Unfortunately, our skin is far from the perfect barrier. It does a marvelous job of protecting the body from bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. However, evolution has not prepared us for lab-designed, synthetic chemicals. Many of these chemicals are specifically designed to be absorbed more effectively through our skin. Entering easily through our pores and mucous membranes, these chemicals pass into the bloodstream to various organs and tissues.

Should We Be Concerned?
Many top scientists and environmentalists are becoming increasingly concerned about the chemicals in personal care products, with good reason. Most of these chemical ingredients have not been tested for long-term safety. Many have been show to be harmful in scientific tests. (Dingle & Brown, 1999) Some are carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, allergens, and much more.
The concern stems from the statistics, which are alarming: According to the Environmental Working Group, since the 1970-1980s
-Autism has increased tenfold
-Incidence of male birth defects have doubled
-Incidence of childhood asthma has doubled
-62% increase in childhood leukemia
-40% increase in childhood brain cancer
-23% increase in pre-term birth
-Incidence of testicular and prostate cancer have doubled
Now:

-5-10% of couples experience infertility
-3-5% of all babies suffer from birth defects
-1 in 7 women will get ****** cancer
Are synthetic chemicals to blame? It is unknown at this point. But what is certain is that we are exposed to a multitude of synthetic chemicals each day that our bodies are not equipped to handle. A number of these chemicals have been definitively linked to harmful health effects, such as cancer or endocrine disruption. Yet this information has pretty much kept quiet by our government and the manufacturers of the products that contain them.

Does the Government Protect Us?
After the Environmental Working Group (EWG) exposed the harmful effects of the commonly used chemical Bisphenol A (contained in baby bottles, baby formula and the lining of canned food), it became particularly clear that our government has not been protecting the public health. Large corporations, with their incredible lobbying power, have been the ones protected. These companies put hazardous ingredients into their products in the name of cutting costs and increasing profits, hoping that the consumer won’t realize the dangers inherent in the use of these chemicals. Meanwhile, they earnestly deny their ingredients are harmful. (Malkin, 2007)

By far the worst offender is the cosmetics industry, which includes manufacturers of shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving creams, cosmetics and baby care products. The list of toxic chemical ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products is alarming, to say the least. But the list of harmful ingredients in baby lotion, baby shampoo, bubble bath, and sunscreen is downright criminal. (EWG, 2008)

Under federal law and regulations, the FDA and the United States government cannot require companies to test cosmetic products for safety before marketing, and does not have the power to review or approve products or ingredients before they are sold. They cannot require recalls, and must go to court to remove products from store shelves. (Malkin, 2007)

Product safety is evaluated through a voluntary program called the Cosmetic Industry Review (CIR), which is run by the cosmetic companies themselves. Literally, it is asking the wolves to guard the sheep. If you analyze the ingredients in cosmetics, it is obvious that the cosmetic companies do not even follow the guidelines recommended by their own Cosmetic Industry Review panel. (Gabriel, 2008) Does this sound like adequate protection to you?
According to Environmental Working Group,

This complete absence of accountability to a responsible government agency has …created a culture of ignorance around personal care products, where far too little is known about ingredient safety. (Jane Houlihan, EWG, May 2008)

The public has been kept in the dark about the cosmetics industry and their practices for far too long, but the truth is beginning to emerge, thanks in part to the work of watchdog organizations such as the EWG. For more information and articles on this topic, visit Articles and Links at Hibiscus Naturals at: http://www.hibiscusnaturals.com/articles.html.

Bibliography
Dingle, Peter & Brown, Toni. Dangerous Beauty. ONEgroup, June 1999.

Environmental Working Group (website). Washington, DC, 2007. http://www.ewg.org/. Site referenced July-October 2008.

Environmental Working Group (website). Body Burden: The Pollution in Newborns. Washington, DC, 2005. http://archive.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden2/. Site referenced July-October 2008.
Gabriel, Julie. The Green Beauty Guide. Florida: Health Communications, 2008

Malkin, Stacy. Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry. Canada: New Society Publishers, 2007.

Images Union

Cosmetics have turn out to be a part & parcel of our lives. Most of the cosmetics are really used by youngsters nowadays. It’s natural to look the most excellent among their friends. So it’s important that they understand only some make up tips that would certainly help them. Because the youth nowadays is easily thrilled to experiments with range of beauty products, they are misleading to use them wrongly. So it’s vital that they know about the dos & don’t about make up. Mascara can come next, just a few quick sweeps of a black or brown shade.

