I want to know about your go to products--your old standbys and even the new ones that really work and share WHY they work.

Here are 3 of mine:

Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask-Sold at Whole Foods. Can also get on amazon.com. It sucks the gunk out of your face, loosens blackheads and when you dab it on a zit, it reduces it by 50% and quite often will make the zit come to a head.

Kiehl's Silk Groom-Works on African American hair-even my really thick hair-not greasy-does the trick

Kiehl's Rare Earth Masque-Will also suck the gunk out of your pores with the quickness.

I'm a Mary Kay girl.

I use their cleanser, eye cream and moisturizer w/spf 30 and I like it all a lot but their medium coverage foundation is the best I've ever used in my life. Not sure why it works so much better than others on me, but it really does, and most people don't know I wear make up every day.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery - It's an oil that goes on light and absorbs quickly. Perfect to moisturize after my nightly Retin-A application.

Kiehl's Ultra Moisturizer - I apply it daily in the morning. Light, doesn't make me break out. Available with or without suncreen (nice to have that option).

Kiehl's Rosa Arctica - My heavy winter moisturizer.

Kiehl's #1 Lip Balm - A former co-worker dubbed this, "The big guns of lip care." And so it is. In the winter, I keep a tube in the pocket of every coat, at my desk, and on my night table.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer - There is none better. Period.

Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes - Best eye pencil I've ever used. Goes on smoothly (no tugging), is smudge-able, and stays on for-friggin'-ever.

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara - There's a reason it's been #1 forever. Good - and cheap.

Genesia said:

Kiehl's #1 Lip Balm - A former co-worker dubbed this, "The big guns of lip care." And so it is. In the winter, I keep a tube in the pocket of every coat, at my desk, and on my night table.

Sold.

For some reason my lips have gotten a lot drier in the last few years and I don't know why. It's not so bad now, but the winters have been brutal. I'm going to try this out for sure.

CarrieMpls said:

Genesia said:

Kiehl's #1 Lip Balm - A former co-worker dubbed this, "The big guns of lip care." And so it is. In the winter, I keep a tube in the pocket of every coat, at my desk, and on my night table.

Sold.

For some reason my lips have gotten a lot drier in the last few years and I don't know why. It's not so bad now, but the winters have been brutal. I'm going to try this out for sure.

I even got Sweetie hooked on the stuff. They have a mango flavored one - so I get him a couple for Christmas every year.

I hate to mention this, but the other thing I use it for is coating the inside of my nostrils before I get on an airplane. I haven't had a plane-related cold since I started doing that. I don't know whether it's because it helps to keep things moisturized or because rhino viruses don't like it - but it seems to work.

Mary Kay for skincare- LOVE their skin care line- The man who formulated their moisturizers used to work for Louisville Sluggars or something- his job was formulating oils to keep baseball gloves soft and supple and then Mary Kay hired him to do the same for her skincare line- so he knew what he was doing!

Clinique has the best eyeshadows- stay on forever and great colors with depth!

I also love Clinique lipsticks but also Victoria's Secret has some nice colors.

I like Maybelline True blend for my foundation and powder as I am very fair and it's hard to find foundations that are light enough for me and not orange or yellow.

Chanel nail polish- always- love Chanel nail polish

and of course, the old standby Maybelline mascara in the pink and green tube

Dove soap & water to clean my face and cheap old Ponds cream as moisturizer. That's it for my face, not going to mess with what's been working for 38 years...and I mean, really working.

The only shampoo I have never had an allergic reaction to is Infusium 23. Literally everything else gets a reaction, even the hypoallergenic ones.

I don't wear foundation, or any other gunk on my face...only pressed powder.

I guess my must have for make up is Maybelline The Falsies. I have tried so many mascaras and this one is really the best for me. Way better than Diorshow which I thought was pretty amazing.

Genesia said:

CarrieMpls said:

Sold.

For some reason my lips have gotten a lot drier in the last few years and I don't know why. It's not so bad now, but the winters have been brutal. I'm going to try this out for sure.

I even got Sweetie hooked on the stuff. They have a mango flavored one - so I get him a couple for Christmas every year.

I hate to mention this, but the other thing I use it for is coating the inside of my nostrils before I get on an airplane. I haven't had a plane-related cold since I started doing that. I don't know whether it's because it helps to keep things moisturized or because rhino viruses don't like it - but it seems to work.

I may try this! everything I use on my lips seem to leave them dry

veronikka said:

Genesia said:

I even got Sweetie hooked on the stuff. They have a mango flavored one - so I get him a couple for Christmas every year.

I hate to mention this, but the other thing I use it for is coating the inside of my nostrils before I get on an airplane. I haven't had a plane-related cold since I started doing that. I don't know whether it's because it helps to keep things moisturized or because rhino viruses don't like it - but it seems to work.

