|

|

5 New Product Finds

It’s been a while since I’ve done a product roundup, and I have a few new things I’ve discovered lately that I want to share with you. Admittedly, I don’t try a ton of new products. I’m more of a brand loyalist; I tend to find something I love and use it for years. But every once in a while, something comes along that I have to try, and some are winners and some are losers. I’m going to share some of the winners today!

5 New Beauty Products To Try Right Now

#1. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz: I believe in my last post like this, I said that I’ve tried a gazillion different eyebrow pencils/gels/powders, and I hadn’t found one I really liked. Either they are too dry and pull on my eyebrows, or they’re too goopy and go on to dark and thick, or they’re . . . something! I was having the darnedest time finding one I could stand, and I need eyebrow pencil. My eyebrows are very sparse, and I don’t leave the house without it. One of you actually recommended the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, so I ordered it.

I. am. in. love.

The ultra-fine, retractable pencil is perfect for filling in areas where the brow hair is sparse. It mimics hair-like strokes, and the smudge-proof formula stays put all day. There is a brush on the other end, and I love that the caps are interchangeable (I’ve had brow pencils like this before where the cap on one end was different from the other — ANNOYING!) It goes on smoothly without pulling out any of my few remaining eyebrows, and it never dries out. It lasts a decent amount of time too. I had another one like this that seemed to last only a week! Also, it is free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.

Now I make sure to buy a new one when I open my old one, because I’m terrified to ever be without it. When World War III breaks out, I’ll be sure to grab my Brow Wiz and my kids and hunker down in the cellar for the duration. Ha!

There are a gazillion different shades, so you just have to guess. I use the Dark Brown (formerly Brunette) and it works well for me because my hair is very dark. It can look harsh at times, so I may try the Chocolate next time. Either way, if you are like me and rely on a little help with the eyebrows, try this. You won’t regret it!

#2. Rodan + Fields AMP MD System: Full disclosure, I sell Rodan + Fields, and I am linking to my biz site. If you have a R+F consultant, I encourage you to contact them and order through them. I signed up to be a distributor primarily so I could get the discount on the products, and I also wanted to be loyal to one skincare system instead of trying new ones all the time, so I figured I may as well sign on to be a distributor so I could link to my site from the blog since I do talk about skincare periodically. I absolutely love the products and the company.

The AMP MD System includes the Rodan + Fields patented AMP MD Micro-Exfoliating Roller and their REDEFINE Night Renewing Serum. I already use their Redefine Regimen, and I recently added the roller and serum to my skincare routine. It isn’t cheap, but the roller should last a long time, and you can replace the serum as needed.

The AMP MD System utilizes micro-exfoliation roller technology for visibly advanced skin-firming benefits. Based on our clinical studies of our REDEFINE Regimen and the AMP MD System, smoother, softer skin can be experienced after just one use. With continued use, the REDEFINE Regimen and the AMP MD System are clinically proven to help skin appear firmer and make lines and wrinkles less noticeable for a more luminous and refined appearance.

I kept hearing about this amazing tool and didn’t want to shell out the dough, but I finally did it, and I only wish I’d done it sooner. It immediately makes my skin look smoother and tighter. It’s truly remarkable. I use it 4 or 5 nights a week on my face and neck, and I do believe it has made a difference in my skin over time, although there are some immediate results as well.

#3. Colgate Optic White High Impact White Toothpaste: I’ve used various boxed whitening strips in the past, but it’s a pain to remember to apply them every night, not to mention the time it takes away from my beauty sleep! I mean, when I go upstairs to go to bed, I want to wash my face and brush my teeth and crawl into my comfy, cozy bed with as little preamble as possible. I hate waiting for whitening strips or a face mask to do their jobs. So when Colgate offered to send me their new Optic White High Impact White Toothpaste to test out, I was intrigued. They claimed that it whitens more than a box of the leading whitening strip and can give you 4 shades of visibly whiter teeth after just 3 days. All you have to do is brush your teeth with it 2X a day and wait for the results.

Guess what??? It works. I’m truly impressed. After I used it for a week, I gave it to my husband and told him to use it. He is ditching his whitening strips as well. It claims to be enamel-safe whitening and good for daily use, and it contains fluoride to protect against cavities.

#4. Truth Vitality Advanced Complex: This is another product that was sent to me to try out. Just FYI, I am always up-front with brands when they offer to send me products to try. I tell them that I’d love to try it, and if I love it, I will share it with my audience. Many products don’t make the cut. You can trust me to give you my candid opinions.

I have written before about thinning hair and how demoralizing it is. Right now my hair is in decent shape, but it is still very thin around the hairline, and I live in fear that it will thin out again like it did a few years ago when I wrote that post. It’s a constant worry, which probably sounds insane, but then again, what woman wants to lose her hair?

