Great topic
Hair - I am fixated on anything Tea Tree, but I use Avada Shampure and conditioner - wonderful aroma all day.
Face - hummmm - a lot of products. Exfoliants are needed but can be overused, I use any quality facial scrub, but the key seems to be the wash cloth afterward to remove the dry skin. Believe it or not my favorite skin moisterizer is the one I used before staring HRT, one for men by Jack Black. It is excellant and less expensive. The key is to never use anything with alcohol in it. Eyes - Dead Sea serum (EXPENSIVE!) but it does work. There is a moisturizer to go with it also - once at night, once in the morning. And I use a cream to remove spot redness, even though its not needed very often. Estre Lauder makes it and I don't recall the name.
Neck - same as face
Breasts and chest - usually a body cream, but I augment HRT with a non-prescription Progesterone cream from Whole foods market, used it for years with good results of just keeping my estrogen thinking about where it should go
Body - a good body cream or lotion, this changes according to need. If I feel exceptionally feminine, I use eithe Cavin Klien Obsession or John Jean Unforgivable Woman body creams. Either seems to stay with you all night and into the next day, or until you bathe. General maintenance? Bath and Body essential oil lotions - they are very nice - especially any of the mints. I like vanilla, but I then smell Christmasy, so it's for winter.
Teeth - whitener types, I especially like the tea tree ones at Whole Foods. the key for me is to use my sonic tooth brush. I also use a New Oleans' product - Dr. Tischner's peppermint mouth wash.
Deoderant - use one specifically without anti-perspirants. Make certain the scent doesn't conflict - I use neutral or powder fresh
Soap - Dial soap is best but not that sexy I suppose. I get my softening and scents from lotions and potions. Dial soap keeps away body odor and ... well... fungus infections. I eventually have trouble later if I use other soaps in the under arm areas.
Shower scrubs - interesting and fun, and good before depilatory work on the legs
Bath - Bubble baths and salts - yum. But a long soak really dehydrates the skin so I lotion up right afterwards, which seems contridictory for wanting that clean feeling, then greasing up! If I want a clean feeling I limit baths to two to three minutes. I DONT shave my legs (when I do that) in the tub, because I don't want to dehydrate my skin.
Shaving - yuck - necessary at times. Never depend on a lotion or body soap - I always use a shaving cream or shaving lotion for the first going over. I especially like the aloe vera type for sensitive skin. I also make sure I use a new disposable razor every time.
Arms - don't forget your arms! I use a body lotion.
Hands - I use a lightner for age spots. I don't have much of that problem but it also works to lighten the pigment of my hands. I buy it at Walgreens - but I don't remember the name. It is extremely expensive. It is good for scar tissue lightening as well if you have the misfortune to need that. I have some temporary scaring from fire ants that it works on.
Other than that, I moisturize my hands with whatever is around - or with the body lotion. I also like the Bee products. Le Occtaine is a wonderful source for hand creams - I cannot pass by without trying a sampler. They are pricy, but well made products.
Legs - I never use soap - I always use a shaving lotion or shaving creme, especially as I am on HRT and my skin texture has changed. Legs dry out quicky, and ALWAYS seem to need moisturizing. I use a depilator rather than shaving most times. NO lotion before, lots afterward. It is fun to have that smooth, shiney legged look of a well groomed woman, especially in the summer when bare and aware!
Feet - OMG - feet! There are several stages of foot and toenail care. Generally, I have to watch for calouse build up - using a rough grader or file. Keeping the feet moisturized thereafter is really extending the care of your legs. Well groomed feet will certainly show your femininty and attention to detailed grooming.
Nails- again a learned art! Generally I have to maintain my nails to make them ready for a nail polish, hands and toes. I like to change out nail color, but for simple maintenance, a nail strengthener coat of polish is essentual. I use O P I and won't use anything else - it is so tough and durable! Well, Revelon is okay. I always have an undercoat on - a clear coat or hardner - so I don't stain the nails with the color polish. O another posting I recommended redoing nails every two weeks and was challanged on that. O P I usually makes two weeks, nothing else does.
Make up - I am hooked on mineral makeup. Wow. It goes on so easily and can be worn forever! It breathes. Several companies are now making it - I use the foundation, concealler, blush and even the eyeshadows and brow colors. So I use five separate brushes.
Lip color - I use all the good brands - this is an area that has been well developed through the years. I also use lip glosser more that anything. Its shimmery and its fun. Bath and Body suprisingly has some good ones too, so don't forget to look there.
Remover - I don't want to ruin all my hard work on my complexion. I use a quality make-up remover and a quality eye liner remover product, usually Estee Lauder if I can afford it. Cotton balls are better than tissues.
So that's body care - parfumes and colognes are another topic. Powders? When hot weather hits - maybe. Powders don't mix well with lotions, in my opinion.
Elizabeth
