1. Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Cream Cleanser. I have always loved Neutrogena’s original cream cleanser. I’ve tried more expensive cleansers and I’ve tried less expensive cleansers, but Neutrogena’s has always performed the best — getting rid of acne before it happens and without drying out my skin. I like the new pink grapefruit products because besides clearing away dirt and blackheads, it gives your skin a nice wakeup call.

2. Fresh Soy Face Cream. I am constantly trying new moisturizers because I have skin that gets oily in some places and very dry in others. Most moisturizers I’ve used are either too oily or not thick enough or they don’t absorb quickly. Fresh’s Soy Face Cream is the diamond in the rough. Not only does it perform beautifully — smoothing even the most stubborn of dry spots — it contains no parabens, is naturally fragranced, and contains lots of natural ingredients to improve the health of your skin rather than just moisturizing it. Soy protein, cucumber extract, rosewater, green, white, and red teas, jojoba seed oil, and more all combine to hydrate and rejuvenate your skin for scientifically proven lasting results. I think I’ve found my missing piece!

3. MAC Studio Moisture Tint {Light}. In her infinite cosmetic wisdom, Mish recommended this to me to also tackle my dry skin while providing a solution to even out my skin tone. MAC’s Studio Moisture Tint is lightweight and can be worn underneath makeup or by itself for a more natural look. It’s available in 5 different shades — from light to deep dark — and it’s paraben-free.

4. Lollibomb Vegan Lip Balm {Strawberry Margarita}. Even though I’ve been very happy with my own homemade lip balm, I picked this up at the BUST Spring Craftacular and its made itself at home in my handbag. This lip balm is vegan, paraben-free, long-lasting, and smells/tastes delicious, as Lollibomb’s products always do. Luca Cusolito never ceases to amaze me.

Though significantly less dangerous than parabens, scientists have found that Propylene Glycol is a skin irritant even at low doses and is an environmental hazard especially to aquatic life {though certainly not more dangerous than the BP oil spill right now}.

Propylene Glycol is an organic alcohol which is colorless, nearly odorless, clear, and viscous with a faintly sweet taste. It is used to absorb extra water and maintain moisture in certain cosmetics, medicines and food products.

Products: Propylene Glycol can be found practically everywhere! It is used in moisturizers/lotions, foundation, hair dye, shampoo, hand sanitizer, deodorant, tooth paste, mouthwash, fragrance oils, and is even used in pharmaceuticals, as a food additive, in electronic cigarettes, and in UV or blacklight tattoo ink.

Scientific/Chemical Names: Propylene Glycol (PPG). Anytime you see PPG in an ingredient, it is a form of Propylene Glycol.

Hazards: Propylene Glycol actually poses more of a threat to the environment than to the human body. As it degrades, it acts as a water pollutant and also consumes the oxygen in water that aquatic organisms need to survive. As for us humans, Propylene Glycol has been classified as a skin irritant by the Environmental Working Group. Because it makes the skin more susceptible to absorption {which is why it is used in lotions}, there is a concern that Propylene Glycol will contribute to the skin’s absorption of other toxic chemicals found within cosmetics.

Propylene Glycol-Free Products: The Natural Health Information Center has put together a comprehensive list of products that do not contain Propylene Glycol.

After browsing NYLONmag.com I discovered one of my favorite cosmetic companies (LUSH) has stepped into the makeup world.  They mainly deal with skincare and bath products but they have come out with a foundation!!!! (This is so weird because I was just thinking the other day how I love them so much and I wish they would come out with makeup.)  They come in four shades and they’re called Colour Supplements.  I’m super excited to try them!!!  They are made with rose petal infusion to calm redness and glycerin to help skin stay moisturized.  You can buy them online here for only $13.95.  Has anyone tried these!?!?!! I would LOVE to hear any feedback about this product.

