Category Archives: Cosmetics

Did You Know Ingredients in Your Cosmetics Could Be Toxic?

It’s something that we don’t always think about when we’re using different types of beauty products that solve ailments, cover up blemishes or even protect our skin from the sun. But everyone should be more aware of the actual ingredients that are used in their favorite beauty products. What you might find could surprise you and we want to help you on that path to discovery.

While history can take us back to some kooky products that offered women and men alike things like arsenic complexion wafters, we’re at least not dishing out direct poison to consumes to increase their beauty! There still can be alarming things showing up in products like heavy metals in all kinds of makeup products. There are many times when these heavy metals are actually added on purpose to the product but are added due to manufacturing impurities.

Each product you use has a brand new list of ingredients in it, obviously, but as you get more used to evaluating what’s in products you’ll get used to looking for some of the most important offenders in regards to specific types of chemicals or ingredients in your cosmetics. The easiest approach to start with is using what is commonly known as “The Dirty Dozen.” This is a short list of ingredients that are some of the more common or biggest offenders found in all types of products we use every day.

There is a larger Toxic Cosmetics Guidebook that dives into the Dirty Dozen but also covers nearly 200 other chemicals that you should keep an eye out for in your beauty products and breaks down by category like nail polish, mascara, shampoo and more. The way this guidebook did their research for the Dirty Dozen was by using a crowdsourcing technique that allowed them to pull in information from 19 experts, beauty experts and scientists. In today’s post we’re going to cover those key 12 ingredients that are referred to as the Dirty Dozen and if you want to expand your research, jump on over and check out the more comprehensive list and other research done in this area.

Woman Applying Make-up

Dirty Dozen List for Cosmetics:

  1. Coal Tar Dyes (Phenylenediamine or CI #####)
  2. Petrolatum
  3. Triclosan
  4. BHA & BHT
  5. DEA (Diethanolamine)
  6. DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate)
  7. Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives
  8. PEG Compounds
  9. Siloxanes
  10. SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulfate)
  11. Parabens
  12. Parfum (Or Fragrance)

That covers the big 12 that you should start your adventure in understanding toxic cosmetic ingredients. There has been recent rulings on one listed in the list which is called Triclosan. The FDA has recently passed a ban on Triclosan and other associated ingredients used as antispetics. So while you’ll find there have been people saying certain ingredients should or shouldn’t be on lists, you have to wonder what they were thinking when you ultimately see an agency like the FDA ban the ingredient across the board!

We hope this helps get you started into understanding what you should looking for in your cosmetics, beauty products, nail polish, shampoo and more. Let us know what you think about this or if you have any question.

Vegan Beauty Products from Luscious Cosmetics

Face Contour Kit

If the sourcing and production of your beauty products is important to you, you’ll want to check out Luscious Cosmetics. ALL of their products are strictly free from animal products, making them Vegan & Vegetarian friendly. But they aren’t just products that you can feel good about, they are products that will make you LOOK GOOD!

Luscious Cosmetics uses innovative formulas that create products formulated to be long-lasting and vibrant in any climate. All of these products are cruelty free – right down to their beauty brushes! Luscious Cosmetics are proud members of PETA and stand behind every product they produce.

Ice Cream Mirror Compact

Ready to try their awesome beauty products? Right now you can enjoy SWEET Summer Savings at Luscious Cosmetics 100% Vegan and Cruelty Free cosmetics at savings of 40% off SITEWIDE! Want to know what’s even better? You can get this Super Cute Ice Cream Compact/Comb combo for face and hair touch ups on the go FREE with EVERY purchase at Luscious Cosmetics. (Limited Time offer.)

Build Your Own Julep Beauty Box – First Box FREE!

Chances are you’ve eyed a beauty box subscription before, but you’ve hesitated. I know I have! It’s tricky to sign up for something and not know exactly what your money is going toward.

Well, now you can build your own Julep Beauty Box and know exactly what you’re getting each month. Yes, you actually pick the items yourself!

Get a customized selection of full-size K-Beauty skincare, makeup, and nail care delivered every month. Your first box is FREE!

Simply select the types of products you want to receive in your monthly box: Nail, Makeup and Skincare, or a Mix of All. Then select the products and get your monthly box FREE with coupon code JUST4YOU.

Once you sign up, your first customized monthly beauty box is free. After that, you’ll make your picks from a new collection every month. Not feeling it? Skip a month! Plus, you’ll always get free U.S. shipping and exclusive offers.

This is a limited-time offer – get started HERE!

Fine Print: 100% satisfaction guaranteed. By joining you will become enrolled in our monthly subscription for $24.99 a month or $19.99 with a prepaid plan. Call us at (877) 651-3292 or email maven@julep.com to cancel at any time. All plans auto-renew at the same rate on the 27th of the month at the end of the initial subscription term.

$100 Julep Mystery Box for Only $24.99!

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It’s Mystery Box time again! Choose from two different Rock Your Look Mystery Boxes and get $100 worth of beauty favorites for only $24.99. The Mystery Box is always one of the very BEST value offers from Julep!

