The Secret of Beauty

Posted on Sep 23, 2011 in Cosmetics

There is something about a woman that can make a head turn, a smile appear, a spark fly, and dreams come true. A woman is many things but there is something that a woman can have that can make all the difference, it is what makes a woman truly beautiful. And it is not beauty itself. A woman can have the best haircut, all the right clothes, money, popularity, sex appeal…she can have all those things and never be truly beautiful. And women want to be beautiful. As little girls growing up that’s all we ever wanted to be- beautiful, captivating, loved. So what is it that sets a woman apart from all the rest if it’s not good looks or a perfect body or all the cosmetic surgery that money can buy?

What makes a woman truly beautiful is her spirit. That sense of purpose and passion that says she knows she has something worth living for. That is true beauty, true strength, true sex appeal, true confidence all wrapped up into one little word. It sounds absurd at first but if you really think about it you can see how it makes perfect sense. Look at every movie you have ever seen, consider every book you have ever read, from queens, sorceresses, witches, and modern day fiction characters, or even real women for that matter. Every single one of them looks different, has different features, some blonde, others brunette, or maybe even a fiery red head with freckles that dot her nose. Look at Anne from Anne of Green Gables, or Lady Guinevere of Arthur and the Round Table, or Arwyn from Lord of the Rings. All those women look completely different, have different personalities, but are all true beauties in their own way, women we look up to, and it isn’t because of their looks, their bodies, or their money. It’s not even their stories. It’s their pure uninhibited passion and spirit, because without it, their stories wouldn’t have been much of anything to tell.

People aren’t interested in plastic or fake because that is boring, dull, and too common. Whether you are sweet, fiery, or bold in spirit, no matter how your passion plays out in your life, the very presence of it is what makes you magnetic, captivating, and one in a million. That is the secret to a beauty that no one can replicate, alter, or strip away. A beauty that is more than skin deep and makes every precious feature that God gave you come alive in a unique and utter radiation. Your spirit is what makes you glow. Whether that glow is warm, soft, and gentle, or bold and daring, it is the most beautiful thing in the world.
It’s not about the clothes you wear, the color of your hair, or the body type you have. What makes a woman beautiful is the passion she has for life, for people, for love. What is it that you love about your favorite heroine? Why is it that she gets her prince, is part of an adventure, and is a wanted woman by all? It’s not because she was the fairest one of them all. It’s because there was something about her that made everyone attracted to her and not in a physical way. After all, physical beauty and attraction only gets you so far, and it’s never far enough.

You’re secret weapon, your claim to a beauty of one of a kind, what makes you sexy, regal, graceful, and attractive, what makes you radiate is the fire you have in your spirit. Everyone has it, but some of us just need a little fanning of that flame. Don’t let it go out, don’t let your spirit fade, don’t hide your passion, but let it consume you and transform you into so that you become your very own beautiful heroine.

All Natural Makeup: Cosmetics Use Propylene Glycol

Posted on Sep 11, 2011 in Cosmetics

Many cheap cosmetics cause skin reactions, which are not produced when all natural makeup is used. To understand why one is a healthy makeup for skin and the other is not, we need to investigate the ingredients used.

Propylene glycol is one of the more common substances found in the cheaper more common cosmetics. It is used in skin products to prevent drying and is found in many other products applied to the body such as shampoos, lotions, deodorants, hair conditioners, cosmetics and even toothpaste. Interestingly the same substance is also to be found in cigarettes, car de-icer, paint, pet foods, brake fluid, anti-freeze, laundry deodorants and some processed foods.

Propylene glycol is an alcohol product from the fermentation of carbohydrates and yeast and there are slightly different versions depending on the use. This means the type found in industrial products is slightly different to that found in makeup.

The American Academy of Dermatologists produced a report in 1991 that indicated that small amounts of the substance in industrial form could cause skin irritation. A Material Safety Data Sheet has been produced on this chemical by the US Department of Health and Human Services that reports it can cause skin and eye irritation as well as headaches, intestinal problems and nausea as a result of significant exposure. Further studies indicate it is possible liver and kidney damage may also result.

Why is it used in cosmetics then?

Propylene glycol is cheap. It enables manufacturers of new low-cost cosmetics to claim their product reduces drying of the skin. The problem is of course that it also interferes with the skins natural processes.

Defending the substance, the PropyleneGlycol.org website states it in used in more than 4000 makeup products, giving lipstick its texture, ensures the foam in shampoo, combines the oil and water found in body lotions and ensures fragrances smell for longer. The site maintains there is very little toxicity in each product and that it is virtually impossible to take in more than very small quantities of propylene glycol.

The substance is employed in the transportation of active ingredients found in cosmetic products. PropyleneGlycol.org relates how the chemical rapidly changes into lactic acid and is excreted in the urine. The site also reports no ill effects from small amounts used in pharmaceuticals. To be fair, the regulatory bodies around the globe have listed the substance to be generally safe; the European Union has restricted its use to mainly non-food applications however.

