According to a study carried out by the Environmental Working Group, based in Washington – beauty products such as mascara, eye shadow and foundation are unsafe for use as they have been found to contain chemicals that can be linked to conditions such as cancer, infertility and hormone imbalance.

The study conducted among young girls in the age group of 14-19 found all the beauty products used by them contained dangerous chemicals such as phthalates, triclosan, parabens and musks, all of which are harmful to the body. The study also suggested that the longer the usage of make-up in a younger girl, the higher the health risk.

These chemicals have been linked in the past to cancer and hormone problems and scientists fear they may end up be connected to depression as well.

Eye makeup, for example, contains chemicals that may affect the eyes in ways more than one:
Any of the ingredients of an eye cosmetic can cause an allergic reaction. This can manifest as redness, itching, tearing, burning or stinging in the eyes or a watery discharge from them.
Kohl, also known as surma or kajal, is known to contain heavy metals such as lead that are poisonous and may impact eye health hugely.

Infections can occur due to contamination of the eye cosmetic with bacteria or fungus, or due to unhygienic use.

Permanent dye, used to color the eyebrows and eye lashes, may cause serious and irreversible damage such as blindness if it comes in direct contact with the eyes, because of the color additives used.

Cosmetic applicators can cause physical damage if not used properly.

Is it just me or is there another “revolutionary” new makeup product introduced every freaking day?! Just walking into Ulta or Sephora (or even Walgreens!) sends many chicas into fits of hysteria, reaching for the nearest brown bag to regulate their breathing. It’s all so overwhelming.

So how can you know which product – among the sea of thousands – is the best? Which does what you need it to do? Which ones are worth the extra money?

Let me help. I don’t know every beauty product out there, but I’ve tested a lot of them and I’ll let you know which are worth the money (like Dior’s Skinflash Primer) and which are not.

What it is: Covergirl Lashblast Volume

Why this should be in your bag: Cuz Drew Barrymore says so in the commercial.  Okay really though, while this is what initially enticed me to buy it (who doesn’t trust Drew?), homegirl was right.  This mascara is under $10 (awesome), it’s waterproof (fantastic), and the brush is packed with tiny bristles to make sure that every lash is covered (hollaaa!).  Drew called it the most successful mascara launched in recent years, and it’s easy to see why.  It covers completely with great color and volume (I tested the very black option).

How to use it: Curl your lashes with a curler, holding down for several seconds.  Start at the base and wigggle the brush back and forth until you reach the end of the lashes.  I like to use the curler again before applying a second coat.  Then, pointing the wand at your eye, swipe back and forth lightly on your bottom lashes.

Could my money be better spent on a cheeseburger? Nope. This mascara is great and so reasonably priced! Plus, it won’t clog your arteries. I’d definitely pass up a dinner on the town for this stuff; you won’t regret it.

 by sylvia

Yesterday, our hordes of fans protested and rioted due to our lack of pictures proving we were the Belles of the Ball on Friday night. 

Well, ok – not really.  But for all you doubters & haters out there that don’t believe us, here are some damn fine pictures of some damn fine chicks that just happen to be us, on Friday night!

Enjoy!

I’m not sure where this came from, but it’s gorgeous.

University of Iowa Health Science Relations and
Hilary Beaver, MD
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Science

If you use eye makeup, such as mascara, eye liner and eye shadow, remember to remove it before going to sleep, cautions an eye specialist in the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology.

This caution might seem unnecessary or inconvenient, but when you are tired, removing your makeup may be forgotten or postponed until morning, says Dr. Hilary Beaver, assistant professor of comprehensive services in the Department of Ophthalmology.

Removing eye makeup before sleeping is important. If eye makeup is not removed daily there is an increased possibility of an allergic reaction or contact irritation. Repeated application over irritated skin will increase the subsequent skin reaction.

An allergic reaction to eye makeup usually occurs on the thin, delicate skin around the eye, she explains. Should makeup particles fall into the eye, that, too, could lead to an allergic reaction.

Redness in the eye is one symptom of such allergic reactions, especially if the redness is accompanied by itching and pain, Beaver says.

“It’s more difficult to locate the cause of the allergic reaction if a person uses different brands of mascara, eye liner and eye shadow.”

If more than one brand of eye makeup is used, you might try the same one for several days in a row and keep a diary of symptoms. This may help narrow down the likely form and brand of eye makeup that is causing the allergic reaction, Beaver suggests.

Another possible solution is to try a hypoallergenic brand of eye makeup. The UI clinician notes that hypoallergenic makeup has ingredients that have been found to cause fewer allergic reactions in people.

