healthy stuff

sure, no problem! just get ready for a whole slew of products haha. currently…

skin:

• noxzema deep cleansing cream plus moisturizers - i use this every morning. the added moisturizers make my skin feel so soft, but i still use a moisturizer afterwards.
• st. ives “timeless skin” collagen elastin facial moisturizer - every morning, after i cleanse, and also at night before i sleep, unless i have to apply spot treatment gel/alcohol on pimples.
• oxy maximum face wash - in the shower.
• apricot scrub (i use equate from walmart because it works just as well as st. ives, in my opinion) - twice a week, i use this in the shower instead of the oxy wash.
• noxzema triple clean anti-blemish pads - these sit by my bedside, for the nights where i’m too tired to get up and wash my face before i sleep. seriously, set some sort of cleansing pads by your bed, just in case, because you should always cleanse before you sleep.
• freeman “feeling beautiful” facial clay mask (avocado & oatmeal [i’ve also used the cucumber peel-off one, which i like just as much]) - once a week, typically during the weekend.
• clean&clear blackhead eraser cleansing mask - every once in a while, i use this on my nose for blackheads. i’ve never been a fan of this particular brand, but i do like the cooling tingle it leaves on my nose.
• for pimples, i used to use clindamycin phosphate topical solution, USP (1%), but now i simply use 70% isopropyl alcohol or zapzyt spot treatment gel.

hair: i use pantene pro-v, aussie (my fave!), or head&shoulders, but it doesn’t make too big of a difference to me. other stuff…

• organic root stimulator hair mayonnaise - enriched with olive oil, egg protein, and herbs, i use this every once in a while to maintain my hair.
• garnier fructis wave-enhancing spray - if i want my hair to be wavy.
• tresemme thermal creations heat tamer protective spray - before i straighten/curl my hair, which is rare… i usually leave my hair natural, but i always protect it when i do decide to style it.
• tresemme hairspray - to hold in the straightness or curls, or to keep fly-away hairs at bay.
• nexxus salon hair care split end binding leave-in treatment - after i shower, when my hair is still wet.
• eboline coconut oil hair conditioner with vitamin “e” - once a week, i massage coconut oil into my scalp to promote natural shine and prevent breakage.

teeth: 

• i rotate between arm&hammer advance white anti-cavity toothpaste, crest 3D white “glamorous white” toothpaste, and crest 3D white “enamel renewal” toothpaste. 
• i floss at least once a day (don’t really care about the brand of my floss haha) and use ACT mouthwash 1-2 times a day as well.
• every once in a while (not often, since it can be damaging to your gums if you aren’t careful), i use a 5-minute speed whitening gel to brighten my smile.
• and finally, to clean my retainers, i soak them in water with a denture cleanser tablet. ;)

oh, also, i do use tea tree oil for my nails every once in a while (either by soaking them with a combo of the oil and water, or massaging the oil into my nails directly).

anddd that’s about it for what i use! haha. :)

oh no, i wouldn’t leave my hair to dry in knots either— i definitely recommend that you detangle your hair right out of the shower. however, by that, i mean to do it with a wide-toothed comb, rather than a brush.

why? when your hair is wet, it’s at its most vulnerable state. brushing wet hair can cause breakage, thereby facilitating split ends, which i’m sure no one wants. really though, it’s not even good to brush your hair at all. unless you’re super careful, brushing typically results in snagging, and you end up tugging hair out too.

personally? i use a wide-toothed comb while my hair is still saturated in conditioner. that way, i’m still able to detangle my hair but it doesn’t take long.

and when my hair is dry, i still use a wide-toothed comb— except i work my way from the tips of my hair all the way to the top of my head. i do that in order to prevent tugging at my hair, which can also cause breakage.

extra tips? you should always be gentle with wet hair because it’s so delicate. that means not rubbing your hair vigorously with your towel! i usually just squeeze the water out of my hair, twist it up in my towel for a little bit, and then let it air-dry.

haha i know, it may seem like a lot of extra effort. in fact, a lot of people say that in their own experience, they don’t find it necessary to take such precautions. the “experts” recommend it, and i still do it anyways. just figure out what works for you! :)