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Sometimes skin needs a little extra TLC. Breakouts, stress, changes in season, too many late nights and any number of things can disrupt your skin. Fortunately there are some great “fix-it” products that help with damage control however “upset” your skin is…

Primers: when the concept of skin priming prior to make up application first emerged I was cynical – just another product to complicate my routine. However, of late I have become a convert. Primers work much like an extra layer of moisturizer under your foundation by easing application and creating a barrier between foundation and skin. Primers are are particularly useful if you have dry skin as it will smooth out fine lines and wrinkles by lightly filling them in and creating a flat. It can also diminishes the appearance of larger pores and uneven skin texture. Remedica Recovery Lift Gel does all this and more. It is a unique complex used to hydrate, protect and smooth vale with the addition of Acaci Senegal and Hydrolized Rhizobian gums for an immediate lifting and smoothing effect.

Conceal: with a good concealer you can skip foundation entirely. The key is finding the correct colour for your skin type. Fortunately Ere Perez provides 4 different colour options each with two shades for different areas of the face or for blending to find the perfect shade for your skin tone. To get the best results when using concealer, apply several dots of concealer under the eyes, then use the pad of your finger to tap it in (no rubbing). Then if needed apply concealer on other uneven spots on the face including the chin, and around the nose and mouth. Finally brush on a light layer of loose powder over your face to set your makeup.

Hydrate: sometimes in the drier months, mineral make up can appear a little…well dry. This is easily fixed by the application of a hydration mist once you applied your mineral powder. Have no fear, your foundation won’t slide off your face, rather the mist will settle down the make up creating a smooth and dewy look. Three or four quick pumps of mist is all you need.

Bronze: there is nothing better for a healthy glow than a touch of bronzer. However, you want to choose a bronzer that isn’t too dark. Also avoid shimmer in your bronzer as the idea is that it looks like your real skin. Use a fluffy blush brush and apply on your face where you would naturally get sun such as the cheeks, the top of the nose, the top of the forehead, the side of the forehead, and the chin. Stop when you start to see a hint of colour.

This issue really makes me cross! Lead in lipsticks was highlighted as a significant issue in 2009. Surprisingly a recent review found that lead levels in lipstick hasn’t decreased, rather it has more than doubled from 2009 to 2011. Concerns about the impact of this toxic metal have arisen…again! The FDA states that “although we do not believe that the lead content found in our recent lipstick analyses poses a safety concern, we are evaluating whether there may be a need to recommend an upper limit for lead in lipstick in order to further protect the health and welfare of consumers.”

The issue with lead however is not that exposure to small amounts will cause an immediate issue, but rather that lead builds up in our body tissues over time. It is the the accumulated level of lead may be detrimental to our health and to the health of children or in the case of pregnant women, unborn babies.

While lipsticks may only contain small amounts of lead, in my opinion ANY lead in cosmetics is too much. So I have decided to Name & Shame the cosmetic companies that contain lead in their lipsticks. The FDA found the highest levels in lipsticks made by Procter & Gamble (Cover Girl brand), L’Oreal (L’Oreal and Maybelline brands), and Revlon. The lipsticks containing the most lead (measured in parts per million) are:

1. Maybelline Color Sensational, Pink Petal (7.9 ppm)

2. L’Oreal Colour Riche, Volcanic, (7.0 ppm)

3. NARS Semi-Matte, Red Lizard (4.93 ppm)

4. Cover Girl Queen Collection, Ruby Remix, (4.92 ppm)

5. Nars Semi-Matte, Funny Face (4.89 ppm)

6. L’Oreal Colour Riche, Tickled Pink (4.45 ppm)

7. L’Oreal Intensely Moisturizing Lipcolor, Heroic (4.41 ppm)

8. Cover Girl Continuous Color, Warm Brick (4.28 ppm)

9. Maybelline Color Sensational, Mauve Me (4.23 ppm)

10. Stargazer Lipstick, #103 (4.12 ppm)

Time for change and lead-free lipstick.

