Happy Halloween!

Hope you guys have a good one! I'm being a big old slacker on this end. I have lots of posts to make up for this weekend as well as some You Tube videos. Slack, slack, slack.

Check It Out: Honeycat Cosmetics

Honeycat Cosmetics has THE cutest intro page. They don't list the full ingredients for their products, but I contacted them and only the body cream and shower gel have Parabens. The rest of their products are safe.








Chocolate Bath $25












Bath Salt
4 oz, $10









Banana Cream Edible Body Powder
$7










Hello,

Thank you for your interest in Honeycat Cosmetics. We use paraben in two of our products, the body cream, and shower gel. That being said, we use very, very small quantities, everything else is paraben free.

Terry

Honeycat Cosmetics

Spell Cosmetics Shadow-palooza!

Well, just when I thought Spell was doing a blow out with their nail polish, they turn around and do the same thing with their eye shadows.

All the shadows: $80

From their website:
We've Pre-packed and stocked 40 Kits for sale!! For a limited time get every Eyeshadow by Spell in their 5 Gram packed jars for just $2.00 each. Click photo for details!! The entire kit comes pre-boxed with every shadow--including the "Loaded Collection". The best part, if your VIP, your only paying $1.50 each!! Pink Bag included!!! Priority Shipping Same Day Included!

Haul: Physician's Formula Organic Wear

I was at Rite-Aid yesterday looking for greeting cards and did a lap around their makeup section. Apparently, the Physician's Formula Organic Wear sets didn't sell well. They were clearanced 50% off. I had $5 coupons, so I scored two for $7.50 each. Pretty good deal considering the cost of the tinted sunscreen is around $15 just for that tube.

EDIT: Several people have asked me where I got my $5 coupons. I snagged them from tearpads in the the store when this product first came out. If you wait long enough, everything will go on clearance. ;->

Check It Out: Ly-Na Pearl Cream for Acne

I was reading Vanessa's blog at Nessasarymakeup and she did a review on Ly-Na Pearl Cream. It's a product from Taiwan that is apparently a popular acne killer. Obviously, I didn't get the memo on this one. I can't guarantee that this product is Paraben Free. All of the websites that sell it have the same information and ingredients listing verbatim. I did buy a jar of it on E-Bay to try, so hopefully I will be able to verify for you - assuming it has English somewhere on the box!

Active Ingredients: Stearic Acid, Centanol, Lanolin, Glyceryl Monostearate, Isopropyl Myristate, Sulfur, Perfume, Ion Exchange Water, Glycerine, Potassium Hydroxide, Pearl Powder.

Ly-Na sells for around $4 at Asian markets, a few online sellers and E-Bay. Be sure to read Vanessa's review of this product and her reader's comments for more info.

Fairness of Reviews: Hold the Sample Products

I have been receiving requests from companies who want to send me their products to try so I can write about them on this blog. I have turned them all down. You may think I'm nuts for not accepting free products in exchange for a review, especially since you know I am one of the tightest people on the planet, but I want to keep my reviews clean and unbiased. I realize this blog isn't exactly Consumer Reports but I want to keep it as honest and straightforward as possible. I don't feel that I can give a fair and unbiased review on a product I didn't purchase myself.

My stance on this comes from working in a corporate environment for 20 years where companies try to grease me with something shiny in order to get a leg up on their competitors. I realize there are many bloggers and YouTubers who do accept and even solicit samples, products, and gifts from companies to review. I have no issues with them, it's their decision to make. For the companies, it is a very smart marketing practice. Low cost advertising for them and maximum exposure to their intended audiences.

If you own a company or website and would like to be featured on this blog, please send me your information. I will go check it out with the eyes of a potential customer and then post about any products I think will be of interest to my readers. I don't mind receiving these type of requests. I try to find as many companies that offer Paraben Free products as possible on my own, but I can't be everywhere on the web.

GDA: 3 FREE Zoya Products With $20 Purchase

I just purchased several more colors of Zoya nail polish. I was over on the E-Polish Blog and noticed a post with a new Zoya code. I completely missed it on the Zoya blog I subscribed to, but it wouldn't be the first time!

