Misc. Toiletries

itchy scalp issues

/ BethonBeauty / 1 Comment

I was teased the other day (I won’t name names) for mentioning that I have an itchy scalp sometimes. So itchy that my manicures don’t usually last more than 3 days (unless I get the gel mani!) Whatever, we all have our problems.

It’s annoying issue…if you have an itching scalp, or dry skin problem on your head…the best shampoo I have found is Head & Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo. I know, it doesn’t sound cool at all, but it works and it’s cheap. It can’t just be any version of H&S, it has to have the Pyrithione zinc (that’s what my dermatoligist recommended).

I usually get this condition around allergy season…I keep this on hand. It completely relieves the problem. Thankfully, I don’t have to use it everyday. But there are seasons when I have to use it regularly. I use my regular conditioner with it, and my hair looks/feels great. It doesn’t make my hair weird or frizzy.

Guys love this stuff…so when people see it in my shower, I just tell them it’s Nick. He does use it too! It’s about $8, and you can find it at most drugstores, I usually get mine at Target. Or here: http://www.drugstore.com/head-and-shoulders-ocean-lift-dandruff-shampoo-ocean-lift/qxp345554?fromsrch=head+and+shoulders

What beauty products do you have to have at your desk/work?

/ BethonBeauty / Leave a comment

for me…I need 3 things on hand:

·    Hand sanitizer…hello, nasty train rides

    • I like this little bottle from Body Shop, smells like coconuts not alcohol

·    Hand lotion…touching random papers makes my hands dry

    • I got this little La Source bottle fo’ free at a hotel

·    Lipgloss…rose bud salve!

    • This is the minted rose scent. The tin is safe from melting  indoors 🙂

I keep these on my desk at all times, and thankfully they don’t take up a lot of room. My desk is cluttered enough!

Dry shampoo – what’s the hype?

/ BethonBeauty / 3 Comments

Dry shampoo…WTF is that?

It sounds random…I used to sprinkle baby powder in my hair thinking it was the same idea. But no, baby powder is rumored to help reduce greasiness…but I always seemed to have a white coating in my hair even after I patted it out. So, I tried dry shampoo…

I’ve tried a couple of brands…I am about to move this specific product/brand to ‘tried & true’ status because when it runs out, I panic.

Usually, after I wash and blow dry/straighten my hair, it will stay ‘clean’ for at least a day, unless I go to the gym. Dry shampoo has helped me wait a couple days between shampoos…or freshen up my hair before I go out after work. Not only does it rid my roots of greasiness…it also revamps the volume a bit. You simply spray on the root line (I focus on the top of my head, and around my face hairline). Then, I use my hands, or a tissue to tousle it around – which I guess works the product into the hair. You don’t need to wash/wipe it out. Spray, rub, boom…you’re done.

Of the brands I’ve tried – this one has worked the best: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P209113&categoryId=B70

With the Ojon brand, my hair doesn’t get flat…I noticed with the Tressemme kind my hair fell really flat.

I usually get the smaller, $13 Ojon bottle because it fits easily into my gym bag – which is another time I use it. If I got to the gym at lunch, I don’t have time to wash/dry my hair. So I spray some of this in, tousle, style a bit, and head back to work. This bottle usually lasts me a couple of months (I’ll use it a few times a week)

At my last hair appointment, my stylist mentioned my hair looks healthier…I credit that to washing it less frequently because of the dry shampoo.

Seriously, try this…it’ll change your life.

Out in the sun…protect your grill

/ BethonBeauty / Leave a comment

It takes time to find a sunscreen for your face that doesn’t make you break out. I have been using Coppertone Oil-Free Sunscreen For Faces SPF 30 for the last 2 summers, and now I don’t walk on the beach, or near the pool, without it.

Why I like it:

  • Fragrance Free
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Won’t Clog Pores
  • Water proof
  • Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB Protection

Most importantly for me, it doesn’t make me break out. It is non-greasy, and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin. Back in the day, I’d use little to no SPF on my face, bbbbad idea! Now, I use at least SPF 30 on my face and I still get color, but never a burn. They sell this everywhere, I always see it at CVS. They have it on Drugstore.com for <$10. The tube should last the entire summer since it’s only for face/neck.

Here it is: http://www.drugstore.com/coppertone-oil-free-sunscreen-lotion-for-faces-spf-30/qxp73202?fromsrch=copertone

This summer I tried a new sunscreen for my body (i.e. everywhere but my face and neck) – I like it because it’s SPF 20…I felt like SPF 15 was too low, and SPF 30 seemed too high, I’m weird. It’s called Hawaiian Tropic Shimmer Effect SPF 20 (also comes in different SPFs).

I like the little bronze shimmers. This is not for sensitive skin – but I haven’t had any problems with it. I don’t consider this a ‘have to have,’ it’s just what I am using right now…and I plan to use it until it runs out. I haven’t burned while using it. It isn’t greasy. And I like the shimmer effect on my skin, especially if I have a pre-existing glow from self tanner. It was <$10 at Wal-Mart for a good size bottle, another reason I got it. You can also find on Drugstore.com:

http://www.drugstore.com/hawaiian-tropic-shimmer-effect-lotion-sunscreen-spf-20/qxp338889?fromsrch=hawiian+tropic

I should comment, these are obviously not paraben free. I have yet to find/try a paraben free sunscreen. Also, I have read a lot recently about the other risks, specific to other chemicals used in sunscreens. At this point, it makes more sense for me to wear sunscreen given my family history of skin cancer. But if anyone hears about an effective/safer sunscreen – PLEASE SHARE!

For safer (out-of-the-sun) ways to get a nice glow – see my post on self tanners: http://wp.me/p1kq6s-R

Paraben free – very affordable – body wash

/ BethonBeauty / 1 Comment

I finally found a low priced (only $2.99 on drugstore.com) paraben free body wash! I originally found it at Walgreens. It is made by St. Ives. I love love love the creamy coconut smell. It is a great scent for the summer. This body wash left my skin clean/moisturized. And if you know me, it didn’t bother my skin, so it works on sensitive skin.

I have been trying to use paraben free products, when possible. Admittedly, much of my favorite make up and self tanners are not paraben free. But I try to avoid it where I can, given its link to cancer…article here: http://www.livestrong.com/article/151945-the-risk-of-paraben/

When I read about it, it really freaks me out. However, the FDA has not banned the use of parabens in cosmetic products As read here: http://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/productandingredientsafety/selectedcosmeticingredients/ucm128042.htm

Quite frankly, that doesn’t mean they’re safe…parabens have been banned in other countries, such as Denmark. We’ll just have to keep a watchful eye out for more studies done by/in the US.

To find the St. Ives paraben free body wash go to:

http://www.drugstore.com/st-ives-triple-butters-intensely-hydrating-body-wash-creamy-coconut/qxp349634?fromsrch=st%2E+ives