Aveda Pure Abundance

Last time I got my hair cut the stylist used this stuff in my hair and it is awesome. It makes my hair thick and full of body and it adds just enough hold that my type of casual style looks good enough for the runway. I only use it when I'm intending to wear my hair down although I imagine it would work well for other styles too.

Pantene Beautiful Lengths

I've been using Pantene products for years and generally find them to be good quality products that do what they say they will. I recently switched from the moisturizing formula to the Beautiful Lengths formula and had been very happy. Dry hair is a common problem with long hair but this keeps it moisturized without making it limp.

I also found out that they are sponsoring a program that benefits cancer patients. People donate their hair to be made in to wigs for cancer patients who have lost their hair.

There are other programs that do the same or similar thing . My Mom's actually done this through Locks of Love . These are good causes so pass this on to anyone you know who might be interested.

Burts Bee's Lip Shimmer

I have a thing about lip products. I must own 50 lipsticks and glosses (mostly glosses). I've admitted various times to having a dozen or more in my purse at a given time.

I have a Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in the color Merlot and I love it. It's actually a chap stick with a little color. It makes my lips very soft and it tingles a bit. It has a peasant scent to it and tastes nice as well. I believe it's all natural but I may be remembering wrong.

The same company makes a line of baby products (Burt's Baby Bee) which I've been wanting to try out but haven't had an opportunity. If I do I'll let you know how Fiona and I like them.

Dove Clinical Protection Anti Persperant

I've been trying to find a deodorant I liked for a couple years. I used Soft & Dry for a while but it left a film on my clothes even thought it said it wouldn't. I then tried the Degree product with the commercials that said "little black dress approved" and it worked and didn't leave marks but I guess I was allergic to it because my armpits swelled up (sounds funny I know but it was painful). Then I tried the regular Dove product and it didn't leave marks but it wasn't very strong so I was afraid of getting smelly. Then I tried a product from Secret that worked alright but when I went to the store to buy more they were out so I tried this product and I've been pleased. I haven't felt damp of noticed any smell at the end of the day and although I don't know if this product is designed to not leave white marks it hasn't so far as I can tell.

It is a little strange that the instructions for this deodorant tell you to put it on before bed but since I shower at night it works out for me. There have been a couple times on the weekends when I rebelled and put it on during the day and it's been fine. I always try to buy things unscented or with the lightest possible scent since you don't want your deodorant, detergent, shampoo, and soap to all combine into an overwhelming cloud. The one I bought said clean scent or something like that and I can't smell it at all so I'm happy. I was a little wary of trying clinical strength because I don't think I particularly need it but because I found the regular Dove product to be weak I think this might be less powerful than the clinical strength products from other brands. I've been pleased so far and assuming they have it in stock when I go to the store I'll buy it again.

Dermadoctor KP Duty

I get these yucky bumps all over my upper arms. And then I have the charming habit of picking at them so they're red and sometimes bleeding (Eeeeewww I know). Well this worried me when I was getting married since my dress had spaghetti straps and I didn't want my arms to look nasty. Then one day I was looking through the new Sepohra catalogue and saw this product. Apparently the yucky bumps are called Keratosis Pilaris sometimes refered to as Chicken Shin (charming). I bought a tube of KP duty and used it faithfully morning and night and it took care of the problem. My arms were smooth and lovely for my wedding and the icky bumps didn't come back for 2 years. I'm using it again and it's working again. If you suffer from this problem or other dry skin related issues I highly recommend KP duty.

I've just recently started using 2 other Dermadoctor products. It hasn't been long enough to make a definitive judgement yet but so far I'm happy. Once I feel confident that I've got enough data I'll let you know how I like them as well.

Oil of Olay Microdermabrasion and Peel

I've used this product off and on for a couple years. For me it really did brighten skin and diminish fine lines and better than the (few) expensive products I've tried. I'm okay with looking my age but who wants to look any older than they have to. It works by removing a couple dead layers of skin (lovely image I know) which isn't as extreme as a treatment you might get from a Dermatologist. It costs about the same as a facial but you get several treatments for the price.

For some reason I get an error when I try to upload a picture but here is a link to the Olay site.

Less Sexy and More Pratical

I used to do Pleasure Parties. Let me tell you you can make some good money selling ummm romantic enhancements. Although total strangers felt comfortable telling me their intimate details which I was not cool with.

That's how I discovered Honey Dust . I used to demonstrate it by poring some on the top of a glass of watter, then I'd put my finger through it in to the watter pull it back out and show the guests that it remained dry. This stuff is super absorbent.



It's edible and made by a company called Kama Sutra which is why we sold it at the pleasure parties but I personally have never used it in a sexy way. To be perfectly honest I've used it in some extremely un-sexy ways. I like to use it in the summer when you get moist in uncomfortable places like under your breasts or the small of your back. I worked with a girl who swore by putting it in her shoes to prevent stinky sweaty feet.

I got married in August three years ago (well on the 20th). It was August in California so of coarse it was hot and although my dress was very pretty it didn't breathe well at all. Once we were done taking the pre ceremony pictures I was sweaty and uncomfortable and the wedding hadn't even started. One of my bridesmaids had brought her Honey Dust and (this is the mark of a really good friend) she dusted my thighs for me since I couldn't get to them with my skirt in the way. I was comfortable the rest of the day, including the outdoor ceremony and dancing until my legs were ready to fall off.

In my opinion Honey Dust is a must have for all women. Being comfortable is always in fashion.


Edit 8/4/08: I forgot I've also used this as hair powder. I'm not sure how well it would work for darker hair but it works great in between showers if your hair is light. It keeps your hair from getting all limp and greasy.