I may try this! everything I use on my lips seem to leave them dry

I have the same problem with a lot of lip balms. (Anything with peppermint oil seems to be particularly bad.) The Kiehl's stuff is amazing.

I use various Shea Moisture products for my hair and body... Really love their stuff, plus it's all natural.

[img:$uid]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VRkB9kYNL._AA300_.jpg[/img:$uid]

Where can you get it?

scriptgirl said:

Where can you get it?

If that's for me, I get it at Target

Their raw shea deep conditioner is magical

thekidsgirl said:

scriptgirl said:

Where can you get it?

If that's for me, I get it at Target

Their raw shea deep conditioner is magical

I use the exact same products for my hair... I also like their lavender oil too for my skin/legs as a moisturizer.

Love that stuff.

Thanks, the kids

i just started using the mint julep mask & boy...did my face break out the next day.....wth?

i love my Morrocan oil for the hair.

Im looking for a good body lotion for really DRY skin.....

sonic, maybe the mint julep was bringing the "poisons" to the surface.

Can you tell me what is so great about moroccan oil?

Also, if anyone knows a great lotion for dry feet, holler!

JustErin said:

My current essentials.

[img:$uid]http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt42/florescent_bucket/DSC04709.jpg[/img:$uid]

In order of importance -

Nivea Q10 Pore refining cream. To say it's worked wonders is an understatement. My skin used to be awful. Now it's lovely. I have sensitive skin on my face, but this stuff is great.

Tweezers Not a product... but my eyebrows would be nasty without these. Not to mention the odd chin hair.

Avon Supershock Mascara. I have spent so much money on mascara only to find that the wand is too wussy. I love the strength of the brush and it goes on nicely. I also like Mabelline Great Lash Mascara.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation. I don't wear foundation so much in the summer, but if i'm feeling a little washed-out or having a few skin issues, this makes my skin look nice and flawless.

Eyebrow Pencil. I think this one is Rimmel. When I was younger I overplucked my eyebrows. Now they're a little patchy.. so this comes in handy. I also dye my eyebrows, so I guess eyebrow & lash dye is another essential of mine.

Body Shop Vitamin E Lip balm. 'cause It's nice. I don't wear so much lipstick in the summer, so this is nice for keeping my lips soft and kissable.

[Edited 8/29/12 4:53am]

I use Aveeno products, with the exception of the shampoo. It dries my hair out. As for the hair, I use Pantene shampoo and conditioner in the brown. As for makeup, MAC products or Cover Girl. Don't wear a lot of makeup.

Although I know it's not a fan on this site, I use Proactiv Extra Strength formula for my face and their Green Tea Moisturizer. It has worked wonders for me and surprisingly hasn't been harsh on my skin at all. My face has cleared up (as it seems anything can spark an acne outbreak for me) and my skin looks healthy and radiant.

I don't wear foundation every day, just on special occasions and when I do, I only swear by one foundation only: Dior Skin by Christian Dior. It's light and I don't have to use but a dab. When I wash it off, my natural skin glows.

Mascara: Diorshow Black Out.....nothing but the best. It defines and curls my lashes. Love it.

Eyeliner: MAC Fluidline....lasts longer than a regular eyeliner pencil and doesn't smudge.

Eyeshadow: Mix between MAC, NARS and Dior...they have great colors and they don't "cake up" on my eyelids.

Lipgloss: MAC and Dior....gives my lips the wow factor.

Does Pro Activ have a salicylic line-from what i know their active ingredient is benzoyl peroxide and I am allergic to it.

scriptgirl said:

sonic, maybe the mint julep was bringing the "poisons" to the surface.

Can you tell me what is so great about moroccan oil?

Also, if anyone knows a great lotion for dry feet, holler!

i hadnt considered that...im gonna try it again tonite & see what happens.

i have horrible thin, limp hair, so the morocan oil makes it silky & shiny without making it greasy looking.

For dry feet this is what i did....exfoliate with pumice stone...slather on vasoline & wear cotton booties to bed. in the morning your feet will be AMAZING

I use too many products. But here are kinda like my holy grails...that I use on a daily basis.

My skin is extremely sensitive and quick to break out. And over the years, nothing worked better than tea tree wash. I use the Body Shop Tea Tree Face Wash. Only wash that keeps my face clear, so I stock up on it cuz where I live doesn't have a Body Shop.

I use two types of cream during the day. Olay Day Lotion for day wear, Nivea Night Cream for bed time.

And for lips, I use the Body Shop Cocoa Butter Lipcare Stick.

