Five Faves

I have always loved turning my girls onto the little treasures I come across, and now that I have this blog, I am excited about passing these finds on to you;)… Here are todays Five Faves:

Alpha Hydrox products have been around for decades, I remember getting turned onto them back in college, when my budget was tight and I wanted excellent results for minimum pay.  This product left me amazed by the results, which is the reason I continue to be loyal long after my college days.  I use the foaming wash and the AHA Souffle pictured here, which has 12% AHA.  It smooths my skin and has cleared the discolouration over the years.  The price is astounding for all this product offers, at $15 per jar, I have plenty left in my budget to spend on my ever growing list of must-haves.  I order directly from the site because it seems they always have a promotion.  I just ordered a replenishment and received my facial cleanser complimentary!  It’s almost too good to be true, but true it is.  I urge you to check out the site and explore options for your individual skin needs, if you need assistance, phone the customer service number, they are always pleasant and ready to help answer your questions.  If you decide any of the products use the following code at checkout: NC-US-319

Next up, Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder.  Bumble and bumble hair products are among my favourite, and the hair powder is a gem.  It dry cleanses and adds great tint and volume.  For those who have greys sprout up long before the next salon visit for touch ups, this powder is a great way to camouflage, and if you are in between shampoos and the oil is building up, problem solved with this dry cleanser.  This is a great product for set work or if you plan to take photos because it gives the appearance of a thick, healthy mane when sprinkled on side and middle parts in the hair.

Target Up & Up Baby Wipes are a staple in my car, home, purse and set kit.  They are handy for spills, makeup removal, cooling the skin on hot summer days and a multitude of other uses you haven’t even thought about until the moment arises.  They are under $2 and so very handy.

Denim, denim, denim… yes, it has now become the wardrobe staple in the closets of women all across the globe.  Being from a city where dressing up to go to the grocery store was the norm, it took me a while to jump on the denim bandwagon, and now I’m pretty much committed.  I have every style and cut you could possibly imagine from Sevens to AG and Current Elliot, however, my favourite brand is Joe’s.  First off they fit like a glove and secondly they are perfect for those of us with long legs.  I’m 5’8″ and prefer my jeans drag a bit so this coupled with my height can make it challenging to find the perfect denim, not anymore, Joe’s rarely miss the mark for me, and for those who don’t necessarily need the length, you’ll appreciate the comfort.  The material is so soft and feels like a second skin, definitely worth a trip to the tailor.

Last, but surely not least, with hot summer days comes the desire to wear the minimum amount of fabric, especially when you live in areas where humidity is common.  James Perse tees are my answer during these summer months, and of course they are great for layering, as the weather cools.  The cotton is high quality, super soft and thin.  The tees are also offered in a wide variety of colours and styles, and they look great with jeans, trousers, shorts and skirts.  They have become a staple in my wardrobe, and by now, you may know it’s all about the quality for me, so yes, they last forever and a day… not really, but you’ll surely have them for years to come;).

Five Faves

Today is the debut of “Five Faves” where I choose 5 of my favourite products, today the focus is on skin care.  The items are in no particular order since they are all favourites.  So without further ado, today’s five faves:

AFRICAN BLACK SOAP

This AMAZING soap is imported from Ghana in it’s raw form, and is completely natural.  It’s made from dried plantain skins, palm leaves, cocoa pod powder and kernel oil.  The plantain skins are largely responsible for the efficacy of this soap, as they contain vitamins A, E and iron.  In addition, cocoa pod powder has natural healing properties.  African Black Soap is an excellent remedy for acne, blemishes and hyperpigmentation.

It is offered in numerous quantities, I prefer ordering it in bulk for the value, since I know it works wonders on my skin.  Furthermore, it remains fresh when stored properly.  If you simply want to try it in a small quantity to test it first on your skin, try etsy.com where it’s sold for as little as $5 per bar. On a side note, when in use, it is best stored in a dry container, as it dissolves if left to sit in water.  Upon receiving it, I like to cut it into bars, wrap them individually in wax paper, then all of them collectively in saran wrap.  The portions not in use at the moment should be stored in a cool, dark area until ready for use.

African Black Soap is available through a litany of online vendors, I’ve ordered through both ebay.com and amazon.com with great success, just do your research on the vendor of your choosing.  The price ranges dramatically based on the quantity.

ORGANIC PURE EXTRA VIRGIN COCONUT OIL

Not only do I love coconut oil on toast in the morning, it is also an amazing skin care item.  I prefer to have one for the kitchen and a separate jar in my bathroom, as you might agree.  I won’t digress and cite all of the benefits of ingesting coconut oil, as well as using it as a hair conditioner, since the focus is skin care. I will revisit these benefits in a forthcoming post.

Coconut oil is a highly effective moisturizer, which can be used all over the body, however, I use it only on my face, as it may seep through clothing, although it washes right out in the laundry. It smooths the skin while protecting it from free radicals, which in turn helps to prevent the signs of aging.  In terms of packaging, many appreciate the appeal of great packaging.  I recommend simply transferring the product into a glass container more fitting for your sink area.

This product can be purchased online or from Whole Foods and a number of other healthy grocers.

CLINIQUE CLARIFYING LOTION

I typically receive looks of surprise, which I completely understand, when I suggest this product.  I remember hearing how Clinique Clarifying Lotions are strong enough to strip off nail polish.  I have never tested this, therefore, don’t know the validity, however, I do know it has been of great benefit for my skin.

Years ago I worked on an editorial shoot with an executive from Chanel Beaute, he raved about how this product is perfect for preparing the skin for everything to follow such as: moisturizer and foundation for us ladies.  He said he’d been using it for years despite his commitment to EVERYTHING Chanel, including the skin care of course.  He assured me this was the only exception, and with that, I was convinced.  I bought the Clarifying Lotion 2 for my combination skin, and haven’t turned back after a 5 year run thus far.  In fact, I was without it for several weeks a few months ago, and my skin didn’t like anything about it and neither did I.

Available at department stores nationwide                                                                                                                                                                                                                  6.7 0z- $12.50/13.5 oz- $21.00

SMITH’S ROSEBUD SALVE

This product is a cult classic, packaged in a cute little .8 oz tin, it was first launch in 1895, and has been going strong ever since.  I’ve seen a few copy cats surface lately, which bare a striking resemblance to this original, and anything other may not offer the same benefits.  This product addresses: chapped lips, stings, burns, minor skin irritations and diaper rash.  It also serves as an excellent moisturizer on the skin due to the many different essential oils contained in it.  Smith’s Rosebud Salve is also packaged in a tube, I prefer the consistency of the tin, although I’ve been told it is the same.

Available at Smith’s Rosebud Salve and Sephora $5-$6

QUEEN HELENE APRICOT NATURAL FACIAL SCRUB

Queen Helene products have had great longevity, as the company was established in 1930.  The Apricot Facial Scrub is natural and gentle on the skin, while being highly effective.  I’ve been using this product since my college days, and can attest to its effectiveness in sloughing off dead skin cells without being abrasive.  The skin feels baby soft after use, and on some skins it is gentle enough to be used everyday.  You will know if you fit into this category by starting with 2 days per week and increasing from there.  Your skin will respond accordingly if you seem to be overdoing it.

Queen Helene Apricot Facial Scrub is packaged in a 6 oz. tube and retails for approximately $8 depending upon where it is purchased.  Many beauty supply stores stock it, however, it is available online at this price point with free shipping.