What products do you swear by? Do you spend more than you want to on these things? Do you think you spend too much time on your skin and hair? Do you wear makeup every day?

What do you use to wash your face? Does it cost more than shaving cream? Is your shampoo more expensive than all of your other products combined?

How many products do you put on your body every single day? Can you name all of them?

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

Answers

Pamie, you should just SEE my vanity area! I have over 200 shower creams, body gels, lotions, body splashes, and perfumes. I own the largest collection of Clinique lipsticks of anyone I know. I ONLY wear Clinique makeup and use Clinique cleansers, toners, moisturizers, you name it. The only thing I am no fuss about is my hair; I use Biolage shampoo and conditioning balm or the Detangler, and alternate Paul Mitchell's Baby Don't Cry Shampoo and Physique shampoo with the Biolage. I do NOT use a hair dryer, curling iron, or hot rollers... ditto for hair spray or any of the other gunk. I color my hair a shade lighter of blonde when the notion hits me. I use Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works religiously... p.s. do not use the VS bubble bath... it is not very good, so I use the shower gel or cleansing creme as a bubble bath instead. Gosh, the husband must be right, I AM high maintenence!

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

I never use the same shampoo and conditioner twice in a row, i.e. after the bottles are finished off, I buy something different. Right now, I'm using Salon Selectives Citrus Peach shampoo/conditioner. My hair comes out really soft and it smells great. Not to mention it blends well with Clinique's Happy, which I wear every day. I use two things on my face, some L'Oreal cleanser and something by Biore. I use a moisturizer every once in a while and I like Johnson and Johnson's Clean and Clear oil-free stuff.

I don't wear makeup. I've always been a tomboy. I look at my Nana, who hardly ever wears makeup, she's 66 and looks 50. I want to look like that. I hate the idea of putting crap all over my face to be more presentable to people. I am just not a girly girl.

I blow dry my hair every day and I used to use Senscience hair gloss on it afterwards but I'm currently all out, I HIGHLY recommend it. It's like $15 for a little bottle but it lasts forever and really works wonders.

I use Gillette shaving cream, the women's stuff. It has a purple cap, I don't keep track of these things. See what I mean? I'm a disgrace to women everywhere.

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

I use the generic, Safeway shower gel, St Ives Raspberry shampoo and conditioner and Cetaphil cleanser. My moisturiser is Olay's Daily Renewal (the only halfway decent moisturiser with BHA that I've found). Makeup is Cover Girl (the smooth finish one) in Natural Ivory and Cobblestone lipstick. Minimal blush, rarely any eye makeup. No hairspray or gel or anything, no blow drying.

As for bath stuff, I make my own bath salts. For bubble bath, I use a cheap, generic bath foam, and I love it. The expensive ones have too many perfumes for me. I have a strawberry one and a pink grapefruit one. I used to have a really nice lavender and chamomile bubble bath, but I haven't been able to find it for a while.

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

I'm such a good-smelling stuff addict. For a while there, all I was using (for hair, face, bath, etc) was products from Lush. But then a funny thing happened. I tried that Loreal Nutrivive shampoo that Portia De Rossi's pimping. And you know what, it makes my hair really soft and shiny and it only costs $3/bottle instead of $16. I alternate between that and Clairol Herbal Essence volumizing shampoo, which is also cheap. And I tried the Neutrogena anti-wrinkle moisturizer (which I'd heard in a skin care forum was also good for keeping skin clear). Guess what, it works, I can buy it at Target, and one $10 tube lasts a couple of months. So I'm weaning myself from most of my expensive beauty products.

Let's see: shampoo (varies), conditioner (varies), bath soap (varies), facial scrub (Lush Angels on Bare Skin), moisturizer (Neutrogena), under-eye cream (St. Ives), body powder--in summer--or lotion--in winter (varies), and on days when I wear makeup, Neutrogena healthy skin makeup and powder, lipstick (varies), eye shadow (varies), and mascara (Cover Girl). The only things I use that I can't get at Target are the facial scrub and body powder, plus occasional luxuries like bath salts or bath bombs or perfume.

I didn't break out and have to run back to my dealer when I stopped using the expensive stuff, either.

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

Shampoo: alternate between Neutrogena T-Gel (for medication), Klorane Henna (for color), Body Shop Henna Cream (for body and color, recently discontinued, please bring it back), Paul Worthington extra body formula (for body).

Face: if I'm in the mood to pay attention to these things, scrub in shower with Clinique 7-day scrub or Body Shop Blue Corn Scrub. After shower, if still paying attention, use a moisturizer whose name I can't remember, it's a local Finnish brand and I'm sure it's identical to other $12 moisturizers that claim to have vitamins and UV protection. Then, if I think I'm going to be spending more than ten minutes outdoors, get real UV protection from Nivea Sunblock for Children SPF 30. I do these things about half the time. My skin is easily irritated even by these products, and there are times when I can't even bear to get water on my face in the shower. It's better if I go to sauna regularly.

Odor: crystal deodorant, Issey Miyake eau de cologne.

Makeup: MAC lipstick in Auburn (recently discontinued, please bring it back), brown eyebrow pencil used to fill in gaps in eyebrow and make clumsy eyeshadow/liner lines. These things may not get done until I get to work, or even until afternoon or evening, or at all, depending on who I think is going to see me. I am relatively Low Maintenance.

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

Let's seeee... I'll start from the top :

Hair : Alternating until I find something that works. Right now I'm using Mop Mixed Greens Shampoo and Daily Rinse Conditioner and when I'm in a hurry Pantene Pro-V Shampoo + Conditioner for colour treated hair. I swear the Pantene does a *better* job then the Mop stuff. I think I'm going to try those Thermasilk shampoos next. I used to use Biolage (it smells DIVINE) but it really didn't do anything good for my hair.

Face : Body Shop Chamomile eye makeup remover for my mascara - the only makeup I wear *everyday*. Cumcumber Facial Toner for getting the city grime off before going to bed and for cleaning up my "T" zone. Which is getting more and more oiley the closer I get to my damn period. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing lotion - that 'face drink' stuff - oh man, my face LOVES that stuff. Makeup wise everyday : I use a lash curler and Maybelline Lash by Lash mascara, body shop eyebrow gel, vitamen E stick on lips with Clinique lip liner pencil in plum as lipstick. Sometimes I don't do the lipstick because my lips aren't smooth. Sometimes I need coverup and some powder (Coty transcelucent). I don't do the really expensive stuff, because I can't really afford it. I * do* buy MAC lipsticks on occaision, and have a couple (Twig and some other I can't remember) but I hardly * ever* use them.

Body : Body Shop White Musk soap bar and bath/shower gel - the shower gel with a puff if I want to exfoliate. Then some Vaseline Cream - it's this rich cream with some Vitamen E and Vaseline in it. I have superdry skin and it LOVES this stuff. Of course in the states, it only comes in these TEENY little containers. So right now I'm using some Neutrogena Body Moisterizer - Fishermans Formula. How sexy. Oh and I sometimes treat my feet to some Body Shop Peppermint Foot lotion.

I think that's it... I want to start treating my undereye skin better - buying something superhydrating for it or something. But I haven't decided on a product yet. Suggestions? I have superdry somewhat sensitive skin.

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

I'm very 'whatever' about name brands. The only makeup I wear every day is liquid blackbrown liner and black mascara. Nifty new face washing product my mom gave me the other day though: Oil of Olay makes these disposable cleansing cloth things. Easy to use and they smell good :) I like smelley-good stuff but I can't afford it :P

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

MAC discontinued Auburn?? I wear one fucking cosmetic product, and they discontinue it?? I'm going to have words with somebody in that company!

