Tag Archives: skin care

Product Review: Juice Beauty Tinted Mineral Moisturizer and Refining Finishing Powder

Posted on September 5, 2013 by somethingtoconsiderblog

Juice Beauty Tinted Moisturizer. Refining Powder, Bare Minerals Flawless Face Brush by www.somethingtoconsiderblog.com

Juice Beauty Tinted Moisturizer. Refining Powder, Bare Minerals Flawless Face Brush by http://www.somethingtoconsiderblog.com

Up for your consideration are the Tinted Mineral Moisturizer and Refining Finishing Powder by Juice Beauty. I spotted these in Ulta awhile back, and since I’m always on the hunt for effective low-toxin products, I thought I would give theses a shot. Here’s a bit of background on Juice Beauty in case you are unfamiliar.
Founded in California, their goal was to create healthy and effectual personal care products. They have created antioxidant and vitamin-rich, organic, juice-based formulas that strive to be more effective than their high toxin-counterparts. Using juice as a base eliminates the need for petroleum derivatives that many other companies use, which suffocate the skin and frequently contain harmful chemicals. Juice Beauty is a certified organic brand, so you can purchase their genuinely natural ingredients with confidence. But enough chat about the company. How well do the products actually work?
The Gist
The tinted moisturizer has an SPF of 30, which is a bonus so no added sunscreen is necessary. Obviously the ingredients are a major plus. Not that all of my makeup is completely natural/organic, but I prefer anything that goes all over my entire face to be as natural and low-toxin as possible. It is very moisturizing, and since I am an oily girl, I do not use any supplementary moisturizer with it. This leaves the skin with a very dewy finish. For dry skin this is great; however, if like me you are more slippery, I would recommend using the refining powder to set it. The loose powder is very light and leaves the skin with a very natural finish (as in the middle ground between dry and oily). It does not look cakey, and for me it seems to last all day, even in the summer. Not everyone cares for loose powders, but they do not bother me if they perform well. I noticed it settled a bit into my smile lines throughout the day but not terribly. I saw no noticeable difference with how it looked when I used a primer underneath or not. The refining powder scores a 2 (low toxin) on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database. The tinted moisturizer scores a 2 in the shade ivory, 3 in sand and tan (which puts them just into the moderate range). For more information on what these ratings mean, visit http://www.ewg.org/skindeep
Application
For the tinted moisturizer, I dot it all over my face with clean fingers and then massage into the skin. I usually then go over it with my Bare Minerals precision face brush just to even it out. I apply the refining powder with the Bare Minerals flawless face brush, tapping off any excess product into the cap.
Overall
If you’ve been burned by tinted moisturizers that lack any semblance of coverage, this will not disappoint you. However, if you are in search of a full coverage product, this (or any tinted moisturizer for that matter) is not the item for you. While the price point is a bit steep (the tinted moisturizer retails for $29 for 2 oz of product; the refining powder goes for $22 for .28 oz), you get plenty of product. Could the health score of the tinted moisturizer be better? Of course (in the darker shades that is). So if you are really uncomfortable using anything other than low-toxin products, you will want to pass on this. Overall I think you get what you pay for: high quality, natural products that do pretty much what they say they do. And if you purchase them from Ulta and are dissatisfied, you can return them for a full refund or store credit (at least here in The States).
Have you tried them? Leave a comment below with your thoughts and skin type. Of course I purchased these with my own money and these thoughts are my own. Thanks for reading.
Info on the company found at http://www.juicebeauty.com
Skin Deep database: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep
Interested in seeing how these products look on the skin? Watch my YouTube video:

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Posted in Beauty & Style and tagged bb cream, Beauty, combination skin, dry skin, face powder, Health, juice beauty, low toxin makeup, makeup, Moisturizer, Natural, natural makeup, oily skin, organic, organic makeup, products, refining finishing powder, skin care, skincare, something to consider, somethingtoconsider, somethingtoconsider1, somethingtoconsiderblog, tinted mineral moisturizer, tinted moisturizer, Ulta. Bookmark the permalink.

‘Good’ Looks?

Posted on June 15, 2013 by somethingtoconsiderblog

English: Makeup before attendance. Српски / Srpski: Шминкање пред наступ. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“That which is striking and beautiful is not always good, but that which is good is always beautiful.” -Ninon de L’enclos

Have you ever stopped to think about what is in your makeup? Unfortunately we cannot assume that if a product is allowed on the shelves it must be okay. In fact, it may even be toxic. Thanks to being born the only girl in a house full of boys, makeup has never been that important to me. Still, I like to get dolled up on occasion, and I want to feel good about what I am putting on my face. This post is not an alarmist scare tactic. Rather, my opinion is that people should be educated about their products so they can make an informed decision. Below is a list of personal care ingredients that are suspected toxins known as the “dirty dozen,” a brief description of the serious health concerns to which they are linked, and resources for finding non-toxic products.

