Great beauty products don't just make you feel and look amazing but can actually help make getting ready easier and more efficient. Particularly as plenty of today's products work double-duty with multiple usage. Tinted moisturizer with sunscreen, soaps that can be used as shampoos, etc.
In fact, the name of the game in home beauty is the edited beauty product collection - carefully selected products specifically selected and limited to what you use and need.
Which of course if you're like most, means your first step to spring beauty is cleaning out the 'product graveyard' of things you don't use (or rarely use) in your beauty cabinet or under the sink. To start, pull out all of the product and separate what you absolutely haven't used, what you use occasionally and then what you use frequently. If you're not sure you're ready to let go of something, hang onto it for a few more months to see if you use it. If not, send it packing along with the other unused things.
Rather than discarding unused and unwanted products in the garbage, consider donating them. Plenty of organizations take 'gently used' items such as haircare products, shampoo, etc. You can check with local shelters or other charities to see if they accept these types of donations. It'll help others and reduce waste.
Once you've pared down your beauty products, consider whether or not what you have is working. If it's not, you might want to consider replacing it. Take stock of what might be in need of replacement, nearly empty, too. If you're going to be updating or buying new products, consider purchasing sample sizes first or requesting a sample at your local beauty store. Make a list of what you ultimately need to add in and take your time trying products. Online stores and retailers are amazing for finding good consumer reviews, including those who might like natural, environmentally safe and cruelty-free beauty.
For shampoo, Harmonic is a favorite here, bought intentionally for nursing damaged hair back to health but it worked as great (if not better) than plenty of the high end and salon products used. You'll find it at Whole Foods. Everybody's raved about Moroccan Oil and its line of products for haircare, and with good reason. While some products might be too heavy for certain hair types, the oil itself can be used by most with great results.
Derma E facial oils are an obsession. There are a few variations depending on your skincare needs and leave skin soft without breakouts. The company also has a range of other oils for head to toe. Even nail polish is taking a more gentle, natural route. SpaRitual is the hot new natural polish. The collection includes treatments, topcoats, nail files and base coats too.
If you've heard people buzzing about Theorie flat irons, they are incredible. Available in a few sizes, it comes with a larger protective case and sleeve - amazing for travel. The company makes curling irons as well. Last, whitening your teeth at home has never been easier. Colgate's Optic White collection of products range from toothpaste to mouthwash to get the job done. The toothbrush in the Optic White line is awesome.
Of course, once you've got your products in place for your personal beauty supply, invest in good storage options to keep it all together. Get a little creative and your vanity or beauty cabinet will look as stylish as any other part of the house.
To check out all of the articles in this week's edition of Condiment, visit www.getcondiment.com