The Best Beauty Products, From a Mom Who Doesn’t Know Anything About Beauty

I’m a teacher turned stay at home mom. And while I like to look good and feel confident, I sort of have the feeling that I don’t know what I’m doing. Because I’m totally clueless about all things fashion and beauty. But, little by little, I’ve watched YouTube videos and checked out blogs and wasted hours on Pinterest, and I’m starting to figure out what works for this mama on a budget. Read on for the best beauty products from a mom who doesn’t know anything about beauty.

This is real stuff that I really use! No sponsors and no free stuff here. The affiliate links aren’t more expensive for you, but I do get a percentage. Thanks!

These are products that I’ve tried over the years and continue to use. I have oily, acne-prone skin and like to use makeup that isn’t heavy. I tend to be pretty minimal when it comes to stuff I use, and don’t like harsh products or strong smells. (As a bonus, I’m super cheap, so I promise that all of these are affordable.) 

Most of these can be considered among the best beauty products, but really I’m just telling you everything in my bathroom that I recommend!

The Best Beauty Products for Your Body

The Veet Hair Removal Gel worked so much better than I had hoped, and has been a game changer for me feeling confident with myself. Being a brunette and a Hispanic, I have dark hair that I don’t want. Shaving is a bad idea, and waxing hurts like hell. This cream acts like a thick paste which you put over the area, wait 5-8 minutes, and then wash off. No pain, no rash, no redness, and it works! Hallelujah! And you use it on a regular basis (not every day, but every 2-3 days max), the hair will get thinner and grow back less. So it’s easier and easier over time. Make sure you wash your hands well – I haven’t had issues with it staining clothes or towels, but wash your body well too so you don’t get itchy!

And while we’re down there, Bikini Zone is amazing for helping with ingrown hairs. After shaving/waxing, exfoliate the area and pat dry. Then apply a thin layer of Bikini Zone to help with redness, cuts, and ingrown hairs. It really does make a big difference, and, like a lot of products here on my best beauty products list, one bottle will last you a loooong time.

The Pixie Cup is the best idea ever when it comes to menstrual products. It’s a reusable silicone cup that you wear to catch menstrual fluid instead of a bulky, smelly pad or an uncomfortable tampon. The cup can even help lessen your cramps and pain! You feel clean, there’s no smell, and once you get the hang of inserting and emptying it (best done in the shower but over the toilet works too), you’ll never go back to paying “pink tax” for all that other crap that you just throw away anyway. Check out my full review including a video demo.

Jergen’s Daily Moisturizer Tanning Lotion is my favorite lotion to use when your summer tan is starting to fade. I exfoliate in the shower and then apply this as soon as I dry off. Go easy on joints like the knees and elbows, and vary the direction in which you rub it in, but otherwise I love that the color is gradual and natural. It smells wonderful and I’ve used this product for years. There’s a light to medium, and a medium to tan version.

The Milklion Muscle Roller Ball is a handheld roller that you can use to relax and stretch sore muscles. I keep mine in my car so that I remember to use it while I’m dying of boredom in the school pick up lane. You can use with oil or lotion if you want, and you have the freedom to adapt to the amount of pressure you want. I’ve had this guy for years and I’m so glad I got it! (But watch your long hair getting caught under the ball, ouch!)

My favorite deodorants are either Arm and Hammer, or Jason’s. I don’t use antiperspirants because I don’t want anything blocking my lymph nodes and causing cancer, so opt for something that just helps you smell nice. The Arm and Hammer is really inexpensive; the Jason’s is a bit pricier, and it does save to buy on Amazon if you’re buying in bulk, but I’ll say that if you’re just testing one out they’re cheaper at the local grocery store.

And of course, for that rare occasion that you actually get to take a hot bath, I love using Epsom salts to help with tired sore muscles. There are scented versions or just the plain ones – a half cup dissolved into your bath on a regular basis can really help! My favorite bath soaps are either one of the Dr. Teal’s variations (the Eucalyptus or the Lavender are wonderful), or the Aromatherapy line from Bath and Body Works.

While you’re in that hot bath, get you a pumice stone for your dry cracked heels. I honestly get mine at Dollar Tree and they work just fine. Let your feet – and the stone – soak in the water for a few minutes, then go to town. Be sure to moisturize with heel balm like this and put on socks when you’re done – I actually like these as they’re light but protect my heels.