There are some great video blogs and Youtube videos being created that highlight all that is silly, funny or downright rotten in the beauty industry. These are 2 that I came across this week and thought were worth a watch:

Fotoshop by Adobe looks at the use of image manipulation in the beauty industry. It makes one wonder if there are any “untouched” images in the mainstream media.

Try to Look Pretty without Poisoning Yourself is an amusing look at the alarming ingredients in conventional make up. Eeeek!

If you come across any videos that take a look at the beauty industry, good, bad or ugly leave a link. Thanks!

This is a great video blog demonstrating how to create a summer signature look using the fabulous Lavera make up range. This video tutorial includes a number of professional make up tips that are useful. Annabella is a TV producer and has hosted numerous TV shows. Like me She loves fashion and beauty, but wants it to come at less of a cost to the earth and to our bodies so her aim is to find fabulous eco and organic products.

Annabella used the following Lavera Products:

• Beautiful Mineral Eyeshadow – Golden Beige #2
• Beautiful Mineral Eyeshadow – Chocolate Brown #8
• Liquid Eyeliner – Black
• Double Black Mascara – Black
• Eyeliner No. 1 black

View the Lavera makeup range

The term “new adopter” refers to people that follow new trends or products particularly in the area of new technology however I have borrowed the term for skin care aficionados i.e. people that just have to have the latest cosmetic or cream released on the market. I can confirm that I have definitely had moments of “new adoption” where I have bought products just because they were new or eagerly anticipated the release of a new range or product with the intent to purchase as soon as available.

On the flip side there are some favourite products I just can’t do without. Products that work for my skin or hair or coloured cosmetics that suit me so I go back to them time and time again. Among these is my Minerelle foundation. I have tried so many different foundations (I receive many samples in the course of my work) and while initially I might be impressed, I go back to Minerelle every time. For me it is not just about the performance of the product, which is excellent but also the shade which suits my skin perfectly.

One trend I did follow (well almost followed) is that of Morrocan Oil. I was really pleased to hear that there was a hair oil on the market based on natural ingredients. However, at the point of purchase I gave the ingredients a quick once over and smartly put it back on the shelf – the ONLY natural ingredient in Morrocan Oil is a bit of Argan oil – it is not even the first ingredient which means the fragrances and polymers make up most of the product. I was so disappointed so I instead chose Pure Lustre from Nature’s Symphony which is based on Camellia oil and completely natural. My hair loves it and love that it is natural.

The body product I just can’t go without is Remedica African Vanilla & Shea Nut Body Butter. I love everything about it – the texture, the scent (which lasts all day) and the way it moisturises my skin. BIG LOVE and a staple in my bathroom cupboard.

One new product that I think will become a favourite is La Mav’s Bio VA5 Daily Wrinkle Smoothing Crème. It has recently been reformulated and I find it excellent for my skin as it is not too rich but the cosmeceutical ingredients really pack a punch – Acai, Kakadu Plum, Hibiscus, Pea and Cassia to name a few.

With regard to cosmetics, when it comes to mascaras, I just can’t go past the Ere Perez Natural Almond Oil Mascara – it doesn’t clump, it doesn’t run or smudge or do any of the annoying things mascaras generally do. HANDS UP for this product. However, I will also say that the newer range of Lavera mascaras are pretty appealing particularly for longer, lusher lashes. I feel the call to try something new…

I did a quick ask around with the staff at Vitale Natural and they all pretty much mention the same three products as definite favourites:

• Remedica Black Soap – also love it particularly in Summer when my skin tends to oily
• La Mav Bio-A7 Firming Eye Lotion – this product is an AWARD WINNER of Nature & Health 2010 Beauty Awards – “The Best Eye Cream”
• Devita Solar Protective Moisturiser SPF 30 – this product also won an award – Voted BEST SUN SCREEN MOISTURISER PRODUCT by Natural Solutions Magazine for their “Beauty with a Conscience Awards”

I would love to know if you have any favourite products or products you think will become favourites.

