Recently I have gotten some compliments on little things that I do to keep myself groomed, such as self-tanning, whitening my teeth, etc. To me, the products that I use are a part of my daily routine and I consider them items that I can't live without. Whenever I am asked where I get these products, most are surprised to hear that they are from CVS, Walgreens or my personal favorite, Rite Aid. It is true, you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to get your teeth white or damage your skin by using a tanning bed. Some of the best grooming products are found at any local drugstore. A close person to me gave me the idea to share a list of some of my life hacks that I like to use to attempt to maintain a crisp appearance. Thus, here are some products that I cannot live without and feel that everyone needs to get their hands on. Say goodbye to $100 beauty products and say hello to $10 ones! I decided that I can't keep these secrets to myself; it's time for the world to know!
1. Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Tanning Mousse
I use this tanner every week, usually every Friday so that I can be nice and tan for the weekend. I prefer this tanning mousse over any other Jergens cream because it shows up on your skin within a couple hours whereas when you use Jergens cream, you have to apply it days in a row to be able to see the tan show up. This mousse is much more efficient, as you only have to apply it once — maybe twice, the next day if you want to be extra tan — for it to show up. Therefore, it uses a lot less product than the cream would and you get more bang for your buck! Also, not to worry — it does not show up orange. It truly looks like a natural sun tan.
2. Colgate Optic White Multi Care Whitening Rinse
I actually was introduced to this product by my roommate who always gets compliments on her exceptionally white teeth. When she told me that the secret was as easy as swishing this stuff around in her mouth every morning, I was immediately sold. I'm so sick of using whitening strips, taking 30 minutes out of my day and not being able to talk or be seen with plastic wrapped around my teeth. Also, as a broke college student, I am definitely not interested in spending money to get my teeth professionally whitened. The whitening rinse is exactly what I needed every morning. After brushing my teeth, I rinse my mouth with this for 60 seconds and voila! After about a week, I noticed a significant difference.
3. Sea Breeze Astringent
Sea Breeze Astringent has saved my life on numerous occasions. Whenever my skin is breaking out, I immediately turn to this product. The astringent cleans my skin better than any product that I have ever used. Sometimes after I wash my face, thinking it is completely cleaned, I throw this on after with a cotton ball and see that there was a lot of dirtiness left on my skin that I wasn't even aware of! You can feel the product working the moment that it touches your skin. If I get a pimple, I put the astringent on and it gets rid of it in a day or two. Sea Breeze is a must-have for acne; a definite miracle worker.
4. Revlon Colorstay Foundation
I love makeup, but I hate spending tons of money on it. Foundation is a key aspect of many peoples' makeup routine, which is why the majority of people turn to high-end foundation since it is promised to work. However, I can assure you that this Revlon Colorstay drugstore foundation is just as good, if not better than any high-end foundation that I have ever used. I am a loyal user of this foundation and have used it for the past six years, therefore, I could never turn back. It lasts on my skin all day, even if I don't use a setting spray. It blends skin so naturally and does not have a "cakey" effect, whatsoever. If you are a high-end foundation user and are hesitant to use drugstore makeup, try this one out. You will not be disappointed. It works just like a high-end product and I think even better!
5. Vaseline and Sugar
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As the colder season begins, I have noticed that my lips are getting extra chapped. Usually I would just throw on some chapstick, but lately, it has not done the trick. It works for a couple of hours and then my lips go back to being chapped. I tried putting vaseline and sugar on a toothbrush and scrubbing it on my lips and it works incredibly. It really gets to the root of the problem and leaves my lips feeling and looking soft for days. It's a little more maintenance than chapstick, but definitely worth it.
6. Coconut Oil
Again, as a result of the cold weather, my skin is always feeling dry. Regular lotion works, but only to an extent. If you want a deep moisturizer, use coconut oil. It not only leaves your skin exceptionally soft, but it also makes it look like its glowing! The cherry on top of the cake is the delicious smell!
These are my daily and weekly necessities to keep a groomed and crisp appearance. If you haven't tried these products, you are missing out. Go to your local drug store, pick them up and thank me later!