Archive for the ‘Beauty’ Category

Seriously. Stop putting harmful crap on your face. The E.U. now bans more than 1,100 chemicals from personal care because they may cause cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm. Just 10 ingredients are banned from cosmetics in the U.S…Wait, what? With that statement, that’s where the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics begins and potentially harmful ingredients in our beauty products end – and Weleda is here to ensure that the word gets out before the going gets ugly. Like really mutant, disgusting ugly.

Weleda, the pioneers of natural skin care since 1921, is continuing their “Honestly Natural, Truly Beautiful” national mobile tour in San Francisco, educating onlookers about natural products, thoughtful consumer purchasing, cosmetics ingredients. Weleda has teamed up with Campaign for Safe Cosmetics because with the mutual initiative to eliminate potentially harmful chemicals from the products we apply to ourselves and to our families every day. Through the “Honestly Natural, Truly Beautiful” Tour, Weleda is helping raise awareness of the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010.

Safe and effective beauty products from natural ingredients are available. Now, it is only a matter of giving them a fair chance in the world of celebrity endorsements and powerhouse cosmetic labels. And with words like “defects” and “cancer,” why wouldn’t you want to give these natural products a try? Weleda products are 100% certified-natural, made from plants, fruits, nuts and seeds. Ingredients are wild-crafted, organic or biodynamic whenever possible, and never grown with any pesticides or chemicals.                               

From Thursday, 10/21 – Saturday, 10/23 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m Stop by Weleda’s biodiesel truck at one of three locations in San Francisco to take a natural beauty ingredient quiz, learn the importance of  natural products and receive a mini-spa treatment courtesy of Weleda, and take home a free sample and a coupon. Guests can also film their own video for a chance to win a trip to the Weleda Spa in New York.

WHEN AND WHERE:           

Justin Herman Plaza   Across from the Ferry Building  Thursday, October 21  10 a.m. – 6 p.m.                                               

Union Square       Geary and Powell  Friday, October 22 10 a.m. – 6 p.m

Noe Valley 24th St at Sanchez Saturday, October 23 10 a.m. – 6 p.m

See you there, ladies!

Don’t forget to follow me on www.twitter.com/miratorres

Cosmetic primers have been dubbed as one of the best break-through inventions brought to us via cosmetic labs. Madonna has sworn buy it and Oprah won’t go on television with out it. Whatever it is that give makeup primer the multi-tasking talent to stop mid-day oil slicks, avoid night-time makeup meltdowns, fill in fine lines, hide wrinkles, and create a soft, smooth, and even feel/look; It sure has flocks of female fans willing to dole out that extra $40.00+ for that 4.0 oz. tube… and with out a single batting eyelash of regret.

Lately, I’ve run into a couple of websites which have been raving about “cooch-cream” being the new trend of face primer must-haves. A trade secret that spread like wild-fire through word-and-wire-of-mouth. So, is it possible? Could feminine anti-chaffing gel be an excellent alternative to the miracle primer bottles donned by some of makeup’s most beloved brands? 

Let’s see. What are one of the most expensive and best-selling cosmetic primer made of?   Octinoxate (7.0%) (2-Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate), Oxybenzone (3.0%) (Benzophenone-3); Inactive Ingredients: Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, C12 15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tribehenin, Ceramide 2, PEG 10 Rapeseed Sterol, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil (Safflower), Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract (Grape), Cola Acuminata Seed Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, Water (Aqua), Hydrogenated Polydecene, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben, Iron Oxides (CI 77489, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) Now, Let’s see what’s in  “cooch cream”… Dimethicone.

Hmmmm…Okay, I’m not gonna lie, I’m no science wiz, nor do I even know 3/4′s of what’s in that leading primer. I can see that they share two similar ingredients – Dimethicone. And, what I can feel between my finger tips is that they are quite similar. Though the leading primer dries faster, the same smooth gel-to-powder effect and finish is obvious.

Next, for the sake of science and curiosity, I actually self-test Monistat’s Anti-Chaffing Gel on my face as a primer for a few weeks. Lo’ and behold, it works like a charm. It takes a minute longer to dry, but lasts and feels (though slightly softer) almost like that $40.00 bottle. It also doesn’t make me break out like the actual makeup primer does.

So, there you have it gorgeous gals. The beauty buzz was certainly no lie. But keep in mind for future research purposes, anti-chaffing gel on my face is as far as I’ll go. No way in hell are you ever going to read about me putting foot cream on my face. 

A special thanks to Karen who is (pure awesomess and) the Editor of The Makeup and Beauty Blog, for sparking my inner curiosity and getting me to become a slightly richer primer convert.(Anti-chaffing gel is $7.00 a tube – that’s saving myself at least $35.00 a pot here! Woohoo!)

