Giving the Gift of Glamor, Health, & Beauty: Give Beauty Gifts, that Are Toxic-Free!!

      Tis the Season! So every evening afterwork, or even during your lunch hour you are out there, getting gifts, stocking stuffers, checking that list off of to-gets, and stressing about not having enough time to do it all! You are at work, browsing through different store websites to see what you can get for your loved ones. Many will get perfumes, makeup kits, and other beauty related gifts for their special ladies. But have you thought of what those very things- perfumes, makeup, and other beauty related gifts- are made of? When you do, and you actually read the ingredients, and even do a quick google on all that stuff you get to see what all the chemicals these beauty items are made of. Yes, all the silicone, bismuth chloride, parabens, dyes and colors, lakes and carmines- you can google it- are actually very bad and even detrimental to everyone's health. Why do they use it? Mainly because these ingredients are cheaper, easier to preserve the makeup and beauty items, so that they can sit on shelves and eventually be sold to you!

Did you know that foundation itself has 24 different chemicals in it that are harmful to you? Perfume- try 250 chemicals- yes, you read right, 250. How about lipstick- the stuff that goes directly on and in your mouth- 33. I mean just look at the picture below to see how much harm women do everyday to themselves: You can learn more about all these chemical ingredients found in most beauty products here: chemicals found in beauty products. At the end of the day, its your choice to use and gift others to use this stuff, or something better. There are many different better brands out there, that use better-for-you-ingredients. Some of my favorites are Alba(lotions, body scrubs, etc), Nature's Gate(shampoos, conditioners, and lotions), Avalon Organics(shampoo, conditioner), & Glam Girl Naturals(an all natural, mineral & plant based makeup line, that pretty much has everything you could ask for in a makeup line, and the quality is great- plus it is gluten-free, vegan, and cruelty-free). Make a better choice this year when gifting beauty related gifts to YOURSELF, and your loved ones! There are great options out there, so why not choose better? You and I- we all deserve it!

Natural Face Mask for OILY or ACNE PRONE SKIN

Have oily skin, acne, &/or blackheads? This natural remedy will work wonders for your skin, clearing it, making it less oily, and making it glow. 

The tomatoes are the antioxidants here that help to absorb the oil of the skin. The lemon is not only an excellent agent to make your skin glow, but it also helps to kill any bacteria that sits in the pores causing breakouts.

For this mask you will be needing:

Ingredients: 
1 over-ripe tomato
1 tsp lemon juice
1tsp instant oatmeal(plain!)

Method:
- scoop out the inside of the tomato and put into your blender
-add lemon juice and oatmeal, and blend till it is a smooth consistancy
-apply to your face(should be clean, no makeup)
-leave on for 15 min
-wash off with warm water, and pat face dry with towel


Your skin will feel smooth, clean, and refreshed, and the tomato and lemon juice acid will be in action in your pores, helping to clear up your skin, and deminish any excess oil! The oatmeal helps provide balance to the skin and prevents itchiness.

Remarkably, the ingredients in Glam Girl Naturals also help to heal and restore your skin. Recommended for the face after this mask, is Glam Girl Naturals Concealer, and Glam Girl Naturals Loose Mineral Foundation.

Over time, you will see how the healing properties in Glam Girl Naturals makeup helps to improve the quality of your skin. The ProVitamin B5 and Allantoin(comes from Comfrey Root) which work together to condition and repair the skin. In addition,
Golden jojoba oil will aid in reducing acne by helping to regulate sebum production and balance the skin.
Also included are skin beneficial topical botanicals such as Bisabolol, the active part of Chamomile, which is great for its soothing and anti-bacterial properties. Improve the quality of your skin and your skin will glow in gratitude!

Natural Facial Skin Care! All Natural Winter Moisturizing Mask

 All Natural Winter Moisturizing Mask

With the cold weather surrounding us for the next few months, dry skin will be a common thing to deal with. You can save a lot of money and  time using these all natural, effective face remedies!

MOISTURIZING FACE MASK:
Ingredients:
1/2 an avocado
1 tbsp honey
1 1/2 tbsp milk(whole milk for best results, since it has the most fat)


Method:

-Half your avocado and scoop it out.
-Add milk to create a smoother  consistency.
-Add honey.

-Mix together for a minute and apply generously over your face. Leave on for 30 mins.

After the 30 mins, wet a washcloth with warm water, and wipe off the mask. 

Apply your favorite moisturizer, and finish it off with Glam Girl Naturals -Glam Girl Naturals Loose Mineral Powder, Glam Girl Naturals Cream Mineral Foundation, and ALL other Glam Girl Natural Makeup!

