No buts about it: Having a toned tush makes everything fit better, from your favorite jeans to the swimsuit you’ll be rocking this summer. And even though it’s tough to see your backside without a full-length mirror, 14 percent of SELF readers rate their rear as the favorite part of their body. So what’s the best way to get a firm, fit, downright amazing derriere?

Continue reading.

Many mineral cosmetics companies are starting a scare — a scare about parabens and allergies caused by these helpful cosmetic ingredients.  But is this scare influenced by anything warranted?

Realistically, parabens have less allergic reactions and less skin irritations than common ingredients in many mineral cosmetics (such as bismuth oxychloride).  Even over a prolonged period of use, there haven’t been any reactions out of the ordinary, and under 3% of users ever see any at all.

I like parabens, personally.  They keep our make up from separating and getting nasty before we have the opportunity to use it all.  They’re pretty easy to find on an ingredient label, seeing as there’s always just a couple syllables prior to paraben in the name of that particular preservative.

Parabens are used in cosmetics to prevent microbial growth (like mold, ew).  Many hair care, skin care, cosmetics, moisturizers, and shaving creams (and more) contain parabens.

Cosmetics sold on a retail basis are required by the FDA to show the ingredients listed on the outside of the container where it is available to read by the consumers.

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) does not authorize FDA to approve cosmetic ingredients, with the exception of color additives that are not coal-tar hair dyes. In general, cosmetic manufacturers may use any ingredient they choose, except for a few ingredients that are prohibited by regulation. However, it is against the law to market a cosmetic in interstate commerce if it is adulterated. Under the FD&C Act, a cosmetic is adulterated if, among other reasons, it bears or contains any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render it injurious under the labeled conditions of use, or under customary or usual conditions of use. For more on this subject, see FDA Authority Over Cosmetics and Key Legal Concepts: “Interstate Commerce,” “Adulterated,” and “Misbranded.” (6)

In other words, for that section in bold right up there, unless a material is proven cancerous or that it affects the health of the consumer when the product is used in the way it’s supposed to be, that it is safe for use.  It does ban proven carcinogenic materials.

In 1984 the CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) reviewed the safety of propylparaben, methylparaben, and butylparaben (the most popular parabens around!), and conducted that they were safe for use in cosmetic products up to levels of 25%!  That means a lot of your product could be a paraben without causing you any harm, yet, no cosmetic company puts that much paraben in a product (it’s not necessary).  Typically, you’ll see about 0.01% to 0.3%.

“On November 14, 2003, the CIR began the process to reopen the safety assessments of methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben in order to offer interested parties an opportunity to submit new data for consideration. In September 2005, the CIR decided to re-open the safety assessment for parabens to request exposure estimates and a risk assessment for cosmetic uses. In December 2005, after considering the margins of safety for exposure to women and infants, the Panel determined that there was no need to change its original conclusion that parabens are safe as used in cosmetics. (The CIR is an industry-sponsored organization that reviews cosmetic ingredient safety and publishes its results in open, peer-reviewed literature. FDA participates in the CIR in a non-voting capacity.)

A study published in 2004 (Darbre, in the Journal of Applied Toxicology) detected parabens in breast tumors. The study also discussed this information in the context of the weak estrogen-like properties of parabens and the influence of estrogen on breast cancer. However, the study left several questions unanswered. For example, the study did not show that parabens cause cancer, or that they are harmful in any way, and the study did not look at possible paraben levels in normal tissue.

FDA is aware that estrogenic activity in the body is associated with certain forms of breast cancer. Although parabens can act similarly to estrogen, they have been shown to have much less estrogenic activity than the body’s naturally occurring estrogen. For example, a 1998 study (Routledge et al., in Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology) found that the most potent paraben tested in the study, butylparaben, showed from 10,000- to 100,000-fold less activity than naturally occurring estradiol (a form of estrogen). Further, parabens are used at very low levels in cosmetics. In a review of the estrogenic activity of parabens, (Golden et al., in Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 2005) the author concluded that based on maximum daily exposure estimates, it was implausible that parabens could increase the risk associated with exposure to estrogenic chemicals.

FDA believes that at the present time there is no reason for consumers to be concerned about the use of cosmetics containing parabens. However, the agency will continue to evaluate new data in this area. If FDA determines that a health hazard exists, the agency will advise the industry and the public, and will consider its legal options under the authority of the FD&C Act in protecting the health and welfare of consumers.” (6 again)

If a product or ingredient has not been shown to be safe, it is legally supposed to have this warning on the label:

“Warning: The safety of this product has not been determined.”