Well, I was going to say that I use some foaming facewash whose name I can't remember, put on some moiturizer if I'm felling particularily parched, and the apply lipstick in MAC's Auburn. Things will change when I run out of lipstick. Sigh.

I'm 23, and I already have wrinkles around my eyes. I've had them since my father got sick and died. No wrinkle cream that I've tried has diminished them. I don't try anymore. I'm proud of them. They're the wrinkles of a survivor.

For shampoo, I use whatever's on sale. Same for body wash. Occasionally, I'll get dry skin (when I lived in the Prairies), or a sunburn, and I'll get a jar of vitamin E cream. Other than that I have great skin, so I don't want to mess with a good thing.

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

MAC lipglass. sticky, but sexy. I wear it when I'm out and about, because it's useless if you are going to be smooching your sweetie. With a little lipliner sometimes. Great Lash mascara, every now and again. As far as face stuff, I never really sorted it out.. I'm trying to avoid the many-bottles thing. But I break out often enough (I'm 26 dammit) that I may give in eventually. I use body shop light face moiusturizer and Boots brand botanical wash/toner thing. I don't like to smell like flowers, I like to smell like food. Almond oil and almond cream for body and hands. Cocoa butter under lipstick and on dryer bits. occasional coconut oil.

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

I'm a cosmetics-junkie. Totally. Lipstick, foundation, nailpolish (ooooooh, nailpolish!). Everything. The whole bit.

But only stuff that I know is not animal tested.

I actually did some research on just regular consumer brands that don't test on animals, like Revlon, Almay, or Maybelline. And, of course, St. Ives (hmmmm... they have chocolate body lotion!) and Avon. I avoid anything by CoverGirl.

So, let's see: the coffee-making hubby says that I own a bottle of nailpolish for every day of the year. I think he's exaggerating, though--I think it's for every other day, really. My present favorite: Silver Sand by Maybelline.

Mascara: Almay Cover and Curl.

Lipstick: The yummy fruity ones or the chocolatey one from Bonne Bell. Yum yum.

Cheers. The Semicolon; Confessions of a Grammarqueen

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

alright, i dont' think of myself as high maintenance..but we'll just see when I list my products Hair - whatever mom buys, and when I'm at university normally whatevers cheapest..right now and for the past 2 months its been Herbal Essence shampoo and conditioner. The formula for colored treated hair.. I blow dry my hair at least half of the week, the other half it goes back in cute little pig tails (not long enough for a pony tail) I do'nt wear gel or stuff like that except right now im growing my bangs out so until they stay out of my eyes by themselves (a couple more months) I steal some of my moms expensive hair gel that she buys from the hair dresser....other than that i sometimes use some herbal essence hair spray to tame the frizzys. I get it cut from every month to every 3 months depending on if i have bangs or not and how long i want it to be at that point in time and I get highlights every 6 months (the current ones being reddish blond..I have brown hair)
Body- I use Herbal essence body wash or pepermint exfoliating scrub from the body shop, gillette shaving cream (the pink and purple toped ones), Body shop pepermint foot lotion on my feet (im on them ALL day long and it feels soo nice) vaseline intensive care mozurizing lotion or if im not wearing perfume when I go out some expensive french vanilla cream my mom gave me for christmas. For perfume I alternate between Blue from the Gap or Tommy Girl. I dont' wear perfume much cuase I work in scent free offices..*shitty deal* for me perfume is the final touch.
Face - i use bath and body works eye makeup remover in camomille, phizoderm (sp??) face wash (great stuff). I do'nt get zits (its a rare occasion) so all is good there. Get my eye brows waxed every month. In the winter, body shop all in one face base, and brown mascara with lipsmackers lipbalm in many different flavors (i have over 30)..when I go out to the bars, some silver eye shadow and some light pink or mauve lipstick....in the summer I wear nothing but some mascara occasionally when going out. my tan is enough.
I think thats it, I guess I'm high maintenance afterall *L* although I do'nt do this every day..half the time I forget to wash my face, or I use ivory soap when I can't find my scrubber in the shower etc etc. :) but u get the gist :) Monica

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

* PONDS self-foaming face wash! I LOVE this stuff. I have really oily skin (the curse of being Italian/Portugese) and it leaves my skin so smooth... I just adore it. * I also alternate shampoos every day or every other day, so I always have a stock of at least 3 or 4 different ones. -I really like Body Vive by L'Oreal. Smells good and works great. -Aveeda black melva shampoo---a little pricer ($12 or so) but is great, and makes bown hair even darker, naturally. No need for Clairol Natural Essences!! -that new Physique shampoo sucks, by the way. It's about $7 a bottle and is supposes to give your hair enough body to rival Arnold Schwartzeneger... but it just lets you down. * NIVEA body cream... I am admittedly one of those Bath and Body Freaks who own about 25 (no joke!!) different lotions and creams in different scents at one time. But Nivea is wonderful and moisturizes better... although it can get greasy so I use it most often at night and use the pretty smelling stuff during the day (like Bath and Body's White Gardenia... I was told they;re discontinuing that one.. and I was furious!!)

I usually only wear eye makeup, if I wear any makeup at all, so I have a few favorite eye items. * Clinique 'Pink Gem' eye shadow. It's pale enough that I wear it and it evens out my eyelids with the rest of my face (since I am one of many whose eyelids are darker than my face..) * Maybeline Great Lash Mascara in brown/black. * L'Oreal loose sparkle dust in teal, and green, and silver. So fun!

Ok so I guess I am a girly-girl, but I swear, my get ready time in the morning never lasts more than 45-1 hr--including shower!! So I make no apologies!!

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

Well, I just moved in with 2 male roommates, and let's just say that they were shocked at the sheer amount of stuff that I have. Let's start from the top:

Shampoo/conditioner - alternate between Pantene Clarifying, Suave Apple and Nutrogena T-Gel, which is the BOMB of all medicated shampoos. Dig it! I use the corresponding conditioner for each, but I also have St. Ives Rejuvinating Conditioner. Smells like peppermint. Paul Mitchel Tea Leaf shampoo when I can afford it.

Body Wash: If it smells good, I have it. I have around 7 different body washes, and one has glitter in it. Makes you all pretty when you are going out that night. My current favorite is Sun Ripened Rasberry by Bath and Body Works

Lotion/body splash: Ah, my forte. I combined this category because I wear lotion most of the time because it smells pretty. I have Country Apple, Pearberry, Sun Ripened Raspberry and Juniper Breeze in hand lotion and body creme, Sun Ripened Raspberry Body Splash and glitter mouse from Bath and Body Works. I have 2 body splashes from Victoria's Secret, which I keep at work for those emergencies when you need a body splash, and a whole slew of things that were gifts or that I bought on a whim.

Makeup: Clinique compact, Clinique liquid base, Clinique eye shadow, Cover Girl mascara, Cover Girl eyeliner, and Clinique Chubby Stick. Damn, that thing rocks. I love my chubby stick. If they ever ask me that question about what 3 things I would take to the deserted island, the chubby stick would be included.

On top of all of this, I do have an assortment of random things: Hair serums, to tame those damn fly aways and split ends; nail polishes, perfumes, stuff like that.

I am high maintenance, let me tell you!

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

No guys have responded to this so I guess it's up to me...

Edge Shaving Jell (although I've been using it for several years I could not think of the name so I had to go look). I wear a full beard but most days I take a minute or so to shave around the beard (cheeks, under lip, neck). Dial soap. Suave shampoo (which I buy lots of whenever it goes on sale for 99 cents). Old Spice roll-on deodorant. Old Spice aftershave. I guess toothpaste doesn't count?

