Best Beauty Buys of 2006

InStyle Magazine has released their Best Beauty Products of 2006. These great beauty products are chosen by the country's leading beauty experts. I have been fortunate to have tried a couple of these over the past year and I have to agree with the experts!

Shimmer Lotion

InStyle Magazine chose Jergen's Soft Shimmer Radiance Moisturizer as the year's best shimmer lotion. The moisturizer retails for $5 and comes in a 10-ounce bottle.

This is a light, subtly reflective lotion that will not rub off on clothes. Jeannia Robinette, who has used Jergen's Soft Shimmer Radiance Moisturizer on Penelope Cruz, says, "It sinks into the skin instead of sitting on top.".

Body Wash

Aveeno Moisturizing Body Wash was selected by InStyle Magazine as the best body wash for 2006. I love Aveeno's body wash. I have very sensitive skin and although my face is very oily, the rest of my body is extremely dry. I could never use a lot of other body washes and shower gels for this reason.

The Aveeno Moisturizing Body Wash does not irritate my skin either as many other body wash products I have tried. The Aveeno Body Wash is creamy, soap-free and non-irritating. The main active ingredient is oatmeal which is known for its soothing properties and ability to hold in moisture.

The Aveeno Moisturizing Body Wash retails for around $6 for a 12 oz. bottle.

Hand Cream

InStyle Magazine chose Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Hand Creme as the year's best hand cream. Eucerin Hand Creme (2.9 oz) retails for $5.29. Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Hand Creme is fragrance-free and contains the skin's own urea to hydrate. Other ingredients include lactic acid to help exfoliate the skin. Because the hand cream is fragrance-free, it is safe for sensitive skin.

"It smooths skin and ragged cuticles and won't leave you with greasy palms.", says dermatologist Jessica Wu.

Editor's Pick

InStyle Magazine voted the Neutrogena Instant Nail Enhancer as one of the best nail products for 2006. The nail enhancer retails for around $7 for .2 oz.

The Neutrogena Instant Nail Enhancer is a tool that offers women an alternative to wearing nail polish. It is a dermatologist developed formula that gives nails a healthy buffed look without polish. Available in both Buffer Sheen and Pearl Sheen, the nail enhancer is odorless, instantly dries and fades away. No nail polish remover is needed!

Longest Lasting/Chip-Proof Polish

OPI had a big year at InStyle Magazine, as they chose three OPI nail products as the year's best buys.

OPI Nail Lacquer was chosen because of how great it resists yellowing, chips and cracks. Nail experts use on celebrity and musician, Ashlee Simpson. The OPI Nail Lacquer retails for $7.50. Most of your nail salons carry OPI products or you can visit the OPI website.

Red Polish

OPI's "I'm Not Really A Waitress" nail polish was chosen as the year's best red polish. The not-too-bright red nail color retails for $7.50.

Deep Color Polish

Once again, OPI is on top for their "Lincoln Park After Dark" polish. This polish is part of the Chicago Collection and can be described as "Where Midnight Meets Purple". This great color retails for $7.50.

Easy to Apply Polish

Essie, like OPI, came out on top in a few of InStyle Magazine's best nail product categories this past year.

Essie nail polish won this category! Essie nail polishes are comfortable to hold since they come in a square bottle. The brush reaches the bottom of the bottle so no tilting is necessary when applying. These products do not streak or thicken. Essie nail polishes retail for $8.00.

Bright Color Polish

Essie Forget Me Not nail polish was InStyle Magazine's favorite pick for bright nail color in 2006. If you like a bright pink, this color is for you! Forget Me Not retails for $8.00.

Neutral Polish

Essie products once again! The Essie Mademoiselle nail polish was this year's best neutral polish pick by beauty experts. Mademoiselle is a nice soft, pale pink. Just enough color to notice, but easy to wear with any color clothing! Mademoiselle retails for $8.00.

Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin

I spent a lot of time this summer at my sister-in-law's house since she has a pool. Due to my health problems, I try to do water therapy in the summer for my legs and back. The Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 30 works great! It retails for only $9.00 and I just love it.

The Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblogk Lotion SPF 30 is chemical free and is made with zinc and titanium dioxide. It protects and shields even the most fairest, sensitive skin from the sun. It also causes no irritation, as other products I have tried did. The ingredients are also micronized, so the sunblock is not heavy on your skin.

Stretch Mark Cream

Mederma Skin Care for Scars, which retails for $8.00, was the year's best choice for stretch mark cream. As we all know, nothing will completely take away stretch marks, but many people are saying that this product has helped reduce the appearance of them.

Merderma Skin Care for Scars contains onion extract, which is used to help scars heal faster.

Overall Body Lotion

The winner in this category is the Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion that retails for $8.00 for a 12-ounce bottle. I am a big Aveeno fan and because I have such sensitive skin, these products work great with no after-effects as I have had with other brands.

The Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion is made with oatmeal and it is non-greasy. It is best for very dry skin and it absorbs quickly. Since it is fragrance-free, it is superb for sensitive skin.

Self-Tanner For Body

InStyle Magazine chose a Neutrogena product once again! The Neutrogena Instant Bronze Streak Free Foam (retails for $10) was chosen as the year's best body self-tanner. This product is fluffy and easy to apply. It spreads evenly and dries in minutes.

Another nice feature of this product is that it is tinted, so you can see where you are applying and it is hard to miss any areas. Your tan will also look more natural because you won't end up with an orange tint.

Balm With Sunblock

Clinique Sun Care Lip/Eye SPF 30, which retails for $16.50, was chosen by experts as the year's best balm for lips and eyes. Clinique Sun Care Lip/Eye SPF 30 is a non-waxy formula with an easy stick applicator that experts say is "superior to messier alternatives", states Ramsey Alsarraf, Dermatologist.

It is gentle for the lips and eye areas which are extremely sensitive.

Foot Cream

Barielle Rejuvenating Foot Treatment (retails for $20) was chosen as the year's best foot cream. It is a heavy-duty foot cream that exfoliates and softens calluses with a time-released dose of alpha hydroxy acids. You will receive the benefits of extra hydration from the lavender and lemon-peel oil. This also gives the foot cream a fresh, light scent.

Body Highlighter

The Modelsco Shimmer Airbrush Illuminiser (retails for $30) was a top choice for beauty experts. It is a Frangipani scented spray with tiny light-reflecting pigments. Provides a great sheen for arms, legs, shoulders and back. The Modelsco Shimmer AIrbruty Immuminiser will last for hours without rubbing off. Contains Vitamin E to moisturize the skin.

Body Scrub

InStyle Magazine's top body scrub choice was the Lancome Aromatonic Energizing Body Scrub that retails for $30.00. The bright-green scrub contains alpha hydroxy acids and microbeads that are non-abrasive. Your body will feel completely exfoliated and you will feel as if you have new skin after trying this product! The Lancome Aromatonic Energizing Body Scrub has a fresh, clean scent that rinses off without leaving grit or greasy residue.

What I like about this beauty product list that InStyle put together is that all of the products are affordable and are readily available. You do not have to be a dermatologist, makeup artist or a millionaire to purchase these products.

I can't wait now to try some more of these products!