Beauty Products You Need, but Won’t Find at the Cosmetic Counter

There are thousands of beauty products out there. If you are like me, I spend way too much money on them.  I am always trying new skin care/anti-aging/help me look like Christi Brinkley product(s). I am also on the look-out for a top notch product that gives a lot of bang for the buck. I have found these products to be effective, and sooo worth the money.  While I still can’t say I look like Christi Brinkley, #agirlcantry  I can say that my skin and beauty routine have greatly improved since I began using these products.

The Cure Aqua Gel (facial exfoliator)

This exfoliator is gentle, but effective. It is gentler than a scrub, or glycolic acid. It is a water based exfoliator with natural plant extracts of rosemary, ginko and aloe vera. If you have sensitive skin, this might be just what you need. I use it in the morning, while my face is free of makeup. You don’t have to start with dampened skin. Just take a couple of pumps of The Cure and smooth over your face and rub. You will immediately see the dead skin sloughing off. I prefer to use this on my face in parts, first exfoliating one side of my face, then the other. I then use it on my nose and chin, finishing with the forehead. Once complete, I rinse with warm water. That’s it. My face is clean and exfoliated all in one process. I then apply moisturizer and sunscreen and proceed with my usual makeup routine. I use this product twice a week. This is a Japanese product, and it is one of Amazon’s best-sellers. It has no artificial coloring, fragrance or preservatives.

Nutraluxe Lash MD

I love having long, lush eyelashes. Unfortunately, the eyelash God did not bless me. My normal lashes are sparse, and short. I have tried lash extensions, and they look fabulous. But there is the cost and the maintenance that ends up being more than I want to deal with. And then there was that really bad reaction I had to the last set that occurred ON MY WEDDING DAY! 🙁  Turns out, I am allergic to adhesive. #whoknew? Sooo . . . . . . . I had to find an alternative that would not require a prescription, but would help my lashes to grow and stay long and lush. I tried a few and the best one I have found is Nutraluxe Lash MD.

 

I use it at night after removing my makeup, and only on my top lashes. The application is quick and it allows me to have the best lashes I have ever had. The price varies, but usually ranges between $30-$35 per tube, and the tube lasts 6-8 weeks. Once my lashes get longer, I only use 2-3 times each week to maintain the length.  This will make the product last a bit longer too.  These photos show my lashes after using this product for about three weeks.  I still don’t have lashes like a Kardashian, but they are much longer and more full than before using this product, and it is an affordable cost in time and money.

 

 

 

 

Peter Thomas Roth Oilless Oil

I am always searching for a product that will add moisture to my skin. There are many great skincare products out there, and the better ones usually are pricey. This product works wonders at moisturizing your skin. It is 100% Purified squalane from sugar cane. It is lightweight, odorless, and does not leave a greasy feel. (If you google squalane, you’ll see all the amazing benefits it offers.) I apply directly on my face at night after moisturizing, using only a drop or two.  I sometimes add a drop to my moisturizer in my morning routine as well if I am super dry. It leaves my face feeling hydrated and silky smooth. It’s not too expensive, and a little goes a long way. You can use this on other dry areas, such as knees and elbows, hands. The cost is about $22 for a one ounce bottle, but again, it will last a long time.

Collagen

 

 

One last buy I want to share may not seem like a beauty product.  It is a supplement you take orally that is gaining in popularity.  It is called collagen.  Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies, especially type 1 collagen. It’s found in muscles, bones, skin, blood vessels, digestive system and tendons. It’s what helps give our skin strength and elasticity, along with replacing dead skin cells. When it comes to our joints and tendons, in simplest terms, it’s the “glue” that helps hold the body together.

Our body’s collagen production naturally begins to slow down as we age. This results in the degenerative process of aging, such as wrinkles, sagging skin and joint pains due to weaker or decreased cartilage. Other lifestyle factors also contribute to depleting collagen levels, such as smoking, sun exposure, etc.  I began taking this, not knowing how good it was for the skin.  Arthritis is prevalent on both sides of my family, and I began to have minor joint pain about 10 years ago.  In search of something to help, I began looking for something that would add moisture to my joints, and help with the degeneration.  I began taking Neocell Super Collagen +C.  It helped tremendously, and the additional benefit was my skin felt amazingly soft, and less wrinkled.  I later learned about the Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides powder.  I now take it in the morning.  It has no taste and dissolves in hot or cold liquids.  I used the Vital Proteins powder in the morning, and the Super Collagen +C in the afternoon.  Both are great products.   Additionally, I use a product called Hydraplenish Hyaluronic Acid to add moisture to my skin and joints.  Hyaluronic acid and collagen are ingredients you will find in many facial moisturizers if you read the label.  Taking these products orally will definitely keep your skin and joints hydrated, and you will feel the difference in a matter of days.

One more thing.  I have actually had many members of my family and even some of my guy friends who have knee pain (or some other type of joint pain) to take the Hydraplenish hyaluronic acid.  Once they started taking it, they couldn’t believe how much it helped.  Most guys aren’t concerned with collagen in their skin, and therefore, aren’t as interested in taking the collagen supplement.  However, having some relief from joint pain has made them believers in the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid supplements.  If interested, you can google the benefits of collagen and/or hyaluronic acid to read much, much more on the benefits.

While all these unique buys are beauty products — you won’t find them at the department store. I have not seen them at Sephora or Ulta. But you can purchase all of them on Amazon.com.

. . . . And who doesn’t love shopping at home, with delivery right to your door?

 

I was not compensated for this post.  All opinions are my own.