Since time immemorial make up has always been an essential part of every woman´s life. From wedding parties to family get together and informal gatherings every woman applied make up to look beautiful and youthful. Although it might make the face look good but the harmful effects of make up were always ignored. Regular application of makeup resulted in aging skin, fine lines, wrinkles and an overall decrease in the natural face value. Thereafter a healthy makeup was required and a mineral based makeup was created by Bare Escentuals in 1976 and was named by Diane Ranger in 1977.

Mineral make up, by definition, is makeup products made from minerals. It comprises of a variety of natural minerals found in the earth´s crust and is free of chemicals, alcohols, dyes and other preservatives. These minerals are finely milled, pulverized, purified and coated with inorganic pigments before reaching the end consumers. The coated pigments are for coloring and shimmering effects. The most common minerals often used are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, iron oxide and bismuth oxychloride. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide have anti-inflammatory properties and are the best UV blockers.

There are several reasons to why these cosmetics made of minerals have become a rising trend in the cosmetic industry. The first and foremost advantage is that the makeup provides an excellent sun protection and is potentially free from fragrance, preservatives and oils. Secondly, they will not clog pores, are water resistant and will not support bacterial growth. Some of the mineral cosmetics also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients like vitamin A, C, E, and K and green tea extract. These provide a long lasting application in less expenditure without getting faded out. In humid countries like India, these mineral cosmetics are the perfect products because humidity melts off make up in a very short span of time. No company has ever boosted for their mineral cosmetics but these are some of the consumer reviews for mineral make up.

A pure mineral face makeup is combined with inorganic pigments that help to achieve the desired color. It stays for longer and is much lighter and effective, the best products for people with acne and sensitive skin. Bare mineral make up are cosmetics with loose minerals that are free from waxes and oils. These are used to cover imperfections and offer UV protection.

Following are some of the most widely used ingredients in mineral cosmetics:

Titanium Dioxide: A natural anti-inflammatory agent that blocks ultra violet rays. It is the perfect oxide for any skin type.

Kaolin Clay: A china clay that has good oil absorbing properties.

Mica: A natural glitter that is often used to add color and shimmer.

Serecite: colorless mica that is used to increase shine.

Zinc Oxide: A naturally occurring sunscreen that provides strong resistance to UV rays.

Sericite Mica: It is a mixture of a natural pigment derived from muscovite mica and titanium dioxide. This mineral make up recipe is used for personal care products, lotions and soaps.

Magnesium Stearate: A recipe made from esters of magnesium stearic acid. This recipe is used face powders, mascara, eye shadows, creams and ointments.

Bismuth Oxychloride: A recipe made from fine crystals composed of bismuth and salt. This mineral recipe is used for face powders, foundations, lipsticks and mascara.

It is believed that various mineral oils are used for aromatherapy in order to achieve beautiful and healthy skin. Some people also prefer yoga and different yoga positions help them to attain beautiful skin- the healthiest way of improving skin health.

Sounds like a busy, Type-A kind of gal, who must really manage her stress levels well. Perhaps, but guess what? Maureen has decided to enter into yet another career, as a BeautiControl consultant. This job not only allows a person to make extra cash, but is a fun way to help relieve stress.

Spa parties give the girls a chance to get together for a few hours either after work or on weekends, to eat, bond, and have a few laughs while the guys watch a game. Maureen recently held her first spa escape party, and this is what we did: First of all, we met new gals and spoke about hubbies, boyfriends, our children and jobs. Maureen’s mentor guided us through the various types of treatments that the products offered.

We were whisked into the bathroom to wash our hands and be treated to some nice moisturizing hand creams. Felt great! Munched on veggies, dip, crackers, cheese and wine, and we all began to shelve our inhibitions. One of the treatments was a relaxation technique, which we all needed with our busy lives. First, we took off our shoes and socks, were given a warm washcloth then some great foot cream, with cute socks to seal in the cream while it began its invigorating action. We were then given a lip treatment and a warm, microwaved neck pillow while a relaxation meditation segment was conducted, which took us away to the warm ocean breezes of Hawaii in a hammock. Not a bad thing when it was about 25 degrees outside! After that, we were given product catalogs and order forms so we would purchase those luxurious indulgences and pamper ourselves whenever we wanted. We could even become a spa consultant, if we felt we needed to add yet another career to our already overextended lives.

Everyone needs a spa day! Give yourself a treat. There are also several men’s products, so the guys are welcome, unless they prefer staying at home for the game.

Cucumber water improves the taste of tap water. Spa aficionados already experience the benefits of cucumber water for improving the look of your skin. On top of it, this drink is simple to make at home.

Cucumber Water Recipe
In order for the cucumber to fully release its juice, you need to prepare it the day before your event.

Ingredients:

1 cucumber, sliced and unpeeled + 6-7 cucumber slices for decoration
1 ½ to 2 liters of water
3 mint sprigs + 2 mint sprigs for decoration
Half a lemon, sliced and unpeeled
Ice cubes
In a pitcher, mix the water, cucumber, 3 mint sprigs and lemon. Let it rest on the fridge for 24 hours. If you prepare the water at the last minute, cut the first cucumber in three or four pieces. Then, squeeze the cucumber pieces to release all the juice.

