Health/Beauty products you can't live without.

[Bella]

I know that many women don't wear makeup or use beauty products, but those that do oftentimes have a little pouch filled with staples they simply couldn't imagine living without.

List 'em off here, and maybe we could learn a thing (or two) from each other. Or maybe we'll just find an excuse to go out and buy more stuff.

i.d. bareMinerals Foundation (http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P61003&shouldPaginate=true) and Mineral Veil (http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P61004&shouldPaginate=true) are hands-down the best foundation and powder that I've ever used. I saw the line on an informercial about a year ago and dismissed it as pure bullshit, but then I chanced into the store in the MOA and was converted instantly.

LÈVRES IMPRESSION DE CHANEL (http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P75003&searchString=) is one of the greatest lip products I've ever come across. It looks like a little ink pad you would use for rubber stamps, only you glide a little pen across the pad and colour in your lips. It doesn't come off, either - and it doesn't look as paint-y as those LipFinity things do.

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 (http://www.kiehls.com/?c=17&cc=9) is a staple. Not gloppy, not glossy, and it doesn't taste or smell like anything. And it's cheap, for the amount you get.

[Dingfod]

I'm not a woman, but here are a couple items that are pretty much gender neutral.

CARMEX lip balm (http://www.carma-labs.com/) - the best there is for chapped lips or chapped nose, Blistex (http://www.blistex.com/Lip_Products.htm) is also very good, and, I'll admit being intrigued by the ads for the new product, Neosporin lip protectant.

Crystal Rock Deodorant (http://www.crystaldeodorantprotection.com/) really really works. It doesn't stop sweating as much as kills any odor. I used the stick. The one I'm using now I paid $8 for 2 years ago and it isn't even halfway gone with daily use.

That's about it for me. I don't even use toothpaste, my Braun Oral-B works better without it. I shave with an electric razor, also Braun.

[Megatron]

Listerine. :eww:

[Dingfod]

Listerine. :eww:Listerine? Man that's desperate. You should really see someone about that drinking problem.

[Megatron]

Dude, that shit is high quality booze, don't let anyone tell ya otherwise. :chug:

[Dingfod]

Listerine is about 60 proof, just weak Scotch.

[Megatron]

Yeah, but it's got flavour.

[LadyXoc]

Ditto on the Kiehl's lip balm. Also any Lancome mascara, especially Hypnôse. And Clinique City Block sunscreen.

[Beth]

Generally, I do not wear foundation makeup.

I usually use Pond's Dramatic Results with Alpha Hydroxy, Retinol, and vitamin c. (I have used crushed C vitamins mixed with vitamin e oil at night for years. I am tangy to kiss:P) I then use Oil of Olay Complete with an SPF. I use this all day and take it with me in my bag. After this, I use Physicians powder, I forget the name, but it is the one with all the little balls of differing colors. Beforre this, I touch up with Almay Kinetin concealer(another item in my bag. cannot live without)

After that, I use a Clinique waterproof mascara, aand of course, must have a brown-black pencil. I then polish off with a pink gloss (wet and wild) that I also use as a cream blush.

I used to only buy premium stuff, but it was running up too much of a cost and my little girl and her friends kept destroying them when they played dress up. I also found that some of my cheap stuff was better than the expensive stuff.

But I do want to try the Bare Minerals foundation. I have heard it is excellent and the minerals help act as a baracde to UV rays.

[livius drusus]

Pure Ice nail polish. Every single color CVS ever carried. Now I can't find it anywhere (Although Google rumor has it that you can get it at Walmart, it's not on their site.)

[JoeP]

Damn, Warrenly (thread-feeding sumbitch) got there first with the male viewpoint.

The only thing I have to carry with me is lip balm. But I'm not satisfied with my current brand, Vaseline Lip-Ice regular - it's too thick. The flavoured versions are better. Conversely Labello (all flavours) is too soft and slimy. (And I don't go for the little pots, I need the stick type that you can apply without using a finger, as in when driving.) The stick I've just finished was a strawberry Lip-Syl, but you can't get it here.

When I travel there's a pile of things that are essential (depending on the conditions perhaps), from moisturiser to anti-histamine for those African mosquitoes.

[LadyXoc]

I used to only buy premium stuff, but it was running up too much of a cost and my little girl and her friends kept destroying them when they played dress up. I also found that some of my cheap stuff was better than the expensive stuff.