BHA & BHT
Parabens
DEA-Realated Ingredients
Dibutyl phthalate
Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives
PEG Compounds
Coal Tar Dyes
Petrolatum
Siloxanes
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Fragrance
Triclosan

While each ingredient affects us differently, some are known carcinogens, linked to organ toxicity, as well as birth defects, hormone disruption, cancer, skin rashes and irritations, allergens, asthma, and reproductive problems for both genders from either direct use or in utero exposure. I enjoy makeup, but it is absolutely not worth those risks. Some argue that many of these ingredients are considered low risk in small amounts. However, people are not just exposed to them in a one-time use product. Unfortunately, most personal care products contain one or several of these toxins, from lipstick to shampoo, lotion, soap, and more each and every day (not to mention toxins in other products such as food and cleaning products). I would rather yield to the Precautionary Principle and limit them as much as possible. It seems inconceivable that these ingredients would be allowed in so many of our products.

“Most consumer products are unregulated in the U.S., so manufacturers are allowed to use hazardous chemicals without demonstrating the safety of the products and without labeling them as toxic.” (Malkin, 2007). Stronger regulation of cosmetic ingredients would help reduce or eliminate the risk posed by these components from the products that we put on our skin. As the skin is our largest organ, the majority of what we put on it gets absorbed into our bodies. Some of the ingredients above help products penetrate more deeply into our skin, causing us to absorb even more. Many in-depth resources have been written about toxic ingredients and the lack of laws regulating their use, such as the references listed below. If these ingredients are in so many products, how can they be avoided?

If you are like me, trying to decipher the ingredients list on a package can make your eyes cross. What’s more, many of these products are listed under multiple names, such as the many types of siloxanes (generally they are listed as words ending in “–siloxane” and “–methicone”). Luckily there are search engines available that provide information on the safety of product ingredients. I use Good Guide at www.goodguide.com and Skin Deep at www.ewg.org/skindeep. Each site pulls up a detailed rating regarding ingredient safety and toxicity. Good Guide even has an app for smart phones. Although I have found the regular search engine works a bit better, it is convenient to have it at my fingertips in the store. It has enabled me to avoid purchasing a product with a low health rating numerous times. Before you think this message is all gloom and doom, be encouraged that many products are available with safe ingredient alternatives (both affordable and high end). And if you are motivated, you can take action.

-Urge your country’s leaders to pass legislation for safer personal care products. If you live in the U.S., contact your representative and encourage them to co-sponsor the Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act of 2013 (H.R. 1385) here: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5500/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=13369.

If you live in Canada, go here: http://action2.davidsuzuki.org/cosmetics.

-Support health-conscious businesses by purchasing their products that have safe ingredient ratings. Do not assume that if a product is labeled “natural” or “organic” that they truly are. Companies recognize that many consumers are interested in healthier product ingredients. They are trying to capitalize on that, labeling products as natural and organic which are not. This also happens due to the lack of regulation. Also do not assume that just because a company makes certain products with low-risk ingredients that all of their products will have the same rating.

-Reduce the number of products you use each day. And remember, you do not need makeup to be beautiful! The times in my life I’ve worn the most makeup were when I was most insecure, which is no good reason to wear it.

-Contact cosmetic and personal care companies and retailers to let them know healthy product ingredients matter to you. For a form letter to retailers, go here: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5500/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=12309.

-Spread the word so others can make informed choices about their products.

-Stay informed through campaigns such as the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (http://safecosmetics.org/), Teens for Safe Cosmetics (www.teensturninggreen.org/ ), and the Breast Cancer Fund (www.breastcancerfund.org/), among numerous others (a list of more endorsing organizations can be found on the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics website).

Don’t be discouraged. Many companies are making the move toward safer products for their consumers; products that work just as well if not better than the toxic alternative. It simply takes a little extra time on our part to find them. Each time we purchase them, we send a message that toxic makeup should be a thing of the past. Companies will make what people will buy. Thanks for reading. Please let me know your favorite low-toxin personal care products in the comments below.

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1Peter 3:3-4

References

Malkin, S. (2007). Not Just a Pretty Face: The ugly side of the beauty industry. Gabriola Island, BC, Canada: New Society Publishers.

