Showing posts with label Beauty Products. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beauty Products. Show all posts

Thursday, 14 July 2011

All about Facials: Skin Care and Treatment

Most of us know that getting a facial done is as simple as going to the parlour, spending a few hours in the presence of someone who claims that they will make us beautiful and get a wad of greens for their services! But then, one of the joys of womanhood is taking the time to pamper ourselves so we can face each new day looking and feeling our best.

Facial skin care and treatment
Our skin is our largest organ, performing several functions, including protecting us from invasion by foreign substances and serving as the transfer point for the release of toxins from our bodies. Facials are deep skin treatments that cleanse, rehydrate and rejuvenate the skin, apart from minimizing skin blemishes, acne, dry skin and, of course, wrinkles. Facials vary depending on your skin type, the kind of treatment you've chosen, the products used and the person's age. However, it is advisable to start having facials in your late 20's.

Facial skin care and beauty products
The skin provides an honest mirror of our inner health and well-being. It is thus especially important to use only natural, gentle ingredients on our skin whenever possible. Application to the skin of fresh, natural products such as essential oils, plant waters (also called "hydrosols") and cold pressed unscented oils helps maintain a youthful, glowing complexion.

Essential oils and hydrosols are the fragrant liquids that are distilled from different plant parts, such as flower petals; herbs leaves and tree barks, and are fundamental components of any solid, natural skin care regime. Cold pressed unscented oils are extracted from various fruits, nuts and seeds, and include olive oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil and jojoba oil. Used in tandem, essential oils, hydrosols and cold pressed unscented oils work together to soothe and nourish the skin, encouraging a healthful, radiant complexion.

Benefits of facials and facial massage
Facials involve a cleansing procedure, a massage and steam, and the application of a face mask. What they help to do is remove the dead, dull outer layer of cells that make up the skin's surface or epidermis along with pollutants. The massage, which is an important part of a facial, helps blood circulation, which in turn aids lymphatic drainage (the removal of toxins and waste from the body). A facial massage also relaxes the facial muscles and is very important to delay the onset of wrinkles.

The face is steamed during a facial for two main reasons. Firstly, steam helps the skin absorb cream better. Secondly, it helps in softening blackheads and whiteheads so that they can be removed easily. The application of a face mask in the end helps tone and clarifies the skin. Face masks are also used to treat dry and acne-ridden skin.

Different types of facials
* A basic clean up
* Normal facials
* Special facials
* Bio-lift facials
* AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) facials
* Paraffin facials
* Anti-oxidant and pollution-fighting facials
* Acne Facials
* Collagen Facials
* Aromatherapy Facial
* Galvanic Facial
* Gold Facial

Natural Mineral Makeup

As is implied by the name, natural mineral makeup is made up of mineral elements. Natural minerals are finely milled, powdered and made pure in form before they are used in mineral makeup products. Each product is created by mixing minerals with other inorganic pigments to create a wider color palette. These products are made up of microscopic flat crystals that overlap each other on the skin to offer a layer that protects the skin from pollutants and allows it to breathe. Mineral makeup is ideal for people with problematic skin and fines lines as it offers a long lasting effect and lightweight feel. A word of caution, use mineral makeup in small quantities only, too much will only make you look overdone.

Bare Mineral Makeup
Loose mineral cosmetics are bare cosmetics. Such products do not have preservatives, oils or waxes in them. Bare mineral makeup powders can be used to cover up imperfections and accentuate your good features.

Mineral Makeup Advantages
The skin is exposed to pollutants everyday, we need to look after our skin and nothing is better than using natural makeup. Mineral makeup is preferred the world over because of the following reasons:

    * It allows the pores to breathe.
    * It provides comfort from irritated skin.
    * UVB (Ultra Violet Type B)and UVA (Ultra Violet Type A)protection up to SPF 20 available.
    * Is water resistant.
    * Does not contain talc or fillers.
    * Is composed of materials that do not support bacteria.
    * Is sensitivity tested.
    * Is environment friendly, and not tested on animals.
    * Are available in shades to match every skin tone.
    * Provides maximum coverage that looks and feels natural.

Natural Mineral Products
There are many mineral products available in the market which cover every aspect of makeup. A few of them are listed below, with tips for application.

   1. Blush/Bronzers
      Used to add a natural glow to your complexion, these products are hypoallergenic and long lasting. As they are in a concentrated form they should be applied in small amounts only. This product can be used on the lips and nails as well to give you a perfectly matched look!

