Skincare

Mercury Free Mascara by Afterglow Cosmetics

Author: Nirvana Fashion Editor Mon Mar 17, 2008

Starting Jan 1st, 2008 the state wide law banning mercury in mascaras, eye liners and skin-lightening creams took effect in Minnesota.

This bold move to ban mercury in makeup makes the great state of Minnesota the first state in the nation to ban intentionally added mercury in cosmetics and sets a tougher standard than the federal government for regulating cosmetic ingredients. “Mercury does cause neurological damage to people even in tiny quantities,” said Sen. John Marty, the Democrat who sponsored the ban. “Every source of mercury adds to it. We wanted to make sure it wasn’t here.”

So your first questions are probably. . .

Why isn’t mercury already banned in cosmetics? Well, that’s a long story but the short version is that the US FDA has banned very, very, very few chemicals in cosmetics. Mercury is not one of them. In fact, Europe, Korea and Japan have banned many chemicals still common in cosmetics in the USA.

I don’t see mercury on my mascara ingredient label. Does that mean it’s mercury free? The actual ingredient name containing mercury is called Thimerosal . It is a mercury-containing organic compound used as a preservative and anti-fungal agent since the 1920s. Thimerosal has been banned around the world but NOT in the US (except for Minnesota).

What should I do now? Ladies, the bottom line in my opinion is actually not about the mercury, but rather, it’s about the lack of regulation in general in the USA for cosmetic ingredient safety. So what’s a girl to do? Most women are not going to become chemists in their spare time to keep up with international cosmetic ingredient regulations to understand if products are safe. Instead, I suggest that you look for companies that are focused on safety and transparency regarding the ingredients they use.

The long awaited, all natural mascara from Afterglow Cosmetics is here! Beautifully lush and all natural, Pure Soul Mascara is available in Onyx (black) and Mink (deep brown).

Why you’ll love Afterglow Pure Soul Mascara:

* It creates rich, luscious lashes that are soft and flexible.

* It’s volumizing, flake proof, smudge proof and clump-free.

* Its all natural formula is rich in soothing organic botanical antioxidants.

* It’s gentle enough for even the most sensitive eyes.

* It’s gluten-free, alcohol-free, paraben-free, synthetic dye-free, perfume-free, mercury-free, petrochemical-free, phthalate-free, mineral oil-free, tar-free.

Afterglow Cosmetics is committed to providing effective and safe cosmetics.

We are a Compact Signer for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and ranked as one of the safest cosmetic lines according to the EWG’s Cosmetic Database.

Suggested Retail Price: $21.00

Shop

http://www.afterglowcosmetics.com/eyes

The Ugly Truth About Commercial Cosmetics

chemicals in cosmeticsI believe most of us take for granted that the popular cosmetics, soaps, lotions and hair care products we buy in our local salons, drug and departments stores are safe. Why as consumers would we be able to buy and use a product on our skin, lips, eyes and hair every day if they were harmful? This wasn’t even a question I had ever asked myself because I was so confident in my products and the well known companies that produce them. I first began investigating cosmetics when I decided to start my own cosmetic company. When I first began investigating the ingredients in my makeup and shower products like soap and shampoo, I was shocked to discover that almost all of them contained not one or two but multiple hard to pronounce, synthetic, very dangerous chemicals.

Over 90% of all ingredients in commercially available cosmetics are of synthetic origin and directly linked to serious health risks like cancer, infertility, kidney and liver disease and severe skin issues. Environmental Working Group report called, “Skin Deep” found that almost 90 percent of the more than 10,000 ingredients used in personal care products have not been evaluated by government regulators. At the same time of the 20,000 different off-the-shelf cosmetic products that are for sales in the US, over 80% of the products surveyed contained one or more ingredients that have caused documented adverse reactions in humans and animals in the past.

The FDA has only banned or restricted only nine personal care product ingredients in its entire 67 year history (FDA 2000). On September 6, 1997 the Boston Globe reported that “The General Accounting Office, the investigative branch of Congress, has identified more than 125 cosmetic ingredients suspected of causing cancer- and others that may cause birth defects.”! Many of the harmful chemicals still used abundantly in cosmetics in the United States have been long banned

in the rest of the world’s countries. Unfortunately, the United States regulatory vacuum gives cosmetic companies incredible leeway to select, manufacture and sell products laden with questionable ingredients, leaving the consumer to ultimately suffer the consequences. Most of the large cosmetic and personal-care companies will tell you not to worry. They agree that there are many chemicals in their products, but say that the quantities are small and will not affect you. At first glance this seems reasonable. Unfortunately, this is a sugar coated public relations response and does not identify the true issue athand. Medical science has proven that humans exposed over time to very small quantities of harmful chemicals do indeed suffer the consequences.