For more info: Have your own trade secret? Know a couple of on the down-low multi-tasking medicine products? E-mail me the goods at torresmira@yahoo.com

The first Saturday of October, I was able to attend the 11th Annual Vegetarian Festival of San Francisco, which was being held in a community hall of Golden Gate Park. With sunshine, bikes, and natural surroundings, the location was fitting as ever, and the place was packed with people, loads of vegan and vegetarian companies, communities, delicious munchies to sample… and  the first ever SF Vegan Fashion Show.

(I interviewed coordinators Karine Brighten and Kara Ashe  if you want to read their opinions about veg food and fashion just the click the links on their names above.)

I met New York Times Best Selling Author Rory Freedman: (of “Skinny Bitch”)

saw some fantastic cruelty-free clothes and tasted some of the most DELICIOUS vegan food I have EVER tasted in my life. What  stood out the most?

Vegan Thai tea, I loved it so much I went back for seconds. Unfortunately, I lost the contact info and I cannot even remember the name. *Serious sad face..I even contacted head Veggie Fest man to ask if he could forward me their info and he said it was “Trader Joes.” No. No, it wasn’t. In fact TJ’s was on the opposite side of the hall. I know this is a long shot but, if anyone can e-mail me that info that would be fantastic!

Tofurkey Pizza. As my fellow examiner, @Parmie, tweeted “Very dangerous for the figure.” 

Vaute Couture. If you read my work on www.GreenByDesign.com, you know she is one of my favorite vegan designers.  Her coats were the highlight of the fashion show. as were Pansy Maidens adorable purses. (Interview coming soon!)

ColorCraft and Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics worked the runway makeup. They gave me a tube of their red lipgloss. Which is like a stain and a gloss. It’s Soooo addictive. I love it. More to come about that.

And so many more… I’ve actually been so busy that I haven’t been able to back track and look through my treehugger bag of flyers and business cards eversince the event…but I will. So just stay tuned.

I wore my favorite vintage blouse (from Goodwill) and all my best cruelty-free makeup products:

Smashbox Jetset liner in Black, MAC Minerlize in “Deep Dark,” MAC lipstick in “Bare,” and my Pixi foundation stick in No.3 Warm.

I really had a blast. Can’t wait for next years! The healthy 12thy! Woot.

More pictures are available on my Beauty Bohemian Facebook page. Just click on the 11th Annual VegFest album.

I wore my favorite vintage blouse (from Goodwill) and all my best cruelty-free makeup products:

Smashbox Jetset liner in Black, MAC Minerlize in “Deep Dark,” MAC lipstick in “Bare,” and my Pixi foundation stick in No.3 Warm.

I really had a blast. Can’t wait for next years! The healthy 12thy! Woot.

More pictures are available on my Beauty Bohemian Facebook page. Just click on the 11th Annual VegFest album.

For the Michael Angel runway the inspiration was derived from Italian sculpture, Maybelline New York Global Makeup Artist Charlotte Willer created a pale pristine look illuminated by lots of shimmer and warmth through muted metallics.

Straight from the Maybelline New York Team, here is how to get it:

The airbrushed finish was obtained by using Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation. To balance out the porcelain effect, Willer added shimmer.

Eye Studio Color Plush Silk in Copper Chic: Using all three colors, Charlotte layered the shimmery taupe shade over the pale white pearl, using the darkest copper to add definition to the crease.

Color Sensational Lipgloss in Sandstone Shimmer:  Pucker and apply all over lips!

Lash Stiletto Voluptuous Mascara:  Willer used a light coat for a more natural look.

Combining all the biggest trends for spring, this runway look Is a safe and simple way to get glamorous now and especially when the flowers start to bloom!

 

The New York Fashion Week runway of BCBG Max Azria was summed up with just one word: effortless.  And really, it is. Both, the look as much as the application. Maybelline New York’s Global Makeup Artist Charlotte Willer headed the team backstage to create an extremely natural look. So natural that it’s even sans mascara!  This look is the perfect everyday appearance that portrays confidence, assurance, and low maintenance.  We all could use a little more of each of those things, no?

Straight from the Maybelline New York team, here’s how to get it:

Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation: Apply all over face like a moisturizer for a 100% poreless finish.

Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil: Strong brows became the focal point of definition.  Softly framing the eyes and adding definition.

Eye Studio Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow in Green With Envy: Charlotte used the creamy golden shade of the palette all over the lid to add a muted luminosity.

ColorSensation Lip Stain in In The Buff: To avoid looking too pale, Willer also added a single layer of lip balm for a nice moisturized lip.

 

Oh, boho babes! Who out there is a Maybelline fan? I know I am. This season, Maybelline New York and Charlotte Willer, Maybelline New York’s Global Makeup Artist, will be supporting an exciting roster of important designers by creating runway makeup looks for the following shows:

BCBG MAX AZRIA

Michael Angel

Vivienne Tam

Z Spoke by Zac Posen

DKNY

Custo Barcelona

Carlos Miele

and L.A.M.B.

