This week I thought I'd share with you a few of my personal favorites that I have tried lately and continue to use. Considering that I am always trying something new, if a product wins a "permanent" spot on my vanity or in my shower, it's pretty special :)

Reflect.com shampoo ($12) and conditioner ($12)
Although all the products at Reflect.com are customized and personalized, I have been so impressed with my shampoo and conditioner that I just have to recommend them. I created these by answering a series of questions, like how often I wash my hair and how much time I spend in the sun. I would say that based on my answers, my shampoo and conditioner are for fine, chemically treated hair and have the "first bloom" scent choice (there are two choices, first bloom and sweet magnolia).

I selected the "lots of creamy lather" option for my shampoo (versus "light, airy lather that rinses quickly") and it's just the way I like it. It also has just the right intensity of fragrance, and it cleans my hair without leaving it a ratted mess, thanks to the gentle cleansers ammonium laureth sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate.

The conditioner is by far the best I've used in a long time. As soon as I put it in my hair, it seems to seek out every strand so the hair gets coated evenly and quickly. I like to leave my conditioner on while I wash my face and use a scrub in the shower, so by the time I rinse the conditioner out, it's had a minute or two to work. My hair feels extremely soft and silky after rinsing, and combing and styling are a breeze. At this price, I can't imagine spending more for a salon or boutique conditioner again. I was contemplating buying Komenuka Bijin's Hair Treatment Conditioner, which has a similar softening effect, but why spend $33 on that when I can have this for only $12??

You can create your own little piece of hair heaven atReflect.com :)

T. LeClerc Matte Lipstick ($19)
I had completely shunned matte lipstick for quite a long time, until I tried this one. It's actually more demi-matte, so it's not as dry and uncomfortable as most matte lipsticks can be. It wears well, stays comfortable, and comes in 6 neutral, wearable shades. I have Elegance, an everyday brown-pink.

You can find T. LeClerc products at beauxvisage.com, fourseasonsproducts.com, and from a local store here in Portland called Faces Unlimited, located online at facesunlimited.com.

Tommy Hilfiger Set It Up Oil-Free Foundation SPF 15 ($15)
Although I just purchased this liquid foundation about a week ago, it's already a favorite for its medium coverage and lightweight feel. Considering that most of the colors in this line are very, very sheer and seem targeted at teenagers, I was surprised at the more opaque and slightly matte coverage of this foundation. I like that I can apply it smoothly with my fingers, and that I have had no breakout problems. The coverage is complete enough to really conceal, but the lightweight texture looks fresh and natural without caking. Set It Up comes in a nice range of mostly neutral shades (I found Light Cream to be a good match for my fair skin).

I have not been able to find this line at any online beauty stores. I bought mine at Meier & Frank department store here in Portland, OR, which is part of the May Company. For a May Company store near you, check this link on their site.

L'Oreal Plenitude HydraFresh Super Fresh Moisturizer ($8.99)
With summer on the way, I've been looking for a moisturizer that would work for my normal to dry skin without a heavy, greasy feel. I decided to give the normal to dry version of HydraFresh a try (it also comes in a normal to oily version), and I really like it. The cream-gel feels fresh and cool on the skin, it gives me just the right amount of moisture, and it has goodies like vitamin C and shea butter. I also have had no breakout problems. The only downside is it contains no sunscreen, but with a cream this light, you can easily layer on a separate sunscreen.