The wait is over!  The 2013 Pop Goes The City™ list of beauty essentials for men and women is FINALLY here!

2013 is the first time product selections for men have been included and the boys are really going to like these picks.  (Yes, I had help from some great men in my life – trying and sampling products as well as providing amazing, much-needed feedback.)

The goal with the selections this year was to focus on products that offer fast results be it bronzing, depuffing or cleansing…whatever their goal.

As I said last year, these are not new products…but they are most certainly must-haves.  Give these products a try and share your experiences with me!

for guys

{The Art of Shaving Ocean Kelp Pre-Shave Gel}

Prepping your beard before shaving allows for a closer shave with less irritation.  Fortified with essential oils and marine extract, the Ocean Kelp Pre-Shave Gel from The Art of Shaving was a hit with the men I know.

Most of them love electric shavers over razors but they made the switch to a razor to give this product a try.  They reported being really surprised that it only took a small amount to make shaving more comfortable with no residue.

Get it at: Nordstrom or online at The Art of Shaving website

{Molton Brown Re-charge Black Pepper Bodyscrub Bar}

If you still insist on using a bar soap over the new male body washes the Molton Brown Re-charge Black Pepper Bodyscrub Bar is for you.

This bar has a great spicy scent!  I find the addition of black peppercorn as an exfoliant and black peppercorn oil interesting.  The black peppercorn oil is an antioxidant!  (Who knew?!)

The men reported what they loved most about this bar was polishing effect of the black peppercorn, the scent and the overall clean feeling after using it.

Get it at: The Molton Brown website

{Dove Dual Sided Shower Tool}

If you do use one of the new male body washes, you should be using the Dove Dual Sided Shower Tool.  First use the mesh side to lather then switch to the scrubber side to exfoilate.

The men reported they loved getting rid of the wash cloth and having a shower tool.  Not only is the tool a genius idea but it also conserves the product.  Dove has made using body wash cool for men!

Get it at: Your local drugstore

{Jack Black DIY Power Peel On-The-Go}

It is really important for men to exfoliate the skin on their face…especially if they shave.  Exfoliation helps cut back on ingrown hairs.  Jack Black has created a great way for men to get a peel at home or on the go with their DIY Power Peel On-The-Go pads.

These multi-acid resurfacing pads offer a high-potency peel with less irritation and down time than a professional peel.   I love Jack Black products and I tried this one myself.  I found the ease of using the pad great.  Men will love this.  Plus, because the pad are individually wrapped, they travel well.

Get it at: Neiman Marcus or at the Jack Black website

{Anthony Logistics for Men Mint & White Tea Advanced Lip Balm}

Nowadays, there is no reason for a man to not wear something on his lips to keep them conditioned.  Several brands have lip balms formulated especially for men that have no shine, just moisturizing and repairing ingredients.

Anthony Logistics for Men was brought to my attention by a male friend that swears by the brand and he was willing to test something he hadn’t tried before, their Mint & White Tea Lip Balm.

He was shocked that one, I had him wearing lip balm and two, he liked it.  The Mint & White Tea Lip Balm has no shine and purely aims to moisturize and protect lips (SPF 25) and freshen breathe.  That’s it!  No more excuses, men!

Get it at: Nordstrom or online at the Anthony Logistics for Men website

{Kiehl’s Eye Alert}

Did you wake up with puffy, sad eyes after a long night?  Soothe tired, puffy eyes with this little gem from Kiehl’s.  Eye Alert aims to perk up and brighten the eye area with vitamins and caffeine.

This product is so popular that it is currently out of stock online and finding it in store can be difficult as well but don’t give up and don’t fret.  You will want to try this product.

I use it as a treatment as needed, not daily, under my regular eye cream.  So ladies, you can use this too!  I love it!!

Get it at: Neiman Marcus or online at the Kiehl’s website

for girls

{Enfusia Bath Bombs}

Nothing is more soothing than a bath and bath bombs are great for a fragrant soak.  Infused with moisturizing oils like Sweet Almond and Jojoba and with fragrances like Rose Ylang-Ylang and Lemongrass, Texas-based Enfusia has developed a fantastic line of botanically based, vegan, cruelty-free bath and body products.

From sweet to sultry, Enfusia has a bath balm and matching lotion to suit you taste.  My favorite is Rose Ylang-Ylang…find yours!

Get it at: Whole Foods, Central Market or online at the Enfusia website

{Biotin}

I call this “the beauty vitamin”.  Why?!  Because Biotin nourishes hair, nails, skin, and supports carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism.

I have been taking a high potency Biotin supplement once a day, every day with my first meal for nearly 5 months.  My nails have been growing super fast, they have become much stronger and my hair has become much thicker.  Results will vary but it’s worth a try, ladies!

Get it at: Your local drug store

{Bronze Glow by Roxanne Rizzo}

Looking for a way to keep your skin appearing rich, healthy and tanned during the winter months?  Looking to have a more even skin tone without makeup?  If so, you will love Bronze Glow by Roxanne Rizzo! (Yes, she IS the sister of RaMona Rizzo of Mob Wives!)

Bronze Glow is a face and body bronzing mist that sprays on easy for a healthy glow and works well on all skin types.  I have been using it for months.  It doesn’t clog pores and it hides my skin imperfections.  I love it!

Each application lasts about 3-5 days and fades evenly.  No blotches or orange tinge.

Get it at:  Enlighten Med Spa in Dallas or online at the Roxanne Rizzo website

{Actifirm Z-Peel}

Known as the “Vacation Peel”, Actifirm Z-Peel is an amazing addition to any skincare regimen.

Coming in two strengths to non-professionals, 10% and 15%, Z-Peel is easy to apply and works fast – in 3-7 minutes – to lift away dull, dry skin cells while lavender and chamomile soothes skin.  Infused with mucor mehei mushroom enzymes, Actifirm’s patented exfoliating enzyme, Z-Peel is my new go to exfoliator.

Exfoliation with Z-Peel is so gentle, most can used it daily!

Oh, and if forget you have an exfoliating treatment on while you are doing the dishes, it’s no big deal.  Z-Peel is self-nuturalizing.  This means it won’t irritate skin if you leave it on beyond 3-7 minutes.

No redness, dryness, irritation or hyperpigmintation…only beautiful, radiant, smooth skin.

Get it at: The Actifirm website and check if your spa or physician is using Actifirm products

{Witch Hazel}

I know a lot of ladies believe they don’t need a toner or that they need an expensive one if results are to be achieved.  I do not hold to either of these as being true and neither should you!

For many years I strayed away from using witch hazel by getting sucked into more expensive brands of toner.  In the end, I returned to something I love, that really benefitted my skin and pocketbook.

There are several reasons I support the use of a toner – they remove cleanser residue, they help return pH balance to skin after cleansing, they help reduce the look of pores – I could go on and on about the benefits.  In addition to the aforementioned reasons, I love using witch hazel because it is inexpensive and it helps to reduce inflammation of skin during a breakout.  My favorite brand is Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel.

Get it at: Your local drugstore

{Prtty Peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion}

Celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Lea Michelle, Brandy and Eva Mendez love this illuminating body lotion that promotes looking “good in your birthday suit”.

In 5 shades from plain with no pigment minerals to deep dark, Prtty Peaushun is a luminous body lotion infused with plant extracts – rosemary extract, green tea extract and blue vervain leaf to name a few – aimed at moisturizing, lifting and firming skin while adding a showstopper glow.

I really love the emollient quality of this product.  My skin is super dry in the winter.  I applied Prtty Peaushun over my Dove lotion on my legs and arms.  They stayed soft, smooth and luminous all day.  You are really going to love this product, ladies!

Get it at: The Prtty Peaushun website

Ok ladies and gentlemen, go forth, face 2013 strong and (even more) beautiful and handsome!