One thing to always bear in mind is that simplicity is the finest. However, if you use a make up, be certain that it is light. The skin’s natural smolder has to be maintained. So, gentle & safe products are suggested to be used. It’s also necessary that you select the color according to your skin nature. Lots of colors are available but you have to select the one that suits you. Any blemish in the skin like shadowy circles or scars can simply be covered by using concealing ointments. But here also the cosmetic must suit your skin.

Black mascaras goes well to further boost the beauty of your eye lashes. If you have breezy skin type then it is better to choose for a pinkish blush shadow. If your skin tenor is humid, then you might select a peach blush. Utilize cotton balls to completely blend the shades. It’s very significant to outfit your eyes nicely. It must shine & must not look dry. Lots of eye shadows give out this purpose. You can even take some advice from a beauty expert or get few tips from some magazines as well.

When you plan yourself for an outing, your make up should give a feeling as if you have been to a professional salon. It’s important that you go after some guidelines. Firstly, make certain to use hydrating oil containing no oil & apply it on the face. If your skin is hydrated, the make up will stick to it well. Then apply a little foundation using your finger tips on the areas you believe requires it. Then put up a concealer in the region of eyes & properly & carefully blotch it. You can blotch it by pertaining some powder above it. Leave it for a moment & retouch if it necessary.

Wallpaper Union

Every woman is born with a unique beauty and the cosmetics are only enhancing and emphasizing that beauty. Cosmetics are an important part of their life. They want to look the best we can for work and play. Cosmetics have been used since times immemorial. The sale of cosmetics is thriving all across the globe. The cosmetics industry is providing consumers with many options.

Now days you can find the exact same products in the convenience of your own home. The Internet has the ability to help you find the products that are right for you and your skin type. You will have a tough time choosing from all the great deals and specials. The wonderful thing about shopping for cosmetics online is the convenience. You will find a wide variety of cosmetics online, in addition to reviews that may help you with your final choices before purchasing. When you research cosmetics online, you can always find reviews and testimonies on the products before purchasing. Save your time and your money, and conform to the simplicity of the Internet.

When you want to buy cosmetics you have to know exactly what you want. The correct choosing of cosmetics depends on the type of skin you have as well as the skin texture. Skin is the biggest organ of our body. Taking care of their bodies and using the right products are the priority. Cosmetics certainly promise to pamper your beauty and aesthetic senses and bring about a transformation in the way you look about yourself. Cosmetics should be kept fairly simple, easy and quick. Enjoy the advantages of using cosmetics. The primary benefit of cosmetics is healthier skin.

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What is petroleum?

Crude oil, sometimes called petroleum, is a fossil fuel that was produced deep in the earth through a process that took millions of years to complete.

Millions of years later, almost all of us come into contact with a derivative of petroleum every day. Through a process called fractional distillation, petroleum refineries break petroleum into many of its smaller components. Each of these smaller components is made up of molecules called hydrocarbons.

The world is full of products that come from petroleum. For example, gasoline, styrofoam, lubricating oils, and many other items are all derivatives of this raw material. How are petroleum and cosmetics related? The two seemingly unrelated items, petroleum and cosmetics, are indeed closely related in our modern world.

Mineral oil and petroleum are the basic ingredients in many cosmetic products today. Both mineral oil and petroleum have the same origins in fossils fuels. Cosmetics such as foundations, cleansers, and moisturizers often contain mineral oil. By locking moisture against the skin, mineral oil sits on the skin’s surface and can potentially block pores. This may cause the appearance of pimples because the skin cannot properly ‘breathe’.

Fragrances in lotions, shampoos, and many other cosmetic products are composed of aromatic hydrocarbons. Perfumes and products containing fragrance can contain many hundreds of chemicals to produce a distinct scent. A significant number of these aromas are derived from petroleum.

One popular chemical additive that carries moisture in cosmetics is propylene glycol. It is also a derivative of petroleum. Some products that list propylene glycol as an ingredient include:

- anti-freeze

- laundry detergent

- paint

- shampoo

- conditioner

Past research links propylene glycol to serious health problems as liver and kidney damage as well as respiratory irritation or nausea if swallowed.

An antiseptic, isopropyl alcohol, kills bacteria on the skin. You can find it on the ingredient list of cleansers, toners and other cosmetic products. Unfortunately, this derivative of petroleum dries the skin and may cause miniature cracks in the skin that allow bacteria to enter, potentially causing irritations or pimples.

Do these petroleum-derived products affect your health?

Your skin covers your body and acts as a physical barrier to many of the pollutants in the atmosphere. When you use products on your skin such as cosmetics, lotions, and shampoos, the ingredients in these products come into direct contact with your body’s largest organ; your skin. You may ask yourself, where do the ingredients in the products go? Modern research at the Herb Research Foundation found that the skin absorbs up to 60% of the chemicals in products that it comes into contact with directly into the bloodstream. Today, hormone therapy treatments and smoking cessation medications are often prescribed as patches that you apply directly to the skin. The medication passes through the skin and directly enters the bloodstream.

For pregnant women, the risk is not only for her body but also for the developing fetus. If the chemicals found in cosmetics readily enter the bloodstream when applied to the skin, then they will also reach the developing baby. Researchers at the Brunel University in England are looking closely at a family of preservatives called parabens. Their research has recently linked parabens to the possibility that male babies will have lower ***** counts. These preservatives are derived from petroleum and help to maintain the freshness and integrity of the product. Currently, many manufacturers add parabens to cosmetics to allow a minimum of 3 years shelf life. Therefore, the parabens kill any bacteria that could potentially enter the product. If these chemical ingredients can kill the bacterial cells, what are they doing to your skin cells? In most cases, there is no conclusive answer to this question. However, the research mentioned strongly suggests that the synthetic ingredients may have a significant impact on our bodies.

In many cases, the long-term effects of many of the chemical additives in our cosmetics are not known. However, other chemical additives are known carcinogens. These types of chemicals can cause cancer in humans. Such chemicals include some artificial colours in cosmetics. The effects of chemicals and other synthetic ingredients in cosmetics may lead to mild allergic reactions causing rashes and minor skin irritation to more significant problems such as lesions on the skin.

What are your alternatives for cosmetics?

Luckily, there are alternatives to cosmetics filled with synthetically produced ingredients. Increasingly, cosmetic manufacturers are answering the public’s demand for alternatives to the chemically loaded beauty and grooming supplies. The Organic Make-up Company is one such company that is leading the way in producing high-quality, organically manufactured cosmetics! As a consumer, you have the ability to decrease the number of preservatives and chemical additives your skin comes into contact with and therefore, that may enter your body. To avoid using the synthetically derived fragrances, look for products containing essential oils. These are pure oils derived from flowers and other plants in nature.

All you have to do is make the simple choice of purchasing cosmetic products with all-natural, organic ingredients. Whether you continue using cosmetics that contain petroleum-based ingredients or not is a personal choice. What is the most important is to get the facts and to know that you have a choice when it comes to buying organic or synthetic cosmetic products.

References:

- Fairley, Josephine. Organic beauty: look and feel gorgeous the natural way. Dorling Kindersley : London, 2001.

- http://www.hans.org/web_articles/h07drugschemicals/h0799whatisreallyinyourhbprods.aspl, accessed Oct. 3, 2004.

- http://www.naturalmakeup.ca

The Last Eden

In this time and of technological boom, where every product and service offering has been enhanced technological enhancement, cosmetics has not been left too far behind. With consumers desire to enhance their looks cosmetics companies keep coming up with variety of product offerings to keep that consumer desire satiated. But at the end of the day, who is suffering? Of course the customers. Why, you ask? The answer is not so difficult as you might think.

How many of us when buying cosmetics look at the label for the ingredients list? How many of us ever think twice about what chemicals are used to make the cosmetic we buy? How many of us ever think that the very cosmetic products we buy might actually harm our skins? Not many! There is a concoction of chemicals being used in these so called “beauty products” that actually act against the very reason for which we use them.

And the solution to this dilemma is even easier than we think. Natural cosmetics products! Yes, they are a reality. As the name suggests, these are 100% natural products that come without any harmful chemicals or ingredients. The result is a natural skin that doesn’t get injured of any harmful chemicals. Beauty is not just about applying cosmetics. It is more about using the right cosmetics and natural cosmetics fit the bill and justifiably so.

There is a whole list of chemicals or ingredients you should ensure are not present in the cosmetic products you buy such as anionic surfactants used in about 90% of foaming personal care products; cationic surfactants, commonly used in hair conditioning products; ethoxylated surfactants, lanolin, nitrosating agents, toluene, etc.

These are only a small number of chemicals from 100s of a list of harmful chemicals. So buy natural cosmetics and be safe!

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It can be difficult to choose a skin care line that is suitable for your needs because of the deluge of skin care products that have flooded the cosmetics market. We usually wind up using the trial and error routine to sort through the countless cosmetic products.

A person will usually purchase one skin care regimen and then try it for a couple weeks or a month. After that period, a decision will be made on whether it’s truly working or not. This process will be repeated again and again until a product that improves the overall clarity, texture, and appearance of the complexion is discovered.

However, there are many disadvantages to using the trial and error method. For example, some of the skin care products could end up worsening the situation of your skin. This method also cost a lot of time and money. You should give Aveda cosmetics a shot if you want to save time and money.

About five years ago, I came across an Aveda store for the first time when I was doing some random shopping with my wife. My wife and I began to browse and check out all the fine Aveda cosmetics and skin care lines at the store. The first thing I noticed at the store was their sales pitch. According to the sales person their products are made with natural botanicals and plant extracts.

I became curious so I picked up a bottle of one of the products and smelled it. I have to say that Aveda cosmetics have an amazing smell. I was impressed because I wanted my wife to smell like this. My wife decided to try their skin care line for normal to combination skin after some sampling. Since then, she has used nothing but Aveda cosmetics and skin care products.

Are you also interested in these products? If you do, then you should ask for a sample. You can always ask to sample something when you have doubts. Tell the sales person hat you’re interested, but would prefer to try Aveda cosmetics before purchasing them. Now, you should remember that these products aren’t drugstore cosmetics. That means that these products are a bit more expensive than Neutrogena. Nevertheless, the quality of Veda cosmetics makes it worth the price.

Aid List

Women, in general, tend to spend quite a bit of money on cosmetics; this may explain why there are so many types of make-up products that are coming out right now. These range from lip glosses and lipsticks, to eyeshadows, blushes, foundations, and more. One product brand that is so popular when it comes to the all natural cosmetics niche is Bare Minerals.

I first tried Bare Minerals because of the commercials that I have seen on TV. I was really amazed the first time that I used it, as it complimented my skin perfectly and gave me a really smooth, perfect finish. You can choose from foundation shades ranging from light, medium and dark, and the foundations can also protect your skin from harmful rays of the sun with an SPF 15. It is very easy to put on – all you need is whirl the brush in the mineral face powder and blend it all over your face, and in two minutes or less, you are looking great!

Another good thing about Bare Mineral foundation is that it looks so natural. It will give you a natural, glowing look that looks effortlessly flawless. There are many foundations out there that will give you that heavy feeling as if you put some kind of mask on your face – but with Bare Minerals you simply feel fresh, natural, and looking your best.

Bare Minerals makeup does not include any harmful ingredients that can damage your skin. It is based on the idea of “all natural cosmetics”; it does not have added preservatives or oils that can clog pores, or unnecessary perfumes or dyes. You can also save a lot with this brand because it lasts longer on your face, unlike most cosmetics, and there is no need to do retouches over and over again.

You will be really surprised once you use the Bare Mineral products, as they really are amazing. Bare Minerals make-up can really give your skin a glow and remove the dark circles around your eyes that you get when have not had enough sleep. You can purchase Bare Mineral foundation for very affordable price, and it lasts and lasts. I’m hooked!

Gifts Folder

Kett Cosmetics’ Kett Jett kit is a powerful product for anyone looking for a portable airbrush makeup kit that is more or less capable of everything an airbrush makeup artist would want to achieve. Although it is quite expensive, it is much more powerful than other small kits and provides amazing looking results.

When I first ordered the kit I was a little apprehensive because of the price. Although I had heard good things about it I found it hard to actually press the order button. When I received the product though, I did not regret it at all. After using a sub-standard kit for a couple of years, using the Kett Jett kit feels like a dream.

The first thing I noticed is that the airbrush feels really nice. You can tell that it is professional because it is weighty and easy to hold. This is a welcome change to some of the thin airbrushes that you feel like you are going to break if you squeeze to hard. Once I hooked it up and got it going I was surprised with how quiet the machine was. The machine is not as small as some of the other smaller airbrush makeup kits but what it lacks in compactness it more than makes up for in power. Doing an air tan with this compressor was very fast. In case you want to do more delicate areas, there is also a speed adjustor which is very accurate.

Probably the best thing about this kit is the excellent brand name. With Kett Cosmetics you can feel assured that the product will be reliable and will last a good number of years to come. Along with other brands such as Dinair, Kett Cosmetics is one of the few airbrush makeup brands which have really proved themselves over the years and continue to build their reputation with excellent service.

Although this kit is not as compact as some others that are on the market, many of my colleagues still use the kit outdoors on movie sets simply because it can produce the most professional looking results outside of a salon. In fact, that’s how I would best describe this kit. If you are looking for expert results in a small and easy to use kit, then the Kett Jett kit is for you. If however, you are just starting out or do not need such detail then an excellent and cheaper starter kit such as the Dinair Personal-Pro kits could be for you.

In conclusion, if you are looking for amazing professional results then go for this kit. If you are on more of a budget or just starting out, then it might be worth considering something like the Dinair range.

Marketing Unit

Mark Cosmetics is a line of beauty products owned and operated by Avon but aimed at young women and teenagers. The products are formulated for younger skins, the colors are targeted toward a younger demographic and the prices are somewhat lower. For a clear review of Mark’s products, including a review of the company itself, keep reading.

Price

Most individual Mark Cosmetics products are priced under $10. Because they’re focused on younger women, the company is going for a lower price point. Overall, the out-of-pocket expense is very affordable.

Ease of Use

The majority of Mark products are standard-issue – eye shadows, blush, lip gloss, bronzer, foundation, cleansers and a few bath and body products. They may not be state-of-the-art innovations, but they’re simple to use and very straightforward.

Makeup Quality

Despite the low cost, Mark products are comparable to most high-end drugstore brands or lower-end department store brands. Buyers are getting Avon quality, but geared, packaged and priced for a younger customer base.

In particular, their line of skin care products (which are non-comedogenic, fragrance free and oil free) are a great value. The cleanser, toner and moisturizers are all priced under $10, but they’ve each been featured in Glamour, Seventeen and YM as great buys and desirable products.

The Best and Worst

Next to the skin care products, probably the best find at Mark are the mascaras. Not too goopy, easy to apply and light enough for a teen or young women. They don’t run, they don’t clump and they’re age appropriate. In short, at $7 a pop, they’re a great buy.

The products to avoid are the heavy liquid foundations. Most teens and young women simply don’t need a heavy foundation – it clogs the pores, covers up their beautiful skin and often causes more problems than it covers. Instead, try the tinted moisturizer, which provides light coverage without weighing young skin down.

The Mark Company

Mark products are sold by independent sales reps, so a lot of your customer service experience is going to depend on the quality of your rep. Many customers also don’t like the pressure to buy or start selling the product themselves, so look for a representative who’s laid back and comfortable.

Conclusion

In short, Mark Cosmetics are a great buy for their price point, but the sales model can be a big drawback for customers who are either not looking for a personal sales experience or want to be able to simply walk into a store to purchase their product rather than waiting for mail-order.

Dating My Match

There are several types of beauty enhancing cosmetics on the market today. It is very important to find out which products are best for you and your completion. The color of your skin will determine what color type you are and what you should stick with or avoid, to look your best. The best part about good cosmetics is that less is more. The less you put on, the more natural you look. No one wants to look made up or have their make-up caked on.

How To Find Out What Season You Are

The key to choosing the right colors to enhance your beauty is to find out what season you are. Your season will depend on your hair color. You can go onto many cosmetic websites and use their hair color selector to find out which season is the one for you. Many local cosmetic stores and kiosks also have trained personnel that can help you as well. The basic idea of how determining your season works is simple. If you have dark, cool hair, that is no red or gold in it, than you are a winter. If your hair is dark and warm, which is with red or gold highlights, then you are an autumn. Light hair works the same way. Spring colors are for those with red and gold highlights and summer is for those without. Once you know your color pallet, you can then pick out what will work for you.

Where To Begin: The Foundation

The type of foundation you choose to use will be the key to how the rest of your cosmetics work. There are so many types of foundations it can seem like an over whelming process. The three major categories are liquid, powder, and mineral. The liquid foundation is very easy to apply, but harder to blend to give a natural look. Often times it can leave lines when applied too thick, or not the exact skin tone. Powdered foundation is very simple and can be readily carried with you for re-application if needed. The major complaint with this foundation is the cake look it has when you need to cover up blemishes. To avoid over application use a concealer prior to application on any blemishes you might have. Mineral based foundations are very sleek and simple. They cover blemishes with ease and are easier to blend in so you do not see lines or get a fake look to your skin. No matter which style you choose, make sure you apply the foundation correctly to get a subtler and natural feel and look.

The Importance I Sticking With Your Color Pallet

Once you know your season it is very important to stick with your color pallet. Choosing random colors and tones can greatly affect how natural your make-up looks. You should look like you enhanced your beauty when you are done, not made up. The color pallet will allow you to use colors that work together with your hair color and skin tone, to give you that perfected look. The idea is to enhance your features, not over power them. Highlighting your cheekbones and subtly accentuating your eyes will go a long way. The idea of cosmetic application is to not color in your face, but to lightly add to your natural beauty. Always remember, less is more.

Anime Park