US FDA No Longer Approves of Antibacterial Soap

A couple of years ago, I wrote about the state of Minnesota banning products containing triclosan, which is the main antibacterial ingredient in most antibacterial soaps, body washes, and hand sanitizers. Now, the FDA has jumped on board and is no longer approving the use of several ingredients (triclosan being one of them) in soaps and body washes.

As I pointed out in the previous post, triclosan has been associated with bacterial resistance to drugs and antibiotics, as well as hormone disruption in animals and human beings (as a result of overuse and our environment being subsequently contaminated with the chemical).

However, the biggest determining factor, and perhaps the most important, is that antibacterial soap manufacturers have been UNABLE TO PROVE that their products are more effective than plain soap and water. It is probably safe to assume that it was all a gimmick to sell more soap.

Antibacterial hand soaps and body washes containing triclosan and the other list of ingredients will no longer be available in the U.S. within one year of the ruling. In other cases, I would recommend people stocking up before everything was pulled from the shelves. Not in this case, though. NEVER in this case.

Minnesota Bans Antibacterial Ingredient. You Probably Should, Too.

Triclosan.  It's found in our favorite antibacterial hand soaps, body washes, hand sanitizers, tooth paste, cosmetics, deodorant...  It's in a lot of stuff.

It has also been banned in Minnesota.

I've always been a skeptic when it comes to many things.  I can't say that I didn't fall for the antibacterial gimmick when it first began picking up steam in the '90s, or that I don't fall for it whenever I end up coming into contact with... not-so-clean things, but I always wondered if the draw towards those products weren't so much science as it was marketing.  Now, I know the answer.

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a rule that would require manufacturers of antibacterial products "to prove their products are more effective than plain soap and water in preventing illness and the spread of infection."

According to CNN:

"Millions of Americans use antibacterial hand soap and body wash products," the [FDA] said in a statement. "Although consumers generally view these products as effective tools to help prevent the spread of germs, there is currently no evidence that they are any more effective at preventing illness than washing with plain soap and water."

You may ask, "So what if it's not more effective?"  It may not be any better, but it couldn't be any worse.  Better to be safe than sorry, right?

Not necessarily right.  In fact, according to some research, it's plenty worse.  Not only are antibacterial products contributing to bacterial resistance to drugs and antibiotics, they're also being accused of disrupting hormones in our bodies.

Since I'm not an expert in this field, I can only share with you the literature that I have come across on this topic (links to which you'll find throughout this post).  Even though I feel many of the statements made in these articles are compelling, it's ultimately up to you to determine for yourself the legitimacy of these findings.

For more information about the FDA's position on triclosan, please visit:
http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm205999.htm

Etude House - Another YouTube Beauty Tutorial Find

Etude House is one of South Korea's most popular cosmetics companies, with hundreds of standalone stores throughout Asia.  If you're a fan of South Korean popular culture, you may have seen one of their commercials (starring some of South Korea's top K-pop idols) or caught a quick glimpse of one of their shops in a video or blog somewhere online.  With their cute, pink, European-style decor, the shops are hard to miss.

And the best thing about the products is that they're super affordable!  Their prices are comparable to drugstore make-up prices (in the U.S., at least), averaging under or about $10 USD for most items.  The products are geared towards teenagers and young adults (hence the affordability and cute packaging), but the quality is pretty much on par with more expensive brands.

** Quick story - During an extended trip to South Korea a couple of years ago, I sent my mom a letter with some BB cream samples I got from one of my many trips to Etude House (ohmigod the SAMPLES!!!).  Let me take this moment to note that my mom is very particular about foundations and the like.  She doesn't like how most of them look or feel (no, thank you, orange bottle of Maybelline) and is convinced that the only ones that suit her are from expensive, Asian (usually Japanese) brands (Shiseido or die).  Anyway, she liked the sample so much, she had me buy her a full-sized bottle.  If Etude House has the stamp of approval from a picky Korean woman in her 70s, it's good enough for me.  End story. **

Anyway, Etude House has had a YouTube channel for ages now, offering various tutorials and tips for make-up and skin care trends popular in South Korea.  Aware of their growing global audience, they recently started adding English captions/subtitles to their videos.



Many of their videos aren't translated but are still pretty easy to follow along.



Where can you buy these products?  ...  Sigh.  That's the problem; unless you live in Asia, it won't be easy.  If you don't have a generous pen pal who lives in Korea, your only option is to order online.  Unfortunately, since Etude House doesn't do global orders at the moment, you'll have to try your luck with third-party sellers (in some cases, at exorbitant prices).

In regards to these tutorials, though, you don't necessarily need these particular products.  Improvise with what you've got or can get, and start creating these looks on your own!


UPDATE (11/4/14): Etude House now ships worldwide! Go to their global site and shop away!

Amazon: Sometimes You Get What You Pay For

I posted this to my Tumblr page several months ago, but wanted to share it again here.

Amazon is an amazing online retailer!  You can find pretty much anything you're looking for, and you can get it at a fairly decent price.  When I first started shopping there years ago, I had no intention of ever looking elsewhere for anything ever again.  These days, unfortunately, I find myself shopping on Amazon less and less.

