Best In Beauty: Volume 1

The best in beauty products that have truly stood the test of time.  Tried and true, these still rock.

One question I am frequently asked is, “What are you still using? Do you still love what you loved a month ago?” Both good and bad, I am forever on the hunt for the next newest thing. This means even when I love a product, I’m often trying out something else, though it doesn’t diminish my love in the least bit! I thought I’d dig through the review archive and pull out some products that are still hardworking favorites and have earned their place in my beauty space.

Osmotics Cream Extreme Barrier Repair ($75.00 for 1.7 oz.) is still my go-to for ultra dry patches on my face. After using Retin-A for a few months several years ago, the skin above my upper lip became extremely sensitive to products, and it tends to get dry and flaky as often as the wind changes directions. (It is also incredibly annoying!) Thankfully, Cream Extreme works immediately and tends to minimize any cracking skin in that area for me. I do find it a pricier cream, so I personally use it as a spot treatment for dry patches. It is likely too moisturizing for me to use all over my face on a regular basis. However, if you have dry to ultra dry skin, you might find this a savior. The best place to purchase Osmotics’ products is at Nordstrom.

Prescriptives Instant Gratification Skin Renewal Peel ($45.00) is one of my absolute favorite chemical masks/facial treatments. It makes your skin and look fantastic right after you’ve used it. I was really wow-ed by this product from the first application to the umpteeth application. Funny enough, this review was written in January 2008, and I am still on my first tube. I’d say there’s at least 20-30 usages per tube. (It just goes to show you that I’m regularly trying other face masks… but when I really need and want one to work, I know where to turn.) Available at Nordstrom and Prescriptives.

See three more best in beauty products!

T3 Bespoke Labs Featherweight Blow Dryer ($200.00) BLEW me away. It was my first non-super-duper-cheap blow dryer. This was back when my hair was fairly long, too, and I rarely blew it out, because my old Conair took ten billion years to dry it. It would take so long that I would just give up and let it air dry. I’ve actually since upgraded to the Evolution ($300.00), because I like the addition of the heat controls. The biggest reason why I love both hair dryers is that my hair is dry in less than five minutes (even when I had long hair). They’re both incredibly lightweight (huge plus!). The only downsides were that the controls could have been better placed, but you get used to it and it’s a non-issue for me now. I would love to see T3 create these fab blow dryers with retractable cords. Then they’d be perfect! Available at Nordstrom and Sephora.com.

Burberry The Beat Eau de Parfum ($84.00 for 2.5 oz. Eau de Parfum) is a scent I first got a whiff of back in spring 2008. It’s such a classy, sophisticated scent that’s light on the nose, but still potent enough to be noticed. It’s something I can wear everyday without feeling like it’s too much. Available at Nordstrom and Sephora.com.

Olay Body Quench Mousse ($8.49 for 7.1 oz.) is an affordable way to get your moisture on. I used this nearly everyday after I first tried it out, and I would have kept using it, had I not felt compelled to pass it along to my sister who suffers from even drier skin than I. (I am also quite disloyal when it comes to body care, so I was eager to try out something new, anyway!) But it’s one of those products I know will do the trick when I really need soft, moisturized legs. Available at Drugstore.com.