Go to the Unofficial Polish Poll and vote for your favorite, you will receive your code on the next screen. Put $20 worth of Zoya product into your cart and then put in $18 worth of additional products. The code will take the $18 off your total. Shipping is $6.95.

Check out some great polish photography over at The Polish Addict. I wish I had those camera skills!

Spell Cosmetics Nail-a-Palooza Kit

I can't believe I forgot to post this! Spell Cosmetics is now offering "Hey, Nail Tex" Pro Nail Kit. 41 different shades for $149. That sounds like a lot, but it breaks down to $3.60 a bottle. If you have a Spell VIP card, you save 25% off the price ($37.25). This whole set also ships for free. Nail polish by the pound!

From the website:
The savings just got bigger!. For those that are starting out in cosmetics, start out with quality, start out with class! If you've been around the internet, you know the reputation of the polishes we create. From Youtube to Myspace and everywhere in between, we produce a nail color line that is unparalleled!. We are 3 Free, with no additives!. Its quality nail polish that goes on like it should! Get all 41 nail colors at a huge discount. Normal Retail is $245.00. Buy this kit of 1 of each for $149.00. Thats only $3.60 per bottle!! Plus we'll ship it FREE!!!! Unbeatable!

Review: Zoya Color Cube

Now that the VP of Art of Beauty has convinced me my lips won't fall off if I use their products, I am posting a review of their Color Cube. The set I purchased was 'Red-E-Go' which contains a .25 oz nail polish in 'Diana' and a .42 oz (12g) lip gloss in 'Disguise'. Both are fire engine red. $8.

The Color Cubes come in 6 different color combinations. This is a great way to try the Zoya products - and as stocking stuffers.

The Hot Lips gloss has a pleasant berry smell. It is very thick, but not sticky. The first couple of squeezes came out clear. I think would work better on top of lipstick than as a standalone product. The color tends to slide to the outer edges immediately after application, as you can see from the photo. However, if you have very dry lips, this could be a good gloss for you. It's so thick, it will hang around for a long time.

The nail polish is standard but has very rich color. I was able to get complete coverage with one coat. It's a great shade of red. Unfortunately, it always photographed orange on me, so there's no point in posting a pic. Overall, a definite thumbs up. A great alternative to Paraben-filled products out there.

GDA: CVS Online Buy 2, Get 1 Free

I just received a CVS promo e-mail for a B2G1 free on products exclusive to their stores. There are some Paraben potholes, but this may be a good time to stock up or pick up a few Christmas items. Place 3 items of the SAME brand into your shopping cart. The FREE item discount will be applied to the item of equal or lesser value and will appear in your cart.

Offer available online only. Expires 10/31/08.

Vickery & Clarke Body Lotion
$8.95, 9 oz.

I've never heard of Vickery and Clarke, but their product line looks a lot like Bath & Body Works. Free of Parabens, Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate free, Phthalate, Petrolatums. I'm giving serious consideration to their moisturizers and eye cream. Check out their entire line.

Now would be a good time to check out the Essence of Beauty line. I wrote up their brushes as a best buy a while back. Stick with their brushes and beauty accessories only - their body products contain multiple Parabens.

Most of their brushes are natural hair. The ones I purchased were mostly goat hair and very soft.

Angle Blusher & Touch-Up Powder Brush
$5.49

Zoya Products Update - Packaging Discrepancy Explained

Edit: I received an e-mail this morning from the Art of Beauty (company that makes Zoya) PR person Della regarding this post. She put me in contact with Leo Reyzis, Vice President of the company. He explained that the discrepancy in labelling (the BOX is correct) comes from using existing stock of bottles and tubes. Both products were reformulated around 11 months ago to eliminate the questionable ingredients, but that they still had a container inventory of approximately 2 million. Instead of disposing of this stock, they are using it up. Leo said that only some of the colors use these old containers. Wouldn't you know The Princess would buy just the right one?

Leo did say that the Zoya lip gloss line is Paraben Free, but they are not advertising as such until they use up their old stock of containers. I did ask him to put up a blurb on their website explaining that they are using up their old stock and to reassure customers that the products they are receiving match the ingredients on the box. I think that is a very reasonable request. I know I am probably the only person on the planet to notice the discrepancy, much less complain about it, but I feel that it is important for consumers to read labels and call companies out when they identify problems.

