The secret of ingredients in cosmetic products

Felt my face wld do more justice...*winks*

When using cosmetics we trust that they will improve the health of our skin and make us look more beautiful. However, it turns out that sometimes cosmetics may contain harmful or hazardous substances. The worst part is that not all of them are listed on the label, which includes only the basic ingredients.

Alcohol is not right for everyone

Lotions containing alcohol can safely be recommended to anyone with oily skin prone to inflammation, since alcohol has drying and disinfecting properties. Yet the amount of alcohol in such products should not exceed 15-17%.

If your skin is dry, you should avoid using alcohol-containing cosmetics. Otherwise your skin will start flaking and will feel tight and stretched on your face.

Forget about alcohol lotions in the winter when the skin is subject to so many unpleasant influences – cold weather, sudden changes in temperature, dry air, etc.

Paraffin aids the formation of blackheads

Paraffin is often an ingredient in anti-aging cosmetics. However, it is not recommended for problem skin – oily or mixed type. It creates a thin coat over the skin which prevents the disposal of toxins through the pores and hinders the access of oxygen. As a result, the skin loses its smoothness and elasticity.

Paraffin, however is irreplaceable when it comes to softening the hands. It has a warming effect and speeds metabolism.

Mineral oils clog the pores

This is why they can cause inflammations and allergic reactions. The film that they create over the epidermis protects it from dehydration but it also prevents additional moisturizing. Besides, mineral substances are harder to absorb and hinder the cellular exchange processes.

Also, let’s not forget that paraffin and mineral oils are derivatives of petrol!

Glycerin dehydrates

In days past glycerin was considered an excellent moisturizer. It is now known that in large amounts it can be harmful, especially to dry skin, because it draws moisture from the deeper layers of the skin. If you have a need for moisturizing, be very careful what amounts of glycerin are contained in the product you are planning to use. Forget about glycerin soap which was so popular at one time. Using body gel or liquid soap is way pleasanter and better for the skin.

Natural plant extracts may cause allergic reactions

This is especially true for people who have a previous history of allergies. If your skin reddens and feels hot when you are picking chamomile from the garden, you should be very careful when using cosmetics containing chamomile extract. You should also avoid shampoos and lotions mentioning chamomile among their ingredients.

When you suspect an allergic reaction, immediately seek medical help.

Retinoid have side-effects

Retinoid are derivatives of vitamin A. They are among the most effectual cosmetic ingredients not only because vitamin A is one of the chief anti-oxidants, but also because they are great for treating acne. However, if they are to do the work properly, they need consistency – retinoid lotion should be used daily for at least a year before any noticeable effects take place.

Retinol also has some widely known side-effects and contraindications. It should not be used during pregnancy, when taking medication containing tetracycline, on hyper-sensitive skin or on wounds and mechanically damaged areas. The side-effects mostly include dryness, flaking, irritation and itchiness.

Dermatologists are of the opinion that retinol should be limited or completely avoided during the summer because it heightens the skin’s sensitivity to the ultraviolet rays of the sun and increases the risk of skin cancer.

Glycolic acids can form red spots

These acids are often used in beauty salons especially in procedures such as oxygen peeling, which are painless and efficient. They are recommended for acne, rashes, age spots and pigmentation irregularities.

However, these acids have certain contraindications – pregnancy, nursing, advanced herpes, colds, wounds and scratches. Besides, if the peeling is not professionally done, hard to treat, strong, red spots may appear on the skin.

Source: makeupsjournal.com

How to recognize quality lipstick

Lipsticks today are typically made of the following ingredients: ricin oil, lanolin, petroleum jelly, paraffin, bees wax, pigments and colorants. Cheap lipsticks are often sold at the registers and honestly it can be very tempting but before buying get yourself informed because sometimes cheapness can cost more than money.

Low price usually means low quality. Low quality lipsticks do not cling to the lips and the reason for that can be found in the cheap ingredients used, which do not offer good cohesion. Cheap lipsticks are either too runny or too dry. In the case of the former, the producers have used too much ricin oil and petroleum jelly, while in the case of the latter they have cut on paraffin. In both cases the lipstick is not very lasting and is easily “consumed”. Its colorants however are so strong and lasting that they leave spots on the lips which remain long after the lipstick is gone.

The main hazards in cheap lipsticks are colorants and pigments, because their origin is far from accountable. There is a risk of allergic reaction or toxic influence. One of the ways to tell if a certain lipstick is good is to try its texture. (This goes for other cosmetic products also). Texture is a collective notion which includes several characteristics of the product – consistency, density, viscosity and ease of using.