For Mother's Day earlier this year, I decided to introduce my mom to the world of smartphones by getting her a Samsung Galaxy SIII.  I needed to purchase accessories for her new phone, so where else would I look?

I knew from reading other blogs and the customer reviews on Amazon that some of their sellers were not being very honest and were selling counterfeit items.  One important piece of advice that pretty much everyone had was, if you're buying from a third-party seller, make sure that it says the order is being "fulfilled by Amazon."  That way, the item that you're purchasing is going through an additional check point (the seller's items are actually being sent from the Amazon warehouses) before it gets to you.

I went one step further - I chose to buy directly from Amazon.  It didn't work.

Authentic Samsung products have a holographic "Samsung Original" sticker.

You can tell the cardboard packaging was cut by hand - the edges are off.

They totally sent me a knock-off.

To be honest, for what I paid (a mere fraction of the MSRP), I would've been happy if the stupid case had just fit on the phone, but it didn't even do that.  I basically paid for trash.

I filed a complaint, returned the case, and got my money back.  It seemed like Amazon was having one of its third-party sellers fulfill their orders; the original link I had for the item now directs to a different seller.  From what I understand, though, that wasn't the first nor will it be the last seller to completely dupe customers on the site.  Instead of trying my luck again with Amazon, I decided to head to my local Best Buy, where I could actually see that I was buying the real thing.

My friends, this problem doesn't end with smartphone accessories, unfortunately.  I would be very, very careful when purchasing anything from third-party sellers online.

This is also true with imported cosmetics, especially BB creams from Asia.  Many of the bigger companies (Missha, Skin79, Skinfood, etc.) have websites/online shops operating in the U.S., as well as operating actual brick and mortar stores.  Even though the prices there can be a bit higher than what you can find on Amazon or Ebay, I would really recommend purchasing from legit places.  You really don't know what you're getting from these third-party sellers.  It could be completely fine, or it could just be older or stolen merchandise, but it could also be lower grade, possibly harmful cosmetics disguised in brand name packaging.

In any case, when making purchases online, make sure you do your research so that any decisions you make are well-informed ones.  Caveat emptor!

***
UPDATE (May 26, 2014):  I was recently looking up YouTube videos on Clarisonic facial cleansing systems, and I came across a video illustrating the differences between real and knock-off Clarisonics.  The woman in the video was gifted a Clarisonic Mia2 that was purchased on Amazon, which isn't an authorized dealer of Clarisonic products.  I just wanted to add this as more reason to be careful of what you buy through third-party sellers.
*** 

Dr. Bronner's Magic Pure Castile Classic Liquid Soap: A Natural, Green Alternative to Makeup Cleansing Oils

I'm not gonna lie; I'm an extremely lazy person.  I simply cannot be bothered when it comes to removing makeup.  Why do we need so much cleansing and wiping?  That's why I find cleansing oils so wonderful.  I can remove a full face of makeup in one easy step.  I mean, think of all the waste in cotton pads and tissues!  Think of your raw, irritated skin!!!  Why put yourself through all of that when a good cleansing oil will take care of everything???

As I mentioned before, cleansing oils are more of an Asian thing.  Although cleansing oils are gaining popularity here in the States, it still tends to be the Asian brands that make them (e.g. Shu Uemura and Shiseido, to name a couple).

You can generally find these at your local Sephora or department store counter, but these brands tend to be a little pricey.  As I write this, a 150 mL (5 oz) bottle of a Shu Uemura cleansing oil is upwards of $31 (USD), and a 450 mL (15-16 oz) bottle is upwards of $67.

If you have an Asian grocery store near you, you may be able to find a more reasonably priced bottle of cleansing oil in their cosmetics aisle.  My last one came from my local Mitsuwa - a 150 mL bottle of cleansing oil from Kracie's Purenavi line ($15).

Now, here's the thing - the main ingredient in most of these cleansing oils is mineral oil.  You can find mineral oil in many cosmetic products, from high end moisturizers to your run-of-the-mill baby oil.  People have used it for ages - it does the job.

But what is it exactly?  The name "mineral oil" sounds like it could be a type of fancy essential oil derived from natural minerals...  Alas, a quick search on the internet will tell you the truth: it's a petroleum by-product.  Yes, "petroleum," as in Vaseline, fossil fuels and crude oil.  "Petroleum," as in it could be harmful to your skin and overall health.

So, what does one who wants to lead a more green and natural lifestyle do?  Run to your local Target, drug store, or health food store, and pick up a bottle of Dr. Bronner's Magic Pure Castile Classic Liquid Soap.  You know the one I'm talking about - that plastic bottle of clear, amber-colored liquid with all the crazy writing on the label.

From their website:

Unlike any you’ve ever used. A combination of organic extra virgin coconut, olive, jojoba and hemp oils, together with pure essential oils, creates a unique soap that cleans effectively without being aggressive and produces a velvety-lather that leaves the skin silky-smooth and refreshed.