I applaud Zoya and Art of Beauty on several levels:

• The decision to remove Parabens and Camphor from the Zoya products.
• Paying attention to what customers are saying about them on the web.
  
• The proactive contact from their PR and VP.
• Taking the time to explain the issue to a single, disgruntled customer.
• Using up existing container stock instead of disposing of in landfills.
• Hopefully - listening to the single, disgruntled customer and adding information to the website so that other customers will not share my experience.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

My head is spinning! I was taking photos of a package I received from Zoya today to do a review on their products. I bought one of their Zoya Color Cubes which contains a mini nail polish and lip gloss. They don't list their ingredients on the Zoya.com website, so I was taking a chance. On the BOX that contains these, there are no bad ingredients listed for the lip gloss. On the TUBE however, it lists FIVE Parabens! Um, wouldn't this be considered deceptive advertising practices? What's listed on the box is NOT what's inside.

You can't see the back of this tube of lip gloss or the nail polish through the packaging, you have to take the ingredients list on the BOX at face value. I called the customer service line, but they were already closed. I am waiting to speak with someone at the company before I lodge a complaint with the FTC.

Not only does the lip gloss ingredients not match what is on the box, neither does the nail polish. It contains a form of CAMPHOR. Considering this revelation, I would recommend NOT buying any of the Zoya products. We have no way to be certain exactly what is actually in the container. What you see is NOT what you get.

Zoya Professional Laquer:
BOX Ingredients:
"Formaldehyde, Tolune, Dibutyl, Phthalate and Camphor Free formula"
Butyl Acetate, Propyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sterlkonium Hectroite, Benzophenone 1, Titanitum Dioxide. May contain D&C Red #6, Iron Oxide, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide Red #7.

BOTTLE Ingredients:
Butyl Acetate, Propyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Isopropyl Alcohol, Polyester Resin Camphor, Sterlkonium Hectroite, Benzophenone 1, Titanitum Dioxide. May contain D&C Red #6, Iron Oxide, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide Red #7.

Hot Lips Glossy Lip Balm
BOX Ingredients:
Polybutene, Octylodecanol, Polydecene, Microcrystalline Wax, Flavor, Saccharin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, May contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide, Red 6 Lake, Red 7 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 1 Lake, Maganese Violet, Ultramarines, Carmine.

TUBE Ingredients:
Polybutene, Octylodecanol, Polydecene, Microcrystalline Wax, Flavor, Saccharin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben. May contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide, Red 6 Lake, Red 7 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 1 Lake, Maganese Violet, Ultramarines, Carmine.

"Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that is primarily used in cosmetics and medications. It also can depress the central nervous system and may cause vomiting and diarrhea...." This is directly taken from an FDA warning regarding a cream used by nursing mothers. Okay, so the FDA tells us not to use a cream because this chemical can be dangerous to babies, but Zoya wants us to smear it on our mouths?

Flirt Eyeshadow at Kohl's

I was in Kohl's today to buy some pillows (The Princess lives large) and noticed a cosmetics display in the middle of the aisle. Expecting the usual Paraben-pazlooza, I was very surprised to read the ingredients on this box. It does not contain Parabens! I should have written them down, but I was trying to get out of there. This product is not on Flirt's website and is exclusive to Kohl's.

The Flirt Eyeshadow set is $25 retail and currently $20 on the Kohl's website. Kohl's is constantly running sales, so I am holding out until this box is $10.

OT: Lancome Vibrating Mascara

I was flipping through my Allure looking for those crumbs of Paraben Free products when I saw this on the back cover.
Lancome Oscillation mascara has a wand that vibrates at 7000 oscillations per minute. Well, I guess it wasn't enough for mascara wands to spin, now they have to vibrate.

It may be just me, but I am very uncomfortable putting pointy objects that move on their own next to my eyes.

I can't find an ingredients list for this, but I can just about guarantee it contains Parabens. Plus, it costs $34 a tube. For that price, someone needs to come to my house and apply it for me.

