As part of my challenge to make myself more of a priority this year, I am featuring a handful of beauty products that are making me feel pretty, happy or cherished right now. Some are more costly than others, but one or two can easily be added to our daily lives to lift our spirits, boost our confidence and treat ourselves with kindness.
After all, when we make time to care for ourselves, we are better able to care for and be present with those who are most dear. I hope you’ll find a few pretty little things that inspire you to prioritize yourself, too! — v.
01. Lancôme Définicils Mascara
I don’t wear much make-up, but I will not leave the house without mascara. And not any old mascara either, but Lancôme’s Définicils high-definition mascara in deep black. This mascara not only lengthens your lashes right before your eyes, but it also defines each lash for a beautiful and natural look. It goes on smoothly without clumping, doesn’t sting or irritate like other mascaras I’ve tried, and lasts the whole day without reapplication. If the eyes are the windows to our souls, then dress them up with brilliantly striking lashes!
02. Shiseido Ibuki Skincare
I have been washing my face with Cetaphil for many years. My dermatologists recommended it for my acne-prone skin, and it’s a no-fuss product that works fine. I still break out regularly {yes, even at 40!} and am starting to show more signs of aging {yes, I am 40!} so I decided to treat myself to a ‘fancier’ skincare product this year. It was a toss-up between this and Shiseido’s Benefiance, but the rep at Sephora said Ibuki was created for “cray-cray” skin, so there you go. So far, I’m pretty pleased with the results: my face feels silky smooth and breakouts are fewer and farther between. I like the purifying cleanser the most; it has exfoliating granules and a pleasant scent, works into a nice lather, and a little goes a long way.
03. J. R. Watkins Hand Cream
The backs of my hands are extremely dry and chapped this winter. Lots of hand washing, dishwashing, cleaning, exposure to heat and cold… our hands take a lot of environmental abuse. I decided to try a little tenderness with this hand cream in aloe and green tea and I love it. The most important factor is that it’s not greasy. You can continue with your day without constantly wiping the palms of your hands on your pants {or washing them, which would defeat the whole purpose}. It is packed with skin-healing shea butter and other natural ingredients, smells like a dream and is made in the good ol’ US of A. I like that; so much so that I bought the hand soap for the guest bathroom, too.
04. KAO Asience Inner Rich Shampoo and Conditioner
So I may be a little biased to Japanese products after living there for several years, being born there, and being raised by a Japanese mother, but this really is a great hair care product. I can’t wash my mixed-ethnicity, naturally curly hair every day or else I’ll strip its essential moisture. Asience shampoo was designed for thick hair and does a terrific job of cleansing without over-drying. The conditioner is a perfect complement, retaining moisture and restoring the bounce of my curls. I love this product so much that I stocked up on refill packages before leaving Japan. I’m glad to know it’s also available in the US.
So there you have my beauty secrets in a nutshell… pretty low maintenance, eh? What are some of the beauty products that you can’t live without?
SOURCES FOR PRETTY LITTLE THINGS // BEAUTY
Lancôme Définicils Mascara
Shiseido Ibuki 1-2-3 Starter Kit
Shiseido Ibuki Purifying Cleanser
Shiseido Ibuki Refining Moisturizer
J. R. Watkins Aloe & Green Tea Hand Cream
J. R. Watkins Aloe & Green Tea Hand Soap
KAO Asience Inner Rich Shampoo
KAO Asience Inner Rich Conditioner
