For Skin Care:
Morning --
1) Noxema Cleansing Cream - I'm using it to wash my face and body, as well as moisturize my skin. Originally formulated by a doctor to soothe sunburns, it's cool and tingly upon use.
2) AN Artnature Vitamin C Advanced Moisture + Brightening Serum - Applying this serum to my face every morning as a multi-purpose anti-aging elixir. A vitamin C serum also gives you some protection against free radicals and the sun's harmful rays.
3) Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer For Sensitive Skin with SPF 15 - I use it every day of the year, plus as a greaseless suntan lotion in the summer.
Night, Noxema again, then --
4) Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil - Applying it to my face at night, the oil came as a 2-item kit with the cream below. More like a serum than an oil, its purpose is to boost the power of the Retinol. Probably we could survive with the cream only.
5) Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Regeneration
Cream - Applying it to my face at night on top of the serum (oil). Some consumers prefer Olay Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer since its consistency is lighter with more hyaluronic acid in the cream. I like and use both brands of anti-aging face creams and approve of Neutrogena's high potency and thickness. At times I'll add drops of water to the formula to make the cream a little thinner and sometimes not.
For Toothcare:
6) Philips Sonicare Toothbrush - It's well worth packing in the suitcase. You simply can't brush your teeth as thoroughly with a manual toothbrush. I'm happy my dentist's office advised me to buy it, as well as, told me to buy the basic model for about $40 without the extra bells and whistles. You don't need them.
7) Regular manual toothbrush - I use the sonic toothbrush twice a day, every morning and night, and a regular toothbrush for shorter cleaning sessions to clean my teeth if I eat any in-between sugary snacks.
8) Colgate Maximum Strength Whitening Sensitive Toothpaste - After years of drinking 2 cans of soda each workday at the Time, Inc consumer magazines, I now have sensitive teeth, so I've given up soda altogether and use sensitive toothpaste to try to "repair my enamel" as much as is possible. At mom's age of wear and tear of her teeth, we both use it.
9) Dental Floss - I miss my water pick, but felt I had to limit what to pack and left it at home. Frankly, I hate the necessary evil of teeth flossing!
10) Equate Anticavity Alcohol-Free Fluoride Mouthwash - Yeah, I buy the purple mouthwash, however, which one's really the best for our teeth and gums, only our dentist knows for sure. Probably adults don't benefit from the extra fluoride, who knows? The dentist!
For Body Care:
11) Crystal Body Deodrant Stick - The salt crystal seems to prevent wetness and underarm odor. I have the travel size with me and the thicker stick at home.
12) Cetaphil Body Moisturizing Cream For Very Dry Skin - I bought this one for my elderly mother's skin, but sometimes dip my hand into the jar as a hand and body cream. It has zero fragrance and is super moisturizing and non-greasy. Skin doctor recommended too. Now I prefer it to other brands.
For Hair Care
13) SheaMoisture Shampoo - Whatever formula is available at the drugstore.
14) SheaMoisture Conditioner - Ditto, whatever formula I find at the local drugstore has been terrific.
For Makeup:
I've only used the 1st three items on the list below and only on Zoom calls. Since we still wear face masks in certain indoor places, I mostly don't wear makeup these days. Yet I brought the following along --
15) L'Oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur
16) Dermablend Quick-Fix Concealer
17) Bobbie Brown Pot Rouge For Lips and Cheeks - in Pink Raspberry #18
18) Milani Lipstick - in Dulce Caramelo #27
19) Milani Lip Gloss - in Delight Deluxe #01
20) Adrien Arpel Eye Crayon - in Forest Green
21) Sephora Brow Sculping Pencil - in Light Brown and it has a tiny brush on one end.
22) Lip Balm - Beeswax is the main ingredient.
Finally, I brought my stash of samples packets that I save for overnight trips. In a pinch, I'll find a product I need (face cream, shampoo, or conditioner) to tie me over until I can get to a Walmart, Target, or drugstore.
Moreover, the Tool Makeup Bag contains:
24) Hair ties
25) Nail clippers
26) Nail files
27) Nail buffer
28) Mini Nail Brush
The only three tools I've used are tweezers, nail clippers, and hair ties.
I'm functioning just fine with three small organizing makeup bags of basics. Makes me think minimalism of toiletries is all we ever really need! A less is more mindset saves us tons of time and money. Why not pare down to a simple approach both at home and away from home?
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