It’s likely you’ve noticed new skincare and cosmetic companies popping up with ‘all natural’ and ‘organic’ products. Of course, just because they say they are, does not necessarily make it true. That is where consumer education comes in, and why it is so important.

The title of this article is ‘Mineral Makeup’. After learning what mineral makeup is, what products go into it, and what its benefits are, you can decide if this is the right choice for you.

What Is Mineral Makeup?

Mineral makeup is designed from all naturally occurring products. It is often recommended by dermatologists to women with sensitive skin, rosacea, post operative, laser and other procedures because of its intrinsic skin soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a powder makeup of finely milled minerals. It can provide very sheer or very opaque coverage, depending on the formulation and application. However, it still allows natural skin radiance to show through, so you don’t get the dreaded ‘mask’ look. It is typically free of fragrance and preservatives. Minerals cannot feed bacteria, so there is no danger of spoilage, thus it needs no preservatives. It does not go bad. It is very good for oily skin because it has several oil- absorbing components.

It is usually applied with a brush, and is typically shown to be ‘buffed’ into the skin. This technique forces the makeup into your pores, which is never a good thing. A technique that works with better quality mineral makeup (which we’ll discuss later) is to ‘dust” the makeup on, instead of ‘buffing’ it. If a brush irritates your skin, you can also use a non-latex or flocked sponge. Application can be done either wet or dry.

What Are The Ingredients?

This is the most important part. Learning what is in your makeup will give you the ability to choose what will meet your needs best. These are the ingredients you will most likely come across.

• Titanium Dioxide- A white natural sunscreen and anti-inflammatory agent. It is highly reflect, with only a diamond being higher, and thus minimizes fine lines and some skin discolorations.

• Zinc Oxide- A natural sunscreen providing broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

• Sericite- A colorless mica that can be used to cut the opacity of Titanium Dioxide and also works as an oil absorber.

• Cornstarch/ Rice Powder- Cosmetic grade- An oil humectant (draws oil out of the pores). Can make acne worse as it is a source of food for bacteria.

• Kaolin Clay- Natural oil-absorption.

• Mica- Natural ‘glitter’. Provides shimmer and sparkle.

• Iron Oxides- Natural pigment- very opaque. Used for tinting cosmetics.

Ingredients To Avoid

These ingredients are also common, but can cause problems so are best to avoid.

• Talc/ Various Powders- Common fillers- can cause respiratory problems.

• FD&C Dyes- Derived from coal tar.

• Bismuth Oxychloride- Known skin irritant- causes itching, rashes and breakouts. Especially prevalent when the wearer sweats.

• Ferric Ferrocyanide- Controversial because of its suspected toxicity.

• Carmine- Crushed beetles.

What Brand Should I Buy?

Well, if you’re familiar with mineral makeup, it’s likely you’ve seen the infomercials. After further research you’ll find these companies use controversial ingredients, and charge quite a bit for their products.

There are several good mineral makeup companies out there that provide a much better product at a more affordable price, as well as a superior customer experience. They also offer samples, which the larger companies do not. You will get to try the makeup (unlike in the drugstore!) for a fraction of the cost before you buy it. They do not have expensive advertising and packaging to pay for, so the savings are often passed on to you.

However in recent times it has acquired a new dimension. Body jewelry has never been in such high demand. The human body is not merely a body, it is a piece of art which has its own innate beauty and body jewelry is the perfect way to enhance the beauty of your body. Not only can you decorate your body with it, but you can also use it to bring into focus certain parts of your body or to enhance the beauty of certain parts.

Body jewelry items are usually for particular places on the human body. These more common places for body jewelry include the nose, eyebrow, nipple, ear lobes and naval, along with ear plugs (both curved and straight barbells). As fashion trends keep changing, the various parts where you can use body jewelry and the manner in which you can use it also keeps changing.

Nose body jewelry comes either in the classic captive circular barbell, or in the form of a nose screw. The nose screw can either be jeweled or plain, depending upon your preference. Eyebrow body jewelry is similar to that of the nose, in the sense that the eyebrow body jewelry also has the small captive barbell. This is now being made with a dangling, sparkling charm to hang from the upper most part of your eyebrow barbell. The eyebrow body jewelry can be either curved or straight with a charm of any style or color dangling from the top.

