11.12.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 8:39 pm by Administrator
*Disclaimer* I realize this note is going to upset a lot of people, but I just hope everyone can read it with an open mind.
“Most women believe that eye creams are specially formulated for the skin around the eye area. Although the eye area does tend to be more prone to allergic or sensitizing reactions and often shows wrinkles before other areas of the face, it turns out that product formulations for eye creams don’t differ from those for face products. There is no evidence, research, or documentation validating the claim that eye creams have special formulations setting them apart from other facial moisturizers. It only takes a quick look at the ingredient labels of any moisturizer or eye moisturizer to see that they don’t differ except for the price and the tiny containers the eye creams come in. Eye creams are a whim of the cosmetics industry designed to evoke the sale of two products when only one is needed.
The only time you might want to use a different product around the eyes is if the skin there happens to indeed be different from the skin on the rest of the face. For example, if your face is normal to oily and doesn’t require a moisturizer except occasionally on the cheeks or around the eyes, then an emollient, well-formulated moisturizer of any kind will work beautifully.
Ironically, one of the drawbacks of many so-called eye creams is that they rarely contain sunscreen. For daytime, that makes most eye creams a serious problem for the health of skin. You could believe that you were doing something special for your eyes, but you would actually be putting them at risk of sun damage and wrinkling by using an eye cream without sunscreen. This is another example of the way cosmetics marketing and misleading information can waste your money and hurt your skin.”
The three paragraphs above are not my words, but it’s definitely my opinion. I gathered this information from a legitimate source. www.beautypedia.com
It’s important to learn the facts.
lovelovelove,
Lindy
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Posted in Uncategorized at 8:36 pm by Administrator
Toners help remove last traces of makeup, soothe skin and lightly moisturize. A toner SHOULD deliver protective antioxidants, skin identical and cell-communicating ingredients which is rare for this category. Basically, toners should restore skin, help remove last traces of makeup, are alcohol- and fragrance-free, and contain no unnecessary irritants such as menthol, peppermint, and citrus oils. They are great as an adjunct to a more thorough cleansing routine, especially post-workout or in hot/humid climates. Even more significantly they go beyond the basics by offering skin benefits you can see and feel.
Are they absolutely necessary? No. Your cleanser SHOULD (there’s that word again) do a good enough job of thoroughly cleansing the skin without a toner being necessary, but some of us have a hard time of letting go of this step. Do yourself a favor, read the ingredient list. If you’re going to go that extra mile, make sure that you’re doing something worthwhile for your skin and not something potentially irritating.
I cannot stress this enough, irritation and inflammation are bad for skin—really, really bad. We do many things to our skin in an effort to improve it yet often use an assortment of irritating skin-care products. Everyday assaults such as unprotected sun exposure, splashing the face with hot water, applying skin-care products that contain irritating ingredients, and on and on, generate an irritant or inflammatory effect. This results in the skin’s immune system becoming impaired, collagenase takes place (the breakdown of collagen), and the skin is stripped of its outer protective barrier.
For the overall health of your skin, anything you can do to treat it gently is a very good thing. Treating skin gently encourages normal collagen production, maintains a smooth and radiant surface, and helps skin protect itself from environmental stressors.
Aside from diligent sun protection, using gentle, non-irritating skin-care products is part of how you can achieve the best daily and long-term skin care results possible—so you can have the skin you’ve always wanted (Sources: Dermatologic Therapy, January 2004, pages 16-25; American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, May 2004, pages 327-337; Cosmetics & Toiletries, Nov 2003, page 63; Global Cosmetics, Feb 2000, pages 46-49; and Contact Dermatitis, February 1995, pages 83-87).
With the goal being to eliminate anything that unnecessarily irritates and inflames skin, the following is a list of typical skin-care culprits that are not helpful in the least and are potentially damaging to your skin. The skin can react negatively to all of the following products, procedures, and ingredients.
Sensitive skin requires sensitivity. If you feel that you have sensitive skin, see the list below for things to avoid.