I was offered the chance to try this Truth Vitality Advanced Complex that claims to fight hair loss, decreased volume, shedding, and a lack of shine by strengthening the hair follicle and thus lengthening the hair growth cycle. The active ingredients are Capixyl (Acetyl tetrapeptide-3) to stimulate proteins to reinforce the structures surrounding hair follicles, Red Clover Extract with antioxidants, Copper Peptides to increase cellular reproduction for healthier hair, and Zinc and Magnesium to strengthen hair and lengthen the life of strands.

You just rub the serum on your damp scalp after shampooing and dry as normal. I’ve been using it for a few weeks, and I’m trying to be consistent with it. Hair growth is a slow process, and it will take weeks or months before I’ll be able to tell a difference, but I’m going to stick with it and see how it goes. I know hair loss among women is not a rare thing these days, so I’m willing to bet many of you would love to know if I see a noticeable difference. I’ll keep you posted!

#5. Rusk Texture Dry Finishing Spray: This is not a new discovery, but more of a renewed discovery, ha! I’ve probably mentioned it before, but I want to share it with you again because this stuff is amazing. I ran out a while ago and didn’t replace it, and since then I’ve been getting increasingly frustrated with how flat my hair looks, and also thinking it was thinning out again. (See #4.) Then I remembered this stuff, and I placed an order last week.

Oh. My. Word. I will always keep a back up in the house from now on. It immediately gives my hair a lift and some extra texture without making it feel sticky or goopy or icky in any way. I forgot how amazing it is. I’ve tried other products like it and nothing works as well and feels as good. I can still run my hands through my hair, but the extra lift lasts all day. AND it is currently on sale for 25% off at Ulta! If you have fine, thin hair, try it. I bet you’ll love it.

So that’s a wrap. Those are my latest product discoveries — the ones worth mentioning, anyway! Have you tried any new beauty products lately that you think we should know about?? Share in the comments!

Did you like this post?

Sign up for my Daily Emails, and you’ll never miss a thing! You can also follow along on Instagram for my daily outfits and sneak peeks of what’s to come on the blog. Be sure to register with LIKEtoKNOW.it so you can shop my outfits first! 

This post contains affiliate links. For more information on what that means, see my About Page: Blog Monetization and Disclosure.

Join The Conversation

37 Responses

  1. Keep us posted on the hair thickening product. I’ve used Nioxin and didn’t notice much change. My hair dresser suggested prenatal vitamins and scalp massages.

  2. Thanks so much for this info. Anxious to try the toothpaste. Also, do you feel the brow pencil has real staying power, especially in humid weather where you might sweat a lot? Thanks so much for this review!

  3. Thank you, thank you, thank you Jo-Lynne! I basically don’t have eyebrows because the hair on my body fell out when I was in the midst of Cushing’s Disease. The regular eyebrow pencils don’t cut it. I have ordered what you’re now in love with and can’t wait to try it. I am about out of my toothpaste, so I am going to look into the Colgate one you suggested. I am one that creates a lot of plaque, and I hate discolored teeth, so I’m hoping this one will do the trick.

    Have a blessed day!

    1. Hey Ginger, the brow pencil does last all day. As long as I don’t scratch that area, lol, it stays put. Sometimes I will freshen it up before going out at night, but sometimes I don’t have to.

  4. Hi Jolynne,

    I was actually the one that was discussing brows with you….so glad you love the brow wiz! I took the plunge and got the micro blading done two months ago. My brows were quite light and thin so I decided to go for it. My gal is so talented and popular that it took me six months to get in. I am absolutely thrilled and my brows are gorgeous….wish I would have done it sooner. She said I retain color well so will probably do a minor touch up in a year. It is sooooo nice to not have to do a thing to my brows! Thanks for this review….I’m going to try the toothpaste.

    1. I’ve considered that. I would have to get a really strong recommendation for someone local – it makes me nervous. Thanks for the tip, tho! I will keep it in the back of my mind. 🙂

  5. Awhile back you recommended Matrix Volume Builder for hair, and I just love it. Curious if the Rusk product is different/better? Always appreciate your product finds–will be getting that toothpaste for my daughter asap.

  6. LOVE these recommendations, Jo-Lynne! My 23 year-old daughter’s hair is thinning recently, and she has been devastated. You can imagine…she’s an actress! She has gone to the doctor, but honestly we didn’t feel like she was taken seriously. Had all the blood tests run, etc., but no action was taken. So, with your recommendation, I’ve order her the Truth Vitality Advanced Complex, but I went ahead and ordered the shampoo and conditioner, too. Have you used those? And I am suggesting she go to Ulta and buy the Rusk Texture spray. If you have any other suggestions for us, we’re open. She is taking prenatal vitamins simply because I’d heard other people suggest that, and we’re trying to make sure she gets plenty of protein and iron. Other than that, we’re at a stand still.