The Best Beauty Products for Your Face

I’m a huge fan of e.l.f. makeup products. e.l.f., which stands for Eyes Lips Face (and I only figured that out a few weeks ago) is a super affordable line which is also super well made. I have had no complaints with their stuff and I’ve tried everything from the makeup brush cleaner to mascara to foundation. Their products start at around $3 each and I have no problems with any of them!

For my acne-prone skin I’ve never had a ton of luck with over-the-counter products. I’d have to say that my favorite set is from Clinique but it’s quite expensive. Instead I’ve found that if I have a great soap, I can do well with an OTC spot cream like The Terminator 10 by Acne Free. I also have to make sure that I completely clean my face at night.

My favorite face-cleaning product is a good toner or micellar water. I bought one of these bechance at Ross for $4 and I’ve been in love ever since. I use a reusable makeup wipe that I got from Mama Bear Baby Wear so I’m not throwing tons of trash away on a daily basis. My skin feels so clean and light and fresh, with no drying and no residue. And for me, that’s a big deal! Start by using the toner once a day but I like to use morning and night; just wet a cotton or reusable wipe and gently wipe your entire face after washing, and before makeup.

And hey, you can make your own facial toner with combining 50% distilled water and 50% witch hazel in a bottle (I’ve also read that you can use apple cider vinegar instead but I didn’t like it). Apply to a wipe or round and wipe your face after washing and before makeup, twice daily.

If you have oily, acne-prone skin like I do, the best lotion is honestly the Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Moisturizer. A tiny bit helps a lot to keep that balance of not too dry, but not clogged and breaking out. I don’t need this on a daily basis but it’s great as needed, particularly in the winter.

And for your skin and hair, make sure you use a cool mist humidifier in the winter! Cold air and heaters will make your skin dry out and miserable. Clean the humidifier once a week with vinegar and water to avoid mold and mildew, and only run it when you’re in the room.

For more of a dramatic change I’ve gotten a spin brush. I was on the fence about it but was looking to clean my face more thoroughly as well as get rid of those damn forehead bumps I got a few years ago. I put some of my foaming facial soap on the gentle brush and use it once in the evening as part of my bedtime routine. I used a coupon to get a better price on the Vanity Planet brush and it’s wonderful! You can use it in the shower so no worries about getting it wet, and it also comes with a pumice attachment (nasty dry heels, anyone?), a body attachment for exfoliating, a daily facial brush and an exfoliating brush that I use once a week. Wash your attachments after use and let them air dry, and they’ll last you for months!

I make my own lip exfoliator with brown sugar, coconut oil, honey, and a bit of vanilla. It lasts forever and I use it in the shower. Plus it smells wonderful and it’s edible! Ha! Here’s the recipe that I use.

The Best Beauty Products for Your Hair

I don’t have a lot of ideas here, because my hair has a mind of its own. It’s fine, oily, and wavy, and just a hot mess to be honest. But I love the Bed Head line, it smells amazing and really helps my hair feel happy and light. (I know that sounds ridiculous but I don’t know how else to explain it!)

The Curl Milk Spray by Garnier Fructis is fantastic, it’s light and great for helping set waves and curls without feeling crunchy and dry. Don’t ask me why it’s called that, but definitely try it!

And you’ve probably heard of dry shampoo – it helps absorb oil in between washes – but I didn’t know until recently that there are ones specifically for brunettes! So if you have dark hair and don’t particularly like rocking the skunk look, get Battiste dry shampoo. It’s literally brown so you can use it without getting those scary-looking white streaks.

And have a problem with your eyebrows not growing? This happened to me when I got too tweezer-happy a few years ago. Get some castor oil and rub onto the area before you go to bed. The oil helps stimulate hair growth. One bottle will last you a long time.

Does it sound like I know what I’m talking about? I mean, I’m trying! I love to learn new things and try new makeup and beauty styles, but I still feel deep inside like I’m completely clueless. So let me know in the comments what you love and what you use! 

Thanks as always for pinning and sharing my best beauty products from a mom who doesn’t know anything about beauty products!