Anyone who knows me well, will read this entry title and laugh hysterically for about 10 minutes straight. I don’t do beauty. Even when I was in middle school and high school, I was more concerned with my homework than my face. Aside from bouts of acne as a teen, I don’t really remember caring much about makeup. I remember my mom nicely suggesting that I “put on a few swipes of mascara” when we’d go to people’s weddings or to church, and I remember acting like it was a hassle or just flat out lying and saying I’d done it already.
But now that I am an adult and have a real life job, I can’t just walk around like I live on a beach. I hate the beach, anyway, so I’d be miserable doing that. I also recently received my first Birchbox. It’s a $10 a month subscription box that sends you trial sizes of beauty products based on a profile you complete. I got a lot of great things, and some weird things, but it inspired me to write about what I use every day.
HAIR
I don’t generally do much with my hair. Since I’ve been CrossFitting in the mornings, I’ve been showering before work instead before bed. I use L’Oreal EverStrong Hydrating shampoo and conditioner. I love the smell of these. The shampoo has rosemary and juniper, while the conditioner smells like rosemary and mint.
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I have straight thin hair, but I have a lot of it. When I let it dry on its own, it dries in big waves, but I usually wear it in a ponytail or straight. Either way, the shampoo makes my hair feel strong and hydrated–not dry and coarse. These are really affordable, too– around $7 a bottle (and that’s a high estimate), so $14ish for the pair depending on where you shop.
When I shower in the mornings, I have to blow dry my hair before work, and it has the tendency to get MEGA frizzy. To calm it down from lion head to … non-fro, I use 1 pump of Paul Mitchell’s Super Skinny Serum.
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I rub it in my palms, flip my head over, and scrunch it into the ends of my hair working my way up. I’ve never actually purchased this product. I get free samples in the trial size from my mom since she works at a salon. I’m assuming actually buying it isn’t cheap, though.
My blow dryer was a gift from my mom. I like it because it has an ION option, which helps tame the frizz. Or it’s a placebo effect, and I just think my hair’s less frizzy after I use it. Who knows? It’s a Helix by Hot Tools blow dryer. I just looked it up online, and holy ish, it’s expensive. Thanks, mom.
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I have a flat iron and a big-barreled curling iron, but I only whip those puppies out for special occasions. I used to flat iron my hair if I took a shower the night before, let it dry while I slept, and wanted to wear it down the next day.
FACE
I’ve been using the same face wash since I was in middle school. If it ain’t broke… But really it’s because I had acne back in the day, and I’m afraid if I stop using what I’ve always used, it will come back with a vengeance. Because that makes total sense. Anyway, I’ve been using the Proactiv trio of face wash, toner, and lotion paired with Neutrogena oil free moisturizer with sunscreen.
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While looking for a photo, I discovered Neutrogena makes the same lotion in SPF 35. I’m going to have to check that out!
After putting a million products on my face (cleanser, toner, lotion 1, lotion 2), I use Proactiv’s Daily Oil Control gel. It’s a watery gel, and I use it mostly on my nose and forehead. I try to avoid using it around my eyes since the skin there is super delicate and (for me) really sensitive.
MAKEUP
I keep it simple when it comes to makeup. I only use a powder foundation, mascara, and a simple eyeshadow (essentially a sparkly skin-tone). For foundation, I brush on a light coat of Neutrogena’s Skin Clearing Mineral Powder in Natural Ivory with a kabuki brush I got at CVS (also you can wash out your brushes with unscented hand soap to clean them).
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I brush on a coat of Maybelline Lash Stiletto waterproof mascara.
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And then swipe a tiny bit of shimmery eyeshadow on.
BODY
I’ve been using Dove bar soap for as long as I can remember. I really like their shea butter “purely pampering” bar. But I have a 12-pack to go through until I can buy it again. Hate that. It smells luxurious and Dove never leaves my skin feeling stripped and tight like other soaps do.
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I’m not really big on lotions and all that jazz. When my skin starts to get dry, I really like Eucerin lotions. I have a small bottle of Eucerin PLUS Intensive Repair lotion for when the area around my eyes gets dry and sting-y. I just dap a small amount on my pinky or ring finger and gently rub around my eyelid and undereye. Eucerin’s Daily Replenishing lotion is great for after you shave your legs, too.
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Sean got me two types of perfume en masse a few Christmasses ago, so I alternate between Bath & Body Works’ Twilight Woods and Sensual Amber fragrances. If he hadn’t bought these for me, I wouldn’t wear perfume.
A beautiful scent came in my first Birchbox: Joie Folle de Joie eau de parfum. However, it’s $98 for a > 4oz bottle, so I probably won’t be purchasing the full size. Maybe I’ll save my trial for special occasions.
What are your go-to beauty products? Do you have a lot? Now that I write them all down, it seems like I use a lot.
