Beauty Favoritas

Is favoritas a word? In any language?

Before I get to the meat of today’s post, I want to throw a general disclaimer out there. Until I get my hands on a decent camera, I am going to refrain from uploading the yellowed, slightly grainy smartphone pics and stick to using images from the interwebs (that I will be sure to link, ‘cuz that’s the right thing to do!). Obviously, if it’s a personal interest story featuring yours truly or anyone in MY life, there won’t be stock photos available, but you get the idea. If it is a post like today’s that is just filled with favorites and random products, I will leave that up to another resource.

Mmmmk. Let’s get down to business!

1. Laser hair removal:

Okay, my pretties, this one isn’t hot. It isn’t makeup, it isn’t sexy and cool and colorful and eye-liner-y, BUT it has changed my life. End of story. Let me be blunt with you, I was a waxing salon FREQUENTER prior to my discovery of the almighty laser, but even the wax didn’t really touch the issue. It would look good (sometimes not even that) for maybe a couple of days, but before I knew it, I’d be right back where I started. If not even WORSE because it made the hair grow back even coarser. It was actually my favorite esthetician at the salon that recommended I check out the new laser spa in town. I went in (nervously, as I had read previously that lasers can be tricky to manipulate for olive-toned skin) for a consultation and we talked all about my skin, my habits (smoking, tanning, self-tanning, waxing etc.) and she assured me that I was a good candidate for the laser. I put down my deposit and the rest was history. That was nearly two years ago, and while I still am not COMPLETELY hair-free (certain areas are MUCH easier than others to clear up just based on outside factors. My facial hair was a combination of hormones, family history, my skin tone and also just the fact that I have stupid stubborn hair and my body does not know what “peach fuzz” is), it is VASTLY improved. Previously, I hid from florescent lights (that made office life pretty uncomfortable), practically grew a five o’clock shadow, and could NEVER go even a single day without some form of hair-removal. The laser has changed ALL of that. It’s pricey and definitely a commitment (my treatments are supposed to be four weeks apart, but that became very difficult when work got crazy), but if unwanted hair affects everything from your daily routine to your confidence and sense of self (as it did with me. And yes, I know that SOUNDS dramatic, but don’t judge), I can’t recommend it enough. Fancy Tip: Look out for new customer deals as laser spas are popping up left and right. While Groupon & LivingSocial can be great tools to locate these places, I HIGHLY suggest that you listen to referrals and reviews because this is definitely NOT something to skimp on. Lasers can burn ya’ bad if it’s not done by a qualified pro.

2. Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation:

(source)

Guys, this foundation is a-m-a-z-i-n-g. That’s right, I spelled it out for you because THAT’S how amazing it is. I recommend this in particular if you’re on the oilier side, like myself. Before I found this little gem (ironically, at the makeup counter that my mother has been patronizing since I was a little girl….), every liquid foundation that I would apply to my skin would slide down by 11:00 in the morning. It transferred onto EVERYTHING that even breezed past me and left my skin looking blotchy and sallow. And then this miracle entered my life and everything was different. It glides on SO smoothly, stays on all day long and looks SO natural. It’s medium-coverage, but can definitely be built up to full, but even at that, it is so impossibly real-looking and breathable. It is the PERFECT formulation for spring, and I am really hoping that it’ll feel just as lovely in the summer. (Seriously, I love the idea of a “light, summery foundation,” but sadly, red spots and acne scars are not seasonal. Juuuuuuust saying.

3. Loreal Voluminous: Carbon Black Mascara:

Photo source. I have never found a mascara that I bother to re-buy. It’s one tube and on to the next. This one, however, has caught my attention for a few cycles now. I love that it’s waterproof, VERY black, non-crumbly and very defining. The shape of the wand makes it easy to use and a little goes a long way. Best of all, it’s about $5 at drugstores/ Target. (I will never understand $30 mascaras. I just don’t get it.)

4. Seche Vite Top Coat:

Photo source. I have a nail polish problem. My collection could give any nail salon a run for its money, but I’m darn proud of it. This discovery that I have been obsessed with since college, has become a life staple for me. There are two MAJOR perks to this top coat (and trust me, I have tried them all.) The first bonus is that it makes just about any nail polish on the face of the earth look gel-like. It leaves nails impossibly shiny and glass-like. I can’t even recall how many times I’ve gotten the “is that gel?” question when it’s actually a $2 color + my Seche Vite. Secondly, as if making cheap-o polish look profesh isn’t quite enough, it also dries your nails (layers of color down) in seconds. By the time you’re done with both hands, you could take a shower, blow your nose, pull cards from your wallet, put a jacket on, do all of the things that you’re afraid to do for HOURS after a traditional manicure. My ONLY complaint about this item is that by the end(ish) of the bottle (I’d say when you get down to the last 1/3-1/4 of it), things get a little gunky. It’s thicker and difficult to brush on your nails. I’ve also noticed that once you get to that point, you’ll probably get some air bubbles. BUT, that is a small con and I continue to return to the Vite again and again.

5. Deva Curl:

 

Photo source. Alright, if you’ve read any Fancy posts other than this one, you will know that I have ridiculously curly hair. I fought with it for YEARS with hot tools, alcohol-laden products and damaging combs and brushes. And then I read a book (this one right here) and learned more about what, exactly, my thirsty curls were crying for. (Interestingly, the woman who edited this book developed Deva Curl, but I came to the Deva Curl conclusion before I realized that!) Anyway, I tried the conditioner “One Condition” and the “Styling Cream” and the two of those products work like a dream together. It did take a little while for my hair to adapt and to suck in all of its glory, but now these two products are on my must-have list.

6. Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel:

Photo source. I have tried many, many face cleansers on my oily, blemish-prone skin. Skincare items were actually the first things that I purchased from Sephora when the store first came to town back in the day! Anyway, last year, I discovered the Mario Badescu line at Ulta and I have really liked it ever since. It’s gentle and cleansing and refreshing! I haven’t had any issues with breakouts since I started with this routine (even when my hormones get all out of whack!). It has really done wonders for the texture of my skin and isn’t drying at all. I’m not quite sure what the magical cleansing enzymes in this product are, but they are exactly that: magical!

7. Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor:

Photo source. I absolutely LOVE these lipsticks. I’ve tried many different lipcolor brands, but of even the priciest, these remain my faves. Maybelline has several different waves of these released several different waves of these lipsticks, matte, high gloss, reds, purples, neutrals, and I love them all! The formulation is silky and smooth (smells delightful!) and is very color-rich. They’re not SUPER long-lasting, but at just over $5 a pop, I’m okay with that.

Well that just about wraps up tonight’s favorites, but let me know if you’d like to see more posts like this! (Or similar posts that are focused on one like: skincare, haircare, etc.)!

Peace out for now, home fries!