For body wash, I use St. Ive's Coconut Body Wash:

For my hair, because it's curly and extremely frizzy (and humidity is not it's friend), it took me a long time before I stuck to one brand of shampoo and conditioner. I do use Pantene sometimes if I can afford it...but the brand I keep going back to..is Herbal Essences. And the smell is to die for!

Once a week deep conditioning treatment with Pantene Beautiful lengths:

And for basic frizz maintenance after the wash:

All these products are a Godsend for me. They just make life a whole lot easier. Love'em, all.

I've mentioned before on here that I use regular Coconut Oil (the kind you buy in grocery stores) for everything- my skin, my hair, even my face sometimes. If I'm going to be in for the day , like on a weekend, I will soak my hair in it and then for the next week my hair is soooo soft- great great stuff!

I'm 49 and still have very oily skin, so I have to be careful with what I use.

For the past 3-4 years I've used a lot of the Fresh product line. I love the moisturizer because it works and doesn't make my skin even oilier. I love the face cleanser and exfoliator. I love their lipglosses too.

For make-up, I really like Clinique or MAC mascara and I always use MAC eyeshadow. I love the NARS eye shadow base (it really does work) and I like some of the Josie Maran products too. Urban Decay eyeliner is the best for me as it stays on all day and glides on well.

thekidsgirl said:

I use various Shea Moisture products for my hair and body... Really love their stuff, plus it's all natural.

[img:$uid]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VRkB9kYNL._AA300_.jpg[/img:$uid]

I have been wondering about this stuff.

the only real stand bys I have is clinique moisturizer, been using it for about 15 years and EVOO for my hair. I have tried other oils including coconut which is a close second but EVOO feels better to me.

I´ve been using this stuff for decades now and I think it´s really good for my face. It´s an after shave balm but I also use it as a moisturizer when I haven´t shaved my face.

It´s a very good product but the "sensitive skin" version irritates my skin, despite being marketed as being better for sensitive skin.

[img:$uid]http://www.jebe.de/jebe/prodpic/Nivea-Men-Energy-After-Shave-Frische-Balsam-100ml-5210503_b_0.JPG[/img:$uid]

And I discovered this stuff here around 2007, and I still love it, especially after taking a shower and in the summer. Non-greasy, very moisturizing and very good ingredients.

Really good stuff.

[img:$uid]http://www.kiwisto.de/images/penaten_soothing_naturals_lotion.jpg[/img:$uid]

For my eyes I either use the Nivea after shave balm mentioned above or this stuff....either Nivea or that cheap stuff. The cheaper stuff seems to be a tad better than the Nivea brand though. I don´t use concealers so this stuff comes very handy when I don´t get enough sleep.

[img:$uid]http://www.dm.de/cms/servlet/linkableblob/de_homepage/7730/data/bild-balea-aqua-augen-roll-on-data.png?v=1341915567000[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://shop.nivea.de/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/a/u/augenrollon_2_1.png[/img:$uid]

I love this shower gel....it´s cheap and smells heavenly, and it´s much better for my skin than most other products because it moisturizes quite well.

[img:$uid]http://www.bull-getraenke.de/images/duschdasheavenlyvanilla.gif[/img:$uid]

This is a product that I´ve been using for two or three years now. I use it twice a week, sometimes less often, but will try to use it a bit more often now. It´s a Turkish product that you apply to your hair and you get the best results when you leave it in your hair overnight, so it is a bit difficult to use.

[img:$uid]http://www.noi.com.tr/ProductImages/89807/Bmecit-sac-bakim-yagi.jpg[/img:$uid]

Shampoo-wise I think I´ll go back to using Revlon´s extra body and shine shampoo and conditioner a bit more often again. I discovered a bunch of bottles that I had completely forgotten about, must´ve bought them during one of my vacations last year.I used to use Paul Mitchell´s tea tree oil shampoo but it seems they´ve changed their formula, and it´s a bit hard to find in my town . I also like Alpecin´s anti-hair loss caffeine shampoo but I doubt it´s effectiveness but as a shampoo it is a very good product because it does not contain silicon. Not too sure about the Revlon stuff but I´ll see.....

[img:$uid]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HjWd9Xpfnjo/SLXOZfhyd9I/AAAAAAAAALY/CD4p8_zv1kE/s1600/Revlon+Flex+Shampoo,+Extra+Body+-+photo+taken+from+Drugstore.com[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41RDl5SYvoL._SS500_.jpg[/img:$uid]

Just started using this, my hair feels softer and less frizzy but I was expecting no frizz!

JustErin said:

not going to mess with what's been working for 38 years...and I mean, really working.

don't worry, the wall is coming fast

NDRU said:

JustErin said:

not going to mess with what's been working for 38 years...and I mean, really working.

don't worry, the wall is coming fast

I dunno about that. My mom is 64 and looks 50...I'm hoping I follow the same route.