Avoid These Treatments and Products:
•Overly abrasive scrubs (such as those that contain aluminum oxide crystals, walnut shells, or pumice)
•Astringents containing irritating ingredients (alcohol and menthol being the prime offenders)
•Toners containing irritating ingredients (alcohol and menthol being the prime offenders)
•Scrub mitts
•Cold or hot water
•Steaming or icing the skin
•Facial masks containing irritating ingredients (watch out for fragrant essential oils and polyvinyl alcohol)
•Loofahs
•Bar soaps and bar cleansers (Source: International Journal of Dermatology, August 2002, pages 494-9; Skin Research and Technology, May 2001, pages 98-104; and Dermatology, March 1997, pages 258–262)
Irritating Ingredients to Avoid
(These are of greatest concern when they appear in the beginning of an ingredient list.)
•Alcohol or SD alcohol followed by a number (Exceptions: Ingredients like cetyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol are standard, benign, waxlike cosmetic thickening agents and are completely nonirritating and safe to use; SD alcohols are not considered a problem when they are used in minute amounts, as is the case with some ingredient mixtures.)
•Ammonia
•Arnica
•Balm mint
•Balsam
•Benzalkonium chloride (if it is one of the main ingredients)
•Benzyl Alcohol (if it is one of the main ingredients)
•Bergamot
•Camphor
•Cinnamon
•Citrus juices and oils
•Clove
•Clover blossom
•Coriander
•Cornstarch
•Essential Oils
•Eucalyptus
•Eugenol
•Fennel
•Fennel oil
•Fir needle
•Fragrance (may be listed as “Parfum”)
•Geranium
•Grapefruit
•Horsetail
•Lavender
•Lemon
•Lemongrass
•Lime
•Linalool
•Marjoram
•Melissa (lemon balm)
•Menthol, Menthyl Acetate, and Menthyl PCA
•Mint
•Oak bark
•Orange
•Papaya
•Peppermint
•Phenol
•Sandalwood oil
•Sodium C14-16 olefin sulfate
•Sodium lauryl sulfate
•TEA-lauryl sulfate
•Thyme
•Wintergreen
•Witch hazel
•Ylang-ylang
Ingredients like camphor, menthol, mint, alcohol, and phenol are sometimes recommended because they are a type of anti-itch ingredient known as counter-irritants. The theory works like this: When your skin itches, the nerve endings are sending messages begging you to scratch. If you place these irritating ingredients over the area that itches, the nerve hears the irritation message louder than it hears the itch message and interprets this as a reason to stop itching. That reasoning is fine if minor, sporadic, occasional itching is your problem. If it is not and those ingredients are present in skin-care products meant for everyday use, they introduce a constant, irritating insult to the skin and cause dryness, rashes, increased oil production, redness, and breakouts. None of those side effects are attractive.
Skin doesn’t have to hurt, tingle, or be stimulated (even a little) to be clean. In fact, a simple indicator of irritation is if the skin tingles, it is being irritated, not cleaned. The major rule for all skin types is if a product or procedure irritates the skin, don’t use it again.
If it tingles it must be working, right? WRONG! Ingredients that make your skin tingle, like alcohol, menthol, peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemon, show up in countless acne products yet there is no research showing they have benefit for any skin type. These ingredients are irritating to skin, and only make matters worse! Irritating the skin triggers stress-sensing nerve endings in the pore, which in turn stimulate an increase in oil production (Sources: Archives of Dermatological Research, July 2008, pages 311-316; Clinical Dermatology, September-October 2004, pages 360-366; Dermatology, January 2003, pages 17-23; Medical Electron Microscopy, March 2001, pages 29-40).
Myth: A cooling or tingling sensation is a sign that your skin-care product is really working.
