Products I Can't Live Without
- Christina Natola
- Apr 2, 2020
- 5 min read
I am absolutely obsessed with beauty products. Skin care, hair care, self-tanners…you name it I probably own it. One of my old roommates used to even tell me I should start a product review blog since I try so many of them! Kinda sad, but I’ll see something online and have it the next week!
Since I’ve tried so many different products, I’ve obviously found my favorites and what works for me in the process! I have a whole skincare routine I go through morning and night, which took A LOT of time to actually perfect & create something that worked for my skin type. So, disclaimer, the products I’m about to talk about are all what work for me personally and they might not be the best for everyone!
Soooo here we go!
SKINCARE…Basically, my whole routine in order.
Cleansing is the first step in my skincare routine, and I use this CeraVe face wash both morning and night. Since I still breakout sometimes, I have to use a face wash with benzoyl peroxide in it to keep things under control. I’ve found this one is amazing! It’s not super harsh or drying like others I’ve tried in the past, and really keeps my skin clear of any blemishes!
I never used a toner until one of my friends recommended this one to me. This toner really refreshes my skin after cleansing, and after using it for so long I really notice a difference if I go without it. Later on I learned that not only does it help to even out your skin tone, but also helps to lock in any moisturizer you apply after! I'm currently out of this stuff, and now that I think of it I'll probably buy it in the next 10 mins.
Before I used any eye creams at all my eyes would be so dark, puffy, and just lifeless all around. It even got to a point where my eyes looked so crazy that my friends used to ask if I was high when we’d go out because they just looked really crazy. Once I started getting into more of a skincare routine, that totally changed for the better! After I tone my face, I like to apply this glossier cream around my eyes and yes, on my lips! I’m not super sure how it works for both eyes and lips to be totally honest, but I have noticed that my eyes always look more much more awake and hydrated after using this stuff. Also, over time I started to notice my lips actually did look plumper and smoother too!
This stuff is probably my favorite skin care product I’ve ever tried. Since I have combination skin, I needed something without any oil but would still hydrate the hell out of the dry areas on my face. Lotions were always too thick and oily so switching to a gel was the way for me to go. This Clinique gel is SO lightweight and feels amazing going on, all while keeping my face hydrated all day! Once I found this stuff, I never went back to anything else. It is a bit pricey, and I used to try to use the knock-off versions of it to avoid paying, but honestly none of them worked as well as the Clinique one did. For me this is something I’ll probably never compromise on…no wonder it’s one of Clinique’s best sellers.
I’ve probably tried every chapstick known to man and I swear by using the original Aquaphor healing ointment as a lip balm. I used to get super dry, cracked lips in the winter but once I started applying Aquaphor throughout the day I haven’t had one issue. I usually apply it both morning and night, as well as whenever I need it during the day.
Overall, I tend to be super picky with what I use on my face. Once I get into a routine that works for me, I stick to it since sometimes mixing in a lot of other products just backfires on me!
HAIR
So, despite my sister being in hair school, I really only use one product on my hair, and that’s R+Co’s Tinsel. My hair is naturally wavy/curly and has a whole lot of frizz, so I’ve tried endless smoothing oils in hopes of something working. Tinsel really does wonders for my hair; it keeps the frizz to a minimum and makes styling it so much easier! I usually blow dry my hair straight after I wash it, so a little bit of this stuff in damp hair goes a long way for me! ALSO, all of R+Co’s products are made with no parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, or petrolatum AND are all vegetarian, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and color-safe! I’ve already had my eyes on some of their shampoos and conditioners as well.
TEETH…yes teeth.
I really hate using whitening strips on my teeth since they make them so sensitive, but I’ve found this toothpaste honestly, I think works better. I usually use it once a day at night since it doesn’t really give you that minty fresh feeling after brushing, but BOY does it whiten! I started to notice a big difference after a few weeks of using it!
SELF TANNER
I hate being pale. Plain and simple, but obviously tanning beds are not the safest option when it comes to getting a tan in the winter. I found Bondi Sands on Instagram and thought the results looked so natural that I’d try it out for myself. After my first use I instantly fell in love with this brand. Every time I use it, I get so many compliments on my tan, and often times people think that I went tanning and was naturally that dark! It really is amazing, and I’ve recommended it to a lot of my friends who wind up loving it too.
Bondi Sands also has two gradual tanning products that I really like as well. You can either use it to build up a gradual self-tan or use it to extend the life of a current self-tan. I use it as a mix of both. Usually early in the winter ill start using the gradual foam to build up to a glowy base tan, then once I feel ready, I go all in with the dark foam. Once I’ve had the dark foam on for a few days, I’ll use the gradual milk a few times a week to extend the life of that dark foam’s tan. I’d also recommend these two products to someone looking for a very subtle self-tan, or someone who is new to self-tanning.
EYELASH SERUM
My eyelashes are naturally pretty thin, so I always wanted to try eyelash serums to help them grow. A friend recommended this one to me and the results were crazy! At first you'll think its not doing anything but I swear after 6-8 weeks you'll wake up one day and be like WOAH where did these lashes come from!? I use it each night before bed for the best results.
Before I discovered eyelash serums, I was using castor oil each night before bed to help my lashes grow. It gave me pretty much the same results as the more expensive serums, and my $10 bottle has lasted me almost two years now! I bought a bunch of mascara spoolies online and apply it with that each night. Sometimes I'll even apply my serum first, let it dry, then still put on a coat of castor oil too.
Hope you guys found this interesting and helpful when searching for some new products to try out! I love hearing about what other people use in their daily lives and am always willing to research and try new things if I think they’d work for me as well!
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