In a world of fast everything, I often find myself expecting nothing less from my beauty products. It’s hard not to — I want things to look better or feel better right away. I’ve tried a zillion beauty products over the years, so let me share six of my favorite ones that get the job done well, and almost more importantly, quickly.
1. Big Sexy Hair Powder Play. I started using this a few years ago when some blogger (who I can’t remember now) recommended it. I was instantly hooked, and even though it’s $16 for a little tiny bottle, it lasts for ages. I’m still working through my first bottle. As someone who has naturally flat hair, it instantly gives texture and lift to my hair without making it feel or look greasy.
2. Sauve Dry Shampoo. I’m a firm believer of not washing my hair every day. Usually I go about four to five days between washes, and use dry shampoo on my non-washing days. I’ve tried a bunch of other dry shampoos, and this is the best one I’ve used. It instantly makes my hair look and smell fresh, and it’s super cheap.
3. Bremenn Clinical Zit Stick. I was introduced to Bremenn Clinical at Alt Summit this year, where they were passing out goodie bags. This Zit Stick was one of the items in this bag, and as soon as I started using it I was hooked. It literally zaps any blemishes overnight, and by morning they’re gone, or well on their way to being gone. It’s a little miracle worker in a tube. Get 20% off with code merrick20!
4. Biotin. I’ve been taking this supplement on and off for the last few years, and every time I start taking it again I wonder why I stopped (answer: because I’m horrible at remembering to take my vitamins). It helps your skin, nails, and hair grow, and although I hate that I have to shave my legs more often when I’m taking it, I always see a really noticeable difference in the strength of my nails, I have less breakouts, and my hair always grows an inch, I swear.
5. Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer. I started using this stuff in high school and have used it almost every summer since. Really, I should be more concerned about using it in the winter, but that’s a different story. It goes on like normal lotion, and the color starts to appear within two to three days, and within five days you have a full tan. I’ve never had any streaks, and it’s a really natural looking color — not orange at all. Also, it used to smell really bad, but this year they’ve changed something and now it smells great! I also started using the face moisturizer this summer and really love it too. So if you’re looking for a quick tan, definitely go with Jergens.
6. Vaseline. I grew up using vaseline as a lip moisturizer and vow to never ever stop. When I’ve mentioned it to people in the past they think it’s greasy and gross, but there is nothing better for dry lips than vaseline. I put it on every single morning and night and my lips stay soft and smooth. And if my boys lips get dry, I sneak it on them while they’re sleeping (or else they’ll wipe it off) and in the morning their lips are completely healed.
I’d love to know what your favorite beauty quick fixes are!
I am definitely going to have to try the Big Sexy Hair Powder Play – that sounds great. And I completely concur on your statements about Biotin. I take it every day, and it makes a huge difference!
http://www.thedecorina.com
I saw the Powder Play on some blog a few years ago too and am still on my first bottle… that stuff is amazing! Definitely worth the 'hefty' price tag. (Although I've definitely seen it at places like TJ Maxx for cheaper!)
I've gone through so many different dry shampoos and the ones that I found worked the best, I couldn't stand the smell of. So I finally made my own, using cornstarch and cocoa powder, and I couldn't be happier! It's a little messier, but it gives my hair great texture and I'm never going back to the sprays! Smelling like cocoa powder is pretty sweet too.
I've been hearing a lot about Biotin… as someone who is trying to grow her hair out I guess it's something I should definitely pick up. Looks like a trip to the pharmacy is in order!
I love budget products that work! I already use the suave dry shampoo and vaseline, but will definitely be trying out the other products!
I totally agree on the Vaseline, I have used that for ever. I saw Cindy Crawford say she uses in on her lips and the crows feet by her eyes every night. I take biotin everyday and it makes a huge difference for skin and nails. You will have to try Ocean Potion Ever Glow gentle skin Darkener, it is awesome! I will have to try that zit stick for sure. Thanks for the tips 🙂
Ooh, thanks for the crows feet tip!