Your skin will thank you for the natural things you have used!

FALL/WINTER 2012 Makeup Trends!

The trends for fall 2012 kind of lead into what to look for in the nude, natural, simplistic look of Spring 2013.

This seasons plays with dark and light, using neutral and soft tones on one face part, and then using dramatic, deep rouge or dark eye-ink on another. Dark red, crimson lips paired with no eye makeup OR simple nude lips with some dramatic or colorful eye makeup were some of the notable fashion trends seen in the Fall 2012 fashion shows.

In the spring it will be a clean, simple, natural look, so this kind of is a prelude into that.

Check out these examples from different fashion shows, of the deep, dark, red crimson lips with little to no makeup in the eyes.

Above are the dark, dramatic eyes, paired with a nude, sheer, or light pink lip color.

What are your thoughts on these looks? Will you be wearing these looks? I think it is easy to do either, and for me personally, I like the heavier eye paired with a nude lip, or light pink lip. What will you be doing makeup-wise this fall/winter?

If you like this trend, and can see yourself wearing these bold colors, paired with neutrals, or light pinks, you can find all of these in our all natural, good for you cosmetic line, Glam Girl Naturals. You can try the Glam Girl Shimmer Shadows in Endless Love(a gorgeous royal blue) or Stiletto(hot, sexy black), and pair it with Glam Girl Lipglosses in the shades of Summer Love, Teddy, and Sweet Cherry, or Glam Girl Lipsticks in Nude, Divine, or Chic.

Or for the crimson red lips look, you can try Glam Girl Naturals Lipsticks in Passion, Lavish, or Luscious, or even GGN Lipglosses in Vixen, Royal Grape, or Melon.

 

 

 

Photos courtesy of Harper's Bazaar.com

Spring 2013 Trends- Nude, Minimal Makeup Look

This upcoming 2013 spring season's trend that has been reflected at the NY Fashion Week Runway Shows in makeup is that of a minimalistic, natural look. That means a great skin regime and good base makeup such as a primer, foundation, and concealer are needed to get that perfect glowing skin look(unless you already naturally possess it, and lucky you!)

That being said, these models are definitely wearing a primer, concealer, foundation, blush, a light color eye shadow, some mascara, and a light shade of lipstick. 

 Makeup does NOT need to look overly dramatic, or caked on. In fact, I think that looks tacky. Makeup worn in balance is what I'm all about- a heavy eye with a light lip shade, or a bright, deep hue of lip color, with minimal eye makeup. A lot of women hesitate to wear make up because they are not too familiar with its application. Or, they feel out of place wearing it. 

I was watching an episode of "What Not To Wear" the other day on TLC, and a 30 year old woman had never worn make up. Her words when she saw herself at first in the mirror were "It looks weird." Lol! Actually she said that about all her new outfits, but that is just because she was resistant to change, and a new, fresh look. One thing that struck out though, was when make up artist Carmendy responded, by saying "Make up only enhances what is already there. It may look weird to you, because your features are exaggerated now." After a few minutes of staring at herself in the mirror, the woman actually agreed and felt she looked very pretty.

This fall and winter the color trends in makeup are bold, gem-toned colors for clothes and for make up. But come spring, I welcome it because its a fresh approach and look, that a lot of women who don't normally wear make up, can start using it, without feeling like they have "raccoon eyes" or clown lips!! 

Glam Girl Naturals offers an amazing assortment with various shades that match almost every skin type in Loose Mineral Foundation(light to medium coverage), Cream Mineral Foundation(medium to heavy coverage), Glam Girl 2 in 1 which can be used as a primer and is great as a finishing powder(apply after foundation to get a finished look), Face Concealer to even out skin tone and erase blemishes, and Hydrating Primer to control and balance out oily skin without drying it out, and can be used as a primer or even a light foundation. 

An added bonus to all Glam Girl Naturals products, are that they are GREAT for sensitive skin, and the natural ingredients actually help to heal your skin and get it into better condition!

Visit www.glamgirlnaturals.com today and try out the foundations, primers, and/or concealers for that flawless skin look. 

Part 3- The Chemicals In Your Makeup- 101

Prevention. The act of preventing something from happening. In the case of sickenesses and disease, organic foods, toiletry and makeup products with natural based ingredients- all of these things are prevention. These are methods to prevent the result what commonly happens when people use non-organic, chemicalized foods, and chemically laden toiletries and cosmetics.