That's it. Oh... sunblock if I'm going to be out it the sun a lot.

Jim

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

I think that spending more time cleaning my face to keep it clear and happy is worth not reapplying gooey, smeary makeup every half hour. I'm getting some of that Proactiv stuff, and I gotta say, I'm pretty excited.

Neutrogena Pore Refining Stuff is great for people with combo skin and tons of blackheads, like me :).

I use Prescriptives cover-up as my makeup base (if I use any). I use an eyeshadow brush to paint it on, which actually makes it more fun :).

Hair stuff -- whatever. Anything, so long as it smells good. I even like Pert.

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2000

I use Mary Kay on my face, simply because it doesn't feel greasy. It's expensive, but I think it's worth it because one bottle lasts me a long time. But even that I use sparingly. Morning routine - I get up, wash my face (with ordinary soap), slap on a bit of moistureizer and then a teensy dab of foundation. For makeup, I wear mascara. That's it.

And for shampoo and conditioner - whatever I find that smells good. Occasionally Pantene, simply because it does tend to make my hair shinier, but I'm not a shampoo snob by any means. When I travel (which I do a lot), I just use whatever the shampoo is that the hotel provides.

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2000

oh! This topic is almost too perfect for me!

I am a total product junkie, and I work in a full-service salon and day spa one day of the week (I will probably end up getting my hairstylist's lic. after finishing my useless art history degree), which only facilitates my addiciton....

I second whoeven mentioned Lush. Their products are fantastic. My dream is to someday own the only salon in america with a retail contract with Lush.

For my hair, I have multiple products. For Shampoo, I alternate between Grahmn Webb's thermal care and Back to Basics' green tea shampoo. For conditioner, I have Grahm Webb's color-locking conditioner (helps preserve even punky semi-permamnent colors like mine) and Back to Basics' honey conditioner. For styling my very thick and curly hair, I use a bit of American Crew leave-in conditoner (your haircolor needs sunscreen, too!) and then some d:fi details pomade or d:fi heavy wax. I also like that coconut oil hair wax from the body shop...

my skin can be really oily or really dry depending, so I have various products that I alternate, from the body shop tea tree oil line to some stuff by Prescriptions Plus, the skin care line that we carry at my work. In winter, I really need the angelicum cream by Lush, and i am slowly starting down the long road of Clinique addiction with my recent acquisition of some dramatically diff. moist. lotion. Oh, and gotta love that Neutrogena oil-free acne wash, too.

Other things that I can't live with out include mango body butter from the body shop, sweet almond oil for my legs and feet, Ambrosia shaving cream from Lush (eliminates razor burn, the boy loves it too), Nail Envy by Opi, patchouli crystal deoderant from Lush, and various masks/scrubs for facials.

I'm not a big make-up wearer, but I have a few Jane and TIGI things that I like to play with occasionally before I got out. I also have a bunch of Aveda makeup, only because it was free for the taking when we discontinued carrying it at my work. It smells funny. I am so not into the whole. "cult-of-aveda."

I suppose I am pretty high-maintenance, product and service-wise, but getting services for free and a deep discount on products thru my work helps.

I live with 1 other roomate and out bathroom looks like it is used by 19 sorority girls. Meghan, I know you are reading this and laughing at me.

-Allison

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2000

Oh my, is this my niche or what??? I, along with Shelagh, am a cosmetics junkie, and proud of it!

Hair: I have fallen deeply and lustfully in love with Matrix Amplify. Never before has a better smelling hair care line been created. Seriously - smell it for yourself. It also makes my hair soft 'n shiny, and not as flat, I think. I have long, straight blonde hair like Pamie's, and this stuff is amazing. I think it was CREATED for my baby-fine-but-abundant stick-straight-won't-take-a-curl hair. In the summer however, I use Brocato Blonde shampoo & conditioner, for a change. It seems to bring out the lighter blonde more, and smells pretty good. The conditioner in the Brocato isn't as intense as the Amplify.

Skin care: now that I'm pregnant, I get by with Dove soap (evenings) and Cetaphil cleanser (mornings) (recommended by dermatologists everywhere), with St. Ives Collagen & Elastin lotion. My pregnant skin is unbelieveably flawless. But when I'm *not* pregnant, I swear by Pola Salus II. It's Japanese skincare, and much like Pamie's stuff - there are 4 products, I pay around $80 for all 4 items, but they last me 6 months! And my skin looks and feels gorgeous when I use the stuff, so it is SO WORTH IT. If you can get by on cheap skincare (like I am lately), go for it, but there's nothing wrong with having an expensive, elaborate skincare system if it makes you feel and look better. Goes both ways - there's nothing wrong with Dove and St. Ives either - whatever works for you.

Makeup: yay! One day a week, I go without any makeup at all, to give my skin a breather. Most other days, I wear a powder foundation (MAC's Studio Fix, Aveda's Dual, or Urban Decay Surreal Skin), line with a brush & eyeshadow along my top lashes, wear 1 or 2 more shades on my eyes, ALWAYS mascara (I have small eyes), a very light blush (I'm real pale, so gotta be careful - blushes last me FOREVER 'cause I barely use any) and ALWAYS something on my lips; my favorite is MAC Spice liner topped with a fantastic gloss, like MAC's lipglasses, or Stila's lipshines. I like lipstick too, but usually save that for fall/winter. Summer it's gloss all the way, baby!

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2000

um, sorry. I really do know html. I just made that lush link like that because...I um...really like lush a lot. that's it. yeah. sorry.

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2000

Skin: I try to control my skin by eating healthy foods, drinking a lot of water, and taking my vitamins. Seriously, when I upped the amount of fruits and vegetables that I eat on a daily basis, I really noticed a difference in my skin. If I eat a bunch of crap for a few days, I break out like mad.

However, the products I use: Cetaphil, once a day. And when I have a big nasty zit, which actually hasn't happened for quite some time, I splooge a bunch of Neutrogena Acne Mask on top of it and leave it on overnight. It seems to help a lot. When I was wearing a bunch of makeup every day, I had to use more serious cleansing products, but since I now usually go without any cosmetics, Cetaphil works just fine.

I've been using Artec Kiwi shampoo and conditioner for the hair. I tend to buy whatever my hairdresser tells me to buy, which is almost always something at the salon. To tell you the truth, I've never really noticed a difference in my hair based on shampoo. I like the smell of the kiwi stuff, though, so I guess I'll keep using it for awhile.

Cosmetics: as mentioned previously, don't wear 'em much these days. The one exception is when I go out clubbing or dancing. Then I use foundation (something by MAC that I forget the name of, it's their new stuff from spring, though), eyeshadow (currently liking Nars Night Fever, which is black with red sparklies), and lipstick (Urban Decay ... Roach, I think). I don't really enjoy wearing makeup on a daily basis, for various reasons, but going all dramatic for going to the club or whatever is sort of fun.

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2000

I wore Mary Kay for years and I wore Avon for awhile after that. Neither one of them did I like. I tried to spend money of Clinique and other expensive makeups that you can only find at Dillards and other department stores but I just couldn't go in and spend $20 for eyeliner. Yikes. I use Biore for my face and I use prescription acne medication (my bf had bad acne as a teen so we get the prescription stuff).
I think that the additional products just cause clutter in the bathroom and you feel responsible for using them since you paid so much money for them. I don't need any more stress!!!

