Favorite Things 2018

One of my favorite gifts to put together for Christmas is a collection of favorite beauty-themed items that I give to my sisters. They are things that I discovered, or revisited throughout the year and therefore are things I know they would certainly enjoy. Here’s what I loved this year.

1. Microfiber Hair Wrap

This item was the biggest breakthrough for me this year. In addition to sleeping on a silk pillowcase and putting my hair in a silk scrunchie topknot when I sleep, a microfiber hair wrap or turban has majorly reduced breakage on my color-treated hair. Wet hair is especially susceptible to breakage, so it must be treated with care. I have always been careful to comb it with a wide-tooth comb out of the shower, but wouldn’t give another thought to rough drying it with coarse terrycloth towel. Microfiber is soft, highly absorbent, and has certainly prevented breakage for me.

2. Rose Quartz Beauty Roller

I was extremely dubious about the efficacy of beauty rollers when they came on the scene, especially by those who tout the different stones’ abilities to hold ‘energies.’ But oh my gosh, these cool stones feel SO good on your face. The naturally cool properties of stone help to reduce puffiness, especially around the eyes, and I use my beauty roller to apply eye creams and facial serums with the two differently sized ends. I’ve seen these retail for $30 and higher, but found mine at Walmart for $10. Plus, it’s pretty on my bathroom counter and makes me feel spa vibes.

3. Burt’s Bee’s Complexion Stick

I’ve written about this miracle stick before, but it bears repeating; I am rarely without this little wonder!

4. Avène Eau Thermale Face Mist

Besides face mists just feeling great to apply, they are a French beauty staple. I particularly like this brand for its pretty packaging and convenient travel size. I keep one of these in my carry-on beauty kit as well as at my home vanity. It’s useful for soothing sunburn or windburn, spraying after makeup application to help meld into your skin for a more natural finish, and as a refreshing pick-up-spray on blah skin while traveling.

5. Pixi Glow Tonic

Hailed the drugstore dupe for the coveted Biologique Recherche P50 lotion, this toner has over three hundred four- and five-star review on target.com. It contains glycolic acid which acts as a gentle, chemical exfoliant and has done remarkable things for my skin. One of the keys to good skincare is exfoliation, making sure you regularly remove spent skin cells and encourage fresh turnover. Plus, it’s alcohol-free, which many toners are not, and therefore is not drying to your skin.

6. Milani Rose Face Oil

I love a variety of oils for cleansing and moisturizing, but none I’ve tried is so lovely as this rose-scented, drugstore and cruelty-free version. Plus, it comes in a pretty bottle with a dropper, making it a nice addition to my skincare tray. I use it for eye makeup removal with a cotton pad, oil cleansing for makeup removal, and as a bedtime or daytime moisturizer worn under SPF.

7. Savon de Marseille Rose Lotion

Carrying on the rose theme, one of my favorite hand creams is this French one which I keep at my desk at work. Its subtle rose scent is enough for a mid-day skin treat and a pretty reminder to take care of my hands.