Wet N' Wild lipstick is outstanding. And I am a Chanel lipstick ho, so that is high praise.

[Ex-zombie]

Right Guard sport stick deodorant.

That's it. That's all I could come up with.

Oh, and Zest soap.

[livius drusus]

Such a manly former zombie you ah.

[freemonkey]

Crystal Rock Deodorant (http://www.crystaldeodorantprotection.com/) really really works. It doesn't stop sweating as much as kills any odor. I used the stick. The one I'm using now I paid $8 for 2 years ago and it isn't even halfway gone with daily use.
Not this brand, but I use this kind of deodorant, too. I love it because it has no scent of its own, leaves no powdery residue, works great, lasts a very long time, minimal packaging (you can get it without an applicator tube), etc....

Some of my must-haves include Aussie brand detangler for my hair, which gets very tangly while washing these days and a various assortment of skin cleansing/refining/unclogging masks, astringents and ointments. I use a bunch of different stuff, just to keep my skin on its toes.

I seldom wear makeup anymore, but when I do I use a little mascara, maybe some kohl type eyeliner and a light powder bronzer/blusher.

[Bella]

Pure Ice nail polish. Every single color CVS ever carried. Now I can't find it anywhere (Although Google rumor has it that you can get it at Walmart, it's not on their site.)
If I remember correctly, Pure Ice came in little square frosted glass bottles with black handles? If so, then Walgreens carries the line.

[HelenM]

We really like Burt's Bees lip-balm. Around here, Borders bookstores and Whole Foods sell it.

My husband likes the Clinique sunscreen spray. I use their spray or sunscreen creams; I like that they aren't perfumed.

Helen

[livius drusus]

If I remember correctly, Pure Ice came in little square frosted glass bottles with black handles? If so, then Walgreens carries the line.
That's the bottle alright, but I've looked at Walgreens and haven't found it. It's not on their website either. Mind you, it's not like I need any more of them as it'll probably take me a while to get through the 40 or so bottles I currently have. :giggle:

[LadyShea]

Plain old Maybelline waterproof eyeliner (you know, the twin pack red pencils?). Can be used for eyebrows, eyeliner, lipliner, and beauty mark creation/enhancement. It doesn't smear, blur, separate, run, rub off, or wash off without cleanser.

Bree, I have been using La Bella Donna (http://www.labelladonna.com/lbd.php?f=shop/lbdshop.php&c=Face&secName=Mineral%20Cosmetics%20for%20your%20Face&sid=plqd9495ff045604&cartItems=0) mineral foundation for years, but the one you use is cheaper. I will try it and see if I like it as well.

[Beth]

We really like Burt's Bees lip-balm. Around here, Borders bookstores and Whole Foods sell it.

I love this stuff. A Florida grocery chain, Publix, also carries the Burt' Bees products. But I think it is extra special to get it at Borders for some reason. They just have this cute display.

[Lauri D]

I am what could be referred to as a "product ho" or "product whore" if you want to be formal about it, which is weird because I often don't wear makeup or do complicated "routines", but I *must* have these certain things for when I do.

1) For washing the face, those daily facial cloth thingies (either Dove or Oil of Olay). Until these things came out I could never find the right cleanser/exfoliant combo that was not either too harsh or not exfoliating enough while still being gentle and moisturizing. HAIL TO THE CLOTH THINGIE!

2) Intuition razor. The product I bought with the most skepticism and would now weep bitterly for if they stopped making it. Razor and shave lubricant in one, makes daily shaving quick and easy and moisturizing. Bye-bye shaving cream.

3) Clinique Turnaround cream (a hydroxy type cream). Usually at night, sometimes during the day under a "regular" moisturizer. Started using this at age 17 and it helps exfoliate/refine the skin like nothing else I've used. For some people it causes a burning sensation but it's just right for me.

4) Burt's Bees lip balm.

5) MAC StudioFixx foundation/powder in one.

6) I love the whole Revlon SkinLights line and use it a lot. As long as it is not applied with too heavy a hand it really does add a glow to the skin.

But the #1 thing I don't know if I could live without...

Bonne Bell LipLix in Go Berry Wild. :bow: :bow: :bow:

It's funny because for years I tried every lipstick brand known to man, and then discovered the perfect all-in-one, any-time brand/shade... for $1.87 a tube.

