We had a lot of slam dunk discoveries at Amazon this past month. I am still obsessed with these mini beauty blenders for applying difficult makeup and this little multi-purpose beauty stick ($5!), among other things, but I must write in some detail about Avene Cicalfate. I had the strangest thing happen earlier this month — the skin around my mouth/chin went super-dry, almost flake-y dry, overnight. I don’t know whether I came on to strong with my Biologique Recherche Lotion p50, or there was some strange reaction between some of the new products I’ve been testing, or maybe just change in weather? I honestly have no clue, but it was unsightly! I stopped using basically everything but this simple gel cleanser and tried first my beloved Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream, which is a heavy-duty ointment/protectant that has helped with similar issues (especially dry cuticles, dry skin, etc) but nothing happened. I then layered the 8 Hour Cream beneath other heavy duty lotions, including Follain’s Ultra-Hydrating Mask, which I absolutely adore and sleep in (leave on overnight) about once a week during the winter. It’s like applying a cozy sweater/socks — hydrating but not greasy. Just right. Anyway, nothing seemed to work on this particular issue, and I remembered the Avene Cicalfate I’d bought for my son’s ultra-sensitive skin and plucked it out of his bathroom caddy. Ladies! Lo and behold, within 24 hours, my skin was returning to its former, non-reptilian state! I continued use for a few days and the entire area cleared up. It is a miracle! Cannot thank the Magpies who recommended this product enough!
Anyhow, below, the best-selling Amazon finds from this past month. (If you don’t have a carpet cleaner and do have children/pets, I can’t recommend more!)
01. ELF BEAUTY STICK // 03. BISSELL CARPET CLEANER // 04. BLOCKPRINT TOILETRY BAG // 05. FLORAL HAIR CLIPS SET // 06. WOVEN BAG // 07. CLOVER EARRINGS // 08. ORIGINS GINZING MOISTURIZER // 09. PLANNER // 10. MINI BEAUTY BLENDER SET // 11. CHI SPIN AND CURL
A few other items on my radar:
+A new sweater shaver — mine is on the fritz. Essential for maintaining knits!
+I have heard this makeup brush set is a dead ringer for Bobbi Brown’s kit — and under $50.
+I’ve become a beauty blender fiend. Eyeing this set in larger/different shapes.
One other completely off-topic launch I have to mention today: Alice Walk just re-stocked their basics collection and it is SO good. I own most of these items already and want to go back for seconds/thirds because I love these pieces so much and the colors/stripes they just released are so good. Every item I’ve ever purchased from Alice Walk has the best quality and most thoughtful design — slightly longer hems to cover the rear, flattering fits, wonderful quality pima cotton. (You can read a detailed review of their tees here.) Treat yourself, ladies! This half-zip is one of my favorite possessions!
STRIPED CREW TEE // STRIPED 3/4 TEE // STRIPED HALF ZIP SWEATSHIRT // SOLID HALF-ZIP
P.S. A detailed review of the very popular Hunza G bathing suit.
P.P.S. An archerfish by design.
P.P.P.S. Let’s get organized.
Hi Jen! I’m delighted to hear that your skin problems were also solved by Avene products. For years, I battled periocular dermatitis, which is what dermatologists were calling an ugly rash around my eye, and treated it with various medical creams, ect. I was even prescribed long term antibiotics when nothing topical worked! Anyway, one day I ran out of prescription wash and washed my face with the Avene face and body wash I had in the shower as a body wash, and it cleared up! It’s now been two years since I had an any kind of flare up and it feels like magic. I buy it on the website or on the Walgreens website. It runs @ $12-18 dollars depending on discount codes and I can’t imagine life without it!
Wow!! Amazing – it is SUCH a relief to find something that works after trying lots of other options. Will definitely be using Avene as a rescue product / first recourse from now on.
xx
Did you try out the Chi Spin and Curl yet and if not,any plans to do so?
Hi Nancy! My neighbor (who uses it) and the website/reviews say it’s best for women with longer hair. My hair is currently above shoulder and so I don’t think it’d work for me. If I ever grow my hair out, though, I’d love to try!
xx