Suzuki, D. (n.d.). “‘Dirty Dozen’ Cosmetic Chemicals to Avoid. In David Suzuki Foundation. Retrieved June 4, 2013, from http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/dirty-dozen-cosmetic-chemicals/

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

http://www.goodguide.com/

http://safecosmetics.org/

Watch my YouTube video on this topic:

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Posted in Beauty & Style, Mombomb, Wellness and tagged 1 peter 3:3-4, allergens, asthma, baby wellness, bath and body, Beauty, beauty blog, beauty channel, beauty video, benefits of minimal makeup, BHA, BHT, birth defects, Breast cancer, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, cancer, carcinogens, coal tar dyes, Cosmetics, DEA-Related Ingredients, dibutyl phthalate, drugstore makeup, embryonic health, formaldehyde, fragrance, God, good guide, green business, green living, hazardous chemicals, Health, healthy ingredients, high end makeup, hormone disruption, how to find natural beauty products, in utero exposure, infertility, ingredients, makeup, Natural, natural beauty, nontoxic alternatives, not just a pretty face, organ toxicity, organic, organic beauty, parabens, PEG Compounds, Personal care, petrolatum, phthalates, Precautionary Principle, preservatives, products, real beauty, regulation, reproductive problems, Safe Cosmetics, safe cosmetics and personal care products act, siloxanes, skin care, Skin Deep, skin irritation, skin rash, skincare, sodiun laureth sulfate, something to consider, somethingtoconsider, somethingtoconsider1, somethingtoconsiderblog, teen beauty, toxic ingredients, Toxicity, triclosan, tween beaty, unregulated cosmetics, Wellness, women, womens health, womens issues, womens wellness. Bookmark the permalink.

DIY Exfoliating Scrub

Posted on February 9, 2013 by somethingtoconsiderblog

Brown sugar examples: Muscovado (top), dark brown (left), golden brown (right) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here is a recipe for my all-time favorite exfoliator. Seriously, I love this better than any drug store or high end scrub that I have purchased. It is super easy, affordable, and leaves the skin feeling amazing. You only need two ingredients.

Ingredients

-Brown Sugar

-Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions

You will need 2 parts brown sugar for every 1 part olive oil, depending on how much you wish to make. For example, for a smaller batch you would use ¼ cup of brown sugar and 1/8 cup olive oil. If you wish to make a larger batch, double this. Place the ingredients in a bowl and mix together until well blended. Rub this all over your face and body (avoiding the eye area) and rinse with warm water for an excellent moisturizing exfoliator. I use this once a week at night so as not to expose the new layers of skin to free radicals, as well as to give time for the olive oil to penetrate and moisturize my skin. If you have very dry skin you may want to exfoliate less frequently as your skin layers are already thin. This does not need to be refrigerated and it keeps for ages, just remember to stir it up before each use.

Why These Ingredients?

The fine brown sugar particles gently scrub away dead skin cells and unclog pores without damaging the skin as some scrubs with nut shells may. The olive oil nourishes and hydrates the freshly revealed skin. Remember to use cold pressed olive oil as this type of olive oil has the maximum amount of nutrients and antioxidants.

What If I Have Oily, Acne-Prone Skin?

No worries, so do I! I have used this exfoliator many times and it has never caused me to break out. This exfoliator is great for most skin types. I always recommend those with highly sensitive skin to ask their dermatologist before trying a new skin care regimen. After rinsing this scrub you will notice some oil stays on your skin, though it shouldn’t be enough to make your clothes stick to you. I would not wipe this off. Overnight your skin will absorb it and be left feeling very soft-not oily. This also shrinks up my pores (which are very large)-bonus!

Thanks for reading. Leave a comment below if you try this or have other facial scrubs you love.

Check out my youtube video on this:

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Posted in Beauty & Style and tagged brown sugar, cold pressed extra virgin olive oil, DIY, do it yourself, Exfoliation, Exfoliator, facial, Olive oil, scrub, Skin, skin care, something to consider, somethingtoconsider, somethingtoconsider1, somethingtoconsiderblog, Sugar. Bookmark the permalink.

DIY Oatmeal & Banana Face Mask

Posted on January 25, 2013 by somethingtoconsiderblog

English: Oatmeal Русский: Овсяныехлопья (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here is a quick and easy recipe for a do it yourself face mask that will leave your skin feeling hydrated and soft. Why spend a ton of money on store bought masks that have harmful chemical ingredients that your skin absorbs? For this you only need four ingredients that you may already have in your kitchen.

What You Will Need:

1 medium sized ripe banana
¼ cup of rolled oats (preferably not quick oats)
Approx. 10 drops of almond oil
1/8 tsp pure vanilla extract (not imitation)
Blender or food processor

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together in your blender or food processor until well blended and oats are ground. You can adjust the thickness of the mask by adding or subtracting oats. I prefer the consistency to be quite thick as it spreads on easier, but do what works for you. Start with a clean face either just after a bath or after steaming your face to open up pores in preparation for the mask. Use your fingers to spread the mixture relatively evenly over your face. Note that this mask is a bit messy and should be done over a bowl, at a table, or in a shower with a drain catcher. Store any extra mask in the refrigerator (toss out after a week or two). Let sit for 10-20 minutes and then rinse with warm water and a wash cloth. If you have dry skin you may want to moisturize afterward (for oily, combination, or normal skin this most likely will not be necessary).