“It’s magic, in a marker!”

After watching the season finale of America’s Next Top Model, I was very enticed to try this lip stain.  I’m an avid fan of lip stains, I enjoy color, and do not enjoy touch ups for the most part.  But would this lip stain fit my bill?

I’ll admit, I’m not a huge fan of CoverGirl, or most drug store brands (L’Oreal aside, along with Maybelline mascaras).  The quality is mainly subpar.

I went to Ulta to pick up a couple of these colors because I had a $5 off coupon for any purchase.  Figured I might as well get these while I picked up some new cream liner!  The colors I purchased were Wild Berry Wink (a pretty bright nearly-red, if not red.  Looks red on me!), and Sassy Mauve (a nice paler more natural color).  They were out of a couple of pretty pink colors I may go back to try out.

The packaging is a little off for me; it’s hard to tell the color you’re picking up without reading the bottom if you’re fumbling through your purse.  However, I do like these better than my L’Oreal Infallible Lipsticks *gasp* I know.  I said it.  I feel that the L’Oreal Infallibles stick too much to any dry or dead skin on the lips, while these give a more polished finish.

As for the marker applicator, I’m still undecided.

I thought these wore just as well as any other long-wear lip color I’ve used.  I also like that there is no top coat required!  I’m obviously very over the top coat, and if you don’t apply it in the correct time (after leaving the other color to dry for about a minute), you typically don’t get as long of a wear as you should.  Cover Girl eliminated this by putting it into one easy step.

I did have to touch up a couple of times throughout the day/night, but even this afternoon I have a little bit left on my lips!

While I don’t think this product works as well as perse Urban Decay’s Lip Envy, it does have more colors and a great color pay off as well as really smooth application.

My advice if you are using a lipstain or any longwear lip product:

• Exfoliate your lips prior to applying.  The dead skin flakes off often times throughout the day and eating and drinking, thus so does your lip color!  Eliminating this will help your product last longer.
• Still use a lip liner.  Your lips will be more defined.
• Avoid any lip moisturizers directly prior to applying.  If you need to apply some, apply it 10-20 minutes before your lip stain application.  Otherwise, it will not stick so directly to your lips and may come off.  Bummer
• You can still use a lipgloss over these!  They’ll look super pretty with a complimentary or clear gloss, otherwise most long-wear colors tend to be matte.

More Outlast Lip Stain colors I plan on getting:

• Berry Smooch
• Teasing Blush
• Everbloom Kiss
• Plum Pout

For more information regarding CoverGirl Outlast Lipstains, visit CoverGirl.com!

Was this review helpful to you?  Let me know in a comment!  If there is information I’ve left out that you’d like to know, please let me know!

I’ll admit, I’ve been skeptical about the Cheerios claims of cholesterol health.  I mean, if you eat it for breakfast, wouldn’t people be less likely to eat things like pancakes, waffles, bacon, and sausage which could lead to high-cholesterol?

I mean, really.  Are these claims even warranted?

The FDA thinks not.  Cheerios are no longer able to claim cholesterol health benefits.

General Mills has been claiming that a box of Cheerios is like a drug, able to give serious health benefits when in fact…. It’s just cereal.  A good reminder to consumers that everything you read on a package may not be true (isn’t this what I’ve been telling everyone in regards to cosmetics?  Haha!).

Anyway, read more here!

Beauty myths circulate the internet and the media daily, many with no scientific relevance and providing false and often negative options for skincare.

I’ve compiled a list of different myths and whether or not these myths are fact or fiction!  I’ll also be adding to this, so the link will be over with other important blogs in the sidebar

Fact or Fiction: What we ingest (eating and drinking) daily effects our skin’s natural balance, and whether or not we get acne.
Fiction: Let’s look at our body’s digestive system — bile is composed in our intestines and our gallbladder to break down food after the nutrients have been absorbed by our body.  Aside from our weight and fat content, what we eat has nothing to do with how clear our skin is going to be, or how good our skin is going to look — it’s physically impossible.  Of course, I do recommend drinking water; but not for clear skin.  Just to keep yourself hydrated.  Unfortunately, the only thing you’re going to get by drinking a lot of water is you’re going to pee more, and possibly get an upset stomach.  Acne is caused by environmental and genetic factors, irrelevant to water intake.

