Happy New Year to you all! Have you made any New Year’s resolutions that you think you can keep?
Since my last post, I have continued my research on “cruelty-free” products that relate to our beauty regimen and the choices we are making to render ourselves beautiful.
So with that in mind, I decided to check what our makeup brushes are made out of. How many of us have actually thought about where our makeup brushes come from? What is used to make them? This might make you feel a little uncomfortable, but it turns out that makeup brushes are often made from animal hair! That’s right. Squirrel hair, and badger hair. Badger hair is in fact used for some of the best and expensive shaving brushes! So guys, you also should be thinking about what you are using to shave that handsome face in the morning. According to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) shaving products can also have animal derived ingredients. Continue reading Cruelty Free: Makeup & Shaving Brushes→
Since my post about Governor Jerry Brown’s signing of the Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act in California scheduled to go into effect January, 2020, I’ve been pleasantly introduced to a whole cosmetics world I was not in touch with. And, I must admit that I am so happy to continue my voyage towards being aware of what this could mean for many of us who are looking to support the environment, be kind to animals, and feel gratified that the products we are purchasing guide us toward a more healthful way of conducting our beauty regimen. Because I think this is important for us to be aware of, I will continue in the New Year (2019) to report on my findings and introduce you to many more options for making this choice in the future.
♥ Recently, CoverGirlannounced that they will join the Cruelty-Free cosmetics industry. In order to do this, they had to choose not to sell their products in China. You may recall that American and European companies that sell their products in China are subject to compulsory animal testing. However, Cruelty Free International has launched a pilot for Leaping Bunny certified cosmetics to sell in China. This could have a huge impact on cosmetics companies around the world.
I have Good News, which I am absolutely delighted to share with you. Some of you may remember my last post about transitioning to using cruelty free cosmetics, and that California’s Governor, Jerry Brown, has put that goal on the agenda of California to be the first US State to make it a law, by penalizing corporations that sell products, which test on animals effective January 2020.Since the last post, I have worked toward doing my research to aid me in transitioning and to reach a goal of using cruelty free cosmetics.
I must say the search has turned out to be delightfully enlightening. That’s right! For starters, I suggest that you pickup a copy of Plant-Powered Beauty, by authors Amy Galper and Christina Daigneault. It is a thorough skincare guide and in a beautifully presented format you will enjoy. It has recipes you can use for your personal skincare routine. Amy and Christina remind us that the skin is our largest body organ. Therefore, what we put on it affects our entire ecosystem. Pick up a copy. I found mine on Amazon.com
For those of us who have wondered what we are going to do about the question of using cosmetics, which are tested on animals, California is taking an affirmative action to tackle this question by voting to pass a Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act, which will go into effect by January 1, 2020. Governor Jerry Brown recently signed the act. California will become the first state to penalize corporations, that sell products which are tested on animals.
Some Facts:
American and European cosmetics brands sold in China are required to have animal testing. If you are using a product that is sold in China, it is not cruelty free.
Various products, such as, shampoo, deodorant, and perfume that we use in the US are also sold in China. For example, Maybelline; Este Lauder; Origins; and, Clinique,
Check whether your brand is on that list by clicking here: ♥Animal tested cosmetics list
Brands on the “leaping bunny” list are considered to be cruelty free. You can review this list by clicking here: ♥ Cruelty Free Kitty
The FDA does not require animal testing for cosmetics.
You can read details at this link: Humane Society
You can load a free app on your iPhone or Android Phone, which helps you find companies that tell you if the company tests on animals. Use this PETA link: https://www.peta.org/action/bunny-free-app/
Brown skin women often are surprised when they get burned by the sun. Although brown skin does have a natural SPF of 13, allowing us to stay in the sun longer than women with white skin. However, we still need sunscreen to protect us from absorbing ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB).
Ultraviolet light is a type of electromagnetic radiation that makes black-light posters glow, and is responsible for summer tans — and sunburns. However, too much exposure to UV radiation is damaging to living tissue.
UVA & UVB contribute to the risk of skin cancer
Here’s what you need to know and do to protect that beautiful skin of yours.