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2000

origins, origins, origins. love the stuff! and aveda ain't that bad either. incredible stuff for people who don't like to wear a lot of make-up, but like clean-looking skin. i admit it's hard to part with $$$ to buy this stuff ... it's addictive *and* expensive!

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2000

I hate mary kay.

just looking at this forum gives me an uncontrollable urge to go out and spend way too much money on gorgeous smelly happy face products instead of a vaccuum/bike/deposit for my new apartment.

bad bad bad.

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2000

Ok Jen - since you posted I must get my 2 cents in. I too am a sucker for the nice smelly creams and lotions and soaps, etc. Currently I have Fa Kiwi Mix showergel in my shower which I'm really enjoying - nice n citrussy. Lush Sympathy for the Skin bodycream is also an every day staple - LOVE that vanilla-y banana-y smell! Makes my skin so soft, too.

Hair: used to spend a fortune on haircare products but found that Clairol Herbal Essences really works for me and my highlights, and makes my hair smell so nice :) I also use Sebastian Potion 9, a lightweight gel (L'Oreal meltin gel or something) and a wax when my hair is dry to get some definition and shine.

Makeup: favorites are Stila, MAC and Chanel. HyperReal foundation (MAC) with mascara and lipgloss every day, and usually at work I add some eyeshadow (CHANEL trio is my latest, with cream, taupe and coffee colors) and blush (Chanel Candy or MAC Prism). I own several MAC lipglasses, and I usually just alternate between them all summer long - they are wonderful.

I cleanse with Dove - works for me. I use Neostrata oilfree moisturizer, which I've been devoted to for 2 years now. Lipbalm is Carmex (a close second to Kiehl's lipbalm #1.

Fragrance - I wear many, but I'm tempted to buy YSL Babydoll.....its so nice for summer! does anyone else have this one?

Shelagh

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2000

I have to go out on my lunch break and get some stuff, so this topic is too perfect!

Hair: I've been using Back to Basics curl-enhancing shampoo and conditioner, but I'm about to switch to something yum that I find today. Maybe I will get Paul Mitchell Tea Tree shampoo for special occasions. Nexxus always gets results. For styling, I use CitreShine curling balm and anti-frizz serum. I also use a straightening balm for when I blow out my hair straight.

Skin: I use Nivea face wash in the morning and Ponds cleansing cloths at night because I get lazy. I spot-treat zits with cheapo Duane Reade zit cream... what the hell is the name of the active ingredient... I can't remember. I use Biore moisturizer and Body Shop cream when my skin gets dry.

Makeup: I wear garden-variety drugstore stuff every day, but I use it sparingly. I think Revlon is for Times Square hookers. I have Almay concealer, Maybelline mascara, Cover Girl pressed powder and eyebrow gel, Neutrogena blush and eyeliner, and shimmery eyeshadows from Patricia Field. Bracci nailpolish in Tiramisu and Pink Ice.

Body: I love good-smelling things as much as the next chick. I wear perfumes like Eternity and something I can't pronounce from Hermes. I also wear Oceanus and Ananya from the Body Shop. I am a shower gel addict. Bath & Body Works juniper, apple and flowering herbs, the Body Shop white grapefruit. I went to Sephora a couple weeks ago and got Honeysuckle shower gel in their cool, weird contact-lens-shaped bottle.

I'm a girly girl. A lot of us are. I love browsing drugstores. I'll stay there for an hour cruising the makeup aisle. Candles too. But that's another forum. :)

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2000

I'm not that much of a makeup person but I like clean skin.

I like Kiehl's Gentle Oatmeal Mud cleanser (something like that?) Takes that gunk right out. Keihl's lip balm #2 keeps the lips soft and smooth. Biore Pore Perfect strips removes those blackheads from the nose. Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara is the best.

I usually end up with some shower shell from either the Body Shop or Bath and Body works I'm not too picky. I use Shaving Cream and the GILETTE MACH 3 razor. If I have to recommend only one product, the Mac 3 razor is the one. It has 3 blades and cuts superclose without nicking the skin. WOW!!!

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2000

Okay, so reading all these responses makes me realize that I definitely need to get my shit together.

Hair: whatever the husband bought on sale (Pert this month).

Soap: Blue Irish Spring? (I'm a girl for crying out loud! I should use body wash!)

Shaving: I use my husband's shaving cream which is really starting to make him mad. I should probably use some girly smelling stuff since his has some manly scent.

Face: I use a little Lancome coverup, concealer & powder just to even out my skin tone.

Hair: Usually just a little hairspray to keep it out of my eyes.

Alright, I'm going to get a pedicure, go to the bath and body works store and start acting like a real girl. Thanks for the wake up call!

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2000

I am a huge cosmetics/beauty product freak! Total. I challenge any of you girly girls to a contest. My makeup collection against yours! I guarantee I would come out of it with the "sucker who buys the most shit" award.

Lately, this is how it goes.

Hair

Biolage shampoo and conditioner, the protective one. I use to never spend this much on s/c, but since I went really really short, one bottle lasts me about three months and it really helps keep my hair soft and shiny. I use Vital Nutrients spray gel and Via Design hair goopy stuff that gives my flat hair some body. I think those are both by Matrix.

Body

I love Lever2000 soap. I love love love Suave Naturals Vanilla lotion. It smells so yummy and it is cheap. I use it every day after the shower. Vanilla lotion + Hypnotic Poison perfume = yummy.

Face

I am a MAC freak. I love it, I wear it almost everyday, and I spend way too much money on it. Right now I am totally nuts about their shimmer powders. I have to have Angel blush, Trixie shimmer, and Kid Kat lipstick. I love their new cream shadows. I want everything I see, everytime I go to the counter. I own no less than fifty of their eye shadows and probably at least that many lipsticks. When I lived in Houston, I drove to San Antonio once a month to satisfy my MAC craving. I am addicted and I know it is sad and sick. I don't care. My only stray from MACland is my Lancome definicils mascara, and my Lancome concealer.

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2000

Soap: Lever 2000 original
Shampoo: Suave (any of apple, peach, strawberry, or even chamomile in a pinch, 89 cents/bottle)

Post-shower: Clinique for Men's Scruffing Lotion 2.5, followed by their world-famous M Lotion. L.A. Looks hair gel, a very specific round brush and pik, and Vidal Sassoon Ultra Hold hair spray. Almost any unscented gel deodorant will do. Jergens Dry hand lotion. Can you tell I'm a guy? ;)

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2000

Oh boy.

In my bathroom (which is tiny and tiled in black with a big old chandelier, and I never asked for a death rock bathroom, I just got lucky) there presently reside nine bottles of lotion. Since I'm at work I can't run off and check the labels, but off the top of my head I can think of my Kiss My Face peach lotion (which smells, miraculously, of real peaches and not some synthetic peachy weirdness), this marvelous Pure Milk lotion (which just smells like vanilla heaven, and I don't particularly care for vanilla), a great big bottle of Lubriderm sunblock (with which I cover every exposed inch of my skin that is not coated in...), this very, very, very expensive sunblock I get from the woman who does my skin (without which I'm sure I would neither tan nor explode, but why risk it), Neutrogena moisture (I don't need sunblock at night) and St. Ives aloe lotion for my hands and feet (which is too goopy for the rest of my body). Needless to say I never realized I was obsessed until I suddenly noticed one morning that I was surrounded by lotions.

Biolage shampoo and conditioner rock and they fail to smell like Pantene, which is always a good thing. Dove soap. Anything else irks my persnickety skin. Philosophy or Kiehls lip goo, because there's nothing wrong with ten-dollar Vaseline in a cute little jar. Philosophy Soulmates cologne spray, which smells masculine in the bottle and like lemon tea on the skin, because I quit wearing Angel when I started passing clouds of it on the street every day.