Nipple and naval body jewelry is one of the more popular types of body jewelry, it is especially popular amongst the youth or the more adventurous in spirit. Nipple body jewelry includes the nipple barbells and the nipple shields. Naval body jewelry designs are also endless.

Whatever kind of body jewelry you use or wear it is important to keep some pointers in mind. Such as what kind of material is that specific body jewelry made off, is your skin allergic to it and is the piercing for the body jewelry done in a sterile and antiseptic environment.

This kind of jewelry is available for almost every conceivable part of your body. There are endless styles, designs, colors and textures in which body jewelry is made. Whatever your budget, whether it is low end or high end; body jewelry is available in every range to suit your pocket as well as your tastes.

Body jewelry is not merely a decorative fixture; it is also a personal style statement. You can use it to bring attention or to take away attention from a specific part of your body. It is quite in vogue these days and has been in existence since time immemorial. If you have the attitude and the panache you can carry of any kind of body jewelry.

But unknown to many, one of nature’s best kept beauty secrets might be found sitting on a shelf in one’s kitchen pantry. Organic skin care has already been used by many because of its natural ingredients that can help the skin feel and look healthy, without the harm of other rough, harsh, and strong skin care components.

For many years, the earliest of cultures have seen the potential of olive oil when it comes to organic skin care. First cultivated by the Greeks over 4,000 years ago in Crete, olive oil was an integral part of the Minoan economy, and was often kept in large settling tanks. The Greeks then quickly learned that this organic oil had amazing properties. Aside from being a flavorful food source, olive oil was also used to heat oil lamps and to make soap. It was not long before the Greeks, together with other Mediterranean women, used it as a skin moisturizer and ointment for soothing dry skin and sunburns. Olive oil was also used as a skin highlighter, allowing the user to emphasize the curves and shapes of the body.

In terms of actual health benefits, the consumption of olive oil has been shown to stimulate bone growth and calcium absorption. Tests show that the oil helps prevent cancer, diabetes, and skin aging. Studies also show that the consumption of olive oil results in favorable effects on cholesterol regulation and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol oxidation. Olive oil is also known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, and anti-hypertensive properties. Since olive oil is rich in antioxidants, it is speculated that its use may help counteract the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Studies in Japan have also proven that the antioxidants in olive oil helps in neutralizing free radical damage.

While olive oil is not a sunscreen and does not prevent UV rays from penetrating the skin, using it as a cosmetic does help in protecting the skin against acquired aging and damage from the sun. Being an excellent organic skin care product, olive oil is also a superior moisturizer and humectant. It can attract moisture from the air and binds it to the skin. Skin conditions such as eczema and acne respond well to skin care products containing, or made with olive oil, because of the anti-bacterial properties of this organic oil. So before buying the latest and most expensive chemical-based skin care products, consider using natural skin beauty enhancers that contain olive oil.

Aside from its proven effects as a beauty product, olive oil can also be massaged onto the cuticles to restore nail strength and resiliency to the nail bed. In addition, olive oil may also be used as an all-body moisturizer when it is added to bathwater. Massaging it into the hair and scalp will also restore the head’s crowning glory. Indeed, olive oil is such a gift of nature that allows women to regain their youthful skin.

What About Me?

All too often, we’re so busy caring for everyone else that we have little time and energy to give to ourselves. Given that mental health experts and health care professionals assert that our generosity often comes at our own expense, we need to carve out time from our hectic schedules to give ourselves a much-deserved break. After all, we have to fill up our own emotional and physical well so that we have resources to give to others.

Loving Your Body

It may sound trite, but it’s true that when we love our bodies, we love ourselves. Taking care of our bodies from the inside out is important if we want to have the stamina to care for others. Eating a nutritious diet and finding time for exercise is important, but appearances matter, too. That’s why it’s important to invest in high quality beauty products that make us look and feel our best.

Take body wraps, for example. You can pay hundreds of dollars for body wraps at a spa, or you can invest as little as sixty dollars for body wraps you can do at home. Whether you’re aching for a seaweed wrap, a clay skin-firming wrap, a detoxification wrap, or an anti-cellulite wrap, you can find wonderful beauty products that take only an hour of your time and that leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Of course, there are other skin products that can also help you look and feel your best. Moisture hydration formulas, serums that restore the ph balance of your skin, and scar reduction treatments help you to take care of your skin and improve your appearance.

