3 top beauty splurges?

[Peepa]

The only item I splurge on is moisturizer and even then not full time. You? Please add in specific items if you can so I can check them out and get them for myself the next time I go shopping.

 

[rockzilla]

I consider things like facials the big splurges, BUT, as for skincare, I would always recommend:

1. Cleanser - whichever one works for you, I use Origins "checks and balances" frothy face wash
2. Toner - wipe over your face after using the cleanser - takes off any remaining makeup/dead skin and really clears up the pores - I use clinique (they have a numbering system based on skin type) and I''ve used the body shop tea tree one in the past - both great, but you could go drugstore as well probably with no problems
3. Moisturizer - definitely recommend neutrogena moisturizer with SPF 30 or 45 for everyday under your makeup - in addition to protecting your face from skin cancer it makes the makeup go on smoother

for makeup -

-Max Factor pan stik foundation - awesome coverage, easy to apply. Just moisturize FIRST and it will glide on!

-A good quality eyelash curler...check out which one you like the best at sephora

-angled brush for applying eyeshadow as eyeliner - this is a great tool and gives you a lot of control

 

[Dreamgirl]

Not sure if perfume counts, but mine is expensive.

1.) Tiffany Eau de Parfum Atomiseur 3.4oz
2.) Pure Tiffany Eau de Parfum 1.7oz (MY FAVORITE!)
3.) Chanel Soleil Identite self tanner 5.0oz

Yes, I smell like Tiffany's and love it.

lol. Honestly, I just love their scents a lot especially Pure Tiffany.

 

[Peepa]

Dreamgirl, whoa, tiffany''s perfume IS expensive. It must smell really good.

 

[Peepa]

I love the smell of Issey Miyake and Happy (Clinique). Perfumes last me a long time so I only splurge on those every 2-3 yrs.

 

[Giada]

1. Kerastase Hair Products - I tried them once and nothing else will do since. I use the Bain Miroir Shampoo, Conditioner and Polishing Cream. Love them all!

2. Dr. Michelle Copeland Microdermabrasion Formula - I use this a few times/week.

3. Chanel Glossimers - They are the best glosses that I own.

 

[Haven]

I splurge on the Leaf and Rusher skin care line about once a year. The products are wonderful, but the cost is around $400 and lasts about 4 to 5 months. I use Ren skincare the rest of the year, which is wonderful, too, and far less expensive.

It''s not super expensive, but I buy Jonathan shampoo and conditioner because it''s all vegan and doesn''t contain all those harsh chemicals that you find in other shampoos and conditioners. It costs about $22 a bottle.

 

[ljmorgan]

1. ghd IV styler -- the best hair straightener/flat iron of all time. It is NOT cheap but it beats out my Farouk Chi straightener, hands down. It is absolutely amazing -- it only takes one pass to fully straighten my thick, curly hair. The best part? Not only can it straighten hair, but the barrel is a bit rounded so you can actually make curls and waves with this straightener too. Soo freaking amazing. I love it.

2. NARS lip gloss -- they''re $24 a pop but all of the colors look so great on me, which I feel is rare. I love these glosses -- they actually deposit color, last a long time, and look great with my skin color.

3. Yon-ka cleansing milk and Yon-ka moisturizing toning mist -- I think they''re like $30 a pop, not super expensive for face care, but I love the natural ingredients and the herbal smell. Love them!

 

[Hera]

1. Botox (for preventative measures)

2. Yves st laurent Touche eclat (concealer with brightening pigments for under the eyes)

3. Chanel eyeshadow (love the texture,colors, and staying power)

 

[chizzy1982]

1: Skin care regime - Dermalogica ultra calming cleanser
- Dermalogica gentle exfoliator
- Dermalogica barrier repair
- Dermalogica soothing moisturising cream
- Plus other Dermalogica weekly products such as face masques etc
would never go back to another regime - it is AWESOME and totally sorted out my skin issues....... but slightly pricy though!

2 and 3 - Hair cut and highlights at Mahogany in London - took me ages to find a stylist I''m happy with but now won''t go to anybody else!

 

[Dreamgirl]

Date: 5/2/2008 3:00:39 PM
Author: Peepa
Dreamgirl, whoa, tiffany''s perfume IS expensive. It must smell really good.

I LOVE IT! Of course, I am partial to Tiffany''s. I actually used to wear other perfume, but every time I would go into Tiffany''s I loved the smell of the place and I''d always say to the boyfriend "God it smells so good in here!!" I finally discovered it was the perfume. So, of course I had to buy. lol. Worth every penny to me!

