Which skincare products should I splurge on?

All the hype about hair care can make shopping a confusing, and expensive, experience. But here's a tip that can save you some money: Skimp on shampoo, splurge on conditioner. In other words, you don't need to buy an expensive shampoo. Why? Because shampoos really only need to clean your hair. There are basic cleansing shampoos, conditioning shampoos, baby shampoos, and dandruff shampoos. You really don't need to use baby or dandruff shampoos unless you have itchy, flaky, or very sensitive scalp. Most women are just trying to get their hair clean and prep it for styling and for that, you don't need an expensive shampoo. The main ingredients are the detergents that clean and generate foam. Yes, this type of formula may leave your hair feeling squeaky clean after you rinse, but as long as you're using a good conditioner it doesn't matter. There's nothing wrong with the more expensive conditioning shampoos - they do give you a richer feeling lather. But the little bit of conditioning you get from the shampoo is overwhelmed by what you get from the conditioner. It's kind of like when you paint something with a coat of primer paint before you but on the final color. You really only notice the top coat! Conditioners, on the other hand, are worth spending more on. That's because, in general, very low cost conditioners use cheaper active ingredients and less of them. In more expensive conditioners you'll find silicones and higher concentrations of higher quality emollients that will smooth the cuticle of your hair better. (By the way, if you're worried about using silicones, don't be - silicones aren't bad for your hair. Although some women don't like them for their hair type, for most people they're one of the most effective smoothing agents.) But don't go crazy, you don't need to spend a ton of money to get a good product. There are plenty of good conditioners in the $5.00 to $10.00 range. (Note: If you are skipping the conditioner and your hair is dry and damaged, them you should consider spending more on a conditioning shampoo. Most companies market 2 in 1 type shampoos and call them Moisturizing, Conditioning, Dry damaged or Color Treated.)

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Foundation, concealer, blush

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Unfortunately we show our age and our sleep (or lack thereof) around our eyes. The gentle skin around our eyes does not have oil glands making it more thin and transparent. Products that help tighten and brighten the eye area are always worth the splurge because ultimately these can visually turn back the clock. Eye creams and concealers are simply a beauty necessity and a girl’s best friend!

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Foundation should be the big splurge -making sure that you get the perfect match for your skin tone. Also, a really great moisturizer is key to keeping a healthy glow! Those, and a really great fragrance!

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Facials every two months are just as important as a haircut and color and should be part of every woman's routine. The treatments reduce wrinkles, dull skin, and sun spots. The esthetician will recommend an appropriate treatment depending on your skin's needs.

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