Check It Out: Save Your World Body Products

I wish my computer had smell-o-vision so I could get a whiff of the products on this site.
Save Your World is saving the planet and making you look good at the same time.
A portion of every purchase goes toward Rainforest conservation.

I give them a big thumbs up for having all of their product ingredients on an easily accessible link, no digging through product descriptions to figure out what's in the bottle.

I think their bottled products are pretty cool because they offer you the choice of the regular cap or you can buy a pump ($.49) to fit your bottle. I prefer pumps because I don't like getting the product all over the outside of the bottle. They have matching products for whichever scent you choose. If you are going to buy several matching products, their gift packages are a great deal.


Lotion 12 oz, Rainforest - $17.98
Full Ingredients list.
Our exclusive unisex wood-berry hydrating lotion - great for the hands, face and body. This product saves 1 acre of rainforest for 1 year.
Matching Body Wash
Matching Soap
Matching Shower Gel
Matching Shampoo
Matching Conditioner



Green Tea Lip Balm
.16 oz, $3.98
Full Ingredients List






Happy Holidays Luscious Lather Variety Soap Gift Bag - $19.99
Total Value if Purchased Separately = $37
With this starter gift set, your family and friends receive two Save Your Rainforest Wrist Bands and a set of all our sample packets, featuring our other organic yerba maté, nutrient-rich products like lotion, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. This gift bag protects 5 acres of rainforest for one year, leaving your family and friends feeling great both inside and out.


Rainforest Family Jungle Pak Gift Bag - $59.99
Total Value if Purchased Separately = $123

The Rainforest Family Jungle Pak Gift Bag includes 12 oz. bottles of body lotion, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner, all infused with our Rainforest 100% Natural Essential Oils scent–a great wood, berry and spice aroma.

Also included are four 4.25 oz. soap bars (two Rainforest and one each of Oasis Fruit and Regal Blossom) and samplers of our heavenly aromas. We’ve thrown in the pump tops to make it easy to use our products down to the last drop.

Get It: Spell Cosmetics Precious Pink Gift Kit

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Spell Cosmetics has designed a great gift set. You get a lotion, candle, eyeshadow and lip shimmer balm - all in pink - and enclosed in a gift bag!

I strongly encourage you to consider these for Christmas gifts for friends and family. These ladies are the real deal. I am furious that Pinkwasher companies like Avon, Mac, Estee Lauder, Mary Kay, etc., sell women products full of Parabens and other chemicals (that increase your chances of breast cancer) wrapped in a pink ribbon. They are truly shameful.

Precious Pink Gift Set - $19.99

We are simply doing our part, because we can! "Pink Sisters" was designed and set up to support continued Breast Cancer research and was inspired by our West Coast Sales Director. 10% of each sales is donated by Spell to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Each kit includes our 4 OZ Precious Pink lotion, candle and votive, new eyeshadow in "Knockout Pink", and our lip shimmer balm. The entire Kit is Paraben/Phthalate Free including the Candle!, which is also 100% Natural Soybean and free of petroleum, paraffin and made without pesticides or herbicides. It meets FDA and Kosher standards.

Check It Out: Garden Girl Skin Care

Since Kristin was kind enough to post a comment on one of my entries and I love discovering new sites, I wanted to post some information about her site, Garden Girl Skin Care. They sell products on their website and also have a Consultant Program, so you may want to check that out as well.



Jump Start Body Lotion - $16, 8 oz.
With lemon and other energizing essential oils
Plus aloe, shea, jojoba + hydrolyzed silk
Yippppeeeee! Spunky and fun - this citrusy floral lotion will kick start your day with its zippy and unique scent. Rich with antioxidants, natural butters and hydrolyzed silk, this lotion will keep your skin moisturized and radiant.

Pucker Up Coconut sugar scrub - $22, 8 oz.
With coconut and lime essential oil
Ok - it smells and looks so yummy you might want to dive in and take a taste, but please don't eat the body scrub! Instead use it in the shower, and allow the rich oils, and 3 types of sugar to gently buff and smooth your body. Beware, it might become an addiction!