Even as we try to mask the energy drain we feel, our hair tells the true story. Rather than treating the symptoms of damaged or thinning hair, we can actually take the time to find hair products that actually solve our hair problems. Hair products that correct ph imbalances, boost hair vitamins, and purify and condition our hair can help us look and feel our best – while only taking up a few minutes a day.

Loving Your Mind and Spirit

Beauty products can keep us looking great, but we also need to engage our minds and lift our spirits. A rich inner life doesn’t mean neglecting those we love. Indeed, taking the time – whether an hour a day or an hour a week – to read, journal, or pray can give us the inner strength we need to support ourselves and those we love.

Make a resolution to take care of yourself. Buy and use high quality beauty products, eat nutritious foods, and fill your heart and soul. When you do, you’ll have that much more to give others.

Skin Beauty — Deeper than You Think!

You’ve heard the phrase, “Beauty is only skin deep.” But, is it really only skin deep? Let’s delve beneath the surface and take a look at what’s beneath the skin that you and others can see. Every day, you probably put at least a thin coating of foundational make-up on your face. Perhaps you use powder to remove the shine. Then, you put on lipstick, eyeliner, eye shadow, blush, etc. You spray hairspray on your hair, and it most likely ends up on your face without your realizing it!

All this beauty “stuff” clogs your skin pores. So to bring out the true beauty of your facial skin, you should take time each day to cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize your skin. It’s like giving yourself a mini-facial every day. Do this at night before going to sleep to give your face a break from the daily “beautifying” routine.

Women’s Fragrance Tips

Find that perfect fragrance that works well for all occasions – work, parties, dinners, and even love and romance! But, be sure to choose only one fragrance if possible. Using two or three women’s colognes can cause a fragrance clash if you’re not careful. The scent of one fragrance can get into your clothing, skin or hair, and totally change the scent of the other.

To choose a great women’s fragrance, search for women’s cologne or women’s perfume that blends well with other beauty products you may use on a daily basis such as hairspray and shampoo, make-up, lotion, etc. It’s best to eliminate all other fragrances if planning on wearing perfume or cologne. Choose unscented lotions and hair care products for the best results.

Also, choose a women’s fragrance that is subtle and pleasant. Your personal body space is within an arm’s length from others. Beyond this point, no one should be able to smell the fragrance you are wearing. Choose a great fragrance that does not have a strong scent, and then wear it sparingly to avoid overkill.

Where to Apply Women’s Cologne or Perfume

Dab just a little of your perfume or cologne on various areas of your body, from the feet to the shoulders. Since fragrance rises and disappears, it will rise from your lower body and become noticeable to those closest to you.

Keep in mind that these things can affect how your body reacts to certain fragrances: diet, skin type, beauty products you use, clothing detergent, and your home’s usual scent. So, try out your new fragrance at several locations to make sure it still has the scent you want.

Buying Skin Care, Hair Care, and Fragrance Products

The availability of beauty products has increased tremendously over the years with Web stores opening up everywhere online. You can often find all the products you need online – and at a discount. There are men’s fragrance products such as men’s cologne, women’s perfume or cologne, skin care products, hair care products, etc. available that you can buy for yourself or as a gift any time of the year.

Use these tips to find the perfect beauty and fragrance products for you – and captivate everyone that comes around!

Tanning Choices

When you want to achieve that healthy glow, you have three choices: relax outdoors, stay indoors, or go sunless. The type of tan you want dictates the kinds of tanning lotions that are available to you. If you opt for an outdoor tan, you probably want to start with a lotion that will help you build your base tan and jump-start your color. Next, you’ll need a tanning lotion that doubles as a sunscreen so that you can deepen your tan without burning. Finally, you’ll probably want to choose an after-tan lotion that will moisturize your skin, deepen your tan, and make it last.

If you decide to use a tanning salon, you’ll need an indoor tanning lotion. The type of tanning bed lotion you choose depends upon your skin type, how often you go to the salon, and the tan you hope to achieve. Generally speaking, however, you can use a tan accelerator to build your base and keep using the product until your tan has peaked. Next, you can use a booster lotion to deepen your color while moisturizing and protecting your skin. Finally, you can use an extender tanning lotion to keep that glow going.