I’m particularly most excited for L.A.M.B. and BCBG has already showed up online and in my inbox!  As my e-mail begins start getting full of images, how-to’s, and beauty tips straight from the ladies at Maybelline in New York. I’ll supply the knowledge online (here, my Examiner.com page, or both!) so that you can head over to your closest drugstore and score the Maybelline beauty products that are making all those coveted runway looks happen.

From the luxurious smell, to the salon-worthy shine, and the effortless style: Rusk’s latest shine products is worth every penny for  it’s $15 a tube. Formulated with moisturizing marine extracts, RUSK Deepshine Lustre Shine Enhancing Lusterizer is lightweight, creamy, and instantly transforms dull or damaged hair into a smooth and soft coveted mane. With Rusk’s unique Marine Nutrient Complex, it also protects hair from from UBV inhibitors while strengthening it with protein and natural lipids.

Beauty Editor’s Note: For me, shine products are too greasy, too sticky, or too oily to use all the time. Though every now and then I’ll use an occassional gloss to amp up the shine to my black hair, nothing - absolutely nothing - beats an excellent leave-in cream like Rusk’s DeepShine, an instant favorite. This shine cream helps my hair feel healthier, stronger, on top of being shinier. I have been looking for a hair product that could nurse my hair back to health after summer’s harsh rays and the frequent curling and flat ironing that I’ve been doing since Fashion Week and this was exactly the product I was looking for. If you have dry or damaged hair, you need to add this product to your daily routine. You will notice the difference the first time you use it.

Available at Stylesource.com and your nearest Bay Area Ulta. Click here to find the one nearest you.

Don’t forget to follow @miratorres on twitter

Kiss My Face Peace Soap is like the ultimate superhero of soaps. It has the ability to transform into any  type of cleaning agent AND bring peace to the planet. I kid you not, this liquid lather kills germs and fights crime. 

Though, at first pour this product doesn’t seem sudsy enough, and perhaps a bit too watery, with a couple more rubs it’s capable of getting out any stain or stench. My favorite is the Lavender Mandarin, which has the most calming and clean smell I’ve ever sniffed. I use it as a laundry detergent, shampoo, you name it. According to Kiss My Face, it has 101 uses. And it’s great for babies, too, as it is entirely derived from natural materials and won’t harm even the most sensitive of skin. Be sure to buy the big one because, if you love the aroma of delicious cleanliness, you’ll be using it on everything.

Here are five (out of 101) of my favorite uses for Kiss My Face’s  Peace Soap:

1. Great for cleaning makeup brushes. It’s the first use to pop up on the website and, boy, are they right. Cheaper, better smelling, and more efficient than regular makeup brush cleanser.

2. Bath time. I’m actually insanely allergic to regular bubble bath. This is so gentle and leaves the most adorable fragrance on skin.

3.Clarifying Shampoo. This removes a lot of gunk with out leaving hair feel like it was stripped of all the good oils and for much less than salon brands.

4. Washing delicates/Hand washing. It works great as a clothing detergent. Clothes smell absolutely divine. I use it for small loads, like delicates and hand washables.

5. Shower. It’s a great body wash.

Kiss My Face is partnering with Seeds of Peace and has created “The Pledge for Peace.” Get ready to get your gab on because it’s simple and FREE! Log onto the Kiss My Face Facebook page or Thepledgeforpeace.com and click on the “like” button. For every 10,000 pledges that are made, Kiss My Face will send one camper to the Seeds of Peace summer camp, a nonprofit, nonpolitical organization dedicated to empowering young people from regions of conflict with the leadership skills and interpersonal networks necessary to advance reconciliation and coexistence, during the 2011 season (a value of $6,000). The campaign runs from June 21st through September 15th, 2010 and there will be no limit to how many kids Kiss My Face will send so be sure to spread the word and let everyone know. The more pledges, the more kids, the more, the merrier!

Don’t forget to follow me on twitter http://www.twitter.com/miratorres

 

Lolavie, is the new “nonfragrance fragrance” that Falic Fashion Group and mega-star Jennifer Aniston has created to debut in Britain this month. A year and a half in the making, Aniston and Falic Fashion Group President, Leon, concocted a scent that truly encapsulated the simple,elegant, and “California-girl” fashion icon. With a modern architectural bottle design, also inspired by waves of the beach, this floral, sexy, and clean scent is said to be Aniston’s “extension” of herself.

Need a visual? Preview the ad for Jennifer Aniston’s fragrance by clicking here from Popsugar.

Whatever she named it, I think I’m buying it. I was so delighted to find this tidbit of info in my inbox this morning. I’ve always admired Jennifer Aniston for her class and elegant nature. Was there anyone out there that didn’t love her in friends? Ross and Rachel was really the only reason I watched that show and to see her blossom into this Hollywood mega-star while still staying grounded and down-to-earth…She is, hands-down, one of my all-time favorite stars.

Lolavie will be coming to the US at an undisclosed date after it’s release, today,  in Britain.

Thank you to SleekStyle.com and WWD for the information.

E-mail me your question at torresmira@yahoo.com and follow me on twitter @miratorres