Fact: This common myth couldn’t be further from the truth. That familiar tingling sensation is actually just your skin responding to irritation, resulting in inflammation. Products that produce that sensation can actually damage your skin’s healing process, make scarring worse, cause collagen and elastin to break down, and increase the growth of bacteria that cause pimples. Ingredients such as menthol, peppermint, camphor, and mint are counter-irritants (Sources: Archives of Dermatologic Research, May 1996, pages 245-248; Code of Federal Regulations Title 21-Food and Drugs, revised April 1, 2001, CITE: 21CFR310.545, www.fda.gov; and www.naturaldatabase.com). Counter-irritants are used to induce local inflammation in an effort to reduce inflammation in deeper or adjacent tissues. In other words, they substitute one kind of inflammation for another, which is never good for skin. Irritation or inflammation, no matter what causes it or how it happens, impairs the skin’s immune and healing response (Source: Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, November -December 2000, pages 358-371). And although your skin may not show it or doesn’t react in an irritated fashion, if you apply irritants to your skin the damage is still taking place and is ongoing, so it adds up over time (Source: Skin Research and Technology, November 2001, pages 227-237).
Exceptions to the rule
Because of the long-term benefits certain types of ingredients can provide skin, tolerating a little initial, though not long-term or serious, irritation may be necessary. For example, some stinging or tingling may occur when you initially begin to use a pH-correct alpha hydroxy acid or beta hydroxy acid product for exfoliation, a benzoyl peroxide product to battle blemishes, topical Retin-A, Renova, Tazorac azelaic acid, or Differin for either acne or wrinkles, or use Metrogel, Metrocream, or Metrolotion for rosacea. You may need to reduce frequency of application to once a day or every other day, or reduce how much you use at any one time. If the irritation persists for more than a few weeks or worsens with repeated use, then you should stop using it. For example, personally, my skin cannot tolerate Renova or Retin-A but I have no problem using a well-formulated beta hydroxy acid which has improved the texture of my skin immeasurably.
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Posted in Uncategorized at 8:28 pm by Administrator
On my fabulous facebook fanpage (say that five times fast), my good friend B.J. asked me a question about wrinkles on her forehead. This got me thinking about wrinkles, which means I needed to share some information with everyone.
Dry skin doesn’t wrinkle any more or less than oily skin – and all the moisturizers in the world won’t stop wrinkling. Oily skin may look less wrinkled, but that is only because oily skin has its own built-in moisturizer, namely the oil produced by the skin’s oil glands. Wrinkles, sagging, and skin discolorations are caused by a combination of events, and the primary culprits are sun exposure, genetic inheritance, sagging muscles (not from lack of exercise, but from the stretching and laxity that occur with use), loss of subcutaneous fat, thinning of skin due to cell senescense, menopause (estrogen depletion), and normal aging. But dry skin does not cause wrinkles.
That’s not to say moisturizers (in their varying forms) can’t do amazing things for skin, because they can, and more and more research is showing this to be the case. Moisturizers with significant amounts of skin-identical ingredients, water-binding agents, state-of-the-art antioxidants, and anti-irritants can temporarily make skin look smoother, help skin function better, reduce the effects of sun damage, help improve texture, and much, much more. However, the notion that even reliable use of a good moisturizer will somehow substitute for the work of a plastic surgeon or be enough to defend the skin from further signs of aging is sheer fantasy.
So basically, what causes wrinkles to appear is not related to how dry or oily the skin may be. Wrinkles are caused by a number of factors, chiefly years of unprotected sun exposure and a person’s own genetics.
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11.04.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 11:00 pm by Administrator
Sound like an oxymoron to you? I used to think the same way. Even though high-heeled shoes can put seven times your body weight onto the balls of your feet, most women wouldn’t dream of giving them up. Here’s a few ideas for finding the most comfortable pair.
Low or kitten heels (1 to 2 inches high) are your most comfortable options. At any height, the thicker the heels, the more support and comfort they will give you. Spindly ones pitch you forward, causing you to balance all your weight on the balls of your feet.
Feel inside the shoes for padding. If padding isn’t built in, invest in insert cushions (or ask a salesperson, since sometimes stores can provide cushions at no extra charge), but be sure the shoes still fit once you put them in. Your other option is to buy a pair in a larger size and wear it with full-foot orthotic inserts or gel pads.