Completely Biodegradable and Vegetable-Based Made with Certified Fair Trade and Organic Oils Multi-Purpose: 18-in-1 Uses No Synthetic Foaming Agents, Thickeners or Preservatives 100% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Cylinder Bottles and Paper Labels Simple, Ecological Formulations Based on Old-World Quality and Expertise #1-Selling Natural Brand of Soaps in North America

INGREDIENTS: Water, Saponified Organic Coconut*, Organic Palm* and Organic Olive* Oils (w/Retained Glycerin), Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Essential Oils**, Citric Acid, Vitamin E * FAIR TRADE Ingredients ** Available in Peppermint, Lavender, Almond, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Rose and Citrus Orange

Sure, you could use a bottle of any regular, natural oil (jojoba, olive, coconut, etc.) to work in and wipe off, but that method tends to leave greasy messes both on your face and in your sink.  Not only is Dr. Bronner's made from organic, natural oils, but it's formulated so that it rinses off clean.

Dr. Bronner's comes in several scents, but my sensitive skin and I prefer the unscented, "Baby Mild" formula (pictured above).

Directions

How do you use it?  Not too different from how you would use a cleansing oil.  Starting with a dry face, put about half a tablespoon or so of the liquid soap in your hand.  Mix in a little bit of water (the soap needs to be diluted for easier use).  Some sudsing is okay.

Apply the soap directly to your face.  Work it in so that you break down all the makeup.  Just be careful not to get any of the soap into your eyes - IT WILL STING.

Once you're confident that you've worked the soap into getting every bit of makeup on your face (takes me about a minute or two), rinse off well with water et voilà!  Your face should be spick-and-span!  Even the waterproof mascara - no sign whatsoever!

(NOTE: In this video, you'll see that I have some black marks on my hands.  I wrote on the back of my hands with a black Sharpie before applying the makeup so that I could tell which cleanser I used on which hand.  If you look carefully, you can see that one says "cleansing oil" and the other "Dr. Bronner's."  I just want to make it clear that the marks are not from leftover makeup.)


The only thing that I've noticed is that Dr. Bronner soaps tend to leave a little bit of a squeaky feeling on your skin.  I think it's a characteristic of using an all natural, oil-based soap rather than it being the result of any sort of residue.  But if you're used to a more slick feeling after washing your face, just follow it up with a quick once-over with your regular, daily cleanser.

How much will a bottle of Dr. Bronner's set you back?  I bought a 32 oz bottle from Target for $16.99.  Go to town!

Pretty in Pink Ribbons: Health and Cosmetics

This time last year, I was in South Korea on business.  While there, I had the pleasure of attending the International Women's Film Festival in Seoul, where I watched an eye-opening documentary about cause marketing, called Pink Ribbons, Inc. (2011, Dir. Léa Pool).

From the film's website:

The ubiquitous pink ribbons of breast cancer philanthropy – and the hand-in-hand marketing of brands and products associated with that philanthropy – permeates our culture, providing assurance that we are engaged in a successful battle against this insidious disease. But the campaign obscures the reality and facts of breast cancer – more and more women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and face the same treatment options they did 40 years ago. Yet women are also the most influential market group, buying 80 percent of consumer products and making most major household purchasing decisions. So then who really benefits from the pink ribbon campaigns – the cause or the company? And what if the very companies and products that profit from their association have actually contributed to the problem?

In showing the real story of breast cancer and the lives of those who fight it, Pink Ribbons, Inc. reveals the co-opting of what marketing experts have labeled a "dream cause."

Trailer

Needless to say, my mind was blown after watching this.  That's not to say that I was completely ignorant of the subject matter.  I've been aware of various online databases that list and rate carcinogens in cosmetics for several years now.  I know many (most, I should say) cosmetics and skin care products contain various chemicals that are suspected to be carcinogens (at the time of this writing) and that many of these same cosmetics companies promote breast cancer awareness and research.  The hypocrisy of it all is pretty obvious, but I just never cared enough nor was skeptical enough to connect the dots and put it all together the way this documentary did for me.

It isn't hard to find all natural cosmetics and skin care products these days.  Many companies have jumped on the "natural" and "organic" bandwagons in the last few years (cue buzzword "paraben-free"), making these products more accessible to a wider market.  Walk into any CVS or Target, and you'll find entire shelves in the beauty section devoted to natural products.  Many are still a bit pricier than your run-of-the-mill drugstore brands, but I would say that it's similar to the difference of buying organic vs. non-organic food.  Whether the extra cost is worth it to you financially, and personally, is for you to decide.

Online cosmetics safety databases:

• Cosmeticsinfo.org - "Your source for safety information about cosmetic and personal care products, their ingredients and how they are tested and regulated."
• Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep® - A database that "provides easy-to-navigate safety ratings for tens of thousands of personal care products."

Where you can watch Pink Ribbons, Inc.:

• Netflix
• Buy the DVD
• Download (Canada only)
• Rent for 48 hours (Canada only) 

Jung Saem Mool - My Most Recent YouTube Beauty Tutorial Find

Even though I've been sorely neglecting this blog, I've still been keeping up with makeup and beauty blogs and YouTube channels. I have to admit that my obsession with makeup has relaxed in the last few years, but I still like to keep myself updated with all the new products and goings-on.

