Earth Day Cosmetics

    Today is not only my oldest daughter’s 17^th Birthday, but it is also Earth Day. I was asked to be on our local NBC morning show Live on Lakeside to talk about “green” cosmetics. I know about some of these products because I have allergies but while researching for the show it opened my eyes to so much more. Cosmetic companies are not regulated by the FDA unless it has a color additive added. On the packaging it might state organic, vegan or natural on it. To an average consumer this is confusing. Here is what I learned. To be organic it has to be made by certified organic growers. The crops need to be free of pesticides. Any vegan product means there is no animal testing done or animal byproducts included. For natural products no preservatives are added and only a few ingredients included come from the Earth.

   Here are the products I  featured; Juice Beauty; it is manufactured in a solar power plant and uses recyclable paper and soy ink for packaging. Fruit juices, seeds and essential oils make up their products. 100% Pure; it is vegan and gluten free. California Baby;  products  are all organic, vegan, soy, dairy, oat and gluten free. Burt’s Bees;  more of a natural cosmetic. No preservatives are in it and no animal testing is done. London Butter; is a nail polish free of formaldehyde and other carcinogens. EcoTools;  are makeup brushes that have cruelty free synthetic bristles and recycled aluminum bamboo handles.

   When buying a “green” product it is best to narrow down what is important to you. Some companies such as Aveda, Origins and Paul Mitchell will give back proceeds to charities that help the environment. Some retailers such as the Body Shop will give you a discount if you bring back in your bottles to refill them. At MAC cosmetics they offer a free lipstick for six glass, plastic or metal containers you return to their store. My best advice is to read the package, it will give you insight into what you are buying and if it fits your needs and beliefs. If you have access to the Internet look up the company and see how the product is made and if money is donated to a charity for the environment.  

 

Mascara Mania

 On February 12, 2013 I was on Live On Lakeside WKYC/NBC  to talk about mascara. Below are my tips  about the product  and the link to the segment for  the show.

Do:
1. Curl your lashes, make sure they are free of mascara. Use the curler three times on each eye lash. First the root then  shaft and end ten seconds for each motion.
2. Apply mascara at the root, wiggle product as close to lid as you can. Pull product through to the ends.
3. Apply only two coats on the lash,don't let the first coat dry do both coats on the  eye at once.
4. Separate lashes before they dry. 
5. Clean up marks on your eyelids and under the eye if they smear.


Don't:

1. Don't pump your wand in the tube it will cause air and deposit too much color on the wand causing clumps.
2. Don't hang onto your mascara if you had an eye infection, it will harbor bacteria for another infection. 
3. Don't keep your mascara for longer than three months, it starts to dry out and you also risk eye infections. 
4. Don't pull at lashes while removing. Instead use a saturated cotton pad with remover or makeup remover wipes and hold on the lash for ten seconds, then wipe down and out. 
5.Don't  wear waterproof makeup everyday. It is too harsh and will damage your lashes. Water resistant is a great alternative. 


Another great tip is to wear two different colors of mascara, black on the top lashes three quarters out then  brown on the tips. This will give the illusion of thick and long lashes. 
 Also If your lashes are sparse consider a eyelash growth product. 

http://archive.wkyc.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=283258

Live on Lakeside WKYC/NBC

On January 15, 2013 I was asked to be on Live On Lakeside, it's our local morning show in Cleveland. Below  is a link to see my segment on must have beauty products. Please contact me to purchase the Z Pallet or any  Image skincare. 


http://www.wkyc.com/video/2096127336001/1/Karen-Siat-Must-Have-Beauty-Buys1513