products galore

[souvenir]

I was at my aunt and uncle's place on Long Island today and my 15 year old cousin started asking me about how to treat acne, which led to more questions about various skin care and makeup items. For a while now, I've been considering making up a little compendium of my "Holy Grail" products. Self indulgent? Yes. Fun? Yes!

• Facial moisturizer: Alba Botanica Very Emollient Body Lotion, Max Dry Skin Formula. Around $8-10 at health food stores. It's very mild, sinks in quickly, and makes my oily skin fairly well-balanced.
  
• Facial sunscreen: Sofina Perfect UV Lucent. I use this every. single. day. Family history of basal cell + fair skin + too much sun exposure as a child = intense fear of skin cancer and more sun damage. Plus this stuff is SO mattifying and fills in my pores. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone with dry skin, but if you're oily, it's a total godsend.
  
• Makeup remover: either Clinique's Take the Day Off or the Neutrogena purple one. I've been using a washcloth to remove my makeup in an effort to be more environmentally conscious--it works just as well as cotton rounds, and the mascara stains wash off. Another good option for removing makeup is any sort of natural oil. Jojoba is great, as is apricot kernel. Only a few drops are needed. I don't do the traditional oil cleansing method, but I find that a few drops of oil followed by a regular cleanser works well for me. Which brings me to...
  
• Facial cleanser: Olay Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin. A pearly, gentle cleanser. I don't know why I always come back to this one, but it just works for me. It's relatively cheap and doesn't strip my skin.
  
• Anti-acne treatment: Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Defense Lotion. I've used this stuff for years; it just works for me. Their newer Stress Control line is nice, too, but I find this works just as well.
  
• Anti-aging/anti-acne tx: Differin gel. It's rx only, but I have a large sample tube. I find it helps lighten my dark spots and kind of rejuvenates my skin.
  
• Hand cream: Neutrogena Norweigan Formula Hand Cream. Very concentrated and really works.
  
• Toothpaste: SuperSmile, $19 for a 4.2 oz tube. It's expensive, but I think it works, and I don't have to use any strips or anything.
  
• Body wash: you all know that my favorite B&BW breathe stuff has been discontinued. We recently purchased a large container of Jason Satin Shower Body Wash (in the herbal scent; nice and subtle), which we both really like. It foams nicely, is non-drying, and doesn't contain SLS. Other perks: it's in a pump bottle, and it's hella CHEAP!
  
• Eye shadow: ranges from expensive to cheap. I love the Wet 'n Wild palettes, Urban Decay shadows, Benefit creaseless cream e/s in Birthday Suit, and many of the Alima shadows (samples last forever). Urban Decay Primer Potion is a *must* for me, since shadows crease on my lids.
  
• Foundation: don't really use it. Sally Hansen's Inspired by Carmindy "your skin" foundation is nice, though. I used to use Laura Mercier's oil-free tinted moisturizer, which is an excellent product, but the SPF just wasn't enough for me.
  
• Pressed power: el cheapo NYC translucent powder. Use it almost every day.
  
• Concealer: Make Up Forever Full Cover for blemishes ($$, but worth it), and the same line's Lift for undereye circles.
  
• Mascara: Rimmel Extra Super Lash. $3.49, no smudging unless it's really hot out.
  
• Eyeliner: Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes in Star Black, which is a nice greyed black. Prestige Waterproof e/l in Surf, Prestige Automatic Waterproof e/l in Flannel Grey.
  
• Lip Gloss: TheBalm Plump Your Pucker is awesome. Pink My Lemonade is a gorgeous opaque true pink, Cherry My Cola a lovely red with a bit of subtle gold shimmer, and Strawberry My Daiquiri is a beautiful ruby red.
  
• Lip balm: Badger. Chai rose and Tangerine Breeze = mmmm.
  

Wow, this is long. I started it last night and just finished it now.