I first came across Jung Saem Mool's YouTube Channel through Eat Your Kimchi, a blog devoted to Korean popular culture (K-pop for the most part) and everyday life in South Korea. It wasn't long after I first discovered EYK's website and YouTube channel for myself that I spent an entire evening trying to watch all of their videos and happened to come across an interview they did with these wonderful makeup artists.

Jung Saem Mool is a professional makeup studio in South Korea, run by the makeup artist of the same name. She and her colleagues are makeup artists to most, if not all of the top South Korean celebrities and are responsible for creating many of the iconic looks of your favorite K-pop stars (assuming you're familiar with K-pop).

AND they post tutorials for these looks on their YouTube channel. This isn't a random YouTube beauty guru recreating a particular look for you (not that there's anything wrong with that). You are getting firsthand lessons from the artists who actually created these looks!

All of the videos have English subtitles (some of the older videos have the subtitles in the annotations, so make sure you turn those on) and are pretty easy to follow. Many of the celebrity makeup tutorials go right into the point or color makeup (eyeshadow, blush, lipstick, etc.). Base makeup (foundation, etc.) is a given in these videos, so keep that in mind. The tutorials range from makeup to hair styling to skin care, so they really give us a well-rounded lesson.

I have to warn you: what these women perform is magic, making these videos highly addictive. Granted, these women are professionals, so their skills are light-years ahead of most of ours. You may not have all the tools and makeup that they use to create these looks, but that doesn't mean there's nothing for us to take away here. Regardless of our own skill level and access to certain products, there is a lot that we can learn from watching these masters perform their art.

Jung Saem Mool and Eat Your Kimchi collaborated to recreate Lee Hyori's look for her "Bad Girls" music video.

Lee Hyori's Original Look from the Music Video


Base Makeup, Contouring, Cheeks and Lip


Eyes


Eyelashes

Hard Candy Back at Walmart!

Remember when, not too long ago, Hard Candy Cosmetics had their massive sale? It seemed like it was the end of the line for the company, but it's back!

Revamped, Hard Candy is back in business with America's favorite(?) mass retailer to provide consumers with affordable (nothing over $10), edgy make-up (just in time for Halloween!).

The products are available in stores and online.

Some Online Discounts

I hate promoting irresponsible consumerism, especially these days. However, here are a few discount codes for those of you who have been planning to purchase from these brands anyway:

Urban Decay
30% Friends & Family Discount (valid through August 20): FNFF1

Korres
30% Discount, courtesy of Musings of a Muse (valid through September 15): MUSE

These discount codes are only valid on their respective websites (i.e. not at Sephora, Ulta, etc.).

Remember, shop smart!

ByLaurenLuke Cosmetics Available Soon at Sephora!!!

It's been quite a "hwile" since I posted anything on this blog. The usual (work, life, etc.) got in the way, and I just sort of put this on the back burner (waaaaaaay back).

I've come back with a post that is actually about a very inspiring story that I've been following for almost a year now. I don't know how many of you are familiar with Lauren Luke (a.k.a. YouTube beauty vlogger Panacea81). If you aren't, here's a little video that'll catch you up to speed:



Not too long ago, this amazing gal started coming out with her own cosmetics line (available online, at bylaurenluke.com). If I'm not mistaken, they only became available for purchase last Fall (November, I think). Well, it's been less than a year and, lo and behold, her fabulous wares will soon be available at the almighty Sephora!

I'll be honest, these kits are a smidge on the pricey side ($32.50 each), but from the reviews I've read, they are well worth the money. I'm not really keen on palettes (I feel limited by them), but I may take the plunge and grab that "My Smokey Classics" palette I've had my eye on.

In any case, if you haven't already, check out Lauren's makeup tutorials on YouTube, and be sure to swatch her products when they become available at a Sephora near you. No one is more deserving of all this success than her!

Too Faced Vintage Sale

Get all of the older Too Faced items at close to 75% off in their Vintage Super Sale. Lip glosses, eye shadows, brushes, palettes - all for under $20 (and many for under $10)! Can't beat those prices!

The sale ends April 6.

Prescriptives Friends & Family 30% Off

Use promo code FRIEND9 to get 30% off and free shipping on your Prescriptives purchase. This offer is good through Saturday, 3/21.

* And don't forget to hit up Ebates for your 6% cash back!!!

It's HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERE!!!

The MAC Hello Kitty Collection has finally arrived!


Well, actually, it's been here since yesterday.

I've already picked up something from the collection: a lipstick in "Cute-ster." Very, very nice. In the tube, it's a light, pearly pink, but it's pretty sheer (Lustre finish), so it doesn't show up that bright on my lips.