If changing brands does not eliminate the allergy symptoms, you might wish to consult a physician, Beaver says.

by sylvia 

So we’ve got this Holiday Party coming up on Friday, we’ve got our dresses and our shoes, we’ve got appointments to get our hair did, Bianca has secured a babysitter after so much drama, and we are ready to get our drinkin’ and dancin’ on. 

But I have a problem. 

I don’t know how to wear eye makeup. 

No one ever really taught me how to wear make up, I didn’t really start wearing it until later in high school, and even then, it was just very basic stuff – you know, to look fresh and fun, not to cover up any pimples or anything. 

I never learned how to wear eye makeup, though.  I taught myself the art of mascara or whatever, because my eyes literally disappear into my face without any mascara – literally.  A few years ago, I started experimenting with eyeshadow, but still stuck to the basics. So I’ve got those things covered. 

But because I wear glasses everyday, all the time, I guess I never really tried too hard with the eyeliner.  And I’m probably a good candidate for eyeliner, as my eyes are small and close together (and I have a lazy eye, too…please, boys, form a single line!) 

But when I’ve experimented with it (last night is a good example) I look like a really jacked up drag queen with no makeup skills who has been crying and wearing too much eye makeup.  Think Tammy Faye, but not as classy or sophisticated. 

So for this party, I plan on not wearing my glasses (and subsequently squinting and still not seeing all night) so I want to my eyes to “pop” (thanks again, Tyra), but I plan on wearing some bright red lipstick, so I don’t want to get too bold. 

I thought about getting my makeup done, but I don’t think I’m that kind of person.  Apparently, I’m the type of person that likes to look like a jacked up, poorly-skilled drag queen.  I mean, I really want to learn how to do it myself. 

So I watched some videos last night, and it seems so simple and then I try it and BAM – raccoon eyes. 

Here is an example of an attempt I made: 

Up close, it doesn't look too bad and are those WRINKLES?!?!?!

So am I supposed to apply eyeliner to the upper and lower lashes?  What is this about the water line?  I mean, doesn’t the liner basically just drip off in two seconds because it’s wet? 

Check out that pupil

Here’s a picture of my lipstick, which I’m including because I took a picture.  I’m finding I really enjoy taking pictures of my individual features, vs. looking at the whole thing at once.  I guess it’s the facial version of the belly project.  Maybe by doing this I can learn to love and accept my whole damn face: 

Can you see my moustache?

So, does anyone have any recommendations for making my eyes pop while being seductive and demure, yet not detracting from the bold red lip I am putting out there?  I mean, I want to to do something different than my every day look, but don’t want to look busted.  I still have a few days to practice, so I am open to suggestions! 

Kisses!

As I was going through the mascara aisle at my local Rite Aid, I saw the same old blacks, dark blacks, super black blacks, and midnight blacks that I usually set my big green eyes on. Then I stumbled upon green mascara for green eyes! I thought it was a little strange, but I was intrigued so I tried it out.

And take my word for it: this mascara is wonderful!

Mascara should bring attention to your eyes and bring out the color. For many of us,  though – especially those of us with lighter eyes – black mascara doesn’t do that. Sure, swiping some ultra black onto those lashes makes your eyes look better, but it doesn’t make that color pop. And why wouldn’t you want those bright blues to pop?!

Well, this mascara does that; it highlights your eye color and your eyes. It’s brilliant and I just had to share!

Makeupartist Jesscia Tarazi

I first heard about LashControl through Brittany’s blog. She reviewed the volumizing formula (the purple packaging) awhile back and I’ve been interested ever since. Here’s what the company has to say about their products.

LashControl® is something new and different: An innovative, squeezable mascara package that allows you to continuously regulate the desired amount of mascara product on the brush before it leaves the tube. Simply squeeze the center portion of the tube while you remove the brush. No Glop or excess formula. There are several design variations in formulation and brush style to be distinguished in the COLOR-CODED packaging- pink, purple, blue, red and yellow. The squeeze-wiper color corresponds to features and benefits of the formula and brush combination. The actual color of the formula is black.

The LashControl® mascara formulas and container housing have been engineered and developed over the past 4 years by using the most well-respected manufacturers in the industry. The product and ingredients have been successfully tested for safety, functionality, loss-of-volume, shelf life and durability. They combine botanical-based formulas and extraordinary engineering.

There are currently three formulas available.

• Pink – lengthening and conditioning
• Purple – volume, plus length and conditioning
• Blue – “sheer and sexy” waterproof formula

Three new formulas will be available soon.

