My first shower at home when we were discharged from the hospital on Monday was maybe the most amazing shower I’ve ever had. Although I’d showered in the hospital, you still can’t beat the comfort of being at home with your own bath products and your own towels and your intimate knowledge of just how hot the water temperature gets if you turn it a little bit more to the left.

But, one of the most luxurious moments of my shower were the few precious seconds spent exfoliating my face with my Clarisonic Mia2 that I got for Christmas. I know a lot has been written in praise of the Clarisonic on Tumblr already and the hype is well-deserved.

It’s fair to say that I’ve never had smoother skin than I do now, and I notice a huge difference in how my moisturizer works after exfoliating with the Clarisonic. I love the freedom to use whatever cleanser I wish and using it in the shower saves me the time washing my face in the sink. These days, I’ll take whatever extra time I get! Oh—and in the short time I’ve been using it, I already see a difference in the fine lines on my forehead. (I guess I frown too much!)

For $150, you can get the Clarisonic Mia2 (which operates at two speeds), but the original Clarisonic ($129) is more than sufficient. (Plus, I really love the jaguar print on this one!)

Do you have a Clarisonic? What do you think of it?

I was flipping through the latest issue of Lucky magazine and noticed this great line-up of classic drugstore products. I’ve used some, heard of others and a few were brand new to me, but I thought it would be great to link to the products they rounded up and add a few of my own favorites as well.

1. Murray’s Hair Dressing Pomade, $4
2. Jean Nate After Bath Splash Mist, $7
3. Goody Elastic Ball, $7 for 100 - I always lose ponytail elastics. These things are a lifesaver!
4. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, $5 - Every magazine falls over itself for Great Lash, but I actually think this stuff is way over-hyped. I’ve never been impressed and find it wimpy. I like a bold mascara and this one never delivered for me.
5. Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo, $5 - Don’t be turned off by the fact that it’s for dandruff. I used to use this shampoo once a week or so just to get my hair really clean (it strips out product without being drying or damaging).
6. Degree Women Antiperspirant & Deodorant Invisible Solid, Shower Clean, $3.50 - I’m actually not impressed with Degree’s “women” formulas. I prefer the men’s invisible solid varieties. If you have a more severe problem with wetness, try combining men’s Degree with Certain-Dri. 
7. Aveeno Bath Treatment, $4 
8. Gillette Venus Embrace Razor, $13 - The Embrace razor was Gillette’s answer to the once-superior Schick Quattro. The Embrace is now comparable to that razor…and maybe better.
9. Psssssst Instant Dry Shampoo, $7 - I’ve never tried this dry shampoo, but it’s $7—way cheaper than most of the “designer” alternatives out there. 
10. Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer, $8.50 - I’ve written about my love for this stuff before, but I can’t overstate how much I love it. Don’t fall for the competitor versions of it either: the original formula is best.
11. Visine Original, $8 
12. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream with SPF, $15 - You really can’t beat this price for a moisturizer with anti-wrinkle properties and SPF.
13. Biore Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips, $7.50 - I think I read an article once that these pore strips don’t actually do anything particularly beneficial (or different than a cleanser), but there’s something so satisfying about using them anyway.
14. John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Finishing Creme, $6 - This stuff is totally amazing. I’m a fan of the John Frieda line in general, but some of the styling products are really out of this world good.
15. L’Oreal Paris Elnett Hairspray, $15 - It’s not a legendary, best-selling hairspray for nothing. I don’t love hairspray and find that it weighs down my hair too much (I also hate how you can’t restyle after using it), but that’s the beauty of Elnett: you can brush it out and start over.
16. Tresemme Smooth & Silky Conditioner, $4.49
17. Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes, $6 
18. Aquaphor Healing Skin Ointment, $5.49 - The best moisturizing creme you can get at a drugstore.
19. Finesse Moisturizing Shampoo, $4 
20. Lip Smacker Dr. Pepper Lip Balm, $1.99 - I loved this stuff as a kid, but was happy to find it again in the past few years and discover that it really gives you a perfect sheer wash of color.
21. Pantene Flat to Volume Shampoo & Conditioner, about $5 each - I used this for a while and really liked it. I’m a Pantene fan and found this formula to be similar to the Pantene Classic formula that I also love.

Here’s a few more classics I think should have been included in Lucky’s list:

Cetaphil Daily Face Cleanser, $5.49 - Even someone with super-sensitive skin will be able to handle this light, non-scented cleanser.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Power Cream Wash, $8 - Brandon actually started using this first and after I tried it, I really liked it too. It has enough of a lather to feel like you’re getting a deep, thorough clean and I like the non-medicinal, fresh scent.

Almay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover Pads, $6 - I wear more eye makeup than any other kind of cosmetic, so I need a heavy-duty eye makeup remover. I’ve been using this one for more than 10 years and have never found anything better. Make sure you grab the oil-free version, NOT the moisturizing version—unless you like to have oil slicks around your eyes for days.

What are some of your favorite drugstore finds?