Fact or Fiction: Waxing/shaving makes hair grow back thicker.
Fiction: Of course not.  In fact, waxing over time makes hair grow back thinner, and can make the hair not come back at all (like those people who over-plucked their eyebrows for years, they’ll stay over-plucked!).  I barely even get underarm hair anymore since I wax, and only have to do so every few weeks since I don’t have much hair!  As for shaving, again, a myth.  Our hair follicle determines the thickness of our hair — aside from genetics, damage (waxing damages the hair follicle) or medications, nothing is going to change how thick our hair is.  It may feel thicker just because of the way the hair is cut from waxing, as it grows it feels very stubbly and uncomfortable — but it is the same thickness as it was before.

Fact or Fiction: My eyelashes can fall out if I don’t remove my mascara.
Fact: Unfortunately, leaving mascara on for too long will dry out your lashes and follicles, causing them to fall out.  Make sure you remove all make up before you go to bed.  No excuses that you can’t afford an eye make up remover — I use baby oil all over my face and for my eye make up.  (Baby oil is glorified mineral oil, and extremely cost efficient).  It will remove make up, and often has a lot of anti-oxidants in it which are great for your skin!  Just take a cotton ball saturated with mineral oil or another eye make up remover, and let it sit on your closed eye for a few moments before gently swiping away any traces of mascara.  Never rub!

Fact or Fiction: I can sleep in my mineral cosmetics.
Fiction: You should never sleep in any make up.  Throughout the day, pollution and skin irritants begin to rest on your skin, and on your make up.  Sleeping with your make up on will only push these more into your skin, making you more prone to break outs.  Always remove any and all make up prior to going to bed, and put on a nice rich antioxidant moisturizer (unless you use mineral oil, like me, which contains antioxidants already!).

Fact or Fiction: Sugar causes wrinkles.
Fiction: Nah.  But things like fad diets and fat free diets do!  Wrinkles begin to form due to environmental stresses (pollution and oxidizing agents), as well as the loss of fat from our skin.  Once the fat begins to deteriorate underneath the skin’s layers, the skin begins to wrinkle and sag.

Fact or Fiction: I have to throw my make up out after a certain period of time.
Fiction: Unless your make up has an expiration date, there’s no definitive time period to throw your make up out.  Powdered products especially last for a longer period of time (again, as long as there’s no expiration date).  Products without preservatives (like Bare Minerals) will not have the shelf life or products that do.

Fact or Fiction: Mineral powders are better for me than liquid foundation.
Fiction: Many minerals contain more irritating ingredients (like bismuth oxychloride) than liquid foundations.  Liquid foundations are designed to sit on the skin, not be buffed into pores like the minerals.  Some ingredients in minerals are good, but there’s no real evidence that they are better for you.  I know more people who have gotten cystic acne that had to be treated by Retin-A than users of liquid foundations (in fact, after getting put on Retin-A their dermatologists have told them to go to using a liquid foundation).

Fact or Fiction: I don’t have wrinkles yet, so I don’t have to worry about using anti-aging products.
Fiction: The best prevention for anything is to use it before you start having an issue.  Anti-oxidants are great and you should be using them from your mid-teens on.

Fact or Fiction: Organic skincare products are better for my skin.
?: Not necessarily.  Organic doesn’t mean better, and there are no regulations for it.  Personally, I won’t use a cosmetic that doesn’t contain preservatives — I want it to last as long as possible.  I don’t go through everything in a month or two.  I use very little foundation so I don’t replace it extremely frequently.  Presevatives save me money, and they’re not organic.  Plus, just because an ingredient may be organic, it may have gone through a very un-organic process to be in your cosmetic.

Fact or Fiction: I don’t need an eye cream, I can just use my facial moisturizer.
Fiction: The thinnest tissue on our bodies is the tissue surrounding our eyes.  Eye cream tends to be thicker, stronger, and is definitely necessary in the fight to prevent wrinkles.  Plus, not all facial creams are safe for use around the eyes.

Fact or Fiction: I don’t really need a toner.
Fact: You don’t, it’s true.  The basis of a toner is to safely reduce the skin’s pH, but there’s other ways to do it that are basically free (or less expensive) to you.  Like, after a hot shower, splash cool water on your face.  Voila, skin’s pH reduced safely.  Nothing you ingest will reduce your skin’s pH level, and you’ll want it reduced as soon as you can after washing.  I wash with luke-warm water anyway, so my pH is rarely aggrevated.  I say, screw toner.  For most people, toners contain aggrevating ingredients that can sensitize your skin.  Unless it serves some specific purpose to you, don’t worry about it.