Beauty « Slightly Unhinged

Okay, I’ll admit it: I’m addicted to beauty products. I have amassed a collection of more cosmetics, perfumes, lotions, and related accessories than I’ll ever be able to use in this lifetime. Through all of my experimentation, however, I’ve learned a few important things. Most importantly, I’ve learned that expensive products aren’t necessarily better quality than lower priced ones. I don’t mind paying a little more for a high quality product if it does indeed perform better than cheaper alternatives but I’ve also learned that there is a surprisingly wide variety of reasonably priced products that perform just as well, and in some cases even better, than their high-priced counterparts. Another important thing I’ve learned is that it is now easier than ever to find beauty products that are “cruelty-free”, meaning that they are produced by companies that don’t engage in animal testing. If you’re interested in learning more about cruelty-free products, check out the excellent Caring Consumer website, which includes a searchable database of cruelty-free products and companies.

I will now use the experience and knowledge I’ve gained throughout my years as an enthusiastic beauty product consumer and share with you some of the best products I’ve found. Each product I recommend is one that I use myself, in many cases on a daily basis. I will provide as accurate a review as possible for each product but do keep in mind that my reviews are based solely on my own experience as a consumer.

Without further ado, here are some of my favorite beauty products:

For Eyes

For daytime, I like a nice neutral shade on the eye. I have blue eyes so I find that light pinks work especially well at complementing my eye color. One of my favorite eye shadows is stila’s eye shadow pan in Kitten, which is described as a shimmering nude pink. Apparently I’m not alone in my enthusiasm for this shade – Allure Magazine gave it their Editor’s Choice Award for Best Beige Eye Shadow in 2008. This eye shadow goes on smoothly and wears exceptionally well – in fact, I’ve been amazed at how well it holds up after a full day in the desert heat. At $18, this product is a little pricy but fortunately a little bit of the shadow goes a long way.

e.l.f.'s Smokey Eye Set

Another excellent choice for eye color is e.l.f.’s mineral eyeshadow collection. For daytime, I like Sweet (a light shimmery pink) or Elegant (a light shimmery tan) – and at only $3 each, you can afford to stock up on several of their gorgeous shades. For a more dramatic or evening look, I like their Smokey Eye set, which includes three different shades of mineral eyeshadow as well as two brushes and coordinating eyeliner for only $12. Speaking of eyeliners, e.l.f. has some great choices for eyeliner as well. Their new Studio line includes an excellent Eyeliner & Shadow Stick, which features a gel liner that glides on smoothly and has excellent staying power. I’m less fond of the shadow side of the stick but for only $3, you can’t go wrong with this product even if you end up using only the liner. The shades I’ve tried are brown/basic and black/smoke – both of which are excellent staples that complement a wide variety of shadows. Another favorite eyeliner is stila’s kajal eye liner, which may very well be the silkiest, smoothest eyeliner I’ve ever used. This product glides on with ease and wears exceptionally well – the only downside is the price ($18) and the fact that it doesn’t last quite as long as I’d like. My favorite shade is Tiger’s Eye, a versatile deep brown that goes well with almost anything.

I’m not a daily user of mascara but when I do use it, I like either stila’s major lash mascara ($8.50) or e.l.f.’s Waterproof Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara ($3) from their new Studio line.

For Lips

Soap & Glory's Sexy Motherpucker Lip Gloss

I like a soft, natural look for lips and I tend to be picky about the texture and feel of any products I put on my lips. For every day use, one of my favorite products is Soap & Glory’s Sexy Motherpucker Lip Gloss in Nude. Besides having a clever name, this product gives you a lovely natural look without being too shiny. You feel a slight tingle when applying it due to the plumping agents but fortunately the sensation doesn’t last long. The product is reasonably priced ($9.99 each or $24.99 for a set of three different colors) and easy to find at most Target locations. The only downside is that the product is a little stickier than I would prefer…but it looks so good on that I’m willing to overlook that.

e.l.f.'s Mineral Lipstick in Royal Red

If you’re looking for more color or if you prefer a creamier lipstick, e.l.f.’s Mineral Lipstick is an excellent choice. These lipsticks offer beautiful natural pigments in a long wearing and moisturizing formula that glides on smoothly and feels great. My favorite shades are Prime Plum and Royal Red, both of which go on much lighter than they look in the tube. At only $5 each, you can’t beat the price for a lipstick of this quality. The company has also just introduced a new line of Mineral Lip Glosses which look quite promising but I haven’t had a chance to try yet. They are offered in six different shades at only $3 each – I’ll try them soon and report back on how well they compare to the lipstick. Another great product from e.l.f. that I use regularly is their Therapeutic Conditioning Lip Balm. This balm is a lifesaver if your lips have a tendency to dry out and crack easily. Available in four different scents (my favorite is Vanilla Creme) at only $1 each, you can easily afford to try them all and stock up on your favorites.