Winter is such a great time to get into using blush. Blush can give you that “just flushed after exercise look”. I must stress this is not the beetroot look I get after running rather a dash of colour on your cheeks that makes you look healthy and full of life. I adore wearing blush but hold back a little as I also like strong lipstick colours. The combination can be a bit 80’s so I avoid really bright lipstick when applying blush. Now don’t be put off, this is a peculiar quirk of mine based on the colours I like, not a hard and fast rule. A little blush with bold lipstick is fine; just don’t go over the top.

Applying blush can bit a bit tricky but there are some failsafe guidelines that can make your technique foolproof.

Blush Colour

Firstly you need to choose a blush colour that suits your skin tone, either from a warm or a cool colour palette. Basically if you have a cool undertone, choose pink or mauve tones. If you have a warm undertone, choose apricot or sienna tones. Some examples are:

Cool Undertones – pinks, mauves and plums

Ere Perez Lip Balm - Harmless

Minerelle Rose Blush

Warm Undertones – apricot, earthy tones and even yellow based reds particularly for mediterranean skin tones

Lavera Natural Apricot Powder Rouge

Ere Perez Cream Balm - Happy

For more about how to work out your skin undertone read “How to choos the right coloured makeup”

Face Shape

Next work out the shape of your face and decide where to contour the blush. Some key tips on this:

• For rounder faces (like my own) contour the side of your face along the cheekbone (not under them)
• For longer, thinner faces, try applying the blush to the apples of your cheeks, as it may help to fill your face out

Use a good blush brush. The effect you achieve when applying any makeup is based on the quality of your materials, both cosmetics and good brushes. A blush brush with a full head is ideal.

Eco Tools Bamboo Blush Brush

Blush Types

Choose the type of blush that will suit your skin. There are few different types of blush formulation that you can choose from:

1. Powder Blush – generally good for all skin types, but best for normal, oily and combination skin and those wanting long lasting colour.
2. Cream Blush – these are great for anyone with normal, dry or dehydrated skin as it is generally quite moisturising. It gives a glow to the cheeks, making the area look slightly luminous. It is best to apply cream blush with your fingers.
3. Tints & Gel Blushes – these are lovely for a touch of colour but they do dry fast and can look streaky if applied over foundation. The trick is to apply it to your fingertips rather than directly onto your cheek and blend it in quickly.
4. Shimmers – give your cheekbones luminosity and a light gleam, they are great for night-time. You don’t have to restrict the use of a shimmer to your face. Dab them on your forehead or even the inner corners of your eye. Avoid any dry or areas with laugh lines as the shimmer will just accentuate them.

Blush Application

Firstly, prep your face by applying your moisturizer and foundation. Blush needs to be applied over both of these. Then:

• For powder blush, tap into your blush compact and tap again to remove any excess (usually only an issue for loose powdered blush). For cream, gel or tint pick up a little colour on your middle finger.
• Smile! This makes the apples of your cheeks pop out and either gently apply the blush to the area. Sweep backwards to the temple and blend the colour – try to sweep in one direction. Buffing or going around and around in circles can damage your brush and cause streaks. If you want to increase the intensity repeat the process.
• If you are using a cream blush, blend into your cheeks using your middle and ring finger starting at the roundest portion and moving lightly up your cheekbone towards your temple.
• If you think you have applied a bit too much colour, apply a little translucent powder will calm it down. With cream blush, blot back the colour with a tissue. With liquid tints the only way to take back the colour is to wipe back with a moist cloth or baby wipe and start again…so best to start light and build up rather than apply to heavily at first.

If you have any application tips you can recommend, let us know. We would love you to share the blush love!