As an Asian-American feminist, I'm well aware of the socio-political debate surrounding Hello Kitty (a gentle, cute Asian female with no mouth (although, it's important to note that Sanrio's backstory for Hello Kitty states that she's English...)). And I'm also aware of the existence of general Hello Kitty hate. What can I say? She's my guilty pleasure. Some people have drugs; I've got a mouthless cat and her arsenal of cute, little animal friends (actually, my favorite character is My Melody). Incidentally, I'm deathly allergic to cats.

Anyway, these suckers are going fast (the salesperson at the store, when I went to buy the lipstick, said to me, "You got the last one here! People are going to hate you!!!"), so if you plan to purchase, better act now.

Budget-friendly Beauty: Vaseline

That's right. Vaseline. Petroleum jelly, for you non-brand-loyal folks.

And no...



...Tyra isn't its only fan.

Vaseline has many uses, but the one I'll be talking about here is as a face moisturizer. Well, that's not technically correct. Vaseline, due to its inherent properties, can't be a moisturizer.

I know many of you scoff at the idea of putting Vaseline on your face. You may think that your face is too good for Vaseline, but you may want to think again. Next time you reach for your (expensive) face moisturizer or eye cream, try reading the ingredients. You may see that Vaseline (a.k.a. "petroleum jelly", a.k.a. "petrolatum") is listed as one of the main ingredients.

Because it feels so greasy, you may think Vaseline is an instant recipe for breakouts. You couldn't be farther from the truth. Why? Because Vaseline cannot be absorbed into your skin. Its ingredients just sit on top of your skin to create a layer (albeit a layer of grease). I guess the easiest way to explain it is that Vaseline is to skin as oil is to water; it just sits on top and never mixes.

So, if Vaseline never gets absorbed, how exactly does it help your skin? Well, by sitting on top of your skin, the layer of Vaseline creates a sort of barrier. What does this barrier do? It protects your skin from the elements (minus UV protection), but it also seals things (such as moisture) in. By preventing your skin from losing too much moisture, it helps keep your face nice and hydrated. Not only that, but you know all those expensive serums and other things you put on your face? A little bit of Vaseline will help seal those goodies in, too.

Now, the important part is how much Vaseline to use. Lucky for us, a little goes a long way. Just dab a little with your fingertips, rub between your hands, and pat onto your face. There will be a slight greasiness to your skin, but nothing unbearable. Usually, I'll do this as the final step in my nighttime skin care routine (after applying my moisturizer). You can also mix in a little bit of Vaseline with your moisturizer (à la Aquaphor), but I prefer to know for certain that my moisturizer will be doing its job (who knows where it'll end up sitting once it's all mixed up).

The results? Well, there's really no need to shell out extra $$$ for a heavier winter moisturizer. $5 (or less) at your local drugstore will help your face stay moisturized even in the coldest of weather. Also, as someone with frequent breakouts, I find that the Vaseline helps my pimples heal quicker (the barrier/seal it creates aids in the healing). It also keeps my skin soft, allowing for easier "extractions" (though I know that isn't really recommended, I just can't stop myself sometimes).

So, next time you're in need of a good moisturizer, don't hit the mall. Just collect all that loose change around the house and go to your local drugstore or supermarket and buy a jar of Vaseline. You won't be sorry.

Find the Right Foundation Shade

It may be because I'm a makeup newbie, but I feel like finding the correct foundation shade is becoming something akin to a spiritual journey. When you find that perfect match, it'll be as if you've just discovered the meaning of life.

One of my many searches led to a five-year-old post on a message board. The following is a recommended guide written by user "pbsadhaka" (one of the most in depth guides I've come across so far):

OK girls, here is a non-fail formula to find your true skin tone, and to match up what color of makeup and also hair color best compliments your skin tone. Save this, b/c it is always true, and failsafe!

Skin tones can be broken down into 4 categories: olive, red/pink, golden, & neutral. The easiest way to find your true skin tone is to hold a piece of white paper up to the skin where your neck meets your collarbone.

Olive skintones have an underlying tone of green, gray, or yellow. Olive people look best in either cool or neutral colors. Warm colors should usually be avoided unless it is of a darker value.

Makeup shades for cool/neutral skintones include: blueish reds (not orange/reds), plums, violets, silvery greens (evergreens), grays, and deep mauves. Haircolors that compliment olive skin are: blueish blacks, auburns, chestnut brown, dark golden brown. If you go lighter, you should never go lighter than a level 4 with a golden tonality.

Red/Pink skintones have an underlying hue of reddish brown, red, or blue-red. This skintone also looks best in cool or neutral colors. Warm colors are not recommended for this skin type. Complimentary hair colors for this type are any ashy or sandy blonde, burgundy browns, light cool blondes, avoid reds - it will make your skin look ruddy. If you want a red tone, go with a very light auburn or strawberry blonde.

Golden skintones have an underlying tone of golden-brown, gold, or peach. This skin tone looks best in warm colors. Makeup colors should include: grays, tan, browns, bronze, gold, grassy & mossy greens, warmer orange-reds, and corals. Complimentary hair colors should include ash and golden blondes, aubruns, neutral browns, and warm dark browns/blacks.

