Best of the Best - My Top 16 Fashion and Beauty Products

AVEDA Mosscara

WHY: This product is actually moss-based and works BETTER than any other mascara, natural or not, out there. Better than Lancome’s new vibrating one, better than my previous favorite, Guerlain’s 2, better then drugstore brands. Feels so rich and soft, doesn’t dry out and flake. Washes right off with soap and water, feels natural.

ADDED BONUS: Made from sustainable moss – hello! How cool is that. Although AVEDA’s products aren’t 100% natural, there is a deliberate effort to come as close as possible, and do so sustainably (ie, not wiping out a plant crop from a poor country while paying them peanuts for it).

Royal Elastic Shoes

WHY: The perfect shoe for an active, edgy girl like you! 5 years of being a retail manager = a LOT of running around; I have also worn their shoes for my waitressing gigs. In other words, I have beat the heck out of them, and they hold up great. I discovered them while living in Canada, and not a lot of places carry them, so check out their website for current styles.

ADDED BONUS: People ALWAYS stop me to ask me about my shoes when I am wearing these. You’ll get the added satisfaction that comes with being the trend know-it-all.

OPI Nail Lacquer

Fresh Anise Daily Serum

I kind of wish I had never discovered this stuff, because it is AMAZING. It is also mucho buckos, coming in at $85/bottle – jesus christo! But before you freak out, read on.

WHY: It immediately brightens your complexion. Immediately. No joke. All day. It also plumps up your skin, so that if you wear makeup, it’ll go on smooth as silk. I have foregone wearing face makeup after using this because it does such a great job.

TRICK: Dude, who can spend $85 a pop? Maybe you can if you use 1/2 pump like I do every other day. A bottle lasts 8-10 months this way.

Pureology Shampoo & Conditioner

Sales at REISS

I don’t need “nice” clothes all that often, but when I do, there’s only one place I go: REISS.

WHY: Look at this stuff! It’s gorgeous – just the right amount of modern + sex bomb + color. The perfect place to go for rehearsal dinners, weddings you’re not in, or a post-breakup shopping spree – it’s better than sitting in a corner here.

TRICK: Only shop the sale. A lot of the more edgier and more fun pieces end up at reduced prices, so why buy at full price?

Prairie Underground

WHY: Prairie Underground makes amazing pieces – think of it as cotton-couture. Everything I have of theirs is always the thing I find myself reaching for; my closet is basically secondhand store pieces, Prairie Underground, and a few Reiss dresses. The cuts are flattering, timely, comfortable, and easy to care for (being mostly cotton).

ADDED BONUS: Organic cotton is used. A large percentage of pesticides are used on cotton, that’s why buying organic saves your skin (the largest organ of absorbtion) and the ground from toxic stuff that has a habit of lingering.

TRICK: Don’t machine dry your cottons, or any of your clothes if you can help it. This isn’t some hippie thing – keeping clothes out of the extreme heat of the dryer actually preserves fabrics and keeps them looking new for a lot longer. Hanging dry or laying flat is the way to go.

Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Cleaning Products

Tweezerman Slant Tweezers

So there I am on a week-long trip to Hawaii without my tweezers. My good friend offered me hers and MY LIFE WAS CHANGED.

Seriously. I’m not one given to too much hyperbole.

WHY: If you are a beauty DIYer like myself and don’t have the luxury of someone else shaping your brows, the Tweezermans are pretty much a godsend. They’ll make your old tweezers feel like you were plucking with chopsticks. These are Karey Ann guaranteed.

Lululemon Athletica Bags

WHY: They are good-looking (mostly knock-offs of Dooney&Burke, Coach, and Louis Vitton), durable, and pretty reasonably prices. Lots of pockets. Great size for carry-ons. For a week trip, I can use two of these and be good to go – no having to hit up baggage claim!

Anna Vintage Jewelry

WHY: This is jewelry that gets noticed but is not clunky or overly trendy (read: you can wear it season after season). Her designs are unique and easy to wear.

ADDED BONUS: Made from recycled vintage materials like old leather and metals – wear it instead of sending it to t landfill!

Honeydew Boy Shorts

WHY: Need everyday undies that don’t make you live a lie (lie being that thongs are comfortable), but also don’t make you feel about as desirable as Honeydew undies fill a gap: they make you feel cute and are also extremely comfortable and stay put. Falling into the trap of drab everyday undies is a shame – hip hip hooray for lacy, stretchy, comfy undies!

Big Sur Soap

WHY: BEST SOAP EVER!! And now she’s selling online, though it was always an excuse to throw the tent in the car and head down to Big Sur – yes, I would drive 2 hours and camp for the weekend in order to stock up on this soap. You lucky devils.

WHY: All natural, homemade, makes showering pure joy. Try the Cedar Lemon Farm Scrub or Tangerine Lavender. Yummy.