Part Two: Reflections on the Allure 2008 Readers' Choice Awards!
As I mentioned before, I think it's silly to retype the whole list, so go see the winners here if you haven't checked them out all ready or need a cheat-sheet with which to play along.
Body
Now, I'm not as into body products as I am face and fragrance and nail polish, but I'll cover it anyway because I'm awesome that way. Starting with the Fresh Brown Sugar Scrub - I haven't tried it but will have to check it out. I like sugar scrubs, but hate salt-based exfoliants because they make me itchy. I do, however, have to back up the whole Quench thing - that's some good lotion!
I'm not a self-tanner person, as I've mentioned before, but I think I'm going to have to check out Clarins' self-tanners. And as an aside, I'm probably checking out St. Tropez, too, soon. Keep an eye out for a review soon...
Skin
Oh, skincare. I do enjoy it, even though it's such a pain to test due to the whole "what if I'm allergic and what if I'm going to break out and what if it reeks or stings" thing.
Let's start with this: Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes. This may be worth checking out! I am a faithful user of MAC's Wipes, but I would love a cheaper alternative - and maybe it's not too much to ask that these don't sting my eyes? Does anyone here have any experience with these Neutrogena ones? As for Purity Made Simple, I have tried it and was unimpressed. Hmmmph. I've been following makeup removal with my MAC Wipes with La Mer's Foaming Cleanser and Bliss' Clog-Dissolving Cleansing Milk, depending on my mood (and when I'm not testing something else).
And while I'm asking questions, what's the scoop with St. Ives Apricot Scrub? Have they reformulated it? The reason I ask is that the last time I used it, it was scratchy and abrasive. Exfoliation shouldn't hurt and microscopic tears in the skin are not as cool as they sound - or as safe. My preferred exfoliators are the Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Refiner (a mechanical exfoliant) and Phytomer Peeling Vegetal (a chemical - enzyme-based - exfoliant).
Hair
Hair is my nemesis. If mine is short, I want it long. If mine is red, I want it dark brown. I am constantly changing my hair - a habit that has been going on for years and years and years. Since I have this commitment issue with my hair, I need to treat it well. I prefer Fekkai products for that. Allure readers, though, like John Freida's line of color-preserving products. I have tried these (for all different incarnations of hair color) and have never been pleased - they seem to dry my hair out. What do you think?
As for styling products, Allure readers like Bumble & Bumble and Garnier Fructis. The former is notoriously hard to track down (and they have no authorized online retailers - what!?) The latter makes my hair crunchy (not a desirable trait). Luckily, the readers were more reasonable when they voted Fekkai's Glossing Cream Best Department Store Defrizzer.
Nails
I'm a recent nail polish addict, and I'll have to check out the Sally Hansen no-chip dealio. If it really lasts that long, I'm IN! When it comes to Essie, I have liked every color I have tried. Maybe I'll take a look at Mademoiselle the next time I'm near an Essie rack.
Fragrance
I admit it: I'm a complete and utter fragrance snob. But I tried to push that aside for this post - until I read that the drugstore faves were (tied for 1st place): Love's Baby Soft and Jovan White Musk. What!? I didn't even know these were still around! They're classic for sure - I wore these so far back that I can't tell you or you'll laugh at how old I am. But my question is this: are people really wearing these now?
And talk about stuck in a time warp: Clearly people were just clicking on names they recognized or something - Chanel No. 5 is a classic, sure, but it can hardly be "the readers' choice" because I can't remember the last time I smelled it on someone under the age of 65.
When we talk about modern perfumes, naturally the first thing that comes to mind is.... um... Posh Spice!? Is Intimately Beckham really that good? Should I abandon my haughty ways and check out the fragrance aisle in Walmart? Sigh... why are we all so intrigued by the Beckhams?
Modern department store scents we love are L.A.M.B. and Marc Jacobs' Daisy. L.A.M.B. is the creation of Gwen Stefani, and for a celebrity fragrance it's not too bad. However, about 4 minutes post-spritz the scent is gone. Sillage? Not so much. But when you start talking about Daisy - that's when my ears perk up. It's musky, it's sweet, it's got just the right amount of throw without being overbearing. When L.A.M.B. came out, I was all over it- until Daisy came out and I moved on faster than you can say "Mary had a little lamb." Besides, the Daisy promotional materials are so cute, how could you not love it all!?
By the way, as I'm sure you remember from my post on the FiFi Awards, other people who aren't Allure readers also like Intimately Beckham and Marc Jacobs' Daisy. Check out the post for some other great fragrances!
So....what are your thoughts on the Allure Readers' Choice Awards??