Neutral skintones have a balance of pink and gold undertones. You will have a hard time finding a dominant undertone in this type. Tis skin tone is usually described as ivory, beige, or brown skin. Neutral skintones can wear either cool or warm.

Taking your eye color into account can also help you decide your skintone:
Warm Eye Colors:
-Brown with red, orange, yellow or gold flecks.
-Blue with yellow or gold flecks.
-Green with reddish-brown, orange, yellow, or gold flecks.

Cool Eye Colors:
-Brown with black, gray-brown, gray-green, or gray flecks.
-Blue with white, blue, gray, or violet flecks.
-Green with blue or gray flecks.

When choosing makeup, there are other factors that you must take into consideration too. Women often choose a foundation that is too light for their skin. This gives you a pasty, pale "canvas" of a face. Then any makeup that you put on looks overly done - painted on. The other danger is going too dark with your foundation and ending up with an orange "mask". NEVER go more than 1 shade lighter or darker than your natural skintone. Also, don't rely on the names that the companies give to their foundations - look at the actual color of the product. What Revlon calls "golden", L'Oreal might call "beige". But whatever foundation you choose make sure that you BLEND and feather it from under your chin down onto the neck and behind the ears. But if you are choosing the correct level & tone, you should not see a line where your foundation stops anyway.

Eyeshadows can really compliment your eyes. Choosing a deeper/darker shade of a color will make the iris of your eyes appear lighter & brighter. A lighter eyeshadow will usually make your eye color deepen.

Sorry this post is so long, but there is a lot of info here. I use this guide all the time with clients, and there have been only maybe 2 or 3 times when someone did not fit this formula exactly!

If that doesn't get you closer to your "perfect" shade, then I don't know what will.

Ulta 20% Off Friends & Family Discount

Need to stock up on new makeup for the new season? Looks like it's your lucky day! Ulta is having its Friends & Family Discount. You get 20% off your entire purchase (excluding fragrances by Chanel, Estée Lauder, and Lancôme, as well as clearance merchandise), both in store (with a coupon) and online (using promo code 82548 at check out). If you haven't already subscribed to the Ulta email list, then check their website for coupon information. This is valid only until 1/19 (this Monday).

If you're shopping online, don't forget to redeem your Ebates bonus!!!

New Year, New Season, New Collections

Welcome 2009! What's in store in the world of makeup? A new year, a new upcoming season (Spring), all bring new collections. Don't have enough time to check out what's new at the mall? Thank God for the internet! Just visit the websites of your favorite brands to see what's new. In the mean time, check out some of these new collections (in no particular order):

• MAC Collections (including "Brunette Blonde Redhead" and the Dame Edna collections)
  
• NARS Spring 2009 Collection
  
• Shu Uemura "Mirage" Spring 2009 Collection
  
• Urban Decay Spring 09 Collection
  
• Clinique "Blackberry Bloom" Collection
  
• Benefit
  
• Estée Lauder "Fuschia Now" Spring 2009 Collection
  
• Giorgio Armani "Pink Light" Spring 2009 Collection
  
• Lancôme "Pink Irreverence" Spring Color Collection
  
• Chanel Spring 2009 Collection

And there are MANY more new collections to come (like MAC Hello Kitty!!! >_< )!

I know this list contains mostly brands that are a bit more on the expensive side. Drugstore brands usually don't have seasonal collections, so other than any new products, the "What's New" pages on their websites aren't that up to speed. If anything, you can at least take a look at the above just so you can get an idea of where the new trends are headed, and then head to your local Walgreens or someplace to buy some decent, reasonably priced dupes.

RELATED POSTS:
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Cheap Make-up

Makeup Tip Week, Tip #5: Cleansing Oil

Ah, the end of my first series of makeup tips! I was worried when I first decided I would do this because I wasn't sure if I had enough tips that were worthy enough to publish on a blog. But here it is, the final post in the series! And what better way to end it than to talk about how to remove the stuff.

The cosmetics world is plentiful with makeup removers. Every cosmetics company produces at least a few. Cold cream, eye makeup removers, makeup wipes... The list goes on. However, the big question is whether or not they work... And sometimes they don't. ... Even after some heavy duty scrubbing.

If you've never heard of a cleansing oil, let me just take this chance to tell you how great they are. My current product of choice is Shu Uemura's High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil Fresh, better known as "the pink one".


Unfortunately, while cleansing oils are a staple of Asian cosmetics, they're pretty hard to find from companies here in the States (although, they are starting to pick up a little). And while there are other brands that offer a cleansing oil (like Lancôme, MAC, and Boscia), Shu Uemura's cleansing oils are the only ones that I know of that cater to different skin types.

Also, if you haven't noticed yet, cleansing oils are not cheap (they start at $20). Luckily, for those of us who are on the lookout for more economical options, Lumene offers a decent cleansing oil for around $10. However, like most of the other brands, it just offers the one formula.

When I first encountered cleansing oils at my local department store, I was hesitant to use them. I have oily, acne-prone skin, so I avoided anything with the word "oil" in it like the plague. I soon came to find that cleansing oils were different. They weren't something that I needed to shy away from. In fact, for someone who wears heavy duty makeup (when I do wear makeup), it was actually a godsend.

