I am such a product fiend. I don't know what it is but there is just something oddly exciting about shopping for and trying new ones. I've always been this way too. When I was a kid, my mom could be just as certain of making me happy w/ a new shampoo purchase as she could w/ something tangible, like a toy.
Below are a list of products I'm currently using and my opinion of them. Also included are the names of the products I would use were money no option. I'm hoping some of my readers will feel so inclined to recommend some of their favorites to me as well...
For Face : POND'S COLD CREAM (facial cleanser, works great)
MARY KAY F1 HYDRATING FRESHENER (dry skin toner...ahhhh)
CETAPHIL SKIN CREAM (just the best facial moisturizer around)
MARY KAY CREME FOUNDATION with SPF8 (a great foundation for dry skin)
COVER GIRL (for almost all color cosmetics.)
BESAME' (for red lipstick)
*I prefer Mary Kay's Cleaning Cream for dry skin to Pond's. The smell is milder and the cream slightly less greasy. If I could use any cosmetic line, it would be SHISEIDO but one look at the prices will tell you why I stick to CG. Mary Kay also has good color cosmetics but no better than CG, if you ask me...and for almost double the price. Besame' lipstick is phenomenal. It does dry the lips a little but if you like red lips, they have the best colors and the strongest pigments. They come in a shiny bullet-shaped gold case and are very expensive.
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Hair Care: JOHN FRIEDA'S BRILLIANT RED (Shampoo and Conditioner for red hair)
AUSSIE HI HOLD + HI SHINE HAIRSPRAY (the best I've found)
TRE SEMME' HEAT TAMER SPRAY (protects hair from heated styling)
*When my hair isnt colored, I use Aussie Shampoos. They're my favorite in or out of the Salon. But when I've got red hair, I gotta use a color kicking shampoo. John Frieda's works better than Redken or any other brand I've tried. Styling products are really difficult for me to find though because my hair is so fine and most of them weigh it down.
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SkinCare: BODY ESSENCE OLIVE & HONEY BODY WASH (cheap stuff from Wal Mart also contains a Macadamia Nut scrub and smells nice and 'earthy'. Plus, it leaves skin very soft. Who woulda thought?
JOHNSON'S 24 HOUR LOTION (doesnt work 24 hours, but still does a good job)
* My favorite bath products are Bath N Body Works products. I've yet to find anything that smells as potent or works as well. But until money is truly no object...
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For Baby: BURT'S BABY BEE HAIR AND BODY WASH (smells like honey and doesnt burn eyes)
BURT'S BABY BEE APRICOT BABY OIL (smells HEAVENLY and makes babies softer than ever!)
A+D OINTMENT (for diaper rash -mediciney smell but still works great)
JOHNSON'S MEDICATED BABY POWDER (for diaper rash prevention)
WHITE CLOUD DIAPERS (cheap and dependable)
PARENT'S CHOICE BABY WIPES
*I've never found baby wash or lotion I like as much as Burt's wash and oil. For really stubborn diaper rash, I like FLANDER'S BUTTOCKS OINTMENT. But the A+D works great on mild redness. Pampers Diapers and Wipes are my favorites but too expensive for me and the cheaper versions work just fine.
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For Cleaning: PINE SOL-for floors and countertops
SCRUBBING BUBBLES BATHROOM CLEANER-for toilets and bathtubs
WINDEX -for glass, sinks, and fixtures
SWIFFER WETJET ANTIBACTERIAL SOLUTION-for touch up cleaning in kitchen
PLEDGE HARDWOOD FLOOR CLEANER-for deep cleaning hardwoods.
*I just love the smell of Pine Sol so I will never try anything else. Windex and Scrubbing Bubbles are likewise old standbys of mine. The Swiffer is relatively a new discovery but one I swear by for touch up cleaning during the week. It also works for occasional hardwood floor clean-up but I use the pledge for my deep cleaning since I still don't count on the Swiffer fluid being that 'safe' for the finish. If money were no object, I'm sure I'd order more organic products online and essential oils. They're difficult to find out here in the boonies. And I'd surely get those Swiffer Dusters more often...those things are great!
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8 comments:
Ashes, I thought about you this week when I was mopping. I remembered reading somewhere that you liked pine sol and wanted to ask you if you've ever used tea tree oil for cleaning. I ordered some tea tree essential oil for the first time a few months back and LOVE it! It's a natural disinfectant and really smells much like Pine Sol - really, it does! I've even wondered if they actually put tea tree oil in pine sol to cause it to have that clean smell. I bought mine on Ebay and it was somewhere between 5 and 10 dollars for several ounces, and it will last for quite a while. I few drops in a spray bottle of water is perfect for spraying down contertops, toilets, sinks, and so on. I put a small capful or so into a bucket of hot water to mop the floors and mmmm...smells so wonderful! Just thought I'd pass that along to you!
