Product Plugging

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!