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The History Of Mary Kay Cosmetics

Perhaps Mary Kay Cosmetics is one of the foremost names in color cosmetics, from the house of the legendary Mary Kay, a highly regarded beauty care expert. The company has a world wide operation base and its corporate headquarters are situated in Dallas, Texas. Ever wondered why Mary Kay Cosmetics is enthused about its worldwide business operations?

Mary Kay cosmetics are not just an ordinary cosmetics manufacturing company, unlike many of other bigger brand names. On the other hand, it is a conglomeration of different services from different products to independent consultant services. No wonder, this firm is unique in its structure as it offers affordable business opportunities to even those people who do not have enough money.

A brief corporate history of the company shows us that it relates its corporate culture to its success through “independent consultants- product selling” liaison and partnership. It relies heavily on a network of consultants and franchises scattered across the world. This successful corporate model has contributed to a host of excellent beauty care and cosmetic products that are comparable to any other products in the world.

If you’re planning to start your own small beauty care business, you need not go in search for any other opportunities other than Mary Kay Cosmetics.

The company has a legendary track record and a great history and was established in 1963 by Mary Kay Ash. She was an accomplished corporate leader and a great visionary and she was so successful in establishing a conglomerate of a big magnitude.

Here are some interesting milestones and key information.

1. It is the largest independent cosmetics’ direct seller firm,

2. Sales figures exceed $2.5 billion and is still growing,

3. Sales force is a whopping 1.6 million, inclusive of multilevel directors who work independently outside the company,

4. They were the first to introduce “career car” concept in marketing world.

Is Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc a multi level marketing, cosmetic manufacturer and distributor? No one mentions this fact even though this appears to be the reason for its enormous success all through these years. You may also need to attribute the phenomenal success of this form to its thousands of independent distributors who wok tirelessly through out the year to make money for themselves. For example, Mary Kay Cosmetics Consultants Georgia, are some of the most successful business ventures in the world.

Indeed the company has helped a lot of them through support and guidance to set up their businesses and prosper in their life. The incentives provided for these business entities have been great and enormous. Cars like Pontiac have been declared as “career cars” by leading business analysts. These cars have been given as business incentives achieved by consultants. In all, it’s a successful, complete cosmetics company. Have you seen someone not heard of Mary Kay Cosmetics? Take a bet!

Margaret Tan, a part-time beauty consultant writes a range of diverse articles on makeup & cosmetics. Margaret has an extensive resource website at http://www.practical-make-up-tips.com where you can learn about makeup techniques and tips, including the latest makeup trends.

Choosing A Career As A Makeup Artist

Makeup is a skilled art when you use a host of cosmetics like paints, powders and lacquers to provide a desired and meaningful appearance. It is also compared to the fine art of painting, when you project cosmetics as your paints and your beautiful face as a canvas! In fact, they are considered as skilled person who knows every trick and secrets of successful makeup. Makeup experts also know all the finer techniques and minute details that can give your face a wonderful appearance.

Experts who work on makeup are many invisible persons behind the screen, who were so successful in creating perfect looking and beautiful models. These makeup artists have created some of the most stunning models and movie actresses over the past several decades. These people know how to create a presentable face depending on the given situation and chosen scenarios. There are many successful makeup artists behind all famous actresses and glamour models.

These facial artist usually works in television, film and glamour industry, and usually applies makeup and arranges face and hair for artists, performers and presenters. Some of the techniques that are mastered by a dedicated makeup expert are:

1. Basic makeup and beauty techniques

2. Hair style and Hair-do techniques and

3. Barbering techniques.

Makeup designers and artists work on a round the clock basis to research and design techniques needed for a particular show or event. In the meantime, they will liaise and coordinate with the event managers, producers and directors to get the overall picture of the proposed show or event. Small time makeup artists may own their own tools and gadgets that are needed for the makeup work, while big time experts will have their fixed budget designed to carry out the assigned work.

Most makeup artist usually works in production houses, beauty salons, in retail stores, in large hotels, on cruise liners, in stage shows and also for fashion shows. Seasoned ones are smarter and will have the ability:

1. To enjoy working with people

2. To have a strong aptitude for everything that is there to visual sense and a creative imagination

3. To be able to get the best out of people

4. To display an uncanny attitude of perfection and excellence

5. To suggest people the type of appearance and look they want

6. To display an indefatigable strength, stamina and concentration

7. To cope up with work pressure

8. To be very methodical and accustomed to the fine art of makeup

9. To be able to work as a team member

These artist forms an inseparable part of a multi-billion dollar, entertainment and glamour industry. Whether you’re looking for an ordinary makeup artist or an experienced professional, you can expect only the best in the cosmetic industry, which is to look pleasingly beautiful and stunningly attractive!

As more and more people aspire to look smart and presentable, the need for a good makeup artist is perceived by them as an immediate necessity and a matter of priority.

Margaret Tan, a part-time beauty consultant writes a range of diverse articles on skincare and makeup. Find out more articles related to choosing a career as a makeup artist and other makeup essentials at http://www.practical-make-up-tips.com

Beginners Guide to Buying Perfume

Nobody likes the idea of smelling bad. Even the idea of smelling oddly different is not appealing. Of course, some of us have a stronger and more repugnant natural body odor than others. Not surprisingly, how someone smells varies from person to person. Our natural body odor changes from day to day slightly as well. Even our mood and attitude can change how we naturally smell. What we eat such as garlic and onion can change the odor our body puts out for a time.

In Ancient Egypt, both men and women would take extended bathes with special ingredients added to coat our skin in a new aroma. Changing how we smell has been in our history as long as noticing we all smell different. Perfume is one way in which we can change how we smell to ourselves and to others.

Buying a perfume is not an easy task. Most people do not know how to properly find a perfume. Just because a perfume smells good to you does not mean it will smell good on you. Here are a few tips to consider when buying that new perfume.

1. Always try a perfume before you buy the perfume. Something that smells marvelous in a bottle may not sell marvelous on your body. Perfume is a chemical reaction between two or more different added ingredients. When you add your body’s natural chemistry to the equation, the perfume will smell different on you than in the bottle. Testing a perfume before you buy it will save you time and money.

