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The Horors Of Cosmetics
Ivy Katema

As much as I know that women like to take care of their looks, very few think of what ingredients the products they use contain and how harmful they can be to the skin and bodies. Think of the different products we use for eye make-up, hair care, lips, nail care, skin care, e.g. Did you ever think that the skin irritation or allergy you occasionally have is a result of the ingredients found in the products you use?

  

Regardless of how sensitive or insensitive our skin is, it’s important to know that all of us are vulnerable to getting allergies and skin irritations. This happens when an ingredient in the cosmetics that you are using does not agree with your skin, causing it to become red and sore. Irritation may develop on the skin within a split second, or may take a few days but it’s caused by using a product without testing it, or through the continual use of a product, letting the allergy to develop and erupt over time.
Allergies are caused by ingredients that the product contains therefore you have to make it a point to read labels carefully before buying cosmetics. This is what you have to take note of when purchasing your favorite products;

Alcohol Free – This means that the product you are purchasing does not contain ethyl alcohol, although other types of alcohol may be present. Ethyl alcohol also known as ethanol is a flammable, colorless, mildly toxic chemical compound. It evokes a stinging sensation on the skin and when highly concentrated may permanently damage living tissue on contact.

Expiration Date- This is the deadline for the product use, which means the product                    should be consumed or thrown away before this date. However, the way a product is used may make it expire before the expiration date.

Fragrance Free- The product does not have a smell even though fragrances may be added to mask the odor of the chemicals the product contains.

Hypoallergenic- The product is less likely to cause allergic reaction though other products whether hypoallergenic or not can cause skin problems over time.

Natural- The product is created with ingredients taken from plants or animals.

Noncomodogenic-These are products that are not supposed to contain anything that can clog skin pores and cause acne.

 

Dos and don’ts to prevent skin allergies

  

Selecting The Right Shade For Your Skin Tone

African-American women have a wide variety of skin tones – from lighter to darker and everything in between. And while makeup lines have improved vastly in the last five years, it’s still a tricky undertaking to find the right shade for your skin tone. So finding the right makeup for your personal skin tone can be a tricky thing. If you choose the wrong color family, you can find yourself with a flat complexion or an ashen look. With a little guidance and some trial and error, you can find a color combination that works for you.

Here are three simple steps to help you on your way:

1Pay attention to your undertones. Look beyond your skin’s color (overtone) to find the undertones that give definition to your features. For instance, rich ebony complexions often have cool undertones (look for colors in the blue family). Brown and caramel complexions may have warmer undertones (look for golden colors). Once you determine which colors are yours, use them as accents – especially around your eyes.

2Find your color family – not just what you think is your color family. You might be surprised at just how off many women are when it comes to an accurate assessment of the colors that work for them. You may need to enlist the aid of a makeup specialist or your local cosmetics counter. In fact, you should consult a second opinion. And remember that foundation can look very different on your face than in the bottle or on that thumbnail palette, so be sure to test it on your jaw line or on the inside of your wrist to see if it will work for you.

Tip: If your complexion is uneven, you may need two different colors of foundation that can be used together. When spread correctly over the right areas, a two-color approach can give you the even skin tone you’re looking for.

3Use blush to contour your cheekbones. Here is one area where less is definitely more – especially if you use a more exotic color. A simple brush of currant or mauve can really set off and flatter a medium to dark complexion, while a sweep of caramel, honey or apricot can give definition to a medium to light complexion.
Tip: Bronzer can be used as an effective alternative to blush if you have a warmer complexion. Try dusting a light coating over your face, concentrating contoured strokes at your temples and cheekbones.