• Red – a fiber-rich, lengthening formula
• Yellow – “extra light Curl Holding formula”
• Clear – “Just that – a Clear Coat Control Conditioning formula”

They have also won awards for their packaging, including the ICMAD Cosmetic Innovator of the Year (CITY Award) 2009 for Color Cosmetic Package Design Innovation.

LashControl seems really interesting, but I think the $20 price tag is bit too high. The packaging is the selling point, not the formula, and 20 bucks for a squeezable tube is just too much for me.  They sound so cool, though! I may cave in and try it eventually.

What do you think of LashControl? Are just as interested as I am? Have you tried it? Do you like it?

Sources: beautypress & lashcontrol

Disturbed lab technician Janice (Emily Joyce – the nurse girlfriend from My Hero!) finding that smoking helps her plot more fiendishly in Cracker story ‘True Romance’.

A last few of Susan Lynch as teen killer Tina, facing an interrogation from Fitz in Cracker story ‘To Say I Love You’.

Tina (Susan Lynch) tries to seduce a policeman in the Cracker story ‘To Say I Love You’.

A mardy-looking Tina (Susan Lynch) visiting her family in Cracker story ‘To Say I Love You’.

Susan Lynch as young femme fatale Tina picking up speech-impeded Sean in Cracker story ‘To Say I Love You’.

Kelly Adams as psychopath’s love interest Irene in Bronson.

A saucy one here, of Kathy Shannon (aka Annie) from Ravers volume 1 number 9, posing as a delectable WAAF in 40s-style underwear.

Burlesque and fetish crossover star Dita von Teese shows how to do the seductive smoky thing.

All right, I’ve been absent from this site for over five months now, but I’m back and ready to pick up where I left off.  Hope you guys continue to enjoy the images.

Beautiful skin care starts with what people notice first. Eyes are what others notice immediately; so start your skin care program eye-to-eye! Beautiful skin care starts with what people notice first. Eyes are what others notice immediately; so start your skin care program eye-to-eye!

All color contacts can be separated into two types – enhancement color lenses and opaque color lenses. Both will work for people with light eyes, although enhancers would be the smarter choice.

Enhancement color lenses are about 70-80% transparent. They are designed not to change your natural eye color, but to brighten it, making your eyes appear more interesting. Since the lens is partially transparent and the natural pattern of your iris is visible through it, enhancers look very natural.

For Blue eyes, in addition to black or grey, violet, purple or dark blue eye shadow will look great. The dark blue eye shadow in particular, as it will be darker than your eye colour, will accentuate your blue eyes.For smokey eye makeup what feature colour eye shadow best suits green or hazel eyes ?For Green or Hazel eyes, in addition to black or grey, try a deep khaki, dark green, brown, purple or plum colour eye shadow.

Eye colors are basically a grad of 3 major colors The 3 true colors in the eyes that determine the outward appearance; brown, yellow, and gray. How much of each color you have determines the appearance of the eye color. The color your eyes turn depends on how much of these colors are present. For example, green eyes have a lot of yellow and some brown, making them appear green. Blue eyes have a little yellow and little to no brown, making them appear blue.

For girls with naturally blue eyes, blue or aqua color contacts work wonders. You may ask why a person with blue eyes would want colored lenses. Because blue enhancement lenses can make a great difference in your appearance. Your eyes are still blue, but they look much brighter and attract attention. My own eyes are blue and I love wearing blue tint color contacts, my favorite is Acuvue 2 colors “Ocean Blue”.

Colored contact lenses are the in thing these days and we see many people, young men and women especially, going for colored contact lenses to keep changing their looks as and when they want. Since the advancements in technology, the evolution of contact lenses and the latest colored contact lenses have seen major leaps and people have started using innovative ways to change their eye color.

One version of a basic, but beautiful eye needs two colors, one light and one dark for contrast. The darkest color usually takes the focus and attention of the eye treatment, therefore placement is everything. Most of us are privy to the fact that if you have slightly wide set eyes (Oprah) then you should focus the darkest color towards the middle and inner corner of your eyes.

Warm shades, such as rose and blue tones, complement blue eyes; mocha and purple hues add more drama to green eyes; canary yellow and dark green will make hazel eyes glow; and gold and green shades can make brown eyes pop.

Read About Haircuts Also Read About Makeup and How to Apply Eye Liner

It’s rainy day today and i was lazy to go out so wat i did is just practiced and played around with makeup.