Skincare products don’t have to be expensive to be effective. Although I usually don’t like giving skincare tips on my blog because everyone reacts differently to various products, I thought I’d share a few things that make my life a whole lot easier.

One disclaimer: I am so not a skincare person. My sister, on the other hand, has this huge, 30-minute nightly regimen and is constantly suggesting products to me. I rarely get my eye makeup off before dragging myself under the covers. But, when I do make an effort, this is about as high-maintenance as I get.

1. Olay Complete All Day UV Moisturizer, $8 - This is the only moisturizer I’ll use. It’s fragrance-free, has SPF and feels light on my skin. 
2. Proactiv Advanced Blemish Treatment, $17 - I swear by this spot treatment. If I even feel like I’m getting a blemish, I dab this stuff on and let it do its thing. A few times (I kid you not) I’ve put it on a blemish before going to sleep and it’s gone in the morning. Miracle juice, I tell you!
3. Paula’s Choice Weekly Resurfacing Treatment, $29 (c/o) - I try to use this once a week because it makes such a huge difference when I do. It brightens my skin and makes it crazy smooth.
4. Sibu Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser, $18 (c/o) - I like exfoliating cleansers and this one really impressed me. Exfoliating cleansers can sometimes feel like scouring pads on my face and I’m not really too interested in taking off an entire layer of skin at a time. This one doesn’t do that. 
5. Proactiv Revitalizing Toner, $14 - Even if I’m too lazy to wash my face, I never skip toner. It’s the one skincare product I truly swear by for my skin and this one isn’t overly drying.
6. Striking Eye Cream, $35 - My lifeguarding/tanning oil years are finally catching up to me. This eye cream moisturizes like crazy, but also makes it look like I’ve gotten some sleep even when I haven’t. Also, I notice a huge difference in fine lines when I use it regularly.
7. Jergens Natural Glow Foaming Daily Moisturizer, $10 - I love this Natural Glow stuff, but when they made a foaming one, I was over the moon. It dries fast, is NEVER streaky and is a necessity throughout the winter months. 
8. Olay Daily Lotion Plus Shimmer, $7.50 - I use this every night and on my legs whenever I’m going out in a skirt or dress. Don’t be put off by the word “shimmer.” It’s really subtle and just gives off a pretty glow. 
9. Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm, $7 - This tinted lip balm is fantastic. Between this and Carmex, I’m pretty much set. One word of advice: make sure you buy Burt’s Bees’ tinted lip balm and NOT their lip shimmer. I’ve found the shimmer incredibly drying. 

What are you must-have products? Any recommendations for me?

Do you remember my Sponge Skincare giveaway? I’ve been using Sponge’s Gel Basiliko since then and I have to say: I’m in love. It’s not exactly a Daily Deal, as it does cost $65, but I’m estimating that one bottle could last you about a year.

I’ve never been a skin product junkie. My sister kindly informed me when she was up visiting a couple weekends ago that my skin, while in general good, should be more moisturized and tended to since I could wrinkle easily later. What! She scared me into getting on the skincare train. (Although there’s nothing a little Botox can’t fix—not now, of course, but talk to me when I’m 45.)

I have seen huge improvements in my skin just using this gel for about two weeks each morning and night. The skin around my eyes is much tighter, as is the skin on my forehead where I had a few faint frown lines. I also put some on my neck and around my nose/mouth. It’s so moisturizing, but it doesn’t irritate my skin or cause break-outs. That’s a big plus, since my skin tends to get very irritated when I use heavy lotions or creams.

Well, first step down, a few more to go. My sister’s nightly skincare routine took her 30 minutes and mine takes 5, so I guess I need to up the ante. Now I just have to find the perfect daily moisturizer with SPF. The hunt is on!

RAINY DAY GIVEAWAY

I was really psyched to try the new Sponge products the company sent me. I’m not too big on skincare (bad habit, I know) and I don’t use any antiaging products (eek).

First, I used the wild rose aromatherapy mist. I kinda gave it the side eye. Spraying stuff onto my face is not something I do regularly—or ever. I closed my eyes, scrunched up my nose, took a deep breath and sprayed that mother before I could change my mind. It felt amazing! It smelled great, felt light on my face and dried quickly. I used it yesterday—a very humid day here in DC—and it kept my skin matte and soft, no grease, no sweat, no shine. I was impressed. I still scrunch up my face before I spray it, but I’m a little less nervous now. :)

Then, I tried the sweet basil gel, which moisturizes, but also has lots of anti-aging benefits. I applied it around my eyes, forehead and neck. The initial consistency was a bit aloe vera-like, but it dried in a couple minutes. I’d suggest using the gel before doing your makeup, since it’s heavier. I made sure to rub it in well around my eyes, too. The basil smell threw me at first (was I eating pizza?), but grew on me. Results don’t lie: I already see huge changes in my skin. It’s tighter, more matte all over and I look more awake and glowy.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Win products from Sponge Skincare!

HOW TO ENTER

• Leave a comment on this post! 

You can enter this giveaway until Sunday, May 16 at midnight.

The winner will be randomly selected and announced Monday, May 17!