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If you’re anything like me (and I’m betting you are), you don’t have a lot of time (or money or effort) to spend on self care. I have a few big go-to items that I really like using, keep going back to and that make me feel and look as good as I possibly can without more investment. And today…I’m going to share those with you (maybe you’ll find some new favorites too)!
Hair
Shampoo/Conditioner: Suave Moroccan Infusion – This stuff is a bargain, it smells awesome and it makes my hair smooth, soft and moisturized. Great for having to wash it as often as I do!
Leave In Conditioner: Creame of Nature Argan Oil Leave-In Conditioner – found in the ethnic hair section of your local store (though it’s certainly excellent in my very non-ethnic hair…). Smells amazing, good price and a wonderful leave it. I’ve been using this for years!
Hair Ties: invisibobble and Vegols Spiral Hair Ties. I follow hair tie trends…because I’ve never found any that really worked the way I wanted. These types however are probably around to stay. They don’t rip my hair out, when the stretch out…they can be reshrunk, and they hold my hair fairly well. You can find all kinds of knock offs of the original version for much cheaper per hair tie. I’m currently liking the Vegols from Amazon the best (super hold…better than the originals I think!).
Body
Face Cleaner: Origins Checks and Balances and/or Neutrogena Cleansing Towlettes. I just ran out of Checks and Balances…so didn’t get a photo…but I’ve been using it for a decade. My skin loves it. Neutrogena wipes for getting off makeup or barn grime on a daily basis. A classic that is hard to beat.
Deodorant: Dove Advanced Care in Apple and White Tea. Almost impossible to find this scent…it’s literally the only main stream brand one that I don’t end up stinking through (I can’t even wear other Dove ones…). Why? No idea. But it’s excellent. When I find it…I buy them out.
Hand Lotion: The Simple Equine Ridden Ragged.
Body Lotion: Yeah…right. Who has time for this nonsense! I don’t use it.
Ouchy Body Rub: doTerra Deep Blue Rub – yeah…you’re not supposed to be able to buy this anywhere but on their website, but if you don’t want to sign up for doTerra…you can find it on Amazon. This stuff is great for muscle aches and pains after riding!
Soap: Lush or my own hand made soap. I prefer bar soap because I prefer actual mild cold process soap and not detergents/chemicals that are in body washes (I mean…I get away with not using body lotion because I don’t strip my skin dry washing it).
Face Care – AKA Anti-Aging Stuff!
Face Spray: Pixi by Petra Glow Mist. I spray this stuff on several times a day to add extra moisture to my skin (think when I wake up, when I am out of the shower, a few hours before bed before I apply my other skincare). Easy to do and makes a big change in your skin’s moisture level and health.
Exfoliation Mask Manual: Yensa Pumpkin + Tumeric Polishing Mask. I am obsessed with this stuff. I don’t even do much scrubbing with it, but whatever the goodies are in it make my face SO soft. And it smells amazing. Not cheap, but worth it to me! I can use it several times a week with no issues.
Exfoliation Mask Chemical: Drunk Elephant T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial. Another one of those not cheaps! Great mask though that really takes the old dead skin off. It’s not called Babyfacial for no reason. Excellent, but I can only use it once a week or so without irritating my sensitive skin.
Anti-Aging Cream: Sunday Riley CEO Cream. Another expensive one here… Rich thick Vitamin C cream. Smells amazing. Does good things for my skin. Need I say more?
Day Lotion: Purlisse Matcha Antioxidant Primer/Moisturizer. Also not cheap, but an excellent light lotion for daytime. I apply this several times a day and it keeps my skin balanced and I’ve noticed a big difference on my skin clarity since starting to use it.
“Makeup”
“Makeup”I use the term loosely since it’s not really make up…but you know…stuff to make you look less ragged when you go outside the house sans-makeup.
Primer/Slight tint for barn wear: Yensa Tone Up Primer. Lightly tinted. Adds moisture, skin evening and a nice glow. Great for a base going out to the barn with your sunscreen!
Sunscreen: Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen Lotion – Face SPF 30. I have had a heck of a time over the years finding a sunscreen that doesn’t stink, feel gross, or break me out (either with a rash or pimples). This one works for me. It’s an oil base, so it adds moisture to my dry skin, it smells amazing, it works, and no irritated skin. It also goes on smooth. It’s hard to describe the texture, but it’s not sticky or icky at all.
Lip Balm: The Simple Equine Pucker Up Pony – nice moisturizing balm for my lips. No color (yay), smells great (yay) and doesn’t have any flavor that makes me want to lick it off. Also no nasty ingredients making their way into my mouth.
Lip Treatment: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask – this one I was hesitant to try because I thought I might have a reaction to some of the ingredients…but I really like it. Adds a lot of moisture to my dry parched summer lips (yeah…the humidity here in summer is pretty well non-existant). Smells good and good price for how long a container lasts. I’ve been on a sample size one for half a year now probably.
Lip Scrub: Lush Lip Scrub – sugary smoothing scrub. No bad ingredients. What’s not to like!
Under-Eye Helper: Garnier Clearly Brighter Eye – this stuff does some magic on under eye circles without making it look like you packed on the concealer. Great for no-makeup barn days! Another one I’ve been using for a LONG time.
Eyelash Primer/light mascara: benefit They’re Real Tinted Primer – another no makeup makeup goodie. This light and thin mascara primer adds a little tint (brown) to your eyelashes to make them look just a little bit better. Honestly…you don’t look like you’re wearing mascara at all with this stuff on…just like you have nice lashes. Another great (and easy) trick to look a bit better leaving the house without putting on a full face of make up. Has the added benefit of conditioning your lashes too!
Okay! That’s it! Those are my favorite self care products out there! What’s your must-have, go-to products? I’d love to hear what you use!