1. Shampoo.
We are not talking about just any shampoo, we mean a good shampoo that covers all of your hairs needs. Each person has different hair texture, color and hair concerns. For colored hair, we recommend the Redken Color Extend Shampoo. It leaves hair shiny, color vibrant, and keeps color lasting longer. If you have damaged hair, Bed Head Urban Antidotes is amazing! They have 3 stages for each level of damage. They help to repair, restore and revive your hair. For thinning hair, use Nioxin. It is designed to help stop hair thinning, and make hair look fuller. They have 6 different systems that vary to help the level of thinning you have, and even hair a line for chemically treated hair. For every day use, we recommend Bed Hair Daily Shampoo. It works for all hair types, and can even be used on color treated hair. Do not wash your hair everyday! It can strip your hair of its natural oils, causing it to become dull and dry. You can also switch up your shampoo and use 2 different shampoos and conditioners. Use one duo one day and alternate with another duo.
2. Conditioner.
To get the best results with your shampooing, use the conditioner that goes along with the shampoo that you use. If you don't, you may not get the results you desired. The Redken Color Extend Conditioner prevents color fading, makes color more vibrant and strengthens your hair. Bed Head Urban Antidotes Conditioner makes hair stronger, softer, more vibrant, and helps protect it from heat and chemicals. Nioxin Conditioner are light weight, and smoothing to help give extra volume to thin hair. Bed Head Daily Conditioner adds moisture to the hair, helps to detangle the hair, and prevents color fading.
3. Lipstick.
Everyone women needs a great go to lipstick that matches any occasion. You can never go wrong with a natural lip color or a nice red. The natural color is great for everyday use, for spring and summer time, while red is good for fall, winter, and any formal event. Be sure to find to line your lips 1st to prevent your lip color from running.
4. Eyelash Curler.
An eyelash curler is great to make your lashes look longer, and your eyes appear brighter. You can use it with mascara or without just to give your lashes a finished look. Keep one handy, because you never know when you will need one.
A leave in treatment is a must for everyday use. Redken Anti-Snap is a frizz reducing, heat protecting treatment that also helps reduce split ends. It can be used after you wash your hair, then style as desired. Moroccan Oil treatment is designed for all hair types and can be used wet or dry. It instantly absorbs into the hair to give an added shine and conditions the hair.
6. Perfume.
Every women needs that signature scent that they always wear. It can be anything from a fun Victoria's Secret Body Spray to a classic like Ralph Lauren. Whatever scent you choose, be sure to only spray 3 sprays max. You want to keep the scent light so it doesn't become too strong or over powering.
7. Moisturizer.
A great moisturizer is a HUGE must have! You want one that works for your skin type, whether it is dry, oily, or combination. You also do not want it leaving your face greasy. It should absorb completely into your skin within seconds of applying it. Try to find one that has an added SPF in it, that way it will protect you from those harmful sun rays. Try Dermalogica Active Moist. It is an oil free, light weight moisturizer, that helps improve the skins texture.
8. Body Scrub.
There are many different types of scrubs and loofahs out there. It is hard to find a good loofah that exfoliates your skin. I recommend the loofah's sold at Aphrodite Spa & Salon. They have nice texture to them, that really makes your skin feel soft and smooth. Use it before you shave, and it prevents any ingrown hairs. If you are looking for just a body scrub, try Hempz Sandalwood & Apple Herbal Body Scrub. It is all natural scrub that leaves the skin soft, smooth, and clean.
9. Make-up Removing Wipes.
Make-up removing wipes are great on the go way to remove your make-up. If you are one to forget, leave them next to your bed, so that way you no longer have to get out of bed to remove your make-up. Try Mac make-up removing wipes for a quick fix. They quickly cleanse your face and moisturizes it with vitamin e, leaving skin smooth and refreshed.
10. Face Oil/Vitamin C.
Over tanning, too much sun, and dry weather can cause your skin to become dry, dull, and lack its natural glow. After washing your face each day, you should apply a face oil enriched in vitamin c. The vitamin c helps restore the skins natural glow while balancing out the skins ph. It promotes younger, smoother looking skin.