Before serving remove the cucumber slices used to flavor the water. Then stir with a wooden spoon, add some ice cubes, 6 or 7 fresh cucumber slices and the remaining 2 mint sprigs. Enjoy this refreshing drink.

Step 2:
Cosmetics.com. This site can formulate lipstick, lip gloss, or concealer to meet your individual needs. They can even make subtle changes such as removing the frost from a lipstick to make it more matte or adding moisture to an existing formulation. Do you like your current foundation shade but need more coverage? They can fix that problem for you too with a custom blend foundation designed to meet your color and skin care needs.

Step 3:
Prescriptives. If you’d prefer to have your custom makeup formulated in person, stop by a Prescriptives counter and discover the custom blending options they have available. They can make a variety of custom blended cosmetics right before your eyes including foundation, concealer, powder, blush, bronzer, and even tinted moisturizer. Plus you’ll benefit from the expertise of one of their Prescriptives analyst who can help you select the perfect shades for your particular skin tone. Best of all, consultation is free. You can even chat with a Prescriptives analysis online if you need some guidance. It’s the ultimate in cosmetic personalization.

“Generally, consumers don’t know much about the ingredients in these products,” says Wallace. “The lack of education in this area is what we work to overcome on a daily basis — to try to teach parents what ingredients are, what is required to list and how to decide what is right for your family.”

Some leading brands in the organic products world are companies like BeeCeuticals, Nourish Beauty, Dr. Bronner’s, Giovanni Organic Cosmetics, Juice Organics, Kiss My Face and Avalon Organics. The big brand products in this niche approach the “organic” ingredients question in many different ways.

— Avalon Organics claims to use 100 percent vegetarian ingredients to create a “sensual, satisfying” feeling in the buyers of its hair-, skin- and body-care products, priced from $7.99 to $22.99.

— Giovanni Organic Cosmetics incorporates vitamins, minerals, herbs, pure essential oils and oils harvested from renewable plants in its skin- and hair-care products, priced from $1.99 to $13.99.

— Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps claim to be USDA “certified organic” and are even packaged in 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic cylinder bottles. Made of coconut, olive, hemp and jojoba oils, the products are designed for everyday body washing and are priced from $1.99 to $12.99.

— Burt’s Bees offers “earth-friendly” products, crafted with beeswax, botanical oils and herbs and flowers, which, advocates say, are “formulated to maximize personal well-being and the environment.” The skin, lip, body and hair products are priced from $2.99 to $24.99.

Though the market is growing quickly for these products — Target begins selling new organic brands in March — they have enthusiastic backers. “The quality of these products is easily discernible, and their capacity to nurture and enhance the skin’s appearance is very evident,” says Maureen Whitehouse, a former fashion model and now an “eco-spiritual consultant” in Hollywood, Fla. The surface of the skin is emerging as a line of defense for environmentalists and the health-conscious.

“Your skin is your largest organ, you absorb more toxins through it than anywhere, and it requires the same types of nutrients as the rest of your body,” says Sumbody’s Krambs. “Why care what you eat and buy organic food, only to give toxins a free pass into your body via your carcinogenic body cream?” Are these products really green? Generally, the answer is yes.

The USDA guidelines are proven standards, and products with the “USDA certified” label are sure to be friendly to your personal eco-system. In future years the standards may be ratcheted up and only products that contain 100 percent organic ingredients may be truly called organic and natural.

India has made a revolutionary change in the growing market for organic cosmetics and skin care products. Not only organic beauty products, India is developing a niche for the global international market for natural cosmetics, skin care and hair care products. More and more women and men are inclined towards personal grooming and changing lifestyle, reflecting an increasing demand for beauty products in India. The cosmetic market in India is growing at an average rate of 15-20% and the current size of the industry is about $950 million. Today many foreign companies are making inroads into the local Indian market for beauty products.

Organic ingredients are pure and natural but not all natural cosmetics are organic. Some of the beauty products may contain minerals and inorganic pigments. Natural organic skin care cosmetics are obtained from pure, natural and environmental friendly organic ingredients that leave the skin vibrant, glowing and smooth, setting a benchmark for holistic skin.

Any cosmetic with a label ´natural´ or ´organic´ does not imply that it is 100% natural or organic. The product may be natural but the procedure followed to obtain that particular product may contain synthetic chemicals. For example, lanolin which is one of the most common ingredients in many natural cosmetics. It is manufactured from wax coating of the sheep´s wool. Before the wool is removed from the sheep, it is submerged in a pesticide to remove lice from the sheep´s body. The traces of these pesticides remain in cosmetics containing lanolin which in turn affects the skin.

To avoid these harmful effects certifying bodies operate different set of standards for different organic products. The entire process of how to make organic cosmetics is monitored, taking into consideration that each step is completed according to the international standards. These beauty products are then released into the market with a label ´certified organic´.

Certified organic skin care cosmetics are 100% pure and natural cosmetics free from preservatives, alcohols, formaldehydes, oils, synthetic chemicals, fertilizers, waxes, and other impurities. These high quality products are made of pure, safe, clean and potent plant extracts, nurturing the complete ecology. These certified beauty products are the best cosmetics for a better glowing skin and longer lasting beauty.