Okay, I said it. There. I’m standing by it too. They believe because a, “doctor said it,” that it’s automatically true. Bull-Pucky! I’m not just standing up for my business here, I’m standing up for all mineral makeup companies run out of people’s homes, small offices and teeny companies. We need to support small, American Brewed Companies and the current swirl of poo-tornado traveling through the US was started by a man I normally admire, Dr. Oz. Grrrr.
Stop saying anything with bad research, just to gain ratings. We, as mineral makeup artists, and we do make art, are well versed in the current science and best information out there. Why is this important? Because I’m about to open my own Mineral Makeup Company? No! Because I’m on forums with people that make creating mineral products the safest, best-for-you product out there. We strive to share information so we give you a product that delivers, but keeps the consumers safety in mind. Yes, there are idiots out there who re-package, think this is easy (dear God. I have learned a universe about minerals and I knew nothing), and it’s not.
Yes, I can buy a huge amount of ready-made product a charge a fortune for it, but those people are always caught. Always. It may take time, but it happens. The mineral community seems huge, but it’s not. We are less than 5000 products on Etsy, the competition is fierce, the market is not large and largely untapped. People like Doctor Oz are making broad sweeping statements about the safety and health hazards about all mineral makeup products based on a few large companies. Idiot. He won’t even respond to the small companies who have sent him e-mail after e-mail about the truth. So here it is. If you read my other blog, you know I, normally, have my ducks in a row. Not only are my ducks in a row here, they’re lined up by breed and sex.
1. All mineral makeup contains Bismuth Oxychloride.
Lie. I don’t use it and neither do most small companies. It’s a pointy little molecule that can gang up on you and make you itch. It’s in almost all of your over the counter makeup, even from large companies. Some say it’s cheap. It’s not, when you line it up with other stuff, but it give amazing luster. I’ve heard people say it’s akin to arsenic. It is close on the periodic table with heavy minerals and is a by-product of mining, however it does occur naturally. It does not contain arsenic. Rolls eyes, but there are darn good reasons not to use it without hysteria. Who wants to itch all day? Not me. If you think you cannot wear eyeshadow, check the back. Put on your reading glasses, what do you see? Bismuth Oxychloride. Dump it and avoid the itch. If you mineral makeup makes you itch when you sweat, look at the first three ingredients. Bismuth? Thought so. Almost all big mineral manufacturers put it in there.
Drugstore mineral makeup is especially bad. No, it’s especially cheap. If the ingredients are as long as your arm, then you’re looking at a regular product that takes advantage of some of the products of mineral makeup and passes it off as such. Don’t be fooled. Mineral makeup usually has a short list of ingredients when small companies make it. Hand picked products to help your skin. Inert products.
2. Cornstarch and Rice Powder:
If you have acne, you have the P. Acne Bacillus bacteria making a cozy little home in your face. Cornstarch and Rice flour feed it. It’s all natural, but you may break out more. I do, if there’s cornstarch in it. Cornstarch and Rice Powder are capable of going bad on you. Make sure your mineral makeup company labels all cornstarch and Rice powder products with a. “Best By,” date. Two years is the max.
Both ingredients are wonderful and have their place. Just know it’s not on skin like mine.
3. NANOPARTICLES!!!!
This is where the good doctor really screwed up. I don’t use nanoparticles. What are they? Micronized products smaller than one nanometer in size. We have dust smaller than that. There are some initial tests out there that have concerned me, and other companies enough to make us set them aside until further testing is done. It’s easier to formulate with them, but honestly, it’s a better and more fun challenge to formulate without. I know very few good quality small companies that use them. The final line that caught me? Another formulator said it, “I care too much about my clients to risk their health, until we have all the facts.” I stopped using them that day, even though I have a lot of money invested in them. I re-formulated from the ground up. We all have. So the statement that all mineral companies use them is patently false. End of story.
4: DYES HELP YOU DIE!
Some dyes are in question. I don’t use those. I do make a choice to use them, but everything is clearly labelled. Afraid of dyes? Look at the companies you’re buying from now. Look at the foods you eat. Think before you run in fear. Read studies. Stay on top of what you put in your body.
5. Colors from Nature are better.
Do they have a preservative? If not, you have germ soup and their still processed. No one is putting bananas in your makeup whole. No one.
6. Minerals are all natural.
Sort of. Oxides are grown in a lab to make sure the color is right. It’s all out of the earth, but they can’t pull rust off cars. The FDA regulates two important things in makeup. Color, to assure it’s safety and ingredient lists, to ensure you’re not lying to your customers. In the State Of Michigan they inspect my scales to make sure you’re getting what you paid for. I don’t worry about that. I calibrate once a week. Most companies do. Short products get a company closed, fast and the word travels.
