Favorite beauty products

[AZTheta]

Exfoliate - it really makes a difference. I use:

Cetaphil for face and body cleansing. Those pouf things are great for applying the Cetaphil.

CeraVe lotion - the SA (salicytic acid) or the other one, depending on my skin and the time of year.

And I swear by 100% african shea butter (either the West African or the East African. The latter is way more expensive but I love it). I layer on lotion and cream to keep skin hydrated.

Sunblock everywhere, especially on the backs of my hands.

For cosmetics I like the Bobbie Brown line, great colors and quality. And eos lip balm - lasts forever.

[ThetaPrincess24]

A lot of mine have changed since 2004....

Facial wash: Purity Made Simple by Philosophy & Purifying Facial Cleanser by Bare Minerals

Facial Scrub: St. Ives Apricot Invigorating Scrub or ground adzuki beans

Facial Moisturizer--This depends on the temperature and humidity outside: 80 degrees & Higher--Clinique Moisturizing Gel, 70's & 60's Purely Nourishing Moisturizer by Bare Minerals, and 50's & below Hope in a Jar by Philosophy

Serums/Special Needs: When Hope Is Not Enough Serum & Vitamin C Powder by Philosophy, Genifique by Lancome, or Biolucent Mineral Brightening Treatment by Bare Minerals, Eye Hope by Philosophy, Hope in a Tube by Philosophy

Treatments: Vitamin C Microdermabrasion by The Body Shop, Queene Helene Mint Julip Mask, Warming Facial Mask by The Body Shop, The Microdelivery Peel by Philosophy, and The Oxygen Peel by Philosophy, Bare Minerals Pure Transformation Night Treatment

Makeup--All Bare Minerals with the exception of a few waterproof eye shadows from Clinique and a waterproof eye brow pencil from tarte. bare Minerals is my main mascara but I also have Josie Moran, CK1, a couple from Benefit, and Make Up Forever. I also am a huge fan of DiorShow and Definicils by Lancome. My eye brow pencil is Anastasia. Lipgloss/Lipstick are a blend of BareMinerals/Buxom, Clinique, Burt's Bees, The Body Shop, & Pure Skin Essentials (locally made in this area pureskinmakeup.com )

Lotions: Curel, Nivea, The Body Shop Shea & Coconut Body Butters, and locally made lotions

Hair: Assorted products from Biolage/Matrix, KMS, & Paul Mitchell

Nails: OPI is still my preference

Shower: locally made lavender soaps, Yardley, Olivia Care, and assorted Philosophy Shower Gels. I'm starting to get in to the two body washes that Paul Mitchell makes to compliment the lavender and energizing shampoos.

I'm also a huge fan of my Clarisonic Face Brush!

[33girl]

TP24 - which Ckone mascara did you get?

[txAOII_15]

Ladies, I need your help. I'm looking for product recommendations for color correction. I have dark under eye circles/bags and concealer alone doesn't work. What are your favorite products to tackle this problem?

[33girl]

You need a peach toned corrector. There's one called Eve Pearl that is supposed to be good. I like the Maybelline Age Rewind concealer with the little sponge.

[Sciencewoman]

I agree with 33girl on the color correction. I have the same problem with dark circles. The best product I've found is Conceal from Mirabella. I think it comes in different tones...mine says "diminish 1" on the label. I bought it at the salon I go to on recommendation of one of the stylists who specializes in wedding party make-up.

[tcsparky]

Target is now carrying a brand called Boots. It is a pharmacy brand from the UK. Friends of mine who live there speak highly of it. I never tried any of it when I was there- just too busy to shop for skin care!! I haven't found any in the Targets near me, so it obviously isn't in all of them yet.

[33girl]

They've had Boots in Target for like a decade now. I think they might be phasing it out rather than getting more of it.

[tcsparky]

Huh, that's interesting, cause last month I read an article about it now being brought into Target. That was why I have been looking for it. I wonder what's up?