Introducing the Rock Your Look Mystery Box! Love experimenting with new looks? Or sticking to classic favorites? Either way, you will LOVE these specifically curated mystery boxes. Choose from: Color Play or Classic Beauty ($100+ value for just $24.99!) Get yours now – Rock Your Look Mystery Box – $100+ value for only $24.99!

Details: Offer expires on 9/19/16 at 11:59 PM PT, or while supplies last. Purchase of multiple units of the same type of mystery box will result in polish or product overlap. There is no overlap between different types of mystery boxes.

Offer may not be combined with any other promotional offer or discount (e.g Maven 20% discount). No exchanges or returns are possible on Mystery Box or individual items. Estimated full retail value is at least $100. Taxes vary by location.

Midwest Makeup Show: Beauty Expo and Pop-Up Shop

Midwest Makeup Show

The upper midwest is welcoming the Midwest Makeup Show, Minnesota’s first Beauty Expo and Pop-Up Shop on Sunday, July 24 at The Commons Hotel on the U of M campus – and you’re invited! Enjoy beauty services, demonstrations, shopping discounted products, and more!

At the show you can shop from more than 50 discounted makeup, hair, skin and nail brands. Watch beauty demos and enjoy beauty services and makeup lessons throughout the day.

The star-studded Main Stage, emceed by The Voice Season 6 contestant, Kat Perkins, will include presentations from Emmy Award-Winning national makeup artist Kevin James Bennett, NAHA Award Winner Heath Bryant, celebrated hairstylist Charlie Brackney, and a panel of pro artists moderated by one of the bridal industry’s best, Brett Dorrian.

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Reader Giveaway: Head on over to our sister site Thrifty Minnesota for a chance to win a 4-pack of Midwest Makeup Show VIP tickets which includes complimentary admission, champagne, and an extra swag bag! Enter HERE!

Bluemercury Shop-In-A-Shop Now in Macy’s Locations – My Visit

Disclosure AffiliateBluemercury Shop-In-A-Shop Now in Macy's LocationsIf you are lucky, you just may have a Bluemercury shop-in-a-shop recently opened in a Macy’s location near you. They have opened over 80 of these specialty stores in 20 states and also online at bluemercury.com. (See the locations here.) Last month I was invited to visit the new Bluemercury location at Southdale in Edina, MN. It is beautiful!

Bluemercury was founded in 1999 and is widely recognized as the nation’s largest and fastest-growing luxury beauty products and spa retail chain. Bluemercury offers a unique shopping experience where clients receive unparalleled technical product knowledge, expert advice and friendly service. In addition to skincare, makeup, haircare and fragrance products, clients can be pampered by skincare experts in Bluemercury spas. The spas are home to the ultimate results-oriented treatments, including world-renowned oxygen facials, glycolic peels, waxing and microdermabrasion.

Nest Bluemercury Macys

During my early morning pre-store-opening visit, I had a chance to speak with some of the extremely-knowledgeable staff and take a look at the carefully curated selection of brands and products available. I had time for a bit of pampering while being introduced to new items from brands I already love, as well as to some brand new ones I had never heard of.

M61 Bluemercury Macys

M-61 is Bluemercury’s own technical skincare product line from co-founder Marla Malcolm Beck. It combines the best of technical skin science and power-packed naturals while leaving out undesirable ingredients. Marla took Bluemercury’s thirteen years of experience of performing nearly 100,000 spa treatments every year and combined that with input from more than 300 makeup artists and estheticians in Bluemercury stores. The result is this power-packed treatment line providing maximum results with minimal time.

Bluemercury Lune Aster Macys

Another line created by Marla Malcolm Beck is lune+aster, Bluemercury’s own makeup brand. Says Marla, “For years, my time-starved friends have asked me which makeup products they should use and how to apply them. With this in mind, I created a quick, easy line that takes the guesswork out of makeup application and gets you out the door looking polished in minutes.” I was excited to bring home a few samples from this new-to-me collection and am anxious to see my results!

Find your nearest Bluemercury in Macy’s location here.

Bluemercury Shop in a Shop at Macy's Locations

TLC’s Global Beauty Masters Season 2 Premieres March 17, 2016

Global Beauty Masters Charlie Price Judging

BRING ON THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST BEAUTY BATTLE | Love hair, makeup, and nail art?  Love competition?  TLC is bringing all of those elements together in a brand new season of Global Beauty Masters airing on March 17th!

Season two of “Global Beauty Masters” premiering on the TLC Network on Thursday, March 17, 2016. Originally launched in 2014 on Discovery Fit and Health, the intense competition moves to TLC this winter as top hair, makeup and nail stylists from around the world battle for the coveted title of “Global Beauty Masters.”

Global Beauty Masters Warroom

The show offers viewers an insider’s perspective on the creative process during Battle Week, where beauty pros work together in teams. Enduring a week of rigorous competition, they must improvise, innovate and impress to reach the ultimate showdown, a Final Battle presented to a live audience. The epic challenges, over-the-top egos and tumultuous teamwork will be judged by world-renowned beauty experts.