 

The prevention from sickness, allergies, diseases, and cancer are how we can proactively take charge and give ourselves and our families something better. Cancer, which is something which has, of late, become a surprisingly big issue, which was never really present 20, 30, 40 years or before that. I have had 5 people in my life some closer than others, some that I had known and liked, and they all died of cancer.

It was shocking to see this sudden increase in what we barely ever heard of in the 80s and 90s, growing up.

Genetically Modified Plants

So many of the hidden chemicals in pesticides go directly into the crops that we eat; the food that animals we will eat; the chemically and genetically modified wheat, rice, corn, soy, tomatoes, potatoes, bananas(the list can go on for a long time)- all of these things have slowly creaped into our systems and formed into sicknesses, diseases, cancers, and allergies. Links have been found in eating gmo foods and autistic children. Links have been correlated and found to be causing so many issues, illnesses and sicknesses, that even Dr. Oz and shows that millions watch are turning to organic foods, natural remedies for issues, and looking for the more natural alternative.

There is no reason to be blind to this any longer. It is time to do better, and seek better alternatives.

Chemicals Found in Your Makeup

As for the Chemicals in Your Makeup 101- today I want to discuss nanoparticles  and silicone. 

Nanoparticles: The long-term health risks of nanoparticles remain poorly understood. The likely exposure in ‘real life’ conditions is also unknown. But early studies have suggested that if exposure is high enough, nanoparticles now used by the cosmetics industry could cause lung damage , cell toxicity, damage DNA, and possibly even harm unborn children.

Silicone:  Environment Canada assessments concluded that cyclotetrasiloxane and cylcopentasiloxane — also known as D4 and D5 — are toxic, persistent, and have the potential to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms. Also, the European Union classifies D4 as a endocrine disruptor, based on evidence that it interferes with human hormone function,and a possible reproductive toxicant that may impair human fertility. In laboratory experiments, exposure to high doses of D5 has been shown to cause uterine tumours and harm to the reproductive and immune systems. D5 can also influence neurotransmitters in the nervous system.

There are MANY more chemicals that are commonly found in your daily, common, and popular makeup brands, such as HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, which is used primarily as an anti-caking agent. It has some links to causing organ toxicity. You can find more information on this and many of the other commonly found chemicals HERE: http://www.glamgirlnaturals.com/WATCH-OUT-FOR-THESE-INGREDIENTS--13.html

The point is to make you aware- not scare you. Do something better for yourself, in your foods, your toiletries, and in your makeup.

Plant and Flower Extracts Found In Glam Girl Naturals

Glam Girl Naturals offers all natural cosmetics that are free of nanoparticles and silicone, among the many other chemicals that are found in all other cosmetic brands.

They are filled with minerals and plant derivatives that actually help to heal and better your skin condition, and come in various shades of foundations, eyeshadows, eye gel liner, lipgloss, lipstick and more!

Make a better choice today.

Glam Girl 2 In 1(can be used as a primer or finishing poweder)

Glam Girl Cream Mineral Foundation

Glam Girl Eye Gel Liners and Brow Definers

Glam Girl Lipstick

Part 2- The Chemicals In Your Makeup- 101

This was the front page of the Life & Style section of a local NY paper. Finally, the truth is coming out. The hidden, mysterious sudden appearance of lethargy on a large scale, depression growing, cancers popping up left and right, and allergies being very popular and common to have, there are hidden causes in the daily items we EAT and WEAR/USE.

When I say wear and use, I am talking about the daily routine items- shampoos, soaps, lotions, foundations, lipstick/lipgloss, hair products, eye makeup, nailpolish- basically, everything.

What is alarming is how everything has been kept in the dark for so long, that we see these chemically-laden items that we use as unharmful! But truth be told- they are chock-filled with chemicals, and there is growing evidence that these chemicals that eventually end up in our bloodstream, are very harmful and toxic for us.

I am glad they posted this in the paper, it will hopefully open the eyes of many women out there!

