Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Call of Beauty

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Good morning, loves!  And happy Wednesday to you!

Today I have a little favor to ask all of you.  Most of you probably know by now that my day job is  Beauty Product Developer.  Lucky, I know.  It's a pretty fabulous job. 

And every now and again {more like all the time} I bother people and ask them about their beauty secrets.  What are your must have beauty essentials.  And that can go above and beyond any products you use.  It could be any treatments, salon services, or any other beauty wonders that you may ingest like a green drink, salmon, nuts, berries, etc.  Anything that makes you feel and look your best. 

I love hearing why and it also oftens helps brainstorm new product ideas which is a good thing because we all love new innovation in beauty, right? :)

So tell me, sweets.  What are your faves?  Thank you in advance and I'll return the favor and reveal my faves in the near future!

Have a fabulous day!

xoxo

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4 All images edited by The Alternative Wife

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45 comments:

Unknown said...

such pretty pics

The Dainty Dolls House said...

Plenty of sleep, lots of fluids, mask every other week, cleanse every day especially when I've had make-up on, moisturize, light scrub every week, facial exercises. I do love going to a beauty therapist sometimes for a facial too :) Hope that helped lovely!! Have a sweet day :) x

O said...

I love your job! My beauty musts are to start the day with a glass of water, preferably followed by a juice that contains something sour and antioxidants. I take vitamin pills and always moisturize. I am still figuring out what products best suit me, so I would love to have some tips from you too! xoxo

lorenabr said...

Olive oil for my skin and water :)
What about you?

classiq said...

Avery interesting theme, Dawn!
I should start by saying that I don't believe in wonder cosmetic products. They help, yes, but the secret lies in a much more complex process: drinking lots of water (for example when I drink a sufficient amount of water-which means more than 2 l a day I don't even need my moisturiser cream-I've recently discovered this), exercise (including face exercises, it can be a massage or a very simple one-laughing), healthy eating (fresh, not processed food and organic as often as possible). xo
Ada

Anonymous said...

Oh so fabulously French today :)

I like natural oils and butters. My skin loves them too ;)
and the scents... heavenly!

Laura said...

I love this question because I really go the natural beauty root. The number one thing that I use alllllll of the time that moisturizes my skin, heals up wounds, prevents scars, gets rid of zits in less that a day, treats cold sores...drum roll please...is Aloe gel!!!

design elements said...

more love, more water, more healthy food, more sleep, more self confidence, more tennis :) i agree with Ada. it's complex... p.s.: heavently images, Dawn!

Samantha Green said...

Moroccan Oil for my hair. I can't imagine life without it now! I comb it through damp hair and then style as normal -- it is so shiny and much more manageable.
I used to use fancy/expensive moistruisers on my face but now i just use a few drops of Argan Oil morning and night and my skin has never felt/looked (in my opinion!:) better. Hope this helps.

Beautiful images, as always xx

Leslie said...

Water, exercise, a healthy diet, sunscreen, antioxidant serums and daily skin care.

Priscilla Joy said...

One of my faves is the Aloevera face cream I use during the day. It is locally made, includes some SPF (though I add SPF 30 to my face as well....Caribbean sun is harsh). But the cream is soothing.

Love the images.

Anonymous said...

Love these images!
I'm obsessed, as many are, with my Clarisonic. Really big transformation in my skin.
I also love Moroccan oil, and have been using it for a long, long time.
I'm also a hugely loyal user of the Mario Badescu line. Love his products.
Hope that helps!

Anonymous said...

Drinking lots of water is great for my skin! A few weeks before my wedding I drank virtually nothing but water and my skin was amazing. Unfortunately I can't stick with that lol.

amy b.s. said...

i try to drink lots of water and get at least 7 hours of sleep, but i'm pretty sure i could use a few more tips!

Alexa said...

I'm loving Benefit facial moisturizer and Maybelline pink lipstick.

Unknown said...

Oh good question! Lately I have become a face serum junkie. That little step before eye creme and moisturizer and I feel it really helps to keep my skin hydrated. I love La Prarie but ran out and am using a bottle of La Mer I forgot about, but think I prefer the lighter La Prarie version to be honest.

xo Mary Jo

Oh to Be a Muse said...

Your job does sound fab!

My essentials:
-I take a Biotin pill every day for my hair, skin & nails
-I always take off my makeup before bed
-I try to use mineral foundation
-Lip gloss and chapstick...anything to keep my lips from drying
-I have super sensitive skin so I use Aveeno face foaming cleanser and Aveeno or Eucerin moisturizer.
-Water and cranberry juice

Tiffany Kadani said...

I have no real beauty secrets, for I don't think my routine is spectacular and who knows if it works, but I do use Cetaphil lotion religiously and I drink lots of water.

Talia said...

I would love your job and admit, I am a product junkie! But some 'for sure's...

1) I NEVER sleep with make up on my face.
2) I drink a boatload of water.
3) Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.
4) I stay out of the sun and wear sunscreen.]
5) Natural glow - a healthy sex life. Sorry, but true. (is that too much information?!)

Love your blog!

Martina said...

Some new beauty products are lovely sometimes and can be motivating, to do a little extra for your skin. I like fruit acid peelings once in a while and a good skin tonic. And i use sun sreen along with my daycream. Have a fab day!

