Friday, March 4, 2011

Miracles at the Drugstore...or Target...or wherever...

Miracles?  Yes...they are to me.  A sample here of three of my latest, life-changing products, two of which are cast-tested to make life easier when you only have 1 completely functioning hand.

#1 and definitely tops on my list: Olay Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System.  (usually $29.99 in drugstores) 

I was seeing ads for this all over this winter, and while still casted, picked one up figuring that it would help since I really only had the use of 1 hand for exfoliating and this might make showers easier.  I have friends with the amazing Clarisonic system, but I never wanted to spend $200 on it...even though I know, yes, they *swear* by it. 

Admittedly, I haven't tried the Clarisonic but now....I *swear* by this one.  Wow.  The brush is nice and soft so it's not harsh on my skin.  But it definitely clears away any flaky skin and really gets the cleanser working.  I have used this with both the cleanser it comes with and another one - and they are both great.  It feels like a facial massage. The only problem is I can't decide whether to keep it in the shower or to keep it by the sink because I'd love to use it twice a day - it feels that good on my face.

If I'd known how amazing it was, I would have scoured the DC metro area for one - or ordered from Amazon sooner. No wonder all the stores were sold out.  I got mine at an off-the-beaten-path CVS, but it seems like the stores are better able to keep it in stock now.  But if you don't need immediate gratification, the link above takes you to the Amazon sight - where you can get the Free Shipping option - have I ever mentioned that I really HATE paying for shipping?  But I've also seen it at Target now, too.

I said I loved it.  But....how well does it work?  Well, let's see....when I went to see Black Swan with friends about a month ago, the ticket guy ID'ed me...yes, at an R movie...because "you can't see it if you're under 17".  That's what he told me when I started laughing because I didn't think he could possibly be serious. I figured it was "be nice to moms" night or something.  Oh no, he wanted to see the ID.  And then a couple weeks ago, out with other couples for dinner, the waitress said she probably should ID us, but even I looked like I was probably an 84 or 85 birth year.  Ummmm, no, 1971.  So that's my testimonial right there. 

#2: Garnier Anti-Dark-Circle Eye Roller ($11.39 at Amazon...I got mine at Target)

So here's the deal with this one.  I love it.  I really do.  The color is supposed to be one-size-fits-all, and I don't know about anyone else, but it's perfection on me.  It is a totally awesome everyday product for me.  And here's why - it's concealer and eye cream in one.  Ta da!!!  Yep, saves me a step.  And I do love it when I can save a step in the morning...at least most (all) mornings...

I often have trouble with eye cream in that a lot of them are way too strong for my undereye tissue - ow, the stinging, the burning...you know what I'm talking about.  My faves are: Arbonne RE9 Advanced Corrective Eye Cream, Kinerase Under Eye Rescue, and Olay Regenerist Eye Serum.  And the last combo eye cream/concealer product that I tried (Clinique's) was a bitter disappointment - too cakey, not moisturizing enough - blegh.

I thought I'd give this one a try while I was in the cast because I was all about saving time and keeping things easy.  And this one was a winner.  I will be honest - when the directions say to roll on the product and then blend in any excess - hahahahaha - um, yeah, I have yet to use it and not have to blend.  So, I roll on, pat in (don't rub!!), and I'm good to go.  It feels nice & cool, no stinging to be had.  And I bet it's going to be even more amazing in the summer. 

Yes, I still use my regular eye cream with my Bobbi Brown Corrector sometimes.  But I'm going to sub in this product on a regular basis - and in the summer?  It's likely all I'll use. And um, fyi, better than YSL Touch Eclat.  Oh yes, I said it.  And I mean it. 

#3 and most recent purchase (yesterday at Target): John Frieda Full Repair Touch-Up Flyaway Tamer ($9.99) 

Wow!  Love love love!!  I just got this yesteday - had seen it in magazines and thought "well, heck, why didn't I think of that" and "OMG, where has this been all my life?"

I can only speak to my very fine hair (we don't need to revisit the appalling haircut I got last spring when some idiot thought it would be a good idea to texturize my hair all while saying "wow, your hair really is fine").  Yes, it's fine, it's not thin - just fine.  So I get those little wisps of hair at my scalp where the hair broke that stick up and always prevent me from using any type of volumizing products on my hair.  UNTIL NOW.

As you can see from the product pic, it's basically like a mascara wand for your hair.  And the product inside is like some wacky-good combo of smoothing/fixative/oil/hairspray whatever.  I don't really care what it is, it works.  Totally kept down the icky pieces and didn't make my prone-to-be-oily-and-needs-to-be-washed-every-day scalp greasy.  So mega bonus for the not-greasy scalp.

The only caveat I have here is that I've only used this for a day.  But I really think it's that good.  I may even need to get one to tuck in my (voluminous) purse. 

So those are my 3 absolute bestest products I've found lately.  Enjoy!  And happy shopping!

Do you have any recent discoveries you want to share?  Speak up!!

10 comments:

dinagideon said...

I have discoveries all the time, but since I bludgeon people over the head with them at my blog (yay Arbonne!), I won't do so here. LOL.

I love that you put a twist on this, btw, with a one-armed perfection. ;)

(Even if you have both arms in great working order!)

sparrowsandsparkles said...

I must get that Garnier eye roller asap. Thanks Heidi! xo

La Belette Rouge said...

better than YSL Touch Eclat? you sold me!

My newest life changing products: Peter Thomas ROTH Firmx Growth Factor Extreme Neuropeptide Serum and Philosphy Vitamin C powder. LOVE them And I have used La Mer and all the biggies, nothing works like this dynamic duo.

Pamela said...

Oh Heidi! Thank you for these recommendations! I have almost splurged on the Clairisonic but when it was time to enter my payment information chickened out. It just seemed like *a lot* of money for a facial brush. I trust Olay and I trust your opinion. I might be buying it this weekend!!

Megan said...

Nice reviews!! I'm interested in trying the eye rollers and the fly aways - even tho my hair is coarser... but worth a try!!

Meggy from Chasing Davies

Megan said...

Nice reviews!! I'm interested in trying the eye rollers and the fly aways - even tho my hair is coarser... but worth a try!!

Meggy from Chasing Davies

CECE said...

Thank you so much Heidi! Will be running to the store to get hte concealer & eye cream in one...just ran out and had been in search of a good one...I will try the olay brush as well. I have the clarisonic but a good product is hard to refuse specially at &29.99...will definitely go and get one as well. Thank so much!

Momoberry said...

Heidi, thank you so much for posting these gems! I bought the Garnier product at the supermarket today (they were running a sale and I bought it for $8) and it's AMAZING! I've never had luck with eye concealers and this blends like a dream. I'm going to be on the lookout for the Olay cleanser as well!


http://momoberry88.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

I read about the Olay tool, but haven't tried it since I have the Clarisonic. Thanks for the review.

Last year, Patina posted about the Garnier rollerball. Just the puffiness reducer. I was in a pinch and remembered her post while I was in a CVS. Love it! I haven't tried the one w/color. Just the plain one in the green wand.

Stormy said...

New poster! It's so funny that you talked about the Oil of Olay cleansing brush, because I just bought mine last night! I've been dying for the Clarisonic one, but $200 for a facial brush just isn't in the budget. I really like it so far.

I had previously bought a Revoln Clarisonic knockoff at Ulta in January and it was disappointing to say the least. The bristles were too firm, so it felt like my skin was eroding away and it just goes through batteries like nothing. I already like the Oil of Olay one better.