Last Friday afternoon Rituals Cosmetics unexpectedly made my day. I was halfway through what ended up being a 13 hour work day and was taking a coffee break at a nearby Starbucks. After getting my coffee, I walked by two girls giving out full sized bottles of Rituals Zensation Organic Rice Milk & Cherry Blossom foaming shower gel. It was almost as if they knew that I was short on body wash and needed an additional pick-me-up on top of the hot coffee I was carrying.
With Thanksgiving less than a week away, I just wanted to take the opportunity to say thanks to Rituals Cosmetics. I absolutely love the smell and foaming sensation of this body wash. It’s amazing the way it makes my shower smell like a spa and how the gel changes into foam the moment is touches water. Thanks again Rituals for proving to me once again that NYC is always full of surprises!
Having previously suffered from acne, I know from experience how much skin issues can affect your self-esteem and make you want to hide behind layers of makeup or even avoid socializing completely. Rosacea, a common skin inflammatory condition that affects an estimated 16 Million Americans the majority of them women, can also cause a number of physical and emotional insecurities. The most common symptom of rosacea is persistent facial redness. This is caused by dilated facial blood vessels increasing blood flow to the skin. 24% of rosacea sufferers say that redness is the first symptom they notice.
Rosacea sufferers are more likely to be self-conscious and wear makeup more frequently. But, makeup only masks redness. It does not cure it. If you suffer from persistent facial redness and are covering it up instead of treating it, you not alone. Over 4 in 5 (82%) of rosacea sufferers have used cosmetics to cover up redness. 65% of rosacea sufferers wear makeup to work compared to only 35% of Americans who don’t have rosacea. Just over half of Americans (53%) wear makeup, compared to over 77% of rosacea sufferers.
However, simply covering up rosacea symptoms can be costly and ineffective. While 51% say they skip the dermatologist because they are worried about the cost of treatment, there is a better solution. On average, rosacea sufferers spend $36 on a single non-prescription product that promises to hide or cover-up facial redness. Mirvaso® (brimonidine) Topical Gel, 0.33%* made by Galderma Laboratories, L.P. is the first and only gel specifically developed and proven to reduce the persistent facial redness of rosacea. Depending on your insurance, prescription copays may be as low as $25 which is actually less than the cost of many cosmetics. Unlike cosmetics that only cover up redness temporarily, Mirvaso has proven results that were reviewed by the FDA for safety and efficacy. This easy to use gel last up to 12 hours and results can be seen quickly.
What’s even better than setting your skin free from heavy concealers and cover-ups? Winning a star-studded walk down the red carpet at the 2014 Emmy Awards. Enter Mirvaso’s Break Up With Your Makeup Sweepstakes today for a chance to make your makeup free Emmy debut.
Important Safety Information Indication: Mirvaso® (brimonidine) topical gel, 0.33% is an alpha adrenergic agonist indicated for the topical treatment of persistent (nontransient) facial erythema of rosacea in adults 18 years of age or older. Adverse Events: In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions (≥1%) included erythema, flushing, skin burning sensation and contact dermatitis. Warnings/Precautions: Mirvaso Gel should be used with caution in patients with depression, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, Raynaud’s phenomenon, orthostatic hypotension, thromboangiitis obliterans, scleroderma, or Sjögren’s syndrome. Alpha-2 adrenergic agents can lower blood pressure. Mirvaso Gel should be used with caution in patients with severe or unstable or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease. Serious adverse reactions following accidental ingestion of Mirvaso Gel by children have been reported. Keep Mirvaso Gel out of reach of children. Not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
On Project Runway: Under the Gunn, the biggest fashion and beauty blunders are constantly being solved within seconds. In honor of this week’s episode featuring a ‘Real Women’ challenge lead by Benefit Cosmetics where designers have to solve everyday fashion emergencies in an instant, Benefit’s Global Beauty Authority, Annie Ford Danielson, is sharing her top beauty tips. I must say they’re genius!
