My Beauty Space

The incidence of skin cancer is increasing from what it used to be and it is also occurring at younger and younger ages.  Since skin cancer is easier to detect as it is on the surface when compared to other cancers, it is important to note what to look for when examining your skin.
Some of the signs of melanoma are as follows.   Look for changes in moles regularly and if you notice a change, see a dermatologist.  When examining any moles or growths, check for irregularity of the borders or any asymmetry.
Another sign of trouble could be present if the growth has varying colors such as tan, black, brown or red or has uneven coloring.  Also of signifigance when checking for signs of melanoma is the diameter of the mole.  If it is 6 mm. or greater, have it checked by a dermatologist.
When evaluating your risk factors for developing skin cancer, keep in mind that the genetic factor is signifigant.   Family history means you should be more vigilant and be checked more frequently for signs of melanoma.
The use of tanning beds definitely increases the chance of developing all kinds of skin cancer including melanoma.  While it is important to use sunscreen during sun exposure, it does not always make the chance of developing skin cancer a rarity.  The best protection is to cover up when in the sun as well as using sunscreen.  Also, limiting the amount of time spent in the sun is important.
Another misconception people have about skin cancer is thinking that time in the sun won’t increase the risk as long as they don’t burn.  The risk is determined by the accumulated effect of the ultraviolet light exposure.
People who have darker toned skin still need to use sunscreen when exposed to ultraviolet light.  You can get skin damage even on an overcast day from the UV rays that easily penetrate the cloud cover.   Outdoor sports enthusiasts that enjoy skiing should use sunscreen to prevent skin damage.  Areas that are not exposed to the sun can still develop skin cancers of all types, including melanoma.  So, check all of your body for signs of trouble including your torso and even the underarm areas.

A while ago my sister showed me this stuff she bought called Maui Babe.  It was in a pretty small bottle, actually a bit too small for the price, which was about ten bucks, and it was a rich, deep brown color.  She told me the stuff was great, it was a bronzing lotion that helped you attain a deeper tan with less burning (but with no sunscreen), and gave a richer, deeper brown color than normal tanning lotion, with a very pleasant scent and tons of emollients. 

Well, I forgot about that stuff, until I was searching for unrelated stuff on Amazon’s beauty section (which by the way I’m addicted to in case you couldn’t tell), and this Maui Babe stuff popped up because Amazon likes to show other items to people they think might like them based on their past shopping history with them, and I’m assuming since I’m the queen of self tanner shopping, and especially on Amazon since they have good deals on that stuff, that’s why it showed me this stuff.

Well, it got rave reviews from the people who posted about it pretty much, so I ordered a multipack, figuring since I was paying for shipping anyways I might as well order in bulk.  See, that’s how they get you to buy more, but I fall for it like a sucker every time   I’ll have a review coming on it as soon as I receive my shipment, which should definitely be coming this week.  I plan on wearing it out in the sun then next time I’m out doing gardening or lawn work, so I’ll let you know if it gives me a nice glow or if it’s a bust! 

I wrote a review on the Sedu flat iron some time ago, and had to post again on that very same hair styling tool because I really think it’s one of the best hair inventions ever for hair that tends to go awry in the humid weather, which we’ve had an abundance of here in Northeastern Ohio so far this summer! 

I bought a Sedu flat iron about three months ago, and I’ve had nothing but great results every time I’ve used the thing so far.  I don’t flat iron my hair every day by any means, because I do believe that’s bad for it, no matter what instrument you’re using on it because of the intense heat required for a good, glossy finish, but I do use it a few times a week. 

And since I only wash my hair once every two to three days, I still have an amazingly smooth, sleek set of locks even two days after I’ve used the Sedu flat iron, with no refinishing or restyling.  I’ve especially noticed how humidity resistant my hair is when I use the Sedu and go out into the steamy weather, because it stays just as straight and shiny as it was before I got our in the weather, and it doesn’t expand enormously as my naturally curly/wavy hair tends to when it gets out in the humid elements. 

