Beauty products I'm using in 2009!
I would not call myself a beauty buff, if such a term even existed, but I do think it’s important to be comfortable in your own skin. Different people have different definitions of comfort, and from what I can tell I skate by on very little in terms of beauty products. I do, however, have a few that I could only part with under strenious and highly unlikely (i.e. gun to head) circumstances. I’ve decided to kick off both the new year and the new blog with a recap and review of the beauty products I am littering my vanity table and bathroom shelves with as of January 2009.
1. Lancome Paris Bi-Facil: I bought this after extensive research into the “best” make up remover on the market. It has won several awards, and hearts, for its ultra-light liquid removing power. Instead of leaving your skin to deal with an oily nightcap Bi-Facil’s formula feels like water, just shake and watch your make-up slip away with ease. I only apply make up to my eyes, but I have found that this also lasts a long time and was therefore worth the bill. Rating: 
2. The Body Shop’s Hemp Hand Protector: As the cold months approached I was searching for a tube of something to keep with me at all times so my poor, cracked hands could stand a fighting chance in the dry winter months. I waltzed into the Body Shop and asked the salesgirl for her reccomendation and walked out with this stuff. The hemp smell is both tastey and subtle, and you only need a little amount applied to the hands to keep them nice and soft. In December I scored big and was given a 100ml tube for my birthday! And the 30ml tube I bought for my purse in November is still half full. Once again, it has proven to be worth its weight in gold. Rating:
3. Burberry Brit Fragrance for Women: I’m not one of those girls who has oodles of perfumes and body sprays at their disposal. I much prefer to have a signature scent. For ages it was Lacoste’s Inspiration, and when the last bottle ran out I decided to go in a different direction. It took my boyfriend and I an hour and a half in Sephora, trying to remember which scent we liked best after completely defiling each and every test bottle on the shelf. It was a tough call between an Armani fragrance for women and this. While the Armani scent was delictable, I felt it was too strong for my tastes and I chose the reserved yet classical Burberry Brit, and I haven’t looked back. Rating:
4. The Body Shop’s Almond Body Butter: (Cocoa is pictured) I’ve always admired the Body Shop’s ethical stand point. If you go to their website (as I did recently to find the above picture) it’s not just about humanity towards animals, but towards every living thing. They’ve always got great promotions both online and in-store endorsing AIDS, HIV and domestic violence awareness. Years ago I got hooked on their body butter, and I always make sure I’ve got some with me wherever I’m going. Fruity flavours like mango can be fun at times, but for the daily dose of moisture I much prefer something subtle, like the almond with almond oil, so as not to interfere with my Burberry. Rating:
5. Clinique Superfine Liner for Brows: (02 soft brown) Back in my adolesence I went through a phase of purposely over-tweezing until my brows were two thin lines of about ten single hairs. Now that I’ve (thankfully) grown up and out of said phase I’ve been coveting the thick eyebrow look. My eyebrows are still fairly sparse, although thicker than they were when I was fifteen, and I’m still on the hunt for a remedy such as Rogaine without the scary “no girls allowed” warning labels. While they grow in, either on their own or with over-the-counter aids, I invested in this inexpensive brow liner which matches my brow colour perfectly. It’s been such an asset to my daily beauty regime and gives my brows the effect that I hope they will someday have on their own! Rating: 
6. ~H2O+ Hand & Nail Cream: I scored this stuff two birthdays ago but didn’t give it much notice until this winter. It was coupled with an ~H2O+ hand soap in a nifty metal holder, to be used together, and I have to say they really compliament each other. The hand and nail cream is scented, but again it’s very subtle. I’m not a huge fan of lavender and like-scented hand creams, so this was a very fitting gift. My cuticles and the dryest point on my hands so it’s a real treat to have a lotion that will help lock in the moisture around the hotspots. Rating:
7. ~H2O+ Raspberry Guava Body Buffer: Yet another birthday gift, this body buffer came in a gift set along with shower gel, body lotion and body mist. I am getting the most use out of the body buffer, however. To be used in the shower, all you have to do is apply liberally to your dry areas. No matter the season my feet are the biggest trouble makers. I’ve always had dry feet and had to apply lotion after lotion once I get out of the shower or else I could probably break the skin if I caught you with my bare heels! Having something to use in the shower has proven to be a lifesaver. I’ve even noticed, and this is the biggest surprise, if I decline to apply any lotion after applying the body buffer my heels don’t end up scratchy and dry! It’s a miracle, and something that I’ll be keeping in my shower for a long, long time. Rating:
