5 Favorite Beauty Products

I get a lot of questions about my head. Specifically my skin, hair, and makeup! So I wanted to share a few of my favorites in the various departments, with this post focusing on just a few of my longtime favorite beauty products. Some of these I've been using religiously for years, and some are newer things that I wonder how I ever lived without. Let me know what's on your tried and true list, too!

I've never been a big hair product user, other than hairspray. I'll try things, but not commit because they don't seem to work with the various straight/curled/blown/etc. hairstyles that I might rotate through. I started using this texturizing spray a few weeks ago when I cut my hair. It smells great, but also gives my thick but fine hair some texture that works with however I want to style it. I love how much body it gives to my waves especially! 

I spray it on my hair when damp, and then blow or air dry. If I curl my hair with my curling iron, I'll spray a little more on my roots to give my hair some life, and a little on the curls before softening the curls with my hands for a looser look.

I've always struggled with cystic acne. It's the worst. It's painful, under the skin, and produces huge bumps. Because it's subcutaneous, the only thing that will really help control the cysts is oral medication, which I've been taking for years. I have found that this Maria Badescu drying lotion formula helps zap regular pimples overnight, and is the only topical thing I've tried that keeps the cysts minimal and speeds up the healing process. Also, as someone who is allergic to a lot of acne products due to the benzoyl peroxide, this is a favorite since it doesn't include that ingredient!

I realized too, that in high school I was totally drying my skin out thinking the oil was causing the break out. While the drying lotion is wonderful in small doses, overall I've begun to super moisturize my face and have seen wonderful results. I love Burt's Bees Intense Hydration cream cleanser {with natural probiotics to help kill bacteria on your face!}, followed by an apricot scrub, and then a moisturizer for the right balance for my face.

At night is when I apply any wrinkle creams or additional products. I usually feel like they're too greasy to apply in the morning before putting on my make up. After showering and washing my face, I've started apply two different Avon products. One is the Anew Clinical Line Eraser with Retinol. Amazing stuff. I'm actually out of it at the moment, but am ordering again. This is by far the best early-stage wrinkle product I've tried. After putting it on the very first night, I noticed that the fine lines around my mouth were totally gone. It was amazing. My mom has had great experience with it too, and as far as wrinkle creams go, this is one of the most affordable options!

With the line eraser, I like to use this Vitamin C serum. It has helped smooth and brighten my skin like nothing else! It feels so rich, and a little goes a very long way. This serum also helps protect your skin from sun damage and pollutants in the air! You can purchase both directly through me {and ship straight to your door!} by clicking the links above or by shopping at https://piperellice.avonrepresentative.com/

This Tresseme hair spray is my absolute favorite. The level four is the best one for my hair: holds things in place without being crunchy or totally frozen. It smells good, is inexpensive, and works in high humidity which is a must for me in South Georgia! 

Queen Helene products were a surprising find for me back in high school. My grandmother introduced me to the cocoa butter lotion that moisturizes my skin but absorbs extremely quickly. I used to not like wearing lotion in the summer because it felt so hot and sticky, but I love how this formula doesn't feel that way. Plus the scent is pleasant but doesn't distract from my perfume.

I enjoy doing a face mask about once a week. It keeps my pores tightened and my skin clear. It's also a little relaxing time that I enjoy! This mint julep masque is bright green, which was hilarious the first time the husband saw it on me! But my favorite part is how minty and tingly it feels on my skin. Sometimes I'll do this masque followed by the skin tightening mud masque a few days later. This is a great drugstore line overall!
 

Have you used any of these products?