Top 5 Most Re-Purchased Items

5. Clinique 3-Step Skincare System
Soap (bar), Toner & Moisturizer - Number 2

I use this system every morning - sometimes just the toner and moisturizer, sometimes all 3 products. I shower in the evenings to save time in the morning when I'm getting ready for work, so I don't always need to re-wash my face when I wake up. I use to use the cream moisturizer, but recently switched to the gel. I find the gel helps reduce oil production on my face, and it isn't as heavy. For awhile, I had stopped using the system because it's expensive, but my skin loves it. I buy the bar soap (you get three in a package) because I feel I'm getting more bang for my buck (the liquid soap runs out very fast). The toner is the item I go through the fastest, followed by the moisturizer. I always have one of each of those on standby for when the bottle I'm using runs out.

4. Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover

I love to paint my nails, but the damage that polish does can be harsh. Using a Non-Acetone (Acetone Free) remover helps reduce the chemical wear-and-tear on my nails, and the smell isn't as intense. I don't favor a particular brand...I just buy what's cheapest (usually generic drugstore or Wal-Mart brand).

3. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

This is my go-to everyday skin cleanser that I use in the shower. It's a very gentle (as the name states) cleanser, and it does a wonderful job of removing eye makeup (yes, I use this on my eyes!). It comes in a pump bottle or a squeeze bottle (the pump bottle is larger) and it usually between $12 and $18. Sometimes it goes on sale for $9.99, which is usually when I scoop up a bottle. I have never had a reaction to this cleanser; my sensitive skin (I also have periodic breakouts of eczema) loves it.

2. Cover Girl LashBlast Fusion Mascara

This is the Cover Girl mascara in the chubby purple tube, and I LOVE it. It's my favorite mascara. I use to buy it in black-brown, but have recently switched to black. It does a great job of defining my lashes without flaking away on me. I also love the price!

1. Rosebud Salve Lip Balm

This is a pink-tinted, rose-scented vaseline type product that can be used on lips as well as dry or irritated skin. I typically use it on my lips at night before I go to bed and while I put my makeup on to prime/moisturize my lips before I put on lipstick or gloss. I'm actually trying to get away from using it now, because I can only get it from Sephora (which is a pain in the butt for me, as I either have to travel or order it online and pay exchange on it).

What are your Top 5 most re-purchased products? Do you share any with me?

IN and OUT #1

This is a hallmark of all beauty blogs, so I thought I would take a stab at it. I'm in that kind of a mood.

IN

- Neutral makeup. I have missed the days of the 'basic eye', and lip-color that resembles actual lips rather than the candy ones. I am super happy that fall colors are back to being classic and neutral. I can work with that!

- Cheek tint. It's so simple and so pretty. My favorites are NARS Tint-Sticks (limited edition), and Benetint.

- Strawberry Rosebud Salve. I am a fan of the original, and the minted version, but the Strawberry scented one just reminds me of summer and sweets. How could you not love that?

- Black Eyeliner/Mascara. I've caved. I use to loathe black makeup - usually sticking to black-brown mascara and espresso brown eyeliner because it looks more natural on my pasty white face. But, the black makes my eyes pop - which I like.

- Makeup primer for the face and eyes. Why bother buying two separate products, when one will do the job for both? I use NARS primer with SPF 20 for face, and use it on my eyes too. I do have the NARS eye primer, but won't re-purchase...it is virtually identical to the face primer, save for the fact it comes in a tube and you apply it with a doe-foot wand.

OUT

- Gladiator sandals. They are too much shoe, 90% of the time. I've been told they go with everything, and I don't really believe it.

- Lip stain. I know, it's a bit hypocritical for me to like cheek stain but not lip stain. I just find lip stain usually looks unnatural.

- DIY everything. Seriously. There is NOTHING wrong with buying something you could probably make/do yourself but have no desire to actually do.

- Glitter-y makeup. I remember middle & high school makeup being loaded with chunky glitter, and wearing it because it was 'in' but secretly hating it. Why has it returned?

- Uber-high heels. I cannot do anything over a 3" heel anymore. I am 26, and spend enough of my work day on my feet to know that heels don't make sense for me. I'm very happy that flats have become much less fugly than they use to be, and now come in a wider variety of colors. It wasn't that long ago that if you wanted a flat dressy shoe, you would be wearing something that was better suited to your grandmother than yourself. This weekend I bought the cutest pair of black leather flats...<3


I knew I would end up having more 'IN' than 'OUT'. Why is it whenever we intentionally set out to talk about things we don't like, nothing comes to mind?

I am working on some product reviews, and promise to post them soon. Hopefully I will be able to post at least one every day this week.

Till next time!