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.