It is lip balm and light color in one that actually TASTES GOOD! Like if you kiss someone, instead of "ick, lipstick" it's like "mmm, you taste like berries"! ;)

There are many more but I will leave it at that for now. :tiptoe:

[Socratoad]

I use Janitor-in-a-drum. :toad:

[lisarea]

Sometimes, I think there's something I can't live without, but then I do, and I don't die. So: Nothing.

But there's stuff I sure like:

Ivory soap. Unless I have homemade or some of that one castile soap in the off-white wrapper with the red and blue letters (Bruce's? Something like that?), I get mad. I like soapy-smelling soap.

Neutrogena Light Sesame Oil. But I don't like paying no nine dollars, so I do without usually. When I get a real job, I'll start using it again.

Demeter Dirt cologne. I don't wear the handsome water usually, but some days, I really really need to wear this. I alternate it with Lolita Lempicka and 4711, plus various old man things like Lilac Vegetal and Bay Rum, but all those I can take or leave. Dirt is virtually irreplaceable. (Ha ha. I just remembered something dumb: Back in the 80s, when I was young and really really poor, I used to wear THIS. (http://www.perfumeemporium.com/womens/details.cfm?id=7693&perfume-name=Niki-De-Saint-Phalle-by-Niki-De-Saint-Phalle) Serious. I lived on beans and rice, but that stuff was a priority.)

I used to sure like the Kiehl's lip balm, too, but now I'm all about cherry chapstick. Or, if I'm going all upscale, Lip Smackers Dr Pepper.

Also, St. Ives' cheapassed hand lotions, which I use on days I'm not cooking much. On days I'm cooking, I usually get enough butter and olive oil and stuff on me that I don't need it.

[Lauri D]

Oh yes, the St. Ives hand lotions are great (not too sticky or thin) and smell goooood. And are cheap! :yup:

[Dingfod]

I use Janitor-in-a-drum. :toad:How's that working for you? [/Dr. Phil]

[Socratoad]

I use Janitor-in-a-drum. :toad:How's that working for you? [/Dr. Phil]

(If ya overlook the skin blisters it actually works quite welll. I smell like a well-scrubed hospital urinal. Can't beat the toadetts off with a stick, but then I never tried very hard :doordate:

[pescifish]

The only thing I have to carry with me is lip balm. But I'm not satisfied with my current brand, Vaseline Lip-Ice regular - it's too thick.Ditto for me. I don't like Chapstick or Vaseline because they are too thick or waxy. Whenever I see it in the stores (in whatever flavor), I buy a dozen of Natural Ice Lipbalm (http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=15814&catid=49461&trx=PLST-0-SRCH-HV&trxp1=49461&trxp2=15814&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-SRCH-HV). It's just the right consistency, it has a bit of an icy kick and it has good SPF protection, especially in the sport version.

I carry a comb with me, but now that my hair is short, I might go days without using a brush or comb at any time. As for other products I use at home, I like the Oil of Olay products because they aren't too heavy (or expensive). Currently I like their Total Effects with SPF protection.

[JoeP]

Speaking of which, I have a stick of Zam-Buk. Is this an international product? It says "Roche" so I assume so, but then it says "THE REAL MAKOYA" which sounds like not. It's too eucalyptusy-camphory for everytime use, but magic for fixing very sore lips.

[livius drusus]

All this chapstick talks reminds me a minty hemp oil product I got from some pinko catalogue. That was some great chapstick.

[Socratoad]

Speaking of which, I have a stick of Zam-Buk. Is this an international product? It says "Roche" so I assume so, but then it says "THE REAL MAKOYA" which sounds like not. It's too eucalyptusy-camphory for everytime use, but magic for fixing very sore lips.

Good grief JoeP, I could hardly believe my eyes when I read your post Zambuk or Zam-Buck has been around since christ was a corporal. When I was a kid in a small rural area in Canada, Zambuk was considered to be a miracle ointment ..... curing everything it touched including sunburned cow's udders to small scrapes and chapped lips on every kid within a twenty mile radius. I really must take some time and google it as I had been quite sure it disappeared about the time the steam locomotive went out of style..

