Ain't Nuthin' But A Beauty Thang

A few weeks ago, while out running errands with my hubz, I was on Twitter when I saw someone mention that the Women's Health June 2011 issue had an article in it titled '2011 Beauty Awards' & I was all like, "oh, oh, pull in there!"  (*There* being our local Walgreen's.)  The hubz obviously didn't know what the emergency was, but I knew that I had to get my hands on a copy of this issue of Women's Health & it just so happens that I picked up the last one there.  (See...TOTAL emergency!)

Here's the cover of the aforementioned magazine issue:

Inside I found a little treasure trove of beauty products, broken down into the following categories: Hair, Makeup, Body & Face.  For each category, Women's Health further broke it down into the best Readers' Picks, the best Experts' Picks & even the best Editors' Picks.  Here's the intro line for the article:

"A dizzying array of beauty products line drugstore shelves, department-store beauty counters...and probably your own bathroom vanity.  To separate the letdowns from the life changers, we tested hundreds of products and polled a panel of experts (and you!).  Here, the must-have winners." -- Women's Health

We won't give you the entire list (that would make for a VERY long post -- check your local newsstand to see if any copies of the June issue are still available OR check out their website here), but here are some of the products that Jayme & I have tried & would purchase again...

HAIR

Best Curl-Enhancing Shaping Product - Readers' Pick:

Aveda Be Curly Style-Prep, $24, aveda.com

Best Curl-Enhancing Shaping Product - Experts' Pick:

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Dream Curls Curl-Perfecting Spray, $6, at drugstores

Best Frizz-Fighting Product - Readers' Pick:

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum, $7, at drugstores

MAKEUP

Best Lipstick - Readers' Pick:

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, $15, clinique.com

Best Lipgloss - Readers' Pick:

M.A.C. Tinted Lipglass in Nymphette, $15, maccosmetics.com

Best Mascara - Readers' Pick:

CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara, $9, covergirl.com

Best Bronzer - Readers' Pick:

BareEscentuals BareMinerals Warmth, $18, at Ulta

Best Blush - Readers' & Experts' Pick:

Nars Blush in Orgasm, $27, narscosmetics.com

Best Eyeshadow - Readers' & Experts' Pick:

M.A.C. EyeShadow, $15, maccosmetics.com

Best Nail Polish - Readers' Pick:

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Color (shown in Presto Pink), $5, at drugstores

Best Nail Polish - Experts' Pick:

Essie Nail Color (shown in Smokin' Hot), $8, essie.com

BODY

Best Deoderant - Editors' Pick:

Degree Women Expert Protection with MotionSense, $4, at drugstores

Best Body Wash - Experts' Pick:

Dove Gentle Exfoliating Nourishing Body Wash, $4 (12oz), available at mass retailers



Best Body Wash - Readers' Pick:

Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash, $4, available at mass retailers

Best Nourishing Body Wash - Editors' Pick:

St Ives Triple Butters Creamy Vanilla Hydrating Body Wash, $3, at drugstores

Best Body Lotion - Readers' Pick:

Bath&Body Works Signature Collection Body Butter (shown in Country Chic), $15, bathandbodyworks.com

Best Self-Tanner - Readers' Pick:

Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer, $9, at drugstores

Best Sunblock - Readers' Pick:

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, $11, at drugstores

FACE

Best Cleanser - Readers' Pick:
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, $7, neutrogena.com



Best Moisturizer - Experts' Pick:
Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30, $14, at drugstores

So there's the lowdown!  As soon as I mentioned this article to Jayme, I found out that she is already a subscriber to Women's Health magazine, so that made the "EMERGENCY stop" to get my hands on a copy of this issue that much funnier...because all I had to do was turn to my partner-in-crime!

Let us know if any of Women's Health's picks hit a favorite of yours...or if there's something on this list that you're now craving!

Mendi