I wash my face with Johnson's Baby Shampoo, because apparently you can pour it straight into a baby's eye but it dissolves every cosmetic you could imagine putting on your face. I try not to think about this one. This was recommended to me by the same woman who keeps me in the thirty dollars for four ounces sunblock, which doesn't make me feel so bad because my skin's never had it better.

A little bit of Origins foundation, that Benefit Dr. Feelgood matte stuff, Clean & Clear oil-absorbing sheets. This is getting embarassing. I haven't been wearing much makeup lately due to the new boyfriend thing, and there's no reason for me to wear makeup to the office (hi, there's nothing you can do to combat fluorescent lighting). Cherry Chapstick. Yes.

A good pair of tweezers, baby, to keep those eyebrows under control.

This was all entirely too much information. ;)

L. strangest angel: clean

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2000

Ooooo, I just bought the best smelling shampoo. It's the St. Ives citrus/ginseng for oily/normal hair. It smells exactly like ginger ale. I buy shampoos for the scent, 'cuz its the products I put on after I blow dry that make a difference in how my hair looks. I use John Frieda's Secret Weapon styling creme or his Shaping + Glossing Balm to take the frizz out and make the layers look good. I like Revlon's Colorstay foundation and concealor because it lasts all day. I used to love lots of different colognes, but in the last couple years I got incredibly picky about what smelled good to my sniffer. Right now the only thing that pleases my snob nose is Body Shop's Refreshing Bergamont Lotion and Spritzer. As for the face routine, Proactiv works for me. That, and not eating crap anymore. As soon as I eat a lot of refined foods, sugar, meat and/or dairy, I am acne-ridden. I am almost thirty, and so TIRED of acne. Changing my diet helped more than a dermatologist did.

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2000

I am generally VERY low maintenance, but I DO have a "small" list of favorites. Cetaphil cleanser. Out of it right now and hating my skin. Facial lotion varies, but it MUST have sunscreen. Like Melissa, I ADORE the Mach 3 razor. Ladies, it is a MUST. I use it with Kiss My Face Key Lime Shaving Lotion. Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 - fantastic. I have no particular need for fancy body lotions (anything I can find in a really big bottle to slather) as I am a perfume addict. Right now I'm overusing the sample of Banana Republic's Classic I received in the mail, although I don't know if it's meant for men or women. Either way, I love it and can't stop smelling myself when I wear it (is that sick or what?). Foundation - in the summer it's tinted moisturizer and loose powder, in the winter I found that Maybelline Greatwear foundation in Soft Beige is not only a great match for my oh-so-pale skin, but good for my winter dryness. Lipstick? I have hundreds. Don't make me choose. No other makeup except mascara, and mascara is a big issue. I CANNOT find one that I'm happy with. I have tried both cheap and expensive, with no luck. I have baby fine little tiny eyelashes (and oh-so-jealous of my male friends with the naturally dark, lush, long lashes they ALL seem to have), and I can't find anything that makes them longer and fuller without the spider effect. And please don't say Great Lash, as I have tried and tried and tried, and it doesn't do ANYTHING for me! Any suggestions, ladies? Tweezerman Tweezers...I'm a plucking queen. Anyway, that leaves hair. I alternate with way too many shampoos and conditioners to list (mainly whatever catches my eye when I'm in the store), but two things I just love(and need)...John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum and Tigi Bead Head Shine Junkie. I have curly (= frizzy) hair, and these are the first two products I have found that actually work for me. Actually the whole John Frieda line is good for us curly-heads. My lifetime companion - Eucerin cream, in the big-ass tub. All kinds of uses - really dry skin in the winter, crackly feet and elbows year round, lips, my super dry face in the winter. AND, last but definitely not least, my Sonicare toothbrush, for that "just got back from the dentist for a cleaning" feel. Yeah, definitely low maintenance.

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2000

Oh, I adore this stuff.

Makeup changes weekly - always trying new colors, new shades, now products. Oooh, this one CURLS....This one curls and THICKENS....this on curls, thickens and Lengthens!!! I MUST TRY IT! I swear I am a sucker for all that stuff.

The only make up stuff that doesn't change is Loreal hydrating colour stay in Rose Rising. I think it is the perfect shade for my lips and it doesn't dry them out. And Nye Giesha for under my eyes - thanks to Michael my friend/make up artist.

Hair - right now I am only using TiGi products - AKA Toni & Guy. I love all of it. I use the Control Freak shampoo/conditioner/leave in. Then, depending on what I want to do with my hair, I have the Hair Glaze, Bed Head Stick, Pure Gloss, CatWalk spray moose, and (my FAVE) Shine Junkie - AKA The best stuff EVER. My stylist is trying to switch me over to JoyCo - but for now, I am a commited TiGi gal.

Skin. this is awful for me, becuase I have terrible skin. I can cover it up for the most part pretty well, but I have yet to find any over the counter or prescribed anything to clear up my skin. I go to the dermatologist yet again tmorrow morning, to see if any solutions will present themselves.

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2000

I'm laid off from the job that keeps me in my "mad money" (ie "anything past bills and rent" money) so I've had to cut back on my Hair Care Products Fetish. Right now I'm using Infusium shampoo and leave in conditioner...and guess what?

I miss the hell out of my Nexxus Botanoil shampoo and my Graham Webb Infusion shampoo, but I'm never going back to another, more expensive leave in. Do you hear me, hairstylist, never. No matter how much you whine, no matter what prettily packaged leave in you thrust at me. I'm not buying your raft of shit any longer. Nothing will eliminate my frizzies completely. We've tried it all and at least Infusium is cheap and the smell reminds me off my childhood, since Infusium's heyday as a salon product was in the '70's. It also makes my hair shiny, which I like.

I still use Basic Texture's Get Curly curl enhancing gel, and they will have to pry that stuff out of my cold, dead hands. I've got fine, wavy-curly hair that has, on average, 3 good hair days a month. Get Curly gives me 3 days A WEEK of good hair days. The stuff is priceless.

My skincare regime has always been a little spartan. Winter: Wash with Oil of Olay Beauty Bar, followed by an application of Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Lotion with SPF 15. Summer: Clearasil Daily Face wash, followed by Cleocin T lotion and then Neutrogena Oil Free Sunblock SPF 30. I avoided the sun for most of my early years, and I still look a few years younger than my age, 29. Without the forehead wrinkle from an unintentionally expressive face, I might be able to pass for 24.

Makeup: white/taupe/sandy eyeshadow. Black mascara. Eyeliner if I'm feeling frisky. Brow gel if I can find it. No foundation unless I'm in a wedding. Never any concealer, unless I'm being photographed. I mysteriously developed monthly acne in my mid-20's. I have a few zits around the 15th of the month. People will have to deal with it. Clinique lipstick, no liner. Mary Kay blush in Nutmeg.

Bodywash: Body Shop's Satsuma.

Perfume: Body Shop's Satsuma Perfume Oil (I'm going to take advantage of the Great North American Bee Die Off and wear it all summer, taunting the few surviving honeybees and wasps. Come get me, you little fuckers.)

Lotion: Aveeno. I get itchy.

If I had more money right now, the list would be more extensive and possibly more interesting.