So babes, as far as your lipsticks are concerned, lets go for the quality ones even if it's going to cost us some money.

Source: makeupsjournal

Learn How To tie Your Gele

Whenever those events come rolling by, the aso-ebi's and what have you, do you always grumble that 'I can't tie gele so what's the point of getting one'. And you see it nicely tied on the head of other ladies and wish dearly you could have yours tied like that.

Well, worry no more, based on popular demand, Tolu Makeovers is going to be holding a 1-day training on how to tie gele for your special occasions.

Details are:

Date: 3rd of March, 2013

Time: 2pm promt

Venue: 17, Coker Road, Ilupeju.

Fee: N2,500 ( if interested send a mail to tolulove2001@yahoo.com to get the acct details or add the pin listed on the profile page)

Bring along your gele (Aso-oke and a normal gele) for practice.

Don't miss out on this opportunity, it promises to be fun.

Photos of Supermodel Oluchi's Campaign for Nature's Gentle Touch

Supermodel, Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi will be featuring as the model for a new range of anti-dandruff products developed by leading hair and scalp care brand, Natures Gentle Touch. The campaign images have been released by the brand.

R. I. P Goldie Harvey

The valentines day started out quite cool for alot of us, but towards the end of the day, we were all thrown into a sad state with the loss of a very talented, creative and vibrant singer - Susan Adebimpe Harvey also known as Goldie. As a makeup artist, I always admired her creativity with her looks, she was one of the few artists that always put dramatic into her looks, I was hoping to someday be opportuned to make her up for one of her shoots, but unfortunately, death snatched her away rather too quickly.

She'll definitely be missed by alot of her fans, and my deepest condolence goes to her family and close friends. Its like when a celebration comes up, i get the news of someone dying. I also lost my Godmother on valentines day, lost a close uncle on Christmas day and couple of years back lost my dad in the new year season....tragic right??...well in all things we should continually thank God.

Here are some of Goldie's beautiful and creative looks....

Be Inspired

30yr old Jessica Cox has learned to live her life with her feet. Doctors never learned why she was born without arms, but she figured out early on that she didn't want to use prosthetic devices.

There were many questions at the time about whether Jessica would be able to live a “normal” life. However, Jessica’s father has said he never shed a tear about her birth condition. He had full confidence in her potential.

With the support of her parents and family, Jessica became confident in herself as an adult and continued to explore the world with her feet.

As a child, Jessica studied dance in her home town. When the first performance arrived, she asked to be put in the back row. Her dance teacher told her there was no back row. Tentatively she took the stage with the other students and performed her routine. When she finished, the applause from the audience gave her encouragement and the confidence to continue dancing for 14 years.

Luxury Human Hair Extensions Brand, Lo’Lavita Hair opens a Trendy Beauty Salon in Lagos

As a leader in transforming hair products, Lo’Lavita is pleased to introduce a new service support center for hair care, which is a chain of professional hairdressing studio salons and spa.

Lo’Lavita Studio Salon located in the commercial district of Lekki Phase 1, Lekki, Lagos, is truly a hot spot for trendy beauty. A reminiscent of a Hollywood boudoir – glamour, sophistication with a multitude of beautification services – it creates the ultimate boutique choice for luxury styling.

It is often said that an appearance says a thousand words and that’s exactly why the Lo’Lavita brand is all about enhancing your beauty. So why did Lo’Lavita go from being a product-based business to a service rendered business as well? A rep says “We have carefully studied natural hair care and acknowledged the advantage of altering your hairstyles by means of extensions (weave-ons and wigs). The collaboration of these two areas of the hair industry is the standing force behind the introduction of our new studio salon”
The difference between Lo’Lavita Salon and other beauty outlets, is that Lo’Lavita Salon strives to build and maintain close relationships with its clients by providing a full package interactive service as hair consultants and not as ordinary stylists or using traditional styling methods.

At the studio salon, the specialists target your hair problems with solutions by placing you on a hair treatment plan depending on your overall goals – whether it is anti-breakage, slow hair growth, thinning edges or coloured hair.

location: Ebar Plaza. 20 Admiralty way. Store 3 & 4. Lekki Phase 1.
Product inquiry: 08025275898
Salon appointment: 08190529658
Visit www.lolavitahair.com. Follow us on twitter @lolavitahair and like us on facebook.com/lolavitahair

Facetalk introduces Beauty Guide “My Beauty Book”

From the company that brought you the professional and personal make-up workshop “Poise & Elegance”,Facetalk presents “My Beauty Book”, a guide-book to all your beauty needs.