Robert Cromeans Speaking to Team Global Beauty Masters

The epic challenges, over-the-top egos and tumultuous teamwork will be judged by world-renowned beauty experts. This year’s panel of professional judges includes Charlie Price of Charlie Price Hair; Eden Sassoon, salon owner and daughter of the legendary beauty icon, Vidal Sassoon; John Hauk, creative director of Entity Beauty; Vicki Starr, founder and CEO of Starr Treatment; and special guest judge John Paul DeJoria, co-founder and chairman of the board of John Paul Mitchell Systems. Among the notable guests and mentors, the show features Angie Everhart, Danielle Orsino, Dwight Eubanks, Jackie Siegel, Katie Meade, Kenny Kahn, Kim Vo, Rafe Hardy, Robert Cromeans, and Tracey Cunningham. The professional competition includes 10 US and 7 international teams, representing Bermuda, Canada, Italy, Mexico, Panama, Senegal, and South Africa.

Global Beauty Masterws finale judges

To encourage the careers of future professionals, “Global Beauty Masters” also presents the extraordinary work of 14 beauty school teams in a student competition hosted by pop musician Manika and model and rapper Don Benjamin. Student teams will be judged by Adamme Sosa of Adamme Artistry; Amy Becker of Masterworks by Amy Becker; J.R. Stewart, senior vice president of content and development at Style TV; and Sam Villa of Sam Villa Hair. The teams will also be monitored by lead mentor Krista White, winner of season 14 of “America’s Next Top Model” and a judge of last year’s professional competition.

 

Proving the international appeal of the beauty industry and its ability to transform lives, “Global Beauty Masters” launchesThursday, March 17, at 6 p.m.

 

Why Julep Is the Best Beauty Box Subscription

Disclosure AffiliateWhy Julep Is the Best Beauty Box Subscription

We all know that there are TONS of different beauty box subscriptions to choose from, but what is it that makes Julep the BEST beauty box subscription? Check out our list below. Are you ready to buy yours? Then I recommend opting for the 3-month subscription because you get your first month FREE! Just use code FIRSTBOX at checkout. If you want to start with a month-to-month subscription, use that same code to get 50% off your first box.

It’s the only fully-customizable beauty box on the market.

Every month between the 20th and the 24th, you get to log in and choose what you want in your box. You can select all beauty products, all nail products, or get a mix of both!

Skip any month.

Unlike most beauty boxes, you can decide to skip any month you’d like (with no charge!) or send that month’s box to a friend.

You know what you’re getting, every month.

Unlike most beauty box brands, Julep makes all of their own products. All Julep products are cruelty-free and five-free (they don’t use the top 5 toxins found in many makeup brands).

Subscribers get perks galore.

Beauty box subscribers are called Mavens, and Mavens get amazing perks, such as 20% off all julep.com purchases, free shipping (always!) and the chance to help test and choose Julep’s next new beauty colors and products.

Join today and get your first month FREE when you purchase a 3-month subscription!

Julep: New 4-Piece Ombre Welcome Box FREE for New Maven Subscribers!

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Do you love beauty products?  Do you love getting mail?  If you do, the monthly subscription boxes from Julep are perfect for you!  Plus, right now new Julep Mavens subscribers can get a FREE Limited-Time Ombre Welcome Box valued at over $50 – just pay $2.99 shipped.  Just use the promo code FALLGIRL when signing up!  The Ombre Welcome Box has an ombre-perfect trio of polish shades plus a smokey taupe gel eye glider.

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Why should you become a Julep Maven?  Each month you’ll get a box of full sized nail polish and other beauty products valued at $40 or more for just $24.99.  You can even pre-pay for three months and save $15!  If you find a product in your box that you love, you can score 20% off all single product purchases plus free shipping on the website.

Join Maven and get the 4-piece Ombre Welcome Box FREE ($50+ value) – just pay $2.99 shipping with code FALLGIRL. Want an even better deal? Pre-pay for your first three months of Maven and get the Welcome Box and shipping FREE. Either way, you are going to LOVE being a Maven!

Celebrate National Lipstick Day with Avon! FREE Lipstick with Purchase

Disclosure AffiliateNational Lipstick Day

Today, July 29th, is National Lipstick Day!! What is your lipstick personality? Not afraid to rock a bold lip? Prefer a more demure pale pink? The first of your friends to experiment with a non-traditional shade like deep plum or dark brown? Believe it or not, your preferred lip shade and your personality may go hand in hand!

To celebrate National Lipstick Day, Avon has created a Lipstick personality quiz – a series of seven questions designed to help you identify the perfect lip shade for you. And, just in time to celebrate, Avon’s newest launch – Beyond Color Plumping Lip Color SPF 15 – available in ten full color shades, for any and every lip personality.

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Avon is also having a special offer just too celebrate! Get a FREE Ultra Color Absolute Lipstick & Ultra Color Glazewear Lip Gloss with your $50 Avon purchase. Use code LIPSTICK at checkout to get the offer. Valid 7/29 ONLY!!