This one is my simple every day makeup look, it is also good for fall season because i used gold and brown e/s.

What i used:

face: loreal liquid foundation, loreal pressed powder, darker tone of foundation( used as blush), metallic e/s used as highligter

eyes: metallic e/s gold , matte brown e/s maybeline, maybeline long power lash curl, black eyeliner

lips: loreal foundation, pink shimmer lip gloss from loreal

—————- ———————————-

So after tht, i decided to do my blue and gray eye look, hmm i first tried not using any eyeshadow instead i only used eyeliner and smuged it but apparently its kinda light soo i still applied eyeshadow but eyeliner works lol.

done now =)

– melissac♥

For as long as I can remember, I have been an absolute fanatic about makeup. I was the kid who got yelled at for wearing mauve lipstick to church at age nine, and the girl who wore wayyyy too much sparkly eyeshadow- in different colors- in middle school. I’ve had good phases and, erm, unfortunate phases (my “patriotic” eye makeup phase, in which I striped red, white, and blue eye shadows on each eyelid, comes to mind), and for awhile, I had the makeup artist at the Stila counter at Nordstrom programmed into my phone. The upshot of all this is that I’ve tried pretty much every major brand out there, and I think I have a good grasp on which looks are worth hanging onto, and why. In this post, I’ll be sharing with you my favorite looks for all occasions, and the best products I’ve found.

I start with a light concealer for under my eyes and on any spots I may have. For me, concealer always goes under the foundation so it looks less splotchy if the foundation and concealer aren’t perfectly matched. I lay a liquid, full coverage foundation on top of the concealer- I’ve always been blessed with pretty clear skin, but I’m very fair and prone to splotchy blushes, so full coverage is key. I finish up by dusting a light powder on top- I prefer loose, not pressed- and then use a tissue or damp towel to sponge off excess so I don’t look like a porcelain doll.

Next! Eyes.

I have green eyes (though they get mistaken for blue a lot) with a tiiiiny touch of gold, and during the day, I usually go with either green or purple for eye shadows. I also do eye shadow before eyeliner, because otherwise the powder falls over the liner and covers it up, and then what’s the point of the eyeliner in the first place?? So.

Look #1: Purples

I sweep the area above my eyelid and under my eyebrow with an eyeshadow that’s close to my skin color- beige or pale gold or the like. It’s probably not necessary for everyone, but I’m thin skinned and you can see veins and I think it’s gross. So, yeah.

I then use a lavender shadow on my entire eyelid. I don’t use brushes for eyeshadow because I don’t really see the point, and I always pick up too much shadow by accident with brushes. Then, I take a deep amethyst type color and dab it on the outer third or so of my eyelid, making sure that the color shows up very intensely. I then blend the pale and dark purples together and blend the dark purple outward juuuust a tiny bit, which creates kind of a day-friendly cat eye and has the added benefit of making my absurdly round eyes look slightly more almond-shaped.

I follow this with black eyeliner (even though I am blonde—I feel like anyone can wear jet black liner and get away with it even during the day, as long as they don’t jump overboard and go all Taylor Momsen with it). I line the bottom first- couldn’t tell you why- then the top, from the inside out, continuing a little beyond the outer corner of my eye to keep the pseudo cat eye consistent. Finish with black mascara, and you’re done with this one.

Look #2: Green

Ok, so this is really more of a green and gold. I didn’t think I could pull off green shadow with green eyes, but my eyes are a paler shade and I use a more jungle green makeup, so I think it works. For people with blue eyes, I recommend using a shade of blue that isn’t remotely close to the shade of the eye in question—either a navy or a baby blue is probably best. Brown-eyed girls, in my opinion, are the luckiest- they can get away with green, blue, purple, and almost any color in between. I has a jealous. Anyway, moving on.

I use a pale, shimmery gold on my entire lid, from lashes up to eyebrow. I like it to be close to my skin color, so it’s more of a base/background than a standout. I then take a green eyeliner pencil with a dull tip, and- with my eye half closed- trace the outer third of my eyelid crease. This leaves me with an extreme green line in the no-man’s land that you can’t really see when my eyes are open. I blend it just enough so that when people look at me they can see a faint trace of green, without having their first thoughts be “WOW WHY IS SHE WEARING GARISH MAKEUP DURING DAYLIGHT ZOMG.”

As with above, I follow and end with liner and shadow, respectively. I don’t usually wear lipstick, but a pale pink gloss is awesome to complete this look.