 

[oobiecoo]

I''m not big on lots of beauty products... too much stuff makes me feel gross... but these are what I LOVE:

* Angel perfume by Thierry Mugler- discovered this in middle school and now my mom and I can''t get enough!

and

*Monthly pedicures- lately its been more like twice a month because of engagement pics, bridal shower, etc

And its not a splurge at all but my favorite mascara that I can''t live without is L''Oreal Voluminous mascara in Carbon black! It''s better than any expensive brands I''ve tried.

 

[Pandora II]

My three range from horribly expensive to super-cheap.

1) ''Profumo'' by Acqua di Parma (it''s the only scent I wear and I ADORE this one, they only make it in very big bottles sadly and there are no extra things like soap or body lotion

)

2) Regenerist Serum - Oil of Olay (AMAZING - I have super-dry skin and this has made a huge difference. It''s twice the price here that it is in the USA. Grrrrr)

3) MaxFactor Pan-Stik - I swear by this stuff - it''s a perfect match with my ultra-pale pink-toned skin, 3 generations of my family use it and love it. Works well as foundation too.

 

[Peepa]

Pandora II, I use Oil of Olay too! I wait to get the more pricey moisturizers from either Clinique or Estee Lauder when they have the free gift time.

 

[~*kalypso*~]

Date: 5/2/2008 3:30:59 PM
Author: *Lindsey*
1. ghd IV styler -- the best hair straightener/flat iron of all time. It is NOT cheap but it beats out my Farouk Chi straightener, hands down. It is absolutely amazing -- it only takes one pass to fully straighten my thick, curly hair. The best part? Not only can it straighten hair, but the barrel is a bit rounded so you can actually make curls and waves with this straightener too. Soo freaking amazing. I love it.

I LOVE my GHD hair iron!!! It''s the BEST!!! I forget what model mine is, but its got a flat barrel, not rounded at all and I got it in the UK. It''s awesome! It heats up so quickly and works so well. I can use my flat barreled iron to make waves as well. I have the travel pack with the DVD showing you how to use it. I''m so glad they started selling the other ghd products at sephora!

 

[Deelight]

I LOVE my GHD I could not live without it the IV model is the newest on out I believe but mine is about 2 years old.

You can still curl your hair with the older GHD''s I do it from time to time just section your hair at the tip and and clamp at the top and twist and pull it through your hair it takes a little practice though.

Olay is seriously the best cheapest moisturizer out there I think it works better then many expensive ones I have used .

I also recommend a really good exfoliant for your skin it makes your face baby bum smooth I personally love TNS Daintree exfoilator it is really nice it cleans without stripping .

I don''t really have any splurges as such I just buy what works I will have to try the max factor though I have so many problems matching my pink pale skin

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Date: 5/2/2008 3:44:47 PM
Author: chizzy1982
1: Skin care regime - Dermalogica ultra calming cleanser
- Dermalogica gentle exfoliator
- Dermalogica barrier repair
- Dermalogica soothing moisturising cream
- Plus other Dermalogica weekly products such as face masques etc
would never go back to another regime - it is AWESOME and totally sorted out my skin issues....... but slightly pricy though!

2 and 3 - Hair cut and highlights at Mahogany in London - took me ages to find a stylist I''m happy with but now won''t go to anybody else!

My aesthetician really loves Dermalogica (and they don''t carry it in the spa, so it''s not a sales pitch, haha). She says they have the best products without being super expensive.

I use average products, nothing "splurge"y. I use Philosophy cleanser and moisturizer, though Nu Skin''s Rejuvinating Cream is my favorite...I just forget to order it. I use Laura Mercier makeup and love it, I wear Coco Madamoiselle every day and plan to for as long as I live. I try to mix up my shampoo and conditioner, so I don''t use one brand...I think my favorite is made by profound.

Now that I''m entering my late twenties I''ve been doing more to improve my skin--I get facials regularly and am starting microdermabrasion. I''ve never had great skin, so now that I don''t have to worry about breaking out any more I want to improve it!

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

1. Unquestionably my favorite is colorescience sunscreen, sunforgettable. It is a powder, so I can put it on without having a mirror or ruining my make-up. There is no oil or grease to make me break out. It works very well and is all natural, I never burn with it. It also lasts forever, I really love this stuff.

2. Chanel lipstick. I never thought chanel''s other make-up was worth the money, but I love their lipstick. The colors are good, they stay on, and they really do last.

3. origins pefect world cream. It has white tea which is really good for sun damaged skin. It smells heavenly and I loved it for the lines under my eyes.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

Yesterday I went to got some makeup for my vacation tomorrow from Trish McEvoy. The sales lady put some mascara on me and told me that it comes off in "tubes" that flake off your skin so it does not sumdge. I kind of thought it was too good to be true. Well, I came home and washed it off and she was right, no black smudges under my eyes....I couldn''t believe it. I didn''t even use an eye-makeup remover. It usually takes me a good 5-10 minutes to take off mascara. So I went back and bought it today. This is kind of sad...I have never spent more than $6 on a tube of mascara. But time is money with my busy schedule....

