Yo! So yes, sure I did The Skinny Confidential Master List which I will continue to add to BUT I feel like we needed a streamlined version too. You know, one with like 5 items. So instead of pulling only from the Master List, I figured I’d add the 5 things I’ve been using most in the last 3 months.

Now I am very much an Amazon person. But who isn’t in this day & age? I mean every time I am on the site there’s something I need. Ok maybe not- need, but you get it.

It’s like “OMG THAT PINK PENCIL HOLDER BOX!”

“OH LOOK A MATTRESS TOPPER!”

“WAIT, WHAT ABOUT THAT ACUPRESSURE PILLOW!”

“WELL WHO DOESN’T NEED MOROCCAN SPICES!”

“PENS THAT COME IN PINK CHEETAH? COUNT ME IN.”

YOU KNOW THE DRILL.So let’s get to the top 5 right now- shall we? Well firstly, who doesn’t want a pill holder.

Wait, I guess it’s a vitamin holder– at least that’s what I use it for. In go my amino acids, probiotics, & the occasional D3 when I’m feeling extra healthy. Secondly, I feel a light mask is an essential. We’ve discussed this before. Especially one that’s $19 bucks.

Again, we aren’t asking for much here. Another item on my list is Gua Sha tools. I know, we haven’t had an in-depth convo about this ( YET ) but stay tuned because I’m going to do like a little tutorial video on the whole process. And then of course you need ( NO REALLY YOU NEED ) a wet brush. This isn’t one of those things that’s negotiable. Your hair will be tangle-free forever. Think of it as the brush your 5 year old self always dreamed of. Oh, wait: lastly A COMPUTER STAND. BECAUSEEEE….well so many reasons. We’ll get to them, k?

You’re gonna say, “I don’t need a laptop stand.” Yeah, well, I do because I really don’t want a Dowager’s hump. Anyway, if you don’t believe me just read this post on my computer stand obsession while simultaneously stalking this post on humps. I am very specific about things; but you know this. So yes, I like my computer stand if given the choice. Let’s break each item down so we can really drive the point across:

5 Affordable Items From Amazon

PINK VITAMIN HOLDER

This is simple & straight to the point- PILL ORGANIZER. I have a few different ones of these ( this one is another favorite ). This is something I love for ( like I said ) my amino acids, hair vitamins, probiotics, D3 ( not a sun fan, so I make sure to keep the D3 balanced here ).

This keeps everything all tidy & organized. Also, this isn’t one of those ones that pops open in your purse & makes your vitamins go everywhere. You know what I mean? And then they melt all over your purse & it’s a whole nightmare.

Pink, simple, & straight to the point- just how we like it!

Guess what? A little TSC tip: you can use your pill organizer to hold your fake lashes- works like a gem! Trust me! I do this a lot! Ardell #113, you know me!

LIGHT THERAPY MASK

Again: ALL THE RAGE. Light therapy helps to eliminate acne-causing bacteria that causes inflammation. THANK GOD!

The one I love is super inexpensive- we’ve discussed this before. Really, it’s only $19 bucks off Amazon. The Neutrogena Mask helps clear acne, allows the skin to heal, & has blue light (which KILLS acne-causing bacteria ). ALL, BY THE WAY, are clinically proven. AND it’s a dermatologist strength light.

YES, YES, WE KNOW I am a freak about light/sunlight on my face, but this one by Neutrogena is different- it’s a UV-free treatment. Basically safe for skin and eyes because the mask emits no UV light. Also you should know it won Allure’s Best of Beauty. Allure editors test thousands of products over a four-month period, & this was on the list. The awards are considered the beauty industry’s ultimate stamp of approval- so yes, this needs to be added to everyone’s Amazon cart. Using the mask situation is QUICK- it’s a one-step acne treatment, covers your face and is easy to use at home. SEE?

LIGHT MASK HOW TO:

1. Cleanse & dry your face.

2. Plug the mask’s power cord all the way into the activator.

3. Put on the mask like a pair of sunglasses ( JUST MY STYLE! ).

4. Press the power button & hold it down for one full second until the lights power on.

5. Sit back, relax, & enjoy your 10 minute treatment. You do not need to press the power button again- your mask will automatically turn off at the end of treatment ( I like to listen to a podcast while my mask is on ).

You can use it every day for clearer, healthier skin.

AND, YES YOU LOOK LIKE FREDDY KRUEGER.

PINK GUA SHA TOOLS

This guys, is a simple, effective scraping technique used for centuries in the Far East for maintaining health and helping to prevent and combat ailments such as headaches, colds, neck and shoulder pain, anxiety, backache, insomnia and depression ( via ).

What you do is take the little boards & use it as a massage tool- I like to go out & down the face to drain fluid from the face while simultaneously triggering lymphatic drainage. See? My kind of tool. The brand I like is made by hand & with rose quartz.

The gentle pressure & motion of the tools also promotes circulation, reduces sinus inflammation, & is FAB for lymphatic drainage ( AKA getting rid of puffiness & bloat in the face ). It’s kind of like WHY WOULDN’T I WANT TO LOSE 10 POUNDS IN MY FACE?

OH & DIFFERENCE between jade & rose quartz: Ancient Egyptians believed that Rose Quartz crystals had anti-aging properties. Apparently Goddess Isis would gather rose quartz crystals by the Nile River and use them to keep her skin clear. The pink crystals have powerful vibrations to heal the heart from sentiments of lost love, anger, resentment and jealousy. Rose quartz is believed to also lower stress, raise self-esteem, restore confidence and balance emotions. It has minerals ( including magnesium, iron and oxygen ) that help reduce inflammation/support renewal of skin cells.

Randomly I put my tools in the freezer so it’s EXTRA beneficial.

Also, if you’re confused on how to use the tools, read this book- I read it, it’s very helpful with showcasing exactly how do the massage.

+ Note: it works on all skin types. FUN!

THE WET BRUSH

If you don’t have a wet brush, GET ONE NOW. I’m not kidding. This brush is a total game changer. It miraculously detangles the biggest, dreadlock knots, without doing damage to your hair. As soon as I got my hands on one of these, I ditched all of my other brushes. Once you go wet brush, you never go back. Trust me, it’s like for 5 year olds but still everyone needs one because who doesn’t have a perpetual rat’s nest?

The bristles kind of glide through the hair in the most easy-going way. I use it on wet/dry hair- whatever. Always doing my slick back buns with them too. You can use this on extensions, real hair, your dog, wigs, whatever really!

Plus this color is called ‘Pink Sorbet.’ CHIC.

 LAPTOP STAND

I don’t like using a laptop if I don’t have a stand to support it. AND if I’m in bed ( sorry Michael ), I’ll use a bed tray so technically I’m still adhering to the whole stand thing ( tip from a bed laptop pro: use two pillows underneath the laptop if you don’t have a tray, this also keeps radiation from the computer off your legs! ).

Ok so, as I’ve talked about before, I have a bad neck. Perhaps it’s from years of looking down at the computer or the whiplash accident I was involved in at nineteen years old. But who knows? Anyway, it’s BAD.

So the worst thing I can do is work ( & as you can imagine I’m on my computer A LOT ) while looking down at the computer. Think about how horrible it is to be looking downward, instead of neutral, all day long.

I PERSONALLY DON’T WANT TO LOOK LIKE THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME WHEN I’M OLDER SO I’M TAKING PREVENTATIVE MEASURES NOW.

But let’s go deep here. Because my love is deep.

Some benefits of this chic stand include

♡ Raises notebook screen height to eye level for better ergonomics.
♡ Tilt design brings screen closer & improves airflow around laptop.
♡ Cable organizer behind routes wires neatly.
♡ Keeps neck neutral.
♡ Transforms your laptop into a comfortable workstation.
♡ Helps prevent carpal tunnel posture problems.

Also you should know: it looks great on the Instagram feed. Ok not need, but you get the point.

That’s the thing you guys, we don’t really need anything…but we do want it. So use this little list to navigate your Amazon purchases wisely. I’m not steering you wrong here. These are random-ass items you will use, love, & eventually even maybe ‘need.’

Currently in LA getting ready to speak at Loyola Law School. We are talking to a bunch of students tomorrow– which is super exciting. Never really thought I would be speaking at a law school but here we are. I have to go because I’m writing from bed & really need to prop my computer up- trying to avoid a Dowager’s hump at all costs. THANK GOD for laptop stands.

Hope you’re having the best day ever! Love, light masks, & tangle-free brushes,

x, lauryn

+ this post is in collaboration with and sponsored by Amazon & Neutrogena. As always all opinions are my own.

++ MASTER LIST POST: FOUND HERE.

AFFORDABLE EASY ESSENTIALS