I have a straightening brush too…and it really is a game changer for hair do stuff! Much easier and quicker than a flat iron.
Best find this year…hmmm…for us it was the instantpot. We really like ours.
Burt’s Bees Rejuvenating Eye Masks. Best thing ever for when you need a quick freshen up perk.
I’m glad several of you like your Swell bottles. I gave a good friend one for her birthday last week. They come in such pretty designs.
I use a HydroFlask water bottle. I think I might have bought it in 2017 but I use it every day. I take it to the gym. I take it in my car, I even fill it and bring it to my room at night. I refill my water cup on my nightstand from it. Mine is a pretty purple. It keeps water cold all day. They also make a smaller version that I use for tea. It keeps the tea hot even overnight. Last year I bought the soup size. It’s great for bringing soup or hot food to work. They are on sale at Whole Foods this week.
My Hoka runnng shoes. Though I bought them December of 2017.
Adding Penzey spices. I first discovered them here on CC. I love the spices and I love the nice gift boxes that they put on sale. I’ve given several of them as gifts.
@thumper1, what straightening brush do you have? Is it one you can use on damp hair?
My straightening brush is used on dry hair @CottonTales just like a flat iron or curling iron…but way easier!!
I love the IT cosmetic concealer. It really does help conceal my dark undereye circles.
My Contigo bottle also keeps liquids incredibly cold. I put ice and water in at 9:30am. At 5:00pm there is still plenty of ice.
I have even left it on my kitchen counter open all night and found ice in the morning.
I have not tried it with hot. Think I might try it when my job begins again in another two weeks. But ilove this bottle.
I use a number of IT Cosmetics but discovered an under eye concealer better that Bye Bye Concealer: Amazing Concealer (yes, that’s actually the name).
I also discovered a drug store blush that has nice color (Milani in Tea Rose).
Lastly, I just started using an eyebrow pencil this year and definitely think it’s worth it. I’m using Benefit’s Goof Proof brow pencil. Whether it’s “the best”, I don’t know. I don’t really have any complaints but when I’m ready to replace it, I might try another one.
One more thing: while traveling, a hotel had these flat irons available for use. I have very difficult hair and have used a variety of tools. This is the best iron I’ve found and was worth the price:
https://www.sephora.com/product/gold-professional-performance-2-styler-P374207
I have never heard of the Target Besuty Boxes, I’m going to look into that.
I, too, received a sample of the IT mascara for my birthday from Ulta. It was almost a year ago and I just threw it in my drawer and didn’t use it. I’m going to try it today if it’s still usable. Thanks, @conmama. Is it a tubing mascara? How do you remove it?
No, it’s not a tubing mascara, @musicmom1215. I always curl my eyelashes first.
I started using the one I bought yesterday. You have to work the wand back and forth a bit to coat the sand. I don’t even do a 2nd application, but as I keep brushing the first time, it gets thicker.
Sometimes I use my curler again after they dry and it really pops!
I just applied my mascara. It was a little dry as to be expected from sitting in the drawer so long. Looks ok. Will see how it holds up to my itchy, watery eyes (allergies) today.
@musicmom1215, mine isn’t dry at all. If you have an ulta near you, they might exchange out your sample. Just tell them you haven’t used it, got a recommendation and want to give it a try. They are always so good with that stuff.
The discussion about mascara prompts me to share my ‘find’: Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer.
https://www.sephora.com/product/diorshow-maximizer-3d-triple-volume-plumping-lash-primer-P408966
A young colleague (I love the smart, ‘with-it’ young women I know, especially when they share their hot tips with me!!) told me about it. Says she wears the cheapest mascara and still gets great results! Definitely makes my short, sparse lashes look thicker and longer! The best thing – it seems to keep my mascara from smearing. With age, my eyelids have gotten saggy/baggier and smearing mascara was a big problem for me before I started using this primer. I really like it! Worth every penny!
I am also on the It cosmetics love train! I discovered their No Tug eyeliners this year and absolutely love them. Previously I had used Bare Minerals eyeliners which had great wear but my eyes were often itchy after putting it on. I don’t have that problem with the It eyeliner.
I like the Bye Bye concealer but unfortunately I cannot get the coverage I wan unless I let it dry under my eyes for a time period (my daughter told me this trick) and I rarely have time to do that. For now I am sticking to my Bare Minerals cake concealer.
I really fell in love with Gold Bond Ultimate Radiance Renewal lotion this year. I hate the feeling of greasy lotion on my hands and this does not have that issue even though it moisturizes wonderfully and the smell is light but very nice. My whole family loves it.
@ams5796- This may change my dd’s life. She has extremely heavy, coarse red hair. We call it Viking hair as it is wild and fairly waterproof. I sometimes think her hair controls her life and I can’t help as I have thick but very fine hair. We may have to try this!
@Onward Try it! I would love it to work for your dd’s hair. I have heavy, coarse hair and this hair tool has made me very happy.
@millermomm, I have tried a variety of under eye concealers, both drugstore and high end. What I’m trying to conceal is the light purple color in the trough that extends from the inside by my nose out. It’s caused from the shadow of just a small amount of puffiness under the eye.
I finally broke down and spent the $75 on the celebrity makeup artists gold standard. Wow, It’s amazing. One tub lasted me 2 years.
That looks good.
The only one that I can use (I haven’t tried the above) is this. I love this I have dark circles and sensitives eyes. This hides the circles without bothering my eyes. https://www.sephora.com/product/master-corrector-P393430?skuId=1359884
I’ve used this Yves St.Laurent under-eye concealer for a year now and I love it.
Also, thanks to Latisse (prescription for eyelash growth), I’ve got long lashes. Almost every mascara I tried left me looking like a raccoon by the end of the day–I tried the expensive ones and the cheap ones and everything in between. Then, my youngest D (animal lover, vegan, etc. who does everything organic/earth friendly/sustainable) turned me on to Thrive Cosmetics–100% cruelty free. The mascara is great–it lengthens and while it does eventually come off, you don’t look like a raccoon.
https://thrivecausemetics.com/collections/eyes/products/liquid-lash-extensions-mascara?gclid=Cj0KCQiA68bhBRCKARIsABYUGidhB9BBoyLF5DRmO-lddOp0-X28dFoTRAcUHJKwuhtpXx5lE2UjogwaAggdEALw_wcB