Parabens - Toxic? - Why I don't use them.

Parabens are everywhere in our beauty products from toiletries to makeup, and despite the industry saying they are safe and exist in plants natural ( which they don't ), they actually could be dangerous.

So what are parabens?  Parabens are synthetic chemicals produced in a lab, very cheap to produce and used as a preservative in your products. The most common ones seen in cosmetics are methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben, and often used together as a combination.

These parabens are fat-soluble so that they can be readily absorbed into your body, which means they are
likely to accumulate in fatty tissue, for instance in the breast. A research has been shown that a high percentage of breast cancer's tissue samples have contained high concentrations of parabens. It is also known that parabens can mimic the hormone Estrogen, playing a role in the development of breast cancer! For more info on this please read this article - Paraben and Breast Cancer

Studies have also shown they can also have an effect on hormonal imbalances and have been proved to interfere with the function of the endocrine system, and these endocrine disruptors are stored in our body's fatty tissues. - This is one reason why I don't use them. As a child and young adult I had numerous problems with my hormones - one being rather serious with my pituitary gland, which is a endocrine gland and secretes nine hormones that regulate homeostasis - it functions:

• Growth (Excess of HGH can lead to gigantism and acromegaly.)
• Blood pressure
• Some aspects of pregnancy and childbirth including stimulation of uterine contractions during childbirth
• Breast milk production
• Sex organ functions in both men and women
• Thyroid gland function
• The conversion of food into energy (metabolism)
• Water and osmolarity regulation in the body
• Water balance via the control of reabsorption of water by the kidneys
• Temperature regulation

 The numerous problems I suffered with my pituitary gland I was told I could have a tumor on my gland and was consistently having blood tests and told that I would never have kids. At the time I had no idea it could have been products I was using.
It wasn't till I I actually did feel pregnant, that I started to think about what I was using on me and what I was eating. When my daughter was born, I used nothing but pure natural and/or organic products on her ( and still do ).  Parabens are also know for causing allergic reactions,and since stop using products with them in it, I have noticed how my skin isn't as sensitive as I thought it was.

There is many of website regards to research and research still being done on how safe parabens are. In my opinion and experiences I'd rather stay away from them. However, I let you decide on whether you still would.
You can find more about the different types of parabens on Skin Deep website - What are parabens?
and also Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraben

Hurray for the "Happy Mix"

Now this is not a usual posting but I just had to rate this! Being an ice cream fan and having a partner who prefers ice lolly's like Solario, Twister and myself preferring the chocolate or toffee sort of ice cream, than a young daughter who is into Mini Milks, or similar. Buying ice cream can be quite a chore when it comes sunny days like today.

As we walk down the shopping aisle this afternoon, picking up some items to enjoy in the garden, we finally get to the ice cream section. First picking up my daughter shop brand mini milks, and than my partner and I trying to sort out what ice cream we are going to settle on - I was thinking Cornettos at the time when...........................

A few fridges down my solution was found! Hurray to the  " HAPPY MIX" BY WALLS, and definitely well named! Containing 2 Mini Milks for my daughter, 2 Twisters for my partner, 2 Magnums for me and than 2 Cornetto's ( one for me and for him ). 
Thanks to Walls our summer will definitely be a happy one in our household for ice creams this year! :-)

Time to re-update my beauty bag?

I had a heart attack this morning when I went to open my makeup bag. All the contents were covered in a brown dusting - OMG my 3 y/o had been in it yet again and left one of my loose eyeshadow powder lid off and had emptied out onto everything inside my beauty bag.

As an ever curious, learning machine, my 3 y/o daughter just loves to go though my makeup in the morning when I am getting ready, trying to coping what I am doing. If it not blusher all over her face, lipbalm all over her top, it is makeup all over my bag. I wasn't mad, or angry, it just makes me laugh that even from this young age, little girls seem to have it built in them what is girly and what is boyish. Or is it just the fact she watches, learns and copies from me?

