15 Beauty Products I Can’t Live Without
If you were to walk into your bathroom and open up all the drawers, your shower curtain and your cabinets, you’d likely find tubfuls of cosmetics, cleansers & mini hotel shampoos that you simply never use. Me too (although since I moved to this tiny New York apartment I’ve had to downsize considerably). But in that pile of product, you know you’ll find your standbys – the few items in your drawers you simply cannot live without.
Here are mine (in no particular order, although I did leave my all-time favorite tip for the last).
- Petroleum jelly
I’ve yet to find a more economical makeup remover than my big, fat tub of petroleum jelly. I’ve been removing my makeup with it for years. I even read once that using petroleum jelly around the eyes is actually good for the skin. I won’t claim that’s true – after years of use, I still have thin skin around the eyes. Extra tip for petroleum jelly. It’s great for treating those scaly winter lips! I learned this trick in high school from ‘Seventeen’ magazine and I’ve sworn by it since. Simply slather the petroleum jelly on your lips & brush the lips in a circular motion with your toothbrush. It brushes away the dead skin & leaves your lips amazingly soft. - Clarins Self Tanning Gel
Even in winter, I find there are times I wish I’d just gotten back from the Caribbean with a fantastic tan. (By the way, I've never just gotten back from the Caribbean with a tan). This is the bronzer I discovered last year when I went into C.O. Bigelow in Manhattan & asked them, "What is your very, very, very best self tanner ever?" Click here to buy.
- Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer
I’ve tried them all, but I swear by this product. I find it’s perfect for my combination skin. I lather it on at night and in the morning waitng at least 5 minutes before dotting on the foundation. I like that it never leaves my face greasy. Click here to buy.
- Bumble & Bumble Styling Lotion
I like to spray this on when I’m trying for the new spiral curl look that’s in right now. I spritz a bit on a portion of hair before rolling the hair around the curler. The lotion helps my stick-straight hair set in a perfect coil and I’m left with those cute spiral curls ala Debra Messing. Click here to buy.
- Hair straightener
Even though ironed hair isn’t as 'in' as it was a couple years ago, I still use my straightener to tame flyaways. For a list of the best ones on the market, check out this list.
- Bumble & Bumble Gloss
I spray this on after I straighten my hair and it really does add shine & high gloss. Click here to buy
- Komenuku Bijin Cleansing Foam
A salesgirl in a fancy Seattle boutique sold me this. I must admit at first I was skeptical (especially after doling out the $30) but now I can’t live without this foaming cleanser from Japan. Maybe it’s habit, maybe it’s the product, but I love the way this cleanser leaves my face feeling. Where to buy: Get this cleanser at The Bathroom, in NYC. They will ship it to you. Tell them I sent you.
- OPI nail polish ‘Pearl of Wisdom’ & ‘Yucatan If U Want’
I’ve been using OPI nail polish for years. I still bring my favorite bottle of ‘Pearl of Wisdom’ with me when I get professional pedicures (I don’t like color on my fingernails, I prefer a clear topcoat only) even though the bottle itself is painted with drips & spills from the time the top came undone on a flight. Plus, I find OPI is a great nail polish at an affordable price. Click here to buy OPI .
- MAC Studio Fix
This silky powder acts as both a powder & a concealer. I love it because it covers even big, fat red pimples we adults get every now and then. Click here to buy.
- Lancome Definicils Mascara
The only mascara I’ll use. Where to buy.
- Lancome Maquiriche eyeshadow
I love the sparkly way this shadow looks. It's a great nighttime look.Where to buy.
- Fresh soaps ‘Milk Handwash’
I like to splurge on ‘Fresh’ soaps. There’s a store right around the corner from me on Bleecker St. in NYC. I don't like the way bar soaps get mushy, so this pump is perfect for my bathroom sink.
- Issey Miyake L’eau D’ Issey
My friend Abigail got me hooked on this perfume 4 years ago while on a visit to London and I’ve been buying it ever since. It’s a great evening fragrance. Buy it here. For daytime, I like . . . - . . .Clinique’s ‘Happy’ (buy it here).
- Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder
Here’s the big tip I’ve kept you waiting for. Baby powder is perfect for the days between hair washings when you’re feeling a bit . . . greasy. Simply sprinkle a bit of this on your brush and comb it near (not on) your scalp. Not only does it soak up the oils, it adds body as well. It's perfect for blondes.
