What's on your vanity?

I'm a minimalist when it comes to makeup and other beauty products. I don't sit at a pretty dressing table to primp and admire myself like this:

via
My beauty regimen takes place standing at my bathroom vanity. I like uncluttered spaces, so all of my stuff is stashed away in cabinets and drawers. If my husband were to show up early from work one day and announce "pack your bags we're going to Jamaica," I would grab these five items -- in addition to my thongs and string bikinis, of course -- in a jiff.

My love affair with Mason Pearson brushes began in high school. My first brush stood the test of time from high school into young adulthood when my dog chewed it up. I've had my current brush for more than 10 years. My medium-bore bristle and nylon junior retails for $125. Is it worth it? Every penny.

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Second is my Clarisonic Mia Sonic Skin Cleansing System. The Mia retails for $119. Good deals abound online and at some department stores. I bought mine at Dr. Q Cosmetics. Clarisonic has a wide range of products at different price points, including cleansers and serums. The Mia came with the gentle hydro cleanser, but I switched back to Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, which I've been using for years. Available at most drug and grocery stores, it is cheap and dermatologist recommended. Added bonus: It can be used to eliminate lice!


Our household could not survive without Aquaphor Healing Ointment. The product tag line says it all:
It soothes. It protects. It helps heal. You might say it works wonders.
Trust me when I say it does. I use it for cuts, rashes, chapped lips, cuticle cream, eye makeup remover, moisturizer for dry hands and much more. Again, this is an inexpensive product and widely available. Go get some if you don't already have it.

On the more indulgent side, I love L'Occitane shea butter hand and foot creams. My sister got me hooked on them, and I've been addicted ever since. The company has three storefronts here in Atlanta if you want to peek in and enjoy a small slice of Southern of France. L'Occitane products make great gifts. Beautiful packaging too. Not cheap, but worth it.


Last, but not least, Moroccanoil hair products. My stylist Heather who I've been seeing for 12 years recommended it. My hair looks like a Brillo pad in heat and humidity. If you have this problem, get some. The oil eliminates frizz, conditions and speeds styling time. A 3.4 oz. bottle retails for $43. Not super cheap, but it lasts and works.

Do tell, what's on your top five?

58 comments:

  1. 1. Kiehls lip balm #1. Forever favorite. I probably have 8 of these scattered about in various drawers, pockets, and bags bc I can never be without it
    2. Bliss clog dissolving cleansing milk. Kind of gross name but it really works and is gentle and smells fresh
    3. Aveeno skin cream. Unscented, cheap and soothing
    4. Smash box BB cream. New-ish addition to the repertoire and it has streamlined my life. Moisturizer, coverage, anti aging - all in one.
    5. Dior show blackout mascara- the best and blackest mascara forever and always, lylas, ttyl

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have a fabulous dressing table- complete with every product known to man... Sadly, I never have a minute to sit there. I am the person putting on my mascara at the stop light, and lately, I haven't even done that. I love the few occasions when I can sit still long enough to pamper myself (I LOVE my collection of Chanel Quadra Eye Shadows), but when I am a girl on the go, this is what I have to have:

    1. La Prarie cellular treatment mascara- noir. It's expensive, but my mother has been using their products since I was a teenager, so she got me hooked. Thankfully, their $400 skin caviar makes me splotchy! I can't live without mascara
    2. Burt's Bees lip shimmer (Cherry)- I love the way if feels, and the peppermint is an added bonus. I love that you can get it anywhere, and it has just enough color. I always cary a lipstick in my purse, but I have never found one that stays very long, and liner takes up too much time.
    3. Eucerin Calming Cream- Like your Aquaphor, Maureen, this is my go to product. I have the world's most sensitive skin, and I tend toward the dry side. I use this product for everything from make-up removal to foot lotion. It is cheap, so I don't mind going through it as quickly as I need to, and it helps get rid of the redness on my face.
    4. Bumble and Bumble Styling Lotion- I have incredibly thin and fine hair, and this is the only product I have found that holds my style without weighing my hair down.
    5. My Green Apple Tweezerman Slant Tweezers- These are the best tweezers I have ever laid hands on. I know everyone waxes these days, but I barely have time to wash my face, so this is my substitute. I used to have perfect eyebrows- but once I started plucking, they started growing. UGH.
    6. I know you said 5, but I the consummate rule breaker, so I have to add Dove soap. I have tried so many face soaps (from $5-$50), only to end up with red, irritated skin. This is another product my mother passed down, and I love it from my head to my toes.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Still can't figure out how to comment via my Google mail account, so...
    1. Bobbi Brown lip balm SPF 15 - it comes in a little silver pot, and it sits on my nightstand so that I put it on every night. My lips are seldom chapped. :)
    2. +1 on the Moroccan Oil. Love it! And thank you for the reminder that I need to replace my empty bottle.
    3. Caldrea hand balm - citrus mint ylang ylang.
    4. Laura Mercier pressed powder in natural beige.
    5. New favorite - thanks to you and Dr. Q - Jane Iredale PureLash Extender and Conditioner. It goes on white (you put it on before mascara) so you kind of look like the chick from Siouxsie and the Banshees, but it makes your lashes so much longer and more distinct. I've only used it since December, but I really think my lashes are thicker and longer!
    I'm a beauty products junkie, so I loved this blog post!
    Leslie J.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Frugal, I am not...but for reasons unknown, at least to me, I have a sort of PBR (yes, Pabst Blue Ribbon) beauty regime.
    1. Buff Puff & Dove soap to wash my face
    2. Eucerin Daily Protection - face moisturizer
    3. Curel for hands
    4. Aquaphor when skin is dry or lips are chapped
    5. Healthy Hoof for cuticles

    My CVS/ Publix go to list is longer than five but I'll stop here. But I can't sign off without at least mentioning I do step it up a bit on mascara! Elizabeth Arden is a fave.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Since my 1/28 post, I've also wanted to give a shout to my new nighttime regime....I've really been pretty slack about night moisturizing, etc. Something about this age thing can really spur one on to pay attention! I've been using Rodan + Fields Anti-Age Night Renewing Serum and Restorative Cream. I like them and feel positive that I am actually taking steps to fight the clock. Non-greasy, crisp but gently scented. I would describe as the scent of fresh, fine linen (my grandmother's, not mine!) I'll keep you posted!

      Delete
  5. 1 - Alba Botanica® Very Emollient Body Lotion Maximum Strength. I keep it in the shower and slather it on afer drying off, but before stepping out. I buy the big one and replace 1x a year
    2 - Clarisonic Mia - how did I live without this thing?
    3 - Keragreen Silk Keratin treatment. Similar to the Moraccon Hair Oil - leaves hair smooth, fizzless, and dries quicker
    4 - Aquafor. I have it in most rooms of the house. I love that stuff.
    5 - Cetaphil face wash. Love it

    ReplyDelete
  6. 1. Aquaphor. I use it for everything too.
    2. Laura Mercier under eye concealer.
    3. Mascara. I'm not picky but black and waterproof.
    4. L'Oreal spray shine
    5. My flatiron.

    I am so low maintenance. I hate washing my hair. The dirtier the better!

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