Absolutely Fabulist

Okay, I'll admit it, I'm a bit of a product whore.  It's partly due to the fact that I'm an actor, and it's important casting-wise to make sure that I'm putting my best face forward, and partly due to good old-fashioned vanity.  Whatever the reason, though, I've tried many MANY different skin and hair products.

It's been awhile since I've been ready for my close-up, though, Mr DeMille.  An endless winter and too many sleepless nights have run roughshod over my looks, and I feel the need to do a little spring cleaning. Here's what I can't live without when I need a pick-me-up..

Last year, I got a gift certificate for a facial for Mother's Day.  At the end of the session, the beautician plied me with samples, and Dermalogica's Day Bright was one of them.  It's an SPF 15 for the face that "illuminates" the skin.  If you look at it closely, it's probably minute pink and golden sparklies that do all the illuminating, but it works - my skin looks better.  It also smells light and citrus-y.  I almost choked at the price when I went back to the salon to buy it though.  I doubt I'll get it again unless I get a cash windfall, but I will remember it as a truly lovely indulgence.  Maybe I'll skip coffee and save my pennies.  Ha, ha!  I will never skip coffee..

Since I'm ghost-white pale, I've tried a lot of sunscreens.  The one I'm fond of is Kinesys (SPF 30).  I found it originally when I was shopping for new running shoes.  It's an easy to apply spray format, really lightweight and NOT GREASY.  That's key for me.  I hate the feeling of being weighted down by a greasy cream, and I'm more likely to apply the sunscreen if I don't feel gross after I do. (FYI, they do make a kid's version, which I haven't tried yet.  The baby has excema, though, so we're keeping with Ombrelle sensitive for a while yet, anyways.)

I don't like to wear a lot of make-up unless I'm on stage or going out whoring (oops, did I admit that online?), but I wouldn't leave the house without applying MAC's Studio Fix concealer.  I covers the pits of blackness under my eyes.  It also really does a good job to cover up breakouts.  Yup, I'm in my thirties and I STILL get pimples.  Good times.

This is one indulgence that I reluctantly cough up the dough for time and time again:  Purelogy Shampoo and Conditioner.  I'm VERY picky about the stuff that I use for my hair, and my cupboards are usually littered with products that don't come up to snuff, but I feel too guilty to throw out.  This one does.  My baby fine hair feels stronger, softer AND less tangly.  It's a godsend.  It's also earth-friendly, biodegrable and  100% Vegan.

I've just recently returned to MOP products after a long hiatus.  They've got a lot of great stuff and it's not ridiculously expensive.  The one I love?  Glisten Volumizing Spray.  It actually makes my hair feel thicker.  Many products claim to do that, but this one actually feels like it does.  It also makes it very, very shiny.  Shiny good.  Me likey.

I absolutely loathe lipstick.  But sometimes, the look is just not complete without a little  somthin' somethin', ya know?  Especially if I'm going on an audition.  I just feel more finished.  In those instances, I always reach for my Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey.  It doesn't have the weight of a regular lipstick, and since it's really more of a stain, it looks good no matter what your colouring.  And I love the name.  Makes me feel sassy.

McBloom's Extremely Rich Cream.  Quite simply the best hand (or foot) cream that I have ever used.  Seriously.  Why have you not gone out and bought this cream yet.  Go on.  I'll wait.....You back?  I have really dry hands from constant washing.  I'm not a clean freak, I just have two small kids who seem hell-bent on passing germs back and forth, and the washing has wreaked havoc on my poor mitts.  It has literally healed cracked and bleeding skin practically overnight.  Buy.  Love.  You're welcome.

Got any miraculous beauty products to add to the list?  I'm always willing to try something new.  My cluttered medicine cabinet will attest to that.  Beyond that, if you're looking for a really good, cheap way to boost your ego, please repeat after me:

"I AM big.  It's the pictures that got small."

Comments

[motherbumper]

Slapping on the paint for whoring is something I look forward these days - have no fear, I understand your online admission. And as a fellow pale ghost, I gotta check me out those first two products - they sound divine!

[kittenpie]

I love Almost Lipstick, too! it's not as thick or obvious as serious lipstick, half way between that and a gloss. That way when I never reapply, it doesn't look weird, either.

I'm a big Origins fan for skin products, though I still have use a concealer to cover up spots (boo!) as needed and a dab of powder to set it. If I need a little brightening up and remember about it, I like Benefit's Dandelion powder, which is a light pink powder that wakes you up a bit. And if I need waking around the eyes, Urban Decay's Fluorescent eyeshadow is good enough - it's a white with pink irridescent that goes on sheer as can be. For facial sunscreen, I use an Olay 30 SPF for sensitive skin, but have also liked Neutrogena's light moisture 30 as well, both are light enough not to make me feel icky - I don't like feeling stuff on my skin, either.

My hair gets Aveda - I love the styling curescence when I can remember to put it in. (Yes, I'm lazy and not that committed.)

Shower stuff is from Lush - both soaps and lemon Slammer gel. And my new fave thing is Body Shop mango body butter. Rich, good smelling, yummy.

[Darrell Owens]

Cool review and fun blog...yes, never ever give up the coffee!

-Darrell