2. After you try on the perfume, wait ten minutes to get the full effect of the natural aroma of the perfume. Ten minutes is how long it takes to fully mingle with you and your natural aroma.

3. If you are going to try that perfume, a small dabble on a piece of your open skin is ideal. Spraying the perfume in the air is not going to let you know the true smell of that perfume when mixed with your natural aroma. Therefore, it is wise to add a small amount to your own skin. Do not do a full over body spray, just a little.

4. Never try on more than three perfumes in a single day. The nose is wonderful and miraculous, but adding too much to quickly will confuse that smeller. Waiting for at least ten minutes before each testing and only doing three tests a day means that you will be spending at least 30-minutes at the perfume counter. In addition, perfume you are testing may get mixed together on your body. So it is always wisest to wait.

5. When purchasing your perfume, try to consider if that smell will be used for day, night, or both. Some people like a different type of smell for the time of day.

6. Finally, ask how long the aroma stay with the body. Most high-quality perfumes will last between 4-6 hours when applied directly to the body.

Whatever you decide when purchasing new perfume, remember to get one that is best suited for you. Try it on and wait. Perfume depends on your body chemistry to mingle happily with the new smells. Perfume companies work hard to create perfumes that will fit most of our body chemistries and not get tainted.

S.Thomas writes about perfume and maintains a perfume related resource website at http://www.perfumeo.co.uk .

Seven Questions to Ask a Cosmetic Surgeon

Cosmetic Surgeons are popular and have been for some time for cosmetic surgery. Anyone who can make your skin look younger and more gorgeous, or handsome, may not be all that bad, if you can afford their costs of course. Most cosmetic surgeries are elective, so that means the decision to have a procedure done is very personal to you and you alone.

Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to have this kind of surgery, so, before you start searching for a plastic surgeon, search within yourself and decide if those reasons really make sense. If you truly feel that cosmetic surgery will make a difference in your self-esteem and ultimately your life, then you are probably ready to start shopping around for a cosmetic surgeon.

All cosmetic surgeons are not created equal, so you have to gather several opinions to make an informed choice that will best suit your needs. For instance, some physicians focus only on procedures for the face, while others may target breast surgery or liposuction. Take the time and do a little research to narrow down the particular doctors who perform the procedures that you want accomplished on you. Once you have several names on your list, the next step is to ask some questions. You want to make sure that they will listen to what you want and need, while making the best medical decisions based on their personal assessment of your condition.

Here are seven questions to ask your potential cosmetic surgeon:

1. What procedure do you suggest for my goal of a facelift, brow lift, laser skin resurfacing, forehead lift (or whatever your goal is)? By leaving this a rather open-ended question, the cosmetic surgeon has the chance to show you how much he knows. Each may have slightly different answers as to how to help you achieve your goal. You job is to determine which sounds the best for your lifestyle.

2. How many years and how often have you been performing this procedure? Obviously, this question is asking the skin specialist how much experience he really has. You want someone who has been around the block a few times. Tied in with this question could be inquiries as to the surgeons schooling and whether they keep up with the latest technologies and continuing education. Hospital privileges and Board Certification are also important to know.

3. What results can I expect from this cosmetic surgery? This is a realistic expectation to have. You want to know the possibilities. Ask your plastic surgeon about computer imagery to compare a before picture and a realistic expectation of what your results might be.

4. Can you tell me the possible risks and problems I might encounter? Being warned ahead of time is important in case the operation is not quite what you expect. Sometimes, it is your personal medical history that could make achieving your dream results difficult. Other times, it could be a reaction to anesthesia or an infection at an incision site. Preparedness is helpful for peace of mind.

5. How long will it take to recover from the cosmetic surgery? No two cosmetic surgeons are the same, nor may they use the same surgical procedures to accomplish your goal. Each situation is different and recovery times will also depend on your own general health. The healthier you are to begin with, the quicker you bounce back to real life.

6. What is the cost of getting this skin care treatment? Again, each procedure is different with doctors charging different rates. Also, in some cases, insurance may pick up the tab. Sometimes, payment plans are an option. Ask in advance what their fees and other costs cover. Will it take care of post-operative care and follow-up visits?

7. If I smoke, does it matter? Be sure to tell them if you smoke or not. If you are a smoker, this could potentially have an impact on your recovery time and even the choice of anesthesia and other medications, especially those for post-operative pain.

All of these questions and much more are a part of the process in choosing the best cosmetic surgeon for your needs. If you manage to find a good cosmetic surgeon, the whole operative and recovery process will be a whole lot better for you. And soon you will have a new look and life.

Ken Black is the owner of, a website about skin care, including Cosmetic Surgery.

Microdermabrasion Information

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive skin treatment that removes the dead and damaged upper-most layer of skin cells to reveal healthier skin cells beneath. While there are a multitude of treatments available, it has its positives and negatives.

Plastic surgery is probably one of the fastest growing specialities of medicine. It is helping to ease cosmetic concern in both the young and the elderly via the development of new techniques and practices. A part of the body that causes a lot of stress to people in such a way, is the skin, and more-so the skin of the face and neck. Blemishes in these areas, which include acnes, scars, wrinkles and discolored skin, not only affect our physical appearance, but also our all important self-esteem and confidence. The process of microdermabrasion as explained above, is a new type of procedure that, along with previous ones, can now help alleviate these problems.

Microdermabrasion is a non-surgical technique which is obviously non-invasive, and is accessible in plastic surgery clinics, spas, and private health clinics. Basically, the process involves using a rough surface to remove (abrade) the upper-most surface of the skin (the part with the blemishes). The abrasive surface can consist of zinc, aluminium oxide crystals, and even micro-diamond (more expensive) surfaces.

As the outer most layer of skin (also known as the stratum cornea) is scraped off in dust form, it is sucked off immediately with a small vacuum device. Microdermabrasion is completely safe and does not have any unwanted side-effects, because this layer of skin is just dead and will not detrimentally effect the healthy skin lying underneath it. It doesn’t affect the muscles, fascia, tendon sheath, or nerves, so anaesthetic is not required.