Vannessa@Luxuria said...

My new favs are Rosehip oil as a facial night oil. It really leaves my skin glowing every single morning as it's a dry oil, so doesn't leave the skin greasy at all. Also lavishing my hair with coconut oil before washing (as a treatment). Hope this helps Sweets xx

Mihaela said...

beautiful photos!

new post - new jewelry♥mfashionfreak

Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog <3

Elle Sees said...

Coconut oil...it has changed my skin and hair

B. in the Know said...

Vegetarian diet. Facials do wonders. I also will only use lotion that does not have mineral water in it, which means I use a local organic natural lotion with Lavender Garden scent, which is a coconut oil base. It has changed my skin for the better - so smooth!
Much love,
B
PS. You have one of the best jobs for sure!

A BRIT GREEK said...

Lovely images and good of you to pick our brains! I love hearing what everyone is using/doing, but to be honest I read Talia's comment and was nodding my head to all of her points.

I'm also big on ingesting a lot of olive oil too - grreat as a hair conditoning treatment when warmed, fab for skin as well.

Heard lots about Argan oil...

I love a good massage and you have already developed that genius wake up wonder product for getting rid of creases!

Keep us in the loop love with what you come up with!
x.o.x.o

honey my heart said...

lots of water and moisturizer!! i'm having a lot of fun reading these comments :)

Lonely Wife Project said...

Exfoliating, moisturizing and lots of wine ;)

Anna @ IHOD said...

Always a good moisturizer and sunscreen! Tinted moisturizers are also fantastic:)
I am eager to try coconut oil for my hair!
A great question and loving reading all the answers!
:) Anna

Mrs. Pancakes said...

Mmhm...beauty secrets...wash your face daily:-)

Chicago Chic said...

Exercise, Moroccan Oil and Clarisonic, + my Estee Lauder night cream. After a combination of these 3 things, I seriously feel refreshed and like a new person!

x
Rachel

Isabel said...

i like to use 100% tea tree oil on acne.
im still looking for my favourite moisturizer tho...

Lisa said...

my vegan diet! that 'vegan glow' is not a myth.

lisa
abitofpinkglitter.blogspot.com

Theodora Ofosuhima said...

body oils and lotion, hubby calls me seal for that reason :)

Aubrey {All Things Bright and Beautiful} said...

It's so funny, but I always feel like I have absolutely nothing to say when someone asks me about this! I definitely avoid fast food as much as possible (whenever I don't, my skin rebels!)...and I'm a moisturizing FIEND! Love my Clinique dramatically different moisturizer, but I hear there are *WAY* better ones out there!

Danielle's Heartfelt Home said...

I love this subject and could talk about it for days : )
I always wash, exfoliate, and moisturize my face before bed. Lately I've been doing a baking soda/honey mask once a week as well.
I love mineral makeup because it doesn't clog my pores or feel cakey. I agree drinking lots of water makes you feel great and I also love a smoothie to start the day (full of antioxidents!).
Lip liner is a must, but I have yet to find one that doesn't wear off (maybe you could develop one...wink, wink...)

Danielle xo

Ali Rodriguez said...

Sleep, water, exercise, and exfoliation! Doesn't get much better than that for me! (Oh and a little sun/bronzer never hurt :) )

Anonymous said...

hot yoga!!! my skin always looks flawless after a class :) the heat of a 100 degree yoga class is the perfect circulation stimulator.... you become relaxed, flushed, and enjoy a workout all at once! x0x0

Anonymous said...

OMG this post is DIVINE:) I LOVE chanel sooo much..its a addiction

So my life is two things begining with CH CHANEL and chocolate haha:)

I hope the weather is better where you are than here in Sweden, its raining.

LOVE M

Anonymous said...

Great question! Sleep, water, and a couple products I have been using lately (I don't know if I notice as much as others but I get compliments on my skin after using these for awhile:
-DDF Amplifying Elixir
-dr. brandt detoxifying anti-oxidant booster
Can't wait to hear your picks as well!
~Karen
http://fashionboardconfessional.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Cucumber gel for my eyes! Honestly, it is like a morning facelift + brightner, perks up your whole face!

Christine @Fancy Function said...

Definitely water, sunscreen, a good eye cream, moisturizer, exfoliating scrub. I am also loving all the new cream eye shadows that are on the market now. :-)

Not Just Another Milla said...

Absolutely dreamy. Thanks for my daily dose of gorgeousness.

Laura @Travelocafe said...

Enough sleep, lots of fluids and a mask from time to time seems to do the trick for me.
Great article and as always your photos are wonderful.

Joie de Viv said...

My beauty must haves #1 is Serum. After I started using serum, I could not go back to just using lotions or creams on their own! Also cleansing oils. I use the Shu Uemura ones. Maybe from these two, you can tell I have seriously dry skin? lol

xx Vivian @ http://diamondsandtulle.blogspot.com

Sarah Klassen said...

Hmm, for me, a real array:

* a little coffee here and there and a great deal of water
* grape seed oil—so nice on the face and loaded with benefits
* less carbohydrates and sugars and more vegetables and fruit
* coconut milk, and very little dairy
* Benefit concealer—amazing!
* Coconut oil, for the hair, face, elbows, and I eat it on toast, too!

I look forward to your secrets :)

xx
Sarah