Jeneration Eden

Tag: Beauty

  • Lips Don’t Lie (But Lipsticks Do…)

    Lips Don’t Lie (But Lipsticks Do…)

     

     

     

    There’s no denying it – a passionate kiss can do wonders for a gal and her lip-locking partner. Not that you need any excuse to pucker up, but it turns out that there are plenty of great reasons to do so. Alas, all benefits aside, if you choose to reapply your lip color before leaning in, your smooch might have several unintended consequences for you and your sweetheart.

    But what could possibly taint beautifully done-up lips and a highly anticipated kiss? How about heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, chromium and manganese?

    Oh hell, it’s true. Turns out that countless lipsticks and lip glosses contain many of those metals. And they’ve been detected at high enough levels that, considering how often they are used (quite often) and where they are used (well, on the mouth), they could actually pose a health hazard over time. But no need to take my word for it; a study published recently in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives really does indicate that, unlike those flashy tubes of lipstick regulated in the European Union, our sticks of color in America are not being monitored by the FDA in ways that they absolutely should be.

    The lead content of the lipsticks was no big surprise. In 2007, 2009 and 2012 the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the FDA, respectively, found that many popular brands of lipstick (regardless of price point) had worrisome levels of lead contamination. Of the ones that were tested in 2012, the worst offenders were Maybelline Color Sensational in Petal Pink, L’Oreal Colour Riche in Volcanic and NARS Semi-Matte in Red Lizard. Wet n’ Wild, Bobbi Brown, and Shiseido brand lipsticks were low on the list.

    But this most recent study unearthed some new facts about what’s hiding in lipstick – ones that can’t be ignored. It’s becoming clearer every day that beauty is coming at too high a cost and that we need to take action to protect ourselves and our families. To wit: lead is a known neurotoxin; chromium, a known human carcinogen; cadmium, also a known human carcinogen, has been linked to kidney disease at chronic, low level doses; and manganese has been connected with neurological problems in children…and that’s what’s in our lipstick!

    With many reapplications daily, women are being exposed to heavy metals at levels higher than the acceptable daily intake; over a lifetime, this amount is obviously much greater. And, considering the sweet scent and taste of many lip products marketed to kids, young girls will likely take in a whole lotta lipstick as well. Rather makes the idea of wearing lipstick hard to swallow (or, gulp, easy…).

    Of course, there’s nothing wrong with going lipstick-free; I certainly do that and I impress upon my young daughter that lipstick is not necessary. But let’s be real – there’s nothing like a glossy pink pout for a casual day or an awesome bold swipe of red on the lips for a night out and I’m pretty sure that my daughter already knows that as well.

    But no wallowing in worry – I’m big on knowing the deal and making changes. And I’ve found plenty of lipsticks that I feel much more comfortable wearing and that I will feel a gazillion times more comfortable giving my daughter when she ultimately wins that battle.

    To greatly reduce exposure to chemicals and heavy metals, try ILIA Beauty’s line of lip products which can be purchased online or at certain retailers, as well as Vapour Organic Beauty’s collection of lipsticks and glosses. Bite Beauty lipsticks, which are sold at Sephora, are produced with food-grade ingredients and antioxidants. And the The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has done a lot of the work for you, by compiling a list of many safe brands.

    So give the kiss-off to those lipsticks that aren’t too pretty for your health and find yourself some new brands that are beautiful and safe. Mwah!

     

  • This One Nails It

    This One Nails It

     

     

    At my last salon visit, I was asked by several women whether I wanted to upgrade to a signature pedicure, if I could use a 10 minute back massage and if I wanted an eyebrow threading (this last appeal caused me to raise an already nicely arched eyebrow, thank you very much).

    But you know what would’ve made me really happy? If those eager gals had offered me nail polishes without well known hazardous chemicals. Now that woulda been worth the extra tips they were angling for.

    Don’t call me a buzzkill — I’ve no intention of ruining your idea of a relaxing mani/pedi with talk of dreaded disease. I’m not saying you gotta hightail it out of the salon and go bare on the nails – although that’s a perfectly chic decision. I’m just letting you know that if you avoid several potentially harmful polish ingredients, you’ll nail beauty and safety all at once.

    So let’s get to it. The idea here is to avoid the toxic trio. Alliterative, yes, but also right to the point. The moniker refers to formaldehyde, a polish hardener; toluene, a chemical that offers ease of application; and DBP, a plasticizer that prevents chipping — or, as I like to call them, a carcinogen, a neurotoxin, and a hormone disruptor. They’re found in many nail polishes…and it’s ugly business.

    Why the heck is stuff that causes cancer, headaches/fatigue and reproductive problems allowed in nail polish anyway? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration doesn’t require cosmetic companies to test the safety of their products by disinterested third-parties. Basically, cosmetics companies get to police themselves. And you know what that means — it means that the Pretty in Pink nail polish on your 6 year-old’s nails likely contains nasty stuff that’s getting absorbed into her developing body through her nail beds (not to mention her mouth, if she’s a biter). I, for one, don’t want that for my daughter. Or myself.

    In addition, salon workers who regularly breathe in these hazardous chemicals have reported, among other things, high rates of respiratory problems. Our world suffers as well; when these products are thrown out, the chemicals make their way into our groundwater and soil, contaminating our earth.

    The European Union banned or restricted members of the toxic trio from use in cosmetics starting in 2004. Unfortunately, the United States often drags its feet when it comes to this stuff, so if you use nail polishes made in America, you need to be your own watchdog, especially if you’re pregnant or have kids who beg for glittery nails.

    Luckily, you don’t have to bark up too many trees to find good, safer polish. There are many companies that care about beautyand health. OPI, Zoya, Poofy Organics and Priti NYC are brands that have proven their nail polish safety. Revlon Multi-Care Base and Topcoat is a nice choice for the before and after. For your little ones – for whom it’s particularly ideal to get that spa treatment at home as opposed to in a stinky salon – there’s the Priti Princess Collection, where shimmery colors abound, andHopscotch Kids. Both of those brands also have safe polish removers.

    You should be aware that while certain polishes do claim to be 3 free (some claim to be 5 free – free of the toxic trio, plus formaldehyde resin and camphor), a study done in California in 2012 proved many of them unworthy of the claim. But if you buy yourself some bottles from the companies listed above or other proven brands, you can head to the salon and confidently whip out your own non-toxic shocking orange (as I did that last time). And you might even feel good enough to splurge for that 10 minute massage.