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2000

Like many others here I swear by Cetaphil (but the bar not the cleanser) to wash my face. That in the pm and Purpose in the shower. The newest Oil of Olay body washes are wonderful. I LOVE the one with the yellow logo but can't think of the scent (calm?). I don't spend a lot on makeup (Cover girl powder and blush, Lash by Lash mascara, I rarely wear lipstick) or shampoo (Clairol Daily Defense) but I'm happy with what I do use. My obsession is body lotion (Bath and Body Works are my favorite) and perfume (actually spray cologne). I have at least 40 bottles on my dresser (Issey Miyake, Envy, Eternity, Tommy Girl, Jil Sander No.4, Giorgio, CK One, Happy, Calyx, Flirt, Cool Water, Sung, etc.). If it's citrus based I own it. I buy the stuff like most women buy shoes.

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2000

oo. i'm a total sucker for nifty packaging. but i'm lazy. so i have a lot of funky bottles that get old and dried out and thrown away, i s'pose. i do always have my toenails painted some random shade of blue or green. and i *do* clean my face (clinique clarifying lotion or burt's bees orange essence facial cleanser - i'm a sucker for smells, too) and try to moisturize (i hate that word) if i have time. and no makeup except sometimes a little stila fade cheek color if i'm feeling particularly pallid. (again, packaging - i love the little sayings on the inside of the box...) i tried some stila lip gloss but it's waaaay too sticky and gets all over drinking glasses and stuff. oo and lush's back for breakfast shower gel. yum. i think i go through gallons every year. i'm looking for a great smelling shampoo/conditioner that works on dry, terrible, curly hair... any suggestions?

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2000

Laurel....I consider the Johnson's baby shampoo/makeup remover thing to be a very cool tip. I am going to try that ASAP.

And I want the Key Lime shaving stuff too.

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2000

Fun!

Hair: I have a cabinet full of shampoo and conditioner. Right now I'm using Back to Basics' Milk shampoo & conditioner. Before that was Philosophy. If I use a styling product (big if) it's either Joico's JoiGel or Paul Mitchell's extra body mousse.

Face: Neutragena face wash and Origin's "Never a Dull Moment" exfoliator. Nothing goes on my lips if it's not by MAC or Aveda. I love the way they taste/smell! My official colors, though, are MAC "twig" for day and "del rio" for special ocassions. If my face is happy and clear I use just a little MAC pressed powder, otherwise it's Clinique Workout Makeup in "baby skin." Eyeshadow, if I wear it, is whatever I got in the "gift with purchase" stuff from Clinique Bonus time.

Body: I have a veritable cornacopia of bathtime products. I have shower gels, exfoliators, mouses, bar soaps, lotions, salts...anything your heart could desire. Body Shop products are always my favorite. I use whatever shaving cream smells best or is on sale at the time. I always use Schick Silk Effects razors.

Scent: Bath and Body Works Sweet Pea body spray right now.

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2000

What timing! I had planned a trip to the drugstore tonight after work... I am now officially inspired.

Hair: Currently using Infusium, it seems to work well enough. I am a former fanatic of Biolage, but am getting the same results with Infusium for close to half the price. Good thing. I have baby fine hair, but a ton of it, and a natural curl. This, compounded by my many layers, makes necessary the purchase of several different straightening balms, frizz controllers, intensive moisture masks. This is my mission this evening.

Body: I'm less picky about body products. I like body washes, preferably something labelled "deodorant". I'm mad for my Garden Botanika Loofa and their Salt Glow :::swoon::: Their Salt Glow is just the best thing ever. EVER.

Face: I'm lucky with my skin, I don't have to do much to it. I'm currently using Garden Botanika's Gel Cleanser and their moisturizer, but I'm not in love with them. The bottle is almost empty, I'll be trying a new brand next. Maybe that Cetaphil everyone's raving about. What I really need is a facial. And my salon offers this Oxygen mask... everyone who's had it comes out looking plump and dewy and radiant. Interesting.

What else? Oooo, Perfum: Motu Pacifique by... oh, jeez... I forget. You can buy it at Barney's. It smells so, so lovely. Like the beach... light and clean. Maybe coconut and jasmine mixed together? Faintly salty. DIVINE.

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2000

Andi, it's Motu by Comptoir Sud Pacifique. And yes, it's total yum! Took me a few applications to love it, but it's great stuff - if you can find it! By the way, almost ALL of CSP's fragrances are wonderful and unique - I have Vanille Abricot and Fruits Sauvages, and have tried vials of several others. If anyone wants, you can order little vials of these to sample, for REALLY cheap, at http://www.beautycafe.com

:)

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2000

Anything by Aveda! It's an addiction that I can't live without. Another thing I can't live without... Dune perfume!

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2000

The only things I'm faithful to: KL cologne (nearly impossible to find and I stock up) which is a powdery-based floriental that hasn't been produced since the mid-eighties.

Cover Girl OR MAybelline under-eye stick, fair.

Bonne Bell Lipsmackers tube gloss in a mauve/brown shade.

Apple "gold" eyeliner, 99 cents.

I generally use Pantene or Aussie products on my hair, but I'm not faithful about WHICH shampoos. The Three-minute miracle is the best conditioner (for me), though.

I also like Confixor if my ends aren't laying right, but I'm hopeless about styling my hair, so it really just looks good for five minutes and otherwise shortens the time I can go between shamppoos.

Everything else is subject to change per whim, and I keep old cosmetics (except those that get contaminated) so I have a lot of eyeshadow and lipstick. I just bought some Revlon Lip Slicks or whatever in this bright red patent leather color. It's not flattering (IMHO) so I'll probably never use it up.

I have wigs and glittery eyeliner and other frou-frou things and I do use them...FiFi Mahoney's is fun.

I think I look better with makeup as long as I used neutrals. I look better without when I'm broken out (but that's when I refuse to be seen without) or when I get too excited with bright colors (rare).

I waste about $10-40 a month on girly crap of various descriptions. I buy eyeliners and facial creams and nail polishes (despite getting mine done in a salon more often than not) and stuff that smells good or bubbles or whatever and I rarely use it all up.

Last time I moved, I pitched everything that 'they' tell you not to keep, like open mascaras...and that only cut down on the drawerfulls by about 10%. After that, had to pitch perfectly good stuff that I figured I wouldn't get around to. The pain.

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2000

Oh, by the way, if you have red hair, Aveda's Madder Root shampoo smells totally awesome. It's the one reason I regret having stopped dying my hair. It's one of those color-deposit shampoos, but really I kept using it because of the smell (I think the color faded just about as fast as usual, shampoo or no shampoo).

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2000

mis -- you won't regret the baby shampoo thing, though you'll probably want to follow it with some moisturizer. I've used it to remove waterproof black liquid eyeliner, glitter everything... all the trappings of a twentysomething post-goth kid. And it's in that great big bottle for about five dollars! It was recommended to me by the best aesthetician (translation: facialist, man) in San Francisco (the same woman who has me hopelessly besotted with thirty dollar sunblock), and if she told me to use something that's five bucks for a huge bottle as opposed to twenty-five for a tiny one, you have to believe she knows what she's talking about. I hope it works for you. :)

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2000

In theatre we swear by either Johnson's Baby Shampoo or Pert Plus (shampoo plus conditioner) for getting off stage makeup. They work like a charm.

-- Anonymous, July 07, 2000

Thanks Jen!! I knew that I was probably butchering it, but I wasn't at home and didn't have to bottle handy.

I want to try the other scents, but can't afford it. Wah.

-- Anonymous, July 07, 2000

someone, please, give me a soap that doesnt make the skin on my face feel so tight its going to rip...i have the dryest face in the world, Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo makes it dry, Dove makes it dry, Cetaphil makes it dry, plain old freaking *water* makes it dry, i am sick and tired of this! Give me your oily faces! Clinique Dramatically Different moisturizer feels so so so good on my face but makes me break out like mad. dilemmas, dilemmas.

