Bodycare & Cosmetics

I find that bodycare and cosmetic products are very personal choices, in the sense that what works for one person may not work for another, no matter how outstanding the product is. I have heard rave reviews about terrific products with amazing ingredients that have just failed to work for me. So please take everything I write here with a pinch of salt––it may not work for you! But then again, don’t knock it ’till you’ve tried it. Experimentation is half the journey.

Disclaimer
The products I write about are ones that I genuinely love and (if I can afford to) use regularly. Therefore, I feel it important to mention that I have not received any commission or samples or free anything whatsoever to endorse these products. I will NEVER promote products that I do not love.

MY GO-TO’S

FACE CARE

NEUTROGENA

Neutrogena has been my anti-acne face wash forever. And when my loyalty has wavered in favour of experimenting with other products, I have regretted it and missed them. I particularly love their grapefruit-scented wash.

YVES ROCHER

I have the most sensitive facial skin ever! Anything can irritate it (and by irritate, I mean breakouts, rashes, and other allergic reactions). I therefore choose my face lotions (and makeup) very carefully.

And I have found the Yves Rocher Hydra Végétal moisture boost serum to be perfect for me. In dry weather, it moisturizes my face perfectly, without causing breakouts.

I also love their Ultra Nourishing Hand Cream, which does a great job covering all the dry spots on my hands and leaving them feeling silky smooth.

BODYCARE

CAUDALIE

My go-to for facial scrubs. A little bit on the pricey side, but your face will feel AMAZING afterwards. And I like a facial scrub that actually feels like it’s doing some scrubbing. This one does such a good job that it not only makes your face feel noticeably smoother, but it also avoids drying out your face.

NIVEA

I absolutely love Nivea body washes, because 1) they smell so good, 2) they feel good on your skin, and 3) they don’t dry out your skin. My bodywash of choice is the Nivea “Care and Diamonds” body wash line.

HAIR CARE

DOVE

My shampoo and conditioner go-to. The results are immediate and durable, and include softer, smoother, detangled hair. I use only the Intensive Care version, which works wonders on my high-moisturization-dependent curly locks.

ARGAN OIL

If you have curly hair, then you know that you need to put oil and moisture in, rather than take them out. Among the hundreds of products I’ve tried, Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco – Penetrating Oil All Hair Types is the victor. This simple, sweet-smelling, luxurious oil is the only thing I can put in my hair that a) moisturizes it properly, b) doesn’t need to be complemented by any other product, c) leaves a nice shine, and d) does not make your hair greasy at all!

SKIN CARE

NIVEA

This is what my family depended on for desert life in the Middle East. Only the original, blue “Essential” line works for me, as I find that the other lines don’t do as good a job for me. It’s my go-to for skin (including lip care) solutions and my longest-running contender for dry skin therapy in wintry or arid conditions.

VASELINE

Another desert-life staple. Nothing will save you from extremely dry weather like Vaseline can. I always keep a tiny container of the original petroleum jelly stuff in my purse when I fly––it rescues me from in-flight parched-lip syndrome. (OK, I just made that term up, but it sounds good, doesn’t it?). And in dry weather, I use Vaseline Cocoa Butter lotion for my skin, as a heavy-weight-contending alternative to Nivea.

MAKEUP

REVLON

Revlon used to be my go-to for lipstick. Until they discontinued my precious “007” red. 🙁 I have since broken up with them. But if they ever return my love, I shall return to them as well.

ESTÉE LAUDER

I am in love with this line. It is quite pricey, but if you want quality, it is worth your investment. My go-to for everything makeup-related.