Who is This Mask For?

This mask is great for most skin types, including dry, normal, combination, oily, and some sensitive skin types. While oatmeal has many calming properties, if you have highly sensitive skin you may want to check with a dermatologist before trying this mask. If you have very oily skin (or if you live in a very hot, humid climate) and you find this mask too hydrating, try reducing the amount of banana used. This mask is great for winter months when everything is drier. If you have acne-prone skin, do not be afraid to try this mask. I have oily, acne-prone skin that is more combination during dry weather and I love this mask. It leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated but not oily and it has never caused me to break out.

Why These Ingredients?

Banana-very hydrating for the skin!
Oats-soften, trap in moisture, calm the skin
Almond oil-moisturizes, removes dead skin cells, has anti-aging properties
Pure vanilla extract-an antioxidant

Thanks for reading. Please leave me a comment below if you try this mask with how it worked for you and your skin type. Also let me know what masks you enjoy using!

Check out my YouTube video on this where you can see my friend Ruby apply her mask 🙂 :

Becoming a LUSHie: My Pursuit of Natural Hair & Skin Care

Posted on January 11, 2013 by somethingtoconsiderblog

Lush (Photo credit: Pip)

The more I learn about the harsh chemicals in everything from food to shampoo, I’m tempted to move to a commune. I’m not entirely joking. We could raise grass fed animals, use natural ingredients for homemade products, and reduce our carbon footprints. This is not a “scare blog” that is going to list how toxic and terrible everything is, causing you to run away to live in a cave. Rather I want to highlight a brand I discovered last year and have loved using based both on how the products work and what the company stands for. That company is LUSH.

Lush Cosmetics, or LUSH, is a UK-born company that makes products for hair, skin, and bath. While that is nothing special, what the company stands for is: making safe and effective products that are truly natural and organic. You don’t have to worry about their products being overly processed, genetically modified, or filled with enough preservatives to keep them good until the next millennium. They care about the impact their company has on the environment and those who work to collect the material they use in their products, also known as ethical sourcing. They care about animals, too. LUSH does not test their products on animals, and they will not purchase any products from suppliers that test on animals. Not only does the company believe in these things, they campaign for them. They only use vegetarian ingredients, and many of their products are vegan. As I got to know more about LUSH, the skeptic in me thought this sounded too good to be true. I wanted to know what the downside was.

One aspect of the company some may see as a negative is their policy against unnecessary packaging. While this has the environment in mind, some consumers may find it to be a bit of a turn off. For example, when an item is packaged minimally there is higher risk of it breaking or getting damaged. This does happen from time to time, especially since some of their products are more fragile. For people who are environmentally conscious, this likely will not be a deterrent. Another potential drawback, and perhaps the biggest one, is the cost of the product to the consumer.

While I wish I could tell you that their products are just as cheap as any you would find at Wal-Mart, I cannot. Due to the ethical standards they uphold, their ingredients are more expensive than most anything you would find at the drugstore. But why shouldn’t it be? Doesn’t it make sense that this type of business model would create an increase in cost both to the business and the consumer? I would rather spend more money on products I can feel good about than on a name brand department store product that is loaded with questionable ingredients made by a company apathetic toward their effect on the world. LUSH products range anywhere from $1.95 to $89.95 (and higher for certain gift boxes). Many of their products are affordable, and they have something for every age, gender, skin type, and hair type.

Just to be clear, I do not work for LUSH, am not affiliated with LUSH in anyway, nor do I receive any compensation whatsoever for writing this. I’m just a die-hard LUSHie (i.e. consistent consumer of LUSH products that loves and raves about them, or as urbandictionary.com likes to describe us-“obsessed”) who wants to spread the word about their products. The goods I have tried from there have had amazing results for my skin and hair, and I can use them in good conscience.

What do you think? Leave a comment letting me know if you are pro natural/truly organic ingredients or if you think non-organic products are just fine (or if you are a fellow LUSHie!). Interested in learning more about LUSH products, the company, and where you can find a LUSH near you? Visit http://www.lushusa.com/ Thanks for reading.

Check out my YouTube video on some of my recent LUSH products

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Posted in Beauty & Style and tagged Bath, Beauty, Body, Cosmetics, ethical sourcing, hair care, Health, LUSH, organic, products, skin care, something to consider, somethingtoconsider, somethingtoconsider1, somethingtoconsiderblog. Bookmark the permalink.

Something to Consider