A couple of weeks ago I had dinner with three out of town friends. At some point in the dinner we started talking facials and skin care… and that led us down this fun road of sharing our favorite products.
I try to keep things simple when it comes to my everyday makeup, but when I find something that I love in terms of beauty products it becomes a MUST HAVE in my book. By the end of the dinner, I had sent emails to my three friends with my favorite products and facialists in NYC. So far everyone has been raving about the products and is now hooked on them as well. I’d say that’s a pretty good success rate right there.
All of these products I’ve been using and buying for years. I’ll share when I first got the product and why I love it so much!
Ta Da! Quick Dry Drops // I originally received this product in a Julep Maven box (which I still subscribe to!) back in 2012. I’ve been hooked on it ever since. I paint my nails a couple of times a week so I go through the bottles pretty quickly. Even though I love painting my own nails, I do not have the patience to wait for them to dry. And I end up painting them more often and not right before bedtime… these drops completely solve the sheet-marks and smudges and waiting forever while nails dry problem. After you paint your nails, wait a minute or two and apply two drops to each nail. Then wait another minute and bam! Dry (and rock hard) nails.
Kiehl’s Micro-Blur Skin Perfector // It’s a bold claim to use the word “perfect” in the name of your product. This is hands down the most amazing thing I’ve ever used. I first bought this sometime in 2014 and I’ve been obsessed ever since. Even though the tube is small, you only need a little bit so it lasts quite a while I use it as a primer of sorts before applying makeup or even just on my face when I’m forgoing makeup. There’s some kind of MAGIC in this product because it really does even out skin tone in the most subtly perfect way. It’s like non-makeup makeup and gives you a photo-finish look. (Even Garrett uses it on his skin. Seriously! Don’t tell him I told you.)
Eyebrow Shaper // I’ve been filling in my eyebrows with powder since early on in college. I discovered this game-changing product in 2013 and it’s unbelievably good. It’s basically mascara for your eyebrows. Unlike powder, it shapes your brows, keeps all the little hairs in place all day long, and gives your brows the extra punch you want.
Sally Hansen Hair Bleach // I started bleaching the hair on my arms in high school. I don’t do it all the time, but I do it more so in the summer when I switch from sweaters to tees and dresses. I wish I had enough confidence to feel okay with the hair on my arms… but I don’t. I used another more expensive brand in high school before discovering Sally Hansen’s version (as a broke college student). The price was SO much better and surprisingly it worked better/faster and the product lasted longer (three uses per box). Maybe one day I’ll be brave enough to post a before and after, but for now you can trust me when I say this stuff works.
Origins Night-A-Mins Cream // This. Is. The. Best. Moisturizer. During the winter of 2013, I was faced with disturbingly dry skin. My face was almost raw from being so dry. I was desperate for something super moisturizing and was recommended this product by an employee at Sephora. I’ve since had amazing luck with Origins products, but if I only have room to pack one on a trip, this is it. Not only did it solve my dry skin problem, it honestly transformed my skin. I can’t go a night without using it.
Do you have any beauty secrets?
xoxo
I'm more likely to spend money on skincare products than on beauty products. I think I'm going to have to try the Kiehl's Micro-Blur Skin Perfector and Origins Night-A-Mins Cream. Beauty bloggers are always sharing their newest finds and latest obsessions, but I think the sign of a really awesome product is one that you've been using for forever! Thanks for the share 🙂 -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
I could not live without my Sally Hansen Hair bleach – Italian/Jewish problems… I cannot wait to try the Kiehl's product! Although I don't know if I could spend $24 dollars on a brow shaper.. hairspray and an old toothbrush works just fine for me haha.
Michaela || The Monogrammed Midwesterner
I've heard great things about Bobbi Brown but have never tried any of her products! I need to change that!
Her Heartland Soul
http://herheartlandsoul.com
I've been using Aēsop's 'Fabulous Face Oil' at night to keep my skin hydrated through the Australian winter – it is amazing! My skin has never felt so soft, and it smells ridiculously good.
– Obiter Darling
Sally Hansen Hair Bleach! My mom refused to let me shave my legs in middle school even though I have really dark brown/black hair and pale skin, I got picked on so bad that I refused to wear shorts. After that my aunt pulled out sally hansen and I have the funniest memory of standing on a chair in the living room while she bleached my leg and arm hair. My mom was furious but she said no shaving, nothing about bleach. I still use it all summer to take care of darker arm hair 🙂
I'm half Italian so I have dark hair on my arms as well. I've been using the Tria laser to laser it off and it's working wonderfully! It's a little bit of an investment, but if you have the skin/hair combination it works for it's fabulous!
xx
Lauren Elizabeth
Petite in Pearls
I've heard a lot about that Kiehls product, I may have to go take a look at it myself! Great list!
Kendal | Life With Kendal
I've been wanting to try some Kiehl's products, so now I'm especially excited to give the micro-blur a try! I'm also on the hunt for "holy grail" status moisturizer. Maybe Origins is the one?! Awesome recs!
Night-a-mins is my favorite! I bought that same bleach a while ago but have been nervous to use it – maybe I'll take the plunge this week!
Most people think I'm crazy but I use vasoline. I have been putting it on my face every night for years. My grandmother use to do it too and she looked decades younger than she actually was.
I have never used any of the products above but I'm always down for trying a good moisturizer.
Navia
vulnaviajohnson.com
These kind of posts are my favourites! I've been using the Kiehl's product, and night-a-mins since you first wrote about them. Thanks 🙂
I have to try the origins night cream, I hear so many great things about the brand and go crazy with dry skin.