What's Your Skin Really Eating Up

Like most, I normally don't do a bunch of research or bother reading the ingredients on the back of beauty products, because I tend to only stick with brands I'm familiar with and can trust. The only thing that I do keep my eyes out for are, bunny ears (cruelty-free and vegan) and words like "paraben-free" or "sensitive" labeled on the products. You know, the simple things. 

But sometimes it's just not that simple. Sometimes we just can't trust such claims due to false advertisements and loosely used terms like "natural".  Although it may be a little tricky and sometimes overwhelming to understand what is in your beauty products. I've made a short guide that you can keep in mind the next time you're at Sephora (or where ever you purchase your skincare and cosmetics at) and in search of something new, because what goes on your skin can be absorbed into your body! 

5 Ingredients You Should Avoid:

1) Paraben 

• Are preservatives commonly used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products  
• Found in underarm deodorant, lotion, ointments, shampoos, and makeup 
• Linked to breast cancer, birth defects, reproductive issues, and neurotoxicity 

2) Sulfates 

• Acts as cleaning agents
• Help products produce a good lather 
• Found in shampoo and cleansers
• Linked to skin irritants 

3) Talc 

• Helps absorb moisture or create a better feel in beauty products*
• Found in baby powder, blush and cosmetics
• Linked to lung damage and acne 

4) Benzoyl Peroxide 

• Can damage DNA overtime 
• Found in acne products 
• Linked to skin cancer, premature aging, and DNA damage 

5) DEA, TEA, MEA

• Acts as a "foam booster"
• Found in toothpaste, shaving creme, and baby shampoo
• Linked to contact dermatitis, liver and kidney damage 

Natural VS. Organic 

• Natural
• Loosely defined and used term 
• Any product can be labeled "natural" even if there are no natural ingredients used
• Products labelled as "natural" can contain as little as 3% natural substances**
• Organic 
• Contains at least 70% of organic ingredients 
• Terms "organic" and "made with organic" are not the same thing

Other Interesting Facts:

• The skin is the body's largest organ
• The skin creates a barrier against possible invasions like germs and bacteria
• The skin absorbs about 60% of what we put on our skin and body 
• Over a lifetime you will potentially swallow a kilogram (2lb) of lipstick**
• The average woman spends 450 days applying her make-up in a lifetime**

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Let me know if you guys what me to do more posts on ingredients and beauty products! Also comment down below if there were any products you had to throw after this post! 

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*FDA.gov 

**Source: Toxic Beauty by Dawn Mellowship exact text insert 

All other informations opinions, and facts are inspired from esthetics/beauty school, clinical training, and estheticians and RNs

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Please check out Toxic Beauty by Dawn Mellowship if you want to know more! 

Winter Favorites 2014

I don't know about you, but (I'm feeling 22...sorry...I can't help myself) every winter I change my nail polish weekly to a different shade of red. Maybe to distract from my dry knuckles or because I am guilty of posting I-am-drinking-from-a-cup pictures and I do not do nude nails pics! This week I am currently wearing OPI Got The Blues For Red. I happen to wear this a lot and I don't think it's going to stop any time soon.
OPI Nail Polish in order :: I Sing In Color, Got The Blues For Red, & Big Apple Red

As I mentioned above, my hands get awfully dry during the winter. It also doesn't help that I'm always washing my hands, in between treatments (honestly, I'm a germaphobe)--my hands gets extremely dry and sometimes my knuckles gets so dry that it starts to crack...not cute. So I'm always on a took out for a good moisturizer. I've tried Josie Maran Intensive Creamy Oil before, because of it's multipurpose, ultra-hydration, and other great benefits. However, my hands would break out in hives. But Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Ultra-Hydrating Body Butter does not do this to my skin (thank goodness). Instead, it gives my hands the moisture it seeks for without feeling heavy. It also gives my hand a slight glow without being too greasy, which I love. Although I use it just for my hands, it's meant for the body too!

My hands aren't the only part of my body that gets dry. My face too! So, to combat the dryness, I drink a lot of water (like a lot a lot) and I lather on at least four products onto my face. Which helps make my skin look hydrated and healthy. However, on occasion, when I do decide to wear foundation, I find my skin looking dull, dry, and flaky. One of the many reasons why I don't like to wear foundation, but when I do, I do not use it without Hourglass Primer Serum. This product is amazing! I only use a little of this primer, but it makes my foundation and skin look smooth, hydrated, and glowy.

