Random (and winning) Beauty Finds from Amazon

Amazon. A corn maze of the best deals and incredible finds. The safest drunk shopping destination. But also, the fastest growing luxury beauty landscape. Who would have thought that what began in the nineties as the “Earth’s Biggest Bookstore” online has grown to become such a constant in our lives and with convenience simply impossible to beat. Our household is a prime example (see what I did there?) that books, cat food, pool floats, and even raw cacao nibs can arrive within 24 hours. After checking order history, yours truly got started on Amazon with a purchase of two Yves Rocher shower gels on January 4th 2005. In my defense, they were really hard to find scents. But also, am I a pro or what?

A decade and several hundred of brown boxes later, Amazon has delivered every reaction from OMG to WTF. Since I live for a good beauty find, below is a short list of my random, special, surprising – all good, face and body winners. Enjoy!

Salux Beauty Skin Cloth
If you enjoy a gentle body puff, this one isn’t for you. Salux is hardcore. This washcloth slash body washing sheet will cleanse, increase circulation, remove every dead cell, and, if you’re not careful, some skin, too. You can’t use this daily. A couple of times a week, however, it reinvigorates me something fierce. An exfoliating superstar, this spacious and slightly stretchy mini towel works like nothing else I’ve encountered. Use it wet and combine with shower gel or soap, rinse off and admire pink, revved up skin that will soak up every bit of lotion. There are some fakes out now, so be sure you get the one that says ‘Tokyo, Japan’. A three-pack will last forever. Give one to a friend. $11.75 for 3

Bamboo Organics Premium Bamboo Washcloths
To counterbalance the S&M Salux treatment, these softer than soft washcloths are my most recent face care discovery. Since I am not into microfiber nor muslin cloths, this is the perfect pairing to any cleansing balm in my arsenal. Enjoy your creamy, balmy dry skin cleanser of choice and then soak this bamboo washcloth in hot water, wring it out, and place it across the face. Heaven. Spa. Nirvana. They wash really well, wear more than ok, and average $2 a piece. I wish they weren’t made in China but it’s not like we have an abundance of bamboo Stateside. $12.99 for 6

Hada Labo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion
To be honest, I don’t know the ingredients in this viscous watery toner essence lotion creation but it may very well be the most popular import in the beauty department on Amazon. I hear it may be just pure Hyaluronic Acid. This lightweight hydrator immediately comforts, plumps, and softens the skin. It is extremely gentle, free of alcohol, color, and fragrance and sinks in within seconds, locking in moisture for hours. My combination skin tends to get dehydrated easily so I always keep a bottle of Gokujun on hand. Probably not the most sophisticated formula, this basic solution offers an excellent option for those seeking a Hyaluronic Acid treatment that won’t break the bank. $11.55 for a whopping 5.7 oz. bottle

MUJI Japan Face Lotion Sheet (compressed type)
These mentos size caps ‘bloom’ to a full size paper sheet mask after contact with a water based toner, essence, or lotion. They’re not the softest but they’re easy to work with, affordable, and a great way to formulate a DIY sheet mask. If you are looking to get more out of your toners or treatment essences, pour a small cupful over a compressed tablet and watch it grow to a full size mask. Unfold, apply, discard. Super easy, great for travel and also, a fantastic complement to that Hada Labo Gokujun Lotion. Just saying. $6.70 for 20

KAO Megurhythm Hot Steam Eye Mask
Amazon’s deadly ‘Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought’ led me to this mystery winner. These paper eye masks loop behind your ears for full on comfort while the patch part heats gently to a soothing 104F (40C) for one of the most relaxing experiences ever. Fantastic for insomniacs, jet-lagged travelers, and anyone looking to be pampered while asleep, I always have these disposable Japanese treats on hand for emergencies. Pay attention when ordering as they come in various scents – Lavender and Yuzu are my favorites, Rose was a bit intense. $15.29 for 14

Baby Foot
Only the best foot peeling system in the world, I wrote about this bizarre treatment a year or so ago and you’re welcome for not including photos. Wear these plastic booties filled with the included solution for an hour, rinse with soap, go about your life, and don’t freak out when–after a week– the skin starts peeling off in sheets. Sheets of skin. It’s gross, it’s fantastic, it’s very liberating. File under: how to get flip flops ready. While I’ve been getting my Baby Foot on Beauty.com recently, Amazon is your go to place because, if you haven’t heard, Beauty.com (and drugstore.com for that matter) is folding at the end of September. $16.44 for 1 treatment

Real Techniques 200 Oval Shadow Brush
Ok, here’s the deal. I don’t use enough makeup to justify fancy brushes (and I’d probably ruin them anyway since I know I would be less diligent with cleaning them) but I’m a huge believer in addressing the area under the eyes, which is why the Tom Ford Illuminating Highlight Pen is my jam. Swipe, finger tap, done. Results aren’t so great when I try to dab (literally) into my Benefit Erase Paste or Bobbi Brown Corrector in Bisque… One day, however, I saw Really Ree on Snapchat raving about the Real Techniques 200 Oval Shadow Brush during a concealer application. 4 clicks and 48 hours later–and free shipping–I had my brush and it’s amazing – high quality, non-shedding, and only $11.26!

Lastly, a major shout out to a wide variety of cotton pads from countless Korean and Japanese brands because toner is only as good as the cotton you use. My personal favorites are Cotton Labo ($6ish) and DHC Silky Cotton ($19.50 for 3 boxes). Also, the Black Cotton Buds from MUJI are ideal if you like them firm and how cool to have black q-tips anyway? $6.27 for 200.