Medical science has proven that even the thin patches we stick to our arms or stomach with very small amounts of pharmaceutical chemicals can very effectively deliver chemicals into the bloodstream, totally changing the body’s chemistry. Trans-dermal patches containing small traces of nicotine can effectively deliver chemicals directly into the bloodstream to alter tobacco cravings. The new contraceptive alternative to the “Pill” is a patch which contains very low levels of hormones and still has the ability to stop a woman from getting pregnant.

The real motivation behind the Cosmetic Industry’s disconcern is money and profit. Chemicals, dyes and fillers mentioned below are found in almost every cosmetic product because they can be manufactured incredibly inexpensively and have a very long shelf life. If they were to discontinue using these chemicals for more healthy alternatives they would be severely cutting their profit margins to give you chemical free beauty products. In this battle their profits supersede your health. As a consumer your only response should be to discontinue using their products.

Large corporations in the personal-care industry are only motivated to be interested in their profits because the United States Government and specifically the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate or require any kind of federal, unbiased testing before a cosmetic or personal-care product hit the shelves. The FDA leaves it up to the cosmetics manufactures to test their own products. In essence, YOU the consumer are the Commercial Cosmetic Industry’s guinea pig. No wonder virtually none of them need to test on animals anymore! The consumer is now the guinea pig of choice!

Currently, the cosmetic companies in North America alone generate over $30 billion in sales each year. Advertising through celebrities, slick magazine and TV ads, they give hope for a brighter, younger complexion, more beautiful hair and sexier features. What they don’t mention is the long list of chemicals that go into that promise. Since the industry is not regulated, many cosmetic companies don’t even bother to list the ingredients on their products.

It is concerning then, in light of all the information we know about the chemicals in the products that we slather on our skin EVERY DAY, that we are not more informed and outraged about the implications of constantly introducing these chemicals into our bodies. Little is known about the long term effects of the petroleum chemicals and synthetic products that we rub into our skin on a daily basis in the form of cosmetics, lotions, shampoos, etc. At this point scientists and researchers know that these chemicals pose a threat to human health and fertility and have been found in our bodies and breast milk. Chemicals found in cosmetics and personal-care products are linked to birth defects, hormone disruption and reduced fertility not to mention more pervasive cosmetic damage such as rashes, mild to severe acne and eczema. Many people use cosmetics and lotions to cure skin issues. Ironically, the products they are using and hoping for a cure are the very same products that are causing the problem!

Even after reading all of this I’m sure you are still thinking, “I doubt the products I use every day have the chemicals you are talking about.” I thought the same thing until I looked into the research of a few different sources like the Environmental Working Group. I had to resort to these research groups since most of my cosmetics don’t list the ingredients anywhere on the packaging. I soon found out that some of my (formerly) favorite cosmetic companies were rated among the worst for toxin levels in their cosmetics.

For more details about the specific chemicals of concern, please visit the Environmental Working Group’s website — click here. Please keep in mind, the EWG did not test every cosmetic company’s products for this study. If the products you currently use are not mentioned please investigate your cosmetic’s ingredient list.If you’re thinking you will simply start buying cosmetics that say “organic”, “natural”, “hypo-allergenic” or “herbal” to avoid these dangerous chemicals please beware. Products with these labels still often contain these dangerous chemicals, minerals and synthetics because there is no regulation or standard that companies who label their products are required to follow. Read the ingredients.

The typical adult uses nine cosmetics/ personal-care products a day with an average daily load of around 126 chemicals. Most of these chemicals (including the one’s mentioned above) are absorbed into your body through your skin. Others, found in lipstick and lip balm, you actually eat as they come off your lips when eating, drinking or wetting your lips.

Cosmetic companies use synthetics and fillers in their products to keep costs down and give themselves the greatest profit margin possible. They are spending pennies on the dollars you spend at your local drug or department store to buy their products. What you are paying for is an image of beauty perpetuated in advertisements. You are not usually paying for quality with most commercial cosmetic brands.

What can you do to save your skin and your body from exposure to a lifetime of harmless chemicals? Inform yourself, read labels, investigate products if they don’t list ingredients. There are natural alternatives that are better for you and your skin. Afterglow Cosmetics provides you with beautiful, 100% safe cosmetic alternatives. None of our cosmetics contain ANY harmful ingredients like the ones mentioned above.