1. Dilemma: How to wear a bold lip and make it last?
Solution: Remember, that when you wear a bold lip, you don’t want the bold lip to wear you. Longevity is key to this statement look. Before applying your lipstick you need to prime and perfect your lips. Make sure you exfoliate and hydrate. Try using a tint like Benetintbeneath your bold lip color for longer staying-power. Also, dap on cheeks for a natural girly flush.
2. Dilemma: The Shine Factor!
Solution: Remember that when the weather starts to change so does our skin and sometimes shine gets the best of us. Try Benefit’s The POREfessional Agent Zero Shine; an instant pro powder mattifier that minimizes pores and shine in an instant.
3. Dilemma: How to achieve the ‘No Makeup, Makeup Look!’
Solution: Remember, less is more. Before reaching for your foundation, apply concealer first, that way, you find that you won’t need as much makeup. Try Boi-ing, an industrial strength concealer that stays put, when you need it to.
4. Dilemma: How to cut down your skincare routine and amp up the results?
Solution: Choose a multi-tasking product that is bigger than BB! Try Benefit’s NEW Big Easy; a multi-balancing complexion perfector that balances moisture & controls oil while provide flawless coverage. Plus the formula provides SPF 35 protection!
5. Dilemma: How Bright is too Bright?
Solution: Bright cheeks are amazing, but in order to keep it from looking too young and costume-like, use a long-lasting, weather-proof tint like Benefit Lollitint (this shade is spot on for pantone’s color of the year Radiant Orchid), which will give you the brightness you’re looking for in a subtle, soft way.
6. Dilemma: How to get full long lashes?
Solution: Ditch the stripes and glue and choose a mascara that can creates length and fullness! Try Benefit They’re Real! Mascara. It really opens up the eyes by giving lashes a dramatic base-to-tip curl. Your lashes will never be the same.
7. Dilemma: How to pump-up skimpy Brows?
Solution: The best way to accentuate and add shape to a skimpy brow is by filling it in with a product that adds color, texture and VOLUME to the hair. Try Benefit Gimme Brow.Its gel-like formula is filled with microfibers that create the most natural full brow in seconds.
8. Dilemma: How to instantly perk-up dull skin?
Solution:Benefit Cosmetics believes laughter is the best cosmetic, so remember to SMILE, it will instantly make you look more radiant & beautiful!
A logical and open minded approach to personal appearance is essential for all of us who want to have a confident and outgoing image. Generally speaking, if we look good we feel good. The two outcomes are inextricably linked and contain the core of happiness and satisfaction. Thankfully, with today’s greater awareness of health and wellness all of us can attain the rewards promised by a well informed healthy lifestyle. The following are five of the best ways to achieving this ideal situation.
1. Sensible Dieting
A sensible diet should never be looked on as a quick-fix solution. The aim should always be to address a food and calorie intake in as sensible a way as possible. This means obtaining some reasonable advice about nutrition and healthy foods, while making firm commitments to stick with the effort. The faddish diets that make unrealistic promises usually fail as they take the whole concept of a diet away from the individual. The important thing should be to learn what works for you and to keep on doing it.
2. Daily Exercise
Along with sensible dieting, an essential for looking and feeling good is a revitalizing routine of daily exercise. This can be perfectly flexible and designed to fit in with an individual’s schedule and activities. The idea of visiting the gym every day does not have to necessarily apply, as a good level of exercise can be applied in the home or on the neighbourhood streets and parks. Aiming for a good 15 minutes of exercise every day can provide a great way to benefit from the natural high of being proactive about your health and personal fitness.
3. Liposuction to Tackle the Stubborn Areas
Occasionally, there are pockets of body fat that are impossible to shift no matter how rigorous the exercise and diet regime are. For those struggling with these troublesome deposits of fat, the expert surgeons of Cosmetics Canada could well have the answer. Their expert deployment of liposuction techniques can remodel and reshape the tummy, leaving a patient a new profile and new confidence. In no way an alternative to a healthy lifestyle, liposuction procedures should be best seen as an option for the hardest to manage parts of the stomach.
