November Blog Hop: 5 Products I’m Thankful for

So it’s time again for my monthly Blog Hop with the fabulous bloggers from my Facebook Beauty and Fashion Bloggers group. For November our topic is “5 Products I’m Thankful For”. I decided to focus on items that really make a difference in my life – be that saving me time or effort or helping me feel better when I’m down. Some of these you’ve seen in other posts and a couple are brand new.

#1 Julep’s Bare Face Cleansing Oil
(Photo from julep.com)
(Retail: $28.00)
Description: “A lightweight, antioxidant-rich cleanser for all skin types”
The only thing that takes longer than applying the perfect winged liner is getting it off. Oil cleansers break down tough makeup better than any other type and Julep’s is hands down my favorite. It’s light and not sticky and has a perfect citrus scent. No matter how heavy I go with mascara or liner, this stuff gets it off easily and with no tugging. It’s by far my favorite Julep product.

#2 Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Sunset Black Tea
(Photo from Target.com)
(Retail: $5.99)
Description: “This is one of our oldest flavored tea blends. John Harney developed it in the beginning of the 1980s. Over the decades its popularity has only grown, and now it is our most popular tea. People love its combination of strong spices and sweetness. And since there are no sugars (we tested it), it is safe for everyone to enjoy.”
Because my work is a giant petri dish, and I travel every weekday via at least 5 different types of public transportation, I am constantly fighting off a cold. This tea is amazing. It’s like a cinnamon red hot candy mixed with oranges and you can taste it even when your nose is completely stuffed up. It feels like Autumn in a cup and I’ve now gotten everyone at my work addicted to it. Harney and Sons teas are also available on Birchbox if you want to use points for it (but it’s a little pricier than if you purchase from Target).

#3 Benefit’s Fakeup
(Photo from birchbox.com)
(Retail: $24.00)
Description: “The creamy formula provides heavy-duty coverage and instantly brightens tired-looking eyes with light-reflecting pigments. Moisturizing vitamin E and apple seed extract give the concealer its silky-smooth texture and soften fine lines.”
Lots of eye makeup tends to flake on me and dry out the sensitive skin under my eyes. This product is great at keeping that area hydrated while also covering any dark areas. I also feel like the extra moisture helps keep wrinkles at bay. This is a staple in my makeup case.

#4 Sephora Instant Nail Polish Remover
(Photo from sephora.com)
(Retail: $9.50)
Description: “For even the most hard-to-remove nail polish, this nail polish remover effortlessly takes off lacquers. Inside the bottle, pre-moistened pleated foam eliminates the need for cotton balls. Perfect for travel. Its convenient size is perfect for travel and can be used without cotton pads.”
I love polish and I particularly love jelly finishes full of glitter. These are not quite so fun to remove. That’s where Sephora’s instant polish remover comes in. You just dip your finger in the jar, leave it for a couple seconds and voila even the toughest glitter comes right off. I reserve this for my polishes with a tougher finish  since it contains acetone.

#5 Everything for Redheads Red Shampoo and Conditioner Bundle
(Photo from everythingforredheads.com)
(Retail: $31.44 US)
Description: “This luxurious every-day red shampoo and conditioner for Red Hair contains a colourant to enhance natural and dyed red hair by depositing colour gradually for a natural looking enhanced colour. Ideal for natural and dyed red hair that needs to be revived with an extra boost of red colour..”
I’m a natural redhead and I can tell you that the US beauty industry likes to forget we exist. There are tons of specialty products for blondes and brunettes, but the redhead offerings are slim. And what is actually available is typically for dyed redheads and not natural ones. I was super excited to discover this line from the UK that is designed specifically for red hair and works on both natural and dyed hair.   In the long ago, I used to have a fiery red shade, but since I’ve been banished to work every day in a windowless basement with no sunshine to lighten it, my hair has lost much of its flame. So I picked up this bundle along with another shade (Chili pepper) to experiment. As a shampoo and conditioner these work well and smell amazing (like cherries!) and I do notice that they give my hair more richness. It’s not super dramatic, but it’s definitely a nice color boost. These are totally worth paying the international shipping costs.

So those are my 5, what are yours?

If you enjoyed my post, please check out these other fabulous blogs posting their own list of products they are thankful for.

   Sammi from College Beauty Buff

   Chelsea from Chelsea Go Brightly

   Julie from Collective Beauty

   Kristina from The Feminine Files

   Megan from Polished Portland

   Vivienne from Jolie Pagaille

   Cheryl from Skinny On Beauty

   Bethany from Twenty Something Plus

   Angela from Your Beauty Whisperer

Author: Writer Preziosi

Once upon a time, long, long ago, Lisa attended Syracuse University where she studied singing in a giant castle surrounded by ice and snow. After she earned her music degree, she headed to the island of Manhattan, down to the West Village, to a place called the New School. There, she earned another degree in the great art of writing stories for children. She currently works on that same island trying to help real people, while making up stories about imaginary ones. Her first book, “The Ice Maiden’s Tale,” a fairy tale adventure, was released on May 30, 2017 and is up for sale on Amazon. View all posts by Writer Preziosi