Although microdermabrasion may sound like a heaven-send to those who have had difficulty using other skin cleansing techniques; there are some things it cannot do. It doesn’t get rid of deep, coursing wrinkles, strong discoloration or deep scars. One myth is that it can be used as a one-time treatment to easily treat acne, however, repeated microdermabrasion is required to keep acne from relapsing.

With smaller blemishes however, your skin will be smoother, cleaner and will be left looking more natural. There will be a reduction in the number of fine lines and wrinkles, scars and acnes.

Like I already said, microdermabrasion is a good alternative to invasive skin surgical procedures that encompasses the ever controversial field of plastic surgery. Just remember to keep in mind the drawbacks or the treatment, and the efficacy of the treatment providers.

Asanka Samaranayake (BSc Hons Neuroscience) and Darren Patten (Bsc Hons Surgery & Anaesthesia)have a specialist interest in microdermabrasion and provide you with an indispensable resource at Microdermabrasion Info. Net

Cosmetic Tips and Tricks. With a Little History

Women have been wearing cosmetics for thousands of years. Archaeologists have evidence of men and women using cosmetics in Egypt over 6000 years ago! Wealthy Egyptian women would paint their nails, massage their faces with creams and oils, apply lipstick and eyeliner, and even color their hair. Obviously, things haven’t changed that much over the last few millennia!

The most important thing you can do when applying makeup is to start with a clean face. A clean face gives you the perfect palate for applying the rest of your cosmetics. A dirty face, on the other hand, will make it much more difficult. A clean face will also help keep your skin look clear and healthy.

After you have thoroughly cleaned your face, apply foundation smoothly and evenly. When applied correctly, it should not look like you’re wearing foundation. The purpose of foundation is to smooth out your skin colors to cover up any blemishes and to help you put your cosmetics on better. Your face should feel light and natural. If it is obvious that you’re wearing foundation, or if your face feels like it’s covered with guck, then you’ve put too much on. Also consider if you have the right type of foundation. To work properly, the foundation has to match your skin tone as closely as possible.

If you are having trouble picking the right color of foundation, talk to a cosmetics consultant at one of the cosmetics counters at your local department store. If you’ve only put a bit too much foundation on, you can blot at your skin with some toilet paper to remove the excess foundation without having to start from scratch.

If required, you can then apply some concealer to your face with your fingers. Concealer can be particularly useful around your eyes so any dark circles don’t have you confused for a racoon! No matter where you use concealer, always remember to blend, blend, blend. If the concealer is not blended into the rest of your face, it will only draw attention to the spots your are attempting to cover up.

It is only after you’ve washed your face and applied foundation and concealer that you’re ready to move on to the more noticeable cosmetics such as eyeliner, eye shadow, mascara, blush and lipstick.

The ancient Egyptians mainly made their cosmetics from clay and oils (with the occasional dash of mercury). Modern cosmetics are made from an unbelievable array of products. Lipstick often contains fish by-products and blush can contain mica, a translucent mineral! While the Food and Drug Administration controls what can be used in cosmetics, the precise ingredients are often protected as trade secrets.

If you really want to know what’s going on your face, you can chose to buy organic cosmetics that will make their makeup from simple, natural materials. This can also be a useful strategy if you are concerns about animal testing. If you only want to buy cosmetics that have not been tested on animals, make sure to inquire whether the cosmetics you are purchasing were tested on animals or not.

Steve DOlan is a cosmotologist who likes to experiment with the latest in cosmetics. Find out the latest and greatest at Cosmetics

Microdermabrasion and Other Acne Scar Treatments

Acne scar treatment is only given to those who experience no new re-occurences of acne. If breakouts continue to occur, the patient should first stop it with a specific treatment. Only then comes the following treatments that are as described in this essay.

Microdermabrasion:

Microdermabrasion is a ground-breaking beautifying treatment that very efficiently removes the upper layer of dead skin cells to reveal healthier skin below. It removes fine lines, wrinkles, scars and stretch marks and generally damaged skin. It can be done professionally at doctors clinics, spas and even at home, if you are experienced enough. Professional treatments can be quite costly and for a whole treatment regime can cost up to $1000-$2000 depending on where you live. In simple terms, tiny micro-crystals (e.g. aluminium oxide) are blasted onto the skin to remove the dead skin cells, and then a wand is used as a vacuum to clear them up right afterwards. Creams and special ointments can be used to supplement the procedure to make it more enjoyable. If you didnt already know, the procedure is painless and there are very few side-effects.

Chemical Peels:

Chemical peels use special acids that are applied to the skin, their effect is similar to that of microdermabrasion, but because of the strength of the acids, the procedure is faster. The only disadvantage is that it can result in allergic skin itching post-procedure, and it is not very effective in severe cases of acne scars.

Laser Treatment:

This is quite a new approach, and it is still not 100% clinically approved for use in clinics, although some clinics around the world have been recently approved- be sure to check out for these in your area. Again, this technique basically involves microscopically burning away the acne scars by removing the upper-most dead skin cells. But be warned, because soreness and swelling have been reported rarely after undergoing this procedure.

Augmentation:

In this technique, material such as collagen is injected into the acne scar, and this causes the scar to cascade upwards towards the surface of the skin. Compared to laser treatment and microdermabrasion this procedure doesnt causes much swelling, and the recovery time isnt as long.

Subcision:

Subcision is normally combined with microdermabrasion or laser therapy, and it involves detaching the acne scar from the skin beneath. A blood clot forms under the scar and allows the connective tissue to build up under the scar.

In conclusion, there are many and more ways to remove acne scars. Weigh out the advantages and disadvantages of each method before going forth and deciding with haste. Remember that acne scars are removable, just make sure you get the right opinion from your family doctor first.

