There are too many beauty product choices. It can feel overwhelming. Here is my take on 45 beauty products I recently tried. Winners are in bold (and more can be found on my previous posts IN THE MOOD FOR SPEED & IN THE MOOD FOR CLARITY). Most are at parity with others, yet some did wow me.

TREATMENT PRODUCTS:

Dr Dennis Gross age erase recovery mask step 1 enriched hyaluronic gel & step 2 vitamin-infused self-heating mask. $35 for 6 pack HERE – I used this after getting a professional facial (had dry patches) and my skin is back to 100%

Kate Somerville Age Arrest Anti-wrinkle Serum  –  At parity with others

Perricone MD RE:Firm Surface Recovery Treatment  – At parity with others

Olay Regenrist Advanced Anti-Aging Regenerating Serum  – Nice price, layers well with face oil

Elizabeth Arden SUPERSTART Skin Renewal Booster  – At parity with others

Elizabeth Arden Hydrating Mask  – Did not feel or see hydrating results

Glycolix ELITE Facial Cream 15% – Initially my skin reacted to this, no visible change to my fine lines

Iluminage Pond’s Institute Youth Cell Night Cream and Day Cream with SPF15  – Lovely textures, good for normal skin

DERMOLOGY Phytoceramides Wrinkle Repair Complex – At parity with others

LIONESSE Day Moisturizer – At parity with others

GLAMGLOW Supermud Clearing Treatment – Ok for someone with T zone oil

Sunday Riley Artemis Facial Oil  – Nice but a bit pricey vs. alternatives like Physician’s Formula Argan

MAKEUP PRODUCTS:

Make Up Forever Smoky Extravagant Mascara $30 HERE – Instant effect with no clumping or flaking

L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara (Combine L’Oreal Voluminous with it, and you get a winning combination) $7 HERE + $6 HERE – Love the effect, start with Voluminous then comb through with Telescopic, use only Telescopic on bottom. Available at any drugstore at great low prices.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF20 – Lightweight, hint of color/coverage, dewy finish, nice all in one for summer. Available at any Sephora or click HERE ($44).

Cover Girl Full Lash Bloom Mascara – It took some time for me to appreciate this mascara, adequate as everyday low price option

Cover Girl TruBlend 123 concealer stick  – Surprisingly am using this constantly, no need for foundation just dot this, press and go. Great low price. Nice shades. Available at any drugstore or click HERE ($8).

ILIA Illuminator Polkadots and Moonbeams  – Popular among editors, do not like the greasy look in natural light

Urban Decay NAKED Skin Ultra Definition Powder Wet/Dry Foundation  – Melts into skin, good for travel

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour Rose Gold – Popular among editors, ok color payoff, quick on the go application 

Make Up Forever Artist Palette eyeshadow single  – Sephora makeup artist favorite, pretty shades, shimmer just right

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth color stick for lips in Sweet Watermelon – Editor raves about this, nice price, pretty, emollient, no liner needed, I also used on cheeks for a flushed look

Benefit posie balm hydrating lip balm  – Ultra natural, emollient, no fragrance, nicer package than Aquaphor but pricier so I’ll stick with Aquaphor

Wet n Wild Kohl Crayon eye pencil 607A Calling Your Buff  – Nice price, dot on blemishes & in corners of eyes, better than white – peachy

MUA Color Drenched Lip Butter  – At parity with others

BECCA BACKLIGHT Priming Filter  – At parity with others

OTHER PRODUCTS:

Ardell fake eyelashes Individuals  – At parity with others

Kerastase laque couture Micro mist fixing hairspray medium hold  – Works well even on fine hair, no stiffness

Pantene Pro-V Airspray no alcohol flexible hold hairspray –  Love that this has no alcohol, effective even for a dancer. Available HERE. Finally, a great hairspray with no ethanol and no helmet head, also great low price ($6).

Aveeno daily body moisturizing lotion  – At parity with others

RUSK mousse maximum volume and control  – At parity with others

RUSK Styling Collection Five Shampoos straight medium hold + RUSK Smoother anti-frizz shampoo + RUSK Smoother anti-frizz leave-in conditioner – Excellent products to get and keep your hair stick straight, frizz-free, no parabens or sulfates, available HERE ($10-$16).

Suave MOROCCAN ARGAN Styling Oil  – Beats frizz even for fine hair ends only but use in small doses

John Frieda Color Refreshing Gloss  – Did not see any difference

Tecni ART Wild Stylers by LOreal Professional BEACH WAVES Hold 2 texturizing salt spray  – Adequate, fine hair requires more

Aussie Aussome Volume 2 in 1 Shampoo  – At parity with others

Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Shampoo  – At parity with others

Maison de Parfum Mandarine Glaciale Cologne Absolue – I use as my “French bath” (no time to shower)

Prada CANDY eau de parfum – Ditto above 

Miu Miu eau de parfum – Pretty and subtle

Beauty By Earth Boar-Bristle hair brush  – Feels nice on scalp and gentle for styling even fine hair, doesn’t tear hair out

Caruso Molecular Steam Hairsetter – Gentle option vs hot rollers, good for damaged, processed hair, must blow dry after you set

DVF SS16 image – runway backstage pre show makeup application