 

[iheartscience]

I don''t have any super big splurges, but I LOVE Kiehl''s products. I use:

1. Kiehl''s Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash-I think it''s about $18ish. It''s actually one of their men''s products, but I used my fiance''s a few times and I loved it, so I bought it for myself. My skin has been great since I started using this, and it lasts forever because you just need a tiny bit for some reason.

2. Kiehl''s Creme D''Elegance Repairateur moisturizer-I think this one''s more-maybe $28ish? It''s sooooo amazing! I have very dry skin and this works wonders! It absorbs really well but doesn''t clog my pores, and it makes my face so soft. I will seriously use this for the rest of my life!

That''s it, really! I want to get an anti-aging cream or treatment, but I don''t know what to get! Maybe I''ll get some ideas from this thread.

 

[pennquaker09]

I wouldn''t really consider any of these splurges, more like necessities for making sure Trevor has a great day.

1. D&G Light Blue - Personally, the stuff that I LOVE to wear costs like 22.00 at The Gap, but Nate likes it when I wear LB. I do it for love, lol.

I''m going to be completely honest and admit that I get stuff from Sephora. Most men would not, but I will. Like, I''m in love with the place.

2. I have serious issues with my hair. It''s really thick and curly. So, I have to get some good products to work with it. I use Matrix/Biolage products. Matrix/Biolage Hair Care
- Biolage Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner - My hair has a weird natural color, it''s sort of brown and blonde and I just don''t like it so I get it dyed a deep dark chocolate brown.
- Biolage Smoothing Shine Milk
- Matrix Sleek look Iron Smoother - I always straighten my hair. I use the GHD IV mini. I have the only one and I just bought one like a month ago from Sephora.
- Matrix Men All Style Wax

The salon I go to uses Redken, but I don''t really like Redken products.

3. I use Anthony Logistics for Men to clean and moisturize my face. In most places, it''s only sold at Sephora, but in Philly, one can pretty much get it anywhere. If any of your hubbies want to try something new, I would highly recommend it.

 

[angel_nieves]

Ok they are not splurges, but Items that I can not do with out. All the skin I use is chosen due to lack of chemicals, earth friendly, non tested on animals, also no animal by-products.

Jason Naturals - the Plumeria & Sea Kelp line smells amazing, also love their tea tree shampoo
their lavender body lotion is also a fav of mine.
Love Arbonne products

Arbonne Intelligence Exfoliating Masque with Thermal Fusion- astounding mask
PhytoProlief Natural Balancing Cream love this moisturizer light and simple
Perfume wise I love Chanel I have always wear Chanel Coco Mademoiselle

 

[Fly Girl]

My beauty splurges are about keeping me looking not as old as I am. Keeping my hair looking nice and brown, rather than gray, is important.

1. Cut and color every 5 weeks. I''m thinking about going to every four weeks soon. Ten years ago I only had to do this every 8 weeks. Sigh...

2. Biolage (Matrix) hydrating shampoo and conditioning balm. Keeps the hair soft and not dry and frizzy.

3. Finally, sunscreen every day. I find a lot of the products end up working their way into my eyes by the end of the day, and they burn and tear up. Banana Boat waterproof sunscreens are better than most.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Date: 5/3/2008 7:32:19 AM
Author: pennquaker09
I wouldn''t really consider any of these splurges, more like necessities for making sure Trevor has a great day.

I''m going to be completely honest and admit that I get stuff from Sephora. Most men would not, but I will. Like, I''m in love with the place.

OMG can I move out there and we can go shopping together ?!?!! Sephora is probably my favorite store of all time - I ADORE makeup, and I think my best friend and I spent an entire day there when they first opened their flagship store in San Francisco when we were in high school - we thought it was the closest thing to heaven here on earth

Anyway, my DH will go in with me, but definitely not his favorite activity...

You all are making me want to go run out and buy a GHD IV with this thread! I''m just starting to get to the point where I have to start worrying about making my hair look professional, and as its semi-straight already most days a straightener will probably be my quickest and easiest option, I''m guessing. I''ve actually never styled it at all really, because I''ve been lucky and not needed to, but I think I''ll have to start soon

Anyway, my top three beauty splurges are all makeup, as I love it and have tons of it:

1. Stila foundation - I use their illuminating powder foundation (AMAZING) and recently started with their new SPF 30 oil-free tinted moisturizer. I ADORE their products, as they match my skin better than any other brand.

2. NARS lipstick. Great colors and feels lovely on the lips.

3. Laura Mercier translucent finishing powder. Feels luxurious on the skin and gives a beautiful polished finish.

 

[pennquaker09]

Date: 5/3/2008 11:52:46 PM
Author: AmberGretchen

Date: 5/3/2008 7:32:19 AM

Author: pennquaker09

I wouldn''t really consider any of these splurges, more like necessities for making sure Trevor has a great day.