-- Anonymous, July 07, 2000

I am totally and completely addicted to any lip gloss by rachel perry. my current favorite flavor is the vanilla - not to mention its the boy's favorite flavor as well. i have about 5 jars in strategically placed locations in my life (one by the bed, one in the car, one in my bag, one on my desk, and one in the drawer in case I can't find one). The raspberry is nice too, and the grape juice, or the tangerine is good. I just can't emphasize enough how tasty they are, no waxy taste, and they actually help if I'm thirsty and have nothing to drink, because they make my mouth water. Once I was putting it on in a taxi, and the cab driver said "Ooh, nice cake baking, you smell it?" so i guess my lip gloss smells like a cake baking. which is good, i think. everyone likes cake. right?

-- Anonymous, July 08, 2000

This used to be my routine: Hair - It was about 3 inches long, and I would goop it up at night with a ton of strong hold gel (any kind) and work it in like shampoo until my whole head of hair was drenched in it and sticking out all over the place. Then I would dry the gel with a hair dryer until it was hard, then I'd run a brush through it until it no longer had the shiny gel look but it was crunchy and defied gravity. Then I'd sleep on it. The next day it would be sticking up and out all over, but it was matted down enough to just look like unruly punk bedhead, which was what I wanted. Makeup - I circled my eyes several times with thick, greasy black eyeliner and then smudged it around so it looked all smokey and messy. I left my lips alone. Nails - I would polish them with either black, maroon, dark blue, dark green, or any other strange dark colour and let them dry. Then I'd pick at the edges so it would be chipped. I had a thing for the disheveled look . . . like I'd survived an apocalypse or something. So much effort put into looking like a mess. I laugh about it now.

-- Anonymous, July 08, 2000

Go grab snacks now y'all, cause I'm gonna be a while...

Hair: Currently on rotation in my shower are Biolage hydrating shampoo, Kenra shampoo for dry hair, Paul Mitchell awapuhi shampoo, Thermasilk shampoo, Johnson's Baby shampoo, and some marine somethingorother shampoo that I bought because it came in this cute little bucket with this mud gunk for your body I wanted to try anyway. The conditioners are Kenra Remoisturizer, Thermasilk, Finesse moisturizing conditioner and the marine somethingorother conditioner that came in the bucket. If I'm straightening my hair, I either use Phytodefrisant, which I like a lot, or BioSilk, which is fabulous. I usually spray Biolage shine renewer on the ends. I still have a tin of Body Shop Coconut Oil hair shine that I use occasionally when I feel like smelling like coconuts. I used to use it all the time, but the smell got to me after a while If I'm leaving the hair curly, I usually spray Fudge 1 shot+ on it and go. I don't usually use hairspray, but when I do I use Rusk Worx Atomizer or Biolage Firm Active spray.

Face: In my shower there is a sensitive skin buff puff and a bar of cetaphyl soap. On the sink in my bathroom is a bar of DHC mild soap (I use this most often) and a new little goodie I got at the Shiseido counter the other day, a silk covered sponge for exfoliating or something. On the sink in the other bathroom is a bottle of Clean Sweep by Benefit. Other products I use for washing the face are BeneFit's Get Over it Honey Scrub and Biore Self-Heating mask. I only use one toner, DHC Soothing Lotion. Moisturizer: DHC Rich Moisture or Estee Lauder Clear Difference moisturizer. I've been using Chanel HydraSerum on top of my moisturizer, and it rocks the planet, but I'm out of it. I bought Estee Lauder Idealist Skin Refinisher the other day, though, and so far I love it. I wear that under the DHC moisturizer, according to the directions. I also use BeneFit daily hyaluronic cream about twice a week, and Nutrogena Clear Pore stuff at night the week before my period and on zits when they show up. At night, I've been wearing Nightamins by Origins and I like it.

Makeup: MAC StudioFix applied with a brush so it's not so heavy, BeneFit BrowZing on the brows (they're blonde), MAC Brule shadow all over, with MAC Wedge in the crease and MAC Espresso as liner sometimes. Chanel powder blush in Angel something. Maybelline Full n Soft mascara (black-brown). MAC Treatment on the lips, followed by MAC Plum lip liner with Stila Rose Shine lipshine. At night and after my lipstick is gone, I use Kiehl's lip balm #1.

Body: I use a loofah sponge thing with Kiehl's Coriander Shower gel most of the time, but I also like L'eau d'Issey shower gel and Lever 2000 soap (the husband's) and Johnson's baby wash. Once a week I use Bath & Body Works Stress Relief scent scrub stuff. It's like a salt scrub but it's sugar instead. On the hands, I use NuSkin hand lotion - it's the best stuff I've ever tried. On my feet I have been using this lemon and wild mint stuff I bought at Walgreens, but every night I put Kiehl's ultra-thick moisturizer (i forget the exact name) all over my feet. It works.

I believe it goes without saying that I am a beauty product junkie of the highest order. I'll try anything once.

-- Anonymous, July 08, 2000

Alexa - You're probably allergic to Clinique. Shiseido has good hydrating products. Also, as I mentioned earlier, I swear by Eucerin CREAM (very importantto get the cream, not lotion) when my skin is at its dryest. It's very thick, but free of crap. I also have a couple of European friends that bypass the face wash altogether...they take off their makeup in the evenings with cold cream, Albolene or olive oil (yes, I know), and then just rinse (no washing) each morning in the shower. I might eventually try it, but I can't get used to the idea of never really washing my face. These girls all have AMAZING skin though, and that's with smoking, drinking, and not always the healthiest of diets, so you never know. Good Luck!

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2000

Wow, I feel separated at birth from some of you!.. I love makeup (wear it every day) and nailcolor, even though I paint only my toenails jauntily & keep my fingernails painted clear or not at all.

And yet I'm kind of a weird one--I read a book called the "Safe Shopper's Bible" and got so tweaked about dyes, DEA, TEA, BHT and specific brands, like Cover Girl, that I read labels like a maniac ... (It's not even that I have sensitive skin). High-performing products whose ingredients I like are: Colorstay foundation (excellent wear--I use Fragrance-Free Huggies baby wipes to get that stuff OFF), Corn silk translucent powder, Maybelline liquid eyeliner in black--I have dark eyes, so it works if you have a light, steady hand--Maybelline Great Lash or Dial-a-Lash mascara---(that last is corny, I know). I like non-petroleum based natural lip balms simply for the feel and the protection, because with naked lips it already looks like I've got some color on, but every now and again Rouge Pulp lip gloss or Max Factor lipstick is called for and there's nothing I can do except heed it's siren call, dyes be damned.

I also use Tom's of Maine natural fluroide "cinnamint" toothpaste (no dyes, no saccharine), Tom's of Maine Baby shampoo (I have very dry hair), and Aussie Moist conditioner or even Suave "Salon formula" conditioner, San Francisco Soap company glycerin soap on face (after the baby wipes) and body, their product smells gorgeous and uses safer colorings. One of those scrunchy 'bath puffs'-on-a-stick lathers the glycerine soap really well for shaving, since shave gels have ingredients I may as well not bother with.

If I've got to have Bubble bath, I like occasionally Miss Piggy's pink bubbles (bleah, artifical color of the not-so-good kind, but oh well...it smells SO good) ...the original Mr. Bubble is safer for frequent use. Oil of Olay SPF 15 sunscreen is great for my face, neck and upper chest, and at night a light press to the face with Jergen's Ultra Healing lotion and a smattering of **Desert Essence 100% Australian Tea Tree oil**. Can't beat that stuff for good skin. I can only vouch for that brand and that percentage though, and I apply it full strength even though the bottle says I should dilute it--it IS an essential oil, and that's why. (I know, it doesn't seem right that an essential oil should work on a combination complexion, but it does--it's a natural antiseptic.)

