Beebe Love's Must Have Beauty List

I have been wearing makeup since I was fifteen year old. I learned at an early age that looking your best is key to feeling your best. At least it is for me. I also learned that it is best to start with clean skin. I actually started out using baby lotion to clean my skin. It was gentle to my skin and back then, I did not require so much deep cleansing in my opinion. As I grew older, I discovered the Buf Puf or something similar to exfoliate my skin and keep it smooth and also discovered some gentle cleansers as well. I was always looking for something better. In my 20's I sold Avon, so I utilized some of those products as my daily regime for some years. I then discovered Mary Kay and was so enamored with this woman's story about what her product did to the leather that I started selling Mary Kay and has been off and on for years.

My blog this time is about products I just can't seem to do without. I experiment with different products for months, sometimes years at a time. I add, subtract, and fall in and out of love with some things. But you know there are sometimes when you just know what works for you. My list may be a bit long because I am going to tell you what I like to use from head to toe the products that works for me, the products that make me feel good, makes my skin soft and all of that stuff. So read on....

My hair.... Although I love to wear weaves and wigs I take care of my hair which is a must. Although I may change my shampoo and conditioner from time to time I always come back to Mizani's Moisturfuse and Fulfyl.

My Face...Like I said earlier, I have experimented with different products and I am not afraid to try new things. I received some Dermologica products to try and was skeptical at first so the products just sat on my bathroom shelf for a bit. One day I had a client who was visiting from London and I noticed how beautiful her skin was. She was my same complexion and I have always been complimented on my good skin, however, her skin was somehow baby smooth. When I asked her what skin care products she used, she told me Dermologica Microfoliant was her main product. What do you know; I have that sitting on my shelf! She said that she has always had problem skin but she started using Demologica six months earlier and the results were obvious. I have been a fan since that time. I use the Daily Microfoliant as a cleanser and just mix it with water to form a past to cleanse and exfoliate each morning and night and follow with the Toner and Active Moist. The Daily Microfoliant is a blend of Green Tea, Ginkgo, and Colloidal Oatmeal calms inflammation, leaving the skin clear and refreshed. Gentle enough to use on a daily basis and it is fragrance free. It also helps to balance uneven skin pigmentation.

I love soft skin and I love to pamper my body. I don't care how busy I am, I have to find some time to have some me time. I feel incomplete if I don't get a good soak in the Jacuzzi often, a pedicure every few weeks, get my nails done, a massage here and there, you get the picture. I still love 'Calgon take me away', and I get the one that you use in the Jacuzzi so the bubbles don't overtake the bathroom. If I just want to soak I just get the scented bath salts and sometimes I just make my own. I mix dead salt and my favorite lavender and Ylang scented oils. In my shower I actually like to use Shampure by Aveda. It smells awesome and it does not burn my sensitive areas like some shower gels do. Sometimes I use other gels but that is one of my must haves. After getting out of my bath or shower, I have to moisturize. I love baby lotion or baby oil. I used one for years that is no longer made so now I use Johnsons oil gel and lotions. If I don't have these, I use olive oil scented with essential oils.

My list is pretty simple but as you can see, most of my items are not very expensive. I splurge on some things but most of them are drugstore prices. Now for my makeup.... Here is my must have list I hope to never have to do without....

SMASHBOX PRIMER-'This silky blend of vitamins and antioxidants smoothes and perfects skin, while the unique formula helps to inhibit the destruction of collagen, and fills in fine lines and pores for a flawless finish.' I looooooove this primer. I have been using this for maybe 3 years I think or at least since it was introduced at a manager's conference a few years ago.

PUR MINERALS- 'This is a 4 in 1 talc-free pressed foundation derived from micronized, natural minerals to provide custom coverage with a flawless finish. It serves as foundation, concealer, finishing powder and SPF 15 protection, in one compact. It also contains light defusing properties to diminish the look of lines and wrinkles.' I love, love, love this make up. My sister, Janice, introduced me to this one. I was a slave to something else before but this make is so lite. Combined with the Smashbox primer, I apply once in the morning and I am done for the day unless I get shiny and I use....

MINERAL VEIL BY BARE MINERALS-'Completely sheer and ideal for all skin tones, Mineral Veil gently absorbs oil and minimizes the appearance of lines and pores without the buildup of pressed or loose powders that contain parabens, waxes, dyes and binders.' I can apply this anytime I want. You have to try this!

MASCARA - Max Factor Eye Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper Mascara, Black Velvet Fabulous stuff! My new friend!

EYESHADOWS- My favorite shadows for the past 16 years has been bronze, gold, brown family. These colors are timeless and never seem to go out of style. My favorite company discontinued my shadows and I purchased about 8 of the bronze and gold shades about a year ago. I just sadly finished my last compact and I have not seen anything that I like as much since. I am still looking for a replacement for those shadows. I always receive so many compliments when I wear them. Boo hoo hoo...sniff sniff

Iman's blush in the color Peace is my favorite blush. I have not found any that can replace this one. It is not too red not too sedate. Perfect for my skin tone. Thanks Iman!

LIPSTICK/GLOSS Iman's Paprika lipstick gives me a subtle bronzy look to my naturally dark lips. I also love the Exotique and Edgy lip shines.

EYELINER/LIPLINER- I use Iman's liners in Expresso for my lip liner for depth lightly lining my lips and defining my brows if necessary, and I love her Black Silk liner for defining my eyes. They go on smoothly and rarely smudge.

So there you have all of my beauty secrets. Of course a girl has to keep some Secrets to herself, so you know I have left out something. It is up to you to try and figure out what.....Oh come on now...what's a little secret between friends? We are friends, are we not? Well, check me out next time. Be blessed.

TRUE BEAUTY

You wake up in the morning and get out of bed,
go to the mirror....oh my...enough's said.

Can the one in the mirror who's starring back at you
be the valued and loved creation of God? Yes, it's true.

You spend forty-five minutes with primping and paint,
working hard to make that image look more like a saint.

But look further than the image starring back at you__
Look deep down inside to find what is true.

Is there a heart filled with hatred, jealousy, envy and pride?
Or is there real love, real joy, real honor there abide?

Does the outer beauty you see there reflect the true beauty within?
Or is it a mask that only covers the darkness of sin?

I challenge you, my sisters, be you black, brown, yellow,
or white to search deep within you...you may get quite a fright.

By understanding true beauty, we can begin to be free
from self-consciousness, comparisons and continuous fault-finding sprees.

We must not be blinded to our own self-worth,
but be fulfilled in our own uniqueness...it's a blessing, not a curse.

Discover your True Beauty through God's holy word,
you will feel wonderful and joyous and free as a bird.

Beebe Love (10-25-95)