I have spent most of the morning perusing Instyle’s Best Beauty Buys 2008. They have a lot of good stuff in there - products I’ve been using, products I want to start using and a few that made my list, but not theirs. Check it out:
Products I Use:
MAC’s Pro Longwear Lipcolour is a product that I bought last year (I think in this same color) for my wedding. I stocked up on all MAC products for the big day because I wanted to do my own makeup but I wanted professional products for my amateur styling. I went to a MAC store for a consultation and this was the product they recommended for an all day color that would last through many kisses, photo ops and glasses of champagne.
I was glad to see that Neutrogena’s Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 45 made the list because this is a product I use daily and I agree with their write-up: It’s non-greasy, great under makeup and offers great protection from sun damage.
I just wrote about Olay’s Body Wash with Seaweed Ribbons and they have listed this version with Radiance Ribbons. Olay’s body washes are really moisturizing and effective and I highly recommend finding the one that is right for you.
Products I Want to Start Using:
This Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer is supposed to smooth out any bumps and fine lines you have to create a smooth surface for foundation to glide onto. I rarely wear all-over foundation but I’m curious as to how this product goes on. Because I do wear cover-up where needed and under my eyes the make up always gathers in the creases. This might be a good solution….
Bumble and Bumble Styling Creme sounds like a great solution for coaxing out my curls. I like to add definition, especially when air-drying but gels are too…crunchy looking. Instyle says this creme gives the "same support and hold as gel" but without the crunchy effect. I’m willing to give it a try.
Phytovolume Actif Volumizer Spray caught my eye because I am always on the hunt for a good volume-boosting product. They say this one provides great volume and nourishes your hair and scalp. Holla.
I’m hesitant about at-home face peels (they make me nervous)…..but this Neutrogena Advanced Solutions sounds promising. It’s supposed to make skin brighter and pores less visible. And it’s only $25, so it’s not too much of an investment.
Here it is again: Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Foundation. They say it’s the best mineral foundation out there and I am getting more impatient to try it. If I use it as an all-over foundation, will it even out my skin tone flawlessly? That is what I imagine…and hope for!
Products Not on Instyle’s List, but on Mine:
Back to MAC: I love their Paints. They are eyeshadows that go on creamy and dry powdery. I use mine in a color that matches my skin color so that it can be used more as a primer than a shadow. It’s great because it doesn’t fall into the crease-trap and therefore when layering other colors over it, it provides a crease-free base. I like to use it alone too on my "no make-up" days. It camoflauges the veins and other color inconsistencies on the lid. They come in great skin-tone colors or if you want to use it more as a shadow there are some crazy bold colors to choose from too.
Pond’s Dry Skin Cream is a classic, it’s inexpensive and it is great for dry and/or sensitive skin. I like to pile it on before bed and let it soak in overnight. My husband swears my skin glows when I wake up. (I think maybe he’s a little blind without his glasses, but it’s still nice to hear!) I really feel like this nourishes my skin without clogging my pores, which is hard to find in a deep moisture product.
So that’s my two-cents. Instyle has compiled a very extensive list of great products and it’s definitely worth checking out if you are on the hunt for new products. They have them broken up into categories (like Hair, Makeup, Face, Body) so you are sure to find something that you’ll want to try. And a few things you might find funny - the $170 brush cracked me up. I’m not in the market for that type of thing….maybe you are? Have fun!