7. Better to be safe than sorry and get rid of mineral makeup.
Why? When you know you’re getting quality makeup with few ingredients and beautiful payout, why? No reason at all. A good formulator knows what’s in their products and are proud as all get out, about them. They are happy to mail you samples (usually for a small fee) and answer any of your questions. What should your questions be?
Do you use Nanoparticles? If yes, why? Listen to the answer. The testing is not in right now. They may have a good reason.
Do you repackage? I use colors with products I cannot make. I always put them in with products to give them adhesion and blendability. I never re-pack colors you can buy for a buck fifty from my supplier. Legal? Yes. Ethical? Not one bit, in my personal opinion.
Do you use Bismuth Oxychloride?
If the company comes off as anything, but cheerful to answer questions, (a reasonable number, not give you their formulas), then you are probably in the presence of someone who really cares about you and not only the bottom line. It’s hard work to make a goo product that is creamy, stays on, looks gorgeous and has all the properties you want in makeup without some of the things you are antsy about. You can also look for companies that offer vegan products and what about talc? What about it? It had some arsenic in it back in the ’80’s. We were all scared to death of it and switched to cornstarch and wondered why rashes never cleared up? Talc now has NO arsenic in it. It’s in most of the high-end makeup you buy. I use it in some products, but they are clearly labelled up front and the talc is kept in another part of my formulary. I’d say do your research and try it. Not just the Material Safety Data Sheets either. They make Cornstarch sound like the devil, and we cook with it and have forever. They are required to use the worst case scenario.
What about websites to, “help the consumer choose?” Are they selling anything of their own? I’m suspicious. Especially when broad sweeping statements are made. No product is Satan. Some are both good and bad. Are you inhaling tons of stuff in the air all the time? Yes. When you use mineral makeup you should not be forcing it into your pores in a fifty foot cloud of dust. Even I wear a mask when handling raw product. Mostly for my consumers. I don’t want to sneeze. It’s just safe. I also alcohol it all down, all the time.
Any website that picks and chooses, talks about the glories of Cornstarch and the evils of other products, while not posting the MDS sheet on cornstarch is picking and choosing. They are out there promoting fear of makeup. We have nothing to fear, but fear mongers. Ask good questions. Know your formulator. I buy my supplies from a handful of companies that I 100% trust. I know the people behind the names. I suggest you do too. Will it help me? Sure, I’m not all sunshine and roses, but it also helps the small company that does it because it’s a passion and an art. Not an easy way to take advantage of an industry that is growing and being bashed by people who did not do their research. I blame his producers.
As of this date, Dr Oz has been contacted by hundreds of small mineral makeup companies, asking for a retraction. They deserve it and he deserves to share the truth with his viewers. This is an opportunity for him to talk about people who have your health at the heart of their missions. By not retracting his statements that make sweeping statements about, “all” mineral makeup companies, after receiving letter after letter about it, it seems ratings matter more than the truth to people who help run his show. I have boycotted anyone who makes those statements about any company. No company is all bad. Many are out for a buck, but when you add a board of directors and people who care about ratings, you’ve probably done your people a disservice. Not all big mineral makeup companies use nanoparticles and Bismuth Oxychloride. Read the labels. The FDA cracks down on labeling violations, fast. If your company is in compliance, they will be thrilled you asked. If they get defensive, ask why? Worse, if someone contacts you and asks you about why you made a sweeping generalization ask, “what’s in it for them.” I know people are smart enough to figure it out on their own. Just think.
Hmmm, do I sound like a woman on a mission of, “Indiana Jones,” proportions? Pack up my backpack, I’m off. I’ve tried it all, and I’m getting close, but something is missing.
I have my beloved Clarisonic Mia. Seriously, I won’t give it up for anything. It gets the stuff blocking my pores off. Which is great, except where they have Sebaceous Filaments. What’s that? Have small black spots all over your nose? Maybe your cheeks and chin too? Those aren’t blackheads. You push them, a week later they’re back. Why? Those are the openings straight into your oil glands and most dermatologists will tell you they are normal and to deal. Um, no.
Okay, so I have large pores there. That does not mean and will not mean I am going to deal with oxidized oil peeking out. They’re outta here. Still, how to do it without damaging my skin? Pushing them out with my fingers is a recipe for disaster, to say the least. Yes, I’ve stopped picking at my face so much. My dad is thrilled.
Now, I have a program and so far, knock the bedpost, so darn good.