Let me tell you a little bit about how cleansing oils work. As we oily-skin gals already know, oil will melt and break down makeup. Because of this reason, most makeup removers are oil-based. Cleansing oils, however, go a step beyond normal makeup removers. Cleansing oils are formulated to react with water, which allows them to double as a facial cleanser. The oil emulsifies when water is added, like a detergent (depending on the formula, some oils may even foam or lather), which allows it to be rinsed clean off your face with no oily residue left behind.

That said, meet Ms. Makeup:


I applied MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC30, Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner in Black, CoverGirl LashBlast Waterproof Mascara in Very Black, CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 4-kit Eyeshadows in Tropical Fusion (turquoise shade), Stila Convertible Color (on the "cheeks") in Petunia, Revlon ColorStay Lipliner in Red, and Shu Uemura Unlimited Lipstick in Red 190. Basically, I chose products that I thought were some of the most difficult to remove completely. To finish it off, I set everything with a little bit of powder, so that any remaining moisture from the makeup wouldn't assist in its own removal.

I decided to remove half of Ms. Makeup's face with some Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover (probably one of the better drugstore eye makeup removers).


As you can see, it did a pretty good job... But that's not to say that it didn't require some effort. It took me a good several scrubs to get every last bit off, especially the waterproof mascara. If it were my eyelids that I was doing this on instead of the back of my hand, I'm sure my skin would be nice and raw at this point. And, on top of that, I'd have to put it through another step of washing to get rid of the oily residue left behind (even though the makeup remover claims to be "oil-free").

For the remainder of Ms. Makeup's face, I applied some of my Shu Uemura cleansing oil.


For a full face, Shu Uemura recommends 3-4 squirts. However, I find about 2 squirts to be sufficient and more economical (FYI, though, you will need enough to be able to break down and rinse away the makeup thoroughly).

Remember, you have to apply cleansing oil to dry skin. Since the oil emulsifies with water, using it on a wet face will pretty much make it ineffective.


When you work the oil into your face, you don't need to scrub hard. Gently massage the oil into your face, concentrating especially on the hard-to-remove bits (like the waterproof mascara). Once you've worked the oil in sufficiently, add a little bit of water and continue to massage.


Once water is added, the oil will emulsify. As you can see, this particular formula just becomes a little creamy (as I mentioned before, some will actually lather up like a soap). Work it through again until you get all the oil, and then rinse.


And voilà! You're done.

The best thing about cleansing oils is that, unlike other makeup removers, you can get rid of your makeup and have a nice, clean face, all in one step. And, unlike other facial cleansers, cleansing oils don't leave your skin feeling tight and dry. As such, once you rinse off the oil, there is no need for any additional cleansing. You can just move onto the rest of your skin care routine. Congratulations! You just saved yourself some extra time (and your skin from being horribly irritated from all the wiping and extra washing).

And so concludes my first "Makeup Tip Week" series. It really was a challenge for me to be able to finish out the week, and I'm glad I decided to take it on. I don't know how useful these tips were for most of you reading this. I can only hope that at least one of the posts was able to help someone out there. And, really, that's all that I can ask for.

Hope you all had a good week! I know I did. :-)

Enjoy your weekend!

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Makeup Tip Week, Tip #4: Blush and Face Contouring

I don't wear makeup every day, so I know I shouldn't criticize some of the choices made by those who do. If there is one thing that bothers me, however, it's that a few people will have on a full face of makeup... and no blush.

I can understand the desire to not wear blush. Unfortunately, with blush, there is a fine line between looking like this:

and looking like this:


But that shouldn't deter you from wearing blush. Why? Because the decision to not wear blush for the sake of looking "natural" can actually have the opposite effect:


Foundation is meant to even out your skin tone. Unfortunately, the only way it can do that is by layering color on top of your skin (like paint). While a more sheer formula will let through some of your skin's natural pigmentation, if your skin's condition requires heavier coverage, ain't nothin' coming through that! So, if you don't want to look like a lifeless mannequin, your only resort is to add back some color to your face.

Blush these days come in a variety of colors, from nude peach to hot pink. If I could recommend some products here, a good, "natural" color for gals with fair/light to medium toned skin is Jane Blushing Cheeks in Blushing Petal (the color is actually a light peachish pink, nothing like the swatch on their website). Darker gals should look into something a bit more pigmented and saturated in color, like NYX Powder Blush in Mocha or Pinky, or even Desert Rose (anything in the lighter pink or peach ranges would just be lost on you).

How to apply? Sparingly!!! Most blushes these days are highly pigmented, so a little goes a long way. If you feel like you need more color, then start slow and build the color rather than going all the way at your first go. Depending on the shape of your face, a touch on the apples of your cheeks (the area of your cheeks just under your eyes that, when you smile, pop out and look like little apples) is great for a natural look. Some people like to extend the color towards their ears. This is fine for a more polished look, but if you want something more natural, just touch up the apples a little.