      How to apply
      Blushers and bronzers can be applied using soft cotton, powder brushes with natural bristles or a fan brush.
   2. Eye shadow
      Made without additives, dyes, waxes or fillers, these products are each handcrafted. They go with each other perfectly creating natural, bright and beautiful effects. Mix them to create a color of your choice!This product can be applied dry or wet, so go ahead and use it the way you like.

      How to apply
      You can use an eye shadow brush made of natural bristles.
   3. Foundation
      The foundation is made of pure minerals and pigments. It does not clog pores and is non drying. This mineral product provides full coverage and sunscreen too. Skin imperfections like under eye circles are perfectly covered using the foundation.

      How to apply
      Use a soft powder brush to apply foundation.
   4. Body Shimmers
      Use this product while going out for dinner, on your wedding, a formal occasion or a summer evening. With this product you are sure to receive a lot of compliments and of course you are sure to shine!

      How to apply
      Body shimmers can be applied using a flat top brush or cotton ball. Lightly dust this powder onto your shoulders, chest and back.

Safe Beauty Products

Beauty products, be it skin care or makeup are used by all women. All skin care products and cosmetics contains chemicals and preservatives that is required to keep them in a stable state. But have you ever wondered how safe are these beauty products for your skin and health. Research has shown that many beauty products use harmful chemicals and stabilizers that not only harms your skin but might also lead to diseases like cancer, gastrointestinal disorders and nervous disorders. It is therefore wise to use safe beauty products that has natural ingredients or at best should not contain harmful chemicals. Because of minimal or almost non existent regulation by FDA, most manufacturers get away with selling skin care and beauty products that has loads of harmful ingredients. Here we are going to discuss what are safe beauty products and how you can recognize them.

Purchasing Safe Beauty Products

The skin absorbs to a certain extend the products that is applied on it. So any chemicals that are in your beauty products are going to be absorbed by your skin. The majority of beauty products use harmful chemicals and added fragrances. When these products are absorbed in by the skin, can cause dryness, inflammation and irritation of the skin. Long term use of such makeup and skin care products might also lead to serious and irreversible health problems. Sodium lauryl sulphate which is one of the main ingredients used in shampoos and foaming cleansers. It can cause reproductive toxicity, infertility, endocrine disruption, cellular changes and also lead to breast cancer. Before purchasing any shampoos or face wash, always check the label for its ingredients. Herbal cleansers containing rose hip oil, aloe vera and tea tree oil are good alternatives. Also switch to a natural shampoo that is SLS free. Chemicals in cosmetics might have long terms effects on your health and should be avoided.

Educate yourself about the ingredients in beauty products that has a harmful effect on your body. This will help you to make informed decision about the the kind of skin care products that you should purchase. While shopping for beauty products, take your time in reading the list of ingredients that is printed on the label. Purchase paraben free cosmetics, that won't irritate your skin. Even if a single harmful chemical appears on the list, do not buy the product. Given below is a list of harmful ingredients found in cosmetics and beauty products that you should avoid.

    * Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
    * Parabens
    * Sodium Laureth Sulfate
    * Triethanolamine (TEA)
    * Triclosan
    * Formaldehyde
    * Imidazolidinyl urea
    * Phthalates
    * Methylparaben
    * Diethanolamine (DEA)
    * Monoethanolamine (MEA)
    * Dibutyl phthalate
    * Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)
    * Artificial musk

Safe Beauty Products During Pregnancy

During pregnancy you need to be extra careful about the kind of beauty products that you apply on your skin. Since products get absorbed by the body, using safe beauty products is essential for the well being of your baby and yourself. Some regular products like anti wrinkle cream and acne cream might not be safe to be used during this period. Most anti wrinkle skin care products contain retinol which is a form of vitamin A. Use of retinols might lead to birth defects and so it is advisable to steer clear of them during pregnancy. Another beauty product to avoid is acne creams, face wash and toners that contain salicylic acid or beta hydroxy acids. These ingredients penetrate the pores of your skin and helps to clean excess oil and grime. But these products might cause complications during pregnancy as well as birth defects. Other beauty products to avoid during pregnancy are products containing oil of bergamot, textured vegetable protein, phosphatidylcholine, retinyl palmitate and potassium thioglycolate. Use natural beauty products as far as possible during pregnancy and avoid beauty treatments like chemical peels and microdermabrasion.

This was all about safe beauty products. There are some brands of beauty products that make organic cosmetics and natural skin care products. You can use these beauty products to keep your skin and health safe.