Anyway, as I pour the contents of my makeup bag in the sink to clean, I thought it was about time I actually got rid of items, 1) I no longer use, 2) have recently had a reaction too - ( how being pregnant can change your skin and sensitivity ), 3) is more than 2 years old and needs to be chucked out.
A part from my mascara's and some recent products, most of the contents ended up in the bin for reasons above - the fact that I have only just started wearing a full face of makeup again since returning back to full time work probably explains the reason why my makeup bag really did need sorting out despite the mishap.

So my hunt is on now to find some new colours for my eyes, as these were mostly what I had in my bag, and since I recently brought my BareMinerals kit containing my foundations, bronzer and concealer, there isn't really much else I need.

Oh probably need a new makeup bag as despite giving it wash, some of my bright colours have stained it.

Bare Minerals is the Escentual MakeUp for me!

Having recently started full time work again in the public eye in the beauty/retail industry after nearly 3 years at home bringing up my first child. I needed to find a makeup that didn't make me feel caked in it, yet gave me a coverage I wanted without feeling heavy. I used to wear liquid and power before having Izzy, yet after a few years of wearing nothing but my natural state, I found it really uncomfortable to wear.

I had heard of Bare Escentuals/Bare Minerals before, but it wasn't till I was working for a beauty agency covering one of their counters that I actually got to try the makeup.

I knew they were known for giving a fantastic coverage yet still giving you that natural look as well fantastic camoflourge for people with skin imperfections like scars, blemishes, reddness etc.

The look is made up of four basic parts - the foundation, the concealer, the warmth and the veil. You can also add there blushers, eye and lip products too. To apply the powder you use the techique, SWIRL, TAP, BUFF! bascially after swirling the product in its lid, you tap of the excess and buff it onto the skin in circuliar montions going anti clockwise, than clockwise to produce a silky, luminating look.
Although it sounds and can look like a time consuming process, it is at all once you know what your doing - it takes me about 5 mins to do the whole look including eyeliner, e-shadow and mascara.

I was overwhelmed with how natural looking the mineral powders gave me yet gave that flawless coverage you expect from a liquid without it feeling like you actually got make up. I also found it didn't feel uncomfortable and melting like in different room temperatures that you can get with a liquid.

I brought the starter kit which gave me everything to get me started for an amazing price of just £48 ( the actual price of the contains is over £100 ) - 3 brushes ( your flawless foundation brush, blusher brush and concealer brush ), 2 shades of foundations ( your winter and summer colour ), the concealer, warmth and the veil. The kit also contains a handy DVD on showing how to do apply the products. 

As the powders are 100% pure containing no preservatives, talc, oil, fragrance and other harmful chemicals.

I have finally found my makeup and would definately recommend this to anyone - any age!

Contains:

• 2 X Foundation Shades
• Mineral Veil or Tinted Mineral Veil
• Warmth
• Full Flawless Face Brush
• Flawless Application Face Brush
• Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush or Light Stroke Brush
• Bisque Multi-Tasking Concealer
• Get Started DVD

Available in the following shades:

• Light
• Medium
• Tan
• Dark

For more info on Bare Escentuals/Bare Minerals visit www.bareescentuals.co.uk

Fantastic News!

Firstly I have to apologise for my lack in blogging lately. I have just started back into full time work in retail just nearly two months now after having nearly 3 years off with bringing up my first child. I am also still running my three homebased business's and studying for my qualifications in Beauty and Aromatherapy. I therefore had little time to do anything else.

I have to also say for the moment I am able to carry on my review with the ab belt as have found out I will be expecting my 2nd child end of Nov. I will however, be starting a new review on it once baby number 2 is here.

In the meantime I will try and keep you update with beauty news from the industry, and reviews on products I am able to still review - including more mummy/baby related ones.

I am also very pleased that my studying is going very well at the moment and been getting excellent assignment marks of 90%.

It took me to have a baby to realise what I wanted in life.

