Emily's Favorite Beauty Buys

I am inspired this morning to write about a few of my favorite things, in regard to my daily beauty and well-being regimen. 

So, starting clockwise from the top, I will tell you about each item and why I love it.

Olivealoe Foaming Scrub: While in Greece last Summer, I discovered this scrub, and boy has it done wonders for my temperamental skin.  I don't use it every night, only three nights a week (its a little abrasive for regular use).  The best part is that it's made with Olive Oil, the miracle ingredient in my world.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate:  My husband is an avid user of Kiehl's products (I know, an expensive habit for a man, but he swears by it).  While shopping with him one day, I acquired a sample of this oil and fell in love.  You might think that putting straight oil on your face would cause breakouts, but as someone in my 30s who still tends to fight the occassional adolescent zit, it doesn't.  My complexion looks and feels so much more even.

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer:  The best lightweight coverage I have found in my 30+ years, I barely feel like I have to wear anything else...AND it has SPF to boot!

Nars Laguna Bronzer:  The perfect shade of bronze for these sunless chilly months...just gives a little sun-kissed glow to my overly pale winter skin.

Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait De Gloss #52 Genie:  For years I have been trying to wear color on my lips, and I think I found the perfect gloss to take me into the Spring.  This gloss is the perfect shade of corally pink for my complexion.  After endlessly searching for the right hue, I have finally found it, and I am so ecstatic!

OPI Big Apple Red Nail Lacquer:  On a recent trip to NY, I decided to paint my nails this shade, because hey, why not?  My trip to the Big Apple deserves Big Apple Red, right?  Well, even though I'm back in DC, I'm still loving this color, a new staple for my manicures.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta(R) Glow Pads:  So I received this as a sample from Sephora (a perk of being an "insider"), and I loved it so much that I came back and purchased them.  You get a pack of 10 for $18.  A couple hours after applying I looked like I had been at the beach for hours...a sun-kissed glow!  Not only does it give you a glow, but it also exfoliates and minimizes dark spots.  I love a multi-tasking product!

Olivaloe Tonic Lotion:  Now back to my trip to Greece, I also discovered this tonic lotion.  I detest normal astringents because of their drying properties.  This one is so mild and cleansing..it feels so soothing going on and you feel refreshed after each application.

Listerine Breath Strips:  Don't leave home without these!  Once again, my husband turned me onto another one of my faves.  These tiny sheets dissolve in your mouth in no time and I feel so minty fresh after.  I'm not a big gum chewer, mostly because I feel like a valley girl at the mall, so these little pocket-sized packs do the trick for me...buh bye stale breath!

Hanae Mori Butterfly Perfume:  I know I'm going on and on about my husband, but I was turned onto this perfume by him.  He bought it for me a month into dating because he loved the way it smelled on me.  It's a lovely scent...you should try it!

Evian Water:  I drink at least 8 glasses of water a day and I swear by it.  Evian just happens to be my favorite...but hey different strokes for different folks, just as long as you're drinking the stuff.  As Derek Zoolander says, "Moisture is the essence of wetness.  Wetness is the essence of beauty."

Lancôme L'EXTRÊME Instant Extensions Lengthening Mascara:  I've tried every mascara under the stars, and this is the one that I'm coveting right now.  My must-have in a mascara is that it separates and lengthens (the volume factor isn't my main concern).  So this one is doing the trick for me and it doesn't clump...excellent!