Must Have List Top 10

Here is a well researched list of beauty must-have's for maintaining one's girlish charm. While these products are all extraordinary, you must start with a clean and well hydrated canvas. Drink at least 64 oz. of water daily. By purchasing a 32 oz. bottle you make it easy for yourself to drink up, refill, and drink again. Adding lemon and a thin slice of cucumber makes the beverage extra thirst quenching. Be careful of cofee, even iced, it dehydrates you, so enjoy your one or two cups in the AM and stick to nature's best for the balance of the day. Here we go:

Living Proof Straight Making, No Frizz Spray Spray: This product plain ROCKS. Keeps even humid NYC summer humidity from ruining that carefully mussed do. As a bonus, it actually repels dirt and oil, so you can skip shampooing daily. I have never found a product that makes it possible for me not to wash, dry, straight iron and spray my hair into submission. Only $14 for a travel size bottle. You must check this one out! http://www.sephora.com.

Smash Box Complexion Perfection, Foundation, and Powder/Bronzer combo:

I Bought this on a whim, and what a find it is. The promotional kit was only $29 and contains enough product for at least 6 mos. of natural looking flawless skin. How do I know? At a recent reunion of my sisters and I everyone went over the top about how great my complexion looked. I just smiled and said it was all these years of good clean living!

Crest Advanced Tooth Whitening System, self adhesive strips:

A but pricey, but worth every dime. No need to spend $500 on whitening treatments at your dentist (not to mention the horrible pain of after shocks from that procedure) Invest that $40 in these fab fighters of stains from coffee, cigs, red wine and any other vices you'd rather not show the world when you smile.Evidence it works? Since I started using these sticky sweeties, I get compliments all the time on how bright and beautiful my smile is. Need I say more?

Maybelline 12 hour Superstay Lip Color #780 Spice
I'm pretty sure this is the only Maybelline product I have in my collection. The attempt to find the perfect lipshade is a life long pursuit, but finding the perfect shade in a formula that stays put and looking good all day- sounds too good to be true. The color Sand, is that perfect beigey pink that looks like your own lips, but better. You put the color side on, wait a minute til it dries, and then apply the sealing lip balm which keeps your lips moist, lovely and leaving nary a trace on your wine glass, Coffee cup or fiends! It's a 9 dollar ivestment well worth your money. I sometimes find my special shade to be sold out, so I always purchase 2 or 3 to be sure I have it on on hand at all times, it's that good!

Diorshow Iconic Mascara in Black:

This incredible lash builder is at the top of most beauty editor's lists of must-have products. Having an overflowing and dried out selection of mascaras that didn't quite do the trick was getting bothersome, so I took the chance and bought a 3 pack of these at s duty free airport shop. This is hands down the best mascara ever. Does not flake when you comb through it, and makes even the tiniest thin lashes look lush. I honestly feel like I am wearing a set of perfectly applied faux lashes when I apply 3 coats and comb through them well. Dior's Iconic Mascara is the genuine deal At 24 dollars a tube it's not for the seriouis bargain hunter. Is is though the best, and sometims the best is worth the price, in spades.

Yves Saint Laurent highlighter #2
Had a long flight or sleepless night? Poor Jezebel, you need some TLC in the form of Dior's " Touch eclat. Just a dot on the inner and outer cormers of the eyes blended well will keep your secret late night activities for your journal only.

Patricia Wexler Intensive 3 in 1 eye cream.

This is a dream product which combines the best of firming, smoothing and anti wrinkle properties. For those not in the know, Patricia Wexler's full line of indispensble skin perfectors are available at Bath and Body works. Quelle Surprise! I never thought they had anything but teen scented body sprays and candles, but tucked into the back of the stores is the full array of sumptuous creams and serums which work very well. To make an actual appointment with Dr. Wexler would cost you a barrel full of ten dollar bills, and the referral of a person whose name you are used to seeing in lights. The savvy beauty buyer will venture into the back of the Bath and Body Works store and be pleasantly surprised at the price and effectiveness. I began using this product and 4 weeks later I saw real rsults, lines faded skin glowing as if I'd just had the $160 dollar Oxygen Facial Treatment st Bliss Spa.

Tie: Aveda Air Control Hair Spray/ L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hair Spray extra strong hold

Finding the right hair spray which keeps your tresses in check without giving you the dreaded "Helmet Head" look is no small task. I used to use Sebastian's Shaper Hairspray every day and it was fine until my dear hairdresser Chris (from Sally Hershberger's Salon in the West Village)(NYC)used Aveda's Air Control on my short Shaggy do. The results were amazing, it gave me body and lift without looking hard or brittle. L'Oreal's Elnet has been the secret of models for years. For a long time it was not available in the United States, but demand for the product was so strong that even big box giant Target carries it. The $6.99 price tag is a bit steep for a 2.2 oz. bottle, but the good news is that you don't need to use much to smooth and set you hair into the shape of your desire instantly. I use and love both of these products.

Laura Geller Spackle Trio

It took me years to find the perfect primer for eye make up which would keep my eyes looking defined, awake and smudge free. After trying at least 10 brands I finally came upon the winner, Laura Geller Spackle trio.. This product is a 3-in-one workhorse, with separate sections for whisper light cream formulas which are placed on the eyes, under eye area and face. This product is definitely a desert island must have. It keeps the eyes and face fresh, and holds up on those dog day afternoons of fighting the elements, like Wonder Woman. Saving the world while looking fabulous.

Please make comments on this blog and let me know a particular type of product you need a recommendation for. I am going to go forward with categories. My first will be eye makeup, how to achieve a defined and fresh, but never overdone look which can take you from day to evening in a flash.