Spring cleaning. Ahhhhh, the joys of starting with a clean slate. Throwing out all those useless items you used once and hated or forgot you even had. I found myself doing a little beauty spring cleaning in anticipation of an upcoming move. I started with my bathroom. I filled up one bag of trash fairly quickly. Bottles of old perfume I used to wear in high school (what was I saving that for?) and too many dried up mascaras to name were all tossed out without a second thought.
But then I did have a thought. Before I filled up bag #2 for my giveaway pile, maybe I should blog about these items so others don't waste their money on them.
And so, the list of my many purchases that shouldn't have been begins...
Don't Buy: #1 - Worst shampoo - Nexxus Color Assure shampoo and Humectress Conditioner. These were the biggest disappointments in terms of a shampoo and conditioner purchase, ever. The shampoo did absolutely nothing for my color and left my hair feeling like straw that had just been raked. The conditioner was so heavy I couldn't get any lift. Total waste of cash.
Instead: If you're concerned about color, go with one of the John Frieda lines. I loved the Brilliant Brunette when I was darker, and the Sheer Blonde is great for perking up beigey blondes.
Don't Buy #2 - Very Sexy for Her perfume from Victoria's Secret. I must admit, as a former employee at VS's they had me fooled. The shiny red bottle was hard for anyone to resist. Yeah, back in 2007. This fragrance is way too heavy and the musk notes don't age well either, let me tell ya.
Instead: Go for a can't miss at Vickie's -- their Pink perfume. This is my all-time favorite perfume. I sold it to countless customers when I worked at the store, and even my mom who's allergic to every perfume under the sun wears it and loves it. Oh, and did I mention that men like it too? Major plus.
Don't Buy #3 - Pantene Pro-V Thickening Spray. The only thing this thickened was the cashier's register at Walmart the night I dumped $7 on this crap. The product not only doesn't work, it makes your hair feel it was just bleached out.
Instead: Go for my favorite. Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray. It's worth the extra cash, because this not only works as a thickener, it also preps hair very well. Hands down, the best thickening product I've used so far.
Don't Buy #4 - Garner Fructis XXL Volume Root Booster. Although this gives you volume, your hair will be so tangly you won't be able to get a brush or your hands through it until you wash it out. See the "instead" above.
Don't Buy #5 - Why do pasty people try to look tan? It's beyond me. But alas, I try to get that golden color year round. I have tried and given up. After my wedding about two years ago I have sworn off the tanning beds and was looking for other options. Olay's Touch of Sun overnight claims you will "wake up with a sun-kissed glow." Yeah, my hands will. But the rest of my body looks a gangly shade of orange. I looked like a squash. And the lavender scent? So foul! How foul? Foul enough to make me wash it off after an hour the first time I tried it. And the lotion never penetrates your skin. It just sits on the top layer so you get your $100 sheets ruined.
Instead: Accept the fact that you are pale. I have.
Don't Buy #6 - Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. OK, so technically I've never actually bought this, but you notice how it ALWAYS comes in the Free Gift with Purchase? That's because it sucks, people. No one buys this stuff because it's awful. It's way too heavy for young and older skin.
Instead: For older skin, try Neutrogena's Healthy Skin line. They have a lot of great products. For younger skin, my all-time favorite face lotion is Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing GEL with pump. It's amazing. Ask anyone who uses it.
Don't Buy #7 - Neutrogena Clean Replenishing shampoo and conditioner. I used to use this back in high school and loved it. Then my mom and I were out shopping a year ago at Ulta and I saw it. She bought it for me. I'm sorry you wasted your money, mother! A week later I realized they must have changed the formula or my hair refused to make friends with it again after all those years apart. It doesn't moisturize at all. It definitely gets it clean though. So clean it's like squeaky clean. With no moisture. Not a good combo.
Instead - Try Bumble and Bumble's Super Rich Conditioner. I was afraid to try it at first not only because of the price tag but also because I have super fine hair. Amazingly, this product does what it says. It moisturizes and leaves hair feeling incredible with no weigh-down.
Alright, I must admit. I still have 8 more items in my giveaway bag. But that's another post on another day.
Happy beautifying!
Stay gorgeous,
-Amanda:)
