Cosmetics Report

Planning on buying your sweetie something smelly-good and pretty for the big V-day? It could be a fantastic idea—or it could be a flop. Here are a few do’s and don’t’s when it comes to Valentines and cosmetics.

Don’t go for basic makeup—unless he or she requests it. Buying foundation, eye shadow, or other gifts might suggest that there’s something wrong with the way your sweetie looks, which isn’t good! However, if the item is requested (“I loooove this Hard Candy glitter stick!”), it’s a safer bet. Read more

 If you want to smell like candy canes, gingerbread, or pine trees, you can always immerse yourself within these things. I’ve never bathed with candy canes myself, but I’m sure it would be interesting. Of course, if you’d like to do something easier—and perhaps less sticky—you could simply take advantage of the seasonal fragrances and cosmetics you can find at just about every cosmetics counter right now.

One of my favorite places to purchase cosmetics, The Body Shop, has plenty of body shimmers, smoothers, scrubs, butters, glazes, and pretty much anything else you could swathe all over your body with. Their holiday scents include Merry Cranberry and Nutmeg and Vanilla. Read more

The hidden dangers in makeup, fragrances and personal care products within their own ingredients has been a growing concern for many women (and men). More and more people are emptying their makeup bags and medicine cabinets, opting for safer choices in everything from deodorant to lipstick.

But have you considered that even these safe cosmetics may not be good for you? Sure, they were at one time—but how long have you been holding onto that Burt’s Bees lip balm? Checking the expiration dates on your products and tossing the ones that are too old are an important part of keeping your body healthy. Not only do older products cease to work as well—they can also get messy and gross. Read more

It’s funny, I used to wear perfume every day. I had specific scents for different occasions—seasons, work, going out, dates with my then-boyfriend… I really loved being able to change my mood by changing my fragrance, and it also added an elegant feel to otherwise blah days.

But after I had a baby and was advised to stay away from perfume while she was in the Intensive Care Nursery, I just stopped wearing it altogether. The result is that now, when I smell perfume on someone, I am usually sort of disgusted; all I smell is alcohol, and even if it smells not-half-bad, it still bothers me. Read more

With the recent trend of mineral powders and make-up in ads you see splashed all across the internet and on television, I had to stop and question whether or not this was a fad worthy of all the attention. Make-up is so complicated. It is always changing, it is always expensive and it is always a controversy with animal testing, whale killing, toxic nail polish fuming in bottles upon bottles all retailing in double and triple digit dollar signs to keep women spending their way towards the ideal of a more beautiful visage. Poppycock, I say! Let us revisit the timeless beauty classic- the stain. It is sweet simplicity itself and now I'd like to explore the best of all natural, organic stains available for the lip and cheek. Read more

OK, I really don’t. And never would. Ever. Yes, I’ve read the Twilight series and have mixed feelings about it, but Bella is likely one of my least favorite literary characters ever.

That said, I'm by no means above those who do.

I remember when Titanic came out and I wanted to look just like gorgeous Kate Winslet (hell, I still would—Kate is hot!). I bought the makeup she wore, a pair of glove like the pair she wore, and even started doing my hair in updos. My boyfriend (now-husband) even bought me a goofy pendant like the one she wore in the film that I would probably be embarrassed to wear today. I bought enough makeup to look like Kate (or Rose, if you will) in fact, that I was able to send in my proofs-of-purchase to buy an “exclusive” behind-the-scenes Titanic photo book!

Oh, boy. Those were the days, eh? Read more

Though we’ve all known for some time that sun tanning can cause skin cancer, international cancer experts now say that it’s a much bigger risk than we may have thought before.

Ultraviolet radiation sources—including tanning beds—have now been moved to the top cancer risk category. This classification means that, along with tobacco products, hepatitis B and chimney sweeping, tanning is now considered a certain course for cancer.

You know, if any other form of radiation were the case, I doubt people would be paying to get it. I get upset every time my daughter has to have an x-ray, for crying out loud; and people have to wear suits to deal with other radiation forms as a job hazard. So why do we keep doing it? And why do parents allow their own children to do it? Read more

You may already know about the health issues associated with deodorant. It’s not surprising though, right? We pay to have lead added to our toys to make them brighter—why not to have aluminum added to make our pits stink less?

Honestly, since I’ve heard about the stuff that’s in antiperspirants, I’ve always wondered if that’s what’s been causing so many cases of breast cancer in our country. After all, lumps aren’t often detected first within the breast, but beneath the arm. It turns out that some deodorants have been linked to causing that very problem. Here are just some of the issues associated with deodorants/antiperspirants. Check to see if your container has these ingredients. Read more

We all know that protecting our skin from harmful UV rays is a high priority all summer, but with so many different products on the market, it’s sometimes difficult to decide which one will offer the best protection. Here is a quick guide to some of the best sunscreens available.

For the Family: No-Ad Sunblock Lotion SPF 45 is considered a great deal for families. It’s inexpensive and comes in large bottles for daily use. It’s also water resistant, and provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

For Sports: If you’re going to be playing hard outside all day, Banana Boat Sport Performance Dri-Block Sunblock Lotion SPF 30 may help you out. It dries well, is lightweight, and offers a broad range of protection. Read more

A while back, hellenwyeth shared some pretty important information on the dangerous chemicals that cosmetics and personal care products can contain, as well as a place where you can look them up. If you haven’t done that, be sure to do so as soon as possible, and start checking your labels as you shop! Read more