All that shimmers

If you are used to wearing bold and bright colours then maybe it is time to try something new such as a lipstick with shimmer. While I love bold colours, a subtle sheen creates a shimmery finish on the lips when applied and also fuller looking lips. This kind of lipstick can be deep in color but have a shimmering finish, or it can be a rather nude color that uses the shimmer alone to play up the lips.

I was doing a makeover the other day and we tried the gorgeous new shimmery Lavera lipsticks. They also have a subtle metallic look. It made me want to be a bit adventurous. The 3 shades are:

• Brown Sugar which is a light cool brown with shimmery copper undertones
• Rosewood is a warm pink with golden shimmer – it is just so pretty
• Golden Kiss is a warm rose gold (rather than yellow) with gold shimmer

These tones are perfect for daytime use but will also create a gorgeous nighttime look particularly if you match it with some shimmery metallic eyeshadow such as Minerelle Joy (soft gold), Kiss (watermelon shimmer pink) or Elusive (pewter).

I love a new look!

It has long been my lament that natural/organic mascaras just weren’t exciting and often not that effective. A few years ago it took us months to road test all the natural mascaras we could source before we found the Ere Perez range (Black, Brown & Black Waterproof). I felt blessed and looked whole lot better too – I had spent months looking like a panda bear but Ere Perez put a stop to that. Well with that problem solved I stared to want more. Up until recently in the natural & organic realm there have only been standard mascaras for all lash lengths regardless of the lash effect desired. And goodness knows there are a number of different effects that can be achieved depending on the mascara – separated, fatter, longer, lusher and so on. Like me I guess many organic aficionados were just thankful it darkened lashes and stayed on! Well I am sure you can imagine my excitement then when I heard Lavera was bringing out a new range of mascaras. I pre-ordered 10 months in advance and the rep stopped coming to see me she was so bored with my pestering about when they would arrive. But finally they did arrive on the 21st of December and I grabbed one of each to test over Christmas (perks of the job!).

Fast forward a month and I am in love with the new range. There is a mascara for long lashes, one for thick lashes, one for a fan effect, another for volume lashes (or “fat” lashes) and even a clear mascara for lashes and brows. Even better these lash effects come with the Lavera guarantee of natural and organic goodness. Ooooweee! I have outlined the “special lash effect” of each mascara below:

Double Black

Double Black Mascara

This multi-tasking mascara from Lavera coats lashes in rich black color creating a dramatic, gorgeous look. This eco-tech formula comes with two unique brushes:

Long Lashes

Long Lashes Mascara – Black

This glamorous-lash formula is designed with an innovative brush to lengthen and separate, coating each lash from root to tip with a blend of organic oils and waxes for a silky, full look. Our luxurious blend never smudges or clumps ensuring beautiful lashes day or night.

Intense Volume

Intense Volumizing Mascara – Black

This super-intense formula creates longer, thicker, shinier lashes with serious impact thanks to a new extra-volume brush and an innovative quick-dry formula that prevents lashes from sticking. Natural ingredients such as organic beeswax and refined mineral pigments make for long-lasting hold.

Style & Care Gel – Clear

This crystal clear gel gently styles and cares for eyebrows as well as eyelashes, providing natural conditioning-shine with a combination of carefully selected extracts of organic licorice root, mallow, lime blossom and rose. Color: Clear

Style Gel

Naturally there is also the standard Lavera Black or Brown Volume Mascara which is great for everyday or those who are naturally endowed with gorgeous lashes. Ere Perez also has the Waterproof Black Mascara which is great if you tend to rub your eyes during the day.

So dear readers, when it comes to mascara I am content. I have choice and that makes me happy. I would love to know what you look for in a mascara and what you have tried with good, bad or neutral results.

The label of Dr Bronner’s Liquid Soaps states that “cleanliness is next to Godliness”. In the case of makeup brushes, this is absolutely true! Last week I was reminded of this – I had been having a bit of trouble applying mineral makeup as smoothly as usual and I realised that there was a build up of oil on my brush. It had been about 6 months since I last gave it a good clean! And so I did and I now have no problems with smooth makeup application.