Asanka Samaranayake (BSc Hons Neuroscience) and Darren Patten (Bsc Hons Surgery & Anaesthesia)have a specialist interest in microdermabrasion and provide you with an indispensable resource at Microdermabrasion Info. Net

Microdermabrasion Concerns

Microdermabrasion is a ground-breaking beautifying treatment that very efficiently removes the upper layer of dead skin cells to reveal healthier skin below. It removes fine lines, wrinkles, scars and stretch marks and generally damaged skin. It can be done professionally at doctors clinics, spas and even at home, if you are experienced enough. Professional treatments can be quite costly and for a whole treatment regime can cost up to $1000-$2000 depending on where you live. In simple terms, tiny micro-crystals (e.g. aluminium oxide) are blasted onto the skin to remove the dead skin cells, and then a wand is used as a vacuum to clear them up right afterwards. Creams and special ointments can be used to supplement the procedure to make it more enjoyable. If you didnt already know, the procedure is painless and there are very few side-effects.

Some people question whether home microdermabrasion will cause more redness or soreness than professional microdermabrasion. The truth is that there will be slightly redder skin after home microdermabrasion, but this is purely because of the modified chemicals within the kit that are safe to be used at home. Make-up can easily be applied to cover this redness, and it will only take 1-2 days for your skin to return to normal.

Further, microdermabrasion is not only limited to the face (as many people falsely believe). You can use it on nearly any surface with skin on it. Knees, elbows, shoulders, your back, remember also that mothers can also use to remove stretch marks.

More people worry that their skin will start to scale off after the procedure. This is normal, there can also be redness after home microdermabrasion especially, so dont be alarmed. It is a side-effect of the sometimes incomplete abrading effect of the crystals that were used to remove the dead skin cells; some skin cells on the surface of your skin will continue to fall off, but only temporarily for a day or two after the procedure.

A final pressing issue is how much force one should I apply with a home system. Gentle force with circular motions over the specific area is the answer. It is not good to apply heavy pressure. Also, if you are someone with sensitive skin, test microdermabrasion on a small patch of skin before you carry out the whole procedure, just to make sure you are not allergic to the material.

Asanka Samaranayake (BSc Hons Neuroscience) and Darren Patten (Bsc Hons Surgery & Anaesthesia)have a specialist interest in microdermabrasion and provide you with an indispensable resource at Microdermabrasion Info. Net

Don’t Throw Out Expired Perfume, Use Them This Way Instead

Most of us have so many fragrances these days that we tend to get bored and tired of them very easily. We want to get rid of them, but don’t know how we can do that, as we feel bad chucking it in the bin or just disposing of it. However, there are many ways in which one can utilize their old boring perfumes, instead of wasting them.

The most common way to utilize your old perfume is by using it as a room freshener. You can either spray it all over the room, or add a few drops of perfume in boiling water over the stove. The steam of the perfumed water will infiltrate all over, thus spreading the fragrance all over the house. You can use as much as perfume as you like, depending on your choice. If you do not want a light room freshener, then be sure only to use a few drops.

Potpourri is a very popular feng shui and decorative item, used in most houses today. But the fragrance of the potpourri doesn’t last for a very long time, so you can use to your old unwanted perfumes, to revive the potpourri. The wooden leaves absorb oils and liquids very easily, making it easy for you to pour a few drops of perfume and revive the smell.

Writing notes or sending handwritten letters has nearly become extinct these days, thanks to technology. However, you can revive the tradition in your own unique way. You can spray some of your old fragrances all over the stationary, or note pads, and write small notes or letters and send them out. These will give a very good impression of you and everyone will know it is a note from you as soon as they smell the fragrance. You can also use the perfume on other stationary items like your pens and pencils to enhance the pleasure of writing.

Another unique and excellent way of using your old worn out perfume is by pouring a few drops into your bath water. This can help make your bath more pleasurable and will invigorate you completely. Using perfume in your bath can be very cost effective, as you do not spend money on buying expensive aroma or bath oils. By using the old perfume, you can enjoy the memories attached with it, making your bath more enjoyable. If you like a strong fragranced bath, you have the choice of adding as much perfume as you like.

Most of the time, we do not like parting with things, which have special memories or sentiments, attached to it. Women especially do not like discarding their favorite perfume even it has become very old and stale. Now you have many ways in which you could use your favorite perfume, instead of discarding it.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as women’s perfume at http://www.perfumeandcolognedirect.com

5 Necessary Steps You Should Take When Choosing Your Cosmetics And Personal Care Products

What you put on your skin is as important as the food you eat. Chemicals that come in contact with your skin can be absorbed into your bloodstream. Many of the ingredients used in cosmetics and personal care products are toxic, even though they may not cause any reaction on the skin. Some cause cancer. Some of the most commonly used ingredients combine with other ingredients to form cancer-causing substances. Here’s a list to help you choose safer and healthier cosmetics and personal care products:

1. Read the List of Ingredients

Most products are labeled to “sell” rather than provide accurate information about the product. The sales pitch on the label doesn’t tell you anything about the safety and quality of the ingredients in the product. You need to read the ingredients list rather than the label for more accurate information about the product.

The ingredient list may not be easy to find and it may be so tiny you need a magnifying glass to read it because that’s not what the manufacturer wants you to see. The ingredients are required by law to be listed on the product label in order of quantity. The ingredient present in the largest quantity is listed first, the ingredient in the smallest quantity is listed last.

2. Check the Ingredients for Safety

The cosmetics and personal care industry is very poorly regulated. There are more than 12,000 ingredients that can be used in cosmetics and personal care products and most of them have not been adequately tested, many not tested at all. The manufacturers are not required to prove the claims they make about their products or to test them for safety. Many products contain cancer-causing ingredients along with ingredients that enhance absorption of the product through the skin into the bloodstream. To make sure the products you’re buying are safe, check the ingredients against a reliable safety list.

3. Beware of Words That Are Used to Sell Rather Than Provide Accurate Information

Many of the words manufacturers use on labels to promote their products do not have “official definitions” so they can be used to mean anything that the manufacturer wants. These terms are very often misleading.

Some words to watch out for include:
Natural - may contain all natural ingredients, a few or none at all
Hypoallergenic - may be tested or based upon manufacturer belief; no proof is required
Fragrance free - means no detectable odor; fragrance ingredients may still be added

4. More is Not Better

Choose products with fewer ingredients, not more. Besides the fact that most ingredients have not been adequately tested, those that have been tested have only been tested individually, not in combination with other ingredients. Nobody knows the effects of the many different ingredients used in thousands of different combinations, the effects of using numerous different products, one on top of the other, or the effects of repeated use of ingredients or products over time.