If you want to (or have to) stay out of the sun or away from the salons, you’ll need sunless tanning lotion. A sunless tan is temporary (about five days), but the right products will make it look just as good as the real thing. Before applying a sunless tanning lotion, it’s important to exfoliate your skin. Because the sunless tan will only stay as long as your skin cells are intact, it’s important to slough off the dead cells before you start. You’ll also want to start with your legs and apply the sunless tanning lotion in a circular motion to avoid streaking. Next, move to your torso and then to your arms. Remember to wash your hands every five minutes or so, and go light on the tops of your feet, your knees, your elbows, your neck, and your face.

Buying Tanning Lotion

Because there are so many choices, it pays to buy your tanning lotions from a reputable online source that not only offers a wide range of products, but that also provides information and advice about applying tanning lotions. The best online sources have everything from bronzers and oils to SPF lotions and facial tanning products. Indeed, you should be able to find the highest quality designer tanning lotion at deeply discounted prices. Happy tanning!

Celebrities have a preference for the type of perfume they wear as well. However, one trend that people have been noticing for quite a long time now is that instead of sticking to a preferred scent, they make their own signature scent. What used to be known as incensed based scents thus the word per fume or otherwise known as through smoke, perfumes are now named after famous celebrities.

If you’ve only noticed these up and coming perfumes, you are already a decade late. The first perfume named after a celebrity ever to hit the stands and actually boomed was the perfume White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor. This move signified what would soon be a lucrative endorsement and investment for both celebrities and perfume manufacturers alike.

Previously, celebrities were limited to endorsing perfumes for it to become more established and well-known. Now, however, celebrities have been working together with specialists to make their signature scent, one that can be named after them. After Elizabeth Taylor’s successful attempt at the industry, many more celebrities followed such as Cher and Michael Jackson.

This article will touch on the emerging perfumes and which celebrity is linked to it. In this article, you will also get to know the scents these perfumes have and which might just suit you. You never know, there might be a celebrity out there who shares the same preferences as you.

First off are the female celebrities and their perfumes. Among the female celebrities that have ventured into the perfume industry recently is Jennifer Lopez. She followed Dame Elizabeth Taylor’s success. Her perfume, Glow by J.Lo, was the one which paved the way for all other perfumes released under her name. After Glow, Jennifer Lopez released other perfumes Still, Miami Glow, Love at First Glow, Live and Live Luxe, and Glow After Dark. Aside from Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion also shared the success of the perfume industry. Shania Twain, Naomi Campbell and many more also ventured into the perfume business.

Celebrities who recently joined the perfume industry include Britney Spears, Donald Trump, Beyonce Knowles, Jessica Simpson, and Paris Hilton. Britney Spears, the pop princess who suddenly lost the crowd due to her unexpected incidents, has risen to the top once again with her clean comeback. Together with her return are the fans that still supported her. This was a great start for a star to once again live the glory of her name and what better way to do it than to make a perfume? Her perfume, Curious, has a characteristic floral scent of magnolia blended with a hint of Jasmine.

Donald Trump, though already a business mogul, rose to fame due to his very much appraised TV show, The Apprentice, and his active involvement in the World Wrestling Entertainment. Very much like him, his self-titled perfume Donald Trump, has a spicy and peppery scent well-suited for the male gender.

Beyonce Knowles, Jessica Simpson, and Paris Hilton also rose to fame recently and have caught on the perfume fever. Beyonce released a perfume called True Star, which is characterized by a clean, fresh and floral scent which works well for feminine girls on the go just like her. Jessica Simpson’s Taste perfume has a white chocolate and coconut cream scent which reflects her taste for food and her love for these items. Paris Hilton and her self-titled perfume has a signature frozen apple intertwined with Mimosa Blossoms speaks very vividly of a girl who always wants to be in the limelight.

Perfumes are not only limited to women as you have seen with Donald Trump. There are also many more male celebrities who have chosen to have a signature perfume. Among these male Hollywood stars are Antonio Banderas, Carlos Santana, David Beckham, Enrique Iglesias, Marylin Manson, and Michael Jordan. If vintage perfumes are more your style, there are also perfumes that exist along with stars who have established themselves in the early years. These stars include Elizabeth Taylor, Cher, and Marylin Monroe.

Celebrities do not only see the perfume industry as a means of making money, the industry itself sees celebrities as a saving grace to a falling campaign. The life of a perfume used to extend to as long as six to seven years because the interest of the people remained quite loyal to a single brand back in the days. However, the citizens now want what’s in and new. Having up and coming stars to endorse or make a signature scent is what the public wants. Well-established celebrities also make good business out of the endeavor because they already have a huge fan-base who is as loyal to a brand as they are to their favorite celebrity.