Love these! Thanks for sharing!
The Style Storm
<3, Christina
It's certainly not as cheap as vaseline, but I've found Aquaphor to work just as well without being as greasy.
Yes, Aquaphor is definitely better if you're going to put it on your body. Vaseline is way too greasy to use on my hands and feet. But on my lips I don't mind it at all.
I want to try that Zit Stick! One of my quick fixes is olive oil. My face gets really dry during the winter and whenever seasons change. When that happens, I dab some olive oil (extra virgin) on my face before I go to sleep. In the morning, my skin feels supple and moisturized.
I also like to use rose water or apple cider vinegar as a facial toner.
I agree with Elise on the olive oil trick! I do a sugar and honey scrub on my lips followed by olive oil and they are sooo soft! I have been on the fence about the Jergens and I think I am gonna try it. Being pregnant this summer, I know I want to look tan but out in the sun I tend to burn quicker!
Thanks!!
I just bought that Powder Play this week ($8 at Ulta!)
Yeah for not washing hair every day lol lol
Does Big sexy hair and Dry powder work on all hair types?
I grew up in the West Indies and vaseline was used for lots of stuff,running out of lotion? Use vaseline
That and baby oil were great for just out of the shower.
Parents did that from birth.
I am already tan lol
Yes, I think both those products should work great on all hair types. I know a lot of people that use both of them, with great success, so you should be good 🙂
Okay, I LOVE dry shampoo just as much as the next person, without it, my hair is a total greasefest after a day, but how do you go SO LONG without washing your hair?? I can't do it because while dry shampoo works great, after a day or two my hair gets super tangly and needs to be conditioned. Do you have this problem at all?
By the last day I usually wear it up in a ponytail, bun, or braid. But no, my hair doesn't get super tangly. If I spray the dry shampoo in it and brush through it a few times, it looks good as new. Sorry — that's no help to you, I'm sure!
I hear that to get to 4 a day no washing/ non greasy hair, you have to work up to it. One week, start with every other day and then increase by one day each week. Also try rinsing your hair with apple cider vinegar, apparently that helps keep it non greasy. These are all tips I have heard, but don't use because I live next to the beach and have to shower off sand daily, and end up washing my hair everytime too! haha! Hope that helps Allie.
thanks ladies! i just made it 3 days without a wash so maybe i just need to figure my hair out! love the tips though!
Nail buffer. I LOVE nail polish, but work too much with my hands for it to stay nice looking for more than a day (and I can't stand chipping nails! I just HAVE to make it worse by pick-pick-picking at it). The nail buffer (along with all the biotin in my pregnancy/breastfeeding vitamins) makes my nails look nice and shiny for a few weeks, without having to worry about chipping.
I'm in your corner on the Vaseline debate. Best lip product, hands down. A recommended quick fix product is coconut oil. My favorite use of it (and there are sooo many) is to put it on after I've been in the sun too long. It soothes the skin and turns sunburn into tan very quickly.
http://www.bowandarrowmag.com
good to know! I also use Aloe, but I'll definitely try coconut oil next time!
Baby powder instead of dry shampoo is amazing sprinkle a little on the roots and rub it in.
Baby powder instead of dry shampoo is amazing sprinkle a little on the roots and rub it in.
I stopped using Jergens because of what you said, it was stinky! I'll have to try it again since they changed the smell because I am oh so sadly pale.
me too!
ok I NEED to try this powder play stuff….I get super flat hair too!!!
I tried the Jergens natural glow stuff a few years ago and it smelled so bad! glad to know it doesn't smell as much anymore, which means my pasty legs might have to try it out!
And I do like the powder play stuff and how it instantly volumizes my hair but omg I can't stand the gritty texture, so I only use it when I have to 🙂
Does the powder play add even more volume to you hair? I use dry shampoo and I feel like it adds a lot of volume already but just wondered if the powder play makes much of a difference when you use it and dry shampoo.