Ten on Tuesday, Products Edition

I was pretty psyched when I saw this week's Ten on Tuesday theme: Top Ten Health and Beauty Products.  I have a few I love and want to tell you about, and I'm looking forward to learning about new goodies as I read the other lists.

First, less product than habit: 

1.  Water.  Our bodies are made up of a LOT of water (that is a scientific fact!), and keeping them hydrated helps skin to look better, as well as flushes out toxins.

2. Sleep.  Best health and beauty product ever, unless you cried yourself to sleep, in which case you might, like me, look terrible even after eight solid hours (swollen eyes do not = beauty!).  Sometimes I think the best benefit of a good night's sleep is simply the better attitude I have the next day.

3.  Good food.  It isn't always cheap, but eating good, in-season food, preferably cooking it at home (as opposed to going out too much, in to which trap I often fall) does wonders for my health.  The USDA pyramids, tailored for different dietary needs, are an excellent resource for making sure I get the right balance of foods.

4.  Exercise.  After a long day of teaching today, I came home and shoveled.  Not the entire, huge driveway, but enough that my blood got moving.  I am not a fan of working out in a gym (the only time I've ever really liked it was when I took boxing lessons with the Rev).  I ride our bike trainer only to prepare for some of the goals I've set for the summer. I would much rather move outside, and sometimes that comes in the form of shoveling, chasing the dogs, running with a scarf over my mouth and nose, ice skating, or skiing.  No matter what I do, I feel so much better after (except, you know, for the aches).  My skin glows, and I feel firmer and mentally healthier.

Okay, enough of the common-sense-yet-vital beauty products that aren't really products, and on to the fun stuff.  I raved about the Rosebud Salve in my last post, so I'll skip it.

5.  Vaseline.  Some ways I like to use it: put on my dry feet, pull on old white socks, go to bed, wake up with softer feet; put on lips over red, red lipstick for extra shine; smooth eyebrows with it (don't glop it on); put a tiny bit on eyelashes instead of mascara.  

6.  Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser.  I have sensitive skin.  I can't take heavy fragrances.  This cleanser does the trick for me.

7.  Goldwell Color Glow Deep.  I spray this on before I comb out my hair (with a wide-toothed comb, of course) after a shower.  I've been coloring my hair for ages, and this product truly has kept the color looking better more than any product I've used before.  The light fragrance is so pretty, too.

8.Kiehl's Tinted Moisturizer. When I've been drinking ample water, eating well, exercising, and getting plenty of sleep, I don't always want to wear foundation (though I love the one I use).  On those days, I use my Kiehl's tinted, pop on a little powder, some Rosebud Salve on my lips, and I am ready to get to work.

9.  Boots No. 7.  I've used several of the line's products, and I like the Protect and Perfect Serum, the Day Cream, which has an SPF of 15, and the eye cream, though I confess to liking Aveda's Tourmaline eye cream better (it looks like they're not making it any more?!).

10.  Good sex.  Okay, not a product, and I debated about adding this one, but as a woman who went a LONG time sans a lover, I am a firm, dare I say, hardcore, believer that good sex does wonders for mental health, for skin (aren't we usually using makeup to a. replicate youth; b. enhance our favorite features; and c. replicate afterglow?) and for all around happiness, which is the most beautiful thing a woman can add to her health and beauty arsenal?

Now that I'm blushing a little, I'd love to hear about your favorite beauty product.  Be sure to check out Carole's list as well as the list of everyone participating in Ten on Tuesday!