Homemade Beauty Products

From ancient times to the present day, women have been using beauty products to enhance their looks. There are hordes of such products on the shelves of stores promising to improve one's looks dramatically. Some of them are chemical based, while others use herbal extracts. Whatever the base, these beauty products are expensive. But there is good news for all those who want natural beauty tips. Beauty products can be made by using fruits and vegetables. Dig in to your kitchen and use the fruits and vegetables there to make homemade beauty products that can enhance your look, that too the natural way. Here's how to go about doing that!

Homemade Beauty Products Recipes - Facial Masks

Here are a few homemade beauty recipes for smooth skin care:

Citrus Fruit Mask: Add 2 tablespoons of orange juice to 1 tablespoon of honey, and mix it thoroughly. Core an apple and quarter it. Then puree it with ½ teaspoon sage till smooth. Add this puree to the honey and orange juice mixture. Heat the mixture for a few minutes in the microwave, and apply it on the face. Leave it on for 20 minutes. Remove the mixture from face with a warm washcloth. This face mask is suitable for all skin types.

Cucumber Mask: Put ½ cucumber, 1 egg white, 1 tsp apple mint leaves, ½ teaspoon lime juice, and ½ teaspoon lemon juice in a blender or a food processor. Run it for 5 minutes or till a smooth mixture is formed. Put this mixture in a refrigerator for 10 minutes. Apply it to the face while cool. Leave it on for 20 - 25 minutes. Remove the paste using a hot washcloth. This will loosen the pores on the skin. Follow this with rinsing your face with cold water. This face mask is good for oily skin.

Peach Face Mask: Mash a fresh peach. Mix it with warm olive oil, almond oil or peach kernel. Make a spreadable paste out of these ingredients. Apply it to your face. Let it dry. Wash it off after 20 minutes. This face mask is good for dry skin.

Homemade Beauty Products Recipes - Scrubs

Orange Scrub: Squeeze the juice and pulp of half an orange into a bowl. Add 4 tablespoons of cornmeal to it. Make a paste out of this mixture. Wash your body and face and apply it. Scrub gently for 2 - 3 minutes then rinse it off. Follow it with a toner and a moisturizer.

Cleansing Foot Scrub: Of the various natural homemade beauty products, cleansing foot scrubs work great to cleanse and rejuvenate tired feet. Make an effective foot scrub by mixing 1 tablespoon of clean, clear sand, 1/4 cup liquid hand soap, 1/4 cup Epsom salt, 1/4 cup sea salt and 1/4 cup light canola oil. This is one of the easy homemade beauty products that is great for removing calluses from feet through continuous use.

Homemade Beauty Products Recipes - Hair Products

Lavender/Rosemary Oil: Mix 1/8 oz. oil of Lavender with 1 oz. oil of Rosemary. Store this oil in the dark or in a light-proof bottle. Take a few drops of this oil in a bowl. Dip your fingertips in the oil. Bend forward and rub the scalp with your fingertips. Take some oil in the palm and rub your palm against a hairbrush. Brush your hair with this hairbrush after having applied oil to the scalp.

Rosemary Honey Hair Conditioner: Mix ½ cup honey, 4 drops of essential oil of Rosemary, 1/4 cup slightly warmed olive oil and 1 tsp. Xanthum gum (this can be obtained from health food stores) in a bowl. Store it in a plastic bottle with a tight lid. Damp hair and apply a small quantity to the hair. Massage the scalp. Cover hair with a warm towel. Leave it on for 30 minutes. Shampoo your hair with cold water. Enjoy healthy hair that has been moisturized by olive oil and made shinier by the honey. The oil of Rosemary present in the conditioner stimulates hair growth.

Benefits of natural products can be enjoyed in the form of face masks, scrubs and also homemade face packs. The effectiveness of these products in enhancing natural beauty is well known. Now that you know how to make homemade beauty products, use the beneficial properties of these natural products to enhance your looks.

Meaningful Beauty Reviews

Is Meaningful Beauty a scam?, Does it really work?, Is it really effective?, so on and so forth. Every woman who wishes to try Meaning Beauty products for the first time seem to ask these questions. I guess, its natural for them to be doubtful about the product when there is so much written and said about this product. According to some, it is a scam, where the product makes false promises and uses advertising gimmicks to increase the sale. Whereas, others think that it is a genuine product that helps you revitalize your skin by regular use. Well, this debate still continues and the product still survives. By reading this article you will come to know about some of the facts and fakes about this product. After reading the article, it's your choice if you wish to go for this product or not. Before I provide you with Meaningful Beauty reviews, we will take a look at the brief history of this product.

