As promised, I’m going to share the expensive beauty products I swear by.  Some I use everyday, some I use only when I need to.

Let’s start with Clinique.  I grew up with Clinique products.  Their 3-step skin care program was the first beauty routine I started.  I have come a long way since those days, but I’ve remained loyal to a few of their products ever since.  I just haven’t found anything that works as well.

First up, that “yellow lotion”.  I don’t know a lot of women who haven’t tried the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion at least once.  It’s literally included in every single free gift pack that any department store offers.  It has a cult following.  And with good reason.  The stuff is good.  Like, really good.  Almost too good…   I use this very sparingly because it does such a good job of moisturizing dry skin that I can break out quickly.  I use it when my face is feeling really tight, like in the winter.  Because I use it more for spot treatments than every day, one bottle lasts me for years.  I guess this kinda makes it a bargain too…

The Pep-Start Hydroblur Moisturizer is fairly new to Clinique.  I stumbled onto it this past summer when I needed a moisturizer that wasn’t crazy strong so I could use it everyday in the heat.  I liked this one because it’s thick and it works almost like a primer.  My make-up goes on very smooth over it.

My other favorite Clinique products are all for the lips.  The Chubby Sticks are between a full lipstick and a gloss.  They have the rich color you’d expect from a lipstick, but include shine like a gloss, but no gooey stuff.  I wear the Whole Lotta Honey color as an everyday shade.  The Different Lipstick is by far my favorite lipstick of all time.  It’s goes on smooth, makes my lips feel soft and comes in a million colors.  My perfect neutral is Beauty.  I wore this color for my wedding.  It’s slightly darker than my natural lip so it gives me just the right amount of color without being obvious.  And I’m sure most of you have heard about Clinique’s Black Honey Almost Lipstick.  It has another cult following.  When you look at the color in the tube, it is almost black, like the name suggests.  But when you put it on, it is the most flattering berry color.  Not too strong and really smooth on your lips.  It somehow manages to look good on everyone.  Seriously.  It’s kinda like magic…

And here are some random products that I love.  The Eminence Stone Crop Whip Moisturizer is the most expensive beauty product I have ever tried.  Marta got me hooked on this when she gave me a sample from her Birch Box.  She loves it too.  This is my winter moisturizer.  It’s strong enough for my drying skin but goes on so light that it doesn’t cause a breakout.  And my skin stays soft all day.  A little goes along way so I anticipate having this jar for a while.  Shop on Amazon for a deal.

When I was pregnant, the weirdest symptom I had was my upper arms broke out.  It took me a while to get them back under control after I had my son.  The Purifier Skin Stick from Posh was the one thing that helped get rid of the breakouts and keep it under control.  It has tea tree oil in it which is good for acne.  It also works on the random dry patches I get on my arms as well.

For my puffy eyes, I use Impish Eyes from Posh.  I’ve used this for three years now and I really think it helps my eyes from looking exhausted…which I am all the time.  I’ve also noticed that I don’t have any wrinkles starting.  This could either be good genetics or good products.  Either way, I’m happy.  The first time yo use this product, you will feel a pretty good tingle.  That goes away after some use but it doesn’t mean that the product is less effective.  It comes in a roller ball tube which also helps with the puffiness, so you’re kinda getting a two-for-one.  And a little goes a long way so you’ll have it for a while.