However, whatever the new rave in celebrity perfumes may be, it is important to keep in mind that when picking a scent, it should be one that is good on you and not just good on your favorite celebrity. Each human body may have different chemical reactions to certain perfumes and so the results may not be as consistent. You may stay loyal to your celebrity but also remember that the final say should be yours.

Dry or Very Dry Skin
Products with a high cream and oil content are beneficial. Avoid using soap and detergent based products on the face and neck as these can be drying. Oil-based face masks are soothing and hydrating fro dry skin.

Dehydrated Skin
Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated, aim for 2 litres per day.

Oily Skin
Cleansing and moisturising milks or lotions have a higher water content and a lighter consistency and are less likely to cause congestion. Be careful not to over exfoliate the skin as this can stimulate increased production of oil.

Combination Skin
Treat the different areas of the face with products specific to their needs. For example light formulation in the oilier T Zone area and richer creamier products in the dry areas. The skin will benefit from a hydrating mask on the cheeks and a deep cleansing mask on the forehead, nose and chin.

Mature Skin Care
As with dry skin choose richer creamier oil based products. Skin may be thin or have broken capillaries so it should always be treated with great care and very little pressure. Firming and anti ageing products are highly beneficial, as are specific neck and eye care products.

Sensitive Skin Tips
Not only is sensitive skin more likely to react to product ingredients, but also the damaging effects of the sun can be felt more easily. It is advisable to use an SPF of 50. A gentle peeling product that doesn’t contain granules is gentler on the skin than an exfoliating scrub.

Now that we’ve looked at different skin types, what kind of facial therapy products are out there and what can they do for your skin?

Facial Cleanser
These remove make up leaving skin clean and free from impurities. Some cleansers are gentle enough to be used on the eye area but if you wear waterproof mascara you will require a specific eye makeup remover.

Toning Lotion
These remove traces of cleanser, refreshes the skin and has a temporary tightening effect upon the pores. Refreshes the skin and helps to restore the skin’s PH.

Moisturiser
Often described as day creams or hydrating lotions, they nourish the skin to leave it soft and smooth. Oil and water emulsions attract water to the skin and prevent moisture loss by evaporation. Moisturiser should be applied to the skin after cleansing and toning. Some moisturising creams and lotions contain SPF and help protect the skin against environmental damage. Not only do moisturisers hydrate and condition the skin, they provide an excellent base for makeup application.

Eye creams
Eye Creams are specially designed to moisturise and protect the delicate skin around the eye. They often contain collagen, oils and vitamins and some contain light diffusing particles to help draw attention away from dark circles beneath the eyes.

Neck Creams
Neck moisturising and firming creams are more hydrating than ordinary moisturisers. In our 20s and 30s our usual moisturiser is usually sufficient to nourish the neck and décolletage, but by our 40s and beyond the neck often requires more intense hydration. The added benefits of collagen and elastin are believed to help prevent sagging and ageing thus maintaining a youthful appearance.

Exfoliation
Exfoliating products are creams or gels that contain small particles which gently scrub the skin to remove dead skin from the surface revealing fresh, new skin beneath. By loosening surface blockages they help improve and prevent breakouts and give a healthy glow to previously tired looking complexions. Exfoliators are a great way to even out a fading tan.

Face Masks
There are a variety of different formulations of face mask available that perform different actions. Facial masks are a relaxing and therapeutic part of a skin care routine. They increase circulation and improve the overall colour of the skin.

A deep cleansing mask removes traces of trapped dirt, debris and oil. They’re mildly exfoliating. Dry flaky areas of skin are replaced with soft, smooth skin. Toning and refining masks soothe tired skin. Skin is freshened and revitalised and pores appear smaller leaving a more refined complexion. Nourishing and hydrating masks contain soothing moisturising ingredients which hydrate the skin leaving it soft and smooth. They also soothe tired looking skin.

Sun screens and sun blocks
A facial sunscreen is an essential all year round beauty aid. Choose one with an SPF of at least 15. Even on dull days the suns rays penetrate the atmosphere and the damaging effects upon the skin accumulate gradually resulting in pigmentation and premature ageing. In more extreme circumstances, this can lead to sunburn and permanent scarring.