Meaningful Beauty

The dramatic story related to Meaningful Beauty starts with Cindy Crawford. Yes, Cindy the well known super model in the 90's who was famous for her stunning looks and beautiful skin. Once, she consulted a renowned and leading cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Jean Louis Sebagh from France. After consultation he gave her a product that solved her skin problems and made her skin appear even better. She, thought that this miracle product should be made available to all the women in the world so that they too can have a beautiful skin. She spoke to Dr, Sebagh about it but, apparently the product could not be shipped due to the fragile ingredients. Soon after that he came up with a new formulation for the product that could be shipped. After that they launched Meaningful Beauty products in partnership with same miracle ingredients. Given below are some of the claims of the product that you must read before getting Meaningful Beauty reviews:

    * The product has a rare French melon extract which is one of the ingredients and that gives a refreshing look to your skin.
    * It decreases visible signs of aging on the skin by improving the firmness of the skin and by revitalizing the damaged skin cells.
    * The product has seven key ingredients that promotes faster skin renovation and protects the skin from outer toxins.
    * The product also claims that it softens the appearance of wrinkles making you look younger.
    * With the help of effective antioxidants, the product prevents the free radicals from releasing that play a major role in aging of the skin.

After these claims we will move towards meaningful beauty reviews that will help decide if you should use the product or not.

Reviews on Meaningful Beauty Products

Well, there are very few Meaningful Beauty customer reviews that you can refer to. Hence, I will tell you about some of the facts of the product in terms of pros and cons that are evident from the available information about Meaningful Beauty products:

Positive Aspects of the Product

    * This product is quite inexpensive compared to other products that offer the same results.
    * You can buy this product online from their website. In this case they offer a concealed price that keeps increasing as long as you keep the subscription.
    * This product moisturizes skin well keeping it well hydrated.
    * If its a first time you order for the product then you are also entitled to get two free gifts.
    * If you are not satisfied with the product, you will get your money back, if you return it within sixty days from the purchase.

Negative Aspects of the Products

    * The French melon, that is said to be effective on the skin, is not the key ingredient of all their skin care products.
    * To get better and complete results you will have to use seven products.
    * If you run short of one of the seven products then the multi-step system can be expensive and time consuming.
    * The product has no clinical proof that can talk about the success of the product.
    * The key ingredients used in the product are found in many other skin care products.

From the above Meaningful Beauty reviews you know if the product is a scam or not. However, it is also true that for some it does work but, I guess, it is not that great as an anti aging skin care product. So, the ball is in your court now!

Beauty Products to Avoid During Pregnancy

During pregnancy it's very natural to worry about little things in life because your health directly affects the baby developing inside your womb. You should be cautious while using cosmetics and beauty care products containing chemicals that might harm your baby in different ways. Even though the cosmetics could be safe on a normal female but the chemicals might have dangerous side effects on a pregnant woman. So what are the beauty products to avoid during pregnancy? Read ahead and find out.

What are the Beauty Products that Should be Avoided During Pregnancy

The chemicals contained in creams, lotions and shampoos show gradual effects that become evident in the long run. Thus, you might not experience the side effects immediately and continue using skin care products, that will hamper growth of your baby as well as pose threat to your internal health status. One such product is Accutane, a key ingredient of acne creams, that causes birth defects in the baby. This should be avoided under all circumstances by a pregnant woman. Check out the list of beauty products to avoid during pregnancy.

Retinol Creams
Retinoid is a strong agent found in anti-aging creams and moisturizers. Retinoids are also found in acne creams that are generally not safe during pregnancy. Retinol is actually a precursor of vitamin A, that helps in cell growth and regeneration. Skin care products containing retinoids affect the health of an unborn child. The effects are fairly severe if expecting moms are exposed to oral retinoids like isotretinoin. It can cause birth defects in a baby.

Paraben Lotions
Paraben is added as preservative to a wide range of beauty care products. It protects bacterial, fungal and mold growth on creams, shampoos, sunscreens, astringents and different types of body lotions. Paraben during pregnancy is not safe as it causes disruption in reproductive hormones. One such product is methyl paraben that leads to disruption in secretion of endocrine hormones. It affects the levels of estrogen hormone, thereby causing health complications during pregnancy. Instead you can use paraben free cosmetics.

Acetone/Alcoholic Removers
While performing pedicures and manicures, extensive use of stain removers and alcoholic cleansers is common practice. Nail paint removers contain acetone and ethanol that release fumes when used. These fumes, when inhaled by expecting mothers, can affect development of fetus. Although safe on women, their harmful effects are directed to the baby. Therefore, while undergoing any type of body care session, make sure you get it done in a well ventilated room and cover your nose and mouth for sometime so that the fumes are not inhaled by you. In this context you can refer to this article pedicure while pregnant.