Break Free fruit acid gel
for oily/problem skin - $50, 4 oz.
With glycolic, lactic and pyruvic acids
Break free of breakouts and other skin irritations. This is some serious dermatologist-grade stuff! It's a straight shot of fruit acids that removes the outer layers of damaged or thickened skin leaving your face fresh, clear and smooth.With prolonged use, Break Free has been found to be beneficial in improving dry skin, in treating age spots, improving oily and acne prone skin and decreasing fine lines and wrinkles.

Catching Up on E-Mail

Well, I tried to save some time by forwarding my ParabenFreePrincess@gmail.com account to one I check throughout the day. It halfway worked. If you have sent me an e-mail and did not receive a reply, I will get back to you. Learned my lesson with shortcuts!

For the Guys: ManJunk Intimate Wash

I edited the title three times because I didn't know exactly what I should call this. Well, I know what I wanted to call this, but it wasn't very polite. LOL. Now men have a special deodorizing wash for their pink parts as well.

Manjunk has the same cache as the Chick Poop products, and is probably good as a joke gift if not for the actual usefulness of the product. It sells on their website for $25 for 4 oz. Not exactly a blazing deal, but again, the cute factor.

Their website states that they do donate a portion of the sales to Prostate Cancer research. However, they don't state what percentage. I am awfully picky about details with these things.

I can't verify that this product is Paraben Free although it is advertised as Organic. They only list the organic ingredients on the website.

Ingredients:

Our formula is designed with the modern man, and his daily activities, in mind. Our ingredients are second-to-none and deliver the ultimate in private hygiene. They include:

• Aloe Vera - reduces inflammation, heals, soothes, and keeps everything soft to the touch
• Carrot Seed Oil - a premier skin healing oil, high carotol content gives it skin-rejuvenative properties
• Jojoba Oil - a waterproofing agent that aids your ability to heal and has natural fungicide properties
• Lime Essential Oil - refreshing oil containing limonene, citral and camphene - all antiseptic and cleansing compounds
• Malaleuca Tree Extract (Tea Tree Oil) - known medicinal beneficent, including antiseptic and antifungal action
• Rosehip Seed Oil - high in the skin-improving, essential fatty acids - linolenic acid and omega-3
• Totarol™ - a potent anti-bacterial tree extract imported from New Zealand, one of the main ingredients that improves overall hygiene
• Vitamin E - the most important lipid-soluble antioxidant, protects cell membranes from oxidation
• Wheat Germ - contains 23 nutrients and contains more nutrients per ounce than any other vegetable or grain

J. Lynne Cosmetics - 20% off Eyeshadow Sample Sets

I receive frequent promotions updates from J. Lynne Cosmetics but I have never purchased anything from the website. They are a little too expensive for my blood. But, I thought I would pass this along in case you guys want to check them out.


From now through Sunday, October 26th, their Eye Shadow Sampler Kits are 20% off. They have Satin Pearls, Multi-Dimensions Shimmer, and Plush Velvet Matte. Each has 8 colors that come in sample size jars for $8 a set. The shipping is $4.50.

It Ain't Easy Being Paraben Free!

Taryn said:

This isn't on-topic, but I wanted to say I'm glad I found your blog. I try as hard as I can to keep parabens out of my haircare, skincare and bath products, but a few of them sneak in anyways, and some of my very favorite cosmetics have them too. I just can't give some of them up. :(

Isn't it tiring to go online, see a product you'd love to try and find ethyl, methyl and all of their friends in the ingredients list?

What's worse is when you email a company and they'll tell you that the products need to be preserved and using parabens is the safest way to do that. Then why can other companies find a way to do it without parabens? I wish the FDA would ban them already!

Thanks for starting this great blog!

This post by Princess Reader Taryn really struck a chord with me. It is incredibly hard to get Parabens out of your life. I am completely 100% Paraben free and it is a daily struggle to find products to replace what I had been using. Manufacturers are concerned with the bottom line, not with potentially harming their customers. The FDA has a very short list of chemicals that can't be put into beauty products. They give manufacturers free reign to put in anything they want outside that list with no oversight. The European Union has much stricter regulations over cosmetics ingredients. Learn more HERE.

