I’d like to take time today to talk about something important…cosmetics. We here at Lifeway Women are all about looking our best, both inside and out. A day doesn’t pass by without a couple of us swapping recommendations on lipstick or asking what nail color one of us is wearing. It’s one of the fun things about being a girl. So, I’m happy to share with you some of my favorite cosmetic and beauty products, and I hope you’ll comment and share yours as well.
First up…
Tresemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo
I’m 31, but my hair is still oily like it was when I was 13. But if I wash it everyday, it gets dry and brittle on the ends. Dry shampoos hit the market years ago, but the powders were messy and unmanageable. Then Tresemme released a dry shampoo in aerosol spray form. You shake it up, spray it on, let it dry, and comb through. Voila! Grease be gone! It’s also great to use at the end of the day if your hair needs a pick-me-up. And it comes in several different formulas for varied hair types.
Soap & Glory The Righteous Body Butter
I’m a sucker for body butter. Especially when it smells so heavenly. I discovered Soap & Glory’s Righteous Body Butter through a sample sent to me by Sephora. It was a small sample but I rationed it for a whole week, I loved it so much. I found out that Target used to carry the S&G line and gnashed my teeth when I realized I could have been using this stuff years ago. It’s thick and creamy….indulgent. It smells like peonies and peaches and all things lovely. And somehow it found its way to my stocking this year at Christmas.
Okay… This potentially could be my favorite beauty/cosmetic product of all time. All time. Awhile back, I went on a pretty strict budget and cut out salon manicures and pedicures except on super special occasions. Instead, I went down to a local cosmetics boutique and browsed their vast selection of professional nail polishes. The sales girl saw me shopping and asked if I’d ever tried the Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat. She said it glides on crystal clear and dries your nails in mere minutes. I was skeptical, but I bought a bottle anyway. That night I painted my fingernails and toes and was amazed at how quickly they hardened, even though I laquered on multiple layers. No sheet marks, no smudges. And chip free on my hands for a week, longer on my toes.
Cover Girl Professional Remarkable Washable Waterproof Mascara
Here’s an oldie, but a goodie. I discovered mascara sometime in middle school and I thought it was the greatest thing ever. I’m fair complected and my blonde eyelashes disappear. The first thing I thought when I tried on mascara for the first time was, “I have eyes!” Mascara is one of those products that essential to a finished face, but you don’t have to break the bank. Sure, I bet that $27 boutique mascara is fantastic, but why would you pay that when there are drugstore options costing around $6 that are fantastic in their own right. Enter my favorite mascara: Cover Girl’s Professional Remarkable Washable Waterproof Mascara. It comes in a slender, purple tube and it’s quite simply the best, most consistent mascara I’ve ever owned. The brush is full and encourages length, and when layered, gives you just enough body without the clump. And it’s waterproof, meaning I can tear up and it won’t smudge—-yet it’s washable, and wipes off clean at night. That’s called having your cake and eating it too. My favorite thing though is how soft it makes my lashes. No crusty lashes here folks! While I’ve tried just about every mascara on the market, I still go back to my trusty mascara from the 90s. And heaven forbid CG ever discontinue it.
Now, bare with me (did you catch that?)… Some of you might be a little uncomfortable that this next item is called, ahem, Naked. But I promise that’s a good thing. This eye shadow and liner palette has the most extensive collection of nude tones, and tones that complement that au naturale look that we all want. By day I wear tones on the left side of this palette. And by night, I get smoky with the darker tones. I don’t think there’s a skin tone that wouldn’t look enhanced with these colors. And while the pricetag is a little steep, look at it this way: 12 eyeshadows, a professional-quality double-ended brush, and a cool, hard case with a mirror isn’t such a bad deal.
Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer
When I was in college, my Mom used to tell me that my acne would go away when I turned 30. Well, it didn’t. It’s certainly not as bad, but it rears its ugly head from time to time. For years I searched for a concealer that was oil free, matched my skin tone, and had staying power on my oily face. A Sephora rep recommended Make Up For Ever’s Full Cover Concealer. It’s a professional line of makeup that many in the broadcast television industry use. This concealer glides on smooth, and dries quickly to a matte finish. I rarely have to touch up during the day. And while it’s full cover, it doesn’t feel heavy or thick. I don’t even know I’m wearing it. There’s a shade for everyone. Literally.
While I could wax poetic all day long about beauty and cosmetics, I’m sure you’re expecting something FREE, right? Well, it’s Friday, so why not?
We’re giving away a $25 Sephora giftcard!
Enter to win by leaving a comment with your name. And, just for fun, tell us about your favorite cosmetic! If you can find it on the Internet somewhere, include a link in your comment so that we can all check it out!
By entering today’s giveaway, you affirm and acknowledge Lifeway Christian Resource’s official promotion rules found here. Today’s giveaway starts at the posting time of this blog and ends Tuesday (1/29/13) at 11:59 p.m. CST. You must be 18 to enter, and you may only enter once. The winner will be selected at random. For questions about the rules and regulations of this giveaway, please contact Bud Harlan at One Lifeway Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-140.
Update: Congratulations to Lindsay for winning this giveaway!
Mary Anna Brown is a Marketing Strategist for Lifeway Women who spends her days marketing the Women’s brand and Bible study product lines for Women, Marriage, Family and Film. Mary Anna always has a bag packed – and she’s ready to travel at a moment’s notice.