Why Pay More

I may have told some of you about my recent allergy testing after a horrible reaction to an eye roller. I discovered a whole bunch of ingredients that I am either allergic or sensitive to. Sunblock, bismuth, formaldehyde, the formal names are: Quaernium-15 (was in my face wash and moisturizer)p-tert-Butylphenol (formaldehyde, no Brazilian Blowout for me thanks anyway) and p-Phenylendiamine (ppd/ppda, para-aminobenzoic acid or PABA and subscreen). Once I found this out and checked my makeup guess what? I was allergic to the Mineral Makeup I had been using for the past 7 years. So on the hunt I went to find a foundation, eye makeup remover, cleansing towelettes and moisturizer. I emailed a bunch of company's based on the reviews by some Beauty Guru's on YouTube I follow and checked the web for the others. I decided to stay away from MAC foundation as I have tried it in the past and while the finish and wearability was fantastic, the sunblock bothered me, so when the Guru's were loving the Revlon Colorstay liquid as a close dupe for MAC, I decided this was what I would try. I also decided on Neutrogena Oil free moisturizer (no sunblock), Target's Up & Up eye Make-up Magician $4.54, 5.50z/162ml (compare to Neutrogena oil free), Then, Equate Facial Cleansing Towlettes (compare to Ponds Clean Sweep)120 count refill $5.97, 60 count with pop-up dispenser $2.27. So far I am saving a fortune. This post is about the foundation and I will review the other items in upcoming posts.
So off I went to CVS, since I am a Beauty Club member, I earn reward points and I had a $5.00 coupon. I picked out my color which did match, yay (sometimes it doesn't and you have to go back) I applied it with a damp (latex free) makeup sponge starting in the center of my face and working out to the edges one section at a time as recommended by said Guru's since it is long lasting it sets quickly. The finish was great, not too matte or dewey but just right. The coverage was great on any red discoloration (which is diminishing now that I quit all the products I'm allergic to) or freckles I have were covered. I wore it all week and a bunch of customers commented on my skin and how pretty it looked. When I told them I was trying out a new foundation they were surprised I was wearing any. If it looks like I'm not wearing anything, it gets an A+ from me. I am T-Zone shiny, so I did set the foundation with MAC Mineralized skin finish in natural( $27. 3.5 oz./10gr.)with a big powder brush, I was only a bit oily around my nose and just a bit on my forehead. I just blotted with a kleenex once all day (10 hours+)so the staying power is great too. Now one of the Guru's was saying that the Revlon Colorstay comes in lighter shades than MAC Studio Fix Liquid, so if you are fair and are too light for MAC, this may be for you, I chose 180 Sand Beige, there are two shades lighter than the 180 and you know I am light. Here are the specs and an article from EHow about the ingredient in the MAC that caused the sensitivity on my skin just FYI, maybe you have a reaction and you don't know it yet.

Mac Studio fix liquid: 30 Shades, $26.50, 1fl.oz/30ml MAC says: A modern foundation that combines a natural matte finish and medium-buildable coverage with broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 15. Comfortable and long-wearing: lasts for up to eight hours. Applies smoothly, builds coverage quickly and easily. Contains specially treated micronized pigments and soft-focus powders for a super-smooth look that helps minimize the appearance of imperfections. Absorbs and disperses oil. Contains special skin-conditioning ingredients. Oil free.
NGREDIENTS (at least for shade NW15. May vary in deeper colors): ACTIVE INGREDIENT: Octinoxate 2.50% Other: Water/Aqua/Eau, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Silica, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Algae Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lethicin, Hydrogenated Lethicin, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Methoxy Amodimethicone/Silsesquioxane Copolymer, Laureth-7, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Propylene Carbonate, BHT, Chloroxylenol, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben [+/- Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Chromium Oxide Greens (CI 77288)]