The book was written by Ololade Fanimokun, the Creative Director of the Facetalk Beauty Company, to give women a handy and easy to read beauty/ makeup guide that would help every woman enhance her beauty through he art of make-up and other value adding beauty concepts.

 First of it's kind by a makeup artist in Nigeria, Ololade believes that this book will guarantee stunning delivery and satisfaction to all its users and help them realize that even though beauty is skin deep, it can be amplified. With that in mind, Facetalk has decided to give you a chance to win 1 of 5 copies of this amazing beauty essential. All you have to do is answer the five questions below.

Why Should You Care About Cosmetic Ingredients!

Are your cosmetic ingredients safe?

If I were to ask you what ingredients are in your cleanser or foundation would you know? The reality is most of you don't care but let me tell you why you should!

The Wrong Cosmetic Ingredients...

• Can clog pores
• Cause sensitivity
• Over-stimulate oil production
• Cause acne or breakouts
• Over-dry and cause skin to look dehydrated
• Cause a skin condition you've never had before

There are so many cosmetic companies out there and each has their own idea about ingredients that are the worst and best. The key is how active are the ingredients in the product as to chance irritation or toxicity.

What are the Active Ingredients?

When you look at ingredients on your packaging, do you pay attention to the "active ingredients" list? The first five are the most important - they are the ones that are most active.

Just in case you didn't know, you can have a reaction to any product. The key is not getting worked up from articles you read on ingredients. Remember, everyone has their own opinion and you need to form yours about which ingredients you want to stay away from.

Just because an ingredient may be "deemed" to have a low toxicity or probable cause for dermatitis doesn't mean it can't be used in trace amounts. It would take a lot of that ingredient to be absorbed into your blood before it would reach toxic levels.


Ingredients to Avoid in Cosmetics

• Bismuth oxychloride
• Methylparaben
• Proplyparaben
• Butylparaben
• Fatty acids (stearic acids)
• Mineral oil
• Colorants (FD&C)
• Alcohol denat. (denatured alcohol)

Many cosmetics and skincare products can contain any one of these ingredients but the key is to see if the ingredient is listed in the top five.

Safer Ingredients to Look for

Some of the ingredients I have found to be safe are plant based ingredients such as green tea, rosemary and chamomile as well as fragrances that are chemical free.

For those of you who want a more complete list I would recommend the book"Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me" by Paula Begoun.

Some favorable ingredients for cosmetics are:

• Titanium dioxide
• Kaolin
• Jojoba esters
• St. John's Wort
• Green tea extract
• Vitamin C & E

culled from carolthompsonbeautysecrets

The Goodness of Tomatoes

Not many of us relish getting pelted on the face with tomatoes, but believe it or not, tomatoes are excellent for the skin.

The humble tomato is one item no kitchen shelf is ever without, no matter what the season or location. Perhaps this is why most of us take the tomato for granted and do not appreciate the tremendous health and beauty benefits it brings.

Not many of us relish getting pelted on the face with tomatoes, but believe it or not, tomatoes are excellent for the skin. In fact, as far as anti-ageing products go, tomatoes rank high on the list.

Tomatoes are rich in anti-oxidants and so they counter the ageing effects on the skin, by cutting out the number of free radicals in your body. Free radicals break down the support system for your hair and skin, so it makes sense to eat a tomato a day.

In addition, tomatoes help preserve moisture levels in the body. In the summer or winter, when our skin is exposed to artificial heating or cooling, moisture levels in our body fall. We need to constantly replenish this water supply, or our body will start sucking moisture from the skin and the hair. In addition to eating a tomato a day, it makes sense to drink no less than 10 to 12 glasses of water daily.

If your skin is oily, you can apply tomatoes to your face. It counters oily skin by absorbing surplus oil and also helps get rid of pimples and acne. Apply undiluted tomato paste to your face and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm, not hot, water. In addition, tomatoes also help lighten the complexion, especially if mixed with cucumber juice. This makes a great face mask for oily skin. Place a cucumber slice on each eyelid and cover the rest of your face with the mask, taking care to avoid the delicate under-eye area.

If your skin is dry, you can add some day-old curd to the tomato paste and then apply to your skin. Tomato masks have excellent anti-ageing properties, so start applying them once you cross the age of 25.

If your skin starts burning when you apply to tomato mask, wash it off. You should feel a gentle tingling sensation after applying the tomato but if it stings too much, you could wash it off and add curd before applying the mask.

Do you have a boil or a pimple? Apply tomato paste to it. The acids from the tomato will soothe the pain of a boil and will also speed its recovery.

Slightly red cheeks looks healthy and very appealing. Eating tomatoes regularly gives you a pink and glowing complexion, so eat up!

Culled from indiaparenting.com