Fragrance

Angel Excessive Super Star Limited Edition

Ever since I first discovered it several years ago, Angel by Thierry Mugler has been my favorite fragrance. The scent is a unique blend of earthy and sweet undertones: in fact, its launch marked the beginning of an entirely new fragrance category that came to be known as the “oriental gourmands”. Angel combines such diverse notes as honey, chocolate, caramel, bergamot, vanilla, patchouli and berries in to an intoxicating and sensual fragrance that, despite its complexity, is never overpowering and is still light enough for almost any occasion. I consistently get more compliments when I’m wearing Angel than when I’m wearing any other fragrance.

Angel was the first product developed as a result of a partnership between French fashion designer Thierry Mugler and French cosmetics and skincare giant Clarins. While the partnership has since released several other fragrances for both men and women, Angel remains the most popular fragrance in the collection and it is currently available in a dizzying array of forms including lotions, body oils, hand creams, deodorants, hair mist and more. While the idea of layering oneself in a multitude of Angel-scented products is definitely appealing, my favorite form of the fragrance remains the Eau de Parfum in the refillable Shooting Star bottle. Angel is in fact available in a variety of uniquely designed bottles, all of which look lovely when displayed on your vanity.

If you haven’t yet experienced Angel, you owe it to yourself to try it. The Thierry Mugler online boutique currently has a special offer on a limited edition Shooting Star bottle of Angel that comes with a limited edition lipstick and free shipping for $75. As an added bonus, all online orders come with your choice of two complimentary samples and on occasion may include specially selected surprise gifts as well. Whether you’re treating yourself or choosing the perfect gift, Angel is sure to delight any woman who wears it.

Haircare

I have difficult hair (thick and wavy with a tendency towards dryness and frizziness) and over the years I’ve tried just about every product line on the market in an attempt to find something that makes my more normal and manageable. I’m also completely unwilling to spend much time styling my hair so I need products that make my hair look good with minimal effort on my part. Recently, I’ve been fortunate enough to find a few products that meet my requirements perfectly.

Humectress Luxe Ultimate Moisturizing Leave-In Spray

My favorite of these finds is Humectress Luxe Ultimate Moisturizing Leave-In Spray by Nexxus. I’m normally not a fan of leave-in conditioners, which usually leave my hair feeling too weighed-down, but this product is very light and does a great job of providing extra moisture while also cutting down on frizz. The bottle’s well-designed spray nozzle releases the product in a fine, even mist so it’s easy to keep from applying too much but my favorite thing about it is the lovely scent: sweet and vaguely tropical but not overwhelming. On days that I wash and condition my hair, adding a little Humectress Luxe after towel-drying makes my hair softer and easier to comb through. On days that I don’t wash and condition, a few sprays of Humectress Luxe makes my hair more shiny and manageable.

Gorgeous Curls Curl Enhancing Foam Styler

Speaking of washing and conditioning, I highly recommend two other Nexxus products: Therappe Luxury Moisturizing Shampoo and Humectress Ultimate Moisturizing Conditioner. Luxurious is the best way to describe both of these products, which are thick, rich, sweetly scented and always leave my hair feeling smooth and silky. They keep my dry hair soft and moisturized, even after abuse like coloring and blow drying. On the rare occasions that I do style my hair, Gorgeous Curls Curl Enhancing Foam Styler does an excellent job of creating soft curls and cutting down on frizziness without being sticky or weighing my hair down. Applying just a little of the Gorgeous Curls foam to towel-dried hair and then blow-drying with a diffuser leaves me with soft, loose curls that last all day, even in the punishing heat of an Arizona summer.

If you have hair that is curly or dry, I’d definitely recommend giving the Nexxus line a try. Ulta.com carries a range of Nexxus products at competitive prices and as an added bonus, they offer free shipping on orders over $50 and free samples with every order. At the moment, they are also offering a coupon for 20% off any one item – I’ve provided a link to the coupon below for your convenience: