My Hospital Beauty Essentials

I broke my ankle last Friday. I was visiting some friends in Pittsburgh, slipped on some ice and down I went. And I don't mean just any break. I broke the tibia and the fibula AND managed to fracture a whole bunch of other important stuff. I've been on bed rest in the hospital ever since, and let me tell you -- it changes things. I'm not someone who ever asks for help, and I don't require much care. I'm extremely independent. So having to rely on other people for everything definitely puts life in very different perspective. Luckily I have excellent care and I'm preparing for surgery #2 on Monday. In the meantime, I've culled my beauty essentials to an eye-popping six products! Check out what's getting me through the long days in the hospital.

Almay Oil Free Gentle Makeup Remover Towelettes
As you might imagine, washing my face is incredibly challenging at the moment. Thank goodness I happened to bring these face wipes with me! They remove all traces of dirt, grime and oil from my skin without stripping or irritating it. A blend of aloe, cucumber and green tea makes them super refreshing to boot!
$5.99 at drugstore.com

Molton Brown White Sandalwood Nourishing Body Lotion
I happened to take this from my hotel room in Palo Alto a couple weeks ago -- and then just HAPPENED to put it in my travel bag at the last second before I came to Pittsburgh -- and am I ever glad I did! My hands have been so dry from the hospital air. I usually am not a huge sandalwood fan, but this has a way of smelling just enough like sandalwood to be soothing and calming but not overpowering. It's really just a bonus that my skin is now super soft and silky again.
$42 at beauty.com

Aromatherapy Associates Lotion with Lavender & Ylang Ylang
Some of my friends stopped by this week and brought me a basket full of goodies. Inside was this DELICIOUS scented lotion that not only nourishes and smooths my skin but instantly transports me to a spa-like atmosphere ... which is definitely welcome while I'm lying motionless in the hospital.
$37 at aromatherapyassociates.com

Clinique Smart Custom Repair Eye Treatment
The circles under my eyes would DEFINITELY be darker without this miracle worker. Not only am I constantly checked on by nurses and doctors during the day, but I'm woken up every four hours during the night for medicine. Unfortunately I can't do anything about my migraines because of this, but my eyes sure are looking rested thanks to this rich eye cream!
$49 at sephora.com

Fresh Rose Hydrating Face Serum
I actually just bought this serum on Friday and it's already become one of my favorite products. First of all, it smells like roses, so if that's a scent you love (which I do), then you're immediately going to be drawn to it. The design is also interesting -- you press down on the top to release the product rather than dipping into a tub or unscrewing a top. It's really just a bonus that it hydrates, moisturizes, nourishes, plumps and soothes the skin to the point that some friends visiting me earlier in the week asked whether I'd gotten a facial while I'd been sitting in the hospital. I swear it's taken at least five years off my face in just a week's time!
$55 at sephora.com

Bonne Bell Raspberry Jelly Lip Smacker
My obsession with Lip Smackers will never, EVER cease. I carry them everywhere -- and, not only that, but I carry them in bulk. I'm fairly certain there are at least five of them in my purse right now. This just happened to be the one I pulled out first when I initially got into my hospital bed, and it's getting my lips through the week in soft, smooth, delicious style.
$2.50 at lipsmacker.com