Drugstore Beauty | It List vol. 3

We're well into February now and it seems to me it's high time for a new edition of the Drugstore Beauty It List. If you're new to this series, I basically choose six drugstore beauty items that I've been loving and tell you about the. I try to post a new It List every month.

I try out a lot of new items all the time, and I don't always have time to review all of them. The It List is a great way for me to share some of my favorites with you, while giving you an abbreviated review. Whenever a full review is available for a product listed, I'll link to it.

Now let's take a gander at this month's favorites.

1. Garnier Clean+ Purifying Foam Cleanser ($5.99) / 2. Sally Hansen Nail Treatment Instant Cuticle Remover ($.499) / 3. Nivea Lip Care A Kiss of Care Color  ($4.99) / 4. L'Oreal Paris Elnett Extra Strong Hold Hairspray ($12.99) / 5. NYX Wonder Pencil ($4.50) / 6. Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder ($7.99)

Garnier Clean+ Purifying Foam Cleanser

If you have combination skin, it's time to rejoice. Garnier released a new line of skin cleansers and two of them are geared specifically for those of us with combination skin. The Purifying Foam Cleanser is meant to strike the delicate balance between deep cleaning oil annihilation and gentle moisturizing cleansing. Finally, we can have it all. Oil control without dehydrating your non-oily areas. I immediately noticed that my skin felt more balanced and produced less oil throughout the day. After a week, my skin was also noticeably softer. Read my full review for more details.  

Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover

This product is a god send. I think everyone needs a bottle of this in their home. Not only does it help you treat stubborn cuticles and improve your manicure game, it also helps dissolve stubborn calluses too. This little $5 bottle also lasts a long time. I've been using it for several years now, and I think I've only on my fourth bottle. I use it at least once a week too. So here's the deal, you apply the serum/gel along your cuticle. Wait about 30 seconds. Then push your cuticles back. The product dissolves the cuticle, which means a lot less trimming (I still go in and trim here and there, but it's quite minimal. And yes, I know, you're not supposed to. But I do). Read my review here. 

Nivea A Kiss of Care and Color (new item)

I'm a big fan of Nivea lip balms. They're always so buttery smooth and superbly moisturizing. They recently released a new line called A Kiss of Care and Color and it's been popular. I went to three stores before I got my hands on these. The were sold out everywhere. I purchased two of the four available and I love it. They give you the moisture you're used to from Nivea with a pretty sheer hint of color. The color is just enough to be noticeable and you can build it up (though it'll still be sheer).

Even better: The shade Sheer Berry is practically an exact color dupe for Clinique's Black Honey (which has a huge cult following). If I had to find a difference, Nivea's is just the slightest bit more red. But wearing them side by side, the difference is imperceptible. So go ahead and save about $10 and pat yourself on the back. 

L'Oreal Elnett Hairspray

This has been the only hairspray I've purchased since discovering it about 4 years ago (maybe longer?). I'm not a huge fan of crunchy, stiff hairspray hold and this was the first hairspray I came across that gave me hold while still being flexible. Best of all, it brushes right out, which is absolutely perfect for me since I don't like to wash my hair every day. I know some people don't like the strong perfume-like fragrance on this one. Fear not, they make an unscented version too.

NYX Wonder Pencil

This aptly-named little gem is a versatile little miracle. You can use it for so many different things. You can spot conceal (note: these run light so if you plan to conceal a blemish, try a shade darker than what you use, otherwise you'll highlight it), use it to highlight under your brow, inner corner, and even hide fine lines. Give your eyes a little lift. Line your lower water line when you didn't get enough sleep. You'll pay less than $4.50 and find yourself reaching for this little pencil more often than you'd expect. Check out my full review and video demonstration for how I like to use it.

Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder

This new powder contains 60% less talc, which means you can apply it over your makeup without over mattifying your skin. It feels light and silky smooth without the telltale chalky effect that tends to cling to imperfections. Available in 16 shades, you're likely to find one that works for you. A word to the wise: These run a little dark and they do deposit color. Choose one shade lighter than the color you normally get.

There you have it. Did any of your favorite products make it to the It List this month? Any favorites you'd recommend I check out? You might just see it mentioned in future postings. Comment below, let's discuss. 

Nail Files: Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover Review

Does a DIY manicure sound like too much work to you? Do all the steps seem too daunting, like the soaking, filing, cuticle trimming, buffing -- all before you even get to do any polishing? Have you ever gotten a bit too enthusiastic with the cuticle grooming that you nicked yourself? (Ouch!) Or worse, had a manicurist nick your finger while trimming your cuticles? (Double ouch!) Are you completely against cuticle trimming altogether? To trim, or not to trim? I'd always heard that you shouldn't. But darn it, my cuticles grow fast and need to be controlled! So, I never really listened (shame on me, I know). I suffered my share of accidental cuts (mostly self inflicted) with the cuticle trimmer. It's generally my least favorite part of a manicure (that, and sitting around waiting for my nails to dry, I just can't sit still!). I mean, it's kind of gross. I'd sit at home with this little pile of icky skin on a napkin as I did my manicure. Ewwww! (Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about).

Enter a great product discovery. I have no idea how long its been on the market, but it's new to me: Sally Hansen's Instant Cuticle Remover ($4.79 at Target). This stuff is awesome! I heard about it while stalking watching some of my favorite YouTubers. I really want to give credit where credit is due, but I can't remember who pointed me to the product. All I know is that she said she'd heard of it from MissChievous, which peaked my interest since I'm subscribed to MissChievous and hadn't heard it (hmmm... must be more mindful of watching her vids). If she thought it was a good product, it must be. She has gorgeous nails! So, I picked one up, and I'm glad I did. By the way, here is a link to MissChievous using the Instant Cuticle Remover.

The instant cuticle remover gel almost sort of dissolves your cuticle. You apply it to your cuticles, let it sit for 30 seconds (the instructions say 15-60 seconds, I find 15 seconds is too little time), then use a cuticle pusher to, well, push your cuticle back. The gel dissolves the dry cuticle skin. It creates a bit of a mush (dissolved skin + cuticle gel), but it severely reduces the need for trim. I say severely reduces because it does not eliminate it altogether. You may have a corner here or there that you need to address with the cuticle trimmer/scissors/clipper, but it's very minor. I have used this product a few times now, and it seems that about half the time I need to go in with my cuticle clipper and get a little stray cuticle bit  (lest it become a hang nail). I really like it because I feel it's a great time saver. I can push my cuticle back and get rid of it all in one step, and can avoid any accidental cuts from not paying as close attention to what I'm doing as I should.

I would recommend this to anyone out there who is looking to cut costs by doing their own manicures. It's a definite must have for your at-home nail kit. The bottle contains 1 fl. oz. of product, which should last you a long time, since there is not need to douce your cuticles in it for it to work. So, for $5 you will be winning the battle against your cuticles and saving a bundle by doing your own manicures. Even if you don't forgo the nail salon altogether, you can go a little longer between visits by taking care of your own nails in between visits.

If you've used this product before, tell me about your experience with it.