In the morning. I shower and use my Mia with as little cleanser as possible in the shower. All the dead skin comes off, but my face is not done. After I rinse and I have really clean hands (use a brush on my nails), I get out of the shower and pat my face dry. Off to the sink. Right now, I’m using BabyFace cleanser from, Lush. In the future I may switch to a combination of Fractionated Coconut Oil and Jojoba Oil with an emulsifier. We’ll see. I put rub my hands on my Baby face and massage my skin for five to seven minutes In this time, the gentle pressure is helping collagen repair and the oil is not comedogenic, so even if I stay oily, my pores can still make oil for my face. Yep, nuts. I know. Cleaning an oily face with oil. Believe me. I had to be talked into this one on a face forum online. I rinse well with very warm, not hot water and use my regular routine. Benzoyl Peroxide in the morning for unblocking pores and Differin at night, for cell turnover and acne.
The immediate results? No strange flakes of skin on my face. I don’t need worry about a moisturiser. My face feels well hydrated and clean. I don’t look oily. Not after an hour, or even two, etc. If I need a mid-day clean, I just clean it with the oil for a couple of minutes and move on. At night, same routine, no Mia.
The first few days of this, I was horrified. I was sure I was an outbreak ready to happen. Nothing. Now, my sebaceous filaments are far cleaner and because my skin is softer, real blackheads come out with my Tweezerman in seconds. I only get them rarely, where I hold my phone. The spots from the mole removal are almost gone, now and I feel great.
Is this the magic bullet? Give me a month, or two. Facial changes take a while for me to see results with. If it’s going to fail, I’ll have a massive breakout next week. I can deal. if it’s going to work, it will take a month for the mess I have now to heal.
At the end, I powder it with a silk ad pearl powder with zinc I made. That stuff is wonderful for damaged skin. I also am working on external, as well a internal vitamin C. Most of the C carrier oils and solutions have stuff in it that is bad for super oily skin. I need to change the formula, but watch my PH.
Fun!
Yesterday, Talkin Makeup on YouTube, posted a silly video with some great advice. I always watch Camile’s videos right when they come out. I’m super uptight about viewing a few people right away. She’s one of them. I think she thinks I’m stalking her. Lol! With my bundles of joy, there is no time to stalk and besides, it would be Shemar Moore. I can’t evoke the sound of a low cougar growl, but you get the idea. The man is beyond fine.
I digress. She suggested using hydro-cortisone cream for a moisturizer if you’re having a red blotchy day. I was just having a red-blotchy day. I’d say that was synchronicity, but I’m always having red blotches. It seems I’m allergic to my cats. I see shots in my future.
I tried her trick last night and woke up with soft skin, not over oily, no new zits and my peeling skin, from my peel, soft and supple, with no flakiness. I was in total amazement. I double checked the ingredients. Aloe Vera was among the first of them. Okay, that’s good. The other ingredients were all good for my skin. Is relying on a corto-steroid every day a good idea? Not really, but once in while? I think she’s onto something.
Love this cleanser
Last summer, I’d say August, I was given a sample of, “Baby Face Cleanse.” I’d expressed frustration with every other makeup remover I’d tried. My eyelids are very sensitive and always red. If I drag most makeup removers over them, including ones for sensitive eyes, they actually peel. That makes it hard for me to wear eye makeup and I’m a makeup artist. Sheesh.
So the woman at Lush handed me a sliver of, “Baby Face.” Which seemed impossibly small. I got on the Internet and researched the product. Armed with my information and my sliver of Baby Face, a face full of waterproof makeup, I hit the bathroom. My makeup came off. I mean right away, even the waterproof stuff. ALL OF IT! Okay, great, but my face is so dang oily, I feel like I can power every car in Michigan. This was BOUND to lead to breakouts.
Next morning, no flaking skin (I took it off with a damp facial sponge and washed with my normal cleanser) and NO NEW ZITS! IK am forty six and break out like a teen. No zits means the world to me. I used my sliver, and used it, and used it and used it. That stupid sliver of, “Baby Face,” lasted months. I mean of everyday use. I finally got it small enough to justify buying it for myself. Forget it. I cut it up and put it in small bags for my clients. I’ll buy another one for me. Okay, maybe more than one. I want to pass this around. On days I plan a deep clean, complete with careful and taught, blackhead extraction (almost all gone now), I use, “Baby Face,” first, then wash with my regular stuff after and my face does not get red, or inflamed. I recently had three moles removed and am using an anti-bacterial product during the day and, Baby Face, at night. My scars are healing nicely. I also used it on a recent tattoo (family names on it and a special something for my son who passed) and the healing is great. Only one small area that is stubborn and that’s because I scratched at it, before I started in on the, Baby Face.”
This is a product I would give a ten out of ten for. Does what it says, does not break out the break out Queen and has wonderful abilities to get stubborn eye makeup off. Go Lush!
