101 Things to Buy Before You Die!

One great gift I received over the Holiday’s was this book: 101 Things to Buy Before You Buy.

As chic and dedicated shoppers, authors Maggie Davis and Charlotte Williamson went on a mission to find the very best product in 101 categories.

Women will be guided to the top little black dress. T-shirts for both sexes are also selected. Number One goodies include the most fabulous of accessories and grooming products, the most magnificent champagne and claret, the world’s greatest olive oil. No reader will want to miss the Portuguese hand-painted tiles or fine linens in the Home section. If you want to know where on the planet to locate the finest diamond ring or handmade brogues, you’ll find the answer here.

Of course, being the self-proclaimed beauty expert and blogger that I am, I immediately turned to the Health and Beauty section. While I have tried some of the products they suggested, I definitely have a long way to go.

Here are some products I have personally used that these savvy shoppers recommend:

• Lancome Flash Bronzer Airbrush – a great self-tanner, but not my favorite
• Natura Bisse Diamond Cream – a rich, luxurious cream that makes my skin feel fresh and polished, and pretty much worth the $270 if used sparingly
• Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream – a less expensive version and equally as great marine cream than the most expensive Marine-based cream, Creme de La Mer
• Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 – I go through a pot of this balm every winter season
• Lancome Definicils Mascara – Love it, but think that L’Oreal’s original Voluminous mascara is the exact same thing for less money
• OPI Coney Island Cotton Candy Nail Lacquer – Perfect base for the ultimate French Manicure
• Essie Nail Polish – My favorite nail polish brand, with over 150 shades to my name
• Chanel No. 5 Eau de Parfum – Coveted the bottle on my mother’s dressing table for years and snuck a dab or two on my neck and wrist when I was younger, but I can honestly do without this perfume in my collection

And here are some from the list that I have yet to try – but know that I must try them now:

• Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Honey Bath – looks and sounds divine
• Givenchy Prisme Compact – gorgeous
• La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream – I will try a La Prairie cream this year
• Creme de la Mer Lip Balm – it’s another lip balm, which I can’t get enough of, and it is from la Mer
• Kanebo 38 DegreeC Silk Performance Mascara – I can never try too many mascaras to find another fave of the moment
• YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils – See above

Is there anything on this list that you would like to “buy before you die”. (Boy, that sounds cryptic!)