Revlon ColorStay 20 shades 12.99, 1fl. Oz./30 ml Revlon says: Want makeup that is flawless and weightless for 16 perfect hours? Revlon has the solution - ColorStay™ Makeup with SoftFlex™.
Specially formulated for combination or oily skin, this oil-free formula helps control shine all day and gives you flawless looking skin.
Makeup looks fresh and feels great for up to 16 hours thanks to the lightweight, comfortable feel from the SoftFlex ColorStay™ formula.
Medium to full coverage, with SPF 6 protection*.
R evlon ColorStay MU - Combination-Oily Skin

Active Ingredients:
Titanium Dioxide 7.3%

Other Ingredients:
Aqua ((Water) Eau) •
Cyclomethicone •
Trimethylsiloxysilicate •
Butylene Glycol •
Boron Nitride •
Dimethicone •
SD Alcohol 40-B
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone Nylon-12 •
Tribehenin •
Isododecane •
Polyisobutene •
Sodium Chloride •
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone •
Bisabolol •
Serica ((Silk Powder) Poudre de soie) •
Tocopheryl Acetate •
Retinyl Palmitate •
Malvia Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract •
Lilium Candidum (Lily) Bulb Extract •
Lactobacillus/Eriodictyon Californicum Ferment Extract •
Cymbidium Grandiflorum Flower Extract •
Serica (Silk) •
Alumina •
Polydimethylsiloxane/Polymethylsilsesquioxane Copolymer •
Ethylene Brassylate •
Methicone
Trisiloxane Sorbitan Sesquioleate •
Tetrasodium EDTA •
Methylparaben •
Propylparaben

May Contain:
Mica (CI 77019 ) •
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) •
Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)

EHow article
Octinoxate is most commonly known as an ultraviolet light absorber and UV filter. Currently, octinoxate is the most popular product for blocking UVB, which the primary cause of sunburn. There are several products that utilize octinoxate as their active ingredient. As with any medication, product or supplement, some side effects may be experienced while using octinoxate.
Uses
1. Octinoxate, also known as octyl methoxycinnamate, is an active ingredient used in many brands of sunscreen and in a variety of cosmetics, including certain lipsticks, foundations, moisturizers and lip balms. It is most often employed to absorb UV-B rays and protect the skin from incurring sun damage.
Side Effects
2. There are several side effects associated with octinoxate use. Severe side effects linked with the use of octinoxate include but are not limited to contact dermatitis, acne, rash, inflammation of hair follicles and skin irritation. A common, less severe side effect that may result from using octinoxate is dry skin. Some people have been known to have allergic reactions to octinoxate. If signs of an allergic reaction occur, use of octinoxate should cease, and a doctor or pharmacist should be contacted immediately.
Warnings
3. Through skin absorption, octinoxate can lead to reproductive as well as developmental toxicity. It is also known to damage the immune system in rare cases, impairing a person's ability to fight disease and repair tissue damage. Women who are pregnant should not use octinoxate because it produces estrogen-like effects. Use of octinoxate can cause endocrine disruptions. It can also interfere with signaling between cells resulting in mutations or even the death of cells.
Considerations
4. Before using products that contain octinoxate, there are a few issues that consumers should consider. This material can linger in a person's tissue for several years after initial exposure. It can also negatively affect the liver if used in excessively high doses. It is recommended that octinoxate be kept out of reach of children.
Facts
5. Octinoxate is known to absorb quickly and easily into a person's skin. Upon exposure to sunlight, octinoxate converts into a lesser ultraviolet absorbent form, which can be partially prevented with the addition of other ultraviolet blockers like bemotrizinol. In Japan, use of octinoxate is limited in certain cosmetics.

Read more: |Octinoxate Side Effects
So in closing, if you give it a try and it works for you, I'd love to hear about it. I hope this was some News You Can Use.
Till next time.

Why pay more?

