Should You Get That Bikini Wax?

I’m kind of horrified by bikini waxes. I know that some women swear by them for wearing swimsuits without looking obscene, but they just must be so painful.  I’m kind of sensitive that way though, so I’m sure I’d make more out of it than need be.

Any time you’re ripping hair that very much wants to stay rooted somewhere though, my skin tingles at the mere thought. Even plucking my eyebrows and the random strange hairs I sometimes get on my face (the older I get, the damndest things happen), my eyes well up with tears.

I think that bikini waxes definitely have their place. Women who wear bathing suits a lot of have to wear tight outfits with thin gauzy fabric may find them useful.  Younger women certainly like them a lot – this is probably because they’re still in that mode of finding a man and looking fabulous for a man.

I on the other hand, am happily married. Heck, sometimes I forget to even shave my legs. If I had a lot of money, I’d put my money on lasering the hair off of my legs and other areas where I don’t want it. I think waxing is just to medieval. It can really feel like torture, even if a professional does it. What do you think?

Wheat Protein Causing Allergic Reactions in Japanese Beauty Soap?

This was an unusual story. It’s one that seems so strange because it’s an allergy that occurred in people from something that seems so unobtrusive, natural and unharmful. However, we all know that more and more people are having allergies to this but there is no clear reason as to why.

What I am talking about is wheat. More specifically, wheat protein, which is often used in things like shampoos, conditioners and soaps and lotions as a thickener and foaming agent. It can also be good for your hair, making it easier to plump it up a little for more volume, and even adding moisture and shine.

But experts in Japan are saying that a specific type of wheat protein used in a green tea based soap actually ended up triggering some sort of allergic reaction in people who had used the soap over and over on their face. They said that the product may have been absorbed in their delicate mucous membranes over the years, building to levels where it eventually caused an allergic reaction.

This just seems strange to me that an ingredient seemingly so innocuous could cause a reaction like this. It makes me wonder if it was perhaps something else in the soap that is being missed, or whether something contaminated one batch of the soap and that’s when the allergies started happening?

At any rate, consumers are being advised to stop using this soap and the company issued a recall of the soap after people began having allergies to it.  Kind of a bummer that something that you think is good for your could end up having this effect, but I supposed that anything can cause allergic reactions in people, whether natural or not.

Heck, look how many people are allergic to peanuts these days!

Hotel Room Amenities Include Paraben Free Lotion?

I was surprised and pleased on our last trip to Pittsburgh to find that the hotel we always stay in when we visit, the Doubletree which is a subsidiary of the Hilton, offered a paraben and phthalate free lotion.  I remember the last time I was there, the lotion didn’t mention that it did not include these toxic ingredients, but this time it specifically said it was free of these.

However….it did have a very heavy scent to it. Albeit the scent was a pleasant one of honey and something else, and it smelled pretty delectable. So what that means is that there was still a cocktail of chemicals in the lotion.  Heavy scents always mean that there are several chemicals in the product, unless the product specifically is  labeled as only containing natural essential oils to obtain a certain type of scent.

I’ve gotta hand it to them though, the lotion being paraben and phthalate free was quite a nice leap for hotel chain offerings in the bathroom.  I didn’t use the soaps or the shampoo or conditioner, but the lotion was nice to use on my hands at least.  I didn’t use it on my body though, I used my own lotion which I know is free of any artificial scents.

Gotta minimize your exposure where and when you can in this toxic world of ours, ya know?

Would You Inject Toxins Into Your Body to Stop Sweating?

Sweating is a natural thing. We actually are designed to sweat when we get overheated, or even over-stressed, because it helps use release toxins and salt and excess water from our bodies. It is essentially a cleansing and purging mechanism for the human body, and we need to do it.

The only problem with sweating is that it results in body odor, otherwise affectionately known as “B.O”.  This is definitely undesirable. But there are ways we can naturally stop the odor and still sweat at a natural, healthy pace – and that is by using a naturally derived deodorant that doesn’t contain all those toxic chemicals that are in so many brand name deodorants available to the general public today.

A disturbing trend, in my opinion, is that some people who are concerned with excessive sweating, are turning to what is, in my opinion, a toxic treatment to help them stop sweating. It is Botox, or botulinum, which is injected into the sweat glands and inactivates them for certain periods of time.

I understand some people who suffer from hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating that can be embarrassing) may be tempted to get this type of treatment, but is it really necessary? I mean, you are not just getting this stuff injected into your face, but into your underarm, where there are important clusters of lymph nodes.

Which is, by the way, the reason I stopped using aluminum and paraben-containing deodorant in the first place.  What if there is a mistake and the injection doesn’t hit the right sight?  What if they find out years from now that Botox really is toxic to the body, even if only injected superficially?

Although this is rare, it has been reported to occur, and can cause paralysis of other muscles in the body, or can migrate and cause other problems like droopy eyes and such.

While I agree that excessive sweating can be a problem, I mostly think it’s the body odor part that needs remedies. I’m actually perfectly comfortable with sweating and having some moisture in my underarms when I am warm or nervous – it’s natural. It’s the odor that I want to neutralize – and that is why I wear an effective natural deodorant.