Imagine how hard it is to convince die-hard MAC lovers that the thousands of dollars of product they own will probably tip the scales for them to develop cancer and other potentially fatal diseases. No one wants to hear these things. I fought against it for weeks before common sense finally got the better of me and I walked away from all of these dangerous chemicals.

It's time to leave the herd and become Paraben Free!

Check It Out: Electric Cosmetics/Paint Cosmetics

I was reading Christina's Memoirs of a Shopping Addict and saw that she posted a haul of pressed mineral eye shadows (be sure to check out her product swatches).

Electric Cosmetics eyeshadow (soon to be renamed Paint Cosmetics) comes pressed and in individual containers. The colors are very bright and pigmented, much like the Ben Nye cosmetics that are so popular now - except without the Parabens.

These are listed on the website for $7 each. They apparently have frequent sales, so be sure to sign up for their newsletter.

Ingredients: Mica, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Clear Jojoba Oil.

Electric Cosmetics.com will change to PaintCosmetics.net November 1st.

Check It Out: Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

The weather is getting cold, lips are getting dry and I am prowling for lip balms. Burt's Bees is always a classic. Maybe not fashion forward, but a good basic lip balm. $3 at drugstores.

How it Works:
This natural lip balm moisturizes lips with ingredients like ultra-emollient lanolin, coconut oil and sunflower oil, and seals in hydration with beeswax. You can use it on healthy lips for a little peppermint tingle. Take your pick of an old-fashioned yellow tin or a recycled plastic tube. No wonder it is our most popular product.

Ingredients: beeswax, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, tocopheryl acetate, lanolin, symphytum officinale (comfrey) root extract, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf oil, tocopherol,

Check It Out: Softlips Organic Lip Balm

I've been checking out lip balms today and saw that Softlips has now come out with an organic line. I have never used their products because their regular line contains SPF ingredients I don't like. These come in Pomegranite and Honeydew.

Softlips Organic
Take it straight from the source! New Softlips^® Pure is 100% natural and USDA certified 95% organic. Your lips will thank you for nourishing them with plant extracts and vitamin E, and they’ll just drink up the hydrating benefits of the essential organic oils, shea butter and beeswax. Softlips^® Pure comes in two all-natural flavors—pomegranate and honeydew. And, you’ll be happy to know that Softlips^® Pure is produced without pesticides or other harmful chemical ingredients. Plus, it’s paraben-free, gluten-free and cruelty-free!

Ingredients:
cocos nucifera (coconut) oil*, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil*, beeswax*, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil*, flavor, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter)*, punica granatum (pomegranate) extract*, tocopherol [vitamin E]

Comparing a Few Zit Zappers

After reading the article on bird poo facials below, I went searching for other natural acne products. I started by going through everything you would find in a drugstore and reading the ingredients lists for all acne products at Walgreens.com and CVS.com. Yuck and double yuck. Benzoyl Peroxide and lots of Parabens. I have never been able to use BZ. It does clear up my acne, but it also burns my skin so that I am peeling and flaky for days afterward.

I hit a couple popular products with celebs and magazines and then went comparison shopping for ingredients for less expensive items. Keep in mind these are ingredients comparisons only. There is no way to tell the strength of ingredients in particular products, some may be concentrated and others diluted.

Popular But Pricey:

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
$17, 1 oz

• Ingredients:
  
• Isopropyl Alcohol
  
• Deionized Water (Aqua)
  
• Calamine
• Camphor
  
• Colloidal Sulfur
• Salicylic Acid
  
• Glycerine
  
• Zinc Oxide
  
• Titanium Dioxide
  
• Talc

Verabella Kiss Zit Goodbye
$18.50, size ??

INGREDIENTS:

• Alcohol
• Salicylic Acid
• Camphor
• Tea Tree Oil
• Witch Hazel

MyChelle Clear Skin Serum
$23.24, 30 ml=1 oz
(I had to truncate the ingredients list because they explain the origin and purpose of each ingredient, not readable.)