Before I had Izzy, who is coming up to 3 this year, I was a typical carefree soul working a 9/5 office jobas an European Import Clerk and partying all the time. Yes I had done the whole college and uni thing but never really thought about want I really wanted to do.

When Izzy came into my life everything changed. I had met her dad a few months before I fell pregnant, and than moved to a new town with a mortgage 2 days before she arrived. With deciding to bring Izzy up full time and not having any friends close here, I decided to go into direct selling to give me some adult time and try and meet some new people. It was after my second DS company I went with back in April 2009 that made me realise what I wanted in life and to become a Beauty / Holistic Therapist.

I did a little research into what course's I need to do, what examinng bodies were recongised, insurance etc was need to get me going. With having a toddler at home I really wanted to go back to college as felt Izzy was ready to go to a nursery after spending the first 2 years with me. So I registered with the local college, I got my place, some funding for Izzy childcare and my kit, the only thing stopping me was to find the finance for the course as I wasn't eligable for funding. I applied for a CDL and the college did there part to register with the CDL, however my application failed and I was extremely upset as it also meant my other option of learning from home and doing a intense week couse with another college I wouldn't be able to get finance for either.

Despite this I still held on to my dream. I registered with a agency to work for them covering retail brands as a sales assistant, as well as running three home business's in order to give me some finance after all the bills and childcare paid for to finally start working towards my dream.

I am so excited!!!!!! Finally I have now managed to enrol on two course's from home with practicle workshops to get my qualifications as an Aromatherapist and Beauty Therapist.  The wait for the first lot of course materials is painfully slow as so egar to get started, however the wait is coming to an end.

As much as I look back and think why I didn't do this the first time round when I 16, I am a firm believer that things happen because they are meant to happen, I have strong background in admin, market research and other skills that will make me transistion into running my own business easier.

Follow me, as I acheive me life goal.

Review: Amargon Hair Therapy Products

After having an awful time with my scalp from using Pantene, I contacted Amargan directly to see if they would kindly send me some samples to test and review as seen their advert in the Salon Mag which I get, stating that their products contain no Sulphates and Parabans and can soothe the scalp (alleviates itchy, dry scalp ).

After describing my condition, and them telling me all about Amargon Hair Therapy, they decided to send me a full size cleanser and some hair oil. I received the package a few days later fantastically wrapped to find inside a full 300ml Nourishing Cleanser and 4 30ml size hair oils ( I was very pleased and grateful ).

I have used the cleanser and oil now for a week and here are the results:


The first result is instant after the first wash. With having long coloured hair half way done my back, I was a bit wary about not using a conditioner to get rid of tangles, however, I was very surprised to find that cleanser not only cleaned my scalp and hair wonderfully, it wasn't tangled or knotty like other shampoos leave your hair afterwards. It also lathered up nicely and washed out leaving your hair squeaky clean and light.
I also used the oil afterwards as directed, massaging it into my scalp as well as my hair. The results were instant with this too, leaving my hair feel nourished, healthier and glossy - WITHOUT any oil residue.

I wash my hair every other day, like I have always done and not once has my hair felt tangled after washing.
My hair is noticeably more healthier now with a gorgeous shine. My itching scalp has gone and my hair feels more softer yet stronger.

You can also use the oil as a serum before hair drying/straightening to help protect your hair from the heat elements.  It also helps with frizz and spilt ends.

What is Amargon Oil?

 Amargon oil comes from the nut of the fruit of the Argan Tree, which only grows in Argana, South West Morocoo. The oil extracted from the nut contains essential fatty acids and rich in tocopherols ( which works like vitamin E ). This oil mixed with today's technology gives Amaragon Hair Therapy Oil its outstanding qualities to improve hair health and protection against today's environmental effects.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who colours their hair, uses heated hair products, has weak, damaged hair.

For more information on Amaragon Hair Therapy visit www.amargan.co.uk 

Amargon Hair Therapy is available though Salons and authorised stockiests.