On to the lips! Aveda Lip Saver is a life saver! I barely put any pressure when applying this onto my lips, because a little goes a long way. My lips gets super hydrated and smooth after one use. It does have a light smell like an odd mixture of cinnamon and the forest. But not a bad smell, I don't think so. The price isn't too bad either.

Last but not least, my all-time favorite red lipstick is MAC Matte Russian Red. I honestly think this is the prefect red and matte lipstick. I've tried a few red lipsticks and sometimes it's either not red enough or has a shine. But this isn't like that at all! Plus it makes my teeth look super white. This with MAC Brick Lip Pencil equals perfection.

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Give The Gift Of Beautiful Skin

I recently went to an Image Skincare Event to get together with some old friends, network, learn, drink champagne, and of course get my hands on Image Skincare Merry and Bright 2014 Holiday Gift Set! I wasn't so excited for it at first prior to the event, because I thought it would just be their mini holiday 1 oz pump bottles. However, this holiday, Image surprised us with full size products and a FREE bag! If you haven't heard of Image Skincare yet (you must be living under a rock), their products are highly effective, paraben-free, natural, full of antioxidants, medical grade ingredients, easy to use, and suitable for all skin types! The thing about Image is, it isn't sold in drugstores, department stores or online. But at your local spas or dermatologists' office. So, although it may be harder to get, it's completely worth it. If you don't know where to find Image Skincare, you can comment below where you're from and I can help find you a spa or you can call Image Skincare directly at 561-791-2602 and a licensed esthetician can help. 

What's great about this holiday set is, it contains the essentials: cleanser, serum, moisturizer/SPF, and a lip treatment. So, if you're running low on skincare products or have a long Christmas list, this is a great gift set to give to anyone on your list! Now, let's talk about the moola...it's value at $200, but you can get it for $125 (the MAX Stem Cell Serum alone is $93.50...ekkk)! Okay, I know, it's not the cheapest holiday set. But like I said before, it's completely worth it! Honestly, you know you spent way more than that during Sephora's VIB Rouge and VIB member event. Am I right...or am I right? 

Here are the four products that is included with one complimentary bag!

1) The MAX Stem Cell Facial Cleanser 
This is my mom's favorite cleanser. I think the smell alone is what got her hooked! Besides the lovely smell, the Max Cleanser is acid-free, sulfate free, and paraben free. Like all of Image Skincare cleaners, it's a triple treat, a 3-in-1 kind of cleanser: facial cleanser, toner, and exfoliator. Not only is the product convenient and easy to use, but the Max Cleanser also helps optimize your skin's pH level--meaning balance, protection, and products absorbing deeper into your skin!
2) The MAX Stem Cell Serum 
I've never actually tried this serum personally, not because I don't want to, but it's because I'm already using two serums from Image Skincare! Although I haven't used it, I've heard nothing but great things about this serum from clients. According to Image Skincare, this day and night serum helps rejuvenates, plump, and firm your skin. What takes this serum to the next level? Three words: stem cell technology. What is that, you ask? Well, plant-derived stem cells are great to have in products, since it protects and repairs your living cells! Maximizing results and healthy skin.
3) Prevention + Ultimate Protection Moisturizer SPF 50 
Now, this is a product that I have tried and adore! This ultra-sheer, lightweight moisturizer with a build in SPF is beyond amazing!  It gives you the moisture your skin loves while giving your skin the ultimate protection and prevention. Although I really love this product for its great benefits, the smell alone is what did it for me! I mean, who doesn't like the smell of pina colada?! Humm...pina colada sounds nice right now.
4) Ormedic Balancing Lip Enhancement Complex
This is a must have, if you want smooth and Kylie Jenner's lip (not pre-teen Kylie, but current teen Kylie). It gives a subtle shine, but not sticky, something I love when I'm on-the-go and on a time limit. The smell alone is just amazing, I think it smells exactly like how M&M's White Chocolate Candy Corn tastes! But like all of Image's products, there are great benefits besides the smell. This product contains the purest organic ingredients, polypeptide complex, and antioxidants! It's also great for dry, dehydrated lips, and post dermal filler injections. This is a must have item!

Hee hee...I just realized I raved a lot about the smell of Image Skincare products! Anyways, this is how the bag looks like!