugar), grape seed oil, aloe gel (sold in the fruity-nutty grocery stores-- people drink it, I bathe with it), and essential oils (this adds the fragrance- I love eucalyptus and orange. It reminds me of Vicks-yes, the stuff your mom smeared on your chest as a child. I have issues). When I sugar scrub my legs... I typically won't follow-up with lotion, and I will be short or skirt (or short-skirt) ready for the rest of the day.  Who wears short shorts?  Well, not me, but it's not because my legs are "ashy". 

4) New flower Vanilla Shampoo and Conditioner-- (for normal to oily hair). It's all natural, and leaves my locks shiny, but without residue. It also keeps my dry scalp at bay. And it's their generic brand; therefore... $1.50 per bottle. What a steal!

5) Tweezerman Tweezers-- $20 for a pair of tweezers? Sooooooooo worth it. They pay for themselves over and over. Why? Because they are uber sharp and will grasp the peskiest stray hairs.  And when they lose their sharpness.... you can mail them in to get re-sharpened for free. F-R-E-E. They also have a lifetime guarantee. I've actually had a pair replaced because I somehow bent the tip when I slammed it in a drawer. Seriously... go to Sally's Beauty immediately and buy these Tweezers. Just be careful not to poke an eye out.

6) Mary Kay Oil Free Eye Make-up Remover-- As a former Mary Kay Lady, this is the one product I can't give up... that and my Pink Cadillac (hee-hee-- just kidding).  It's actually the only Mary Kay product I still use, because I can't find any other eye makeup remover that does the trick quite like this.  It's also pretty and pink.  Love it!

7) Intuition Razors-- I get so sick of people telling me... "You’re so lucky your hair grows so fast!" Grows fast on the head, then it grows fast on the legs. Seriously, I get a five o' clock shadow on my legs. That is why I love these razors. Unfortunately, they ain't cheap. I had to give them up due to recent budget cuts, but with things looking healthier on the income horizon... I'm excited for our reunion. No shave cream needed... no razor bumps... and they moisturize... when you are sometimes shaving twice (yes, that would be 2 times if I have an evening engagement) per day, then this is the way to go.

8) Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner-- It stays on all day (and into the next morning... I'm not a nighttime face washer- no lectures please).  Goes on smooth.  And the two inital "pots" I purchased have lasted over 3 years.  And it hasn't dried out.  I'm out of brown, but still have 3/4 of a pot in black. 

9) The CHI-- 'nough said.  What did we curly headed girls do before this marvelous invention?  No one believes I really have naturally kinky crazy curly hair.  And since as a woman, I am programmed to want what I do not have, then this works perfectly. 

10) Dove Clinical Protection-- I'm a sweat-er.  Meaning I sweat.  None of this strong enough for a man... crapola.  I tried to use some Organic Deodorant for about 1.5 (that's 1 and a half) days.  I had to switch back.  I walked my sweaty self to the pharmacy in the middle of the work day and picked up my old stand by.  Dry pitts= happy girl.  I love this deodorant/ anti-perspirant.  Sure it has aluminum in it, but I would rather get aluminum induced cancer than have wet pitts on a daily basis. Truly.  I think that's what hell must be like (for me anyway)-- a really hot place, a lined suit, and crappy deodorant.

So, that's my list... or the stuff worth mentioning.  These are my beauty obsessions.  Seriously, if I was to go on Survivor... I'm not sure how I could ever narrow it down to two items?