[ChioLu]

Originally Posted by tcsparky

Target is now carrying a brand called Boots. It is a pharmacy brand from the UK. Friends of mine who live there speak highly of it. I never tried any of it when I was there- just too busy to shop for skin care!! I haven't found any in the Targets near me, so it obviously isn't in all of them yet.

Some of the Target stores in SoCal have a Boots representative in the cosmetic department to promote the brand, test colors, answer questions, etc.
She helped me finally find a blush color that goes with my skin tone. After years of spending lots of money experimenting with store brands.

[Tulip86]

Just got a new dark red matte lipstick by MAC called Diva. It looks good on pretty much any skintone, great color!

[Just interested]

Love Boots. Their #7 tinted moisturizer is great for when you just want a light coverage. I use it everyday. I love all the #7 Boots products. (Ulta and Target)
If you need a lot of coverage for special issues I recommend IT cosmetics (Ulta carries this product) it is pricey to my taste.
In my younger days I was all over expensive products that I could name but Boots is a great price and I think works as well as the more expensive products.

[IndianaSigKap]

I love Sephora lipsticks. Color lasts and they don't dry my lips out. I have had hundreds of mascara samples from Sephora, but I seem coming back to the bright pink fat Scandal Eyes mascara tube by Rimmel.

[LAblondeGPhi]

SKIN:

1. Miscellar water makeup remover (night only - currently using Byphasse)
2. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (night only - after miscellar)
3. Cetaphil Lotion (morning and night, face and body)
4. Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol (only some nights, usually cut with Cetaphil lotion)
5. (LOVE!!) La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL 50+ SPF Ultra-Light Fluid (European kind with chemical sunscreen, not the U.S. version)
6. Clarisonic (only a couple of times a week)
7. Looking to add an anti-oxidant serum in the morning, something like Skinceuticals CE Ferulic. Paula's Choice serums made me break out.
8. I hear really good things about Cerave Baby lotion, so I may try that soon.

MAKEUP:

• (LOVE) Bare Minerals foundation and Bisque Concealer (in love with that concealer!)
• Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics (also used to fill in eyebrows with angled brush)
• (LOVE) Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
• (LOVE) elf Contouring Blush and Bronzing powder (I bought this last year on a whim, and I surprisingly really really like it)
• Maybelline Great Lash BIG (the one with the big, bushy brush)
• Looking to try the NYX wonder pencils for concealing/contouring
• Looking to try a good all-in-one brow solution like Anastasia's Brow Wiz

I've used mineral makeup since college, and love it. I had a long streak where I used Everyday Minerals, but just recently went back to Bare Minerals - it's much more expensive, but the colors look better on me, and the concealer is so much better than other mineral concealers.

I used a primer for a little while, but nothing I've used seems to make much of a difference (especially the Bare Minerals primer).

I bought the Smashbox contouring palette and brush set from Sephora last year, and I'm so underwhelmed - the light shade didn't show up on me, yet I quickly looked like a drag queen with the medium shade. I quickly stopped using it.

NAILS:

• (LOVE) SensatioNAIL Gel Starter Kit (with the LED light) - really like the base/top coat system they have, too.
• Usually wear OPI "Black Cherry Chutney", Sally Hansen "Pat on the Black", OPI "Funny Bunny", Sally Hansen "White Away". Also good: Essie "Major Moments" and "Puffer Up".

HAIR:
I struggle with hair things. BUT - my best find is the John Frieda Hot Air Brush. I CANNOT get my bangs to shape the way I want without it.

[jolene]

Speaking of mascaras which makes me think of eyelashes, I've been using Careprost which is a generic version of Latisse and a LOT cheaper. It works just as good and my lashes have gotten very long. Now I just maintain with a couple of applications a week. I got my bottle at the place I'm having laser hair removal for $30. IIRC Latisse is $80 a bottle. Don't waste your $ on Latisse.