The ongoing debate has not really addressed the subject of skin irritation. Chemicals that are foreign to the human body should always be treated with care and propylene glycol is no exception. The skin always needs to breathe to be healthy and many cheap cosmetics block the pores, preventing this from happening.

There are a significant number of people who do not wear any makeup whatsoever and the most common reason is skin irritation. Some evidence indicates this may be related to the use of propylene glycol in products.

The use of all natural makeup, often in the guise of mineral cosmetics, overcomes this problem by using natural ingredients to promote skin nutrition as the same time as making the wearer look good.

There seems to be some debate about the dangers or otherwise of propylene glycol, leaving makeup wearers to draw their own conclusions. On balance however it would seem, if you were looking for a healthy makeup for skin, the better choice would be all natural makeup.

How’s Your Beauty Counter Etiquette?

Posted on Sep 5, 2011 in Make up

We’ve all had those not-so-pleasant experiences at the makeup counter… from being ignored by the salesperson… to learning your favorite color has been discontinued… to feeling that car salesman-y pressure to buy products that you don’t really want. I decided to ask a beauty specialist directly and her answers and tips are straight up and brutally honest. Here are some candid answers to your beauty counter etiquette questions as well as some must-know tips to make your next counter experience a stress-free one.

Size Up The Counter Before You Approach It

I’ve been guilty of rushing up to a counter and impatiently demanding service only to be ignored or snubbed by the salesperson. First tip: size up the counter. Is there a line of gals waiting to be helped? If so, expect a wait as it’s typically first-come-first-serve. However, these no-nonsense tips will help ensure you get in and out in a jiffy:

  • Avoid the lunchtime rush (Women just like you are all about maximizing a day’s schedule and often run beauty errands during lunch).
  • Opt for weekdays versus weekends (a Monday AM is more likely to be less busy than a Saturday PM).
  • Tis’ the holiday season (It goes without saying, the holiday season is insane. Do your shopping early, early, early to avoid uber long lines).
  • While waiting, feel free to try samples on the back of your hand (This allows you see what the samples look/feel like immediately, without waiting on the salesperson to disinfect each one you wish to try).

Etiquette Dos And Don’ts

My source also outlined a beauty specialist’s biggest pet peeves. I have certainly been guilty of one…or two:

  • Don’t be on your cell phone when you approach the counter (This might cause the sales rep to not approach you so as not to interrupt your conversation).
  • Do be patient (Beauty counters are sometimes under-staffed and the salesperson is trying to get to as many beauty junkies {aka you} as quickly as possible).
  • Do be polite (While it’s tempting to yell “hey, can I get some assistance” when you’re in a hurry, it’s off-putting to the salesperson and will likely ensure bad customer service).
  • Don’t let your kids treat the counter like a jungle gym (No sugarcoating this one: if you bring your kids along keep an eye on them. Climbing on counters and sticking fingers in expensive samples is a sure-fire way to unnerve the salesperson and slow down your service).
  • Don’t double dip (Just like at a cocktail party, the same rules apply. When testing samples, don’t put the applicator in more than one item).
  • Don’t help yourself (At one time or another we’ve all thought, “I’ll just run behind the counter and grab what I need. Don’t. This is considered a security no-no and will not score you any points with the salesperson…or security).
  • Do tip your makeup artist (15-20%. Just like you would tip your hairdresser).

Be Prepared

I think we girls sometimes expect the salesperson or makeup artist to be a mind reader. Nothing is worse than going up to a counter and feeling like you’re talking two different languages. These tips are a sure-fire way to avoid buying the wrong colors or products:

  • Have a checklist (If your goal is to update your makeup for the autumn season, have a list of products and colors you wish to try).
  • Give Cliff Notes on why you’re there (For example, if you feel your makeup style has become dated and you want to revamp your look, explain this to the artist).
  • Offer your skin type (Before buying any type of makeup or skincare product, always make certain to tell the salesperson your skin type…e.g. olive complexion, oily, t-zone issues. This will help ensure spot-on product and color suggestions).

The Discontinued Colors Meltdown

It’s Murphy’s Law. Your favorite color or product gets discontinued. Not to fret. My source says if you fall in love with a color or product that’s been retired, you have a few options. The obvious option: you can stock pile your favorites (buying multiples at a time). But if you didn’t stock up, your counter is totally out of something and it’s been discontinued, she recommends Googling it. Type the specific product name and color in your Google search box and then hit “shopping” in the upper left hand corner. You’ll likely find multiples and be able to order it online. And when the first two options fail, there’s still no need to have a meltdown. You can simply re-create your favorite color. Companies like Prescriptives and Three Custom Color Specialists can clone your favorite lipstick, powder or blush.

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