I like to use a straightening cream, either by John Frieda or by Aveda, or I sometimes combine the two, but I’d stay away from the Redken straightener as it made my hair as dry as a broom, and also there is another one by Chi called Silk Infusion that is heavily scented that a lot of people believe works well, but it contains so much alcohol it’s not even worth it, and sure it may flatten the hair, but it also leaves it look lacklustre and like a bale of hay, especially for people who do not have thicker ethnic hair types, as I believe it is more for use on hard to straighten hair and so may use more harsh striaghtening ingredients. 

When I use the Sedu hair styling tool, I take section of my hair, starting at the bottom when I have it clipped or otherwise flipped over my head (I’m lazy about sectioning it off and usually in a hurry, so I improvise, if I didn’t I’d probably have an even better result), and quickly and gently run the sedu down the shaft of the small section until I reach the top.  In about five minutes I have a pretty straightened head of hair, and it really does resist the elements, which is key especially in the summer months. 

Well, of all things, it seems odd that a bullfrog, those big guys with the bumpy skin that make all the noise is swamps and ponds, may be the source for the newest class of a super antioxidant that may be particularly useful for treating aging skin and preventing free radical damage. Scientists in Korea believe they have found an extraction that can be used to make a cheaper and more effective strain of vitamin E to be used topically on the skin, from the skin and muscles of bullfrogs.

I had long heard, years ago, that a boar bristle brush was better for the hair and made it look a lot better than a regular brush that is made with metal or plastic combination bristles.  Also, if you get one with a vented middle, you may also get an additional fast drying benefit if you go this route.  As far as worthy hair care products and tools go, I know that when I’ve used any kind of brush that’s a large round one with a vented middle, it does seem to dry my hair faster because of the additional air circulation that goes through the other end from the dryer.

Boar bristle brushes are made with the 100% natural boar bristle, and it will be marked that it’s 100% authentic, so don’t be fooled by fakes that try to look like a natura brown bristle if it’s not marked that way.  Supposedly the benefits you get from using a boar bristle brush as opposed to any other bristle is more shine, less static, and a smoother appearance to the hair. 

I have to say, after I bought mine, which by the way is not vented but I wish it was, at first I wasn’t a fan because my other brush, made with some sort of plastic composite stiff bristle, seemed to get through my hair more like a comb would, whereas the boar bristle brush - at least the one I purchased, seemed to just kind of drag through my hair, and get caught in it without really separating the strands like a more substantial “hard bristled” brush would.

But, once I realized that it did impart more shine to my hair and my boyfriend even started using it to control the flyaways and flipped edges of his longer hair he’s growing out, I am hooked.  Next step though is to get a better, salon quality vented boar bristle brush, and this way I’ll not only have the smoothness and shininess, but also it will hopefully dry much faster with my Sedu thermal ionic hair dryer (which I still love by the way, although the ionic smoothing action seems to be running low after about a year and it may need to be replaced soon which I’m not too happy about). 

Well, for those of you that loathe that spongy, loose looking flesh that tends to accumulate so much on women in the same “problem” areas such as the hips, thighs and buttocks, and occasionally even the belly and lower legs (calf area), there may be some very exciting news in cellulite reduction.  But brace yourselves, because it’s probably the most expensive cellulite treatment to date. 

At a rate of about $4,000.00, you may have access to getting cellulite reduction that actually lasts, and also where results can be seen after just one session.  Normally, cellulite treatments take several sessions to gain results, and then take monthly or biweekly treatments just to keep those results going, but this Thermage cellulite reduction treatment may be a little better than what’s currently out there when it comes to permanent results and quick ones too.  It’s called the Thermage Therma Tip CL cellulite tool, and it’s bound to cause a buzz in the beauty and spa industry as soon as women see results after the very first visit, if it works as they company says it does.

Thermage is a system that has been used for a while now, and is usually used on the face as a means of anti aging and wrinkle control.  It is a series of radio frequency waves and heat that are transmitted through the skin via a professional hand held device, and it supposedly can penetrate layers of skin more effectively than even the best layers currently can do. 