Sources:

Health Risks in Today’s Cosmetics, Alliance Publishers, 1995

A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, Ruth Winter

Beauty to Die For, The Cosmetic Consequence by Judi Vance

Perfume Expose by Richard H. Conrad, Ph.D.

http://www.nirvanastyle.com/html/fashion_articles.php?id=283

Cosmetic Surgery – Definition and Overview

According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery is a subspecialty of medicine and surgery that uniquely restricts itself to the enhancement of appearance through surgical and medical techniques. It is specifically concerned with maintaining normal appearance, restoring it, or enhancing it beyond the average level toward some aesthetic ideal.

Cosmetic Surgery is a multi-disciplinary and comprehensive approach directed to all areas of the head, neck, and body.  The Cosmetic Surgeon offers specialized expertise in patient education and counseling, procedural skills, and the early recognition and treatment of complications. 

Competency in Cosmetic Surgery implies a combination of; knowledge, surgical judgment, technical expertise and ethics in order to achieve the goal of providing aesthetic improvement.

SmartHealthbuyer.com and help with selecting the appropriate cosmetic surgery

SmartHealthbuyer.com has compiled information regarding cosmetic surgeon across 300 metro areas in the United States, offering various specialized cosmetic surgery treatments.  Broadly speaking Cosmetic Surgery can be classified into three types, the general cosmetic surgery, facial cosmetic surgery, and dermatologic cosmetic surgery.  By accessing SmartHealthBuyer.com you can study all this information and more!

For example, SmartHealthbuyer.com will provide you access to details about various treatment plans being offered in each of these subcategories and some very popular cosmetic surgeries being performed currently are, eyelid raises, facelifts, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, liposuction, buttock implants, breast lifts, breast reduction, Botox, lip augmentation, dermabrasion, spider vein treatment, mole removal, collagen injections, facial rejuvenations and a whole plethora of treatment plans which include cellulite treatments, gastric bypass,  laser hair removals, and mesotherapy etc.,

SmartHealthbuyer.com will help you find out about the latest treatments being offered in cosmetic surgery which is much simpler than sifting through 100s of websites to understand what is new in the industry.  Later, of course, you can do your own research also and confirm findings.

Treatment cost and availing the best price for your cosmetic surgery treatment plan

Arriving at the best price for the cosmetic surgery treatment chosen by you can become a huge challenge if you aren’t aware of the rates being charged by cosmetic surgeons for various treatment plans. At SmartHealthbuyer.com you can find out and go through the price lists of various cosmetic surgery treatment plans being offered.

By providing the details of your location, state, city, and zip code, at SmartHealthbuyer.com you will be able to go through the entire database of listed cosmetic surgeons and the price lists for treatment plans in your preferred location.  Of course, prices could vary depending upon location, experience and expertise of the cosmetic surgeon, and also the extent of surgery required, but through the SmartHealthbuyer.com price engine you will be able to calculate an estimated cost per treatment plan. At SmartHealthbuyer.com you can also compare rates offered by various cosmetic surgeons and arrive at an average price for the chosen treatment.  All these details and costs will help you arrive at the best price offered and make sure you are aware of the rates that are being charged for such treatments and plan your finances accordingly. Please note that pricing alone is NOT a good indication of the quality of care you can expect. SmartHealthBuyer makes is easier to compare Practitioners, as well as to check their experience and qualifications.

Locating an expert cosmetic surgeon with SmartHealthbuyer.com

Going in for cosmetic surgery is commendable and to perform cosmetic surgery according to your specifications and requirement you need an expert in the filed.  Locating an experienced cosmetic surgeon can pose a huge challenge. To help you with this SmartHealthbuyer.com has created a business directory with the details, credentials, and reviews of cosmetic surgeons across 300 city areas in the United States.

By logging into SmartHealthbuyer.com and providing the details of your city, state, and zip code you will be able to access information and details for all the listed cosmetic surgeons in the SmartHealthbuyer.com database.  This information will help you go through cosmetic surgeons in your area and you will be able to short-list names of possible cosmetic surgeons that meet your requirement and criteria.

What to look for in a cosmetic surgeon?

Deciding on a good cosmetic surgeon is extremely important because cosmetic surgery is an experts’ job and the precision, care, and expertise with which surgery is handled becomes doubly critical because besides enhancing your appearance the surgeon should ensure that there is no other damage caused in the process.  