Note, “Baby Face,” is a solid cleanser, meant for dry skin. Its oil based and probably comedigenic. If I were a Teen, I would not think of using it. As an older woman, even with breakouts, it’s a Godsend, but I never leave it on for long, except were I am healing something. It’s a great product.
Okay, day… I think four? I was told to use the Differin every third night, because most people react to it with majorly peeling skin and redness. Not me. My skin has been into every stupid acne product since the dawn of time and I got no redness. Okay, a burning sensation where I’d picked a zit. Sue me. Everyone farts, picks their nose in the car and on occasion, unless they are blessed like my son’s birth mom (perfect skin and no zits, ever, brat) they pick them. I remember girls in high-school doing it for one another and talking about it. Fascinating and disgusting all at the same time. Anyway, I have some peeling, and flaky skin, but I use my Elephant Poo Soap, (African Black Soap, no actual poo in it, just looks like it), Salicylic Acid on any active whompers and I do extractions on my Blackheads.
NOOOO!
Yes. I’m not sure how to break this to you, but Pore Strips only remove the top layer that’s oxidized and has discolored. There is sill sebum underneath and the only way to remove it is by professional, or professional quality and extraction. It won’t stop it forever, but that’s what the Differin is for. BTW, Differin is not an exfoliant. With most Retinoids you cannot use Salicylic Acid and the product on the same day, they cancel one another out. Differin is different (maoan). I’ts a synthetic and milder from of retinoid, even though it’s very hard on acne. I got the gel form, which is supposed to be more gentle.
Back to the report. Nothing major. Had a bump yesterday, gone today. I used the pink stuff over the retinoid. I’m not big on getting the Differin too close to my eye, but the wrinkles and crepiness. Yuck! So I’ll attempt one eye on the upper part of the lid tonight and test it. Not the lid itself, that is reserved for my L’Oreal. Which is working, albeit very slowly. No new milia. A good reason I don’t use pure pigments. They tend to make milia pop out on me. Yuck. NEVER EVER remove any milia (hard, little white bumps made of a wax-like substance) on your lid. Visit a dermatologist. I’m all for home remedy’s, but this is your EYE!
Now, Latisse. I have a generic, same active ingredient. I missed last night. I got it on my lid too, but I already had on my Differin and didn’t want to wash my face again, so I chanced it. The darkening of the skin is common, but does seem to go away on the maintenance routine for tester’s and I was terrified I’d wake up with HUGE dark marks on my lids. No. In the future I will, 1. wash, 2. Latisse, 3. Retinoid, 4. Spot Treat. Oh, be more careful works too. Don’t waste your time on the dorky brushes you get with it. Just buy a fine eyeliner brush, or two (mark one L and the other R), clean them well after each use (I use African Black Soap with extra oils in it) and dry on a sterile surface. I bought some white towels that I bleach to death in the wash on the sanitary mode for my makeup and medication space. Cheap at Target.
So far, three whole days, nothing. I don’t expect squat for six weeks, so hang tight. No darkening of the pigment of my eye (my eyes are olive-bright green and there is a brown spot, in the top of my left eye. I used to hate that thing, now, I feel liberated and different because of it). No change to either. Again, blue eyes do not darken in any of the tests, including the original product for glaucoma. It makes your brown eyes very brown,*IF* it happens, which is rare. Go to their site and read the studies. Very informative.
So, that’s that. I would like to state, for honesty’s sake that I purchased them online through a drug store in India, run by two American woman here. They have a stellar reputation (I tried to find a bad review and other than shipping time, could not) and had a prescription for these items. I could not and would not pay that much markup for a product in the US. Ridiculous! The products are by the same companies that sell here, and are identical in makeup. I researched the heck out of them and was honest with my doc. He was not thrilled, but conceded that they are the same and warned me against buying from China. In Michigan a lot of people take day trips to Canada and get scripts filled, because of the savings, so it seemed normal to m. If this idea terrifies you, then pay the full price. I just can’t afford it and refuse to let the drug companies hold me be the proverbial balls for my acne meds. I’m almost 46! I refuse to be forty six and have acne. I won’t use Accutane. I don’t think it would depress me, but I have enough problems without six months of headaches. A common side effect.
On zits. That’s right, zits. I’ve been fighting them since I was 11. ELEVEN and now I’m forty five. Enough! Fini! Buh-bye. I’ve stepped the war up. I’m going to the derm and out these things are going to come. I mean it! I don’t wear a lot of makeup at home. I keep my face clean, but don’t strip it and use hydrating things that DO NOT CLOG PORES! So why? WHY ME????
HELP!
I’m tossing an arsenal at them and will keep you updated. Hang tight. Something has got to work. In the meantime, I have a ton of things that don’t.
