The Beauty Girl

Everyone has a favorite day of the week, and I bet Monday is not it. Unless your name is Dopey…or Bashful or Happy or one of the other four twerps living in La La Land, you’re not whistling on your way to work or while you work for that matter. If today is the day when your cup is about to runneth over, I aim to sprinkle in some sugar with this list featuring my current beauty obsessions for skin. It’s one of the most popular inquiries I get so this is just the first of many installments. Hopefully you’ll discover some good stuff in this read and your Monday will suck a little less.Mario Badescu Drying Lotion ($17) Of all the fancy peels and potions, this pimple-fighting product means business. It doesn’t use fancy zapping technology or have a complicated recipe, but the Calamine- and Salicylic Acid-based formula erases zits overnight. Before bed, dip a Q-tip into the pink sediment at the bottom of the bottle and dab on the problem spot. You won’t be disappointed. Tip: Do not shake the bottle before use.Zo Skin Health Ossential Radical Night Repair If you can’t party hard for two consecutive nights any longer, you’ll appreciate this anti-aging product. I know it’s obnoxiously expensive at $325 for 1 oz. (I promise a little goes a long way), but you should at least know about it. Created by renowned dermatologist Dr. Obagi, this night cream contains stabilized Vitamin C to brighten and even skin tone and a high concentration of Retinol, one of the most effective wrinkle-targeting ingredients. The formula is getting revamped now and will emerge as an even more potent cocktail when it launches in either October or November. In the mean time, there are 3 bottles of the originals left and you can get them for half off ($162) if you call customer care at 858-794-9601. Tip: Retinol does make the skin more sun sensitive so always wear SPF during the day and pregnant peeps should refrain from products with Retinol when carrying. Oh, and if you notice a slight tingling sensation that’s good because it means the product is working. If you find it too irritating, apply every other night.Dove White Beauty Bar ($4 for 2 bars) Mama always said not to judge a book buy its cover and here’s one instance where her lesson rings true. Dove’s beauty bar may look like soap but it isn’t the typical block full of harsh cleansing agents. It’s made with moisturizers so it won’t dry out your face and is mild enough for sensitive skin. If you’re looking for an all-in-one cleanser, a simple bar of Dove does a body good.MD Skincare Powerful Sun Protection SPF 30 Sunscreen Packettes ($42 for 60 packets) Guys never leave home without a condom. Girls should never leave home without popping one of these in their purse. These wipes provide practical daily protection. They won’t cause breakouts; they make application easy whether it’s on the run or at the beach and are great for outdoor sports (my fiancé uses them to reapply during a round of golf). Tip: Don’t think you’re invisible when the weather is overcast. The sun’s harmful UV rays penetrate clouds so sun protection is just as important on a cloudy day.