This is why they are saying it is so effective at breaking up fat and helping rebuild collagen while improving the circulation and promoting blood flow to help break it up more, and why it is great for breaking up cellulite problem areas, and very quickly.  The cost though is very high, and that is definitely a consideration and something that is casting it into the only-the-rich-can-afford stratosphere of beauty and personal care, so it may be very limiting, but often times when something is first introduced it’s astronomically prices and then comes down shortly thereafter. 

Unfortunately, this is so new that I have not read any reviews or user experiences with the treatment yet, but I do know that many users complained about Thermage that had it done on their face, that it was extremely painful.  This may be different though, since it is not being performed on such a sensitive area, and it may also produce a different set of feelings because traditionally where there’s cellulite, there aren’t many nerve endings of blood flow, which is why it bruises so easily, but which also may be why the pain could be totally tolerable in this area.

So I just got two new L’Oreal HIP (High Intensity Pigment) eyeshadows.  High intensity pigment is just another word for super charged with intense, super saturated color.  It means that it is of a higher quality than the less expensive, normally pigmented makeups that have color that is not as deep or intense, and also happens to not last as long as deeply pigmented cosmetics. 

Often times what you are paying more for is the pigment in a given makeup, say lipstick or eyeshadow or any other makeup that relies on color of some sort to give it character. 

As an over the counter, cheaper brand of makeup, L’Oreal definitely wins my vote hands down for superiority over the other brands, and I’d have to say that Revlon is a close second.  I’ve never been a fan of Maybelline or Cover Girl, because I feel their makeup wears off too quickly and tends to contain irritating additives.  At least for my skin, maybe not for everyone else’s. 

I bought two new L’Oreal HIP eyeshadow duos, one in a rich forest green coupled with a deep suede color, and another a deep but brighter blue (almost a turquoise tint to it), paired with a deep cocoa brown, almost a mix between a grey charcoal and brown rather than a warm brown with red tones, if you can picture what I’m talking about. 

I aboslutely LOVE both of them.  The blue and suede pairing is perfect for when I want to add a bit of drama and focus to the eyes, and the green is intense without being obnoxious, and very earthy looking and bohemian, so it goes well with a lot of my earthier colored, light summer clothes because it pairs well with natural looks and muted makeup. 

The color is super saturated, and deeply colors the eyes from the first brush stroke, so much that you have to really focus on not putting too much on your makeup brush when applying it so you don’t get too much on the eyes and end up with a smudge of darkness in one area. 

Not only does it look fantastic, it really does last noticeably longer than regular eyeshadow does, and it looks ten times richer, more “expensive” on your eyes.  The cost is a bit higher, but nothing I’d say is cost prohibitive at all.  Because you need so little, the length of time it lasts over regular eyeshadow probably pays for itself anyways. 

I have gotten to try a few products by the relatively new natural cosmetic line Pure Bliss Essentials, and liked it all, including the facial serum and the antioxidant cream, both of which imparted a great glow to my skin.  Since I have oily and acne prone skin, I tried the Rhassoul clay mask as well, and I loved it.  Rhassoul is a natural and mineral rich clay that makes a wonderful mask because it helps draw out impurities, and leaves the skin baby soft and supple afterwards.

Here’s what I did when I used the Rhassoul clay mask.  I washed my face with the Pure Bliss Essentials goat milk soap (which I also love, it’s a very mild soap, totally nondrying, no strong scents - very pure, good for combination, oily or dry skin), then I let it thoroughly dry.  I then applied the mask, which is a somewhat watery in substance, and it’s cool because you can see the graininess of it still, so you know it is pure and un-messed with too much. 

I applied it in a thin layer, and let it dry, but didn’t leave it on my face too long as I believe it may dry it out too much like most other masks can if they overstay their welcome.  I then rinsed the mask off after it had thoroughly dried, with splashes of warm water.  I gently toweled off my face to dry it, then I generously applied the antioxidant face serum and the cream, and my face looked and felt great - very fresh, clean, and not a bit dry or tight.

I’m thinking I will use this mask about once a week or so to help remove impurities and be a deep cleansing product for my pores, as well as somewhat of a toner so that my skin tone will remain even toned.  Pure Bliss Essentials is a great skincare line that is reasonable and completely natural and untampered with.  It’s great for sensitive skin, and I’d definitely use it again and recommend it to anyone with any type of skin.