How Much Does a Nose Job Run?

Nose jobs (aka rhinoplasty) are one of the most expensive plastic surgeries there are. However, they are also one of the most appearance-altering surgeries that one can get, and just simply getting a smaller or slightly reshaped nose can completely enhance one’s appearance.

Just look at examples like Jennifer Grey, who later said she regretted her nose job because it made her normally very recognizable face virtually unrecognizable, and Ashley Simpson, who it transformed into a beauty. Formerly, she had a larger nose that she clearly was self conscious about. She is one of the few that I think got a really great nose job and looks 100% better after having it.

So, how much would a nose job cost you?  You’re looking at a fairly large range for this surgery because of its popularity as well as because you really want to get a specialist to perform such an importantly face-altering surgery. To get that, you may have to pay, well, out the nose for lack of a better description.

The price would be anywhere from six thousand dollars to twelve thousand dollars, as estimated by national averages.  It always also depends on where you live. If you’re living in Hollywood or LA, for example, you’re going to pay a lot more than someone who may live in a rural or not so densely populated area, say like where I live.

The appeal behind a nose job is that you can not only reshape the way the nose looks and reduce it in size, but surgeons can also correct problems like deviated septums while they are in there for the couple hours it takes to finish the nose job in its entirety.

This is a common “excuse” used by celebrities who get nose jobs. They often claim they had to get plastic surgery for some other malady, but often times it is simply because they want to look better. After all celebs are human and just like us, they were born with certain aspects of their appearance that they may not be totally crazy about.

It’s OK to get plastic surgery simply to feel better about yourself, really!

A Great Side Benefit of Self Tanning

I have been self tanning since the days when self tanners really weren’t all that great.  They’ve definitely come a long way from the brands of yesteryear like “QT” or Quick Tan, and others that just had too much of a concentration of DHA. DHA is a sugar derived ingredient that is central in all self tanners.

Once exposed to oxygen, it has a reaction with the skin that turns it brown.  They used to turn the skin too orange, and they still can, but thanks to modern day technology, self tanners now have more of a desired browning effect than they do orange-y effect.

One of the reasons I always loved to have a nice golden tan, in spite of my naturally pasty white skin since I’m half Irish, is that it really makes you look better. It makes you look thinner, camouflages imperfections like skin blemishes and cellulite for instance.

The cellulite is a big one.   I’ve always had some problem areas like my thighs, and my arms even have a little on them. But when I have self tanner applied in all the right places, these imperfections are really minimized and I feel much better about myself.

It’s great for the legs. It really makes your legs look thinner and more toned.  It adds an undeniable sex appeal.  Since the legs are one of the hardest parts of the body to tan in the real sun, or tanning bed for that matter, a self tanner can really help you out on this area.

I even use it on my face to even out my skin tone and give myself a nice healthy glow. It also greatly minimizes the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines which is a huge bonus. It even helps camouflage my old acne scars – another bonus!

Breast Implant Scare Has Chip Technology Talking

The breast implant scare of 2011, where implants sold out of France were found to be filled with a questionable grade of silicone (definitely not medical grade in other words), has people talking about the next step in medical device safety. More specifically, in cosmetic medical device safety.

In situations like the breast implant scare, implanting a tracking chip device in to these types of implants would have allowed the governing body in charge of making sure people are safe and use safe medical devices to contact the specific people affected by a product recall or warning.

This way, they wouldn’t have to rely on the general media for getting word out, nor on Doctor’s potentially spotty medical records. They would actually be able to have patient information based on the implants.

Sort of freaky if you think about it actually. It’s very Brave New World, but a lot of people think that the world is headed this way. It used to be the stuff of science fiction movies and Big Brother paranoia, but now it seems these types of tracking devices may actually be a reality in at least one facet of our lives.

I guess this is a bit disconcerting if you really think about what an implant is. It’s a foregin device implanted in your body, so you basically would get a “part” serial number like you would have on a care – only it’s for your boobs!

That creeps me out a bit I must say!

New Fat Zapping Laser Approved

Just when you thought you’d heard it all when it comes to cellulite reduction treatments, liposuction and new ways to rid the body of unsightly fat, think again.  A new patented laser and process by the company called Cynosure, is a way to both treat excess subcutaneous fat as well as to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Often times these two problems go hand in hand, as the more fat you retain in the lower layers of skin, the more upward pressure they create on the surface levels, creating pressure and making the bands under the skin “bulge” and pucker, which produces that thing we all love to hate (but all have to some degree) cellulite.

The new process proposes to go deeper into the layers of fat so that it may melt the fat as well as to disrupt the fibrous bands that cause the puckering effect called cellulite. Since they break these bands up, and they reduce the fat in the body by melting it and sucking it out, what you end up with is a smoother appearance, and less bulk in the areas where you don’t want it.

