30 BEST DRUGSTORE PRODUCTS!

Of course we think Paula’s Choice is one of your absolute best options, but for those who like shopping for personal care products at the drugstore we have great suggestions for you. With so many skin care, hair care, and makeup products vying for your attention (and dollars), how do you ever determine which products are best? Let Paula and her Cosmetics Cop team show you their top picks so you can start the New Year with a smart new look!


10 Best Drugstore Skin-Care Products
10 Best Drugstore Makeup Products
10 Best Hair-Care Products

10 Best Drugstore Skin Care Products

• Neutrogena One Step Gentle Cleanser ($7.49 for 5.2 ounces)

Notes: Very good gentle cleanser that feels silky and completely removes all makeup; often stocked with Neutrogena makeup, not their skin care.

• Olay Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin ($4.49 for 6.78 ounces)

Notes: Very good fragrance-free water soluble cleanser for all skin types.

• Eurcerin Calming Body Wash Daily Shower Oil ($7.99 for 8.4 ounces)

Notes: An excellent moisturizing body wash for winter-dry skin or eczema. Fragrance-free.

• Olay Quench Body Lotion Active Hydration Formula w/ Green Tea ($9.99 for 11.8 ounces)

Notes: Hands-down, one of the best body lotions anywhere due to its exemplary formula. It doesn’t leave skin greasy, either. Make sure you purchase the Green Tea formula, as it is the most state-of-the-art among the Quench moisturizers.

• CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion ($12.99 for 12 ounces)

Notes: Another top body lotion owing to its sophisticated formula that’s fragrance-free and great for dry, sensitive skin.

• Alpha Hydrox Oil-Free Formula ($11.99 for 1.7 ounces)

Notes: A fragrance-free, lightweight, pH-correct AHA product with 10% glycolic acid.

• Olay Complete Ageless Skin Renewing UV Lotion SPF 20 ($24.99 for 2.5 ounces)

Notes: There are few state-of-the-art daytime moisturizers with sunscreen at the drugstore. Although pricey, this certainly qualifies as a brilliant formula that competes with considerably more expensive SPF-rated facial moisturizers from the department store.

• Physicians Formula Sun Shield for Faces Extra Sensitive Skin SPF 25 ($8.95 for 4 ounces)

Notes: A gentle, mineral-based sunscreen that’s also fragrance-free. Great for rosacea-affected skin.

• Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream, Night ($13.99 for 1.4 ounces)

Notes: A very good nighttime moisturizer with retinol and antioxidants. Also fragrance-free. And yes, this is still being made even though Neutrogena offers similar products on their Ageless line.

• Stridex Power Pads ($6.99 for 28 pads)

Notes: One of the only benzoyl peroxide/anti-acne products at the drugstore that doesn’t contain needless irritants.

10 Best Drugstore Makeup Products

• L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup SPF 17 ($10.95)

Notes: Beautiful liquid foundation with broad-spectrum sun protection and a great range of mostly neutral shades for fair to dark skin tones.

• L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Powder ($10.95)

Notes: Everything a great pressed powder should be, at a very reasonable price plus beautiful shades

• Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector ($7.09)

Notes: A long-wearing, crease-free liquid concealer on one end, subtle highlighter on the other. Ideal!

• Cover Girl TruBlend Liquid Makeup ($9.39)

Notes: One of CG’s best foundations without sunscreen, it looks amazingly skin-like and lasts.

• Revlon Cream Blush ($9.79)

Notes: An excellent cream-to-powder blush that gives skin a lit-from-within glow.

• Physicians Formula Matte Collection Quad Eyeshadow ($6.75)

Notes: Smartly-coordinated sets with a smooth texture, good color payoff, and true matte finish.

• Cover Girl Outlast Smoothwear All-Day Eyeliner ($6.99)

Notes: A very good eye pencil with impressive longevity. Doesn’t need sharpening.

• Maybelline Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil ($5.49)

Notes: No sharpening plus a smooth, soft application and flattering colors make this brow pencil a must-try.

• Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara or Lash Blast Length ($8.99)

Notes: Lash Blast in the orange tube gives ample thickness and length, while the one in the yellow tube provides less thickness but makes lashes inordinately long. Both are impressive.

• Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick ($4.99)

Notes: An inexpensive creamy lipstick that provides rich color and a finish that’s not overly slippery. Great shades, too.

10 Best Drugstore Hair-Care Products

• Aveeno Nourish + Volumize Shampoo ($6.99 for 10.5 ounces)

Notes: Great shampoo that’s nearly identical to Aveeno’s Nourish + Moisture Shampoo. Both are good for normal to dry hair that’s slightly coarse, curly, or thick.