    Honestly, she’s being a good sport about it, but it causes her great anxiety because of her profession. And the anxiety may be the root of it all! We just don’t know. I’m so glad I took the time to really read your recommendations this morning. Thanks so much for sharing honestly about this issue, too.

    Blessings!!!

    1. I feel her pain. I say the same thing about my job… the last thing I need is to have thinning hair! Not that ANY woman wants thinning hair, but still. Doing what I do, it is especially dreadful. I have not tried the Truth Vitality shampoo and conditioner. I would like to. I may order some. The problem with anything hair related is that it takes SOOOO long to see results, it’s hard to know what changes are helping. I do take vitamins for skin, hair and nails. I went off Synthroid a while back, and my hair actually grew back in after that, so I’ve always wondered if the Synthroid caused my hair loss. But then I just had this bout with alopecia so my doc wants me back on thyroid meds. Sigh… I am trying Armour Thyroid this time. It’s a natural version. Best of luck to your daughter! Let me know if she thinks the Truth Vitality works.

  7. I love beauty product recommendations. I feel so overwhelmed with all the products out there. It’s nice to know these are tried and true. I wanna try them all!

  8. And keep us posted on the hair serum! I’m 38 and I definitely feel like my hair is not as thick as it used to be 😉

  9. Jolynne! Thank you so much for your recommendations! I will wait with bated breath for your report on the Truth Vitality!! I would also like to validate your AmpMD System recommendation. This is THEE BEST Minute in skincare-a complete game changer in your skin care routine!! As an aside, give the new Rodan+Fields Lash Boost a try on your brows ????

  10. I started using R+F this past May. Seems to be working as a friend told me that I look younger. 😉 I’m going to give the hair product a try because I have very straight, very flat hair. I’ve heard the whitening toothpastes aren’t good for your teeth (they become sensitive) but this one states it’s “enamel safe” so I might give it a try. Thanks for the recommendations. Always love to hear (read) about beauty products that really work and are worth the purchase.

      1. I sometimes have sensitivity also so I use the Colgate with a tiny bit of Pronamel toothpaste just at night and in the morning the Colgate alone. I figure I get the whitening benefits of the Colagate with a little insurance against sensitivity issues from the Pronamel lol ????.

  11. Love these product posts! I have used Brow Wiz for years. Have tried several others, always in search of what I might be missing – come back to this one every time.
    My once thick head of hair really has thinned since menopause (perhaps that’s also what happened to my brows?). It’s awful how that shakes your confidence! I’ll be trying the Rusk spray and watching for your reports back on the serum.
    Thanks and have a great weekend!

  12. Ill be giving my mom the brow pencil for Christmas! She knows she needs help in that department, but is afraid to go to Ulta/Sephora and just ask for help. I’m also getting her the new R+F lash boost! I love a good product…thanks for the reviews. CVS is on my list today so I’ll add the Colgate to try!

  13. Great info. Please do keep us posted on the hair thinning product. In the past few years I’ve had a lot of breakage in just certain areas of my head! So weird! I also have very fine, thin hair to begin with, so spots with breakage are NOT a welcome sight. I’ve been taking Biotin and a multivitamin and it doesn’t seem to be getting worse. But I’m looking to try anything to help strengthen and encourage growth and retention. I agree, what woman wants to lose their hair?!

  14. Thanks for the enabling. 🙂 I’m definitely going to try that brow wiz – mine have just started thinking in the last year and a half. I was going to ask you about the Lash Blast as well. I read about it this week and have asked a friend who sells R&F but haven’t heard back from her yet.
    How are your lashes? Like my brows, mine have started getting shorter and sparser in the last year and a half and it’s driving me crazy. Some days I want to be more casual and not look like I have thick mascara on but if I don’t, my eyes look so tired and lost.

    1. Hey Gina. My lashes are getting thinner, I think. They’ve always been long, and I’ve taken them for granted, but lately I have noticed a difference. Getting old sure has its challenges!

  15. Thanks for the information. I have been looking at the skin care systems. I would like the benefits of anti aging but I have trouble with redness and it is noticeable. I was considering Soothe and maybe supplement with anti aging products. What is your opinion?

    1. I think that’s a great solution. R+F recommends starting with Soothe if you have sensitive skin and then moving over to the Redefine line when you replace your system. Each is designed to last 2-3 months, with 2x daily use. Mine usually last 3-4 mos b/c I rarely do the whole routine in the a.m.

    1. I’m not sure how to explain what size they are – they’re very small. It doesn’t really irritate my face. My neck feels prickly for about 5 minutes after, but it goes away. I always follow up immediately with the serum that comes with it, and then with the R+F night cream. Hope that helps!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search
Close this search box.