beauty and fitness

My Top 5 Beauty Items of 2013

Giovanni D:Tox Purifying Cleanser, Makeup Artist's Choice Mandelic Acid, Lucy Minerals finishing powder, Lucy Minerals Juicy Peach, Lumiere Cosmetics Cashmere Foundation

Have you seen these Top 5 Beauty Items of 2013 lists floating around the blogosphere? Everyone’s list is different and I love reading what items have become someone’s Holy Grail product.

Here’s my Top 5 Beauty Items of 2013 list:

Giovanni D:Tox Purifying Cleanser, Makeup Artist's Choice Mandelic Acid, Lucy Minerals finishing powder, Lucy Minerals Juicy Peach, Lumiere Cosmetics Cashmere Foundation

1. Giovanni D:Tox Purifying Facial Cleanser – read my review of this cleanser here. It’s definitely helped clear my pores without stripping my skin or making it feel dry.

2. Lumiere Cosmetics Cashmere Foundation in Light Medium Golden – read my review of this foundation here. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in a mirror the other day, and I was surprised how even my complexion looked thanks to this foundation. I waffle between Light Medium and Light Golden, so I have a jar of each on hand.

3. Lucy Minerals Oil Control Silica Finishing Powder and Juicy Peach blush (okay, that’s two; I’m cheating). The finishing powder is so smooth and soft and just perfect. PERFECT. The blush is pretty and makes me look – dare I say it – youthful.

4. Makeup Artist’s Choice 5% Mandelic Acid Toner – I stopped using this toner over the summer because I was worried about sun exposure on my chemically-exfoliated face, but I started using this again a couple of weeks ago. It took about 3 days for my skin to look smoother and fresher. I’ll just buy a stronger sunscreen next year. And a hat. I need this in my life no matter what the season.

5. Makeup Artist’s Choice 25% Mandelic Acid Peel – I was a bit intimidated by an at-home chemical peel! But mandelic acid is both gentle and effective. The brown blotches on the side of my face have faded considerably. Like the toner, I stopped this over the summer – I won’t make that mistake again next summer.

What’s on your Top 5 Beauty Items of 2013 list?



20 thoughts on “My Top 5 Beauty Items of 2013

  1. Thanks for this post! I was curious about your mandelic acid products!
    I used MAMA lotion a while ago but couldn’t continue due to the endless peeling and sensitivity developed.
    The toner sounds very nice! 🙂

    1. I really love the toner. I’m tempted to try the cleanser and serum too, but I don’t know if that would be too many actives all at once.

  2. I missed your initial review of the Giovanni face wash, so I’m glad you posted about it here. It is now on my wishlist. I’ve tried a lot of things, and I can’t get rid of the blackheads on my nose. Maybe this will do the trick. Another place to consider picking it up is vitacost.com. It’s only $7 there.

    1. I buy the foundation and mandelic acid online, so you could probably get them if you wanted to try, but shipping costs might be prohibitive.
      Happy New Year!

  3. All products I am yet to try, which is exciting! I’ve been wary of acid toning because I’m a fan of natural products, purely because up to now I’ve found them to be better for my skin. I have heard so many people swear by acid toning and peels I think I may have to give them a try. Would you recommend these two products for an acid tone/peel newbie? Happy new year!
    Love Vicky
    http://aroundandaroundandupside.co.uk/

  4. Such an interesting list! I’m not aware of any of those brands. I have a feeling my skin is different from yours — super dry, sensitive, but I would love to try an at home peel. Do you think that would suit my very dry, sensitive skin?

  5. I checked out the Giovanni post .. I’ve seen this brand in Sprouts, but never purchased any products as natural products are usually a big miss for me. However, since I have the same skin type as you .. red undertones, large clogged pore .. so I will have to pick this product up and give it a try 🙂

    Monica.

    1. I hope you like it! I’m kind of surprised how nice it is since I’m always really disappointed with facial cleansers.

  6. Hi Wendy! Great site!

    I see you mention Lumiere as one of your fav foundations, it has been my HG but unfortunately Lumiere just stopped sending out orders 🙁 they actually owe me money and their website has disappeared. I am getting my money back through PayPal because Lumiere is not responding to my requests. Just wanted to give a heads up in case you want to start searching for a new mineral foundation because I have been. So sad.

    1. No idea what happened to this company! It’s been around for many years, and to suddenly disappear like that is very strange. I’m so sorry you didn’t receive your order and I hope you get your money back.
      I stocked up during the last sale, right before the website changed, but I will have to look for a new mineral foundation…again…
      What will you be trying next?

      1. So far I tried Elegant Minerals which I did not like, it’s similar to BE original which is too thick and patchy for me. I’m awaiting samples from Meow Cosmetics, and if I’m not a fan I will try Alima. Then I’m out of ideas lol

        PS PayPal gave me my money back since lumiere never responded to my inquiry. I’m so sad! I’m wearing my Lumiere Veena velvet today and it’s just the best waaahhhhh 🙁

        1. I check eBay every day to see if any Lumiere shows up there…surely there was excess stock that Kim needs to get rid of? I hope anyway!
          I’ve also got a jar of Aromaleigh that I use – I like that too. I wasn’t too keen on Meow because there were just too.many.choices for colors. and I just couldn’t nail down what needed.

          1. Ha! Oh my how we think alike lol I’ve been checking eBay too and yea so far nothing.

            I’ve been using my meow samples for the past few days and it’s just OK I find it to be very sheer, I like light coverage but pampered puss is it? Is just soooo sheer. I will look into aromaleigh, hopefully they are bismuth free 🙂

            1. I’ll shoot you an email if I see anything come up on ebay. I am not going to enjoy starting the search over again 🙁

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