Soy Products
Face packs and facial masks containing soy as a key ingredient might cause trouble to your skin. The side effects are caused due to oil of bergamot, and it gives rise to dark patches on skin. Women suffering from melasma should avoid soy products as it deteriorates the condition of skin, causing it to tan more. Furthermore, soy has estrogenic effects that are not really recommended during pregnancy.

Other Products
There are many more products that are harmful during pregnancy. Phthalate and dibutyl phthalate are present in nail polishes, hair removing lotions, deodorants, body sprays, etc. Phthalates when absorbed by body also hamper fetal growth. Cosmetics containing lead, 1,4 dioxane, hydrocortisone and benzoyl peroxide can cause potential threat to fetus by causing birth defects and toxicity. Lead is easily permeable through the placenta and hampers normal functioning of fetal brain. These chemicals are active ingredients of topical creams, lipsticks, acne products, etc.

These were some of the beauty products to avoid during pregnancy. So next time, you purchase cosmetics for yourself, make sure that they are free from the chemicals mentioned in the aforementioned content. It's suggested not to change beauty products frequently as your skin gets suited to the specific types of ingredients present in the product. Use products that are FDA approved for pregnant women.

Animal Ingredients in Cosmetics and Beauty Products

Being Vegan in a Meat-Eater’s World

At times, it can be difficult to be a strict vegetarian or vegan in a meat-eater’s world. Vegetarians are subject to questioning, ridicule, and strange behaviors from well-meaning friends and family. Vegetarians have all had the experience of going to a restaurant with a group of people, only to have the meat-eaters list to us all of the possible vegetarian options on the menu. Just because you are a vegetarian doesn’t mean you can’t read! But once you have overcome or gotten used to the awkward social aspect of vegetarian or vegan aspect, there are more "advanced" concerns to contend with, such as whether you will still purchase cosmetics and household products with animal-derived ingredients.

Finding Vegan-Friendly Products

The challenging thing about being strictly vegan or vegetarian is that so many things are, in one way or another, animal-derived, and unless you are prepared to spend a very great deal of time scrutinizing everything you buy, the effort and difficulty involved in being a strict product vegan can be overwhelming. For the practical vegan or vegetarian, it may be enough to avoid products that are obviously not animal safe and allow a group of favorite vegan products to develop slowly over time. Still, it never hurts to know a little bit more about the products you buy, so let’s examine a few very common ingredients that, although they have seemingly innocuous names, really come from animal sources.

Lanolin

Lanolin is one of the animal byproducts most commonly used in cosmetics. Lanolin is an oil that comes from the wool of sheep and is used as a softening agent in products like lotion, lip balm, and hair products. Additionally, some medical ointments intended to help heal minor cuts and reduce the appearance of scars contain lanolin as the active ingredient. If you are serious about not using animal byproducts, avoid makeup that contains lanolin. According to PETA, the following ingredients should also be avoided because they are derivatives of lanolin: aliphatic alcohols, cholesterin, isopropyl lanolate, laneth, lanogene, lanolin alcohols, lanosterols, sterols, and triterpene alcohols. Of course, you can’t be expected to memorize this list, so if you are unsure about a product, you may want to go ahead and buy it, examine the ingredients carefully at home, and then don’t buy the product again if it does contain lanolin or a lanolin derivative.

Albumen

Another animal-based ingredient you may have seen in your makeup or other products is albumen. Albumen is a thickening agent that gives cosmetics the appropriate consistency for being applied to the skin or hair. This ingredient is usually derived from egg whites, so if you are vegetarian and are not opposed to the egg harvesting industry, you may choose to continue purchasing products that contain albumen. However, consider that the egg whites used to make albumen are almost certainly not free range!

Hyaluronic Acid

Like many cosmetic ingredients, hyaluronic acid can come from animal sources but can also be produced synthetically without harm to animals. Hyaluronic acid is a protein used as an anti-aging ingredient in facial moisturizers, anti-aging creams, and other cosmetics. If you are uncertain whether your favorite products are made with animal-based hyaluronic acid or synthetic hyaluronic acid, look for a phone number or e-mail address on the package and contact the manufacturer to find out.

More Information

There are many, many other animal-derived ingredients that are still used in cosmetics, hair products, and other beauty products around the world. A few more common ones that vegetarians and vegans should definitely avoid: alpha-hydroxy acid, collagen, gelatin, guanine, keratin, lactose (from milk), and oleyl alcohol. For an extensive list of animal-derived ingredients along with explanations, visit PETA.org.