7 products that make me happy.

I think I tried to start something more regular about all the new products I love just so you can keep up with them. And then I failed. But I’m going to try this again! Because these are products that I’ve A) been using and REALLY love B) are new and I’m REALLY excited them so you should generally know about their existence IMO. I’ll probably vary on how many I showcase each week, but without further ado:

1) SALON SERIES BY OUIDAD

The non-curly hair girl that I am gets pretty jealous at all the springy-haired whom Ouidad really caters to (see a Coveted Cut at Ouidad Salon as a reference). But alas, something for us all! This brand new launch brings the salon to you with their new formulations personally concocted by the hair guru Ouidad herself (plus, I’m digging the new, sexy packaging that’s very different from her regular more playful line). The three new products — Mediterranean Bay Leaf Exfoliating Hair & Scalp Treatment, Omega 3 Replenishing Hair Treatment, Biotin Lightweight Reparative Hair Serum — are PACKED with strengthening superstar ingredients (vitamins B3, B5, E, bay leaf, flax seed, and macroloba oil, lemon and apple extracts, etc.) that help bring radiance and shine back to your strands while keeping your scalp healthy. Seriously, I saw a brilliant difference after one dose of the Omega 3 Hair Treatment. Can’t wait to try the rest. Consider it your new secret weapon against the frizz. Prices range from $26-$42. Available at sephora.com.

2) PHYSICIANS FORMULA EYE ENHANCING INTENSE KOHL KAJAL TRIOS

100% Waterproof, highly-pigmented kajals. Are you sold yet? LOVE these kajals (that come in a pack of 3) from Physicians Formula.

They’re formulated so they’re safe to use on the inner rims of your eyes to make your eyes really pop. The three colors come in NATURAL, PLAYFUL, and DRAMATIC, and of course, in typical PF style, are based on what will really enhance your personal eye color (brown, green, blue, and hazel eyes). Here’s me playing with one of my faves in Purple:

Be gentle though — the tips are quite soft and if you’re not careful, I found that you can nip the kajal off its handle. Price is at a very reasonable $11 for 3 kajals, available at drugstores and mass-market retailers.

3) Physicians Formula Laser Resurfacing Serum

While we’re talking about PF and all its glory, let me introduce you to their new Laser Resurfacing Serum. An amazingly potent serum that I can’t believe is available at drugstores — this new launch helps with dullness, fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration by supporting natural collagen levels and cellular repair while helping correct visible UV damage (that was a mouthful). How? With ingredients like 2.4% alpha hydroxy acid, BV-OSC (and ACTIVE form of vitamin C that’s rare to find in products), and a patented plant stem cell peptide. But what really made me pay attention to this specifically is how many testers said they would choose this over a laser procedure (a whopping 71%). In clinical studies, 96% of people saw brighter, more radiant skin in two weeks, and 71% saw less visible age spots and pores in four weeks. Not bad for $22 at your local drugstore.

4) Tarte Cheek Stain in Tipsy

This has quickly become one of my can’t-live-without products. You know that glowy sheen celebs have on their cheek bones? Right here. This has a beautiful hint of color and is so easy to apply (just swipe on your cheeks, and use your finger to blend), with just a touch of shine that doesn’t smear or crease.

Plus, it’s oil-free so it won’t clog your pores and for added measure, they threw in antioxidants like acai berry, and goji berry extract, and maracuja to brighten, soften, and protect against inflammation. Love. Obsessed. Available at tartcosmetics.com for $30.

5) Rembrandt Deeply White + Peroxide Toothpaste and Reach Total Care Plus Whitening Mint Floss (OK these are two…sue me).

There was definitely a time I couldn’t go to the dentist without having to get a filling and now I’m sooo diligent about taking care of my teeth that I’ve been cavity-free for years (*pat on back*). The funny thing is whenever I go for my cleanings my hygienist asks me what I’m using to whiten my teeth and I really don’t whiten them — except if you count my toothpastes from Rembrandt. I use this one and their Intense Stain (which to be honest, I really prefer the taste of their Intense Stain mint toothpaste to their Peroxide one, which also re-builds enamel!). If not this, I’ll use Arm & Hammer Sensitive Whitening with Orajel (yeah I can talk allll day about toothpaste). Plus, I swear the difference has all been in being a regular flosser (this Reach one pictured above is my favorite). It has kinda been my mission to get all my friends to start flossing because I think I was smart enough to be a dentist in another life.

6) Cleansers from M-61

I owe my lack of breakouts to the powerful cleansers from the new line, M-61, by Blumercury’s founder, Marla Beck. I toggle between their Power Cleanse, that has glycolic acid, vitamin B5, and tea tree oil for the acne prone, and the Brilliant Cleanse, which gently exfoliates with glycolic, salicylic, lactic, and malic acids. A line that would put their money where their mouth is, I really found the products to be quality, powerful ones that get the job done. These go for $34 at m61labs.com.

7) Aveeno Daily Detoxifying Scrub

I like to make my more expensive cleansers above last, so I’ll slip Aveeno’s Daily Detoxifying Scrub in, especially before a big event when I’m going apply makeup. It has little microbeads that gently sloughs away dead skin cells and smooths the skin surface. My skin feels so soft and looks rejuvenated every time I use this! Available at drugstores for about $6.

So there’s my rant — what have you guys been using/loving lately?

x
Shy

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