Most importantly your cosmetic surgeon should ascertain your level of fitness and establish that you do not have any other medical history or conditions that come in the way of cosmetic surgery and result in any untoward incident later.

Take the case of Donda West, former chairwoman of Chicago State University’s English department and mother of famous rap artist Kanye West.  Donda had undergone plastic surgery prior to her death.  Though was Donda was advised against plastic surgery by her first surgeon, Dr. Andre Aboolian, Donda decided to go ahead with the surgery and approached another plastic surgeon, Dr. Jan Adams, of TV show, “Before and After” claim. 

Dr. Adams performed tummy tucks and breast reduction surgeries on Ms. West who died later.  According to plastic surgeon Dr. Adams, Ms. West died from a heart attack, pulmonary embolism or massive vomiting. 

The question is, if another plastic surgeon, Dr. Andre Aboolian, had refused surgery on Ms. West because of an underlying health risk, how could Dr. Adam’s go ahead with the procedures? Medical board records show that Dr. Adams had two malpractice suits filed against him. According to Associated Press reports, Dr. Adams has a history of DUI, two malpractice suits in the years 2001 and 2003.

It is therefore mandatory that you check, verify, confirm and research all information available before selecting a cosmetic surgeon.  At SmartHealthbuyer.com will make it easier for you to look up credentials, certifications, experience, qualifications, and educational background of all the cosmetic surgeons listed in the SmartHealthbuyer.com database. 

At SmartHealthbuyer.com you will be able read reviews, recommendations, and references provided by various patients for the listed cosmetic surgeons, which will enable you to establish the experience and expertise of available cosmetic surgeons in your area.  Once you have the details of experienced cosmetic surgeons, you can do a further study by visiting their websites on the internet and confirm the findings.  Save yourself a lot of time, energy, and effort log on to SmartHealthbuyer.com and access our database for all that you want to know about cosmetic surgery treatment plans, best prices, and expert cosmetic surgeons who value your life and looks!

There are a number of ingredients which are used in cosmetics, with various types of ingredients being used to create vastly different colors and textures once the cosmetic items have been applied. Despite there being so many options available when it comes to the overall ingredients in cosmetics, most cosmetics will feature one of three types of base ingredients. Instead of being focused on creating the perfect shades, the base ingredients are what make up the underlying core of the cosmetic application. These ingredients determine the overall texture of the makeup, whether the cosmetic items are thick or thin, and can even affect how easy or difficult application of the product is. The three most common base ingredients found in cosmetics are water, minerals, and oils.

Obviously, each of these three ingredients has their own qualities as well as their own advantages and disadvantages. Because of how important it is to have the ability to match cosmetics with your skin type and personal preferences, taking the time to compare and understand these three base ingredients could be the key to finding the exact type of cosmetics that will meet your needs and best complement your skin tone. Here are the most important details about each type of cosmetics base so that you can find the type that is best for you.

Water-Based Cosmetics

Many water-based cosmetics choose water as their base ingredient because it can produce a lighter and thinner product than either mineral-based or oil-based cosmetics. This is an especially popular option with many mascaras and liquid eyeliners, since they rely on their thinner nature to be able to be applied effectively. In addition to being able to produce a product that flows well and goes on lightly, many water-based cosmetics cost less to produce as opposed to other bases. This can lead to a product that not only is easy to apply but that also has a slightly lower cost on average than other options.

Many water-based liquid cosmetics will have a natural glossiness to them, a characteristic which can be accentuated in products such as lip gloss or which can be toned down by the addition of powdered ingredients in concealers. Water-based cosmetics may be a bit more difficult to apply, but tend to not clump as much as other types.

Mineral-Based Cosmetics

Not as common as water- or oil-based cosmetics but rapidly growing in popularity, mineral-based cosmetic products use natural minerals as their base component and pigment. This results in cosmetic products which are most often sold as an ultrafine powder, eliminating much of the glossiness and difficulty that can come with using liquid-based cosmetics. Many mineral-based cosmetics use only natural ingredients, making sure that all of the pigments that appear in the products are shades that can be found in nature and also reducing the likelihood of allergic reactions that are often triggered by chemically-based ingredients. Because of the purity of the ingredients (and in some cases, the difficulty of getting the ingredients in the first place), many mineral-based cosmetics will have at least a slightly higher price than water-based and oil-based cosmetics. It is important to do as much research into the type of cosmetics you are considering purchasing, in order to ensure that you go home with the type which is best for your skin.