Thanks Kim...that's why I took the time to post this entry...so I could get good tips. I have heard about teatree oil but never bothered to try it...I'll have to visit ebay as well.
hmmm. I've used tea-tree oil for years for an antiseptic on skin. A wee dab does wonders for a pimple. I also put a teeny amount in a spray bottle for spraying on little bed-heads in the morning. It keeps the water in the bottle from getting stinky (as it often does after a few days). I've also heard that the antiseptic properties are good to use as a head lice preventative. I put a few drops in a bottle of shampoo, & even when there's outbreaks at school, the kids haven't gotten the cooties!
I'm curious, do you use the same kind for cleaning? I never had, but I could see how it would do a great job (plus I'm all about the smell, too!)
PS- I ADORE Burt's Bees apricot oil. I always include some in baby gifts. I still use it (on me!)
I know, Jodi, I love it. I use it for cradle cap as well, rubbing it in w/ a warm wet brush. It works great and doesnt stay 'greasy' like other oils.
Jodie, isn't it great? Yes, actually, I bought mine for the purpose of cleaning with it and haven't yet tried using it for health and beauty reasons, but I'll give it a go! I have a 13 yo old now and we're dealing with pimples already! Thanks for the tips!
Ok, let's see. This is gonna be random.
1. Burt's Bee's lip balm. Addicted. Love it.
2. Eucerin lotion-my skin is uncooperative in the winter especially and I get soooo dry. This stuff doesn't have a smell but moisturizes like a smurf. In the summer I am obsessed with Palmer's Cocoa butter. Ahhhhh the smell of chocolate, not greasy, very moisturizing.
3. Maybelline Lash Expansion in Very Black. My favorite mascara for years. Can't be without it. It won't clump and layers wonderfully which is good cuz I like THICK lashes.
4. Maybelline's Brownie Points eyeshadow which I am currently out of and cannot find anywhere....I am hoping and praying they have not stopped making it. :( It's the perfect nude eyeshadow and it won't budge.
5. Guardsman furniture polish and cleaner. Polishes generally leave residue each time you use them so it just keeps building and building....Pledge is a mortal enemy to wood dorks such as myself...I love the way Guardsman smells too.
6. I too love the Scrubbing Bubbles. They are miraculous little guys.
7.VO5 Extreme Style max hold. I love the way it smells and it helps me to acheive the small degree of 80's poof I desire.yesssss.
8. Degree shower clean deodorant. My favorite.
9.Biosilk, Silk Therapy. I use it everyday after I've towel dried my hair to detangle it and make it shiny and soft. Love this stuff. And it lasts forever because it only takes a quarterish size drop to do the trick.
10.Biosilk, Silk Pomade. It's not sticky and holds very well. A little goes a long way.
11. Sephora Super Sheen Bronzing Mist. It's oily and sparkly and I love to use it on my legs in the Summer. Smells lovely too...
and that's all I can think of at the moment :)
p.s. how nifty about tea tree oil and it's many uses!
Oooo, thanks Moose.
1.I love Burt's Lip Balm too. How could I have forgotten it? I use it before I put on just about any lipstick for added moisture.
3. See this is why I posted this entry...I am using 'Great Lash' in Very Black right now and I don't like it. I use the brown Lash Exact by Cover Girl also and it's much better but I got the Great Lash because I needed some black and hey, Marilyn Monroe used it. But I'll have to remember your brand because I seem to remember thinking your eyelashes looked really thick when we were there, almost like 'falseies'. Speaking of which, I tried my first set of false lashes Saturday night. I found a tutorial video on youtube for the perfect 'pin up girl' makeup and it was just what I needed. I'll post pictures soon. :)
5. So Pledge is a no-go huh? I'm glad I know that. I totally trust your family's professional opinion on these things. Is the Guardsman for floors and furniture? The 'Pledge' I use is a hardwood floor cleaner. Not the same as the polish.
8. I use Degree too! 'Little Black Dress approved', you know, and it actually IS.
11. I was looking for something like this for my gams when I go to Vegas (and I don't lay out anymore). Is it pricey?
Slow on this one too. :)
Dunno about the Pledge floor cleaner. I would think not because it's a cleaner and not a polish like you said therefore no buildup. :)
pricey? nope. It's a little more than I spend on stuff and can't remember exactly what it cost me but I'm a chepo so not too crazy. And oh how I love it so....
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