4. Facelift for a Younger You
The most advanced facelift procedures fully take into account an individual’s face. Every patient has a unique set of facial features, all of which form the basis for this natural style of assistance. This can often be the best option for everyone looking to remove wrinkles, sagging skin, and facial fat. With the whole procedure and recovery taking far less time than in previous years, a facelift could well be the ideal choice. A professional facelift carried out by medical professionals can usually take as much as 10-15 years off a patient’s face. This alone can easily provide the incentive to investigate further.
5. A New Look
Making use of a classic style of makeover can often be exactly what is required. Available on every budget, why not hit the high street for a little pampering session at a beauty salon. Alternatively, you could try indulging in a spot of retail therapy. A new outfit or a trendy new hair style can often pave the way to an instant boost to morale and self confidence.
This guest post was written by Serenay Taylor, freelance writer, journalist and health and wellness blogger.
Beauty products are increasingly marketed to have all-natural, totally “green” ingredients that leave your face fresh and your conscience clean. With so many cruelty-free and earth-friendly products out there, why not overhaul your makeup bag for a renewed look that’s gentler on your skin and the planet?
Tool Kit Overhaul
Start your green makeover by updating the toolkit. Swap out your old plastic-based beauty tools for products made with sustainably harvested, naturally renewable materials, such as bamboo. Green-up your beauty kit with these solutions:
EcoTools: EcoTools are affordable, effective, and made from cruelty-free synthetic bristles and recycled aluminum. A set of six brushes sells for only $13, which makes this 2012 Green Product winner a solid steal for the green girl on a budget, spotlights Instyle Magazine.
Urban Decay: Urban Decay’s “Good Karma” blurring brush was recognized by the natural beauty blog, Gorgeously Green, as being highly effective at blending makeup without brush marks. Urban Decay has also led the eco-friendly cosmetic industry for years with its cruelty-free products, which identifies this company as a trusted source for superior green goods.
Mineral Makeup
As you perfect your skin every day with foundation, keep in mind that standard foundations contain harmful chemicals that damage the skin over time. Mineral makeup blends create that lustrous look, made with ingredients that are all-natural, antibacterial, and perfect for sensitive skin types.
Refinery29 recommends these top picks for the best up-and-coming mineral makeup brands:
Inika Mineral Foundation: Silky, soothing, and perfect for sensitive skin, Inika Mineral Foundation is an all-natural product made in Australia. Products are sold at several small online boutiques specializing in skin care, including www.adorebeauty.com.au and www.blush.com.
Lily Lolo: Made in England, Lily Lolo, is a pretty mineral blend power that has SPF 15 sun protection. It’s also backed by the brand’s commitment to anti-cruelty organizations.
Everyday Minerals: Everyday Minerals’ affordable, all-American mineral cosmetics prove that natural mineral blends can still be glamorous. The Texas-based company features all-natural, handcrafted vegan products, including shimmery eye shadows and flirty blushers.
Green Beauty Shopping Tips
Reflect on your green goals, and evaluate what beauty product ingredients are most valuable to you. Do you want to avoid animal ingredients and animal testing? Are chemical and additive-free ingredients out of the question? Do you need everyday essentials or crave glamorous on-trend products that take your style from day to night? With some research, you’ll be more prepared to navigate the widening world of green beauty.
Also, many green companies are startups and independent online boutique retailers. While shopping on these smaller ecommerce sites, make sure the company is a reputable company that values consumer privacy. According to Life Lock, retail was the sixth most targeted industry for online shopping identity theft. To avoid an online shopping disaster during your green makeover, create a pleasant experience by first looking for a website’s security seal and https in its URL. Search the web for reviews of green companies and take standard precautions while shopping online, such as storing strong passwords for each of your online accounts.