Choose shoes made of soft, breathable natural materials, such as napa leather or goatskin. Synthetics can be eco-friendly (check up on the company and its claims), but they can make your feet sweat if plastic-based and hard canvases will chafe. If your boots are stiff, wear them for one or two hours at a time with heavy socks until they are comfortable. Shop for shoes later in the day, when feet tend to be swollen. What feels good at 10 a.m. might feel tight at 4 p.m.
There are a few things a cobbler can do to make your shoes more comfortable. Shoes made of leather can be stretched – including the bodies, straps and toe boxes. Extra cushioning can be added in the form of very thin rubber soles on the outside of the shoes or a pad inside beneath the insoles of most shoes, no matter their material. Some heels can also be lowered about 1/2 inch, depending on the shoe angle.
In order to buy the right fit, you need to try different sizes. Not all size-8 shoes fit the same, even from one designer.
Another good tip is to think ahead when shopping. I often bring along thick socks and a pair of trouser socks when shoe shopping. If you normally wear inserts, make sure to a buy a size that works with the extra material.
Now get out there and buy some fabulous shoes!
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11.02.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 10:46 pm by Administrator
If you guessed “shoes”, then you’ve just won a million dollars! Just kidding! If I had a million dollars, I’d probably go out and shop for more shoes. Why, you ask? Because shoes are a wonderful way to express your individuality!
The right shoes can perform small miracles for your entire look. And that is why I’m dedicating this week’s blogs to shoes. *insert triumphant music*
We all have our particular weaknesses when it comes to footwear: Perhaps your closet is filled with pair upon pair of black boots? Red heels? Adorable flats? Slinky, strappy sandals? Hey, it happens. After all, shoes are the most seductive of accessories that can make us feel totally sexy, strong and wildly feminine. Then there are the more basic types of shoes. And while unadorned flat boots might not seem as exciting as bejeweled platforms, you’ll probably wear the former far more often. With this in mind, be as choosy with your everyday shoes as you are with your standouts, and you’ll always be walking tall.
While we’re on the subject of walking tall, let’s talk about heels. A medium height (2 inches) flatters almost everyone. The most feminine type is slim, but the shape of the heel should match your body. For instance, skinny stilettos exaggerate the weight of a heavy frame, so thicker, stacked heels would be a better option.
The vamp, or top part of the shoe, is the most slimming if cut low toward the toe in a V or U shape. High-vamp closed-throat shoes, when worn with skirts, can make legs look shorter. High-cut shoes look best with pants (skinny, for an edgy look), matching tights, or, if you dare (and are blessed with long, thin legs), miniskirts.
A tapered toe provides the slimmest look, but if you find pointy toes too uncomfortable, opt for oval shapes.
T-straps, ankle straps and wide straps over the instep will all draw attention to your feet. T-straps can elongate the legs if their color matches your skin tone; dark or embellished ankle straps usually shorten the appearance of legs.
With evening wear it’s OK for your shoes to match your outfit exactly. With black, you can have a little fun with colorful or even patterned shoes. Metallics work almost as a neutral and can be worn day or night. With lighter-colored outfits, black shoes can seem too heavy and make legs appear shorter. White shoes can be jarring and break up the silhouette of your leg, so opt for softer ivories or creams instead. A shoe that matches your skin tone will make your legs look longer. If you’re the absent of color as I am, have fun finding a shoe that matches your skin tone. I know I’ll appreciate the lack of sun worshipping I do when I’m 80.
So which shoes are right for you? If you’re on the petite side, too-high heels can make you look off-balance. If you’re wearing flats, make sure they have a little lift. Match the tone of your shoes to your tights and skirt to elongate your legs.
If you have thick ankles or heavy calves, wear the highest heels that you are comfortable in, but make sure they’re not too spindly. Stacked heels or wedges are good options. Tall boots are also a smart choice. Midcalf boots often hit at the thickest part of the calf, so avoid these styles. Also, avoid square-toe styles, which may look too boxy.
I hope these simple pointers will put you several steps ahead on the road to finding footwear that complements you from the ground up.
These boots are made for walkin…….
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