I love trying new things, whether it be a new eyeliner or a new hand soap and if you’re anything like me, you go through SO many beauty products each year.  I’ve gone back and revisited everything that I have used this past year and have come up with my top 5 beauty MUST-HAVES of 2016.

Note: I’m going to leave makeup products off this list, because I see makeup as its own category that I’ll focus on in a new post later this week.

1. StriVectin Intensive Concentrate For Wrinkles and Stretch Marks

StriVectin has worked it’s way up to my top 3 favorite skin care lines in the past few years.  I received the StriVectin Intensive Concnetrate For Wrinkles and Stretch Marks in sample form from Ulta earlier this year when I was purchasing another StriVectin product, and immediately started using it. It quickly became one of my favorite moisturizers to use during my nightly routine not only on my face, but on my existing stretch marks, as well. According to the official product listing…

Formulated with Collagex-CE Complex™, this hydrating moisturizer harnesses the latest advances in skincare science to target Collagen III, known as youth collagen, for powerful anti-aging benefits. Patented NIA-114™ maximizes skin performance and guards against damage caused by environmental aggressors. As it hydrates and enhances skin texture, the wrinkle-fighting formula significantly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles – starting in just 15 days. SD Advanced goes beyond wrinkles to help transform the look of stretch marks, too.

– StriVectin.com

 It retails for $79 for the 2 oz bottle and $139 for a 4.5 oz bottle.

2. Bio Oil

Bio Oil has been my favorite body moisturizer during this pregnancy.  I can’t say that it’s prevented stretch marks from developing, because nothing can do that. But it has eased the itching, stretching skin and kept it feeling very smooth.  I’ve tried other lotions throughout this pregnancy, but none of them absorbed as good as Bio Oil Serum.  It’s formulated with Pur-Cellin oil, which is what makes it absorb so well into the skin. Bio Oil is supposed to help lighten the appearance of stretch marks and scars, so you can benefit from using it postpartum, as well. If you struggle with itchy, dry skin, discoloration, scars, or stretch marks then this product is for you.

 It typically retails for $12.99 for a 4.2 oz bottle.

3. Yes To Liquid Hand Soap

If you haven’t tried the Yes To Hand Soaps yet, I’m going to need you to run out to Target right now and buy them. I couldn’t pick a favorite because they both smell so so good.  There’s actually 4 different kinds: Grapefruit Basil, Coconut Lemongrass, Cucumber Eucalyptus, and Blueberry Shea. I haven’t gotten to try the last two yet, but BELIEVE ME they are on my list!  It may seem a little weird, but I have a weakness for hand soaps.  I love finding ones that will clean my hands (obvi.) AND leave them feeling soft and nourished (not dry and cracking). These soaps do just that.  And to top it off, they have a delicious fragrance.  They aren’t expensive (retail for $3.99) and come in a pretty large bottle.  Try them out, you won’t be disappointed.

4. Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray and Hair Cream

Okay, so I’m going to give you a two-for-one with these products.  I discovered the Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray and Texturizing Hair Cream back in the Spring, and wasn’t sure how to make it work at first.  After watching a few tutorials on how to get the perfect beachy waves and LOTS of practice, I finally mastered how to use these products!  I love the natural looking waves that they give me, and the fact that I can reuse the same products on my hair a few days in a row without my hair looking gross.  They’re not expensive at all (retail at Target for only $4.79 and $5.99), and actually last a pretty long time before you have to buy more.  I’m not very good at styling my hair, but when I use these products I’m not worried about it looking bad.

5. Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Facial Wipes

The Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Facial Wipes have been a favorite of mine since summer!  I got them in one of my Birchbox shipments and was in love.  From then on I have used them consistently, and have even tried some of the other Yes To Facial Wipes as well. Although the other wipes work great, the Soothing wipes are my favorite.  They usually retail for $5.99, but I often find them on sale for as cheap as $3.  I love that they are oil-free and can still do a great job of taking off my makeup. They are made with cucumber extract, aloe extract, green tea extract, and sea salt which give your face a soothing tingle! My face is pretty sensitive and I have never had a negative reaction to these.

I am working on a few similar posts about my Makeup Must-Haves of 2016 and also my Top Baby Item Picks of the Year.  Stay connected with me on social media for updates:

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