Beauty Experimentation

When I was a little girl, I loved losing myself in the library. Specifically, the area dedicated to makeup and beauty.  If there was a book about making your own exfoliating sugar scrub or faking high cheekbones, I was all over it. 

To this day, I am still beauty-product crazed.  I spend way too much money in drugstores.  They really are my store of choice!  I could peruse makeup and skin products all day long.  What's more fun than a little beauty experimentation?

Here are some ways that I've experimented recently.

Skipping Conditioner
Several months back, I got tired of my curls falling out by lunchtime.  I was using a great curling iron -- the Hot Tools 1.5" -- and my naturally-curly hair typically has enough texture to hold a curl.  What was up?!  I decided to forego conditioner and see what happened.  I've been pleased so far with the volume that I've gotten back, especially at the roots.  Sometimes I'll use conditioner on the weekend just to keep it strong and moisturized.  I also like going to sleep with Moroccan Oil in my braided hair, and then I just wash it out the next morning with my shampoo-only routine.

Source: rstyle.me via April on Pinterest

Bio Oil
I've been using Bio Oil since the end of last April, and I really don't see myself stopping using it anytime soon.  Miracle product here.  It runs about $10 for the 2 oz. bottle (the one I bought) and $17 for the 4 oz. bottle (the one I'll buy next).  I only use it at night and I put it directly on my skin right after cleansing.  I love the way it smells and makes my face feel!  The links I provided above are for drugstore.com, a favorite of mine.  Remember that if you are a member of Ebates, you get 12% back when shopping there.

Source: rstyle.me via April on Pinterest

Gel Mani
I first experienced the shellac mani before our wedding.  I loved, loved, loved it.  Being in the Dominican Republic for our honeymoon and having gorgeous nails even after all of that time in the pool was awesome.  What I didn't love was the weak nails I had afterwards, so I went back to traditional polish.  But with a Monday-Thursday out of town trip this week, I wanted nice polished nails all week long without having to worry about touch-ups.  On Sunday I picked up the Nutra Nail Gel Perfect kit in Flame (a true red) and I'm giving it a shot now.  I'll post next week with my review of it.

Source: rstyle.me via April on Pinterest

Aquaphor
I have always loved Aquaphor and then when I read recently on Designer Bags And Dirty Diapers that Natalie read an article where a plastic surgeon recommended slathering this on at night as a facial moisturizer, I immediately gave it a try.  I didn't experience any breakouts, and I can verify that it does make for an intensely good moisturizer.  I put it on right over the Bio-Oil and seal all of that goodness right in.  It's also amazing for cuticles.

Source: rstyle.me via April on Pinterest

Have you tried any of the above products?

PS: Sweet Laura from Our Life In The Queen City is having an awesome giveaway for a May Book ... make sure to pay her a visit!