Articles by Kristin Adams on ArticleSnatch.com

Paraben Preservatives and Cosmetics: Controversy and Alternatives

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Increasing concern for the safety of ingredients in cosmetics has brought some widely used cosmetic preservatives by the family name 'paraben' to center stage. Paraben preservatives are listed under multiple names and are used to preserve the majority of cosmetics on the market today, not only to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi but also to promote the abnormally long shelf-life of products. As with chemically preserved foods, paraben preserved cosmetics ensure that the cosmetic manufacturer can produce the product en masse and take comfort in a multi-year shelf life. Paraben preservatives have recently come into question with new studies that link the daily exposure of paraben preservatives to breast cancer and endocrine-disruption issues. What Exactly are Paraben Preservatives? Parabens are synthetic preservatives that have been in use since the 1920s as "broad-band" preservatives (anti-bacterial and anti-fungal) which means that they work within a formula to prevent the growth of multiple possible contaminants such as bacteria, yeast, mold and fungi. They can be found in approximately 75-90 percent of cosmetics such as make-up, lotion, deodorants and shampoos. According to 'A Consumers Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients', water is the only cosmetic ingredient used more frequently than paraben preservatives. **End Summary** Topics: parabens]]> paraben preservatives]]> natural cosmetics]]> mineral cosmetics]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Kristin Adams is Founder and President of Afterglow Cosmetics , a line of natural make-up including mineral cosmetics infused with certified organic ingredients. Discover your natural beauty at www.afterglowcosmetics.com

Beauty Diary - Get the Connection?

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Do you suffer from problematic skin? Do you seem to have sensitive skin no matter what you try? If so then you are certainly not alone and the reason behind it may actually shock you. Our skin is affected not only by the foods which we eat, but also by the things which it absorbs. This means that whatever you put onto your skin could potentially have a direct effect on its health and appearance. When looking at the cosmetic and skin care products which you use, it may surprise you to know that most of them could be potentially causing your skin problems instead of helping them. Identifying the Cause of the Problem If you are struggling to find the cause of your skin problem then try writing down everything that you use on your body and hair during your daily routine. Note when you started using each product. Is it an old favorite you have used for the last 15 years, or is it a brand new product you just picked up? Have there been any other changes to your beauty routine? **End Summary** Topics: cosmetic allergy]]> allergy free cosmetics]]> natural cosmetics]]> sensitive skin care]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Kristin Adams is Founder and President of Afterglow Cosmetics, a natural line of color cosmetics including certified organic ingredients. Discover your natural beauty at http://www.afterglowcosmetics.com

Color Clash: Hair Color and Cosmetics

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Ever get back from the salon after you changed your hair color and think, "This is totally wrong. This color doesn't work for me!"? Chances are that your new hair color is gorgeous but you are still wearing the same make-up! As odd as it sounds, the shades of cosmetics you wear can make or break a new hair color. If you are changing your hair color don't forget to change your make-up too! Why Changing Makeup with Hair Color is so Important When you change your hair color your whole appearance changes. The new shade can make your skin and eyes look more pale or more intense. Your new locks can bring out hidden undertones in your skin and new dimensions to your eyes. New hair color can also make you look younger and more confident, but if you continue to wear the same make-up then you can also look a little odd. This clash of colors comes down to color theory. The lipstick that might have looked fabulous on you as a blond now can look decidedly odd with your new red locks. Why? Because the new hair color and cosmetic undertones clash. **End Summary** Topics: color cosmetics]]> make-up]]> hair color]]> hair color and cosmetics]]> natural cosmetics]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Kristin Adams is Founder and President of Afterglow Cosmetics, an all natural line of color cosmetics including certified organic ingredients. Discover your natural beauty at www.afterglowcosmetics.com

Treat Yourself to a Natural Make-Over

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

When it comes to cosmetics there are very few women who can say that they do not use at least one product in order to help enhance their natural beauty. However, the products that they do use are usually not very natural themselves. The majority of cosmetics sold today are largely made of petroleum derivatives and synthetics. Many women do not even realize that there are more natural cosmetic alternatives available. Other women who are interested in natural cosmetics buy into marketing hype about a product being "natural", or "chemical free" and never look beyond the advertisement to read the actual ingredient label. Unfortunately, there is no regulation in the US around the phrase "natural cosmetics". The words "natural cosmetics" or "botanical cosmetics" paint a picture of a certain kind of product free of specific dyes (like FD&C and Lake), specific preservatives (like paraben preservatives) as well as other fillers. In the majority of cases, the reality of these products couldn't be farther from the truth. One needs only to look beyond the marketing to the actual ingredient label to find the whole story. **End Summary** Topics: natural cosmetics]]> natural cosmetics and makeup]]> mineral cosmetics]]> natural cosmetic information]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Kristin Adams is Founder and President of Afterglow Cosmetics, an all natural line of color cosmetics including certified organic ingredients. Discover your natural beauty at www.afterglowcosmetics.com

Acne and Make-up Brushes

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Acne can be an extremely irritating, frustrating and embarrassing problem. Often women tend to blame their cosmetics or their diets, but sometimes the real cause of the problem can be something a little unexpected - your make-up brushes. How Cosmetic Brushes Affect Acne Cosmetic brushes are used more and more these days with the increasing popularity of high-end cosmetic use and mineral make-up. Generally using a quality cosmetic brush is much better to use in terms of overall cosmetic application and end result than using your fingers or a piece of tissue. However, you need to remember that without regular and thorough cleaning, cosmetic brushes can and often do harbour bacteria and dirt. Your cosmetic brushes can contain millions of little bacteria and can cause various infections and skin problems such as acne. If you have been breaking-out often lately then take a look at your cosmetic brushes and see if they are as clean as they could be. Think about it. When you wake-up each and every single morning you are putting your make-up on with your cosmetic brushes. **End Summary** Topics: acne]]> cosmetic brush]]> cosmetic brush set]]> brush cosmetic shop]]> wash cosmetic brush]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Kristin Adams is Founder and President of Afterglow Cosmetics, an all natural line of color cosmetics including certified organic ingredients. Discover your natural beauty at http://www.afterglowcosmetics.com

Do Your Eyebrows Make You Look Old?

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

It may sound like a strange question, but do your eyebrows make you look old? Not many women take the time to look at the current state of their eyebrows and the effect which they have on the face. Youthful faces rarely have eyebrows ravaged by over plucking or wildly unkempt eyebrows. While some women spend years of their life over plucking, others simply do nothing with their brows, allowing them to basically just do what nature intended them to do. Whether you over plucked or ignored your eyebrows over the years, by taking just a little more care with your eyebrows, you could potentially make yourself look years younger by framing the face and opening up the eyes while creating a polished look. How Your Eyebrows Affect Your Face The eyebrows are often overlooked when it comes to our make-up routine. If you have not forgotten about them completely, they tend to be abused in some way. It could be that you have over-plucked them over the years and have permanently damaged them. Perhaps you just let them grow and you do not worry about what they are doing or how they are looking. **End Summary** Topics: eyebrow shaping style]]> eyebrow]]> eyebrow threading]]> eyebrow shape]]> eyebrow shaping]]> eyebrow waxing]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Kristin Adams is Founder and President of Afterglow Cosmetics, a natural line of color cosmetics including certified organic ingredients. Discover your natural beauty at http://www.afterglowcosmetics.com