Look #3: Silver

The accomplishment of my life was figuring out how to wear glittery silver makeup without looking like a drag queen at a bad rave. For this one, I start with a very thin layer of pale silver eyeshadow on my eyelid, followed by eyeliner. I then take a bright silver liner- my favorite is verrry bright, think quicksilver- and draw an incredibly thin line of it just above my black liner, from corner to corner. I finish with mascara, and add a little blush and pale lip gloss. This one is my favorite for winter.

Look #4: The Non-Eye Focus

In case you couldn’t tell, I focus a lot more on my eyes than I do on, well, anything else. This is mostly because I have big eyes and a little, rabbit-y nose and mouth, so my eyes are the natural focus of my face. Occasionally, however, I like to go very basic with my eye makeup, and draw out my lips—generally for galas and big occasions.

For this one, I also start with a very thin layer of pale silver shadow. I then use grey liner- not black, black is too emphatic, and I need my eyes to be more subtle and basic. Finish with mascara, as always, and I brush a little pale pink on the outer parts of my cheekbones.

Then, it’s pretty straightforward. I start with a chapstick in case my lips dry out, and then I use the boldest red lipstick or gloss that I can find. I like more berry-tinted colors because yellower tints wash me out, but that’s a personal thing.

Finally, I’ve compiled a list of my personal favorite products, the best I’ve found on the market. I’ve tried to include an upscale option (Sephora holiday and birthday wish list style), and a more affordable option (broke student actress buying for myself style).

BEST CONCEALER:
Department Store: Stila Perfecting Concealer
Drugstore: Almay Nearly Naked Cover-up Stick

BEST FOUNDATION:
Department Store: Dior DiorSkin Forever Extreme Wear Flawless Makeup
Drugstore: Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse

BEST POWDER: (I like to use the same brand for foundation and powder.)
Department Store: Dior Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Fresh Powder Makeup
Drugstore: Maybelline Dream Matte Powder

BEST EYESHADOWS:
Department Store: Stila (shimmery beige and purples), Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Covet
Drugstore: Revlon Matte shadows (for purples and silver), Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Pencil in Jungle Green

BEST EYELINERS:
Department Store: Stila Smudge Pots in Jet Black (Do not be intimidated by the fact that this is a gel liner—it is the best I’ve ever used, and I swear by it. It sticks through Bikram yoga classes, and I’ve converted countless friends to it.)
Drugstore: Almay Amazing Lasting Eye Pencil Precise Black

BEST SILVER EYELINER:
Department Store: Dior Style Liner in Argent Silver
Drugstore: Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Pencil in Pure White (ok, it’s not silver per se, but it’s close, gives the same general effect, and doesn’t look tacky. I promise.)

BEST MASCARA:
Department Store: Tie between Estee Lauder TurboLash Vibrating Mascara, and DiorShow (for the love of God, do not do waterproof. Do not do not do not.)
Drugstore: L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Black

BEST BLUSH:
Department Store: NARS blush in Orgasm (Not my personal favorite, but I’m overruled by virtually everyone I know. So.)
Drugstore: CoverGirl Cheekers (go easy on it, a little goes a long way)

BEST RED LIP PRODUCT:
Department Store: Estee Lauder Double Wear in Stay Scarlet (for now—favorite used to be Bobbi Brown, but it was discontinued.)
Drugstore: Maybelline Color Sensation in Red Revival (it’s my new favorite)

What are your favorite products??

Estreou semana passada o filme que mostra os últimos momentos da vida de Michael Jackson. Já que o filme só vai ficar em cartaz por duas semaninhas, comprei o meu com um mês de antecedência, na correria. Valeu super à pena. O filme, além de ser um making off do show que teria sido um dos mais incríveis do mundo, é uma referência de mão cheia de maquiagem artística. Principalmente em Thriller, que já tem a fama de vanguarda nesse quesito, a maquiagem tornou o single bem mais macabro e adequado aos dias de hoje, perdendo o aspecto 80’s trash. No trailler do filme da pra ver, no segundo 1:12 uma cena quase que instantânea da música. Mas para entender a magnitude que ficou, só vendo o filme mesmo.

Como o ingresso está muito procurado para ver o filme, alguns cinemas fizeram promoções para distribuir o ingresso, como dançar igual ao MJ ou se vestir igual, etc. De qualquer forma, aqui vai um bom começo: se maquiar para ficar igual. Essa menina fez um vídeo de quase 20 minutos e realmente, ficou igualzinha ao MJ. Querendo ou não, ele ainda está na moda. Ainda pode ser uma ótima fantasia para festas, principalmente se for a mais bem feita.