There’s been so much in the news lately about sunscreen, since it is, in fact, summer everywhere and everyone almost can’t help but get a little sun exposure, no matter what their skin tone is.  Here it is the Fourth of July so it’s the perfect time to talk about summer sun protection, which we talk about often, but this was actually newsworthy enough to talk about on news sites, so we’re going to talk about it here as well.

There was that news about the new rating system for sunscreens being looked at as a more effective means to rate and grade the levels of UVA and UVB protection, since currently only a certain level of UV protection is FDA supervised and mandated, and now there is news that the American Academny of Dermatology is testing a lot of the more popular name brand sunscreens and saying that they are misleading customers about the level of protection they offer. 

They’re saying that they want to first test the actual effectiveness and efficiency of these sunscreens at providing the assigned level of protection, how long it provides protection according to labeling (which would include how often it has to be re-applied), and also if there are harmful chemicals or compounds in the sunscreen that may absorb into the skin and be harmful when applied, especially to children who use the product. 

One of the popular ingredients (chemicals) found in sunscreens today is called oxybenzone, and this ingredient has been tested and found in some cases to be a hormone interruptor, as well as a possible carcinogen (cancer causing agent).  This would be ironic, because the very thing we are trying to do when we apply sunscreen is protect ourselves against skin cancer, so it would obviously be disappointing if the very thing we put on to protect our skin was actually helping to create carcinogenic conditions in our body and on our skin.

However, other people say that the warnings about oxybenzone are unnecessary frightening and in fact the ingredient was safe.  If the FDA says so, it must be, right?  I’m being facetious by the way, lots of drugs approved by the FDA later come back to bite us in the butt, we all know that.  Critics of those that claim oxybenzone is unsafe say they are more worried about people not using sunscreen for fear of this ingredient.

In the past, another ingredient commonly used in sunscreen called PABA was eliminated from most because of it’s extremely irritating qualities.  Lots of people, including myself had extreme reactions to PABA, so it’s not found in many today. 

As far as the brands that tested on the low end of the effectiveness scale as discussed earlier, you will recognize all of them, and have probably even used them in the past.  They are Neutrogena, Coppertone, and Banana Boat.  No other recognizable names were mentioned.  
 

It seems that Jane, the cheaper cosmetic line that is geared more toward teens and tweens who have little discretionary cash to spend on cosmetics, has a newer gel bronzer out that actually might make a good addition to your repertoire of bronzers and shimmery-types of makeup that help add that extra summer glow to your skin during the summer months.  I looked at  the consistency of the stuff, and much like the Bonne Bell gel bronzer, it has a gel like substance, is not too thick, and would easily blend in with your liquid foundation.

I have the Bonne Bell stuff, and I like to blend it right in with my foundation so that it adds a little bit of color to my whole face, but you can also take a tiny bit of this strong stuff (a little goes a long way), and dab it on the areas of your face that naturally get more sun such as your nose, the middle of the forehead and the cheeks and chin, and voila, you have a nice, natural summer look.  Just be sure not to over do it on this stuff, of you could have that clown makeup effect, and that’s definitely not what we’re going for.

The price is right on the Jane Summer Glow gel also - at 5.99 for a generous and ample size tube, you will see that this small tube will last you a long time.  My Bonne Bell bronzer gel has lasted me two years.  I probably should have bought new by now, but heck, it hasn’t gone bad and it still has it’s pigment, it works, and it hasn’t irritated my skin, so I’ve kept it. 

My preference is to blend it though with my foundation, because when I have tried to apply it over my foundation, I found it was sort of hard to blend in naturally, whereas if I just put a dab on my makeup pad with my Revlon Skinlights and my normal foundation, it blends in nicely, and becomes a part of my mixture, making it give a little more color, dew, and glow to the skin.  It also has a bit of an anti aging effect, because it tends to help bring out a fresher, newer look to the skin and that youthful vibrance that only youth itself can bring - and a little creative makeup!