My Favorite Beauty Products

Every month, Marie Claire prints a column that highlights a select group of individuals and their favorite beauty products. They call it "Beauty Passport" as these people and products come from around the world. This month's issue featured fitness professionals like Tanya Becker of Physique 57 and Elizabeth Cutler of SoulCycle. While I love reading the column, I can't always find the products. And let's be honest, sometimes the products I can find are just too dang expensive. ($48 sunscreen? No thanks.) So I thought it would be fun to put together a post of MY favorite beauty products—because I'm a fitness professional, too! And I promise you, all of them are affordable and can be easily found.

Let's start with makeup.

I am very much a girly girl when it comes to putting on makeup. I love trying out new products, combining different eyeshadows and experimenting with new brushes. But I'm also the first person to walk out the door with a clean face. Let's be honest: I work at a gym, where more than half the people I come in contact with are sweaty, stinky and unkempt in the name of good workouts. But there are days when I feel like putting on a little somethin' somethin' just to brighten up my face, and this is what I turn to:

I hate foundation, so I go for the tinted moisturizers. MAC Studio Moisture Tint is my favorite, hands down, but I've been experimenting with Garnier BB Cream with acceptable results. It's much cheaper, and I can buy it at the drugstore versus driving into South Bend (where the closest MAC counter is). I also slap on a little MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer beneath the eyes—it's totally waterproof, which also translates to being sweat proof. The finishing touch? Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume Waterproof Mascara. If I could only live with one bit of makeup, it would be my mascara. Love making my lashes pop. I feel like it wakes me up.

Speaking of waking up. I never start my day without some fresh deodorant.

A fitness professional cannot be without her deodorant. Could you imagine? "Here, let me spot you...sorry my pits stink." Gross. I was recently given the Dove sticks to sample, and have been liking them just fine, but my all-time favorite is Secret Invisible Solid Antiperspirant and Deodorant. It doesn't have a pungent odor, and doesn't leave white marks on my shirt. Seriously, I've been using it for years. 

Tip: Be careful when you pick out deodorant. It might smell good on the shelf, but when you mix it with your sweat during a workout...let's just say that it might not smell as good. That's why I always stick with "Powder Fresh" scents. And it's probably my biggest beef with the Clinical Protection stick above. I like how it smells, but for some reason, I don't like how it smells when I put it to use.

Anyway.

Let's talk about hair. Mine doesn't meet the blow dryer that often these days, but it does take a beating. As a fitness pro, I pull it back into a ponytail almost every single day. Sometimes I loop it into a bun. And because it's longish, I'm vastly familiar with detangling knots which are typically drenched in sweat. Bottom line...I can't live without my Aveeno Nourish + Moisturize Shampoo and Conditioner. Or my Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub.

Seriously, I've tried other brands in both categories. NOT THE SAME. I always go back to Aveeno. Even when it comes to sunscreen, shaving cream and regular 'ol face lotion. I'd show you my face lotion, but I'm trying to work through a bottle of something else that is decidedly not one of my favorites.

But these little bottles are definitely two of my favorites:

My hands take quite the beating at the gym. Aveda Hand Relief and Sally Hansen Vitamin E Moisturizing Nail Cuticle Oil work together (and separately) to wipe all of it away.

And last, but certainly not least:

Yep, baby wipes. I keep these with me for obvious reasons (to wipe my baby's bum), but they also come in handy when I'm sweaty and gross. If I can't go home right away for some reason or another, a few swipes of a wipe make me feel a bit better about myself. And if you don't have a baby, you can often find all-purpose towelettes like the above at Target in the travel-size section. 

I love the travel-size section.

Question: What are some of your favorite beauty products. Guys, I know you've got 'em, too.


Please note that I purchased the above with my own money, except for the Dove products which were given to me a few months ago for a sponsored post. See included link for details. All opinions are my own, and yes...I really do use and purchase these products.