i just can't live without

From every shade of Wet n' Wild lipstick, to insert-able foam shoulder pads, and water bras, there's not a beauty product out there my three sisters and I haven't tried.  We fell for the electric blue mascara, mile high bangs, and bad perms.  My hair still hasn't recovered.  Who remembers the "Mane and Tail" craze or the gallons of Rave 4 we went through?

We do.

Contempo portraits, Epilady, Girbaud jeans, Paul Mitchell, Units (remember those crazy knit clothes with the hole in the armpit?), 2000 calorie mascara, Madonna, Reebok's, Aqua Net, and banana clips.  The 80's were unkind and just like our mothers told us we would, we regret it.   

It's 20 years later and my sisters and I are still trying new stuff and sharing all our secrets.  One of them passed on this first beauty tip during a camping trip years ago and I still say a silent thank you in my prayers each night.

#1.  Dry Shampoo.  I featured it in a {Friday's Find} last year, but it's definitely worth mentioning again.
For those of us who don't have time (or shall I say make time) to wash our hair every day, there's a simple solution.  Shake the can, spray dry shampoo in your hair, tousle, and brush.  Done.  As I mentioned before, don't waste your money on expensive brands.  This one works the best.  End of conversation.

#2.  Sunless tanning lotion.  Some girls are born with brown skin, some can lay in the sun and get brown skin, and some of us have never had, nor will ever have brown skin.  Don't worry, I've spent hours in the sun trying to get it anyway, and will pay for it later in life in the form of wrinkles and skin cancer. 

Since I haven't lathered up in baby oil and climbed up on my best friend's roof in over 20 years, thank goodness for this.

Buy the dark shade, even if you're ghostly white.  Trust me, it works the best.  My cousin used to work at a spa that charged upwards of $100 for a one time application.  If you need a little color on your skin, this product is worth every penny.  I also mix in a dab with my daily moisturizer for some color on my face.  My sisters and I buy the 32oz bottle at Amazon.com and it lasts well over a year.

#3.  Shimmer brick.  One winter morning I was watching Good Morning America when Bobbi Brown was talking about make up tips.  Not the "Don't be Cruel" Bobby Brown, he's good for a tip if you want to get high.  I'm talking about Oprah's famous make-up artist. 

I heard about this product and literally went out and got it that day.  It's a bit pricey at $40, but it lasts FOREVER.  I'm only on my 2nd compact in 5 years.  Applied with a large powder brush, dust it everywhere the sun might kiss your face, ie. cheek bones, forehead, nose, chin.  It gives you a nice dewy glow and makes your skin look healthy and alive.  I use the color bronze. 

#4.  AmLactin.  I was out with the girls one night and my friend, Amanda, professed her undying love for this lotion.  She picked it up at Costco for $18 and claimed it worked miracles on her rough, calloused heels.  She said her feet were now as soft as butter, and her cuticles were every bit as tender as a new born babes.  Although it was not in the most appealing packaging, nor did it smell like something off the shelf at Bath and Body Works, she was obsessed with it.  The next time I went to Costco, I picked up a bottle.

The other day I found an on-line article called {The 13 things your podiatrist wants you to know}, "If you have dry, cracked feet, try AmLactin.  Apply it every night before bed and say good bye to great-grandma Imo's feet.

#5. DIY manicure.  In between throwing up and eating jalapeno flavored Cheetos (pregnant), I learned a thing or two in beauty school.  Here are a few tips.  Always file natural nails from the outside in.  Don't saw them back and forth, it weakens the nails and makes them prone to chipping and breaking.

Before you polish, push back your cuticles with an orange wood stick and lightly buff your nails to remove any oils on the surface.  Use a good bonding base coat, two coats of polish, and a top coat.  Your polish will stay looking picture perfect for twice as long.  I love the entire {OPI nail care} line.

Here's another tip. I wear rubber gloves when I do the dishes and scrub toilets and my polish doesn't chip for several days. 

I'm dying to know your best beauty secrets. I'll send my new favorite OPI color to the one I like the most!