I''m going to be completely honest and admit that I get stuff from Sephora. Most men would not, but I will. Like, I''m in love with the place.

OMG can I move out there and we can go shopping together ?!?!! Sephora is probably my favorite store of all time - I ADORE makeup, and I think my best friend and I spent an entire day there when they first opened their flagship store in San Francisco when we were in high school - we thought it was the closest thing to heaven here on earth

Anyway, my DH will go in with me, but definitely not his favorite activity...


You all are making me want to go run out and buy a GHD IV with this thread! I''m just starting to get to the point where I have to start worrying about making my hair look professional, and as its semi-straight already most days a straightener will probably be my quickest and easiest option, I''m guessing. I''ve actually never styled it at all really, because I''ve been lucky and not needed to, but I think I''ll have to start soon

Anyway, my top three beauty splurges are all makeup, as I love it and have tons of it:


1. Stila foundation - I use their illuminating powder foundation (AMAZING) and recently started with their new SPF 30 oil-free tinted moisturizer. I ADORE their products, as they match my skin better than any other brand.


2. NARS lipstick. Great colors and feels lovely on the lips.


3. Laura Mercier translucent finishing powder. Feels luxurious on the skin and gives a beautiful polished finish.

I''m moving, but you can move to Jersey and we can shop in Paramus! Anyway, what kind of iron do you currently have? Chi and GHD are the two best, but as long as you have ceramic and a good product, you should be okay. Also, with the right iron, you can also curl your hair.

 

[arjunajane]

Oh, fun topic! I'm a big *posessions" girl, lol and proud of it!
Only 3..? ha ha

1. Kerastase shampoo,conditioner and treatment for coloured hair. And Tigi Bedhead products for styling.
2. Dermalogica face products and treatments, and anything Lancome or Bobbi Brown for makeup, and I need to have YSL touche eclat as get bad under-eye circles.
3. My new perfume love is Prada, but otherwise Armani perfumes are always really nice. I have the first Prada one and Armani Code at the moment.

 

[Independent Gal]

Dreamgirl I match my scent to my bling too! I wear Bulgari perfume.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/4/2008 12:24:34 AM
Author: pennquaker09


I''m moving, but you can move to Jersey and we can shop in Paramus! Anyway, what kind of iron do you currently have? Chi and GHD are the two best, but as long as you have ceramic and a good product, you should be okay. Also, with the right iron, you can also curl your hair.

Yes, you can curl your hair with irons - good point! I use my GHD to curl and it works well. I find my forming my hair into curls and clamping it with the iron works better than twisting the iron through the hair, the curls stay in longer I find.

 

[diamondfan]

1. REVITALASH. This stuff has given me my old lashes back. It is amazing.
2. Temps Majeur by YSL skin care, the line is awesome but the serum is the best. I also like the La Mer eye cream.
3. I want to try the Fekkai overnight hair repair. Supposed to be great but I have not gotten to it yet. The Alterna white truffle shampoo and conditioner are great.

4. just adding in Cle de Peau. I love all of their products, their glosses and new lipsticks especially.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Date: 5/4/2008 10:04:22 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 5/4/2008 12:24:34 AM

Author: pennquaker09




I''m moving, but you can move to Jersey and we can shop in Paramus! Anyway, what kind of iron do you currently have? Chi and GHD are the two best, but as long as you have ceramic and a good product, you should be okay. Also, with the right iron, you can also curl your hair.

Yes, you can curl your hair with irons - good point! I use my GHD to curl and it works well. I find my forming my hair into curls and clamping it with the iron works better than twisting the iron through the hair, the curls stay in longer I find.

Penn - I''m not sure if I could handle Jersey

But it might be worth it to have a cool shopping buddy who really loved Sephora

Somehow I don''t see talking the DH into it - he really really loves the West Coast, and especially where we are now.

I will be totally honest and say that I''ve never even owned a straightening iron, much less used one on my own hair. I also don''t own a curling iron or a blowdryer. I''ve been really lucky with my hair - its naturally a little bit wavy but mostly straight, and very thick but not at all coarse (each strand is very fine, there''s just a lot of them). So usually I wash it at night, pull it out of my face while I sleep, wake up in the morning and pull a brush through it and its presentable. Unfortunately, I''m (hopefully) getting my first real job within a year or so (I''m finishing up my PhD, hopefully, in that time), and I''ll really need to look professional and polished for both interviews and the (hopeful) job.

So what would you recommend for a novice for both products and styling tools? I was thinking the straightener would be easiest to make it look polished since my hair is closer to straight than anything else. My hair does get greasy if I put too much crap in it though, and I don''t want to have to spend very much time styling it if at all possible.