<3 mish

1. Benefit, Eye Bright-  This fat pencil is a pale pink color used to “brighten” up tired eyes.  I love it.  I think it totally works.  To use it says ” apply a stroke to the inner and outer corners of each eye and blend” $20 (Sephora)

2. Tokidoki eyeliner in Adios Apple-  It’s dazzling!  Just what I’ve been looking for.  I wanted a violet color with a silver glitter and found this guy at Sephora. Soooooo cute! $14

3. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Electric-  AMAZING color!  This liner is soooo bright and it goes on super easy but is also waterproof and stays well.  It’s a bright iridescent teal. <3 $17 @ Sephora

4. MAC Penultimate Eyeliner in Rapidblack-  This felt tip eye liner acts like a liquid liner but is easy to apply like a pencil.  It’s the best if you want the liquid look quick.  TRY THIS at least once, it’s the most badass eyeliner ever. $16.50 @ MAC.com

5. Hard Candy Walk The Line Liquid Eyeliner in Lace-  This is a super glitter liner.  It’s clear except for the glitter so by itself or over something else it’s amazing.  I like to use it in the inner-corner of the eye for some extreme light reflection.  Glitter is not just for school girls, girls!  I’m super into this stuff right now. $6 @ Wal-Mart.

I wonder if any of you have tried any of these liners…or can suggest really great ones for me to try???  You’ll probably be seeing these again in upcoming tutorials…

<3 mish

I know this is a long post, but read it. It’s important!

The cosmetic industry today is booming, churning out new products faster than you can apply lipstick. Every day, it seems like L’Oréal has whipped up a new kind of mascara, MAC has a new vibrant eyeshadow, or some B-list celebrity has a new perfume. With all of this rapid-fire production, you start to wonder, “Where are all of these products coming from? How are they made so fast?” and, if you’re like me, “What the hell is in them, anyway?”

I’ve mentioned several times that I’m on a quest to make my own cosmetics. The main reasoning behind this venture is that I want to know what I’m putting on my body. In shopping for my own lotion and body wash bases {because it’s really hard to make them yourself, especially on a tight budget}, I’ve become more aware of some of the harmful ingredients that go into making cosmetics. This series, “What’s In Your Cosmetics?” will be a few posts on some of the dangerous chemicals lurking in your lipsticks, powders, soaps, and moisturizers, and what companies {if any} refrain from using these harmful ingredients. First stop: parabens.

Parabens are chemicals that are used as preservatives, specifically to kill bacteria and fungus, in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Products: Parabens are typically found in moisturizers/lotions, shaving gel, shower gel, personal lubricants, toners/astringents, pharmaceuticals, and even toothpaste.

Scientific/Chemical Name(s): Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben… pretty much anything containing “paraben.” However, companies may sometimes trick you by listing them as: Benzyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Methyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Ethyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Propyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Butyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Parahydroxybenzoic acid and Parahydroxybenzoate.

Hazards: The effects of these chemicals can be as minimal as a small rash and as severe as breast cancer. Parabens have been linked to endocrine disruption, which can lead to reproductive problems, changes in hormone levels, brain and behavior problems, early puberty, a weakening of the immune system, and even cancers. These effects, specifically reproductive problems, have been found even at low doses of parabens. These chemicals have also been connected to muscle weakness in the nervous system and brain.

Paraben-Free Products: In my research, I found it really difficult to find whole companies that are dedicated to providing paraben-free cosmetics. Even companies that I thought used naturally-derived, organic ingredients were using parabens, too. However, Luca Cusolito of Lollibomb is wholly committed to the paraben-free cause, and Lollibomb is 100% paraben-free. Afterglow Cosmetics is also 100% paraben-free and Solay Wellness provides many paraben-free products, but I haven’t personally tried either of these companies.

What’s the take-away? Check your labels! And it’s very important that you understand that “organic” doesn’t necessarily mean a product is better for you. There are currently no real, enforced restrictions on using the word “organic,” so a company can use certified organic shea butter in their ingredients, but then also use parabens, and still say they are “organic.” Not good.

Find out more about the ingredients in your cosmetics, and the effects they can have on your body, by checking out the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database, because a savvy consumer is a smart consumer ;)