5. Buy From Companies Truly Committed to Healthy Products

As consumers are becoming more conscious of using safer and healthier products, many manufacturers are tapping into that consciousness and producing pseudo-healthy products. The label looks like the product is natural and healthy, but if you read the ingredients, that’s not the case. On the other hand there are companies dedicated to producing safe and natural cosmetics and personal care products. Many of these are small companies that were started because of the lack of availability of healthy products and some of them use organic and food grade ingredients.

We live in a toxic world and there are some things that we have no control over, like air pollution. However, we do have control over what we put into our bodies and what we put on our bodies - if we just take the time to educate ourselves and make safe and healthy choices. With the increasing number of chemicals in everything these days, it’s important for everyone to become health conscious. Taking control over what you put into your body and on your body will affect your quality of life and may just be a matter of life and death!

Dr. Christine H. Farlow, D.C. has been researching ingredient safety since 1991. She is the author of three books, including the new, second edition of DYING TO LOOK GOOD. To learn more about the safety of ingredients in your cosmetics and personal care products, visit www.dyingtolookgood.com.

How to Make Sure Your Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Are Safe

Choosing safe products can be a daunting task without the proper knowledge and tools. Many product packages are deceptively designed to make you believe that the product inside the package is herbal, all natural, safe and gentle, when in fact the product contains little or no natural or herbal ingredients, is contaminated with carcinogens and is irritating to the skin. This is the case because of the lack of regulation in the cosmetic and personal care product industry. But armed with a little knowledge and some helpful tools, there is much you can do to protect yourself.

Here are 10 things you can do to make safer and healthier choices when selecting your toiletries.

Read the ingredients on the label.
The packaging may say such things as natural, herbal or hypoallergenic. This has nothing to do with what’s really in the product or how safe it is. Manufacturers make a lot of claims on the package to “sell” the product. They can do this because some of the terms don’t have official definitions and they can use them however they want. To really find out what’s in a product, you must read the ingredients in the small print, you know, the ones that you sometimes need a magnifying glass to be able to see.

Interpret and understand the ingredients.
Once you find the ingredients, you have to be able to know what they are and if they are safe, harmful, questionable or untested. A great many ingredients have chemical names that only a cosmetic chemist would understand. However, you don’t have to be a cosmetic chemist. The book, Dying To Look Good, makes it easy for you to choose products with safe and healthy ingredients.

Choose products without parabens.
Parabens are xenoestrogens or endocrine disrupters. They disturb the hormone balance in your body. They are also skin sensitizers and have the potential to cause allergic reactions. They have been found in breast cancer tumors, but it is not known if they cause breast cancer.

Stay away from products containing amines.
Chemicals that fall into the category of amines can combine with nitrosating agents to form nitrosamines, which cause cancer. Nitrosamines are formed during the manufacturing process when an amine combines with a formaldehyde-releasing preservative. Some of the amines commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products are Cocamide MEA, Cocamide DEA, TEA, sodium lauroyal sarcosinate and amino methyl propanol. Several of the formaldehyde-releasing preservatives include sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin and diazonlidnyl urea.

Steer clear of products containing talc.
Talc is found in talcum powder, baby powder and makeup. It is a carcinogen if it contains asbestiform fibers. The quantity of asbestiform fibers in cosmetic-grade talc is unregulated in the U.S. Some research suggests a link between talc and ovarian cancer.

Be cautious about products that contain fragrance.
Manufacturers are not required to disclose the ingredients used in frgrances. A single fragrance may contain hundreds of different chemicals. Some of the chemicals used in fragrances are hazardous, such as benzyl chloride, methyl ethyl ketone, methylene chloride, toluene and phthalates. Fragrances may also contain chemicals that cause cancer. Even products listed as fragrance free may have fragrance added to mask offensive odors.

Avoid D&C and FD&C Colors.
Most D&C and FD&C colors are derived from coal tar which is a carcinogen. Most coal tar colors are potential carcinogens, may contain carcinogenic contaminants and cause allergic reactions. These colors must be certified by the FDA to contain not more than 20 ppm of lead and arsenic, but the certification does not address any other harmful effects these colors may have on the body.

Beware of products containing chemical preservatives.
Chemical preservatives can be irritating and are the number one cause of contact dermatitis. Some preservatives you should watch out for are benzethonium chloride, BHA, BHT, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, phenoxyethanol and methylisothiazolinone.

Watch out for “and other ingredients.”
This means there are one or more ingredients that the manufacturer considers a trade secret and does not want to list on the label.

Be wary of products with long lists of ingredients.
Many of the chemicals used in cosmetics and personal care products have not been tested or have not been adequately tested. Even those that have been tested have only been tested individually, not in combination with other ingredients. Nobody knows the effects of the many different ingredients used in thousands of different combinations, the effects of using numerous different products, one on top of the other, or the effects of repeated use of ingredients or products over time.

Protect yourself and your loved ones. Become a label reader and learn how to decipher the ingredients for safety.

Dr. Christine H. Farlow, D.C. has been researching ingredient safety since 1991. She is the author of three books, including the new, second edition of DYING TO LOOK GOOD. To learn more about the safety of ingredients in your cosmetics and personal care products, visit www.dyingtolookgood.com.

Is There Danger Lurking in Your Anti-Aging Cream?

The anti aging industry is booming. Aging baby boomers seem to be obsessed with preserving their youthful look. Anti aging preparations claim to make you look younger as you get older. But are the ingredients in these products safe?

Here are 10 ingredients to avoid in anti-aging preparations:

Propylene glycol is a strong irritant, a neurotoxin (toxic to the nervous system) and may cause kidney and liver damage. It may cause delayed allergic reactions, acne and contact dermatitis. It absorbs quickly and is a penetration enhancer, i.e. it increases the absorption of other ingredients in the product through the skin into the bloodstream.

Diazolidinyl urea is a skin irritant and a potential cause of dermatitis. It is a formaldehyde releaser. Formaldehyde is a Group 1 carcinogen (known to cause cancer) as determined by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Imidazolidinyl urea is a strong irritant. It causes contact dermatitis. It’s also a formaldehyde releaser.

