I've never had particularly sensitive skin. Acne-prone, yes; sensitive, no. So I've never really given Aveeno more than a passing glance, because it didn't seem like something I needed. I always kind of stereotyped it as being a brand for people who get hives just thinking about fragranced products. Well, I have to admit, everyone's skin can get a little sensitive and particular at times, including mine, and I'm thanking my lucky stars for Aveeno.

This is the second time in my life I've had a bout of eczema. The first time was inexplicably in my armpits, and it eventually went away (TMI, anyone?). It is super annoying to have eczema in your armpits, and to be all scratching your armpits like a monkey. The second time started about six weeks ago, on my left eyelid. This is also a terrible spot for eczema. I thought it was just seasonal allergies irritating my eye until it got bad and itchy and red and scaly looking. Super not cute. I tried Aquaphor and some super mild but hydrating lotions and creams but only had minor improvement. I went to the doctor, who told me it was eczema. Yay. I didn't want to put steroid cream on my eye, so I decided to try Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream. I had a friend in college who had had lifelong eczema and he said this helped a lot, even more than the steroid creams he'd been prescribed. And, most importantly for me, it's safe to use on my face and eyelid (disclaimer: it does warn not to get it IN your eye).

$12.69 for 7.3 oz

• Steroid-free
• Fragrance-free
• Dermatologist approved
• National Eczema Association approved

Eczema on your eyelid is no fun, especially if you like wearing eye makeup. I went without makeup for a few weeks, and have felt super awkward about having my blotchy scaly red eyelid on display. I'm also really bad at not scratching things that are itchy, so my poor eyelid wasn't looking too good. Because I'm impatient and want results IMMEDIATELY, I applied Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream constantly for a few days (the doc said keeping my skin moisturized is key) and my skin feels and looks so much better. Fortunately, Aveeno helped clear it up enough that I could start wearing eye makeup again!  The texture of this product is thinner than I would have expected for an eczema product (regular-light lotion consistency), but it is so good at moisturizing. It has a very faint oatmeal scent to it, it doesn't feel greasy, and it helps soothe my skin quickly (as soon as I even think I'm itchy, I throw some of this stuff on, and it feels better). As I said before, I was an Aveeno-skeptic, but I'm a total convert. I can't stress enough how relieved and happy I am to have my eczema start improving! It's a total life-saver and one of my Holy Grail products. It does seem a little expensive, but in terms of efficacy, speed of healing, and amount of product needed, it's definitely worth it.

Lipgloss+Spandex rating:

It's getting warmer, and than means it's time to get your skin fuzz and stubble free! Today, the fabulous Nicole from GirlRatesWorld wanted to share some great shaving tips with us.

5 Shaving Tips for Women with Sensitive Skin
Shaving can be a nuisance when you suffer from sensitive skin. Any number of things can cause a reaction which could haunt your skin for weeks. Here are a five tips to make shaving easier for those with sensitive skin.

1. Shave at night
Shaving at night gives your skin ample time to repair itself. Since you're heading to bed, your skin is not exposed to the things that typically irritate it: sun exposure, wind, friction.  
You should also wear little to no clothes after shaving. Newly shaved skin is very vulnerable. The less contact it has with clothing and other body parts the better.
Shaving at night and wearing little clothing gives your skin the opportunity to breath and recuperate on its own terms. The results will be less irritation and faster healing times.

2. Exfoliate first
Exfoliating is the removal of dead skin cells. Taking time to remove any dead skin cells before shaving will "level the playing field." Exfoliated skin is smoother which in turn will provide an ultra smooth surface for shaving. 
Let's imagine shaving a crocodile. No amount of shaving cream or any other lubricant will make a difference. The razor would struggle and the skin will become irritable. Now, picture shaving a latex balloon. It is the perfect canvas for the razor - smooth and rigid less. This is a good way to visualize the importance of exfoliating your skin before shaving.

3. Always use a lubricant
Lubrication and shaving goes hand-in-hand. You need something to help ease the razor along. Shaving creams, conditioners, and even oils are great lubricants to use during shaving. The key is to apply it liberally over wet skin that has been exfoliated. 
Lubricants create a barrier between your skin and the razor. They also help reduce friction as you shave giving you a closer shave and protecting you from unnecessary nicks.
Shave each area once. Shaving the same area over and over again will basically torture your skin. If you exfoliate first and use a good lubricant, you should not need to repeat. If lingering hairs become an issue, opt to tweeze them out until your next shaving session.

4. Always use a clean or new razor 
Personally, I prefer disposable shavers. They ensure a clean, sharp blade each time you shave. 
Older razors become dull. They are also plagued with dead skin and lubricant from prior uses. Eventually they can no longer give us the close shave we desire. As a result, you're tempted to repeat the same area. The result can be more irritation, nicks and razor bumps.

