I have to say that I did really good in 2013 and didn’t buy much makeup or beauty products. I only purchased something when I truly needed it with an occasional splurge, which was very rare. I actually gave away and sold tons of makeup and nail polish and plan to purge my stash of even more items. I want to continue this practice in the new year, keeping my collection at a reasonable size and not making too many new purchases as I really need to use up some of what I already have. Anyway, beauty hoarders we tend to fall in love with products but replace them with the next best thing in the blink of an eye. Here are some products that I loved last year and plan to continue using this year.
1. Mizani Gloss Veil Shine Spray
I stopped using aerosol can sheen sprays a while back as I finally realized that they do nothing more than dry my hair out and leave build up. My heat protectant serums leave a nice shine but I only use heat once a week and besides the serums are too heavy for everyday use. I happened upon the Mizani Gloss Veil Shine Spray one day in Marshalls and thought it would be perfect for everyday use to add shine to my hair. The silicone-free formula is light and non greasy. It keeps my hair shiny and tames frizzies without weighing it down. I’ve been using it ever since.
2. Fantasia IC Hair Polisher Olive Firm Hold Spritz
This spritz keeps my style in place and also adds shine without leaving my hair crunchy and sticky.
3. Trader Joe’s Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
I’ve become quite the Trader Joe’s lover in the past year and this has to be one of my favorite products. Not only do I cook with it but also use it in my hair mixed with olive oil and Queen Helene Cholesterol as a deep conditioner, and to moisturize my hair after washing. It’s one of the few oils that can actually penetrate the hair strand and not just sit on the hair. I also use it to moisturize my skin fresh out of the shower in the warmer months. It is a true multitasker.
4. Trader Joe’s Spa Face Wash with Tea Tree Oil
Another favorite from Trader Joe’s, this face wash is thebomb.com. It doesn’t smell good and will burn the hell out of your eyes if you accidentally get some in there, but it works wonders for your face. Within a few weeks it will dry up existing acne and fade old acne scarring. Only thing it is very drying so you have to follow it with a good moisturizer.
5. Inglot AMC Corrective Illuminator
The Inglot AMC Under Eye Corrective Illuminator works wonders for my dark under eye circles. I use it as a base with my concealer on top and it wakes up my eyes and makes my dark circles look 10 times better. I ran out last week and I really need to get a new one.
6. e.l.f. Small Stipple Brush
Another Marshalls find, this little brush has changed my makeup life! It does an awesome job at blending my under eye concealer and my foundation into my hairline and around my nose. It has become one of my favorite brushes.
7 . Milani Shadow Eyez 12 HR Wear Eyeshadow Pencils
I have at least twelve of the Shadow Eyez pencils in an array of shades from neutrals to bold brights and I absolutely love them! I use them as a base under my eyeshadows to make the color pop more and they stay put all day with no creasing or fading.
8. e.l.f. Lip Lock Pencil
The e.l.f. Lip Lock Pencil is the only lipliner you’ll ever need. The silky wax applies smooth and dries down to an invisible finish. It fills in fine lines and keeps your lipstick and lipgloss from feathering and bleeding. Since it’s clear it will go with any shade.
9. RiRi Hearts MAC Lipsticks
Particularly RiRi Woo, Heaux and RiRi Boy. Talk That Talk takes a lot of work to make it look good but I still love the shade. I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited for any other MAC collection. These lipsticks have been in heavy rotation since I got them and I am pretty sure I will be rocking them just as much in the new year.
10. Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Castile Soap
Last but not least, Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Soap. It makes cleaning my makeup brushes so much easier, pedicures much more refreshing and Summer showers after a long day in the hot sun divine. I keep a huge bottle of the stuff in the house.
19 Responses
Just bought my first bottle of Dr Bronner Peppermint Soap and I’m still trying to tick of all the uses, will definitely be looking into the other stuff I can get in the UK
Gotta love Dr. Bronners. I’ve also used it to wash dishes and to wash my hair. I heard that you can use it to wash your clothes as well.
Happy New Year!!
I use the Trader Joe’s Coconut Oil as well. Either that or coconut oil from Whole Foods. I use it to make this Body Butter: http://www.peppermintandpaisley.com/2013/11/24/coco-tangerine-body-butter/
I’ve also sed the tea tree face wash. Either that or one from Whole Foods. I do use Trader Joe’s tea tree bar soap – definitely a favourite.
I’m thinking about trying out the Dr Bronner’s
Thanks for linking to the recipe. I’ve been wanting to try to make a body butter!
http://www.thesolotravelmuse.com
Okay I want to try the Mizani Shine Veil, Inglot, already use coconut oil, and dammit I wish I would have purchased Heaux when it came out, should have got it for the name alone lol. Nonetheless, thanks for the products, good stuff!
Lol No problem at all. Heaux is my favorite of the bunch, such a gorgeous color and it has the best formula. Loves it!
Love this! I want to try the Trader Joe’s Spa Face Wash with Tea Tree Oil. My T-Zone area gets extremely dry in the winter, so I may have to try this product.
Keep in mind that the Tea Tree Face wash is very good but also very drying so you need a great moisturizer.
I want to try everything you have listed here! especially the trader joe’s facewash
I swear by the facial wash from trader Joe’s when I am suffering from pimples. It dries them up instantly. I also swear by coconut oil as a moisturizer for both my hair and skin.
I’m eager to try the Mizani Gloss spray and the Organic Coconut Oil, another thing to add to my Trader Joe’s shopping list.
I haven’t tried Mizani Gloss Spray yet, but I love their D’Tangle! It melts knots like no body’s business!
KLP | SavingOurStrands
Thanks for sharing. I def. am going to look into the Mizani Spray and the elf clear lip liner.
I am def on a low buy limited to 10 mu items this year, next year lower. I def will be picking up that coconut oil from Trader’s Joes. The Riri lipstick were good.
Hey Erica,
Just want to say a happy new year and I love your blog and all your reviews since u have so much makeup do u think you could do a series like best foundation drugstore to high end , mascara , blush , primer , eyeshadow etc wish I could go make up shopping with you :).
Xoxo
Thank you and Happy New Year. I actually don’t have such an extensive range of makeup or such a huge amount at the moment to do these types of post as I purged a lot, and I don’t really have too much high end makeup. I can do posts on my favorites that I do have in my collection though! 🙂
Ok that would be awesome. Waiting on the the post. Xoxo
I love your blog . I have been coming here for years and love trying out the products that you review. I like you have combo skin that’s very oily in the tzone. Since the Trader Joe’s face wash is so drying do you alternate between that and another cleanser.?
N right now it’s the only cleanser I’m using. If I find that my skin is too dry I will use it once a day at night instead of twice, morning and night. I follow it with Witch Hazel to tone and a heavier moisturizer at night and a lighter one in the day. Hope that helps.