11. Travel Size Palettes
Anytime you travel, you have to make sure you have all of your make-up. To make it easier, pack a travel sized palette that has all the eyeshadow colors you would need. I recommend the Smashbox Full Exposure Palette. It has 14 eyeshadow colors, and even comes with a double ended application brush. It is perfect size, and can fit right into your purse.
12. Blowdryer.
It is important to have a great blowdryer. A bad blowdryer can cause hair to be frizzy, and dry. The key to a good blow-dry is to have one that can be adjusted to different speeds and heat levels. You should be able to dry your hair in a decent amount of time, without it being a frizzy mess. Blowdryer preference is up to you but hot tools, and chi make really nice ones.
13. Wet Brush.
A wet brush is one of the best brushes you can buy. It is great for wet or dry hair, goes threw the hair with ease. Its soft, flexible bristles allow for even distribution of products, and can be used in blow drying the hair. The wet brush is great for kids too, because it doesn't pull there hair when brushing it.
Any styler that has multiple uses is a great thing. Most of them are leave in products that can be used to style hair or just let it dry naturally. For a great styler, I recommend Paul Mitchell's Super Skinny. It is a serum that helps to reduce drying time, smoothes hair, reduces frizz, and adds shine. It pretty much does everything in a bottle.
15. Toner.
A toner is used to balance your skin after cleansing, exfoliating or using a mask. Some toners do more than others do. Dermalogica's Multi-Active Toner hydrates and refreshes your skin. It allows for moisturizer to absorb better into the skin, and smoothes out your skin. They also have a Antioxidant Hydramist that helps prevent fine lines, dryness and aging.
16. Eye Treatment/Cream.
As you get older, women tend to develop fine lines, dark circles, and sagging around their eyes. To help prevent and reduce the appearance of these things, it is best use an eye cream. Clinage Eye C Renewal Cream is packed with vitamin c, and green tea. The vitamin c helps reduce dark circles, improves crows feet, and rebuilds the elastin under your eyes, all while hydrating them. The green tea is added to help reduce and calm any puffiness under the eyes.
17. Hair Mask.
A great hair mask should hydrate, revive, and softener your hair for days or even weeks. At home you should use a hair mask once to twice a month, every week if you have extremely damaged hair. The best hair mask around is the Moroccan Oil Restorative Hair Mask. In just 7 minutes it infuses protein back into the hair shaft to repair week, damaged hair. It allows hair to become stronger, softer and smoother.
18. Cuticle Oil/Softener.
Your nails say a lot about you. It tells people if you put time, money and effort into your appearance. It lets them know if you take pride in how you look or if you just simply do not have time. Cuticles are not something that you should let get out of hand. Every other week you should push them back and apply softener or oil to them to keep them health. A great cuticle softener is CND Cuticle Eraser. It is a cuticle treatment that exfoliates the cuticles while conditioning the nail plate and surrounding skin. A great nail oil is CND Solar Oil. Solar oil helps to condition and hydrate the cuticles to promote healthier, stronger nail growth.
19. Nail File.
A good nail file is important in keeping your nails shaped nicely so they do not catch, split and break as easily. Some people prefer softer grit files while others prefer coarser. I would recommend a double sided nail file that has a softer grit on one side and a harder grit on the other that way you have the best of both worlds. CND makes a wonderful double sided nail file.
20. A spot treatment.
An acne spot treatment is great for any age. You never know when you are going to get an unexpected breakout, and you need to zap it fast. Anyone at any age can get acne, so this is a tip for everyone. The best spot treatment is Clinique Emergency Gel Lotion. It targets the acne and helps eliminate it. It can be used on all skin types and even works under make-up, so do not be afraid to put something over it.
It may be time to reevaluate some of the products you are currently using and add in some that you are not using. Hope this was useful to you.
~aphrodite