Phenoxyethanol is a skin and eye irritant with a rose fragrance. It can cause contact dermatitis and is harmful if absorbed through the skin.

DMDM hydantoin is another formaldehyde releaser. It may cause contact dermatitis and has cause caused cancer in experimental animals.

Triethanolamine (TEA) is an irritant, a sensitizer and causes contact dermatitis. It may cause the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines in products containing nitrogen compounds. It may also contain nitrosamine contaminants not listed on the label.

Parabens (ethyl-, methyl-, butyl- and propylparaben) are endocrine disrupters. They disturb the hormonal balance in the body. They are absorbed through the skin and may irritate the skin. They have been found in breast cancer tumors, but it is not known if they had a part in causing the tumors.

PEG-n (4-200) is an eye and skin irritant and is hazardous on large areas of the body. It may be contaminated with dangerous levels of the carcinogen, 1,4-dioxane.

HGH is human growth hormone. Some prducts may contain HGH or ingredients that stimulate the body to produce it’s own HGH. Ironically, the hormones don’t slow the aging process, they just hide the symptoms. Animal studies have shown that those animals which produce more growth hormone in old age have a shorter life span, not longer. Studies have also shown that HGH causes carpal tunnel and diabetes. And it has not been adequately tested.

Ultrasomes, keratinocyte growth factor and DNA enzyme complex are known bioengineered ingredients that are used in some anti-aging products. The biotech industry is not very open about bio-engineered or genetically modified ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products. They’re not required to identify ingredients that are bioengineered and they’re not required to be listed on the label. The safety of bioengineered ingredients has not been adequately studied.

Look for products with safe ingredients like aloe vera, essential oils, shea butter, grape seed oil, emu oil, antioxidants like vitamins A,C and E, green tea and Co-Q10. But also remember, it’s more than just skin care. Slowing the aging process involves eating a healthy diet with lots of healthy anti-oxidant rich foods and enzymes, regular exercise, stress reduction and adequate rest. It’s vitally important to pay attention to your whole body, not just your skin.

Dr. Christine H. Farlow, D.C. has been researching ingredient safety since 1991. She is the author of three books, including the new, second edition of DYING TO LOOK GOOD. To learn more about the safety of ingredients in your cosmetics and personal care products, visit www.dyingtolookgood.com.

Wrinkles: Causes And Prevention

Aging is an inevitable process that the human body experiences. The skin, like any other organ, experiences the deleterious effects of time. But unlike others, these disorders are visible to everyone around us. Moreover, the skin can show the signs of diseases of other organs by excreting their toxins.

Our appearance plays a major role in our social relations, the way we feel about ourselves, and in the way others picture us. Therefore, it is important to take good care of our skin to delay any signs of aging.

Skin Anatomy

In order to determine preventive measures, you should first understand the structure and the roles of your skin as well as the forces which harm it.

The largest organ you have is your skin and its main function is to be a protective barrier against environmental factors, such as injuries, infections, sun rays, and harmful substances.

In addition, the skin has a lot of specialized cells and structures which get information from the outside and send it to the brain to process and regulate the behavior of the entire body.

The skin is made up of 3 layers:

- the epidermis, an outer thin layer containing various types of epithelial cells along with cells that produce the skin’s pigment (melanin), cells that play an important defensive role (Langerhans’ cells), and Merkel’s cells which function as sensitive receptors.

- the dermis, which is the thickest one, containing a network of elastin, collagen and reticular fibers surrounding blood vessels, nerves, muscles, sweat cells, and hair follicles with oil-producing and apocrine cells. At this level there are also nerve cells serving as receptors for temperature, touch and pain.

- and finally is the subcutaneous tissue, composed mostly of fatty cells, which have a resistance role.

Wrinkle Formation

As time passes, your skin changes. It becomes loose, thinner, drier and wrinkled, and slower to heal. The wrinkles occur mainly as a result of the rupture of the elastin fibers and the decreasing production of collagen fibers in the dermis but the diminishing of the fatty cells play a role in this as well as the decreasing bonds between the epidermis and dermis.

The main factors that produce or accelerate the damage are: sunlight, smoking, pollution, muscle use, inadequate diet, genetic background, and the lowering of hormonal levels at menopause.

Sunlight (the UV rays actually) damages the collagen and elastin fibers, and causes the development of some abnormal elastin fiber types. This results in a looseness of the skin and its inability to retract after stretching, causing the formation of wrinkles. It further produces a higher rate of evaporation, making skin drier.

Thus it is advisable at any age to avoid sunlight at midday and regularly use sunscreen creams with SPF 15 or higher. In addition, you should drink a lot of water, about 50-60 ounces daily. This water intake is also helpful in eliminating toxins through urine, rather than through skin pores.

Smoking and other air polluting factors produce free radicals in the cells of the skin, altering these cells and their genetic material. It is important to emphasize the importance of quiting smoking because smokers get wrinkled at an younger age than non-smokers, directly proportional to the years and the number of cigarettes smoked daily.

Wrinkle Prevention And Treatments

Researchers have found that many dietary factors can play a role in aging of the skin. It is highly recommended that you include antioxidants in your diet, such as vitamin C, A, D, E, and beta carotene.

There are a lot of medical and surgical treatments for removing the signs of aging from the skin. But why wait until you get a problem, when you can do something about it now? Preventing is better than curing.

Visit wrinkle remedy to learn more. Ron King is a writer and web developer, visit Articles for authors.

Copyright 2006 Ron King.

Skin Care And Wrinkles - The Bottom Line

As a person ages, skin care takes on a whole new design. Now, we’re suddenly concerned about fighting wrinkles, fine lines and crows feet, among others. Skin starts to lose the elasticity it once had. The inner layer of skin starts to thin, and fat cells underneath the skin begin to diminish. Wounds are slower to heal, because the skin’s ability to repair itself begins to slow down. Additional factors cause the skin to wrinkle and wear out, as well.

Excessive exposure to sunlight causes the breakdown of collagen in the skin, and UV radiation contributes to the release of damaging free radicals, degrading connective tissue.