• Garnier Fructis Body Boost Fortifying Shampoo ($3.99 for 13 ounces)

Notes: Excellent shampoo for all hair types, but especially good for fine hair.

• JASON Natural Fragrance Free Daily Shampoo ($9.79 for 16 ounces)

Notes: Although this contains a fragrant plant extract, the scent is subtle and doesn’t change the fact that this is a very good gentle shampoo for all hair types.

• Garnier Sleek & Shine Leave-In Conditioning Cream ($3.99 for 10.2 ounces)

Notes: A standard, but good leave-in conditioner for dry hair that’s comparable to much costlier products from Kerastase (Garnier and Kerastatse are owned by L’Oreal).

• TRESemme Instant Heat Tamer Styling Spray ($4.75 for 8 ounces)

Notes: Good lightweight, spray-on conditioner for those with fine or thin hair.

• Pantene Nature Fusion Moisture Balance Conditioner ($4.99 for 12.6 ounces)

Notes: Every Pantene conditioner is great (and they’re all similar) but this one has a subtle scent that doesn’t overpower. Use sparingly on fine or thin hair, lavishly on thick, coarse hair.

• L’Oreal Vive Pro Nutri Gloss Conditioner, for Medium to Long Hair That’s Curly/Wavy ($4.99 for 13 ounces)

Notes: Ignore the long/curly/wavy hair claim; this is a great conditioner for normal to dry hair of any thickness.

• Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Hairspray, Ultra Strong ($3.99 for 8.25 ounces)

Notes: This won’t completely shield hair from humidity and its hold isn’t ultra strong, but it works great as a finishing spray for all hair types.

• Pantene Curl Defining Spray Gel, Extra Strong Hold ($4.99 for 6.5 ounces)

Notes: A well-formulated styling spray for all hair types. Alcohol-free and loaded with helpful conditioning agents. Benefits curly or straight hair, especially if it is fine or thin.

• Dove Frizz Control Therapy Taming Cream for Rebellious, Unmanageable Hair ($4.99 for 4 ounces)

Notes: A great styling/straightening cream that also works to tame frizzies and add shine. Versatile, but too thin for those with very thick or coarse hair, who’d do better with a silicone serum or pomade, of which there are plenty of good ones available.

Paula Who?

I have only been a Paula's Choice Partner for a short time and the most frequent response I get is, 'I never heard of her products".  So I decided to see what was out  for consumers on the big wide world web. I was so pleased with what I found! It was like discovering there is this underground movement towards Paula's products. I found several web sites with reviews of her products and mostly, people were amazed that they had either not heard or seen the products before.

Check out these sites for the reviews. :
http://www.thebeautybrains.com/vanilla/comments.php?DiscussionID=8

http://www.skintypesolutions.com/forum/index.php?topic=2598.0

http://www.totalbeauty.com/reviews/brands/paulas-choice

If you have wondered about Paula's products, but are afraid of switching your current brand for fear of break-outs or increased drying, maybe these sites will give you a little more confidence about stepping out there and giving Paula's Choicea try. I have samples for most skin types in stick which means you don't have to order them on-line and wait. Just drop me an e-mail for a FREE three-day sample supply!

I  understand how hard it is to believe that a product you've never heard of could actually be THE solution you've been looking for, but I hope after seeing some consumer reviews you'll give Paula's Choice a try. Remember, there are samples available for all skin types, most of which I have in stock. So, no ordering, no waiting, no charges!! Give me call or drop me an e-mail today!

WELCOME 2010 WITH BEAUTIFUL SKIN!

 

Bonus Beauty Bulletin!!

Problem: My lashes are falling out! Is there anything I can do to stop this from happening?

Solution: It is natural for lashes to shed and then regrow, but if you are noticing bald spots along your lash line, you may need to change some habits that might be making the condition worse. For example, don't wipe off eye makeup (or any makeup, for that matter) because wiping and pulling at the eyes can pull out lashes. Don't rub your eyes, even if they itch, especially when you are wearing mascara. Also, do not overuse mascara. I know it's tempting to have long, dramatically thick lashes, but the weight of the mascara (and what it takes to remove it later) can be too much for delicate lashes. Waterproof mascaras are the most difficult to remove and often take many lashes with them, so you might want to consider changing mascaras. It is unlikely that you are allergic to your mascara, but on the remote possibility that it may be the cause of the fallout, switch brands and see how that works.

By the way, you aren't using an eyelash curler are you? Over time, that consistent tugging can certainly pull out lashes. Another possibility is that non-cosmetic allergies could be playing a part in your eyelash dilemma. Your only recourse, if that turns out to be the cause, is to use antihistamines, or to eliminate from your environment the allergens causing the problem. For example, if you are allergic to the down in your pillows, use pillows with a synthetic fill. Hay fever can also cause the eye area to swell severely, damaging eyelashes, a problem that could be alleviated by using over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines.

Medically speaking, doctors refer to the loss of eyelashes as madarosis. According to ophthalmologist Dr. William Trattler, "While it may seem like mainly a cosmetic problem, the condition can be an indicator of something more serious, such as eye trauma, eyelid infections and even cancer of the eyelid. In addition, metabolic conditions such as hypothyroidism and pituitary insufficiency can cause madarosis" (Source: http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/treatments-eyelash-loss.html).

It is also possible that the eyelash loss can be attributed to the presence of a mite called Demodex folliculorum. When it is active in small hair follicles and eyelash hair follicles it can consume epithelial cells, causing the hair follicle to become swollen, inflamed, and plugged. All of this can cause the eyelashes to fall out. Fortunately, this problem is easily treated once correctly diagnosed so consider seeing your dermatologist for an evaluation. (Source: eMedicine Journal, May 11, 2001, volume 2, number 5.)

If your loss of eyelash hair is chronic, you should see an eyelid specialist (called an oculoplastic surgeon) and have him carefully examine your eyelid to determine the cause of the madarosis.

Latisse, a prescription product from Allergan, has been proven to make eyelashes grow longer, thicker, and darker. It does this by means of a drug known as bimatoprost originally used for glaucoma. Use of this drug by glaucoma patients made it clear that one of its unexpected side effects was longer, thicker eyelashes. Topical application of a low dose of this drug (Latisse is applied once daily like a liquid eyeliner) has demonstrated impressive efficacy and safety, and was granted FDA approval in early 2009. Latisse isn't cheap (a 30-day supply costs $120) but you should see impressive results after 8-12 weeks of using it. Ongoing use is required to maintain results. Of course, don't ask your doctor for Latisse until you have been examined and other potential causes of eyelash loss have been ruled out or treated.


$$$ NUDE SKINCARE Intense Moisture Mask ($60 for 1.4 ounces). If you're keen on using a moisturizing mask for an occasional indulgence for dry, weather-beaten skin, this is a good one. It's exceptionally emollient and soothing thanks to its impressive blend of shea butter, fatty acids, and anti-irritants. A token amount of antioxidants are included to round out this overall intelligent formulation. The claims for this mask are, surprisingly, factual. However, keep in mind that how you care for your skin on a daily basis matters much more than what you do once per week. Note: This mask can be left on skin as long as necessary. If you have very dry skin not prone to breakouts, leaving this on overnight is recommended. Unlike most Nude Skincare products, this omits the fragrance chemicals known to cause irritation.

For the latest new product reviews, reference Beautypedia.com, the completely searchable, continually updated version of my book, Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. It features over 40,000 detailed product reviews for only $24.95/year.

Sampling of New Reviews from Beautypedia.com!

Rimmel The Max Volume Flash Mascara ($7.29) is another remarkable mascara from Rimmel. Their latest lash offerings have been hit-or-miss, but this is a grand slam for those who want lush, thick, beautifully separated lashes. The large brush proves surprisingly nimble, and its bristles allow sufficient coating of lashes for dramatic results without clumping. Once set, this won’t smear or flake yet it removes with a basic water-soluble cleanser. The claims of 14 times more volume don’t come true, but this produces impressive results fast.

$$$ Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer ($28). This sheer, lightweight primer has a silky texture and pale, fleshy bronze tint that leaves a shimmer finish. The formula isn’t as elegant as many other primers, and in fact this doesn’t smooth over pores or wrinkles the way some can. It’s more of a moisturizer than a primer, though it works under makeup if you don’t mind shine peeking through. The third ingredient in this primer is a sunscreen active that can cause sensitivity when used near the eyes. If you decide to try this product, it is advisable to keep it away from the eye area.

Olay Definity Neck & Chest Daily Restoration Treatment ($25.99 for 1.7 ounces). If you’re going to create a specialty product to address skin on the neck and chest, it should at least contain a selection of ingredients that distinguish it from your other products. Olay didn’t do that. Instead, this Definity product contains niacinamide and silicone, just like almost all of their other serums and moisturizers. In many ways, the overall formula isn’t nearly as intriguing as many others from Olay Definity (or Regenerist, Total Effects, and Pro-X). The amount of niacinamide in this “treatment” can potentially help fade discolorations on the chest (and, based on women’s fashions, the chest is prime target for sun damage as we age) but Olay uses greater amounts in their facial care products, so what’s the big deal here? This isn’t worth purchasing over other Olay products, and those for the face can (and should) be used on the chest, too. Of course, even the best products aren’t going to improve sun-damaged skin if you’re not diligent about protecting it with a well-formulated sunscreen.


For $24.95 per year, Beautypedia members get the following benefits:

• Complete access to Paula’s extensive database of over 40,000 product reviews
• New reviews and line updates added every week
• Access to the Best Products for every skin care need and any budget
• Special Discount: Only $9.05 for Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, 8th Ed.

EXCITING NEWS!!!

Paula will be giving a free presentation on skin care myths in the cosmetics industry. She is armed with the most current research from her latest editions of, The Original Beauty Bible and Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me and will be signing copies for attendees.

Thursday, December 3rd, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Barnes & Noble
Festival at Woodholme Shopping Center
1819 Reisterstown Road
Baltimore, MD 21208

What Every Skin Type Needs

Regardless of the name on the label, and whether it’s a moisturizer, anti-wrinkle or anti-aging product, serum, treatment, or whatever clever term that appears in the ad copy, what all these products should contain are antioxidants, cell-communicating ingredients, and skin-identical ingredients. All skin types need these ingredients to be as healthy as possible. And I mean ALL SKIN TYPES! As long as the product you are using contains a selection of these types of ingredients you are going to be taking the best possible care of your skin when it comes to using a “moisturizer.” What about your skin type? The only thing that differentiates a “moisturizer” or anti-wrinkle product or anti-aging, treatment, serum, or other option for your skin type is the texture of the product. Gels and liquids are best for oily and combination skin, serums and light lotions are best for normal to slightly dry skin, and more emollient lotions and creams are best for dry to very dry skin. Texture is all about skin type—but the brilliant ingredients for healthy skin remain the same for everyone, regardless of product texture or personal preference.

Antioxidants
Free-radical damage is what antioxidants are supposed to take care of, either by stopping new damage, or by reversing earlier damage caused by free radicals. And antioxidants can potentially repair damage by allowing healthy cells to proliferate. An immense body of research continues to show that antioxidants are a potential panacea for skin’s ills, and ignoring their benefit while shopping for moisturizers (or any products with names like anti-aging or anti-wrinkle or treatment) means you’ll be shortchanging your skin. What makes antioxidants so intriguing is that they seem to have the ability to reduce or prevent some amount of the oxidative damage that destroys and depletes the skin’s normal, healthy function and structure while also preventing some of the degenerative effects in skin caused by sun exposure. Note that antioxidants are susceptible to deterioration by light and air, which means jar packaging for a product with antioxidants quickly negates their benefit.

Cell-Communicating Ingredients
Where antioxidants work by intervening in a chain-reaction process called free-radical damage, “grabbing” the loose-cannon molecule that cause free-radical damage to reduce its impact on skin, cell-communicating ingredients, theoretically, have the ability to tell a skin cell to look, act, and behave better, more like a normal healthy skin cell would, or to stop other substances from telling the cell to behave badly or abnormally. This is exciting news because antioxidants lack the ability to “tell” a damaged skin cell to behave more normally. The right cell–communicating ingredients can “talk” to damaged skin cells, telling them to repair themselves and begin producing healthier, undamaged cells.

Skin-Identical Ingredients
The term “skin-identical ingredients” refers to the substances between skin cells (technically referred to as the intercellular matrix) that keep skin cells connected and help maintain skin’s fundamental external structure. Think of your skin as consisting of bricks, with the mortar being the material that holds these bricks together. Skin cells are the bricks, and the mortar (cement) between them is made up of skin-identical ingredients. An intact, stable, healthy, and strong mortar structure is what allows skin to look smooth, soft, moist, supple, and young. It is of vital importance for all skin types to maintain or restore the skin’s mortar (intercellular matrix) to help skin fight off environmental stresses and most certainly look younger. These substances that keep skin intact are skin-identical ingredients. Just adding water alone can do nothing if the intercellular matrix is damaged. When a moisturizer contains a combination of skin-identical ingredients, it can help reinforce the skin’s natural ability to function normally, improve skin’s texture, fight environmental stress (sun, pollution, and more), and, along with antioxidants and cell-communicating ingredients, eliminate dry skin with regular use.