Top Shelf Beauty | Skincare Products

There are a lot of skincare products on the market, and it can be difficult deciding which ones to try and which ones to pass on. I've rounded up the products I believe are the best of the best to give you an opportunity to find some new gems. I've decided to make this a regular series on my blog, and I was thinking of doing haircare and makeup too - If there is something you'd like to see specifically let me know in the comments below! ❤

1. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ - Clinique was the first skincare line I ever used, and I haven't stopped. This moisturizer is my all time favorite for everyday use. I have really dry skin and it keeps my skin moisturized without feeling greasy or sticky. It doesn't have SPF, but I always follow my moisturizers with sunscreen. It's unscented which I appreciate and makeup sits really nicely on top of it. One of the big bottles lasts me about 3 months, which is pretty good considering I use it every day.
2. Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 - This is another Clinique product I've been using for years. Toner is a very important part of any skincare routine because it restores your skin to its proper pH. I've tried a few different toners, but I always come back to this one. Not only does it take off any residual makeup that may still be on my face after cleansing, it prevents me from breaking out without drying out my skin. 
3. Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream - This eye cream is absolutely amazing. It's extremely affordable for what it is and lasts forever. I've had one jar for almost 5 months before, it's insane. The salmon color counteracts the blue and green that is found in dark circles to help brighten the under-eye area. I use this in the morning, because I think it makes a big difference when paired with my concealer. I always notice a huge difference in my fine lines and wrinkles (not that I have a ton) when I use this regularly. You can definitely use this both day and night but I like a thicker eye cream for nights. 
4. Josie Maran 100 Percent Pure Argan Oil - Without this I don't think my skin would survive New England winters. My skin gets so dry that it literally starts to peel, its absolutely awful. After I cleanse and tone my skin at night, I use my moisturizer and then add 3-4 drops of this all over my face. I don't use this during the day because it does take a while to soak into the skin. After I use this I wake up with my skin feeling silky smooth - and it doesn't break me out which is really important.
5. The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask- I try to take really good care of my skin and do a face mask at least 2 times a week. That obviously doesn't always happen, but this mask is always in the mix. I love tea tree oil, and its great for treating and preventing breakouts. I apply the mask with a foundation brush that's sole purpose is skin care treatments, and it makes the entire process feel more luxurious. The tea tree oil has a gentle tingling affect, but it's nothing too intense. It doesn't dry out my skin, which is crucial. I would recommend this mask to people with all different skin types, even if you have sensitive skin I think you would like it. 
6. Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate - I mentioned this product a while ago in a monthly favorites and it's seriously good stuff. It's absurdly expensive but if you're in a "treat yo self" mood, do it. I noticed a DRAMATIC difference in my under eye area and I think this would be perfect for women with more mature skin too. I've enjoyed every Fresh product I've tried and I thought this cream had an amazing scent to it too.
7. Philosophy Purity Made Simple Facial Cleanser - This is a cult favorite among the beauty community, and for good reason. It's the best cleanser I've ever used, and I've used a ton. I love Philosophy and this product is my favorite of theirs. It cuts through makeup, keeps my skin moisturized and doesn't leave a greasy film on my skin - everything I look for in a cleanser. Even though I have dry skin, I know people with oily skin who love it just the same. If there is only one thing you try from this list, this should be it.
8. GlamGlow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment - Again, incase you missed it the ten other times I've mentioned it, I have dry skin :) While I love a good cleansing mask, sometimes I need something to strictly moisturize my skin. This bad boy is pricey, but totally worth the money. First, it smells like coconut heaven, it's absolutely amazing, and it does an amazing job at hydrating my skin. You can either leave it on for 10-15 minutes or over night (which is what I usually do). You will notice an insane difference in your skin - I will say thank you in advance.
9. Shea Moisture Shea Butter Baby Oil - I'm the type of person who doesn't discriminate when it comes to skin care - it doesn't matter who a product is marketed towards, babies or grandmas, if it works, I want to use it. That's the case with this product. I have unusually sensitive skin on my legs, and when I shave I often times get a really bad rash and ingrown hairs. Ever since I've started using this on my legs right after I shave, my skin has felt so much better. It soothes and moisturizes while I'm in the shower, so that by the time I get out, half of the work is done.
10. Hempz Herbal Body Butter  - I love body butter, and I rarely use anything else, regardless of season. While I'm a big fan of The Body Shop body butters, the Hempz one is a lot better. It's significantly more moisturizing, and keeps my skin feeling softer longer. I've tried both the original and pomegranate scents, and prefer the original. This is also great for specific dry areas like elbows and knees.
11. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion - This small bottle packs a huge punch. I use this spot treatment at night whenever I have any blemishes or if I feel one coming on. You take a Q-tip and dip it into the bottle, into the pink paste and apply it to the areas that need it. Anytime I've had a breakout and used this I've noticed a dramatic difference the next morning. It does exactly what it says; drys out breakouts. It's the best acne treatment I've found and is super affordable.
12. European Wax Center Ingrown Hair Serum - No matter what I do I always seem to struggle with ingrown hairs, especially on my legs. This serum is amazing at combating the irritation and redness that comes with ingrown hairs. It gently exfoliates and removes dead skin to help ingrown hairs grow outwards. I use this twice a day when I feel like my they're really bad and it's totally worth the money.
13. European Wax center Slow IT Body Lotion - This is another product that I love for ingrowns. I only use this on my legs and again, it helps soothe the irritation from shaving. It contains aloe and apple extract which keep my legs feeling smooth and soft all day long. This isn't a product I'd use all over my body, because I do prefer a very thick body butter for all over, but you definitely could if that was something you wanted to do.
14. Frank Coffee Body Scrub - This is another product that seems to be a cult favorite in the beauty community. I love the fact that it's made with coffee because I am obsessed with coffee (I drink way more than I should). On their website and social media sites, the company shows incredible results customers have had while using the scrub - on things such as eczema and stretch marks. Unfortunately, I don't use it regularly enough for there to be any differences in anything other than my skin feeling softer. While it is pretty messy, it's worth the extra clean up. It makes my skin feel super hydrated and smooth and I highly recommend it.
15. Clarisonic Mia 2 - I've mentioned this product in a previous favorites post and my love for it hasn't changed. It's by far the best beauty tool for exfoliating the skin, and while it is pricey, skin is something to invest in. The brush heads are customizable and they have a wide range to suit your individual skincare needs. I personally use the deep poor cleansing brush, and I've never had any issues with it. Whenever I use this regularly (I only use it at night) I notice my skin is brighter and softer.
16. The Body Shop Chamomile Cleansing Oil - Cleansing oils have been huge recently and this is by far one of the best. The chamomile is soothing and because it's an oil it really breaks apart your makeup, including mascara. Whenever I've been wearing heavy eye makeup I have used an eye makeup remover as well, and followed with this. This manages to get rid of the product on my face without drying it out. Two thumbs up from me.