So, all that sun bathing you did as a teenager will catch up to you in your later years! Cigarette smoking is also one of the worst things you can do, because it diminishes the level of estrogen in women to cause dryness and disintegration of the skin. It also reduces circulation to the skin, and compromises skins ability to fight of damaging free radicals. Doesn’t sound too exciting, does it? As well it shouldn’t. In addition to this, rapid weight loss and heredity can play an important role in the formation of wrinkles.

In order for skin to dry out and fine lines to develop, the skin need only be poorly moisturized. That is why it’s important to moisturize daily in an effort to fend off the signs of aging. The older you get, the more wrinkles will appear; however, it is possible to slow down and minimize the damage by taking very good care of your skin NOW, rather than waiting until it’s too late to make a significant improvement.

Thankfully, there are some promising treatments for skin that is aging. For example, Argireline works to reduce facial tension, with all natural ingredients. Meaning, you don’t need a prescription for it. In addition to relaxing facial muscles, Argireline works to slow down the degeneration of collagen and elastin, which diminishes naturally with age.

Dermox SRC is another wrinkle product ingredient, designed as a serum to treat wrinkles and restore the surface of the skin.

Not all products are right for everyone, however, so keep that in mind when choosing an anti-aging skin care product. You may have to try several before you find the right fit for you.

By taking important steps now to reduce the signs of aging, you can ensure a radiant, youthful complexion when you’re older. What’s more, taking preventative measures (quitting smoking, eats lots of fruits and vegetables, and always wearing sunscreen when exposed to the sunlight) will ensure maximum effectiveness of any topical anti-wrinkle products you may use.

Whether you’re 25 or 55, it is essential that you start taking good care of your skin now, for beautiful skin in the future.

Ken Black is the owner of Skin Care Reviews at Skin Care Information, a site about skin care.

Natural Skin Care And How You Can Benefit

Natural skin care is the buzz word in today’s world - at least, when it comes to wrinkles. With the
popularity of Botox when it first hit the market, companies were eagerly trying to replicate the
results without turning it into a medical procedure.

Well, there are plenty of products that have been developed with all natural ingredients, designed specifically for aging skin.

As a quick summary, sun exposure, smoking and the natural aging process all contribute to your
skins diminished ability to create collagen and elastin, which are the fibers holding skin together
and keeping it smooth and young looking.

If you’re looking for a natural solution, try one that contains Argireline. This ingredient is derived from amino acids that occur naturally, and works to relax facial tension.

When your facial muscles aren’t tense, they will not contribute to wrinkles. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Edelweis extract is another great ingredient. A strong antioxidant, what it does is clean up the damaging free radicals caused by metabolism and pollutants, in addition to blocking ultraviolet light from penetrating the skin. Shea Butter is also a beneficial component. A natural moisturizer and skin firmer, shea butter promotes the healing of skin, while working to prevent dryness and wrinkles. When choosing an anti-aging product, be sure to consider one with at least one of these components.

Keep in mind that with any lotion or cream designed for wrinkles, results will typically begin appearing within 30 days. So, do not despair if you do not see immediate results. Some products may say that you will begin to see results in as little as two weeks, but typically it takes about a month before any significant improvements are noted.

The best things about a lot of the formulas available on the market today are that there is no prescription needed! No costly injections, no risk of any serious side effects; just the promise of diminished fine lines and wrinkles. However, in order to seriously see continued results, you must care for your wrinkles on a somewhat regular basis. In other words, applying the
cream, lotion, or serum, exactly as the product describes, in addition to caring for your skin in
other ways. Only then will you be able to benefit fully from these treatments, and truly see healthy, radiant skin.

So, for diminished fine lines and wrinkles, there are natural ways to achieve these results. The good news is, you don’t have to shell out for costly procedures when the nearest drugstore or internet store has everything you could need for smoother, more youthful skin. Keep in mind, most of these products work best on fine lines and wrinkles. The more serious cases may need additional help.

As long as you take preventative measures to ensure a youthful complexion, these products will ensure a radiant, more youthful complexion. Who doesn’t want beautiful, wrinkle-free skin - naturally?

Visit our website at www.skin-care-reviews.com for more ideas on how to treat your skin naturally.

Why Do So Many Women’s Perfumes Come Out Of France?

It sure seems like nearly every quality women’s perfume comes from France, which has been the center of the fragrance industry for over 300 years. The actual beginnings of using fragrance have different origin though.

History shows us that it is actually Egypt that birthed the use of fragrances with them being used in rituals, as incense, and in lotions and ointments as far back as 3500 years ago, a few hundred years after that the women of Egypt were using certain scents for their cosmetic and aphrodisiac qualities.

Getting back to our story, France began expanding into the perfume industry in the 1600’s by first offering perfumed gloves. It seems that ladies didn’t like the way that leather gloves made their hands smell so they were perfumed. It was so popular that perfume makers and glove makers joined together to market them.

Within a century or so the use of fragrances had advanced to the point that they were used by themselves on a large scale and the invention of the eau de cologne using citrus and spices caused a virtual revolution in the fledgling industry. Along with the topical applications these early scents were even combined with wine and used as a mouthwash.

Believe it or not the fragrance industry, especially in France has never seen a decline. The statistics of usage are astounding with nearly all women using some kind of perfume and half of the men! Every year sees at least a hundred new perfume scents brought to market in France and the cost of bringing these products out isn’t cheap, it can be as much as twenty million dollars. Add to that the fact that a fragrance it not even considered to be successful unless it does over $200 million in sales.

The exact geo center of the world’s fragrance market can probably be narrowed down to the city of Grassed near Cannes. This is where the industry developed from the early partnership with the glove makers, a fad that didn’t last, to now being the center for perfume making. Most perfume makers today use more chemicals and synthetics to make their fragrances but the flowers that grow here in Grassed are where they draw their inspiration.

The area employs over two thousand people in the fragrance industry and is responsible for over a half billion dollars in sales annually, making up half of the entire French perfume market. No wonder they are known all over the world for fine perfume.

Gregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find more about women’s perfume and discount perfume at http://www.womensperfumedirect.com

What Is The Real Difference Between Perfumes And Colognes?

Perfumes and colognes as well as other scented products have been used for centuries to trigger responses in our body from our acute sense of smell which is the strongest of our senses. They are not made one for women and the other for men, rather the difference is in intensity with perfumes having the strongest and long lasting scent and colognes being less strong and of shorter duration.

Any discussion of perfume leads one to the capitol of the modern fragrance industry which of course is France. What many people don’t realize though is that it wasn’t the French who discovered perfume any more than Columbus discovered the New World, the Egyptians originated the art of making fragrances it was the French who took it from an art to a science and then a multi-billion dollar industry.

In designing fragrances the biggest problem that is faced is that of longevity. Every scent will fade and become less fragrant over a period of time although some last longer than others. The French discovered the secret to overcoming this as much as possible and found that by layering the scents in three layers known as notes a fragrance could be given prolonged life. These notes are classed as top notes which are intense but short duration, middles, which will last most of the day and base notes will last until the night.

Deciding whether to buy French fragrances or not isn’t just a decision based on personal preference. While, the fragrances that you like are certainly important and the ones from France will definitely give you some of the best it is also an economic decision. The top of the line fragrances from France are extremely high priced to the point that you really do have to be quite wealthy to even justify buying them. There are many scents on the market that are excellent without breaking the bank though.

As opposed to the three layered perfumes, colognes are single scents and are quite a bit weaker, the ones made for women are usually sprays but there are some splash bottle products too.

You have to be really careful when applying cologne as it is easy to put on too much, which I am sure we have all experienced if not on ourselves by someone walking by! The fragrance should be very subtle as to blend with your own body’s natural pheromones. A less in more philosophy is what is needed when it comes to applying a scent.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about discount women’s perfume store and discount women’s perfume store and discount women’s perfume store and discount designer perfume at http://www.perfumeandcolognestore.com

Why You Should Know What Fragrance Category Your Perfume Is From

When thinking of your favorite fragrances, have you ever wondered exactly how they are categorized? Tradition states that every fragrance belongs to one specific group or family. Even though they have different names, there are six basic categories of perfumes. The categories are:

Sweet or Floral
Clean or Sporty
Natural or Green
Oils and Musks
Woody and Chypre
Spicy and Oriental

Many people often find and stick with one specific fragrance, but others like to mix it up and base the fragrance they wear on the mood they are in that day, some even change it with the current season. Furthermore, age often is found to greatly affect the choice of fragrance. As a woman ages, the choice of fragrance matures at the same time.

Let us talk a little about the different families of fragrances. The sweet or floral family is perhaps the most popular of them all and is derived from a variety of flowers. These types are generally view as youthful and are worn by young women or women who are playful. Some examples of fragrances within this family are Curious, Chanel no 22, Joy, Pleasures, Safari for Women, and L’Air Du Temps.

In the clean and sporty family, this is generally the reminder of a smell when you first leave the shower and generally smells comparable to soap. Typically, these make perfect gifts for those that are athletic in nature. Some examples of this type include, Alliage, Cashmere Mist, Polo for Women, Lily Chic, and Tommy Girl.

The fragrance of natural or green is a down to earth and fresh type of scent, perfect for those who like to feel natural and real. A few examples include Escape for Women, London, Chanel No.5, Truth for Women, Poison, and White Diamonds.

Oils and musks are suggestive, sexy, and strong scents. Generally used when a person wants to communicate certain things to their lover. It is deemed the most powerful among oil perfumes. Some examples are Sun, Moon, and Stars, O Oui, Caleche, Shalimar, and L’Aminant.

In the chypre and woody family, it is generally compared to earthy things. It combines scents of earth and floral perfect for those that love being in nature and the outdoors. Some examples include Miss Doir, Envy, Chanel No. 19, and Romance.

Finally, in the family of spicy and oriental, this mixes the scents of vanilla, animals, woods, and flowers together. It is very exotic and enjoyed most by women who is bold, strong, and radiant. Some examples include, Youth Dew, Obsession, Organza, Opium, and Still.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about fragrances Women’s Perfumes at http://www.discountfragranceandperfume.com

Why The Best Fragrances Come Straight From Flowers

Surely, you have heard the popular phrase, “Stop and smell the roses”, typically this means you should take it easy, slow down, and enjoy the pleasures in life before they pass you by. When you are walking through a flower garden or someone gives you a beautiful bouquet of flowers, what is the first thing you do? Unconsciously without even being aware of it, you smell them. Many of us love the smell of flowers and when we purchase our own flowers, we do so because we enjoy the smell. This is how perfume developers entice us to buy their particular fragrances; by using the flower smells we love the most.

Perhaps, you didn’t know, but flowers are a very important aspect in any fragrance. Perfumes are developed using many different sources such as bark, fruits, grasses, herbs, tobacco, wood, leather, chocolate, and resins. While perfumes are made of any mixture of the preceding things, the fragrance is formed by use of a flower. Every flower type has a scent to its own and can affect perfumes in different manners. To get technical, one flower can give out many different smells and aromas. A good example of this is the rose, while in general roses typically smell the exact same, the different varieties each have a unique smell, even if it various only slightly from the others.

Because flowers come from many different areas of the world, there are many factors that go along in creating fragrances and perfumes, with the unique scent that each has. Some factors that affect fragrances include alkalinity, soil acidity, pollution, pesticides, and weather, all effect how any particular flower will smell. Using roses again as an example, they are grown all over the world in the United States, Bulgaria, and France, each of these areas are well known for producing roses specifically for use in various perfumes. Some flowers such as the ylang-ylang, grown in Southeast Asia, can only be grown in specific areas of the world.

When a manufacturer creates specific fragrances, it isolates the flowers essential oils. The essential oils are what gives each flower and plant their wonderful smell. There are many different flowers used in the production of fragrances and perfumes, some of the most used included orange flowers, jasmine, roses, and ylang-ylang.

Find a favorite flower of yours when determining which fragrance is right for you. Research on fragrances is fun, because all you have to do is follow your nose to your favorite.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about Discount Perfume and Fragrances at http://www.discountfragranceandperfume.com