Taking care of your makeup brushes makes sense for two key reasons:

• It stops the transfer of dirt, oil and bacteria back onto your skin when you apply makeup. This is particularly important if you are prone to acne or congestion as the oil is going to worsen congestion and the bacteria increases the potential for further acne breakouts.
• Your brush will last longer. The build up of oil and dirt will shorten the life of your brush as well as making it less effective as a makeup tool.

Below is a really easy way to keep your brushes clean:

Wet your brush carefully ensuring you don’t run water directly up into the ferrule (the bit that joins the handle to the brush hairs) as over time it may weaken the join. Rub the hairs over a cake of natural soap building up foam. Alternatively you can put a little natural shampoo in the cup of your hand and later. Keep massaging the bristles in the cup of your hand and then rinse with cold or luke-warm water. Ensure that you rinse all traces of soap and that the water runs clear. Repeat if necessary.

If you are worried about bacteria use vinegar. While the vinegar may not wash your brush as effectively, it is a natural disinfectant so will help to kill off any bacterial. Following the soap wash dip your brush in a mix of 1/3 vinegar to 2/3rds water. Leave for 10 seconds and then rinse off with running water.

Drying your brushes
Firstly get rid of the excess water by gently squeezing the bristles from base to tip. Then put your brush upright in a glass so that it can air dry. Please don’t use a hair drier as this may damage the hairs and the glue. Also try to avoid laying your brush down, particularly with hair brushes as they will flatten and dry that way. I always wash mine overnight or after I have applied my makeup in the morning. It is always dry by morning.

How often should you wash your brush?
If you have normal to dry skin, washing once a month is fine. Even with normal to oily skin, this should be frequent enough. Just to be sure monitor the bristles and if they look or feel oily, give it a quick rinse. If you have acne, more frequent washing is ideal to minimise the spread of bacteria. Fortnightly or even weekly if you have active breakouts is a good time frame. The same routine can be applied to any sponges or other make up tools you use regularly.

When it comes to makeup, I am a hoarder. My makeup bag is bulging to the seams. Of what you may ask and indeed that is the question I asked myself the other day. The answer is below:

• 1 old compact with a scrap of makeup left and 1 newish one
• 3 grey eyeliner pencils (clearly my favourite colour!)
• 2 mascaras – one almost empty and out of date
• 3 shades of red lipstick, one pink and one plum
• 2 x eyeshadows, one that I can’t open despite my best efforts but that I continue to hope that one day I will be able to…

The contents of my makeup bag this morning.

So it’s confirmed, I am a hoarder.  In all honesty, I only use a couple of these items on a daily basis but still feel the need to cart the rest around. Apparently however, I am not alone. A British study of 1000 women found that 2/3rds of participants are reluctant to throw out makeup that is past its prime.  So what’s the problem? The study’s author says that while “beauty is timeless, our makeup is not”.

Certain types of makeup are more susceptible to bacterial infection or mould growth including liquid foundation, concealers and the worst is mascara. So tips for keeping your make up fresh and up to date:

• If your makeup is past its used by date, toss it particularly if it contains water as an ingredient. Water can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
• If you have an eye infection or cold sore avoid wearing makeup on the affected area. If you do wear it consider changing your mascara, lipstick and lipgloss as they may continue to carry the microorganisms that caused the initial infection.
• Don’t share mascara – eyes are very sensitive and cross contamination may occur.
• If the product smells or looks bad, throw it out. Best not to take the risk.
• If you are in your 30′s and were wearing the same makeup at highschool, it’s time for a change!

There are exceptions to these guidelines. Dry powdered products such as mineral make up generally don’t go off and they don’t contain water so not prone to microbial overgrowth.

So if like me, you are a hoarder, check out your make up bag and see if you have any products that are way overdue being replaced. And if you dare, tell us what gems you find!