For me, that would definitely be my flabby underarms, my thighs and my buttocks. I’m actually quite happy with my belly at the moment though

In addition to doing these two amazing feats, the laser procedures would also work at the higher surface levels to stimulate collagen, which improves the tone and texture of the skin and further helps to firm the areas that look loose, flabby or puckered due to excess fat.  Other laser smoothing processes like this include Velashape and Velasmooth.

The device used is called Cellulaze, and so far only one practice in Fort Lauderdale Florida is carrying it.  The cost of the procedure runs at least $5,000 to $6,000 depending on the areas you want treated. I saw some before and after pictures and the cellulite reduction is pretty impressive. Also, it appears to shape and lift the body part it is performed on as well, giving it a better flow and sculpted appearance.

It is important to note that one treatment will show initial improvement, however with this process, as with Smart Lipo, it may take the patient several months to realize the full extent of the results and improvements.  It’s not a miracle worker, and patients don’t lose huge amounts of weight or fat, but rather this should be considered more of a sculpting and cellulite reduction method rather than a serious weight loss method.

Genius Natural Beauty Idea!

Did you ever have a moment where you had an “aha” idea?  Well I just did. I’ve been using argan oil on my facial skin and a little here and there on my hair when it gets too dry (it’s very greasy on the hair, so a little goes a long way). I really like it. Even on my still acne prone skin at the age of 37, it soothes my skin and makes it softer and more supple, and I like what it does for the fine lines around my eyes.

It definitely softens lines and wrinkles, and it seems to also have an overall “glow” effect on the skin. That being said, I don’t think that argan oil is a miracle oil, but it’s very nice if you want to use something truly all natural on your skin for adding moisture and helping prevent further environmental damage and overdrying.

I have quite the collection of essential oils in my closet now. I’ve been experimenting with essential oils and various natural beauty products, soaps and the like for a while now, and I really love scenting things with essential oils rather than using chemicals on my skin. In fact, I find most chemically derived scents offensive now after I’ve grown accustomed to all natural plant oils.

There is just something very therapeutic about breathing in natural plant oil vapors.  They not only can be very therapeutic by breathing in their scent, but also by applying them to the skin.  Essential oils of various types can help heal and treat everything from cellulite to rosacea, to eczema and acne.

Rose oil is great for more mature skin.  It’s very fortifying and helps to soften the skin. It also smells absolutely wonderful. The only thing with rose absolute, which is the essential oil which is extracted from steamed rose petals (it takes a lot of them to make a small amount of this oil) is that it is quite expensive.

I have a very small bottle at home that I hadn’t really found a use for, until now. I combined about twenty drops with the rest of my organic argan oil. So now when I’m applying the argan oil to my skin at night, not only do I get the pleasure of the velvety feel of the argan oil on my skin, but I also get to smell the romantic, sensual smell of delicate rose petals.

Talk about a treat!  Rose oil really is great for the skin. I’ll see if it makes the argan oil more effective, if I notice a difference at all.  I don’t even care, it smells so wonderful!

Why I Prefer Powder Eyeliner to Liquid or Pencil Now

I used to live and die by two types of eyeliner – and yes I’m pretty much an every-day makeup girl, but I do go my occasional bum day without anything on at all.  The truth is, I just feel prettier with some eyeliner and a little foundation on my skin, especially when I’m pretty pale in the winter time (‘less I have my faux tan on).

I used to wear a Revlon Color Stay pencil eyeliner, and I liked it well enough, except it’s difficult to get the smudgy, messy look with a pencil eyeliner.  I didn’t even know this – was blissfully unaware until I started to experiment with powder eyeliner a year ago.

I started using powder eye shadow when I came across a loose one in a CVS store I was perusing on a lunch break.  It was a Revlon HIP brand, and it was in a tiny little container just like the loose facial powder comes in, with the little grate/strainer thing in it too so you can separate it and shake it up.

I didn’t like this because it was simply too powdery. It was hard to get it to conform under my eye and on the top of the lid. It would just kind of flake and crumble off and settle underneath my eye, making me look like I had raccoon eyes.  So I then started to experiment with using my existing pressed eye shadow powders as eyeliner.

I figured, hey if I can save money and not buy eyeliner any more,  and instead just use my already existing large collection of pressed powder eye shadows why not?  I’m in quite the frugal mood these past few years – I think the economy is wearing on me ?

I simply use my sponge tipped smudger which has a nice tip to it if I want something more distinct and defined. I simply rub it on the shadow – harder if I want a deeper, richer color and lighter if I just want a hint of color. I then apply to the top of my lid and bottom – pretty much as I would a liquid or pencil liner.

What I love about using pressed eye shadow as an eyeliner:

1.)  I can get a really great smoke look using this technique. I guess the powder is just more conducive to smudging.

2.) It actually seems to stay put better than most pencil and liquid liners.

3.) As I get older, I don’t like the harsh lines that most pencils and liquids or pens/felt tip applicator eyeliners offer. I like the softer, more natural look and feel it makes my eyes look bigger.

4.) I love that I can use any color that I have both on my lids and under my eyes. This makes it like an instantly huge eyeliner collection.