Salon Selectives hairspray and gel are quite good and smell apppealing, but if I need super-hold (not very often) Aussie Sprunch Spray is the way to go, even in high humidity.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2000

MAC lipgloss in Desire. Best damn thing I've ever spent money on. Oh yeah, and the "Stringbean" fragrance by Demeter, even though the scent is gone in like ten minutes.

If anyone lives in/is planning on visiting NYC, I highly recommend a visit to Demeter. They have the most extraordinary scents... everything from Angel Food Cake to Earthworm to Ginger Ale to Topiary and anything else you can imagine. Obviously, some of them smell better than others (why oh why would I want to smell like Dirt??), but it's a trip and a half just making your way through the hundreds of scents.

I don't think they have a website yet, but I do know you can get their products through eve.com.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2000

I tried to resist this topic. I did.

I caved.

Okay, hair: Loreal ColorVive, currently, for my Feria-dyed browny red hair. Before that, it was a solid shampoo bar from Lush (please don't get me started on Lush...I'm going to Canada twice in the next month and I REALLY wish they'd all close while I'm there so I don't just hand them my paycheck). I usually don't use conditioner, just shampoo that's considered moisturizing. Conditioner tends to make my hair too slippery. For styling, I'm currently alternating between Sebastian's Molding Mud and Redken's Water Wax, with a little Pantene hairspray to keep it all together.

Face: Oil of Olay cleansers for sensitive skin. Brilliant stuff. Clean my face without drying out or breaking out. I use Neutrogena Healthy Skin moisturizer at night, but not during the day because it makes my face shiny. MAC StudioFix solid foundation/powder in NC15, just a light wipe across my face. MAC lipliner in Spice and lipstick in Twig (or occasionally 3D) for day and DelRio for night (Jackie and I have been lipstick twins). MAC blush in something I forget (I have two) and eyeshadow in Quarry, eyeliner in Taupe. Jane mascara in black/brown. All neutrals, and not much of it. Takes less than five minutes to apply everything.

I use whatever girly shaving cream is on sale, and Personal Touch razors, but I'm going to try that Mach 3 thing. I also swear by Lush bath bombs and The Healing Garden body sprays (Jasmine and Green Tea) and Demeter spray in Laundromat (even though, as Corina says, they last for like five seconds) and Sinful nailpolish.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2000

The Mach 3 razor is great. No "girlie" aka "pink" razor can match it, in my opinion. Also, those Healing Garden scents and lotions are really great. I have the Green Tea shower gel, lotion, and perfume, and love it. The Gingerlily is nice also.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2000

Oh Deb, I think you're one of my cosmetic soul mates! I too am a huge fan of MAC Studio Fix applied with a brush (otherwise it can look kinda cakey - ew!), MAC's Espresso & Wedge shadows (these were my very first MAC shadows, along with Vanilla), Maybelline Full 'n Soft mascara, and Stila Rose Shine lipgloss. Cripes, I bet some days we have the exact same makeup on.

And I have to.. what is it now, third? fourth? the Mach 3 razor - it was raved about on my favorite newsgroup when it came out, so I bought it. Now neither me or my man will use anything else. I have never ONCE gotten a cut from it, and I swear it takes half the time to shave my legs than pre-Mach 3. I heard they were gonna come out with a women's version, but it'll probably be more expensive, and I love the black & silver men's one :) They'd probably make the women's one teal or something.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2000

I am probably the epitemy (not spelled right, I know...don't make fun!) of "low maintnence (that doesn't look right either, damn!) I also tend to use products slightly different than they're intended. Here's my beauty steps: Hair: I swear by Alberto VO5 shampoo and conditioner. Okay, okay, it only costs 98 cents a bottle, but seriously, it's high quality stuff. Trust me. I use the moisterizing (i'm sorry, it's late and I'm tired. You don't want to know what time I went to bed last night) formula because my superthickwavy hair gets pretty dry. When I get out of the shower, I towel dry it and massage in Jheri Redding gel, either Shine or Mega Hold. Then I either paritially blow dry or air dry, and put some Salon Selectives Styling Foam on the ends. Face/skin: I hate body washes! They tend to make my skin sickly sweet smelling and dry. (I have pretty sensitive skin.) I instead use Dove, just a bar of soap. I've been using it practically my whole life. I was my face with Neutrogena Acne something facial cream. Oh yeah, and I use Suave Body lotion on my legs. It smells nice and clean. I use soap or shampoo to shave with. Make-up: My two main products: eye pencil and petroliem jelly. Also sunscreen. SPF 15 all the time. I use the pencil as smudgy eye shadow, eyebrow filler etc. The petroleum jelly i use for lip gloss, seriously, it works wonderfully, enhances color and everything. It can also be used to remove eye make up, and it looks really cool put on

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2000

hahahaha.

Man, I'm so NOT a girl.

Funny oatmeal soap we get at the health food store. Suave shampoo. Don't shave my legs, so never mind THAT.

I do use this Neutrogena Deep Clean cleanser for the oily skin thing. Um...it works good.

I do own some lotion, but I always forget to put it on. Oh, and sunscreen? Forget it--I only remember if I'm going to the beach.

I have one thing of eyeliner I bought for a Halloween costume and one tube of lipstick that's the wrong color for me.

And you know what? I spend all that money I save on girly shit on beer, sushi, and eBay, and I'm loving life.

The only thing I ever crave is bath stuff, cause I love me some baths, but it's summer in Florida so that's not happening these days.

-- Anonymous, July 11, 2000

I am formally declaring, right now, in front of all of you, that I will not purchase any cosmetics or body/facial care products until I have paid off my credit cards. I have never been in credit card debt before but now I owe $2000 thanks to suddenly needing to make an apartment deposit. Reading this forum makes me itch to leave work for a break and run across the street to CVS and buy something! But no! No! Now I can't, because I am promising to myself in front of everybody that getting out of debt is my priority. :D

Hello willpower! (I hope.)

-- Anonymous, July 11, 2000

Easy :)

Soap: Coast Shampoo: Paul Mitchell Shampoo 3 or The Wash .. Occasionally American Crew Men's Shampoo. Shaving Cream: Edge Gel. Nuff said. Unscented deodorant. A spritz of Cool Water, or Red for men.

Im easy. Shit/shower/shave/out the door in 20 minutes. Yee ha.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2000

i dont have a lot of make up i stick to the stuff i love. my fave thing i own would have to be loreal shine delice lipstick in strawberry smash, it smells great and looks so shimmery and also if ur wearing darker clothes it kind of darkens on ur lips. its the best.

cover girl pink chiffon eyeshadow is the prettiest color ever. it looks like an ice princess type deal or something. its awesome.

for foundation i use covergirl buff beige compact foundation it doesnt do much more than the rest but its cheap.

loreal rouge pulp liquid lipcolor is great too the color "revealing" is good cus its just clear and really glossy u can put it over anything else. but wink is a really pretty color too its another pink simmery one...haha im hooked on that stuff. i wanna try goddess next but i dont want it to be like all my other pink shimmery things im hoping its lighter if anyones tried it yet let me know. thanks!

-- Anonymous, October 02, 2001

I've tried L'Oreal's lip Pulp stuff, but I used a brick-beige color, not the pinks. Oh well. :(

-- Anonymous, October 03, 2001