Top 10 beauty favorites

When I was in high school and college I had a pretty normal daily hair and makeup routine. From start to finish it took about an hour. After graduating and joining the work force, I started getting less strict. Enter grad. school and I am somewhat ashamed to say that the majority of the time I go makeup free.

I have always gotten a lot of compliments on my skin. My routine is pretty simple. I wash my face twice a day with a gentle exfoliating cleanser, apply noncomedogenic moisturizer with SPF 15 or 30, and I rarely wear foundation. Other than that, I don't do anything special.

I was thinking about all of the hair, skin, and makeup products I've tried throughout my lifetime, and all the ones that I fell in love with and can't live without. These are the products out of so many that I've stuck with for years, if not decades. I thought I'd share them with you, because they are too good to keep to myself.

In no particular order, here are my Top 10 Beauty Favorites:

10. Olay Skin Smoothing Cream Scrub
I actually have not seen this on the shelves for awhile, so I have also used Olay Regenerist Regenerating Cream Cleanser. I like that they're non-foaming and contain exfoliants that help smooth my skin. I keep one by my bathroom sink and one in the shower. I also use warm water to open up my pores first and then use cold water to rinse and close my pores.

9. Olay Complete Daily Defense All Day Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 15 for Sensitive Skin

I have been using this (or some form of this) regularly since I was in tenth grade. I love that it is light, non-greasy, oil-free, noncomedogenic, and can be worn any season, underneath makeup, or by itself. It also contains SPF 15 (or 30) and protects my skin from the sun. I prefer the Sensitive Skin version, which is unscented, but I've used the scented one too, and the scent is not overpowering.

 8. Clinique Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent

I have also been using this since tenth or eleventh grade. I use it to remove any leftover eye makeup after I've washed my face. I also use it to clean up any eyeliner or mascara smudges after applying makeup. What I like about it is that it's non-oily, so I can dip a q-tip in it and clean up under my lash line.

 7. Conair (Jumbo) Hot Rollers

Another product I've been using since tenth grade! I'm on my second set of these in over ten years, so they've lasted a long time. I prefer the wire clips over the plastic super clips, which I find leave creases. I know most girls these days use curling irons, but I find it so easy to just roll my hair in these and then finish doing my makeup or getting dressed while they set. The key is to take them out after they're completely cool. The jumbo size is perfect for long hair, and even if the curl happens to fall out, your hair still has a lot of body.

 6. Anastasia Beverly Hills Precision Tweezers

I like these better than Tweezerman (although those are a close second). I've had the same pair for several years and they haven't needed sharpening. If you live near an Anastasia Brow Studio, they are the BEST at shaping eyebrows. I was first introduced to her method when I lived in NY, and was lucky enough to have found one at the Nordstrom nearby, but unfortunately they closed the studio. Fortunately, I have found a really awesome threading studio in the area that I really like.

 5. Japonesque HD Eyelash Curler

As an Asian girl with short, straight lashes, I have tried so many different ways to curl my lashes. While I did like my Shu Uemura eyelash curler, I still found myself heating it up before "curling" my lashes, which is a bit dangerous if you're not careful. In fact, two of my friends bought me a heated eyelash curler on two separate occasions because of my eyelash curling technique (they didn't work). This little curler fits in the palm of my hand and does a great job of curling even the edge lashes...and I don't have to heat it up first.

 4. Silk'n Flash&GO
This is one of my more recent discoveries, but it is a life changer and a great investment. I hardly ever shave anymore, and I love that! You can read about my experience with the Flash&GO here. I'm excited to see recent TV commercials for it. They've come out with a newer model (the Luxx) that comes with a lifetime cartridge. If you hate shaving, I cannot recommend this product enough.

 3. Microplane Colossal Pedicure Rasp 
I hate feet...and I hate rough, peeling, scaly feet the most. I used so many different foot creams, files, and pumice stones, before stumbling across this on Amazon one day. Best foot file ever! After using this, my feet stopped peeling and I worried about them so much less. My feet will still sometimes get a little rough after a few weeks, but then I just use this quickly in the shower and they are baby soft again. I follow it up with some Nordic Care Foot Care Cream and a pair of socks.

 2. Maybelline Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Washable Mascara
I've been pretty picky about mascara lately. I keep finding myself coming back to Lash Stiletto. I feel like it gives me the best length and definition, which is what I like my mascara to do. I apply mascara after I've curled my lashes. (I don't like getting mascara on my eyelash curler.)

 1. Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
I use this product everyday. I have a tube in my purse, in my car, in my desk drawer, on my nightstand...I just like the way it feels and that it doesn't leave a glossy or sticky residue. It's an absolute necessity in the dry winter season!









So these are 10 of my favorite beauty products that I've discovered over the years. I use many of them on a daily basis, and all of them are over-the-counter products that you can find at your local drug or beauty supply store. :) What are some beauty products that you can't live without?

Luv,
the Bride