Use sunscreen! Sunscreens blocks/ absorbs the UVA &UVB rays before they affect/damage your skin.
The SPF rating is a measure of the time it would take you to sunburn if you were not wearing sunscreen as opposed to the time it would take with sunscreen on.
SPF 15 product blocks about 94% of UVB rays; an SPF 30 product blocks 97% of UVB rays; and an SPF 45 product blocks about 98% of rays.
Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before you go out into the sun. This will allow your skin to absorb the product and create a protective shield.
Apply sunscreen to your face, neck , hands, and scalp! Apply after swimming even if it’s “water-proof”.
Some of you may have already noticed that I am an Aromatherapy Enthusiast. In fact, I find essential oils fascinating. So much so that I studied and acquired my Aromatherapist Level One certification, at the New York Institute of Aromatic Studies, which is an approved school by the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy ( NAHA ).
Essential Oils are all the rage recently and I expect the popularity of essential oils will continue to grow. After all, many of us are looking for ‘natural‘ remedies to take care of fairly simple beauty issues. However, along with their popularity, I am forced to clarify and point those who are using essential oils in a direction, which advises you to use them safely.
I came across an article recently which suggested that you could use Tea Tree oil (also known by its Latin name Melaleuca alternifolia) for pimples. I do know of persons who have used Tea Tree essential oil as a remedy for pimples. However, I suggest that you use caution when applying essential oils on your skin.
As a matter of fact, if you are not knowledgeable/trained in the use of essential oils, I suggest that you research first. Take a look at the link below for suggestions on how to use Tea Tree oil, and be safe first.
I am not sure that I’ve ever thought about changing my skincare routine during summer months. Have you?
Try considering the steps/techniques below during this transitional period.
I searched the www for answers. One dermatologist, Dr. Cynthia Bailey, based in California suggested, that we may need to stop using exfoliating skin care products such as scrubs and rough cloths, retinoid products and even glycolic acid products so that your skin can thicken up to better deflect UV rays.
Wikihow had a formula on how to choose a sunscreen: Use the SPF that’s right for you. Think about how quickly you burn on a sunny day. Multiply that number in minutes by the sun protection factor (SPF) of the sunscreen you’re considering. The result will tell you the maximum amount of time the sunscreen will keep you protected.
WebMD advises: Sunburns –They’re uncomfortable, to be sure. But they can also cause premature aging and lead to skin cancer. Your best bet is to limit how much sun you get — especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when those rays are at their strongest.
There’s so much to know about how to care for your skin during this transitional period and during the summer months. For product suggestions, click the link below.
♦ This is the third post in the Serums series. For HairBlues followers who prefer to use Cruelty-Freecosmetics, I recently found a very nice website that has reasonable prices, and nicely presented products. Click the source link for more information.
Serums, valued for their ability to deliver a high concentration of active ingredients directly to the skin, are made up of tiny molecules that can penetrate deeply into the skin. Due to their potency, they are perfect for addressing specific skin concerns. Each of our serums has different benefits for your skin.
I chose the picture of this attractive young woman because she appears to have flawless skin.
Those of you who follow HairBlues learned something about serums from my post last month. You can imagine that I was delighted to find an article in the March 2018 issue of Real Simple magazine, which was all about Serums. As a follow-up to that post, I thought you might like to read what serums the article suggested that we explore for various skin issues. Yes! There are serums that can address your particular needs from skin discoloration, anti-aging, antioxidants and acne fighters to name a few. Prices ranged from costly ($150.00) to low ($5.00). Continue reading Skin Serums for Skin Problems→
What do you know about skin serums? Do they work? Are they worth the cost? Are they good/bad for your skin?
According to some of the research I did, serums can help with various kinds of skin problems like, wrinkles, acne, redness, or dryness. They can produce powerful results, compared to other skin care products. Since they are water-based, your skin absorbs them quickly. Also, they don’t have petrolatum, or other kinds of oil. Serums have nutrients, (like retinol and vitamin C), which are good for your skin.
Happy New Year to you all! Have you made any New Year’s resolutions that you think you can keep?