Hello All.
I was thinking about what I wanted to write about and decided that I would share with you something that made me very happy when I discovered it. I am so happy when I can find cosmetics at the drugstore that are just as good as the high priced brands. Now this is not to say that I won’t splurge on some higher priced brands I do. MAC is one of those brands, so when I can find something that is just as good or 90% as good, I’m all in.
I have been watching a lot of YouTube video makeup tutorials getting some ideas for some curly hair tutorials on my YouTube channel, just gathering information. Which ones I liked and lighting and the amount of times one person can say “yeah”, “like” and “um”. I love the Irish girls they say “em” instead of “um” and “ye” instead of “you” and mascaaaara, cracks me up. During this research on tutorials on YT, I gathered an enormous amount of information on all things makeup within the YT community and getting something for less makes them happy too. So I thought, maybe my peeps would like some discounted fabulousness in the makeup area, so here I go. I watched a bunch of tut’s that were using these Coastal Scents Palettes. So you know me I got on that and found the site and ordered one to try. I got the 88 palette and had fun with that. Then I started hearing about the 28 Neutral Palette and all the Dupe’s (duplicates) of the MAC shadow were in the 28 and I thought hmmm, I like MAC, so for the price of two MAC eyeshadows I ordered myself one and since the company is in naples we get a discount on shipping $5.50 instead of using fed ex for like $9. And it comes in a day I swear. I watched a lot of videos. I compiled lists, I compared one list to the other, I looked at the Coastal Scents shadows and compared them to actual MAC shadows I own. If I didn’t have it and there was a question in my mind I looked at a website I found that actually swatches all the colors on her skin in daylight and did my own comparison of colors, this is my list based on all that intel from many other sources. If it was too close to call, I list both colors and you can decide.
The 28 Neutral Palette comes in seven rows of four shadows. I am going to list the MAC colors from top to bottom starting from the upper left hand corner:
Row#1

Naked Lunch/Girly
Sweet Lust
Hush
Pink Freeze

Row #2
Yogurt
Vanilla/nylon
All that glitters/Jest
Quarry

Row#3
Soft Brown
Seedy Pearl
Malt/Wedge
Grain

Row#4
Hoax/Tete-a-Tint
Soba
Bronze
Da-Bling

Row#5
Hep Cat
Cork
Sable/Romp
Kid

Row#6
Jest
Era
Foli
Espresso

Row#7
Beauty Marked
Traz
Patina
Typographic
Coastal Scents has a website and you can compare shades at MAC, their shade lists and prices are listed. I hope you found this helpful. I will be featuring other drugstore brands that are as good as in future postings. Let me know if you want me to find lower cost options of an expensive product you like and I will do my best.

Next Makeup Seminar "look" choices

Which ones do you like the best?

The Smokey Eye, Makeup Seminar Photos

Here are the before and after pictures. We had a great time, thanks to all that attended.
Cynthia

NYX Cosmetics

Hi,
For some reason the link didn't post for NYX click here to see the Smokey palette sorry about that.

Taylor Swift inspired Makeup Class

This is the look on Taylor Swift. If you are interested in this class let me know. I am putting together the dates and picking the palettes and other goodies you will get in class and will let you know as the dates are firmed up.This is her commercial for Cover girl I thought you would like to see her in motion.

Makeup Seminar Announcement

Hi Curlies,
I have decided to begin a Makeup seminar series on a bi monthly basis. This month is going to be a Smokey eye. The class is $35.00 and you take home the nine shadow palette that has two lip glosses , mascara and eye pencil with this tutorial. Depending on the look we are going for that month the price may vary with the equipment costs say, like if we want to do false lash application, it would be a bit more. The classes are best for six but we can do three as well if you want to, I have been thinking that a Sunday is best for everyone. The first one is February 20th @ 1:00 @ the loft. I will be carrying this line of cosmetics NYX , starting with the Diamond Shine Lipstick & gloss. If you would like to attend you have to call me and pay in advance so I can order. If you can’t make it for some reason you still get your products so don’t worry. I think this will be great fun and I will take your requests about the looks. Like Taylor Swift or Angelina Jolie looks. Or if you have a color preference, like, how do I wear greens? We’ll do one focused on that color. I hope this turns out to be great fun and that I can impart some of my knowledge to you so you can feel more confident with your application of makeup in general.
Cynthia