For us gals with a little more "volume" to our faces, it's best to keep the blush on the rear half of the apples (on my face, that's just about under the outer corners of my eyes) and back. For us, coloring our cheeks in full gives us a more cherubic look, accentuating the "fullness" of our faces.

Swipe on a little too much blush? No problem! Rather than going through the pain of wiping it off and starting over, just go over your cheeks with a stroke or two (or three or ten) of face powder or powder foundation to lessen the color.

Some people take advantage of blush, but they decide to not contour. I can understand that - contouring is hard and a bit time consuming. Unfortunately, as with the reason for putting on blush, a little contouring and highlighting helps bring back some life and definition into an otherwise completely whitewashed face.

You can find many face contouring tutorials in makeup books and online. My favorite YouTube beauty vloggers, Panacea81, Xteeener, and Scandalous Beauty, all have videos breaking down and explaining all the different steps. All three ladies explain the concept far better than I ever could, so rather than me trying to explain anything here, I'd rather you watch their videos.

I do have to say a little something here. Don't get fooled by the cosmetics industry by thinking you can only contour with products specifically called "highlighter" or "bronzer". These products are labeled and packaged differently, but there is nothing special about them. They are made with pretty much the exact same formulas as a regular blush or eyeshadow. In fact, my favorite highlighters are actually eyeshadows (MAC Cream Colour Base in Pearl and CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 1-Kit Shadows in Snow Blossom and Pink Chiffon).

Makeup, like clothes, is merely a tool for your own creative expression. If I've learned anything about makeup in the short time I've decided to wear it, it's that you shouldn't feel as though you don't have the liberty to try something new each time you put it on. It's only makeup - nothing permanent. Have fun with it!

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Makeup Tip Week, Tip #3: Eyeshadow Primer

No, I'm not going to be giving you a crash course on eyeshadow.

I'm going to be talking about primer for your eyeshadow, as in a base (like primer for paint).

Somewhere between the last time I was infatuated with makeup (a lifetime ago) and now, makeup artists have added several more steps in everyday makeup application with this "primer" business. There's a primer for your face, for your eyes, for your lips, and even for your lashes! The basic idea behind them all is the same: they're meant to make your makeup go on smoother and have it last longer. Now, I can't vouch for all of these different products (Eyelash primer? Really?), but there is one that I think is a definite MUST, especially for us oily-skin gals: eyeshadow primer.

I can't speak for everyone, but whenever I would wear eye makeup sans primer, within a couple of hours, the eyeshadow would get faded and creased (that thing that happens when your eyelids get a little greasy and your eye makeup gets all gunked up in the creases of your eyelids). The look? Not quite as bad as raccoon eyes... Somewhere in the realm of faded lipstick with unfaded lip liner; just plain unfortunate. If I was going to end up looking like that, I might as well have saved myself the trouble and not worn makeup at all. ... Which is probably why I stayed away from makeup for so long.

This is where eyeshadow primer comes in. A good eyeshadow primer will bring out the colors of your eyeshadow (although, this also depends on the quality of the eyeshadow itself), and grab onto the makeup and hold on for dear life. No creasing or fading - that eyeshadow is not going anywhere!

As you may or may not know, there is a plethora of eyeshadow primers in the market that promise various things. The most popular eyeshadow primer (deemed a "cult fave") is Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

I have several samples of this that I've been using, and it really does deliver. The catch? $16 a pop. Not THAT expensive, but a little pricey if you're only used to spending $10 or less on your makeup. And, really, the prices just go up from there.

Like with many products in the world of makeup, you don't need to buy a proper "eyeshadow primer" to prime your eyelids. Many people also use cream eyeshadows, which seem to work just as well (Erin from Scandalous Beauty swears by MAC Paint Pots, and YouTube makeup artist Xteeener often uses Revlon Illuminance Creme Shadows).

Because of their nature and consistency, many cream shadows are made to last a good while on your eyelids without fading or creasing. Also, cream eyeshadows are offered by pretty much every cosmetics manufacturer, so you can easily find something that you can work with at your local drugstore (an extra bonus for those of us who are watching our budgets).

The great thing about cream shadows is that you don't need to color coordinate between the cream shadow base and the regular powder shadow on top. Of course, matching colors will help the colors pop a little better, but it's not necessary. A good beige or nude cream shadow base will work with any color. If you plan to wear a darker, more intense color of eyeshadow, a black or dark gray base will work nicely. Basically, because the cream shadow will be a little sticky on your eyelid, the powder shadow you apply on top will literally just stick onto the base. Although the color of the base may affect the overall color a little (lighter bases lighten the shadow a bit, while darker bases add a little more saturation), the color of the shadow on top will pretty much mask the color of the base underneath.

Another inexpensive option, believe it or not, is the Monistat Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder-Gel (not to be mistaken with their itch cream).

While many women swear by this as their makeup primer, I haven't gotten around to using it yet, so I won't really get into it here.

Do you ABSOLUTELY need eyeshadow primer? No. But, if you've ever dealt with your eye makeup fading and creasing, then I would highly recommend giving it a try.

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