The majority of mineral-based cosmetics can be used to give slight hints of color where needed without overpowering the natural beauty of the face. Because of its powdered nature, mineral-based cosmetics can appear more natural than other types of cosmetic products, when used sparingly. Mineral-based cosmetics generally go on easily, though it can take some practice to find the exact amount needed when changing from liquid cosmetics.

Oil-Based Cosmetics

The other common base ingredient for cosmetic products is oil, with oil-based cosmetics featuring a wide variety of colors, textures, and application techniques. Because of the ease with which oil-based cosmetics cling to the skin they present a happy medium for many between water-based products and the powders of mineral-based cosmetic products. The thickness of oil-based cosmetics can vary from liquids to near-solids, with the cosmetic products staying in place relatively well regardless of the thickness when applied. Different types of oil and pigments can be used in oil-based cosmetics, allowing manufacturers to release numerous product lines that are similar in scope but which all feature unique characteristics and shades. The price of oil-based cosmetics depends largely on the specific ingredients that are used in their manufacture, so both low-priced and high-priced options exist.

The biggest concern that many people have in regards to using oil-based cosmetics is that they are often more noticeable than other cosmetic types. Though application is generally quite easy for oil-based concealers and other oil cosmetics, care must be taken to make sure that too much is not applied at once.

As much as cosmetic surgery is a personal choice and should only be undertaken if it’s something that you believe will benefit you, it could be the case that there are several other people who will notice a positive impact on their own lives after you choose to undergo surgery.

This tends to be considered truer for weight loss surgeries, where patients undergoing gastric bypasses and lap band surgeries discover a whole new lease of life when the weight begins to come off and they find they have a lot more energy. That means that not only do they benefit from better health and mobility, but their families can enjoy the advantages too.

For example, if a patient was overweight to the extent that they couldn’t play with their children in the garden or take them on days out because they’d become too exhausted, then massive weight loss can literally turn a family’s life around – as well as help ensure that children learn about exercise and develop positive habits with their parents.

But what about other surgeries that are strictly for aesthetic purposes? There’s a lot of judgement from some people about how the industry is perceived as ’shallow’ – which is simply not true. There is nothing ’shallow’ about feeling significant emotional turmoil due to the way you look. Most people have experienced feeling self-conscious at one time or another, and surely people can apply those feelings to understand what a torment it can be to be unhappy in your own skin.

Some people who were bullied when younger due to their looks can find a new life following surgery, with rhinoplasty, breast surgery or ear pinning procedures amongst the most prominent choices. Some people find that, by undergoing surgery, their libido returns and their relationship with their partner gets better and it’s normally nothing to do with the way their partner perceives their attractiveness, but has far more to do with how attractive they feel themselves after having surgery.

Aesthetic cosmetic surgery absolutely benefits the person undergoing the treatment most – and that’s the way it should be. One thing it doesn’t do, however, is harm others – so this personal choice is exactly that, personal

http://www.landauercosmeticsurgery.co.uk/

A very exciting haul from a cosmetic company that it my new love. Check it out at www.spellcosmetics.com Also they have a youtube channel! Its http I have already placed a second order with this company

Inspiration picture & my interpretation: i49.tinypic.com Pictures & List of all products used on my website: www.misschievous.tv Daily updates on Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: www.facebook.com Interactive Q&A site: www.formspring.me Subscribe to my second channel: www.youtube.com Nailpolish: Barry M – Baby Pink Music: Ghost – Visions (ccmixter.org)

I need help with some research if you will. Which of the following choices do you use most often for cosmetics purchases and how often do you buy them? MAC, Sephora, Ulta, Grocery/Drugstores, Big Discount Stores, Beauty Supply Stores.

Thank you!

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My first video recorded & edited on the Macbook!! Yay! I love Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics..They are Organic/Vegan/Cruelty free: www.afterglowcosmetics.com Products Used -Afterglow Mineral Foundation: Camel -Color Lock -Mineral Eye shadows: Cashmere, Tempt, Suede, Cocoa, Lavish -Eyeliner: Orbit -Bronzer: Deep -Mascara: Loreal’s Carbon Black Voluminous -Lip Gloss: Lip Smacker’s (Little girl isle) lol AndreasChoiceOnline.com http Products used:

My Blog for pictures and information. Don’t forget to follow my blog as well www.blairsbeautynlife.blogspot.com Subscribe to my NEW other channel www.youtube.com Add me as a friend and Subscribe to me on Blogtv!: www.blogtv.com Also, Follow me on TWITTER!: www.twitter.com Glamourdolleyes: www.glamourdolleyes.com http