Now to the next two commonly found chemical in makeups:

Bismuth Chloride:

Bisumuth Chloride:  Bismuth oxychloride is a refined form of bismuth, a toxic chemical element with the atomic number 83 and symbol Bi. While bismuth does occur naturally, it is only available in very small amounts. Therefore, most of the bismuth in the US is a by-product from refining tin, copper, silver, lead and gold ores. To achieve bismuth oxychloride, bismuth is refined to remove lead and other dangerous elements, and then chlorinated. These processes leave bismuth chloride, which still poses severe health risks.
Bismuth oxychloride is used in mineral makeup to give the product a silky texture, improve application by reducing friction, and help the formula adhere for a long-lasting finish.nfortunately, even with all these great makeup benefits, bismuth oxychloride is also known for its high likelihood of causing irritation.
A valuation of the amount of bismuth (Bi) absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract is important for assessment of the possible risks associated with the use of Bi compounds in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.
In addition, when ingested here are all the possible associated risks and outcomes of Bismuth in your bloodstream:

• Loss of Appetite
• Nausea
• Malaise
• Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Weight Loss
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Fever
• Heartburn
• Bloating
• Sleeplessness
• Depression
• Skin Reactions
• Anemia
• Rheumatic Pains
• Albuminuria
• Black line may form on the gums in the mouth
• Severe exposure can cause Liver or Kidney Damage & Ulcerative Stomatitis 

2. Polymenthyl Methacrylate: Heavily found in Lipstick, this is known to cause severe allergies, and is linked to cancer.

Another interesting and eye-opening website, http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/myths-on-cosmetics-safety/, talks about the common myths associated with why we are so misinformed! Well, I hope this helps all you ladies out there make better decisions and choices, and do better for yourself!

Check out toxin free, amazing cosmetics at www.glamgirlnaturals.com and see how you like it! Give it a try, you certainly have nothing to lose!

The Chemicals in Your Makeup- 101

This is going to be a multi-part series that talks about the different types of chemicals found in various, if not most, of the makeup and cosmetics that most women and girls use.

Take a look at this picture:

This is just a brief touch on what is going into our bodies and bloodstreams! Can you imagine- it's everything from soaps, shampoos, & lotions to your nailpolish, lipstick, foundation, eye makeup, and so much more!

What's more is that many of us don't know this, and even if we might have heard of some potential risks, we don't really act on it, or make necessary changes to better the situation.

Why? 1. It could be that we don't really believe there are any harmful risks and/or side effects. 2. It could also be we don't know enough because the big-time makeup/cosmetic, shampoo, lotion, nailpolish companies and corporations HIDE these known facts of health risks and side-effects. 3. It could be that we don't have the time to learn about all the potential risks and health dangers that come from these common products 4. We simply believe that if nothing has happened yet, then nothing wil happen in the future.

The last reason is probably the most dangerous, because with cancer, and all types of diseases & allergies on the rise, we are putting ourselves at blind risk.  The information is out there- so we might as well get educated.

That is my main purpose- I really want you guys to understand what is out there in what you use everyday, and hope that you will start to make better choices.

That being said- Glam Girl Naturals is free of parabens, petrochemicals, dyes and preservatives, and all the other chemicals that pose serious health risks and side effects.

Lets start with the first commonly found, problematic ingredient: PARABENS.

What is a Paraben?

Parabens, used are a group of preservatives in almost all cosmetics out there,  are a known endocrine disruptor, as it has oestrogenic properties. When traces of paraben were found in breast cancer tissue, it raised alarm that this may have come from underarm deodorant. As around 57% of cosmetic products contain penetration enhancers such as urea, this can drive any potentially harmful ingredients quickly into the blood stream. Cosmetic ingredients do not sit on the surface of the skin – they are designed to penetrate, therefore, while it may seem that we are using all of these ingredients at safe levels, it is likely that we are being overexposed each day, by the fact that we layer products on our skin – if all of this is absorbed, then the concentration would be anything but safe to our bodies.

Now that you know what this is, are you still willing to risk your health and continue using the same old chemicalized makeup and cosmetics you have been using? Don't you deserve better than that?

If you want to make a better choice, and you want to do better for yourself, there are better alternatives out there, that have all natural ingredients, and are so much better for you. One example is Glam Girl Naturals. Try out Glam Girl Naturals today, at www.glamgirlnaturals.com and do something better for yourself!

All About Shea Butter

Shea Butter- we have heard about its great moisturizing properties, how it lathers and penetrates the skin, only making it softer, more supple, and feel amazing. Shea butter added into cosmetics is very beneficial because it glides onto the skin, without leaving any oily residue.

Shea butter comes from the African Shea Tree( Vitellaria paradoxa), and starts in the form of the fatty part of the nut derived from the tree. The benefits of shea butter are numerous: it has healing properties, and has been known to treat a variety of skin disorders, such as eczema, psoriasis and sunburn. It also helps fade scars, decrease the appearance of wrinkles, and minimize stretch marks and scars.

