Many of you know that one of my favourite past times is to wander through cosmetics departments just to hear the pitches the sales staff use to sell the very expensive cream and lotions and such.
I always preface with: I don't think the sales people are actually telling un-truths, even though these sales pitches are complete fiction, as they are trained to use these sales pitches. I blame the companies for over inflating their claims of the products and, of course, the marketing teams which create the "story" behind products.
A popular marketing method is to imply some level of medical results when substantiating such claims is impossible.
The method is in the language - and the most common terms I hear are "deeply penetrates" or "deeply cleans" or some other version of that.
You've Been Fooled By These Cosmetic Claims
It's the "deeply" that implies the product works in layer of the skin which will give a more profound result, but this is such a misleading load of nonsense because when it comes to skin "deeply" is a relative term.
Here are two versions I heard this week:
"The formula penetrates deeply into the layers of skin. . . "
. . .sounds very impressive but it omits very important information needed to determine if this actually has any benefit. All cosmetic ingredients can penetrate into the layers of the skin. That's the whole point of a cosmetic. When the molecules are small enough to pass through the stratum corneum the word "layers" is used simply to confound. The skin's layers are microscopic, which means a small molecule will penetrate literally hundreds of layers of skin and still only work superficially. If the product penetrated stratum levels that would be different.
"This cleanser cleans the skin very deeply . . . "
. . .so what qualifies deep? Cleansers only work on the very surface of the skin. When the word "deeply" is used the image created in that the cleanser can penetrate the pores and remove black heads. This is simply not the case with most cleansers (yes some can do this but they are usually medical grade formulas). Truth is if a cosmetic cleanser really penetrated the pore without proper buffers and such then the skin would actually bleed. While the cleanser is probably cleaning very thoroughly it is only working on the surface of the skin.
Before you spend your hard earned money on DNA-based skin care cosmetics, read this.
Here's the truth - the very definition of cosmetic means "topical" and "temporary" - over the counter cosmetics do not penetrate much beyond the very surface.
While most of Canada is still in the deep freeze it is difficult to think about spring - but it is just weeks away! This season there are some serious trends that will dominate the make up landscape.
Here are the top trend items for the season:
By far and away the most sought after product for Spring 2015 will be high glitter glosses. Not glitter like a disco ball, but high calibre reflective particles that create the illusion of super sparkles.
Best shades for the season:
Soft Pink and Deep Cherry!
Pictured here:
Department Store Option: Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine in Sakura Shimmer
Spa Option: Daniel Thompson Beauty Gilded Gloss #8
Drug Store Option: Stila Magnicent Metals Gloss in Pink Sapphire
Not really a blush but not actually a foundation. Not a bronzer but used like one. Certainly not for all over the face but for more areas than just the cheeks.
This new category of skin enhancers are soft matte powders with small ribbons of shimmer which, when applied on all the high points of the face, create the illusion of skin that has been exposed to a healthy, robust environment. Skin looks radiant; not made up.
You will find these useful for all sorts of make up finishes.
Department Store Option: Chanel Jardin du Chanel
Spa Option: Daniel Thompson Beauty Complexion Bloom
Drug Store Option: Rimmel Match Perfection
Because the lips are so transparent, this season, the eyes are the focal point. High contrast eye colour in bright pastels are the look for the season.
My favourite combination is turquoise and pink.
Department Store Option: Lancome My French Palette
Spa Option: Daniel Thompson Beauty Celestial Shadow Cosmos #5
Drug Store Option: Lise Watier Palette Expressions
If there is one trend to which everyone should pay heed it is that of the perfectly sculpted brow. Clean lines, set in place and absolutely no stray hairs.
Use an invisible gel to create the effect - you can sculpt the brow without looking made up.
Department Store Option: Marc Jacob Brow Tamer
Spa Option: Daniel Thompson Beauty Invisible Groomer
Drug Store Option: e.l.f. Gloss Lash and Brow Gel
All DTB products pictured here are launching in stores and online March 23
It's right after the Oscars and everyone is talking about who wore what and how fabulous all the gowns were and how amazing the celebs all looked.
I thought I would take a moment to point out some of the worst beauty advice offered by Oscar winning celebs (or performers). It's important to remember that just because a celeb offers an opinion does not make it a qualified or expert one.
Here are my top three cringe worthy Oscar Celebs' Beauty Advice:
1. Gwyneth Paltrow - Winner Best Actress 1999
"We're human beings and the sun is the sun - how can it be bad for you? I think we should get sun and fresh air. I don't think anything natural can be bad for you - it's really good to have at least 15 minutes of sun a day."
5 Warning Signs You Already Have Sun Damaged Skin
Almost everything in this statement is completely inaccurate and almost dangerous, from a health and beauty perspective. The facts are:
a) The sun is very bad for us. According to the U.S Department of Health & Human Services "UV radiation is a carcinogen responsible for most of the estimated 1.5 million skin cancers and the 8,000 deaths due to metastatic melanoma that occur annually in the United States. Lifetime cumulative UV damage to skin is also largely responsible for some age-associated dryness and other cosmetic changes. The American Academy of Dermatology advises that photo-protective measures be taken, including the use of sunscreen, whenever one is exposed to the sun." This is a known fact that is supported by every health organization around the world.
b) Natural does not always mean safer or better. Seriously, the above statement is so egregious that it is almost impossible to address it without credulity. Natural does not mean safe or better - there are literally millions of poisonous or carcinogenic substances in the biosphere that are natural - and in this example UV light is one.
c) 15 minutes of sun exposure is almost twice the recommended limit. Again according to the U.S Department of Health & Human Services the maximum safe duration of UV exposure is between 5 and 30 minutes between the hours of 10am and 3pm to a maximum of TWICE per week. Which means the maximum daily UV exposure should not exceed 8 minutes per day on average.
2. Sandra Bullock - Winner Best Actress 2009
"I didn't realize using hemorrhoid ointment on your face is acceptable in the beauty business. But apparently butt cream does help the lines around the eyes."
This is an old trick used by runway makeup artists that should never, ever be duplicated at home.
Are You Brave Enough To Try The Live Snail Facial
a) It is not acceptable, by any reputable beauty professional to use hemorrhoid cream on the face. In fact it is quite dangerous to do so. The active drug, phenylephrine, can have some serious side effects if used too often not the least of which can be bruising and bleeding on thin skin.
b) While it is true the product will reduce lines the drug has never been approved for use on the face or around the eye area. You do so at your own risk.
3. Lady Gaga - Oscar Performer 2015
Removes her make up with tape.
Regular use of this technique can lead to skin irritation and rashes. Tape actually over exfoliates the skin - not only will it remove the makeup but it takes a superficial layer of skin with it. Okay, so once in a while it's not a big deal - but daily use of this technique will leave the skin raw and inflamed.
Image Sources: Wikicommons, Wikimedia, Wikimedia, Wikicommons
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