my favorite things– beauty & cosmetics edition

LOVE this stuff.  I’m not a fan of lotion, so this works better for me.  Love the sheer sheen, and subtle scent.  Coupled with some self-tanner, it’s a must-have for my fair skin legs in dress & skirt season :)  It also makes for an amazing bath when you add a few drops to the water.  love!

 

I’ve tried TONS of self-tanner products, and am quite particular.  Many formulas, even marketed for fair skin, turn out too dark or the wrong shade.  For a couple of years, I was stuck on a Neutrogena foam (and actually used the darker shade), but I believe they’ve adjusted the product in some way, because now it seems to not work as well.  So I happened to pick up a newer version of the Jergens natural glow (I’m not a fan of the original --- I can’t be bothered to put on lotion every day to get a minute amount of color) – the express version.  I put it on my legs a couple of times a week, and no issues with splotches or streaks, and the shade is perfect (with this one, I do use the fair/medium version).

 

I only wash my hair a couple of times a week, and have just started using this Suave dry shampoo occasionally in between washes – it definitely makes a difference and fluffs my hair right back up to regular volume!

 

 

 

 

Somehow I stumbled on this Pantene sculpting wax, and it’s a must-have for getting my hair ready for a night out.  Just the extra little bit of help for making it big, a bit messy, and a bit piece-y.  Unfortunately, looking for the picture made me realize it seems to be discontinued… no!!!  So not sure what I’ll do when mine runs out :(

 

Mascara is one of the cosmetic items that I am pretty brand-loyal (most other items I just buy whatever I get on sale at retail or drug stores) – I’m a Maybelline girl.  I’m partial to the “volume” line as well. 

 

And lastly, my perfume is something I put a lot of thought into … I used to be a 2 perfume girl – Banana Republic Rosewood for day, and Ralph Lauren Romance for nights out.  When I couldn’t find a new bottle of the BR, I decided to venture out of my comfort zone, and check out some more scents (but urgh, I really despise department store shopping at the mall, especially cosmetics and fragrance sections….).  I’ve stumbled on a couple of new happy daytime scents though --- Lilly Pulitzer’s Wink (Ames, I actually bought this thinking I would give it to you, but then I was smitten when I sprayed a spritz to test it!!  And sadly, TJMaxx was sold out the next time I went back!) … it’s delightful, and the bottle is adorable.  I also scored clinique happy in bloom from Christy at the yard sale this weekend, and I like it as well.  So now, for the first time ever, I have several perfumes to choose from for any given day/event, and I surprisingly  like variety in my beauty routine occasionally …. proud of me, Ames??!! haha!