• Ingredients:
• Distilled water,
• witch hazel,
  
• Ethanol (alcohol),
• Organic aloe vera extract,
  
• Azelaic acid (skin lightener),
  
• Oleic acid, L-lactic acid,
  
• Glycerin,
  
• Salicylic acid,
  
• beta-hydroxy acid,
  
• Vitamin B,
  
• Vitamin A,
  
• Cranberry extract,
• Ylang ylang essential oil,
  
• Patchouli essential oil,
  
• Tea tree oil, L-limonene,
  
• Totarol,
  
• Hydrolyzed yeast protein,
• Vitamin B6,
• Allantoin,
  
• D-biotin

Comparable Bargain Mixes:


Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick
$5.19, .26 oz

• Ingredients:
• Tea Tree Oil
• SD alcohol 40-B (from yellow corn)
• calendula flower oil
• borage seed oil
• yarrow oil
• parsley seed extract
• willow bark extract (Salicylic Acid)
• lemon oil
• fennel oil
• water
• tea tree leaf oil
• juniperus communis fruit oil
• eucalyptus globulus leaf oil.

Desert Essence Blemish Touch Stick
$5, .33 oz

• Ingredients:
• Witch hazel extract
• grain alcohol
• Eco-Harvest tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
• calendula
• essential oils of blue chamomile
• rosemary
• lavender
• thyme
• birch and petitgrain.

Earth Science Problem Skin Treatment
$5.35, 6 oz

• Ingredients:
• Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract
• salicylic acid
• sodium hyaluronate
• uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw) extract
• centella asiatica (gotu kola) extract
• guaiazulene
• peg-35 castor oil
• aloe barbadensis leaf juice
• vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) fruit extarct
• echinacea angustifolia extract
• salix alba (willow) bark extract
• glycerin and fragrance (parfum).

After breaking these products down to their base ingredients, I think you could probably make a fairly effective pimple potion of your own - especially using the 'Kiss Zit Goodbye' list. The only tricky ingredient being Salicylic acid. But, you could use a crushed uncoated aspirin as a topper after applying the liquid mix.

Craptastic: Bird Poo Facials

Okay, I am all about natural and Paraben free, but bird poo? I'm having a hard time with it. Makes you wonder who was the first person to rub poo on their skin - and then convince someone else to do it. £100=$172

Marie Claire UK

Victoria Beckham's new beauty secret

Victoria and David Beckham, it seems, have been harbouring a dirty little beauty secret: they swear by a cream containing bird poo.

Victoria has had a well-documented battle with her complexion over the years, but puts her new crystal-clear skin down to a new miracle beauty ingredient: nightingale poo.

The former Spice Girl has been regularly indulging in £100 Geisha Facials, which use a paste made from nightingale droppings.

A friend told Closer magazine: ‘When Victoria was in Japan recently she was admiring the local women’s clear skin and discovered it was down to these facials.

'She was intrigued and when she got back to the US she found that some New York beauty salons now offer the treatment.

'She tried it and loved how great her skin looked. She also uses a cream derived from nightingale poo at home.’

And, the magazine reports, so does David, who reportedly slips on a moisturising poo mask before bed.

Bet he won’t get a ribbing from fellow footie players over that sticky story…

GDA: Joppa Minerals Free Shipping

Catching up on my e-mails! Joppa Minerals is advertising FREE SHIPPING through Oct. 23rd for domestic and global orders. They take Paypal!

I have never ordered from them before but I have been on their mailing list for a while. In addition to mineral makeup, they do have a good selection of Paraben free face and body products.

Most sample baggies of their mineral products is $.75. A few interesting items that caught my eye:

$15.99, 3.5 oz.
Green Tea & Tea Tree Lotion
INGREDIENTS: Distilled water), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe), Vitis Vinifera (Grapeseed Oil), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil), Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose Oil), Tea Tree Oil, Green Tea Extract, Stearic Acid, Emulsifying Wax NF, Vegetable Glycerin USP, Orange & Lemon Essential Oils, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Phenoxyethanol and Caprylyl Glycol

Skin care samples are $2.50.

Raspberry Truffle Lip Shine
$7.00, sold in clear tubes with wand

Ingredients: Castor oil, jojoba oil, Mica, iron oxide, olive squaline oil, bees wax, organic honey, raspberry extract, grapefruit seed extract, vit.E

Glowing Highlighter
Sample baggie - $.75
10 grams - $10
20 grams - $14