The healing properties of shea butter can be connected to the presence of several fatty acids and plant sterols, namely oleic, stearic, palmitic and linolenic acids. The anti-inflammatory properties of shea butter are derived from cinnamic acid, and in studies done in Japan, demonstrated a great swelling reduction when applied. The antioxidant property of shea butter can be attributed to the fact that shea butter contains vitamins A and E, as well as catechins, plant antioxidants also found in green tea. While it is unclear how well vitamins A and E in raw Shea butter are absorbed, there is evidence to suggest that cinnamic acid esters in Shea fat help to prevent skin damage from ultraviolet radiation.

For best results, unrefined Shea butter, or grade A, is preferred. The fake, processed, and preservatised forms of shea butter are not recommended and can even lead to allergic reactions.

You can find Shea Butter in many of Glam Girl Naturals products such as : Glam Girl Lipsticks and Lipglosses, Eye gel, & Brow Gel.


Reference: National Geographic, Green Living. Shea Butter Benefits. Karyn Meier.

Getting the Right Coverage

I have been through phases in my life where I had dry skin, other times in life I had oily skin, and now I have combination skin. Whatever your skin type(sensitive skin too), it can be challenging to find the right coverage, that feels light, doesn't irritate the skin, and also gives you the perfect coverage all day. Often times, if it is too light, you have to re-apply the foundation later in the day, especially with oily skin, or in hot weather. Other foundations get to be too cakey, thick, and very fake looking.

Glam Girl Naturals offers 5 solutions to your skin and facial care. The natural ingredients in our products, such as our Hydrating Primer, Glam Girl 2 in 1, Glam Girl Loose Mineral & Cream Mineral Foundations, and our face concealers.

All have healing properties, like in Glam Girl Loose Minerals-  higher levels of Zinc Oxide which is anti-inflammatory to the skin. ProVitamin B5 and Allantoin(comes from Comfrey Root) will work together to condition and repair the skin.

Golden jojoba oil will aid in reducing acne by helping to regulate sebum production and balance the skin. Also included are skin beneficial topical botanicals such as Bisabolol, the active part of Chamomile, which is great for its soothing and anti-bacterial properties.

Every one of our products have all natural ingredients that actually benefit your skin, eyes, and lips. Check out our entire website and try them out today!!

Glam Girl Naturals B1

Think about your daily regiment. You wake up, use the loo, brush your teeth, shower, using shampoo, conditioner, soap, something for the face. Then you put moisturizer on your face, and if you are like many women you put some or a good amount of makeup to enhance your beauty. You rub lotion on your body, you put product in your hair to make it stay. Sounds pretty standard, normal, and routine. The thing is we don't know what they are made up of, and what these so called FDA-approved items can do side-effect-wise.

It is alarming the number of side effects your daily shampoo, lotion, soaps, skincare, nail polish, and makeup/cosmetics can do!

The above image of the woman with arrows pointing at each point of the body, indicates what each item used can do. We may not take it seriously, but why?

Why not choose smarter? Maybe the quality of MAC or Bobbi Brown, or even Maybelline is not there? Maybe you just don't know what is out there that is equally as good, or even better.

This is where products that are derived from natural, safe, clean ingredients can be just what you need! There are companies out there that have started this new trend. They have makeup, toiletries such as lotion, soap, shampoo- you name it- and it is made from natural & safe ingredients that we can all use and not feel we are "missing" anything in our regiment. These companies are growing in their popularity by the day, like Glam Girl Naturals Cosmetics, LUSH, Alba, and many others. They are not as hard to find as they may have been even 10 years ago. Many can be found at your local Whole Foods Market, Trader Joes, and even online- just google what you are looking for and you will will find it!!

ABOUT GLAM GIRL NATURALS COSMETICS(a gluten-free, mineral makeup that is also a cruelty-free cosmetic, and is vegan!)

It has been created to give every woman out there BETTER! You can still get a high-end, high-quality cosmetic line, without any of the chemicals, additives, and preservatives that have negative side-effects!

What you are left with is amazing coverage and flawless skin from our foundations and concealers, juicy, glossy, sexy lips from our lipsticks and lipglosses, sultry and sexy eyes from our eye shadows and eye gels, and gorgeous skin from our other products!

Many of their cosmetics come in sample size, so you can order(they are $1.50), and decide what looks best on you, before making your purchase.

You can go to: Glam Girl Naturals Cosmetics to find their full line of gluten-free makeup, that is also a cruelty-free cosmetic, and is vegan :-)

Glam Girl Naturals Cosmetics- Get Glam Naturally!