[livius drusus]

Sunburned cow udders? Damn that's gotta smart. :bcow:

[LadyShea]

Bumping to report. I ordered the Sephora mineral foundation and setting powder Bree recommended in the OP. I have been using it about a week now and it is identical to the La Bella Donna product I have been using for years, and is half the price. Their website is easy to use, they offer free gifts with purchase, and they have kick ass packaging (I got a handy, large drawstring bag which now contains my hundred inch pearl rope).

So, two thumbs up :super:

[livius drusus]

Oh that reminds me. I uploaded this :thumbsup:

[LadyShea]

Oh that reminds me. I uploaded this :thumbsup:

I saw that, but it doesn't look like thumbs to me, it looks like index fingers, with palms in...LOL I know I am picky.

[livius drusus]

But, but... Why would any smilie strike suck a pose? It makes no sense, woman!
:explode2:

[LadyShea]

But, but... Why would any smilie strike suck a pose? It makes no sense, woman!


I dunno, it's maybe retarded?

[livius drusus]

Special. The word is "special".

[LadyShea]

Special. The word is "special".

Well, you uploaded the SPED of the smilie world, and I am discriminating against it for being clarity challenged.

Oh, and what is "Suck a pose", new dance move?

[livius drusus]

Ooh, you heifah! :bull:

[Adora]

Um, deoderant, bit of talcum powder, soap, toothpaste. I can live without shampoo, though I shall be cranky.

[Ymir's blood]

Oh that reminds me. I uploaded this :thumbsup:
Is it a smiley in drydock? :titanic:

[Godless Dave]

The Gillette Mach 3 razor. The blades are expensive as hell but they are so smooth and last longer than regular blades. I haven't had even a hint of razorburn since I started using one. And that's shaving with just hot water, no shaving cream.

A comb for my goatee. I don't comb my hair anymore. If after I dry it off it's not all pointing in roughly the same direction, it's too long and time for a cut.

Hair-cutting shears for trimming my goatee. Regular scissors do NOT do the job.

[Dingfod]

Butt Paste, man. (http://www.buttpaste.com/)

[beyelzu]

The Gillette Mach 3 razor. The blades are expensive as hell but they are so smooth and last longer than regular blades. I haven't had even a hint of razorburn since I started using one. And that's shaving with just hot water, no shaving cream.

A comb for my goatee. I don't comb my hair anymore. If after I dry it off it's not all pointing in roughly the same direction, it's too long and time for a cut.

Hair-cutting shears for trimming my goatee. Regular scissors do NOT do the job.
I love the mach 3 the only thing that makes a better head shave is finding an oldtime barber who uses a straight razor. I use shaving cream though, my head gets feirce razor burn if I dont.

[LianaLi]

Things I can't live without:

Origins you're getting warmer face mud masque exfoliating thingy. Regular use of it has made my mother stop complaining about how pimples scar my skin. Not having my mother nag me about my skin is worth $20 for my peace of mind.

Burt's beeswax: If I don't use it for 12 hrs, my lips crack and bleed.

Bath & Body Shop's Mango Mandarin- well, almost anything in mango mandarin. I'm addicted to the lotions, the body cream, the perfume, and the body spray. Not so keen on the sparkly lotion or the shea butter based cream, but I have those too. Again, if I shower and don't use lotion, I can write chalk white words on my tan, tan skin.

Clinique's touch tint for eyes- creamy eyeshadow goop in a lipgloss like tube. I found that if I put a light layer of that on my eyelids, and then put eyeshadow on top of it, the eyeshadow stays for hours. I discovered that nifty trick after walking all over NYC for 8 some odd hours, and finding my eyeshadow had stayed in place after all that time. I was impressed. And it doesn't have to be clinique's version either. The drugtore versions seem to work just as well.

Loreal's waterproof, curling mascara. It curls, a miracle for my stubborn asian hair. It stays put, another miracle for a contact lense wearer. Enough said.

Everything else in my beauty supply rotates without regular resupplying.

[xorbie]

Deoderant.

Now that I'm starting to grow my hair out, I've changed from CVS/Walgreens knockoff brand shampoo to Suave 2 in 1. I don't think I need anything more "gourmet", but the difference between the two is noticeable.

I've also started to use Natures Cure to help with some minor acne... it seem sto work better than oxy pads, and I may just stick with it. Grr... I certainly would like something indespinsible to take care of the problem...