Before I talk about anything else today, I’ve been meaning to mention this:
Next Thursday, May 5, we are having a Ladies Worship Night at Turner Street Productions where Community Worship meets. I’ll be speaking but, even better, August Joffe will be leading the worship and she is so unbelievably talented. It’s just going to be what we hope will be the first of many laid-back, casual nights where women can get together and hang out and worship. It’s open to everyone regardless of denomination or church affiliation or whatever. So please feel free to join us if you’re in the area and feel free to invite a friend or six. We’d love to have you there.
On a different note, I think it’s been well-documented that I am a sucker for beauty products. It’s the reason I only let myself go into Sephora on rare occasions lest I leave with one of everything. I believe all the promises, all the hype, every single marketing ploy until I try it for myself and it leaves me with the bitter disappointment and agonizing defeat that can only come when you realize your face looks exactly the same as it did a month ago.
However, hope springs eternal. And so I thought I’d share the products I am loving right now. You will notice there is no mascara or eyeliner on this list and that’s because I’m still looking for love in all the wrong places. I currently have six different mascaras in my makeup bag and I’ve decided they are all just pretty good, yet have left me feeling like surely there is something better out there. Like maybe eyelash extensions. Except I don’t feel like I’m equipped for that level of maintenance.
Anyway, here is my current list of favorites. Feel free to add to this list in the comments with anything you are loving now and/or that might change our lives. Or at least our lipstick.
I had wondered about illuminators for a long time and then Shay at Mix and Match Mama mentioned that she mixed her BB cream with this Nars illuminator to give her skin a little glow. It totally works. Sometimes I think BB creams can look a little dry and chalky and this just gives your skin a little bit of a pop so it doesn’t look dull and dry.
2. dr. gross ferulic + retinol wrinkle recovery peel
Listen. This is a game changer. I have searched high and low for a product to help with the sunspots on my face and this has lightened them considerably. It’s also made my face so soft and smooth and I think helped with fine lines, too.
They are just pads that you use about 2-3 times a week and I am a big fan.
3. dr. gross alpha beta glow pad for face
Now that I never let my face see the sun, I need a little glow in the summertime and I love these. They exfoliate along with giving you some color that’s a natural shade and doesn’t look orange. I really can’t say enough about all the Dr. Gross products and this isn’t an infomercial. It’s just my opinion. They are all really great.
4. OPI let’s be friends nail color
I’ve been on the search for the perfect white/pale pink nail color. I used to go with Mod About You by OPI as my go-to but it is much more pink than white. Then I discovered Let’s Be Friends. It’s part of the OPI Hello Kitty collection so, like all things in my life, is very mature and sophisticated.
But, seriously, if you like a white/pale pink nail color this is my favorite find of the spring.
I read about this on somebody’s blog and I can’t remember who now. But it actually promotes collagen production in your lips along with being a great lipgloss. Both colors are totally neutral so they work well over any lip color you use.
6. NYX butter gloss in creme brûlée
This has become my new favorite lip color for spring. I bought it at HEB and it’s all of $5.00. It’s a great pink/nude color that doesn’t look too washed out and it has pretty good staying power for a $5.00 lipgloss.
I’ve loved this for a long time. It’s the best brow pencil because it doesn’t look too heavy and is pretty much idiot-proof which is right up my alley. I use the soft brown even though my eyebrows are dark because it fills them in without looking too harsh.
8. bobbi brown long-wear cream shadow stick
Ok. So I haven’t actually tried this yet, but I’ve heard amazing things about it. I’ve noticed as I’m getting older than any type of powder product can settle in creases over the course of the day and that isn’t my optimal situation. But these cream shadows seem like they might be the best solution plus the reviews are amazing.
Now I want to drive to Nordstrom tomorrow to buy one.
9. jergens natural glow moisturizer
This has been my favorite self-tanner for at least five summers now. It gives gradual color and that’s what I need because otherwise I’d be that person with orange hands and knees. This smells good, is easy to apply and dries quickly. Plus you can’t really mess it up.
10. it’s a 10 miracle leave-in plus keratin
I’m in the midst of a shampoo/conditioner quandary. It’s not like I hate what I’m using but it’s not like I love it either. It’s all okay. But this miracle leave-in is so great. It makes my hair so soft and smooth and I swear it’s making it grow faster.
All I have to do is spray just a little bit into my hands and then comb it through my damp hair before I add my other products and either blow it dry or let it dry overnight. Either way, it makes it smooth and eliminates frizz without feeling heavy.
So there are my current top ten. Feel free to comment with any of your favorites!