5. Shave in the direction of hair growth
Always shave hair in the direction it grows. For example, the hair on your legs may grow downward. So you should run your razor in a downward motion. The same applies for when hair grows upward or even sideways.
There are times when your hair is growing in multiple directions in a certain area. In this case, just take a little extra time to examine the area so you know when to change the razor's direction.  

For more beauty tips and tutorials like this, visit GirlRatesWorld.com.

If you are anything like me, then you probably think that spray-on sunscreen is the greatest thing EVER. I love the stuff, and it's the only kind of sunscreen I can get my fiance to wear. So I was kind of intrigued by this new Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer.

$7.99 for 6.5 oz.

I  don't really have a problem with any of my usual body creams getting onto my clothes, since they absorb fairly well also, so the tagline of "absorbs quickly so you can put your clothes right on" isn't really a selling point for me. I really like that this spray dispenses just the right amount of lotion. It's very easy to use, the container fits comfortably in my hand and the spray nozzle works well. It can even be "locked" to avoid accidental sprays, just by twisting the top! The formula is fantastic--it easily absorbs into the skin with just a bit of rubbing. My skin is pretty normal (not dry) and this keeps my legs well moisturized for a few hours. I don't particularly care for the scent of the product (but if you like Vaseline products, this is the same scent). I also really like that this is not an aerosol-propelled product--it uses canned air.

Pros:

• Formula absorbs into skin quickly
• Feels nice, not greasy
• Spray-on formula is convenient

Cons:

• Price is only okay for the amount of product
  
• Contains parabens, fragrance (typical Vaseline lotion scent)

Overall, I'd say it's a decent product, and I didn't have any issues with it, but it's just not something I need to use :) 

Lipgloss+Spandex rating:

$28.00 for 2 oz.

I know that natural oils are really big in the beauty world right now, but it's kind of become a fad. I have tried a different brand of Argan oil in the past and was underwhelmed by it.  Russell Organics Argan Oil actually impressed me, and I actually do feel that it's a good multi-tasking product. My hair is really damaged but can get oily very quickly, so I have a hard time finding a product for it. I rub a few drops of Russell Organics Argan Oil in my hair after I hop out of the shower, and it makes my hair look and feel healthy (no small feat!). There's a huge difference when I use it, and it doesn't weigh down my hair, even hours later. 

I've also used this on dry patches of skin on my face and body, and haven't had any issues (no clogged pores). It absorbs more readily than some other types and brands of oils, which I really like. Although $28 for 2 oz of products seems a bit high, a few drops goes a long way--meaning it'll last a very long time--and it is fairly comparably priced to other beauty oils sold by Sephora.There is a faint sweet slightly nutty scent to it, but it's barely noticeable. The dropper lets me dispense just the right amount of product without making a mess.

Overall, I like how this product can successfully multitask . I've found myself reaching for it more and more often, particularly for my hair because I hadn't been able to find a good product to make my hair look and feel smooth and shiny without weighing it down until now. I wish the price were a bit lower, but 

Lipgloss+Spandex rating:

Are you ready for some sparkle? .... 

LUSH Lustre dusting powder
$14.95 for 1.4 oz.

LUSH Lustre Dusting Powder is a very fine, jasmine-scented gold powder that you can apply all over your body. LUSH's application instructions are to rub some in your hands and then use your hands to apply where desired. It's a little messy to do it that way, and I find it easier to mix it with some lotion to get a more subtle glow and a more even application. The one flaw of this product is the packaging--it's a little messy to try and use the little snap up lid because if you squeeze the bottle too hard, the powder will go flying everywhere. Be sure to squeeze very gently!

In spite of that one drawback, I definitely feel like this is a good quality product, and the small bottle definitely lasts a long time. I applied it on my arms and legs almost every day during the summer, and the bottle is still pretty full! I prefer this to other dusting powders I've tried, and to other shimmer lotions I've tried. I like being able to control the amount of shimmer, and what lotion I'm mixing it with. You could add the most subtle glow, or you could practically go Goldfinger/Pussy Galore with this stuff! I also feel that the golden shimmer of Lustre is especially pretty. Bonus: when I mix it with 100% Pure's Coconut Nourishing Body Cream, it smells HEAVENLY, like warm waffle cones.

Even if you don't usually splurge on shimmery body products, I really think most gals would like and use this, especially during shorts/bikini season. You could split it with a friend and put your in an empty decorative salt/pepper shaker! I think this would also be good to add a little golden glow to your legs and arms for holiday parties too (to keep the pasty white from blinding everyone, right?) ;)


Lipgloss+Spandex rating: